We can do this the easy way or the hard way.
Seems like in every criminal drama there comes a point where the police use that line to confront a reluctant suspect or witness. The implication is that the suspect has a choice to make. Either he can cooperate (the easy way) or not (the hard way). The police are trying to convince the suspect that it's in their best interest to 'do it' the easy way.
I have seen recently that God uses this same approach sometimes. We can either choose obedience (the easy way) or not (the hard way). It's really in our best interest to choose the easy way.
The trouble is the easy way sometimes looks anything but easy. But obedience is always the easy way considering the alternative. God is not out to smash us when we disobey. It's just how the world works that we're going to get hurt when we disobey God. So the 'easy' way really is hard. It takes effort.
Jesus said his yoke is easy and burden is light. There is still a yoke and a burden to deal with. It's not a free ride. But it's light and easy compared to the alternative. And there is a promise of rest. There is no rest in the alternative. Read Matthew 11 for the whole story.
The way of obedience is not easy by any means except when you consider the alternative.
So I believe God's advice is to make it easy on yourself.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Change
Good, Better and Perfect
Here in America it's November 1 and election day is tomorrow. There have been many millions of dollars spent on messages in all the media promising change. This has been a standard theme in elections over the past 20 years. But things don't seem to have changed much. The things that have changed significantly (the economy for one) have not been for the better.
God made the heavens and earth and said they were good.
Man rebelled against God and acquired the knowledge of good and evil. Since then man has been trying unsuccessfully to improve things. Does the 'good' world God made need improving? ?does the word 'good' imply less than perfect? Maybe.
If so it's obvious most things man has done have not improved things. The only way to improve things is in partnership with God. Republicans can't improve things, Democratics can't improve things, capitalists can't, communists can't, scientists can't, artists can't, teachers can't, police can't, government can't, religion can't. Unless they are in partnership with God.
I have a compulsion to improve things. If I don't think I can improve something, it bores me. I think to some extent this is a universal trait for Humans. (is this the only creature named by God?).
Man in general is 'gifted' with this creative impulse. He writes novels, makes beautiful paintings, sculpture, music. Invents countless things - cell phones, vaccines, automobiles. I think in this trait we resemble our father. This gift is not limited to believers or followers. It is in 'common' grace that all humans have.
This creative compulsion was distorted and mis-directed when our communion with God was broken. Man has also invented weapons to kill each other by the millions, political, religious, and economic institutions to oppress and enslave each other. The unfallen man 'Adam' could have used his creativity in fellowship with God to glorify Him. The creativity of man outside of the fellowship of God can and does produce beauty but also produces evil (see holocost, economic and political oppression, ... the list is endless).
So what is the solution to this problem? Humanity apparently doesn't have the answer. The answer has to come from something beyond man.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus the partnership between man and God can be restored. It's not instantaneous but a slow and difficult process that only His grace can sustain us through. This grace combined with our puny effort will bring about positive change. Jesus didn't come to establish a new social or political or economic system. His appearance in time on earth, his death and his resurrection are the means to restoring a relationship with the Father man was intended to have.
God is growing followers toward perfection through Jesus. The knowledge of good and evil will be part of that. It can't be undone. God will use it in his plan.
My prayer today is that believers will exercise their privilege to vote. And more importantly how they can exercise their faith in partnership with God.
Here in America it's November 1 and election day is tomorrow. There have been many millions of dollars spent on messages in all the media promising change. This has been a standard theme in elections over the past 20 years. But things don't seem to have changed much. The things that have changed significantly (the economy for one) have not been for the better.
God made the heavens and earth and said they were good.
Man rebelled against God and acquired the knowledge of good and evil. Since then man has been trying unsuccessfully to improve things. Does the 'good' world God made need improving? ?does the word 'good' imply less than perfect? Maybe.
If so it's obvious most things man has done have not improved things. The only way to improve things is in partnership with God. Republicans can't improve things, Democratics can't improve things, capitalists can't, communists can't, scientists can't, artists can't, teachers can't, police can't, government can't, religion can't. Unless they are in partnership with God.
I have a compulsion to improve things. If I don't think I can improve something, it bores me. I think to some extent this is a universal trait for Humans. (is this the only creature named by God?).
Man in general is 'gifted' with this creative impulse. He writes novels, makes beautiful paintings, sculpture, music. Invents countless things - cell phones, vaccines, automobiles. I think in this trait we resemble our father. This gift is not limited to believers or followers. It is in 'common' grace that all humans have.
This creative compulsion was distorted and mis-directed when our communion with God was broken. Man has also invented weapons to kill each other by the millions, political, religious, and economic institutions to oppress and enslave each other. The unfallen man 'Adam' could have used his creativity in fellowship with God to glorify Him. The creativity of man outside of the fellowship of God can and does produce beauty but also produces evil (see holocost, economic and political oppression, ... the list is endless).
So what is the solution to this problem? Humanity apparently doesn't have the answer. The answer has to come from something beyond man.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus the partnership between man and God can be restored. It's not instantaneous but a slow and difficult process that only His grace can sustain us through. This grace combined with our puny effort will bring about positive change. Jesus didn't come to establish a new social or political or economic system. His appearance in time on earth, his death and his resurrection are the means to restoring a relationship with the Father man was intended to have.
God is growing followers toward perfection through Jesus. The knowledge of good and evil will be part of that. It can't be undone. God will use it in his plan.
My prayer today is that believers will exercise their privilege to vote. And more importantly how they can exercise their faith in partnership with God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)