Who is Your Christ?

 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ~ Matthew 24:6

     It seemed fitting to reference Jesus’s Olivet Discourse considering frightening developments on Russia’s border with Ukraine, the ongoing tensions between opposing ideologies in our homeland, and the persistence of the pandemic. I do not consider it prudent or fruitful to use this space for speculation about current affairs and End-Time events. The main thing to take away from Jesus’s predictions on the Mount of Olives is, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Informed Christian Believers recognize times like these are part of an ongoing historical global pattern. Jesus said the most important thing is to, “See that no one leads you astray.” (Matthew 24:4) 

     Magicians are entertainers who are highly skilled in the art of misdirection. In fact, the word “magic” comes from a root that refers to “trickery.” An excellent magician diverts the observer's attention from the trick at the precise moment it happens and thus convinces the observer that something supernatural occurred. So it is with God’s enemy, the great deceiver. We must endeavor to seek the truth during times of major anxiety and distraction because they are diversions. Where is God at work in our world, even in our midst locally? (The great majestic, “I Am” can be in both.)

     If Jesus warned his closest earthly companions against false messiahs, it must have been for good reason. Amen? What is a messiah or christ? At first glance, the warning suggests that someone might come claiming to be everything Jesus is, or everything his detractors thought he should be. A messiah is a sacred deliverer or conquering savior; an anointed god-like character with the answers to all our problems; a powerful leader capable of defeating our enemies and elevating us to power over them. If that is the sort of false Christ Jesus referred to, then history and current affairs present a steady stream of them. The deception is because of ignorance and foolishness about who and what the true Messiah is. 

     From the announcement of His conception as the child of Mary, the Son of God, Christ Jesus was a contradiction and conundrum to those whose flesh, informed by the Enemy’s pride and greed, craved the savior described above. The Apostle Paul said, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) precisely for that reason. If we do not keep our eyes and ears focused upon Jesus Christ, we will easily fall back to the ways of the world. In perilous times like these, it is truly a matter of life and death. A self proclaimed Christian whose savior bears Jesus’s name but not his likeness will rally around an ideology that is much like the golden calf of the Exodus Israelites, who credited it for their deliverance from bondage to Egypt. (Exodus 32) The secular humanist is, for all intents and purposes, a child of biblical Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, or Rome. 

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:2

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ~ 1 John 4:15

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:5

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. ~ Acts 4:12

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ~ 1 John 4:9

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~ Romans 10:9

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ~ John 15:12

Who is your Christ? 

How does He hold your attention in these times? 

How does He cause you to see the world differently? 

How does the world see you differently because of Him?

The Old Normal

That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:15

The New Normal came and went while comfort ruled our lives. Now, in our discomfort, we’re back to the real normal. The Bible and the history books have already answered nearly all of our questions. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) History repeats itself and if we discard the lessons of the past, the LORD’s unchanging truth will confront us. There is no basis for complaints that the Spirit has not already warned us against - the LORD will call the past to account in our present circumstances and show us what we ought to have learned.

The last four generations of Americans have lived in relative peace and prosperity and hard times only affected certain persons and regions. While some suffered, others prospered. Historically, that is not normal. Large-scale dis-ease and struggles for survival are more common than ease and abundance. Now, as we face a pandemic, shortages, inflation, discord, and more, it feels unprecedented and unjust. Ironically, our children and grandchildren are far better suited to adapt to the old normal than we are. We are like mid-millennial (BC) Israel and Judah at the height of their prestige and prosperity. The prophets cried out unheeded and the people forgot the One who made them a great nation while they worshiped their comfort and ignored the marginalized and needy in their lands. Divided, they despised each other because of differing ideologies and a subsequent cold coexistence ensued. 

The saying, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” is so often quoted that its origin is obscured. The saying’s proverbial nature accounts for its frequent use and yet, multitudes ignore its benefits in every generation. Ancient Rome and Great Britain serve as good historical examples for Americans. Edward Gibbon’s classic work, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” demonstrates how the nation changed from a republic to an empire, and collapsed due largely to debauchery, greed, pride, and self-worship. Rome followed upon the heels of Greece as a nation devoted to idols and humanism. Popular culture esteemed youth and beauty while ignoring and disrespecting elder wisdom. Feelings held more sway than facts as the people craved and cultivated violence and cultic sensuality. 

At the heights of its glory, Britain could boast, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” That state emerged as an island of tribes fought and ultimately unified against common enemies to form a commonwealth ordered by a supreme monarchy. Unlike the Romans, Christianity and Judaism heavily influenced Britain’s ideals. Church history in the British Isles is a topic for another occasion, but Judaism’s effects fit this context. Catholic Christianity for all the world served as a popular motivation for exploration and dominion, but basic fiscal needs and commerce drove Britania to rule the seas. Jewish entrepreneurs and shrewd Christian business people saw the need for a global economy and believed it would be most prosperous under British rule. We can reasonably conclude that, while imperfect and often corrupted, the Christian monarchy of Britain was successful. Judeo-Christian virtue affected civilized peoples and the pagan natives they conquered, even without religious fervor. It was the culture of America’s founders - not always ideally Christian, but rooted in biblical morality. 

Great Britain still stands despite much suffering and its gradual decline as an empire. To her credit, some decrease was because of the nation’s willingness to release subject lands to rule themselves. Britain’s influence and dominance in the global economy it helped to create has receded substantially. One cannot help but notice that the 20th century saw rapid secularization and humanism in the great Commonwealth, especially after WWI. Britain sustained horrible losses in France and Belgium and raised a subsequent generation of disillusioned agnostics and atheists. The Great War’s impact was such that the nation’s Remembrance Day wearing of poppies, which is an allusion to the blood spilled in the battlefields where the flowers grew. The Godless brutality of the Germans and the exponential carnage of a truly mechanized war that included horrific chemical weapons caused young men and their loved ones to question the LORD's authority and the nation’s ability to make the world better in the LORD’s Name.

America’s trial by fire came in the Second World War. Justified by self-protection and self-righteousness, the sleeping giant arose and vanquished its foes at a substantial cost. Note: The Soviet Union was mainly responsible for the defeat of NAZI Germany and subsequently arose as a world power. After delivering its own horrific weapons of mass destruction, America returned lands and government to conquered peoples but maintained tight control and cultivated their dependence upon U.S. support. The Cold War began as the American ideology morphed into a kind of pseudo-Christian morality. The government grew exponentially and cultivated greater dependency from its citizens, too. 

Subsequent generations gravitated away from the American ideal and Judeo-Christian morality for many of the same reasons as the post-World War I Britains. One can surmise that America finished the second half of the 20th century, much like Britain at the end of the first half. It appears, to me anyway, that we are starting the 21st century, aspiring to be a form of the late Roman Empire at the worst and the late British Empire at best. 

What does this have to do with our shared Christian journey? First, we must consider the extent to which we are personally liable for ignoring the past. It’s not my intention to make you, beloved of God, feel guilt, shame, or anguish. Rather, I like critical thinking exercises and hope to encourage you to join me. Questions we should strive to answer are about how to thrive, as Christians did in past times of upheaval. How do we Christian Believers accept dis-ease and embrace its opportunities for courageous testimony? How do we offer hope and help to another disheartened generation? What can we learn from the past for the sake of the future, and what should we release to the dust? What if accepting historical precedents means giving up our anger and bitterness, resentment and disgust? If America is no longer what it was in the late 20th century, what can Christians do as a minority subculture often perceived as subversive? Can we win souls by presenting Christ the King instead of broken religion? What if we stop worshiping the American-Christian ideology and return to Christ’s Kingdom and worship Him? Can the love of Christ within us and the work of the Holy Spirit spark a new thing in us and in our communities?

On Praising God

 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. ~ Walter C. Smith (1867)

The Scottish poet succinctly describes our LORD’s incomparable attributes in the hymn referenced here. It is an excellent example of genuine praise. Christian Believers ought to praise God often and refrain from petitions and wishes. It will not be easy if one is suffering, but the uplifting power of praise has exponential benefits. Praise for God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and God the Spirit seems to activate their essence in the Christian Believer. Worry, sorrow, and anger cannot bear the weight of divine glory that inhabits praise. 

         The word praise is defined as an expression of approval, commendation, or admiration and the extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero. Praise is not the same as thanks-giving. While thanks-giving is an important part of one’s relationship with God, it should not be confused with praise. Thanks-giving involves weighing one’s self interests and God’s willingness to provide for them. For example, thanking God for beautiful sunshine seems innocent enough until one realizes another worshiper may need a long, soaking rain for his crops, so he is not as thankful for the sunshine. Pure praise, however, is entirely devoted to the One being extolled. 

        Some Christians never praise God because they lack intimacy with God. Intimacy is most often associated with love as in marriage, but it occurs in other aspects of daily life. A sports fan can give many reasons for praising his favorite team or player because he has an intimate knowledge of them. The team does nothing of substance to enrich the fan’s life, except to entertain and distract, yet he exalts them with words of praise, special clothing, bumper stickers, flags, and more. I do not mean to criticize these behaviors, but to point to them as examples. If one spent more time observing the LORD at work in creation, learning important details about the LORD’s nature and purpose, and joining others who do the same, there would be sufficient cause for praise.

        Too many Christians relate to the LORD as if He owes them something. They feel let down when they do not get what they want from God and they complain of God’s distant silence. It is they who distance themselves from God because they fear expectations that cost too much. A sports fan owes nothing to the team but demands much, but he instinctively knows better about the LORD. “If I praise God all the time, He will want something from me,” he thinks. But when he is in trouble, he imagines God owes provision and protection for... for what? ... Attending religious services? Avoiding major moral failures? ... Donating money? 

        There is only one kind of person who can truly praise God. It is one who knows from the depth of his being that he has nothing to offer a Creator to whom he owes everything. A person who realizes the immortal, invisible, inaccessible, hid from our eyes nature of our most blessed, most glorious, Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, God. He understands that such a being is unprecedented and irreplaceable as the loving Creator of all that is, was, and ever will be - and yet, that Being, the LORD, is personally interested in him and determined to save him for eternal intimacy with God the Son. 

    The Christian Believer no longer resists the love of God, so that faith has quenched fear and he praises the LORD because he just cannot help it. Temporal things cannot stand against the favor of God and His intoxicating majesty. The beauty of the LORD’s grace and love inspires praise for its own sake. It is the genuine character of worship. There is no place for pride and embarrassment in authentic praise, nor is to be imitated for the sake of acceptance. One should not praise the LORD frivolously but with heart-felt desperation - that is, to despair over a lack of adequate words of exaltation. Can you imagine such praise when you are in the middle of a terrible time of suffering? What do you think would happen?

Feeling and Facts

 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ~ Jeremiah 17:9

Jeremiah’s unpleasant calling was to express God’s dissatisfaction with and judgement upon the kingdom of Judah. This short phrase falls amid long lists of sins of the flesh that brought Judah down. In scripture, “the heart” is analogous to feelings. Let’s reconsider the passage with that in mind. Feelings are unreliable and even desperately malfunction, so how do we make sense of them? 

Feelings are emotional responses to situations and perceptions. One’s emotional health correlates with the reliability of his feelings. Biological traits and environmental circumstances combine to affect one’s emotional and physical health. For example, if a person born with a birth defect encounters a situation she is incapable of dealing with, she can accept the unreliability of her body as the cause. Physical unhealthiness is hard to deny, but we routinely ignore emotional dis-ease. 

Jeremiah’s lament for Judah informs us that entire societies can succumb to environmentally induced emotional illness. Government rooted in feelings, combined with security built upon feelings, is like a house built on sand. Masterful manipulators market feelings-based products and causes because their constituent’s feelings are more vulnerable and moldable. One can readily identify that form of systemic degradation as the cause of Israel's and Judah’s decline.

Feelings are as vital to one’s well-being as organs in the body and are equal in the way the Creator wonderfully made humans in His image. Interestingly, medical science learned early on that bypassing or removing some organs when they malfunction will not cause detrimental consequences to vitality. Star Trek fans will recall that Vulcans like Mr. Spock intentionally suppressed emotions because they were illogical. The evolution of the Vulcan arch in the lore of Star Trek shows that pure logic is impossible and boring. Mr. Spock was half human and half vulcan because it made for good storytelling and exploration of the human condition. Captain Kirk relied on his gut instincts and Mr. Spock’s reason to make critical decisions and it’s been entertaining Star Trek fans for decades.  

It can be said that feelings are more tied to the world of the flesh and facts are more closely associated with ethereal thought. To bluntly illustrate the point, let us consider the very poor whose flesh drives their daily pursuit of essential food, shelter, and safety. They have little time and energy for philosophy and reason. Political thinkers, philosophers, and theologians are usually quite comfortable and indulgences rather than essentials satisfy their flesh. 

“What’s your point?” you may ask. It is to reflect on the last two years and the new one ahead and imagine a way forward for Christian Believers who are weary and seeking the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. If feelings are an essential part of our being, but they are, for various reasons, unreliable in and of themselves, we find hope in balancing feelings with facts. Experience and wisdom inform the following formula by which I endeavor to achieve such balance: 2(facts) ≧ 1(feelings). In other words, Begin with facts; consider feelings, and then return to the facts. 

Chaos, disunity, and spiritual decline are all signs of Satan’s influence, as he always strives to manipulate feelings and cravings of the flesh. The biblical facts tell a different story. God the Father is the author of cosmic order. The Father created it for the sake of the Son, whose love for the Father it manifests in His love for the people created for union with the Son. The Father and Son’s love caused human salvation from chaos and death. Their love became flesh through the Son and is now alive in our flesh by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we no longer live for the sake of our flesh, as divine reason and unimaginable grace supersedes our feelings. Ironically, heavenly logic always seems absurd to the world of the flesh and its master. So, one’s response to the LORD’s promptings is a powerful indicator of his spiritual and emotional health. 

What will 2022 be like for you? How will you respond to the world of the flesh and the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Will you balance your feelings with biblical facts? Will you align yourself with people of the flesh or other sojourners on the Way home to the Father and our Bridegroom, the Son?