COMING TO GRIPS WITH LEGALISM

 Romans 2:1 (NIV)

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

               I am a recovering legalist. I say recovering because I am keenly aware that I have not conquered this flaw in my life. I was reminded of this as I drove into my office this morning.

               I have a 45-minute commute between my home and the church where I am serving currently. Often those are the most frustrating 45 minutes of my day. When I get on the freeway, I pull into the righthand lane and set my cruise control at 70 mph. Before long someone comes whizzing by me at a speed considerably greater than the speed limit. This does not happen once, but multiple times on my commute. Not only do I encounter people exceeding the speed limit, but I also have noticed an alarming number of people who are using their cell phones while they are speeding past me, even though it is against the law. We have had some bad weather lately; fog, snow, rain, low visibility. On one commute during these conditions, I counted over 20 cars without their headlights on. All these things, and a few more, cause me to be frustrated. I often make audible comments to my fellow commuters, which of course they cannot hear.

               One day God tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me that I was being a legalist. Have you never exceeded the speed limit? Have you never been distracted while you were driving? Have you never cut someone off unintentionally? Have you never failed to yield to another driver? Have you never forgotten to turn on your headlights? The obvious answer to all of these questions is no.

               I grew up a legalist. No one formally taught me to be a legalist, I just picked it up on my own. Somehow, I fell into the trap of works righteousness. I felt that I had to keep all the rules for God to accept me. I worked hard to be a rule keeper and routinely beat myself up when I failed. But I did something else as well. I started applying the rules, as I saw them, to others. I began judging others by how well they kept the rules.

               I have worked hard to break free from this trap. I have learned to accept God’s grace and recognize that there is nothing I can do to earn it. I have become more gracious with others when they see theological issues differently than I do. I have learned to extend grace to others more freely. But I still have a long way to go. My daily commute is a daily reminder that I have not arrived.

               Paul addressed this same issue with some of the people in the church at Rome. In Romans 1, Paul outlined the state of his fallen world. He painted a pretty bleak picture. There were those in the church who were probably applauding Paul’s words. They were standing in line to be some of the first to cast stones at those evil doers. Then Paul turned the tables on them. He challenged them to look in the mirror. What right did they have to judge others when they were doing the same things? I don’t think that Paul was saying that they were engaged in the evil acts he had just outlined, but that they were sinning in other ways. They were really no different. They had missed the point that no one can earn God’s favor by keeping the Law. It is totally a free gift of His grace.

Romans 2:2-4 (NIV)
Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

               There is no doubt that God is concerned about sin. But it is not my job to be the accuser of others. I have enough sin of my own to account for. Praise God that He is gracious and that if we come to Him in genuine repentance, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

               God has been teaching me to be less judgmental and more gracious toward others. I have made significant progress, but I have not arrived. I am reminded every time I get on the freeway.

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

 

WHAT’S YOUR DESTINATION

 Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV)

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

               I have been rereading Tim Keller’s book on prayer. Early in the book he talks about prayer as an act of pilgrimage, seeking after God. I was struck by the idea of a pilgrimage. It is not a part of my faith tradition, but I am familiar with the concept. I looked up pilgrimage on the internet and found this definition from the encyclopedia Britannica.

Pilgrimage, a journey undertaken for a religious motive. Although some pilgrims have wandered continuously with no fixed destination, pilgrims more commonly seek a specific place that has been sanctified by association with a divinity or other holy personage. The institution of pilgrimage is evident in all world religions and was also important in the pagan religions of ancient Greece and Rome.

               All kinds of people take pilgrimages for a variety of reasons. Muslims make a concerted effort to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Many Roman Catholics make a pilgrimage to Rome. Many Christians make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in an effort to get closer to the places where Jesus walked. Other religions encourage pilgrimages as well.

               The problem with all of these different pilgrimages is that they fall short of the goal. It is not that they are bad, necessarily, just that they are short-sighted. The writer of Hebrews talks about a very different kind of pilgrimage. He first refers to Abraham, who in faith obeyed God and followed Him to a land he did not know. Then he expands this idea to include a broader scope of people.

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV)
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

               Paul and Peter both pick up on this idea of the ultimate pilgrimage. Peter challenges us to live as aliens ands stranger in this world, refusing to settle down and make our home here. We have been called to something far higher and far greater.

1 Peter 2:9-11 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

               Paul challenges us to focus on the kingdom to come rather than the kingdom of this world.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

               A friend of mine recently reminded me of song we used to sing quite often, This World is not My Home. “This world is not my home, I just passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” We are on a journey to a specific destination, where we will be with Christ in His glory.

               Many people use the idea of being on a journey to describe our lives. It is a powerful image, but it is possible to be on a journey that takes us nowhere. A pilgrimage is different. It has a specific destination in mind. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, that destination is Christ’s presence in Heaven.

               I know how easy it is to forget that we are on pilgrimage and that this world is not our home. It is easy for us to get discouraged along the way. It is tempting to give up the rigors of a pilgrimage and settle for an easier path. But we need to keep our eyes on the goal. Again, Paul addressed this challenge in his letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

               I am intrigued by the idea of being on pilgrimage. It challenges me to see the hardships of life as a part of the adventure. It gives me the energy to keep moving forward. It challenges me not to give up and settle for something less. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, our entire life is a pilgrimage toward an eternal goal.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  

               Everyone has a story to tell. Although we may not admit it, most of us want the chance to tell our story. When we get the chance, we don’t always tell our entire life story, but we do share significant events (and sometimes less significant events) from our life story. Back in 2007 I had emergency surgery. I have often recounted the circumstances around that event.

               As a part of my role as the interim pastor at the church I am serving, I formed a Transition Team. As we were getting to know one another, I invited each member of the team to share their faith story. It was fascinating to see all of the different ways that God had been at work in these people’s lives. Sharing our stories drew us together and allowed us to proceed with greater confidence and cooperation. There were so many things in our stories that we shared with one another. It was a great bonding experience.

               I recently finished rereading Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. I was encouraged and challenged by the way that Warren outlined what it means to live our lives as genuine followers of Jesus. Near the end of the book, Warren stressed the importance of sharing our faith stories with others. I immediately thought of my experience with the Transition Team. Then I realized that I have never shared my faith story with my children and their spouses as a whole story. I had shared many parts of my story, but I had never put it all together for them. So, I sat down and wrote out a three-page summary of my faith journey and sent it to each of them.

               I think I am in good company. The Apostle Paul often shared his faith story. At least three times the story of Paul meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus is recounted. Paul also was willing to share the journey he was on after he became a follower of Jesus. Many people have been blessed by reading and relating to Paul’s faith journey.

               In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul, in his defense of his authority as an Apostle, recounted the trials he had endured for the cause of Christ.  

2 Corinthians 11:22-29 (NIV)
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

               Paul was not afraid to tell his story to anyone who would listen. I know that unlike Paul, we are often reluctant to tell our faith story. We think that it might offend people, or they might laugh at us, or they might reject us. Satan uses fear to keep us silent. But we need to have the courage to speak up when the opportunity arises. As Paul says in Colossians 4:5-6, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. We don’t have to tell our entire story, but we can find ways to share how our faith has influenced our lives.

               I would encourage you to take the time to write out your story and then share it with someone who can give you feedback. Then refine your story so that you can draw from it when the opportunity arises. You don’t have to have the gift of evangelism to share your story. You just need the courage to share it with others. So, what’s your story? How has God shaped and influenced your life?

Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

  

A HIGH CALLING

 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)

               If you are a fan of Downton Abby or have read any English Country novels, you will be familiar with the social structure of the early 20^th century. There was a distinct hierarchy that existed. At the top were the landed gentry. Under the gentry were the people of business and merchants. This was followed by those “in service” to the gentry. Finally, there were the common people; farmers, clerks, day laborers. Those “in service” were more secure than the common people, but had less freedom than those above them. It was a trade off in a time when security was valued more than position. There was an interesting twist to this situation. Those who were “in service” often gained a certain amount of status by who they served. Within this class of people, there was a hierarchy based on which family they served. It was a privilege to serve one of the “better” families.

               In America, we pretty much did away with this rigid hierarchical system. We have fostered rugged individualism and making our own way. We pride ourselves in being self-made people, not bound by our class. Therefore, the idea of being “in service” is seen as a negative thing rather a benefit. We all want to be our own boss, even if we have to work for someone else.

               In Jesus day, being a servant meant that you were at the bottom of the social scale. There were different levels of being a servant, from a slave to a household servant, but it meant that you had no status in society. No one aspired to be a servant. It was not something a person would choose; it was just their lot in life. Then Jesus came along and turned the system upside down.

               Jesus said, if you want to be great, be a servant. He not only said it, he lived it. Paul tells us that Jesus intentionally set aside His glory to become a servant.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)

               Jesus had every right to pull rank and to demand that others serve Him. Instead, he chose to take on the role of a servant. Then He called His followers to do the same thing. One day His disciples got into an argument about who was the greatest among them. When Jesus became aware of this, He instructed them to take a different path. He reminded them that seeking to be in charge of others was the way of the world. The way of the Kingdom was different. If they wanted to be great in His Kingdom, then they needed to learn to be servants.

               In many ways, we have forgotten Jesus’ command for us to be servants. We have allowed the values of the world to infiltrate the church and reestablish a worldly hierarchy. But, in doing so, we have lost our impact on the world. We are not demonstrating Kingdom living. We are mimicking worldly living. It is time for us all to learn what it means to be a servant to all.

               Being a servant in the Kingdom of Jesus is a high calling. It doesn’t mean that we demean our life or give up our positions in life. It means that we approach everything we do with a servant’s heart. Instead of expecting others to serve us, we need to look for ways to serve them. This can be accomplished in big and small ways. What matters is not so much what we do, but why we do it.

               When I was a boy, I would go the mall with my mom and Aunt. As we walked through a store, if there was an item on the floor, my mom would say, Dave, would you please pick that up and put it back on the shelf. To this day, I cannot walk through a store without picking up items off the floor and replacing them in their proper place. My mom was teaching me to be a servant and it has stuck with me. Having a servant’s heart is being willing to do what needs to be done even when it is mundane. It is easy to do the big things that bring the praise of others. It is harder to consistently do the little things that bring no praise. But that is what it means to be a servant. For, remember that we are servants of the King of Kings. Could there be any greater position to have?

               When Paul was writing to slaves in the early church, he challenged them to look at their position from a very different angle.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Ephesians 6:5-8 (NIV)

               These people had no choice about their position in life, but they had every choice about how they would do their work. Paul reminded them that ultimately, they were working for Christ and not their earthly master. It was Christ who would reward them if they were faithful in their work. We need to be reminded of the same thing. No matter what our position in life may be, we can either work for the praise of people or for the praise of the Lord. If we will serve wholeheartedly for the glory of God, we will be rewarded.

               Living a life “in service” for Christ is a high calling. Every day we have opportunities to serve Christ through the way we serve others. Being a servant is a conscious choice we must make every day. It is a choice that will shape how others see us and how Jesus sees us. If we really want to be great, then we need to embrace the high calling of being a servant.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

 

YOU BET YOUR LIFE

 Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

               Back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s there was a comedy quiz show, hosted by Groucho Marx, called “You Bet Your Life.” Contestants were asked a series of questions interspersed with comic interactions with Groucho. The show was rebooted by Jay Leno in 2021. The show was just for fun, but the idea of betting your life is not.

               It is hard to watch TV now without being bombarded with ads for on-line betting. Each ad promises big wins to those who sign up. They even offer you free bets, after you have invested a certain amount of money. What they don’t tell you is that most of the people who bet are going to lose. That’s the way it works. Interestingly, there have been more ads that are cautioning people about the danger of on-line betting. One of them shows a cartoon of a man betting on-line, and it asks the questions, what can you lose? As the man continues to bet, things begin disappearing from the scene until he has lost everything.

               There are thousands of people who will never sign up for on-line betting yet are betting their lives every day. They are betting that they can live however they want with no consequences. Satan has sold people a bill of goods that promises them amazing wins, but he hides the reality behind his promises. Satan has convinced many people that they don’t have to live by God’s standards, so they bet on the lie that they will never be held accountable for the way they live their lives. It is a bet that they will ultimately lose. It is also a bet that many lose on a regular basis.

               Because of living as if there are no consequences, people lose their health, their jobs, their families, their self-respect, and their reputation. For many, these experiences break them and they seek to change the way they are living. For many others, these experiences only harden them and they double down on doing their own thing. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. There is no way that we can avoid the consequences of our sinful actions unless we repent and turn our lives over to God. Living a self-centered life comes at a cost. Living a life without God comes at a cost. No matter what a person’s life looks like in the present, there will come a day when the bill must be paid.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

               In one way or another, we are all betting our life on something. Some are betting on there being no God and no consequences. Some are betting on doing enough good that God will accept them. Some are betting on the saving work of Jesus Christ. We must all decide upon what we are willing to bet our life.

               The philosopher Pascal summarized the wager we all make in the following way.

If we wager that God exists and God does exist, then we will receive infinite happiness.

If we wager that God exists and He does not exist, then we lose out on some finite happiness.

If we wager that God does not exist and He does not, then we gain some finite happiness.

If we wager that God does not exist and He does exist, then we lose all happiness for eternity.

 

               There are many who have objected to this simplified approach, but the basic idea still stands. What will you bet your life on? Jesus put it another, more profound way.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

               I’m betting my life on what Jesus said and promised. How about you?

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.