A Repost: Unraveled, Undone, In His Presence

 The meditation below was written originally almost 20 years ago. The sentiment and the experience are still the same, but the circumstances have changed a bit.

You see, I am now in my 60s and realizing my own mortality. I am firmly on the downward side of my quest to live for 100 years. The very thought that I have lived more than 6 decades has given me pause. For some of my readers 60 seems pretty old, perhaps for others it seems a bit young. All I know is that it has caused me to pause and to reflect on my life.

I am a words of affirmation kind of person, and as such I love to give encouragement to others (and to receive it too!). On the other hand, there are those times where I feel incredibly unnoticed and irrelevant and even melancholy in some ways. Today has (kind of) been one of those days. I feel like my day has started with me already running behind in lots of things. I had a hard time finding a parking space, and then I didn't have as much time to prepare for classes as usual. Things just seemed rushed or incomplete in some way. So, as I contemplated my situation, the post below kind of summed up my mood. I thought I'd post it for that reason (and maybe it will encourage some of you).

As you stand before God undone today, as you unravel in his presence, cling tightly to the promise that he has given--"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Stand or sit before Jesus and just let your life pause before him for a moment. Join me and come undone. Let's unravel in his presence. I hope you enjoy this little meditation from 2008:

Today as I drove to work, I couldn't help a bit of melancholy.

The weather was wet, traffic was light, the music was breezy, the mountains were august, the sun brilliant, . . . and I was melancholy.

As I drove I began to think of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah for some reason. Each of these individuals had an amazing encounter with God. Abraham (while still "Abram") encountered the God of covenants. During a dream at night terrors seized Abram as he saw the torch of God move between the divided carcasses of the animal sacrifices. Abram was undone.

Moses encountered God first as an enigma. Moses saw a bush that was on fire and yet not burning. He went closer, he heard God, he took off his shoes. He was undone, his life would never be the same.

Isaiah lost a friend and a hero. When King Uzziah died, Isaiah wept and went into deep mourning. During his depression, Isaiah had a vision. Angels flew about, the holiness and awesomeness of God shook the foundation and pillars of the Temple. 

God spoke, Isaiah trembled.

When Isaiah dared to speak in this holy company, the words out of his mouth were "Woe is me, I am undone!"

As I understand it, the Hebrew here has the meaning of being unzipped from the belly to the neck so that your insides spill out.

Okay, maybe I'm stretching it a bit, but it was not a happy thought for Isaiah. He felt unraveled in the presence of God.

That kind of describes my melancholy today . . . I feel unraveled. Like a ball of yarn that has lost its consistency, I am loose and dangly.

Like a sweater pulled apart thread-by-thread, I am undone.

I look at the majesty around me, the beauty and holiness and awe-fulness of it all, and I find myself undone.

It is not a bad feeling necessarily, but it can be a bit unnerving.

I feel unraveled.

Like a joke with no punch line, or a sitcom with no laugh track, or a book with no thesis or direction, or a story with no meaning . . .

I feel undone.

How do I explain what is happening in my heart when words seem hard to find?

Life is good, things seem to be fine, but I feel . . . well, what?

I think that this is a normal human emotion, and it is one I've encountered before. I'm not depressed; in fact, I'm not really sad at all! I'm actually smiling as I type these words!

I sit here in the midst of an amazing band of people, activities, and stuff, and I feel a bit unraveled.

Maybe I'm just relaxing . . . loosening things a bit in preparation for the next battle or the next activity or the next thing.

Maybe it is a "Selah," a sort of pause of spirit that causes me to reflect a bit.

It is a good thing, I think, to be unraveled before God and his wonderful creation.

So, like Paul, I will relish in my unraveling, in my undoing, in my weakness . . . for when I am weak, God is strong. When I am undone, God still does. When I am unraveled, Jesus holds all things together.

I smile, I sigh. I listen to U2 and Larry Norman and Bob Dylan.

I will go find some Jonny Lang or Switchfoot. I will relish in the tones, in the thoughts, in the music. I will unravel before God and just be. I will let myself be undone so that he can renew me.

What a wonderful life!

Thanks for reading! 

A Search for a Haven: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

I was listening to U2 recently, and their song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" began to play. The song is a bit forlorn, and you can here in Bono's voice a longing for something--a place, a haven, a connection, maybe even a person. As the song traverses several options that the Singer has tasted, the chorus keeps coming back to the title: "I still haven't found what I'm longing for." What haunts me about the song is the lack of resolution, to be honest. As a Christian educator and minister, I like to think that I've found whatever the singer is seeking. But have I really? Here are the lyrics to the song: 

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

I have climbed the highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run, I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for

I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believe it

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for 

I remember reading somewhere that this song was inspired by King David and the Psalms (and perhaps a poet Bono was reading). The subject for which the artist is searching is left unsaid, or perhaps better, unfound. We have no description of what would satisfy this longing to find what is being sought . . . but we hear the single minded laser focus and incredible longing of the one seeking. 

Perhaps the Christian imagery and the "You" of the last verse gives us an idea, but if so the singer refuses to tell us. He is still searching. 

I'll be honest, I have found in Jesus a respite, a place, even room to belong and to be myself. And yet, there are still times of longing, of searching, of dreaming, of reaching . . . what exactly is it I want? What do I need? 

Maybe I can borrow from another singer and song? Tonio K sings that "You Will Go Free" (you can hear the song here: You Will Go Free). Towards the end of the song, our artist sings the following Bridge and Verse 3:

You can't see your jailer
You can't see the bars
You can't turn your head around fast enough
But it's everywhere you are
It's all around you
Everywhere you walk these prison walls surround you

But in the midst of all this darkness
In the middle of this night
I see the truth cut through this curtain like a laser
Like a pure and holy light
And I know I can't touch you now
Yeah, and I don't want to speak too soon
But when we get sprung from out these cages baby
God knows what we might do

The song addresses the angst of a person who has come to realize that his or her situation is caged in by a variety of less than good situations: bad choices, the devil himself, sin, etc. But the hopefulness of the final verse always gets me. "Truth" will "cut through this curtain like a laser." We humans will one day realize freedom, the kind that only God's Truth can ultimately bring us. The kind of haven or freedom so desired by Bono above. 

But there is a catch (isn't there always?). We don't get to the "truth" without living life and having experiences that take our breath away (in both good and bad ways). Even if we know Jesus, and even if we understand that he is "what I'm looking for," we realize that in this particular time and this particular age and this particular life there is still something lacking, something missing, something we are looking for or longing for but which we still haven't found. 

You understand, right? You've found something wonderful, something that overwhelms you in a good way . . . and yet there is still darkness . . . there is still a longing for freedom . . . a longing to breathe . . . a longing to be free, to be TRULY and IRREVOCABLY free to be who we were created to be. 

We want to be REAL, to be AUTHENTIC. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, we may have experienced rejection and hard times, and we may have embraced kindness and acceptance . . . and yet, and yet, . . . we also know we aren't quite REAL.

I think that this is a common human reality, and I've come to realize that living in this world I will continue to find darkness and light, hatred and love, rejection and acceptance, death and life, . . . and maybe I'll face one of them more than the others. 

Maybe you understand, you're in the darkest hole you've ever experienced, . . . and yet there seems to be a pin point of light exposing the darkness. Or maybe your situation is all good . . . and yet nibbling around the edges of your subconscious is the idea that it is not quite THE GOOD that you really want (or worse, really NEED).

I've lived those realities. I've known love that brought tears to my eyes, that made me think life couldn't be better. I've also known loss that made me think I'd lose my soul . . . the darkness was so deep I couldn't see how life could ever happen again. I still hadn't found what I was looking for . . .  

I wish I had answers, but I only have a story. I am convinced that one day the laser light of Truth will indeed shine and humanity will experience a change. At that time we will see Jesus as he is, and what we see will either terrify or bless us . . . 

Someday we will be REAL. Unfortunately that REALNESS will be a blessing to some and a curse to others. Here's why I say that: the Light of God's Truth is Jesus. When he returns, those of us who know him and are in him will become in some sense as he is. Those who are not, well, let's just leave that sad story alone for the moment. I don't know if I can comprehend the darkness of that existence. 

You see, the goal is to be WITH GOD. Tonio K sings in "You Belong With Me": 

Now you live in your world and I live in mine
But the collision of worlds is just a matter of time
'Cause you belong with me

The song is one of longing and love, but I've come to understand it as God singing to humanity. We belong to him, and one day our worlds will collide. One day we will see him. At that point, things will make a lot more sense. 

I don't have easy answers. I know that I will experience light and dark before I see him as he is. I also know that I will only be REAL when he makes it so. 

We are searching for a haven, a place to belong, someone to LOVE us and find worth in us. We can experience snippets of it in this life, but we will still long for what we know we want: to be REAL.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come. 

Thanks for reading! 

Who are "the Least of These"?

 Recently I've been pondering the story of "the Sheep and the  Goats" as presented in Matthew 25:31-46. These verses have been highlighted in a post making its rounds in which a pastor dresses up as a homeless man and visits his church just before he is introduced as the pastor. The post makes a powerful message, but I think it may overlook a few things. As I have thought about the "least of these" (Matt. 25:45) in my own life, I realized that these individuals often aren't as obvious as this pastor's disguise. With that in mind, I offer the following note from "the least of these" as I imagine they would write to me.

Hello:

I saw you today. You were talking to your usual group of friends, and I came over to see if I could join the conversation. Someone finally acknowledged me and asked how I was doing. After an attempt to be transparent and honest, I received a series of responses that essentially told me how the situation was really my problem and of no real concern to those involved in the conversation. I got it. You speak of honesty and transparency, but you don't really want it. You want to continue your discussions with no real light on what is going on in your life. Fine, I got the message. I'll fade back into the crowd.

I was in church today too. You probably didn't notice me because I look like I fit in, but usually I don't. I sometimes sit alone, but I can be surrounded by people and still be alone. I've come to your church several times, but I haven't really met anyone here yet. I am a bit introverted, and I have a hard time coming out of my shell to meet folks. During the "meet and greet" time, I tend to be a bit invisible. I want to be a part, but the pain of my life and my mistakes keeps me at arm's length, afraid to introduce myself for fear of being rejected. I know, it is probably my fault. Sorry to bother you, I'll fade back into the crowd.

I was there too. I hung out with my normal crowd, I sang enthusiastically, and I even tried to greet folks around me. I have a secret though, and I'm sure if you knew it you wouldn't accept me either. It isn't anything illegal, but it is a bit embarrassing. So, I'll put on my mask and pretend things are great. Some folks will probe a bit, and I'll start to share my story. They usually refer me to a counselor, and then they will avoid me for awhile. I guess they don't want my problem to infect them. I'll just fade back into the crowd.

I came to church today. My kids acted up a bit. I could feel the stares and disapproval of folks around me. I tried to get my baby to be quiet, and I know it was a disruption. I simply need to be surrounded with adults (preferably Christian ones), and I thought that church would be the place. Maybe when my kids are older and won't disrupt the  service, then I'll come back. I'm sorry to interrupt, I'll just fade back into the crowd.

I was there. I'm the guy who sometimes says the wrong thing at the wrong time. I can be a bit of a bother too. I know it, but I'm not proud of it. I try so hard to fit in that I often run my mouth and say inappropriate things. I know it bothers you, I can see it in your eyes. You think I'm arrogant, or you think I'm clueless. I'm not, but I am wounded. I respond by being boisterous, but I see now that my actions will lead to rejection. I'll fade back into the crowd.

I think you get my point. The "least of these" is not always the most obvious person in the crowd. Sometimes the "least of these" is simply the person who rubs us the wrong way or the one who reminds us too much of ourselves. We avoid them in hopes of avoiding the mess we perceive them to be (and perhaps to avoid the mess of who we really are--if we are honest). I am guilty myself. I can't deny it. I have not treated people as Jesus would desire. I confess, and, with God's help, I repent.

May we all take the words of Christ more seriously. Inasmuch as we do it to the "least of these," we have done it to Jesus himself. How would we treat Jesus?

For more challenge, read James 2:1-10. 

Thanks for reading!

Carl F. H. Henry and the Call to Love

"No treatment of the virtues our Lord taught is adequate which does not assign first place to love. Love is the fountain of the pure heart and the forgiving spirit." Christian Personal Ethics

"Christian love is only half biblical when it deteriorates into a concern only for the souls of men and is indifferent to the needs of the body. What believer ministers to himself only in this way? It is scarcely biblical at all when it degenerates into a mere humanistic concern for the social side of life to the total neglect of the life of the spirit." Christian Personal Ethics

"No society that disregards ethical finalities can long postpone ignominious collapse." The Christian Mindset in a Secular Society

Carl F. H. Henry

These quotes remind me that the life I have been called to (my "vocation," if you will) is first and foremost calculated and determined by love. If I've been changed by God's love, then my life must start with the love of God for humanity and then culminate in love for neighbor because a of the grace of God. If there is no love of neighbor in me, then there is likely no love of God either.

If I can honestly turn a deaf ear and a hardened heart to the needs (spiritual and physical) of those around me, then I must wonder if my ears and heart have ceased to hear the voice of God or to experience his piercing love and holiness. You see, I cannot love if I have not been loved. John in his first letter says it like this--"We love because he (God) first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."

A story about Mother Teresa expresses it like this--when asked how she could show compassion and love to the "untouchables" in her ministry, she responded, "I love them because I see Jesus in them. I love Jesus more than anything else."

In a strange twist of "love your neighbor as yourself," Mother Teresa seems to be reminding us that lingering in even the lowest of human lives is some part of the image of God. That person bearing the image is the one who I am called to cherish and love. Yes, even if they hate me, I must love them. Respect for human life does not come from an overdeveloped ego or ethic, it comes from recognizing a basic biblical fact--God loves them, so should we.

God does not place a condition on my love for my neighbor. He does not say, "Love him if he becomes Christian." No, I am to love him even if he refuses Christ.

I am to love my neighbor even if I am ridiculed, even if I am cast out, even if I am persecuted and mistreated. I must bless them if I have the love of God in me.

Such a life may not be easy. It may bring many wounds and scars. Anyone who has loved greatly will tell you how difficult a broken heart can be. To love another is to risk brokenness. “To love at all is to be vulnerable,” says C.S. Lewis in the The Four Loves.

Nonetheless, those who follow Jesus are called to a life of love. Such a life will be founded on the twin convictions of God's love and existence. If we find our bedrock in God's person and love, then we will also discover the foundation of finality to ethics. Ethics are based on God's character. What lines with God is right, what does not is wrong. Love cannot be defined simply by subjective experience or opinion. Love must be defined by the very character and person of God as he reveals himself in Jesus the Messiah. Love is what it is. Jesus' life and ministry among humans show true and holy love.

God loves, so God gives (cf. John 3:16). God loves and gives his best--Jesus. This love is given freely even if God receives nothing back for his gift. Read 1 Corinthians 13.

We love because God loved us.

Are we willing to risk the danger of loving others? Are we willing to love as Jesus loves?

Thanks for reading!

Obedience is Success: Darkness will not overcome Light

You hear it, an almost incessant buzz in your mind causing no little irritation right behind your eyes. The refrain is almost always the same . . . "It doesn't matter what you do, you will probably blow it." Like gnats ruining a beautiful summer picnic, the constant nag of failure buzzes around your mind and your heart as you try to put the "good face" on and persevere.

I've heard that buzz before. It seems to be the haunt of the human species. It hovers in the background (especially when life appears to be going off the rails). The song is not one we like, but it seems like a constant soundtrack.

If you are hearing the siren song of failure lately, let me offer this attempt at encouragement. Your attempts to do the right thing are not failures. Things may not have worked out as you hoped, that is true! Things may even seem to "blow up" as you try to do what is right. Been there, done that. Nonetheless, the fact that you looked for and attempted the right thing speaks of success and not failure.

Obedience is success. I've discovered that there is an obedience to faith. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that obedience is the evidence of faithful loyalty to God and to his Messiah. If you have attempted to obey God, if you have aimed yourself in the direction of following Jesus faithfully, then you have not failed.

Yes, there may still be darkness and the stagnant soundtrack of "failure" may still play in your head. I understand, but I have also learned that the song of failure rarely plays when I do nothing. Remember, there is no shadow without the light. When you faithfully follow the Light, there will no doubt be some times when the shadows show up.

In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul admitted to some dark moments in his ministry. He even notes that he was overwhelmed "beyond our strength ​— ​so that we even despaired of life itself." (2 Cor. 1:8). Elijah (in 1 Kings 19) despaired of his ministry and in fear of his life hid in a cave. The Bible shows us many examples of people who did the right thing and shortly after encountered shadows.

Why? It is reminder that the world we live in now has darkness, but the better news is that a dawn is breaking and light is shining. The same God who delivered us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light will be faithful to complete the work he began in us.

I wish I could take the shadow away, I wish I could sing a song that would replace that woeful failure soundtrack once for all. I am not that talented, but I know that one day these things will pass. One day we will see the Light of God shine with no shadow. One day we will be in his presence and the song of Moses will replace the soundtrack of failure. Soon . . . hopefully very soon . . . Satan will be crushed beneath our feet.

Until then, know that I am praying with and for you. I understand what it means to feel fragile, to be in the valley of "failure." Nonetheless, I want us to turn our faces to Jesus, the one who enlightens every person, and I want us to walk faithfully towards that Light. Come on, you can even lean on me if you need (and we'll no doubt find ourselves leaning on him--the Solid Rock). I see you, and I am confident that God will honor your obedience. Further up and further in. Head towards the Light, weary pilgrim . . . we are almost home.

Sermon: Journey to Maturity (Hebrews 6:1-3)

A couple of years ago I preached a sermon series entitled "Look to Jesus" at Forest Community Church. This sermon comes from Hebrews 6:1-3 and is entitled "Journey to Maturity." I will post the sermon notes below as well as a link to the video. Please be aware that the video may not completely line up to the notes below. We had some announcements and communion before the sermon, so the sermon itself starts around the 13:00 mark on the video. Thank you for watching and reading!

Video: Sermon Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews Series: Look to Jesus

Hebrews 6:1-3 The Journey to Maturity

Intro: In this section our author returns to something of a note of optimism: 5:11-14 produces the accusation of immaturity; 6:1-3 assumes the position of knowledge and understanding. The author of Hebrews wants his readers to move beyond the elementary teachings of the gospel. They haven't grown spiritually. He issues a stern rebuke against their spiritual immaturity (Heb. 5:11-14). He told them to grow up. He wishes to instruct his readers regarding the solid food found in the fulfillment of the Melchizedek priesthood in the person and work of Jesus Christ. "Concerning Him we have much to say" (5:11) refers to Melchizedek and Christ. 

However, some in his audience are "dull of hearing" and too lazy to understand. They are sluggish spiritually and lazy mentally. They have been in this state for so long that they cannot even comprehend the simplest teaching regarding Messiah. Every believer is expected to be able to share his testimony of God's saving grace and defend the good news of Jesus. These readers are like spiritual children; they cannot understand basic spiritual truth. In the context of Hebrews chapters 5 and 6, we are discussing the ABC's of Christianity, the most basic knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Messiah. The “adult” Christian recognizes the moral claim of God on his or her life even if it exposes the Christian to possible death. The author encourages us to continue on the journey to maturity. Our author envisions three things as embodying this journey: 1) Something to leave behind, 2) a goal to move toward, and 3) help to get there. Let’s read Hebrews 6:1-3 a we begin our Journey to Maturity.

Point 1: The Journey to Maturity requires us to Leave Behind the Elementary Things (vv. 1-2) Our author wants his readers to move from first grade on to second grade without repeating basic information. He knows that they are built on a good foundation. The metaphor for "foundation" refers to the ABC's or elementary truths as opposed to maturity. "The elementary teaching about Christ" is literally, "the word (or teaching) of the beginning of Christ." They need to move beyond the basics, i.e., the first presentation of the gospel, the plan of salvation. The author encourages them to leave behind the foundation. 

The implication here is that they had a foundation laid at some point in the past. The positive element is that the foundation seems sure. Each basic tenet or ritual serves to reinforce those contours of church-shaped reality and makes the author’s agenda clearly the advantageous course of action to follow, and all opposing courses foolish and disadvantageous. The specific elements are rich with Jewish and Christian cultural references. Our author encourages his readers to move beyond the elementary or fundamental teachings to a mature faith (6:1). One possible reason that the author refuses to review the elementary principles of the faith is that he assumes the maturity of his hearers or readers—he doesn’t think that they need a review.

What are these “elementary” or fundamental teachings?  The six things listed in these verses find parallels in Judaism and Christianity.

Numbers 1 and 2: The “repentance from dead works” and “faith toward God” sum up the initial step of Christian commitment—The emphasis is on unproductive works vs. faith. Precise identification of the “dead works” (νεκρῶν ἔργων) from which one repents is problematic, . . .  More attractive is the suggestion that “dead works” refer to idols. Both times they are mentioned (6:1; 9:14), these “dead works” stand in contrast to faith toward, or worship of, the “living God.” Their prior life (be it in idolatry and its accompanying sins or in transgressions against torah) was a life of “dead works,” works without value or life or honor. The works they do for one another—their “works of mutual love and service”—are “noble works,” works that live in the memory of God and have great reward. (David A. deSilva, Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), 215–216.)

Characterizing one’s life prior to one’s association with the Christian community as “dead” is a strategic way to reinforce commitment to persevere in the new community. After turning from lifeless works (repentance), a positive action of faith in God must be taken. . . . Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. They form the essential foundation upon which one may enter the Christian life. Acts that lead to death are those that come out of unbelief and disobedience. They are the acts of a person who depends on this world for security and satisfaction rather than believing in God’s power and promises.  The person who has faith in God believes in His existence and character. Such a person lives in the confidence that God’s power is real and that God keeps His promises of future, eternal reward (see 11:6). (Ray C. Stedman, Hebrews, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1992), Heb 6:1–3)

Number 3: “Baptisms” may refer to ritual washings or even internal spiritual cleansing from sin. DeSilva: While several commentators assume that he is alluding to some early teaching that contrasted pagan ablutions or Jewish purificatory washings with baptism, we should consider the author’s own conceptualization of the cleansing of the believer as this is articulated in 10:22. There the author speaks of two purificatory ablutions, one pertaining to the body and effected with “clean water” and one pertaining to the heart, which is “sprinkled clean from a bad conscience,” recalling the effects of Jesus’ blood in 9:11–10:18.  Even baptism is an external rite and sign; the cleansing of the heart is solely the work of Christ’s sacrifice. (Gareth L. Cockerill, Hebrews: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1998), 134–135)

That the noun for baptism is plural is a strong indication the readers were still practicing Jewish ceremonial washings in mikvoth.  If this is so, then either this is evidence Jews in Rome practiced ritual purity at a much higher level than we might have thought, or that the book of Hebrews was sent to Jerusalem, where there is clear evidence of mikvoth and ritual washing.

Number 4: “Laying on of hands” may have to do with the giving of the Holy Spirit. David DeSilva (see note above, p. 218): The second member of this pair, the “laying on of hands,” is a well-attested practice of the early Church and serves a number of functions (healing, imparting the Holy Spirit, commissioning). Once again it is difficult to be certain of which function the author or audience would recall here, although the “basic” nature of the other elements would favor the most primary experiences of the imposition of hands, namely, confirmation of the rite of baptism, of the baptized person’s reception of the Holy Spirit, and of God’s anointing.

Numbers 5 and 6: The other two (“resurrection” and “judgment”) seem related to eschatology. DeSilva (p. 218): The third pair, “resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment,” lay out two elements of the Jewish and Christian worldview that are especially essential to maintaining commitment to the minority culture’s way of life.

Phillip J. Long (online sermon: Hebrews 6:1-3--Leaving Elementary Teachings Behind): The author does not say these “foundational items” are unimportant, but these ought to be settled by now to that the readers are ready to move on to more mature doctrines. The “deeper” things in this case is next section of Hebrews, the teaching on Melchizedek and the Tabernacle.  The readers are fretting over foundational issues (who is in/out, details of theology which are not critical), and they are therefore unprepared for the difficulty of the argument which he is about to make. But more important for the writer of Hebrews, the readers are unprepared for the possibility of persecution.

The point the author seems to make here is that you cannot go back in time. If a person has begun the journey of Christian discipleship, then that person must move forward to maturity. We have a responsibility to grow and not to regress. As a result, Hebrews is not a word to the immature but to the mature.

The author is not saying the Christian should despise or abandon the elementary doctrines of Christianity. The fundamentals are always basic to every stage of spiritual growth. We never forsake them; we grow on them. There is no stopping-place in the Christian life. We go from one stage to the next as we grow in our knowledge and faith in Christ. The author lovingly confronts his congregation. He assumes the soundness of their foundation but challenges them to move on to maturity and not to regress to immaturity. The author also acknowledges a process in spiritual formation. He recognizes that we should be moving forward. But that implies that a regression is possible too. The author of Hebrews seems to be reminding us that we need to be reminded of the content and requirements of our faith. We need to live what we believe. He realizes that the journey to maturity requires leaving behind elementary teachings and being carried forward to maturity in Christ.

Point 2: The Journey to Maturity requires us to move toward the goal of maturity: Go on to Maturity in Christ (v. 1) Ray Stedman (Hebrews IVP NT Commentary): “Life presents a thousand examples of the need to act on knowledge before any benefit is received. It is not enough to know a telephone number; if you want to talk to someone, you must dial the number. It is not enough to know the price of an object; if you want it, you must pay that price. It is not enough to know where India is; if you want to see it, you must go there. So it should not seem strange that the writer of Hebrews insists that to know Jesus you must receive him by faith and obey his teaching.  This can only be achieved by going on to those actions of faith that produce maturity. For this reason he urges them to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on from words to applications.”

David DeSilva (p. 215): The word “maturity” (τελειότης) is polyvalent, meaning also “completion” and “perfection” (in the sense of having arrived at the final state proper to one’s being or calling; . . .  The term plays on the adjective “mature” in 5:11–14 but also carries resonances with the other “perfection” terminology and so introduces more than “mature teaching” as the goal that the author proposes.  Even as he proposes moving on, the author reminds the addressees of the essential elements of the “foundation” of their secondary socialization into the norms of the Christian culture in 6:1b–2. (See Cockerill commentary p. 133 for more information).

The believer needs to make himself available to Messiah so that he will be borne along unto perfection. Sometimes our Teacher refuses to go back over old ground with us. "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit is the true dynamic of spiritual growth. The word for "maturity" or "perfection" is from teleios meaning mature. Let's move on from spiritual babes to mature adults. Let's move on from milk to solid spiritual food. . . . Evidence of spiritual life will be seen spiritual development and progress toward Christian maturity. If there is no progress toward maturity it should be questioned if there is any genuine experience of the Holy Spirit. . . . The full revelation of God to man has been made in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is no longer veiled in shadows and types as seen in the Old Testament revelation, but now the full glory of God is shown in the person of His Son. (G. Cockerill, pp. 133-134)

Since maturity is being made in the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:28-29; Phil. 2:5-8; etc.), then the journey of maturity requires us to learn and to follow and to obey. We cannot move on to maturity without action on our part. Also, this move to maturity is dependent on God’s grace and action toward us in Jesus our Messiah and by means of his Holy Spirit. We leave behind a firm foundation, but then we move on (or are carried towards) maturity in being like Jesus (1 John 3:1) by following him and trusting his Spirit. This brings us to the final point, this journey is NOT contingent ONLY on human effort. It is aided by God.

Point 3: the journey to Maturity is aided by God. This We will do if God permits (v. 3) David DeSilva (pp. 218-219: More than just a conventional aside, the acknowledgment of dependence on God to move forward at every step of this journey prepares the way for the claim that the author will make concerning the impossibility of the ingrate making a second start on this journey. If God’s favorable disposition is required for progress on the journey and for arriving at the goal of the journey, alienating oneself from God’s favor by insulting the Benefactor becomes the most inexpedient course of action. 

Ray Stedman (Hebrews, IVP NT Commentary): It is dangerous to stay forever on the foundation; in fact, it is impossible. If they are not willing or able to move on to more mature understanding, they are in grave peril of losing what they already have, and that irretrievably! Growth in truth is something all Christians (note the we in v. 3) must do, God permitting.  Far from being a polite cliché or pious wish, these words God permitting form the fulcrum on which the warning of verses 4–8 turns.

G. Cockerill (pp. 136-137): Hebrews 6:1–3 is dominated by first person plural pronouns; these verses begin with let us and end with we will do so (my emphasis). The preacher includes himself with his hearers.  . . . “if God wills.” . . . By this phrase the preacher reminds his hearers and us that believers move on to perfection by God’s grace and power. This phrase also sets the stage for the finality of apostasy described in 6:4–8. 

David Allen (Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 344): The sense is: we will press on to maturity if God permits, for we know about those (the wilderness generation) whom God did not permit to press on and enter the Promised Land.

The journey to maturity means to leave something behind, to move (or to be moved) towards a goal, and to be aided by God to get where we need to go. How do we respond to these things?

Conclusion: First, take spiritual inventory. Is there spiritual growth in your life? Are you turning from dead works to faith in God? What needs to change to help you grow? Where do you need to make changes to be more like Jesus? Where do you need the help of God’s Spirit?

Second, ask God for his direction/help and then look into Scripture to find some ideas. Read Jeremiah 29; Psalm 66 and 111; 2 Timothy 2; Luke 17.

Thanks for reading! 

Advent 2024: No Reputation--A Christmas Meditation

A few years ago I posted this little meditation on Christmas, and as I read through it today I realized that I needed to hear it again. It is easy in our society today to be a bit too full of ourselves, to think a bit more highly of ourselves than we ought, . . . but I am quickly coming to the conclusion that that is not the Spirit of Christmas, and it certainly was NOT the Spirit of Christ. Bear with me, if you will, while I contemplate what it means to have no reputation as a follower of Messiah.  

Philippians 2:5-8 HCSB

"Make your own attitude that of Messiah Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-- even to death on a cross."

This passage may not usually be associated with Christmas, but it describes in a straightforward manner the Incarnation of God in Jesus the Messiah. Look closely at the passage above, then read the quote from The Jesus Style by Gayle D. Erwin below.

“Christ Jesus . . . made himself nothing.

 “He made himself nothing, he emptied himself—-the great kenosis. He made himself no reputation, no image.

 “I can recall my father shaking his head and repeating over and over to himself, ‘If only I knew what this meant. There is something powerful here. If I only understood it.’ Maybe that is why this Scripture has glued itself to my mind and equally disturbs me. Reputation is so important to me. I want to be seen with the right people, remembered in the right light, advertised with my name spelled right, live in the right neighborhood, drive the right kind of car, wear the right kind of clothing. But Jesus made himself of no reputation.”

Christmas means lots of things to lots of different people.

For some it becomes a political event that pits “the true meaning of Christmas” against a bias towards religion. For others Christmas is just another time to visit families and to pretend to get along with each other. For others Christmas is a season that involves incredible profits (or expenses) and lots of activities. For still others Christmas is simply a winter break, a time to regroup for a new year.

I know I’ve left some groups out in that all-too-brief description! One group is comprised of those who see Christmas as the celebration of the birth of the world’s Savior and the Incarnation of God. I want to twist the prism a bit and look at Christmas from a slightly different angle.

Almost all of the views above look at Christmas from the perspective of what humans gain from the season. I wonder if we can look at the season as something we can offer to others, a "gift" of sorts. I wonder, can we make a gift of Christmas? Can we this year find a way to give the "spirit" of Christmas to those around us?

Hear me out . . .

This passage from Philippians reminds me that Christmas for Jesus wasn’t about what he would gain.  In fact, he lost just about everything! He left the comfort of his Father’s place; he became a tottering, dribbling little baby; he had to learn to talk, to walk, to eat; he left his riches behind for the starkness of a feeding trough; and ultimately he would even take on the sin of and die for humanity even though he was innocent. Remember, "dead" and "sin" were two things the Son of God had not experienced before in his eternal existence. 

As Paul says, he made himself of no reputation.

Imagine what Christmas would be like this year if those of us who follow Jesus would do as Paul admonishes here and have this approach to the season. Imagine if we actually attempted to have the same attitude towards others that Jesus has towards us! What would Christmas look like if we didn’t care about what we got out of it but became more concerned about what we could give to others? How would our world change if we laid down our lives . . . our reputations . . . our desires in order to bless others this Christmas? What if we even went further and did it anonymously, with no expectation of reward or recognition?

Ronald Reagan (among others) is credited with saying something like: “There is no telling what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” We don’t like that approach though, do we? We kick against it! I mean, we deserve to be recognized, don’t we? All too often, we are full of "I" problems as we drone on and on about individual accomplishments or seek after individual acclaim for our actions. "I did this" and "I did that" and "Look at me" often occupy too much of our focus. Like toddlers, often we just want to be noticed, don't we?

We came up with the idea that made the company money, shouldn’t we be rewarded? Maybe we found a problem and fixed it, and that fix saved someone’s job. Shouldn’t we be shown gratitude? Maybe we did some kindness for someone we knew couldn’t pay us back, . . . shouldn’t we get credit for that? We gave that money to charity, shouldn't someone say "thank you"? We gave of your time to that charitable organization, shouldn't there be some "benefit" in it for us?

Don’t we all think that we should be center stage, center of the world, the most important person in the world? How many times have we heard “I quit going to that church because MY needs weren’t being met”?

No reputation.

Let that sink in.

NO Reputation!

No fame, no credit, no automatic acceptance, no celebrities, and no place where who you know or what you know earns you admittance or recognition. That requires true humility!

Jesus made himself of no reputation; he humbled himself. The very God of the universe became nobody. He emptied himself, he became a servant. As Isaiah said, he was not handsome or attractive in such a way as to draw attention to himself. He lived to give attention only to God. Jesus was truly humble.  He had "no reputation."   

Ouch!

We love our awards, the acceptance of others, the glamour of being “somebody,” or the wonderful happiness of fame, don’t we? We like to be recognized, remembered, acknowledged, accepted, and celebrated.

“Don’t neglect me” or "It's all about me" could be the slogans of our world.

The motto of Christ followers should be “No reputation.” God chooses such people to further his agenda. Will we be involved, or do we like our perks too much?

In Job 1, Satan appears in God's court. God acknowledges the good job done by Job, and asks Satan if he has noticed what a righteous person Job has become. Satan's response is a tough challenge: "Does Job fear God for nothing?"

Think about what the evil one is implying here. He is asking, "Will a human serve God with no expectation of something in return?"

Will humans serve God for nothing?

That hurts, doesn't it? Even the mere thought of it as a possibility smarts a bit. Surely the mighty God of the universe wouldn't expect us to show him respect and serve his purposes without expectation of payment for services rendered, right?

Can we humble ourselves to the point where we realize that God owes us nothing? Quite literally, we have done nothing to merit a reward from him. Even our service is a response to his continued mercy.

Will we, like Christ, humble ourselves to the point of no reputation? Are we willing to be "nobodies" in God's service, among his people, even among those who ought to "recognize" us?

What would Christmas look like this year if we (all of us) decided to give with no expectation of return? What if we humbled ourselves and expected no acknowledgment? What if we chose to serve anonymously and to bless others without receiving a blessing in return? What would happen?

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in God is in the Manger: 

“Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.”

Tish Harrison Warren reminds us further:

"Christ's ordinary years are part of our redemption story. Because of the incarnation and those long, unrecorded years of Jesus' life, our small, normal lives matter. If Christ was a carpenter, all of us who are in Christ find that our work is sanctified and made holy. If Christ spent time in obscurity, then there is infinite worth found in obscurity...There is no task too small or too routine to reflect God's glory and worth."

What can you do this Christmas season that will bless others and produce no reputation for you? Who can you serve that can't repay you? This year let's commit ourselves to serving, giving, and loving as Christ did. Let's look for opportunities to bless others in a way that does not give us recognition.  Instead of asking for things for ourselves, let's give to the needs of others. Instead of expecting gifts, let's give our lives away in blessing others.

How would that change Christmas in your neighborhood?

Thanks for reading!