Love is a verb…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48)

What does Jesus want when He tells me this? Do I simply greet these enemies with a smile, nothing more? I’ve been “loved” like this by clerks in a store. Love is far more than being nice. As He says, anyone can do that and yet inwardly not care about my well-being at all. That is not love. Jesus describes a different attitude:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42)

I read of a soldier whose girl friend wrote asking for her photo returned as she had found someone else. He was hurt and angry so he asked the guys in his barracks for any photos they might have of ex-girl friends. He sent all of them to her with a note that said, “I don’t remember which one is yours, so keep it and return the rest.”

Not funny. No love. Revenge is easy. Just ignore the person, or talk about them behind their back. Get even. Blah, blah blah.

Love is going above and beyond. It is not even doing what I think they might want, but doing what they do want and more. It is giving generously to their needs. Think of God's love. He poured out His life to love me. Saying the words is lovely but dying on a cross for me? That is love.
I might never experience an enemy whose life depends on my sacrifice, but I know that my life is not to be the selfishness of getting even or ignoring those who hurt me or treat me badly. It is being like Jesus even if their rejection continues. 

This is a level of maturity and a test that is most challenging. Feeling appreciated and accepted is a human need. When denied, hopelessness easily moves in as a most unwelcome guest. Turning to love those who are thoughtless toward me is hard enough. As the OT prophet asks: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) He implies that if I cannot do this with petty incidents that hurt my feelings, how can I perfectly love those who are far more unkind or who persecute me?

Jesus makes this a standard for all kind of obedience. He says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10–11)

Even an exercise program or any kind of study and instruction will begin with the basics. God is like that in training me to be like Jesus. He uses all things toward that end. And I complain? Shame on me.

Oh Lord, the lessons of the past few weeks have left me tired and wanting to run away from life. I see most things that happened as “little” and yet whine? Truly I am ashamed of being so weary when many others are experiencing far worse when it comes to opposition. Grant me forgiveness, cleansing, and greater grace and love toward all. Instead of expecting them to meet my need for acceptance, enable me to meet their need to be loved.

Christian Giants?

God set me up for today’s devotional with a dream last night. Someone I love was with me and a few of my Christian friends. As we were about ready to go to our separate homes, this person asked, “Can we pray?” I was surprised because he was not a Christian.

I asked someone to begin and while the prayer time was a bit odd (dreams are like that) this person stood up to pray also. He became very emotional and it was obvious that he had something important to say. I stood beside him and found out his news. He was too emotional to say it and gave me permission to make the announcement: God had touched his life and he was now a Christian.

I woke up, hoping the dream was a prophecy. Then I read Tozer’s story about Pascal. This man wrote on a piece of paper a brief account of his experience, folded the paper and kept it in a pocket close to his heart, apparently as a reminder of what he had felt. Those who attended him at his death found the worn, creased paper. In Pascal’s own writing it said: “From about half-past ten at night to about half-after midnight — fire! O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob — not the God of the philosophers and the wise. The God of Jesus Christ who can be known only in the ways of the gospel. Security — feeling — peace — joy — tears of joy. Amen.”

Pascal is known for his mind. He was a mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, philosopher and theologian. However, the Holy Spirit broke through and beyond all that was human and intellectual and philosophical and left him with such emotion that he could only say it was fire.

Was this a repeat of what happened to Jeremiah? Perhaps not exactly the same but it describes a visitation from the Holy Spirit that changed everything:

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:8–9)

Jeremiah was a changed man after this visitation of the Spirit. God used him in a powerful way even though his ministry was excessively difficult.

Sometimes I’ve wanted to be like Jeremiah or other spiritual giants but realize such tasks requires tests, and I’m not sure I want the tests. Today I’m whining over the pain of a small surgical procedure. What would I do if God wanted me to experience more of His power and put me to the test to see if I could handle it? I can imagine Him saying to me:

“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

^^^^^^^^^

Lord, I understand. High ambition requires high requirements. While me trusting You depends on knowing You and that You are all powerful, You trusting me is about You knowing me — much more than I know myself. I’m not as powerful or as godly as I would like to be! May I have the heart and attitude of David who said,  

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.” (Psalm 131:1)

A daily choice

John Chrysostom (349-407) was a popular, respected preacher. Contrasting allegorical interpretation often used in his time, his straightforward understanding of the Scriptures offered practical application of the Bible to everyday life. Today’s devotional is his commentary on these verses…

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24–26)

Chrysostom says that Moses didn’t simply leave the palace of Egypt, but he “refused” and rejected it. With heaven set before him, why admire an Egyptian palace?

I felt like that looking at artifacts in the Smithsonian. With all that God promises me, of what value are the relics of yesterday or today? Even the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is nothing compared to my eternal inheritance or even the spiritual freedom I enjoy today.

However, Chrysostom also points out that Moses could have compared his earthly privileges and the treasures of Egypt with his heavenly resources, but he didn’t. Instead, he compared them with the reproach of Christ and being mistreated with the people of God. That is, he considered it sin not to be ready to suffer with other Christians.

Notice that I didn’t think of that. I compared the stuff of this world with the good stuff of being a believer. Unlike Moses, I am far quicker to regard the good of following Christ as better than the good of this world, rather than the suffering of following Christ being better than the good of this world.

That I am often a fair-weather Christian shows up when life becomes uncomfortable and I start whining. Now I’m remembering the words of the prophet who asked, “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5)

The writer of Hebrews reminds me that Christ suffered yet did not respond in wrath. He was reviled and endured all things. Moses also chose this rather than comfort. Today, Chrysostom leaves me with the same question to ponder: For what will I choose – a life of ease or disgrace for the sake of Christ?

Struggling, with God at my side, is better than…

My biggest temptations are not about wanting to do evil, but wanting to enjoy perfection. Of course, perfection is not available, so what am I going to do about it? Can I patiently wait for it (it will come in eternity) or do I foolishly try to make it happen?

If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)

Using these metaphors for myself, I want to soundly win the race, regardless of who or what I am racing. I want to be in the safe land where I can trust everything and everyone, not be where life is difficult and hindered by slow going. Instead of trusting God with my progress in the race, or with what jungle He might call me to hack my way through, I want to be first and the finish line, and never even see a jungle.

Today’s devotional reading is both a rebuke and a comfort. The author first points to the survival of the church. Many man-created structures have come and gone, but the church endures. As the reading says, the church “was willing to give up anything to hold her ground, to pour out blood like water in order to take root.” Christians for centuries have not only believed in Christ, but also suffered for His sake. When “persecutors thought they were scattered like chaff, it turned out that they were scattered like seed.” The church meets all opposition and survives because of its God-given power to endure.

This is the secret of success for individual spirituality. Patience is my safety, even if all else is lost. But what do I know of heroic endurance? I am so easily tempted to give up. My enemy cannot be dislodged. My sin is too stubborn, too deeply rooted. The kingdom of heaven in my dreams is impossible, at least in this life.

Why then am I in this world? Is it to find a soft place and easy tasks? I wonder what I have done for God or for humanity? Or what I have endured for that dream’s sake? What have I given up in my self-indulgent life or sacrificed that Christ might be exalted?

Jeremiah was scolded for his complaining and told that things could get worse. Instead of that giving me courage, the idea of endurance makes me wilt. I struggle with resisting sin in my own heart, never mind protesting the evil of this world. Yet today’s reading scolds me, particularly with these words: “To begin to serve God is to serve him forever. It knows no cessation. Complaining dies in his presence.”

Then it adds this: “If God sends someone to the thickets of Jordan, it is well. That individual will not go alone. A land of peace without God is a terror. The jungle of Jordan with God is peace.”

Another test…

Yesterday’s experience was puzzling and somewhat painful. In the course I am taking online, all students were to post a short topic that invited discussion last week. These are designed to make sure each student is engaged in the subject matter and is thinking about what we are being taught. Then, this week each of us needed to respond to two of those posts.

One of them confused me so I responded basically by asking for clarification. That student answered my response by email instead of posting it on the discussion board, insisting I was mistaken and stubborn rather than confused and eventually was harsh with me. The whole thing left me a bit unsettled and asking the Lord what was going on. I didn’t get any answers concerning the other person, but today’s devotional tells me again that confused or not, I am what I am…

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)

The writing that goes with this verse is about the trials God uses to bring out this light. It says all Christians experience trials, but in them He will bring forth the principles of Christian living that He has given us in Christ Jesus. Losses show the world that we trust Him, as do danger and the mistreatment of others. In all of these things, we are still light in a dark world. Our love for Him will be seen, as will His love and care for us.

Through this writing I hear God assuring me that I hold the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation, in my heart. It is this Gospel that that can enlighten the nations, alleviate all sorrows, comfort mourners, and change the outlook of every person and realm of human life. Yet God does not want me to sit around and watch it happen. I’m to be active and involved. Every time life slaps me in the face, He calls me to shine. Every blessing that I experience will also test my character and ability to shine.

Not only that, trials and even good experiences are from God -- presented to me as opportunities that test my character but also develop that character. For that, the Lord put this verse into my mind…

If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)

Indeed! If I cannot cope with the unkind words of another person in the family of God, how can I manage if some greater threat confronts me? God has put me into a world that will challenge my faith, a world where, if faith is not called forth, it is proof that it does not exist.

I’m also reminded that every form of testing I might experience also slammed into God’s own Son. I should not wonder that similar things will happen to me.

The interesting part is that after all of the events from yesterday, I got a surprise email from the class professor who knows nothing of those events. In it, he commended me for the very things that student criticized. I am awed and humbled at the same time. The Lord is good and works everything for the good of those who love Him. Sometimes we don’t see that until later, but must remember that it is His goal to make us more like Himself and bring out the light that He has put in.