Salvation

Salvation means the state of being saved. For Christians, salvation comes through Jesus. We are saved from the penalty of sin. We are saved to a place of intimacy with our Lord.

People like to save themselves. Or so they think they are saving themselves. Salvations I have witnessed in 2 years of ministry include…

·         Salvation by vacation – Life is found in endless trips

·         Salvation by application (busyness) – Life is found in never stopping

·         Salvation by affiliation – Life is found through the success or work of others

·         Salvation by authorization – Life is found by looking the holiest or having the right thoughts

·         Salvation by accumulation – Life is found in amassing wealth or status symbols

The problem with these and others is this. We believe that we can save ourselves without help and we are robbed of really knowing God. We only want a "rescue" God.

I am aware that some Christians do not really want to know God and would rather do things their way. I love them and wait to pick up the pieces. But I believe God does not want pieces. We are too precious. God has our best interest in mind (in heart, too.)

The toast at an Italian wedding is "Salute!" meaning health or well-being. Each salvation listed above is good until it becomes a substitute for God. They promise well-being but, as gods of our own making, cannot ultimately deliver the life we seek. In the long run, as gods, they will crush us, zap our energy, demand of us, and let us down. When we bow down to "crazy busy" or any other god of our own making, we are short-changing ourselves. God has more.

Where do you go for salvation and well-being?

Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

Point of View

When my wife and I were in San Antonio, we went to the old Pearl Brewery to look at art (only in Texas.) The brewery was now an art museum. One particular piece of sculpture caught our eye. We each viewed it but 180 degrees apart from one other. Each of us found something different. Our point of view made all the difference.

Painters have a point of view. Writers have a point of view. Politicians have a point of view. We certainly have our own point of view. Did you know that God has a point of view?

  

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Job 38:3-5

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,

and a thousand years are like a day.

2 Peter 3:8

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:7

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:13

  

How often do you check in with God for God's point of view? We miss something vital if we think our point of view (or anyone else's) is the whole picture.

I’m agin it!

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

I admit that I get embarrassed by the theology expressed in the political arena. It sounds pious but it make cringe.

Political theology is mostly grand-standing, sound-biting blather meant to pump up a small constituency. And, mostly, current political theology is one big "we're against!"

A lot of Christians define themselves by what they are against. It sound very godly and the nifty part of "against" pronouncements is that very little involvement is required of us among the lives of other people God loves, the poor, the sick  and the oppressed.

What if we who follow Christ defined ourselves by how much we had in common with each other and all humanity? By how well we shared with others? How we outstripped each other in respect and forgiveness? How much we were there for one another and for others God created and for whom God died?

I'm for that.

Work in Progress

Art is never finished, only abandoned. ~ Da Vinci

It is easy to look at a beautiful Gulf sunset or a Colorado mountain or a view from the Hubble telescope and imagine a God who creates beautiful, mysterious and down-right awesome things. In the Bible, God calls all of these things "Good." Be God goes further. God calls humanity, male and female, double "Good."  "Good. Good."

We often say we find God in the beauty of nature (and maybe a baby or two) but God chose to enter into human life as a human. Where we really find God is in the person of Jesus. And in you. And in your neighbor. This is messier. Humans demand understanding, forgiveness, time, and patience. But this is where God chooses to be. Love your sunsets but God is found in community more than any scenic view.

This Lent, do not abandon the creation, the art, of God. Take time to stop and listen to yourself. Honor others with the same. Check in with your Maker for details and instruction we cannot intuit. Do not abandon the art in the community around you and within you and through you. It ain't over till God says it's over.

You, we, are a work in progress.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Plastic Knives

I am a plastic knife. You have to buy me in order to get a fork or a spoon, which you really want. I wind up in the trash. You either don't need me or I am too puny to be much help. I'm sorry.

"Plastic Knife" people are all around us. Maybe, we are one. People who we or society feel are not worth much, usually because they are not beautiful, rich or useful. Beautiful, rich and useful are the "highest goods" of our society.

God took special care to create these people. We should take extra care to honor them.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

              Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. I Corinthians 12:21-27 

Look deeper. See what God's sees and act accordingly today. No one deserves to be overlooked or thrown away.

Choice

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

Where did the day go? Have you said that? I have.

If I do not deliberately and systematically create space for God (read, knock off for a bit,) I will have chosen to serve all the other gods of my day. They are not a bad lot but are no match for God. And none love me back. No matter how much I SAY I love God, my actions speak otherwise. I SERVE what is fun, expedient, pressing, loud, flashy, and what makes me look good. Angry Birds-30 minutes, God – zip.

This is a choice, as Joshua says. We choose to serve God or we don't.

Who will you choose to serve this day?

Guiltless or Gutless?

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 

I always figured that the problems of this world were caused by other people. Not me. Not us. It's "them" who make things a mess. Right?

Not so fast says God. In 2 Chronicles, King Solomon had just finished building the Temple. God showed up and said he would reside there. Nice digs. Then God add the passage above. If things go awry in the land, it is the people of God who should fervently seek out God and repent. God will heal the land. In other words, if things are a mess, check your own relationship with God before you critique others. I have spent much time trying to persuade others (and complaining as well) to get their act together. Can't they see what THEY are doing to our country?

Maybe I need to practice a little humility and seek God myself. Maybe the healing is not happening because I have assumed that I am guiltless. Maybe I have some changes to make. I want our land healed and a big, big, God can to that.

What do you think?