Shocking Theology

 

Sometimes I read books with a dictionary close at hand. Words are important to me. Not only do I look for precise meanings but accurate use. This morning I read this statement and was appalled: “If you are an uncomfortable Christian, the only thing to give you a thoroughly comfortable religious life is to know God.”

I know the meanings of these words without a dictionary, but went to the Internet anyway. The word “Christian” means anyone, man, woman, or child, who trusts in Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and Lord and who strives to follow Him in every area of life... the stress is on the importance of an individual's personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The primary shock in the statement read and quoted above is that assuming anyone who does not know God can be called a Christian. Does this mean church goers? If that is being defined, another quote says that standing in a garage does not make me a car. Christianity is a faith system based on what Jesus said:

This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

Knowing God is not only a given, it is necessary. How could anyone believe in Someone that they do not know?
The next thing about this statement is that knowing God will “give you a thoroughly comfortable religious life.” What Bible is this person reading? Jesus said:

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... (John 15:20)

Paul also wrote of the things he suffered because of his Christian faith. He experienced joy in his suffering, but to say his life was thoroughly comfortable is not true. I cannot say that of my own life, and I’m not the firebrand he was, or even close. Besides that, the goal of living for Christ is not a comfortable life, but to obey God and glorify Him no matter what. The NT says I will experience trials and unpleasant circumstances. It promises joy in them, or after they cease, but thoroughly comfortable is not in the mix.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... (Romans 5:3)
And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:17)
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake... (Philippians 1:29)
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:19–21)
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:17)

The “name it and claim it” preachers are living in a fantasy. God may shield them from suffering but it is not biblical to say that the Christian life will be thoroughly comfortable, nor is it truthful to tell others that if they have faith, they will experience a comfortable life. Joyful? Yes, but joy is from the Holy Spirit – promises of no discomfort are from the Liar.

PRAY: Jesus, some genuine Christians are miserable because they seek this false promise and are confused when trials come. When I’m focused on my comfort, I’m walking in the flesh and need to confess it. You give joy in trials, and I’d like to avoid them, but Your joy is so amazing, just as knowing You is amazing. My prayers today are also for those who are confused to think that a person that does not know You can be called a Christian. That is so far from truth that it makes me weep. Please clarify the hearts and minds of those whose eternity is at risk because of such lies.

Joy in trials...

 

One of my dear friends is care-giver for her hubby who has dementia. At times, he seems ‘normal’ but he can be a handful. She says this is to develop patience in her life. Another friend said the same thing last week, that she married her hubby so God could develop her patience. A few months ago we cerebrated our 53rd anniversary. When asked what the secret is for a long marriage, my hubby said “Forgiveness and patience.”

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Some translations say that trials develop patience, another term for being steadfast. And not all trials involve marriage! Just watching the news shows many far worse, like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the devastation in the southern USA, random murders of children, and many other horrific events.

Another verse says: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3) This is another word that means patience. And for many situations, this seems totally impossible.

Our biggest problem? Most people would rather have the problem fixed or gone. A professor who taught biblical counseling revealed that when people come for counseling, as soon as they find out that they must deal with their past or their own heart, they quit coming because all they want is a solution to their current problem.

Today’s devotional again reminds me to take each thing that is wrong in my life as an opportunity to rise closer to God. It says that no matter who the originator of the wrong may be, whether people, or events, or even devils, by the time a trial reaches me it is meant to carry me to heavenly places of triumph in the Lord.

I agree. Even though God’s will may be hidden in the trial, I can shut out all second causes and find the Lord in whatever is happening. It is suggested to repeat “Thy will be done! Thy will be done!” Yet however I respond, I can submit to Him and trust Him. He will carry me through the trial and lift me above any normal human (and fleshy) responses to it. His power is amazing.

PRAY: Jesus, today brings more bad and good news. Two family members have been hit with Covid. We had a complex problem with transferring money. Our day was long and tiring. But answers for that problem and other issues regarding our relocation are being resolved. We are aware and thankful for Your care (often in surprising ways) and Your wisdom, freely offered as we ask for it…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

For this and for all You give us, we are thankful. You do fill us with joy in trials, and in return, we give You glory!

No patience?

“Slower than the Second Coming” is an expression of impatience, along with “Hurry up” and “Are we there yet?” People tell me they do not do certain things because, “I don’t have the patience.”

The Bible says patience is a fruit of the Spirit meaning that it is a quality from God. However, the Bible also says that it is an important virtue developed by suffering:

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance . . .” (Romans 5:3)

“You know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3–4)

As with all things available to me through the Holy Spirit, I have a choice. When life hands me trials, big or small, I can choose my human response of impatience, or the response of the Holy Spirit to steadfastly endure, to be patient. In thinking about it, this ability to remain steadfast under a trial rather than trying to escape is rooted in faith. Is God sovereign? Is this thing, large or small, testing what I believe about Him?

Most of the time I don’t analyze. Little things, like my sewing machine running out of bobbin thread, or the pot boiling over on the stove don’t seem like a test from God. Yet in the early years as a Christian, I would tense up, become annoyed, and express words of impatience. As time passes, I notice myself calming refilling the bobbin and calmly cleaning up the mess. A multitude of trials produce patient endurance. If this happens in the little stuff, it also happens in the more vital issues, including the Second Coming.

When all goes well, I might not think about Jesus returning, but there are days when I wish it would happen. No doubt this is how the Apostle John felt when he was exiled. The Angel of the Lord (Jesus) appeared to him as he yearned that He would soon return and make all things right. John needed patient endurance and was suffering just as many Christians suffer as we wait. Jesus reassured him:

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:10–13)

I hear Him say not to give up. Don’t think that He is finished speaking to me. I want evil to be over, but it is not time yet. I need to be glad that God’s people are still around, still able to do right. Jesus says He is coming soon, but I must trust Him that He will come ‘soon’ and focus on that promise. He said, ‘I am coming’ and He will come. He started this created world and He will accomplish His purpose. This trial of waiting for Him develops patient endurance, steadfastness.

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Jesus, as I wait for You to come, waiting for other things to happen seems less of a strain. One day, the trials of life will be as nothing. The dwelling place of God will be with us. You will live in our midst and we will be Your people with You Yourself with us as our God. You will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things will have passed away. (Revelation 21:3–4). This means no more impatient waiting and no more need for endurance. Come, Lord Jesus!

Be careful what you pray for!

Many of my friends who have small children complain that they need patience. Those who know the Scriptures often say, “Do not pray for patience” because we know how God develops it from this verse:

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience . . .”  (Romans 5:3, KJV)

Praying for patience (or persevering endurance) is asking for trouble! James also wrote that we need to be joyful in trials because this is how we become fully mature — and patient. No wonder I’ve often heard, “Be careful what you pray for!”

From personal experience, I have another example. This one is asking God to reveal what stands in the way of being more like Jesus. I will pray that prayer, but I also know that I need to duck after praying it. He answers quickly and the truth is often painful. This indicates that my heart is not quite as contrite as God wants it to be. Instead of wanting to hide, I need to always be glad that God is dealing with my sin. Not only that, this is the attitude to have. With this willingness to see me sin, I know God is with me . . . 

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

‘Contrite’ comes from an English word that means bruised, feeling and showing sorrow for sin or shortcomings. It means the same in Hebrew and is associated with repentance. At times I’ve identified annoyingly over-confident people as having a need for brokenness. I’m often in that place myself. Unless there is brokenness and a contrite heart, I am in a state of trying to do things myself without relying on God.

Yesterday was filled with examples. Sigh. It was one of those days where I realized God is teaching me to go to Him for help and wisdom for even those tasks that I’ve done all my life without prayer or faith. Even knowing what was going on wasn’t much comfort. I was impatient with me instead of seeking the Lord. Finally, in the late afternoon my prayers of ‘help me’ started to go up and God showed me that this was His intention as I struggled. I just need to trust Him with everything, even the simple stuff.

Tozer writes today of people who only pray for revival when they feel weak and unable, when they deeply desire it. Sometimes those prayers are prompted by corruption in our society, but they ought to be the prayer of those whose hearts are broken over their own sin. I cannot speak for others or motivate them to seek God, only myself. At the same time, I know the cost and challenge of revival. When I pray for it, do I really want it?

Tozer says, “It may be said without qualification that every man is as holy and as full of the Spirit as he wants to be.” That is true, yet I cannot make Him fill me. I can only block Him, turn Him aside, say NO to the voice of God.

What kind of person would I be if I was more cooperative? Perhaps that is the problem. I’ve a notion of how a revived Christian would act, and what changes could happen. Revival seems to involve more change, more unselfishly directed energy, and a deeper trust that I can imagine myself having. This is one more situation where I am careful what I pray for!

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Lord Jesus, when You ask me to trust You and I simply forget, or forge ahead thinking I can do things apart from total reliance on You, it reveals my need for a more contrite heart, a lowly spirit, a greater filling by Your Spirit. When I feel weak and unable and still refuse to pray, my need for those things intensifies. When I would rather sleep than pray, waste time than follow Your leading, I learn that I’m not even close to the trusting, revived person that You want me to be.