Avoiding the Checklist

Sometimes it seems easier to be a legalist. A legalist frequently has a simple checklist of things they have to do or, more often, not do. They go down that list and check them off. And if they make it down the list, they are okay. But real service to God is more complicated than that. Real service to God is rooted in grace. The Scripture says that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6) and that Christ paid the price for those sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24,25; Colossians 2:13,14; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We are saved by putting our faith in Christ, apart from anything we can do to earn it (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:4,5; Philippians 3:9). This results in a love for God which seeks to obey Him (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; Romans 12:1,2), which can only be done through His power (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:29). But does that bring us back to the checklist?

God’s basic commands are love for God and for our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13,14). This starts with the development of inward character, rather than simply requiring outward behavior (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22,23; Romans 12:9-21). Now it does result in specific things that are or are not to be done (James 2:8-13; Matthew 15:15-20; Galatians 5:19-21). But we should approach the Christian life based on broad principles, not just a checklist.

As we approach things that are not clearly commanded, there are some basic principles we need to apply. We need to beware of judging those who do not hold to our convictions or of looking down on those who do not enjoy our freedom in these areas (Romans 14:1-12; 1 Corinthians 8:1-6; James 4:11,12). But we are then called to consider the effects of our behavior on the weaker brother and the people we are trying to reach for Christ (Romans 14:13-23; 1 Corinthians 8:7-13; 9:19-23). Now there is a careful balance here. There is a place to stand up against unbiblical commandments and refuse to submit to them (Matthew 15:1-14; 12:1-14; Galatians 2:11-16). Also, if we make pleasing other people our ultimate standard, we will fail to meet it (Galatians 1:10; Proverbs 29:25; 1 John 2:15-17). So we have to ask the hard questions: Is there a principle involved here?  Is there a real need I should meet? What is really for the benefit of the other person involved? We also need to use caution in terms of ourselves, realizing we may not be as strong as we think we are (1 Corinthians 10:1-14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Now we must remember in all of this that God is gracious and forgives sin (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:10). But we should not try to reduce His commandments to a checklist. For God is more interested in what is in the heart than in outward appearances (Romans 2:16; 1 Samuel 16:7; John 4:24).  

Making Up for Our Sin

I have heard that when the covered wagons headed west across the frontier, they would occasionally run into a prairie fire. One thing they could do was light another fire downwind from themselves. They would then move the wagons onto the spot that was burned over by the second fire. They would be safe from the first fire since they were on an area that had already been burned. In the same way, God has caused the punishment due our sin to burn out on Jesus Christ that we might go free (1 Peter 2:24,25). 

But it is easy sometimes to fall into the mindset of “Surely there is something I need do to make up for my sins. Surely it is not enough just to trust Christ for my salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9). Surely it is not enough afterwards, when I fail, for me just to admit my sins to God (1 John 1:9). Surely I need to do something good to make up for what I’ve done. Surely I need to do some sort of penance. Surely I have to fast or pray or make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Shouldn’t I at least go around feeling guilty and lamenting my sin?” We have the feeling that something must be done to pay for our sin. We are correct. But we are totally incapable of making such a payment (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:9-20). This payment was made for us by Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-31; Ephesians 1:7).

The whole point of the cross was that Jesus paid the full price for our sins (Galatians 2:21). The cry “It is finished” (John 19:30) can also be translated “paid in full” (see Colossians 2:13,14). We are justified before God (Romans 4:5, 6; Galatians 2:16, 17), which is the verdict of the Judge declaring us righteous (see Deuteronomy 25:1). Therefore, not only God’s love but His justice is enlisted on our behalf. We are not condemned because the price is already paid (Romans 8:33,34; John 3:18). This does not mean we live our lives in disobedience to God, but rather we live for God out of love of Him for what He has done for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 4:19; Titus 2:11-14). But we do not live in the old attitude of fear (Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:17, 18; 2 Timothy 1:7), but in love of the One who said, “Take courage; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).

A Touch of Humor - Presentation

What things should go into a missionary presentation? Are there things that should be avoided?

Old Erich Proverb - Workmanship

The way to God is built by God Himself; no other workmanship is adequate.

A Voice from the Past - Luther

But if my salvation was worth so much to Christ that He had to die for my sins, then my works and the righteousness of the Law are vile - in fact, nonexistent - in comparison with such an inestimable price. For I cannot buy with a pittance something that cost many thousands of golden talents. Now the Law - not to mention far lesser things - with all its works and righteousness is only a pittance in comparison with Christ, by whose death and resurrection  my death has been conquered, and righteousness and eternal life have been granted to me.

Martin Luther, 1483-1546, Lectures on Galatians 1535, 2:21 (Luther's Works, Jaroslav Pelikan, editor, Concordia Publishing House, 1963, Vol. 26, p. 183).

What does the price paid say about the value of our salvation? What does this say about the adequacy of our good works?

The Church of the World (Sequel to The Sanctuary)

The huge neon sign over the building said, "The Church of the World." Sam Bilberry led his crew of new converts in that direction. He had to admit he was not optimistic. But maybe this one would be different. As they entered the building, they walked into something that looked just like one of the world's parties. No drugs and sex of course (at least in most cases). Alcohol was more negotiable, though there was usually some attempt to control it. But otherwise it was distinguishable only by close observation.

"This looks just like where I used to party," said Tammy, one of Sam's charges, with a shudder.

The room was full of people mingling around, talking, or out on the dance floor dancing, or at the food tables partaking of refreshments. The music that blared loudly from the speakers was secular tunes ,with the occasional Christian song or secular song reinterpreted in a Christian way. The sound people threw in an occasional comment, some subtly Christian.

As Sam walked through the room, he knew the church regulars would be instructed to mingle and attempt to turn the conversations in a Christian direction. There would also be unbelievers present, of various types, some just checking it out, some genuinely interested, some looking for a discussion or a full blown argument, and even some who were genuinely evangelists for atheism, come to shown the stuck-up religious people the error of their ways. Sam heard one interesting conversation about the perennial topic of the problem of evil. He also heard many more casual discussion, including a couple making plans to meet later that night in a less restrictive venue.

He walked up to a man standing by a pillar, trying to make himself look as unobtrusive as possible, while still advertising his presence. He was one of the appointed order keepers, if things somehow got out of hand.

"When and where is the instructional meeting?" Sam asked him.

He was pointed down the hall and given directions from there. The instructional meetings were generally at a different time. But evidently this church was big enough that they could have some people mingle while others went to instruction.

When Sam's group entered the room, they more than doubled the size of the class, and the instructor seemed more than a little nervous. He gave what Sam tended to call a one-point sermon about our need to have hope. It was mainly about morality, with a little self-help thrown in. One of Sam's charges, a young man named Charles, liked to ask difficult questions. He was  asking the instructor questions like, "What is our hope in?" and"What do we do about the fact we often fail to have hope?" The instructor grew more and more uncomfortable.

As they walked out of the building, Sam looked back at his people and saw them all shaking their heads.

"Can't we find something different?" said one of them named Carol.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance," said a voice behind Sam.

Sam turned to see John Thompson of the Sanctuary. "Don't tell me the Sanctuary has decided to change its mind," replied Sam.

"No, I'm afraid not," answered John. "I tried to persuade them, but they are too afraid of somehow being corrupted. But I may be able to help in another way."

"I have been the Sanctuary's outside representative for a long time and have learned a lot of things. There is another type of church that exists. They say they are following the ancient principle of being in the world and not of the world. Frankly, I have often wondered if they were right. But I am strongly committed to the Sanctuary and am not yet ready to make the move. But they sound like they may be the right thing for you. They tend to be hard to find, because they have been persecuted by the world for being intolerant. But I have contacts and know how to find some of them. If you are interested.

Sam huddled his new converts around him and discussed it. He turned to John, "Lead on," he said.

Living Through Your Children

The Bible says that children are a gift from the Lord and a good thing (Psalms 127:3-5). But like all good things, they can take the place that only God Himself should have in our lives. Not having any children, I am hesitant to speak about the dangers of making children too important. But it does not require much observation to see people trying to live their life through their children or smothering their children with a controlling type of affection. Now I do not want to get on my high horse. For all I know, if I had children I would fall into the same kind of errors. But we need to see the pitfalls involved here. C. S. Lewis, in The Four Loves, points out that when you make a normal human love into a god, it becomes a devil. Anything other than God that we put in the center of our life is destructive, because it is only God who is an adequate object for us to love with all that we are (Deuteronomy 6:4,5; Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 1:18-25). Children can be a particular problem in this respect because we raise them to let them go. At least that is the ideal.  

It is easy to try to control or to live our life through another person. But this is dangerous for them and dangerous for us. But it is particularly dangerous with children, because while it may at least appear to work in the beginning, there is a natural tendency at some point for them to rebel and, if they feel controlled, to jump in the opposite of the direction you want them to go. Or, perhaps even worse, to become what the parents want them to be rather than what God wants them to be. Now I am not suggesting that parents should not raise their children in the truth of God (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; 23:24). Much less do I want to encourage our present culture’s opposition to children because they interfere with our living our lives the way we want to. But trying to order our lives around another human being or human beings cannot work. We must rather start with God in the center, and the other parts of our life will fall into perspective. Ultimately this means being willing to entrust one’s children to God (Psalms 127:1,2; Proverbs 3:5,6; Hebrews 11:17-19). But I fear I am not the one to tell anyone how to do that. Only to note that it needs to be done.