This should be my last blog about Steve Jobs for a while, but today, CNN has collected a group of writers to consider the question, “Is Steve Jobs a saint.” But perhaps the first question should have been what is a saint.
The definition of saint used by most of the writers is synonymous with fame and celebrity. My problem here is not the elevation of celebrity, but the devaluation of faith and its objects.
What does the word “saint” mean? For many, it means a really good person. Someone better than you. Someone who God needs to sit up and take notice of. For others, it represents dead people who lived such good lives before God that they now have God’s ear. They now have spiritual leverage, so you want them on your side. This second definition implies that God, himself, is distant and aloof.
The Bible has another definition altogether. A saint is a follower of Jesus. A saint is special because Jesus has made them special. As saints grow, they don’t revel in their perfection, but they understand their falleness, and how short they fall when compared against Christ (the only comparison that matters). As they understand their shortcomings, they begin to understand God’s gift better. “God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.”
Everyone who has responded to Jesus’ call to follow him is a saint because of God’s grace displayed and bestowed to us through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. It all points back to God.
That’s my problem with our use of saint today. It’s too casual, and it points the wrong way. When sainthood is equated with celebrity it points back to us. There is nothing wrong with being a fan. But hero worship and true devotion are in a completely different league.
My main concern is not with hero worship in itself, but the trend to pull our admiration for Jesus down to the same level. In Kevin Smith’s film, Dogma, the church is worried about young people leaving the church, so a new advertising campaign is initiated. Throw out all the seriousness, commitment, and call to serve. Instead, a new “Buddy Jesus” image is presented. A more relatable, “he’s just one of us,” happy go lucky, celebrity Jesus.
Jesus is not a celebrity. He is God, and that puts him in a completely different class.
I am a fan of Star Wars and Star Trek and Farscape. The inner geek in me rejoices. I am not a fan of Jesus. I’m a devotee of Jesus. I have given my life to Jesus. I’ll give Star Wars a bit of my time, but I’ll never give my life to it.
Saints are not marked first by innovation, how charismatic they are, or the recognition of others. None of that is bad. We should work hard and set our sights high. A saint is marked by his or her devotion to God, by obedience, by embracing God’s love and sharing it in a life of service.
Don’t market God as though he were Steve Jobs, Jonny Depp, or a new deodorant. Promote him as the Lord of Life, the Creator, the Beginning and the End, as God. He doesn’t want fans. He wants devotion.
We don’t make Saints. We don’t decide who becomes a saint. It’s a gift of God that raises us beyond the trivialities of fandom into a new life as a new creation. Only God makes a saint. Celebrities follow the trends. Saints follow Jesus.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Source of Steve Jobs Confidence
Steve Jobs' authorized biography hits the stores today. A sign of his legacy (and that of a select few), it hit the Net first through the Kindle, iBooks, and the Nook. It is a portrait of a very human man, warts and all. Many will read the book looking for the warts, but more will be looking for those things that motivated him and inspired his genius. After all, we'd all like to be able to learn from success.
Walter Isaacson shared a surprising but understandable piece of Steve Jobs’ motivation. In an emotional moment, the adopted Jobs asked his parents why he was rejected by his birth parents. His parents response was, "No, you don't understand. We specifically picked you out."
Jobs reflected, “From then on, I realized that I was not—just abandoned. I was chosen. I was special.” Isaacson reflected, "And I think that's the key to understanding Steve Jobs."
This is no small thing, and God knows it. It is easy for us to feel rejected in this life, to think that God has thrown us away because of our past or God’s indifference. King David realizing his crimes against God says to God, “Don’t throw me out with the trash.” (Psalms 51, The Message) I think we all have a desire to be needed, but I know we all need to be wanted.
This is why Jesus wanted his disciples to understand, “You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last...” (John 15:16) This comes right after Jesus tells his disciples that they are not servants but friends. The two things that Jesus points to, when telling them they are his friends, is that he has shared his plans with them, and he wanted them to be with him, he chose them.
That’s great for those first disciples, but what about us? When Jesus died on the cross, he died for the sins and the salvation of all. This is the strongest way that Jesus could say, “I want you.” The New Testament gives witness that Jesus did not die for generic humanity. He died for each and every one of us as individuals. Jesus wants us.
Humanity has abandoned God, but God has not abandoned us. Instead, “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Gal 4:4-6)
Jobs was right. He was special, he was loved, because he was chosen. We need to be wanted. He was wanted by his parents, but how much more worth do we experience when we realize we are wanted by God? We can work forever to be needed, but it is a clutching desire that is seldom fulfilled. On the other hand, to be wanted is a gift. That gift makes us special.
When Jobs realized that he was wanted and special, it motivated him toward higher goals for his life. It gave him a confidence, a confidence that sometimes slipped into arrogance, but confidence none the less. The same will happen for us when we take Jesus’ love for us seriously. Confidence is sprinkled with humility when the God of the universe is added to the picture, but it is an enabling confidence. Jesus chose us and chose us to bear fruit for him. This is a gift as well. He has already decided that we can be part of what he is doing, and he has gifted us to accomplish great things. Great things? Yeah, we need more confidence and gratitude to take up the promise and run. After all, “all you who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Walter Isaacson shared a surprising but understandable piece of Steve Jobs’ motivation. In an emotional moment, the adopted Jobs asked his parents why he was rejected by his birth parents. His parents response was, "No, you don't understand. We specifically picked you out."
Jobs reflected, “From then on, I realized that I was not—just abandoned. I was chosen. I was special.” Isaacson reflected, "And I think that's the key to understanding Steve Jobs."
This is no small thing, and God knows it. It is easy for us to feel rejected in this life, to think that God has thrown us away because of our past or God’s indifference. King David realizing his crimes against God says to God, “Don’t throw me out with the trash.” (Psalms 51, The Message) I think we all have a desire to be needed, but I know we all need to be wanted.
This is why Jesus wanted his disciples to understand, “You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last...” (John 15:16) This comes right after Jesus tells his disciples that they are not servants but friends. The two things that Jesus points to, when telling them they are his friends, is that he has shared his plans with them, and he wanted them to be with him, he chose them.
That’s great for those first disciples, but what about us? When Jesus died on the cross, he died for the sins and the salvation of all. This is the strongest way that Jesus could say, “I want you.” The New Testament gives witness that Jesus did not die for generic humanity. He died for each and every one of us as individuals. Jesus wants us.
Humanity has abandoned God, but God has not abandoned us. Instead, “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Gal 4:4-6)
Jobs was right. He was special, he was loved, because he was chosen. We need to be wanted. He was wanted by his parents, but how much more worth do we experience when we realize we are wanted by God? We can work forever to be needed, but it is a clutching desire that is seldom fulfilled. On the other hand, to be wanted is a gift. That gift makes us special.
When Jobs realized that he was wanted and special, it motivated him toward higher goals for his life. It gave him a confidence, a confidence that sometimes slipped into arrogance, but confidence none the less. The same will happen for us when we take Jesus’ love for us seriously. Confidence is sprinkled with humility when the God of the universe is added to the picture, but it is an enabling confidence. Jesus chose us and chose us to bear fruit for him. This is a gift as well. He has already decided that we can be part of what he is doing, and he has gifted us to accomplish great things. Great things? Yeah, we need more confidence and gratitude to take up the promise and run. After all, “all you who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Monday, October 17, 2011
Of Shakespeare & UFOs
The soon to be released movie Anonymous is a tale of intrigue revolving around the true author of Shakespeare's plays. Yes, conspiracy theory lovers unite! Shakespeare may be a well-established historic figure, but there has always been a small number that question his ability to write. After all, he was a noble, people question his education, and he...well, he wrote so many plays. Surely one mere mortal couldn't have achieved such a feat. Maybe it was a group people, or several hundred trained monkeys (but then, the typewriter hadn't yet been invented, so that's out of the running), or Francis Bacon (he could do anything).
So what do UFO's have to do with Shakespeare? For the same reason that some people have a hard time accepting Shakespeare's genius, people propose that aliens built the pyramids. How could we ever believe that humans could create something as cleaver as the pyramids? Of course humans couldn't have made it to the moon on their own, ancients couldn't have formed glass skulls, and what about that iPad?
Each case offers a small and petty view of humanity. Instead, we should be celebrating the unique wonder that is man and woman. We are the only animal on this planet capable of abstract reasoning. Other animals solve problems and make tools, but instead of jumping around a problem poking and prodding until we stumble on a solution, we sit down and think through the problem first (okay, I confess, when it comes to my computer, I start with picking and prodding). We are the only animal that makes tools to make other tools (think about it). We are the only animals that create our own, diverse political systems. For other animals it's hard wired into them. We are the only animals that practice fine arts (art that builds on itself from generation to generation). We adapt the environment to us as well as adapt to the environment.
All in all, that's pretty amazing. We have been made in the image of God. We are animals infused with the gift of spirit. The difference is worthy of celebration wherever we see it. Of course we could build the pyramids, go to the moon, even create the iPad (did I mention I was writing this on an iPad?). The gifts of God are to be appreciated.
It is the wonder of this gift that makes our use of it so tragic. There is so much power in this gift. The power to sail across space, and the power to destroy nations. We have done both, but we weren't created for both purposes.
The fact that we can do such harm does not mean that we need to run down or deny our humanity. The gift is good. We need to look for the problem elsewhere. The power that comes with the image of God requires divine wisdom, knowledge, and guidance to wield it properly.
Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely. God's wisdom, balance, beauty, and love are incorruptible, but ours is not. We lack the perspective and the perfection. God gave us the gift along with his guidance, but we decided we were wiser. I would suggest that history has already proved us wrong. But that doesn't mean the gift is evil in and of itself. We best celebrate our humanity when we return to its source. When we surrender to God's guidance, his wisdom, grace, beauty, and love. We find the fulfillment of humanity in the one who gave it to us in the first place.
So, I'd love to find a flying saucer in my backyard, but the Egyptians didn't need one to create the pyramids, and I don't find it difficult to believe Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven plays (they weren't all good plays after all). I choose to celebrate and fear this amazing gift we have been given by pursuing the One who gave it to me.
So what do UFO's have to do with Shakespeare? For the same reason that some people have a hard time accepting Shakespeare's genius, people propose that aliens built the pyramids. How could we ever believe that humans could create something as cleaver as the pyramids? Of course humans couldn't have made it to the moon on their own, ancients couldn't have formed glass skulls, and what about that iPad?
Each case offers a small and petty view of humanity. Instead, we should be celebrating the unique wonder that is man and woman. We are the only animal on this planet capable of abstract reasoning. Other animals solve problems and make tools, but instead of jumping around a problem poking and prodding until we stumble on a solution, we sit down and think through the problem first (okay, I confess, when it comes to my computer, I start with picking and prodding). We are the only animal that makes tools to make other tools (think about it). We are the only animals that create our own, diverse political systems. For other animals it's hard wired into them. We are the only animals that practice fine arts (art that builds on itself from generation to generation). We adapt the environment to us as well as adapt to the environment.
All in all, that's pretty amazing. We have been made in the image of God. We are animals infused with the gift of spirit. The difference is worthy of celebration wherever we see it. Of course we could build the pyramids, go to the moon, even create the iPad (did I mention I was writing this on an iPad?). The gifts of God are to be appreciated.
It is the wonder of this gift that makes our use of it so tragic. There is so much power in this gift. The power to sail across space, and the power to destroy nations. We have done both, but we weren't created for both purposes.
The fact that we can do such harm does not mean that we need to run down or deny our humanity. The gift is good. We need to look for the problem elsewhere. The power that comes with the image of God requires divine wisdom, knowledge, and guidance to wield it properly.
Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely. God's wisdom, balance, beauty, and love are incorruptible, but ours is not. We lack the perspective and the perfection. God gave us the gift along with his guidance, but we decided we were wiser. I would suggest that history has already proved us wrong. But that doesn't mean the gift is evil in and of itself. We best celebrate our humanity when we return to its source. When we surrender to God's guidance, his wisdom, grace, beauty, and love. We find the fulfillment of humanity in the one who gave it to us in the first place.
So, I'd love to find a flying saucer in my backyard, but the Egyptians didn't need one to create the pyramids, and I don't find it difficult to believe Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven plays (they weren't all good plays after all). I choose to celebrate and fear this amazing gift we have been given by pursuing the One who gave it to me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Advance Love First
We are all damaged goods. I think it is essential that we remember this. The fruit of pride and rebellion is pain. There might be the moment of pleasure, of defiance that feels like freedom, momentary consolation, or fleeting power, but after that fades, we are still left with pain - the pain we inflict, and the pain we carry away. Sin is crippling in many ways, but perhaps the greatest is the fear and distrust it imparts that makes it hard for us to receive love.
I believe the first task that Jesus has given us is to help people learn to receive love. It is not the only task, but it's where we need to start. Before someone can agree with God, before they can repent and begin to set their lives straight, before God's renewing love can bring freedom and health there must be a surrendering to God's love. This is more than an intellectual exercise. It requires trust and vulnerability. Two of the things sin crushes.
We have other tasks. There are actions and philosophies that we are called to oppose. We are to be watchful of error and deceit. We are to call out and oppose injustice. But all of that is meaningless if it doesn't advance love. That's the root cause of self-righteousness. We defend causes and ideas while forgetting why God sent us out in the first place. It starts with God, but then it's all about people.
Our continuing freedom is wrapped up in this as well. Sin is still at work. We want to judge. We want power. We sometimes fear what the world fears: loss of possessions, outsiders taking our place, being left behind, becoming insignificant. We are tempted to take matters into our own hands, circle the wagons, and return to our oppressive ways. We all struggle with sin, but our release is still the same as the one we offer the world. We again trust and surrender to God's love. We continue to let God channel his love through us.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16) This is the first lesson God gives us and the one he returns to again and again. It was God's love that inspired him to send Jesus. It was his love that led him to raise Jesus from the dead and won our salvation. It was his love that motivated him to send his Spirit to us. It was his love that hunted you down and brought freedom to your life. It is his love that is healing our scars and teaching us how to better receive love so that we might be freed to give love.
The first step of salvation is to open up to God's love for us, so our first task is to help people receive love. They have been hurt, selfish, prideful, and sometimes downright deceitful, but none of that will change until the walls that hold out love come down. Most people believe deep down that they don't deserve love - and they are right. Love is a gift and not a wage. We need to love first, often, and in creative and surprising ways. We need to love until a hurt, damaged person finally is able to receive the single most powerful truth in the universe: they are loved by us and, most importantly, by God.
This isn't easy for us. It cost Jesus his life. But this is part of the reason God sent his Spirit to us. The Spirit is here first to continue to express God's love and intimacy to us. We are not forgotten after we respond. But that same Spirit empowers us to love beyond our means, and that's where the real adventure starts, where we begin to experience the true power and faithfulness of God - and where we begin to really understand the greatest truth of all: God is love.
I believe the first task that Jesus has given us is to help people learn to receive love. It is not the only task, but it's where we need to start. Before someone can agree with God, before they can repent and begin to set their lives straight, before God's renewing love can bring freedom and health there must be a surrendering to God's love. This is more than an intellectual exercise. It requires trust and vulnerability. Two of the things sin crushes.
We have other tasks. There are actions and philosophies that we are called to oppose. We are to be watchful of error and deceit. We are to call out and oppose injustice. But all of that is meaningless if it doesn't advance love. That's the root cause of self-righteousness. We defend causes and ideas while forgetting why God sent us out in the first place. It starts with God, but then it's all about people.
Our continuing freedom is wrapped up in this as well. Sin is still at work. We want to judge. We want power. We sometimes fear what the world fears: loss of possessions, outsiders taking our place, being left behind, becoming insignificant. We are tempted to take matters into our own hands, circle the wagons, and return to our oppressive ways. We all struggle with sin, but our release is still the same as the one we offer the world. We again trust and surrender to God's love. We continue to let God channel his love through us.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16) This is the first lesson God gives us and the one he returns to again and again. It was God's love that inspired him to send Jesus. It was his love that led him to raise Jesus from the dead and won our salvation. It was his love that motivated him to send his Spirit to us. It was his love that hunted you down and brought freedom to your life. It is his love that is healing our scars and teaching us how to better receive love so that we might be freed to give love.
The first step of salvation is to open up to God's love for us, so our first task is to help people receive love. They have been hurt, selfish, prideful, and sometimes downright deceitful, but none of that will change until the walls that hold out love come down. Most people believe deep down that they don't deserve love - and they are right. Love is a gift and not a wage. We need to love first, often, and in creative and surprising ways. We need to love until a hurt, damaged person finally is able to receive the single most powerful truth in the universe: they are loved by us and, most importantly, by God.
This isn't easy for us. It cost Jesus his life. But this is part of the reason God sent his Spirit to us. The Spirit is here first to continue to express God's love and intimacy to us. We are not forgotten after we respond. But that same Spirit empowers us to love beyond our means, and that's where the real adventure starts, where we begin to experience the true power and faithfulness of God - and where we begin to really understand the greatest truth of all: God is love.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Inspired by Steve Jobs
Creative people change the world. The critics have their moments, the bitter and the power-hungry leave scars, and the takers eventually vanish into obscurity, but it is the acts of creativity that shape the world. It's for that reason that we should take note of the life of Steve Jobs.
Some Christians will argue that it is dangerous to hold up as examples people who are not known for their faith, some even feel the need to run them down, but that only reflects a poverty of spirit and a lack of respect for the image of God in each of us. We can celebrate the gift of humanity without diminishing or ignoring the need for salvation.
Like many of my generation I count creative people among my heroes. Jim Henson, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Steve Jobs are all high on that list, and they all teach one important lesson: Creativity is more powerful than critique. It's not that critique is unimportant, but it never built anything. In the end, we fail if we don't build more than we tear down. That's an important message for the church today. We need fewer angry old men (and many fewer angry young men) and more people of vision.
Steve Jobs inspires me because he was a man of vision. He had a picture of the future he wanted to share with the world. I have no idea how long we have, but I need to live my life as if we have another thousand years before Jesus ushers in the next great age of humanity. Inspiration comes from people of vision. If you believe it's all over and we just need to hold on until the final curtain comes crashing down, then you will waste the gift of life you have been given. With Jesus it's about life, living, and vision.
Even when Jobs had made his fortune, when he was comfortable for life, and when he was ill, he still gave his life to create. Vision added meaning to his life. Our vision may look small or large to others, it may touch a neighborhood or a continent, it may be directed to toward the forgotten or the masses - that doesn't really matter - what matters is that you have a vision, that you have given yourself to create something in someone's life.
One of the important life lessons that Steve Jobs learned was that vision is not accomplished on his own. He had two careers. The first was innovative, but self-centered. People were obstacles to be conquered or workers to whipped into shape. He lost Apple as a result. When he returned, he returned a bit more humble. He highlighted the accomplishments of the team and began to focus attention on others. He became a man known for bringing men and women (corporations are in the end just groups of people) together to bring music, film, TV, books, magazines, and newspapers into the digital age. Vision is accomplished by community. Communities need leaders, many leaders of many types, servant leaders who do not see themselves as the answer, leaders who value community. The lone rebel makes a noise for a time, but communities change the world.
Creativity changes the world. If we are too poor in spirit to celebrate creativity wherever we see it, then we are most likely to become smaller, bitter, withered. If we fail to see and honor creativity, then we are unlikely to recognize the extent of Jesus’ creativity, generosity, and vision. That would be tragedy because we would be left with a vision of Jesus as stingy and judgmental rather than the generous Lord of light, love, joy, and vision. Jesus should guide and shape our creativity, but celebrate the creative - celebrate vision.
Some Christians will argue that it is dangerous to hold up as examples people who are not known for their faith, some even feel the need to run them down, but that only reflects a poverty of spirit and a lack of respect for the image of God in each of us. We can celebrate the gift of humanity without diminishing or ignoring the need for salvation.
Like many of my generation I count creative people among my heroes. Jim Henson, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Steve Jobs are all high on that list, and they all teach one important lesson: Creativity is more powerful than critique. It's not that critique is unimportant, but it never built anything. In the end, we fail if we don't build more than we tear down. That's an important message for the church today. We need fewer angry old men (and many fewer angry young men) and more people of vision.
Steve Jobs inspires me because he was a man of vision. He had a picture of the future he wanted to share with the world. I have no idea how long we have, but I need to live my life as if we have another thousand years before Jesus ushers in the next great age of humanity. Inspiration comes from people of vision. If you believe it's all over and we just need to hold on until the final curtain comes crashing down, then you will waste the gift of life you have been given. With Jesus it's about life, living, and vision.
Even when Jobs had made his fortune, when he was comfortable for life, and when he was ill, he still gave his life to create. Vision added meaning to his life. Our vision may look small or large to others, it may touch a neighborhood or a continent, it may be directed to toward the forgotten or the masses - that doesn't really matter - what matters is that you have a vision, that you have given yourself to create something in someone's life.
One of the important life lessons that Steve Jobs learned was that vision is not accomplished on his own. He had two careers. The first was innovative, but self-centered. People were obstacles to be conquered or workers to whipped into shape. He lost Apple as a result. When he returned, he returned a bit more humble. He highlighted the accomplishments of the team and began to focus attention on others. He became a man known for bringing men and women (corporations are in the end just groups of people) together to bring music, film, TV, books, magazines, and newspapers into the digital age. Vision is accomplished by community. Communities need leaders, many leaders of many types, servant leaders who do not see themselves as the answer, leaders who value community. The lone rebel makes a noise for a time, but communities change the world.
Creativity changes the world. If we are too poor in spirit to celebrate creativity wherever we see it, then we are most likely to become smaller, bitter, withered. If we fail to see and honor creativity, then we are unlikely to recognize the extent of Jesus’ creativity, generosity, and vision. That would be tragedy because we would be left with a vision of Jesus as stingy and judgmental rather than the generous Lord of light, love, joy, and vision. Jesus should guide and shape our creativity, but celebrate the creative - celebrate vision.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Jesus without the Church?
Students often tell me that they are okay with Jesus, but they don't like organized religion, therefore they don't attend any church (I am tempted to ask their opinion of disorganized religion, but I'm sure I'd get a confused stare). Today, there is a growing group that seem to affirm faith while disconnecting from other believers. Rather than an affirmation this is a rejection of Jesus' work and intentions for mankind.
First, let me say that I understand that some people have been hurt by impersonal, bureaucratic, and authoritarian churches. Always hear someone out before you respond. At the same time, church is not an optional extra for disciples of Christ.
A church is not a building or a corporation. Scripture describes the church as people who have been united by faith and the Spirit of God. All believers are part of a universal church, but that universal reality must be realized personally in some setting if we are to be obedient to Jesus' call.
Paul instructs the Corinthians that "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Corinthians 12:12-14) We are not only baptized in Christ, we are also baptized into his body. Communities of the redeemed who care for each other and work with each other to redeem the world are part of God's plan. If we are disciples of Jesus, then we go where he leads us, and he leads us into caring communities.
Jesus has come to establish his kingdom, the way God intended life to be lived. Under Jesus' Lordship, we find wisdom, creativity, and love. Love doesn't come naturally for us (Time to be real). We need the Holy Spirit to teach us and empower us to become more than we were before we met Jesus. Love cannot be experienced in isolation. It must be experienced together. God brings us together as a forgiven and humble (at least we are if we are honest about why we needed to be forgiven) people. Together we fumble around learning to support and encourage each other. We often fail, but as a community united by Jesus' forgiveness, we learn to apologize and ask for forgiveness. More importantly, we learn to extend that same forgiveness.
If we can't extend grace to each other, the grace that builds up, liberates, and forgives, then how can we ever represent Jesus to a world that doesn't know him?
But there is a larger issue here. Can we claim to be Christian, to be disciples of Jesus, if we refuse to follow him, if we refuse to gather together as he instructs us? Most of the students I meet who claim to follow Jesus, but aren't interested in "organized religion", are really saying that Jesus isn't important enough to change their life for. Church on Sunday is inconvenient. In most cases they don't want anyone telling them right from wrong. Not even God.
Jesus is never just okay. He's either the gracious and powerful Lord that leads us into a better life, or he's an advice columnist that you periodically consult. Jesus' teaching were divisive because he defined himself as God and never as a consultant. His love inspired him to tell the truth, and we should never water them down. We should make sure our words represent Jesus' love and grace, but there is nothing loving about hiding the truth. It's a package deal. Jesus and the church come as a package deal. You walk away from one and you walked away from the other.
First, let me say that I understand that some people have been hurt by impersonal, bureaucratic, and authoritarian churches. Always hear someone out before you respond. At the same time, church is not an optional extra for disciples of Christ.
A church is not a building or a corporation. Scripture describes the church as people who have been united by faith and the Spirit of God. All believers are part of a universal church, but that universal reality must be realized personally in some setting if we are to be obedient to Jesus' call.
Paul instructs the Corinthians that "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Corinthians 12:12-14) We are not only baptized in Christ, we are also baptized into his body. Communities of the redeemed who care for each other and work with each other to redeem the world are part of God's plan. If we are disciples of Jesus, then we go where he leads us, and he leads us into caring communities.
Jesus has come to establish his kingdom, the way God intended life to be lived. Under Jesus' Lordship, we find wisdom, creativity, and love. Love doesn't come naturally for us (Time to be real). We need the Holy Spirit to teach us and empower us to become more than we were before we met Jesus. Love cannot be experienced in isolation. It must be experienced together. God brings us together as a forgiven and humble (at least we are if we are honest about why we needed to be forgiven) people. Together we fumble around learning to support and encourage each other. We often fail, but as a community united by Jesus' forgiveness, we learn to apologize and ask for forgiveness. More importantly, we learn to extend that same forgiveness.
If we can't extend grace to each other, the grace that builds up, liberates, and forgives, then how can we ever represent Jesus to a world that doesn't know him?
But there is a larger issue here. Can we claim to be Christian, to be disciples of Jesus, if we refuse to follow him, if we refuse to gather together as he instructs us? Most of the students I meet who claim to follow Jesus, but aren't interested in "organized religion", are really saying that Jesus isn't important enough to change their life for. Church on Sunday is inconvenient. In most cases they don't want anyone telling them right from wrong. Not even God.
Jesus is never just okay. He's either the gracious and powerful Lord that leads us into a better life, or he's an advice columnist that you periodically consult. Jesus' teaching were divisive because he defined himself as God and never as a consultant. His love inspired him to tell the truth, and we should never water them down. We should make sure our words represent Jesus' love and grace, but there is nothing loving about hiding the truth. It's a package deal. Jesus and the church come as a package deal. You walk away from one and you walked away from the other.
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