It's not about being good - it's about choosing sides

Think about laws for a minute.

To help with your thinking, I'm going to say there are two types of laws that serve two different purposes.

There are "active laws" which tell us what we are required to do and what we are forbidden to do. Rewards or punishments follow.

There are also "inactive laws" which remind us what is expected. These are laws that used to be "active" but have changed so that obedience is no longer enforced. But the desire of the lawgiver is still perfectly clear.

Here's an example.

It used to be a law in our house that the children were in bed with lights out by 9:00 pm. If they did that, all was well. If they did not, there were consequences. Now that those "children" are 16 and 19, the 9-o'clock-rule is no longer in force. It has gone from being an active law to an inactive law.

They still understand, however, that although I don't stand next to their beds at 8:59 with a stick in one hand and a carrot in the other, my desire that they get a decent night's sleep has not changed. I just no longer force them to do it. They are now free from that law, and they make their own choices.

Now, here's why we're thinking about laws.

The New Testament makes a big deal about active and inactive laws. It never actually refers to them that way. But that's the gist.

Normally, this concept is couched instead in terms of freedom - specifically, freedom from the Law - and it refers exclusively to those who are in Christ.

For the Christian, our acceptance by God is not based on anything we do or don't do. For the Christian, all laws have been deactivated.

It's with this understanding that we can make sense of what Paul says in Romans 6:15-16.

In the previous verses, Paul went to great lengths to convince his readers that we are in fact completely free from law. Once he's made that case as clear as possible, he then asks an obvious question: If we really aren't required to obey any rules anymore, what are are going to do? Obey them anyway?

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?

Maybe it's just my imagination, but I bet there were plenty of people reading that letter who hoped the next sentence would be, "Heck yes we will! We're free! Let's go out and sin, sin, sin!!!"

But it wasn't. Instead, Paul answered his own question like this:

Certainly not!

(The phrase translated "Certainly not!" in my Bible has a little more pinch in the old King James, which renders it, "God forbid!". However you translate it, it comes from two Greek words that mean essentially, "May such a thing never be".)

At this point my imaginary reader would ask the next obvious question: "Well, why not, Paul? Seriously! If we can do whatever we want, why wouldn't we?!"

Paul's answer to this is simple. And a little frightening. He writes:

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves. . . ?

There are only two options here.
By your actions, words, thoughts, choices you either present your saved and forgiven self to obedience/righteousness/God or to sin/death/Satan.

That's it. There are no neutral positions.

And, there is no coercion. Because we're free.

The "problem" is, as free men and women we have the responsibility to freely make good choices. (And that's hard. It's so much easier to make good choices when you are forced to! Or is that just me?)

God is still the God of righteousness, goodness, and love.
Satan is still the god of disobedience, evil, and selfishness.

So, will you freely choose to be on God's side? Or will you equally freely stand with Satan?

Remember this: The way we live our Christian lives is not about obeying rules or being good.

It is all about choosing sides.

Q&A on the fear of God

Question: Why does the Bible say we're supposed to fear God - and, at the same time, love Him?

Answer: See below.

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When we think of things we fear we tend to imagine things like psychopaths, tsunamis, and dams (am I alone on this one?). . . spiders, high school bullies, terminal illness, or even bigger spiders.

And we love none of these things.

Go ahead. Try it. Think of a few things you fear and see if there are any you can honestly say you love.

And yet, the Bible is not crazy. Nor is it mistaken. These two apparently mutually exclusive commands work perfectly well together, once you understand them. Here are some reasons why.

1. It's not the kind of fear you're thinking of.

There are at least 11 different words used in the Old Testament (OT) that describe fear as it relates to God. There are at least 6 in the New Testament (NT).

These 17 words are usually translated into English as variations of fear, awe, dread, dismay, trembling, falling back before, and respect.

While these words describe what we all recognize as terror, they nevertheless stand for something clean and oddly wholesome. None of them contain any connotation of "fear that results in loathing". (You know, like the fear inspired by spiders and even bigger spiders.) There are other words for that kind of fear.

In the Bible the "fear of God" often indicates a healthy reverence, including a fear of offending God and a hatred of evil.

2. It's a reminder that we are not to get all chummy with God. Intimacy is part of our relationship with Him, but flippancy never is.

One of the most ridiculous parts of modern Christian thinking is the idea that when we get to Heaven we'll be all, "Yo, Big J, 'ssup?!"
(Note: This is my best flippant hipster imitation. If it's not good, I don't care.)
(How's that for flippant!)
(You caught the irony, right?)
(Sorry - getting back to the topic now. . . )

Chumminess is calling God "the man upstairs".
It's excusing disobedience with, "Me and God, we got an understanding."
It's the belief that we can do any silly or idiotic thing we want, and God will just laugh right along.

God is our Father, and He will be our eternal friend.
But when we start calling Him "Pal", we're on the wrong road.

People who rightly fear God will not fall into these traps.

I remember the first time our general lack of awe toward God became clear to me. I was talking to a Muslim man many years ago. He truly feared his god. I sensed such a reverence and gravity in his concept of the divine that I honestly felt embarrassed by my lack of it.

That experience made me think.
Today I am convinced that the modern American Church suffers terribly under a watered-down sense of who God is.
We do not take God seriously enough. Not even close.

3. Fear of God is the result of a correct understanding of who God is.

As portrayed in the Bible, the fear of God doesn't make us run & hide so much as fall down and worship.

Every manifestation of God to humans in the Bible describes those people trembling, falling down, even despairing of their lives. In that moment, they caught just a glimpse of who God really is, and it affected them tremendously.

There was a German theologian (Rudolf Otto - "The Idea of the Holy") who tried to describe what it's like to experience the presence of God. He found that he had to create some brand new words to do it because all the old ones were so tainted with insufficiency. One of his new words was mysterium tremendum. It describes a lightning bolt awareness of the mind-boggling awesomeness of the holy, coupled with a shivering sense of one's own smallness & fragility.

I actually experienced something like this on a much smaller scale a few months ago.

I was driving to work one morning and found myself looking directly into a massive, powerful thunderstorm. Over me was nothing but clear blue sky. But about 10 miles ahead was a straight horizon-to-horizon line of heavy, roiling black as far as I could see. It had a presence. It was chilling.

As I looked at it my jaw dropped, and my gut began to twist. I had that feeling you get at the top of a roller coaster hill when you know what's about to happen.

I have to say that I'm not normally afraid of storms. And when I am it's because I fear the tornadoes hiding inside it, not the storm itself.
But on that morning I was irrationally and viscerally terrified by what was in front of me - by the thing itself, and not its potential effects.

The fear I felt at that moment was my natural response to the presence of something infinitely more powerful than myself.
That's mysterium tremendum.

And that was just a storm.
Imagine standing in the presence of God!

Where God dwells on earth

There's a song I've sung for years but never until recently understood what it meant.

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true.
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living Sanctuary for You.

The problem was I never heard the words right. I always heard it as "Lord, prepare me a sanctuary. . . "

Oops.
Missed two little words there.
Four letters.
Big difference.

I recall (with a little excitement) the moment the actual words registered in my head and I realized that this is not a prayer for me to get a sanctuary, but instead, for me to be a sanctuary.

I also recall (with a little embarrassment) the very first thought that entered my head with that revelation: "Huh??!!"

Even though I suddenly understood what the song was praying for, I still didn't get why it would pray for that.

Why would I need to be a sanctuary?
How does that even make any sense?
How does my being a sanctuary help me at all?
(How many of you can tell I'm an only child?)

But even as those questions flew through my head a second wave of understanding hit me and I knew the answer: "It's not for my sake (dope!), but for others. I'm supposed to be a sanctuary for them."

I immediately pulled out my nerd-pad (yes, I keep a memo pad in my shirt pocket) and began jotting some notes. They looked something like this:

But that's only because I'm left-handed and even I can barely read my writing.

Luckily, I was later able to decipher my notes. Here they are in normal human format:

What is a sanctuary?
- a place where God dwells in the world
- a place of safety & refuge
- a place where man can meet with God
This is supposed to be me!!!


And now that I see it, it's not just this song. This command/plea/privilege is all over the Bible. As a Christian I am personally called to be a Sanctuary of God and a sanctuary for others.

If the people around me who don't know Jesus can't see Him in me, where can they see Him?

If they can't come to me for the kind of peace, comfort and refuge that doesn't exist in this world, where can they get it?

If God's people walk through each day eminating no more light than anyone else, how will others be drawn to His glory?

I hereby confess that I've done a pathetic job to date of being God's sanctuary on earth. But I also hereby confess that since the day I discovered the prayer in this song, I've begun asking every morning that I might be the place in my world where God meets Man.

Christians looking like Christians - Some Ideas Neatly Organized

To sum up this thread so far:

1. The Bible makes it clear that Christians should have certain unique and identifiable characteristics.

2. Many Christians (including me) do not always manifest those characteristics.

3. Every Christian has the choice of two ways to live - "in the flesh" or "in the spirit".

4. When we don't look like Christians it's because we either chose to live in the flesh, or we chose nothing at all and got the flesh by default.

5. Every Christian has the authority and power to live continually in the spirit.

6. The only way to do that is by consciously and intentionally setting our minds on spiritual things, because. . .

7. What we thing about is what we will become.

I want to take one last swing at this topic today by explaining what we need to know to keep our minds in a spiritual state.


What we need to know

The things that affect our minds, thoughts, and attitudes can be divided into two groups:

Type 1 - Things that go into our minds
Type 2 - Things that come out of our minds

These two categories can then be further subdivided into these nice bite-sized portions.

Type 1 - Things that go in: Interaction & Entertainment

• Things we see/watch (reading material, TV/movies, internet)
• Things we hear/listen to (music, conversations)

I understand that everyone's different, and that what is spiritually deadly for me may not bother you in the least. So, for Type 1 items I'll just say that, 1) anyone who wants to live in the spirit will be wise to choose spiritually meaningful entertainment over purely worldly entertainment, and 2) even small amounts can yield large results (either positive or negative).

Type 2 - Things that come out: Internal moving Outward

• Things we think about (daydreams, internal monologues)
• Things we manifest (words, actions, reactions)

I am completely convinced that the things we think/daydream about become the things we manifest outwardly. Our thoughts are, in a very real sense, a rehearsal for how we will later behave. If I daydream about getting all the glory and accolades I deserve (ha!), a normal day no matter how pleasant, really crunches my biscuit. If I spend time explaining to myself (huh??) the reason I'm angry at someone, I will be angry at everyone for the next few hours. In my life it never fails. You may be different. But I doubt it.

Now, I do not want to give the impression that anyone could possibly focus entirely on spiritual things all of the time. We live in a material world, and we have serious responsibilities in it. For example, I would not want to be on the same road with someone who gave no thought of the physical act of driving, no matter how much he loved God! But I often find that, while my main thoughts are focused on whatever's in front of me, my secondary thoughts (like background music in my brain) remain on spiritual things. That's a nice feeling, and incredibly empowering.


Three final thoughts

1. If we can become purposeful and responsible masters of both types of influence, we will make great progress in our spiritual lives. It really is just as simple as consciously avoiding the bad (because you know what it is) and determinedly pursuing the good.

2. The real test of how you're doing in this task is what you think about when you're free to think about whatever you want. That is, where does your mind go when it isn't constrained (by work) or distracted (by TV)? You'll know you're winning the battle when you find it naturally returning to its "true north".

3. It all comes down to this: To have a spiritual mind you have to live in a spiritual world. And that is almost impossible to do if all you see, hear, taste, touch, smell and think about is material. To make this work you must get - and stay - aware of the spiritual reality all around you.

Christians looking like Christians - The Solution

But I say, walk by the Spirit,

and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,

and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,

for these are opposed to each other, to keep you

from doing the things you want to do.

(Gal 5:16~17 - ESV)

As Christians we have two ways we can live.

We can live in the flesh and short-circuit the power of God in our lives.

Or we can live in the spirit and experience it fully.

As I said last week, living in the flesh is the default. If we chose nothing, we get that.

Assuming the serious Christian will want to have the power of God in his life, the challenge then becomes exactly how to choose the spirit and continuously live in it.

The conclusion I've come to (or, maybe I should say, the best answer I've yet found in over 20 years of following Christ) is this: The problem and the solution are all in your mind.

Literally.

That's not to say they aren't real. They are real. They are very real. In fact, they are likely much more real than you've ever realized.

But they're in your mind.

That's where they exist. Your mind is the battlefield for the way you live your life.

For those who live according to the flesh

set their minds on the things of the flesh,

but those who live according to the Spirit,

the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5 - NKJ)

I've come to understand that without exception, what I think about is what I become.

Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewal

of your mind (Rom 12:2 - ESV)

I've come to realize that I have control of how much like Christ I am in each and every moment.

It's all in the mind, but it is not a "positive thinking" kind thing.

It's more like this.

Imagine we're creatures that have to eat constantly for energy. We have zero reserve.

Whatever we eat at 12:00 will determine our energy at 12:01.

And whatever we eat at 12:01 will affect us at 12:02. Etc.

We must chose every minute on the minute what to eat, and can change it every 60 seconds if we want.

Every moment we eat well, we'll be strong and vibrant.

Every moment we eat badly, we'll be sluggish and lathargic.

Every moment we don't eat at all, we'll be weak and exhausted.

When I stopped to think about it, I realized this little scenario very accurately describes how I experience my spiritual life.

When I choose to read the Bible I am peaceful, joyful, and strong.

When I choose to read People magazine I begin to think like a normal person.

When I listen to the sound of mouse clicks at work I find so many things irritating.

When I listen to praise music at work I keep a more godly perspective.

When I interpret the things that happen around me based on my feelings about them, I stress and fear and agonize.

When I interpret them based on God's Word (that is, when I walk by faith and not be sight) my mind and spirit are quiet and confident.

I was thinking I'd move on next week, but now I think instead I'd like to share some practical examples of ways I've been keeping my mind on spiritual things lately.

Christians looking like Christians - The Problem

Okay then, to pick up where we left off: What if you are a Christian, but the seven characteristics outlined last week don't really apply to you? At least, not very well. Or very often. Maybe you wonder why you look so much like everyone else in the world, and so little like what you know you should.

I did.

Actually, I more than wondered about it. I was seriously bothered by it. In fact, I was kind of mildly devastated.

And so I began to pray about it.

And like God always does when you earnestly seek Him, He gave an answer. Here's what I've learned about this problem so far.

First, you need to know that there is a very easy way to short-circuit the power of God in your life - and when that happens you will not look like a Christian. You will look very much like everyone else around you.

That too-easy short-circuit is called:
- "living in the flesh" in some translations (ESV),
- being "wordly" in others (NIV),
- and being "controlled by your sinful nature" in still others (New Living Translation).

As you can tell by the words describing it, it means that although you are a Christian, you live just like those who do not know God.

Now, by "live" the Bible doesn't necessarily mean your whole life - or even decades. It could be for only days, or hours, or even just a few minutes. But whatever the duration, during that time, you are thinking and being and living exactly like a "mere human".

Here's an example from the Amplified Bible. Paul saw this kind of living in the Corinthian church and didn't hesitate to set them straight.

For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men? (1 Cor 3:2~4)

Paul was angry with them because they did not have to live like that. They chose to.

Here's what I mean

Non-Christians have no choice in this matter. Spiritually they are still dead, so they have to live in the flesh. That's all they have.

Christians, however, have another option. We can live in the flesh, but we also can (and should!) live instead "in the spirit".

The problem is, "in the flesh" is automatic. It's the default human condition. So, if you don't consciously choose and intentionally live in the spirit, the flesh is what you'll get.

Obviously, the Corinthians of Paul's day were not choosing right.

And often, neither do we.

Next week I'll explain the solution to this problem.

Those who drink from the fountain

The Bible describes a true follower of Jesus Christ as a certain kind of person - that is, a person with certain distinct and recognizable qualities.

We saw last week how those who have chosen the cistern are and act. These folks tend to be:
- Greedy,
- Easily angered,
- Envious of others,
- Quick to argue, and
- Not completely honest.
- They talk about people behind their backs.
- They break their promises (with or without a good excuse).
- They do whatever they want because it feels good.
- And, they not only do these things, but demand that others accept them just the way they are.

This week we will look at the people who made the other choice.

A person who has given himself entirely to God, who has decided to be a disciple of Christ (not just a camp-follower), and who knows the eternal danger of cisterns will have (at least) these seven characteristics:

1. Love
This includes other closely related virtues like compassion, generosity, kindness, care for others who can give nothing back.

2. Joy
No one's giddy every moment, but the presence of God provides a deep, solid, beyond-natural joy that flows constantly under the surface, and now and then breaks out like a . . . fountain. Even when she is sad, the true disciple rejoices deep down over what God has promised to those who love Him. Paul calls it rejoicing in hope.

3. Peace
The peace of a disciple includes trust, submission, and the total relaxation of complete surrender. This peace manifests most beautifully as a quiet confidence when things are going badly.

4. The urge to tell others about Christ
We don't see this much today, and I don't know why. Just compare the average American believer with any believer described in the New Testament, and you'll notice the lack. It seems our greatest urge is to avoid telling about Christ. We have to be bribed or goaded into it. It makes you wonder what's happened to us.

5. Righteousness
This is doing, saying, thinking, feeling, believing what is right. We've discussed this one before, and it means nothing more than doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. (And God gets to define what's right.)

6. Holiness
For the longest time, I thought that holiness was the same thing as righteousness. But it's not. Holiness means separation, submission, a dedication of all the heart, mind, soul and body to God. It will necessary include right living, but holiness itself is about consciously removing yourself from the world, wresting control of yourself from your self, and living fully conscious that you belong to God.

7. Willingness to suffer or sacrifice for the sake of God's glory
No potential consequence of being any of the above means anything to you. You would rather share your faith and lose your job than stay silent. You would rather give all your possessions to feed the poor than eat yourself. This is the capstone to all the others, and for obvious reasons, it makes showing them possible.

Now the question becomes: What if you know without doubt that you have been born again by faith in Christ, but these seven qualities do not perfectly describe you?

I've been struggling with exactly that question in my own life recently. Next week I'll share what little answer I've been given so far.