FreeTruth

In our series, Thieves, Thugs, and Christian Faith (which is based on Psalm 37:1-40), we're trying to frame a biblical response to cultural and political evil. You'll have to read back to see what we've covered so far. Today we'll consider how to take meaningful action.

Real, radical Christian social action is this: "Trust in the Lord, and do good...The righteous is generous and gives...Turn away from evil and do good" (Psalm 37:3, 21, 27).

Do good. Be generous and give.

Consider the simple yet radical action to which God calls us when we face thugs and thieves in high (or low) places. He does not call us primarily (if at all) to arms or to political action or to boycotts or to media blitzes. He calls us to do good.

Doing good is biblical parlance for living a generous, kind, compassionate, giving, hands-dirty-with-serving and hearts-connected-with-compassion lives. It's the very opposite of raging and fuming. It's the near opposite of passive news-watching and collective whining via Christian airwaves.

It's getting out there into the real world of human need and doing something through witness, love, kindness, hospitality, service, and compassion for the poor, the outcast, the alone, the alien, and yes, even the thug.

It's not faulting the illegal alien, it's finding him and loving him. It's not condemning the gays, it's befriending them and gracing them. It's not blasting and scorning the politicians, it's praying for them, and pleading for God's mercy upon them--because we actually and truly love them.

Read--and practice--the words of Jesus in Luke 6:27-35. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless and pray for them. Turn your cheek. Give. Lend, expecting nothing in return. Be merciful. That is radical Christian social action. Everything else is bluster. Worse it is quite possibly simply fear, self-righteousness, and/or bigotry.

The best way to change really bad people is to love them. Remember Romans 12:14-21. Make sure to stop and read that Romans text really slowly and thoughtfully, or you'll blow a chance to be transformed.

Simple series of questions (some with answers):

1. What is the best way to overcome evil? Do good.
2. What is the best way to handle the illegal alien problem? Love the alien more than you love a healthy economy or the nation's future well-being and lead the alien to Jesus.
3. Are you more concerned about the homosexual's agenda or the homosexual's soul?
4. If Obama is really an evil enemy of all that is good, then what are specific good things we may do for him to overcome his evil?
5. Are you against higher taxes simply because you want to keep more money in your pocket, or because you truly believe that you can give it away in a more effective, others-helping way than government can? You shouldn't want lower taxes so you can have a higher standard of living; you should want lower taxes so you can invest in heaven through greater giving.
6. Do you speak out and take action more vigorously for the plight of the unborn or the cause of missions and evangelism than you do for the state of the economy or the defence of American style democracy? What have you given more time, attention, and tears to in the past six months?
7. Which worries you more and prompts you to more prayer, generosity, and action: the fact that we have thugs in high places, or the fact that there are neighbors next door who've never really heard the gospel or met a sane Christian with a bold witness, and that there are 10-15 thousand people groups around the world who have never even heard of Jesus Christ because American Christians refuse to give and go in such a way as to finish the task of local and global missions?

With all due respect and deep affection for all the dear saints who are doing much good every day to affect others for Christ, may I say this bluntly about the majority in churches today: maybe American Christians should whine a whole lot less and simply do good a whole lot more.

Labels: charity, Culture War, Giving, Love, Social Action

In a couple of hours I'll be heading out the door to go to youth camp with 7-8 of our teens and a few parents. As I exit NJ (and am away from my blogging for a few days) let me leave you with a few random thoughts and joys:
1. I go to youth camp with Gayline, David and several teenagers I love with full expectation of meeting God. Last year's camp was simply life-changing for David. In supernatural ways, he met God and God came after him, and a chain reaction of grace has been going on ever since!

2. I come off of an experience last Friday in which I had the joy of partnering with the Lawtons in their mission work to international students at Johns Hopkins Univ. I got to preach the truth of God our Creator, our reason for Existence, our Savior and Redeemer--to 15-20 Chinese folks, many of whom had never heard any real truth about God before. One said at the close of the evening: "We have never heard these things about God!" This group of first time hearers was simply gripped with eager hearing as I got to preach. Truth captured their minds and I trust will win their hearts! Powerful. Joygiving. And I think eternally fruit-bearing.

3. I feel fresh amazement and joy over the provision of God. Some of you will know that Gayline and I have pledged in giving a substantial increase to help God's work flourish here in TFC. We have already seen (in the 2-3 weeks since we made that pledge) God provide 45% of that increase for the coming year through a stunning reduction of costs in an budget area we least expected it! In the past two or three days I've heard similar accounts from others who, giving in obedience to the call of God, have once again found out that God will never be out-given!

4. Finally, I'm preparing a series of posts on the topic of joy as seen through the ideas of Luke in his two books, Luke and Acts. If you want to experience a sweet study read through Luke and Acts and notice how often joy is referenced. His clear message is that with the coming of the Messiah and sending of the Spirit, joy is now a hallmark of true faith. I can't wait to share some perspectives on joy with you, beginning next week, God enabling.

There you have it; some random sharings from the heart of a pastor and friend.
See you in a few days. In the meantime keep commenting and sharing. i hope to check in while I'm away.

Labels: Dependance on God, Evangelism, Giving, God's Blessing, Missions, Youth

One person commented after a recent post on materialism and true need, asking that I not back off from pressing you folks on this matter. I appreciated the openness, and have had God continue to press in on me. I've been mulling over the whole question of need and giving and related matters and came upon a John Piper statement that further rocked my world (it's from his book, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals):

Very few of our people have said to themselves: we will live at a level of joyful, wartime simplicity and use the rest of what we earn to alleviate misery. But surely that is what Jesus wants. I do not see how we can read the New Testament, then look at two billion unevangelized people, and still build another barn for ourselves [a reference to Luke 12:13-21]. We can only justify the exorbitance of our lifestyle by ignoring the lostness of the unreached and the misery of the poor.

In August, by the help of God I'm going to be doing a joyful austerity/simplicity experiment. Don't read this as anything really spiritual; it's more like a sincere experiment and learning lesson. Here's what I'm going to try to do.

I'm going to attempt to live for thirty days as close to bare bones and needs only as I can get. That'll look like one helping of healthy food, no hot showers(only luke-warm ones lasting only as long as it takes to suds and rinse), no Starbucks or Wawas coffee, no in-between meal snacks, no entertainment except what seems needed for family and relational benefit, no condiments on my food, or butter or half-and-half, paper backs instead of hard covers (if any books at all), no Ritas, no meals out (unless ministry or relationship required), etc.

I'm aiming for as close to wartime austerity/simplicity as I can get--just to see what it's like, and to see what I learn in the process! You see: the problem seems to be that unless and until we actually do without we never really learn what we can do without!

And besides, I've got a feeling that I'll learn some new things about the sufficiency of God and grace, as well as how I might be able to give a little more to alleviate the misery of a fallen world rather than build another barn.

Labels: Contentment, Giving, Materialism, Need, Wartime Austerity

Having defined need biblically as we did yesterday, we're brought to the question of significance; does this definition matter? Can I suggest three ways a biblical definition of need should affect our life?

1. It will neutralize our complaining. God has promised to meet our need, and nothing more. Therefore we have no real grounds for murmuring discontent when we are "deprived" of anything other than food and shelter. Also, if we think about such texts as Philippians 4:11-13 and 2Corinthians 11:25-27 we'll realize that even when God chooses to withhold physical need for a greater spiritual cause we have no reason to murmur.

Too often our wealth producees a sense of entitlement in far too many Amercian Christians. And an entitlement mindset yields discontented hearts which only a biblical doctrine of need can cure.

2. It will maximize our gratitude. Realizing that God has met our needs--and given a whole lot more--is easier to do when you define needs as He does. When we are mis-defining luxury and extra as need, we fall easily into ingratitude. When we see that anything more than food and clothing is luxury (and it is) then we feel overwhelmed with the mercies of God!

3. It will radicalize our giving. God gives us more money than is necessary to pay for our needed food and shelter, not so we can spend it on ourselves, but so that we can give it away. There may be some overstatement and absence of needed nuancing in his words, but I cannot help but believe that John Wesley's view of these matters is far closer to truth than is ours.

If I leave behind me £10 pounds, you and all mankind bear witness against me that I lived and died a thief and a robber...Christians should give away all but the plain necessaries of life – wholesome food, clean clothes and enough to continue their business. Anyone who keeps more lives in open, habitual denial of the Lord.

Friends: someone has said that while God ordains that there be rich Christians, he does not intend that there be rich living Christans. If the work of the church and its mission to the lost and needy both locally and globally is in want, and we are spending money on things we do not need, I cannot help but wonder what God thinks of it.

Before we spend money on anything beyond our basic needs we should at least ask ourselves and ask God: "What would God have me do with this money? After all, He's entrusted me with resources for a reason; am I fulfilling that purpose?"

I know there really are biblical qualifiers and nuances touching on this subject, but let us beware lest we miss the clear biblical mandate and allow it to die the death of a thousand qualifications.

If we are thinking biblically, we will give radically. People will see the cars we drive, the homes we inhabit, the food we eat, the decorations we do not have, the simple styles and clothes we wear, the gadgets we refuse, the meals out we forego, the fine landscaping we resist, the expensive vacations we say no to, and they will think: "These people are living for something (the kingdom of God), somewhere (heaven), and Someone (the Lord and Owner of All) different than everyone else."

Do they think that about you right now?

Labels: Contentment, Giving, Materialism, Need

I've only got a short post today because I want to ask for more reflections on yesterday's entry. I'm interested to know what further experiences or insights or questions you may have about living life by faith in the way described yesterday. What do you think/feel about it? Does it raise any concerns? What experiences of remarkable provision have you had?

Let me prime the pump. Awhile back, I had a rare moment in which I actually had a craving for a certain style of shoe, a kind of upgraded moccasin-type look. I mentioned to Gayline that maybe my next pair of shoes could be that style. Within a week someone gave us a bag of hand-me-downs, at the bottom of which was a pair of size twelve shoes, just the size I needed and style I wanted. No one but Gayline and God knew about this desire/need. But clearly even before I asked, God was making provision.

About 4-5 years later when that pair of shoes was worn out I mentioned to Gayline around Christamastime that if the kids wanted to chip in and get me another pair for Christmas, I'd be cool with that. Three days later someone gave us another bag of hand-me-downs and yes, in the bottom of it was another pair of the same style shoes provided for me. And yes again, only God and Gayline knew of the need.

Twice, separated by 4-5 years, in response to a single comment about shoes, and to bless our simple reliance upon Him, my Heavenly Father heard and answered and gave manna/moccasins from heaven.

So, have you had this kind of experience? If you can't think of many do you think it's because you haven't received them or haven't noticed them?

Go ahead: click Commments; type your thoughts in the box; type in the key letters/word; click anonymous if you'd like(if you're willing type your first name in the box with your comments; it's more fun that way); and then click to post your comments.

Friends: take time to see and taste the manna today.

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing

Late Saturday was spent trying to make my back yard presentable for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon. As I wrapped up my labors I realized that my patio was covered with dirt but that I had no broom adequate for the task. So as has become my way of life, I thought Godward in the moment and wondered how my Heavenly Father might provide me with a good broom to get this done.

Sunday morning arrived and since I was not preaching I decided that I could spare the energy to take our dog Heidi for a walk; something I had never done on a Sunday AM before. And what do I find in the neighborhood, but buried curbside under a pile of garbage a high quality sturdy patio broom. I threw it over my shoulder with heart rejoicing in God and headed on home.

You might think this a happy or lucky coincidence, but I know it to be the hand of God. After all it's the kind of thing that's happened hundreds of times in our family's life ; too many times to be unguided coincidence.

Sunday afternoon I talked with my son Tim who, with Brooke, had just moved into a new place. T and B are living examples of a couple sold out to Christ and the church, and choosing to live simply so that they might aerve and give liberally to the cause of the gospel. So needless to say I'm confident that God will provide their every need, too .

Anyway, TW mentioned that he would be needing a desk for his office at home (he works three days a week from home). I told him--partially joking, but with real faith, that on my way over to visit him in his new home, I'd be looking for God to provide a desk. We laughed--not a laugh of unbelief, like Sarah in Genesis 18:10-12--but a laugh of knowing, trusting glee. We knew that if not within the next hour, somehow and sometime God would provide.

Within the hour, as Gayline and I drove down Rt. 37 to T and B's here's whatI see: a desk on the side of the road, being thrown out by others, being provided by God. Gayline and I loaded it up, and delivered it to T and B, not one hour after the need had been made known.

Folks, this is God. I could fill up a hundred blog posts giving examples of God's care of us in meeting needs in stunning ways (the two I've mentioned are but small and inconsequential examples!). Whenever we drive and walk and pray and decide on how needs in our life are going to be met, Gayline and I look for God's provisions. Call me a scrounger or call me a man looking for manna from heaven. As best I know my heart, the second description fits me more closely than the first.

I am aware that God loves to provide in amazing ways. He's done it so often for Gayline and me that we've come to see it as the norm, not the exception. I could tell of cars provided, shoes from heaven, cancer treatments prepared beforehand, clothes given, furniture supplied, bills paid, a daughter's retina reattached by miracle, food delivered, and a whole lot more.

It would blow your mind. But then, that's what God loves to do: blow our minds. He loves to do things that make us stop and wonder and worship.

What has He done for you lately? I'm sure He's done as much for you as He has for me, or anyone else who's walking faithfully with Him. Stop and notice, and it'll fill you with wonder!

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing, Promises of God