The English language is laden with Christian imagery and terms, and it hit me a couple weeks ago that the act of "giving up" can be viewed through the same Christian mindset.
You see it in books, movies, and on television: an exasperated character throws his hands in the air and proclaims, "I give up!"
Giving up with one's hands raised ... it's almost like an offering to the Lord, a sweet sacrifice of whatever you're gripping onto.
To the world, this seems really stupid. Giving up reeks of weakness, of brokenness, of the abominable mindset of "I can't do this." How could you possibly admit that? Why would you surrender like that?
Maybe because you simply can't do everything after all.
Not by yourself anyway. After all, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). So He'll even strengthen you to give up. Give it up to Him.
Give up your fears. Give up your worries. Give up your past. Give up your friendships and your family. Give up your dignity, your pride, your money, your grades, your future, your everything. Give up your life.
It's like the rich young ruler:
"And a ruler asked him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother."' And he said, 'All these I have kept from my youth.' When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me'"(Luke 18:18-22)
Jesus asked him to do the one thing he could not do. To give up what he had been clutching onto for years.
"But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich." (v.23)
You can just imagine him ashamedly walking away, head down, unable to do this one last thing. I used to read this passage with a sort of contempt for the ruler. He had done everything else, and now he couldn't do this one simple thing? Not only could he have had the opportunity to be Jesus' disciple, but Jesus also promised him treasure in Heaven!
So then Jesus declares that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (v. 24).
I would think, "Just don't get rich, fool!"
But now I realize that we all have our own kind of "richness" that God is asking us to give up. Our blessings, our decadent lifestyle, our relationships, our time, our desires, our happiness...
So what's the one thing you cannot do? What is it that God is asking you to give up to Him?
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thursday, August 5, 2010
It's Not About Us
Matthew 7:21-23
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
These people tell God, "Look what we did for you!"
But it is what He did for us that truly matters.
(something Greg, a member of the Smoovies' Bible Study, said today)
This excerpt has always reminded me of Mormonism, and it may be the passage I cling to the most when I wonder what the heck I'm doing trying to evangelize to these people with such seemingly pristine lives. I mean, what's the point? What more do they need? Are they even lost to begin with?
I guess it's not up to me to judge their salvation... my job is to simply obey God's calling (assuming of course, that I am sure this is what He's calling me to do).
Back at the end of May, this passage became even more charged with significance for me. When I was visiting Jackson's LDS church, the first Sunday School class we went to was actually led by Principal Comfort (the principal of my high school), and he was going over the parables of Jesus. After going through the ones he'd wanted to cover, with the last bit of time, he decided we could talk about one last parable, so he asked me what my favorite one was, and I instantly thought about this passage.
Of course, it would rather awkward and could be taken as rude if I were to say that was my favorite parable (and it's not even really a parable), so I simply said that I didn't know what my favorite one was (I then thought of the Prodigal Son, and what I'd learned at Smoovies' Bible study and SCL... it'd probably be my favorite, but it was rather long and I didn't think we had enough time).
Ironically, Principal Comfort then went to this exact passage... (well, maybe from verse 15-23) He commented briefly about it, and then moved on to an actual parable, verses 24-29, talking about building your house on rock instead of sand.
Was he hinting something to me when he went to verses 21-23?
I wouldn't blame him; I was just about ready to do the same. ;)
Anyway, the mental wrestling of the difficulty of deciding how far along Jackson--or any other Mormon... or really, any other person--is to being saved will be for another post. However, that post will probably just be a whole ton of questions... =\ eh, whatever!
These people tell God, "Look what we did for you!"
But it is what He did for us that truly matters.
(something Greg, a member of the Smoovies' Bible Study, said today)
This excerpt has always reminded me of Mormonism, and it may be the passage I cling to the most when I wonder what the heck I'm doing trying to evangelize to these people with such seemingly pristine lives. I mean, what's the point? What more do they need? Are they even lost to begin with?
I guess it's not up to me to judge their salvation... my job is to simply obey God's calling (assuming of course, that I am sure this is what He's calling me to do).
Back at the end of May, this passage became even more charged with significance for me. When I was visiting Jackson's LDS church, the first Sunday School class we went to was actually led by Principal Comfort (the principal of my high school), and he was going over the parables of Jesus. After going through the ones he'd wanted to cover, with the last bit of time, he decided we could talk about one last parable, so he asked me what my favorite one was, and I instantly thought about this passage.
Of course, it would rather awkward and could be taken as rude if I were to say that was my favorite parable (and it's not even really a parable), so I simply said that I didn't know what my favorite one was (I then thought of the Prodigal Son, and what I'd learned at Smoovies' Bible study and SCL... it'd probably be my favorite, but it was rather long and I didn't think we had enough time).
Ironically, Principal Comfort then went to this exact passage... (well, maybe from verse 15-23) He commented briefly about it, and then moved on to an actual parable, verses 24-29, talking about building your house on rock instead of sand.
Was he hinting something to me when he went to verses 21-23?
I wouldn't blame him; I was just about ready to do the same. ;)
Anyway, the mental wrestling of the difficulty of deciding how far along Jackson--or any other Mormon... or really, any other person--is to being saved will be for another post. However, that post will probably just be a whole ton of questions... =\ eh, whatever!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
James 5:16
A new pastor from an Anglican church in Kennewick (part of the Tri-Cities) came to speak at TCCAC (Tri-Cities Chinese Alliance Church) today for our English service. He was speaking on Gal. 5:1, 13-26, (5:13 is a great verse, btw ["You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (NIV)]) but he mentioned James 5:16, and I felt really drawn to that verse:
Alvin was right when he said that I was taking the first steps to healing... even though that may not have been my primary intention to telling people.
(side note... James 5:15 says,"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." when paired with 5:16, it has that chiasmus thing going on... the A B B A of Sickness/Healing Sin/Forgiveness Sin/Forgiveness Sickness/Healing. However, maybe 5:16 can be read as confessing your sins + prayer for sins = healing like how I'm reading it? According to one commentary I just looked up, verse 15 is definitely talking solely about physical healing, but verse 16 may refer to health in the broadest sense, so including spiritual health).
*07/06/10 completion*
Funny that this verse so perfectly encapsulated what I'd felt, despite how simple it is. I voraciously continued reading James 5, to see if maybe there was more to the letter that related to what I was going through. No such luck. But one thing's for sure, I'll continue praying, for myself and for others. I hope that as a fellowship, we as CCF will be able to follow through with James 5:16. I can see great things happening if we do. =)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.It's pretty simple and straightforward. Still, it made me think about how I've kept in my feelings of homosexuality for so long, and only recently began opening up about them. How could I expect to be healed if I never sought for help? Granted, I tried to be honest with God and I thought I could get healing from Him without the need of anyone else, but it's difficult to be honest to Him when you're not honest with yourself.
Alvin was right when he said that I was taking the first steps to healing... even though that may not have been my primary intention to telling people.
(side note... James 5:15 says,"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." when paired with 5:16, it has that chiasmus thing going on... the A B B A of Sickness/Healing Sin/Forgiveness Sin/Forgiveness Sickness/Healing. However, maybe 5:16 can be read as confessing your sins + prayer for sins = healing like how I'm reading it? According to one commentary I just looked up, verse 15 is definitely talking solely about physical healing, but verse 16 may refer to health in the broadest sense, so including spiritual health).
*07/06/10 completion*
Funny that this verse so perfectly encapsulated what I'd felt, despite how simple it is. I voraciously continued reading James 5, to see if maybe there was more to the letter that related to what I was going through. No such luck. But one thing's for sure, I'll continue praying, for myself and for others. I hope that as a fellowship, we as CCF will be able to follow through with James 5:16. I can see great things happening if we do. =)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
On the Ground
Luke 7:47 (NLT)
"I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."
I read this passage (Luke 7:36-50) a few days ago, and cannot stop thinking about this verse.
The scene is at the house of a Pharisee, with a sinful woman weeping on Jesus' feet, wiping His feet with her hair, kissing them, and putting expensive perfume on them.
When I was younger, I would read this verse and think, "Really...? Can't you love much even if you haven't been forgiven much? Do you really have to have all these sins to be forgiven in order to love much?" And of course, being naive and prideful, I would push aside the verse and think, "No, that can't be right. I can still love God a lot, even if I haven't been that sinful."
But here, Jesus says I can't. I teared up, thinking of the sins that He'd been revealing to me recently, and how I've seen that I'm really quite messed up, what with homosexuality and all. Acknowledging these sins, coming to terms with the fact that I have them, asking for forgiveness, and receiving forgiveness have been more steps to increase my love for God and to really be thankful for what He's done for me. I really can't be grateful enough to see my sins and receive forgiveness for them, because this can only make me love God more.
Like the woman at Jesus' feet, however, I should be down on the floor, crying and wiping His feet... otherwise, am I really accepting that forgiveness? Do I see how wrong I've become and am I truly thankful for His grace?
No, not really. That shows that this principle isn't a license to sin more just so you can "be forgiven and love more." After all, the act of asking and accepting forgiveness shows at least a penitent heart. Done the right way, this becomes a kind of a feedback inhibition too--you sin, you ask and accept forgiveness, you love more, and so you sin less because of your greater love.
Man, God is incredible. =)
"I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."
I read this passage (Luke 7:36-50) a few days ago, and cannot stop thinking about this verse.
The scene is at the house of a Pharisee, with a sinful woman weeping on Jesus' feet, wiping His feet with her hair, kissing them, and putting expensive perfume on them.
When I was younger, I would read this verse and think, "Really...? Can't you love much even if you haven't been forgiven much? Do you really have to have all these sins to be forgiven in order to love much?" And of course, being naive and prideful, I would push aside the verse and think, "No, that can't be right. I can still love God a lot, even if I haven't been that sinful."
But here, Jesus says I can't. I teared up, thinking of the sins that He'd been revealing to me recently, and how I've seen that I'm really quite messed up, what with homosexuality and all. Acknowledging these sins, coming to terms with the fact that I have them, asking for forgiveness, and receiving forgiveness have been more steps to increase my love for God and to really be thankful for what He's done for me. I really can't be grateful enough to see my sins and receive forgiveness for them, because this can only make me love God more.
Like the woman at Jesus' feet, however, I should be down on the floor, crying and wiping His feet... otherwise, am I really accepting that forgiveness? Do I see how wrong I've become and am I truly thankful for His grace?
No, not really. That shows that this principle isn't a license to sin more just so you can "be forgiven and love more." After all, the act of asking and accepting forgiveness shows at least a penitent heart. Done the right way, this becomes a kind of a feedback inhibition too--you sin, you ask and accept forgiveness, you love more, and so you sin less because of your greater love.
Man, God is incredible. =)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I seem to believe that not everyone is a child of God.
Not everyone is precious in God's eyes, not everyone should be saved, not everyone should receive His forgiveness and love.
Matthew 25:41-45
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
I tend to forget that right after Jesus praises those for offering their food, drink, and hospitality, He condemns those who have been so stingy to not offer their time and resources to others. And for those who are hungry, physically or spiritually, I often callously throw them aside. Though they may not be actively seeking God, I have to take them into account.
Everyone I interact with, everyone I see, and even those who I don't... they all are meant to praise God for everything He's done for us.
...and that's where I stopped in mid-February... with a cliché ending and no definite decision. Lately I've been thinking about why I no longer feel like reaching out to people. Frankly, I just feel tired of it all. It wasn't until I read Dillon's blog (his post on July 25th, 2009, http://longlined.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-uppp.html which happens to be Dennis' birthday and one day before my own... xD) that I realized what I was missing: love. Of course, that might seem obvious, especially since I remember asking myself why I couldn't love people anymore.
But this love cannot come from myself. It only takes a few weeks for me to be fed up with people and tired of talking to them.
No, only Spirit-driven love can produce the kind of lasting fruits that satisfy.
Lord, please give me your passion to reach out and love others... no matter what I feel at the time.
Not everyone is precious in God's eyes, not everyone should be saved, not everyone should receive His forgiveness and love.
Matthew 25:41-45
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
I tend to forget that right after Jesus praises those for offering their food, drink, and hospitality, He condemns those who have been so stingy to not offer their time and resources to others. And for those who are hungry, physically or spiritually, I often callously throw them aside. Though they may not be actively seeking God, I have to take them into account.
Everyone I interact with, everyone I see, and even those who I don't... they all are meant to praise God for everything He's done for us.
...and that's where I stopped in mid-February... with a cliché ending and no definite decision. Lately I've been thinking about why I no longer feel like reaching out to people. Frankly, I just feel tired of it all. It wasn't until I read Dillon's blog (his post on July 25th, 2009, http://longlined.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-uppp.html which happens to be Dennis' birthday and one day before my own... xD) that I realized what I was missing: love. Of course, that might seem obvious, especially since I remember asking myself why I couldn't love people anymore.
But this love cannot come from myself. It only takes a few weeks for me to be fed up with people and tired of talking to them.
No, only Spirit-driven love can produce the kind of lasting fruits that satisfy.
Lord, please give me your passion to reach out and love others... no matter what I feel at the time.
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