When We Make Men Into Gods

 

“No human, no matter how gifted they are can give us what we ultimately seek.”

When I was a teenager, I loved playing basketball. Dr. J and Michael Jordan were my favorite NBA players. While living in Colorado, I was fortunate to have my dad take me to see each of them play at McNichols Arena in Denver. Those are incredible memories. (Image from gq.com)

Like one of many sports fans, we often stand in awe of the talent these athletes have. Let me ask this question. Do you think we ever exalt these amazing athletes beyond what is reasonable? Let me ask another. Do we do this in other areas too? Where a person has a special talent or is in a great position of influence and power, do we at times hold them up too high?

When the burdens of life weigh on us, by instinct we look around for a type of savior to give us the help, relief or answers we seek.

• We look to the athlete, musician or movie actor to give us hope and moments of joy.
• We look to the doctor to take away our pain and cure our sickness or disease.
• We look to a political leader to give us national peace and prosperity.
• We look to the business person to give us a job and income.
• We look to the preacher to give us answers and provide our life meaning and direction.

What are we doing? We are exalting mankind above God. We trust in the person and their abilities and knowledge to help us, rather than God. We thank and celebrate the person for what they have done, rather than God. Do we somehow think God does not see this and will not take it to account?

People in these roles have worked hard, been blessed by God with special talents, but in the end, are just people. They are not infallible machines or products, but human beings like the rest of us. When we place our trust in them, we will find that eventually our team will lose, the movie will end, the doctor will not find a cure, the politician will fail us, the business will lay us off and the preacher will disappoint us. No human, no matter how gifted they are can give us what we ultimately seek.

It is good to learn from others, and to enjoy and celebrate their abilities, but when we begin looking to mere mortals for the things we ought to look toward our Creator God for, we cross a dangerous line. It is written in the Scriptures, “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Furthermore, “…let no one boast in men” (3:21).

The Scriptures teach us that God is the only source of true hope for all humanity. He is our ultimate Healer. He is our Defender. He is our Provider. He is the Giver of Life. No man, woman, team, program, weapon, set of ideals, principles, systems can be an adequate savior for the burdens we bear and the wrongs we have done. It is foolish to think otherwise.

There is only one Savior. He created each of us with our unique talents, and one day all humankind will kneel before the great Savior and Judge, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Who are you trusting in for the things in this life and the next? Are you trusting in yourself or in others? I urge you to trust in the one above all – Jesus.

A prayer for you - Lord God, examine our hearts to see if we have lifted anyone in our lives above you. Show us if we are trusting in another, for what we ought to be trusting in you for. Jesus, come and be our one and only Savior and Lord. Help us to turn from our ways and to you with all our heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

The Love Generation

“Obedience is doing what God

commanded us to, because of love.”

Occasionally, my wife and I like to get away and take short road trips to explore. When we go, I enjoy learning about the churches and the religious state of the community. On one trip I noticed online many references to a particular church. When I looked at their website I read about an essential value of the congregation, “A place where love comes first.” Their site featured rainbow colors different places and other words like equality and justice. (Image from fccstjo.org)

The church’s use of the word “love” caused me to stop and think, “What do they mean by love?” And as I viewed other things on their site, I saw additional values like kindness and respect. But as I took it all in, there was something glaringly absent. Where was the value of obedience to God’s Word?

In the end, it led me to wonder if the church believes that people who do good works, stand up for what they believe is right, and are sincere, that God’s grace will cover them and they will have an eternal home in heaven – even if they do not obey.

Is this true?

Days before Jesus’ death, He was spending time with His disciples, preparing them for what was to come, and for the time when He would no longer be with them. He stressed the importance of obedience saying, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…,” as well as, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me,” and “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…,” and finally “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” (John 14:15,21,23-24) Jesus, the Master Teacher, was emphasizing an essential truth to His disciples – obedience does matter.

But observe the kind of obedience Jesus talked about. It was not mere rule keeping. It was an obedience that springs from a heart of love. Not a romantic love that is just a feeling, but a love that is rational, deliberate and sacrificial, willing to lay down its life, just like Jesus did through the cross.

Many of today’s top musical artists feature songs centered on love between boyfriends and girlfriends. In Christian music circles, artists also sing about love, but it is about God’s love. And on Sunday mornings in America, some pastors will speak to their congregations about love through God’s promises and principles, highlighting that if they are followed, it can lead to a prosperous life. Additionally, there is a movement across the country emphasizing the phrase, “love wins.”

Today, we have a generation of people that have elevated words and feelings, above truth. The true Christian life is rooted in a sacrificial love that is shown in daily obedience to the Word of God, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that is demonstrated through a life of holiness and faithfulness to God.

This is so important. Eternal souls are at stake. Every one of us is heading toward an appointment with God our Creator on Judgment Day. This should instill a healthy fear of God and sense of accountability within each of us. When the Lord Jesus will examine us, are we just going to offer Him words and feelings in defense of ourselves? Jesus predicts this will happen. He once said people will come to Him on that day and cry out, “Lord, Lord’’ and He will reply, ‘Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

Obedience is doing what God commanded us to, because of love. And where does this obedience start? It begins by obeying Jesus’ call to repentance, which is turning from what we know is wrong and to God with all our heart. It is there, we enter into a covenant love with our Creator.

A prayer for you - Lord God, help us to go beyond thinking that love for you is merely about words and feelings. Give us understanding that love for our Savior is shown through faithful obedience; always doing what you say no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.       

 

Condemning The Evil on October 7th

"When a sovereign nation is attacked, does it have the right to defend itself and pursue their attackers, in order to protect their nation and bring their enemies to justice?"

On December 7, 1941 the United States was attacked by the Japanese military, when they struck an American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In response, America launched its own strike on Japan. On September 11, 2001 the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists, when they destroyed the Twin Towers in New York City, hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and downed a plane filled with people in a rural area of Pennsylvania. In response, the American military began an effort to hunt down and bring to justice those responsible for training and sending the suicide hijackers. On October 7, 2023 the nation of Israel was attacked by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group. In response, Israel began an effort to defend its country and hunt down those responsible for the massacre of its civilians. (Image by Securityweek.com)

When a sovereign nation is attacked, does it have the right to defend itself and pursue their attackers, in order to protect their nation and bring their enemies to justice?

This addresses the role of government. The Scripture says, “…if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4) The government bears the sword of justice, and has a responsibility to wield it against enemies who seek to attack it from within or without. And when an enemy does such a thing, they violate God’s great commandment, “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor…”  (Rom. 13:9-10)

Israel is recognized by the United Nations as a sovereign country, just as the United States, Canada, Mexico and all 193 members are, which make up the international body. However, it is also understood that there is a long and complex history between Israel and the Palestinians. For the struggle between the two is deeply rooted in ancient beliefs going back thousands of years. Though we see the physical battles in the news, at its root, it is a spiritual battle.

In the midst of this ongoing struggle, our world is often divided between their support of Israel and the Palestinians. For many, they paint Israel as the oppressor and Palestinians as the oppressed, and therefore, whatever aggressive actions the Islamic terrorists take, it is justified, because their white oppressors have brought it upon themselves.

Unfortunately, there are Christian denominational leaders who take this position, and their ideology has led them to publish weak statements in directly condemning the deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7^th. How can this be? For God Himself says, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) He also states specific things He hates, which are an abomination to Him “…hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil…” (Proverbs 6:16-18) Based on the Scriptures, there was no justification for the direct and intentional murder of the Israeli civilians. To murder unarmed men and women pleading for their lives to be spared is detestable. To burn them alive, while they are attempting to find safety is unconscionable. To decapitate the heads of infants is abominable. The God of heaven and earth hates such despicable acts.

What kind of evil ideology could lead someone to believe Hamas is justified for these atrocities? Only a dark and twisted mind could. May God have mercy, not only on those who refuse to bluntly condemn such evil, but those who praise it.    

Additionally, may God have mercy on those who planned and engaged in these Satanic acts. And yes, mercy is possible. God hates and is angry with such evil, but for those who repent and turn to His beloved Son by faith, there is forgiveness. Even for the gravest of sins, the possibility of forgiveness is real.          

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for peace in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic terrorists. May those who planned and carried out these barbaric acts be stopped. And in the midst of the darkness, may the light of Jesus shine. Bring His saving power both to the Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.