Sapphire Sky

Judgment. Today it’s deemed a strange word. It has fallen out of use. It was once an accepted reality. No longer. Many people have jettisoned this idea as being not credible. They cannot reconcile how love and judgment can come from the same source. Recently there has been a flurry of books that attempt to teach that love and eternal judgment are irreconcilable. Instead, we are confidently told that “Love Wins;” the idea that in the end, there is no such thing as eternal judgment. Sounds nice, even comforting; but what if such ideas are wrong?

Everything is at stake. It’s a winner take all, looser loses all proposition. But there’s the rub. For those who propose that there is no eternal judgment, it’s winner take all and everyone is a winner proposition.  It sounds good, but has no correlation to reality. Unfortunately, people have accepted the idea that they can live as they wish, embracing any form of deviancy, call it normal and expect God to approve of their decisions. But they are wrong, and it will cost them everything.

But some cry foul and say that is just unfair! After all, they assert that there is no such thing as sin, only choices, and man, not God, makes the distinctions. Such a response, however, is visceral arising from the level of emotion. They “feel” that it is simply unfair to send someone into a state of eternal torment – because despite their sin, they are good people – just ask them, they’ll tell you so. And they’ll respond, “How could a god who ‘loves’ all people torment people forever?” On the surface it sounds like a good question – even reasonable – especially when the idea of love is expressed as feeling. Feelings are always nice – especially nice feelings. But the only effect they have is to free us from the responsibility of good thinking.

The current trend that judgment is no longer a credible truth is born out of a generation that has been raised in a toxic brew of narcissism were conclusions are based on a “me center” approach to … well everything. The central issue is, “How does this affect me?” Of course, eternal judgment affects people very significantly. If one takes time to consider the implications of their sin, then what follows is the possibility of someone having very bad feelings about themselves. Unfortunately bad feelings are no longer accepted in our culture. It no longer matters what people think, so long as they feel good about what they think.

When people “think” about God they above all, want to feel good about themselves. This has become the central concern of much of what passes for Western Christianity today. Books and sermons by the truck-load can be found where the main thrust of the message is that God wants to make you feel happy and encouraged. Truth is not of matter of God’s revelation. It is a matter of how I react and therefore feel about such things. The new measurement of truth is a barometer that moves only with good feelings. The more bad it makes me feel the more untrue it must be.

But what if God really does not care about how we feel? In fact, what if God wants us to feel bad about our sin? Unfortunately that is an unpopular message. Today people will stand in line for an opportunity to hear some good encouraging words. Welcome to American Christianity in the 21^st century. From radio stations to endless books and the many televangelist of the new gospel of feel-goodism comes the mind-numbing message that God wants you to feel encouraged. Sin does not matter. Hell is not real. All that matters is that we love one another, and make people feel good about themselves.

However, many of such people still cling to an idea of sin. But only as an antidote against those who teach such an uncouth idea that there is such a place as hell. The real sin, it is believed, is making people feel bad about their decisions and behavior. We have developed new words for such people – all ending with the Greek word “-phobe.”

But back to the question: what if God really is not interested in our feelings? I have yet to hear someone raise the question. It seems almost weird writing it. After all, if one accepts the new trendy view of God, then the very question would be … a sin!  Maybe it should not be a question. I’ll be bold. God does not care how you, me, or anyone else “feels.” Self-esteem is not on God’s agenda. But I’ll tell you what is: sin, repentance and salvation. God does not care how we feel about such topics. They simply are a part of the fabric of life – as defined by God – and He demands that we take note and respond accordingly.

In fact, there is a very revealing passage in the bible:

“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Cor. 7:8-10, emphasis added).

According to this passage we see that God is interested in how we feel. He actually wants to make us feel bad … for a season. Feeling bad is not a bad thing, especially when it leads to forgiveness and salvation.

The simple truth is that judgment is a reality of life. One does not even have to understand the Bible’s teaching on the subject to know that it exists. Most people have a well-honed sense of justice, and therefore intuitively know that justice demands judgment. When wrongs are done we want to be recompensed for that wrong. But from where did we get that sense of justice? We received that from God. He has written His law on our hearts.

When God is wronged He too wants to be recompensed for the wrong done. This is where our narcissism leads us astray. Most children who are spoiled have a hard time understanding that their actions affect other people. So too, we have a hard time understanding that our actions affect God. When we sin, we hurt God. When we break His laws, we offend Him. When we rebel against His ways, we wrong Him. God’s sense of justice is perfect. His character therefore demands perfect justice. And perfect justice will be meted out.

Enter stage right the reality of judgment. Because God’s justice is perfect, he awards accordingly. Sin is perfect rebellion against God. It is telling God that His character (holiness) is of little consequence, and that His will (righteousness) is of little account. God’s reaction against sin is in complete proportion to the offense. The punishment is equal to the one being offended.

God is not a man that He should overlook rebellion. He is the sum of all things. He is the fabric upon which all things exist. He is the creator, author, and sustainer of life. A rip in the fabric means the whole is affected. Sin rips at the very fabric of life, generating violence, chaos and death. But the fabric is not a disinterested piece of cloth separate from God. It is God. To do violence to the fabric is to do violence to God. Since God is the sum of all things, He has an obligation to prevent the tares, and to react with swift vengeance when they come. To judge sin is to heal the fabric and remove the cause of death. The God of life does not share company with death.  It is utterly and eternally abolished.

Enter God’s love. The reality is that we all have sinned. We all have torn that most sacred fabric of God’s being. God is under obligation to remove the offense. But being a God of eternal love, He was able to reconcile His love with the necessity of Judgment. Jesus is the answer. Only the eternal Son of God could withstand the eternal wrath of God. He took our place under that wrath. In so doing He removed the offense of our sin while at the same time opening a door for eternal restoration and life.

When I faced the fact that I was a sinner who stood condemned before a Holy God, I did not feel good about myself. Indeed, I wept bitterly. My prideful self-esteem suffered. But then I met the risen Savior. He died in my place. He healed the hurt of my sin. He rose from dead for me. Because He lives, I will also live. Today I am encouraged, but only because I grieved first.

To all those who scoff at the idea of judgment my encouragement for you is to embrace judgment. It’s the only path to life.

Love can be a difficult thing to measure, but I suspect at one time someone said the same thing about heat. How do you measure heat? Perhaps when new technologies were being discovered to measure heat, someone thought, “Measure heat? You can feel it!”

Love works something like that. I don’t suspect we will ever design a device that will measure love, but God has given us the ability “to feel it.” Just as we have a built in system to “feel” varying degrees of heat, so too, God has given us a built in system to experience various degrees of love.

In Luke 7:36-50 we are introduced to a woman whose heart was overflowing with love for Jesus. The measure of her love was so intense that others could feel its presence. Unfortunately, it made some uncomfortable. But I suspect that Simon, (and people like him) who have never really had that kind of love in their hearts could not understand her passion. But Jesus understood it. And many through the church age who have been able to read of this woman’s account have also understood it.

Jesus was not in the least bit offended at the woman’s display of love, and many people have been deeply moved by her story. Her love burned bright, and many have been touched by its heat. No, we cannot measure love like we measure heat. But the truth is that our love for God can burn so bright that others (including God) take notice.

So, I think we can measure love. Our “love temperature” can be clearly gauged by observing those around us. Just as people respond to heat by moving away from it, they too respond to love by moving. Some people move closer because of love. Some (like Simon) move away from it, but love always makes others move. To gauge the “temperature” of our love, all we need to do is look around us. Are people moving?

Hopefully they are moving in the right direction; but even if they are not, let them move still. Perhaps, on a cold day, when they are need of loves warmth, they will remember how those gentle rays settled upon their heart, and longing for its warmth, they will finally move into the full orb of its light.

I hope we all are moving in the direction of God’s love. Never forget,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

There are some people you just cannot please. If you say black, they will say white. If you say up, they will say down. The bottom line is that they will always look for a way to criticize, discourage and argue with you.

Jesus had just performed a miracle by casting out a demon from a man who had been a life-long mute. No doubt the demon terrorized the man for his entire life. When Jesus saw him, He had compassion on him and relieved him of his distress. In response to His act of mercy and kindness the self-appointed spiritual know-it-alls responded by saying, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

I am not certain, but I suspect that there was a long, silent pause in heaven after that ignorant remark was made. It’s amazing to consider what Jesus had to endure as He shared God’s love to those around Him.

But He came to a broken and dark world filled with bitterness, envy, jealousy, strife, deceit, and wickedness of every sort. What is really amazing is that such people did not discourage Jesus from continuing to do good to others. The very next verse reads, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matt 9:35).

What a beautiful sight. It seems that the cruel remarks of the Pharisees made Jesus double-down in his efforts. Not only that, but He made their community the object of His kindness and mercy. Look at that verse again. It says that He went all over “teaching in THEIR synagogues.”

Instead of quitting in anger, or arguing with idiots, Jesus gave them a season of mercy, love, grace, and kindness. What a lesson for us!

Has someone discouraged you lately? Have you ever felt like quitting because of the cruel and insensitive remarks of some thoughtless person? Instead of quitting, let their disparaging remarks lead you to double-down on your efforts to do good.

Treat your tormentors with kindness, grace, mercy, and love. Pray for them. Do good to them. Continue in the work to which you were called. Who knows, maybe they will come around some day. Your love will have covered a multitude of sins, but more importantly, you will be acting like Jesus, and revealing what the Kingdom of God is all about!

When I was a child in Michigan, I liked to exhale and watch as my warm breath hit the bitter cold air. My breath would crystallize for a brief moment, and then slowly disappear. Concerning the life of man, the Bible says that “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Psalm 144:4).

From God’s perspective, our life is like that brief period between the time the air is exhaled from the lungs, hitting the cold air, and the time it disappears altogether. When life is put into that perspective, it becomes an understatement to say that life is short.

Since that is the case, why do so many people spend so little time focusing on the things of eternity? Why do people spend more time watching T.V. than the time they spend in prayer? Why do people neglect God’s Word (the words of eternal life), but can devour a novel? Why do people neglect worship, but will not miss an opportunity go to the beach?

There are people who will look over their lives and wish they would have focused more on the things of eternity. Unfortunately they will do so just before they are about to enter eternity.

But, God has given us everything we need so that when that day comes we will be prepared. The Christian life is about being prepared. It involves more than being saved. That is just the beginning. It involves spiritual growth for the purpose of knowing God; it involves learning to love God; learning to live in the Holiness of God (without which no one will see the Lord, Heb 12:14); learning to worship God in Spirit and truth; learning to love others, and serve others as Jesus served us. It involves a great many things—things that we need time to learn.

The more time one spends in preparation, the more one anticipates, and looks forward to that great day when God pulls back the curtain and reveals Himself fully. But not everyone will be ready for that day. They will prepare for a good golf game, a weekend at the beach, a good hunting expedition, or whatever else one can do to spend time in worldly pursuits, but they will not prepare to meet God. But that day will be here before we know it.

I can still remember the cold air. My breath lingered only for a moment, and then it was gone. Think about it, and then find a place to worship this Sunday …you’ll be glad you did.

The mission of today’s National Day of Prayer is “to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.” http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

Please pray:

• for our nation in regard to the fight against terrorism and also for the safety of our military worldwide.
• that America would return to the authority of the Bible, especially as the nation deals with issues like “gay” marriage, abortion, stem-cell research, etc.
• for guidance and wisdom for churches and ministries nationwide, and that God will bless our churches as they proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seek to bring about reformation and repentance.  
• for the persecuted church worldwide. For example, the Chinese government continues to crack down on Christians, including the recent arrest of 47 believers (in broad daylight) at an unregistered Beijing church; other members of this church have lost their jobs. Pray that Christians in China will be able to exercise religious freedom.
• for each of us to submit to God and be transformed to the likeness of Christ in our daily lives.

In the book of Acts there is a great story told about Paul while he was a prisoner on a ship (27:13-25). He was going to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. This story would make a great movie scene. There is much drama, hardship, and uncertainly, but ultimately, victory.

As the ship heads for sea, the weather is calm. Unfortunately, not long into the journey they are confronted with a terrible storm they called a Euroclydon. Apparently this is the equivalent of a north-easter, or for us in the South, a hurricane! Because of the fierce winds, the crew is forced to let the storm drive the ship where it will.

At some point in this terrible adventure the crew spots an island where they believe they can find shelter. For a brief moment they struggle as they attempt to port the beleaguered ship. For a moment, hope swirls in the air. Unfortunately, it was a false hope as the winds take the ship back out into open seas. As the coast disappears from their view, so does their hope.

In response to their dire situation, the crew throws over their supplies in hope to lighten the ship. However, after a few days without food and no break in the storm, the crew and passengers on the ship sink into despair. But when all seems lost, God shows up.

An angel comes to Paul in the night and gives him a message from the Lord. The message is that the ship will be lost, but the Lord will spare the life of all on board. Then Paul says, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (25).

I love Paul’s unwavering faith! God gave him a word of Hope; he then stands in the middle of the storm on a sinking ship, and boldly proclaims that all will be well. God has spoken, how can it be otherwise?

This story mimics what can happen in our own lives! Sometimes it seems as if we are on a sinking ship with no hope in sight. There are wars, economic uncertainties, sicknesses, political instability, yet in the midst of it all, we have a word of hope from our great God and Savior, Jesus! He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He promised that He will be closer than a friend. He promised to lend us His strength, to fill us with His love, accompany us with His Spirit, and guide the course of our lives. The reality is that He knows how to bring our sinking ship to a safe haven.

So, whenever we feel as if we are in a storm that threatens to take all, instead of sinking into despair, we need to remember the words of Paul, “Take heart! For I believe God…”

Does it ever seem as though things are going all wrong? Your doctor tells you what you did not want to hear; something happens to a loved one; an unexpected bill shows up in the mail and was due two days ago. The list could go on and on. The question is what do we do during such times?

There is an interesting verse in Isaiah 50:10-11. It reads, “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled – This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.”

At first glance this seems to be a harsh rebuke. But upon closer inspection, it is nothing of the sort. God is speaking to people who are in a spiritually dark valley. He describes them as one who “walks in darkness and has no light.” He does give them a warning, but the warning is to trust in Him and wait for Him to act on their behalf.

When He says, “Look all you who kindle a fire,” He is referring to people who attempt to take matters into their own hands. These are the “fixers”… those who believe they have the ability, wisdom, and resources to get themselves out of the valley. They are attempting to break the darkness with their own efforts at making light (a spark).

The contrast, then, is between such people and those who wait upon the Lord. The implication is that the one who waits upon the Lord will eventually walk in the true light, which is a far greater light than the measly little “spark” we can generate through our own efforts.

If we seek to walk by our own efforts, all we can expect is more uncertainty, suffering, and hardship. God describes such a person as the one “who will lie down in torment.” The point is that our efforts cannot relieve our distress. A person who does not wait on the Lord will not experience the deliverance they seek. God will allow us to act on our behalf – if for no other reason than we learn that our little sparks of effort are nothing compared to His immeasurable and powerful light.

The point is that we should never become impatient when we seem to be in a dark valley. Our great God and Savior knows all our needs. Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we are encouraged to trust in the name of our Lord and rely upon our God. Sometimes that can be the most difficult thing to do; but according to this verse, it is the wisest thing we can do.

I am sure we can all think of a time when we attempted to “fix” a bad situation and made it worse. That’s exactly what the Lord is encouraging us not to do. My “fixes” become my “torment.” But His light becomes my salvation.

Walking with God is not for the faint of heart! It can be hard to wait upon the Lord, but it is always worth it! The next time you are in the dark attempting to make pitiful little sparks, remember this great promise:

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

This past week I was sitting around and thinking about our worship service last Sunday. I thought about how great the choir sounded when they were singing the anthem. I thought about how good Betsy and Matthew played during the offertory. I thought about how well the congregation sounded when they were praising the Lord. I thought about how good God is and how He loves us enough to send His Son to die for our sins, give us eternal life, and allow us to enter His presence and worship Him.

As I was thinking about all that went on during worship, a smile began to stretch across my face. The church is joyously worshiping the Lord and it is so exiting to be a part of it. But it also made me think about all that God has provided for us. When I went home after worship, I turned on the news. Maybe that was not the best idea, but the contrast could not have been more stark.

The world is filled with chaos and uncertainty. From the new war in Libya, to rising gas prices, to the earthquake in Japan, there seems to be much unrest in the world. As I watched all those unsettling things pass across the screen, I realized that I was not in a state of unrest. My heart was filled with God’s peace. I was in a state of rest. I realized that my present state of mind was a result of being with the body of Christ worshiping the Lord of Glory.

As I pondered the contrast, I was reminded of the vision God has given us about heaven. In the book of Revelation we are told about all the people who are before the throne worshiping the Lord (Rev 7:9-12). Then I realized that this vision is given in the midst of one of the most grueling books of the Bible. All through the book we see a fallen world under the spiritual influence of the evil one waging war against God. Yet despite the unrest of the world’s affairs, God’s people are safely placed before the throne of the Lamb. While the world rages, God’s people worship.

Worship is a great gift from our Father. It is a promise of things to come. It is also a reminder that God is our refuge and fortress. He knows His own and is able to deliver His children. And oh how He has delivered us! Jesus died so we may be free from the bondage of the world, sin, and death. He rose from the dead so we may have eternal life with the Lord. He ascended to the right hand of the Father so we may be filled with God’s grace, mercy, and love. He rules over the heavens so we may enter His presence in worship and find rest for our souls.

God loves us more that we can ever imagine!