storiesofvalue

Kingdom Identity

Hours ago a young girl in our community took her own life. While her parents were devastated, they shared their story with the press as they were made aware of possible bullying in their daughter’s school.  My heart breaks for these parents, and for many of the loving, caring teachers I know at the school she attended.  I know they all wish they could turn back the clock and do something to intervene.

We have always had bullies. I have personally felt the excruciating pain of public humiliation by classmates who used me as a vehicle to prop up their own self-esteem.  The dynamic of bullying is hard to explain.  The abuse isn’t always consistent.  It usually occurs when a peer group feels their social position is being threatened in some way, or when the victim of bullying experiences success.  Everyone knows who the kids are who can be manipulated into this situation, and in a bizarre way, they become therapeutic punching bags for others who are dissatisfied with life.

The problem with bullying in our culture is the opportunity for creating pain in another person’s life has increased dramatically with the invention of social media. Even adults like to post their gripes online with back-handed slaps, indirect references, and specific attacks.  When I see adults act this way, I know there is a bully lurking in their past.  Bullying has a way of wounding us, and unfortunately our injuries can lead us to hurt others.

With this said, I have a greater concern. If bullies have always been around, and if their ability to hurt others is increasing with technology, the need for boosting the identity of young people (and adults) is growing too.  Presently, I am aware of more young men and woman struggling with personal identity issues than I have known throughout my entire life.  This includes my time as a Youth Minister and the years I moved in the circles of relationships created by our children.  We are experiencing an identity crisis of epidemic proportions!

It is easy to come up with neatly packaged causes for these circumstances, or to place blame. That is not my intent.  I simply join the chorus of other adults who want to find a way to help.

I believe there are some specific root causes that contribute to the problem. The disintegration of the family unit and the dismantling of faith-based values are at the top of my list.  If our family gives us a sense of belonging and God tells us we are inherently valuable, we are going to suffer immeasurably when one or both of these foundations begin to crumble.

When we don’t know where we belong, or why we are valuable, then we let society answer these questions for us. We latch onto causes that give voice to our personal anger and pain, and we identify with anyone who reminds us of ourselves who appears to possess the power over circumstances we crave.  These are two of the reasons young men join gangs and young girls run away from home to join terrorist organizations.  In time, both may embrace the values and mission of the groups they join, but in the beginning, they merely want to be with people who appear to want and value them.

This is why young people sometimes become disoriented and believe their enemy is their friend and their friend is their enemy. It is why they follow those who are merely using them as vehicles and reject those who would do anything to help.

There is no simple cure for the epidemic, but there are some things all of us can do. We can…

Stop defining young people by society’s definition of perfection and start praising them for their unique gifts and qualities.

Stop defining ourselves by society’s definition of perfection and start seeing our value in light of our own unique gifts and qualities – otherwise we are merely reinforcing misperceptions in the minds of young people who look up to us.

Affirm every individual’s value as someone created in the image of God, and take every opportunity share this truth.

Promote a healthy balance between achievement and personal identity. Praise young people when they succeed.  Honor them for the hard work it took to reach their goals.  But remind them to be grateful for the abilities God has given them, even as they celebrate how they have stewarded what has been entrusted to them.  This is why faith in God is so important in a young person’s life.

Be patient with young people who don’t know if they belong anywhere or have value. Some are misguided and have no rational reason to believe these things, but others have every reason to feel this way.  Keep loving them and encouraging them, and don’t grow weary in the struggle.

We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of young people. They are under attack by those who would use them and abuse them.  As life becomes cheaper in our culture and we lose sight of who we are and “whose” we are, it will become easier for anyone to slip into an abyss of meaninglessness and give up.

As believers in the Lord we have a light that can lead them out of darkness. Please let your light shine!

It might be the only glimmer of hope a young person sees.

Kingdom Bathroom

In my wildest imagination I never dreamed we would live in culture where people protested the right to use a backroom that represents the gender they “identify” with, rather than the one into which they were born. While I have opinions on the subject, I always try to go to the Bible with the issue at hand, to see if perhaps I am missing something.

Please excuse the frank nature of this short study, but as one of my Sunday school teachers used to say, “It’s in there.” One of the best known examples of a bathroom visit is King Saul’s use of a cave to “relieve himself” (1 Samuel 23:3).  This was during the time Saul was hunting down David.  There is a famous moment when David cut off a piece of Saul’s robe while Saul was going to the bathroom.  Later David repented for bringing disgrace to the Lord’s anointed king, even though Saul was trying to kill him, and David’s entourage criticized him for not killing Saul when he had the chance.

As a kid there were two references that always got a chuckle in our Junior Boys class. One was Elijah’s jab that the reason Baal couldn’t light the altar his pagan worshippers had built was because he had “gone aside” (1 Kings 18:27 NAS).  Our teacher explained this likely referred to Baal going the bathroom.  The second received the biggest laugh, and I do apologize in advance if it offends you.  Remember, “It’s in there.”  In 1 Kings 16:11 (KJV) and a few others places, men are defined as those that “pisseth against the wall.”   If you are laughing right now you should be ashamed!

I’m kidding. Not about the Bible verses, but about how you should feel about it.  So where does this leave us when it comes to whether we should allow people who identify with a gender other than the one into which they were born, and wish to use a bathroom designated and designed for another gender?

Well, we can’t say the Bible says you have to use the bathroom with the name of your gender on the door. I can also testify, as one who has been to a couple of third-world countries, designated bathrooms are a luxury that are outside of most people’s realm of experience.

So here is my take from the Bible. Consider it a discernment of scripture and not a direct, “Thus says the Lord

A bathroom visit was a private time.   Saul found a cave.  Even Baal was said to have “gone aside.”  Who wants to see a pagan idol go to the bathroom?  Ok, so maybe it would be a curiosity, but hopefully you see my point.

A bathroom visit was gender specific.  The fact that men were described as those who “pisseth against the wall” tells us there was a specific experience identified with men that set them apart from women in this very private matter.

A bathroom visit was a safe event where people hoped they would not be disturbed or molested. This notion was a part of David’s shame over his decision to cut off a piece of Saul’s robe while he was indisposed.

I believe common sense and wisdom gives us reason to maintain a separation of the sexes in the use of bathroom space. Does this mean it is a sin to use a restroom that doesn’t fit our gender?  Not under every circumstance.  More than one husband or wife has stood guard outside of a bathroom that doesn’t match their spouses’ gender because time was short and someone was in the other bathroom.  But even in this situation, basic decency leads one to make sure no one else is in the restroom, and also issue a warning of the unusual circumstances when someone else arrives.

Obviously, inappropriate things can happen, even when we follow traditional norms for bathroom use. But these things would be deemed abnormal and possibly considered punishable by law.

I know those who promote the abandonment of social norms see it as a way of respecting the uniqueness of individuals.  Yet, I believe the greater respect comes in the form of not wanting to make someone else uncomfortable when they are merely trying to go to the bathroom in a location clearly designated for their gender.

As far as those who wish to prove traditional norms are wrong or bigoted by threatening to boycott areas of the country who wish to maintain them, I say they have every right to take their stand. I hope they don’t mind if I find a way to survive without the product they are selling, whether it be music or some other form of commerce.

Perhaps the time has come when we will all have to decide what we can live without in order to determine what we can live with.

Kingdom Caffeine

Our country runs on caffeine. Ok, so maybe you are “on the wagon” and have sworn off of caffeine for health reasons.  You are better off than most of us.  Your heart thanks you for the consideration.

America leads the way in world caffeine consumption with an estimated 971 tons a year. There is a lot of interesting trivia associated with caffeine.  Did you know it only takes 10 minutes for it to enter your system?  It takes about 10 hours for 75% of the caffeine you consume to exit.  And here is the best piece of information for us addicts: caffeine is an antioxidant which helps us fight disease!

If only our drinks didn’t contain all of those other possible carcinogens we could put soft drinks in the health section of our grocery stores!

One of the least desired effects of caffeine, at least in the evening, is that it can keep up awake when it’s time to sleep. This is why every serious consumer has a ready supply of “caffeine-free” beverages.

But outside of caffeine, or other health problems that might make it difficult for you to sleep, what keeps you awake at night? What is so important that it makes it hard to stop what you are doing long enough to get the rest you need?

Years ago I read about a man who was a house guest of a famous evangelist. The guest woke up in the middle of the night and noticed a light was on in the office of the evangelist.  He walked softly down the hallway and peeked curiously through the cracked door.  The evangelist was seated at his desk with his arms around a world globe, crying.

Weird?

Sort of.

But you have probably already guessed what the evangelist was doing. He was praying for and weeping over lost souls in the world.  As the guest watched, the evangelist spun the globe, and each time it came to rest on a new location he repeated his passionate pleas to the Lord.

Again, what keeps you up at night?

Please don’t feel badly if it is a personal struggle. There are all kinds of battles that make our minds race, and lead us to the throne of grace in the early hours of the morning.  Sleeplessness is not a sin.  Alright, worry can be a sin.  But here is my point: kingdom people think about kingdom things, and the most important thing in the kingdom here is our mission to the lost.

This means we should examine the things that keep us up at night and give them the “kingdom test.” The “kingdom test” might be phrased, “If the things that keep me from getting to sleep don’t work out, will it make an eternal difference?”

There are a few things that will lead us to answer “yes.” Our relationship with the Lord is a “yes.”  And most certainly we can answer “yes” for those who don’t know Jesus.

If you had one too many cups of coffee, hang in there. You will eventually drift off to sleep.  Just don’t forget the most important thing you have to do when you wake up.

If you aren’t sure what it is, let me give you a hint: It involves the people you will want standing with you when you meet Jesus.

Kingdom Allies

In science, humans are animals. This doesn’t mean all scientists believe humans are merely animals, but we are considered so for classification purposes.  More specifically, we are in the animal kingdom (because we can move on our own), of the chordates phylum (because we have a backbone), in the class of mammals (because we have hair and milk glands), of the primate class (because we have collar bones and can grasp with our fingers), in the family of humanoids (because our faces are relatively flat and we have 3-D vision), of the genus homo (because we have large brains and stand erect) and finally, belong to the species of Homo sapiens (because we have a high forehead and thin skull bones).

Personally, I believe we are more than animals, and because of my belief in the biblical account of creation I am not completely comfortable with our scientific classification. I also don’t think we evolved into spiritual beings, but rather that God created us in His image and gave us dominion over the animals of the earth.

But I can go along with scientific terms for the purpose of categorizing living things, and I understand the value of the methodology.  This brings me to my point: what role do other creatures in our scientific kingdom have in the Kingdom of God?  Yup, I have decided to go there. Not long ago our country celebrated National Pup Day.  I figure any topic that relates to a day of national recognition is worth consideration.

C.S. Lewis once took up the subject of whether or not pets go to heaven. In “The Problem of Pain” he speculated that pets might be in heaven because of their relationship with humans, just as we will be there because of our relationship with Jesus.  I will leave this discussion quickly as there is no way it can be adequately addressed here.  Even if I had the space I am not confident I could treat it justly.

Besides, there are other “musings” I have considered. Several years ago I took my dog Shasta with me to visit our church members in nursing homes. Our members loved her.  They loved her more than they loved me!  I believe God gave my wife and me a dog with a disposition that was perfect for ministry, and I considered her a “kingdom ally.”

During my college days I served in a church in Ohio near a farm that trained Tennessee Walkers, a breed of horses known for their high-stepping gait and show quality. Members of our church owned the farm and another member trained the horses.  I used to attend horse shows with the trainer and entertain his child on carnival midways while he did some old-fashioned horse trading before the show.  When the trainer sold a horse the owner of the farm tithed his profit with the church.  The Tennessee Walkers were “kingdom allies.”

During my years of ministry in Kentucky one of our elders, Roland, had a serious heart attack and was partially disabled. About all he could do was fish and attend church.  Did I say fish?  That’s right.  Once a week we walked back to his pond, which was loaded with big bass, and fished until Roland’s heart started to act up.  We always  tossed the bass back so we knew they were in the pond.  Some of my deepest conversations with Roland took place on the banks of his pond.  Those big bass were “kingdom allies.”

I suppose I would be entering delicate territory to suggest the fried chickens at our Sunday pitch-ins were “kingdom allies”. But I should point out a lot of farmers came for the chicken and found Jesus in the process.  Sometimes allies have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Seriously (and I know it is probably hard for you to take me seriously at this point), there is a message I wish to share. God reigns over every kingdom, and He has given us allies of various kinds to bless us in our work.  All life is precious, because it is from God, and because God uses it for His glory.

I will let you be the judge of whether or not our pets will be in heaven. I vote “yes”, though I admit I don’t have much in the way of biblical truth to support my view.  It is wishful thinking.  But we have allies in the animal kingdom with us now, and we should honor them as collaborators for our cause.

One thing is for sure: I would have been hard pressed to have survived some rough patches of ministry without a dog named Shasta. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

I hope it doesn’t ruffle your fur.

Kingdom Group Text

A few days ago Mark and Lindsey Lashley welcomed their new baby boy into the world at a hospital in Bainbridge, Georgia. Before the birth, the baby’s grandmother decided to update family and friends through a group text.  The first text read, “We are at the hospital.  Having a baby today!”

In Tallahassee, Florida, Dennis Williams received the first text. However, he didn’t know the Lashley’s.  The grandmother had entered an errant telephone number in her text group and accidentally sent it to Mr. Williams.  He responded with the message, “Congrats!  LOL, but I think someone got the wrong number.”

Soon, a photo of the new baby was sent to the group and Dennis Williams texted, “Well, I don’t know Yall but me and the boys will be thru to take picture with the baby.” At this point, the grandmother realized her mistake and apologized, but Mr. Williams and his brother still drove an hour to the hospital with diapers, pacifiers and baby bottles.  A friendship was formed because of a mistaken number and a very zealous grandmother.

Some messages are intended for close friends and relatives and others are for strangers too. The good news of Jesus’ resurrection belongs to the second category.

I am going to be really honest. Sometimes I don’t trust enough in the power of the message of the resurrection to change lives.  I am prone to “size-up” whether others will be open to the gospel or not.  My judgments have little rhyme or reason to them, but they are a combination of a lifetime of evaluating other people’s circumstances and predicting how they might respond to Jesus.

Please tell me I’m not the only one.

But just about the time I think I have people figured out, God surprises me by touching the heart of someone I had no idea was open to His grace. When this happens I am always deeply humbled, and ashamed.

That’s right: ashamed.

Who am I to say anyone doesn’t want to hear about Jesus? And what do I know that makes me an expert on how they might respond?  If two brothers will drive an hour to visit a baby born to a family they don’t know, then maybe the good news of Jesus will impact a total stranger at a time when he is ready to receive it.

Easter is a time when a lot of people are asking questions about Jesus. My perception is that it has become the time when people consider the “intellectual” facts surrounding the person, death and resurrection of our Lord.  If you don’t believe me, check out some of the articles in major magazines and news outlets that appear this time of year.

People want to know if we really believe in the risen Lord, and how serving a living Savior changes our lives. At Christmastime, our compassion makes a connection with the world as we give to others, but Easter is about the facts, and how those facts continue to transform us.

As you prepare to celebrate Easter with your church family, don’t let it be just about family. Include strangers in your message.  And try not to make up people’s minds for them.   None of us knows who will be moved by the cross and the empty tomb.  But we do know when someone responds, the angels rejoice in heaven.

When we share the message of Jesus, no address is in error. Just keep pushing “send.”  Let God worry about how things are received.

JLY!

Kingdom Law Enforcement

A few days ago Jacai Colson, a D.C. area policeman, lost his life in an unprovoked attack outside of a district police station. He joins twenty-two other law enforcers that have lost their lives in 2016 in the line of duty.

Our hearts break any time someone in law enforcement pays the ultimate sacrifice to protect us. But we are especially troubled when their lives are taken in a premeditated act. I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:12 when He said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  Jesus was likely referring to a time of great turmoil that would impact the early church, but in the same passage He talks about the end of time and the punishment of the wicked.  However we interpret this prediction of lawless behavior, we seem to instinctively know it is a major harbinger of the end, either of all things or our society as we know it.

Please understand, I am not a “doom and gloom” person who believes bad signs must inevitably lead to our mutual destruction. Signs can also warn us and lead us to make necessary changes that result in a better community, nation and world.  Practically speaking, a turn-around becomes less likely as time goes by and the world is filled with more people who do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6).  However, I think there is always an opportunity for renewal as sinners restore their passion for God and seek the full potential of every good gift He Has given.

In the meantime, how do Christians help stem the tide of lawlessness?  Here are some possibilities:

1. If we know the Lord, we should respect those who uphold the law and teach our children to do the same. Parents or community leaders who encourage the willful disrespect of those who are charged with upholding the law are setting others, and themselves, up for failure. This doesn’t mean those in authority over us will always be perfect.  Some might even abandon their oath and use their positions for evil.  But these are exceptions, and we should always see them as such, while striving to maintain integrity in all aspects of our communities.

2. We should remember our respect for those who have authority over us is a commandment from scripture (1 Peter 2:13-17). We can’t use the fact that some in law enforcement are imperfect, or unjust as an excuse to break the law. I believe there is a place for civil disobedience, but if we should ever choose this pathway to change we must be willing to put ourselves at risk, not those who are sworn to uphold the law.

3. We can complement law enforcement efforts by being the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). By the time the police or sheriff’s departments show up at a crime scene, many opportunities for intervention in people’s lives have already passed. When we reach out to others going through a personal struggle, the love of Christ can heal their hearts before they lash out in anger. Christians are always working in an unofficial capacity as peacemakers.  We show people how to have peace with God and others.

These are just a few ways we can help. And, of course, it never hurts to pick up the tab for the officer or deputy checking out at your favorite convenient store.

Pray for those who enforce the law. They are risking their lives for our welfare.  And pray for their families.  They struggle when they hear about senseless events such as the one in D.C.

Don’t forget to obey the law. As the Lord’s people, we don’t want to add to the stress of those who are trying to protect us.  So, if you are reading this in your car, put the smart phone on the seat.

It can wait.

Kingdom Liability

Erin Anderson has just been awarded $55 million in a civil suit against a Marriott Hotel Group, its owner and a stalker by the name of Michael Barrett. Upon obtaining room information from the hotel, Barrett altered a door peephole and produced a nude video of the celebrity broadcaster.  The video was leaked onto the internet and has been viewed over 16.8 million times since.

This is not the first time someone’s life has been damaged by an inappropriate or illegal picture or video on social media. The proliferation of smart phones and other technologies in our culture has led to all kinds of mischief.  Perhaps you recall the sad accounts of those who have committed suicide as a result of cyber-bullying.

Words and actions can cause irreparable harm to others. I realize there are those who are so hypersensitive nothing we say or do is right.  On the other hand, we should not assume we have the right to treat others any way we wish, just because it is within our power to do so.

The church I serve has been memorizing Colossians 3:1-17 as part of a special spiritual challenge.  In it the apostle Paul writes, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8)  As I memorized this passage I almost choked on verse 8.  I have been guilty of everything in the list.  You want details, you say?

Sorry.

My reaction stemmed from the realization God holds us accountable to His Word.  I’m not suggesting His grace isn’t sufficient to save us, nor do I think we will go to hell for an errant word against another person.

But “they” might.

That’s right. The things we say and do to others might turn them away from Jesus, and their souls might be lost for eternity.

Granted, there are people in our world who use the words and actions of careless believers as a convenient an excuse for rejecting God. We have to be careful we don’t let those who do so unfairly burden us.

On the other hand, I am convinced I will be liable for my crimes against the lost. I haven’t figured out how I will pay for my sins.  Maybe there will be a moment before I enter my eternal reward when I stand before God and am confronted with the lost souls whose hearts I helped harden.

No, I can’t assume ultimate responsibility for someone who refuses Jesus.  But I do have a role to play in encouraging them to change their minds.  When it comes to leading people to Christ, civil courts won’t hold us accountable for our missteps.  In fact, most of our failures in this area go unnoticed by others…

…With one exception.

And it is the Exceptional One who makes all the difference.

Kingdom Delegate

Delegates are like gold to a Presidential candidate. A Democratic candidate needs 2,383 of them to win the party nomination, and a Republican candidate needs 1237.  There’s lots of gold in New York.  Not so much in the Virgin Islands.

Most delegates are “pledged.” They are expected to cast a vote for the candidate who won their state’s support.  But of course, there are “super-delegates” (in the Democratic Party) who are free to vote anyway they wish, and could potentially swing the selection of a candidate at the convention.

The Lord’s church doesn’t have an official convention here on earth. Ok, so there are plenty of man-made conventions, but you won’t find one in the Bible.  A council meeting in Jerusalem is recorded, where leaders hashed out some Jew-Gentile controversies.  But that’s about it.

However, there will be a convention in heaven. It’s called a “wedding supper” in Revelation 19:9.  In the parables of Jesus it is foreshadowed as a “feast.”  Nice!  The Lord’s convention in heaven is going to have lots and lots of food!

Focus Larry. Focus.

Let’s go back to the delegate metaphor.

There will be lots of pledged delegates at the wedding supper. I am pretty sure the martyrs will be among them.  “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

But will there be any super-delegates?

Alright, let digress for a moment. Obviously, we don’t need to wait until we get to heaven to nominate a leader.  Jesus is already King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  The victory has been won and our future is already settled.  Now let’s get back to the metaphor: super-delegates.

Can we wait until we see Jesus on the last day to declare our allegiance? Is so, then we can wait to see which way the wind blows, and go with the popular thinking of the moment.  As long as we say, “We want you Jesus!” on the last day, that’s good enough, right?

Ummm…not exactly.

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Mat 7:21-23 NIV)  In other words, some will say, “Hey, we were always in your camp.  We just weren’t ready to follow your lead.  But now, we’re in Jesus!”

Nope.

Won’t work.

There are no super-delegates in the kingdom. Jesus needs followers who have pledged everything to Him.  Super-delegates are the “lukewarm” referenced in Revelation 3:16.  They won’t be at the feast because Jesus can’t stomach them.

Being pledged to Jesus has its struggles, especially when our platform goes against societal trends, or when people reject our King.  But the convention is coming. And when it does, we will definitely want to be among the pledged.

“Mister Angel, the church casts all of its votes for the Lamb, slain for our sins.”

Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’  (Revelation 19:9)

Kingdom Back Door

Apple Inc. and the U.S. Government are at odds over an iPhone. Not just any iPhone, but one that has been linked to the tragic San Bernardino shooting.  The government wants Apple to help them unlock the iPhone.  Apple is accusing the government of overstepping its power.  Both sides are judging one another’s motives, while speculation from the experts abounds.

In the past, authorities could access a “back door” into a cell phone, which is a secret path known only to a close circle of developers. When I was a kid, our family had a secret way to enter our house through a back door.  It’s a family secret so I can’t tell you.  Chances are you had one too.  But the iPhone in question doesn’t have a back door, and in addition, it possesses a special feature that erases its data after several failed attempts to guess the security code.

Some people think there really is a back door but Apple isn’t saying. Others say the government could open the iPhone if they wanted to, but are using the San Bernardino case to gain access to other electronic devices.

All of this talk of an iPhone back door reminds me of the lengths to which people will go to find an alternate route into heaven.  The Bible says Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” and the only pathway to God (John 14:6).  But some say all roads lead to heaven.  The Bible says those who reject God’s offer of salvation will be lost in hell for eternity.  But some say a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell.  Even among those who accept the need for salvation, there are some who attempt to reach heaven by good works, or through an association with a specific religious group.

The Biblical definition of salvation is clear: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  There does not appear to be a back door.  We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus.  This is the “key” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:16-19.  Had there been another way, Jesus wouldn’t have come.  And He certainly wouldn’t have suffered the agony of the cross.

Yet, humanity keeps searching for another way. It doesn’t seem possible there would only be one way to heaven.  There is always another way.  If you don’t believe it, watch a few old James Bond classics.  Just when you think 007 is out of options he surprises everyone and finds a way out of trouble.  Fortunately, his enemies are all horrible shots and he always has the perfect technology for the moment.

I must confess I wish there was a back door into heaven. I would like to think the people I have failed to share Christ with are going to make it to there regardless.  It would be nice to see some of my favorite dead writers, musical artists and world leaders there, even though they openly rejected Christ.  When I talk with others about their souls I would like to be able to say, “Don’t worry.  If you accept Christ, that’s a good thing, but if you don’t, I am sure God will let you in anyway.”

But I can’t.

It isn’t my place.

When we know there is a back door, there is no real need for urgency. But without one, every sunset marks another day when thousands of souls are lost.

It is hard to live with such a thought. But it is exactly the burden I believe God wants us to have for the lost. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

How would your approach to lost souls change if you were convinced there was no back door?

Kingdom Conservative

I confess up-front, I have never fit neatly into any box. No, I am not a wild-haired rebel who is always pushing the limits of social norms.  I am just not systematic in my thinking.  This doesn’t mean I don’t come up with systems to get things done, but it does mean the systems I come up with are a bit out of the ordinary.  Recently, our daughter-in-law fixed a window on the family car by removing the inside panel and manufacturing a piece of wood to hold things in place.  I taught her how and I was so proud!

Maybe my “unsystematic” ways explains why I struggle with politics. I was raised in a family of old-line Democrats.  My father was from the coal mines of Eastern Kentucky and my mother’s parents were sharecroppers, just a mile or so from the place Daniel Boone settled after leaving Fort Boonesborough.  You might say both sides of my family were a part of the group some people describe as “poor, but didn’t know just how poor” they were.  And when it came to politics, they sided with the Democratic Party because they sought protection from people with lots of money who might take advantage of their circumstances.  Today, we might say they were concerned about “the man.”  My grandfather called them “fat cats”, but you get the idea.

Both sides of my family were heavily involved in politics in Kentucky. The list included a Sheriff (Grandfather Baesler), County Clerk (Grandfather Baesler), State Treasurer (Francis Jones Mills), Mayor of Lexington (Scotty Baesler) and Governor (Bert Combs).  Yep, we were Democrats through and through.

But here is what I remember about the people I met through my family members and at a number of political rallies: they were frugal people, committed to their church and the truth of God’s Word, and respectful of governmental process. I am sure they had a progressive view of politics, and history tells me their party fought against the capitalists and sought greater government regulation.  I am simply saying their lives reflected godly values and a healthy sense of accountability to their Creator.

I can’t speak to the Republican side of things from this same season in my life. However, I married into the Republican Party and had a relative on my wife’s side who was also heavily involved in politics in another state.  I found Republicans to also be godly and God-fearing.  They too were frugal, committed to their church and to the truth of God’s Word.  And they respected governmental process.

There is obviously an evolution of thought buried in these days of my life. Many people point to a time when a shift occurred and the old-line Democrats became Republicans.  However, it is probably safe to say Democrats are still perceived as the party that cares about the little man.  I can also tell you, from experience, while there are a lot of people in politics who firmly believe in the principles of their party, there are also a lot of “hangers-on” who just need a vehicle for their personality or personal agenda.  That’s why you should always view what people in power tell you with some suspicion.  Don’t be cynical.  Just be careful what you believe.

I don’t wish to validate any political perceptions here. My goal is to show that any political transition taking place in our culture in previous generations was not reflective of a smooth shift of values from one party to the other.  The basic contrast between constitutional conservatism and progressivism remains, but a lot of other things didn’t travel.  Maybe that’s why I am so mixed up, being prone to unsystematic thinking.

I hear people talk about Christian conservatives. If, by this term one is talking about those who believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, and that we should live holy and godly lives before the Father and the world, then I’m on board!  I’m not saying I am a perfect example, but this is who I want to be!  But if someone wants to say I have to adopt a specific political view to go to heaven, then that’s when I pull the rope to get off of the campaign train.

In case you are wondering, I am politically conservative. I believe in personal responsibility, freedom from big-government, and adherence to our country’s constitution.  I believe the laws of our land are good laws and are designed to win out over evil and oppression.  The wheels of justice turn slow at times, but there is no other country on the face of the earth like ours and time has proven our system of government is something to be treasured.

Yet, my allegiance is to my Savior. Every now and then I take a position that seems out-of-order, given some of my basic political views.  I don’t do it as a means of compromise.  I do it because it seems to be the right thing to do.

In other words, sometimes, my true Christian conservatism, represented by my commitment to the Word of God, comes into conflict with my political conservatism. And when it does, I have to pause and pray about what God would have me do.

We are in the midst of quite a bit of discussion on these matters, and the recent death of a conservative Supreme Court Justice has taken us from first gear into overdrive. Personally, I think every Christian should engage in the conversation and struggle, while being respectful of others’ feelings.

Just don’t forget who wears the crown. He doesn’t live in Washington D.C.  He is seated next to the right hand of God.  He is Jesus.

And yes, I know He is systematic.