Proof of Life

On Friday we celebrated "Good Friday." On the face of it, it's a stark concept, depicting the murder of the Son of God by His creation as "good." But we get it, we who believe. The ultimate evil gave way to the ultimate good. By that travesty of justice, justice prevailed so that God could be "just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom 3:26). We get the Cross. We celebrate the Cross. It was, in the final analysis, a "Good Friday." But ... what about the Resurrection? What was so good about that?

I love the language of Paul in his description of what happened on the cross. He said that Christ canceled the "record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands" (Col 2:14). How? He set it aside, "nailing it to the cross" (Col 2:14). See the picture? Dying there for the sins of the world, Christ "posted a notice" -- "It is finished." He nailed that record of our debt to the cross, along with His "paid in full." And they buried Him. What followed 3 days later was His magnificent resurrection. When Paul lays out the basic facts of the Gospel, he says it was "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3-4). The Resurrection was a fundamental component of the Gospel. Why? Well, Christ's resurrection was, in essence, God's receipt given for Christ's payment for sin. Scripture says that God made us alive together with Him (Col 2:13), that because He lives, we can live, too (Rom 6:4-5). In fact, "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Cor 15:17).

The Good News is truly massive. The Creator (John 1:3) took on flesh (Php 2:6-7), lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15), willingly died in our place (Rom 5:6; 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 3:18) "according to Scripture," and rose to new life with hundreds of witnesses to attest to it (1 Cor 15:4-8). The sinless Son of God died in your place to give you new life, to make you His adopted co-heir with Him (Rom 8:14-17). The Resurrection, then, is huge, too. Not just a heartwarming story; a "proof of life" from God. And that "proof of life" isn't just that Jesus is alive, but that we can be alive, too. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

News Weakly - 3/30/24

Didn't Get the Memo
While Rebel Wilson is claiming sexual shenanigans from Sacha Baron Cohen on the set of The Brothers Grimsby, Cohen is denying the charges. Like the guy who is suing a Facebook group because they made negative comments about him. Now, didn't we determine the policy is "Believe all women"? Did Cohen or this L.A. man not get the memo? So, let's recap. All white people are racist. All men are pigs. All women are right. It's easy. Not actually true, but easy. Let's get with the program. Any actual concern for truth was jettisoned a long time ago.

Surprise, Surprise!
California is heading for a $20/hr minimum wage, but somehow the "workers' utopia" isn't emerging. Instead, it appears to be having the opposite effect. Businesses are laying off workers in order to try to afford the new state requirements. Yes, Mrs. Jones, your little Bobby will make $20/hr ... if he can get a job. But keep in mind, it won't be a living wage for long. Every wage hike produces a price hike and why government and citizens can't figure that out is something I can't figure out.

Dropping the Mask
NBC News planned to hire former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, only to discover that their current on-air talent could not tolerate anyone who vaguely resembles a Republican. They believe that their bias is the only viable option and you, the viewers, will have no other option but theirs. "This diverse, open-minded, inclusive organization has no place for you!" We've known about media bias for a long time, but this kind of blatant hatred for any other view makes me not want to even sample NBC News.

Poll Position
The American media is glad to announce that more than half of Americans (55%) disapprove of Israel defending herself against ongoing attacks. Fine. But I wonder how many of that 55% would opt to change America's response if we were attacked and 55% of the rest of the civilized world disapproved of our defending ourselves? How many think that America should do what the rest of the world tells us to? "Oh, no, Israel. We do not approve. We will require you to drop your weapons, and let the nation whose charter includes your extinction to be refueled and rearmed. Do it now!" I'm sure Israel will see the light. Our media has.

Substance Without Mass
I'm just curious. A story out of Illinois was about 4 dead and 7 wounded in Rockford. The mayor called it a "random and senseless act of violence," but no one seems to want to call it a "mass stabbing." If the weapon involved had been a gun, it would have absolutely and loudly been a "mass shooting," but the media is reluctant to use the term for other weapons. Hmmm, I wonder why that is. Do you suppose it's a message?

Nothing to See Here
Superimpose the "Oil prices fall" headlines with "Gasoline Prices are Rising" on the very next day and you might begin to think that American business doesn't much care about their customers as much as their money. Conspiracy much? Sometimes it's hard not to.

Your Best Source for Fake News
Okay, that's just too strange. Back on March 13 the Babylon Bee floated a story about the new Donald Trump version of the Bible, so it's really odd that this week that there's an actual story that Trump is selling "God Bless the USA" Bibles to raise money for his mounting legal bills. Did the Bee cause it? Too close to call. In the "not the Bee" category -- that is, an actual story -- a Texas man has legally changed his name to "Literally Anybody Else" in order to run for president. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. Then there is the sad news that the Republicans have kicked out Ron DeSantis from the party for accomplishing too much. Kind of like a union job, right?

Must be true; I read it on the Internet.

Postscript
The president snuck this in after I had already finished this week's News Weakly, so it wasn't in here, but I have to add it. It is too monumental and time-sensitive to delay. Yesterday, March 29, in an incredibly tone-deaf moment, the White House declared Easter as "Transgender Day of Visibility." "You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back," he declared. Any day would have been troublesome, but Biden opted for Resurrection Sunday to highlight transgenderism, literally and figuratively in opposition to Christ's Resurrection. Now, the "International Transgender Day of Visibility" has been March 31 since 2009, so it's not like he just put this out there, but calling particular attention to it without regard for the actual day in question seems to highlight quite well the fact that the leadership of this nation is in direct opposition to Christ.

Condescending

I was imagining, the other day, the events of Creation. God spoke, and it was. From nothing, He made ... everything. I was seeing in my head the appearance of matter where once there was none, the formation of land and clouds and sky, the eruption of light and life, from plants to animals to Man. Scripture says, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). And I thought, "The One who did all that ... died for me."

In Graham Kendrick's song, The Servant King, he writes,

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

Imagine that. The Creator with all that power and all that glory took on flesh and willingly died. For you. On a cross. The contrast is stark -- massive. Like the contrast between the sinless Creator-Son of God and the sinful son of his father, the devil -- you and me. There is no humanly reasonable explanation for that kind of sacrifice.

We have a word in the English language. It is "condescending." Today it is a bad thing. It means "showing patronizing superiority." But its origin is found in Old French in the mid-14th century speaking of God or a king who "makes gracious allowance" for human frailty. It means to yield one's rights, to step down. In terms of "yielding one's rights," then, Christ's actions toward us -- the Creator-King becoming flesh and dying on that cross -- was the ultimate and best possible condescension we can ever know.

Extremists

Anyone can see how extreme our society has become these days. Hateful rhetoric, volatile politics (on both sides), political and racial violence, "trigger words," "microaggression," the dire need for "safe spaces" -- on and on it goes. It seems like our society is infested with "extremists." No, I don't mean people with extreme views; I mean people who take the ordinary farther than they should.

It seems like the word of the day is "hate." If you disagree with transgender "theology" today (where "theology" suggests that "transgender ideas are god"), you aren't in disagreement; you're a hater. If you don't fully embrace and encourage the entire LGBT alphabet soup, you're not simply tolerating them; you're hating them. If you don't like Biden, you're a hater, and if you don't like Trump, you're a hater. The only way to not be a hater today is to fully and warmly embrace ... everything and everyone. Which, of course, is manifest stupidity, because in our world there will always be opposing ideas and embracing all opposing ideas is the ultimate in insanity.

Here's the problem, of course. There are, in fact, people out there who hate -- who hate in the extreme. But if everyone is a "hater," then locating these actually hateful people becomes impossible and both defense against and help for them is beyond our grasp. In truth, if we make all disagreement "hate," we'll very quickly run out of anyone who loves. And I think we all agree that this would be a serious problem.

The Accusation

I once read a little piece intended to show irrefutably that if the God of the Bible is what the Bible actually portrays, then He cannot be just -- He cannot be good. The illustration goes something like this. Imagine a man laying out by the pool enjoying the sun and reading a book. A little two-year-old girl comes out from the house and toddles over to the pool ... and falls in. The man notices, but goes on reading his book. Is that man just? Is he a good man? Well, of course not! He's a monster! We can all see that. So if God is watching as people "toddle into the pool" of existence and are drowning and He has the ability to save us but does not, He, too, is that kind of monster.

Of course, the Bible is abundantly clear that 1) God has the capacity to save everyone (e.g., Matt 19:26) and 2) He does not (e.g., Matt 7:21-23). You who believe in the God of the Bible ... how do you reconcile that? Some don't. Some just ignore the question. Others believe in God, but not that God. "The Bible is simply wrong in that portrayal (at least) of God." Some reinterpret plain text to mean ... the opposite of what it says. Some argue that God saves (ultimately) all that want to be saved, but doesn't force anyone. (That sounds nice, but if a parent knows of a certain mortal danger and has the authority and capability of saving the life of his child by acting against the child's will to prevent that danger, but fails to do so, is that loving? Is that a good parent?) So we who believe that when Scripture says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17) it means it. So we have to figure out how our skeptic above is wrong, don't we?

Let me help. The illustration breaks down at one very critical point. God is not an "adult human" and we are not "toddlers." We bear a resemblance to God, but we are His creation and not "little gods." So, what if God "has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills" (Rom 9:18)? "Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?'" (Rom 9:20). God owes human beings nothing. The illustration would be a better picture if, instead of a 2-year-old, a swarm of angry, vindictive mosquitos were swarming toward the man, but fall short and crash into the pool. If the man does nothing, it's fine. If he actually pulls some out, it's amazing grace. Because, although His creation owes Him everything, God is not obligated to His creation. Any kindness, any mercy He might show is a gift from a holy God. When we miss that point, we miss God's nature and His grace entirely.

Cheat Code

Anyone familiar with gaming has heard of "cheat codes," secret ways to "game the game," as it were. While the aim is to build up resources or abilities or power or the like in a game -- and that takes some time -- some have uncovered secret codes that can be entered into the game to give you unlimited amounts of such things. And, having obtained such resources, now you can "rule the world," as it were. You can buy as much as you want and win as much as you want. It's not real-world, but in the game it's liberating.

What would it be like if we had cheat codes for real life? What if there was a way to gain access to all the resources you would need in order to face all the situations you had to face? What if there was a way to "game the game"? There is, you know. We have been given a cheat code for life. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Abundant life, right there, through Christ. Paul assured us "that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Php 1:6). Nice. He began it; He'll complete it. Beginning to end without fail. Jude wrote of "Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy" (Jude 1:24). Paul asked, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). And, "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Rom 8:37).

It's not a hidden code. It's not a secret. It's an open promise, a sure thing. "Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39). In fact, "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Php 4:19). Far better than any cheat code in a game, we have these glorious truths that don't actually rely on our efforts or abilities, but on God. These kinds of resources -- God's resources -- should liberate us to do far more glorious things than even the game programmers imagine, because God is our resource and provides "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph 3:20). Where are your limitations now?

Exodus

Every day on these generic newsfeeds (like Bing or Microsoft, etc.) there are stories for you to click on telling us why Christianity is wrong. Titles like "Reasons not to teach religion to your kids" or "Things you thought were in the Bible but aren't" or the like keep popping up, often and everywhere. One gave "Reasons Why Christianity is Experiencing a Mass Exodus." You don't need the link. I'll answer that one.

In his first epistle John warned, "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour" (1 Jonn 2:18). Actually, since the beginning, "antichrists" -- those opposed to Christ -- have been around. In force. And still are today. But John's next sentence is a bit startling the first time you hear it. "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us" (1 John 2:19). Okay, now, hang on ... you're saying that these "antichrists" come out ... from us? They're coming from inside Christendom? Yes, that's what John is saying. They are "Christians," at least by profession. But John makes a very important point. They are going "out from us," but they were "not really of us." How do we know this? Because if they were of us, they wouldn't have gone out from us.

Jesus told of "many" who would say to Him in the last day, "Lord, Lord, look what we've done for You," and He would tell them, "I never knew you" (Matt 7:21-23). "Never knew you" doesn't mean "I knew you once, but no more." The reasons why "Christianity is experiencing a mass exodus" (if that's actually true) is not something wrong with Christianity. It is to show that "they are not all of us." How do we know? Because "if they had been of us, they would have remained with us." Which simply goes to show that there is still a vast mission field inside our churches.

A Different Question

You've heard it before, I'm sure. "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Most haven't heard the Bible's answer: "They don't." How can that be? "No one does good, not even one" (Rom 3:12). Bad things happen, but not to good people because there is none good. But it begs another question, doesn't it? If there is none good, why do good things happen to bad people?

Paul asked a similar question in Romans.

What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory — even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Rom 9:22-24)

Now, be careful. It is a "what if" question, so we need to see the premise for the "if." Let's restate the question by separating the premise from the "if." The premise: God desires (wills) to show His wrath and to make known His power on vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. That is Paul's initial assumption. So, what if that God, instead of carrying out that plan, chooses to endure with patience certain ones of those vessels of wrath -- those that He prepared beforehand to become vessels of mercy -- in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy? Do you see? Paul is asking a similar question. Not "Why doesn't God save more people?", but "Why does God save anyone?" Or, "Why does the good thing of salvation happen to bad people?"

Our misguided view of ourselves as generally good people blinds us to the reality of the vastness of God's grace and mercy in saving just one, let alone all of whom He is saving. We, as a rule, do not think of ourselves as "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction," let alone applauding God for willing to show His wrath and power on us, so we're likely to miss that absolute marvel of grace and mercy in the divine transformation by God of some to "vessels of mercy." Why? That seems to be a larger question to me. Apparently contrasting His righteous wrath and power with the riches of His glory is very important to God.

News Weakly - 3/23/24

Making Their Position Clear
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a scathing speech on Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu. He called for new elections in Israel because Israel is defending herself against ongoing attacks. Biden applauded him. The left, it seems, is only in favor of democracy when it suits their aims, since Netanyahu is the duly elected prime minister there and the Dems want him out. It feels like the left believes the only good Israeli is a dead Israeli. I wonder how they would respond if an "ally" called for immediate elections to remove the Democratic leadership.

Typical Trump
Trump said he thinks Liz Cheney should go to jail for investigating his actions during the January 6 riot. Now, now, we're all pretty sure that if Trump wins in November there will be no retaliation, no abuse of the justice system to get back at his detractors. The man's just not like that, right?

A Culture of Death
Americans are letting their values be known. U.S. abortions reached the highest level in over a decade in 2023. We hear you. "We will not protect the most vulnerable. We will not value human life. Our highest priority is sex with whomever, whenever, without consequences, and we will not tolerate anything less." Got it. (All while we wonder, "Why so many killings?")

Pick Pocket
The president unilaterally canceled $6 billion in student loans for public service workers. He did it without the Congress. He did it without using his own money. He picked the pockets of American taxpayers and gave your money away without due process. In most places, that's a crime.

Better Off?
Biden is using the "Are you better off today" question in his campaign, it seems. He took credit for "solving" the COVID crisis (the vaccine was being distributed in January of 2020, before he took office) and suggested we were all better off economically. Mind you, a dollar in 2020 bought the equivalent of $1.20 today. Prices have gone up 20% since Biden took office. And, sure, Trump ominously warned of a "bloodbath" should he not be elected in November, and that is potentially serious, but the fact that we're paying significantly higher prices to live today than we were back then isn't a potential; it's a fact. No, Mr. President, we're not better off today, all things considered, thank you very much. (Obviously those states suing the administration for banning LNG exports don't think we're better off today.)

Your Best Source for Fake News
The Bee told the story of Kamala Harris's visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic as "Demon goes on holy pilgrimage to Satanic temple." Not too far off the truth. Then there was the unintended outcome of the "No one is illegal" statements in government when all murderers were released from death row. No, didn't happen, but if no one is illegal, I don't know why.

Must be true; I read it on the Internet.

If God is Sovereign

Scripture is not unclear on the topic. God is Sovereign ... with a capital "S", as it were. Paul calls Him the "only Sovereign" (1 Tim 6:15). Everything that exists was created by Him, through Him and for Him (Col 1:16). He "does whatever pleases Him" (Psa 115:3). Jeremiah said, "Nothing is too hard for You" (Jer 32:17). Solomon wrote, "It is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov 19:21). The Lord reigns (1 Chron 16:31). It isn't even a question; it's an objective fact. God is Sovereign. But ... if He is that Sovereign, why would we need to pray?

God does what He wants and accomplishes everything He wants. He is omniscient and knows what we need and knows what is best. He never fails. Yet, we are commanded to pray (e.g., 1 Thess 5:17; Eph 6:1; Php 4:6). Why? I think the question arises from a false notion of prayer. Jesus said, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matt 6:8). God doesn't need you to tell Him what you need or want. He wants you to pray. We seem to think of prayer as our "requisition department" where we "send in orders" for things we want. And, look, what's the point of asking for things that either are already certain to be provided or are certainly not available? Right? That's our false idea of prayer. God wants us to relate to Him. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us, like a loving Father, to come to Him. "Daddy, I need ..." It's not that a loving father doesn't know; he just likes to hear it. He just enjoys the interaction. Further, God wants us to participate in His work, and He uses our prayers to do that.

Sometimes we think that God isn't listening because He doesn't do what we ask. That's not the purpose of prayer. Sometimes we think God can't accomplish what He plans if we don't assist Him, if only in prayer. That's not the purpose of prayer. Instead, God intended prayer as a relationship tool between you and your Father, "so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (John 15:16). He wants to give us what's best, so when we ask for that, He wants to give it to us. As friends (John 15:15). He wants to hear our concerns (Php 4:6-7) to give us peace. He wants a relationship with us. That involves communication ... for the sake of communication. We need Him, so we pray. Ultimately, we pray because He said to. It's as simple as that.

The Approach

Throughout Scripture humans who had an up-close-and-personal encounter with God had the same response. It wasn't adoration or joy or celebration. It was terror. Often abject terror. Isaiah (whose job was to be a mouthpiece for God) saw God (Isa 6:1-4) and came undone. "Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts'" (Isa 6:5). Jesus told Peter where to catch fish and Peter jumped overboard, ran ashore, fell at His feet, and said, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:1-8). We like to think of ourselves as "okay." We're not perfect, but we're not too bad, either. Certainly better than those people. Which, as it turns out, is our problem, isn't it? We're comparing ourselves to the wrong thing -- "those people." Those who encounter the Ultimate find themselves sorely, even terrifyingly lacking.

It is this problem that might cause us to miss the wonder of a text in Hebrews. We think we're doing fine; better than others. God is probably pretty wise to include us in His group. We're not perfect, but we're not so bad. Scripture describes us as enemies of God (Rom 5:10; Rom 8:7). The Bible says the intent of our hearts is evil from our youth (Gen 8:21). We can barely even grasp the idea that our shortcomings deserve eternal damnation, but they do (e.g., John 3:18). One of our primary shortcomings is "no fear of God" (Rom 3:18) whom we should fear greatly. So when Hebrews says, "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16), we should be surprised -- awed. Approach with confidence? We sinners?? Yes ... by the mercy and grace He gives to those who believe.

One of the primary shortcomings of natural human beings is that we fail to give thanks, especially to God (Rom 1:21). We fail to honor Him. Falling short of His glory (Rom 3:23), we earn His wrath. As such, it should be stunning to us to find that we've been made a part of His family (Heb 2:10; Rom 8:15,29; Eph 1:5), and that we are urged to approach with confidence. That confidence isn't because we're just so good. We're not, in ourselves. It's solely on the basis of Christ (Heb 3:1; Heb 4:14-16). He is our confidence and our humility. He is our access to the Father.

There Be Giants

You remember the story. Moses led the children of Israel (and most of the adults) through the desert until they came to the Promised Land. At the edge, there, they sent 12 spies to go take a look around. They came back with samples of the wonders available there, but told the people, "There are giants in the land." (Actually, Nephilim, but that's what they meant.) The recomendation of the 10 was not to go in. Two -- Joshua and Caleb -- said, "God promised it to us; let's go take it." They were voted down, the people refused, and it cost them all dearly. None of them (save Joshua and Caleb) would ever see the Promised Land because they refused to trust God to keep His promise.

And we point at that and shake our heads ... forgetting that there are three fingers pointing back, because isn't that us ... almost daily? God tells us, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28) and we cry and complain because we're facing unpleasant circumstances and why is God not there? We are promised, "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Php 4:19) and we complain about a spouse or a job or a situation where our needs are not being met and why is God not there? We are told, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:31-32) and worry about persecution and distress and bad political leadership and ask, "Why is God not there?" Just like the Israelites.

The spies reported that the people there were too strong and the land was too harsh and "we became like grasshoppers in our own sight" (Num 13:31-33). The Bible does not argue that they reported incorrectly. Scripture doesn't chide them for bearing false witness. God's Word faults them for failing to trust the God they claimed to know and believe and follow. Like Peter walking on the water, looking at the storm instead of "the Truth," they looked at circumstances rather than trusting the Lord who saved them from Egypt and said, "Nope! He is not reliable. We can't trust Him. We won't go there." Now, I find it fascinating that Scripture would view following God into whatever circumstances come our way with confidence as "rest." God does. If the Israelites had trusted God in difficult times, they would have experienced "rest." The author of Hebrews says they failed to enter His rest (Heb 3:18). How? "They were not able to enter because of unbelief" (Heb 3:19).

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:12-13)

A Matter of Opinion

The Bible says that all Scripture is "inspired" by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). That word "inspired" isn't as if the writers had an "aha" moment. "I feel inspired!" The most literal translation is "God-breathed." It's not that they "breathed in" some cool ideas, but that God "exhaled" it. God directed it. Since I regard God as Sovereign, the Master of All, the Ruler of the Universe, it follows that I would regard His Word as of equal authority. God said it; that settles it. Doesn't really matter what I think. So my task is to read it and take it as truth. Of course, the world (even the world disguised as self-professed Christians) isn't on board with that. "No, no," they tell me, "that's just your opinion. That text doesn't mean what you think it means." And they pat themselves on the back thinking they've "remained true to Scripture" while they eliminated any possible meaning or even confidence that it can be understood.

A quick illustration. Recently I wrote that "you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind" (Eph 2:1-3). Note, first, that this is just the text from Scripture. No opinion; just text. Now comes the "opinion." That says that someone somewhere was dead in sins and trespasses. I know, I know, that's a stretch, but that's just what I see there. "That doesn't mean that," they tell me. And whatever they offer in opposition, they end up erasing ... the text. Mind you, clearly it doesn't mean that "you were dead" refers to physically dead people or it would be pointless. In what sense, then, were "you dead"? Not physically, obviously. Not spiritually, they tell me. What ... emotionally? Financially? Socially? What "dead" makes sense in there? None. None at all, if they're to be believed. And anyone who claims that it means spiritually dead is offering opinion, not fact. Mind you, the warning was "the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Gen 2:17). They tell me, "You will not surely die!" God says sin causes death. Jesus, on the other hand, told Nicodemus that the only way to see the kingdom of God was to be "born again" (John 3:3). Paul writes, "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses" (Col 2:13). There is clearly physically alive people being "made alive." "No there isn't. That's just your opinion."

The notion is that, by assigning the tag "opinion" to a statement, it negates the truth of the statement. No text, no clear reasoning, no careful analysis can budge that "opinion" tag. If it violates their opinion, yours is wrong, even if it's simply the text itself you're using. In this world, "I" becomes the final and ultimate authority ... and God is not. Not God. Not His Word. Not His Holy Spirit. Not even Jesus. "I decide what is true" and nothing else matters. Tag it and bag it. I would hope that all genuine believers would start first with the Word of God and reason from there rather than the rule of the world -- "me first."

The Dichotomy of Justice and Mercy

According to Kant, morality is based on the objective reality of justice. That is, if ultimate justice does not exist, people are free to do whatever they can get away with. Thus, for any genuine morality to exist, there must be a Just God who will ultimately bring about ultimate justice. And there is. Paul told the Athenians that God "will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31). Abraham was equally certain. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" (Gen 18:25). Absolutely. But ... we also know that God is merciful. Huh. Now we have a problem. You see, "mercy" is defined as not receiving the punishment you justly deserve. Mercy and justice are in opposition. Rationally, then, God can be either just or merciful, but not both. And, yet, we know He is. So how do we deal with this dichotomy?

This whole problem was managed by God when He sent His Son. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). We are sinners, justly deserving God's wrath (Rom 1:18-32), and God sent His Son to die for us. He didn't ignore justice; He fulfilled it. His Son was "a propitiation in His blood" (Rom 3:25) -- the appeasement of God's wrath -- allowing God to "be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom 3:26). In His death, Jesus "canceled out the certificate of debt ... having nailed it to the cross" (Col 2:14). Justice was met when the sinless Son of God paid the price for the sin of those who would come by faith. Justice ... and mercy.

Now, we are told we're supposed to forgive others (Matt 6:14-15; Luke 17:3-4). Isn't that an abrogation of justice? Aren't we suffering, then, from the same dichotomy God did? Paul wrote, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph 4:32). Yes, we are to forgive, but how? "As God in Christ also has forgiven you." How did He do that? He met the demands of justice and passed the benefit of forgiveness on to us. In the same way, Scripture says, we can forgive not because we are eliminating justice, but because we understand that justice is not met by us, but by God. We are told, "'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord" (Rom 12:19). That is, we can set aside justice and forgive because we're leaving the justice in God's hands. We can forgive, not because the offense is too meager, but because we've been forgiven so much by God (Matt 18:21-35). We don't forgive to avoid justice. We forgive because we deserve punishment and Jesus took it, so we can pass on imposing penalties and allow God to handle it. God doesn't forgive by tossing out justice. Neither do we. We forgive by trusting God to do what's right.

Theology Proper

There's a song from a Christian group, Petra, that tells us to "Lift Him up higher and higher" and assures us "It doesn't take much theology. Just lift Him up so the world can see." No offense to Petra, but there's a problem here. The word, "theology," essentially refers to the study of God. The dictionary alco includes "religious belief," but theology proper is best understood as the study of God. So, if we are to "lift Him up ... so the world can see" without having theology -- knowledge of God -- isn't that going to be difficult?

It has been (rightly) pointed out that the believer's aim is not to know about God, but to know God. We call it a "personal relationship." Knowing about your spouse is not the same thing as knowing your spouse. I know about George Washington, but I've never met the man and have no relationship with him. In that sense, then, it would seem that theology is knowing more about God than knowing God. But, like the old dichotomy, "Quality time is more important than quantity," it seems tacitly obvious that the more you know about God, the more you can know God. Quality time is important, but you never know when that will happen, so quantity is the best way to get quality. In the same way, knowing God is the aim, but you can't really know Him if you don't know about Him. So theology is important.

In truth, we are all theologians. Some are diligent and some are haphazard. Some make stuff up and some have good sources. Some are purely academic and some are passionate. But all of us form views of God, and that makes us all theologians. Therefore, if we are indeed to "lift Him up" for the world to see (and we are supposed to do that), I would think it would be of particular urgency to us to know Him, and part of that must include knowing about Him. No, we don't all need to go to seminary for formal theology classes, but we all should be digging into God's Word to learn what God says ... about God. Because the more we love Him, the more we will want to know Him, and the more we know Him, the more we will love Him. And, look around. There is nothing our world needs right now more than a clear image of the God we serve.

News Weakly - 3/16/24

Next Generation
There is a report out that the Houthis in Yemen have acquired hypersonic missiles. These are "next generation" weapons -- top of the line. So, when the Houthis decide to use such weapons, are they ready to be ushered into the "next generation" warfare? You know ... really massive mass destruction, like nuclear weapons or other, non-nuclear weapons that yield devastation. Of course, given today's mindset, the obvious answer is, "No, those who currently possess such weapons are unlikely to use them because someone might get hurt." A world of paper tigers ruled by Islamic extremists, then.

Breaking ... Yawn ... News
I know, I know ... this isn't really "news" as in "Wow, I didn't see that coming!" Both Biden and Trump have already won their party's nomination. (It feels like the story out of Moscow of Putin running with no opposition.) Some states haven't even voted yet. But when I saw my primary ballot and it included some 10 names, only one of which was running anymore, I knew it was a foregone conclusion. And so with Biden. Once again America offers its best candidates ... somewhere else, because they aren't going to be on our ballots come November.

After All ...
Vice President Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota as part of the Biden administration efforts to urge the expansion of the murder of unborn babies ahead of the election. After all, if the government can't encourage killing the most defenseless humans, who can they kill?

Connecting
Social media is a good way for young people in particular to connect. Like in Massachusetts where six 8th-graders chatted online into the wee hours of the morning with "hateful and racist comments" and aims of violence, racial slurs, derogatory images, and a mock slave auction. So where am I to look in that story? Where were their parents? Why was that "okay" in the minds of these kids? How did children so young become so hateful? At what point does speech without action become criminal? Makes you really think highly of social media, doesn't it?

Got to Beelieve
Boeing has announced that it has managed to fix a malfunctioning whistleblower. (Actual story). In a related story, a group of terrorists decided not to hijack a plane when they discovered it was a Boeing. As luck would have it. And from the UK comes this heart-rending story of millions of British kids being forced to live normal happy lives as the government bans puberty blockers. Oh, the humanity!

Must be true; I read it on the Internet.

Total Depravity

Maybe you've heard of it. "Calvinism" is often thought of in terms of "TULIP," an acronym designed to be a memory tool to explain the "Five Points of Calvinism" (which, actually, weren't in play when Calvin was alive). I have always disliked the acronym (not the doctrines -- the acronym) because they are so misleading.

Take, for instance, the "T" of TULIP -- Total Depravity. What is that? Well, clearly, from the term, we understand that all human beings are as bad as they can possibly be. I mean, "total," right? Well, no. Every time I hear a proponent make the argument, they say the opposite: "That doesn't mean we're as bad as we can possibly be." So, if the term doesn't match the point, why use it? What is the point? According to Scripture, Natural Man is born in sin. So, how bad is it? "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one" (Rom 3:10-12). Genesis described people as "only evil continually" (Gen 6:5) before the Flood and says after, "The intention of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Gen 8:21). The Psalms say things like "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psa 51:5) and "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies" (Psa 58:3). In the New Testament, it says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and "You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Eph 2:1-2) and "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot" (Rom 8:7). We read, "The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers" (2 Cor 4:4) and "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). Does all of this require that all human beings are as bad as they can possibly be? Not at all. Don't worry! We can all get much worse.

"Total Depravity" doesn't really express the notion. Biblically, human beings are natural-born sinners. We cannot fail to sin. We are naturally hostile to God, spiritually dead, sinners from our mothers' wombs. We all fail to do good in our natural state. One writer wrote, "There's a worm in everything." That's the idea. Sin touches every part of the natural human being, making him a sinner and, worse, actually hostile to God. So, perhaps "Total Depravity" doesn't get it across right. I need a better term, but I'd have to jettison Scripture if I wanted to argue that we're not all that bad.

Pointing Fingers

Before I start this, I need to begin with a disclaimer. I'm not writing to make anyone feel shame or guilt. Writing to believers here, those have no real value if we're actually forgiven, right? Besides, there is not one of us who does not sin, who does not fall short. I'm pointing a finger, but I've got three pointing back at me, so this isn't a shame fest. I'm hoping to point out something that you may not have been considering as you seek to follow Christ. Oh, and one piece of good news. This is only for the married readers. You singles are off the hook today.

Scripture makes some blatant commands to married Christians. They are so blatant and so jarring that many try to modify them and obliterate them in the process. Husbands and wives have specific, clear commands in how they are to relate to one another. To wives (and not to husbands, even though many Christian husbands think it's their job to enforce) the command is "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph 5:22). Not difficult to understand, but very difficult to do. "Me? Submit to him? He doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain." Would a believing wife dare to say that about God? Yet, the command is clear. Submit to him as you are to submit to God. Husbands, the command isn't vague. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph 5:25). That's not "feel warmly toward her." It's not "be willing to die for her." That's "give self up for her." Again, the command is clear. Again, it is very difficult to do, since the natural human functions primarily on "getting what I need and want" and this command says to give self up.

So, what I'd like you wives to ask yourself is "Does that describe me? Do I submit to my husband as I submit to the Lord?" Perhaps "as I submit to the Lord" isn't the best question. "As I'm supposed to submit to God?" might be better. Because I've met very few genuine, Bible-believing, Christ-following wives who actually submit to their husbands in that way. Husbands, ask yourself your corresponding question. "Do I love my wife without regard for my wants and needs? Do I sacrifice my self for her? Am I first place, or is she?" Because I've met very few Christian husbands who are even aware that this is what is expected of them, let alone practicing it. Again, as a husband, I'm constantly having to ask myself those "husband" questions and find myself wanting, so I'm not trying to bring on a guilt trip. But if you are a Christian and seek to be obedient to the Lord, you -- husbands and wives -- might want to look at this very clear and sadly lacking area.

America in Romans

In Paul's epistle to the church at Rome, he presents the gospel. It is, he says, "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). "In it," he goes on to say, "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith" (Rom 1:17). So, how is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel? Easy, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Rom 1:18). Wait ... what? The gospel reveals the righteousness of God because it shows God's wrath? Well, yes. Paul says that God's wrath is (righteously) revealed against "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." That is, in their relations with God ("ungodliness") and their relations with men ("unrighteousness"), humans make God angry. How? By their suppression of the truth in their sin. So Paul sets out to explain the problem.

According to the text, God made His attributes abundantly clear to humankind as seen in nature (Rom 1:19-20). They rejected Him. Hang on ... follow the logic here. The problem is not with God; the problem is with humans. The problem is that "although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rom 1:21). So we're here at the baseline problem. Refusing to acknowledge God, humans obtain futile thinking and darkened hearts. That's the beginning. From there it gets worse. Interestingly, from there it could be a description of America in the last 60 years or so. First, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts (Rom 1:24). In America, the decade of the '60's was what is commonly called "the Sexual Revolution." "Follow your lusts. If it feels good, do it. We don't really care about God; we're cutting loose and indulging our desires." They substituted the creature for the Creator and served themselves (Rom 1:25). So God took the next logical step. "God gave them up to dishonorable passions" (Rom 1:26). What dishonorable passions, specifically? Women exchanged "natural relations" and men gave up "natural relations with women" and homosexual behavior became the norm (Rom 1:26-27). As in America. The LGB-alphabet-soup started and expanded. Marriage was torpedoed in favor of "same-sex mirage," an undefining of the recognized, longstanding, traditional definition of marriage. Sexual mores deteriorated until "anything goes." But the text didn't stop there. "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done" (Rom 1:28). "A debased mind." The Greek is ἀδόκιμος -- adokimos. Literally, it is "not approved, not passing the test, rejected." How did that look in our recent history? This insanity is most clearly seen -- following the line from the Sexual Revolution to the Homosexual Revolution to this point -- in the "T" of LGBT. It is in the largely embraced notion that a girl can be a guy and a guy can be a girl. It is in the total rejection of biblical truth and even biology with "I feel" for truth. Paul offers a whole list of illustrations (Rom 1:29-32) that we live with today, but the idea that "gender affirming" means "rejecting your biological reality" is the clearest, latest example of a mind that has rejected truth.

Now, hold on. Before you get your knickers in a twist, think about what this means. This means that a campaign of Christians to make transgenders biologically sound or homosexuals into heterosexuals or the sexually immoral into good little boys and girls misses the point. The idea that the problem is these behaviors misses the biblical problem. It is not behavior at all. It is rooted first and foremost in the rejection of God. So if we want to be helpful to sinners (like us), we don't do it by beating them over the head or trying to stuff them into "conversion therapy" like they're smokers we want to fix. We need to give them Jesus. We need to show we're followers of Christ by our love and we need to make disciples. We don't do that by embracing their errors, but we also don't do it by passing laws that lock them up. We do it by the power of the Spirit giving them the good news (gospel) that there is salvation from God for all who believe. We live lives reflecting Christ and share the message that all have sinned (including us), but we can be justified by God's grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:23-26). Ultimately, we do it by being what God calls us to be -- lights in the darkness -- and giving them the gospel. Not psychology. Not programs. Not righteous indignation. Jesus.

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

I was looking over the story of Lazarus's resurrection and saw something interesting. I heard some people discussing why Jesus wept. "It was likely," one said, "that the humanity of Jesus was caught off guard by the death of His friend." Instead, I see something else. I see purpose ... in the death of His friend.

The story has Jesus hanging around in Jerusalem (John 10:22-23) when He got word from Mary and Martha, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick" (John 11:3). So, in His great concern for His dear friend ... He stayed on for two more days (John 11:6). Why? He says why. "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it" (John 11:4). It was a plan. He knew what He was doing and it was a good thing. When He determined Lazarus had died (John 11:11), then He set out to Bethany. Why? "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him" (John 11:14-15). Lazarus's death wasn't an unfortunate event. It wasn't a mistake, an error, a tragedy. At least, not in Jesus's terms. It was ... a plan. A plan to glorify the Son of God and a plan to cause His disciples (and more) to believe. No one would have guessed it. Mary and Martha were miffed. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21, 32). Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus would live, but they didn't believe. So Jesus went to the grave ... and wept (John 11:35). Why? To show that we can weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). For the tragedy of unbelief. For the tragedy of sin and its consquence -- death. For those who were mourning when they needn't mourn. But not for the death of Lazarus. Jesus was the remedy, already in place (John 11:25-26).

When we encounter tragedies of this sort or others, how do we respond? Do we thank God that He is the resurrection? Do we rejoice that He is working out His plans, that He is bringing about His will on earth as He does in heaven? Do we wait and wonder, "What wonderous good is God doing here?" Because it makes no sense to complain about it. God never fails. He never causes pain without a good reason. He never does what's wrong. Why do bad things happen to good people? To increase our faith. To glorify God. For all sorts of good things God is doing at that very moment. It's just hard to remember when we are one of those with little faith.

Free Radicals

You've certainly heard of free radicals, even if you don't know what they are. In medical science, they are a byproduct of the metabolic processes of the body that form unstable molecules that can damage cells and tissues. So they tell us to eat differently so we will be safe. All well and good, but I'd like to suggest a different version of the "free radical." I call it "a Christian."

Christianity is a truly radical faith. It calls on humans who are, by nature, self-centered, to surrender self. It calls on sinners (by nature) to be born again. Even "born again" is a radical concept. Nicodemus heard it and asked (quite understandably), "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" (John 3:2). A radical concept. Christianity calls for repentance from stubborn people and faith in opposition to popular ideas. It calls for rejoicing in tribulation and for sacrificial giving, even to enemies, because we're supposed to trust God to supply our needs. It is the only actual religion of peace (Rom 5:1) and love (John 13:35; 1 John 4:7-8). It is not premised on the believer's works or abilities, but on the Son of God who gave His life for us. It is fundamentally built on Christ, who lived a perfect life (the only one ever), willingly died for sins He never committed, and rose again (1 Cor 15:3-4). And that's just a brief sampling. In every way, Christianity is radical and calls for its adherents to live radical lives.

While most other people are pursuing comfort and pleasure and getting along with everyone else, Christians pursue ... Christ. Christ who promised that we would be hated as He was hated and that that was a good thing (John 15:19). We are to be "not of the world." The only truly free people -- free in Christ -- these radicals are not detrimental, but beneficial to all those around. That is, if we're living the Christ-like life we're supposed to. Are you a free radical?

Not of Works

We know, beyond doubt, that we are not saved by good works. Unlike every other religion on the planet, we don't get into heaven by being good ... or "good enough." Paul is explicit.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

We are not saved on the basis of our works. God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Tim 1:9). There are those who would argue, then, that works have nothing to do with it. All the moral behavior that Christians are typically heard to call for is meaningless. If we're not saved by works, then what we do doesn't matter ... right?

If that makes sense to you, perhaps you should look at the verse that follows Ephesians 2:8-9. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Interesting, isn't it? After explicitly eliminating works as a basis for salvation, Paul reinserts works as a necessary outcome. We are saved apart from our works "according to His own purpose." What purpose? We are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." What's the difference? Well, first, natural man lacks the ability to perform the good that God intends (Rom 3:12). Second, believers, born of God, aren't doing the good works on their own. They are works "which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." We do them because "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Php 2:13). We are purposed and powered by God. As such, our good works glorify God (Matt 5:16). According to James, faith without works is dead faith (James 2:17). We are not saved by works, but the good works that God produces in us once are saved are proof of life, so to speak.

It's interesting, then, to see this juxtaposition in Paul's letter to Titus. He explained that we were all sinners, but "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). Okay, we got it. Not saved by our works. But he went on to say that Titus should lead believers to "be careful to engage in good deeds" (Titus 3:8). He even says, "These things are good and profitable for men" (Titus 3:8). It's good for us to do good. And there is a last piece tossed in here in Paul's letter to Titus. "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14). Good deeds should aim at meeting pressing needs. Not felt needs. Not desires. Pressing needs. Doing this, he says, makes your life fruitful. As Jesus told His listeners, "Go and do the same" (Luke 10:37).

News Weakly - 3/9/24

Values Clarification
Google stepped into the AI arena and tripped over their "woke" feet. The AI produced images of black vikings, an Asian woman in German WWII military uniform, and a female pope. The AI was unable to produce an image of a white person. This only goes to illustrate my concern over AI. What worldview will AI use in its interactions and activities? I can guarantee it won't be a Christian worldview. It will, naturally, be the worldview of the programmer(s). We've wrestled with the problem of "Whose values will we use in our society?" and AI takes that out of our hands.

That's Gotta Hurt
The Supreme Court ruled that Colorado (etc.) cannot remove Trump from the ballot because of the January 6 riot. It was a close vote -- no dissents. They said states don't get to make that ruling. That had to hurt all those Trump-haters out there.

No Surprise
No real surprise here. Nikki Haley dropped out of the race for Republican nominee for president. The writing was on the wall all along. More surprising that she stayed in so long. But, look, she said she was no longer bound to her promise to endorse Trump if he won (and she hasn't). If she can't be trusted to keep her promises, why would we expect better of her in the White House?

A Threat to Democracy
Katie Porter is a Democrat who was running in California's Senate primary. She lost. She's quite sure the race was "rigged" -- a looney conspiracy nut and a genuine threat to democracy ... if we believe the popular accusations these days. (Unless, of course, you're a Democrat and believe that their concerns about "rigged elections" are valid and it's just the GOP that is a problem.)

State of the Union
The president gave the annual State of the Union address. He opposed those who question his record, opposed Republicans who opposed his administration in favor of protecting babies, the border, etc. He pushed for more baby killing and defended his positions on Israel and Ukraine. And then said, "I see a country for all Americans" except, apparently, those who oppose him. I saw nothing new, but it does make me wonder how long we can continue to call this a "Union" given the ever-increasing divide between "sides."

Killing with Kindness
Some nations have been airdropping aid in Gaza to try to ease the humanitarian crisis. Friday, 5 people died of this kindness. A parachute failed to open and it fell on people in a refugee camp. Now, that's sad ... and embarrassing. They're already asking for a ceasefire ... from friends.

A Real Bee-ting
After Super Tuesday, Biden congratulated his opponent on a hard-fought primary race. You know that Nikki Haley got wealthy off Raytheon, so it is clear why Raytheon lowered their flag to half-staff after she dropped out. The State of the Union address was a "target-rich environment" for the Bee. There was a story of how dementia meds met their match, how Biden opened with a "hello" to Dianne Feinstein, and a story about how DC-area pharmacies were all out of stimulants, to name a few.

Must be true; I read it on the Internet.

Exclusivity

For some time now our culture has pushed hard for "inclusivity." They've done it largely with a double standard, of course. They push for inclusivity by excluding others who were once included. But we're all pretty sure that inclusivity, in general, is a good idea. That, I suspect, is part of the reason that we are so offended by explicit exclusivity. What exclusivity is that? Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). "Wait!" we complain. "No one? You're saying You are the exclusive way to God? Isn't that exclusive?" Yes ... yes it is.

It has long been this exclusivity of Christ and, therefore, His followers that has rubbed so many people the wrong way. "You're saying that Jesus is the only way?" No, we're not. He did. We're just agreeing with Him. From the beginning, God has been exclusive. Only His way. Only His people. "YHWH is God; there is no other besides Him" (Deut 4:35; Isa 45:5-6). Clear into the New testament, where Peter (filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8)) preached, "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). While the rest of the world wants us to believe "All roads lead to Rome," God says, "One way and one way only." In our religiously pluralistic society where all religions are "protected," we have to stand here and say, "Only one." Indeed, so clear it is that, if it is true that all religions are equally true, one religion would absolutely be false -- Christianity.

This is why it is critical that we tell people about Jesus. It is essential that we tell them about the need for faith in Christ. It is absolutely necessary that we don't compromise. Souls are at stake. They need Jesus because there is no other way. A very exclusive religion founded on the words of the One who made the claim to exclusivity. It's not a popular message, but to ignore it is to ignore the One we claim to be following.

Common Ground

In Paul's letter to Titus in Crete, he tells Titus about the job Titus was assigned -- to "set in order what remains" (Titus 1:5) -- and gives him instructions on what that entails. That included appointing elders (Titus 1:5-9) and silencing false teachers (Titus 1:10-11), teaching believers how to behave among themselves (Titus 2:1-10) and toward unbelievers (Titus 3:1-2). Of particular interest is that section on how believers should behave toward unbelievers.

Paul instructed him to remind them (thus, to remind us) to be subject to authorities and to be ready for every good deed (Titus 3:1). We should malign no one and not go looking for fights (a very difficult thing in today's Internet and social media world), but be gentle and show consideration for all people (Titus 3:2). What's interesting here is why. Why should we avoid disputing and show consideration for all? "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another" (Titus 3:3). Paul says we were all what they are. Righteous indignation is not called for here; compassion is. They don't need correction; they need Jesus. The difference between us and them is not that we got better, but that, "when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Tit 3:4-6). We aren't better. We aren't simply on the higher moral ground. We were graciously saved from what we were by the kindness and love of God. As such, we ought to show them the same.

Paul goes on to say that Titus should "speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men" (Titus 3:8). We don't need to correct the world. We aren't called to correct the world. We are called to engage in good deeds, to let our lights shine in such a way that they may see our good works and glorify our Father (Matt 5:16). We are told to love -- sacrificially -- and not beat them about the head and shoulders until they surrender. Our job is not to fix their misguided morality, but to live exempliary lives of compassion to show them what God is offering. Why? Because we've been there. Because we have common ground. Because we, too, are sinners, but we are saved by God's grace and love. And they can have that, too.

Husbandry

The English language has this word in its arsenal: husbandry. You can go to college and get a degree in it. It is defined as "the cultivation or production of plants or animals." It also includes the notion of "the control or judicious use of resources." There is no discernable connection between "husbandry" and "husband" in our current English usage. But ... there should be.

The biblical role of the husband (which is definitely distinct from society's version) is clear. Marriage is defined as the lifelong union of a man and a woman (Gen 2:24) for purposes of procreation (Gen 1:22) and mutual support (Gen 2:18). In that relationship, God ordained that the man is the head of a woman (1 Cor 11:3). Thus, in the function of mutual submission (Eph 5:21), wives are subject to their husbands as to the Lord (Eph 5:22-24) and husbands are subject to their wives in their job of self-sacrificially supplying her with what she needs -- physically, emotionally, spiritually ... in every way (Eph 5:25-32). Husbands are required to give their wives the understanding and honor she deserves and requires (1 Peter 3:7). Husbands, then, are tasked with the job of cultivating and producing life with their wives. They are the managers with the responsibility for their wives as well as their children (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21; Heb 12:9-10). They are, then, in the business of control and judicious use of resources. This isn't a "macho" job; it is the ultimate self-less-ness for the good of wife and family.

It is no accident that our English language has two words so closely connected. "Husbandry" in modern English refers to plants and livestock, and "husband" has devolved to merely mean "the guy in the marriage," but if the task of husband is properly understood, it much more closely resembles "husbandry" than just "the guy." And I would suggest that a huge portion of our problems in society today can be directly linked to the failure of "the guy in the marriage" in doing the husbandry tasks God has assigned. When will we Christian men learn that our job from God is to love all the way to giving up self (Eph 3:25)? What a different world it would be if we did.

Separation of Church and State

It is an established belief in America that the Constitution affirms the separation of church and state -- the idea is that the State cannot legislate religion and religion cannot participate in legislation. And that's partly true. Which part? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Clear as day. The government does not get to legislate religions. Now, the other part about religions keeping out of the government ... you'll find that ... hang on ... hey, I'm sure there's something for that. As it turns out, no, there isn't. Taken largely from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association, it is clear that Jefferson was talking about keeping government out of religion. It is not clear that he intended anything like the reverse. Look, it's a simple matter of spheres of authority. The authority over religion is God; the authority over the State is man (under God). Thus, the State has no authority over religion. But there's more.

Any fundamental understanding of "religion" of any sort requires that the adherent ... adheres to it. A religion that has no bearing on life is not a religion. And the Christian religion is based on a deep-seated relationship with God. It is not possible to be a follower of Christ and not involve God in all things in which a follower of Christ is involved. It isn't merely a belief -- it's an entire worldview and affects every corner of a believer's life. In that sense, then, the State cannot legislate religion because the State has no authority there. As Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29) -- the same Peter who wrote, "Honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:17). (Peter lived in Nero's time.) Yes, we are to submit to government ... second. God first. So while we cannot leave God out of our everyday lives, we must not allow our everyday lives to try to remove Him.

We can be so gullible sometimes. It is a standing joke: "It must be true; I read it on the Internet." And we smile, knowing that being on the Internet is in no way proof of truth. Yet, someone comes to us and says, "Our nation is predicated on the separation of church and state," a patently impossible statement, and we buy it. We submit to it. Don't do it. The Master of All is not limited to your private life. If He is, He's not the Master of All, is He?

The Judge of All the Earth

You remember the story (Gen 18:1-33). God and a couple of His angels visited Abraham on the way to Sodom and Gomorrah. God decided to tell Abraham what He had planned ... to destroy the two cities. Now, Abraham had a nephew there, so he decided to do a little dickering with God. "Suppose you find 50 righteous there. Will you still destroy it?" And here was Abraham's real question: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" (Gen 18:25). We see it as a rhetorical question since we all know the answer is, "Duh! Of course He will!" I'm not so sure anymore. There are some who tell me that God cannot justly judge people for sin. All that "eternal torment" stuff (even from Jesus's lips) does not fit the crime. Sin, they tell me, is just not that big.

This question of the justice of God has actually been a big issue ... for many. How can a just God send people to hell for sins? So they devise answers. "He doesn't. Everyone is saved." "He doesn't. There is no hell. Just annihilation." "He doesn't. He's a forgiving God." These and more are much easier to stomach than the concept of eternal torment for sin. But, are we to only believe that which we find palatable? And that's where this question begins, isn't it? In the Garden of Eden, God told Adam, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die" (Gen 2:16-17). Wait ... die? For eating a piece of fruit?? Our human conception of justice should be boggled by that. "Oh, no," my lefty acquaintances will say, "that's just a myth." So what about the story above? According to Scripture (Old and New Testaments), God rained fire and brimstone on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. For what? "Homosexuality," some might say, but the left side urges us to be cautious. "No, no, it was inhospitality." Really?? It is justice for God to annihilate two cities because they didn't welcome strangers right??? Some tell us that we've just misunderstood the whole "hell" thing and it's not at all like that, but I say that it's just like that because it has been so from the beginning. Death for violating a command not to eat a piece of fruit. Annihilation for being inhospitable (and more (Jude 1:7)). Struck dead for steadying the ark (2 Sam 6:6-7). Burned alive for offering "strange fire" (Lev 10:1-2). (I don't even know what that is). A man and wife died in place because they weren't honest about how much money they sold a piece of land for (Acts 5:1-11). Over and over God demonstrates that justice looks different to Him than it does to us. Or, rather, His standards are different than ours. An infraction to us is punishable by death to Him. Missing the mark and falling short of His glory (Rom 3:23) deserves eternal torment.

If we start from human standards, we have this (massive) problem of figuring out in what sense God is just. Well, of course, at the outset we need to eliminate eternal damnation. We'll have to dance around all those temporal judgments as well. Because God cannot judge based on a standard different than our own. Or ... We really have a limited grasp on just what God sees as right and how far off we are on that valuation. Either the Judge of all the earth will not deal justly and we're in real trouble, or He will ... and it's worse than we thought. He judges justly, people go to hell, and He's right in doing so. It all boils down to where you're willing to bend. Are you right and God doesn't judge sin, or is God right and He does? Choose carefully.

Benediction

What a nice word! It comes from the Latin words, bene and dictio. The first means "well" and the second means "speaking." (You find that one in the English, "diction.") You'll find benedictions typically at the end of a public worship service where a short blessing is given -- a good word. Not enough of those these days, is there?

A most popular benediction is the Aaronic blessing. God told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons after him to bless Israel this way:

The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace. (Num 6:24-26)

We've largely lost the meaning of that term, "blessing." God's instructions for this blessing can help us regain some sense of it. We know it's a good thing, but I don't think we know how good. God told His people about "blessings" and "curses." They weren't vague ideas. He listed a variety of very real consequences if they failed to obey Him (and they got to experience them all), and in this text here we learn about the contrast. We think "blessed" means "happy," but it's so very much more. The text is Hebrew parallelism, where the blessing says the same thing over and over, just in different ways to give us a real sense of it. The benediction began with "The LORD bless you" and everything after that explains "bless you." It includes God keeping you. It includes God's face upon you. It includes God's grace. It includes God's peace. "Blessed" here means largely God's face shining on you. That seems odd to us, but it's huge. It refers to His glory, our highest aim and privilege. It refers to His attention, providing joy (Psa 4:6-7). It refers to Christ as "the light of the world" (John 8:12). And, in contrast, it speaks of the absolute terror of God's face being turned away. It was the only moment in which Jesus cried out on the cross (Matt 27:46). It bears the opposite connotations of blessing -- no longer kept, no more grace, no peace, no joy.

As you go about your day today, may the Lord bless you. By that I mean, may the Lord keep you. May the Lord show you His glory and favor. May He give you peace and joy. Is that "happiness"? Well, sure, but it is so very much more, too.

News Weakly - 3/2/24

Did Not See That Coming
The Family Research Council says that anti-Christian sentiment is accelerating in the U.S. According to their report, attacks against churches doubled in 2023. Wow! Did not see that coming. Oh ... wait ... yes, we did (John 15:18; 2 Tim 3:12). Or should have.

I Feel Safer Already
Biden is going to issue an executive order safeguarding American personal data from US adversaries. Your genomic, biometric, health, geolocation, financial, and other data are supposed to be secured so Russia (et.al.) can't use it. They can't use it; that's the government's job.

Science Prevails
For a long time, society put off legalizing drugs, including marijuana -- deemed a "gateway drug." But, no, the lobby won out and state after state legalized it first for medicinal use and, ultimately, for recreational use. Now they tell us that it is associated with higher heart attack and stroke risk. Sure, try to put that toothpaste back in the tube. They won't even try. "Good" is "whatever we deem it to be" regardless of the consequences.

Strange Times
We all know how good Bidenomics has been to us, so how is this possible? First, there was the report that consumer confidence was in decline. Then the story we all (should) know, that big companies are laying off employees. And there's the increase in jobless claims. Finally a key measure of inflation is still going up. How is this even possible in a glowing economic environment like Mr. Biden gives us?

Showing Their Colors
Without a conviction, based solely on "I think it's true" even though multiple sources have said it isn't, Illinois joined the far-left "We don't care about jurisprudence" side and convicted Trump of insurrection without a conviction -- he's off the ballot there, now, too. Because if there's anything we know, it's that Democrats love democracy ... as long as it is to their advantage. Trump winning primaries is not to their advantage. Ignoring "innocent until proven guilty," they're demonstrating how much they hate America except for when it suits their interests.

Fine Recipe for a Mockery
Satanic Temple is pushing into Florida schools on the basis of the First Amendment. Mind you, Satanic Temple is a "non-theistic religious organization," an oxymoron right up front. Religion is belief in and worship of God or gods, and Satanic Temple is explicitly atheist. They don't even believe in Satan. Their fundamental tenets mention no deity or supernatural power. Being a non-religious religion is, however, right in line with the insanity that has gripped modern society where opposites can be and are regarded as true at random.

Bee Ready for Anything
After the U.S. Air Force member set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in protest of Israel's self-defense (actual story), progressive suicide hot lines are suggesting callers go ahead and do it so long as it's for Palestine. In other news, at the start of this presidential race year, a new poll shows that voters are in a dead heat between "uncommitted" and "none of these." I feel your pain. Finally, after the disconcerting news of an illegal immigrant murdering a nursing student in Georgia (actual story), police are warning women not to jog within 2,000 miles of any border. Wait ... is that satire?

Must be true; I read it on the Internet.

God and Government

We're in an election year, and it's likely to be a bumpy ride. So ... what's government for anyway? According to the Declaration of Independence, our rights are "unalienable" precisely because they are given by the Creator. According to our founding fathers, the function of government was "to secure these rights." Wow! We're a long way from that, aren't we? Take them, sure, but secure them? Even the "American Civil Liberties Union," an organization founded on fighting for our civil liberties, ignores our civil liberties when they collide with their agenda. (For instance, the ACLU is never defending the rights of Christians for their freedom for the free exercise of religion, but are often fighting to defend the rights of the LGBTQ folks ... whose special rights aren't mentioned there.) Those guys back there in 1776 had a good idea, but, as it said in the old cigarette commercials, "You've come a long way, baby." Now government exists to secure the preferences of the ruling party. Really not the same thing.

Of course, it can be argued that the Declaration of Independence may not be entirely true. I mean, how many today agree that rights are given by the Creator? Not so many. So what better source can we examine for the purpose of government? Oh, I know (and I would guess you know where I'm going), how about the Bible? According to Scripture, government is established by God (Rom 13:1). Yeah, yeah, you thought it was us. You should have known better. Scripture says that we are to "be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution" (1 Peter 2:13). Did you see the "why"? For the Lord's sake. Scripture says that government is God's servant for our good (Rom 13:4) in order that we might lead "a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Tim 2:1-2). Government "is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (Rom 13:4).

Now, human government is, obviously, lacking. The best of human government fails in the plan. That's why, in the end, we don't trust in human government. We trust in God. In the fire, we can be sure that God is there with His plans intact and His work ongoing. In the meantime, our job is to vote the right way ... oh, wait ... that's not in there, is it? We are supposed to pray with supplications, intercessions, and thanksgiving for those who are in high positions (1 Tim 2:1-2). We are to honor everyone, including, specifically, bad government (1 Peter 2:17). And, unless we are commanded to violate God's commands, we are to be subject to government (Rom 13:5-6). I bet there is not a small number of Christians who find these commands from God's Word just as offensive as they find the government today.