April 11, 1995
Do you ever wonder how contestants study before going on quiz shows like Jeopardy? They seem to know everything about everything, from Ancient History to Zulu Culture. Some sound like walking encyclopedias. They must read them in their spare time. Some of them must have photographic memories.
Not everyone is like that. A woman told me people often ask her questions but she cannot always think of the answers. What really frustrates her is that those who ask lose interest in talking to her, even if she says, “I’m sorry, I don’t know but I’ll find out.”
In her case, the questions people have been asking are not trivia or facts and figures about history or Zulus. They are asking her questions about spiritual matters, the meaning of Bible passages and issues concerning her Christian beliefs. They usually challenge biblical principles. She wonders how she can be more able to answer questions and refute arguments.
Some might suggest a series of studies where she could learn more and have all the answers. I’ve heard others wish they could memorize the entire Bible or have some sort of Scripture database implanted into their brain.
After talking with this woman, I remember thinking that knowing all the answers automatically makes a person an expert. However, that logic breaks down when it comes to spirituality and to biblical wisdom. Both are different from human expertise because God has a different way to help us answer questions about our faith.
The New Testament book of Colossians says this: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” According to the Apostle Paul who wrote these words, the key is not how much we know but who we are.
Of course being spiritual does not eliminate the need to study God’s Word. It is our source of knowledge and can make us wise. By it we become more like Christ and know more about how God thinks. Nevertheless, being biblically wise does not mean questions will never stump us. No one is so much like God that they know everything!
However, the above verse says that knowing how to answer does not depend on memorizing verses and illustrations or on taking a course in perfect comebacks. Instead, God wants us filled with His grace. Grace can be defined as an acronym: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is ‘unconditional love and acceptance or God’s merciful favor.’ Others define it as ‘a revelation of God to the human heart that transforms us into the likeness of Christ.’
Being filled with grace goes beyond receiving grace. It is being in a condition where His grace overflows. People of grace are loving, accepting, and merciful, not argumentative, suspicious or vengeful. They are a blessing to others, including those who ask questions.
God also wants His people “seasoned with salt.” This relates to the properties of salt, a preservative that also makes people thirsty. When Jesus used this term in Matthew 5, He clearly connected it to attitudes such as poverty of spirit and sorrow over sin. He also meant character traits like meekness and purity of heart. These are qualities opposite to assertiveness and demanding one’s rights. When combined with faith, the person who has them is unique and often attracts people who have questions.
Grace-filled people also know, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
That means that whenever demands are made, God supplies the resources necessary to meet those demands. This even includes grace to know how to respond to questions.
Showing posts with label amazing grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amazing grace. Show all posts
Friday, August 5, 2016
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Ready for Death? .......... Parables 466
May 9, 1995
There is nothing like being prepared. Before anyone else arrives at the office, my husband is often already working at responsibilities he organized the night before. Whenever anyone invites my parents for an outing, my father is standing at the door with his coat on about fifteen minutes before their ride is expected.
John Newton was another person who believed in being prepared. He had been a slave trader, but began preparing for eternity by giving his life to Christ. After preparing for the ministry, he became a preacher and helped others prepare to meet God.
Newton also wrote hymns, the most familiar being Amazing Grace. Notice the words of the fifth stanza, “And when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease; I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.”
Newton’s lyrics were tested. Two years before he died, he was weak and had to be supported while he preached. When he was finally confined in bed and unable to move, he said, “I am like a person going on a journey in a stagecoach, who expects its arrival every hour and is frequently looking out of the window for it . . . I am packed and sealed, and ready for the post.”
Newton was prepared for death. In his life, he faithfully carried out the responsibilities God gave him. When the end came near, without dread or regret, he was ready to go.
How does one prepare for death? In a practical sense, financial affairs should be in order. When I die, I’d like my income clearly documented and any debts paid or at least current. All taxes should be paid and my family should know which banks have my money. My will already clearly states what I want done with my possessions.
Emotional preparation is not so straightforward. No one likes to think about dying. We often deny that it will ever happen to us or at least not this week or this year. Should illness or an accident bring it closer to reality, we strongly fight against the prospect. Such responses are not just instinctive. It is our way of protecting ourselves from emotional trauma.
Those who are stoic prepare with stern jaw and no emotions. Others weep or worry, feeling many emotions but unable to take action. True preparedness requires both feelings and a stern grip on ourselves. Refusing to think about it will not make reality disappear. The second verse of Newton’s great hymn says, “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved...”
Our lives will end someday. Crying and anxiety is normal but can hinder preparation. When anyone is prepared, as John Newton, by the grace of God through believing in and receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, thinking about death does not have to cause trauma. Instead read Jesus words, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Those words give comfort. The rest of Newton’s second verse reads, “. . . How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.”
Newton, along with other Christians, experienced freedom from what the Bible calls “the sting of death.” When we die, we go home to be with our Lord. Because of advance spiritual preparation, life is not over when physical breathing stops. Actually, because of God’s grace, that is when life truly begins.
There is nothing like being prepared. Before anyone else arrives at the office, my husband is often already working at responsibilities he organized the night before. Whenever anyone invites my parents for an outing, my father is standing at the door with his coat on about fifteen minutes before their ride is expected.
John Newton was another person who believed in being prepared. He had been a slave trader, but began preparing for eternity by giving his life to Christ. After preparing for the ministry, he became a preacher and helped others prepare to meet God.
Newton also wrote hymns, the most familiar being Amazing Grace. Notice the words of the fifth stanza, “And when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease; I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.”
Newton’s lyrics were tested. Two years before he died, he was weak and had to be supported while he preached. When he was finally confined in bed and unable to move, he said, “I am like a person going on a journey in a stagecoach, who expects its arrival every hour and is frequently looking out of the window for it . . . I am packed and sealed, and ready for the post.”
Newton was prepared for death. In his life, he faithfully carried out the responsibilities God gave him. When the end came near, without dread or regret, he was ready to go.
How does one prepare for death? In a practical sense, financial affairs should be in order. When I die, I’d like my income clearly documented and any debts paid or at least current. All taxes should be paid and my family should know which banks have my money. My will already clearly states what I want done with my possessions.
Emotional preparation is not so straightforward. No one likes to think about dying. We often deny that it will ever happen to us or at least not this week or this year. Should illness or an accident bring it closer to reality, we strongly fight against the prospect. Such responses are not just instinctive. It is our way of protecting ourselves from emotional trauma.
Those who are stoic prepare with stern jaw and no emotions. Others weep or worry, feeling many emotions but unable to take action. True preparedness requires both feelings and a stern grip on ourselves. Refusing to think about it will not make reality disappear. The second verse of Newton’s great hymn says, “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved...”
Our lives will end someday. Crying and anxiety is normal but can hinder preparation. When anyone is prepared, as John Newton, by the grace of God through believing in and receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, thinking about death does not have to cause trauma. Instead read Jesus words, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Those words give comfort. The rest of Newton’s second verse reads, “. . . How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.”
Newton, along with other Christians, experienced freedom from what the Bible calls “the sting of death.” When we die, we go home to be with our Lord. Because of advance spiritual preparation, life is not over when physical breathing stops. Actually, because of God’s grace, that is when life truly begins.
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