Costly versus Cheap Grace: Part 3

In continuing with this series on costly versus cheap grace, I wanted to interact a bit with Hebrews 12:7-11. I'm currently reading and studying Hebrews, hence all of the references that are being made to this particular book. By the way, if you've never had the opportunity, take some time to examine this incredibly deep and spiritually motivating book. I see it as a partner of the book of James, which means that the concept of putting your faith into action is highly developed in these books.
This particular part of the ongoing series deals with the WAY UNPOPULAR topic of discipline. In the case of Hebrews 12:7-11, the focus is upon heavenly discipline. I say that this topic is wildly unpopular because it exacts a toll, a cost on the part of the one who is disciplined.
Does anybody truly enjoy discipline, more specifically discipline that is given from God? The Bible answers its own question in verse 11. "Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time..." (NRSV). So, don't worry, I'm not going to say that we should enjoy it when we are disciplined by God. However, we should mark it as a sign that we are truly God's children. Why? Verse 7 says, "Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline" (NRSV)?
You might be saying to yourself, "wait a minute, what is this guy talking about? I've always heard that if we are God's children, we will be blessed." Guess what? Discipline is a blessing. Let me explain. Today, particularly in the American church, we hear exactly the opposite. Some may tell you that if you are experiencing discipline, you are simply low on faith. If you have not, it is because you didn't exercise enough faith. With enough faith, we can even have our best life now. This sounds great, but frankly, the best life now, as described by that particular author, who shall remain nameless, isn't found anywhere in the Bible. The best life now, at least the Biblical best life isn't about the biggest house, the best spot in line or the seat of honor at the head table. Sure, we are told that the Father hears our prayers and delights in pleasing his children. Yet, do those scripture references imply material delights? More than likely not. Those scriptures are referring to the things that we really need. Love. Patience. Kindness. Gentleness. In short, the fruit of the spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. Those are what build character, not million dollar mansions. Unpopular? Yes. Realistic and Biblical though? Yes, again.
The truth is, and this is a model from parenting, the more we pamper our children, the more we give into their whims, the more they expect and the more spoiled and soft they become. There's nothing wrong with getting gifts from time to time at all, but when we live to indulge our children, we succeed in leading our children down the path to unrealistic expectations of life. Furthermore, we only help to reinforce an undisciplined lifestyle. In short, by constantly catering to them, we create not mature human beings, but soft, spoiled brats. If that is true with us, why wouldn't it be true with God?
Remember, discipline is actually a blessing. It is truly a form of love that a parent gives to a child because they want to see that child grow up into a healthy and responsible adult. That's the goal of parenting. You have x amount of years to instill into a child what they will need for the future. This means doling out discipline as it is needed and as it is appropriate. God is the same way. Verse 10 tells that God disciplines us "for our good." How can this be? What if God were to grant every request, every prayer, every petition in exactly the way that we desired it at the time? Would we truly be happy? Would we truly understand life? Or would we come to view God as the Cosmic Claus? If we think that we can utter a prayer and possess enough faith to have the best house, the best car, the most beautiful spouse, what does that say about our character and of our view of life? Is this life about material gain or about spiritual gain?
I know this post will not pack folks into a sanctuary. I know it might even ruffle some feathers here. Yet, it is exactly what we NEED, you and I need, to hear. I must admit, I don't enjoy discipline. I'd love, or at least think I'd love, to have God answer my every prayer in my way. But guess what? As close as God is to you and as intimate as the relationship is, he still has the best interest of not only you but everyone else to consider at once. That means that sometimes, what we deem as best for us isn't what is best for others around us. This is one reason, I believe, why our prayers may not be answered as we wish. Furthermore, God's timing is the best timing. He knows what we need. We're told that he even knows what we need BEFORE we pray! With that thought in mind, should we really be too upset when we don't "get our way when we want it?" There may be good reasons why don't. We may actually even need what we are praying for, just not then. Therefore, if something doesn't happen for you when you think it should, don't get despondent. Don't get angry with God. Be willing to ask what God might have in store for instead of what you thought was in store for you. This paradigm shift will go a long way towards instilling a deep and lasting faith, costly as it may be!
Back to discipline. Discipline builds character. It also is an identifying mark of childhood in the kingdom. In fact, if we say we don't want or don't have discipline, we aren't even God's children! (verse 8). How about that? I'm not saying we need to sign up for discipline, but we should be willing to accept it. Discipline also implies a costly grace. To be indulged and given what we want all of the time and to have roses and sunshine all of the time implies a very cheap grace indeed. ANYONE could and would be a believer if that were the case. What would happen to that kind of belief and faith when the first storm came? That person would be just like the man in Matthew 7;26-27, who built his house upon the unsure foundation of sand. What happens to a sandcastle that is built on a beach? When a wave or series of waves comes upon that castle, it batters it until the eventually the sandcastle is reclaimed by the beach and is dissolved. The same thing happens to these who resist discipline.
By refusing discipline, you ask for your "spiritual house" to be built upon an unsure foundation. What's going to happen when the inevitable storm comes? Without discipline, without a tested faith that knows that God will see you through the storm, one way or another, what will be left?
How then should our attitudes be? We should know that when discipline comes into our life that, even though we don't like it, we are experiencing what it means to be God's child. If God allowed his only son to suffer and die, should we expect him to coddle us? yet if God had not given his son, where would we be? Although there is cost and even pain that is associated with discipline, it is that very discipline which will mold and even strengthen our faith, if only we'll possess the proper perspective.
I'm not saying you must go looking for discipline. I'm not talking about possessing a masochistic faith. I am talking about a realistic and a lasting faith. Know that discipline, that trials will come. But also know that we serve a Lord who has overcome all. Know that when we are disciplined, it is "in order that we may share his (God's) holiness" (verse 10, NRSV). It is then that costly holiness that will yield "the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (verse 11, NRSV).
So, if you are feeling like God has forsaken you, if you feel like God is out to shipwreck your faith, or if you have been tempted to ask if you even have enough faith, examine your life. Is discipline there? Are you currently experiencing it? If so, BE THANKFUL! Be thankful that God loves you enough to to do this. Once more, be assured that later on, you will be stronger, you will have greater faith and you will have the peaceful fruit of righteousness as your reward. But first, be willing to accept the costly discipline of God.
Thanks once again for all who have added this blog. I pray this will be a blessing to you and will in some way help to strengthen your faith. Feel free to pass it on, too!

Even the "ordinary" is extraordinary

Hebrews 11 has long been known as the "Hall of Fame" of Christian faith. Throughout the course of the chapter Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and even Rahab, the prostitute from the story of the Israelite conquest of Jericho are given their own verses. Interestingly though, Samson, Samuel and even David are only named. Once more, a multitude of others are implied as having suffered cruelly for their faith. None of the major prophets are mentioned by name, although I believe Elijah is alluded to, as tradition holds that he was sawn in two (used in 11:37).
This chapter isn't meant to be all-inclusive and I believe that's great news for you and I. We must never forget all of those who have come before us. We literally stand on the shoulders of these giants of faith. We remember them, admire them and most importantly seek to emulate their faith. Hence their inclusion in the Word.
Yet, I've always wondered why a harlot received a verse but David only gets a mention. Could it be because even the socially outcast, even the downtrodden, even those who make poor decisions are able to be used by God IF ONLY they will step out in faith and listen to the call of God?
I think there are other lessons to learn here. For some reason, in our culture, we tend to seek that which is sensational and glamorous. This line of thought even permeates our views of personal testimonies. We tend to want to hear stories of both maximum degradation and massive redemption. We tend to want to hear of celebrity and high-profile conversions. Those type of stories are both captivating and inspiring. While I believe that they are both of merit and laudable, I believe that we can tend to overemphasize them at the cost of deemphasizing that which could best be deemed as ordinary.
For example, a person led a life that they knew was incomplete and in need of change. One day they decided to attend church and in the process of this were changed by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. They then go on to live for 50 years, all the while faithfully attending church, living a life pleasing to the Lord. They die and then go on to their eternal reward. In contrast, you hear about a celebrity who lived a life of debauchery. They were drug users, womanizers and rabble rousers. This person then fell on hard personal times and when they were in the gutter, they cried out to God and were delivered from their own personal pits and now live an exciting and inspiring daily walk with Christ out loud. Now I ask you? Which life story is more exciting? Well, hands down, the celebrity story will be the one that people want to hear, the one that'll sell books and the one that'll pack out churches and theaters during speaking tours. Is this necessarily bad? Not really, but it can paint an unrealistic picture of conversion.
I don't think I'm out of line by saying that for every one spectacular story, there are hundreds of ones that could be described as mundane. Yet, should we think that for one second one story is more important in the eyes of the Lord than another? We are told that even angels rejoice at the conversion of one person who receives the Lord. Furthermore, precious is the death of his saints in the eyes of the Lord. At what point does it say that there are positions of prominence in the heavenly reception?
I have a picture currently up of Johnny Cash and Billy Graham. I have this picture up for both the comparison and contrast of their two lives and for the ways in which their lives became intertwined and examples of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I'm sure the reception was great for Johnny when he went home and I can't begin to imagine what it'll be like when Billy goes home. Yet, will it be anymore so when any other believer goes? Or is that even the point?
The same application may be made in the realm of personal testimonies. Because our testimony may be mundane, we are less apt to share it with others. We justify this inaction because we don't want to bore or we don't want to be thought of as drab. However, I believe that this inaction only serves to stifle the potential that lies inside of the lives and testimonies of us all. I have some news for those who think their stories are typical. A typical story is still atypical! The sad truth is that narrow is the path that leads to deliverance and wide is the path that goes to destruction. In other words, only a very few actually are called to make the leap of faith. That is not a point of rejoicing, because frankly, I believe that we should never be pleased when a person dies in their sins. However, we should rejoice and delight in the favor that we have been shown. We should be so happy that we long to share that joy with others. This should be through both our lives that exhibit that joy and our words which describe it.
Our typical story is still something that is so wonderful and special. It can still be used to glorify God and to bring others to Christ. As has been the theme lately, one can NEVER know the ways in which the Holy Spirit may be glorified or choose to work through the lives of those who allow it to happen.
Just remember one thing, the next time you are tempted to think that you are merely ordinary, you are wrong. You are extraordinary! Your testimony may not be "Movie of the Week" material, but it is no less consequential in nature. Even though you may never receive the recognition or notice in this life that you even may deserve, remember that "God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake..." (Hebrews 6:10, NRSV). Therefore, never fail to seize the opportunity to let others know what God has done for you. In fact, you may very well be able to reach people that the more spectacular in testimony may alienate. Remember, there is no competition in both soul-winning (because the work of redemption is carried out by God) nor in strength of testimonies (each are saved through the blood of Christ alone!) Never, never, never underestimate the power of God (remember the post on miracles? Your own story is just as great of a miracle as the story of the blind man receiving his sight!)
On that note, I just want to take the time to welcome all of you who have added this blog. I am both thankful and humbled by that. Thank you for your comments and even more for your prayers. If you know of others who might enjoy this or be blessed by it, please by all means invite them. If you know of folks who don't know the Lord and might benefit from anything here, please invite them in. Anybody that wants to contribute, please do. This is a team effort! I pray that this blog is of use to you and may bless you in some small way. If you have been, please take a moment and drop a line to make that known. All comments are welcome! Have a blessed weekend and upcoming Sabbath day!!

Miracles DO exist!

"Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24, NRSV).
In today's society, many of us tend grow extremely skeptical of claims of miraculous intervention. I must admit that I do the same. In my case, I'm not sure if I feel that way due to the sensational nature of some miracle claims or because some certain evangelists claim miracles will happen if you'll only give them money. I'm not so sure that my unbelief is based on something more, something more sinister and more potentially damaging spiritually.
The word solipsism is defined by Witherington as "making the mistake of generalizing from the part to the whole" (Witherington, 2006, p.5). In other words, because I believe that miracles can't happen, miracles don't happen. In my case this would mean that perhaps I have a narrow view of miracles because I don't believe in them. Just like the boogeyman, my denial of its existence negates its possibility. This is a truly dangerous position to take. What, because something hasn't happened to me, it can't happen for anyone else? Lord, forgive me for my unbelief.
Perhaps my position is due to my naturally analytical nature. I tend to emphasize knowledge over belief in my personal view of God and theology. But what does this mean? Am I better at reading and understanding theology than I am at believing it? I've learned much about sanctification, justification, and in detailed systematic theology. The concept of the Trinity, of the immanence of God, of the homoousios of Christ - his fully human and fully divine natures, the tenets of soteriology and understand about the existence of God through Scripture, reason, tradition and experience. However, this still isn't enough.
John 3 deals with the nocturnal visit between Jesus and a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus. Most of us know the story because it includes John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (NRSV) or some variation of that wording. Yet within this encounter, Jesus outlines the need for being born again. Nicodemus, a very learned man didn't understand Jesus. "Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things" (John 3:10, NRSV)?
I'm afraid that these words from Jesus hit me square between the eyes. Here I am a teacher, a preacher, a disciple of Christ and yet, I am so daft in many areas. This should not be. Lord, forgive me for my unbelief.
In some circles, my condition is called putting head over heart. I try to analyze and understand everything before I internalize it. While I believe that God gives us a brain and reasoning ability for the purpose of understanding, I must also realize that there things that frankly, can't be explained. How does a man rise up from the dead? I can't totally explain it. How does a man walk on water, and I'm not talking about frozen water, either? How does a biopsy come back negative after a positive was assessed as a foregone conclusion? How does a woman get pregnant after 12 years of "failures"? These things can't be explained. Yet, they have happened and will continue to happen in some cases.
I am not in any way saying we should dismiss reason and intellectual pursuit of the divine. However, we must be willing to admit that we just don't and can't figure God out completely. It's not like we aren't given fair warning, though. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8, NIV). In other words, God is infinite, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. I am not. This reminds me of scene from the movie, Rudy. At a point of crisis, Rudy turns to prayer and to a priest for further guidance. The priest replies in this fashion: "Kid, I've learned two things in all my years as a priest. There is a God and I'm not him."
No matter how hard I try to fashion my God-box, he simply can't be contained there within. To say that he can be is as ludicrous as believing that if I look up at the sun and squint my eyes and then raise my hand towards the sun and pinch my fingers tight together over the sun that I have actually "crushed" the sun. Last I checked, that doesn't work, no matter what I may WANT to believe. The same goes for God. No matter what I may WANT to believe about him or about his work, I simply can't understand it all. I must accept some things on faith and through belief. Lord, forgive me for my unbelief.
Jesus tells the leper that he is cured through his belief. The blind man is given sight because of his belief. In a similar fashion, we are told in Mark 6 that Jesus couldn't perform many miracles in Nazareth because of their lack of belief. Even moreso, we are told that Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. I must say, that is the last thing that I would ever want Jesus to feel about me, yet there are times when I'm not so sure if that wouldn't be the case.
I've been blessed recently to see some things, to be around some people, to see some change in folks that I just didn't think possible. Like Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, I reply to my master, "I don't believe it!" I shudder to think that he might say, "That is why you fail", ala Yoda. The point is, I stand at a crossroads of faith. I can either accept the fact that God can and will perform miracles at his discretion and within his perfect will, as he has already shown or I can bury my head in the sand and continue to live a "prove it to me" existence. Lord, forgive me for my unbelief.
I'm choosing to accept that miracles still do happen. They don't have to happen. I don't have to be cured every time I pray for it. I don't have to wake up with all my problems fixed. In fact, I don't have to see another miracle the rest of my days. Yet, still I choose to accept the fact that miracles do exist! How about you?

Hebrews 6:7-8

"Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over" (Hebrews 6:7-8, NRSV).
These verses hit me today during my devotional time and I believe that they have some strong implications for us today. While I'm sure that the interpretation of the text that I'm going to be applying may have some exegetical stretching applied to it, as in the verses themselves don't directly apply to the church - however, I do believe that the verses can be used to apply to the modern believer's experience in churches today. With that caveat aside, let's begin.
The first part of verse 7 seems to be alluding to a person, most likely a believer, who represented as ground receives rain on multiple occasions. That rain may take many different forms. The rain might be a poignant sermon or lesson. It may be the direct unction of the Holy Spirit. It may also be an exhortation or word of encouragement offered from another believer. The rain may even be all of the above from time to time. The point is that rain is nourishing and sustaining. In fact, without rain falling on the life of a believer, that life can wither and die. On the flipside, however, I don't believe that ground can be flooded out from exposure to too much of this kind of allegorical and spiritual rain.
What can be said though, is that ground must be exposed to rain. Not only exposed, but exposed repeatedly. How does this occur? In a number of ways. First, by spending quality individual time with the Lord, the rain of the Holy Spirit will fall. Second, quality corporate time is necessary. Yes, this means church time. This may an antiquated statement in some circles, but with all respect to Barna, church attendance is vital. Just because some are not attending doesn't mean that the current debunking of the church is right. We are called to gather together on a regular basis for support and edification. I'm not here to pontificate on the right denomination or church, but I would urge you to attend a church of your choice that both challenges and supports you spiritually.
Notice in the second part of verse 7 that the writer implies that some action will be taken by the ground itself, the believer. What comes next is not some theological tip of the hat to Pelagianism, a belief that we as humans are essentially capable of moving ourselves towards salvation. To state that we must act doesn't lessen the impact of God's grace on our lives. This is more in line with the costly grace that was spoken of by Bonhoeffer and mentioned in previous posts. The believer is called to produce a crop, and even more specific, a crop that is useful to us.
Verse 8 seems to indicate that this crop may be negative and damaging to the ground. But how? The writer of Hebrews seems to be saying that exposure to rain WILL produce a crop when acted upon in concert with the ground. Yet, that crop isn't always good. For instance, have you ever wondered how a person may attend church for years with no apparent signs of moving closer to the Lord? Or furthermore, how a person might attend church for years but act more like someone who has never darkened the doors?
I believe that the motives of the heart of a person and the desire for reception of that aforementioned rain plays a large role in governing the actions of a person. The Lord doesn't force a person to receive or act upon the rain that the rain that they receive in a positive way. In fact, he doesn't force any interaction or crop growth period. He exhorts, challenges and calls us to grow, but that ultimate choice, with all respect to my Calvinist brothers and sisters, for receptivity seems to lie within the person, or ground in this case, themselves.
It is interesting to note that mere reception of rain isn't enough to ensure a good and useful crop. In fact, exposure to this rain might in turn cause a person to be in worse shape than they were before hearing. Why? I believe this is due to the fact that exposure to the good things of God naturally causes some type of decision to be made. A person may choose to focus upon the glory of god and the beauty and sanctity, despite its imperfections, of the assembly that is called the church. Now another person who may be exposed to much of the same things might choose to become bitter because of their own pain or perception of hypocrisy in the church. In other words, and I may be stretching the exegesis of this passage here, these verses seem to be implying the ability of the ground to choose what kind of crop they will grow. Whether this choice is conscious or unconscious really is irrelevant. The point remains that we have some say as to what kind of crop may be produced.
While this freedom of expression exists, notice that the writer clearly demonstrates what the results of each ground will cause. If the crop is useful, there will be a blessing from God. If that crop is thorny, it is worthless and will be burned up. I don't think it takes much imagination and certainly no literary license to notice what is being stated here. The very crop that is produced from reception of the rain will very well impact the disposition of that person and the very eternal fate of the person themselves.
So what does all of this mean to you and me? I believe that these verses mean that we play a large role in our own lives and destinies. In other words, when people make a statement like, How can a loving God send someone to hell, we must be aware that frankly, he doesn't. That choice is made throughout our own lives. I apologize for that tangent but it is a point that I feel must be made.
In either case, we must be willing to not just become ground that receives rain, but ground that desires to produce a positive and blessed crop. I believe that this best accomplished through supplication of our own wills to the good and perfect will of the father. This isn't because we're too weak or not good or smart enough to handle life on our own. On the contrary, it takes a stronger person to admit that they don't have everything figured out and that someone else does. I urge you to today make that conscious choice to grow a good crop. Make sure that you put yourself in a position to receive that rain which grows a crop of blessing. Read the Bible daily. Pray daily for others and for yourself. Attend church at least once a week. Become a part of a small group, be it Sunday School, a home Bible study or something that encourages accountability. These things, as we have seen, don't guarantee a good crop. No one is saved because of them. However, I would argue that it is next to impossible to be saved without them.
As humans, we are created to be and live both individually and communally. You really can't ignore either aspect and live a healthy and growing life. Furthermore, you can't fully receive the rain that we have talked about without being exposed to other believers. With that thought in mind, I urge you to not give up on your church and to support it with your prayers, your finances and your attendance. This isn't a self-serving statement but one that has our best in mind. So seek that good and perfect rain, drink up, soak it up and be prepared to grow the crop that receives a blessing from God!

The epidemic of historical revisionism

I've been wondering if I should offer any input in regards to this Jesus family tomb debacle. I decided that I won't try to shoot it down directly - here's a great link that does so WAY better than I ever could - http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/ - rather, I'd like to address this issue of historical revisionism.
Historical revisionism is using either newly found knowledge or opinion to review certain historical events or people in order to see them in a different way. This process may be both ambivalent or malevolent, depending usually on the motives of the revisionists. These motives range from genuine historical interest to aggrandization through sensationalism and book/movie sales a la DaVinci Code or this Jesus family tomb business.
As a former history teacher, I find it surprising that so many try to inject their own beliefs into history. Both secular and "sacred" sources are guilty of doing this. For instance, I taught for a couple of years at a Christian school that employed a curriculum, Abeka Books, which insisted that virtually all of the founding fathers were Christians, as we today would think of them. Honestly, I believe that is a ludicrous point of view and I would love to disavow of such notions, if I may. George Washington wouldn't even be allowed to be a member of the church that I now attend, as he was the largest distiller of rye whiskey in America. The minister of the church that Martha Washington attended during Washington's presidency remarked that he never once saw George attend. Now, I am not about to say that George wasn't a Christian. I believe he had a deep-seeded faith. However, to try to make him more than he might have been - an 18th century Mason, deist, possible Christian is historical revisionism. I'm mystified by similar efforts to regard Benjamin Franklin - a notorious ladies man and raucous party attendee by most accounts and Abraham Lincoln - a highly conflicted, depressed yet possible believer into evangelical poster boys. The effort to ameliorate these men ring both hollow and historically stunted. Isn't it enough to say that we believe that America was founded with the greatest amount of religious freedom a nation has ever known? Our own Bill of Rights indicates that the government will not be a respecter of any one religion. Why should we as Christians try to make any more out of that?
Of course on the other end of the argument are the Dan Browns, James Camerons (who really should stick to making unsinkable ships and human cyborgs come to life) and the more extreme devotees to religious divorce. I think their arguments tend to smack of both intellectual hubris and antipathy towards Christianity. Once again - better zip up, I think your agenda is showing!
All of this prologue was to introduce a work that I am reading by Ben Witherington - What Have They Done With Jesus. I guess the "they" would refer to revisionists who would have us believe that Jesus was someone other than the Jesus who is presented in the Bible.
"That's because when you consistently do historical work out of your own personal experience, whatever that experience may be, you are bound to skew the historical data some" (Witherington, 2006, p.5). This quote from Witherington seems to point out the subjective nature of historical research. In my experience, I think that Witherington could not be more correct. It is so easy to try to make people act like you do, to get statements or even worse, Bible verses to get to say what YOU want rather than what THEY intended to say. Now, no historian or pastor is ever guilty of that are they? I am sure that I have done exactly that on more than one occasion.
Why? I guess it's because it is both comforting and empowering to present a cogent sermon or argument that batters the opposition to tatters. It's the American ideal as well: bigger, better, faster, newer. It's an unfortunate symptom of a culture that is sucked into sensationalism and celebrity chasing as well. Escapism, anyone? What's wrong with living your life, YOUR life, the only one you have, the one that God in his infinite mercy has granted you?
As revisionism grows - to epidemic levels, hence the title, hehe, it is imperative that as much as possible we attempt to TRY to see things as they are, a difficult proposition, to be sure. Subjective beings view things subjectively. It's so easy to take a verse and use it to support your own point of view, denomination, theological tendency or needs. However, I urge you, I urge myself to take verses in context, in light of the rest of the chapter, book and vision of the Bible as well as orthodox interpretations. If you are viewing scripture in a unique way, guess what, you probably aren't a visionary, you're probably a heretic.
It is the need to reinterpret the Bible that has led to the popularity and proliferation of Left Behind. While I believe that LaHaye and Jenkins have nothing but the best in mind, I do believe that many have bought into that series as if it were Biblical dogma rather than both fiction and 18th century revisionism - from both Darby and Scofield. The rapture is a perfect illustration! Looking for Biblical evidence leaves one lacking of a clear and definitive stance on the issue.
Furthermore, only a revisionist would believe that we have exclusivity on believing that we live in the last days. Paul, Peter and the writer of Hebrews held this belief as did the early church fathers from Irenaeus to Lactantius. In fact, it might be safe to say that every generation has held that they were living in the last days. However, it would also be safe to say that only the past few have contended that a "bail-out" mechanism is in place. Now, to say anything different, such as that the rapture is both a misinterpretation and potentially dangerous doctrine - akin to Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to appear - that damages faith rather than strengthens it, can lead to unnecessary arguments, debates and schisms.
My point here is that a little revisionism can lead to a world of hurt. Whether in the church or in the world, revisionism as an occupation is a deadly one, if it is used to reinterpret personal agendas through history. History is just that - history. It was what it was. While we can use the passage of time to understand actions and events better, it is problematic to try to take those events out of their unique historical context. History can be cool and it can be ugly, too. Revisionists have both better understood the actions of the "pilgrims" and tried to explain away the Holocaust. Let the facts speak for themselves and let's try together to understand them!

Costly versus Cheap grace: Part 2

The first entry in this series served as an introduction to the concept of cost in a relationship with Christ. This series is inspired by "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please remember that this post and entire series is given in love. However, if it sounds preachy in parts, remember my name...
I recently watched some of the interaction and banter about the supposed and downright fallacious Jesus family ossuary - here's a great link in regards to this complete and utter archaeological travesty - http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/ - anyway, what I latched onto was a man expressing that he was indeed a Christian but that he wasn't going to "bore us" with his "private beliefs". That statement fired me up. Since when is it acceptable for Christians to literally "hide it under a bushel" to steal a line from an apropos Sunday School song? If we, as confessing Christians are afraid to express our beliefs when given the opportunity, then I really believe that there must be some form of spiritual deficiency existing within that person.
Let me explain. America has long claimed to be a Christian nation. Yet, on program after another we continue to see a type of vilification towards active and vocal Christians, who are viewed as hateful bigots and exaltation of just about any other lifestyle or religion. If you want any type of confirmation of this, look no further than this year's Oscar program or many of the myriad talk show entries on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and the like. Tolerance towards all except Christ! The cross of Christ is foolishness to those who are perishing (I Cor. 1:18), never forget.

If we claim to be a Christian but then have nothing in our lives to evidence that change, then according to Bonhoeffer, cheap grace is on display. "But those who try to use (cheap grace) as a dispensation from following Christ are simply deceiving themselves" (Bonhoeffer, 1937, p.51). Christianity then becomes a term that is both socially acceptable and safe. This is the point at which many claim to be Christians. As in folks that attend church twice a year and think Jesus had some good ideas while trying to listen to "the man upstairs". At what point would Peter, Paul, Stephen and countless others have considered Christianity safe?
"(If) the Christian life comes to mean nothing more than living in the world and as the world, in being no different than the world...the upshot of it all is that my only duty as a Christian is to leave the world for an hour or so on a Sunday morning and go to church to be assured that my sins are all forgiven. I need no longer try to follow Christ, for cheap grace, the bitterest foe of discipleship, has freed me from that" (Bonhoeffer, 1937, p.51). Bonhoeffer was speaking about one who says that they are Christian. That person may go to church, may be considered a good person and may even help little old ladies across the street. However, none of those things are what Christianity is really about. Now understand, my intention isn't to sling rocks around, it is to differentiate between the cheap grace mentality and that of costly grace. I'm not saying that those who live with costly grace can't change with the intervention of the Holy Spirit, but what I am saying is that those who live under cheap grace may very well die and come before a God that they don't know. What a tragedy that would be, to live a life under the delusion that one was saved, but really either never understood or was never really told that so much more is required.
Cheap grace revels in a life lived as they want rather than as they might be called. Now, as I have stated before, I am not talking about living a life of legalism and rules. Church is wonderful and well-needed for both the spiritual health of the individual and community. Love is the essence of life and relationships. Missions, altruistic acts and giving of self and finances to church and charity are all hallmarks of the Christian life. I am not discounting these things in and of themselves.
I am talking about a life that is characterized by grace. Look, the fact of the matter is that even Christians are capable of sin. They might not HAVE to, but they still can. Costly grace enters into this equation when that same imperfect person longs to overcome that sin nature and live a life that is characterized by devotion to Christ. Cheap grace in this case would be akin to a thought of "I am imperfect. Therefore, I sin. We all do. Since I am "saved" it will all be worked out in heaven." While there is some truth in that statement, cheapness enters in when we experience complacency and even acceptance of sin in our lives.

Once again, being a Christian has less to do about steps, rituals and self and more to do about devotion, change and altruism. It has more to do with a desire for Christ and less to do with a desire for the things of this world. I'll address this concept more in the future, but suffice it to say that costly grace, transformative grace is what we are called to seek, promote and possess. We'll begin to take a look at what costly grace looks like in a changed life in later posts. In the meantime, try to find a copy of Bonhoeffer, but more importantly, take a look at faith in Hebrews 11 and the call to discipleship that Christ gives throughout the Gospel of John.