storiesofvalue

Over the years I have encountered many people facing a catastrophic event that threatened to tear away their foundation of faith.  I have discovered, while most eventually find peace in their circumstances, there is an initial period of confusion when intense emotions crash in.

Three are seldom any quick repairs for broken hearts and shattered dreams, but it seems to help when those who are hurting find a way to organize their thoughts.  This is where the #2 pencil enters the stage.

I am not sure when, or how I came to use pencils to paint a picture of faith.  I recall one day as I struggled to explain how Satan warps our thinking in times of trouble, I pulled three pencils out of a desk drawer.  And yes, they just happened to be #2 pencils.  I placed two pencils parallel to each other about two feet apart on my desk.  Then I positioned a third pencil halfway between the two.

I explained that the distance between the two pencils on the end represents the faith we stand in as we seek to follow God.  The middle pencil represented a sliding scale between those things we understand about God, and those things we don’t.  In my personal walk with the Lord, the things I understood about God on a normal day made up about 80% of my faith.  The things I didn’t understand accounted for about 20%.  As I spoke, I moved the middle pencil in my illustration to a position that represented this ratio.  I also explained some people have a daily baseline with slightly different percentages.

Then I suggested when difficult trials come into our lives, the pencil in the middle begins to move. As painful questions fill our minds, we realize the things we thought we understood about God are not as certain, and the list of things we don’t understand grows.  I moved the pencil to a new position to represent a ratio that was the exact opposite of the first.

At that point I shared my conviction the first ratio was closer to the truth, but the second was a warped picture of the chaos Satan creates in our souls when fear and doubt prevail.  The compressed, fierce spiritual battle of the moment deludes reality and the fact we aren’t as sure as we once were compounds the problem.

The good news is, as the pain subsides, so does the delusion.  This doesn’t mean things are exactly as they were.  Most likely the things we know about God will reflect a more mature awareness of His grace and providence, and the things we don’t know will involve a greater appreciation for the complexity of our human experience.  But we can say our faith is restored, in that its foundation is affirmed and our anxieties relieved.

Using this metaphor, where is the middle #2 Pencil in your life today?  What kinds of delusions has Satan created in the midst of your pain?  How do you believe God can bring peace into your life and help restore the balance between those things you do and don’t understand?

Dear God, protect me from Satan’s delusions.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Tests have always made me anxious.  I seem to remember some friends in school who lived for exams, or any other opportunities to showcase their brilliance.  But for me, tests were hideous inventions created to expose my flaws and hang them in the public square for the world to see.

Then there was the test before the test, because it was possible to fail by default if I didn’t follow directions.  Three surefire ways to fail an exam were to 1) be absent without an excuse, 2) forget to write one’s name on the upper right-hand corner of the test sheet, and 3) have the audacity to show up with anything but two #2 pencils.

The #2 pencil rule puzzled me for many years.  I understood why we were asked to bring two pencils.  It was easy to break a pencil lead in a moment of frustration.  But why were #2 pencils required?  Beyond this, what was special about a #2 pencil?

Later in life, my extensive research uncovered the mystery.  Pencil lead (which, in recent years has been replaced with graphite), is rated by density.  Lower numbers signified softer lead and higher numbers signified harder lead.  When computer test sheets started to appear, it was discovered a #1 pencil lead was prone to smear, and #3 or #4 pencils left marks that were too light for the computer to read.  The #2 pencil, however, hit the sweet spot, and became the required tool for students everywhere.

I still remember sitting at my desk on test day with my #2 pencils, and my name on the upper right-hand corner of the answer sheet.  As I waited for the exam to begin I felt good.  At that point I had a perfect score!  I was even ahead of a student or two that had failed to follow directions.  Unfortunately, in most cases, that was as good as I was going to feel that day.

Perhaps it was my ability to excel in the preparatory portion of school tests that led me to a life-long obsession with readiness.   I don’t like my real-life tests any more than my old academic ones, but I am still inclined to focus on those things I can do as I brace myself for things over which I have little control.

What causes the greatest anxiety in your life?  Preparing for the test, or facing it?

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (James 1:4)

A few years ago I underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.  Outside of some childhood visits to the emergency room, this was the first time I had voluntarily allowed an anesthesiologist to put me to sleep and a surgeon to cut into my body.

“It’s a piece of cake!” So my surgeon had boasted when he first suggested the procedure.  But on the day of operation his tune and the running commentary by nurses and assistants painted a very different picture.

There were risks.  I was asked to sign a short stack of release forms acknowledging the fact I was aware things might not go as planned.  There were warnings.  I was not to make any major decisions or enter into any legal agreements while I was coming down from the anesthesia.  And there were expectations.  There would be pain, but I could manage it by taking my medication on time.  My anesthesiologist also ordered a Novocaine dispenser as my best friend for the days following my surgery.  I highly recommend it!

I received various other instructions and helpful hints to aid me in my recovery.  However, the one word that caught my attention was “manipulate.” Evidently, while shoulder patients are knocked out, surgeons like to manipulate their arms in a seemly masochistic manner to free up frozen joints.

“Really?” I protested  “And who watches to make sure he doesn’t get carried away?”

“Oh Mr. Jones, the surgeon knows what he is doing.  You don’t need to worry.”

I knew.  Yet I was anxious.  Knowing doesn’t always remove our fears, and in fact can serve to make them worse.  So which is better: to know the full nature of a test, or move forward in ignorance?

I have thought about the answer to this question as it relates to God’s providential care in my life.  Does He prepare me for the trials and tests that are certain to come?  Or does He merely tell me to expect them, and trust Him for the outcome?

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!  Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.  Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.  Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.  Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.  (Gal 6:11-18 NIV)

As an aside, you may remember when we discussed Paul’s eyes as a possible source of illness.  It was his illness that helped him grow closer to the Galatians who would have torn out their own eyes and given them to him had it been feasible.  Some people point to the phrase in our passage this morning, “See what large letters I use” as proof Paul had an eye disease.

I personally believe Paul had an eye disease, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the large letters.  I think they are for emphasis as he repeats his main message:

“Don’t do it!”

Paul’s entire letter has been about the pressure Judaizers were putting on redeemed believers to be circumcised for righteousness sake. Circumcision was, after all, the sign of the Old Testament covenant and a commandment of God.  But when Christ came, He paid the price of sin, fulfilled the Law, and made it possible for everyone everywhere to become a child of Abraham and recipient of the promise.

The promise was and still is all about the cross on which Christ died.  Paul suggests the reason some people were giving in to legalism and demanding circumcision was to avoid criticism and persecution.  The cross was offensive because it displayed the sins of the world for all to see, and circumcision was seen as a solution to the offense since those accepting it proclaimed self-righteousness.

But the self-righteous were not right.  Those who looked to a righteous act as the source of their salvation were still in their sins.

It is amazing how one religious rite could stir up so much trouble.  Yet, it is indicative of anything that diminished the place of the cross.

We are saved by grace, through faith.  It is from God, lest any of us should boast.  Boasters have a habit of pointing out the things they have done as proof of their goodness.  Followers of Jesus boast only in the cross.  I don’t know about you, but I would rather be clothed in the righteousness of Christ, than my own.

Dear God, thank You for making me righteous.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:6-10 NIV)

Where do we invest our lives, and why does it matter?

If we read between the lines a bit in our passage, we can assume some of those who had been misled by the Judaizers (those who oppressed others with the Old Testament law, in addition to Christ), were neglecting their responsibilities in the church.  This seems to have been true on three levels:

First, they were neglecting their teachers.  Those who gave their entire lives to the teaching of the Word of God in the church needed to be supported in some way.  If not, they would have to return to the marketplace to earn their living and wouldn’t have time to teach.

Secondly, they were neglecting the fruits of a Spirit-led life.  All of the ungodly acts and attitudes outlined in chapter 5 were cropping up in the absence of an emphasis on the all-sufficient grace of Jesus.

Third, they were neglecting the health of the church body.  With teachers starving and legalism running rampant, the church was suffering.  People were getting weary.  The work was suffering.

Such is the nature of deception and the work of Satan in our world.  What he does to one of us affects all of us.

On the other hand, the nature of the Spirit is to remain focused on Christ and to form a solid front against Satan’s attempts to discourage us.  In this case, what we do for one another makes us strong.

The goal is a good harvest.  To have a good harvest we must sow the right kind of seed and commit ourselves to the crop.  And if I remember right from my days on the farm, even a few days of neglect can spell disaster.

I know it is human nature to think our failure to be responsible in God’s work really won’t matter all that much.  We think someone else will pick up the slack.  But in fact, those who pick up the slack are further burdened and discouraged.

If there is something we think it is important, and the Lord’s people would certainly put His church and His work in this category, then we must invest our lives in making sure it is healthy and successful.  If we think good things will just magically appear in this world without our devotion to the cause of Christ, we are deceiving ourselves.

Dear God, help me be a good sower.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dear Morning Devotion Group – After our study of Galatians I am going to be using my morning devotion posts to share thoughts from a book I am writing on the subject of “faith.” No, I have not been approached by a major publishing house.  And this will be much different from the children’s stories I also enjoy writing.  It’s just that I have a perspective on faith I am compelled to put on paper and I don’t have the extra time it would require to record it.  So I hope you will allow me the opportunity to use this forum as a workspace.  I hope you enjoy it.  The new study should begin by next Thursday. Blessings, Larry

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.  (Galatians 6:1-5 NIV)

So, if we are saved by grace, and not a perfect adherence to the law, and if our faith is not a vehicle for arrogant self-righteousness, how does this affect the way we view our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We do it with humility.  “If anyone things he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

Realize, Paul isn’t attempting to discourage or demean his readers here.  In fact, in our passage he also says, “Then he can take pride in himself” in reference to our ability to evaluate our own actions.

The problem comes when we forget our own personal battle with sin, and judge others more harshly than we are judging ourselves.  As brothers and sisters in Christ we are all striving for the same thing and fighting a common enemy.  Our goal is to overcome Satan’s plans for us and help others do the same.  Then everyone wins!

We can see how this is different from an atmosphere where people are comparing one another against the perfect law and proclaiming self-righteousness.  When we try to please God with self-righteousness, it is “every man for his self.”  When we live by the Spirit, we want to present everyone perfect in Christ.  We also want His church to glow with the Spirit as it reflects His image in everything.

Therefore, when someone is caught in a sin, what should we do?  In Matthew 18 Jesus gives us some instructions on a process for resolving conflict that works well here.  We go to the person privately and confront their sin.  If they refuse to listen (which is often the case since all of us are masters of denial), then we should take one or two witnesses with us to strengthen our confrontation.  As a last resort, we should ask others in the church to help us.

If those who are caught in a sin refuse to be honest with themselves and others, things get complicated.  In fact, sometimes church families have to put boundaries in place to protect innocent people from those who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.

But ideally, those who are sinning will accept the direction of brothers and sisters in Christ, allowing them to be gently restored.  Thus, the process requires two things: humility on the part of others as they help those who have sinned through their struggles, and humility on the part of the sinner as he allows God to work through His Word and His people.

Certainly none of this is possible when we live with a delusion of our own self-righteousness.

Dear God, keep me focused on Your Spirit that works in me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26 NIV)

It is easy to experience a level of disconnect between this biblical contrast between “law” and “spirit”, and the practical working out of our faith.  One reason is because there are two contrasts at work, both of which are addressed in today’s passage.

The first contrast is between the “spirit led” and “sinful nature led” life.  Before we come to Christ and are inhabited by His Spirit, we are controlled by our sinful human nature.  This doesn’t mean everyone who doesn’t know Christ is a hardened sinner.  In fact, some non-believers work hard to do what is right, as their understanding of morality and goodness dictates.  Yet, even these are driven primarily by the drive to be a good person, which by its very nature can be ego-centric.  Those who are led by the Spirit, however, not only seek to be good, but are constantly convicted and prompted by the Lord as they are conformed into His image.

The second contrast is between the “spirit led” and “law-led” life.  As you might guess, Paul is drawing a correlation between our sinful nature and the law.  At first glance this appears theologically unsound since the law was given to guide humanity out of its sinful nature.  But I think Paul is trying to make a specific point in relation to how we pursue godliness.

No, our sinful human nature and the law are not one in the same.  However, the mentality with which one pursues both is frighteningly similar.  Our sinful nature must be fed by pleasures of the flesh, pride, and misguided ambition.  And if we follow law, convinced we can justify ourselves and proclaim ourselves righteous, we tend to focus on the same things.  In fact, there is nothing more prideful and abusive than a Christian who is captivated by his own perfection.

As I have aged, I have become more aware of how we use spirituality as a smoke screen for our human nature.  We almost need a dictionary to keep things straight.  A judgmental spirit becomes “discernment”, personal endeavors become things “God puts on our hearts”, and anyone who questions us is said to be “full of strife.”  I don’t mean to suggest these statements made by believers are always misguided.  It’s just that as humans we have an uncanny way of making our personal desires sound really spiritual.

I think this is the background behind the distinctions we see in today’s passage between the “spirit” and our “sinful nature” as it relates to the notion we can proclaim ourselves righteous.  The true “spirit” led life will demonstrate the “fruits of the spirit”.  And when we are filled with these, we don’t have to worry about making ourselves look good, or justifying our actions.

Dear God, help avoid the trap of self-righteousness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13-15 NIV)

All of this talk of “freedom” can be misinterpreted.

Those who stand in the grace of Jesus have been freed from sin and are free from the curse of the Law which condemns them.  They are recipients of the promise of Abraham, children by faith, and citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.

But freedom comes with responsibility, and followers of Jesus should have no desire to sin.  This truth explains why Paul has spent so much time focusing on the offense of the cross.  Unless we grasp the debt we owe God for our sin and the price Jesus paid, we won’t be motivated to live as we should.  When we know why He died there, we want to die to sin every day, for the rest of our lives.

All of the rules and regulations associated with the Old Testament Law fell under the umbrella of a single principle or law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  This same law was also referred to as the “second greatest commandment,” behind the first, which was to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.”

Please don’t misunderstand.  I have heard people say as long as we live by this law of love, it doesn’t matter whether we are saved by Jesus or not.  Technically, this is correct.  The problem is none of us have lived perfectly by this law.  Therefore, we need someone to pay the debt for our sin.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free!”  What good news.  “But use your freedom correctly.  Love one another.”

Obviously, Paul was referring to the behavior of those embroiled in the debate over circumcision.  Something was terribly wrong with a discussion on righteousness that led people to treat one another badly.

To be honest, this concept of freedom goes against our human nature.  We often think of freedom as a green light to do anything we want, as long as we don’t hurt others.  But this is a rather shallow definition, and certainly not a biblical one.  Love is not defined merely by the things we don’t do to hurt others.  It is the full expression of Jesus’ love through every step we take…every word we speak…and everything we do.

Freedom can be a beautiful thing if we remember the price that was paid to win it.  Anything else isn’t really freedom at all, or at the very least a cheap substitute.

Dear God, flow free through my freedom.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! (Galatians 5:11-12 NIV)

Alrighty then!  I think Paul had made himself quite clear, here.  If anyone has trouble interpreting today’s passage, send me an e-mail and I will direct you to the appropriate resources.

Let’s spend some time with the word “offense.”  Did you know the cross was offensive?

It was offensive culturally.  People were crucified on crosses to punish them for crimes, but also to shame them and deter others from following their wicked ways.  Some criminals were guilty of crimes against the state and it was particularly important that the government put them on public display.  Family members also shared in the shame since their name was paraded for all to see.

It was offensive visually.  Crucifixion was repulsive.  If the blood wasn’t bad enough, all of the other sights and smells made one want to turn and run away.  Only the brave, the closest of kin and those with iron stomachs could tolerate the experience.

It was offensive spiritually.  Righteousness was important to the Jews, and even some pagan idol worshippers of Rome sought personal honor through a natural moral code.  The cross was a moral disgrace.

So why did God choose something this offensive as the means of our salvation?

My guess is because there was nothing more offensive to God than sin.  Therefore, there was no better counter for the severity of our circumstances as sinners than the price Jesus paid to make us free.  This means when we turn away from Jesus’ death on the cross because it turns our stomach, we are actually being sickened by our own sin.

Just to be clear…Paul thinks the offense of the cross is a good thing.  He doesn’t want it abolished, yet, when seekers of self-righteousness try to force people to endure the irrelevant rite of circumcision, they are belittling the cost, and the offensive nature of the cross.

If, hypothetically, we were to abolish the offense of the cross, then it would no longer be sufficient to cover the offense of our sin.

Here is an important statement regarding the cross: it is impossible to be redeemed if we don’t believe Jesus’ death on the cross was an offensive event designed to balance our ledger of offensive sins.  I know there are those who claim to be Christian who follow Jesus’ teachings, but don’t believe in the atonement (Jesus’ payment for our sin with His blood).  But this is a grave error.  In fact it is illogical since Jesus Himself said He had come to lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:15).  If we accept the teaching of Jesus, but don’t accept His own instruction on the meaning of the cross, we contradict ourselves.

Sometimes one has to be offensive…even if it involves that “e” word Paul used in today’s passage.

Dear God, thank You for the cross.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”  I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. (Galatians 5:7-10 NIV)

I understand there are rules about “cutting in” on others during a foot race.  In shorter races of 400m or less runners are supposed to stay in their own lanes for the whole race.  In longer races up to 800m, they are allowed to cut to an inside lane at a given point, and in very long races, there are no lane requirements.  But even in these longer races, no one should intentionally try to “take out” another runner by bumping, tripping or running across his path.  Anyone breaking this code is subject to disqualification.

I have not been able to find an official rule book for runners in ancient Greece, but I suspect the common ethics of good sportsmanship frowned on intentionally interfering with a runner.  At least Paul was aware of the practice since he used it to describe  legalists in Galatia who  “cut in” on a thriving body of believers in an attempt to confuse, divide and exploit.

The yeast metaphor Paul uses may remind you of Jesus warning about the yeast of the Pharisees (Mark 8:14-21).  The connection in both cases is the same: a little falsehood in the right environment can blow up like sourdough bread.  So no one should assume just a little false teaching is safe.

There is a slight, but significant difference between the running infraction mentioned here and the one that happens in track and field.  The suggestion is the Galatians were “persuaded” by those who wanted to turn them away from the truth.  They were running a good race when someone came along and fed them a line of reasoning they couldn’t resist.  Before they knew it they were trapped by legalism, and well on their way to the dangerous pursuit of self-righteousness.

People can be persuasive.  So how do you guard against confusion and falsehood?  Here are some suggestions:

1.  Cross-check what others are telling you with God’s Word.

2.  Talk with others you trust to gain perspective.

3.  Evaluate everything in light of big biblical themes, such as the Old and New Covenants.

4.  Consider the motives of those who are interfering.  What do they have to gain?

5.  Take time to reflect on the things are taught or told before adopting them.

We get confused when people press ideas on us and give us a timeline to make a decision.  Admittedly, some timelines are very important, but most of the time, we have time to study, pray, discuss and ponder.

Don’t let anyone “cut in” on your race.  Take the time you need to think it through.  And don’t fret too much about those who try to interfere.  From the sounds of things, they will be duly disqualified…in God’s good time.

Dear God, keep me focused on the finish line.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.