Is Everyone a Child of God?

One of the benefits of social media is that you can discover what and how people think about all sorts of things. It can be mentally stimulating (and sometimes psychologically exhausting) to have limitless access to the thoughts of others. Personally, I find the comments about religion & faith most thought provoking. I tend to weigh and challenge those things written by Christians most.  Primarily, because they are the ones most equipped to challenge me on things of the faith. (Although there is no shortage of non-Christians who are convinced they are best suited to interpret Scripture.)

It’s a form of spiritual “exercise.” Can I explain to myself, or to another, why something is or isn’t true?

Keeps me on my toes.

On my list of ideas to challenge is one that has crept in and out of Facebook “Top Stories” – the idea that we are all “Children of God.”  The current Pope has even stated that there is no differentiation between believers and non- believers in God’s eyes. According to him, even atheists are in heaven. (Although, why a loving, gracious Father would send His guiltless Son to die a death on the cross if he was just going to give a free pass into Eternity to those who spent a lifetime trampling the blood of Jesus is beyond me- and highly irrational.)

It’s puzzling to me that this is even debated –The evidence is overwhelming. Scripture teaches that while we are all created in the image of God by God, and that He loves us all and wishes none to perish it is clear that man is either an enemy of God or a child of God. Some will go to heaven. Some will perish.

There is no third category.

The Old Testament describes a history of God choosing a people for himself to be holy and set apart. God is described as “Father” and His chosen people, the nation of Israel, as His “Children.”  The Redeemer would come through the bloodline of set apart Israel so that the whole world would be blessed through them. There is also the beautiful example in the book of Ruth of how God sees beyond bloodlines and welcomes into the family those who have a heart for Him.  (See Lev.11:45, Lev. 25:38, Deu. 32:6, Jer. 31:9, Hos 1:10, Isa 1:2 for examples.) I could find no place where the word "children" was used in context as belonging to God apart from being in covenant relationship with Him.

Some will say, “We don’t live under the law of the Old Testament. We live under grace in the New Testament.”

Here’s what the New Testament says:

“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would. For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day.  We are not of the night nor of the darkness. So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.” 1 Thes 5:4-6 (emphasis, mine)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Romans 5:8-10 (emphasis, mine)

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18 (emphasis, mine)

 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery.  Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10 (emphasis, mine)

Consider the words of Christ: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” Matt: 23:15 (emphasis, mine)

I would like to quote something I heard recently, “God’s Grace has always preceded judgment. And it always carries covenant obligation.”

There is obligation on our part in the New Testament. We are not our own.  

In our desire to be seeker-friendly, non-confrontational, all inclusive, and accepted by the culture, we have risked the ability to correctly answer the question, “Did God really say?”

Let us tremble in reverence and holy fear at this:  The God of the Universe has a standard.  While He reasons with us with long-suffering patience, He will not compromise.

We run the risk of doing what Jesus accused the Pharisees of: “traveling over land and sea to win a single convert and making them twice as much a child of hell” as we are. While God wishes that none perish, He absolutely makes discernment between His children and His enemies. 

Remember, part of a gospel is no gospel at all. 

Can There Be Victory When You Retreat?

If you’re like me and you love Jesus you spend a lot of time wondering what the purpose is for a particular season.  We don’t want to miss Him or mess up how we’re supposed to respond. 

This has been a season of big life changes – empty nest, relocating to a new city, looking for a new church, a new job, and new friends- expecting God to use this as a clean slate in so many ways!

At a job interview about a month ago I felt very connected to the owner and manager. They informed me that there were some issues with staff that made the work environment less than desirable, but they were aware of it and working on it.  I saw this as a “God thing” in that He was wanting me to work on being able to let people who are difficult not get to me - learn how to have perseverance through a bad situation and still have inner peace.  I’ve pushed through such situations before, but I always seem to internalize it and it negatively affects me physically not to mention mentally.  I would always let it bother me.

“Here we go, Jesus! I see what you’re after!  I guess I better finally get this one right so you don’t have to keep taking me to task on it.”

I didn’t make it 3 weeks.  

The environment was toxic to me.  My stomach was in knots.  My hands would shake.  I’d blame it on caffeine withdrawal so they wouldn’t know they were getting to me – but they were.  I felt like I was walking on eggshells.  It was awful.  I prayed for those who were meanest as well as the ones who weren’t, but if my prayers could be likened to loaves and fish, I brought stale crumbs and canned sardines to the Throne. 

Early this past Monday morning I recommitted to staying the course.  I prayed up, sucked it up and dragged myself to work.  The events of the morning huddle drained whatever hope I had been able to muster just moments ago.  I left the room working so hard to focus on what I thought God was trying to teach me - perseverance.

Then it happened.

 I knocked on the boss’s door where he and the manager were meeting to ask them a completely unrelated question and the words, “This isn’t going to work out long term,” came out before I even knew what I was saying. 

I felt like a total failure.  I knew what God wanted from me and I couldn’t do it.

That night we went to a small group meeting and a question was posed to us:  God uses trouble to teach us to trust.  What problem in your life has brought about the greatest growth in your character?

Ugh.

I had no answer because I am painfully aware that I had no “growth in my character.”  I bailed out of the test, failed at trust, and victory eluded me yet again.

Wednesday evening I gave my official two weeks’ notice.  The manager graciously thanked me for all I had help her accomplish in my short time and let me off the hook – I didn’t have to go back Thursday morning.

Thursday morning rolls around and I decided to go for a run at a local park, plug some praise music in my ears and tell God how sorry I am for failing Him again.  I know He loves me.  I just wanted to be able to give Him something good.

Total. Failure.

As the words from Oceans played in my head, my heart so heavy, I thanked my sweet LORD that even though He knew I was going to fail- again- He has been so good to me to have special events for me on the calendar to be able to do what he knows I love best- sing praises to Him with my old church choir family.  Throughout this new season he gave me multiple special times and one is coming up on April 26^th.   I marveled at how He loves me so much to let me have something wonderful to look forward to in just a few more days.  How intimately he loves me and how I know he has done the exact same thing for 100’s of others who will be there with me.  What an amazing love that makes each one of us feel like he loves us most of all – AND HE DOES!

“You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail…”

“And I will call upon your name (JESUS), and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace for I am yours and you are mine.”

Then in my mind’s eye I saw a saying I heard not that long ago written in white letters, “Revenge is a poison we drink expecting the other person to die.”

And in that mysterious place that I can’t describe His Spirit spoke to mine.

Do you want revenge?  Are you angry at them?  Do you want me to avenge them on your behalf?

“Oh, no.  I don’t want revenge.  I don’t want to drink that poison.  I’m really o.k.  I’m just sorry I failed you.” And it was all true.  My soul felt calm and free.  Calm and free…

That’s our victory.  That’s our victory.  That’s our victory!

Tears poured from my eyes,  my breath literally taken away, and my heart jumped for joy as I was brought to the ground as the revelation rose out of me up to Him in praise -

“OH, YOU AREN’T DONE WITH ME! YOU DIDN’T GIVE UP ON ME!”

 

Oh, the sweet, overwhelming joy when we discover the truth that GOD. IS. NOT. DONE. WITH. US!

I thought we were working on one thing, and I failed.  We were working on another and we won!

And it happened so fast! It only took 3 weeks!  Well, 47 years, 1 month and 3 weeks!

Instead of drinking the poison of resentment, I am drinking up the sweet wine from grapes He’s been tending to for over 47 years!  What sweet wine it is! Better than any I have ever tasted!

“Holy Spirit you are welcome here!  Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere!  YOUR GLORY GOD IS WHAT MY HEART LONGS FOR! To be OVERCOME with Your presence, LORD… “

He IS working on you.  He is NOT done with you.  He WILL accomplish what HE has set out to do.  It will be HIS glory we are overwhelmed by. 

I am overwhelmed. My Faith did stand. I am His and He is mine.

 Thank you, thank you, thank you, LORD.

Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections After The Funeral

Today, Officer Rafael Ramos, slain with his partner Officer Wenjian Liu on December 20th, was laid to rest by his family.  Thousands of police officers from around the country attended.  A nation is mourning.

And hopefully, reflecting.

In the short time that passed between the incidents in Ferguson and NYC, there were different responses from all sorts of people.  Most of them were rash, hurtful, divisive, and came with consequences that, tragically but predictably, will not end with the death of Officers Ramos and Liu.

Scripture tells us that we should expect a lost world to act lost, so I will not talk about the responses of the lost.  What I want to do is ask you to consider some things that may offset what I see as well-meaning but dangerously erroneous responses from Christian leadership.

Almost immediately, Christian pastors, leaders, and para-church organizations were tweeting and posting comments and organizing  conferences to show that they wanted to mourn with those who mourn-appropriate and appreciated efforts to reach out in love.

However, a vast majority of what was said  were comments about “white America” and “black America"- not about sin and holiness. Good and bad.  Right and wrong. 

Any blanket statement about white or black America is itself a racist statement. 

Don’t misunderstand, I am not saying the person who says it is necessarily racist. But the statement most certainly is.  As well-meaning as it may be intended,  such ideologies and comments will do three counter-productive things:

1.     Those who seek to treat all people like they are image bearers of God and have been for years will feel defensive and defeated. They will be thrown into a category simply because of the color of their skin.

2.     It will throw fuel on a fire that may have been started by a few, but will consume an entire nation and her people.

3.  The walls that these ideologies build will not easily be torn down.

Some pastors have taken the opposite approach and have decided to ignore the issue altogether-not even offering up prayers for the slain police officers and their families or prayers for the cities that have been most affected.  They will stay on track with their sermon series regardless if the nation is burning down around them. 

Neither choosing sides nor staying silent is the answer. 

First, I would like to flush out some cultural poison from our vocabulary.  We have no need to classify crimes as “hate” or "racist". Have you ever heard of a crime that was done out of love?  All crimes show that we have failed to uphold at least one if not both of the most important commands: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.  Murder, abuse of power, theft, destruction of property, and assault are all crimes regardless of motivation.

It is a horrible mistake and grossly arrogant to claim to know someone’s motivation for committing an act against another- especially without a trial where both sides are given a chance to speak-let alone in the court of public opinion.

In God’s name, stop it.  

So, what are we to do?

Stop looking to the P.C. police for answers. They do not have them.

Look to Scripture and the history that has proven Scripture’s wisdom.  Here are 3 suggestions:    

1.     Follow Scripture’s overarching message of personal responsibility, holiness, and forgiveness.

The bible does not teach us to look behind to blame, hold grudges, seek revenge or compensation from our enemies for wrong done to us. What Scripture does teach is personal responsibility for how we react to injustice and what kind of response God esteems.  Look to Joseph, Daniel and our Lord for living examples.

2.     Learn what it means to be made in the image of God.  Do not preach race in a context that is not supported in Scripture. 

Take time to find out what it really looks like to believe that all men are created in the image of God - Image bearers of the Creator of the Universe! 

William Wilberforce and Hannah More, abolitionists in late 18th-early 19th century England, took up the noble fight because they understood through Scripture that ALL men are created in the image of God. They won the battle because they influenced people to see themselves united with slaves as brothers and sisters - not by dividing them into "black" and "white."  We would be wise to follow their example.

Teach what it means that ALL of us, in our beautiful, varied colors and traditions, share in the stewardship of the earth and each other, that each of us has innate value and dignity given by God.   Doing so will equip us to really grab hold of what Imago Dei means.  Being doers of this Word, we will see a jaw-dropping decrease in ALL sins against man and God.  Stealing, lying, cheating, physical abuse, drug and substance abuse, abortion, euthanasia, racism, pornography use, sex trafficking, fornication, divorce, poverty, all of it will decrease when we understand how precious each person truly is.   

(A deeper understanding will lead us to re-discover that the treatment for a fallen society is faith, family, community and work.  But that is for another blog.)

3.      Understand there is an enemy crouching at our door. Dividing us is how he will conquer us.

"United we stand, divided we fall" is not some slogan created to by a savvy publicist.  They were the words spoken first by Patrick Henry in his last public speech in March of 1799, two months before he died. 

“Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us righthereafter.  United we stand, divided wefall.  Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.”

What was true for the country then, is true now.   Splitting us into white and black factions will destroy us.  As the church, we need to step up to our stewardship responsibilities of caring for our nation

Peter describes the two classifications of humanity: Those who are believers, those who are not.  Those should be our only classifications.  Not for the purpose of dividing, but for the purpose of living the Christian life out. (See 1 Peter 2:6-7)

Here’s an overly simplified explanation for a truth as old as time, but one we may have forgotten: 

One very effective way conquerors would gain/maintain their power over a nation they wanted to rule was by “thinning the warm blood of patriotism."

Divide people by race, ethnicity, religion…anything and everything possible.  They will feel isolated, fearful, defensive, and weak.  Then they’ll need a protector. That’s when totalitarianism/ dictatorships move in for the kill.

It happened each time Israel was conquered, it happened in Rwanda, and Germany.  There may be more examples-I don’t know.  But each of these is enough for me to see a pattern and become terrified that we are on the same path.

The blood of Christ is the greatest unifying agent in the history of all creation. The Church is responsible to steward the message of redemption for all men- there is neither Greek nor Jew nor free man nor slave, but all are equal at the foot of the cross.  We must vigilantly guard this truth and prevent Christ's church from being co-opted by those who seek to undermine all we hold dear. 

The best we can do as the church is encourage each other to lead lives that reflect God's view of humanity and righteousness.  There will never be enough government programs or police officers to maintain peace and order- it is the Church's responsibility to show us God's way for us to learn to regulate and discipline ourselves if we are to maintain our faith, freedoms and our very lives.

Could this be, at least in part, why God holds each and every one of us accountable as individuals for how we live instead of allowing us to place blame for our actions on others or governments?

There is more that could be said, but this is what I see as a firm foundation for a start to real healing.

Before you go, let me share something about John Newton, the writer of the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace," that you may not know. 

You may know that John Newton was once a slave.  Having been in involuntary service in the navy, then given to a slave trader, he became a slave of an African princess who abused him.

Did you also know that he became a captain of a slave ship AFTER his salvation? 

It was only after he was outside of the slave trade that he could truly see it for the evil it was. ¹        

                                      

Once John Newton gained his “sight”, he was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in England. 

Through his writings, sermons, and steadfast friendship, he aided William Wilberforce, Hannah Moore, and others to end the slave trade and begin to restore a whole country to God-fearing, God-honoring morals.

It took decades.

It took whole lives devoted to the Better way.

Read their stories.  

Salvation may come in a moment, but growing into that New Creation takes time.  Lots of time.  We will never get rid of all sin.  Christ is the only One who is able to do that, and He will upon his return.  

Until then, be inspired to change and action, that the truths in Holy Scripture, when believed and practiced by a submissive, holy remnant, can change hearts and minds and whole civilizations.

We have buried too many good men - all of whom were made in the image of God.  May we honor their memory and our Lord by being obedient to His Word and example.

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The following books have greatly deepened my understanding of God and what it means to love your neighbor.  I hope you will read them, too. 

The Image of God, by Glenn Sunshine

Fierce Convictions - The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist, by Karen Swallow Prior 

Amazing Grace - William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, by Eric Metaxas 

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1 Prior, K. S. (2014). Fierce convictions: The Extraordinary Life of HANNAH MORE: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (pp. 105-106). Nashville: Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson.