A call to proclaim that death is not the end

A church building used to be called a sanctuary, a place of safety. Another shooting, this time during a church service in Texas, brings out the need for security and how some congregations have cameras and people watching for intruders.

My heart aches for those who suffer. At times, I’ve wondered what I would do if someone did that in our church. We want people to come, but attacks like this can certainly add to the qualms some already have about going to church.

Today’s Scripture reveal that this is not God’s intention. He says, “whosoever will may come” even in the Old Testament. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, were to bring this invitation to the world:

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” (Isaiah 45:22–25)

God’s intention for redemption was never confined to the Jews only. Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14–16)

Many NT passages confirm His plan to include all people, such as Ephesians 2:11–22 which says in part, that Gentiles were formerly “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone . . .  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

In the last book of the Bible, God says Jesus “was slain and His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) God intends that all are welcome in His family, despite the efforts of our spiritual enemy who tries to divide and destroy, to upset and split congregations, to sever relationships by stirring up strife and fear. No doubt he was involved in this latest horrible event, trying to ruin, divide, and destroy.

However, God is more powerful. Israel failed to welcome the nations, but now the Body of Christ is united in one Body. We all die, but we all live again because we are His and God tells us to act like it:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . . .” (Ephesians 4:1–6)

What does this have to do with Texas? God calls His family to display our unity and courage in Christ, to not allow Satan’s ploy to separate us, or to keep us from welcoming others — especially those fearful of being in a church on a Sunday morning. The good news is that anyone Satan ‘destroys’ is with Jesus in eternity, never again to suffer or be in danger!

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Jesus, this is God’s promise — to use all things for good in the lives of those who love You. The Christians who died on Sunday are with You. You took them home in a way that seems senseless and tragic to us, yet they are home and safe with You. May Your people stand united to support those who grieve. May we declare that this is not the end of their lives. Our invitation to come to Jesus stands firm because the power of redemption and the promises of God make death the beginning of a glorious forever with You.

Suffering because of His Story

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. (Colossians 1:24–26)

The New Testament says that Paul sometimes says things “hard to be understood” and this is one of them. One commentary says there are at least nine different interpretations of what he means by filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

As I read them, I picked one, discovering that the author of that commentary also focused on the same understanding. Here is a simple interpretation . . .

Jesus’ work is finished. He told His disciples that they would suffer the same things as He suffered, but in our case, we are not doing what Jesus did — as in dying to redeem lost souls. We suffer because many people do not like hearing the gospel. Paul was suffering because he preached the gospel, and because many thought the good news was not good news if they had to admit themselves as sinners.

However, not every Christian suffers as Paul did. Most of us hide in our safe places rather than risk the suffering that happens to those who are determined to make the Word of God fully known. Instead of revealing the mystery that has been made known to us, we are afraid of the hits we will take because of it.

Chambers uses the metaphor of wine-making to explain what God must do to squeeze the best out of us. He uses this passage to describe the necessity of being crushed before we are willing to fully serve God. However, I don’t think that is the suffering Paul is talking about. He had been crushed and was serving as a minister of the gospel. Instead, he suffered in order that the body of Christ, which is the church, might experience the benefits of more fully knowing the Word of God.

In my studies, I’m becoming more aware of the big picture of God’s plan. His story is remarkable. It begins with creation, then sin, then redemption, and will culminate in the return of Jesus Christ. Our part is to tell the story, to make known what God is doing in history. However, humanity has come up with theories and conclusions that run contrary to God’s story — it does not appeal to them or they are blinded by sin to its truth.

In that darkness, God’s light is uncomfortable to say the least. Many will try to shut it out or at least silence those who tell the story. For Paul, this meant suffering. All God’s messengers will suffer. It is part of the story. We suffer something like Jesus did, but it not fully like it. He suffered for our sin, but Christians suffer for the sake of the story.

Yet Paul also says “for your sake” and to “fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body.” I understand that to mean that not all Christians were on the same trajectory as Paul. The ‘what is lacking’ likely points to the failure of some to ‘get with the program.’ However, he was glad to suffer for their sake and in their place. What he did would make up for what they had failed to do. In this way, his suffering was like that of Jesus because Jesus also suffered to make up for what we could not do — be holy people.

Paul suffered out of a great love for the people of God. He was willing to experience all sorts of painful things if the Body of Christ could be made more fully aware of the riches of the glory of God and the marvelous good news of His story.

How can I make this practical? Obviously to have that same mind and love for God’s people, a love for God and for other Christians that goes beyond Sunday morning hugs. To follow Paul, I must be willing to take with joy any negative reactions from others in order to make the story and the glory of Jesus Christ more clearly known.

Why this Friday is Good

Good Friday is a sad day when I think about my sin that put Jesus on the cross. It is sad when I think about how much He suffered and the pain of bearing the guilt of the world, of every sin ever committed by everyone who ever lived. It is sad also to think that much of the world curses His name, the One who bought their freedom from sin and their opportunity to have eternal life. I’m sad too that many more have never even heard of Jesus.

However, today is “good” Friday, not just because Jesus did made an incredible sacrifice so many years ago, but because of the place He has now and the victory He has won over sin and death.

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5:30–32)

Jesus died, but He did not stay dead. Jesus was and is demeaned and cursed here on earth, but God has exalted Him to the highest place. He was rejected by His own, but thousands, even millions of people have accepted, believed and received Him. We know forgiveness of sins and repentance and this is why Friday is good.

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Lord, I’m also touched by the last few words in those verses. The early believers saw all of this with their own eyes, but so did the Holy Spirit. And You gave the Holy Spirit to me — so, because He lives in me, I too am a witness to these things. I didn’t see the events with my eyes, but the presence of Your Spirit in my heart affirms the reality of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know it is true.

Today we go to a church service that remembers the sad things, but that will also remind us of the greatness of what happened at Calvary and beyond. Because of Your great power and love for sinners, today is a good day!

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