PONDERING...(Pride) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This brief series of posts is addressing issues that commonly remove our focus from the meaning of life, and, as previously mentioned, reserves the right to more meaningfully impact the writer than the reader. All comments are welcome. However, irrelevant comments may be ignored. (I hope you are amused by my assumption that there will actually be readers of this post...and I am not just typing to myself).

1. The Problem: Pride

A lot of our worry comes from an unhealthy interest in self. Sure, we do worry about others. Yet, even our compassion can be tilted in a return direction. Consider frequent sources of concern: MY schoolwork, MY job, MY friends, MY family, MY health, MY popularity, MY acceptance, MY happiness, MY doubts, MY fears... feel free to continue. 

Ayn Rand, in her novella Anthem, made a statement that--rather we like to admit it or not--really embodies the Western ideal: 

"And now I see the face of god, and I raise this god over the earth, this god whom men have sought since men came into being, this god who will grant them joy and peace and pride. This god, this one word: "I.""(Rand)

The Bible, however, is pretty clear on this issue. In fact, pride (the worship of self) is the root of sin.

2. The Bible

Though we could look at a multitude of verses on this subject, I will only consider a few. Each touch on a similar truth--pride not only taints all human action, but it also leads only to despair and destruction. 

"2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2 ESV

This verse points out that pride leads to disgrace. Arrogance can only be maintain so far. There will always be someone faster, stronger, smarter, pretty, etc... Likewise, we are never perfectly fast, strong, smart, pretty, etc... Therefore, if we live self-confidently--devoted to our own infallibility--we will experience shame. This facade cannot be maintained; it will crumble. 

Likewise, the verse sets pride directly against Godly wisdom. To be proud is to reject wisdom.

"18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18 ESV

This verse is one of the best known in all of scripture. Unfortunately, it is more frequently ignored than quoted. Don't, however, let familiarity cause apathy. Destruction is a strong word.  Pride will destroy. Pride is the root of sin. Sin embraced is salvation rejected. Salvation rejected is Hell endured. Pride leads to Hell...period. It is grievous that we do not take this more seriously.

"3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:3-12 ESV

I love the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus famously begins with what have come to be known as the beatitudes--a fancy word that I did not understand even into my adult life that means "conditions of blessing or blessedness". These are descriptions of the Christian life. A Christian should reflect all, not some, of these statements. Now, consider these descriptions: poor in spirit (acknowledging spiritual need), mourning (displaying sorrow), meekness (gentle in nature), hungering and thirsting for righteous (desiring God), merciful (showing...mercy...forgiveness), pure in heart (untainted by the embracing of sin), peacemaking (spreading the heart of God), persecuted for another (living wholeheartedly for Christ). Here is a clear picture of humility. 

Pride has no place in His design--lest we, like Satan, exchange the worship of God for the worship of self. 

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

Work Cited

Rand, Ayn. "Part Eleven." Anthem. Page by Page Books, n.d. Web. 13 June 2014.

PONDERING... John 10:11-16

Disclaimer: This is an outline of our Youth Group lesson not the entire content.

The Good Shepherd...

1. Is more than just the nursery wall paper

Dick Lucas was quick to point this out in his teaching series on the Good Shepherd. Shepherds lead. Not only do we have the imagery of care and compassion, but to the Jews this was rich with kingly images...power, strength, provision.

2. Loves His sheep to death (vs 11-13)

This is the central point. It's the kind I'd typically close with, but this is where Jesus starts (and finishes...and clarifies all throughout). I'm following His lead. He is talking about His death. He, unlike the false leaders (Pharisees) truly cares for His sheep. Oh, the wonder of knowing 1-we are loved so completely and undeservedly, and 2- we are His.

3. Knows His sheep intimately (vs 14-15)

The Father and the Son are one. They know each other with an intimacy outside human experience. This is God's desire for us. We are known and are to know Jesus on this level. This side of Heaven, this will not be fully realized. Nonetheless, obviously it is understood that the sheep will have intimate relations with Christ on earth because it this knowledge (relationship) that keeps them from following wolves.

4. Calls His sheep effectively (and they follow Him) (vs 16)

Jesus calls. His sheep follow. Praise The Lord! This is the reason we are saved. We are sheep that were not of the Jewish flock. This is why we evangelize. He has sheep; we go to them and tell them the good news; He saves them.

Also note the implication here of the sheep following Him. This is not just the sheep coming into the sheep gate. This is the sheep living behind the Good Shepherd. We go where He goes. We do what He does. He is our life.

PONDERING...(Fear) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This series of posts reserves the right to impact the writer more than the reader.

In a previous post, I touched on the meaning of life as explained in the Bible (God's Holy Word). In the posts to follow, I want to consider what the Bible says about a few things that distract us from this center, and draw us into anxiety. 

1. The Problem: Fear

In general, fear can be defined as anticipation of known or possible harm. There are many things that cause us to be afraid. From startling noises to job security, fear comes in various forms, and, if allowed, can consume our lives.

2. The Bible

"7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

This was said in the context of Timothy encountering spiritual trials. He is admonished not to cower or be afraid, but to live according to his calling and use his spiritual gifts. All Christians face fear. Living out your faith (this precious gift of God) will result in persecution (John 15:16-27 and 16:33). Nonetheless, we are to stand strong--not because we have power, love and self-control, but because the Holy Spirit, who abides within us, is power, love, and self-control!

"25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:25-33 ESV

I mentioned in a previous post that I think about this passages a lot. I do not bring them up again to be redundant, but because I need reminded of them daily. So much fear & anxiety comes just from not knowing what to do next. However, God clearly teaches us to seek His face and let Him take care of the details. Letting go is not as easy and immediately liberating as Princess Elsa would like us to believe. It can be terrifying. Yet, who is more capable of handling your life--limited you or sovereign God?

"26 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:26-31 ESV

This passage is addressing spiritual persecution that leads to fear for one's life. This would seem to be a circumstance worthy of fear. Truly, this is terrifying. The passage does not make light of that. Nevertheless, Jesus puts even this situation into perspective. Even losing your life is nothing compared to Hell. Death, to a Christian, is to be with God. It is not to be feared. In context, this passage also alludes to the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf.


Fear causes much anxiety. Nonetheless, consider the words of Christ to His disciples: "33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."" - John 16:33 NIV

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

PONDERING... Freedom (Shocking... I know)

Disclaimer: The writer reserves the right not to be even remotely original...ever. Oh, and there is a terrifying story in this post.

As we celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day, Freedom, Justice, and the American Way... I am reminded of the following truth from Scripture.

John 8:31-36  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  33  They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"  34  Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  35  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  36  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

As we celebrate freedom, let's not forget the ultimate freedom given to us by Christ, and that any not freed by Him are still slaves to sin. It is easy to forget, as Jonathan Edwards put it so well, "How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in danger of this great wrath and infinite misery!" We so often overlook the gravity of our situation. Some even like to deny that we are slaves. However, like Paul, we cannot escape this captivity.

Romans 7:15-24 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  16  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.  17  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  18  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  19  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  20  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  21  So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.  22  For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,  23  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  24  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

As I thought about this today, it reminded me of something that happened to me yesterday. I was doing some yard work and went to set up a bird bath that had been tipped over. While doing so, I bumped into one of the many bird feeders that the previous owners of our house have posted throughout our yard. To my great delight, the post was lose. So, I shook it a bit, and then, abandoning the bird bath altogether, began to pull it out of the ground. It came out fairly easily, so I balanced the feeder portion on my hip and walked across our yard to dispose of it. As I was walking, Melissa sent me a text. Promptly, I set the feeder down to check my phone. When I did this, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. In the bird feeder that I had been shaking, and pulling, and balancing on my hip was a swarming yellow-jacket nest!

I was blissfully ignorant of the danger. In fact, I was enjoying a good audio sermon at the time. I was unaware, but I was not free.

We, by nature, are slaves to our own sins.

James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

But Jesus, by His sacrifice, has paid the price to set us free from a captor we could never escape. That's freedom!

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Happy 4th!

Upchurch

ENJOY SOME CLASSIC NEWSBOYS: I AM FREE

Reference:

Edwards, Jonathan. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." N.p., n.d. Web. 4 July 2014.

PONDERING... Clouds and Fire

In Numbers 9:15-23, the Israelites followed God's movements directly. Now, the Israelites were not always perfect subjects of obedience. Here, however, we see a good example. Day and night... when He moved, they moved. When He stayed, they stayed. There wasn't room for the question, "Where will I go today?" It was all about, "Where will God lead us today?" We could learn a lot from this attitude.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

"15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. 18 At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. 21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses." - Numbers 9:15-23 ESV

PONDERING... The Meaning of Life and the Bible

Disclaimer: These blogs are not intended to be taken as complete dissertations upon the given subjects. They are designed to be brief and digestible (metaphorically speaking...please do not lick your computer screen). The writer is, however, willing to engage in further conversation upon request. 

What is the meaning of life? Deep, complex, universal. Regardless of circumstances, everyone considers this question at some point or another. Consequently, there have been a vast array of proposed answers. Things like:

1. To obtain as much knowledge as possible
2. To demonstrate virtue
3. To become one with nature and/or society
4. To suffer for the greater good
5. To live life to the fullest (though the definition of fullest is in constant debate)
6. To overcome emotion
7. To embrace emotion
8. To gain wealth, glory, or recognition
9. To make the world a better place
10. To have children
11. To serve your fellow man
12. To experience the greatest happiness
13. Nothing
14. 42

The Bible, however, offers a far different view. Why does that matter? Well...if life has meaning, then it has to be absolute. Any relative, personal meanings we attribute to life are subject to our desires. Our desires are varied and fickle. Therefore, those meanings are ever changing fabrications to meet a wide variety of ever changing needs. Since those desires have no standardizing source, what gives them value? Nothing. This train of thought leads to the conclusion that life is whatever we make it to be...which is a nice way of saying life has no real (objective) meaning. 

However, few of us would be willing to swallow that there is no real purpose to this existence. If there is purpose, then, from where does it come? If there is an absolute purpose to life, the source of this design, by necessity, must also be absolute. To give conscious meaning, this something must also be capable of absolute intelligent thought. We could continue, but ultimately, absolute meaning points to an absolute being. By definition, that being is God. Through further reasoning, we can arrive at the fact that this God, one and only, has revealed Himself through the Bible, His Word. Therefore, it is vital to consider what He, the giver of life, has to say about our purpose here on earth.

I just want to look at a few verses and a couple points of application.

Point 1: The Meaning of Life Is...Not You

Ecclesiastes is a book written by King Solomon at the end of his life. In it, he explores the meaning life has apart from God. He had experienced great wealth, love, wisdom, and personal success. He had also lived according to his desires. He concluded that all things in life were vanities. None of these were worthy of his full devotion. Riches fade; love disappoints, wisdom is fleeting and often ignored; and accomplishments come and go. Therefore, he ended his exposition with the following statement: 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. - Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV

Similarly, God inspired the Psalmist to write:...Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. - Psalms 127:1-2 ESV

God's design for man, the purpose of our existence, is to love and serve Him. This life is "through Him and for Him" (Colossians 3:16). Our selfish hearts, as I've mentioned before, don't like this. We want this world to be about us. We want some kind of control, some semblance of autonomy. Before you stop reading this post, think about what drives you. What is your purpose? In what or who have you place all your hope? Can it/they hold this weight? How solid is your foundation? If it is built upon anything subject to change or temperament, it will not stand.

"24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."" - Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

The difference between these two houses wasn't the circumstances they endured. Both went through storms. The difference was in their design--what they were built upon.

 "17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:17-18 ESV

Solid. Unchanging. Good. This is who our lives are to be built upon.

Point 2: Therefore, Recognize That You Are Not Living in Light of the Meaning of Life

"23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalms 139:23-24 ESV

We have to recognize that we all fall short here. None of us live like Jesus is our purpose 100% of the time. If we think we have somehow "arrived" at the pinnacle of Christianity--a place beyond the need of further growth, we are wrong. We will never love God enough, or know Him to the fullest extent. Paul--who told the Philippians that he, too, had not attained perfection (Philippians 3:8-12)-- exclaimed in his letter to the Romans,"33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." - Romans 11:33-36 ESV 

Because we fall short and will forever be in great need of Him, we need to ask God for conviction. Though we don't like this word, unless we are redirected, we'll always be going astray. This is not punishment. It's grace.

Point 3: And Seek God
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:19-21, 31-33 ESV

I love the passages above and ponder them all the time. Anything that we devote ourselves to apart from God opens our hearts up to destruction. Teaching at a high school and working with teens, I see this illustrated all the time. At the end of each school year, I have my students write a world-view essay. They are tasked with breaking down their core-values. Frequently, friends and family top their lists. Unfortunately, I watch heart-break after heart-break when a friendship crumbles over something trivial, or a family is destroyed by divorce, death, or disappointment. When these things are their world, they truly feel like their lives no longer have meaning. Adults do the exact same thing. Misplaced devotion leads to destruction. Seeking God, loving and living His Word, leads to life.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

PONDERING...Teaching and The Class of 2014

Disclaimer: All material on this blog reserves the right to be an incoherent rambling.

As the end of this school year approaches, sentimental man that I am :D, I have been thinking a lot about the Class of 2014. This graduating class was special to me in many ways. Not only were they amongst the most brilliant, creative, ....and frustrating students I've encountered, but they were also freshmen when I began teaching--so we started this journey together. They were my first seminar (4-year advisement group), and my first sophomore English class. Several were in my Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and were officers when they left; a select 30 or so served their time in my seminar; and nearly all of them were either in one of my classes or tutored for me (or both). I watched them grow into young men and women, and the growth was incredible. Along the way, they taught me a lot about being a teacher, and I grew, too. 

So many names and faces jump into my head now--awesome memories. I pray I never forget those hours of essay writing, motivational talks, free advice, book clubs, after school Bible conversations, and laughs...a lot of laughs. They were the class that voted for my pathetic beard to win the beards for babies competition, chose me to be taped to a wall during an assembly, took joy in hiding my water bottle, and turned my daily gallon of drinking water...into Kool-aid. And, they were a class I was proud to watch last week walk across a stage. They stole their way into my heart and really seemed to take me into theirs, as well. It was a great four years, and I will miss them.

They are why I teach. These crazy kids, and those like them, are not just my profession (though I could not do this without them...literally), they are my calling. He sent me to serve Him by serving them.

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." James 3:1 ESV

Students are both the greatest challenge and chief reward of teaching. They can lead to near insanity, premature graying, and uncontrollable face twitches that cause others to stare. Yet, they are why we do this, right? With few exceptions, one would be hard pressed to find a teacher who did not enter this field because they cared about students. 

Unfortunately, some lose sight of that over the years. I have actually been admonished by several experienced instructors (none with whom I am employed) not to "hope I'll make a difference in lives", or not to "teach to impact students". That kind of thinking, apparently, will only lead to disappointment. My experience has been very different, and I believe it is a difference of purpose. Colossians 3:23-24 teaches, "23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ" (ESV). If it's all about Him, it's never really about me...or my recognition, glory, acclaim, happiness, acceptance, swag...etc. It's about doing what He's called me to do. I don't teach to make a difference--He does that.

There are disappointments, frustrations, and general "crazies" in every walk of life. That comes with living in a fallen world. Yet, we are called not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we "may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2 ESV). God's calling, His will, for every believer will always be the same. Only locations will differ. We are to love God, and love people (which should naturally imply sharing God's message of hope to those people). Wherever He's sent you, do that.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  31  The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:30-31

End of ramble.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch-Out

As always, feel free to comment below... in the section that reads "Post a Comment".

PONDERING... The Way

John 14:1-11  "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  2  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  4  And you know the way to where I am going."  5  Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"  6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  7  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."  8  Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."  9  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?  10  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.  11  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

When we go out for Sunday Afternoon Evangelism,  one of the first questions we like to ask people is what they think about Jesus. Most are taken slightly aback by the question. A usual response goes something like this: "What do you mean by 'what do I think about him?'" This may be be due to the fact that they don't often think about Him at all, or because the question isn't something they want to talk about. It's not a confusing question. Though, that is definitely the vibe you would get if you went out with us even one time. However, re-framed, the question is readily answered. For example, "What do you think out the President, the situation in Ukraine, the weather?" The difference is in the name of Jesus. His name will forever be the difference. 

One of the major reasons for this reaction is evidenced in the reaction to our follow up question: "In John 14:6, Jesus claims to be the way, the truth, and the life... no one can get to the Father, Heaven, except through Him. What do you think about this claim?" If we take this verse seriously, which I admittedly do not always do, it should cause some serious thought. He is claiming to be...everything. 

Today, I want to focus in on His claim to be THE WAY. He leaves no room for variants. To our western minds that want to have control and choices, this is highly offensive. Throwing that mindset aside, however, should it offend? If there are 15 million roads and everyone in the world is forced to travel by one of them, but all of them ended in a fiery pit except one, is it offensive to be told which one is the right path...the only road that leads to safety instead of destruction? Of course not. But still, we don't like this. We want the power of choice because we're trained to make our own decisions about everything...all the time. Pick your style, pick your friends, pick your college, pick your career, pick your spouse, pick your toys, pick your food preference, pick your nose... it's all up to you! But is it? Is our choice the ultimate standard? I sure hope not...since those standards would then be widely variant and subject to more changes than a potty-training toddler. A standard is something by which all else can and should be measured. Only something fully right can live up to this. Who, other than God, could possibly meet that criterion?

Quotes for Thought

"Jesus not only points to the solution; He is the solution. Other religions of the world offer a way to return to God’s favor by religiosity, good works, or self-effort. The problem with this approach is that it uses the same strategy to try to get us out of our sin problem that caused us to get into our sin problem in the first place–going our own way! Self-effort can never get us back into a right standing with God."- Afshin Ziafat

"Why does Jesus say He’s the only way? Because no one else is coming for you. There is no other God who loves you and passionately pursues you and longs to forgive you of your sin and heal you of your brokenness."– Erwin McManus

"I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize, [who] believe that there is a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell (or not getting eternal life or whatever) and you think that, well it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward. And atheists who think that people should not proselytize–”Just leave me alone, keep your religion to yourself” … How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?" –Penn Jillette

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

(PS-As always, feel free to comment below... in the section that reads "Post a Comment")

PONDERING...John 9

John 9:1-41

In this particular passage, I will need to address more verses than usual. This is an amazing passage with much application.

1. A BLIND MAN'S TESTIMONY...AN EXAMPLE FOR US

Remember, we are spiritually blind (vs 39) so this blind man's experience has a lot of application to us.

1. There was a noticeable difference which resulted in opportunities to share the cause.

Is there a noticeable change in your life? Are you aware of the opportunities to share that God is giving you? 

2.  He eagerly shared all he knew...initially and when confronted with opposition.

This man was a memorable personality. Obviously, he left an impression on John because he records a significant amount of his words. He did not speak, however, out of spiritual training. He spoke boldly about his experiences(vs 8-12,15,17,25) and reasoned boldly(vs 30, 33), as well. He was not a man of learning. Yet, God gave him words and he spoke. Even when he was basically abandoned by his parents, who feared exile from the synagogue, and faced reticule from the most respected teachers in his culture, he stood strongly on what God had revealed to him...seeing more clearly than those still in darkness. Are you letting God use you in the opportunities He provides?

2. THE PHARISEE'S PROBLEM...A WARNING TO US 

1. Stuck on the laws of man (Isaiah 29:13    And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,") They were more concerned with their laws than God's. Are you more concerned with tradition, cultural acceptance, or modern tolerance than with the bold, against the grain truths of Jesus?

2. Called their blindness sight, and were stuck in guilt. Jesus condemned them not because they were spiritually blind (we are all born this way), but because they claimed to see and rejected true sight. Are you self-assured in your spiritual condition based on your merit, or do you realize that the only merit you have is that which God has graciously given?

3. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY/GOSPEL...THE PURPOSE FOR US 

1. Here is the purpose: that we may believe (John 20:31  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.) We have to remember that John's gospel is all about pointing to Jesus' deity so that we may believe and have life! This story is no different. This blind man received sight...then he received life (vs 35-41)! He believes in Jesus and worships. Then Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are still guilty because they remain blind. Which implies that sight given is connected to the forgiveness of sin, removal of guilt. Sin leads to death; Jesus gives life (Romans 6:23). Have you experienced life?

SCRIPTURE: John 9:1-41  As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.  2  And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  3  Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.  4  We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.  5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  6  Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud  7  and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.  8  The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?"  9  Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man."  10  So they said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?"  11  He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight."  12  They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."  13  They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.  14  Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.  15  So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  16  Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.  17  So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."  18  The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight  19  and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"  20  His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.  21  But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself."  22  (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)  23  Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."  24  So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."  25  He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."  26  They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"  27  He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?"  28  And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.  29  We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from."  30  The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.  31  We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.  32  Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.  33  If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."  34  They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.  35  Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"  36  He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"  37  Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you."  38  He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.  39  Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."  40  Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?"  41  Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

-Upchurch

(PS-As always, feel free to comment below... in the section that reads "Post a Comment")