Today at church, we sang the song I’ve posted below.
It’s You Are Stronger by Hillsong, and I love it because it really tells the entire salvation story.
I continue to be amazed by the fact that there are so many lost people in this world.
Despite the fact that people believe in “God,” do they really believe in the story of redemption…that we’re sinners who must have their debt paid…that we can NEVER repay that debt ourselves…that good words will NOT get us to heaven…that Jesus is the ONLY person who could pay that debt because He was the ONLY person without sin.
I am so grateful for God’s grace and mercy that doesn’t make me wait until I die to find out if I’m going to heaven (unlike what some religions believe).
I KNOW that I am a sinner, saved by grace, not by my own merit but by the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus.
I know where I’ll spend eternity.
Do you?
If not, remember that God’s love…the gift of His Son…is stronger than anything else in this world.
Two nights ago, I watched the movie, Saving Private Ryan. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
I’m sure that most of you have seen it before. It was made in 1998. Somehow, it never made its way to my DVD player, although I have heard references to it many times.
This was probably the first time in a long while that I’ve sat, riveted, to the television…no knitting in my hands. I did not want to miss a single scene.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, I’ll sum up its storyline.
Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is tasked with the job of searching for Private Ryan (Matt Damon), a paratrooper who has landed somewhere behind enemy lines. General George Marshall orders Private Ryan’s extraction after learning of the death of Ryan’s three brothers. His desire is to spare Ryan’s mother further heartbreak.
The movie is graphic. War is not a pretty thing though.
I sat, horrified, as I watched soldiers get slaughtered on Omaha Beach. When I heard a reference to Kasserine Pass, I was proud that I had paid attention during my military history class. I knew that this was the site of a battle in North Africa during an early phase of World War II.
As I watched the movie, I listened for a line that my pastor spoke about in a recent sermon.
You can hear Captain Miller utter the words in the following scene:
If you missed it, he says, “Earn this; earn it.”
Poignant words.
He was telling Private Ryan that he needed to live his life in a way that would be worthy of the lives sacrificed to save it.
I couldn’t help but think about Jesus, who sacrificed His life so that we — sinners — could live.
There are a couple of popular “theories” about going to heaven:
1) You have to earn your salvation by doing “good” things.
2) If you don’t do anything “bad,” then you’re a “good” person and will go to heaven.
According to the Bible, both trains of thought are misguided.
God’s Law demands a payment for sin. God will only accept the blood of an innocent one — hence the sacifice of an unblemished lamb in Old Testament times.
There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. It is a gift offered to all people.
Go through the 10 Commandments and ask yourself how many you’ve broken. The Bible says that hating someone is the same as murder (1 John 3:15). Lusting after another person is the same as committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28). Stealing is…well…stealing, whether it be another’s words (plagiarism) or time on the job (i.e. goofing off). Taking the Lord’s name in vain is blasphemy (Exodus 20:7).
There is not one person on earth who can say they have kept all ten Commandments. Hence, every single person is “bad” according to these standards.
What if I had been standing in front of Jesus as he neared the time of his death. I wondered if He would have told me to, “Earn this.”
I remembered the story of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”
43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
I am so thankful that Jesus didn’t look across at the criminal on the cross and said, “Earn this; earn it.”
That criminal couldn’t. He had been condemned to die. He was hanging on his own cross. His life was over.
He knew he was a sinner. He acknowledged it before God (remember that Jesus is God).
He knew he needed a Savior and recognized Christ’s authority over sin.
Powerful stuff and a powerful example to us.
We cannot earn our way to heaven. Just like the criminal, we are condemned to die.
This sounds harsh, but the message should not be sugar-coated. Yes, I know that’s the popular way to present the Gospel these days, but folks, it’s the truth.
The awareness of our sinful nature should drive us to our knees in humble submission to God.
One day we will be asked to pay the penalty for our sins. We may have served on the PTA, given food to the homeless, or taken in stray animals, but at the end of our lives, those things won’t matter. Just like my “good” works didn’t exempt me from paying my speeding ticket last summer, neither will they cover over my sins on Judgment Day.
Good works FOLLOW salvation. They do not precede it.
I’d venture to bet that had the criminal, by some miracle, been granted a stay of execution at the very last moment, he would have lived out his days in service to our Lord.
What did follow that man’s conversion was God’s grace. Surely it softened death’s sting. All he had to do was ask for it and take hold when forgiveness was offered.
Perhaps the most fitting words are, “Accept it.” In doing so, we bring glory to Jesus for the sacrifice He made for us.
When I first sat down with the bulletin, I almost cringed when I read what was on it, “Living in Harmony.” We would be reading 1 Peter 3:8-12:
Why would I cringe, you wonder?
Well…I’m ashamed to say that Chicky and I got into a yelling match on the way to church. She was so angry that she sat as far over on her chair cushion as she could.
To sit down and read verses 8 and 9 tore at my heart…
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
However, the pastor chose, instead, to focus on the middle of the verse…”be sympathetic.”
I took a few notes that I thought I would share.
He defined sympathy as the ability to see beyond yourself to others…to be able to feel the pain of others.
Seeing beyond ourselves is difficult and counter cultural in this “me” world we live in.
I was surprised to hear him say that it doesn’t come naturally. It is something we must learn and, in turn, teach our children. He likened it to taking your children with you when you shop and adding a few extra cans to your buggy to later give to a food pantry. By encouraging our young ones to send a card, flowers, or even balloons to a sick friend, we’re teaching them how to be sympathetic.
My pastor told the congregation about how touched he was when he learned that two girls in his first period high school class sent a single white rose to his father’s funeral. That flower was intended for my pastor, who wasn’t a Christian at the time. He later discovered that the girls were Christians, and he said it was one of many contributing factors that led to his conversion.
The pastor talked about how sympathy is a fundamental human need. I think that this was a point we can all identify with. Life is filled with hardship, and we all go through suffering.
It was my pastor’s third main point that brought tears to my eyes. He explained that Jesus is the full expression of God’s sympathy toward humans.
Time and time again, Jesus felt sympathy (and acted on it) during his ministry here on earth:
Matthew 14:14
When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick.
Matthew 15:32
Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint or become exhausted on the way.
God’s sympathy eventually led to the ultimate act of compassion…death of His son…so we wouldn’t have to endure the forever suffering of hell.
I was blown away by the message. I was challenged as well. There are two main lessons here.
One: How to I imitate the actions of Jesus. No, I’m not going to climb on a cross. I’m not worthy. But I need to choose to be more sympathetic. Sometimes it’s easier when it’s something major, like someone losing a loved one. But what about the times when I hurt my children’s feelings and don’t seek to smooth things over? What about when the Mr. is sick, and I can’t take the grumpiness and do not respond kindly?
God, Himself, set the example that I am to follow…
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
Two: How do I respond to God’s gift? I have a relationship with Him. I accepted His gift of salvation the day after my senior prom. However, I need to get on my knees more frequently than I do and confess my weaknesses and sins to him. I need to thank Him more often. And I also need to spread His Word as much as I can.
The question begs to be asked…
How will YOU respond? Friends…do you have a relationship with the Lord? Please, don’t ignore His gift. I wonder…how would you respond if your own children were facing a life of condemnation, and you offered yourself in their places. What if they rejected your offer?
Please know that throughout the week, I pray for my friends. I pray for your well-being, concerns I’ve heard you express, and most of all for your salvation.
We sang the following song this morning. I love it because the message speaks of being nothing without God. It is only because of His grace and ultimate sacrifice that I am who I am.
Bebo Norman – Nothing without You
Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You
Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You
Chorus:
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You
Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing
But I love You
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find
Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You
I’ve been playing catch-up with my email. I mean, I receive mail on my phone thanks to the handy-dandy data plan I pay an arm and a leg for but of which I was fully appreciative of this past weekend as I used the GPS to navigate around Jacksonville. So, I’m not really missing out on important messages.
Because I’m not working today, I thought it would be a good idea to take a peek at the inbox on my computer. I’ve put off reading a few things, including reminders for bills.
Yeah, I know…I’m just delaying the inevitable, but hey, it’s fun to live in ignorance for a while.
Anyhow, I had quite a few Way of the Master newsletters to read. I prefer to read these on the computer because videos are always embedded in them…videos I do not want to miss. I sometimes share them on my blog.
Today I watched a very poignant video. It’s one that we can all identify with. First, some background, and then the good stuff.
When I moved to north Florida from, as I like to call it, “Little New York,” (i.e. south Florida), I could hardly contain my excitement. I knew that I would finally be surrounded by other active Christians. When we looked at houses, I was touched by the crosses and Bibles clearly visible.
Over the last six years since we’ve moved back, I’ve discovered that there are just as many lost people here as there were down south.
Huh?
Oh, a lot more people attend church regularly here. I mean, this is the Bible Belt. BUT, merely attending church does not mean that one is a follower of Christ (as my Wednesday night Bible study leader is fond of calling Christians). As I’ve had conversations with people, I’ve learned not to assume that they understand exactly what being “saved” entails.
Following Jesus means first recognizing yourself in need of a Savior. It’s a humbling experience as you discover your status as a sinner, condemned to Hell. But what a wonderful first step! And then to understand that someone already paid the price for your sins!
Wow!
But a warning should be inserted here. This decision should not come as the culmination of some emotional frenzy experienced at a revival or whatnot. You have to understand the decision you’re making.
Last Wednesday night, my Bible study leader shared how, at the tender age of 18, as a new arrival at college and away from a Jewish home where organized religion was not practiced, she began attending church and started examining her heart, giving serious consideration to the life change she was about to make.
Huh? As I sat there, my jaw slowly dropped open, and my eyes grew wide. That an 18 year old would be so mature as to do that kind of thinking. I was not that mature at that age.
As we studied Luke 14, we read a parable about a builder taking into account the cost to erect a tower, and a king understanding the foe he was about to do battle with and the cost to his troops.
My leader’s testimony gave me pause. What about my own “conversion.” Was it real? I’m not so sure, but I do know that in the time since then (especially in the last few years), my relationship with God has deepened, and I have, in fact, had a real conversion…one not based on emotion but one of humbleness, gratefulness, and purpose.
Take a look at this video. Does it sound like you? Do you encounter people like this? How do you handle it?
This evening, while watching the news, I saw the sad story of Angels’ baseball pitcher, Nick Adenhart, dying tragically in a car crash. You can read an article about it by clicking this link.
A quick synopsis…
This young man was a mere 22 years old. Last night, he pitched the game of his life after starting only four times in the majors. Big stuff, I tell you. After the game, he was out with friends when the car he was riding in was hit by another vehicle. He later died during surgery.
Another young life, cut down in its prime. I felt great sadness.
Adenhart’s manager was interviewed, and he said that the one thing that brought him the most comfort was the fact that this young man died after achieving his life’s goal…to become a major league baseball player.
That statement saddened me for some reason.
That someone would find solace in what a person had accomplished just makes me sad.
Whenever I find out that someone has passed away, one of the first things I think about (aside from sympathy for the family and friends left behind) is if the person had a relationship with God…did that person repent of their sins?
When I hear of a Christian brother or sister’s passing, I find solace in that knowledge…that they are safe within God’s loving arms.
I did not find such comfort at the passing of my dad. Sure, he was a wonderful man…very generous, funny, and knowledgeable.
BUT (capital letters intended), I had a profound sadness that I did not know the state of his soul. I’m pretty sure that he rejected God. He had accused the church of being a cult during some of our last conversations.
I wonder why Im feeling so emotional about this particular young man’s passing? It’s probably because I’ve been listening to The Way of the Master and, lately, been reading The School of Biblical Evangelism, a book written by the founders of the ministry. You’ve seen some of the clips I’ve posted here. The ministry espouses using the Law (i.e. the 10 Commandments) to bring a person to an awareness of his sinful nature, impending judgment, and redeeming work of the Savior.
I can’t help but ask the following questions…
Did anyone present the Law and then God’s grace to this baseball player? Did anyone witness to my dad? How many opportunities did I and do I miss every day?
It is a responsibility that Christians must take seriously so that, when we hear of a passing, we can find solace in the eternal heights attained by the person, not the earthly (and temporary).
I’m not sure if you remember my posts about Ms. Jean, Knitting_Guy’s mom who had a recurrence of cancer. A group of knitters from KnittingHelp.com, and a couple from Ravelry, joined forces and knit up a variety of goodies. The group decided to make a blanket. We wound up with 30 squares, which one knitter seamed up and another made a border for. The above picture is the finished blanket.
In the last few months, I have immersed myself in charity projects, and I am LOVING it! There is something very rewarding about doing for others without expecting anything in return.
I have received a lot of kudos for the initiative I’ve taken in organizing some of these projects. I’m embarrassed by this. I am only doing what I’ve been called to do…serve. And I’m humbled that God allows me this privilege.
Where does this drive come from, though? Many people don’t understand…what with the hectic schedule I have traveling with Soccer Chick, raising two teenagers and a husband, and until recently, attending college…how I continue to put in the hours I do in service to others.
My desire, along with the energy, comes from a deep-seated concern for people’s salvation. I was reminded of that this morning and two weeks ago (missed last Sunday) at church. My favorite time during the service is the praise music. There is something very powerful about the words we sing each week. As I sing, I think about my friends and the trials they are suffering through. Many of them are not Christians. They have told me this. My heart hurts for them. Some are enduring nearly unbearable burdens. I long for them to know the presence of the Lord…His steadfastness…His plan for their lives.
During the praise songs, I shed tears for these friends. And I shed tears out of thankfulness for my own salvation and the knowledge that I serve, not out of selfish motives or out of any good within myself, for there is no good there, but out of a desire to glorify the One who has turned my wretchedness into something beautiful when filtered through His grace.
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