Tiger Woods has been disgraced in the media because of his infidelities.  Olympian Michael Phelps was disgraced by the public disclosure of his use of marijuana.  David Hasselhoff was publicly disgraced by the unveiling of video of his inebriation and ‘compromised’ parenting.  Then you have the sad narrative of my governor Mark Sanford and his sordid tale of infidelity. The response, both in the media and in conversations around the proverbial water cooler is one of universal condemnation and disdain for the moral failures of these public figures.  In times past, I have joined in on the lambasting of, and laughing over, public figures caught in their moral failures, their sin.

More recently however, I have had a change of attitude, of perspective.  I have to check myself that I do not place myself in the position of being innately morally superior to those aforementioned characters.  You see, what I have come to recognize more and more clearly is that I am just as deserving of condemnation as those celebrities.  My sins, my moral failures, may not be of the same specific and public nature as theirs,  but I am not without my own guilt.  Have I loved my wife as Christ loves His bride, the church?  No, I have at times failed at that.  Have I faithfully loved God with all my heart, soul, and mind and my neighbor as myself?  No, I fail every day.  So has everyone who reads this post, so has everyone.  We have all murdered with our words, and committed adultery in our hearts. Perhaps the most pernicious trap in which to fall is the ‘thank God I am not like the Pharisees’ mindset.  None, apart from the work of Christ, are without guilt before God.

I think about 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 in context the the failings of others.  I think, too, of Luke 18:9-14.  Do I sometimes, as already mentioned, self-righteously place myself in the role of the Pharisee who gloats over the moral failures of the unregenerate?  I think of Ephesians. 2:1-5.  Ultimately, the only thing that separates me from those other miscreants is the grace and mercy of Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (New American Standard Bible)

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?

But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.

Luke 18:9-14 (New American Standard Bible)

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’

“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’

“I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Ephesians 2:1-5 (New American Standard Bible)

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved,

Stating the obvious, bumper stickers and church signs are often poor venues for declarations requiring nuance, and perhaps one should not put too much effort in analyzing them.  That being said, I ran across a church sign near my house recently that read  “Too Blessed to be Depressed.” These are the same guys whose sign once read “God’s Stimulus Package: The Rapture.” (more on it here) After reading this sign I thought of  the following verses and the tensions contained therein.

Matthew 5:1-4 (NASB)

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

I think about the inference of that sign that it is normative that Christians should always be happy and never depressed.  What that sign can  be is a slap in the face to someone who mourns.  There are strains of Christianity that really think that Christians are never to be in any kind of want, physical or otherwise.  In light of that church sign, I find it ironic that there is a book in the Bible titled Lamentations.  The Psalms are full of lament; some flirt with utter despair. Psalm 88 comes to mind.

Here are a couple of pertinent quotes that I ran across recently to reflect upon in light of the all the aforementioned:

A. W. Tozer: “It is doubtful God can bless any man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

Alan Redpath: “When God wants to do an impossible task he takes an impossible man and crushes him.”

HT: Abide In Christ

In light of the above:

“…your poverty is no hindrance, for my Master asks nothing from you – the poorer the wretch, the more welcome to Christ. My Master is no covetous priest, who demands pay for what he does – he forgives us freely; he wants none of your merits, nothing whatever from you; come as you are to him, for he is willing to receive you as you are. But here is my sorrow and complaint, that this blessed Lord Jesus, though present to heal, receives no attention from the most of men. They are looking another way, and have no eyes for him…. My Master is not wrathful with you who forget him and neglect him, but he pities you from his heart. I am but his poor servant, but I pity, from my inmost; heart, those of you who live without Christ. I could fain weep for you who are trying other ways of salvation, for they will all end in disappointment, and if continued in, will prove to be your eternal destruction.” -Charles Spurgeon

HT:“Did I Stutter?”

Here is a portion of a post by a church planter/pastor of a relevant church somewhere in Ohio:

DON’T CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN

if you don’t ever share your faith…..ever

DON’T CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN

if you are only concerned with judging people instead of first loving them

DON’T CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN

if you are not investing in the lives of those younger than you

DON’T CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN

if all you do is complain and cause dissension

DON’T CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN

Please understand….I’m not saying you aren’t a christian, I’m just asking you to call yourself something else. You are giving everyone a disgusting taste in their mouth and labeling it biblical. Christ’s church will survive, only through the strength of Jesus shown through an outward focused lifestyle that draws those who are far from “Him”, close to “Him”.

I understand the sentiment behind the post, and I have ran across quite similar statements/posts from other leaders within contemporary churches on how they do not like Christians who so not seem to act consistently with their profession. Some have even made lists on why they do not like ‘bad’ Christians. However, serious questions are raised by the above quote. First, is a Christian defined more by a state of doing rather than a state of being? Second, are there classes or a hierarchy of Christians? Are some Christians more Christian than others? Is there irony in this pastor telling someone not to call themselves a Christian if they are judgmental? Are some Christians more justified by grace, by faith in Christ, than others? By this pastors standards, just how good do I have to be, what must I do, before I can call myself a Christian? Do I have to be perfect?

I think of the Apostle Paul in his approach to the wayward, troubled church at Corinth, a church where people were getting drunk during Communion meals among other things. Paul:

1 Corinthians 1 (ESV)

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place e call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as i the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Interesting is Paul’s salutation to the Corinthians. He does not instruct those in the church to quit calling themselves Christians, little Christs. His salutation is warm, though he later gives stern instructions on church discipline so that those in rebellion may be brought to repentance.

I think that what may be found at times is a somewhat underdeveloped understanding of the nature of justification and a lack of understanding that Christians are in different stages of sanctification. It may be, too, that some, perhaps many, who are in self-deception and call themselves Christian my not actually be in Christ. What is not acceptable, I think, is that our status in Christ is based on our performance, our works. How can we instruct others to refrain from naming themselves in Christ unless the one in question denies fundamental doctrines required for salvation?

Though I may have my suspicions, I can’t discern with absolute confidence if a person who claims to be a Christian is really redeemed or not. Sadly, there are people who live seemingly exemplary lives, who are active in doing all the positive things in the quoted list, who perhaps depend on their righteousness to earn God’s favor who will find themselves being told by Christ that He never knew them. There are also immature Christians who struggle with sin, with their tongue, who perhaps doubt their own salvation and feel themselves unworthy to call themselves Christians who are truly redeemed and loved dearly by the Messiah. I cannot see into the heart of a person. I do not always know what baggage, what obstacles to growth in Christ, they bring to the table. I am painfully aware that I have been quite foolish in my life and speech and know there are some who will probably and justifiably be surprised to see me in among the redeemed.

That all being said, Christians are absolutely called into a life of holiness, of progressive sanctification, but it is the distinction that we cannot save ourselves by our works and efforts that separates us from every other religion. Note that I am absolutely not advocating any kind of ‘easy-believism.’ I also do not think we need to get wrapped tightly around the axle on this, but we are are told in the Word to check ourselves, to make sure of our election. Are we bearing fruit? While some branches may grow slowly, but eventually we will show signs of sanctification.

If my earthly father gave me my name, no one has the right to tell me not to be called by his name. If I am adopted into the family of the Triune God, if I am trusting in Christ alone for my salvation, can someone instruct me not to be called by my Redeemer’s name? Is that not the height of arrogance?

Psalm71:20(ESV)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

In my reading this morning, I came across the aforementioned verse and found solace in the reaffirmation of God’s sovereignty over the created order, over circumstances, even difficult ones.  Events are not now, nor ever have been, or ever will be beyond His reach, His hand.  Things just do not happen to his elect as if we are caught up in some harsh machinery of cause and effect, of random, uncontrolled forces.  Here in this Psalm we find a reminder that His loving  and sovereign hand has always upon His children even before we were able to affirm such, even in troubles and calamities, all for our good and His glory.

I am rather slowly reading through the Gospel of John this month…taking my time and trying to chew it thoroughly.  A couple of days ago, I stopped and thought about this passage:

John 7 (ESV)

Jesus at the Feast of Booths

¹After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because^(A) the Jews^[a] were seeking to kill him. ²Now^(B) the Jews’ Feast of^(C) Booths was at hand. ^3(D) So his brothers^[b] said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. ⁴For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things,^(E) show yourself to the world.” ^5(F) For not even^(G) his brothers believed in him.

Were His half-brothers, natural sons of Joseph and Mary, in unbelief and hardness of heart, trying to kill Him in a roundabout way? Were they aware that there were people in Judea who wanted Christ dead when they encouraged Him to travel there to revel Himself?  Does the text infer such? I believe that John 7:25 supports the idea that the deep animosity towards Jesus by some in Judea does not appear to be knowledge that could only be supernaturally discerned.  I do not want to go beyond what the text revels and end up on a thin branch of unsupportable speculation, but I think one may reasonably infer there were deep strains in their relationship  between Christ Jesus and His naturally-born brothers, strains and resentments born from the sinfulness that comes naturally and easily to the unregenerate heart.  They knew the first-born brother, Christ Jesus,  differed from them in some great degree, even if they did not apprehend that He differed from them in kind, not just degree.  I think, also and parenthetically, of Joseph and the treatment he received from his brothers as recorded in Genesis 37.

What I understand more clearly is that we have a great High Priest who is well acquainted with grief and sorrow.

Isaiah 53 (English Standard Version)

Isaiah 53

^1(A) Who has believed what he has heard from us?^[a]
And to whom has^(B) the arm of the LORD been revealed?
²For he grew up before him like a young plant,
^(C) and like a root out of dry ground;
^(D) he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
^3(E) He was despised and rejected^[b] by men;
a man of sorrows,^[c] and acquainted with^[d] grief;^[e]
and as one from whom men hide their faces^[f]
he was despised, and^(F) we esteemed him not.

John 7:25 (English Standard Version)

Can This Be the Christ?

²⁵Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom^(A) they seek to kill?

An excerpt from what I read this morning…

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV)

Thus says the LORD:”Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

“Can you serve your boss and others at work, helping them to succeed and be happy, even when they are promoted and you are overlooked? Can you work to make others look good without envy filling your heart? Can you minister to the needs of those whom God exalts and men honor when you yourself are neglected? Can you pray for the ministry of others to prosper when it would cast yours in the shadows?….But the Christian serves with humility because it leads to Christlikeness.”

- Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, ch. 7, pp. 122

HT:Underdog Theology

Philippians 2:3(English Standard Version)
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I am not much for just opening my Bible and beginning to read from whatever random page I fall on; usually I am a bit more methodical than that.  However, I did start off the morning’s reading from that page to which the Bible fell open, and this is what I began with this morning, an excerpt from Psalm 145:

Psalm 145:14-21 (ESV)

The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

]]> http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/psalm-14/feed/ 0 ronclick http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/psalm-27/ http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/psalm-27/#comments Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:06:24 +0000 Ron http://ronclick.wordpress.com/?p=1607 ]]>

Psalm 27 (English Standard Version)
The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”My heart says to you,
“Your face, LORD, do I seek.”

Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the LORD will take me in.

Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and turn from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves as a father the son in whom he delights.

I so often need refreshment that goes down to the bone. The old man, the flesh, still, at times, wants to rear it’s head and assert it’s understanding and wisdom, birthing either fear or arrogance as a consequence, but trust in the Lord grows each day as we engage His word and submit to it. As trust grows, so does humility, so does a peace. Circumstances, though often difficult, are not events to be endured stoically for the sake of showing our strength.

1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.