Greetings This Christmas Day
As we fill our plates with celebratory food and turn to the giving of gifts to one another, we can reflect upon the manner of Jesus’ birth. Praise God that he is lowly in heart. For while we give of our plenty, we also know our own wants and needs—the poverty of our hearts apart from Christ. He did not regard the high, but the lowly. And, he came the share with us in want and need so that he might be forever the King of our hearts and our treasure.
Anselm wrote:
“O loveable, O admirable condescension! God of boundless glory, Thou didst not disdain to be made a contemptible worm. Lord of all things, Thou didst appear as a slave among slaves. It seemed too little to Thee to be our Father; Thou didst deign, O Lord, to be our Brother also. Nay, more; Thou, Thou the Lord of all things, who hadst need of nothing, didst not refuse, even at the very outset of Thy human life, to taste to the full the inconveniences of most abject poverty. For, as the Scripture says, there was no room for Thee in the inn (St. Luke ii. 7) when Thou wast about to be brought forth, nor hadst Thou cradle to receive Thy frail and delicate frame; but Thou, Thou who boldest [sic] the earth in the palm of Thy Hand, wast laid, wrapt in rags, in the vile manger of a filthy cattle-shed; and Thy Mother shared with brute beasts a stall for her hospice. Be comforted, be comforted, you that are nurtured in filth and want, for your God is with you in your poverty.”
7 Truths about Jesus' Light from the Gospel of John
The apostle John makes a special point in writing about Jesus’ light. Though the list below is not comprehensive, we can glean several key features and truths about the light that Jesus is and gives to his followers.
1. Jesus’ life is the light of men. (John 1:4)
There is a special connection between light and life. Jesus’ life has a certain type of feature to it—it brings people into the light. It lifts the countenance, it rebukes sin like a storm, it denotes a level of peace with God that only Jesus can give. Jesus’ light is the light of life. His life perpetuates itself into our lives such that we continue on in light forever.
2. Jesus’ light shines in darkness. (John 1:5)
Jesus has come to bring his light to a context: the world. And, this passage shows that Jesus’ thinking, his teaching, his power, his manner of being, his perfection, and his ways are not of the darkness of this world. He does not think as man thinks—his thoughts and ways are higher. When we come to Jesus, we see a stark contrast between the world and the Way.
3. Jesus’ light is hated by the world. (John 3:20)
Sadly, those who trust themselves, who live for themselves, who follow the ways of the world, who haven’t come to the light of Christ for forgiveness and cleansing—those who are caught in the cycles of working evil hate the light. Exposure of evil goes against the world’s thinking. It acts contrary to the thought of the flesh that we are “good people.” True light exposes, but those who follow the pattern of the world do not want to be exposed. May it be known that coming to the light with Jesus is not frightening—he comes with us, as the strong Savior, and looks with us at our lives so that we can know and walk in the truth.
4. The repentant come to Jesus’ light. (John 3:21)
Those who recognize that true light is found in Christ are those who see the mercy of Christ. He offers his light to cleanse and bless—to help and uplift. He offers his light so that we can enter into the fullness of his life. Those who have accepted the mercy of God are those who are repenting of sin—they acknowledge the truth of God that there is no one who is good. The good work of repentance and walking with Christ that ensues means that those who walk with Jesus love to come to the light and give him all of the credit for their works that align with his ways.
5. Jesus is the light of the world, the light of life. (John 8:12)
Jesus is the majestic and worthy one of the Scriptures—the one who has walked into a world of darkness, that he might rescue and save it. Jesus’ light is far-reaching and bold. It is a light that is not easily forgotten, and a light that illumines the heart, mind, and soul. To experience Jesus is to be changed, to be new and fresh and pure. Jesus himself is the light—all of this goodness emanates from him.
6. Jesus’ followers become sons of light. (John 12:36)
By believing in the light, Jesus’ followers become sons of light. The light of Christ shines through his people. There is sin in God’s people, there is hypocrisy, there is confession needed, there is self-righteousness and pride and a host of wrongs—but sons of light long to be in the light, that sins may be forgiven and washed away and that true light might come from within where the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. He gives power and strength for increased goodness.
7. Jesus takes believers from darkness to light. (John 12:46)
There is a concrete change that occurs in the life of the son of light. And, it is a change wrought through the compassion of God. He came into the world to bring anyone who would believe in him from the darkness to the light. In the darkness, there is stumbling, there is evil, there is all manner of wrong. Jesus knows what he created us for—for fellowship with him who is Light. Jesus came to bring us to himself.
How beautiful that Jesus came to be the light of men! That the holy God would come to associate with our race, the human race, and is a gift of mercy. He aligned himself with mankind while being the perfect Light—to lift us to the place where we could know him and rejoice in what rejoices him. He is the Light of the world; he did the “unthinkable” in coming to become man so that he might illumine for us that he is the way to God. We required a change: to love what is light and lay aside darkness—to love what is pure and set down all manner of sin. And he is that change in us through the Holy Spirit.
This Christmas season, we can rejoice that Jesus is the light of men. As we see Christmas trees, and lights on home, candles in our churches and displays of lights in our cities—we can remember the true character of light. Jesus’ is a light that is contrary to the workings of the flesh and the world—and is all about giving Jesus the credit for shining through us. To know God’s goodness is to know life, and that life is eternally ours through the gift of Jesus’ coming.
'23 Reads
The ten books below are not ranked; you’ll not find here “the best books of the year according to Lianna,” “a list of books I endorse,” or even “my favorite books I read this year.” Instead, my list is comprised of a handful of books that drove themselves into my thinking—in the assorted ways described below—and changed me this year.
The Evangelicals, by Frances FitzGerald
The picture developed of evangelicals is not always what I would choose, not always flattering and not always representative of my viewpoints as an evangelical. Evangelicalism is a wider and more diverse movement than I knew. On another point, this book, unsurprisingly, sees the movements of evangelicalism as responses to culture rather than movements of the Holy Spirit for biblical fidelity. The power of the movement comes not from meeting culture/ societal trends in time and space, but from the Holy Spirit who draws men to God. Still, this book was an education.
The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan
I have not read The Pilgrim’s Progress since high school. Rarely do I read books a second time, but this re-read was overdue. What I didn’t remember from the first time: the clear and beautiful presentation of the gospel within the book. Also, I found it moving that this entire work came from one mind so evidently devoted to the Scriptures. I found myself developing new tools in the fight against sin—new reasons to avoid sin and cling to righteousness.
Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot
I confess it: I had never read this work, despite being familiar with the story. It was a pure joy to read—such missionary zeal for the Lord, such sacrifice for him, and such inspiration to follow Christ wherever he leads. I found myself swelling with Christian love for these brave missionaries of the Lord. The gospel is God’s good news, and these missionaries proclaimed that truth with power.
A quote from this book particularly challenged me concerning how one of the missionaries was known for following Christ, his Captain: “Obedience is not a momentary option; it is a die-cast decision made beforehand.” May I have that level of obedience.
The Essential Scriptures, by Kevin Zuber
At Moody, I took systematic theology with Dr. Zuber. This book was a helpful, minimalistic review of his excellent classes. Here is a book primarily of and about Scripture. There were also brief interactions with tradition. I am glad to have it in my back pocket, and I feel refreshed in the Scriptures, well, essential to each area of doctrine covered.
John MacArthur: A Servant of the Word and Flock, by Iain Murray
The book made me love righteousness more, resonate with a high view of Scripture, and relish the witness of other Christians to how God has shaped and formed them. It ministered to my very spirit. Perhaps this is my favorite book of the year.
Come, Lord Jesus, by John Piper
I was particularly helped by “Part 1: Reasons to Love Christ’s Appearing” in Come, Lord Jesus (which is also found here). This section of the book was purifying. Does my heart long for Christ’s coming in order to be freed from sin and because God has saved me from judgment? I want to see Jesus face-to-face. I do. There is no doubt about it. But to have these motives set before me strengthened my purity while I long. I want Christ to be drawn to come and meet me because of the way in which I walk, and the way I think about his coming.
Breaking Bread with the Dead, by Alan Jacobs
I liked the direction of this book. It gives reasons to be less judgmental toward the people of history. The book advocates allowing differences to be, while being glad that those in history moved us closer to our ideals. We can commingle with the thoughts of different times with grace and discernment. I would also add from the standpoint of the Christian tradition that sometimes we simply stand in awe at those in history.
Called to Cultivate, by Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
Called to Cultivate was simply a treat to read. As a stay-at-home mother, I appreciate Sobolik’s viewpoint as a woman working outside of the home; that is, I find her writing on career, calling, and womanhood interesting. It was like taking a peek into a different life (though she does incorporate some points for women in my circumstances in her book as well). That’s what I most liked about this book—hearing from a woman processing and managing a very different life than mine in a very Christian way. Even though I am not a stranger to working outside the home, I am not doing so now; I found the book broadening, for I have grown very accustomed to my way of life.
The Christian Manifesto, by Alistair Begg
Chapter 5 is titled “Generous Forgiveness.” I felt the Lord stirring my soul as I read these teachings. Have I forgiven? Do I hold grudges? Have I exhibited a censorious spirit this year?
Unfortunately, I have seen the following quote from page 60 to be true (and have been part of the problem in the past!): “…churches in which there is a strong desire to maintain theological purity, moral rectitude, and clear expectations regarding church membership—are perhaps most in danger of coming down on the wrong side of what Jesus is saying here about judgment (Luke 6:37).” As someone who has a history of being judgmental and hopefully a future of being welcoming, I find this quote to be highly important.
Tactics, by Gregory Koukl
Koukl gives examples of debates and conversations he has had with unbelievers. His goal, as he puts it, is to put a stone in the other person’s shoe in each exchange—to give the other person a reason to be uncomfortable with an unbelieving point of view and to see the Christian worldview as one worth thinking about. I find myself wanting to revisit this book because of his many examples of counterarguments to unbelieving viewpoints; I think a list is in order. In short, this book sharpened my thinking and increased my knowledge. My gratitude!
A Slowness to the Season
One aspect of Christmas that I often forget is the slowness of the season. What I mean is this: there always seems to be a period of slowness as a pregnancy comes to full term. The mother is very ready to give birth. And, the child is in tighter and tighter of circumstances in the womb. Time must have slowed for Mary as she awaited the birth of her Lord. She must have felt very ready before the hour finally came. She must have felt the desire to give birth and have this precious, worthy Baby in her arms.
I would like to think that we can emulate the slowness of the season—as Mary experienced it. We can think about the preparations. Just like preparations for a newborn baby, do we have everything ready? There is a yearning to make preparations. But, they don’t make us less ready for the hour of celebrating our Savior’s birth, as if a to do list must tear us away from the season—they can make us more ready as we feel increased readiness. Though I know that time does not go by slowly, I think that we can allow our seasonal preparations to feel like the preparations for a newborn: they make us so expectant.
Slowness can also come in the form of waiting for the actual day. We make preparations, we travel, and we put up lights as a sign of the season’s illumination of our souls. All of this is done in preparation for a particular day of celebration. God had a few things prepared for the birth of his Son—the Shepherds, the star, and the angels, to name a few. Even though our preparations are for a celebration and not a birth, I think that the preparations can make us eagerly anticipate the day of celebration. Perhaps we can key into the slowness of the season here too. We are awaiting a day, a particular time, and it won’t come sooner than it’s scheduled.
Everywhere we look, there seem to be Advent devotionals or the encouragement to read the gospels, Isaiah, or the birth accounts in particular—Scripture makes us ready for the season, as do church sermons that have helped us meditate on the coming of Jesus. They all prepare us for a special day of the Baby’s arrival—of celebration of the birth of God. There is a slowness and a lingering that we can take over our spiritual preparations as well. This is a time of year when I often think even more about the people around me who aren’t walking with Jesus—taking time in prayer for them and hoping for their salvation. Scripture and sermons and Bible reading and prayer all make us ready.
It seems that we can mimic the slowness that describes those few days before birth—the deep and abiding readiness for the baby to come. It seems that we can take up our celebratory preparations and our spiritual preparations to make us feel ready while we ponder this special birth.
The slowness of the last period of a pregnancy was mirrored, I think in the slowness of the time of Jesus’ upbringing. He had a childhood. He had a career. He had a life—all before his public ministry. He must have felt so very ready in this gestational stage of his life to do what he was born to do. I wonder if he, in his humanness, felt the time slow as the day and hour of his ministry drew near.
Slowness can help us; pause can ready us. There is an inherent slowness to this season. And, I think that we are wise to let it come upon us. Just as Jesus’ life ushered forth into a period of public ministry, we can have seasons of time that are preparing us for more of what God wants us to do. Are you in a period of preparation? Are you in a period of becoming readied? Are you in a season of slowness before a new stage of life starts?
This season we call Advent reminds us that there are seasons of slowness before seasons of work and calling. Mary held the Christ child closely in her womb while she waited, waited, and waited for his birth—to hold the precious child, her Lord. Jesus lived a life of waiting all before he picked up his ministry. There is a slowness that is precious for our souls. A slowness of remembrance of Christ. A slowness of remembrance that we belong to God, for his work and purpose. A slowness before the celebration breaks forth. A slowness before we are led into another phase of life.
Let’s allow our preparations tune us into our readiness, as God prepares us to see Christ’s birth freshly and as we are gathering ourselves for what God has for us in the new year of walking afresh with this Jesus. Take up these moments as we wait for the celebration of our Savior’s first breath and gracious life.
Paths of Freedom
Freedom. It’s a word that I am growing accustomed to considering. Freedom from what and to what? I adore the verse of Scripture that says that ways of the Lord are wide freedom: “and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts” (Psalm 119:45). We are saved from what we want to do—saved to do what we were meant to do. There is freedom for our days held up in this mighty verse.
What are the pressures of the world, but of accomplishment, achievement, status, and position? The Lord is setting me free from those. These idols that I place in my heart like they are displayed on the shelves of my person. But what if achievement is stripped away? What if abilities change, or giftings shift? What if we’re meant to start back at the beginning of the course and find a new way forward?
I think that God wants us to be free unto his ways—and invariably I find that his ways are all about the heart, the mind, and the will. Specifically, they are about the character that we produce. Who am I? And, how will I react when my desires for achievement are not God’s will for me?
Do you know what I have found? Surely you will not be surprised by my word: freedom. My mind has been conditioned to see only certain paths available to me: work and schooling have been paths to success. But when I look outside of those bounds, new paths become available to my thinking. I have the freedom to enjoy. I don’t know how many times the Lord has said to my spirit in recent days: enjoy your life.
And so, I am reorienting my thinking according to what brings me joy and enjoyment. What brings satisfaction and rest? What brings health and healing? What brings hope and peace? I have slowed my days, reoriented my purposes, and shifted my thinking. For me, writing here brings me peace and joy. Reading and studying bring me enjoyment. Having a deep life of prayer—something I have sorely neglected in past years—brings me healing and satisfaction.
If I were to prioritize accomplishment, I would not invest my time in a little blog, set my heart to studying that is not aimed at any kind of career, or pursue a life of prayer. But God’s ways are different and higher. They are helping me relax and rest. I reach and stretch for what I can link myself to that will bring peace and accomplishment. But as I do, I am brought back here: the simple written word where honesty of spirit meets the page. And, I am brought back to the joy of studies. And, I am pulled into a life of contemplation and prayer.
Freedom has come with the slowness of my days. Freedom has come when I pursue what I love to do, despite the outcome. Freedom has come as I set my spirit toward the presence of God to flow with him, as he moves, and become closer in my heart to his ways.
I am not where I once thought or imagined I would be. I have no position, rank, or career—I don’t possess achievements of note. There is no reason to particularly regard me. But, I am encouraged by the words of Jesus, the beautiful words of Jesus:
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Matthew 11:25-26)
Jesus paused and took these holy, designated moments of prayer to the Father—ensuring they were recorded in Scripture—to offer thanks that those who are like children have been taught of God. Children were of no earthly regard, not yet being able to work in the fields or help with the dynamics of home life; they did not have rights. But to such as these—not to the highly regarded, accomplished and well-stationed—God first revealed his ways.
And to this little child, to me, coming to him for milk, Jesus is revealing the ways of his freedom. He doesn’t see as the world sees. It doesn’t matter to him if the world regards me, or if I have accomplished laudable acts or career advances. I am convinced that Jesus has deliberately set these aside for me in favor of a simple life—a simple life of freedom.
Were God to bring achievements into my life, may I never be like the wise and understanding, but remain a little child. And, may I never lose the simplicity of life that I have gained here with the freedom to breathe in each moment and exhale the days.
I am learning not to grip particular paths of life anymore—the ones that I once imagined. I have loosened myself from them—for what I gripped had gained its own hold on me. But God has wrested me from the hold of these and set me into a new reality. I am still growing accustomed to it, but I am telling Jesus in prayer that I will learn the ways, the paths, the patterns, and the sense of this new life as he leads me on.
Receiving Encouragement from Jesus
When I go to Jesus in prayer, I want to tell you what I received from him—what encouragement of spirit he gives to me. And then, I want to tell you all of the ways I experience difficulty in receiving this encouragement of spirit—all of the ways I fail to receive what he wants to offer.
What Jesus offers me is blessing and encouragement to my spirit, especially in the face of disappointments. He narrates his love for me. First, he tells me that I am loved. I am held in his heart. He has engraved me on his hands. I am known by him and cherished. Second, he tells me that I am wanted. I am not cast aside; I am wanted and desired by him. He tells me that I am cared for and that I stand as a full person before him. Third, he tells me that I am his own—I belong to him; even when I don’t fit other places, I fit with him. What more could the heart want that to be enveloped by these truths?
But, sadly, my spirit does not always receive what Jesus offers. I tell myself a counter-narrative. And it runs opposite of what Jesus tells me. I don’t always receive from Jesus what he wants to give to me. And, though I know he never tires of offering me his encouragement and aid, I often wish that I could better assimilate his news for my soul.
Instead of believing him about who I am, I resort to thinking myself an unworthy sinner. And, apart from God, that is what I am. I lived a life unworthy of God—full of filthy rags. I lived a life that was contrary to who he has now redeemed me to be. And, I am so used to that life, so used to those thoughts of myself, that I struggle to live in the new reality of my being the daughter of the Most High God. The truth is, God wants me to be changed and made new. He wants me to full embrace the beautiful transformation that he bought me with his blood. He wants me to enjoy the gift of the rebirth that I have been given. Do I think it holier to live in a state of despair over past (and present) sin? Do I think it wiser to consider myself only unworthy and sinner?
I do.
But Jesus wants me to know that he doesn’t keep telling me these blessed truths over and over and over and over for me to dismiss them and think that I have holier and wiser thoughts than the ones that he is delivered so sweetly to my soul.
He speaks the truth over me, and that is fact. He speaks the truth of who I am now. I can now live a much worthier life—a life unto him—because I have been saved into the newness of grace. To know grace is to live. To know grace is to finally be able to breathe in this life and have assurance of goodness for the life to come. God wants me to fully receive his grace, as much as I possibly can.
And, when I do, my spirit lifts. My disposition changes from a sense of diminishment of self to a place of glory in utter thankfulness. I admit, I know there must be more to the “other side”—that is, to living in God’s grace and his love and his wanting of me. There must be even more, but right now, what pours from me is thanksgiving—and a sense of wonder. “Really? Really, Jesus?” I ask him over and over. “You mean I don’t have to account for what I did anymore? You mean I don’t have to dwell in a place past of darkness any longer?” Wow. What else can I say? But wow. God’s grace is truly that amazing reality we sing about.
And so, when it comes to receiving God’s encouragements for my spirit, when the darkness of the past tries to pull me in once again, I preach to myself: receive. Let it be so. If God has said it, then it must be. If God has given it, then it must be true. If God has forgiven it, then it must be gone. Okay, my soul?
Every day, multiple times per day: “You are loved. You are wanted. You are my own.” Please keep telling me, Jesus. Please keep telling me, if it pleases you to do so, because I want to keep receiving it—drip by drip, piece by piece, and step by step. Apparently, this part of the gospel, the very good news of Jesus, is not instantaneous for my spirit. Apparently, this is a lesson learned over time. But, he keeps telling me, so he must be willing to walk this path with me. God is good.
Six Books on American Evangelicalism
In my Spring 2023 semester as a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I took what came to be one of my favorite classes: American Evangelicalism. It was taught by Dr. Albert Mohler—so, a wonderful opportunity. I want to share with you the books that were assigned for class and my reflections that resulted from this class reading.
Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction, by Kevin DeYoung
DeYoung does a thorough and convincing job on the main points of his book: women are not to teach/ preach for men in the local church, and there are differences between men and women that cannot be overlooked. We can celebrate the differences between men and women as God’s design and creation. I appreciated the insight that women are to grow up into full beauty, while men are to grow up into full strength. Further, in broad strokes, I appreciated his insight that men are the cultivators of the soil, while women are cultivators of the womb. I felt affirmed in my womanhood and femininity through reading this book because pure stereotypes were avoided.
It felt, at times and especially in the section on teaching/ leading in the church being reserved for men, that men have a level of importance that is not shared by women. Men seemed to have an air of significance not garnered by women in their roles. Women are to sit aside while men figure out the important tasks of governing and leading. However, I see that Jesus places great importance upon the words of a woman in that, for example, a woman was the first to see Christ resurrected. Women may have just as important of thoughts and ideas as men, even while men take on the important mantle of leadership in church and home (Acts 6:2). Men do best to want and desire women’s buy-in prior to decisions, and that pertains to the most important tasks of leadership and direction.
The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism, by Carl F. H. Henry
Here’s my personal takeaway: We can look to Jesus’ example of bringing order, healing, and peace in society wherever He went—through His healing and miracles. Jesus was continually speaking of His kingship—that place where He is honored as King. And, that kingdom has bearing upon society, wherever Christians are engaging.
Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham Machen
This was my second time through Christianity and Liberalism. Perhaps not my last! Machen’s main argument is that liberalism is a completely different religion than Christianity. This is true despite the fact that liberalism uses much the same language as Christianity. Liberalism is ultimately a failed attempt at “rescuing” Christianity from naturalism and the scientific age.
Dr. Mohler expressed in class that evangelicalism is an argument. While personal conversion experience is necessary to the faith, defending that evangelicalism is based upon true historical facts and events is essential. Personal Christian experience is based upon that history and those events (most prominently, the truth of the cross). Doctrine and history run together because evangelical doctrine is based upon historical fact. That’s a main argument of American evangelicalism.
We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, & the Very Meaning of Right & Wrong, by Albert Mohler
I’m glad I read this book. It’s packed with insight.
In the eyes of society, Christians have moved—due to the sexual revolution—from being seen as the caretakers of social ethics to being “immoral” for their views of homosexuals, transgender people, and more. This cultural shift did not start with cultural acceptance of homosexuality, but with evangelical response to contraceptives, divorce, reproductive treatments, and cohabitation. What this will ultimately mean for the religious liberties of believers remains to be seen in full—God knows. But, Mohler charts the course of liberties being removed. Regardless, God has shown us what sin is, what we need to be saved from—indeed what He died to save us from. We, thus, cannot allow the gospel to become empty by remaining silent on today’s sexual revolution.
“Fundamentalism” And the Word of God: Some Evangelical Principles, by J. I. Packer
This book was extremely helpful in defining for me exactly what liberalism holds to and why.
I learned about the basic tenets of liberalism: 1.) God’s love does not have measurable standards for people or beings; 2.) There is a bit of the divine in all of us as people; 3.) Jesus Christ is the perfect example for us—and only in this way is He Savior; 4.) Christianity is merely the highest religion of all the religions of mankind; and 5.) the Bible is a human record relating man’s experience of religion (not being God’s authoritative Word).
Fundamentalism differs from liberalism in the basic doctrines that it upheld: 1.) God does have measurable standards; people must personally respond to His offer of salvation with repentant faith; 2.) Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, meaning we are inherently sinful and needy; 3.) Jesus is God, being born of the virgin Mary; 4.) Only through personal faith in Christ does one get to God (not through other religions); 5.) the Scriptures are inerrant and infallible—the very Word of God.
Furthermore, evangelicals are not obscurantists in terms of abandoning progress, reason, the scientific method—rather, the evangelicals use these (progress, reason, and science) under a consistent framework of thinking. Evangelicals believe in what Christ and the Scriptures teach about the Word of God (that it is our authority) and we subject ourselves to it as such; this is wholly reasonable.
Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice, by Thaddeus J. Williams
Here are my main personal takeaways: There is good evidence that flies contrary to many of the claims about racial and economic inequality—i.e. inequality is not necessarily due to discrimination. There is much seemingly compassionate activity that contradicts the actual goal of helping people—i.e. sending shoes to poor countries undermines local shoemakers and their livelihoods. There is much in terms of definitions that are not what they seem—i.e. the very meaning of racism has changed to include a necessary power on the side of the racist. Instead of helping young people, many are transformed into fearful and continually “victimized” people because of the culture of social justice that is taught at universities. Marxist-based theories promote a false gospel of social constructs to help people, which steal hearts and minds away from the true gospel.
Like a Covering
My Father in Heaven,
I thank you for the Son—the beauty of heaven come to earth, to share our dust and dirt. I think you for the promises that he spoke. He spoke of glory, and of things to come. He spoke of all things being put under his feet. He spoke of a day when there will be no more sin—no more lies, no more evil, no more being led astray by my own desires. I thank you for promising a day to come when glory would reign and the King would be Jesus himself. There is nothing greater on my heart than dwelling upon that future day. And to think—one day, I will have the Savior of the world in my arms, just like he is in my heart. I want to embrace him, if I may. I want to thank him and bless him and place my arms around him. My dear God, I desire to be near to you; I thank you that I am never alone. I am never wanting for you; you are here, with me. Even now, you are here with me. And even now, I embrace the coming chill of the days of winter, knowing that I am wrapped in your love like a covering. It keeps me warm. It sends its cloak over my soul, letting me know that I am kept and held and beloved of God. Yes, there is a passage of Scripture that spreads itself over my very soul: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” I’ve repeated these words to myself in the darkest nights of my soul. And they have been true. The Lord is my Shepherd. And, they are true again. Come to bless me, King of heaven. I wait for you and you alone. I long for your appearing.
Amen
Jesus Has My Affections
Jesus has my affections. I love to think of the tenderness of Jesus. He corrects me without the sting. He welcomes me closer without judgment. He molds me without shaming me. He is careful with my spirit, the spirit that He created.
He is love, and all that He does is done in great love. He is a marvel, the one who does no wrong. He stands alone, and His work in me is flawless. He accepts me—right now, in this moment, with weaknesses, flaws, and imperfections. I am surprised that He would even interact with me, but He goes further, deeper: He loves me.
Have you experienced the life-changing love of God? Have you experienced the love that is beyond all other loves? Some stand at a distance from Christianity because it can be hard, for myriad reasons, to recognize we are sinners and to choose to repent of our sins. But right on the other side of that repentance is the best relationship you’ve ever had, the best love you could ever know, and the biggest welcome you can fathom. God loves to welcome His children home. Don’t wait. Don’t wait one more minute to love Jesus, for the first time—or to be restored to Him.
Jesus has my affections. The world or others might try to woo them. But, they are fastened on Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.
Quiet Awe
Have you recently taken a moment for repose? A time to consider, dwell upon, all that God has done in your life? Perhaps you might consider writing a list. Perhaps a mental list of praise suffices. Either way, I think we all do well to consider the way salvation has touched us uniquely.
Some categories I think in:
How has God uniquely unveiled Himself to me?
How have I learned more about who He is?
In what way(s) has my behavior changed because of the work of God in my life?
How has my countenance been lifted by God?
How has God shaped the course of my life, the concrete steps from place to place and the intangible activities of life and time?
What would my life be without God, if that can even be imagined?
How is God preparing me for eternity with Him?
Who has God brought into my life for encouragement, aid, blessing, protection, knowledge, etc.?
All of these questions can provide for reflection in thinking about the work of God in our lives. Most of all, however, as I reflect, I am brought to a sense of awe. I think about the holy ground God designated with Moses. I think of the ornate and intricately designed Tabernacle, and then the Temple. And now, I think about how we are temples of the Holy Spirit. God is truly at work in His place, this temple of His. It is a holy place of His presence, and I want to keep it as such—to grow to regard it as such. His work is here. His mark is here. His presence is here. This, my body, is, as it were, holy ground.
As I reflect upon the work of God in my life, I have a quiet awe. He is here. And, the progress of my life is good because He is good. And, the progress of my life is holy because He is holy. And the progress of my life is based on knowing Him more in my spirit. He does this work with His children—lets us know Him more and walk with Him. Hushed, quieted, holy awe.
I Sin
Jesus is glad when I acknowledge the truth: I sin. I can feel the heart of Jesus being pleased when I own the wrong that I do. I find this ownership of sin the entrance point to experiencing and tasting His mercy and grace. 1 John 1:8 preaches: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So, confession of sin is one of the signs that the Spirit of God is with us, that we love Christ, and that the truth of God is the foundation of our thought.
What about you? Do you find confession of sin difficult? My tendency is to be self-righteous, to show God the good that I have done, rather than the wrong that I have done. But I find the frequent passages in Scripture to search ourselves and to ask God to search us instructive. That is a renewal prayer for my spirit: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24). Self-righteousness is, thankfully, a stain that the blood of Christ can remove. And, He is drawing me closer through my on-going acknowledgments that I sin, again and again. I find myself abiding in this place of neediness before Him—and it is a blessing to me.
You see, when I notice that self-righteousness rise in my heart, I search myself for the truth. I find within me that I have made correct confession to God. “I sin.” I start there with Jesus once again. And, that confession is freedom because the truth sets us free. Jesus is kind to remind me that the journey to admission of my sinfulness is the journey to freedom.
God Pursues Us
Throughout the narrative of Abram/ Abraham in Genesis, we see God frequently reminding Abraham of His promises to him. We see God testing Abraham with Isaac and reiterating the covenant. We see God requiring circumcision of Abraham and those of His clan. We see the smoking fire pot and flaming torch. We see God calling him to a new place, new land. We see God visiting Abraham with words of promise, pertinent to God’s covenant with him.
How is God pursuing you? What is He reminding you of? Lately, God has been reminding me that I am [part of] the bride of Christ. The New Testament calls the church Jesus’ bride. Jesus has been visiting me with this metaphor and reality. He has been pursuing me with it. And the result? I feel wanted and desired by God. I feel His kind protection over me. I feel His delight in me. I feel His watchcare over me. I feel tucked in on all sides by Him and His kind will for my life.
It is wonderful to feel the husbandly protection and care of the Almighty God. What area of the new covenant is He pursuing with you? Perhaps it is reminders of the full forgiveness of your sins. Perhaps you are feeling adopted into His family. Perhaps you are considering the indwelling of the Spirit. Maybe you are gaining courage to know that we are a priesthood of believers. Whatever it is, may you be blessed to know that God pursues us and reminds us of the beautiful truths that are ours throughout the new covenant in His blood.
Faith Has Never Failed Me
Pay close attention to that title. My faith has failed—yes. But, faith in Jesus Christ has never failed me. I am learning how vital to Jesus faith is. It is, I believe, part of the purpose of us who believe remaining here on earth prior to being taken and transformed. I have often wondered: Why does Jesus have such patience with those He has saved being still capable of sinning against Him? What has He appointed this in-between time when we are still capable of such failures?
I think part of the answer (surely missions is an answer), is that Jesus Christ is glorified by the faith of His saints. One day, faith will be made sight. But here and now, the one who believes even when He hasn’t seen is blessed.
And, what greatly encourages me about faith is that Jesus responds to our faith. We are taught to ask and believe that we will receive what corresponds to His will. We are taught in the gospels to pray with faith and belief. We are taught to pray with the understanding that God wants to answer us. He wants us to approach Him with the confidence of belief in His power and willingness to answer us.
I have believed in the Lord for support, for strength, for healing—and He has answered these prayers so beautifully in my life. God loves our faith. We won’t have opportunity to give Him faith-instead-of-sight in glory. We have the opportunity now.