Can no one connect the dots?

So much of the world seems to have lost its bearings. This morning, I read an article where a company has been denied ability to do random drug and alcohol testing of its employees even though their statistics prove that coming to work impaired by these substances is dangerous and sometimes deadly toward all workers. That seems crazy enough, but the reason given by the courts is that: “such testing violates human rights.”

Right after reading that story, the television news told of a man who crosses the border to buy beer, which is cheaper in the next province than his own. The courts heavily fined him. Apparently, it is not okay to buy beer wherever you want, but it is okay to go to work drunk or drugged? The law tells people they must wear a seat belt when driving to protect themselves or others, and smokers must butt out in no smoking zones. However, if this trend continues, human rights activists will soon be insisting those laws be repealed also.

My husband, who has spent years supervising large construction projects, says that at least 1/3 of the incident reports involve drugs or alcohol. Not only that, the person who is impaired is not always the person who is injured or killed. Further, most of these ‘causes’ are not made known to the general public.

This prompted a discussion at the breakfast table about biblical prophecy. The Bible says that people will behave with a defiant manner:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

I can hide in my home and avoid some of this, but more and more notice the difficulty of avoiding such people. These behaviors are the results of ignoring God and His Word. When these standards are gone, the Bible says people start “doing what is right in their own eyes” and lose the ability to see the contradictions and incongruities of their decisions.

Today’s devotional gives the following passage as suggested reading. It refers to the Second Coming when Jesus will return to judge those who have refused His salvation and continued to do what is right in their own eyes.

“Then I (John) saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.’ And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11–21)

I was teased as a younger person by my brother who called me a ‘fire and brimstone’ preacher. I cannot remember doing it, but if I was, here I go again. There is a God who hates sin, but He loves people and reached out to us with a wonderful plan of salvation:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This verse is well-known and blesses many, yet many people walk away from it to their peril. The verses following it explain why:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:17–20)

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, we are watching our society crumble into lawlessness. Most people do not see or acknowledge that this is what happens when You are shoved out of their lives. For a time, Your common grace has preserved and blessed, but changes are happening. You are allowing people to go their own way and do their own thing, and we are reaping the results. Have mercy, oh Lord, have mercy. 

Some parties are no fun at all . . .

I was sad all of yesterday. First a large photo in the newspaper caught my attention. It was a distinguished looking man with a nice smile, but when I read the story, he turned out to be an accused rapist. How deceptive outward appearance can be and why give that much space to him?

Then a news story on an Internet site for quilters shocked me. A young designer whose work has caught my attention is suddenly dead. She was sick, but I didn’t know that. I didn’t know her personally, but for some reason her death shouted how brief life is and how quickly it can be lost. I grieve for her and for the shortness and unpredictability of life.

On a more personal level, a project I was excited about suddenly became difficult, even seeming impossible. I wasted a couple of hours struggling with it and wound up feeling sorry for myself. Pity party.

Besides those, I did yoga and Pilates for the first time in years, and was sore, and at each meal I ate the wrong food and too much of it. By bedtime, I felt like a balloon — filled with aches and pains. More pity party.

Sitting before the Word of God this morning, I asked Him to clarify my thoughts. As I read these verses, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: “Get your focus back on Jesus” . . .

“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:13–15)

Jesus is the Savior of the world, and my Savior. I confess this is true; and He is the Son of God. He lives in me and I in Him. I have the Holy Spirit who gives me the assurance of these things.

From John 3:11-21, the Spirit clarified some of the stuff that bothered me yesterday with several realities . . .

The world lies in sin. “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) I should not be surprised when those least likely are caught doing despicable things. In the eyes of God, all are guilty. We need a Savior.

The wages of sin is death and death is often a surprise. How important it is to know Jesus as Savior and abide in Him. I don’t know the quilter who died. She may have been a Christian who has eternal life. However, from what God says, she illustrates the reality that everyone is appointed once to die, and after that there is a judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

God sent Jesus to free sinners (me) from judgment. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:16-20)

Other passages address my self-pity. Most of them are a slap on the wrist, such as . . .

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:4–8)

He also reminded me that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and that “God is able to make all grace abound to (me), so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, (I) may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Jesus, how can I whine when You, the God who created all things, lives in my heart, meets all of my needs, and has given me eternal life? My sinfulness is still powerful and reminds me how deeply I need You as my Savior and Lord, and how keeping my mind on You prevents me from going to those sad pity parties.

The good news is not about me . . .

For years I’ve thought of salvation as an experience, and found it easy to share my experience of how Christ introduced me to Himself, putting the focus on what happened to me.

Chambers challenges that approach to sharing the Gospel. He says salvation is the great thought of God. While I wonder how that came from this verse, I know this devotional writer is proclaiming a truth that I need to hear . . .

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

Salvation is a work of God. It is so incredible that most of who are saved can scarcely think about it for very long. It is something like trying to grasp the idea of an endless space and an eternal God. I’m not equipped to wrap my head around such a lofty concept.

Chambers says my ‘experience’ is merely the gateway by which salvation came into my conscious life. At those words, deep rejoicing comes into my heart! He also says not to preach (or teach) the experience, but the great thought of God behind it. That is, rather than proclaim how sinners can be saved from eternal damnation and be given a wonderful new life, I am to convey good news about God love for sinners and His grace to devise a way to draw us into His kingdom.

Again, the way of salvation is so incredible that even those who believe and accept it often shake their heads at the wonder of it. It is simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough to keep the most mature mind endlessly occupied.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16–18)

Jesus also says about that condemnation: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:19–20)

This incredible good news about God is not rejected because it is too incredible to believe; it is rejected because no one wants to admit their need for it. Instead of realizing the element of judgment is a sign of God’s love, it is considered an indication of His ‘meanness’ and a reason to blame Him for our difficulties.

Chambers says to look past the reasons people give for their lack of faith; just tell them the good news about God and His great love in offering eternal life to all. The Spirit of God will show the hearers what is wrong and convince them of their need.

I need to remember that the test in preaching or teaching or sharing the Gospel is that everyone deserves judgment, including me. I cannot lord it over others or look down on those who reject this wonderful message. I also go my own way and resist God. Without His Spirit, I cannot yield in any obedience nor can I worship Him.  

Everyone needs Jesus, and as Chambers says, every element of self-reliance must be slain by the power of God. Complete weakness and dependence will always be fertile ground for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.

This is why the good news is news must focus on what God has thought and done, not about my experience with His saving power. My story is not the power of salvation. It is the story of Jesus Christ that brings people to their knees before God.