Rise of the "Nones"

You may have seen recent news articles showing that the population is becoming more secular and is moving away from organized religion - specifically Christianity.   In many cases, people are starting to put their faith into science or various other beliefs.  

This is supported by research performed by the Pew Research Center.   In their research, the fastest growing "religious" group in America is now those who have no religious affiliation whatsoever.   The Pew Center shows an 8% decline since 2007 in the number of people who describe themselves as Christians - from 78.4% to 70.6% and almost 4% of this decline is from mainline Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist Church.   Almost 25% of Americans no longer associate with any religious denomination.

More interesting facts on the "Nones."

• Number of "Nones" has jumped from 8% in 1990 to 23% in 2014.
• There are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity.
• The bulk of the "Nones" don't commit to any view on God.   Instead, they believe "nothing in particular."
• Among Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996), "Nones" now comprise 36% of that population.
• Combined, there are more "Nones" than Lutherans, Methodists, and Episcopalians combined.
• "Nones" now outnumber both Protestant and Catholic groups.
• One-third of "Nones" now say they do NOT believe in God.
• 62% of religious "Nones" now say they seldom or never pray, a 6 point increase since 2007.
• 60% of the "Nones" say they have a deep connection with nature and the earth.
• 30% believe in spiritual energy in physical objects.
• 30% have felt "in touch" with someone who is dead.
• 25% believe in astrology and reincarnation.
• 15% have consulted a psychic.

More and more we are living in an increasingly secular and - to some degree - antagonistic culture towards any form of "organized" religion.

Why do you think this is?   Why is there a push back against God and Jesus?   

I think it has to alot to do with the church and Christians not reflecting the true love of Christ.  In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells us: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.   By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."    Can we honestly say that our behavior is a loving behavior or is it one that is more judgmental?    Can we say that we have made God better known over the past 200 years by our love or by our judgement?

Now, I am not going to drop this particular posting into a discussion about judging (that will be a discussion for another day because I feel that Matthew 7:1-2 is one of the most quoted out of context of late), but I do think that Christians have lost focus as to what God/Jesus' love is and looks like and for that we frankly have no excuse.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states: "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."    This, to me, is a pretty clear definition of love.   

Now a days, I have seen multiple Christians be anything but patient and kind in their language towards others who they perceive the be living a sinful lifestyle.   Further, many times they actions are unbecoming and are anything but loving.   In fact, many Christians today have a strong tendency to ignore the sin in their own lives (you know - the log we are supposed to remove from our own eye) while we are busy condemning others for their actions.  Is this really the example that Jesus set for us?  Take the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4 - did Jesus attack her sin with the same energy many Christians attack sins in others today or did he instead speak to her with kindness and love?   Further, take the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery (John 8).   Did Jesus condemn/judge her actions or did he demonstrate love and forgiveness?   If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit in both cases that Jesus demonstrated love and kindness in both cases.   Which approach do you think does more to grow God's Kingdom?   The path the christian church has largely been following or the examples Jesus has provided us?     I think in every case, demonstrating love and compassion will do more to win others to Christ.

Additionally, I think today's christian's have become very similar to the pharisee's and Sadducee's described in the bible.   In many cases, we have all gotten so wrapped up in our dogma or theology that we think we know God - when we really don't.   We have lost the notion that getting wrapped up in dogma/theology helps us know about God but it doesn't do as much for us to actually know God.   We let the dogma/theology get in the way of our experience.   In doing so, we limit God to what we know and understand and miss out on the experience that is God's goodness of eternal life that is now at hand.  In learning about God we have missed the point and haven't gotten to know God.

In learning and knowing about God, we tend to loose site of who God is and who we are in Him.   We tend to start listening to the lies that we need something else to make us whole.   That we will never measure up to God's standard.   That the love of the world is the same love that God/Jesus taught.   We become anxious and afraid and start to try and hide things from God.   In fact, I would be willing to bet that many of us have come to accept Christ, not so much out of love for Jesus, but more to avoid his punishment.   That Jesus was sent to rescue us from God's wrath.   

This doesn't make sense as in John 14:7, Jesus tells us: "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."   How can we have seen God and Jesus?   The two - while distinct - are one.   Why would He need to save you from Himself? Are children drawn close to a Father/God from whose wrath they must be saved?  Or are they drawn to a Father/God that loves them and has rivers of mercy and love for them - even if they were the only person on the planet.

At the root of all of the above thoughts and lies the world throws at us is fear.   We are afraid of not measuring up to God's standards we are afraid of disappointing God; we are afraid of going to Hell; we are afraid of dying; we are afraid of being punished by God; we are afraid that if we don't stand up for God and His standard that no one else will (as if God needs our defense).   

However, there is no fear in love.   1 John 4;18 echos this.   "There is no fear in love; but perfect fear casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears has not been perfected in love."    As we stop knowing about God and grow in our personal relationship with God, we also grow in His love.  In doing so, you will begin to fear less and less and will find that you cannot truly love God and fear Him at the same time.   

Think about this for a minute.   Jesus doesn't manipulate us to love him so that He can save us from Him condemning us to an eternity in Hell.  That sort of love isn't good at all and results in shame and judgement (much of what many Christians exude today).   Perhaps, this lie is one of many that has helped create the portion of the population that now identify as "Nones.

What are we to do?   

First, I think we need to determine who we are in Christ and recognize that God loves ALL of us - believers and non-believers alike.  We need to remember there is nothing that we have done nor can do that will result in our salvation.  That we are saved by what He (Jesus) has done, not by what we have or haven't done.   We have to let go of our fear and move forward and be examples of the love of Jesus.   That we are all remade in the likeness and glory of our Father, finite, yet complete in union with Jesus (Yeshua) - you in Him and He in you, risen with Him and seated in heavenly places.   That nothing can separate us from His love.   That when God was laying the foundations of the earth and this universe, we all existed in the mind of God as a thought.   God's thoughts are as real as any physical manifestation.  That God has always known and loved each one of us!   Be thankful and humbled for the gift He alone has provided us to be complete in Him.  

We need to get to know God at a personal level.   To do that, we have to not only study His word and learn more about His teachings, but we must also talk to him regularly.  We must continue to let go of our fear of disappointing God.   How can we disappoint God when He already knows us so completely.   That God is truly like a loving parent.   Are they disappointed when a child who is learning to walk falls down or can't dress themselves?   Of course not!  Like our earthly parents, God will lift us up, brush us off, and show us a better way.   We just have to be willing to listen and let go of our fear/pride/ego/self to hear what He has to say.   The more time we spend with God, the more we will be reflections of and examples of His love to the world.    Think about how Moses shown with the glory of the Lord after spending time on the Mount Sinai with God.  

If we can start to be humble, patient, kind and reflect the love called for in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, then I think the world views on Christianity will slowly turn around.

How do we define God?

How do you define God?   Do we define God in biblical terms or do we try to shape God into our view of what we feel He looks like?  Can we define Him at all?  Do we define Him in terms of where we place our focus - i.e. family, jobs, money, science, self reliance, knowledge, etc.  Do we make these things our gods or do we try to shape God into fitting inside of a mold that helps us justify our sinful natures?

I think we have all done the above at some point during our lives.   In fact, this was also a problem in biblical times.   Romans 1:21-25 tell us,

"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  The result was that their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.

So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.   As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies.   So they worshiped the things God made but not the creator himself."

So, clearly, this has been an issue for some time.   And as God has given us free will, He leaves us to our foolishness.  

In our efforts to define God based on our image and/or our desires or sinful behavior, we are creating a number of false gods and worshiping them vs. the one true God.   We cling to our physical/sinful lives and in doing so condemn ourselves to death.  We know this because Jesus tells us this very thing multiple times: 

• Luke 18:33 - "Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it."
• Luke 14:26-27: "If you want to be my follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes more than your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me."
• Matthew 18:3: Then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
• Matthew 16: 25-26: "If you try to keep you life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but loose your own soul in the process?  Is anything worth more than your soul?"

 If how we tend to what to define God isn't correct, then how should we define God?   I recently came across a definition in a book/bible study I've been doing ("The Forgotten Way" by Ted Dekker) which provides a definition that  I really like.  

"God is infinitely good, far more loving and gentle and kind to His children than any earthly mother or father imaginable.  God is infinitely complete; nothing can threaten or disturb Him.   Nothing can be taken away from Him, making Him less than complete, nor added to Him who is already complete."  

In studying this definition, I have found that it works for me.   While God certainly has many other attributes (I'm mean, come on - He is God), this definition provides a pretty solid definition that I can wrap my human mind around (how can any human mind or human based definition fully define God?   Neither can!!).  Time and time again in the bible, it talks of God's love, goodness, grace and kindness.   The bible also calls out God as being the creator of all things.  Since He created all things and is all things:

Colossians 1:16-17: Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities.  Everything has been created through Him and for Him.   He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

then nothing can either be added to or taken away from God to make Him and more or less complete than He already is.   Nothing can threaten Him in any way.  

How do you define God?

Riding out the storm

How many times in life do we find ourselves troubled, anxious or worried about the situation we are in?   Things that cause us anxiety or to feel like we are in a state of crisis may involve relationship issues with family/friends, finances, health issues, uncertainty regarding work, uncertainty about the the future - just about anything that the world can throw at us - generally cause us all some level of anxiety.   What does the bible tell us about how to handle these times in our life?   Plenty.   However, I like to equate our troubles to the story of when Jesus calmed the storm as described in Mark 4:25-41 and Luke 8:22-25:

Mark 4:25-41

Luke 8:22-25

Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat.   There were also other boats with Him. A furious storm came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!  Be Still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.   He said to the disciples, "Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

One day Jesus said to His disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water and they obey him."

The question that is common between the two that everyone focuses on involves faith.   I agree, you have to have faith that God is with us and will see us through our storms.   However, why do you think Jesus asks the question "Why are you afraid?"   Doesn't that seem like an odd question to ask on a nearly swamped/sinking boat in the middle of a storm with waves crashing down around you?   Isn't the answer for why the disciples were afraid obvious?   Is Jesus haven't a "Duh!" moment?

I don't think Jesus is asking a stupid question, nor is he having a "Duh!!" moment.   I think it has more to do with:

1. A demonstrated lack of faith on the part of the disciples;
2. A fundamental flaw in how we view ourselves (our identity) and the world around us.

I'm going to focus more on my current thoughts around how we view ourselves and the world around us.   

From the moment we are born, we strive to find acceptance and love or, put another way, trying to fit in and avoid rejection.   As we grow, we focus on different ways to be accepted.   We focus on sports, church, career, accumulating wealth, or relationships.   In doing these things, we begin to wrap ourselves and perceive our identity by pursuing the following lies of the world:

• The world can offer security;
• Wealth can save us from irrelevance;
• That relationships - with either friends, our spouse/significant other or children, will satisfy our need for acceptance/love; 
• That our appearance or position in society give us value.

When we do these things, we are placing our identity in the values of the world and not in Jesus.  The more we buy into any of the above lies and the values of the world, the more power and significance we give them in our lives.   In doing so, we make those things (wealth, relationships, appearance, jobs, athletics, etc.) the god we serve/worship.

What we are blind to is that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that we have become the son or daughter of the one true God.   Not only that, but we are now one with Christ.  

Galatians 2:20 tells us that "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Further, Ephesians 2:6 says that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ.  

Don't you see, when we accept Jesus, our old selves, this clay vessel that we call our earthly bodies dies and we are crucified and resurrected with Christ.   In a very similar way that we have the mystery of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost), we are now one in Christ!   

Think on this for a minute.   Since we are now one with Christ, there is no condemnation for us.   We have been made complete in Jesus.   That is a powerful gift and is where we should be placing our identity.   Can you imagine how much different the world (and we) look when we are looking at ourselves thru the eyes of Jesus?    Jesus sees us as we truly are - complete in Him.   Further, he sees beyond the earthly realm that our human eyes see.  Jesus sees the beauty of the heavenly realm that the reality we live in is subject to.   Jesus sees that our current realm is only temporary and that the heavenly realm that He can see is superior to what we are experiencing in every way.

Jesus see's the life, love, joy, and peace in an eternal union with His Father, that is manifesting itself on earth in a most spectacular fashion.  

So when we are in the storms that our life brings our way; when all we can see are dark clouds and nothing by fear and dread; we are seeing things as the world would have us see them and are viewing things through our worldly eyes.   We are allowing ourselves to be blinded and are buying into the lies of the world.   To overcome this, we need to view things through our spiritual eyes and remember the promises and power we have in Jesus.   Once we do that, it becomes clear, there is nothing to be afraid of.   Who can harm our Heavenly Father?  

No one.

Again, "Why are you afraid?"

Casting Crowns -Voice of Truth:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpWozyQ2QH4

Todd Agnew - The Love of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GdMS0KEnzk

War Inside

Song is by Todd Agnew.   All credit goes to him, but this reflects a lot of how my spirit feels now a days.....

"War Inside"

Do you feel the tension, do you?
Do you feel the grind?
Do you see the battle 'tween this
Flesh and soul of mine?

'Cause there's a war inside of me
Between who I want to be
And who I am

I do what I don't want to do
And don't do what I mean
I end up chasing all my nightmares
And abandoning my dreams

'Cause there's a war inside of me
Between who I want to be
And who I am

Is not who I want to be
Shackled like a slave when I know that I'm free
Wrong and right, truth and lie, death versus life
Everything in me is choosing sides
And the showdown begins

Do you feel the tension?

There's a war inside of me
Between who I want to be
There's a war inside of me
Between who I want to be
And who I am, who I am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhuiWC3SUzw

Forgive and Forget?

Mother Theresa is credited with the above quote.   It's a pretty interesting quote and one that I find myself agreeing with as I believe God is forgiving by nature as evidenced by the following verses:

• Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

• Psalm 86:4-5 - Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

• Psalm 103:8-12 - The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

• Isiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tough they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

But do we really follow God's example in forgiveness?   Do we forgive everyone as we should?  What I mean by that is:

• Do we forgive everyone who wrongs us - regardless of the offense?
• When we do forgive - do we forget the offense or do we maintain a list/hold a grudge?
• Do we approach individuals who have wronged up appropriately?
• Do we maintain a personal policy similar to three strikes and you're out when it comes to forgiving others?

In my mind, if we are uneasy about any of our answers to the above, then we likely aren't following the example God's example.  Looking at each of the questions individually:

Do we forgive everyone who wrongs us - regardless of the offense?

You know what I mean here - right?   Sometimes we can't believe that someone did or said something, intentional or not, that wronged us.   The wrong could be any number of things, lying, stealing, gossip, physical violence, emotional harm - anything.  How many times do we say/think - there's no coming back from this one!  I will never be able to forgive them!  However that isn't what Jesus tells us.   Jesus expects us to forgive - regardless of the offense.  

• Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive men when the sin against you, you heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

• Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Based on the above verses, we are to forgive as the He forgave us.   How many of us have thought that Jesus could never forgive us for whatever sin we have in our life - and yet he does and has.

The story of how Stephen met his end is another example of forgiveness regardless of how you are wronged.   

• Acts 7:59-60 - While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen is being stoned / killed and yet he prays and asks the Lord to not hold it against them.   He is forgiving them as they are taking his life.  Can you imagine someone wronging you in as harsh a manner and forgiving them?   We must also not forget the example Jesus sets for us - He assumed all of our sins, went to the cross and died for each of our sins.  Yet he forgives us.   Given that example, how can we not forgive those that wrong us?

When we forgive - do we forget the offense or do we maintain a list/hold a grudge?

We are all guilty of this one.   We may forgive someone but we maintain a list in the back of our head that remembers each and every wrong.   Or we forgive someone only to continue to look for reasons why they may have said or done what it is they did and once we observe that behavior, we make assumptions that reinforce our opinion.  Perhaps we also begin to resent that person or start treating them differently.   We may even hold back on the list until the next opportunity to bring it up - i.e. the next argument or the next time the person has to apologize.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."   Based on this verse alone, not only do we need to forgive, but we also need to let go of any anger, resentment and other negative feelings we have towards the person otherwise we may put our self in the position of judging that person based on our perceptions - even though they "apologized" and we "forgave" them.  

Luke 6:37 says: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."    This verse alone is worthy of its own discussion, however, I think it also applies here. We shouldn't be judging others.  Frankly, we aren't qualified to judge others due to our own sinful nature.  Further, if we end up holding onto bitter feelings and find ourselves judging the other person, then aren't we opening up ourselves to be judged in a similar manner by Jesus ("Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned")?

That and I this verse sums it up for us pretty concisely.

• Luke 7:47-48 -  "...Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little."  And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 

If we are in fact holding onto grudges and resentment after forgiving them, are we really sincere in our forgiveness?   

Do we approach individuals who have wronged us appropriately?

When you are wronged, do you think about it and let the hurt/anger build over a course of several days before approaching the individual?   Do you immediatly lash out in anger and have it out as soon as you learn of the transgression?   OR do you avoid the conversation all together and internalize the resulting hurt/anger because you really don't like confrontation/conflict?

Regardless of how you approach it, the bible tells us that we need to approach the individual in grace and love.   In fact, Galatians 6:1-2 say to use a "spirit of gentleness."   Specifically, Galatians 6:1-2 says - "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."    In short, we should be kind, speak in love, but do have the conversation regarding why you feel wronged and be ready to forgive them and fully restore the relationship.

But what if I don't like conflict?   Can't I just ignore the issue and let bygones be bygones?  I suppose that is an approach, but is it really the best thing long term?   Isn't it possible that over time you will let the anger and hut build up and have it negatively impact the relationship you have?    In Matthew Jesus says: 

• Matthew 5:22-24 - "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.  So if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave you gift there before the alter and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

According to Jesus, if you know there is an issue, then you need to go and take care of it, otherwise we are opening ourselves up for judgement and potentially ruining a relationship longer term.

Do we maintain a personal policy similar to "three strikes and you're out" when it comes to forgiving others?

This is one that has what is a very familiar verse when it comes to discussions around forgiveness.  In fact, I don't know that I could discuss forgiveness and not have this verse as part of it.  

• Matthew 18:21-22 - The Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?   Up to seven times?  "Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

In this scripture, Peter probably felt that he was being gracious when asking if seven was the total number of times he should forgive someone.   As you can tell, by Jesus' answer, we must forgive many more times than just seven.  Jesus did not intend to set an upper boundary limiting the number of times we are to forgive.  In fact, my belief is Christians with forgiving hearts not only do not limit the number of times they forgive, they continue to forgive with as much grace and love when forgiving someone for the millionth time as they had the first time they forgave someone.   This level of grace and love in forgiveness is only possible because the Spirit of God lives within each of us and He is the one providing the ability to offer repeated forgiveness - just as Jesus repeated forgives us.

I think Henry Ward Beecher summed it up best when he was quoted as saying. "A forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note, torn in two and burned up, so that it can never be shown against the man."

Let's show the world a different side of Christianity - one based in the love and forgiveness Jesus provides each of us!

Won't or Can't?

How many of us have found our non-Christian friends are generally OK allowing us to share our faith with them, maybe even allow us to take their kids to church with us (provided each family has kids around the same age).  Some may even have allowed us to share the gospel with them enough times that they understand what's at stake but just can't seem to take that last step of making a hard commitment because they want to accept Jesus on their terms and not on His terms?  

What I mean by that is that Jesus doesn't want just a part of us - He want's ALL of us!  Below are a few verses that help clarify His expectations for us:

Ephesians 4:22-24 - that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Philippians 3:8 - More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for who I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish that I may gain Christ,

Luke 9:23 - And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"

John 12:24 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

What appears to hold many of us up in making a decision to accept Jesus is the commitment of our entire self to Jesus.  We want to pick and choose what parts of ourselves we give up.   You know, we still want to be able to keep control of aspects of our lives, but only let Jesus into certain aspects of our lives.  Unfortunately, this isn't what Jesus is looking for.  And really, when you step back and consider what we are already willing to commitment to other things- you have to wonder why are we so hesitant to commit to Jesus.   What I mean is, how many:

• Are willing to focus solely on a career/climbing the corporate ladder vs. any aspect of outside life?  Often losing friends and family along the way.
• Teenage girls are willing to sacrifice their bodies to premarital sex over to get or keep a boy friend?
• People willing to sacrifice relationships with their friends/family to chase after drugs and/or alcohol?
• Dads/Husbands and/or moms/wives make a decision to their family over an adulterous relationship?

The one thing each of the above has in common is that we are sacrificing large portions of our lives and/or committing our lives to the above things and more!   We have no problem at all with these and other thigs continuously asking for more and more from us.   To continuously sacrifice for some unspoken promise or reward.   But in any of these things - the world asks us to take action first - many times with absolutely no guarantee we will be successful in obtaining what we are are pursuing.  Are we really willing to gamble with eternity with no guarantee?  In my experience the world has a big problem with over promisi and under delivering.  Luke 17:33 tells us whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.  It seems to me that in not committing our entire life to Jesus that we are choosing eternal death.   Does that make sense?

Here's the thing, unlike the world, Jesus isn't asking any of us to do something that He hasn't already done for us.  When Jesus went to the cross and died for us, He committed His life to us!  Let that sink in for a second.  Jesus isn't asking us to do anything that He hasn't already done for us.   He went first!   He made the commitment to us before He asked us to commit our lives to Him!  All he is asking of us is to pour ourselves out for him just as he poured himself out for us - except we don't have to go thru the humiliation of being crucified on the cross to do so.   Further we have the guarantee that if we give all to Him, that we will have eternal life!   

John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send Jesus into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Given the sacrifice Jesus made for us, is it really too much to ask to give our self entirely over to Jesus? 

The Prodigal Son

This one is a fairly common bible story taught in many Sunday school classes.   I know that I have heard it many times while growing up.   However, does it have a happy ending?   Is Jesus trying to tell us something more with this parable?

First a refresher of the parable found in Luke 15:11-32: Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.'  So he divided his property between them.  Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.   He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I have am starving to death!   I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'  So he got up and went to his father."

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let's have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'  So they began to celebrate."

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field.  When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'"

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in.  So he father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, 'Look!  All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.  Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'"

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

Now, in biblical time's for a son to ask for his inheritance before the death of his father was a pretty severe offense.   It was generally equivalent to the son wishing for the father's death.  Knowing that, can you imagine how the father in this parable must have felt?

Despite this, the father relented and provided the son with his part of his inheritance and didn't stand in his way when he left.

There is no mention in the parable regarding what caused this outburst from the younger son.   Was the father:

• too demanding?
• unfair?
• argumentative?
• abusive?

Or was the son just selfish or suffering from too much pride?  Perhaps, he had decided he knew better than his father and was going to strike out on his own - a mistake we have all made from time to time - isn't it amazing how much smarter our parents get after we get a little older.  ;-).

Scripture is silent on the events leading up to the younger son's request and is also silent on how the father felt or went thru while the son was away.   It only focuses on the sinful behavior of the son while he is apart from his father as well as the realization by the son that his father's servants are living better than he was at the time.  

Doesn't this parable echo how we generally handle our relationship with God?   We believe that we have things under control.   We know what we are doing.  We don't need guidance from anyone else.  We tend to start doing things our own way and move away from God and his teachings/guidance.   I don't know about you, but I have found that things generally don't go very well when I do that.   I find that I make a mess of things and end up coming back to God each and every time and each and every time, God is waiting right were He was before and is more than happy to have me back.  Never have I heard an "I told you so" or "what were you thinking?" even though each of those questions would be more than justified.   God is constant and is true to his word - He waits for us and actively pursues us - just as a shepherd does his lost sheep.  

Which bring us to the end of the parable.  Here we have the father being ecstatic his son who had left has returned throws a party celebrating that fact.  We also have the reaction of the older son, who doesn't react with the same enthusiasm as the Father.  In fact, it's quite the contrary, there is more than a hint of resentment and jealousy that comes from the older brother.   "'Look!  All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.  Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'"

While it does seem that the father may have been being unfair, isn't the response the father has in the parable exactly what we would expect to hear from God?

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

The father is happy that the younger son has returned and is with them again.   This is the same happiness that Jesus has for each of us when we walk away from Him - either deliberately or accidentally.  Jesus is always there waiting and welcoming us with open arms.   In fact, the response the father and the reaction of the son is echoed in another of Jesus' parables - The Parable of the Lost Sheep found in Luke 15:1-7:   Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."   Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  

Doesn't that parable sum it up perfectly?   God loves each and every one of us and there are great celebrations in heaven each someone makes a decision to give their lives to Jesus and follow Him.  We should join in the celebration - otherwise, we run the danger of being like the Pharisees who sit off to the side and grumble/complain about what goes on around us.