A Theology of Suffering

          Most Christians believe two things that are both true, but do not fit well together. The first is the observation that times of trial and suffering are also very generative of growth. The second is that, while they want to grow spiritually, they want to avoid trials and suffering if at all possible. It seems that every one wants to grow, but no one wants to suffer to achieve growth!

Notice these statements from Scripture concerning the value of suffering for Jesus:

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. (Hebrews 2:10 NIV)

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 5:8-9 NIV)

Suffering served to make Jesus perfect (in the sense of mature, complete) and taught him obedience. While we may all intend to obey, you cannot know if you are obedient until you are in the situations that both demand and threaten obedience. Jesus faced those times of trial and suffering and came through thoroughly obedient!

            His disciples paid attention. Peter claimed to be a “witness of Christ’s sufferings.” Peter knew what it was to place survival above obedience, and he watched Jesus place obedience above survival. Seeing Jesus’ obedience in the face of suffering changed Peter forever. He wanted other people to see and change as well. Listen to Peter’s charge to his fellow believers: But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13 NIV) 

Paul was one who inflicted suffering on those who followed Jesus, but then once confronted with the risen Christ he changed and became an apostle of Jesus. Ananias was reluctant to go to Paul when Jesus called him and Jesus assured him that “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16) Listen to these words from the persecutor turned evangelist: Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24 NIV)

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV)

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4 NIV)

            No one wants to suffer, but the quickest path to growth is to stand firm in your faith and to learn obedience through difficult trials! It was a blessing for Jesus, Peter and Paul and will also bless your life, too!

- Kenny Payne

Choose Carefully Your Path Through Life!

            Today we are honoring our graduating seniors. This is an important milestone in their lives, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. Graduates make a lot of important decisions around this time in their lives with far reaching consequences. As their spiritual family we want to encourage them to choose wisely.

            In truth, we are all choosing how we will walk through the life we have been given. Jesus encouraged us to choose carefully the path we walk through life. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

            Here is that same passage from The Message: “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

            Vigorous and demanding our total attention! That is a great description of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Every day we choose – in a wide variety of ways and situations – which path we will walk. “Broad way” is well beaten and fully populated, making it quite easy and popular to walk. “Narrow way” is less populated and presents many challenges from those who choose to walk it. Jesus says to choose the narrow way because it leads to life!

            Currently there is a lot of attention being given to divergent paths – and Christians often feel that their way of life is under attack. We should understand from Jesus (along with all the other New Testament writers) that our choice to walk the narrow path will never be appreciated by those on the broad way. This is true in all times and in all places – followers of Jesus will always be misunderstood and harassed by those who do not follow. But we are told this from the day we decide to take a step down the path of righteousness. We walk with Jesus, not to the applause of the unbelieving world.

            C.S. Lewis once said: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." We want to encourage everyone, and especially our young people, to be people who say to God – “Not my will, but yours be done in my life!”

- Kenny Payne

Following the Prince of Peace

            When we decided to follow Jesus, we knew that we would be expected to become like him. That is an intimidating thought, because, of course, Jesus is perfect! (and, remember, we are not!). Sometimes disciples are tempted to notice the great difference between themselves and Jesus, using that distance as an excuse for disobeying Jesus.  Listen to this…

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)

             Everything within me wants to resist an evil person. Hearing these words from Jesus makes me think he is “rewarding bad behavior!” I want to scream, “How will that evil person ever learn to be good if I just let him practice his evil?” It turns out that Jesus is not talking to the evil person, rather he is talking to his disciple! Jesus is willing to leave the evil person in the hands of God – who is perfectly capable of rendering just judgment and executing fair punishment, if need be. But Jesus is very interested in teaching his disciple how to live in such a way that he or she never becomes the evil person! And that is why this is such a difficult teaching.

            Here are some wise words from Stanley Hauerwas: “A people of truth is sure to have enemies. This makes Jesus’ command against retaliation-as well as his call for those who would follow him to love their enemies-all the more extraordinary. He does not promise is that if we turn the other cheek we will avoid being hit again. Non-retaliation is not a strategy to get what we want by other means. Rather, Jesus calls us to the practice of non-retaliation because that is the form that God’s care of us took in his cross.”

Peter picks up this theme from Jesus when he writes “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  (1 Peter 3:8-9) We have been called to follow the “Prince of peace.” He set the example for us in turning the other cheek, in giving his all to those who asked, and in going the extra mile. When we follow, we may have hurting cheeks, but we will also have a proud savior – and we will inherit his blessing! Keep following Jesus…

- Kenny Payne

 

It is Good for You if I Go Away!

           Jesus once told his disciples, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 NIV) I am sure that the disciples could not imagine a situation in which they would agree that it was for their good for Jesus to leave them!

Jesus was their teacher, who patiently taught them about God, the heavenly Father, and how to live under His rule. Jesus was their leader who was constantly pushing them to grow in their faith and their own leadership skills. Jesus was their constant companion, and although it was often frightening to see Jesus’ power revealed, it was also a great comfort to have Jesus present in hard times! Jesus was their hope, the rabbi they followed through the tough times because they fully expected to be richly rewarded in the coming good times!  Jesus – teacher, leader, companion, and hope! How could it possibly be good for Jesus to leave them?

Jesus told them that if he left them, he would send the Advocate (Holy Spirit). While they were familiar with the Holy Spirit from the ministry and teaching of Jesus, they could not imagine (before Pentecost) the multiple ways the Holy Spirit would be as great a friend and leader as Jesus had been for them.

Peter claimed that Jesus was even more beneficial in his fight against the forces of darkness while at the right hand of God than while here on earth. “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’     (Acts 2:34-35 NIV)  

Paul says that Jesus is now our intercessor in the presence of God the Father. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:33-34 NIV) The disciples had seen Jesus praying intercessory prayers, but to understand that Jesus now sits at the right hand of God with immediate access to the throne of grace would be life changing!  

            Everything that was lost by the ascension of Jesus has more than been made up for by the sending of the Holy Spirit, the powerful waging of spiritual warfare by Jesus and his amazing intercession on behalf of his people. As hard as it was to believe, Jesus was exactly right when he said “It is good for you that I am going away!” Kind of makes you want to say, “Of course, Jesus was right about that!” Keep walking by faith…

- Kenny Payne

The Difference of Gospel Centered Living

            In his letter to first century Christians who lived in a very challenging environment, Peter said these amazing words. “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which was against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV)

            This call for a “gospel centered lifestyle” is as urgent today as when Peter first penned the words nearly 2,000 years ago. While the times have changed, human nature and the pull towards selfish, sinful indulgence remain as strong as ever. Peter’s counsel is for disciples of Jesus to replace their selfish, sinful desires with an unshakable commitment to goodness. When reading it, you immediately want to say, “Yes, I will do this.” But when you actually start to live it out, you realize that it is much easier said than done. You need lots of tools in your toolbox if you plan to live like Jesus!

            Peter had seen some success in following Jesus, but he had also experienced some devastating failures along the way. Through a life of trial and error he discovered many tools in his effort to live like Jesus and he passed them along for those who shared his desire to live as a disciple. Notice these “life laboratory” situations he highlights…

• “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority…” (1 Peter 2:13)
• “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters…” (1 Peter 2:18)
• “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands…” (1 Peter 3:1)
• “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives…” (1 Peter 3:7)
• “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called…” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Peter’s list of tools sounds rather weak: submission, respect, consideration, love, compassion, humility, non-retaliation, and goodness. We much prefer this list: self-assertion, dominance, demands, power, intimidation, pride, and vengeance. Whether we are talking about interpersonal relationships or international politics choosing between these two toolkits will create predictable results. Goodness produces more goodness, violence produces more violence.   

G. K. Chesterton once said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” And yet Jesus is still calling us to follow him! Relationships, especially the difficult ones, are the equivalent of advanced studies for those who want to follow Jesus! Practice goodness…

- Kenny Payne 

Because of the Resurrection

            According to Mark, Jesus warned his disciples three times that he would be arrested, tried, and killed by the religious leaders with the help of the Roman authorities. He also told them that he would rise again after three days. Naturally the disciples did not understand his warnings and they were afraid to ask him what he was talking about. Since their conception of Jesus was as a conquering military hero (their view of Messiah) set to punish the Romans and restore the fortunes of Israel, they had no room in their minds for Jesus to die. They simply could not imagine Jesus dead!

            The cross cruelly crushed their hopes that Jesus might be the Messiah. It must have been devastating to have seen so much power and authority in Jesus and then to watch not only Jesus, but all their dreams, die in a horrible way. Their whole faith structure collapsed and they were not sure what to do with their lives. The only thing they were completely sure about was that Jesus was dead and buried. And then the stories started coming in on a Sunday morning… Jesus is alive – he has resurrected! They all doubted. They simply could not imagine Jesus alive!

            What a weekend the early disciples experienced. They could not imagine Jesus dead because they did not understand the willingness of God to wade into our pain and loss, taking upon himself our sins, frailties and mortality. They could not imagine Jesus alive because they did not understand the power of God to turn tragedy into triumph and death into eternal life. Luke says they “still did not believe it because of joy and amazement!” They did not want their faith to be based on wishful thinking, but on the rock of truth. And Jesus said, “Do you have anything here to eat?” Wishful thinking does not eat broiled fish. Jesus was truly alive.     

            Confronted by the resurrected Jesus, challenged to grow in their faith, and recommitted to their mission to serve as witnesses of the resurrected Savior – the disciples took the message of Jesus to the known world! It was not an easy task. The resurrection was as hard for others to believe as it had been for them. Their tale of a crucified God was non-sense to many people. But the power and beauty of the gospel did touch many hearts and lives and the church experienced amazing growth. In the resurrection of Jesus people found hope that gave meaning to life and removed their fear of death. The resurrection became the heart of Christianity, for if the resurrection is not true then Christianity is dead. But if it is true that God raised Jesus from the dead – never to die again – then an awesome power has been unleashed in the world that changes everything we thought we knew. Because of the resurrection, death has been defeated and life wins!  

- Kenny Payne

The Agony of Death, the Power of Life

          At least three times Jesus tried to warn the disciples of his approaching arrest and death. Though he spoke plainly about these events, the disciples did not comprehend what he meant by his words. The first time Jesus spoke about it, Peter took him aside and rebuked him for saying such things! The next two times the disciples responded by jockeying for position and making requests for seats of authority in the new world order! Jesus must have sighed…

When Jesus died, the disciples were devastated. They were too loyal to just go back to their former lives, but they were too disappointed to know what to do next, so they hid behind locked doors. And then the stories started flying around that Jesus was alive – resurrected! Hope was reborn in most of them and it turned out to be a well placed hope. When Jesus conquered the grave there was a sense in which his death did not matter anymore, all that mattered was that he was alive! But then, questions nagged. Why did Jesus die? What about God’s protection of his chosen one(s)? How was Jesus’ death and resurrection different from, say Lazarus’ experience? Theological wheels started turning.

It may have been tempting to just write off Jesus’ death as a horrible accident, or an unfortunate case of injustice. Blame could be assigned to the religious leaders and the Roman governor and the issue would be solved. But the very words of Jesus would not allow that, for on the road to Emmaus he told two disciples, “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24:26). What ever the death of Jesus was, for God it was neither an accident nor a surprise!

Peter claimed that God was fully aware of what would happen to Jesus: “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:22-24)  Jesus tasted death so that he could conquer our greatest enemy. I love the claim of Peter – it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!

Because of what Jesus did for us all on the cross, it is impossible for death to keep its hold on us! Just as Jesus was resurrected by the power of the Father, we too will experience the mighty power of God that conquers death!

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death!” (Hebrews 2:14-15) The death and resurrection of Jesus was the event that unleashed the mighty power of God the creator to reverse the curse and free all his creation! What a reason to celebrate!

- Kenny Payne

 

The Importance of One Another

             You do not have to read very deep into the New Testament before coming to the conclusion that God thinks his family should be deeply meaningful to one another and a great resource for enriching our lives. That is not the experience that everyone has of their church family! Sometimes, to quote the Apostle Paul, we are guilty of “biting and devouring one another.” But we also know we are wrong when we act that way and in our better moments we repent and make peace with those we have sinned against.

            The most often repeated one another command is to “love one another!” Most of the other one another passages reinforce and flesh out the command to love. Notice these passages:

 
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
 
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)
 
…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
 
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
 
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
 
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
 
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
 
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)

            Living in these ways creates a very powerful community – the Body of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the Palo Alto Church of Christ – for my experience of you is in line with these passages. Right now we have a lot of families in pain and transition, dealing with sickness, disease and loss. In those moments of pain, confusion and loss it is crucial that we have the love of one another to lean on. I am thankful that our God is the God of all comfort and that he gives us the blessing of one another.
                                                                                                           - Kenny Payne

The Amazing Love of Jesus

            You can learn a lot about people by simply noticing how they impact the lives of those around them! Jesus was the most amazing person who has ever lived and you do not have to look far to find his impact in the lives of people. Love was what people noticed about Jesus! Listen for the echo of Jesus’ love in the words of these friends…

Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

John, apostle of Jesus Christ - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16)

Jude, brother of Jesus - But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21)

James, brother of Jesus - If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. (James 2:8)

Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

            Love deeply. Love sacrificially. Love with God’s love. Love others like you love yourself. Love never fails. All these things were taught and lived by Jesus! And the world is just as desperate for love right now as it was at the time Jesus showed love to all the above writers. Jesus still loves the world and he wants to show his love through your life!

            Receive the love of Jesus, trust the love of Jesus, share the love of Jesus.

                                                                                                                        - Kenny Payne

           

 

 

Redemptive Suffering?!

            Peter tells us some rather interesting things about suffering. First, he says that we can bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because we are conscious of God. Then he claims that if we deserve our suffering we should not be surprised that it comes, however, if we are suffering for doing good then this receives God’s attention and commendation. Finally he teaches us that our suffering – following in the steps of Jesus – can actually turn out to be redemptive – bringing help and healing to others.

            None of that sounds like good news to us, because our preference would be to avoid any suffering at all costs. Our idea of God’s faithfulness is that he should prevent any pain or sorrow from coming into our lives, rather than walking with us in the pain and using our suffering to benefit ourselves or others. Yet as we experience more life, we come to understand that suffering is inevitable. It is helpful to know that it can also be beneficial.

            Jesus is the prime example of “helpful suffering.” While he did not want to suffer arrest, trial, beating and death, he was willing to pray “not my will, but yours be done.” After praying that dangerous prayer, he got up and faced the cup that he did not want to drink! It seemed like such a miscarriage of justice, for Jesus had committed no sin, yet was punished as if he were a criminal. It’s only when you understand that “by his wounds you have been healed” that the cross begins to make sense.

            Jesus did not die pointlessly. He did not die from a desire to end it all. He died resisting sin – but not his own sin – he died fighting the evil one. It was an ironic moment because at the death of Jesus the evil one thought he had achieved victory over God! But it was Jesus’ willingness to offer himself for the sake of others that doomed Satan and brought life to all people.

            “By his wounds you are healed!” Redemptive suffering. And when we follow Jesus in that path we will find that our suffering brings healing, too. We can allow God to use our wounds – our refusal to protect ourselves, our refusal to retaliate, our refusal to avoid suffering – to be the change that brings healing to others.

            I think it is safe to say that Jesus did not want to suffer. But he wanted to save you more than he wanted to avoid suffering. So he offered himself for us. By his wounds we are healed. Praise the God of grace and mercy. Praise the God who makes suffering redemptive.

- Kenny Payne

Finding God's Will

            Among Christians there is a lot of talk about God’s will. Parents wonder what God wants them to do in certain situations with their children; young adults question what God is calling them to do in their vocational lives; those in their retirement years wonder if God has a plan for them beyond just playing golf and sitting home. “What does God want to do in my life?” is an important question for all people.

            Interestingly, God’s will is not some hidden mystery that we must learn to decipher for our lives. God plainly states his will for us in many places in Scripture. Peter shares this jewel with us: “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” (1 Peter 2:15) It is God’s will that we do good!

            When I think about silencing the ignorant talk of foolish men, I must admit that my first option is not to simply go around doing good. Rather I think I must return fire for fire and set them straight, which upon reflection probably only increases the total amount of “ignorant talk of foolish men” in the world! If my full on verbal assault fails, then I am tempted to try to start some type of “boycott” of said foolish men until they learn the error of their ways and come around to my way of thinking. This rarely works either. In the end I try to act like the ignorant talk of foolish men does not bother me, and I seek to avoid said men as much as possible. One thing I have noticed is that none of these approaches actually succeed in silencing their ignorant talk.

            The one thing that rarely gets tried in our world, despite the large number of people who claim to follow Jesus, is the commitment to simply go around doing good all the while those foolish men are spewing their ignorant talk. Rather than confronting them, arguing with them, boycotting them or any other method of “dealing” with them, Jesus just wants me to do good to them and everyone else. It was also Peter who summed up the life of Jesus with these wonderful words: Jesus “went around doing good!” (Acts 10:38) When all who claim to follow Jesus will simply “go around doing good” then the world will notice and the mouths of those who disparage Christians will be shut. Not by the violent power of might, but by the overwhelming power of love!

           Do you want to know God’s will for you right now? It is God’s will that you practice goodness! All the time! Everywhere! Until it truly is all good!

                        - Kenny Payne

The Living Stone and the Living Stones

            There was a day Simon, son of Jonah, was given a new name by Jesus – that name was Peter. In Greek peter means rock, stone or even pebble. I’m sure the other apostles laughed, at least inwardly, as they tried to imagine Peter being a rock, especially a rock of faith that anything could be built upon. The name – we might say “Rocky” today – did seem to be an ill fit. But Peter was growing…

            Around 30 years later, Peter writes to Christians living scattered throughout, not the Holy Land, but Asia Minor (modern Turkey today). Who could have imagined that the little band of disciples would become part of a world wide spiritual movement that would change the earth forever? (Jesus, of course, it the answer to that question!) Listen to Peter’s amazing words: “As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV)   

            Peter identifies Jesus as the living stone! When Peter told people to have faith, he pointed them, not to himself, but to Jesus. Peter is very straightforward concerning the primacy of Jesus and the derivative nature of our standing as stones. If Peter were saying this today he might say that all Christians are simply chips off the old block! Because Jesus is the living stone, we are also living stones.

            Peter points out that the status believers have as “elect exiles” is a mirror image of Jesus’ status as the Stone “rejected by humans but chosen by God!” God is not calling us to live in a way different from how Jesus lived, rather we are called to live in solidarity with Jesus. Jesus was focused on living his live in a way that honored God and served people, and he would not be distracted from that course by Satan’s schemes, worldly distractions or even religious devotion. Jesus’ faith is indeed a mighty rock that all people who follow Jesus stand upon today.

            Peter’s name change turned out to be, not a joke, but a precious gift. The same is true for us as well. We are living stones because Jesus is the Living Stone! And Jesus is building us into a spiritual house – a temple if you will – where God will dwell. Peter accepted the name that Jesus gave him and then he lived in such a manner as to grow into it. We should follow him in that path.

- Kenny Payne    

The Word that Calls Us...

            Peter was a man who learned to rely on the word of God. Growing up in a Jewish family, he was, of course, instructed in the value of God’s word. He most likely was faithful in attending the synagogue where the word of God was read and explained each week. That being true, his mind was filled with the curious mixture of God’s pure word and human ideas about that word. That is true, not just for Peter, but for everyone who seeks to hear God’s voice.

Once Peter reached adulthood, he learned to fish for a living. The word of God was still rumbling around in his mind, but often his mind was simply occupied by the pressing needs of life – to make a living and keep his home running smoothly. While seeking to do this, his little brother Andrew introduced him to a rabbi named Jesus. Everything changed for Peter on that day. It was from Jesus that Peter learned to value God’s word more highly than he ever had before and to rely on it for his very life!

Peter was accustomed to hearing the word of God discussed and its meaning debated. When Jesus entered his life, he finally saw the word of God lived in all of its demanding gracefulness! It changed Peter’s life forever. He stopped fishing and began a life long obsession with telling (and showing!) God’s word to everyone who would listen.

In his old age, Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor about this powerful word of God. He reminded them that the word of God has changed their lives! They were pure because they had obeyed the truth. In a world that did not value moral purity, these Christians were like a light in a dark world. Obedience always leads to purity of heart, and the truth of God’s word always leads to obedience.

The word of God also called these Christians to greater love. Peter described their love with these words: “you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart!” They knew that love was the thing they most needed as they attempted to walk with Jesus. If we are not becoming more loving over time, then we are not obeying God’s word, whatever scriptures we may quote!

The word of God called these Christians to continued growth. Peter calls them newborn babes. God’s word was to be their milk to lead them to growth. Peter tells them to grow up in their salvation. This is a difficult task, for we often get satisfied at certain maturity levels and slip out of growth mode into maintenance mode. God’s word, gently at times, forcefully at times, pushes God’s people to grow.

The word of God changed Peter eternally, because Peter paid attention. Are you living attentively, hearing and obeying the word of God?   

 

Be Holy - Like Your Father

            God is holy. Holy means “set apart” or “perfect, transcendent or spiritually pure.” Holy also brings to mind great and awesome power! To approach the holy can mean ones destruction. That is why the ancient Hebrew people were terrified to be in the presence of God or any of his “holy ones.” God is intrinsically holy – it is one of his foundational characteristics. People, obviously, are not intrinsically holy.

            God wants his people – all people, really – to be holy. Of course, since we are not intrinsically holy, our holiness must be an acquired holiness. It is a gift that Jesus wants to give us. It seems, at least to me, to consist of two distinct elements. There is the status of “holy” which Jesus confers upon us when we are saved. By his sacrifice and grace our sins are washed away and we are divinely declared righteous and holy. What an amazing gift! Then there is the living out of this holy status or state. We are to turn away from “the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance” and we are to “be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:14-15).

            This paradoxical truth about holiness – that it is a gift from God that we must live out – creates positive spiritual energy in our lives and churches. First, since holiness is a gift, we can have confidence because our salvation and success in living as disciples does not rest finally in our performance; rather it is anchored in the goodness and generosity of God. Our faith is not in ourselves, or even in faith itself, rather our faith is in God. But because holiness is also a gift that must be lived out, our lives, choices and actions become meaningful. We are not automatons who stumble through life in a predetermined fashion with no options and no purpose. We are beloved children who have been blessed by our Father to become a source of blessing to others. This idea is as old as God’s call to Abraham and Sarah. Lived holiness is extremely attractive. It is also somewhat rare in our world.

            That is why Peter calls us to remember God’s desire for us to be holy. The holiness that God shares with us is not terrifying, rather it is a beautiful demonstration of what life can be. As I am writing this I am in intense prayer for the country of Ukraine as they are on the verge of civil war. The power of darkness is threatening to engulf both sides in the conflict. Yet moments of something holy keep showing up – a babushka with a cross standing between police and protestors; priests who position themselves between the protestors and police and sing hymns for an hour everyday; an impromptu worship service in the square when news of the truce is shared. Darkness always seems to be more powerful than light, but it is just an illusion (however powerful!). Holiness will lead us to become what God created us to be. Nothing else can do that. Be holy because your Father is holy.

- Kenny Payne    

Becoming Like Jesus

             Most Christians would readily admit that they would like to be more like Jesus. But they also discover that wishing doesn’t make it so. I recently read this amazing statement: “Hope is not a strategy!” In order to become more like Jesus you are going to have to couple your desire with a commitment to spiritual disciplines.

The most obvious beginning point is prayer. Jesus prayed – a lot! Although he is the very Son of God, he knew the value of prayer in spiritual formation and he kept in constant contact with his Father. Obviously we need this even more than Jesus did!

We need to be immersed in the word of God. Jesus was so familiar with God’s word that he could maneuver the Isaiah scroll to the exact spot he wanted in a time without chapter and verse notations! He used God’s word to answer temptations. He spoke with themes, ideas, and truths mined from Scripture. Recently the church family in Ukraine gave up TV and Internet each night at 6 PM and committed to an hour of Bible reading for a week. They learned it was both more difficult than they imagined and more rewarding than they would have guessed. Imagine how much more helpful the Gospel according to Matthew would be than another episode of your favorite TV show or an hour of surfing the internet. 

Both prayer and Bible reading/study are spiritual nutrition but there must also be exercise if we are to become healthy like Jesus. While there are many types of spiritual exercises the cream of the crop is certainly simple service to people around you. Jesus spoke of the value of just a cup of cold water. He also demonstrated the awesome power of washing someone’s feet. There are multiple opportunities all around you to serve someone in the name of Jesus. Learn to see then DO them! (The disconnect for most Christians is the lapse between intention and performance).

If you really want to become like Jesus – try doing what Jesus did. He will walk beside you in prayer, study and service! He desires nothing more than for you to follow him. These three simple practices can change your life and greatly increase your faith.

Creation, Re-Creation, Transformation

            With a gleam in his eye and a dream in his heart, God created. He spoke and it came to being. Every part of his creation ordered and functioning just as God imagined and wanted. And it was good. Then God created people – those creatures who imagined themselves to be creators! And God’s pronouncement was – “It is very good!”

            What a wonderful world, but only for a short while. Then disobedience entered our lives. We chose, not obedience but self rule and rebellion. We listened to lies about a better life and a short cut to be like God. We traded that perfect world for our current world. We chose poorly!

            But still God worked on his creation, seeking to restore it to his original vision. He called people to follow him, to turn from sin and trust their creator. Some did, most didn’t. We wondered far away from God’s creative vision and created a nightmare of sin, violence and destruction. But God still dreamed. He sent leaders, and prophets and teachers. There were great moments of success when people trusted God. There were also terrible moments of failure when those who once trusted stopped trusting and once again rebelled. The story of creation was filled with highs and lows, detours and false starts. But God was not finished.

            He sent his Son in the fullness of time. Jesus became flesh and lived as a creature rather than as the creator. He sacrificed himself as a sin offering. He lived out everything he preached – he fulfilled the dream of God for what a life of holiness could look like! Jesus loved everyone with the tenacious love of God. But that was not all…

            After Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of God, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all who believe. The prophets had promised it, the earliest disciples of Jesus lived it. They were utterly transformed. That group of men and women who were overwhelmed and fearful when Jesus died became an unstoppable team of witnesses to the salvation and blessing found in Jesus Christ. Re-creation became the hope of the world.

            And now the Holy Spirit works to transform all believers into the image of Jesus Christ. It is quite ironic that in our rebellion we were seeking “to become like God.” Sin will never make us like God; but the Holy Spirit will do it every chance he gets! Are you cooperating with God’s desire for your life?   

Dima's 10th Birthday

On December 11, 2007 Dima turned ten years old. We had a Pirate Party for him and several of his closest friends. What a blessing he has been in our lives.

The Extravagant Father

We tend to make categories of people - usually they are described as some variant of either good or bad. The religious leaders were masters of such categorization! And Jesus constantly frustrated their categories.
Rather than “good or bad” Jesus shared with them the categories of “lost or found.” These categories seem similar, but upon closer inspection there is a world of difference between them - difference the Pharisees and other religious people could not accept.

• “Good or bad” puts all the emphasis on the moral choices and consequences of the individuals, while “lost and found” emphasizes the act of God in redeeming (reclaiming) his people!
• “Good or bad” focuses on the tragedy of being lost (which is true, but not the final word!), while “lost and found” rejoices in God’s gracious salvation!
• “Good or bad” seeks to codify the boundary between saints and sinners, while “lost and found” works tirelessly to cross the boundaries and encourage the lost to become found.
• “Good or bad” creates an atmosphere of moral and spiritual superiority which, of course, leads to arrogance and hypocrisy. “Lost and found” reminds us gently that we are all saved by the grace of God and we are in no way superior to others. Rather we are reminded that the greatest among us are the servants!

God is like a shepherd seeking his lost sheep, or a woman searching for her lost coin, or a father welcoming his wandering son home, not as a servant but as his son! We must become like that image of God.

The Extravagant God

The story of the lost son is perhaps Jesus’ most well known parable. It has been called the Prodigal Son. However, prodigal means “wasteful or extravagant” and the Father seems to be the most extravagant character in the story!
Jesus tells three parables in response to Pharisees who complained that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them!” All the stories deal with something lost, but only as the prerequisite to the joy of being found! The contrast with the religious leaders could not be more stark: Jesus rejoiced with the sinners who were coming to God, while the religious people could only complain. Their identity was built in opposition to the people Jesus welcomed, rather than in their relationship with the father!
The father in this story had two sons, both of whom were separated from their father. The younger son was away from home, living in a far country - free from all restraint! (Except, of course, the restraint of hunger and no resources!) The older son still lived at home, but he was just as estranged from his father. Both boys did not know their father and their lives were impoverished as a result. The younger son was surprised at his father’s grace. The older son was surprised at what he considered his father’s foolishness - for grace always looks quite foolish!

Time Marches On...

One of the amazing things about Rome was how the various sites and monuments were located all over the city and so many sites contained "levels" of use. For example, adjacent to the bus stop where our hotel shuttle dropped us off and picked us up was the "theater of Marcellus." It was built by Augustus to honor his nephew, and later also his son-in-law, Marcellus. The building was built in the first century B.C. and later had some restoration work done to match the architectural style although different materials were used, and finally some apartments were built on top. It seemed surreal to see such "layers" of use for so many buildings. In the photo above you can see an area of extensive repair to the Colosseum.

After walking through the forum one afternoon we noticed an ancient building that was obviously at least three layers. We commented on who would do such a thing as to just build on what were obviously well preserved ancient ruins. Imagine our surprise later that evening to discover that the building we saw was still in use as the City Hall of Rome. It had been the "tabularium" in ancient times; and the genius who renovated it to modern use? Michelangelo!

Because the march of time is relentless, buildings get used, then reused, destroyed, used as "quarries" for new projects, etc. Under the moderns roads of Rome there are wonderful ancient sites waiting to be explored, but the roads have to be given priority.

These "layers of history" do not just apply to buildings and monuments, but also to ideas. Among those "layered ideas" are modern systems of government, law and even religion. Walking around Rome you could see the conflict that Christianity had with the dominant culture as it came to be more prominent in the empire. Christians must use wisdom and prayer as we hold on tightly to the biblical witness of Jesus, and apply that story to the world we now live in. It is not an easy task, but it must be negotiated for the faith to remain vital and vibrant!