Hating Perfection?

 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ (John 15:18–25)

Hate is a strong dislike or aversion toward someone or something. But there is a vast difference between hating broccoli, pink shirts, doing the dusting, or rock bands than hating a person, especially the person of Jesus Christ. 

The Bible clarifies that people hate Jesus for various reasons. He didn’t do what they expected. He called them on their sin. He told them their lives must drastically change. He knew what they would say and do before they did it. Yet He was without sin Himself.

This week I listened to a discussion between two godly men. One of them is either popular or criticized depending on who you ask. Then I listened to an evaluation of the discussion. That person had good things to say about both men, but wound up with strong criticism of one, words that said more about himself than he likely realized. He was obviously jealous of this man’s successful ministry as a pastor of a large church, a writer of an extremely popular book, and a person who lived with integrity. Unlike Jesus, the disliked person is not perfect (even the critic must admit that no person is), but nit-picking flaws didn’t make good points for himself either.

In thinking about my own life and the people I have disliked, I can see that everyone that I’ve not liked or had a strong aversion to was more about me than them. I was either disagreed with, ignored, or treated in ways that I thought I didn’t deserve. They injured my pride. This is not the same as being ‘hated for Jesus’ sake’ that He was talking about.

He was hated for saying the truth about sin and for His drastic actions to show love toward those who sinned against Him. Like He said, if He had not spoken to them about it, they could excuse it. If He had not loved and healed and been with sinners, they could justify their intolerance and lack of love. And Jesus showed up their selfish pride by not having any.

No one is displaying hatred toward me. Sometimes I feel ignored, but that is not a big deal. Recently I was criticized for humility because that person wanted to praise me and I wanted her to glorify Jesus instead. I don’t know how that fits in with this declaration Jesus made, but I know that when others praise God, I am glad and apt to do the same. Maybe part of hating is wanting someone else to get the credit instead of giving it to the Creator, Sustainer, and the only righteousness that I have? 

The pastor who was criticized did that. He repeated several times that the only reason God made him was to glorify Him. If others hate me for doing that, it says far more about them than it does about me. 

Jesus, hating You is a foreign concept. Only those who want to run their own lives, and who define goodness their way. If they do not get all the credit they want, they resent You. You, who even asked for forgiveness for those who crucified You. Hate cannot overcome that kind of love. I’m not there yet, but I know that I cannot be like that without the the fullness of Your Spirit. Only You can fill me with the ability to not hate anyone, but to love all as You have loved me.  

Speak up or shut up?

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (John 12:44–50)

Watchman Nee wrote that God had to teach him to shut up, and then teach him to speak up. I relate. This verse explains the shut up part: 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

In some ways and for some people, saying nothing is easier than saying the right thing. However, when I think that way, it is about avoiding what might happen to me rather than what my self-centered words might do to those who hear them. Not like Jesus. 

Speaking up is from a different source and for the opposite reasons. It is about saying what God wants people to hear. Doing this might take time and discernment, but if filled with the Holy Spirit, the words come out — and sometimes make me shake my head and wonder “where did that come from?”

For example, a young man asked how he could sleep well. I blurted, “The Bible says there is no rest for the wicked, so you have to first get rid of the wicked.” While I felt like an idiot for saying it, he responded so well that I realized that was a Holy Spirit word he needed to hear.

Other times the speaking up part takes thoughtful prayer and not saying anything until certain that my words are from Him and not my own. Sometimes the easiest way to tell is by knowing they are biblical and recognizing that my old nature does not want to say them.

Jesus, You didn’t have that old nature giving You ‘corrupting talk’ or confusing talk. Yet Your example has great value. By my words, I can edify others — if they are words given to me by Your Spirit and not from me. Help me always to know the difference.

My to-do list vs. God’s purposes?

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:36–43)

They heard but did not believe. A common response to what God says. So God did not reveal Himself to them because if He did, He would have to open their eyes and understand and be healed — but without really believing, without faith. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This is why the truth of who God is and who Jesus Christ is has been hidden from those who are without faith and from those who try to earn their salvation by doing whatever they think God wants them to do.

Faith is a gift. Gifts are undeserved, given unconditionally, not earned or paid for. Human pride doesn’t like even a hint of being unworthy. Human greed does not want something that demands their total surrender. The question is often why then do some get the gift and others don’t. Wrong question. Why does anyone get the gift? No one deserves it or earns it. Could it be for the glory of God?

He created humans in His image that we might display His glory. Sin messed up that desire and ability. Whether we realize the impossibility of glorifying God or not, sin wants glory for me. I feel bad that I cannot do it, but realize also that if I am going to fulfill that purpose, I need Him to live in me — because there is nothing much left in me that looks like God. 

Being selected to live in His kingdom is an utter marvel. Why me? Being chosen to be like Jesus is the most humbling realization of my life. Recognizing that I am here to reflect His glory could easily drive me into a dark cave so no one could see my failures. But God will not allow that. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

In the past two weeks, two friends told me they lived to glorify God. That is rare. I’ve read “The Purpose Driven Life” and am only just getting it. The NT says:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

How much of life is so ordinary, yet in these ordinary things, I am to glorify God, to be like Jesus, to show the world what He is like and how different He is from humans with all our selfishness and pointless activities.

 The writer of that book says that we live here on earth to learn how to live and be like Christ in eternity, and for that reason, I need a greater focus on that purpose than my to-do list, goals and plans. I feel like the OT prophet who said, “Woe is me, I am undone.”

Jesus, You know my to-do lists and plans. What does a ‘keep my house clean’ got to do with eternity except to remind me to keep my life clean? What do the names on my prayer list have to do with heaven except that I might support them in the same purpose of being like You today? And this may take more than the words I send upwards. Guide me today. The to-do list is on my desk. Does it match the one You have written for me, prepared beforehand that I should walk in it? 

What about “God told me” claims?

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. 
Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. (John 11:45–54)

We went for a drive yesterday with no particular destination in mind, but after a short time, my hubby said, “It just came to me that we should stop at …” So we did and it turned out to be a good idea. 

Where do such ideas come from? I’ve been in book stores with no plans and a book almost speaks “Buy me” and it was an important read at the time. Or someone comes to mind that I should phone them, and they answered, “I’m so glad you called. I need to talk to you.”

The above text does not say anyone told Jesus that plans were being made to kill Him. However He knew it was not the right time and went into hiding in a place where they would not find Him. How did He know?

For Him and for all, God knows. King David understood this:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. (Psalm 139:1–4)

God told David that He would inform him what he should do: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8) so why not Jesus? And why not me? 

But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! (Psalm 81:11–13)

A Christian woman told me of planning to mail something and driving a certain route to the post office. She heard an inner voice telling her to go another way. She argued and then went the way she planned. On that road she was hit by a semi and nearly died. After years of recovery, she knows how challenging it can be to listen.

The voice is not our ‘better half’ or ‘subconscious’ but the Holy Spirit. He knows what I think and how I plan. He knows the will of God for me. He also knows how stubborn I can be, or how proud, or whatever my reasoning is for not listening. This is Greek “rhema” not the term “logos” usually used for the word of God. 

Last night I came up with a plan for a quilt, then spent half the night dreaming of doing it. But I was doing it wrong. All night. It was not God's instruction but a warning? Or a reminder? I make plans for the day, or for a project, and God knows that I need His guidance for every step of it. He also knows what He wants for my day. Will I listen and submit? Or do my own thing and wake up too late? Or like my friend who never made it to the post office? Rhema is a personal word for a need of the moment, not to be added to Scripture or applied to other people, but must fit with Scripture and the revealed will of God. 

Jesus, listening to Your voice all the time and for every detail can be as important as personal safety or less vital as doing a task well (or even doing it at all). Keep me tuned it. The day has only a few hours. What I do with that time could make a difference in my life or the life of others. Help me to listen, pay attention, and do what You say. It may not make sense at the time, but listening and submitting can make a huge difference compared to the vanity of thinking I know better.

Knowing is more than being introduced...

Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (John 7:25–31)

In the past few days I’ve heard some unusual statements about the identity of Jesus. In a European country, a Christian told a resident about Him and heard this: “Who is Jesus? Is he a friend of yours?” This person had no knowledge of Him at all.

Another person on a social media site said Jesus is the true God that everyone should worship Him and not Jehovah. He had no idea of the deity of Christ and that He is Jehovah who came in human flesh to save us from our sin.

Many think that this name is just a swear word. They also do not realize the truth of His claim: 

“I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:18–19). . . .  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:55–58). . . .  I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

He told them if they did not believe His words, then believe His deeds, but that didn’t convince them either. This is one reason that I believe the identity of Jesus must be revealed by God to the human heart and mind. Otherwise, we don’t get it, at least not in a way that changes our destiny. This is why God says:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Luke 10:22)

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

The Holy Spirit searches me too. Many times I’ve not realized reasons for my problems, or the puzzles of life, but in seeking Christ, the answers are revealed, mostly in the Bible, sometimes through others, even the odd time in dreams. Key is to keep looking and being open to what God says.

Jesus, You know everything. You are God in human flesh, God who can answer all my problems and meet all my needs. You know what it is like to be human, but without sin. I marvel that Your goal is to transform me to be like You. This can mean being misunderstood, even rejected, yet what a glorious hope. You revealed who You are to me, and that means no turning back or forgetting who You are. Praise Your holy Name! Amen!

 

The source of discernment…

About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:14–18)

This passage tells me that the Lord gives discernment to those who trust Him. With the amount of knowledge and so-called knowledge flying at me, this is an anchor. It fits with this OT wisdom:

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 away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8)

My daughter just sent me a link that says science is now discovering that cutting back on salt actually increases the problem less salt is supposed to solve. Of course the companies that make pills for the related problems want people to buy their ‘solutions’ yet these so-called cures are not fixing the real problem but making it worse.

The Word of God says that discernment is given to those who do not trust anything or anyone unless He says it is true. Since there are no chapters and verses on what medications to take, or not take, that means having an intimacy with Him that hears His take on all issues.

I know — there are many people who justify even evil deeds with “God told me” and that is not from an intimate relationship. Wanting to do the will of God means knowing as much about Him as possible. Can anyone read and understand the Bible and think that it is okay to do what God calls sin? 

I’m reading the Psalms again and those writers knew that others will twist what God says to justify their sin. These people will either be judged or shown mercy and be changed by grace. No one can escape the knowledge and discernment of God.

That said, He is quite willing to guide those who trust Him. Only by doing it do I discover His power to lead me concerning every detail of life. I know what to buy or not, what to ignore or heed. 

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; (Psalm 31:3)
With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. (Psalm 78:72)

This week I had a few days of negative thoughts about growing old and unable and He gave me this verse — without me even looking for it:

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. (Isaiah 46:4)

The key to discernment is not being smarter but being humble, needy, relying on the One who knows rather on my own understanding. It is in admitting how I need Him and His wisdom, turning from my own ideas and from evil rather that trusting whatever sounds good or appeals to me. 

Jesus, I am so grateful that You make Your will known and that I can trust You with all my heart and with every question and issue of life. Thank You and may I praise Your name forever!

 

Serving God is not a competition

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:25–30)

John was truly humble. He could have envied what Jesus was doing. He could have taken credit for pointing others to Him. He could have boasted that God had sent him to do this important task. Yet he did not have “I” problems that reveal self-centered pride. He knew that the root of pride is saying that we can do without God. He also knew that pride is sin.

C. S. Lewis said: “The most obvious fact about praise escaped me for the longest…” pointing to the fact that we are created in His image and made to reflect that image to the world. It is why we exist, and this is not just about Christian service:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31–33)

Pride thinks I know best, that I can do it myself, that I am adequate. This is not a description of Abraham who is the father of faith:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:20–25)

How to do it? First trust Him for everything and give Him glory by recognizing and publicly acknowledging His supreme worth and significance. Ascribe weight to Him, calling accurate public attention to His importance and proclaiming what He is and does. This is my fundamental purpose — to please, honor, and bring glory to my Creator and in every dimension of life, even eating and drinking.

It also means honoring Him above myself, and putting Him on display in both small and significant matters far deeper than religious expression, but in how I speak, work, what I wear and eat, how I care for myself and others, how I use the skills He gave me, and tell others how He cares for me.
All creation exists “from Him and through Him and to Him,” so I exist for His glory and through Christ’s life and death, with ultimate aim toward God’s glory. His grace is not meant to honor me nor is His glory is some sort of cosmic egotism. Instead it reveals Him with the goal to magnify human desire to know Him and be saved, like John said. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jesus, I understand this by the difference I see in others when I tell of my achievements or when I point to You as the reason for anything good in my life. No one wants to be like me, but when I glorify You they seem drawn to You — with the hope that they can trust You and know Your grace and blessings. If I can be an expert in anything, it is the willingness and ability to decrease while You increase in all that I think, say, and do.