Known anyone unlovable?

Do you know someone unlovable?

No?   Well......

How about someone that get's on your last nerve as soon as they walk into the room?

Maybe someone that constantly calls attention to themselves.  Maybe by showing off, or trying to be funny (when they really aren't), getting into trouble at school or bragging about thing no one should ever be proud of.....

I think we all know people that show the above qualities.   Would you say that those people are unlovable?

Still no?   Hmmm...   Let's look at it from this perspective:

Would you be friends with that person or try to avoid them?
Do you try to get to know them better?  Try to understand why they act the way they do?

Be honest.

I think we all know the answer.   We all generally do what we can to avoid people that we know do some of the above things or just get on our nerves.

But is this what Jesus tells us to do?   Is this what Jesus did?

In Luke 6:27-36 Jesus says: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, give them your shirt too.  Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do that.  If you lend to those who can pay you back, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great, and you will be sons/daughters of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

What does Jesus say here?   Does He say to ignore those who don't act like us?  Does he say to only be kind to those who are kind to us?

No.  Not at all.   Jesus tells us to love those who may hate us.  To love and be kind to those who curse us.

But this is often far from what we do - isn't it.

Let's be real.   What Jesus asks isn't easy.  In fact, to many of us it is very hard.  Isn't it funny how easy it is for us to dislike or show hate towards someone or something vs. show love?  Even tho showing love may not only help you feel better but may also who someone else who desperately needs to feel like someone - anyone - cares.

Here's a challenge for all of us - the next time you see someone who is acting the way I described at the beginning of this......

Don't run the other way.  Don't join in making fun or talking about that person.

Stop.   Try To understand theM (even if you couldn't understand them in 1000 years).   Be a friend - even if your attempts are met with rude behavior or cursing.

Don't stop trying.   At some point you just might get thru.   Maybe now, maybe later.   Maybe you won't ever see the end result.

But maybe, just maybe, you will be the only example of Jesus that individual ever gets to experience.

Our relationship with God

Our relationship with God is more than just a relationship of a lesser people worshipping their deity.

It is MUCH more than that.

It is a love story in which our creator so desperately loves us that He pursues us.  It is one in which He pursues us so desperately, that He came to earth and dies for each of our sins.   It is one in which a marriage covenant is used to describe our relationship with Jesus as the bridegroom and we as the bride.

Just like Jewish marriage traditions, Jesus has left to prepare a place for us.   We don't know when He will return.   Fact is, He doesn't either.    Jesus won't return until the Father, Abba, says it is time.

In the meantime, we, as the bride, are to be preparing for our grooms return.  We are to be keeping ourselves pure and not committing adultery.   However, that is were we all fall short.   We are all committing adultery in some fashion - spiritual adultery.   The thing is, we don't even realize it.   We worship our money, houses, cars, jobs, sports, vacations, cars, family, things in general over our relationship with God.

Many times the churches we attend reflect our lack of focus on God.   They tend to be more interested in providing a nice building, a service that has outstanding music and show.  Things they feel people want to help draw them in.   The church focuses more on pulling more people in than on helping the poor, missions, the sick, the elderly, the least of these that Jesus calls out in Matthew 25.  We have become more "in love" with the experience of church than in our actual relationship with God.  

I often wonder how many Christian's have accepted Christ more out of fear of going to hell vs. having an actual love of Jesus himself.  The difference between the two could be why people in the world don't see a need for God.   Do we truely radiate the love of Jesus in ways that make the world stand up and take notice or is Jesus more of an insurance policy?  

How different the world could be if Christian's would reflect Jesus vs. being the judgemental hypocrites we have become known to be.  

The Golden Rule...

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

This simple phrase is known as the "Golden Rule."   Not surprisingly, it exists in a multitude of religions across the world.   From that perspective, it is an area where we can find some common ground in discussing our differences of faith.   However, to me, it also says something more.   In fact, I feel that it speaks to a few areas of our lives.

First, I think that it speaks to how the existence of God is written on all of our hearts and made obvious to us regardless of our culture, location, or knowledge of the one true God.   This thought is also known as "Natural Revelation" and is introduced to us by Paul in Romans 2:12-26:

"God will punish the gentiles when they sin, even though they never heard God's written law.   And He will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law.  For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval.   Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight.   Even when gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts, they know right from wrong.  They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.   The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life.   This is my message."

This is a concept in which God has revealed Himself to everyone by nature, science, people around them, etc. enough that they instinctively know there is a creator.   They can see and worship Him and Him alone.  However, do not think that the existence of the Golden Rule across world religions indicate there are multiple ways to salvation.   That is distinctly NOT the case.  Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that "I am the way the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."   Further, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."   So, you see, there is only one way to God, and that is through Christ Jesus.

To finish my first point, I feel that while there are some common moral values that can be found between major world religions, this does not make them the correct path to God.  It also does NOT mean that we as Christians should take a holier than thou view when talking with our friends of other faiths/beliefs.  In fact, we should approach them in love and respect as there are examples of people in other faiths demonstrating/living their moral values in ways that would, could and should shame many Christians.

The bolded text above leads me into my second point about the Golden Rule and a large part of why I feel there is such a backlash against Christianity today.   Many Christians in reacting to the sins of they see in the world take a "holier than thou" approach.   They feel they are doing their Christian duty of pointing out the world's sinful behaviour while ignoring the fact that we are all - regardless of our status with Christ - dealing with our sinful behaviour.   Folks who are on the receiving end of this judgement see through our hypocrisy.   Many Christians take and forget what is one of the most misapplied/misunderstood verses of the Bible - John 7:1-5:

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged.   For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by you standard of measure, it will be measured to you.   Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?   Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, ' and behold, the log is in your own eye?   You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

While many of us as Christians want to be held accountable for our actions, we want to be done so in a way that is loving and caring.   How many of us when dealing with the sin of those around us are taking the approach of condemning people to hell while we are, ourselves, dealing with our own sinful behavior?   How many of us are living our lives as examples of how we should live - according to our faith vs. continuing to hold onto some sins in our lives and looking for ways to justify them?

Be honest......

I know I am guilty of this.   And, fact is, you are as well.   It doesn't matter what the sin is or how big or small we feel that sin is.   We all have it and it keeps us separated from God.

In conclusion, if you study all of the world religions, if only on the surface, you will very quickly find that Christianity is different in a single aspect that makes it unique.   That aspect is when / how salvation is achieved.   You see, in all of the world religions, you are given your moral values, or laws, and you must live life according to those laws.   Hopefully at the end of your life, there are more positives than negatives and you will be let into heaven/paradise/insert appropriate term here.   You live your life chasing and performing works, all the time hoping that you will make it, but never knowing for sure if you will.

In Christianity, all that is needed is faith in Jesus.   Jesus is standing at the door - up front - and is willing to accept you EXACTLY as you ARE at that point in time - warts and all.   Because His grace is sufficient and His  blood alone can atone us for our sins.   That is the key power of salvation within Christianity.    It is freely given and is not something that is earned.

I never knew you.....

“"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, I NEVER KNEW YOU'”  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭NASB‬‬. http://bible.com/100/mat.7.21-23.nasb

Said in a different way,

"You can know all of the stats, history and all that you can know about Micheal Jordan, but if you knock on the door to his house, he isn't going to let you in."

-- Francis Chan

This scripture should literally scare the hell out of Christians.   Jesus is telling us that we have to do more than know about Him - we have to actually KNOW Him.

How do you know if you truly know Him?   Look at the scripture that comes just before:

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:15-20‬ ‭NASB‬‬ http://bible.com/100/mat.7.15-20.nasb

We are known by the fruit we produce.   What are our actions?   Are we known as the most loving person:

At work?
In your community?
In your family?

Are you the most loving person that the homeless person asking for donations encounters?
Are you the most loving person that the elderly couple that lives across the street know?
Are you the most loving person that the addict encounters?
Are you the most loving person that the alcoholic on the corner encounters?
Are you the most loving person that your homosexual neighbor encounters?
Are you the most loving person that your porn addicted friend encounters?
Are you the most loving person that encounters?

Think about it.   Do your actions demonstrate that you truly know Christ or that you know about Him. Be honest.   The answer to that question very well can make all of the difference.

What's your temperature?

Are you a "lukewarm" christian?   Do you know?   Is there such a thing?  Why is this important?   Check out the following verse from Revelation:

Revelation 3:14-18  "To the Angel of the church of Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.   So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mount.  Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, " and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see."

I don't know about you, but the thought of coming before Jesus and being considered "lukewarm" sounds like a pretty risky thing to do to me.   In fact, based on the verse about, I think we are gambling with our eternity if we do so.   Looking at the above scripture, Jesus will have the same reaction to those of us who are lukewarm as we do to lukewarm coffee or soup.   

How do you know if you are lukewarm?   While not a comprehensive list, I wonder if any of the following statements make you a little uncomfortable?

• Attend church regularly, but do so because it is what is expected.   You know, it's what "good Christians" do.
• Give money to charity and to the church - as long as it doesn't impact on their standard of living.   If you have a little extra & it is easy and safe to give, then you do.  Otherwise, you don't.
• Care more about what people think of their actions vs. what God thinks of their hearts and lives.   Want to fit in - regardless of if it is at church or outside of church.
• Want to be saved from the penalty of their sin, but don't really want to be saved from the sin itself.
• Are moved by stories about people who are doing "radical" things for Christ, but are not acting for Christ themselves.   Consider the things that Jesus expects of all His followers as "radical."
• Rarely, if ever, share their faith with anyone - even those they are most comfortable talking to.  Don't want to be rejected or make anyone uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
• Gauge their morality by comparing themselves to the secular world.   Feel satisfied that they aren't as  bad as the "guy down the street."
• Don't allow Jesus to control their lives.   You love Jesus and He is a part of your life, but only a part.   Jesus gets a part of your time, thoughts and money, but that is about it.
• You love God, but not with all your heart, soul and strength.
• Demonstrate love for others, but don't seek to love others as much as you love yourself.

If we are honest with ourselves, there are likely many of the bullets above that make you uncomfortable.    I think that many of us have at least one area from the above that makes us a little uncomfortable when it comes to questioning if we are lukewarm.

And there is where the nonsensical grace of all of this lies.   The bible demonstrates there is room for our failure and sin in our pursuit of God.  Lamentations 3:22-23 tell us that God's mercies are new each and every morning:

Lamentations 3:22-23 The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassion never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness.

And that His grace is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9  And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

However, that doesn't at all mean that we can just do as we please because God will always love us and forgive us.   We can't say that we love Christ while still chasing after the things of the world.   It just doesn't work that way.  

Luke 9:25 says "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"

If we truly love Jesus, then we are a changed person.  We will want to keep His commandments.

John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

James 2:14-17  What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled" and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?  Even so faith, if it has no works is dead, being by itself

You see, anyone can say that they love Jesus and believe in God.   You see, even the demons believe in God.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one.  You do well, the demons also believe, and shudder.

You see.   If we love God and are Christians, we are going to strive to keep His commandments.  It's not that we will always be successful.   Despite our belief in Christ, we are still fallen creatures.  We just need to realize that we are going to fail from time to time, pick ourselves up, confess our sin to Jesus - not because we want delivered from the punishment of sin but because we love Jesus and want to live for and honor Him.  

I leave you with this.  The concept of being lukewarm allows for people to walk the fence between Christ and the world.  It is something that is in between.   Looking at the scriptures and what Jesus said, I don't see any room for being "lukewarm."   You are either in love for Jesus and "Hot" or you are not in love with Jesus and "Cold."  There really is no in between.

Have a little Emunah

What is Emunah (pronounced "em-oo-nah") you might ask?   Emunah is the Hebrew word for "Faith."   However, the way the Hebrew lanugage defines faith may be a bit different then we are used to thinking about it.  

For us, many times, faith is more about knowing something and is less about doing anything.   In Hebrew, it is the exact opposite, it is less about knowing and is more about doing.  

In our bibles, Emunah is generally translated as faith, but that really doesn't serve the translation very well.   In cases where Emunah is used, it is there to describe an "innate conviction, a perception of truth that transcends, rather than evades, reason."  It's something that having additional wisdom, knowledge and understanding can further enhace, but is not impacted if wisdom, knowledge and understanding doesn't support having faith or emunah.   In short, emunah is not reason based.   Emunah endures even when reason can't catch up.

From an everyday perspective, an individual may have faith becasue he/she is not interested or in not capable of reasoning for him/herself.   If this is the case, then that individual doesn't "own" their faith.  They are merely relying on others.   In these cases, faith is easily swayed and is inherently weak.  

In other cases, the individial may have a profound faith or emunah.  In those cases, he/she feels that truth to be a part of their very essence and being.   In those cases, they really don't need to have supporting knowledge or reasoning to support their faith.  It is something that they just know and they know it regardless of it being supporting by the mainstream academics or others.   They are so convinced their faith is true, they will die for it.  To deny their faith/emunah, is to deny their very essence.  

Knowing this, how strong is your faith?   Is it a superficial faith that is easily shaken at the latest news/discovery that goes against it?  

2 Corinthians 5:7   For we live by faith, not sight.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

The Mind of God....

Take a look at the following two images.


What thoughts do you have?   What do you suppose these images are?

If I told you that one image was a neural network, does that change how you view the other image?

If I told you that one image is of the known/local galaxy clusters; how do you view the other image then?

What about these images?   Some are neural networks, some are images from deep space.  Can you tell the difference?

As I was reading my devotions this morning, the image of the galaxies came up and it struck me at how similar it is to images of neural networks.  I was awestruck by the very reflection of God's creation in two very different images.  

Psalms 19:1-5 "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.   Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world.  In the He has placed a tent for the sun,  Which is as a bridegroom coming out fo his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

I am also struck by how often we rush to God with requests and pleas for help with out ever stopping to consider the very glory and awe of who God is. 

Romans 1:20 tell us that God's eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in what He has made:

"For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so they are without excuse."

But we are all so busy with our own lives, pre-occupied with what the world wants us to pay attention to, and occasionally the needs of others, that we allow ourselves to be blinded to the wonder's of God's creation.  

What if we stopped, for just a moment, each day and noticed the beauty of the world around us?   Noticed:

* A simple flower;

* How good the breeze feels on a warm summer day;

* How cool the grass feels on your bare feet during the summer;

* The simple elegance of a snow flake as it falls to the ground;

* The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze;

* That sound of water in a mountain stream or ocean waves crashing into the shore.  

I wonder if we did these things if we would start to see more of God and maybe be more in awe of Him?   

Would we take more time to consider His glory? 

Would we take more time to consider things as we approached Him in prayer?  

Would we consider that God uses nature to witness to us about his grace and faithfulness?

Matthew 5:43-45 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.  But I say , love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.  For He gives his sunlight to both the veil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too."

Matthew 6:28-32  "And why worry about your clothes?  Look at the lilies and how they grow.  They don't work or make clothing , yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He more surely care for you?  You have so little faith!"

Would we actually ponder that when we do these things, that we may just barely be grasping who God is and be in awe of Him and how much He loves us.

That maybe, just maybe, we are getting glimpses into the mind of God.