Your Christianity Offends Me

I have noticed in my own life that the more time I spend with the Lord, the more my heart and my desires align with Christ. My attitude changes, my behavior changes, and all of it is evident to other people. I remember when I first became a Christian, the transformation of my character and person was so radical that people who I wasn't even that close to noticed. The Christians in my life were happy, and the non-Christians didn't really care. It wasn't until I came to college that really faced opposition for my faith. 

Three years after I became a Christian, I had my first sort of faith "epiphany," after I realized that many of the struggles and fears I was facing in life were a direct result of placing my hope and trust in things that weren't God. I suppose that up until that point I had been vaguely aware of the "false Gods" in my life, but wasn't motivated to do anything about it -- until I was. I reached a point where I decided to just be "all-in" with my faith, and I jumped: I began seeking God more aggressively, made an effort to spend time in His word on a daily basis, began phasing out some of the negative influences on my life and behavior, and focused on my prayer life. Evidently, the change in me was noticeable once again. This time around, though, when some of the non-Christians in my life noticed, they were displeased, and they let me know it. 

I was shocked when this happened to me, but I shouldn't have been. The bible clearly states that the more Christlike we become, the more the world will hate us.

John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

It's strange to think that someone might hate us for embracing a lifestyle of love and truth, but after pondering the issue for some time, I've come to realize why someone might be offended by my faith. Here are a few reasons I came up with:

• Conscience: Living righteously is noticeable in our age, when discord and immorality are running rampant. People, simply after seeing someone quietly abstain from objectionable behavior, might become defensive about their own actions. Without a humble spirit, people can become angry simply because a Christian isn't doing what everyone else is doing. 
• Conviction: Sometimes people are perfectly comfortable in their sin. When they are convicted by a Christian's behavior or words, they realize that actually changing their behavior would cause them discomfort. Again, cue anger. It's like being interrupted while reading a good book - my first impulse is to yell at the person who interrupted me (until I reign in my frustration and try to be calm...)
• God has laws: Today's society values flexibility and relativity when it comes to morals and values, right vs. wrong, etc. There's an attitude of "What's right for you might not be right for me," and people argue that "there are no absolutes." God's clearly-defined, exclusive and absolute truth goes against this ideology, and some people will take offense to that.
• The enemy: Satan will use any and every tactic to keep people from coming to Christ. He twists people's words and manipulates minds to increase divisions among people. People who don't have Christ as their savior are especially vulnerable to the devil's tactics.

Sometimes it might be easy to forget that the king of the world was ridiculed, beaten, spit on, mocked, slandered, abused and moreover rejected in every way imaginable. People who rejected Him also hated Him, and they looked for ways to destroy Him. 

According the John 15:18, we can expect the world to do the same to us, with increasing aggression as we become more and more like Christ. We are promised this, but also that God will not let us be overcome by the objections: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed."

We also are equipped with the ability to forgive the people that hurt us, oppose us, and attempt to bring us down. We are commanded to forgive, but also equipped to do so by the Holy Spirit because when we accept Christ, sin loses its power over us. (Romans 6:14). Amazing, isn't it?

So, my closing message is this: take heart. You will be slandered, abused, harassed, mocked and tried. Use the objections as a reason to draw closer to God. Jesus says it himself, "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." -Matthew 10:22

War and Peace

The world is hurting from all of the events that took place this past Friday. Everyone is talking about it, I'm sure you've heard about it. There's even a new hashtag: #PrayforParis; and Facebook, along with national capitols, are decorated with red, white and blue French flags. People are shouting, crying, and whispering. There are questions everywhere: why?

What kind of God allows terrorism, earthquakes, death and such pervasive pain in the world? Where is "God" amid all of this? 

It is so important to understand in this growing reign of terror that these catastrophes are not from God. God is all good, beyond the realm of any human comprehension. The Lord himself is goodness. The world, however, is sinful, broken and very distant from God. These terror attacks and disasters are a result of the pervasive power of sin in the world. We are fighting a spiritual battle against an enemy who craves total destruction. 

These horrible things happen as a physical manifestation of this spiritual battle. 

Sin can be described as an absence of God. When a person sins, his or her heart is far from God. A person in communication and relationship with God does not sin in those moments. Sin occurs where God is not. God is not in ISIS. God is not in the hurricane. God is not the unibomber, Al-Qaeda or a deadly illness. "For God is not a God of disorder, but a God of peace." -1 Corinthians 14:33. 

But that doesn't mean God isn't in control of all these things, or that he can't use them for good. Because he can, and he does. 

See, in this ongoing battle, there is a truth that God has already conquered evil. There is already an end in sight, a unique gift of hope that Christians have received. Amid these scary events, we are untouchable. There are far worse things that can overcome a person than physical death, and while a Christian may fall victim to assassins or disaster, his or her soul is safe from evil because of Jesus. Our hope is not in our physical bodies, but in an immaculate God who is stronger than evil. 

We have hope and peace, even when we can't understand why these things happen, or what good can come from them. But the truth is that God has plans and a purpose for good in ALL situations. Evil never prevails, even when it threatens to. 

Historically, there have been horrible disasters and catastrophes that God has used for good, even though the events stemmed from such atrocious evil that it seems impossible for God to be in them. The most powerful example of this is in the gospel message itself. 

The most scandalous and horrifying event to ever have occurred in the history of the world was the murder of Jesus Christ. The sadness and pain the swept over Israel and the entire world on that day was more profound than what we are feeling in the aftermath of the events on November 13th. "In that moment, the temple curtain tore in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split." Matthew 27:51. Yet amid the tragedy of it all was born the beautiful gift of salvation for all who place their hope in Him. Just as we can find hope in Christ's death, we can find hope among other disasters. In this way we can Praise God because of such suffering. 

As Christians, we can find peace. We don't have to be anxious or afraid. 

For non-Christians, I urge you: now is as good a time as ever to place your hope and your trust in Jesus Christ. Look at the world and what horrible things are happening. They are going to continue, and will be increasingly terrible. Where will you turn when you can no longer help yourself?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you as learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

Radical Grace

Winter is approaching, and the piece that isn't talked about quite as much as holiday cheer is the darker and more depressing side dish to the lack of sunlight.

Depression and anxiety are complicated subjects because the experience is unique to each person. I've struggled with both in the past, and while I found various psychological techniques useful (ie different "healthy coping mechanisms,") none of them "cured me." Barring generalizations, I think this is because my own inner turmoil stemmed from my attempts and resultant inability to reconcile my self-view with my world-view. 

You see, real life is messy. It goes wrong because we go wrong, and sometimes it goes wrong even if we're right. None of it makes any sense, and as we try harder and harder to be perfect, we fall farther and farther from the impossible standards, increasing the level of anxiety with every attempt and ultimately becoming depressed by our own depravity. Or at least, that's what I did. Until I learned about the radical gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), which is sufficient: His power made perfect in my weakness.

Radical grace is recognizing our imperfections and boasting in them, because He alone is perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I am continually incapable of conducting myself in a way that speaks light to others. I make mistakes, but the gift in my vulnerable state is that God alone is perfect. Our faith is in an infallible being.

Radical grace is realizing that we will never reach those impossible standards that we all strive toward, but we are still loved more powerfully than the lock of sin on our lives. (Romans 6:14) Two words: habitual sin. Two (better) words: radical grace.

Radical grace is given, not earned, because we would never be worthy of it. (Romans 11:6) Like any gift, we need to accept it.

Radical grace is shouting, from the tops of our lungs, that we are broken, failed and horribly insufficient, and that we need something more than what we could ever muster from within ourselves. (James 4:6) On our own we are nothing, but with God anything is possible. 

Radical grace is allowing yourself to be transformed from all that we are into all that God has for us. (1 Corinthians 15:10) It is dying to ourselves to live in freedom.

Radical grace is that even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) How powerful is that? While we were still sinners. Not once we repented, changed and became perfect! While we were the ugliest of ugly, the most beautiful creation of God washed us clean with His blood - when we least deserved it. It's the radical grace of God that appeared, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11). How sweet is the sound of amazing grace that saved even a wretch like me!

Government

Definition: 

The system by which the policies, actions and affairs of a nation, state or community are conducted.

It might be wise to note that this definition of government in no way references morality, good vs bad, right vs wrong, or any other reference code of conduct. It merely describes the way things are - "the status-quo" so-to-speak. In many governments -- or at least in America -- things are run by the people, to suit the people. Things are not run by God to suit God. That's just not the way it is. The bible even says so.

I was reading in Luke this morning, about Jesus's trial, conviction and ultimate sentencing to crucifixion. Throughout chapters 22 and 23, the people, infuriated by Jesus, are petitioning Pilate to do something about this bothersome man. Pilate recognized Jesus's innocence, but was faced with a dilemma: as the governing body, his power came from the people and was subject to removal by the people. In other words, he was accountable for keeping people happy -- and happy they were not, because of Jesus. Pilate tried to defer to Herod, who found Jesus equally innocent, and between the two of them, Jesus was ultimately convicted despite bearing no guilt for any crimes. (Sinless, anyone?) At the end of Luke 23:23, the infuriated people demanded action, "and their shouts prevailed." 

In this government - under Pontius Pilate, the people made the call.

I couldn't help but think of today's government. Christians in America are guilty of putting a little too much faith in politicians. Yes, we all "know" that "politicians are corrupt, cheats, liars, thieves, whatever," and yet we petition them and beg them to act on our behalf. One big debacle as of late is with Planned Parenthood. Of course I would love it if our governors, congressmen, senators and president voted to make abortion illegal. But, I don't think that's going to happen, and I don't think that begging them will change anything. Why? Because Christian voices are overpowered by secular ones when it comes to government. Politicians looking to get re-elected need to appeal to the majority, and in most cases the majority do not hold a Christian worldview. 

Government acts according to the people, and as Christians looking to stop the evil in our world, we can't go to the government and expect them to act. We need to go directly to the people. Instead of pouring funds into lobbying politicians, what if we opened our homes and our hearts to the single, pregnant women who feel their only option is abortion? What if, instead of petitioning our governors to found integration programs, we were the hands and feet of Jesus -- being the church body -- and feeding, clothing and loving on the homeless? What if, instead of battling against our spiritually lost neighbors, we invited them to join us at a soup kitchen? How different would the world look then?

I am in no way saying that we shouldn't care about politics. Indeed, we are all responsible for voting for biblical values. But, we needn't be surprised when we are out-voted by folks who are jaded to the many injustices in our society. We can't put our faith in the government because it was the government who handed over Jesus Christ to be crucified, unjustly. Yet it is important to note as well that despite the travesty that it was and is, God's hand was in it all.  

We have been warned: things are going to get worse before they get better. There will be injustices, wars, disasters, abortions, divorces and abuse. But instead of helplessly signing petitions, lets get out there -- onto the mission field -- and actually do something about it, like we have been called to do. 

Fear, Fate and Our Father

I woke up today with this poster looking back at me from across the room:

In reality, I wake up to this poster every morning, but today the words really struck me.

There are so many unknowns in my future right now, and it's so tempting to step aside from what I know to be true about God in favor of hiding under my blankets like a scared child. You see, I don't know what I'll be doing next year. Come to think of it, I don't know what I'll be doing next summer, next semester, or even next week. I'm in that limbo between trusting God and panicking about my life, and I'm definitely toeing the line of the latter. 

That topic makes me recall a little bit about that CD that I have, and my whole music project endeavor. The lyrics to the namesake song read:

"I'm not falling, I'm not falling, 'cause even the rain stops sometimes. Still deciding, redefining, I know that there's more to this life of mine...this life on the line"

It's such a good reminder -- and even though I was in a very different mindset when I wrote that song than I am currently, the words are just as applicable. Facing a wide-open future, it feels like I'm at the edge of a cliff: I was following along the path, happy as a clam, and then all of a sudden it ended at a 500-foot drop. What I thought were the plans God had for my life maybe aren't? But that doesn't mean I'm falling, maybe it means I've been given an opportunity to stop and enjoy the view. I could panic about the fact that there's a sharp valley before me, or I could admire it's beauty.

That of course doesn't mean that there isn't a place for the pain I'm feeling, though. God is continually shaping and refining me to one day become the person He created me to be. I will never become that person by myself -- my sinful nature is like a step backward for every stride I make towards Christ's likeness. The pastor at my church discussed last week how struggle and suffering is one of the primary tools God uses to shape us, and for that hope we are to rejoice. 

Romans 5:3-5 reads, "3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

It sounds so backwards to rejoice in my current state of despair (I use that word lightly.) But what's really backwards is the fact that I feel hopeless at all. God is my reason for hope, and when I let his truth infiltrate every ounce of my being, soaking up His words like a dry sponge, joy and peace become the only logical state to be in. Why am I letting my fears determine my fate, when the course of my life was determined before the creation of the earth?

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

A Peace That Transcends All Understanding

Sometimes, I have to admit, the promised peaceful life that is bestowed upon believers is not true of me -- especially with regards to the everyday, little inconveniences that should be brushed off. 

This past Friday, someone bumped my car while it was parked in the lot. It actually was the best case situation: the offending individual left a note and phone number, and nobody was hurt. I called the police, filed a claim, my car is getting repaired, all is well. As far as car accidents go, it was about as smooth as they come. Except, not really.

Yes, I was patient and optimistic all through Friday. I made the phone calls I needed to make, I carried on, etc. etc. But things changed today when I went to go drop off my car for repair. The inconveniences piled up, and by noon I was raging about the fact that: 1) I had to wake up an hour earlier. 2) I had to spend my precious gas to drive across the river to one of the "approved" repair shops. 3) I was not first in line and thus had to wait, making me 10 minutes late for work. 4) I had to get a rental, which is a lesser quality, older car with fewer features than my precious, brand-spanking new 2016 Hyundai Elantra. 5) I had to purchase outside insurance for the rental car, which I wouldn't have needed had my own car been intact. 6) I actually didn't need to purchase the outside insurance, but the insurance companies didn't open until after I was at the dealer. 7) Now I have to go all the way back there, using more gas, to prove that I haven't damaged the rental car in the past 2 hours its been in my possession in order to waive the insurance policy. 

Sigh.

Doesn't that just make me sound like a spoiled, rotten, brat? What's even worse is that it felt so darn good to pound out my frustrations in raging text evidence of how I have been wronged. 

Yes, I'm the victim, right? Poor me - I have a beautiful car to drive; I live among honest community members who leave notes instead of anonymous dents and scratches; insurance policies are available that cover the costs associated with the damage to my car; I have a free rental car while my car is being fixed without cost to me; I don't actually have to pay to insure the rental car. 

After nearly losing my cool on the phone when talking to the rental company (again), I heard a faint whisper about peace - that transcends all understanding and guards hearts and minds in Christ (Philippians 4:7). I responded, "Yeah, where's my peace?" The classic, indignant response of an ungrateful child who feels that the world owes her something. But slowly, the rest of that passage emerged from the deep place it was hidden away in my heart - the preceding verse: Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." The first step? It's on me - don't be anxious. Pray. Be thankful. Next? Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is lovely, what ever is good, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things and the God of peace will be with you."

Wow. That's rough truth, without the rainbows, butterflies, unicorns and candy that I wished were present. No - for patience and peace, I have responsibility. That responsibility, then, is to follow along the path that God has instructed me: to focus on what is good, righteous and true. Pray. Give thanks for my blessings, not my burdens. Then and ONLY THEN, do I receive that peaceful presence of God. 

That, my friends, is conviction. I am guilty before God not because of my behavior, but because of the condition of my heart. 

Political Correctness

The past couple weeks, a group has been coming to my university campus to preach, but their method of doing so is much different than what I'm accustomed to: in your face, flushed shouting, repent-of-your-sins, look-at-my-sign kind of preaching.

 

The first time I saw them last week, I brushed them off, kind of gritted my teeth and tried to pretend that I wasn't embarrassed. The second time, I approached one of them (the one sitting quietly in the corner) and asked them if they actually thought that what they were doing was effective. (I was noticing more folks getting offended than convicted...)

Today, I went right up to them and started talking. The thing is, I agree with what they're saying. They are preaching truth, from the bible, God-breathed words. I felt very uneasy from the first day that I saw them preaching because I am a people-pleaser, and I didn't think it was very kind to yell at folks.

This is more along the lines of what I'm accustomed to: playing music, engaging people, sharing the good news and God's grace. But just as shouting about hell fire is only half of the gospel, grace is only half. Both topics are one half of a whole truth that people need to hear. 

So today I perched myself by the engineering fountain and started up a conversation with a man in a plaid shirt and suspenders about what they were doing, the effectiveness of evangelism, and fear of God vs grace of God preaching. As someone who takes special care to be politically correct, I had a lot of questions for folks whose whole ministry is based on violating social norms.

Things I learned:

• Their goal was to make a scene. They weren't being 100% serious. Yes, they fully believed the truth behind their words, but they were trying to be satirical, trying to be something that stuck out in people's memories, trying to make a scene for the sake of it. They wanted people to remember "those religious nuts" because deep down, people have an awareness of their sin. When the time comes, maybe they will turn to God.
• Grace is important, once we realize we need it - people who think they have a problem or don't think they have a penalty to pay don't understand how important it is when someone else pays that penalty.
• Grace is important - from my own experience, I've learned that many people actually are aware of their need. Being real with people about the consequences of unconfessed sin is important, once they realize that accepting Jesus is worth it because of his Grace. When people first come to Jesus, it's because they need something.
• A christian is a christian - I have friends who were really offended by these preachers, but at the end of the day, there need not be division. We are united by Christ, and that is reason enough to befriend each other. Disagreeing about evangelism techniques is not enough to fight with one another. 

We live in a world where in a class discussion about how to make friends after college, nobody suggests a local church. We dwell among a fallen people who need Jesus. However you choose to do so, open your mouth.