Wholehearted

When we think whole-hearted commitment we think of someone who is all in. There is no pulling back. Someone who is half-hearted is not really committed at all. How does this apply to Christianity? Can you have a halfhearted Christian? The very idea makes Jesus sick (Revelation 3:16). The Israelites found out that there is a price to pay for half-heartedness (Numbers 32:11). It really comes down to faith (Isaiah 7:9). Without faith, we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus indicated that it would take wholehearted devotion to be His disciple (Mark 8:35; Luke 9:23) The Apostle Paul was willing to lay down his life for Jesus (Acts 21:10-14). Likewise, we are called to live sacrificial lives (Romans 12:1-2).  The catalog of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 is a veritable who’s who of people who lived out their faith in wholehearted commitment. Like them, we are challenged to look to the one who is the author of our faith and follow the path of perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-3). By contrast, halfhearted people are not worthy to follow Christ (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:62; cf. Zephaniah 1:6). It is the commitment that pushes through to the end that gives us a share in Christ (Hebrews 3:14). In fact, the ones who starts well and then falls back is worse off than when they started (2 Peter 2:20).

People do not start out in the Christian life with the goal of being halfhearted.  If they were apathetic to begin with they would not even bother to start. So what makes people go from new life and spiritual enthusiasm to complacency and decline? One thing that leads to complacency is a shallow view of God’s Word. We begin to look at the Word of God as a literary work much like poetry, and we attend a prophetic utterance much like a literary critic. We admire the beauty of the form, but miss the sense of power that should come with its delivery (Ezekiel 33:31-32). Materialism can also dampen our ardor for God (Hosea 13:6; Mark 4:19). Eternal values give way to temporal desire and we end up giving our soul away for a little bit of nothing (Mark 8:35-37; Luke 21:34; Hebrews 12:16-17). Because our hearts are so easily captivated by other things we must take care to guard them (Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 6:10). Me must put all other loves out of the running and love Jesus alone. Otherwise, it is curtains for us. We can not serve two masters (Luke 16:13). Perhaps that is why Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God with our whole heart (Matt. 22:37). It is wholehearted devotion God wants. There really is no such thing as a halfhearted Christian. That would be a contradiction in terms.

Hear and obey

God uses the most unlikely people. A barren couple are given the promise of many descendants and are told a nation shall rise from them and through them, all nations will be blessed. A slave is lifted from the dungeons to instruct the ruler of Egypt. Where God has a respected priest he uses a boy to lead people back to worship. Where he has a soldier, he uses a shepherd to defeat a giant warrior. He uses a girl to deliver a nation. He uses a cupbearer to raise the city of God from ashes and rubble. A  young virgin is tasked with carrying the Son of God and Savior of mankind in her womb. An enthusiastic persecutor of Christianity is made to be its greatest advocate. A monk stands against the whole church to lead people back to truth and the way of faith. A failed missionary sets off national revival. Why does God use such people?

In the instances above, God was able to speak to the person he used. It’s not that he didn’t speak to anyone else, but these people were listening. They were not only hearing, but they were hearing with an inclination to cooperate with what God had to say. God spoke to Abraham(Genesis 12:1), and Abraham believed God. He moved forward at the Word of the Lord and God counted him righteous (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, 18; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23) and used his righteous life to advance the Kingdom. God gave Joseph a dream and Joseph trusted God to see him through. God used Joseph’s hear and obey attitude for his purposes and to bless Israel (Genesis 50:20). Samuel stands in contrast to Eli and his two wicked sons as the one God would use to lead the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 3:11-14, 19-21). God took the listening obedient heart of the Shepherd boy David, and made him King, because king Saul could no longer hear the voice of God (1 Samuel 28:15). Esther became queen and heard the call of God through her uncle Mordecai, put her life on the line, and was used of God to frustrate the plans of the enemy(Esther 4:14, 16). Nehemiah’s heart was broken over the city where God had put his name (Nehemiah 2:1-2), and God used Him to bring restoration and hope (Nehemiah 13:14). Mary was chosen to bear the Christ child, and her response was total surrender to the will of God (Luke 1:38). A hostile Pharisee, Saul became a friend of the church, transformed through revelation and submission (Acts 9:1-22). Martin Luther led the protestant reformation with the ninety-five thesis (outlining inconsistencies in the church) nailed to Wittenberg Castle door because God spoke to him through the Scriptures and he felt he had to stand on what God had said rather than allow clergy to subvert the Word of God. John Wesley led the Great Awakening in England and the Americas through the experiential knowledge of a surrendered and purified heart.

God is still using people. It may not be the ones you would expect. It may be a farm boy who hears the call of God to “Preach the Gospel” (remember Billy Graham). It may be a shoe store clerk (Dwight Moody) called to be an evangelist, or the son of a traveling preacher God calls to be a missionary (Jim Elliot). God can speak to a young man from a wealthy respectable family and use his obedience to stand up against tyranny and oppression (Dietrich Bonheoffer). God uses people who hear and obey. The ones most willing to listen to God are the one’s God is most likely to use. Speak Lord, for your servant hears.

A Big Deal

Cold and lonely nights on the street. Another abusive confrontation. Bare cupboards and hungry children. From the outside, these situations may look bleak, depressing, and painful. People in the middle of these situations, however, can become numb and desensitized to their plight. To the homeless, it is just another night on the street. To the hungry, missed meals become regular fare. Abusive relationships become the norm. What may be shocking and obvious to others may be no big deal to the one in the middle of it. It becomes normal existence. The status quo, even though tragic, can easily become familiar. The abnormal seems normal.
In the same way sin can become normal to us. We can become used to it. Others may be shocked at the obvious wrong and see the sin and shame, but to the one in the midst of it, it may seem like no big deal. It becomes part of normal existence. No big deal? Sin is a big deal. A REAL BIG deal.
Those who become numb to it accept it as a familiar friend, but they do not realize the tragedy of their situation. The Bible says that sin is a killer (Romans 6:23). The death that comes from sin is not immediately apparent. We are told that sin kills but when we sin we do not suddenly drop dead. We live to sin another day. We begin to think that perhaps sin is not so bad. Day after day, sin upon sin, we become numb. Sin becomes the new normal. Its no big deal (1 Kings 16:31). But the truth is, we are dead (Romans 5:12).
Not until we realize our condition are we able to begin to address it. That is why God wants to wake us up to our condition (Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14). God’s word diagnoses us. It forces us to see ourselves as we really are (James 1:22-25). The Holy Spirit brings guilt to shake us out of our stupor (2 Corinthians 7:10-13; Hebrews 3:7-8). To make us uncomfortable with sin. We need to hear the alarms go off. WARNING! SIN IS A KILLER! It is killing you already. hey! You!, HEY YOU! YOU ARE DEAD!!!!
We have to know how bad it is before we wake up enough to ask “what must I do to be saved (cf. Acts 2:37, 16:30)?” Then, and only then are we ready to hear the good news. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).” We are not ready to hear the good news until we wake up to the reality of the bad news. When we wake up to how big a deal sin is (death is a big deal), we can finally see how big a deal Jesus is (sin washer, life giver). We were dead men walking and didn't even know it. Sin zombies (Ephesians 2:1-2). But God poured out His grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and made us alive (Ephesians 2:4-5). If you are still one of the zombies, it means nothing. It is no big deal. But, if you are one of those who have been made alive you understand what all the fuss is about. Yes, sin is a big deal. But, Jesus is a bigger deal. The biggest deal ever.

De Opresso Liber

De Opresso Liber is a Latin phrase that means to free the oppressed. A motto of the United States Army Special Forces, it was an operational imperative of the special forces to free people from tyrants and dictators using unconventional methods. There is another special force that liberates those oppressed by a tyrant. Jesus frees those tyrannized by sin. This tyrant is not limited to a localized region or a particular regime. It knows no political, national, or geographic boundaries. It does not discriminate by race social class, or gender. All mankind has felt its oppressive grip (Romans 3:23). It is this most pervasive of tyrants that Jesus came to deliver us from (Luke 4:18). Sin enslaved all mankind and that called for a liberator.
Jesus described his mission to set the captives free. He came to seek and to save (Luke 19:10). His was a rescue operation. But what do you do when the oppressed are so enamored with their oppressor that they prefer slavery rather than freedom (Isaiah 65:12). Sin can be pleasurable for a while (Job 20:12-14). It can appeal to us in many forms (Luke 12:15). The result is that the tyrant is preferred over the liberator (Psalm 10:3). Captivity is preferred over freedom. It isn’t until sin has stripped its captive of dignity and decency and leaves guilt and shame in its place that sin is seen for what it is (Ezekiel 20:43). By that time, however, the addictive nature of sin has taken over the will and the feeling of helplessness defeat are overwhelming. Like shackles or prison bars, sin holds its victim prisoner (Titus 3:3).
Happily, the great liberator stands ready to come to our aid (2 Peter 3:9). Though we feel overwhelmed and helpless, there are no prison bars or chains too strong for Jesus. He is more than a match for sin and through him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Even so, we must come to a place where we are ready to call upon him. When we choose sin over Jesus, he can not help us. It is a contradiction to be both prisoner and free at the same time. We can not have it both ways (1 Corinthians 10:21). We must repent of sin, and trust Jesus (Ezekiel 18:32;Joel 2:12; Mark 1:14-15; John 11:26; James 4:9-10) . Only then are the captives set free. And if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed (John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 3:17)!

Time & Again

What is history, but the present turning into the past all stacked up. What we look back on was at one time an unwritten future. Men and women have done great things in the face of uncertainty on the basis of principle and conviction. Standing on principle, men have broken alliances and formed treaties. Reluctant leaders have been thrust into position on the basis of conviction. Things too important to lay aside have caused men and women to choose sides, mark boundaries, and set the course of history. It is a poor society that holds nothing dear enough to fight or die for.

I recently reflected on the strength of belief that causes one to lay down one’s life. The signers of The Declaration of Independence pledged to each other their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor based upon their belief in the contents of that document. It is interesting to note that this document makes theological assertions concerning the rights afforded mankind by God above, and on the basis of these rights, they stood for freedom and liberty at their own peril and expense. There are those moments in history defined by theological convictions that men and women would lay down their life rather than compromise.

Martyrs and heroes alike share this in common; When standing on the side of God, there is no room for retreat and no danger of defeat. Both stand on principle that they are convinced will be vindicated in the end. They are convinced that to do anything else would spell ruin. There is a greater allegiance, a nobler cause, a higher calling than any other source can muster. Only when society rests on these greater things can security be found. As soon as it begins to devalue them strength  and security fades. Conviction lightly held is a contradiction in terms.

Jesus calls us to this kind of conviction. We must be so convinced and committed to our faith that we are willing to lay down our life for our beliefs. Jesus said that if we are to follow Him, we must take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38, 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) Those who turn back from that conviction are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Time and again, it has been men and women committed to the greater cause and who have heard a higher call who have made their mark in history. Having stood the test of time, they have entered eternity (1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 2:7)

The writer of Hebrews names a the names of individuals in a veritable hall of fame; heroes who have demonstrated the strength of their convictions and who have made a mark on history. As he draws the list to a close the names begin to blur until it becomes a “great cloud of witnesses” meant to encourage us and include us in the final tally. In order to be included in this great company of Christian witnesses, we must never back down on our convictions, but stand strong upon them time and time again (Hebrews 12:1).

Age and Faith

It is very interesting that the Bible records people of faith from a wide spectrum of age groups. God does not discriminate according to age. John the Baptist leaps within his mother's womb as a Mary enters the room pregnant with Jesus (Luke 1:41). A boy named Samuel, just weaned from his mother, serves God with an old priest (1 Samuel 2:11). God causes a  young boy with a coat of many colors to dream a future for the nation of Israel (Genesis 37:5-11).  Abraham and Sarah give birth to a child of promise in their old age (Genesis 21:2). A young maiden is chosen to be the Mother of our  Lord (Luke 1:30-31).
These kinds of examples should cause us to think twice about how we treat people of various age groups. To many, infants are not considered a part of the kingdom of God until they grow up and confess faith for themselves. Old people are retired from service long before God is done with them. Young children are called the "church of tomorrow," as though they are not really the church of today; not full fledged citizens of the kingdom. May God help us see his hand upon the young and the old alike. May we not be guilty of discrimination against the very ones God may be using to advance His kingdom.

Truth, Faith, and Reason

Reality rests on Truth. What is not true is a deception. Belief in God is faith in what is real. To question God is to cast doubt on truth. We tend to believe what we can see. Faith requires that we believe in what we do not see (Heb. 11:1). Unlike the scientific method, faith does not require tangible proof. That does not, however, mean that belief in God has no reasonable demonstration of proof. It is not unreasonable to take God's demonstrated trustworthiness through his Word as reason to believe. Has God ever lied? Has His Word ever failed?

Prophecy fulfilled, faith demonstrated and rewarded, miracles performed; All these point to the unseen God. The Bible in history is is a demonstration of the reality of God. The truth of who He is. When His word speaks history before it occurs (Lam. 3:37), the historical fact becomes testimony to the veracity and reality of God. God also vindicated the faith of individuals as he worked in their lives. Noah undertook a great building project, and God vindicated him. Abraham believed God and God vindicated his faith by fulfilling the promise of a son. The faith of Moses brought judgement upon Egypt, and lead the Hebrews out of oppression through parted waters. Miracles themselves are reasonable proofs of the  reality of God. An exception in consistent laws were used of God to display his almighty power, imminent involvement, and planning. They were testimony to the reality of God (Neh 9:17; John. 10:25; John 14:11; Heb. 2:4).

What is truth? What is real? Faith says God is real, not simply by the force of belief, as if wishing makes it so, but on the basis of reasonable evidence (Acts 26:25; 1 Peter 3:15). God has given us reason to believe in Him. If we still reject his testimony we judge him as untrue. We sit in judgement of His Word. It is this Word that will judge us in the end (John 12:48). When the truthfulness of God is found trustworthy, faith has found a resting place.  We can trust the Word of God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).