All fall short…

But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God. They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them. And they abandoned all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. (2 Kings 17:14–18)

When reading passages like this one, a question comes into my head that would horrify most Christians. Did God “remove” Israel out of His sight for rejecting Jesus by using the horror of the holocaust? 

This question is considered a theological interpretation rather than a widely accepted scriptural doctrine because there is no evidence in the NT that God would deal with His people that way. His desire was that the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ would go out to the world, to the Jew first and then the Gentiles. When the first disciples followed that pattern, eventually the people of Israel rejected it, so they turned to the Gentiles.
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." (Acts 13:46–48)

Many see the holocaust as only about the Jews. But besides, the six million Jews who were murdered, others were also put to death who had no historical involvement with the crucifixion. The only commonality is that all are sinners just as I am even though Roma and Sinti were targeted on racial grounds, people with disabilities were considered "unworthy of life" and a threat to genetic health, Polish and Soviet Civilians, Soviet Prisoners of War, political opponents such as Communists, Socialists, and Social Democrats, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, “Asocials" and Social Outsiders including the homeless, prostitutes, alcoholics, and those deemed to be "professional criminals” as well as black people, and anyone else considered "racial enemies," "biological threats," or "enemies of the state” were targeted. 

As for all being sinners, the NT says, “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . . .” (Romans 3:22–24) 

Another issue is that the OT speaks of unbelieving people who prosper in this life, yet will not have eternal life, yet their ‘punishment’ for rejecting God is not mass execution, but an eternity in  torment.

Not everyone thinks this was a horrible event. A Jehovah Witness (a cult that imitates Christian without faith in Christ) told me that they feel honored to have been “persecuted for their beliefs.” While that seems weird, it is a NT truth that those who believe in Christ (which excludes cults) are to rejoice when others persecute them:

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11–12)

Certainly the ways of God are above our normal ways of thinking. Yes, it is horrible that millions of people were put to death by others who hated them for various reasons, yet thinking God allowed this to happen to punish them does not make it right. I tend to agree with those who say that we ask the wrong question. Instead of trying to figure out why some are being punished and others receive eternal life, we should wonder why anyone is saved. 

Jesus, when Christians decry the evil that others do, it is best that I respond with, “Yes, yet I am a sinner too” and praise You for Your mercy in forgiving me and giving me life. I don’t want to use the sins of others in an effort to make me look more righteous than they are. Except for Your amazing grace, all deserve to die.

 

What if God’s will is the short stick?

This morning I’m reading about the sin of envy and how envying others who enjoy their blessings is actually determining that God has no right to dispose of His own goods in whatever way He wishes. The writer says envy is a “mental theft” of God's decisions that makes personal desires more important than His will. This implies the opposite of what Jesus did:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped… (Philippians 2:5–6)

Envy says that God is not ruling His goods the way I think He should and I should have as much right to His favors as anyone else. This denies that all creation belongs to Him and suggests He is unjust or unwise in His decisions. But God says, 

I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them. And I will make myself known among them, when I judge you. And you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 35:11–12)

Satan’s sin was this attitude to be better than God. The sin of envy in the first man was an envy of God’s prerogative in knowledge and wanting more than what God had given. Cain envied Abel’s sacrifice before his, denying God his right to choose what was acceptable. Then he denied God’s right of propriety and usurped His power over the life and being of his brother, which solely belonged to God. Envy is rooted in not accepting God’s choices.

But what if I am the object of envy rather than the one who envies? What if others see God's blessing in my life and envy it, then treat me as unworthy of such blessing (which is true)? 

In the NT, the disciples were selected by divine wisdom, not anything they earned or deserved. Most of them were persecuted by some who envied their position and activities. Jesus was also envied by the religious leaders of His day. 

So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” (John 12:19)
For (Pilate) perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.(Mark 15:10) 

Pilate figured it out and did what the angry leaders wanted. He had Jesus put to death.

I’m not experiencing this kind of envy but the kind that makes some people put on masks or a layer that shuts me out of their lives with a falseness than ruins true fellowship. Their envy makes me an enemy?

Looking to Jesus, He did three things: One, He called it like He saw it. I cannot because those who envy are hiding it behind a ‘not a real me’ mask. Because of that, they might not see their problem as envy. Besides, I do not hear Jesus telling me to do that.

Two, He spent time with others who really needed Him… “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) He didn’t spend quality time with those who wanted the power and popularity that He had.

Three, He did not let their behavior affect His. Instead, He obeyed the leading of His Father, spending time in prayer seeking His will, not concerned with false reactions to His words or His successes. God blessed Him because Jesus was focused: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34) 

I cannot force people to do what I want. Instead, my focus needs to be on doing what God wants. Blessing or not. Living with this or crucified. I can ignore those who envy me, but also treat them well and pray for their faith in the Lord to grow. 

PRAY: Lord, it is easy to be side-tracked by wanting others to respond to me as You want me to respond to You. But it isn’t a guarantee. Instead of wanting to be well-liked and hearing others bless You because You have blessed us, I need to pray for them and rely on You to remove their masks and bless them in ways that You desire, such as contentment and a deep faith in Your will for themselves and for all of Your people. Help them to be thankful for all that You give them.

Grace under fire?

In regard to yesterday’s thoughts, God gave me an idea of how I can ‘visit’ orphans in Brazil or other places by using technology. Only two issues: the recipients must also have the same technology, and we must both speak the same language. I’ve sent this idea to a mission in Brazil and I am waiting for their response.

In the meantime, Piper’s devotional raises a question: Is zeal for doing good praised or persecuted? He points to this passage:

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:13–16)

This reminds me of the playground ditty, “My Dad is bigger than your dad” sometimes used to challenge attackers. If someone is critical of what I do in obedience to Jesus, He will defend me, or at least bless me. I’m not to be afraid or even troubled by any opposition. Key is not my feelings about criticism but what I do about it. Imaginary conversation:

“What is the reason you are doing that? What good will it do?”

“I’m not sure. I only know that Jesus is able to use small offerings, such as five loaves and two fish, to bless a great number of people. I’ve no idea what He will do with what I’m doing. I just know that He prompted the idea, not me. I have no special skill or insight into His plan, only that He wants this done.”

While my imagination gives me a sense of what Jesus wants when I am questioned or doubted, He does make another promise:

Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:17–20)

Piper talks about future grace and this is a good example. God gives me what I need when I need it, not before. This means I have no need to plan my conversations or try to figure out what to say ahead of time. These verses are not about ‘sermon preparation’ or ‘lesson planning’ but about those times when my hope in Christ is challenged, either verbally or with extreme persecution.

Where I live, the legal system prevents others from tossing Christians in jail for their faith. However, we know people from other countries where the legal system did the tossing. They testify to the power of God who kept them at peace even when they could not speak to defend themselves. Their testimonies demonstrate that God is bigger than any threat that I might ever face.

PRAY: Jesus, whether I see Your great power in the lives of others, or someday need that same power in my own life, You are faithful to keep Your promise to be my Rock and Defender, also my source to do good and use my voice to speak with gentleness and respect, even when abused and treated harshly. Thank You for such great grace.

Surprise Attacks

 

MacArthur begins his devotional with a truth that I’m well aware of — Satan wants to catch me off-guard. For instance, I am fine with a certain person until that person mentions something based on a lie, and I get instantly annoyed with the lack of discernment to what  seems obvious to me. This reaction makes me wonder if I am thinking wrong or is the problem as real as it seems. What I do know is that I am to: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) He is the accuser of the brethren and could be at work here.

The devotional reminds me that the devil attacks God’s Word, but he also attacks God’s people. Three weapons used are persecution, peer pressure, and preoccupation.

Persecution is not a surprise. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Persecution comes from those who resist God to the point of hating all who obey Him or who remind them of their sin. Other motivations are possible, but mostly I wonder why anyone would hate holiness to that degree.

Peer pressure can also be an effective weapon. I can remember times when I did not speak about Jesus for fear of offending others and ruining my relationship with them. God is teaching me to speak what He puts on my heart and trust Him with the results. Many times I’ve been surprised at receptivity rather than rejection and realize some people have an unspoken hunger for truth and for spiritual encouragement. They welcome anything that points them in the right direction.

The third weapon is preoccupation with the world. Being a Christian in America isn’t as life-threatening here as it is in some countries. This distraction puts people in danger of spiritual complacency. When I have been preoccupied with this life’s stuff, listening to God and doing His will becomes fainter. God wants me totally preoccupied with serving and glorifying Jesus Christ, not involved in worldly thinking:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

Jesus tells me to not to be concerned about worldly gains, or even daily needs. He says, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:32–33)

On the other hand, the enemy wants me to worry about stuff like the price of groceries, loss of income, having enough friends, being popular, being competitive in some area, and so on. The solution is:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)

To this, He adds: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Romans 12:3) If I am thinking too highly of myself, I am having problems with worldliness, and that is a tool of the devil to keep me from trusting God (instead of me). I even become unable to pray with the humility necessary for asking God’s help.

PRAY: Jesus, grant me the grace to remember that You can use persecution to mature me and bring glory to Yourself. Enable to me to daily choose to please You and never fear what people can do to me. Also, help me to properly evaluate what is important to You rather that being preoccupied with worldly ideas or anything selfishly desired and unrelated to Your kingdom and Your will. One thing I do know is that if I were not experiencing enemy attacks, it would be because I’m no threat to him. Keep me spiritually alert so his attacks do not catch me napping.

PONDER: Matthew 26:31–56 tells how the disciples were caught off-guard. What would have helped them (and me) avoid the surprises that the enemy uses to render God’s people useless?