"The More You Know"

     One of the television networks, I think it’s NBC, often runs a commercial during its programming in which various actors from its shows will offer a short message, almost a public service announcement, in an effort to make their viewers aware of ways in which they can better serve the environment, their community, and their family. At the end of each commercial the actor finishes by saying, “The more you know.” The point is that the more you know the better you are, particularly if the object of the knowledge can benefit others. It’s a wholesome message even if all of the programming is not.

     A couple of days ago I watched one of those commercials and it got me to thinking about a specific event in our Lord’s life. In the midst of our Lord’s period of temptation in the wilderness we find these words from Satan in Luke 4:5-7. “And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I will give it to whom I will.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

     There is so much we could say about Satan’s words, but for the purpose of this post we will consider only that Satan caused all of the kingdoms of the earth to pass before our Lord’s eyes “in a moment of time.” I find that very interesting. Why not give our Lord a slow, in depth, panoramic view of each kingdom? Why not show Jesus the splendor of all the great cities belonging to each kingdom? Why not encourage our Lord to walk their streets and admire their glory? I cannot answer this for certain but I do feel comfortable offering one suggestion. Perhaps Satan knew that a longer look would have shown that they were worth so little. Perhaps he recognized that theirs was the glory of tinsel, not gold (1 John 2:17a). Of course, Jesus already knew this. 

     Friends, the more we come to know each other and the world around us the more flaws we discover. This certainly should not cause us to love one another less, but to recognize that imperfection permeates every aspect of this world, including us. This would be very depressing if there were no exception to the rule. There is. His name is Jesus Christ. You see, the more we come to know Jesus the greater the wonder becomes. Friends, this will be true not only in the midst of this flawed and imperfect world but also in the perfection of eternity.

     With so many interests in this life it’s always good to be reminded of the need to keep Jesus Christ at the center. Length of life and number of experiences causes our knowledge of this world and its inhabitants to increase. We see how the world operates, how it thinks, how it influences, and what it desires. More than anything we see its weaknesses and flaws. Let that recognition motivate us to want to learn more about our flawless Christ.

         The more you know!         

What Are You Afraid Of?

     “What are you so afraid of?” If that question is asked of people today they can rattle off a pretty long list. The brethren that I worship with have spoken of many things of which they’re “afraid” as we have chatted around dinner tables, hospital waiting rooms, and at the building. Some have said they fear the government, diseases, surgeries, upcoming exams, and much more. Many times when we use the word “afraid” we speak not of actual fear but apprehension. We have a genuine concern with the state of events and desire that everything run smoothly. There is nothing wrong with this for Scripture does not condemn a healthy does of concern, but rather the paralyzing anxiety that demonstrates a lack of faith in God (Matthew 6:25-34).

     However, sometimes when we use the word “afraid” we mean precisely that. People are afraid when a tornado in their area has been seen, or when a terrorist threat has been confirmed, or when a distressing diagnosis is received from a doctor. In each of those cases a certain level of fright is expected and understood by God. It is for this reason that He reminds us that whatever concerns us concern Him and we can bring it to Him in prayer (1 Peter 5:6-7).

     Having said all of that, do you recall the one thing Jesus Christ specifically tells us to fear? “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). A bad diagnosis, a mighty storm, and terrorist threats are all frightening. Even so, they pale in comparison to He who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Hebrews 10:30). The reason the disobedient and faithless ought to live in a perpetual state of fear is not because of their fellow man, diseases, or disasters; but because “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

     But let us take the lesson into our own hearts rather than focus upon those who have never put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). The day is coming when people who have been immersed in water and attended the local “church or Christ” will hear the words, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). At the end of the day nothing that happens to us here can destroy our souls. Disaster, disease, and man can take our lives but that’s the most they can do for our soul returns to the Father of spirits (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 12:9) and our eternal dwelling place will have been determined based upon what we did in the flesh (Romans 14:10-12).

     The Christian who has grown accustomed to disobeying God’s commands ought not to be more afraid of anything than the penalty their chosen manner of life is accumulating. Presidents, dictators, terrorists, governments, diseases, and disasters can all be frightening but they do not approach the terror of a jealous God spurned by those who have chosen to hold Jesus Christ up for  contempt and crucify Him again (Hebrews 6:4-6).

         So, what are you afraid of?                     

"Therefore do not throw away your confidence" (1)

     Hebrews 10:32-36 says, “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

     The Christians addressed by the Hebrew writer had suffered upon their conversion to Christ. Some of them were held up before the public eye and ridiculed. Some were made a spectacle of as they were cast into prison. Some had their property plundered. The ones who may not have experienced these things first hand were so concerned and involved with the saints who were that they could truly be considered partners with them in their suffering. 

     Few things would be as stressful, particularly from the perspective of a father, as having one's home and property confiscated. A father must provide for his family. He works hard to provide a place where his wife and children can feel safe, a place to which they can return each day confident that food, clothing, and shelter will be available to them. He may not be able to present them with an abundance of worldly goods, but love for his family and His God powerfully motivates him try and make their lives as comfortable as possible. How his faith must be shaken when those things are plundered from him!

     Or is it? The Hebrew writer reminds those first century saints of a time when they did not just accept such persecution, but they accepted it joyfully! “But how can that be?” today’s non-Christian and worldly-minded Christian ask incredulously? After all, Jesus’ statement in Luke 12:15 that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of His possessions” just sounds so strange, so unrealistic, doesn’t it? Yes, if approached from a worldly perspective. There is nothing praiseworthy or commendable in suffering to the one whose vision cannot extend beyond his life on earth.

     However, early after their conversions the recipients of the Hebrew letter had been able to take a much longer view. Even as their houses and property were taken from before their physical eyes, their spiritual eyes were fastened upon a “better possession and an abiding one.” They were very much like Moses, of whom the Hebrew writer would speak just a few verses later. “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). One must not gloss over the fact that Moses knew of a reward exceeding that of being called the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet and enjoying all the vice and pleasure associated with it. One must be even further moved in considering that he thought of these sinful pleasures as merely “passing” when he could have indulged in them for the greatest part of a long life. The worldly-minded exclaim, “What a wonderful life this man gave up!” The spiritually minded exclaim, “What a wonderful reward he grasped!” In the beginning, the Hebrew saints kept that reward firmly in mind.  What about you and I?

   

"Therefore do not throw away your confidence" (2)

     Confidence means 1)“full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.”  2) “belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance.” In the previous article we considered the reward promised to the saints upon completion of a faithful life. In this article I’d like to consider the confidence of which the writer speaks in verse 35. Having been involved in organized sports throughout my schooling, the importance of confidence was something I heard proclaimed regularly. I believe that considering various aspects of confidence will help us in our Christian walk.

     Confidence is the result of preparation and training. I was always least confident heading into a contest when I felt as though my preparation had not been as comprehensive as it should have been. One of the greatest compliments that can be paid to any athlete is that no one is better prepared than they. They have thoroughly learned the game plan, they have familiarized themselves with the opponent, they understand the rules, and they know exactly what they wish to accomplish and how to achieve it. With such comprehensive preparation they can enter the contest confident that they are as ready as they can be.

     The faithful child of God understands this well for training and preparation are as familiar to them as breathing. Every opening of their Bible is designed to bring their steps into closer alignment with Christ’s. Every prayer is designed to prepare them for whatever wave the sea of life may throw at them that day. Every call, card, or visit to an ailing saint is designed to further train them in love and compassion. Every confrontation with error prepares them for the next battle. Quite simply, the faithful Christian life is a life of constant training and preparation. 

     The writer reminded his readers of the need for this continual training when he said, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Paul speaks on the topic in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.  “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Fellow Christian, would you have confidence in a future reward? Then prepare and train your heart in godliness and have a genuine reason to be confident.

     Confidence grows as past successes are remembered. Whenever we competed against a team we had defeated earlier in the season my confidence was always high going into the contest. After all, we had already overcome the opposing team once and if we executed as we had before there was no reason why the result would be any different. Even if the game took a turn in the other teams favor our preparation, along with remembrance of the earlier outcome, gave my team an extra boost that was most helpful.

     As Christians we are fortunate to receive our instruction from a “coach” who has already defeated the opposing team. This is none other than the Lamb of God, our Lord and Savior, who Himself said, “I have said these things to you that you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The second definition of the word “confidence” found at the beginning of this article speaks of “self-confidence” and “self-reliance.” Let me suggest to you that the Christian possesses something much greater than that and it is Christ-confidence and Christ-reliance! Any successes we have enjoyed in overcoming our deadly spiritual opponent have all been the result of our following the perfect example of the One who never succumbed to spiritual defeat. Note how John says it in 1 John 5:4. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Fellow Christian, would you see your confidence grow even in the face of vicious attacks from the adversary? Remember the past successes you’ve experienced in overcoming him through the example and aid of Jesus Christ.

     Confidence can be surrendered. I can recall occasions where a contest was not going well. The ball was not bouncing my way, the calls were not going in my favor, and it just seemed like the opposing team had a bounce in their step that neither I nor my teammates were matching. Cracks began to appear in our confidence until we surrendered it completely and it came crumbling down. It is at these times that a team can begin “going through the motions.” They stay on the court or the field, they continue to move around, but clearly their heart is gone and their will shot. The worst statement that can be made about an athlete or a team is that they “quit” during a contest. Yet that is precisely what happens when confidence is surrendered.

     Part of what kills confidence is watching your coach be “outcoached.” Every play your coach designs is perfectly defended by the opposing coach. Every defense your coach calls is easily dissected by the other coach. Few things are as disheartening on the playing field as this. Fortunately, our adversary is incapable of “outcoaching” our Savior. In fact, our God’s power is so far beyond that of our adversary’s that he must operate under a debilitating restraint—he is never allowed to tempt us beyond our ability to overcome it! “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

     Satan operates with God’s hand firmly placed upon his shoulder. He is permitted to tempt us. After all, if our faith is never tested how can we know if we have faith enough to save? But no matter what Satan throws our way God stands right next to him providing the way of escape if we will but reach for it. God is faithful and that promise stands as firm as God Himself. This means that if a saint surrenders his confidence it will not be because God failed to hold up His end. Nor will it be because Satan overpowered God. The saint’s confidence finds God as its Source. Only when that Source is left behind is that confidence surrendered. Fellow Christian, would you hold fast to the confidence which leads to a great reward? Remember the Source of that confidence throughout your life and the reward will be waiting at the end.            

Observing An Elderly Sister

     At a gospel meeting several years ago I and a member of the congregation stopped by to visit an elderly sister confined to her home. She was sitting on the couch with her left leg propped up on some pillows next to her. A recent surgery had left behind a wound that was not healing the way it should. She was experiencing a great deal of pain and her doctor was at a loss for why it would not heal.  

     Even before the wound on her leg she was not able to get around very well. Having been an elementary schoolteacher until her retirement, she had spent a great deal of her life chasing small children here, there, and yonder. Years of carrying them, playing with them, and holding them had stooped her frame dramatically. She could no longer walk on her own but required the aid of a walker to get around. A simple journey from the couch to the kitchen was very difficult for her. When I met her most of her days were filled with nurses visiting the home, medicines being taken, waiting for brethren to stop by to run errands she could no longer run for herself, and hours sitting upon that couch talking to her husband who was confined to a chair pressed up against her couch.

     She and her husband had twins about sixty years ago who did not survive their first year of life. They were never able to have children after that. She did have some family living in the region but they only called on their aging relatives rarely and never without requesting money from them. For all intents and purposes the only family they had were the members of the church.

     As I sat there observing this elderly sister I found myself thinking that this must be an absolutely depressing way to have to live. Surely she must be bitter and frustrated having to spend her final years like this. Then I noticed the open Bible lying on the floor within easy reach from her seat on the couch. I noticed a pen and a highlighting marker sitting on the open pages. Then it occurred to me that she had not told me any of the things I have described thus far. All of this information was given me by the brother who had brought me there. She never mentioned her pain, her inability to get around, lingering heartache over the loss of the twins, or her absentee family members. In fact, she never complained a single time while we were there.

     It was then I noticed how colorful the pages of her Bible were. There were notes and highlighted passages all over the place. When I mentioned this to her she slowly bent down and picked up that Bible. She put it in her lap and smiled down at the pages. I was struck as I realized that this was not just a book to her, this was her dearest and closest friend. Her own language was saturated with the language of Scripture. Rarely have I met a Christian who could so seamlessly weave the words of Jesus Christ and His inspired writers into nearly every sentence. Rarely have I seen a Christian for whom the Holy Writ was so dynamically alive!  Her eyes lit up as we began to talk about God and His Word. More than knowing the Book, she loved it. More than knowing about the Book, she lived it. I realized then that her days were not spent in idleness; they were spent in near constant study and Bible discussion with the man who had been by her side ever step of the way. Incidentally, I never really met her husband as he slept soundly in his chair after our first few minutes in the house. The years had caught up to him, too. However, I could not fail to notice his own worn Bible on the end table next to his chair.

     Worn Bibles. That’s what those two elderly soldiers of the cross owned. Her Bible was taped and several pages were now sitting loose having pulled free from the binding. This aging saint was riddled with pain and abandoned by family. Yet the Lord still stood by her and strengthened her. She knew it and it preserved her. What joy she possessed! As we left I was reminded of a centuries old observation: Bibles that are falling apart usually belong to people who aren’t. How true in the case of this beautiful elderly sister!                

For in this tent we groan. Or do we?

     In 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 we read, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.”

     For Paul the destroying, or dissolving, of the earthly tent of his flesh was a very distinct and present possibility throughout much of his life as an apostle. Persecution and threats of death were not uncommon for him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 4:7-10; 6:4-10; 11:23-27). Paul, the tentmaker, employs the imagery of a tent partly to remind us of how quickly the tent that is the human body can be dissolved, taken down, removed, destroyed. This was especially true for the apostle himself who daily faced perils that threatened his very life. 

     But Paul would have us know that death does not get the last word. Eventually death caught up to Paul but all it could do was usher him into the next life and the beginning of his reward (Luke 16:22). There was a crown of righteousness waiting for Paul and if the Lord was not going to return before Paul’s death than it was going to require his death to gain his reward (2 Timothy 4:6-8). To Paul, death served as a doorway to something far greater. Rather than fearing it, he embraced it. It was the expectation of his eternal reward that caused him to groan while in the flesh, longing to put on his heavenly dwelling.

     Yet the words of 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 came from a man who lived a very difficult, arduous life. They came from a man who faced significant challenges and persecutions seemingly on a daily basis. Clearly there wasn’t much in this world that wrapped itself around Paul’s heart to distract him from his goal. This was a man who lived as far from the lap of ease as one can get. 

     But we’re not like that, are we? We come home from work and sit down in our comfortable chairs to relax. We watch television on high definition flat-screens, read the local news on our "retina display" tablets, or surf the web on the little computers we call smart phones until dinner is on the table. Maybe we take the family and go out to a restaurant instead of cooking at home. After that we may grab some ice-cream or frozen yogurt for dessert. We go to movies and ballgames, take family vacations, shop at the mall, hang out with friends, listen to our music, mess around on Facebook, play games, and then come home to our warm houses and comfortable beds.

     Of course, none of these things are wrong in and of themselves. But all of these things together can make this life awfully comfortable, can’t they? All of this together may cause a person to wonder what more they really need? All of this together may even swing a persons allegiance from Christ to the comforts and pleasures of the world (1 John 2:15-17). 

     It begs the question: how much groaning is actually taking place among us? How often do we find ourselves contemplating the future reward of the faithful so deeply that words fail us to be replaced by “groanings too deep for words”? Why would a Christian groan for a heavenly dwelling when he has become thoroughly content with an earthly one? After all, if I treasure the things this world has to offer I’m going to have a very difficult time getting my heart to rise much higher than my own head (Matthew 6:19-21).

     So what do we do? We remember that we’re on a pilgrimage that will last until our deaths (1 Peter 2:11). We make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5:16), which certainly does not forbid enjoying our time here, but does require that we enjoy the truly good things in life, always walking in a manner worthy of our calling (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:1). If we will do this than we will live very happy and fulfilling lives during the days of our sojourn. More importantly, we will never forget that our true home is just a door away.