Blood on Our Hands

While reading The Cross of Christ by John Stott, I was struck by the following quotes:

"'Were you there when they crucified my Lord?' the old [song] asks. And we must answer, 'Yes, we were there.' Not as spectators only, but as participants, guilty participants, plotting, scheming, betraying, bargaining and handing him over to be crucified. We may try to wash our hands of responsibility like Pilate. But our attempt will be as futile as his. For there is blood on our hands. Before we begin to see the cross as something done for us (leading us to faith and worship), we have to see it as something done by us (leading us to repentance)" (63) ... "If the cross is not central to our religion, ours is not the religion of Jesus" (71) ... "It is impossible for us to face Christ's cross with integrity and not to feel ashamed of ourselves" (85).

Have you ever seen yourself as a guilty participant in His murder? A betrayer? Knowing the truth, but avoiding total commitment like Pilate? Resenting His authoritative demand for worship and obedience like the religious leaders? Not fitting into what I want a Savior to be like Judas? Have you seen the Cross in light of your sins, that your sins put Him there, or has it become a history lesson this time of year?

Work hard to continually see yourself in light of the Cross. When you do, you see yourself as you really are.

Hardened by Grace

In my Bible reading today, I read the following:

"when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore" (Psalm 92:7).

This reminded me of conversations I've had with Christians who work in the world and don't understand why unbelievers prosper so much while openly and secretly being opposed to God. And conversely, unbelievers would look at Christians struggling and conclude Christianity is a farce for weaklings.

Sadly, the same success that humbles the Christian can have a hardening effect on unbelievers. The more they go up the ladder of success, the farther they are from hitting the bottom where true repentance and faith are found.

A similar idea is in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 where the same gospel message will BOTH save some AND harden others.

God's universal grace (e.g., success in life) and His particular grace (e.g., in the gospel) become means by which unbelievers move farther and farther away from God as a response to His grace.

Another Gay Pastor Scandal

Click here to read an article about another pastor stepping down because of homosexual affairs, Paul Barnes of Grace Chapel in Colorado.

I am conflicted between sadness and anger, going back and forth from "How could you dishonor God, your wife, your daughters, your church and your office like that?" to "Is that me without the grace of God?"

The most disturbing part of the article: "Barnes expressed hope for a future where one can 'be who you are' and be accepted and loved in the Christian community and also spoke about 'separating some of the teachings from Scripture' from Jesus Christ."

The "I want to be like that" part of the article: "Church elder Russ Pilcher said the reaction at services Sunday was largely concern for the couple. 'I thought, "Where did I fall short in making myself so unapproachable that he couldn't come to me?"' Pilcher said."

Applying Ted Haggard to Me

I want to publically thank Tim Challies for reminding me that "there is really no difference between you and Haggard or between myself and Haggard. We are all totally depraved with our sin extending to every aspect of our being. There but for the grace of God go I. There but for the grace of God go you. While I would not expect a reporter to approach me if I were to fall into similar sin, I can only imagine the pain of having to sit in front of my children, my wife, and answer questions about whether or not I have had sex with a man or admitting that I purchased illegal drugs. It's horrible. It's terrifying."

While some write, "I'm sick and tired of being associated with a 'Christianity' that does not seem to care one whit about holiness or obedience to God's Word. Let me say this as perfectly clear as I can: I believe that 'Christianity' in America is nearly totally apostate. Why? We have abandoned the vision of the Holiness and Fear of God. We've built a false god that will cater to our flesh and meet our 'felt needs'. Our real need? Repentance. But we don't want to go there. We live in Laodicea. No apologies. Cut and dried. Stuff like this can only happen because contemporary Christianity is rotten to the core."

However, remember it's not because Christianity is rotten to the core, but because we are, I am, rotten to the core, and I pray that God will keep me from falling.

Thank you Tim. You can read the totally of his very good post on the Haggard scandal here.

Making Fun of People

Have you ever thought about what you're really doing when you make fun of someone?

When you mock someone, you're setting yourself over them as a superior, and then talking down to them in judgment as an inferior.

Many would say you're doing that because of an inferiority complex, or because you feel bad about yourself / have low self-esteem so, in order to make yourself feel good, you make others feel bad. Fine, but I think there's an important theological lesson here, too.

When you look down on another person, you have some reason(s) for doing so. There is something good about you that you see as superior, and therefore, these good things give you justifications for elevating yourself above the person you're about to mock.

However, don't forget that every single good thing you can point to, you cannot take even an ounce of credit for because "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17).

In other words, when I mock someone I am robbing God of the glory He deserves for every good thing that I am, I am pridefully taking that glory and giving it to myself, all the while conveniently forgetting that if it weren't for God's grace to me, I would be the person I'm making fun of.

In the end, the only difference between me and the nerd, the dumb jock, the outcast, the slut, the idiot, the punk kid, the fightin' fundy, the jihadist, and the nihilist is God's grace towards me.

I think we forget and disbelieve that precious truth when we make fun of someone, what about you?