The topic of abortion has been a dividing subject lately. The left is irritated that the right makes it such a central issue, and the right is bewildered that abortion can be treated with anything less than detestation. The second is where I reside. Only I have been past the point of bewilderment to downright anger. I hope that what follows here will be one of righteous indignation and not senseless ranting.
Of course one of the main reasons that the pro-life/pro-choice debate has been given so much attention lately is because of the approaching presidential election and where the democratic nominee, Barack Obama, stands on this issue. But more on that shortly. Surrounding the upcoming election are many personal conversations: ones at work, with family, on Facebook, etc. Some of the comments that I've been hearing from the pro-choice side have included indignance over any suggestion that they don't value life as much and pro-lifers, annoyance over the fact that there are so many bad home situations out there that babies are born into, and ardent defense of Obama because he wants "fewer abortions."
Let's take the first of those comments: Someone who is pro-choice values life just as much as someone who is pro-life. Really. I'm going to have to say that for a pro-choicer to argue such, there is only one way for that to hold water; he/she has to say that the unborn do not constitute life. The pro-life stance is that all life is equally valuable and should be protected. Unless a pro-choice individual tries to argue that the unborn do not fall into the category of human life, he/she does not agree with the pro-life stance of lives being equally valuable across the board. In other words, pro-choice advocates value choice over some stages of human life. Or they could even say it another way: A woman's choice is sometimes more valuable than the life of an unborn child. That is a sick statement filled with selfishness, but at least it is an honest one. Now if one wants to argue that the unborn are not human lives, so be it. There isn't much to stand on in that camp, at least nothing much beyond personal hunches or attempts to escape the reality of what is being done in an abortion. "It can't live on it's own, so it isn't really a life" some might say. I suppose then that we ought to take everyone off of medications that are keeping them living. Diabetics perhaps? Come on. No sane pro-lifer (yes, there are insane ones out there) is going to accuse pro-choice supporters of wanting to kill all the babies in the world, but please, let's be honest in what our stances really mean.
The second statement: There are so many bad home situations that babies are born into (so we should abort some of them before they make it there). It is true that there are scores of bad situations in the world and that many babies are conceived through terrible instances (rape, incest, and the like), but again, do we kill the innocent because situations were/are bad? Please, if you know anyone contemplating abortion because of the rough situation (or any situation) they were/are in, let Gen and I know and we'll do all that we can to adopt the baby or find someone else who is able to. I'll admit that this is a place where we as the church need to stand up and take more action. God motivation is the ultimate answer which means people need the gospel that they might see their need for the Savior, understand the sanctity of marriage (as the only place for sexual expression), and value all life made in God's image. Archaic? Dream world? Beyond what is realistic? I guess this is one area where I'll quote Obama: "Hope and Change!" My God delivers both in a way that none of us ever could on our own. I have hope for change that leads us back to Him, where He drives us at our core, influencing our every thought and action, and stands before us as the One we simply must have more of.
Third: Obama wants "fewer abortions." I'm sorry, is that really supposed to be comforting coming from his lips? This is a man who, when talking about his hypothetical grandchild would fear that his daughter might feel punished with a baby after making a "mistake". This is a man who talks about taking care of "the least of these" but doesn't insist that babies born alive after botched abortions need to be cared for or that partial birth abortions are simply wrong. I know, I know, he tries to skirt the issue on these things now that the election is nearly here, but there is certainly evidence that can point to where he truly stands. I simply could not find myself voting for a man who thinks with the above logic. My aim here is not to be pro-McCain, but it is to express my frustration with Obama and those who support him because he supposedly has good "economic plans." Once again, I have to say, "Really?!" I guess we do love our money.
Lord, I know that I have sinned against You and others in the past months while thinking and talking about this issue. My anger has not always been righteous. Please fill me and motivate me more in every way, and please open up our eyes to see the horrificness of abortion. Please work in your church that we might be a light to those in darkness and a place for the unwanted. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
God Motivation in Giving
Last Sunday we were blessed once again to have one of our elders bring to us the Word of God in our stewardship series addressing the church's financial surplus. He put much emphasis on blessing others with our abundance and spent a significant time talking about those who are in great need in the world, living at a level of poverty that will very well lead to their starvation in the near future (and at this moment). He gave the statistics that many of us have probably heard at one point or another, but somehow as these numbers were combined with his reading of Matthew 25:31-46, my heart was more gripped with conviction to give than perhaps ever before. I asked him later, recalling that he spoke of organizations that are doing a great job helping the poor face to face, what ones he was referring to. Specifically, I wanted to know which groups were ones that he thought did the best job in both meeting physical needs and in sharing the gospel. One that came out with prominence as we talked was World Vision. And then after talking with Gen some this week on how much we might give, she also brought up the Pregnancy Resource Center where she volunteers once a week. The center offers abortion alternatives, gives practical aid to new moms while educating them on motherhood, and shares the gospel with every client who will listen. They are always in need of further funding, but do so much to offer life both in the present and eternal sense. We decided to give half of the gift there; what a blessing it is to have a like-minded, further perspective-giving wife!
But returning to the issue in general...besides the fact that there are many needs in the world, why give? Here are some of the things that God was impressing upon my heart and mind over the course of this week:
1.) I do not want to be found "saying" to Jesus on the day of judgment, "Look at my savings account, Lord!" Not only do I think He would be greatly unimpressed, but I fear that I would look all too much like the goats who did not take care of "Jesus" when they saw Him in need. Similarly, just before this passage in Matthew 25, the servant who had been given the one talent from his master was greatly punished for not multiplying it, a multiplication that should have been for eternal purposes if we understand anything of the context. I so want to hear Jesus say, "Well done good and faithful servant!," and not "People died and that without knowing Me for the sake of you feeling secure in your financial stability."
2.) I have been struck with an increased fear of the temptation to sin that comes with prosperity. Last night as I was reading a bit of John Owen, this was addressed. "Prosperity and temptation go together; yea, prosperity is a temptation, many temptations, and that because without eminent supplies of grace it is apt to cast a soul into a frame and temper exposed to any temptation, and provides it with fuel and food for all." It is not that Owen was against having money but just that it can be so very dangerous if we find our security in it and use it for any opportunities to sin. It can provide a great platform for arrogance, frivolousness, or the slighting of others. We are all too willing to stand upon wealth as if it strengthens the soul and gives us what we need for a full life, even at others' expense. Mankind will continue to buy the lie of "happiness in wealth" until he is willing to give all that He has unto the Lord who knows what to do with money. I fear the temptation of loving riches and also the blindness that might creep into my life should I store up wealth for myself. I desperately want to be God motivated, seeing Him clearly and sensing the Spirit's promptings. God within and God without.
3.) Finally, I could hear some arguing against being too generous today because of the "bind" that our economy is in right now. But if the doom and gloom that is being prophesied actually comes true and our money ends up being essentially valueless (or gone without being spent), what better time to give? Of course, there have been plenty of prophesies that haven't come true as well. Only time will tell and only God fully knows. It seems that I better be faithful today, listening to what He says.
Sovereign Lord, please be my motivation in managing all that You have entrusted to me. Guard me from temptations to horde, to grow cold to needs, to live as if being financially "set" is a good life goal. Help me to love well, to work hard, and to trust that You, my Motivation, will ultimately provide for the needs of my family. You have so graciously done this already and I trust in Your continual care. And Lord, please use the gifts that we give to bless in such a way that Your glory is beheld in great increasing measure. Glorify Your name, Lord! Amen.
But returning to the issue in general...besides the fact that there are many needs in the world, why give? Here are some of the things that God was impressing upon my heart and mind over the course of this week:
1.) I do not want to be found "saying" to Jesus on the day of judgment, "Look at my savings account, Lord!" Not only do I think He would be greatly unimpressed, but I fear that I would look all too much like the goats who did not take care of "Jesus" when they saw Him in need. Similarly, just before this passage in Matthew 25, the servant who had been given the one talent from his master was greatly punished for not multiplying it, a multiplication that should have been for eternal purposes if we understand anything of the context. I so want to hear Jesus say, "Well done good and faithful servant!," and not "People died and that without knowing Me for the sake of you feeling secure in your financial stability."
2.) I have been struck with an increased fear of the temptation to sin that comes with prosperity. Last night as I was reading a bit of John Owen, this was addressed. "Prosperity and temptation go together; yea, prosperity is a temptation, many temptations, and that because without eminent supplies of grace it is apt to cast a soul into a frame and temper exposed to any temptation, and provides it with fuel and food for all." It is not that Owen was against having money but just that it can be so very dangerous if we find our security in it and use it for any opportunities to sin. It can provide a great platform for arrogance, frivolousness, or the slighting of others. We are all too willing to stand upon wealth as if it strengthens the soul and gives us what we need for a full life, even at others' expense. Mankind will continue to buy the lie of "happiness in wealth" until he is willing to give all that He has unto the Lord who knows what to do with money. I fear the temptation of loving riches and also the blindness that might creep into my life should I store up wealth for myself. I desperately want to be God motivated, seeing Him clearly and sensing the Spirit's promptings. God within and God without.
3.) Finally, I could hear some arguing against being too generous today because of the "bind" that our economy is in right now. But if the doom and gloom that is being prophesied actually comes true and our money ends up being essentially valueless (or gone without being spent), what better time to give? Of course, there have been plenty of prophesies that haven't come true as well. Only time will tell and only God fully knows. It seems that I better be faithful today, listening to what He says.
Sovereign Lord, please be my motivation in managing all that You have entrusted to me. Guard me from temptations to horde, to grow cold to needs, to live as if being financially "set" is a good life goal. Help me to love well, to work hard, and to trust that You, my Motivation, will ultimately provide for the needs of my family. You have so graciously done this already and I trust in Your continual care. And Lord, please use the gifts that we give to bless in such a way that Your glory is beheld in great increasing measure. Glorify Your name, Lord! Amen.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
God Motivation in Judging
Recently someone posted an anonymous comment on my entry "God Motivation and the Love of Self," frustrated that I was judging Ray Boltz for entering into the gay lifestyle. It seemed good to think through the subject a bit more.
A favorite verse of the public seems to be Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Sometimes it is quoted contextually, oftentimes not. Jesus made this statement to direct people toward self-examination before correcting someone else. Another statement of Jesus that is not repeated nearly as often is, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). Here, Jesus was challenging the religious authorities for condemning him after a good work he did on the Sabbath while they were fine with performing ritualistic acts of the law on the same day.
In reality, Jesus was saying almost the same thing in both instances. He was telling His audiences, "Make sure you are seeing a subject rightly before correcting someone else." His aim was not for us to cease making judgments about anything and everything (that would be a scary world!). But before we get too excited and think all we need to do is a bit of contemplation before delivering the whip, there's another factor to consider. Believe it or not, there is a standard to judge by and we're not it. It's never gone well for the human race when everyone has done what is right in his own eyes (see the book of Judges). God, as He has revealed Himself (and His desires) in the Bible, is the Standard that Jesus pointed people to and the one that we'll be judged by.
We're really not all that unfamiliar with this concept. Consider our modern-day judges. We would be (or should be) appalled if, in the courtroom, they started just giving their opinion on matters, convicting those they didn't like very well and acquitting those they were more comfortable with. No, we expect them to know well and then point to another standard, the law, and judge according to it. Neither would we expect them to duck under their desks every time an uncomfortable or controversial subject came up, declaring, "I'll not judge! I'll not judge!" We expect them to gather information, hold it up against the law, and "make a right judgment."
It is not that we are called to never judge, but that we are to consider that there is both a weight and a responsibility that comes with judgment, while understanding that more is required than simply the involvement of our own minds. And so, when I say that Ray Boltz, someone who claims to be a Bible-believing Christian, is wrong in entering into the gay lifestyle, I do it pointing toward the Standard that both he and I are called to live by. This life is not about what either he or I decide we want to make of it and/or how we want to live it, but about what God in His infinite wisdom has commanded, both for our good and His glory. Having God Motivation in judging looks to God as the Judge where we find Him grabbing our shoulders from behind to aim us in the right direction, a direction that will ultimately lead us to Him.
It seems that my anonymous friend has judged me in saying that I have judged another, but I must say that I am not sure what standard he/she has pointed me to insodoing. But I do welcome the comment nonetheless and hope that upon further thought we are both more prepared to make right judgments.
Lord God, please teach me to be motivated by You and toward You in all evaluation, whether of myself, others, the culture, or the world. Help me to make right judgments with a right heart before You.
A favorite verse of the public seems to be Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Sometimes it is quoted contextually, oftentimes not. Jesus made this statement to direct people toward self-examination before correcting someone else. Another statement of Jesus that is not repeated nearly as often is, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). Here, Jesus was challenging the religious authorities for condemning him after a good work he did on the Sabbath while they were fine with performing ritualistic acts of the law on the same day.
In reality, Jesus was saying almost the same thing in both instances. He was telling His audiences, "Make sure you are seeing a subject rightly before correcting someone else." His aim was not for us to cease making judgments about anything and everything (that would be a scary world!). But before we get too excited and think all we need to do is a bit of contemplation before delivering the whip, there's another factor to consider. Believe it or not, there is a standard to judge by and we're not it. It's never gone well for the human race when everyone has done what is right in his own eyes (see the book of Judges). God, as He has revealed Himself (and His desires) in the Bible, is the Standard that Jesus pointed people to and the one that we'll be judged by.
We're really not all that unfamiliar with this concept. Consider our modern-day judges. We would be (or should be) appalled if, in the courtroom, they started just giving their opinion on matters, convicting those they didn't like very well and acquitting those they were more comfortable with. No, we expect them to know well and then point to another standard, the law, and judge according to it. Neither would we expect them to duck under their desks every time an uncomfortable or controversial subject came up, declaring, "I'll not judge! I'll not judge!" We expect them to gather information, hold it up against the law, and "make a right judgment."
It is not that we are called to never judge, but that we are to consider that there is both a weight and a responsibility that comes with judgment, while understanding that more is required than simply the involvement of our own minds. And so, when I say that Ray Boltz, someone who claims to be a Bible-believing Christian, is wrong in entering into the gay lifestyle, I do it pointing toward the Standard that both he and I are called to live by. This life is not about what either he or I decide we want to make of it and/or how we want to live it, but about what God in His infinite wisdom has commanded, both for our good and His glory. Having God Motivation in judging looks to God as the Judge where we find Him grabbing our shoulders from behind to aim us in the right direction, a direction that will ultimately lead us to Him.
It seems that my anonymous friend has judged me in saying that I have judged another, but I must say that I am not sure what standard he/she has pointed me to insodoing. But I do welcome the comment nonetheless and hope that upon further thought we are both more prepared to make right judgments.
Lord God, please teach me to be motivated by You and toward You in all evaluation, whether of myself, others, the culture, or the world. Help me to make right judgments with a right heart before You.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
God Motivation and Surplus
"We don't know what to do with this extra money." You don't hear such statements often from individuals, let alone churches. But the local body I am thankful to be a part of is having to say this very thing. We are blessed to have a godly group of elders at our church that seeks to be unified with one another under the Lord's direction and authority. But it seems in the present situation, God has thus far withheld an answer concerning the opportunity at hand. Such being the case, they have broadened the circle to ask for input from the congregation as to how to use the sizable funds that were left over after the budget was balanced last year.
I am not a financial adviser (I'm more likely to avoid the subject than to engage in it), nor do I have a clear idea on what specifically such extra money should be used for. But if we are to be a church that is God motivated, a church that sees God as both our means and our end in all it's activities, there are certainly principles to consider as we would look for a decision in the situation at hand. A couple of such principles will here in brief manner be explored.
1.) God blesses His people that His people might bless one another. We see this evidenced in 2 Corinthians 8-9 where Paul is encouraging the believers to have a gift ready that will be used for the relief of the saints who are in need. He tells them in 8:14-15, "...your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, and there may be fairness. As it is written, 'Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.'" Though the church by this time had spread out to many different congregations, this attitude hearkens back to what we saw in the early church in Jerusalem where they shared all they had with one another (Acts 4:32). Such a principle at first might seem to have it's end focus on man rather than God, but later in Paul's address to the Corinthians he writes, "For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (1 Cor. 12-15). The conclusion then of this entire discourse is immensely God-centered. God is seen as the great Giver to be thanked and glorified as He has been the ultimate motivation and motivator of all that would transpire, given their obedience. Considering our situation then, there is great value in considering the needs of the body of Christ in other places. Might it be that there is a body of believers in another part of the world where our surplus could be used to give them abundance? In this part of the world, among our limits in spreading the gospel of Christ, financial resources is not one of them; one might even argue that our abundance serves as a "padding" that hinders this commission. But might there be those Christians who, in their struggle for daily physical needs, would be much helped by a financial gift, a gift that might free them up to spread the gospel in the land where God has placed them?
2.) God blesses His people to teach them how to surrender His blessings. The more we are given, the greater temptation there is to love the gift. When this gift is money, the temptation becomes all the more dangerous (1 Timothy 6:10). An easy way to solve the "problem" of having a surplus of funds is to get rid of it, but such a method in and of itself might not be a thorough remedy. If in our hearts we fail to see God as the Lord of our abundance, we may in our giving simply be placing a band-aid on a fatal heart wound. If, for example, a person (or church) has a certain sum of money he decides in haste to give away out of the "goodness" of his own heart, there may remain in him a desire to either take pride in himself for giving such or a later desire to have back in some fashion what was supposedly freely given. But if, out of God motivation, one endeavors with humble surrender and wise consideration to give a gift to another, he is far less likely to seek his own glory or feel a sense of entitlement in the future. Indeed, having much in the way of worldly wealth increases our temptation to serve that master. So, with the increase of wealth is required an increase of surrender to the One we must treasure above (and in) all else. In short, the heart behind truly storing up our treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20-21) is a heart of total surrender and submission to our Lord.
One of our elders, when addressing the congregation last Sunday, said it well when he reminded us that whatever we end up doing with the available funds, we must use them to God's glory and honor. This is what a God motivated church must stay focused on if we desire to be a church faithful to Jesus, instructed by His Word through the Spirit He has given us.
Lord, please grant wisdom to the men that you have put in place as under-shepherds of our local body. Please give them and all of us God motivation as we consider how to best use the great abundance we have been given.
I am not a financial adviser (I'm more likely to avoid the subject than to engage in it), nor do I have a clear idea on what specifically such extra money should be used for. But if we are to be a church that is God motivated, a church that sees God as both our means and our end in all it's activities, there are certainly principles to consider as we would look for a decision in the situation at hand. A couple of such principles will here in brief manner be explored.
1.) God blesses His people that His people might bless one another. We see this evidenced in 2 Corinthians 8-9 where Paul is encouraging the believers to have a gift ready that will be used for the relief of the saints who are in need. He tells them in 8:14-15, "...your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, and there may be fairness. As it is written, 'Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.'" Though the church by this time had spread out to many different congregations, this attitude hearkens back to what we saw in the early church in Jerusalem where they shared all they had with one another (Acts 4:32). Such a principle at first might seem to have it's end focus on man rather than God, but later in Paul's address to the Corinthians he writes, "For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (1 Cor. 12-15). The conclusion then of this entire discourse is immensely God-centered. God is seen as the great Giver to be thanked and glorified as He has been the ultimate motivation and motivator of all that would transpire, given their obedience. Considering our situation then, there is great value in considering the needs of the body of Christ in other places. Might it be that there is a body of believers in another part of the world where our surplus could be used to give them abundance? In this part of the world, among our limits in spreading the gospel of Christ, financial resources is not one of them; one might even argue that our abundance serves as a "padding" that hinders this commission. But might there be those Christians who, in their struggle for daily physical needs, would be much helped by a financial gift, a gift that might free them up to spread the gospel in the land where God has placed them?
2.) God blesses His people to teach them how to surrender His blessings. The more we are given, the greater temptation there is to love the gift. When this gift is money, the temptation becomes all the more dangerous (1 Timothy 6:10). An easy way to solve the "problem" of having a surplus of funds is to get rid of it, but such a method in and of itself might not be a thorough remedy. If in our hearts we fail to see God as the Lord of our abundance, we may in our giving simply be placing a band-aid on a fatal heart wound. If, for example, a person (or church) has a certain sum of money he decides in haste to give away out of the "goodness" of his own heart, there may remain in him a desire to either take pride in himself for giving such or a later desire to have back in some fashion what was supposedly freely given. But if, out of God motivation, one endeavors with humble surrender and wise consideration to give a gift to another, he is far less likely to seek his own glory or feel a sense of entitlement in the future. Indeed, having much in the way of worldly wealth increases our temptation to serve that master. So, with the increase of wealth is required an increase of surrender to the One we must treasure above (and in) all else. In short, the heart behind truly storing up our treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20-21) is a heart of total surrender and submission to our Lord.
One of our elders, when addressing the congregation last Sunday, said it well when he reminded us that whatever we end up doing with the available funds, we must use them to God's glory and honor. This is what a God motivated church must stay focused on if we desire to be a church faithful to Jesus, instructed by His Word through the Spirit He has given us.
Lord, please grant wisdom to the men that you have put in place as under-shepherds of our local body. Please give them and all of us God motivation as we consider how to best use the great abundance we have been given.
Friday, September 19, 2008
God Motivation and the Love of Self
I read an article several days ago that saddened me. Perhaps some of you have heard the news, but the popular Christian music artist Ray Boltz has revealed the fact that he is gay and is now living a gay lifestyle. For those who are fans as well as those who hardly recognize his name, mentioning songs like "Thank-you" ("for giving to the Lord...") quickly give many the connection. I fall mainly into the latter category, but the above song was indeed one that I was very familiar with. Not only was it on the radio constantly when I was growing up, but my little sister and one of her friends had an obsession with the tune that might have caused some big brothers to be a fairly annoyed at it's repetition (not me, of course). But those are warm memories now of a cute little girl and a simple, yet meaningful song; hence my sadness.
The news also left me frustrated. The conclusion to the article was as follows: “This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.” My feelings after reading this were not about the "ickiness" of homosexuality that many who oppose the lifestyle speak of. My frustration was in Mr. Botz's reasoning. From his statement, it seems he apparently believes that people are created perfect (at least in their sexuality) and that God only sees as sinful the performance of those things which are against our nature. Now I do believe that there are a number of reasons that might contribute to someone having gay tendencies, some of which are probably genetic, but does that mean that one is warranted in acting out on such tendencies? What about those who have a tendency toward theft? What about lying? Pedophilia? "Well, those are different!" people might say. Their reasoning is probably two-fold. 1. Being gay is who you are inside. 2. Living a gay life doesn't hurt anyone.
Dealing with the first, we must understand that in our time sexuality has become much more of an identity link than it should be. We are all about sex appeal, sexy, sexual freedom, and sex entertainment. As important as sexuality is, we need to face the fact that we're obsessed as a society and assume that our obsession somehow translates into a permit for sexual freedom. The reality is that someone who is a liar may really get a thrill out of lying or a thief from wrongfully aquiring. But we generally don't have a problem with saying that such things are wrong.
Concerning the second, well, it's just not true. What of Mr. Botz's wife of over thirty years, his children, the church? Whether or not you agree with the positions of those he has affected doesn't nullify the fact that he has done them harm. And to the response "they only feel harmed" I would pose another scenario. What if a pedophile is careful not to physically harm those that he acts out with? Does that matter? Have the child and/or his parents only felt harmed? Such an example probably causes most people to shudder and perhaps even get flush with anger. And well it should, but this is the logic that we're dealing with if we really want to be honest.
No, this is not about homophobia. This is about confronting the reasoning of a man who claims Christ as his Savior, a reasoning that more and more people herald as something wonderful. To respond directly to the quote (see above) from Mr. Boltz, I would say the following: "Yes, God has made you, knit you together in your mother's womb as a matter of fact. He has designed you with tendencies as well, unique from every other person ever made. But no, being born into a sinful world where our inherent tendencies will constantly tend us toward sin against the One who made us, does not mean that we simply live out those tendencies. And then, yes, God does send us to hell for our unrepentant sin, homosexual acts being one of those sins (1 Corinthians 6:9). Concerning your previous hatred for yourself, that is indeed troubling, but might it be that some of that hatred you felt was for the sin that was within you, a hatred that we should all have as Christians? And finally, what god is it that you are actually feeling closer to now since we are told that our sin (as clearly defined by the Bible) separates us from the God of the Bible?"
The hard fact in this situation is not that Ray Boltz is now free because he feels his struggle is over but that he loved himself so much that he quit struggling against his sin. And lest we single him out any further at this point in our minds, every time we sin against our Lord, we are just like him. And if we make ourselves OK with our sin, we reason just like him as well and should fear punishment. God Motivation is what we all need to free us from the love of self that so impairs our judgment and understanding about justification before God. Such motivation will not necessarily free us from our struggle against sin, but we will constantly be reminded that He is what we need and will be satisfied with instead of the thing that our sinful nature is desiring.
Lord God, be my motivation in my struggle against sin. And dear Father, please give Mr. Boltz God Motivation that he might be freed from his sin and be refreshed in You.
The news also left me frustrated. The conclusion to the article was as follows: “This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.” My feelings after reading this were not about the "ickiness" of homosexuality that many who oppose the lifestyle speak of. My frustration was in Mr. Botz's reasoning. From his statement, it seems he apparently believes that people are created perfect (at least in their sexuality) and that God only sees as sinful the performance of those things which are against our nature. Now I do believe that there are a number of reasons that might contribute to someone having gay tendencies, some of which are probably genetic, but does that mean that one is warranted in acting out on such tendencies? What about those who have a tendency toward theft? What about lying? Pedophilia? "Well, those are different!" people might say. Their reasoning is probably two-fold. 1. Being gay is who you are inside. 2. Living a gay life doesn't hurt anyone.
Dealing with the first, we must understand that in our time sexuality has become much more of an identity link than it should be. We are all about sex appeal, sexy, sexual freedom, and sex entertainment. As important as sexuality is, we need to face the fact that we're obsessed as a society and assume that our obsession somehow translates into a permit for sexual freedom. The reality is that someone who is a liar may really get a thrill out of lying or a thief from wrongfully aquiring. But we generally don't have a problem with saying that such things are wrong.
Concerning the second, well, it's just not true. What of Mr. Botz's wife of over thirty years, his children, the church? Whether or not you agree with the positions of those he has affected doesn't nullify the fact that he has done them harm. And to the response "they only feel harmed" I would pose another scenario. What if a pedophile is careful not to physically harm those that he acts out with? Does that matter? Have the child and/or his parents only felt harmed? Such an example probably causes most people to shudder and perhaps even get flush with anger. And well it should, but this is the logic that we're dealing with if we really want to be honest.
No, this is not about homophobia. This is about confronting the reasoning of a man who claims Christ as his Savior, a reasoning that more and more people herald as something wonderful. To respond directly to the quote (see above) from Mr. Boltz, I would say the following: "Yes, God has made you, knit you together in your mother's womb as a matter of fact. He has designed you with tendencies as well, unique from every other person ever made. But no, being born into a sinful world where our inherent tendencies will constantly tend us toward sin against the One who made us, does not mean that we simply live out those tendencies. And then, yes, God does send us to hell for our unrepentant sin, homosexual acts being one of those sins (1 Corinthians 6:9). Concerning your previous hatred for yourself, that is indeed troubling, but might it be that some of that hatred you felt was for the sin that was within you, a hatred that we should all have as Christians? And finally, what god is it that you are actually feeling closer to now since we are told that our sin (as clearly defined by the Bible) separates us from the God of the Bible?"
The hard fact in this situation is not that Ray Boltz is now free because he feels his struggle is over but that he loved himself so much that he quit struggling against his sin. And lest we single him out any further at this point in our minds, every time we sin against our Lord, we are just like him. And if we make ourselves OK with our sin, we reason just like him as well and should fear punishment. God Motivation is what we all need to free us from the love of self that so impairs our judgment and understanding about justification before God. Such motivation will not necessarily free us from our struggle against sin, but we will constantly be reminded that He is what we need and will be satisfied with instead of the thing that our sinful nature is desiring.
Lord God, be my motivation in my struggle against sin. And dear Father, please give Mr. Boltz God Motivation that he might be freed from his sin and be refreshed in You.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
God Motivation and Ownership
It is said that we have a lot in the United States. True. But I would venture to say that we are owned by a great many things as well. When our human race was born, we were given the instruction to have dominion over and subdue the earth that we were placed in (Genesis 1:26-28). How have we been doing? In some respects I would say that we've done very well. We have learned how to harness resources, to build, tame, and cultivate. But what can we say of many of the products of our creative minds that we feel we must have as part of our lives? Are we really having dominion and subduing? What are the things that we have made and purchased that so beg and even demand our attention to the extent that we are often distracted from the One who has made us and given us the charge to exercise ownership of His world? In our endeavor to have things which we think will make our lives happier and easier, we find that there is much that is required in the way of maintenance--repairs, monthly payments, special sleep aides to relieve us from thinking about our stuff, etc.
Personal examples: There are probably dozens of home improvement/maintenance projects that I can think of right now which will take many days to accomplish. My cell phone has been ringing incessantly with people interested in a cheap old car that I have listed in the classifieds. My dog sheds about 1 hair every 2 seconds of every day (How does he have any left?!) for the vacuum to eat. I have a bit of exercise equipment I purchased that I feel very compelled to use as if I can cover the cost by spending time with it. Will that food in the fridge go bad if I don't eat it soon?...here comes the exercise equipment guilt again. And the list goes on.
I'm tired of being owned by the things I'm supposed to own and I fear that God isn't happy with the situation either. The apostle Paul said that he would not be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12) even though he said it wasn't necessarily wrong for extra things to be introduced to our lives. Slavery?! Americans scoff at the thought applied to this situation, seeing as how getting more stuff is one of our primary aims. But again, though it is perhaps speculation, I wonder if we're not a bunch of smiling schmucks enslaved by the lives we've decided we need. In the church we (and I include ME) talk about how little time we have for meditating on the Scriptures, for prayer, for service, etc. But boy don't we love that "family friendly" theater room we're still setting up and paying off...and don't we love talking about it with our friends when we're at church.
I'm making a resolve. I don't want it unless I can own it. I want to subdue so that I can learn submission. I want to dominate in order to further understand dependence. I want to own so that I'm ready to be used. This doesn't mean that I don't want to take care of things that God has entrusted to me, but that I want to be wise in discerning between stewardship and slavery; and I acknowledge that this will every day be a difficult walk. But, I want my life to be one where I am God motivated, having Him in my sights, carried along by His Spirit over the mounds of stuff that I would otherwise be carrying as a burden which casts a shadow all around me and loses pieces along the way that I think need to be picked up.
Lord, help me to be God motivated in ownership. Help me to understand what it means to have dominion, to subdue, and to stay out of slavery except unto Jesus. Thank-you for being a loving and perfect Master.
Personal examples: There are probably dozens of home improvement/maintenance projects that I can think of right now which will take many days to accomplish. My cell phone has been ringing incessantly with people interested in a cheap old car that I have listed in the classifieds. My dog sheds about 1 hair every 2 seconds of every day (How does he have any left?!) for the vacuum to eat. I have a bit of exercise equipment I purchased that I feel very compelled to use as if I can cover the cost by spending time with it. Will that food in the fridge go bad if I don't eat it soon?...here comes the exercise equipment guilt again. And the list goes on.
I'm tired of being owned by the things I'm supposed to own and I fear that God isn't happy with the situation either. The apostle Paul said that he would not be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12) even though he said it wasn't necessarily wrong for extra things to be introduced to our lives. Slavery?! Americans scoff at the thought applied to this situation, seeing as how getting more stuff is one of our primary aims. But again, though it is perhaps speculation, I wonder if we're not a bunch of smiling schmucks enslaved by the lives we've decided we need. In the church we (and I include ME) talk about how little time we have for meditating on the Scriptures, for prayer, for service, etc. But boy don't we love that "family friendly" theater room we're still setting up and paying off...and don't we love talking about it with our friends when we're at church.
I'm making a resolve. I don't want it unless I can own it. I want to subdue so that I can learn submission. I want to dominate in order to further understand dependence. I want to own so that I'm ready to be used. This doesn't mean that I don't want to take care of things that God has entrusted to me, but that I want to be wise in discerning between stewardship and slavery; and I acknowledge that this will every day be a difficult walk. But, I want my life to be one where I am God motivated, having Him in my sights, carried along by His Spirit over the mounds of stuff that I would otherwise be carrying as a burden which casts a shadow all around me and loses pieces along the way that I think need to be picked up.
Lord, help me to be God motivated in ownership. Help me to understand what it means to have dominion, to subdue, and to stay out of slavery except unto Jesus. Thank-you for being a loving and perfect Master.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
God Motivation and a Minivan
We've done it. Today we bought our first minivan in anticipation of baby Marin coming into the world this December. I must say that I'm not much of a shopper, either for groceries or for houses, but we're working class Americans so we've done both and much in between.
To take you back a couple weeks, I found myself contemplating what would be the wisest course of action (if needed) for us vehicle-wise. Our main vehicle has been a '95 Maxima for 2 or 3 years, and for about the same amount of time, I've driven an '89 Park Avenue for my work car. The miles have racked up a bit and although both are still getting us from A to B (most of the time), I found myself concerned a bit for my family's safety this winter. After talking this through some with Gen, it seemed proper to start shopping around a bit. Unfortunately though, given the way that I'm wired, "a bit" isn't how I tend to go about these sort of things. Right away I started looking, praying, looking, thinking, calling, looking... There are so many factors to consider: older verses newer, advice from others verses/combined with the Spirit's leading, 7 seats verses 8 seats, private party verses dealership. I can't keep up this kind of search for long. I need to work through it and finish it with God Motivation.
Now for me, having God Motivation in this situation means that I need to ultimately keep my focus off of the vehicle classifieds and more on serving the Lord. This requires wisdom. Again, because of the way my mind seems to work, I can put a lot of time and energy into finding our dream minivan (oxymoron?), but this will mean the sacrifice of other tasks and a lack of attention given to those things that I would otherwise deem worthy of regular attention. I must be quick as possible to get back to the point of doing the core things that God wants me to do. So when it comes to the minivan, it's time to get it done and behind me, trusting God with the outcome. Better is the end of a thing than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8). What a wicked thing it would be for me to draw out the process when I know I'll be tempted toward consumption with it while neglecting in some measure my relationship with the Lord for any extended period. I need to be loving Him, studying Him, and living for Him completely.
Lord, help me to be God Motivated in this life where there are so many things that would take my focus away from You and your desires for me. And Lord, please help us to use this minivan as a tool to help us live this life for You and not for stuff.
Postscript: God is working things out by the way. My brother and I are planning to swap cars tomorrow, him paying me the difference in value between the two. Lord willing, he'll have a good car for a young, single guy, and I'll get a slight upgrade (reliability-wise) in my work vehicle. All that will need to be accomplished after that is to find a new home for the old Buick. Sell it cheap; move along.
To take you back a couple weeks, I found myself contemplating what would be the wisest course of action (if needed) for us vehicle-wise. Our main vehicle has been a '95 Maxima for 2 or 3 years, and for about the same amount of time, I've driven an '89 Park Avenue for my work car. The miles have racked up a bit and although both are still getting us from A to B (most of the time), I found myself concerned a bit for my family's safety this winter. After talking this through some with Gen, it seemed proper to start shopping around a bit. Unfortunately though, given the way that I'm wired, "a bit" isn't how I tend to go about these sort of things. Right away I started looking, praying, looking, thinking, calling, looking... There are so many factors to consider: older verses newer, advice from others verses/combined with the Spirit's leading, 7 seats verses 8 seats, private party verses dealership. I can't keep up this kind of search for long. I need to work through it and finish it with God Motivation.
Now for me, having God Motivation in this situation means that I need to ultimately keep my focus off of the vehicle classifieds and more on serving the Lord. This requires wisdom. Again, because of the way my mind seems to work, I can put a lot of time and energy into finding our dream minivan (oxymoron?), but this will mean the sacrifice of other tasks and a lack of attention given to those things that I would otherwise deem worthy of regular attention. I must be quick as possible to get back to the point of doing the core things that God wants me to do. So when it comes to the minivan, it's time to get it done and behind me, trusting God with the outcome. Better is the end of a thing than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8). What a wicked thing it would be for me to draw out the process when I know I'll be tempted toward consumption with it while neglecting in some measure my relationship with the Lord for any extended period. I need to be loving Him, studying Him, and living for Him completely.
Lord, help me to be God Motivated in this life where there are so many things that would take my focus away from You and your desires for me. And Lord, please help us to use this minivan as a tool to help us live this life for You and not for stuff.
Postscript: God is working things out by the way. My brother and I are planning to swap cars tomorrow, him paying me the difference in value between the two. Lord willing, he'll have a good car for a young, single guy, and I'll get a slight upgrade (reliability-wise) in my work vehicle. All that will need to be accomplished after that is to find a new home for the old Buick. Sell it cheap; move along.
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