Friday, August 28, 2009

What Stinks?

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way to salvation - an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No - but at least we don't take God's Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can."

It's kinda funny how when I read the Bible it actually speaks to me right exactly where I'm livin'. (The above passage is from 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.)

Paul was this preacher who understood that not everyone wanted to hear what he had to say. Sure, to some people it was this "sweet aroma", but to others... it just stunk. It seems that no matter how they took it, he was trying to make it clear that his heart was to simply be "sincere". He truly felt as though he were speaking to these folks in Corinth "on behalf of God".
Wow. That is a "terrific responsibility". Is there anyone competent to take it on?

To truly "get" why Paul is talking like this, we have to understand that he had already written a previous letter to these people. We call it "FIRST Corinthians". To be honest,... It's a bit of butt-chewing, if you know what I mean. What I mean is that he came down pretty hard on them for some of the stuff that was taking place (and some that wasn't) in their community. He is not stupid,... he knows that many of these listeners didn't dig what he had said,... even though he doesn't back down on the fact that it was God's words he was sincerely speaking.

I love that he admits that "no one is competent to take on this terrific responsibility", however at the same time he also radically says, "at least we didn't take God's Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap". Wow... what a statement!

What if all preachers could admit that?
Truthfully,... can I? Hmmmmmm.... (selah)

The truth is that:
  • God always speaks truth.
  • God is the 'truth'.
  • Sometimes the truth hurts.
  • We must speak as Paul spoke in this letter and with his bold attitude: "We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can."

"Dear Father, help me care more about what YOU think than what anyone else thinks. Fill me with boldness and let the aroma that comes from me, whether others love it or not, rise to wherever You are and be a 'sweet scent' to You. May I be 'sincere' and speak as 'honestly as I can' at all times. Forgive me when I've been anything less than 'sincere' and 'honest'. I love you 5. Amen."

Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Critic's Choice

I'm pondering whether or not most people receive as much commentary on their jobs as I do. I often wonder if others receive as many approvals, comments, suggestions and rebukes. I am finding that I like the approvals, I occasionally enjoy the comments, I tolerate the suggestions, and I'm really not so thrilled with the rebukes. Is that normal?

What did Jesus do with His critics? Did He ignore them? Did He debate with them?

Knowing Him... He probably just loved them, or something ridiculous like that.

I was reading the Bible today and read this, "From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease" (Psalm 8:2 - NASB).

What caught my attention was that phrase, "You have established strength". It's from the Hebrew language, of course (most of the Old Testament stuff is). However, in the Greek language that phrase is translated, "to give praise". The Message translation of the Bible says it this way, "Nursing infants gurgle choruses about You, toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk and silence atheist babble". I dig that.

The reason I know how this phrase is translated in Greek is not because I'm some kind of a Biblical language expert, it's because the New Testament was originally written in Greek and this verse is quoted by Jesus in the New Testament. He actually quotes it in Matthew 21 when some kids were praising God for the miracles Jesus was performing. Of course, as they were doing this, the religious folks were criticizing Him. And right there is when it happens - THAT is when He quotes this verse... sort of. I say 'sort of' because truthfully, He only quotes the beginning of the verse - the part that says, "Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself" (Matthew 21:16). He left out the part about it "drowning out enemy talk and silencing atheist babble". Why?

Maybe because it went without saying - Maybe the children praising God was in itself the thing that was going to shut these critics up?

I so want to defend my opinions, my points of view, my beliefs, my doctrines,... my actions. I don't know why I allow anyone with an email address and a differing opinion to get under my collar. I'm thinking that maybe one of the best ways to shut the mouth of the critic is to just stick with praising God, like a child, with child-like trust. If I can just die to my rite to always be right and instead focus on Jesus (the Author and Perfecter of this whole faith thing according to Hebrews 12:2) I'm thinking the enemy talk and the atheist babble will cease. At least it'll cease to affect me like it too often does.

"So Father God, help me sing Your praises at all times. Regardless of how I feel or what I'm hearing from others, You are, always have been, and always will be... AWESOME. What I know, or believe... what I've got figured out correctly or what I've completely jacked up... all of it is not what matters. You are what matters most. Your amazing grace and unconditional love has captured my heart and blown me away. Build my faith, strengthen me in my inner man - that I might praise you with way more than my words, but with my life. I love you 5. Amen."