Our Testimony to Jesus

"With my mouth I will give thanks to the Lord;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy one."

Ps. 109: 30-31

I have probably heard at least 1000 times the following statements made by a believer in Christ,

"I do not feel comfortable telling people about what I believe.  

I prefer to let my life witness for me."

Have you ever heard this excuse/reasoning?  Have you ever given it?  I am sure that all of us have.  These statements and the feelings behind them have been making the rounds in Christian circles since the time of Jesus.  Let's take a fresh look at this often accepted thought.

On the face of it, I completely agree.  If our life does not match our witness, then we are by definition a hypocrite.  Our life should be a witness.

Yet, to what are we witnessing?  

Let me lay out two different statements.

My life should reflect good Christian morality.  

My life should reflect my relationship with Christ.

While I think these two statements should equate, I do not think they mean the same thing.  I believe that by making them the same, we have made witnessing about Jesus something to which almost no believer feels comfortable.

Why?  The problem comes with thinking my morality has anything positive to do with witnessing for Jesus.

What about when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and I snap at my family, my co-worker, or myself?  What about the awful muttering that I do under my breath?  What about my struggles with my "hidden hangups and sins"?  How can I witness to truth when my life is not really right?

I believe almost all of us feel these tensions.  We know we do not have it all together.  We have so many struggles.  Witnessing must be for people who have their life together better than we do.

Such thinking destroys our desire to witness for Jesus.

There is another issue with equating the above two statements.  What if I do live "good Christian morality'?  (However I define it)  My guess is that my co-workers, family, and friends will think that I am a great guy.  They will think that I really have it all together.  They will think that I am dependable, solid, loving, ... you fill in the blank to what you think you should witness to.

Here's the rub.  Where is Jesus to these people in which I am witnessing?  They like me, but why would I assume they will make the connection that Jesus is the one who made me this way?  If I am honest, which I rarely am, I am witnessing more to my morality, my uprightness, my way of life.  

Furthermore, with this sort of thinking, I am now caught in the trap of reputation.  I have to work harder and harder to keep my "goodness" public.  I strive to maintain my reputation before others.

I don't know about you, but I know my secrets.  I know my struggles with living my faith.  I know those inner thoughts and that I don't always wake up on the right side of the bed.

In short, maintaining my reputation only proves I am a hypocrite.

What can be done about this?  To what should we witness?

How about cutting through the hypocrisy of witnessing to and through my great (or not so great) morality?  How about not fearing our shortcomings because we witness to the only perfect man in history?

I have found our most effective witness comes by confessing and telling others how much I need Jesus and how much grace He gives me daily.  

Something wonderful happens when I bring up the name of Jesus.  When I confess my need for Him and how He is my only hope, the Holy Spirit shows up to confirm what I am saying.  I have also found that when I confess my weakness, people listen to me because they have the same issues and problems. Somehow the Holy Spirit works through the confession of Jesus as our only hope to bring Him all the glory.

In other words, without mentioning Jesus we are not really witnessing about Jesus.  

Pointing to Jesus as your only hope and your present savior 

brings the power of the Holy Spirit into play.  

Our life should reflect our relationship to Jesus.  Does yours illustrate your dependence upon Him?  If it does, you have all it takes to be an effective and powerful witness to the gospel!

Farewell Dee Yukon

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Psalm 116:15

On Monday, Dee Yukon, the wife of my friend Matt Yukon who died two months ago, died after a 3 1/2 year battle with cancer.  She leaves behind two children, Lincoln age 3, and Angelina age 8.

M.E. and I were talking how Matt's death made us so sad.  This death makes us angry.  It just seems so unjust!  How could this be allowed to happen?  Why?  Why?  Why?

All I can say is that there is so much in life I don't understand.  So many questions.  So many events that have puzzled me.  The deaths of Matt and Dee adds to the list.  They are high on the list.

Dee was one of the most giving people I have ever met.  She would literally give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.  She loved people well.  She laughed often.  She was a great support and wife for Matt.  To know Dee was to know an authentic life of love.

Her greatest hope in life was to have children.  For years it looked like she would not be able on her own.  Thankfully, her and Matt adopted Angelina four or five years ago.  They sure loved that little girl.  Then, against all hope, at the age of 42/43, she finally became pregnant with Lincoln.  The Yukons were so overjoyed.  Their vision for having a larger family was coming true.

That was when the bad news started to pile up.  In the second trimester of the pregnancy, Dee discovered a lump.  It ends up that the pregnancy hormones had helped grow a malignant and aggressive breast cancer.  Matt and Dee decided to do what they could for treatment, but to carry Lincoln to birth.  I know they never, ever regretted that decision.

Dee handled her cancer with such grace.  As she aged, she handled more and more with grace.  I really noticed her spiritual growth over the twenty years I knew her.  I am sure that the stress of Matt's cancer and then death helped increase the potency of her cancer.  

All I know, is that we will miss her.  Please pray for her children.  Please pray for her family and friends, many of whom have the same reaction that we do.  

This side of heaven, there are often no good answers to why.

Dee lived a good life by any measure.  I end with a poem that was true of Dee.

“Success”
Inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

This is a great poem, but I would suggest one more line.  

Success is 

To enjoy and know God in life and in death.

I rejoice and Matt and Dee have run their race, and they are enjoying their Lord together today.  

God's Cure for Overload and Anxiety

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, 
not man for the Sabbath."

Mark 2:27

We live in a day and age marked by incredible amounts of depression and anxiety.  I would say that in some locals, one out of every two people you talk to will be struggling with these issues.  In fact, chances are 50/50 that you are struggling with these twin demons of our age.

Has it always been this way, but we did not know to ask?  If there is more depression and anxiety now, is it because life if harder now than in the past?  Or, is it possible that life is tougher now because we have forgotten something that was known in the past?

As is virtually always true, I think a good place to begin the discussion is an understanding of what scripture says about how to live.  Today's world is 24/7.  The Bible says to work hard, sleep, enjoy life, and work 24/6.

How do we adjust to the biblical ideas about life?  I would suggest that we start by understanding the concept of Sabbath rest.  Thus, instead of running 24/7, we move to 24/6.

What is the Sabbath?  It is setting apart one day in seven to rest, to set aside the normal activities of life, and to grow in trust in God.  

It is not a day for two kid's soccer games, a play party, two trips to the store, and then a quick dinner while standing up.  It is a day to set aside the normal activities of life to focus on God's mercy and grace.  This grace includes the blessings of nature, family, and friends.

I know it sounds impossible.  How do we do it?

Begin by confessing that it is impossible for you to shut down the inner dialogue, the to-do list, and the thoughts and fears of the upcoming week.  Ask God to help you to relax, slow down, and focus on what is important.  In fact, you might have to ask Him to show you what is really important because today's fast-paced world often forces us to focus on what is urgent and not what is really important.

Second, look for the day you can take this rest.  Obviously the day the Lord set aside was a day of worship.  Funny thing is that Christians have been arguing for years if it is a Saturday or a Sunday.  I think this is part of God's plan.  Pick one.  If you work weekends, pick another day.  Just plan on a day not filled with normal activity.  Begin the day by asking God to set it aside and honor it.  Then, enjoy God's presence.

Please cut yourself some slack as you learn this discipline!  You will have good weeks and weeks that are not so good.  Confess and talk to God about it.

Friends, as you try to implement these basic ideas, you will grow in the last benefit of the Sabbath: you will grow in your trust in God.

How?

Working non-stop illustrates a profound lack of trust in God to provide and work apart from our labors.  When we cannot "shut-it-down" we live as one apart from Christ.  We prove we trust more in our actions than in God.

But what about all the people who need me?  What about all the work demands?  What about all the activities that I do for my family (that show we are good parents)?  

Friends, are you really that necessary?  Can God not take care of these folks and these demands?  Of course He can.  On your Sabbath, ask Him to do so.  Begin the process of trusting Him to do so. 

So where are you in life?  Are you struggling with intense anxiety?  Do you find yourself struggling with the darkness of depression?

I believe that taking a Sabbath rest is built into the very foundation of the world.  Our culture might not like it, support it, or expect it, but our culture is wrong about almost everything.  We need it.  Our forefathers and foremothers knew this truth, and they practiced it.  We ignore it to our own peril.

How can you put this idea into practice this week?

Living an Authentic Life of Faith

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected it it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4: 1-5

Recently I was talking with a new convert to the faith.  This man had lived a rough and hard life away from God.  In the past couple of months, the Lord pursued him and brought him to faith.  It is so encouraging to see God work the ultimate miracle of bringing folks from darkness to light!

As we talked, it became evident that he was searching for what to do next.  What does faith mean in the real world?  What about my love for having a beer, watching football, listening to country music, etc.?  Now that I am a believer, what should I do?

I find this is often the question that keeps people from growing in their faith.  It is a question that keeps them in fear and doubt.  On the one hand, they do not wish to be a hypocrite who now goes to church but is at a bar.  On the other hand, they hear the call for faith that brings life, but they do not wish to be miserable by having to give up all they love.  What should they do?

I think much of what passes for Christian counsel on this issue is well intended, but not helpful.  Here is what I heard as a new believer.  

"You must give up all that worldliness.  You should listen to Christian music.  You should come out and be separate from all the evil of the world.  Destroy the music CDs, clean off the iPod and get music that is godly.  Come hang out with only Christians because your worldly friends will lead you astray."

Have you ever heard this advice?  Have you given it?

I think some of this advice is solid.  Worldliness will kill your soul.  Yet, what is worldliness?  My definition is that it is anything that makes the truth of God look foolish and the foolish traditions of our age look like truth.  There is much of "hard living" that is marked by worldliness.  Yet, as I often have argued in this blog, there is also much of our "Christian community" that is also marked by a strange "religious" worldliness.

What do I mean?

What is the most important element of the truth of God?

We are saved, sustained, and grow by faith in the objective work of Christ on our behalf.  Through repenting of our unbelief and believing in Christ as our only hope, the Holy Spirit transforms our heart by grace so that we live more and more in light of God's presence and will.  This is a process that often moves in fits and starts.  Yet, by His grace we do grow!

In place of this truth, many sincere (and some not so sincere- see Paul above) believers emphasize the human law and tradition in place of an emphasis on repentance and faith.  They emphasize the human will and "making right choices" without understanding that our will and our choices are driven by our corrupt heart.  Why?  Because their understanding of life is more often marked by our corrupt cultural understanding of humanity (coming from the Enlightenment and through postmodernism) than by a Biblical perspective.  

So, these folks emphasize what you should and shouldn't do to "help" people grow.  They emphasize avoiding "worldly" activities and enforce total immersion in the Christian community.  Many of these folks use church and the Christian community as a totally separate world- I would call it a Christian bubble- to protect themselves from the evil outside their bubble.

Notice the above passage by Paul.  "The Spirit says that in the later times people will depart from the faith  by ... forbidding things that should not be forbidden."  Honestly, did you see that coming?  Does he not care about protecting folks from worldliness, sin and death?

Of course he does!  He just realizes that worldliness, sin, and death can take many forms.  From this passage, what would he say about today's world and to new convert who is struggling to apply the faith to everyday life?

First, the bar scene can easily be marked by worldliness.  If it leads one away from faith, it is best to avoid it.  If drinking leads you astray, stop it.  If surfing the web leads you to surfing the porn sites, don't surf the web or don't ever surf while alone.  Avoid those places and behaviors that lead to sin.  Protect your faith by remaining in a place of repenting for your unbelief and believing in Jesus by asking Him for grace to grow deeper and to tell others about Jesus.

Yet, as a new believer, you will never have more contacts with folks that need Jesus than you do right now.  Go tell folks about Jesus and what He has done in your life!  Some will reject this message and perhaps you.  Others will share in your journey of faith and join you!  Tell your friends about what God is doing.

This might well mean that you meet them in the bar.  Why?  This is where you met them for years.  What is different?  This time take Jesus and your faith with you.  Ask Him to open conversations.  If drinking is a problem, drink a coke instead.  Most folks will assume it is rum and coke anyway.  The bar is not necessarily evil.  It is what you do while there that determines if the place or activity is good or bad.

In terms of music, does becoming a believer mean your music choices have to change?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  What would Paul say?  "Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."  As part of the created order, music has a profound impact on our soul.  It can point us and prepare our hearts to reflect goodness or evil.  Like all art, it is a doorway to the heart.

Does the music you listen to lead you to sin by leading you away from depending on Jesus in repentance and faith?  If it does, then stop listening to it.  Perhaps as you grow in grace, you will be able to pick it back up later when you can bring Jesus with you as you listen to music.  

I have to be honest here.  I find that listening to much of what passes for "Christian music" does not help me grow in faith.  I find the lyrics trite and the musical ability of the bands mediocre at best.  I also find that much of the "Christian radio teaching" is not helpful to my growth.  Thus, I avoid it!  I love music and I have been musician and hung out with good musicians for decades.  I prefer good music and real lyrics to some worldly version of the Christian faith.

So, where does this lead us?  "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."  Bring Jesus with you in all you do- work, play, hobbies, relationships, sex, eating, worship, and hanging out.  When you do, He will use it all to help you grow deeper!

Also, those new to the faith have an opportunity to witness that will never come again in the same way. Tell your friends.  You do not have to have it all together (trust me you never will), but you can point to the only one who does- the Lord Jesus Christ.

Independence, Freedom, and the Gospel

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; 

therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." 

Gal. 5:1

Happy Independence Day America!  Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  It is a national holiday full of summer fun, fireworks, and barbecues.  I would like to ask us to celebrate by thinking about the meaning of freedom and independence.  

Most of us like to think we are truly free people.  Yet, there are so many constraints on all of our lives.  We have work, family, and other social responsibilities.  We have physical, mental, and emotional limitations.  We also have so much fear and doubt that clouds are ability to choose a different path.

This is what makes the first 4th of July so incredible.  Even with their limitations and their fears caused by an occupying army, these men pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor."  Such bravery is amazing.  To face the fear of the unknown, but to hope in a better future is inspirational!

I wish to offer that walking with Jesus in a full and engaging faith has many similarities to the bravery needed to sign a Declaration of Independence.  Faith means that we reject the known and safe for something better.  In this case, we reject the idols that held us fast as false, shallow, and unsatisfying.  Instead, we embrace the love, care, and presence of Christ, by and through the power the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, so that we regain a renewed and growing relationship with the Father.

So many times people have argued that faith in God is a crutch for the weak.  They argue that strong people like them do not need a far off God to "prop up" their life.  They are willing to make their own meaning and live with the consequences.

To such thought, I say, "Good luck with that."  Deep within I know they sense a need for freedom from their selfish pride.  They know they fall short of their own ideals.  They sense a break in their relationships that they cannot explain.  Yet, they are too afraid of losing “control” so they reject the one sure cure for their unease: faith in Jesus Christ.

You see, all of our feeling of being bound should help us realize how much we need renewed and growing relationship with God.  Without knowing our need, we will never fully trust in the cure.  Thus, the law of God is important because it battles our pride that leads to self-righteousness, and it casts us before Christ alone for mercy and grace.  As we repent of our self-effort and our other sins, we find joy, grace, and power to live a life of freedom.

Some people say this message is too negative.  I have heard it said often that the message of the gospel is not encouraging since it focuses too much upon our sin and need of God.  I am always amazed at this objection.  It is so short-sighted!  

In reality, ignoring the real gospel message means we replace it with something false.  Instead of learning to rest in the solid rock that is Christ, we prefer to trust in ourselves.  Consequently, we give up our freedom and joy found in Christ for bondage found in trying to keep ourselves satisfied while maintaining our undeserved reputation.  

In scriptural language, we reject the spring of living water for broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer. 2:13).  Is it negative to speak the truth?  Each of us need God's love and mercy daily!  We so quickly give up our freedom in Christ for bondage to self.  Confess, repent, and believe.

In the same way, our freedom here in America came by God's blessing, but it also came through the blood and service of those in our military and those who came before us.  America is a social experiment in personal liberty and freedom being granted to each individual.  This liberty gave each person the freedom and encouragement to pursue their own good, as well as the responsibility of working toward that end.  The result has been the greatest civilization the world has ever known (though the Chinese and other civilizations would disagree!).  

It is amazing how we as Americans take this for granted.  We give up our freedom for "peace" and "security."  At least these are the code words we use.  What we really want instead of freedom is comfort and ease.  Friends all of these words are not synonyms for the same concepts!  Freedom always comes with a price, and it is maintained by diligence.  

As Americans, I fear we have become too self-absorbed to keep up the fight for liberty, opportunity, and freedom.  We give lip service to freedom, but we prefer bondage with "security" to freedom with responsibility.

What a parallel to the individual spiritual condition!  May we live and believe as free people this independence day!

Gospel-Centered Memorial Day

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; 

therefore keep standing firm and
do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." 

Gal. 5:1

Memorial Day in America is a time to remember.  We remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we can have freedom here in America.  At least that it what it is supposed to be about!  I do fear that for most Americans, Memorial Day is just the three day weekend that kicks off summer.  Many of us do not take the time to think about the cost of freedom.  I guess if you are not directly impacted through the loss of a loved one, the cost of freedom is taken for granted.

Unfortunately, I think the same condition applies to many as they live the Christian life.  Christ died to set us free.  Yet for many of us, we are "not directly impacted" by this work.  Some have not experienced the life-changing grace of the Lord that brings new birth.  Others experienced it years ago, but now "live lives of quiet desperation" with little thought of applying Christ's death to today.  For many of us, Christ's death, like that of our soldiers, is a quickly passing thought before the real life of planting gardens, planning barbecues, or playing in our favorite recreational activity.

A gospel- and grace-centered life begins with constant reflection upon the gospel.  As we taste and see the beauty of Christ's love and mercy to us, we are transformed.  We reject the idols that held us fast as false, shallow, and unsatisfying.  Instead, we embrace the love, care, and presence of Christ, by and through the power the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, so that we regain a renewed and growing relationship with the Father.

Such reflection is impossible unless we realize how much we need renewed and growing relationship with God.  Without knowing our need, we will never fully trust in the cure.  Thus, the law of God is important because it battles our pride that leads to self-righteousness, and it casts us before Christ alone for mercy and grace.  As we repent of our self-effort and our other sins, we find joy, grace, and power to live a life of freedom.

Some people say this message is too negative.  I have heard it said often that the message of the gospel is not encouraging since it focuses too much upon our sin and need of God.  I am always amazed at this objection.  It is so short-sighted!  

In reality, ignoring the real gospel message means we replace it with something false.  Instead of learning to rest in the solid rock that is Christ, we prefer to trust in ourself.  Consequently, we give up our freedom and joy found in Christ for bondage found in trying to keep ourself satisfied while maintaing our undeserved reputation.  

In scriptural language, we reject the spring of living water for broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer. 2:13).  Is it negative to speak the truth?  Each of us need God's love and mercy daily!  We so quickly give up our freedom in Christ for bondage to self.  Confess, repent, and believe.

In the same way, our freedom here in America came by God's blessing, but it also came through the blood and service of those in our military.  America is a social experiment in personal liberty and freedom being granted to each individual.  This liberty gave each person the freedom and encouragement to pursue their own good, as well as the responsibility of working toward that end.  The result has been the greatest civilization the world has ever known (though the Chinese and other civilizations would disagree!).  

It is amazing how we as Americans take this for granted.  We give up our freedom for "peace" and "security."  At least that these are the code words we use.  What we really want instead of freedom is comfort and ease.  Friends, all of these words are not synonyms for the same concepts!

Freedom always comes with a price, and it is maintained by diligence.  

As Americans, I fear we have become too self-absorbed to keep up the fight for liberty, opportunity, and freedom.  We give lip service to freedom, but we prefer bondage with "security" to freedom with responsibility.

Truly the fallen human condition forgets the blood that set it free!  As individuals and as nations we constantly drift toward comfort and security from society instead of finding our rest in Christ alone.  May the price paid by Christ be the center of our reflections as we remember Memorial Day.

Independence Day

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; 

therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." 

Gal. 5:1

Happy Independence Day America!  Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  It is a national holiday full of summer fun, fireworks, and barbecues.  I would like to ask us to celebrate by thinking about the meaning of freedom and independence.  

Most of us like to think we are truly free people.  Yet, there are so many constraints on all of our lives.  We have work, family, and other social responsibilities.  We have physical, mental, and emotional limitations.  We also have so much fear and doubt that clouds are ability to choose a different path.

This is what makes the first 4th of July so incredible.  Even with their limitations and their fears caused by an occupying army, these men pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor."  Such bravery is amazing.  To face the fear of the unknown, but to hope in a better future is inspirational!

I wish to offer that walking with Jesus in a full and engaging faith has many similarities to the bravery needed to sign a Declaration of Independence.  Faith means that we reject the known and safe for something better.  In this case, we reject the idols that held us fast as false, shallow, and unsatisfying.  Instead, we embrace the love, care, and presence of Christ, by and through the power the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, so that we regain a renewed and growing relationship with the Father.

So many times people have argued that faith in God is a crutch for the weak.  They argue that strong people like them do not need a far off God to "prop up" their life.  They are willing to make their own meaning and live with the consequences.

To such thought, I say, "Good luck with that."  Deep within I know they sense a need for freedom from their selfish pride.  They know they fall short of their own ideals.  They sense a break in their relationships that they cannot explain.  Yet, they are too afraid of losing “control” so they reject the one sure cure for their unease: faith in Jesus Christ.

You see, all of our feeling of being bound should help us realize how much we need renewed and growing relationship with God.  Without knowing our need, we will never fully trust in the cure.  Thus, the law of God is important because it battles our pride that leads to self-righteousness, and it casts us before Christ alone for mercy and grace.  As we repent of our self-effort and our other sins, we find joy, grace, and power to live a life of freedom.

Some people say this message is too negative.  I have heard it said often that the message of the gospel is not encouraging since it focuses too much upon our sin and need of God.  I am always amazed at this objection.  It is so short-sighted!  

In reality, ignoring the real gospel message means we replace it with something false.  Instead of learning to rest in the solid rock that is Christ, we prefer to trust in ourselves.  Consequently, we give up our freedom and joy found in Christ for bondage found in trying to keep ourselves satisfied while maintaining our undeserved reputation.  

In scriptural language, we reject the spring of living water for broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer. 2:13).  Is it negative to speak the truth?  Each of us need God's love and mercy daily!  We so quickly give up our freedom in Christ for bondage to self.  Confess, repent, and believe.

In the same way, our freedom here in America came by God's blessing, but it also came through the blood and service of those in our military.  America is a social experiment in personal liberty and freedom being granted to each individual.  This liberty gave each person the freedom and encouragement to pursue their own good, as well as the responsibility of working toward that end.  The result has been the greatest civilization the world has ever known (though the Chinese and other civilizations would disagree!).  

It is amazing how we as Americans take this for granted.  We give up our freedom for "peace" and "security."  At least these are the code words we use.  What we really want instead of freedom is comfort and ease.  Friends all of these words are not synonyms for the same concepts!  Freedom always comes with a price, and it is maintained by diligence.  

As Americans, I fear we have become too self-absorbed to keep up the fight for liberty, opportunity, and freedom.  We give lip service to freedom, but we prefer bondage with "security" to freedom with responsibility.

Truly the fallen human condition forgets the blood that set it free!  As individuals and as nations we constantly drift toward comfort and security from society instead of finding our rest in Christ alone.  May the price paid by Christ be the center of our reflections this Memorial Day.

Freedom, Memorial Day, and the Gospel

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; 

therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." 

Gal. 5:1

Memorial Day in America is a time to remember.  We remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we can have freedom here in America.  At least that it what it is supposed to be about!  I do fear that for most Americans, Memorial Day is just the three day weekend that kicks off summer.  Many of us do not take the time to think about the cost of freedom.  I guess if you are not directly impacted through the loss of a loved one, the cost of freedom is taken for granted.

Unfortunately, I think the same condition applies to many as they live the Christian life.  Christ died to set us free.  Yet for many of us, we are "not directly impacted" by this work.  Some have not experienced the life-changing grace of the Lord that brings new birth.  Others experienced it years ago, but now "live lives of quiet desperation" with little thought of applying Christ's death to today.  For many of us, Christ's death, like that of our soldiers, is a quickly passing thought before the real life of planting gardens, planning barbecues, or playing in our favorite recreational activity.

A gospel- and grace-centered life begins with constant reflection upon the gospel.  As we taste and see the beauty of Christ's love and mercy to us, we are transformed.  We reject the idols that held us fast as false, shallow, and unsatisfying.  Instead, we embrace the love, care, and presence of Christ, by and through the power the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, so that we regain a renewed and growing relationship with the Father.

Such reflection is impossible unless we realize how much we need renewed and growing relationship with God.  Without knowing our need, we will never fully trust in the cure.  Thus, the law of God is important because it battles our pride that leads to self-righteousness, and it casts us before Christ alone for mercy and grace.  As we repent of our self-effort and our other sins, we find joy, grace, and power to live a life of freedom.

Some people say this message is too negative.  I have heard it said often that the message of the gospel is not encouraging since it focuses too much upon our sin and need of God.  I am always amazed at this objection.  It is so short-sighted!  

In reality, ignoring the real gospel message means we replace it with something false.  Instead of learning to rest in the solid rock that is Christ, we prefer to trust in ourself.  Consequently, we give up our freedom and joy found in Christ for bondage found in trying to keep ourself satisfied while maintaing our undeserved reputation.  

In scriptural language, we reject the spring of living water for broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer. 2:13).  Is it negative to speak the truth?  Each of us need God's love and mercy daily!  We so quickly give up our freedom in Christ for bondage to self.  Confess, repent, and believe.

In the same way, our freedom here in America came by God's blessing, but it also came through the blood and service of those in our military.  America is a social experiment in personal liberty and freedom being granted to each individual.  This liberty gave each person the freedom and encouragement to pursue their own good, as well as the responsibility of working toward that end.  The result has been the greatest civilization the world has ever known (though the Chinese and other civilizations would disagree!).  

It is amazing how we as Americans take this for granted.  We give up our freedom for "peace" and "security."  At least that these are the code words we use.  What we really want instead of freedom is comfort and ease.  Friends all of these words are not synonyms for the same concepts!  Freedom always comes with a price, and it is maintained by diligence.  

As Americans, I fear we have become too self-absorbed to keep up the fight for liberty, opportunity, and freedom.  We give lip service to freedom, but we prefer bondage with "security" to freedom with responsibility.

Truly the fallen human condition forgets the blood that set it free!  As individuals and as nations we constantly drift toward comfort and security from society instead of finding our rest in Christ alone.  May the price paid by Christ be the center of our reflections this Memorial Day.