One Big Happy Family... With Fruit

I was observing the other day how we are all so interested in being unique.  Being set apart.  Different.  Segregated.  My friend had posed the question: "Why don't people ask what makes them the same, as opposed to what makes them different?"  That is the question isn't it.  Especially for those who follow Jesus.  Every day have a disagreement within our own church family, denomination, and the world-wide church.  We separate our church from the other churches down the street.  We are focused on how our denomination is unique in the catholic church as a whole.  But that attitude destroys the whole idea behind "catholic church" (please notice here the lower-case "c").  The first to use the word catholic to describe the church was likely Ignatius of Antioch during the second century A.D.  But, this idea is supported throughout Scripture.  Never is there any suggestion that the church should be anything but a united and universal body.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:1-4

So why do we have all this division between us?  Why do we hate?  Why do we focus on what segregates us when we have so much in common?  If someone has made a mistake that leads to Hell don't point and shout!  That draws the attention of the world to our hate of each other.  Instead our goal must be to live the life of love we are called to live, and that starts with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think all sects and denominations of Christianity are correct?  No.  Carefully look upon one another's views.  With discernment approach each other.  Be unified with Christian Affection.

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." -Romans 17-19

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 "3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."  -Philipians 1:3-11 

This is a "partnership." So let's act like it.  Let's do our best to stick together.  Because the greatest danger to the Church is not from the outside, but from within.

But the fruit of the spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galation 5:22-23

So be discerning and gentle, not hateful or spiteful.  Live together in peace with goodness and kindness.  But most of all.  Let us love.  Then and only then, will we really be a unified body.

I'm Adopted

The other night I was talking with some friends, when one randomly (and somewhat jokingly) asked me if I could speak Russian.  I said yes.  She laughed, but then realized I was serious. "Really?" she asked.  "Yeah, but only a few things."  That began a conversation as to how I knew any Russian at all.  I told them of how my family had at one point thought of adopting a Russian orphan.  During this process, my family learned bits and pieces of the language (my dear mother learned quite a bit) in order to be better prepared if we were able to adopt.  It didn't work out.  But that conversation with my friends caused me to think more about the idea of adoption.

Thousands of years ago, God made a wonderful promise to a man named Abram, saying He would make his descendants like the stars, and they would be set apart for God Himself.  It was so.  God had his children called Israel.  They were blessed to be called sons and daughters of God.  However, despite this wonderful blessing, they still messed up (like all humans are bound to do) and even after the Lord promised them salvation, they "pursued a law of righteousness, and have not attained it.  Why not?  Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works." -Romans 9:30-32

Jesus came to show the way, but God's children were blinded.  Sadly they missed the Savior God had promised during the preceding millennia.  However, a great thing happened.  A wonderful adoption.  God's love and salvation are infinite, and He extended those blessings to those who were not his children, to us.  So through faith in Jesus we are added to God's children and share in their inheritance.

"Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.   For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.   Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." -Romans 8:14-17

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." -Galations 3:26-29

"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— ¹²remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." -Ephesians 2:11-13

How awesome is that?  I recently watched a movie that centered around an orphan girl who was passed through the system and always resisted being adopted because she felt as though she only caused trouble for the families that she stayed with.  In the end though, the father of one family sat down with her and told her she belonged with them, that she was one of them, and she was loved.  How exciting!  We are just like that little girl, messing things up, feeling miserable because we can't do anything right, but God is a father who loves.  He sees our mistakes, our guilt, our disobedience yet provides us a way out through adoption in Christ

It should blow our minds that God should treat us like this (Everlasting Royalty).  We are not of the line of Israel, not part of God's children under Abraham, that is until Christ...  Now we too are chosen.  We are chosen for everlasting life, an inheritance not of this world but the next.  I think that's an adoption worth celebrating.

Mr. Isaac McCoy

Isaac McCoy was one of the first and most dedicated Baptist missionaries to the Native Americans after American independence.  His life has become the object of a paper for one of my classes.  From what I have read thus far, Mr. McCoy's dedication, perseverance, faith, and love are comparable to any man who has called himself a Christian.  The following excerpt comes from a book he published regarding his missionary experiences.

"It was on the 27th of October, 1818, that we set out for the mission premises, a distance from our former residence of ninety miles.  My commission from the board had ere this expired.  With my wife and seven small children I went into the wilderness, to seek an opportunity of preaching Christ to the Indians, without promise of patronage from anyone, looking to Heaven for help, and trusting that God would dispose the hearts of some, we knew not who, to give my family bread, while I should give myself wholly to the service to the heathen."   - McCoy, "History of Baptist Indian Missions"

Letting Jesus Carry My Backpack

I was really tired.  I was in the library, surrounded by the stacks of books I had been looking through, thousands of pages of printed books from the late 18th century, digitized  by Google.  My eyes hurt from looking at small print and computer screens.  There was no way I was going to be able to get through all that information... I didn't even have enough backpacks in which to fit it all so I could take it out of the library.  I lay my head down and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out all the things I needed to do.  "I can't do this," I repeated to myself.  I stopped.  "I can't do this," the words rolled around in my head, triggering guilt.  No duh I can't do this, I can't do anything by myself, so why do I try.  Why do I think that God helps with the things I do at church, at camp and other ministries but not this?  Why do I take my over full backpack on my own shoulders and separate my school life from my spiritual life?  What changed.  Nothing.  I'm a stubborn human who thinks he's got the spiraling, wingless plane that is his life under control.  I remember Philippians 4:10-13

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 

I need to give Christ my crazy, hectic, failing life.  I need to give him the two backpacks I can barely carry while riding my bicycle, the handlebars of which are falling off.  Because without him I am nothing, but through him I can do everything.  He's always wanting me stop this climbing fall and let go.    So, from now on, I'm letting Jesus carry my backpack.

Philippians 4:19  "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Jesus Didn't Die From Skin Cancer

Winter time brings long sleeves, coats and short days.  We miss out on much needed sunlight; sunlight to keep us healthy, growing, and strong.  But, during the summer, many moms encourage their children to bath in sunscreen, wear shirts (the bane of little boys), and limit outdoor time (this isn't meant to say sunscreen is bad or that mothers are wrong to encourage safety as my own mom is likely to be reading this... Hi mom, love you).  But, how much is that like our spiritual lives as Christians?  We are alive in Christ, through Christ.  He is our sun to keep us healthy, growing strong, and providing light.  However, how often do we dare expose ourselves to the harmful rays of a truly Christ-like life?  How often do we commit to God, but put on protection, play it safe?  We don't like to be attacked, criticized, or told we're offending people.  We go out of our ways to avoid negative confrontation.  But, the lives of our Christ and his disciples weren't easy.  In fact, we are promised danger, hate, and struggles.

Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." - Matthew 8:20

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  - Matthew 24:9

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  - Luke 21:12

Should we hide from this danger and threat?  Should we protect ourselves; put on long sleeves, sunscreen, limit our time out in the elements?  If the answer is yes, then we're looking at this from the wrong perspective!  To expose ourselves is to trust in Christ, to embrace our troubles is to accept a reward, and being hated is proof of a great love.  Our command is simple:

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. -Luke 10:27

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when men 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 men persecuted the prophets who were before you.  - Matthew 5:10-12

So, why put on sunscreen, long sleeves, or stay indoors?  I want to brave the sun's rays because in the end the Son will smile on me and say:

Well done my good and faithful servant. - Matthew 25:23