While We Wait for Christ' Return

"Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." -2 Peter 3:14

So ...in light of the past few passages in these posts ....what do we do while we wait?

WE LIVE ...for Christ, we live!

"He must increase, but I must decrease.” (emphasis mine) He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." -John 3:30-36

'Eye for An Eye' or '...see to it that no one repays evil for evil'?

"See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." -1 Thessalonians 5:15

Author John Grisham (from our neck of the woods, incidentally) wrote "A Time To Kill"; still one of my favorite novels. The plot revolves around attorney 'Jake Brigance' and his defendant, an African-American father, in Canton, MS. The defendant was on trial for the court-room murder of the very man who had killed his 10 year old daughter. The story-line is rivetting to be sure! Imagine, especially if you are a father or mother, the emotion that would course through your veins ...if it were you or I in this scenario. "...life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth....." We would most likely agree with the Exodus passage!!

Yet, this idea, this very statement, seems to run opposite of what the Apostle Paul stated to the church at Thessalonica. (1 Thess. 5:15)

Was the concept of "eye for an eye" acceptable in the old covenant / agreement with God ...and not acceptable in the new covenant? Is this, as scoffers would say, evidence that Scripture contradicts itself? As a slight "side-bar", allow me to say that.... I admit it! I thoroughly enjoy wrestling these, seemingly, difficult passages, and concepts, in God's word. I do believe the original text penned by those whom God inspired are, indeed, the words of God Himself. Allowing scripture to interpret itself reveals, not only, that there are no contradictions ...but the seamlessness of the message from the multiple authors, across multiple time-lines, with many different circumstances and biases ...only compounds the validity of the claim of holy scripture being inspired by God ...through man, and in spite of him.

Back to the question at hand... "do the aforementioned passages reveal a contradiction in scripture?" We should look to the object, and instigator, of this supposed contradiction for the resolution. The gospel according to Matthew records Jesus' own words... ""You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39.But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40.And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41.And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." -Matt. 5:38-42 (ESV)

Our righteous, sin-less, all-powerful God demands justice! Our loving, sin-absorbing, omni-present Savior provides mercy and grace! It is no contradiction to follow the teaching of the Christ, by whom the law, and justice, exists, and by whom it was, once and for all, "fulfilled" -Matt. 5:17 (ESV)

Does God Have A Time-line?

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” -2 Peter 3:8-10 (ESV)

Earlier, in Peter’s letter, he warned that there will certainly be doubters, specifically …scoffers, in the “last days” (time between Christ’ resurrection and His return). In the passage above, he gives what must be only the most rudimentary, base, understanding of “God’s time-line”. I cannot even begin to fathom His time-line! Can you imagine a God who knows no “time-line”; certainly not as you or I do? He is free to move forward, backward, wherever He desires within my, as well as your, linear time-frame. With that in mind …it isn’t quite as difficult to understand that one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

So what does this mean to you and I, on a practical level? Well, if we read on …Peter encourages that the Lord is not slack, or slow, in fulfilling the promises made in the written word, which He inspired. He WILL keep His promises. Who would He “lie” to otherwise? Our God is no liar. He has nothing to prove to anyone, nor anyone to “fool”. Either He is not Lord “at all” …or He is Lord “of all”.

Peter encourages that the Lord will come again …like a thief in the night. In my fallible, frail human heart ….I want, quite often, to believe that everyone will be with the Father, in eternity, in His Kingdom. But my heart, which is “deceitful and sick”, according to Jeremiah 17:9, cannot even honestly reconcile this thought with that which God’s own word indicates. Scripture speaks of a hell, which separates us from God for eternity, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Peter describes that the heavenly bodies, and works done on the earth, will be “exposed”. Some manuscripts indicate the word, translated here as ‘exposed’, to be “burned up”!

Whatever it is that God will do with the world as we currently know it ….God’s promises, and His plans, will come to pass. We can bicker, fruitlessly, about how unfair we may think it is that a loving God would even allow His children to spend an eternity in hell. That even feels course rubbing across my emotion and intellect. But rather than trusting “my heart”, which has failed me beofre, I am placing my trust in the One who designed and fabricated my heart. His ways are not my ways. He is coming back ….in all His glorious splendor. But He is waiting, patiently, for you and I to “surrender” to His will.

Salvation is a Two-Edged Sword

“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” -2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)

2 Peter 1:3-6 define the qualities for which we should strive, as partakers of the grace-gift of salvation ….which is bestowed upon God’s “elect” (that is, you and I). Verse 9 states that anyone who does the opposite is “…so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”

A life paid for by Christ’ death and resurrection becomes, as the Apostle Paul stated, a “bond-servant” to Christ. While never a perfect submission, it is humbling to consider that we still sin, as those saved from eternal death. That is why it is called “grace”….God’s Riches At Christ’ Expense.

Salvation is a two-edged sword. On the one side… sharp enough to be sufficient to provide salvation for hopeless sinners …who deserve nothing more than the path which we travel. The other side ….expecting a transformed mind; sharp enough to flee from the past sinful desires. This life requires “daily” commitment, re-commitment, devotion, and humbling ourselves, under God’s Word, to submit, “daily”, to His will.

He’s Coming Back!

“…that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” -2 Peter 3:2-4 (ESV)

We celebrate Christmas, in recognition of Christ’ birth; and rightfully so! It is, indeed, something to celebrate …that Christ would put on flesh for us.

We honor and recognize Christ’ death; and rightfully so …as He was the lamb of God, slain on our behalf. His shed blood paid the penalty for our sin!

There is, however, a future event, something not yet occurred …at least in mine and your time-line. Christ is coming back! He will return! It will be in GLORY, and in JUDGMENT, according to Scripture. This is something we should celebrate! No doubt, with a healthy, reverent fear …but more so in absolute awe that not only did Christ die on our behalf …but after all these years ….He’s coming back for us! As He stated before His earthly death ….”that where He is, we may be also.” (John 14:3 -ESV)

My Lord, who am I that You are mindful of me?

"Damn the torpedoes...."

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. -Proverbs 19:2 (ESV)

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870), the first senior officer of the U.S. Navy at the time of the Civil War, most certainly would have leaned more toward the later implication in this Proverb. His famous Civil War quote... "Damn the torpedoes, Captain Drayton four bells Jouett full speed!", resulted in a Union victory in Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. While this snap decision making clearly paid dividends for Admiral Farragut, and is certainly appealing in a Hollywood action scene ....more often than not, careful planning, calculating the cost, weighing pros & cons ...pay dividends here in the real world. At the same time, sooner or later, ya' gotta' make a move! Careful planning is great, but planning to the point of procrastination never gets the job done.

There are two clear implications in this Proverb. To put it into the modern vernacular...

1. "look before you leap", as my mother often reminded me, and...
2. "haste makes waste" ..now ya' know where that came from

When put that way ...the two implications seem almost contradictory. But like most everything in life... "balance" is the key.

Our Heavenly Father made each of us unique; each with qualities that, when made corporate, can move mountains and win victories. I know those who are gung-ho, and I know plenty of folks with very good intentions and ideas / ideals who simply need help getting the ball rolling. There is a time to plan, and most definitely a time to act. As, no doubt, was the case with Admiral Farragut, the key is... having the wisdom to know the difference.

Balance

Ebb & Flow

Life all but handed on a plate
How grateful I can be
Circumstances begin to irritate
How grateful will I be?

For lack of hunger, and abundance of wealth
How grateful I can be
With fading sight, and fleeting health
How grateful will I be?

A desire to grow, and resources plenty
How grateful I can be
Options depleting, closer to empty
How grateful will I be?

Entitled nothing, consumed with all
How grateful I can be
Desiring something, facing a fall
How grateful will I be?

Ever so blessed when all is well
How grateful I can be
Aimed toward a future I cannot tell
How grateful will I be?

Plotting my course down a road I know
Circumstances change.
Ebb & Flow


-Steve Terrell

Absolute Answers

A good article, below, from Tyndale House Publishers. Just thought it was well stated and concise. If you think "truth" is relative, I would ask you to consider the precepts this article speaks of. Don't base any decision on this article alone, but I would challenge you to very honestly consider your role, your place, in this world. I would challenge you to ask yourself how often you have thought something is absolutely right, or even wrong, and then realized your views had changed, or at least shifted, as time and circumstances changed. I know of no one who hasn't come to that realization; which begs the question ...is my, or your, truth sustainable? Is it reliable? If I'm really honest with myself, I have to recognize that many, many times, over my almost 40 years, what was "truth to me" was influenced by the circumstances around me, my environment, and my own needs at the time. I could ask someone else, and get a different perspective, or maybe an opposing view. This does NOT make me, or anyone else, a "bad person". It makes us... human. It also indicates a great need for a truth by which we can guide our decisions, our morals, our beliefs. You know the old saying.. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." But the "something" you choose to stand for is very important, and if you truly stand on that "something" it will direct, to some degree, your future. The "truth" for which we decide to stand matters greatly, far more reaching than just you or I. Otherwise, what you and I view as appalling today will, by someone sooner or later, become appealing tomorrow.

-Steve


Absolute Answers

Have you ever heard anyone say that truth is relative? Maybe you’ve even heard someone say, 'Your truth isn’t necessarily my truth. What’s true for you may not be true for me.' Ever say that yourself?

Some people think that truth and standards of right and wrong change from decade to decade or from person to person. They make choices based on society’s or their peers’ definitions of right and wrong. Like Judges 21:25 says, 'The people [do] whatever seem[s] right in their own eyes' (Judg 21:25). Does that describe anyone you know?

Magazines, newspapers, and Internet carry story after story about lifestyle choices: a unmarried couple who lives together before marriage ('After all, we’re in love'); a person who finally decides to break 'free' of the shackles of heterosexual life to explore his or her 'true' nature as a homosexual; a teen who just wants to be free to express his or her sexuality; a pastor who decides to bless the union of a same-sex couple--the list goes on. If you didn’t catch those, just wait for the follow-up talk shows and movies. Many of these choices are made in the name of tolerance and other forms of political correctness. Those opposed to these lifestyle choices are viewed as intolerant, especially if society gives them the green light.

Wondering what’s truly right or wrong? The Bible provides definite answers. The Ten Commandments and other laws reveal God’s standards of right and wrong. Take murder for example. God says no to that. What about adultery? Don’t even think about it. Stealing? Ditto. But honoring God and your parents are good moves.

Although times change, God’s standards never do. 'Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven' (Ps 119:89). 'The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever' (Ps 119:160). Because God’s standards always are the same, some are quick to describe the Bible as old-fashioned or lacking in relevance. Others might ignore it because they resent being measured by its standards. What’s your view?

Economy vs. Morality?

I'm going to write this ...taking not the high-road, but maybe a more journalistic perspective. Not because I don't have an opinion or conviction on the matter, but that is a perspective for another time, another forum.

This afternoon I was unable to find my usual lunch-time radio talk show. I still don't know where it has gone, frankly. While thumbing through the dial I came upon NPR. I have not, traditionally, been a frequent listener of National Public Radio, and since I couldn't find my usual talk-show ....I listened in on NPR. The topic of choice seemed to be the current economic situation and its effects on marriage, families, children, etc.

A caller's comments really, really struck me! I'll describe losely (though, I believe, accurately) what the caller said. The caller indicated she and her husband had opted for aborting a child ..though they already had other children (prior, I assume). I believe the caller also stated that her marriage ultimately ended in divorce. Financial strain was an obvious culprit ..both on the abortion decision, as well as the divorce.

Here's the comment that struck me. "I love my kids more than my own life, but we wondered if we were being financial and socially responsible in having another child." Now that part is almost an exact quote; a terribly close, but accurate, paraphrase.

I don't, normally, pick apart comments or statements made by folks. But this one was practically unavoidable.

1. Firstly, she stated that she loved her kids more than her own life. Granted, I think she was refering to the children she already had. But it also made clear her position on the validity of life of her un-born (now aborted) child.
2. Secondly, she questioned whether or not they (she and her former husband) were being financially and socially responsible. I'm tellin' ya' ...I didn't do it on purpose, but my mind IMMEDIATELY broke this portion of her comment into three areas of note. (a) Are they being "financially" responsible? Just how prevalent is the weight & balance, among married couples, of the financial responsibility of having a child as compared to the thought of whether or not an un-born child has a right to live? (b) The caller also questioned, in the same phrase, the "social" responsibility of having another child? One would have to nail down the specifics of this detail. Did she mean that it is possibly "socially irresponsible" to add another child to the world; over-population concern, or what? (c) Lastly, the fact that she questioned these things with the word "responsibile" tacked on. She had concerns of "financial" responsibility. Any parent reading this can relate with that concern. She had concerns of "social" responsibility. Again, without speaking, personally, with someone making such a statement ...it isn't hard, within the context of her statement, to imagine (or assume, if you will) the proposed concern. How would this affect her life, her husband's life, their marriage, and / or their social status ...if they had another child, another mouth to feed.

I wish you could have heard the conversation for yourself. The tone was almost "matter of fact". It was as if the topic was in regard to their personal stock portfolio, and the effects of a decision to buy, sell, etc. were at hand.

Here's the elephant in the room! The word "morality" NEVER came into the picture. This stunned me? An otherwise reasonable, rational sounding human stated... "....we wondered if we were being financially and socially responsible in having another child.", but didn't appear to question the moral obligation of their decision.

No doubt.... another mouth to feed, child to educate, to clothe... costs more money. No doubt... an additional child affects one's social life. I remember how much my wife and I felt that change after having 3 children. One child was a piece o' cake in terms of doing things you "used to do", and just hopping in the car and "going". A 2nd child only slowed that process a little. But having our 3rd child completely changed our perspective ...including our "social life". I can understand all that.

But isn't it striking that our society has come to the point that we can weigh the decision of the progression of, or termination of, the birth of a child by considering all these possible "life aspects" ...except for one?? This was an educated, seemingly intelligent human making these comments. No dregs of society. Has the economic woes of today forced us into a corner?? Hmmm.. there have been previous economic woes in our society; in our own country. Abortion wasn't a social option. It couldn't be factored in at all ....at least not as a viable, much less "legal", option. What has changed? When did we become so certain that aborting the birth process of a fetus was so definitely "an option"... that we don't even weigh in the "moral" aspect of it in a public conversation? Clearly, I do not know this lady and her former husband. I do not, and would not, pretend to understand their circumstances in life. Nor do I have any desire, at all, to place judgment on them. I have a large enough plank in my own eye. This question, this wonderment, is not about the lady on the radio. It is about "us" ...all of us ...as a society.

I guess I'd make a poor journalist. I think my opinion is bleeding through.