The Strength Inside Our Hands

     The story was once told about a man who served on one of Walt Disney’s original advisory boards.  He related stories of how tough the early days of the Disney Empire were, but how Disney tenaciously refused to give up on his creative visions.  He told how the visionary responded to disagreement, saying Disney would often present to the board some unbelievable, seemingly impossible dream he had been entertaining.  Nearly every time he would present one of these bold ideas, the members of his board would gulp, blink and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such impossible endeavors.  Interestingly, unless every member of his board resisted the idea Disney presented, he would not pursue it.  That’s right, if the challenge wasn’t big enough to appear impossible, Disney thought it wasn’t big enough to warrant his time and creative energy to pursue it.

     Maybe God has a little something in common with Walt Disney when it comes to making big plans and carrying out seemingly impossible dreams.  We could probably consult the Book of Judges and the account of Gideon, the valiant warrior who stood against 135,000 Midianites with an army of 300 men to investigate that possibility.

     Picture Gideon – mighty warrior that he was – beating out wheat in the winepress in an attempt to hide his actions and preserve some of the harvest for Israel – a harvest Midian was determined to steal and destroy.  We are told the angel of the Lord visited him, telling him that the Lord had assigned him the job of delivering Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, and promising Gideon he will defeat this enemy “as one man.”  God certainly does use Gideon for this task.  But He does it His way, sending him against the mighty army of Midian not with 32,000, and not even with 10,000, but with an army of only 300 men.  What was God’s reasoning?  Because, He tells Gideon, if a large army went up against Midian they would “become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has saved me.’  God needed these people to know just Who provided their salvation from their enemies.

      How often do we limit and marginalize the mighty acts God would do though us by believing the task is great and we are not?  When what God wants all along is for us to simply be willing to let Him do the impossible through us.  How much we must limit the work of God in our world when we, thinking we are simply being humble, determine to only tackle those tasks we can do through the framework of our own abilities and resources to get them done.

     We do not need to study the Bible for long to clearly see God’s desire to use the stutterer, the fearful, the doubter, the limited ones – the improbable ones – to accomplish His mighty deeds.  Moses asked God, “Who am I,” when facing the enormous task of delivering His people from bondage.  That was a good question.  Should not the tasks to which God calls us cause us to fall to our knees and wonder at our limitations?  Because His greatest works require that we clearly recognize with the Psalmist, “except the Lord build the house,” the builder works in vain.

     We often find ourselves standing in our pew or chair on Sunday morning, from the safety of the sanctuary – peering outside into the “world out there” and shake our heads in despair, thinking, “Lord, this world is just too far gone for the church to save it,” and we are absolutely right!  That job is too big for the church.  But when the church only tackles those jobs which are already within our own abilities and we choose to depend upon our own resources before moving forward, we will make little impact on the task. 

     Given the fact that the church is faced each day with gargantuan tasks like a world in need of salvation, it should forever push us to our knees, crying out to the Lord about our insufficiency.  Because that is when He steps in and says, “It doesn’t make much difference who you are or what you already possess – because I Am all you need.”  The One Who conquered death, defeated sin and who has been made for us wisdom, righteousness, holiness and all power is also all-sufficient.  Faithful is the One Who has called us.  Our insufficiency is merely the opportunity for Him to work and for us to be reminded that the strength inside our hands is His.    

Depression - My Terrible Companion

Depression - My Terrible Companion

It is the lie that wakes me up with sorrow

It is the mask that paints the world as stark

It is the thief that robs me of tomorrow

It is the cloud that keeps me in the dark.

It takes the joy from each and every moment

It takes the sun and replaces it with rain

It takes the pleasure and turns it into torment

It takes the sweetness and melts it into pain

It steals the hope from the promise of every morning

It steals the rainbow and drains it of its light

It steals applause and reduces it to scorning

It steals the truth from everything that’s right.

It kills the grandeur of every wish and daydream

It kills the pleasure of each and every bite

It kills the truth and robs it of its meaning

It kills all brightness, and offers only night

Although a person may choose to see only the negative in everything around them and walk around in a depressed state, and people will call that person “depressing”– if you have never dealt with acute, chronic depression, you cannot know the abject hopelessness it brings to a life.  You may be able to sympathize with the depressed person, but you cannot truly identify or empathize with him or her.  You cannot conjure up true depression.  Even those who deal with it regularly will tell you there is a stark contrast between sadness, grief and loneliness and the terrible, pervasive darkness that depression brings.

The world will tell the depressed person to “cheer up,” “lighten up,” or even tell them to “get a grip.”  They may even try to push their personal solutions – meditation, humor, distractions and diversions.  They may even attempt to shake the depressed person from their dullness by being harsh or critical.  However, disregarding or marginalizing the pain depression carries with it or the terrible depths to which it can take its sufferers, usually proves futile.

I know all this is true because depression has been my lifelong companion and nemesis.  From early childhood I have struggled against this terrible condition and know on a very personal level what it means to feel abject hopelessness and utter despair.  It is probably no surprise that my mother and her mother, as well as both of my sisters, also suffered and suffer today from this same plague. 

It is nearly impossible for me to adequately describe the pain of depression.  I’m pretty certain words have not been invented to properly paint it in all its horrible pain.  The portrait of Dorian Gray, at the end of Oscar Wilde’s book, for me, offers a glimpse into how depression feels.  After living longer than he should, and having offered nothing of value to life other than shallowness and depravity, Dorian Gray’s unredeemed soul in all its horror and ugliness stares down at the still physically beautiful man from the tortured eyes of the portrait.  Dorian Gray attempts to absolve himself of his terrible life of corruption by stabbing the portrait and in essence has killed himself and restored the portrait to its original beauty.  I equate depression with this story because while the portrait of Dorian Gray accurately portrays the genuine blackness and ugliness that lies within his soul – the one who suffers from depression sees himself or herself staring back from a similar portrait, believing it to be an accurate reflection of their contribution and potential contribution to life.  Simply stated, depression robs those who suffer from it of the truth.  Those who look at the world through the filter of depression do not see the world or their place in the world as it truly is.

Although my struggle with depression eventually landed me in a doctor’s office and taking a prescription anti-depressant for two years, it has since been my choice, for many personal and spiritual reasons, to forego any further professional intervention for my condition.  But that choice only came after decades of “reeling” and “dealing” – often unsuccessfully, with the dreadful and debilitating symptoms.  It also came after years of spiritual growth, self-examination, counseling and the study and practice of various Christian counseling methodologies.  Although I state with great caution that through the power of the Holy Spirit instant and absolute healing from depression is possible, I have not been acquainted with many for whom it has happened. 

While I have studied this condition for many years and have many personal theories and deductions about it, I will keep them to myself and simply offer some words of (long-sought and hard-won) wisdom instead.

1.  If you suffer from depression – seek help.  Two of the biggest lies of depression are, a) you must suffer alone and b) there are no real answers for your pain.  Not true!  Great strides have been made in the treatment for depression, and millions every day find successful solutions for their struggle.  My choice would be to seek spiritual guidance first, since I see depression as a major tool of our spiritual enemy.  And there are many highly trained Christian counselors who have had tremendous success treating depression.  The method that has proven most successful for me has been theophostic ministry.  Its major creed and practice denotes the idea of help that goes “beyond tolerable recovery.”  It embraces the idea that simply bandaging a wound is not the answer, but that complete healing of the sources of depression is possible through the power and healing of the Holy Spirit.  I discovered it only after sitting under the counseling of three different very well trained Christian counselors over a period of several years, and received more help after only a short time than I ever dreamed, and continue to apply its principles to my own struggles and my approach to ministry as well.  I encourage you to do some research before you plunge in.  But whatever you pursue – please pursue something. 

2.  If you have never experienced serious, long-lasting depression, do yourself and the entire world a favor and keep your judgment and any condemnation you might have about its victims to yourself.  Those who suffer from its effects bring enough of that on themselves and not only do they not need your criticism, it can often push them further into themselves and bring damage and consequences for which you do not wish to carry the responsibility. 

3.  If you cannot “handle” the pain you see around you, remove yourself from the situation and inform someone who truly cares about the sufferer that you do not feel qualified to help.  And ask them to stand in for you or find someone who will.  After recently going through a terrible personal crisis, I can advise you with absolute firmness of conviction – DO NOT ignore or disregard the emotional crisis of someone you know is suffering from depression.  If they reach out to you and you cannot offer solid help, PLEASE do not cast them aside or assume their life is not in jeopardy.  Connect them with someone who will actively pursue a solution on their behalf or with someone who will act as an advocate for their life.  It is crucial that you NOT ignore anyone who has attempted suicide or has mentioned that the world would be a better place if they were no longer around.

4.  If you are not trained in treating serious depression do not attempt to become the counselor for someone who is suffering from its effects.  You can offer a listening ear, but do not assume that will be enough.  Depression is a serious problem that requires a serious approach if it is to be treated with any measure of success.  Offer your compassion, your support, your love and especially your prayers – but do not offer to sit in a professional’s chair if you do not have a professional’s credentials.

5.  When depression tragically takes a life, do not assume you know the destination of the soul of the sufferer and do not assume upon God’s grace and mercy.  The one characteristic of our Creator we know more than any other is His love.  Only He knows the true condition of the human spirit of the individual and only He will stand as judge over it.  Please lay the assumptions, judgments and condemnations aside and try instead to offer the highest level of support you can offer to those who are left behind; and let the loss heighten your understanding of the seriousness of what you know about depression.  Then let it add to your determination to be compassionate and understanding of those for whom depression is a constant companion and nemesis.

The picture I paint of depression here is deeply personal and very real.  I do not offer this advice casually or without much thought and prayer.  What the world has faced in the last 24 hours with the suicide of a tortured but highly gifted entertainer, should force all of us to face the seriousness of this condition and the deep need for an understanding that goes far beyond ourselves and our limited capacity for help.  But it should also create a higher resolve to offer more than sorrow and regret.

Not Half, But Whole

     Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!  Psalm 119:2

     I sat as I listened to our worship leader read that verse aloud during choir rehearsal.  After he read it, I found myself reading it again.  “Lord, what does that mean?  You know, that word, whole.  We read it over and over in scripture, but it seems to me we either ignore that word or simply choose to focus our attention on other aspects of that blessing.  What does it really mean to seek You with my whole heart?”  

      It really wasn’t the time to be concentrating on such things.  We had music that needed to be rehearsed.  Our worship leader takes our Wednesday night time very seriously and expects us to do the same.  And I smile when I think of his expectations for our choir.  I smile because most folks today would scoff at someone in this day who expects people to be as committed as he expects people to be.  I smile because I know we live in a world where most folks think memorizing the music to be presented during our worship services is simply too much to be asked of a choir.  I smile because I know when much is required, often much is given - and rightly so.  I might add, especially when it comes to our worship.

     But back to that thought which interrupted my time with the choir on that particular night.  What does it really mean to seek Him with my whole heart?  Well, it might not have interrupted  my rehearsal if God had hesitated and brought my mind back around to that question later, knowing what my worship leader expects.  But, apparently, God felt this message was too important to wait.  He decided this question needed to be answered right then.  So, guess what?  He answered . . . right then.

                “As a child you learned only one sock and one shoe simply wouldn’t do.

                  As a student you learned only part of your homework wasn’t enough to get you the grade.

                  As a daughter you learned partial obedience was pretty much good for only one thing..

                  As a friend you learned any amount of disloyalty could lose you your friends.

                  As a layman you learned partial commitment doesn’t really benefit the church.

                  As a wife you learned keeping yourself “only to him” wasn’t just for sometimes.

                  As a mother you learned you can’t feed babies only when you feel like it.

     In each of these circumstances - sometimes, part, once in a while and when you feel like it are just not enough.  As a woman, is it ever o.k. to go out of the house half-dressed?  If you read only part of a book will you reap all the benefits of it?  Do you take only part of a shower and come out just as clean?  Do you expect only some of your salary when you get paid?  Do you pay attention to only some of what your friends, spouse or children have to say and still have as close a relationship?  Do you sing only a single verse of a song and still get the message just as clearly?”

     Wow!  I got the message quickly and clearly.  God was telling me with no uncertainty there isn’t really any aspect of my life that allows for only partial response.  Then - zing, on the heels of that revelation, came -  “So, when is a partial response to your Lord ever a correct response?”

     I must confess I had a difficult time coming back around to the music.  But then I remembered my worship leader desires the same thing my God does:  my whole-hearted dedication to the task at hand.   And that made me smile.

Becky Garner

10/14/04

Thinking About Home

As I sit here in the quiet of a Sunday evening with only the Jack-ster for company, and as I read through many of the posts of my FB friends, I am struck by a sort of spirit of negativity and discord among them. And can't help but wonder if there might be some missing elements in our 2013 celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Yes, my dear friends, the government is, . . . well, what the government has really always been - a group of people, . . . o.k., a really BIG group of people, who set out with good intentions, but ultimately appear to fall to the desire for control (of everything but themselves). And yes, most of us most likely do not need to be reminded of the need to be careful of the season's primary temptation toward placing commercialism at the top of our holiday pursuits. And, of course, it is understandable, (even in the midst of my "why on earth does it have to be 85 degrees in December" attitude) that the weather is on the minds of a lot of folks.

I really do understand we all need to grouse once in a while.

But a couple of things that happened in our family this week reminded me of why it's true that my favorite Christmas songs are those that recount the truth about our Savior's birth. Although I could listen to Michael Buble's and Nat King Cole's voices crooning about those "yuletide carols being sung by a choir" practically 24-7 at this time of year, my soul feeds on the seasonal groundings that occur for me as the writers of the music take precedence over the singers. And I'm prompted to snap out of my "American Christmas" mindset, and revive my understanding of just what really happened a couple of thousand years ago that graciously paved the way for me to step out of the darkness and be rescued from this "body of death."

We almost lost my precious mother-in-law in the early hours of Friday morning - a woman of such faith that it can boggle the mind to consider the prospect. There were other private difficulties as well, that I don't need to recount here. But I've been profoundly reminded that no matter how much comfort with which I choose to surround myself, or how much I strive to live without trouble and pain, during Christmas or any time - this country and this world were never meant to be my home. And just as the circumstances surrounding that birth were filled with less than what I would have planned for a King, those circumstances stand as a reminder for me that my life on this earth was never meant to be what I would plan. Because I would probably make it o.k. to get really comfortable, really rich and do all the grousing I want. Instead, I just keep thinking how these present struggles are still nothing compared to the glory that awaits on the "other side." And choosing to focus on frustrations over government, economic strife and the weather will never diminish those truths, but it just might diminish my joy in the midst of them.

I guess I'm waxing a little sentimental, but as I put up the tree and search for the missing decorations, and try to figure out how to get the TV to switch over to the video mode so I can watch "Desk Set" in order to try and conjure up an "appropriate" seasonal mood - instead of being in the "Christmas Spirit," I'm finding myself just thinking about home.

I Need a Hero

  

     It's the holiday season - and once again, various family members are sending out emails and Facebook messages asking for that awful, dreaded, "oh, no, not that again" list.  You know, that list that offers up suggestions and ideas from me - in hopes the gift I receive from my loved ones this year is one I want, rather than one they just think I might like.  And once again, even though throughout the year I often came across an item I thought I could use or might just want as a gift - somehow I can't recall a single item when it's time to offer up anything that looks like a "list" of possibilities.  So, it seems that too often in recent years I end up saying, "Just get me a gift certificate."  I figure that way I can hold on to it for that moment when I actually remember that particular item I happened across that I thought I wanted. 

     The truth is this yearly "list making" has become an exercise in futility for one reason more than any other.  It's because I'm pretty sure I have come to that place most of us eventually get to in our lives where I realize I don't need anything anymore.  And in fact, my life is so filled with blessings, that except for food, I probably could go until next Christmas without shopping once and be just fine. 

     But as I contemplated this "list" of my "things I just can't live without" again this morning, something occurred to me.  In fact I started to say here that this thought occurred to me a couple of months ago.  But as I contemplated more deeply, I realized I've been ruminating on this a lot longer than that.  When the reality of just how long I've been considering adding this desire to my "list" sunk in, it both amazed me and disturbed me at the same time.  Because in reality I've been in need of this for more years than I know how to count.  And forgive me, but I think the older I get and the more satisfied I am with the "stuff" of life, the more I realize the things I truly want more than anything else are not things to be had by pushing a shopping cart or carrying a credit card. 

     Somewhere along the line, as I moved into and a bit past “middle age,” I realized this is not just a desire, but a terrible, deep, aching, longing need. 

     Now, try not to laugh – or shake your head or roll your eyes . . .

            But the simple truth is –

I need a hero!

     I’ve known this for years, but have only lately been able to put it into those four little words.  You see, the evolution of my life in the institution we know as the “Church” has taken this need from what was probably just a thought or maybe even a slight wish, to what has become a desperate and urgent plea.  I have taken this plea to the Lord for years now, and have decided that although I know He could just drop a hero straight from heaven – maybe God is waiting for me to take part in the answer.  So I thought maybe I could publish this need and God might just deliver it into the hands of a potential answer to my prayer, or even better, He might just use my feeble confession to initiate a “wave of reality” and perhaps create a generation of heroes.

     Please allow me to explain:  Somewhere along the line, it seems a deep and uncrossable chasm arose in the Church, although I’m not well-researched enough to know the exact time.  But I'm pretty certain at one time it was widely accepted and appreciated that older Christians had a lot of wisdom to offer young believers; and at the same time, those who were tender and fresh in their journey had something fresh and unique to offer to the older generation as well.  But just as the enemy loves to do, at some point congregations began to divide into two factions and the sanctuary seemed to be reserved for only one group at a time.  The older crowd enjoyed their time in the sanctuary with their sensibilities fed and their tastes met to their comfort and satisfaction.  And either the younger crowd took their worship to an area specifically designated for their use or simply met for worship in the sanctuary at a different time.

     Somewhere along the way the young and old believers in Jesus became two very distinct and separate entities.

     Sorry, but no one can tell me this isn’t a widely occurring phenomenon, because I have witnessed it in too many churches and spoken to too many believers who have witnessed it as well.  And this phenomenon has grown more and more alarming to me.  For the large churches who have lots of space and a budget that allows for a large staff, this seems to have simply become ingrained in their philosophy and accommodations have been made so that both groups have their own leader and meet in their own space at their own chosen time. 

     The unfortunate consequence has been that too often smaller churches, with smaller budgets whose leaders are not the most gifted with the most contemporary ideologies lose their youth to the churches with the ability to offer inviting programs along with a more “youthful” style of worship. The smaller congregations are left constantly scratching their heads, scheming and striving to figure a way to bring youth back to their congregations – mostly to no avail.  Why?  Because no matter what the small church offers – the young take one peek inside this type of church and see white hair, an organ and a piano, and turn up their noses for that which is more appealing.  Or, a young person stumbles into the midst of this more geriatric society and every effort he or she makes at "updating" is met with such criticism, they lose heart and move on.
     One of the things I have observed with this dilemma is that sadly, it somehow became too easy for the older crowd to settle down in their comfortable, familiar settings – blindly unaware that they are placing a death certificate on the door of their future.  Because where there is no youth – death is inevitable.
     At the same time, the young have had such an infusion of fresh and new approaches to "doing church" that they can become steadfastly accustomed to church on their terms, and easily forget how vital it is that the older crowd have someone to whom they can pass on the treasures they hold.

     The most unfortunate aspect to this conundrum, to me, seems to be the increasing unwillingness of either group to bend in their desires or choices and the mounting intensity with which both sides cling to their customs and traditions.  So, it appears we are left with an “either/or” definition of the church.  Small steps may be made toward inclusion.  But when the effort to bend tilts to one side or the other a little too much – watch out!  The likely result is often an exodus. 
     Please forgive me if I seem to see only two sides - but for all the efforts to which I've been exposed concerning "blended" worship - I have yet to experience an effort that both sides would claim to be satisfactory. 
    However, for all my negative observations, I want to make a transparent and honest confession - I am still hopeful.  You see, I am holding out hope there is a hero out there somewhere who is willing to set an example and begin a cultural shift.  I believe it is absolutely possible and I am holding out hope there is a young person in my future who is bold enough and selfless enough to realize they might be the answer to this dilemma.  Not that I am saying the fault of this conundrum lies more with the young crowd - but I am clinging to the hope that there exists somewhere close at hand a young person willing to rub elbows with a lot of old people while maintaining a hunger for the young crowd who desperately need the Lord.  A youthful Godsend wise enough to recognize we all really do need each other – the young and the old.  A young warrior who is willing to smile through a lot of dinners-on-the-ground and “singspirations,” while still taking a firm stand for church programs and worship innovations that have evolved and changed to become new voices and fresh instruments that speak to a new generation. 
     I need a hero who sees the endless possibilities within themselves to become a bridge in the hands of Almighty God, while being humble enough to become that bridge one slat or one nail at a time.  I need a hero, not already perfect or complete, but one willing to grow and realize that even the elderly haven’t gotten there yet – and keen enough to realize that if the process is to be successful they desperately need one another to claim that success.  I need a hero to renew my fading hope that there exists no “greater generation” than the present one, partly because they see the greatness of the last.

     Although ministry to youth was never intended to bring division to the church – and my husband and I devoted over 16 years to youth ministry – it is quite possible we who ministered to youth have been part of the equation that brought division.  But clinging to Jesus' promise that "the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (the Church) and with a solid belief in the youth of this generation, I will fervently hold out my hope for a new kind of glue that seals the generational gap that currently exists in the church.  I will continue my pleas to God and will keep my eyes open and my hope fresh, no matter what.  Because I'm convinced what I need most in all the world is just on the other side of these words. My Hero.

Holiness - Part III

[I have been recently reading Kevin DeYoung's book, The Hole in our Holiness, and letting his words guide me in a series of sermons on holiness (my first such series).  After experiencing a tough week of ministry, I decided to lay out a clearly defined view of God's requirement that His people be a holy people.  I set up the sermon using his stream of thought and the scriptural foundation behind it, then laid out my heart at the clear direction of my Heavenly Father. This sermon is the result:]

Holiness – Part III

In 1981, a Minnesota radio station reported a story about a stolen car in California.  Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver, even to the point of placing announcements on local radio stations to contact the thief.  You see, on the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison.  The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait.  Now the police and the owner of the VW Bug were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life than to recover the car.  So often, when we run from God, we feel it is to escape His punishment.  But what we are actually doing is eluding His rescue.

Isn’t a joy that God’s desire is for your rescue?

Because given the fact that according to

Ephesians 2:1 – you were dead in your trespasses;

Romans 5:10 – you were an enemy of God;

Romans 5:12-21 – that as a descendent of the first Adam you share in the guilt and corruption of the first sin;

Psalms 51:5 – you were a sinner brought forth in iniquity;

Ephesians 2:3 – you were deserving of wrath;

Romans 6:23 – you were a sinner who deserved to die –

I have a question for you:

Why did God save you?

I mean, according to:

Romans 5:8 – at just the right time, Jesus died for you;

John 10:15 – the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep;

Mark 10:45 – Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath for you instead of you having to drink it;

Romans 3:25 and 8:31-39 – Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, God is now for you instead of against you

          By faith, through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, you are a reconciled, justified, adopted child of God

So, why did God save you?

Two of the possible answers are: Because He loves you and for the praise of His own name.

But listen to Ephesians 1:3-4:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

Paul is talking about a personal holiness – you were chosen by God before the world’s foundation was laid –

          WHY

          – in order that you would be holy.       

Simply put – The goal of your redemption is holiness.  You have been justified that you might be sanctified.

Exodus 19:4-6 says:

'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.  ~'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'"

And in case you need proof of the same from the New Testament:

I Peter 2:9 –

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

II Timothy 1:8-9

I Thessalonians 4:7

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 5:25-27

          The Bible could not be clearer. 

          The entire reason for your salvation;

          The design behind your deliverance;

          The purpose for which God chose you in the first place – is holiness.

But I want to tell you tonight that not only is holiness the goal of your redemption, I want to suggest

          it is necessary for your redemption.

According to Jesus, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”  Matthew 7:21

          This tells us that it is possible to confess the right things and still not be saved.  Only those who do the will of the Father – that means we not only hear His words, but we also do what He commands – will enter heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:9 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived;

          This passage tells us what the world does not want to hear – that there is a righteous path and an unrighteous path – and there is a hell to shun and an eternity to gain.

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

          This passage tells us those whose lives are marked by habitual ungodliness will not go to heaven.

And I could go on and on with passages just like these that tie our behavior - creating a direct link between how we act, what we do and what we think – with our eternal destiny.  In fact a scholar once did a study and said the Word contains:

          *6 passages that speak of the necessity of doing good in order to have eternal life

          *13 passages on the necessity of obedience

          *2 on the necessity of holiness

          *2 on the need to forgive others

          *4 on the necessity of not living according to the flesh

          *2 on the necessity of being free from the love of money

          *14 on the need to love Christ and God

          *6 on the necessity of loving others

          *dozens on the need to love the truth, be childlike, bridle the tongue,                    persevere, walk in the light, repent, and fight the good fight.       

Many today will say our righteousness comes strictly by grace from God.

But Hebrews 12:14 tells us:

  Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

          How do we pursue sanctification if the only way we are sanctified is by an act of God?  The word pursue indicates a working or striving toward a goal. 

                   It is not stationary, idle or ambivalent. 

                             It is active, moving and alert.

It has been said:  Most spend their whole lives pretending to be something they're not.  But when a person becomes a Christian, the situation is reversed.  Suddenly they are faced with the challenge of living up to what God has already declared them to be—holy!  (Mitchell Dillon)

If we are declared by God to be holy – it says to me one thing more than any other – that God is asking us to shine for Him to the best of the ability He provides.  Not to gain His favor – but to show that our obedience and commitment to Him are genuine.

CLARIFICATION:

I want to clarify what might be misconceptions by some of you about what I have just stated.

          The emphasis I am placing on personal holiness and the need for making it a primary goal for the believer in no way undermines our confidence that we are justified by faith alone. 

In II Corinthians 5:21 we are told:  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

God declares us righteous solely on account of the righteousness of our Savior.

          Our innocence or purity in God’s sight is not grounded in our works of righteousness.

          Faith and Works are necessary – one is the root and the other is the fruit.

If you asked some works-based religion “What must I do to be saved?”  the answer will be “Repent, believe and live a good life.” 

          The apostle Paul would say, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and your house.” (Acts 16:31)

But know this:

          The faith that joins you to Christ and makes you right with God is a faith that works itself out in love.  On the last day, God will not acquit us because our good works were good enough, but He will look for evidence that our good confession was not phony.

I want to repeat – God is the One working in us, giving us the ability and the desire to obey.  We earn nothing.  But we are promised everything.

          We are saved by grace through faith and we were also created in Christ Jesus for good works. 

          Any gospel which preaches saving people without the necessity of transforming them is preaching “easy-believism.”

          Anyone who believes that saying a prayer and joining a church is all it takes to be a Christian has confused real grace with a cheap and phony substitution. 

                   Those who are justified will be sanctified. 

If I trust in God I am not led by MY righteousness and holiness.  Instead, I'm trusting a God who is so holy and so righteous that my heart’s desire will be to build my life around Him and His expectations.

Would you believe, all of that was preliminary to the rest of my message tonight?

Because, you see, that was going to be the main thrust of my message and I was simply going to end with all the encouragement I could muster up in hopes of persuading the evening congregation I preach to – that holiness is our goal and holiness is God’s expectation for His disciples.

But this week I came face to face with some terribly frustrating truths.

          1.  On Sunday nights I probably preach to some of the most committed Christians of our congregation.  (So, I sometimes find myself questioning the necessity of my preaching.)

          2.  I’m a sort of “rookie” preacher and so, oftentimes, I say everything I think God has given me to say and I still put some people to sleep with the message.

          3.  No matter how well I live my life and what message I deliver to this church – as my husband put it so well this morning – my ability to affect change is almost nonexistent.

          4.  In this day of consumer-churches, where most people believe themselves to be adequately saved – if this church, our preaching, and the ministry of it isn’t what they want – most people will feel perfectly free to just come or go as they choose and will completely ignore the effect their leaving will have on it.  They will leave and still believe themselves to be in perfectly good standing with God.

So, I cried out to God from my terrible frustration and asked Him to provide wisdom for me to know how to conclude this message on holiness.  And this is what He gave me.  It is a parable of a very minor prophet:

The Word of the Lord came to Becky, daughter of Arthur, saying, “Arise, go to my church and into the world and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

But Becky rose up and fled from the Presence of the Lord and went down to the Great Sea, found the S.S. Anywhere but Here, paid the high sailing fee and burrowed herself into the deep recesses of the ship – away from the Presence of the Lord.

Now, the people around her believed her to be a woman of good standing with God and full of His Spirit, because she worked hard to make certain everyone thought her full of righteousness and right thinking and right living.  But even though she surrounded herself with the trappings of righteousness, because she had run from the Presence of the Lord, and had not followed His Word to her, she suffered from the “splint of the shin” and the pain of the knee and was plagued by the spasm of the muscles and all the other maladies and complaints of those who run – in the wrong direction.  

And the ship on which she had burrowed herself began to be tossed back and forth by the terrible waves of dissatisfaction and the struggles to reach perfection by her own hard work and striving. Until it was clear that the ship upon which she had taken refuge was about to be broken up by the terrible Reef of the Consequences of Contending with Calling without Capitulation.

Suddenly the innocent people around her who were also suffering as a result of her disobedience became aware that she had been called by God to go to His church and to His world and to be His voice.  And because they knew they would be caught up in the consequences of her disobedience unless they did something . . . . . . .

          – Well, that’s where the story takes a bit of a turn, because it would make a much more exciting story to say they turned their backs on her and tossed her into the Great Sea where she was swallowed up by some kind of surprisingly large catfish or flounder or shark – representing her crisis of disobedience. 

          Alas, the world around her said “Obey.  Don’t obey.  You’re a wonderful person and if you don’t follow a call by God to go into His world and into His church and be His voice it won’t really matter.  Because, after all, you’ve got this family to take care of and you’re a woman, and since the whole “God calling women” thing is up for interpretation, (and let’s face it, you’re submitting to God nearly – almost 100%) – well, you just stay burrowed in your fantasy of wholeness, as long as everyone can still count on you to keep striving and working for the Church and making all the effort you’ve always made – we’re sure everything will be O.K.  But if it means one less fanatic running around crying “Holiness Unto the Lord,” then we are perfectly content with you dwelling in the land of “almost-submission.”

But the reality was that Becky had not really gotten away from the eyes or voice of God.  And everywhere she turned in the church and out of it she was faced with a lack of commitment, and contented disobedience and partial submission – and because she saw some of those conditions in her own life and was deeply troubled by them, she knew they were deeply troubling to God as well.  And the more she was faced with them, the louder the voice of God became, telling her He wanted her to go to His church and to His world and be His voice.  But still she was fearful to break out of the hold of the S.S. Anywhere but Here” for great fear of what it would cost and what people would do when they heard her repeatedly calling out “Holiness Unto the Lord.”

And then, on one very ordinary day, she heard another man who had obeyed the call of God, telling about how he had gone to a land far from his home in obedience to the voice of God and how he had stood in the middle of the crowd and cried out just as God had told him to; and how the crowd had responded and a great church had been built on that spot – far from his home.  And Becky heard the voice of God louder than ever before saying, “How is it that you are still hiding in the hold of that ship?  Hasn’t the sea around you become stormy enough yet?  It is time for you to finally obey My voice.”  And Becky stood up in great humility in the Presence of the Lord and finally said, “Here am I Lord, send me.”

And today I was reminded that the truth of that parable is not found in the response of the people, but in the obedience of the minor prophet.  We all may be running from the Lord in order to elude His punishment, when all He wants is to rescue us from death.

“Holiness Unto the Lord” will not be the “watchword and song” for the rest of the world if it is never mine.  And Holiness in the world may not depend on me.  But my own holiness does depend upon my absolute obedience.