January 15, 2002
During a television interview, Billy Graham’s daughter Ann was asked how God could let the September 11th terrorist attacks happen.
She responded, “I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, get out of our government and get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?”
While this rightly points at the guilt of those who reject God, does God protect and bless only those who invite Him into their lives?
In one sense, no. He blesses everyone. The Bible says God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” One does not have to invite God into their lives to enjoy many of His blessings. They are simply part of our life. That being said, those who welcome God do enjoy special blessings. However, they are not what most people would guess or expect.
The confusion lies with His promises. In contradiction to some television preachers, God does NOT promise financial overflows, total health and well-being, or a life free of pain and trouble. Let’s not forget that Christians also died in those terrorist attacks. However, God does promise major blessings to His people. For instance, He promises His presence. He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” and “I am with you always.”
He also offers the fruit of His Holy Spirit to those who live obediently in His presence. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
A third blessing is deep fellowship with others who know Him: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” God living in me is able to commune with God living in other believers. The unity of that communion bridges all ages, races, cultures and denominations. When we enjoy fellowship, it is as if we have “always known” each other.
Another huge blessing is answered prayer. While God may say “no” or “wait,” He also says “yes” and does it in ways that we have no doubt He heard our requests. Imagine the sovereign God of the universe listens to our cries for help!
By far the greatest blessing is the assurance of eternal life. “Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
This is not the life that can be snuffed out by terrorists. It is a life that begins here with God through a simple invitation, then gives us what we need to go through whatever sorrow, pain or suffering this life might dish out. It then takes us beyond the grave and on into eternity to spend forever with Him.
Showing posts with label Fellowship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fellowship. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2018
Friday, May 29, 2015
A new kind of ‘shrink’ .............. Parables 280
August 14, 1991
“Computer Counseling” has arrived. Now a staff of trained psychologists can be replaced by terminals and floppy disks. The patient just sits in front of a computer and punches in his thoughts. Out comes a programmed response based on the input, telling him what he needs to know.
This latest electronic development supposedly not only saves money but makes it easier for patients to bare their souls. They don’t have to go through the struggle of telling their innermost secrets to another person nor take time developing a trust relationship. The computer never betrays their confidences, it just stores it on plastic and kicks out information, with the assumption that relevant information is all a hurting person needs.
I can relate to the ease of using machines. For one thing, “talking” to a machine has a big advantage: I can edit and revise before printing my statements. Face-to-face conversation doesn’t allow that option.
But retreating from people to my PC is neither healthy or biblical. God is involved in our lives and wants us to be involved in each others lives. His Word has more to say about human relationships than almost every other topic. Here are a few examples:
“...have peace one with another.”
“...love one another; as I have loved you...”
“...prefer one another.”
“...be of the same mind towards one another.”
“...follow after the things that build up one another.”
“...receive one another, as Christ also received us...”
“...have the same care one for another.”
“...by love serve one another.”
“...be patient with one another...”
“...submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
“...Lie not one to another...”
“...teach and admonish one another...”
“...comfort one another with these words.”
“...exhort one another daily...”
“...let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
“...Speak not evil one of another...”
“...Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another...”
“...show hospitality one to another without grudging.”
“...be subject one to another...
“...be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
Just a glance at the list reveals that God’s plan for relationships involves some hard work at the ordinary level, not just the Counseling level. It involves time, money and effort. However the rewards are rich: hurting people are loved, encouraged, healed. In fact, the “one another” treatment prescribed by God would put counselors out of work much faster than computers could.
Besides, God’s way never goes obsolete like a computer program. It is eternal. The catch is that it requires people with eternal life within -- a life that flows from their hearts, demonstrated in care for others. It is not a natural concern but a supernatural loving obedience.
Maybe that is why we have had to resort to computer Counseling; there just isn’t enough folks that have that kind of inner resource. Without the “wonderful Counselor” within, all anyone can do is rely on is themselves and perhaps their library of plastic, encoded data.
“Computer Counseling” has arrived. Now a staff of trained psychologists can be replaced by terminals and floppy disks. The patient just sits in front of a computer and punches in his thoughts. Out comes a programmed response based on the input, telling him what he needs to know.
This latest electronic development supposedly not only saves money but makes it easier for patients to bare their souls. They don’t have to go through the struggle of telling their innermost secrets to another person nor take time developing a trust relationship. The computer never betrays their confidences, it just stores it on plastic and kicks out information, with the assumption that relevant information is all a hurting person needs.
I can relate to the ease of using machines. For one thing, “talking” to a machine has a big advantage: I can edit and revise before printing my statements. Face-to-face conversation doesn’t allow that option.
But retreating from people to my PC is neither healthy or biblical. God is involved in our lives and wants us to be involved in each others lives. His Word has more to say about human relationships than almost every other topic. Here are a few examples:
“...have peace one with another.”
“...love one another; as I have loved you...”
“...prefer one another.”
“...be of the same mind towards one another.”
“...follow after the things that build up one another.”
“...receive one another, as Christ also received us...”
“...have the same care one for another.”
“...by love serve one another.”
“...be patient with one another...”
“...submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
“...Lie not one to another...”
“...teach and admonish one another...”
“...comfort one another with these words.”
“...exhort one another daily...”
“...let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
“...Speak not evil one of another...”
“...Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another...”
“...show hospitality one to another without grudging.”
“...be subject one to another...
“...be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
Just a glance at the list reveals that God’s plan for relationships involves some hard work at the ordinary level, not just the Counseling level. It involves time, money and effort. However the rewards are rich: hurting people are loved, encouraged, healed. In fact, the “one another” treatment prescribed by God would put counselors out of work much faster than computers could.
Besides, God’s way never goes obsolete like a computer program. It is eternal. The catch is that it requires people with eternal life within -- a life that flows from their hearts, demonstrated in care for others. It is not a natural concern but a supernatural loving obedience.
Maybe that is why we have had to resort to computer Counseling; there just isn’t enough folks that have that kind of inner resource. Without the “wonderful Counselor” within, all anyone can do is rely on is themselves and perhaps their library of plastic, encoded data.
Friday, November 1, 2013
It's more than two fellows in a ship ............... Parables 037
Over the past few weeks, Christians from several congregations have been watching a film series together, and discussing its content and how to apply it to our lives. In doing so, we have enjoyed “fellowship.”
This week, I shared at length with someone concerning some spiritual matters and difficulties, and received encouragement and advice. I was refreshed and ready for constructive problem solving. That also is “fellowship.”
Each morning I go for a walk, using that time to talk to God about the things that are on my heart. God responds to my concerns. That too, is “fellowship.”
This term “fellowship” is not strictly exclusive to the use of the Christian community. An ordinary dictionary defines a fellowship as “a group of people with common interests or ideals.” Many groups have that, as do Christians. However, the Biblical usage of the word goes much farther, and in the fullness of its Biblical meaning, there is no other assembly that enjoys such fellowship.
The Greek word used in the New Testament is “koinonia,” literally meaning “communion, sharing in common, or partnership.” A theological dictionary says: “Fellowship is joint participation in a person or a project with mutuality of spirit.” That definition comes alive to the believer, because the “person” is the Living God, the “project” is His eternal plan and its outworking, and the “mutuality of spirit” is the oneness produced by the relationship each one of us has with Christ, through the Spirit of God.
Furthermore, “joint participation” is the like the legal usage “joint owner,” where each partner owns all. Thus, each one of us is a 100% participant of Jesus Christ. Each one of us is a 100% participant in the work of God. And each one of us is a 100% participant in His Spirit. It is more than being merely interested in Christ. It is more than holding to the ideals that God gives. It is actually being a joint partner with Almighty God, in His person, and His work.
Jesus prayed in John 17: “I do not pray for these alone (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me . . .”
Jesus prayed that we would have that oneness, experience that oneness, and live it out, for one purpose, that the world would believe in Him. He didn’t tell us to be united in our interests or ideals or anything else that might cause us to agree, but to find our unity in Him and in His purposes.
Fellowship is a precious treasure. Like many treasures, it is not always easy to lay hold of, or to guard once we have it. Yet it is of immeasurable worth, not only to us, but to a world that may not be able to believe the reality of our Jesus without seeing the oneness that shines in the beauty of this jewel.
This week, I shared at length with someone concerning some spiritual matters and difficulties, and received encouragement and advice. I was refreshed and ready for constructive problem solving. That also is “fellowship.”
Each morning I go for a walk, using that time to talk to God about the things that are on my heart. God responds to my concerns. That too, is “fellowship.”
This term “fellowship” is not strictly exclusive to the use of the Christian community. An ordinary dictionary defines a fellowship as “a group of people with common interests or ideals.” Many groups have that, as do Christians. However, the Biblical usage of the word goes much farther, and in the fullness of its Biblical meaning, there is no other assembly that enjoys such fellowship.
The Greek word used in the New Testament is “koinonia,” literally meaning “communion, sharing in common, or partnership.” A theological dictionary says: “Fellowship is joint participation in a person or a project with mutuality of spirit.” That definition comes alive to the believer, because the “person” is the Living God, the “project” is His eternal plan and its outworking, and the “mutuality of spirit” is the oneness produced by the relationship each one of us has with Christ, through the Spirit of God.
Furthermore, “joint participation” is the like the legal usage “joint owner,” where each partner owns all. Thus, each one of us is a 100% participant of Jesus Christ. Each one of us is a 100% participant in the work of God. And each one of us is a 100% participant in His Spirit. It is more than being merely interested in Christ. It is more than holding to the ideals that God gives. It is actually being a joint partner with Almighty God, in His person, and His work.
Jesus prayed in John 17: “I do not pray for these alone (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me . . .”
Jesus prayed that we would have that oneness, experience that oneness, and live it out, for one purpose, that the world would believe in Him. He didn’t tell us to be united in our interests or ideals or anything else that might cause us to agree, but to find our unity in Him and in His purposes.
Fellowship is a precious treasure. Like many treasures, it is not always easy to lay hold of, or to guard once we have it. Yet it is of immeasurable worth, not only to us, but to a world that may not be able to believe the reality of our Jesus without seeing the oneness that shines in the beauty of this jewel.
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