Sometimes Christians Annoy Me!

Yesterday, circumstances placed me in two different places with two different groups of people. The first was a group of people that make the claim of Christianity in their lives. I have no idea what the claim of the second group is, and I am not yet in a position with this group to inquire. However, in the group of Christians, I encountered rigid rule-keeping and the natural result of such—self-righteousness. In the second group (the ones whose religions beliefs I do not yet know), I was met with genuine interest in me, a smiling face, approachable attitude, and a sincere respect. In fact, I even got a hug from a man I did not really even know. That was his way of saying hello. The events took me back to a time in college, my freshman year, when I encountered a self-interested group of Christians in a particular campus ministry. Each was very confident in his own standing with God, in his own practice of righteousness, and his own understanding of scripture. This group, much like the one I met yesterday, lacked that thing that John talks about in John 15 when he says, “love one another as I have loved you.”

For me, one of the most frustrating things I deal with in life is people who say they know Christ yet lack the love that is characteristic of Him. I fear I fail too often to communicate to you (those of you who are Christians and those of you who are not) that I love you. I hope you know that I care deeply.

You do realize don’t you (church) that if the world loves better than we love, we lose?!?

Thoughts from Yesterday

What a great day at HBC yesterday!  You endured a history lesson on the Apostle John.  Doesn’t it draw you in to the story when you remember that we’re reading the words of the guy who touched Him, saw Him with his own eyes, and heard Him with his own hears?  Remember that our beliefs, according to John, are inextricably LINKED to how we live and love.  We’ll see more in the days ahead.

The Message is Linked to the Man!  We don’t have a message outside of proclaiming Christ.  Remember that.  Our gospel (good news) is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is a relief, I believe, for the Christian to realize that you don’t have to become bogged down with getting the message right—our message is JESUS, and our joy is bringing Him to our friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and relatives.  You cannot separate the message from the person…and neither can they.  If you take JESUS to them, the MESSAGE will be clear.

Sunday’s Message

Talking about the Wrath of God is never a fun task, but it is necessary.  Paul reminds us of the reality of it in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”  Yesterday, though time was short in the 9:00 a.m. service, we tackled this uncomfortable aspect of the Character of God.  It is only by wading into the deep waters of wrath that we can enjoy the swim in His grace.  Today, I’ll simply remind you of the truth we discovered in our time together on Sunday.

1.  God’s wrath is never impulsive.  He is only angered when anger is just and right and fair. 

2.  God’s wrath is revealed against all sin and against all sinners.  Without two elements, our sin and God’s wrath, the gospel makes no sense.  Paul goes to great lengths to make sure we understand the bad news before he ever gets around go glorying in the gospel.  We must understand what it is that we need to be saved from, God’s wrath against us for sin.

3.  We see examples of God’s wrath in the death that comes to all humans (Romans 5:15 & 16); in the events of this life that seem useless and futile, when  suffering and misery abound (Romans 8:18-21) – but suffering is allowed in “hope” of a Savior; and in the sinking degradation of the human heart (Romans 1:19-28).

4.  For the unbeliever, that hope is always present, even in experience of suffering – God’s mercy is always the undercurrent and those who see it, heart it, sense it can run to Jesus.

5.  For the believer, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), and “God has not destined us for wrath” (I Thessalonians 5:9).  The Christian’s experience of the wrath of God is forever altered by the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

(In Christ Alone, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)

We must not avoid or retreat from talking about the wrath of God.  For only in embracing that aspect of God’s character can we truly understand His love and tenderness toward us.

I’ll leave you with the quote I shared in the message Sunday from Dorothy Sayers:

"We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certifying Him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended Him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.”

A Little Appreciation

So, what ever happened to the pastor’s blog?  I must confess, time is short these days.  I’m going to be attempting to write more in the days ahead, but in the meanwhile, I am posting this link.  You probably never knew this about me.

http://en.tackfilm.se/?id=1269370869531RA18