The Gospel Effect

The Gospel message about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is just as important now as it was two-thousand years ago.  During this time of uncertainty in the world, I have learned a couple of things.  First, people need each other.  No matter how technologically advanced we get, we still have a deep desire to be in relation with others.  I have also noticed that trials and difficult times really do build character, and can also be redeemed by God for our spiritual growth.  Keeping both of these things in mind, the idea of the 'Gospel Effect' (the notion of the work that Jesus does in our hearts and minds) has become paramount.  

I want to talk about a particular story relating to transformed hearts.  It is often known as the Parable of the Leaven.  This teaching from Jesus occurs both in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke.  It is very short, but as you can probably guess, also very profound.  Matthew 13:33 says, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."  From this little story, I believe we can take away two more points in particular.  First, much like leaven (or yeast), the kingdom of heaven can take some time to develop and mature.  We ought not apply today's fast paced, technology driven lifestyle to the Gospel Effect.  Not always anyhow.  When the Spirit of God begins a work in us, it often starts slowly and might be barely noticeable to the individual. 

Second, I believe we can take from this teaching, that the kingdom of heaven starts from the 'inside' and works its way outward.  Like leaven that permeates through the entire package of dough, Jesus begins working inside of a person's heart and mind.  The changes are often not obvious from other people's perspective, until the overflow of God's love begins to come out of that individual through the words they speak and the things they do.  Leaven may start small, but the end result is irrefutable.  We are sometimes impatient with God, aren't we?  Instead of waiting for the dough to rise, we might decide that a trip to the fast food restaurant is a better idea.  We drive past the window, hand our money to the employee, and off we go with a bag full of junk food.  Quick, easy, and also not very good for us.  We should wait on the leaven instead. 

By contrast, if we wait on God and allow the leaven time to work through the dough, the end result is impressive (and much better for us than fast food).  It goes without saying then, that God probably has to wait on us a good portion of the time also.  The Bible says He is infinitely patient with Israel, and with us also.  And if we stop to think about things for just a millisecond, we can see how true this is.  How many times have you and I failed to meet God's holy law?  More than a few times I would think.  If you disagree, stop reading this immediately and turn to the ten commandments in the Old Testament.  Go down the list with each one, and apply it to your own life.  Humbling, isn't it?

Little doubt that God is the very embodiment of patience and love.  I often see this truth wherever I look.  My advice is this: allow God's Holy Spirit to make little in-roads into your life.  Give this Gospel Effect time to take hold, and work in you from the inside out.  Who cares if other people around you notice this change immediately or not.  Your sanctification walk is between you and the Creator.  Revel in that intimate time together with God; Jesus died on the cross so that you could have it.  Don't waste it.  Sooner or later, those around you will notice the end result.   

 

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My Prayer for You

My prayer for you son,

Is that you walk, don’t run.
Stop and take life in,
Savor its joy and its disappointment;
Learn from them both.

My prayer for you son,
Is not just to win, but have fun.
Work hard, but also wander through life’s

fields, see how they grow and cultivate 

and rejuvenate.

 
My prayer for you son,
Is to know that God has won.
He is in the world, in your head, and in 

your heart. Jesus matters, and loves you

forever.

 
But most of all, my prayer for you,
Is to love, and trust, and enjoy life too.
Where Heaven starts, your soul will flourish.
This is the world I want you to know,
Not just to survive, but also to grow.

 

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The Sacred Classroom

I have been a teacher ever since I can remember.  From my earliest days, I was helping the other kids in elementary school write essays and complete their assignments.  Later, when I became an adult and entered the workforce, I found myself being assigned duties associated with instruction and training.  Eventually I got the title of “trainer” to go along with it.  I now work as a GED instructor full-time at a local college.  I have always held to the notion that if nothing else, the classroom is a sacred space.  This is where the magic happens.  Students learn to grasp concepts, and the teachers learn to meet people where they are at.  Teaching can be both a challenge and a joy as well, depending on what type of group you are working with. 

I have often marveled at how much our lives are like a classroom when it comes to developing spiritual character.  God will often bring us into circumstances where we are required to learn something important.  And I suspect also, that we are forced to repeat these lessons until we finally master them.  C.S. Lewis once wrote that God will not keep giving us simple math questions forever.  At some point, He will move us on to Algebra.  And so it is with the sacred classroom of life.  Try as we might, it’s no good complaining when we must endure challenges and setbacks, because these are the advanced Algebra problems that we are given sometimes. 

Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”  And cost us it surely does.  None of us make it through this life unscathed.  We will all experience grief, sadness, and pain … but also joy, happiness, and even bouts of peace.  Trust me when I say, God is riding in the seat right next to us during this roller coaster ride.  The famous verse from Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”  Although it’s easy to forget the hope part while you are in the middle of the storm.    

When it comes to education, most people must overcome some type of hurdle in order to cross the finish line and get the diploma.  My own GED students often show up with dramatic deficiencies in both math and writing.  There is something about dropping out of high school in the tenth grade that produces this symptom.  Nevertheless, they show up, and we teach them.  Typically, they are writing essays and passing math tests after just a few months!  But it comes at a cost.  They are continually being introduced to new concepts and clearing hurdles that they never imagined possible.  So will you and I, if we listen and learn what God is trying to show us in our own sacred classroom. 

I wish it were all as easy as mastering a geometry problem or crafting a well written paragraph.  But no, I’m afraid in this life, God usually brings us face to face with our own sin and inadequacies.  And while looking at this difficult reflection of our incomplete selves through His mirror, the only glimmer of hope we have is Christ Jesus.  His classroom is the church, his textbook the Bible, and his teaching assistant is the Holy Spirit.  Rest assured, God will take you through the same lesson over and over again if you need it.  It may look a bit different each time, but until you conquer your pride, ambition, lust, or greed – He will steer you through the textbook in order to get to the finish line.  In His eyes, we are always worth the trouble. 

A teacher should never give up on a student, as long as the student is willing to learn and put in the effort.  If they aren’t willing, however, then they are doomed to keep taking the same test over and over again.  This will go on until they finally begin to study and prepare.  Are you and I studying in the same way?  Or are we taking tests with our eyes closed, and just hoping to pass accidentally?  Hope is a great thing, but it isn’t a solid strategy for achievement.  Listen to the great Teacher, study His Word, and then apply what you have learned in your life.  I suspect that the final exam will go better that way.  Your hope will then be well placed and rewarded. 

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