Cost. Struggle. Trial. Endurance. These are some of the Bible's most pervasive themes. Other common themes are an abundant life, glory, joy and power. Interestingly enough, all of these themes flowed from the character of Christ to form a single story, one tome of accumulated texts to speak of one and the same being: God. God knows both joy and struggle. He knows abundance, and its cost. God knows trial and glory; endurance and power. They are not two distinct sets of traits, but linked outcomes when circumstance meets character.
In fact, what's happening here is a dynamic mix of character and circumstance. Underlying this mix is a God-initiated principle: the best way to eliminate some enemies is to make them your allies. On a person-to-person level, we can see scripture illustrating this in Mark 12:31, when we are told to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; in Luke 10:25-37, where we see an example of a man helping his ethnic rival; and also in Matthew 5:44, where we are told to love our enemies. But we also see this principle in person-to-situation relations, or as previously called, character-to-circumstance. For too often, we find our circumstances being our greatest hindrance or enemy; something which must be defeated and overcome, not worked with. But God has again applied this principle in our lives with the power of our love for him. In Romans 8:28, we are introduced to this idea that all of the things that go on in our lives are now involved, by God, in a plan to better our lives. Our circumstances turn from enemy to ally.
The joyful life is not absent of struggle. Glory is not absent of trial. Heck! In God's plan, cost even contributes to abundance (Luke 6:38). Peace is not absence of war. We must not confuse character traits with circumstances. Peace isn't a situation, it's a character trait. Struggle is a situation; joy is a trait. It's not the case that a good life isn't difficult and a difficult life, not good. Not at all! Difficult circumstances only highlight God's goodness.
On the 26th of December, Isaiah and I met up after service. Along with much of our church's youth group, we packed into the newly opened IHOP. Throughout the day, a blizzard had been hovering over the region and over a foot of snow was expected. I decided I'd have an easier time commuting to his house than going home, so I took my brother up on his offer to sleep over. Waiting for the bus, Isaiah prayed several times, and most genuinely, that a bus come and deliver us from the snow. We were being peppered all over our bare faces, the wind was chilling our bodies and the snow below cooled our feet beyond comfort. Eventually, I couldn't help but pray that at least, we'd get out of the circumstance learning something new and valuable. Soon after, Isaiah burst into praise and two-step! Often, we had to mumble and grown through the Hillsong lyrics unbeknown to us, but we praised right through it. I began clapping and within only a few moments, two b6 buses appeared. Isaiah and I definitely took something away from that.
What we took away, I realized, was affirmed by the Bible. Tough times are often the best times. Firstly, as indicated by Ephesians 2:9, any given situation that you need saving is another chance for God to prove Himself. If He were to make the situation bearable or solvable to you, you'd be stuck in that same thinking that you can do it all by yourself. But it is God who is worthy of the glory, He who deserves the credit. Secondly, struggles gives us a chance to mature. In Romans 5:1-5, Paul illustrates how tribulation builds character in the form of patience, experience and hope. In James 1:2-4, it is written that even temptation builds character by strengthening our faith. Our job is to resist by believing in the Lord and obeying. Finally, struggle and endurance increase you Kingdom value. In Mark 10:31, Jesus says that the last will be the first. In 1 Peter 2, we read that when we endure and struggle as a result of a good choice, that is commendable to God. For that's the example Christ left, to accept suffering as a consequence of good decision-making.
However, in Mark 10:30, we also read that along with a hundredfold blessing comes persecution. Persecution does not eliminate the good life, it enhances it. This is a call to be the type of person who neither looks for trouble nor runs from it. To be the kind of individual who sets up principles of love, integrity and faith. That in a world of sheer darkness, those bearing light won't hide it, but will provide beacons of guidance and love. For we know that bad things happen when good people do nothing.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Uncondtional Love: Self-Directed
With the second great commandment, Jesus uncovered a powerful truth. He says, "And love you neighbor as you love yourself." As my colleague Isaiah Peoples pointed out to me, this is really a statement of two commands in one. For what good is such a command, proclaimed by a man calling for peace, joy, salvation and love, if the person does not love themselves?
About one week ago, I sat at a square table in a McDonald's with three other colleagues. We all carry our problems with us, and in some ways they make us who we are. And as we sat there, beginning to discuss the burden of past relationships, one of these humbly, shamelessly and openly expressed how bad his grief had gotten. He'd attempted suicide four times! He and I discussed the element of guilt and how the mistakes we've made have had such unfortunate consequences.
As we continued, Kelley, a humble and experienced man opened us up to some powerful insight. Even though we've made such terrible choices, taken the easy route so many times, hurt so many people, we should nevertheless love ourselves. We each should have significant respect for ourselves. What was he talking about? Unconditional love towards oneself.
The Bible calls for a level of self-love and appreciation for each and every one of us. Mark 12:31 is a call not only to love those around you but to love dearly yourself as well. If your self-worth is so minimal, this command is essentially meaningless to you.
In Luke 7:36-50, a woman cast as a sinner comes to Jesus, washing his feet with her tears and sprinkling them with rare fragrance. As the Lord said, her sins were many. But rather than busting her own chops and talking herself carelessly out of a blessing, she met to worship God the Son.
There is a pervasive problem throughout the human race: people have trouble loving and being loved. We are unrealistically hard on ourselves. And by trying to meet the standards of the world, undo the work of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 6, Paul calls for us to leave our lives of sin for freedom. Freedom is a life without guilt, without shame, without fear, without contempt. Freedom is the filter which creates an unpolluted life, for others and yourself. For those of you who struggle under the burden of low self-esteem and self-concept, it may be that you give, but fail to allow others to give back to you. Fear, guilt, shame and contempt can have such consequences. As you forgive others, forgive yourself. As you love others, love yourself. There is a new truth to testify in. That we have been declared innocent. That God's freedom is greater than all bounds, His grace is greater than all burdens, His blessing greater than all curses. His truth testifies for our great importance.
At the heart of Kelley's true and touching words were this freedom. A freedom to move passed your regrets, to turn them into mistakes that were learned from instead. It was a message to remember that you were created by the greatest being ever and saved by Him as well. Saved from having to crush yourself and others under the weight of punishment, penalty and prison. A message called unconditional love.
About one week ago, I sat at a square table in a McDonald's with three other colleagues. We all carry our problems with us, and in some ways they make us who we are. And as we sat there, beginning to discuss the burden of past relationships, one of these humbly, shamelessly and openly expressed how bad his grief had gotten. He'd attempted suicide four times! He and I discussed the element of guilt and how the mistakes we've made have had such unfortunate consequences.
As we continued, Kelley, a humble and experienced man opened us up to some powerful insight. Even though we've made such terrible choices, taken the easy route so many times, hurt so many people, we should nevertheless love ourselves. We each should have significant respect for ourselves. What was he talking about? Unconditional love towards oneself.
The Bible calls for a level of self-love and appreciation for each and every one of us. Mark 12:31 is a call not only to love those around you but to love dearly yourself as well. If your self-worth is so minimal, this command is essentially meaningless to you.
In Luke 7:36-50, a woman cast as a sinner comes to Jesus, washing his feet with her tears and sprinkling them with rare fragrance. As the Lord said, her sins were many. But rather than busting her own chops and talking herself carelessly out of a blessing, she met to worship God the Son.
There is a pervasive problem throughout the human race: people have trouble loving and being loved. We are unrealistically hard on ourselves. And by trying to meet the standards of the world, undo the work of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 6, Paul calls for us to leave our lives of sin for freedom. Freedom is a life without guilt, without shame, without fear, without contempt. Freedom is the filter which creates an unpolluted life, for others and yourself. For those of you who struggle under the burden of low self-esteem and self-concept, it may be that you give, but fail to allow others to give back to you. Fear, guilt, shame and contempt can have such consequences. As you forgive others, forgive yourself. As you love others, love yourself. There is a new truth to testify in. That we have been declared innocent. That God's freedom is greater than all bounds, His grace is greater than all burdens, His blessing greater than all curses. His truth testifies for our great importance.
At the heart of Kelley's true and touching words were this freedom. A freedom to move passed your regrets, to turn them into mistakes that were learned from instead. It was a message to remember that you were created by the greatest being ever and saved by Him as well. Saved from having to crush yourself and others under the weight of punishment, penalty and prison. A message called unconditional love.
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Second Greatest Commandment: Unconditional Love
Mark 12:28-34 delivers a short but essential message in the New Covenant, a covenant ushered in by Jesus Christ. Jesus here says that the greatest commandment is to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Second, love your neighbor as you love yourself. And then he says, there is no commandment greater than these two. It is the second of these that I want to expound.
Between the family members of Christ, there is a depth of love that should exist. Our love should be redemptive. Galatians 6:1 says that we should restore each other from any trespass that may befall a brother or sister in Christ. We should also love sacrificially. The very next verse commands us to bear each others burdens. And as we pointed out above, last but certainly not least, we love unconditionally.
When asking the average person what sort of love they'd prefer to receive from others, either it be conditional or unconditional, they will probably choose the latter. However, odds are that they do not love all others in such a way. For them to prefer to receive unconditional love yet only giving conditional love is a violation of the Lord's commandment. However, suppose the person preferred to receive conditional love. What this means is that they understand that while they please their friends and family, they expect love. However, they should also understand that as soon as they displease someone who loves them, they will no longer receive love from that person. For this is a love based on works. Essentially, conditional love, according to scripture is not real love at all!
In Luke 6:32, Christ the Lord declared that even a sinner could love so long as they receive love; even a sinner can love conditionally. And in 1 John 4, a small but remarkable chapter in the Bible, we learn that God's love is the only love. We love solely because of what we've gained from His love; because of the revelation and presence of God If not for His love, we wouldn't know real love at all. And if real love is unconditional, than any sort of conditional love is fake.
Ultimately, to love a neighbor truly is only to love them as you love yourself. And if you choose to grant unmerited love, unconditional love, forgiving, longsuffering love, you are fulfilling the second greatest commandment of the greatest book compiled by the greatest being ever to live.
Between the family members of Christ, there is a depth of love that should exist. Our love should be redemptive. Galatians 6:1 says that we should restore each other from any trespass that may befall a brother or sister in Christ. We should also love sacrificially. The very next verse commands us to bear each others burdens. And as we pointed out above, last but certainly not least, we love unconditionally.
When asking the average person what sort of love they'd prefer to receive from others, either it be conditional or unconditional, they will probably choose the latter. However, odds are that they do not love all others in such a way. For them to prefer to receive unconditional love yet only giving conditional love is a violation of the Lord's commandment. However, suppose the person preferred to receive conditional love. What this means is that they understand that while they please their friends and family, they expect love. However, they should also understand that as soon as they displease someone who loves them, they will no longer receive love from that person. For this is a love based on works. Essentially, conditional love, according to scripture is not real love at all!
In Luke 6:32, Christ the Lord declared that even a sinner could love so long as they receive love; even a sinner can love conditionally. And in 1 John 4, a small but remarkable chapter in the Bible, we learn that God's love is the only love. We love solely because of what we've gained from His love; because of the revelation and presence of God If not for His love, we wouldn't know real love at all. And if real love is unconditional, than any sort of conditional love is fake.
Ultimately, to love a neighbor truly is only to love them as you love yourself. And if you choose to grant unmerited love, unconditional love, forgiving, longsuffering love, you are fulfilling the second greatest commandment of the greatest book compiled by the greatest being ever to live.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Introduction
I have no followers...yet. My name is Yevgeniy Safronov. I am an aspiring pastor I am a Russian Jew who is a faithful believer in the Old and New Testaments, and that Jesus Christ has trumped the devil, squashed sin, overcome the flesh and defeated death! At 19 years of age, I create some interesting thoughts and was recommended to begin a blog of my own. This is the first post, an introduction into The Thinking Thing. As we grow, we will get to know each other, and through our discussion of philosophical, personal and practical themes, great discoveries will be made.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)