The Gift of God

Romans 5 tells us that because of the death of Jesus Christ we receive the gift of eternal life from God.  Along with this gift comes the gift of Christ’s righteousness, reconciliation to God, justification through faith, and peace with God.  This sounds wonderful, and it truly is, at least for some, beyond belief.  This raises a few questions.  First, why is it beyond belief?  And, what is the alternative?  Or, is there an alternative?

The first part of this gift that defies belief is eternal life.  We have all experienced death in its many forms seen throughout the ages and places.  The great statesman, Benjamin Franklin, is known to have said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  This is a truth we can sink our teeth into.  There is no escaping the fact that we will all die.  Outside of the Bible narrative, there is no documented source of anyone escaping death.  It is an inevitability we must all face, whether we like it or not.  Many have sought out a way to avoid death, and all have failed.  Thus, the promise of a way to defy death is, indeed, appealing.  However, the old axiom “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t” comes into play.  For many, the biblical promise of eternal life simply sounds too good to be true, so they reject it as just another myth in the long stream of age-defying remedies that have existed throughout recorded history.  So, why should they believe this over all the others?

Jesus offers this gift in that familiar passage, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  We have heard this so many times that we often lose the depth of what is stated.  Especially when we look at in light of what Paul says in the first chapter of Romans.  God is revealed in creation.  All know within their heart of hearts that God exists.  It is this inborn knowledge that reveals more to life than the few years lived out on this earth.  Thus, Jesus offers the love of a God who is made evident to all.  And, in offering this love, He offers two alternatives: eternal life or perishing.  He backs this up by overcoming death in His own body.  The resurrected Jesus, witnessed by hundreds, puts to rest the argument against eternal life.  Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates His ability to raise the dead to eternal life.  Knowing this, we have a choice to make.  We can believe in Jesus and gain eternal life, or choose to reject Him and perish.

It’s actually pretty simple.  However, there are those who still choose to not take advantage of this free gift of God.  Some have chosen to not believe in God, even though He is revealed in every little intricacy of nature.  For some reason, these often believe that acceptance of Jesus means that they will have to give up the pleasures of this life.  That misconception is truly unfortunate.  Those of us who have received the gift of God realize that in entails more than eternal life.  This gift includes a truly wonderful, abundant life in the here and now.  I have often said that if I got to the end of this life and God did turn out to be a myth, my life would still have been better for having believed in Him.  On the other hand, for those gambling on Him being a myth, they not only miss out on the good life He offers while here, they take the chance of missing out on eternal life and facing the consequence of perishing.

Which is it for you?  Choosing eternal life, or choosing to perish?

A Capella Singing

“There’s within my heart a melody.”  A lyric from an old hymn that speaks to what most believers feel when worshiping.  Visit any place of worship today and you are bound to hear singing.  Scripture assures us that God hears what our heart produces, regardless of what our voice sounds like.  This is comforting when we listen to some who are tone-deaf.  My wife fits into that category, but she loves to sing and praise the Lord.  She often says that she knows she will be a singer in heaven, because she can’t sing on earth.

In our travels we come across quite a variety of churches and music.  Some have instruments, ranging from a single organ or piano, all the way up to a full blown orchestra, and everything in between.  The music ranges from rock ‘n roll to classical, and all points betwixt.  It can put worshipers in a somber mood, or hyped up to a fever pitch.  People raise their hands, eyes tear up or close, and toes often pat the floor.  The music follows a theme, or not.  It coincides with the sermon or misses the mark.  The one thing we have found is that we are sure to find something different wherever we visit.

Our tradition is a capella.  Historically, our people have learned to sing four-part harmony from hymnals that use fasola notation.  That means that instead of the standard form of notation, our music has shaped notes, identifying the do re mi notes instead of by the letter.  This has been useful in helping our congregations learn the four parts that make up the harmony.  For this to work well, a small church has to be gifted with really talented singers, or grow themselves to a point where the stronger voices can help those who are weaker come out with their part, be it soprano, alto, tenor, or bass.  When you are blessed to be in a large congregation of believers who know how to sing, the music can be awesome.

In years past, this beautiful form of music was very prevalent in churches of Christ, and can still be found.  However, over the past several years we are seeing a decline in our ability to generate four-part harmony in many of our congregations.  This has led to lively discussion of the cause for this apparition.  Many of our churches have been using overhead projection for some time.  Many of these projected songs are not accompanied by the written music.  There are those who feel this is the reason we seem to be losing our harmony.  Another change has been the use of praise teams.  Again, some feel these have aided in the decline of four-part congregational singing.  And, then there is the practice followed in many churches where they use anybody and everybody to lead the worship, whether that person is qualified or not.  This would seem an obvious contributor to our lack of harmony.

I’m not going to offer an opinion, other than to say that it would seem that all of these are contributing factors.  I will say that it saddens me to see us losing this tradition.  Our ability to produce beautiful music from the voices of our members has long been an asset, and a distinction among churches of Christ.  Unlike many in my tradition, I don’t believe a capella singing is a legal requirement.  In fact, I firmly believe that when we make it so, we take away from its beauty.  Having said that, a capella singing, done right, is like no other music.  It is beautiful and brings glory to God.  There’s nothing that can stir the soul like good, harmonious congregation singing. However, if we are going to hold on to this tradition, we need to make some hard choices in reinventing the ways to bring about good congregational harmony.  I pray it is done soon!

Dust Removal

In offering this criticism, I find myself in a peculiar position.  While pointing the finger at others I am, in a very real sense, point back at myself.  However, it would be difficult to address the subject of judgment without committing the said violation.  With that in mind, I take up my keyboard and begin.

Una said to me the other night, “Have you noticed how judgmental preachers and their wives can be?”  I considered her question, relating it to the many preacher families we know, and came to the conclusion that there is some validity in this judgment.  Since I, too, am a preacher, I am also indicted.  Why do we do this?  We are all familiar with the Lord’s injunction to remove the plank from our eye before we attempt to remove the speck of dust from our brother’s eye.  Yet, we insist on removing that particle of dirt.  Is it because we study so much that we become acutely aware of what sin is, and are able to readily identify it in others?  Or, is it, I fear, due to our own self-righteousness?  Do we preacher-sorts come to the point where we see ourselves as sacrificial lambs, pure in deed and mind, cleansed because of our baptism in the Word, and in our knowledge of all things scriptural?  Is that a little too harsh?  Maybe so.  But, it does not relieve us from the duty of taking a hard look at ourselves and how we approach others.  It is so easy to become pharisaical when one devotes their life to doing God’s work.  We feel the weight of responsibility to not only preach the truth, but to also model what we preach.  After all, our words carry little meaning if we are just admonishing others to do as we say and not as we do.

This brings us back to judgment.  In all our piety, we would do well to remember that when we are encouraging others to follow the Lord’s command in Matthew 7, we have the responsibility to do the same.  It would strengthen our ministry if we would not bind on others what we bind upon ourselves; leaving judgment on disputable matters to Him who judges rightly.  I understand the “fish bowl” effect, and the unfair position of having to be more circumspect in our lives because we are recognized as God’s special vessels.  However, this does not give us the right to project those same expectations upon others.  If you wonder why members of your flock avoid you, it just might be for this very reason.  Understand, from your own position, how uncomfortable it is to know that someone is standing in judgment of all that you say or do.  We preachers, as unfair as it may be, signed up for that position.  But, our brothers and sisters did not.  Ready for some plank removal?

Worship Priorities

As we travel the country in our 38 foot motorhome one of our greatest challenges it finding a place to worship.  It isn't that there are a shortage of churches.  It isn’t even due to our unwillingness to worship in any church, because we have attended many different churches with many different names over the doors.  We are unashamedly members of the Church of Christ.  However, we do not believe that the CHURCH is limited to those who attend Churches of Christ.  It is our conviction that the church is made up of believers, and that these believers attend congregations in various diverse groups throughout the world.  God’s church is not limited by man’s design.  Our belief is founded in the diversity of the churches named in the New Testament.  For example, the seven churches of Asia Jesus addresses in Revelation.  Each of these churches practice worship in a different manner.  Jesus has a problem with six of them.  However, He calls ALL of them His church.  It is apparent in New Testament history that churches, while practicing and binding different things upon themselves, did not expect the same from their brethren in other places and congregations (see Acts 15 and Romans 14).  This is just to address why we have no problem going to church outside of our immediate fellowship.

So, one might ask, “Then, Rod, why is finding a place to worship such a challenge?”  To answer this question I must reveal my own personal prejudices.  As I look at the many different stripes of Christianity, it becomes clear that each one has its own traditions, customs, and practices.  As to our core beliefs, there isn’t much difference.  However, when it comes to what we do for an hour or so each week in our public gatherings, there can be a lot of variety.  One of our customs in the churches of Christ is participation in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  I know that many in our church believe this is a law.  However, I find nothing in scripture to support that position.  Indeed, it is my position that in making it a law we take away from it’s special significance.  Jesus died to set us free from law, not to set up another system of law-keeping.  Having said that, it would seem to me that the early church felt this sacrament of communion to be an important custom.  There is much historical evidence showing that our first and second century brethren observed communion every time they came together, often as much as seven days a week!  Scripture does point out that it was Paul’s custom to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.  And there are numerous scriptures that deal with this rite.  The Lord’s Supper should be a very special privilege to each and every Christian.  When we partake of the bread and wine, we demonstrate our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is at the very core of Christianity.  I find it to be a wonderful time of celebration, and I look forward to it every Sunday.

My brethren who do not observe it every Sunday usually have a special service monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or sporadically.  The usual explanation I receive for their custom is that to observe it every week would make it too common, taking away from its specialness.  I find just the opposite to be the case.  I don’t mean it as a criticism, but I do find that these brethren do offer the opportunity to partake in a public contribution every Sunday.  Yet, when I look in scripture I find only two references to the church having a collection during a public meeting.  Is this more important than observance of the Lord’s Supper?  Does it take away from its specialness when we offer the contribution weekly?  I would just like my fellows in other churches to think about it, and maybe consider returning to the custom of our first-century brethren.  It would sure make my search for a place to worship easier ;>).

Flowering Beauty

            As I write this reflection it is a little after two in the morning.  For some reason, I can’t sleep.  This has been happening quite frequently lately.  I’m not really sure why, but I keep waking up after a few short hours of sleep, getting up for a couple of hours, and then sleeping soundly the rest of the night.  I suspect it’s because there are so many random thoughts rolling around in my near empty head.  For instance, I have been taking pictures of flowers that I really know nothing about.  They’re just pretty, so I try and do them some digital justice with our Canon Rebel.  I consider how they have certain similarities – they each have some sort of stem, different shaped petals, some kind of inner workings, stamens, pistils, seeds, and other assorted parts.  They have to have these in order to be a flower.  However, as captivating as their beauty is, I’m struck by their diversity.  I understand that there are as many as a quarter of a million different types of flowers!  Yet, each one is still just a flower.  Each one belongs to the other, without any of them being able to deny the authenticity of the other.  And, aren’t we glad?  Suppose all flowers were exactly the same.  Would we appreciate their beauty as much as we do now?  Isn’t it awesome how God created flowers with such diversity?  Just imagine all the flowers you’ve seen.  You might have a favorite.  Although, I don’t really know how.  But, one can’t deny the beauty of most flowers.  Beautiful because they are so different, while being the same.
            Then I start to think of the other things found in nature that display the same kind of beauty through the diverse workings of our creator.  I consider all the different types of dogs – spotted, short, tall, furry, not-so-furry, long, small, large, fidgety, mild-mannered, aggressive, brown, yellow, black, white, red, tan.  All different, yet still the same – just dogs.  I’m sure you can think of many more examples, I know I can.  Why do we have such a difficult time seeing this same beauty, born of diversity, in the church?

Is Belonging to Jesus a Positive Thing?

            I know my title question almost sounds blasphemous to fellow Christians.  But, I can’t help but wonder if those who are not Christians see Christianity as a positive.  Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).  This statement assumes, first of all, that to be His disciples is a good thing.  Secondly, it offers the condition needed to give Christianity a positive view.  They go hand-in-hand.  Without love for one another we Christians don’t present a very appealing picture to the world.  It isn’t just our lack of unity, it is our attitude toward others who don’t agree with us.  Instead of embracing diversity, understanding its strength, we often expect uniformity.  God didn’t create us that way.  He has made us each to be a unique individual.  This diversity is seen throughout His creation.  It is also seen in the New Testament church.  If we take an overview of all the different churches of the Bible, we see no two churches that are alike.  Each one stands out as an individual creation, serving the individual needs of its community.  Interestingly, they were not divided.  These Christians supported other Christians who practiced their faith in manners that were different.  There were some who held to some parts of the law, while others found complete freedom from the law (Romans 14).  Yet, the churches fellowshipped one another and loved one another.  They banded together against the evil of the world, renouncing what was clearly against Christ.  And, even in this, they projected a spirit of love.  Is it any wonder that the church grew then as it has never done since?
            I’m not saying that one should practice their faith in a manner contrary to their own conscience.  Scripture is quite plain on this (Romans 14:23).  What I am saying is that we should not withhold our love and fellowship from another whose conscience is not stricken by the same thing.  Consider the context of that last passage of scripture.  There are weightier matters than those most Christians are divided over.  We are living in a world that is calling right wrong and wrong right, a world that is embracing sexual perversion, murder of unborn babies, Satanism, pagan religions, etc.  If all Christians were to band together and promote the simple gospel of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to bring salvation to everyone, we would not live long enough to reach all the lost.  Indeed, it is a fact when Jesus says, “...wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13).  If we were to take all professing Christians in the world, the number would be small in comparison to all who are lost.
            I came to the Lord when I was a grown adult.  A fine Christian couple loved me when I was very unlovable, and the led me to the love of Christ.  I have now been a Christian for more than thirty-five years.  However, if this couple would have tried to convert me to a church they would have fallen flat on their face.  Because, when I looked at the church from a worldly perspective I didn’t differentiate between one denomination and another, or one non-denomination and another.  I simply saw a lot of people who called themselves Christians, wanting to share the love of Christ with me, while looking at each other with anything but love.  It was (is) ugly and repulsive.  I think this is why Jesus placed such emphasis on our loving one another.  He knows that without that love for one another, we become nothing more than religious hypocrites.  And, if people see us as His disciples, they see a distorted view of Christ, instead of the Christ we are privileged to know once we obey the gospel.  When we fail to show our love for one another, we shoot ourselves in the foot.  Our words of love to the world become empty and hollow, without true meaning.
            So, yes, belonging to Christ is a positive thing.  I know that, and my fellow Christians know that.  I just want the world to know it too.

Is The Church Handicapped Accessible?

            As the Lord begins His ministry, He enters a synagogue, opens the scripture, and reads from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19) He then proceeds to tell those present that He was here to fulfill what Isaiah wrote.  And then, in Matthew, just before Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, we read in chapter 4:23-24, that “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.  News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.” (Italics added for emphasis)
            Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Jesus places a very high priority on ministering to the disabled.  Which brings me to my original question: Is the church handicapped accessible?  And, I’m not talking about ramps and higher toilets with hand-bars on the walls.  Do we place as high a priority on the disabled as the Lord we propose to emulate?  When did you last take the time to visit a shut-in?  I put the church to the test in one small area of the country, by emailing a dozen churches asking if they had anyone who visits the disabled.  Out of these twelve churches I received one response.  Maybe I should be encouraged.  I mean, that’s a higher percentage than the average contribution for we Christians.  Maybe I’m being a little hard on the church.  After all, we are busy people, with little time left over after work and family.  But, I’m not going to let us get off that easy.  Reliable studies have demonstrated that we spend a significant amount of time in front of that box that projects different colors of light into our living rooms, not to mention the internet and other leisure activities.
            It really wouldn’t take that much.  If just a few families in each church would commit an hour a week to one or two disabled people we would probably reach most, if not all, of the disabled in our communities.  That still wouldn’t be as high a priority as Jesus gave this ministry, but it would be a good start!  Think about it.  Most of our shut-ins are people who are not all that different as the rest of us, they just have a physical disability that prevents them from going out.  Can you imagine spending day after day with no conversation?  Even most of those in our prisons have daily conversation.  Our disabled often lead very lonely lives, and it isn’t out of choice.  They aren’t incarcerated because of some wrong they have done.  They aren’t being punished.  They are simply unable to get out on their own.  You could make someone’s entire week with just an hour of conversation.  Furthermore, you would find that the blessings you receive from having shared yourself with one of these in need would exceed multiple hours of television, internet, or any other sort of entertainment.  Try it!  You’ll like it!