When you are better, you do better

I’ve been taping the Bible study lectures for the book of Romans. Even after all these months of study, I read a verse that I know I have read a dozen times and learned something new. That is the miracle of God’s word. 

As Scripture says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22–23).

If God’s word ever grows boring or stale to you, it isn’t his word that is the issue! How can one book hold perfect wisdom for every human life? Yet, the Bible is that book. 

I was teaching Romans 11 to the camera. That is considered one of the most difficult chapters to interpret in the entire New Testament. I would add my “amen” to that statement. What was Paul trying to tell the people in Rome, people he had never met—but somehow knew?  

Last week, I taught a passage and had a thought I don’t remember ever learning before. When that happens, I pay attention because it probably wasn’t my thought. So, I will share it with all of you, praying God can use it in your life as well. 

PAUL’S UNDERSTANDING OF HUMILITY 

Chapters 9 through 11 are sometimes referred to in commentaries as Paul’s parenthesis. These three chapters come out of the blue, mostly for the purpose of speaking to the Jewish Christians in the church. These Christians had grown up knowing about God, learning his word, and following his ways. When these Jewish people realized Jesus was the promised Messiah, they continued to walk with God in his New Covenant promises. 

Enter the pagans, a.k.a. the Gentiles, who knew almost nothing, but wanted to learn and wanted to belong. 

Every church Paul helped to establish and raise up struggled with the problems that arose because of the superior attitudes of the Jewish people toward their Gentile brothers and sisters. They thought they were better because they knew better. And Paul, over and over again, taught them they only thought they knew better. Their attitude was damaging their witness and the witness of the church. 

Paul’s parenthesis is directed toward that way of thinking. The Jewish nation grew up believing they were a blessed, educated, devoted group of people. They were—until they became an arrogant, self-righteous, pious group of people. They did know more about God, but they needed to remember what had always been the downfall of their people. 

The Jewish people believed themselves to be “blessed” and therefore superior to others. They made their sacrifices, paid their offerings, and left the temple feeling like all was well. And God, through his prophets, told them they were not right with God. Paul, through his “parenthesis” in Romans, tries to do the same. 

Paul understood humility more than most. He learned it on the road to Damascus and throughout his work as a missionary. But, chapter 7 of the book of Romans is Paul’s confession. He wrote about knowing what to do and then not doing it. Paul understood that, regardless of knowledge, pedigree, or success, he was a “wretched” man. He was hopelessly a sinner, apart from the saving grace of God. 

So Paul praised God and continued to try. 

MY “WORD” FROM GOD’S WORD 

Paul closes his “parenthesis” in Romans with a doxology. I had always read those words as Paul’s words of praise. For the first time, as I got ready to teach, I came to a new understanding of those verses. Paul was quoting Job and Isaiah in his doxology when he said: 

“Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord,
Or who has been his counselor?’
‘Or who has given a gift to him
That he might be repaid?’
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.”
(Romans 11:33–36) 

I considered Paul’s words, and then I considered where Paul had learned those words. Job is considered by most to be the most ancient book in the Bible. Isaiah is listed first among the Major Prophets and contains the best description of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament.  

Paul used the best examples from the Jewish faith he knew to make his point. Most of God’s people have always thought more highly of themselves than they should. Most of God’s prophets understood that was their biggest problem with the Lord. 

My word from God was simple and straightforward. If Job, Isaiah, and Paul had to address the issue with their people, preachers and teachers today need to do the same. If you sign up to watch the Bible studies this fall, you will probably notice I struggled at the end of that taping. I’m struggling now as I type. 

DO WE THINK TOO HIGHLY OF OURSELVES? 

God’s people have always felt a sense of “superiority” in the world. Doesn’t it stand to reason we would struggle with that same sin? 

But, how do we seek to live a holy life and avoid the “holier than thou” condemnation of others? 

If you are like me, it is simply to act a little “less holy” on occasion. We usually would rather be part of the crowd than left out of it. 

All the while, we know God’s message has always been the same: “Be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Moses taught those words, and so did the Apostle Peter and many others. That fact alone means it is truth for all generations. 

WHAT IS PAUL’S SOLUTION FOR ARROGANCE? 

Paul’s solution is found in his words to the church in Rome: compare yourself to God. 

  • When did you last think God’s word “got it wrong”?
  • When did you last think God was too hard on someone?
  • When did you last wish for a sinner’s punishment rather than his or her salvation?
  • When did you last pray and tell God what you thought needed to happen?
  • When did you last feel like something shouldn’t have happened because you didn’t deserve it?
  • When did you last think you were more important to the church than someone else?

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TRUE, AND IT ALWAYS WILL BE 

The prophets, the apostles, and even Jesus called out the greatest sin among God’s people. It’s always been arrogance. If something in Scripture has always been true, it is still true today. If we humble ourselves today, we will still need to humble ourselves tomorrow. How do we do that? 

Consider who God is and who we never will be, this side of heaven. Consider Paul’s struggle to do better but still fail. Consider the Pharisees’ knowledge and dedication, then consider their sins.  

Give yourself a break because, in Scripture, we sinners are in some great company. But, let’s not give ourselves permission to sin the next time. 

I don’t know most of you but, on the truth of God’s word, I can say that most of you, like me, struggle with arrogance. If it is Satan’s sharpest tool in his box of temptations, why would he get rid of it?  

Let’s allow God to cast his unsearchable shadow over our lives so we never forget just how small we are in comparison to him. Let’s pray for his humility to fill our lives and our attitudes. When you blow it, remember that his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23). Pray for his forgiveness and the wisdom and strength to do better next time.  

Because, when we are better, we will do better. 

That is how Christians will change the world.  

Amen? 

New Covenant Greatness

Last week, I wrote about the movie I Can Only Imagine. My mom hadn’t seen it, and I wanted to see it again. I always get something new the second time I watch a movie or reread a book. I Can Only Imagine is about redemption, but it is also about greatness. Bart’s dad wanted to be a great football player, and, when he wasn’t, he wanted his son to become a great one. Bart wanted to be a great musician, and, when he was told he wasn’t, he wanted to quit. God wanted those two men to be great by his standards. Both men had to adjust their definitions of greatness before they could receive God’s definition.

Jim and I also saw the new movie about the apostle Paul. The most memorable moment for me was Paul awaking from nightmares in his prison cell. He had been dreaming about the Christians he had persecuted and killed. When he awoke from his nightmare, he quietly repeated the words, “Your grace is sufficient, your grace is sufficient, your grace is sufficient.” I think of Paul as one of the greatest disciples of Christ. I tend to forget he had also been a great enemy.

On Sunday night, I watched the new production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I had seen the original cast perform in the 1970s at an outdoor theater in California, and I understand now why Christians stood at the theater entrances to pass out literature and try to convince us not to go inside. My theology was young in those days. I felt sad as I watched it again on Easter Sunday and saw Hollywood “act” like they knew Jesus and what he taught. I grieved the misconceptions those watching might receive.

But I also remembered that night when my teenage self sat in that outdoor theater and watched God “show up.” That evening, when the actor portraying Jesus was hung on the cross, a thick fog moved in and the cross was almost obscured by the way the lights were reflecting off the cloud. As a young girl, I saw God’s story that evening, not Hollywood’s. I hope that happened for some people last night as well.

Sometimes in life, a lot of moments finally add up to a lesson God has been working in your life to teach. It seems God rarely teaches an important lesson in one sitting. And when God finally says, “This is what I want you to know,” we have a choice to make.

I’m finishing up the Bible study this year with a series of lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. One commentary called it Jesus’ inaugural address. This time, as I’ve studied those passages again, I’ve come to think of them as the lessons Jesus would teach and re-teach for the rest of his life. Finally, on the Mount of Ascension, Jesus concluded his earthly ministry saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Every disciple who witnessed the ascension chose to do what Jesus had asked.

The lesson for Easter week came from the passage when Jesus finished teaching new commandments, the Beatitudes. He told his disciples they were to “be” salt and light in the world. Jesus said, “Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). I had never really considered the Sermon on the Mount as the new covenant lesson for greatness.

The crowd gathered by the Sea of Galilee consisted of apostles, disciples, the curious, and those who would soon become Jesus’ enemies. Pharisees and Sadducees listened to Jesus preach that day. They heard him tell his disciples, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Jesus would be hung on a cross two years after saying that because he redefined what it meant for a person to be “great” in God’s eyes.

What lesson did all the moments of my Easter week add up to teach?

The thought I woke up with this morning and felt led to write about is this: Jesus taught his disciples a new definition for greatness. Then Jesus lived that picture of greatness every day after. During Easter week, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and died for their sins. Later, he told them that through the power of his Holy Spirit they would become his disciples and teach others to be great as well.

God is perfect greatness. Jesus is God’s greatness in the flesh. Disciples are God’s greatness in practice. The challenge is that we have to understand and accept his definition for greatness. Jesus said, “Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Let’s take a few moments to reread Matthew 5. Then, let’s go out and have a “great” day.

I Can Only Imagine: The Movie of the Year – A Must-See for Christians

I’ve been looking at the blinking cursor and realize my words are inadequate. What do I say to convince all of you that this movie is essential for your soul too? It is like the song—anointed. And trust me, I am careful about using that word. If you have heard the song, you know it is special—it was the first time you heard it. Now, having seen the movie, I understand why.

The song is a celebration of the redemption Bart Millard saw in the life of a man he thought of as a monster: his father. But don’t think the movie is too sad or too sappy. This might be the best faith-based movie I have ever seen. It is an honest, genuine story about real people and the amazing power of God to redeem anyone. You will find yourself somewhere in the cast. All of us are imperfect, even if we aren’t evil. So is everyone God uses in the movie and in life.

This movie is about God and all he is capable of doing through the prayers and compassion of regular people like you and me. It is also a challenge to all of us to get involved in the lives of other people so we can share in the joy of their redemption. Most Christians are a product of the “ministry of many.” But, in each of our lives, there is likely a handful who made us one of their sheep for a time, and God called them to strengthen and invest in our journey.

One of the things I loved the most about this movie is that no one person is responsible for leading Bart to a place of redemption and no one person is responsible for his dad’s journey either—unless that one person is Christ, using many people as his witness.

The song title is “I Can Only Imagine.” Imagine entering heaven and seeing Jesus face-to-face. How do you think you will react? At that moment, the hope you have carried through this life becomes reality. The song asks, “Will you fall on your knees or will you dance?” I imagine doing both—over and over again.

Imagine looking around and seeing people you have known in this lifetime. There are family, friends, Bible teachers, pastors, neighbors, and some you realize you lost track of over time. There will also be some you never thought would choose Christ as their Savior. All of us will be amazed, awed, gladdened, and overwhelmed with the goodness and glory that surrounds us.

Imagine never being afraid, never being sick, never being sad, and never being sinful. And no one else you see is either. I can only imagine.

Bart Millard is the product of a mom who loved him but left him. He is the son of a man who loved him and stayed in Bart’s life, but as a terrible abuser. But Bart is also the product of a grandma who loved him, a teacher who invested in him, friends who gave him Christian love and a place to belong, and a God who adopted him as his child.

Redemption is a journey, not a moment. Redemption isn’t finished even though it’s final. Redemption is enough for this life even though it isn’t fully received until the next one. Redemption means joy for our journey.

I imagine the little boy who was abused by his dad but loved by the church will go down in history as one of the finest and most successful Christian songwriters. But Bart Millard knows that Jesus is the real author of his story and his talent. The movie works hard to make sure the audience understands that truth as well.

I love the song, I love the movie, and I love Jesus for writing this story for us—through a boy from Greenville, Texas. Take as many people as you can and see this movie. I promise you will leave with a full heart and a stronger conviction about the way Christian life is supposed to work.

How good is this movie? Well, I stared at the blinking cursor for a while and then started typing. Twenty minutes later, I’m ready to type amen.

For more information about I Can Only Imagine, visit their website or Facebook page.

Leaving the Lanai

On our last morning in Hawaii, I couldn’t wait to grab my cup of coffee and sit on the lanai. There is something profoundly beautiful about watching waves during high tide, seeing the colors of the sunrise reflected on the clouds, and hearing the tropical birds call out to each other. Then, out of nowhere, a drone went buzzing by. So much for the deeper thoughts.

The young man sat next to a girl I hope was his wife. Like me, she was enjoying the beauty of the morning with a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, her guy was hunched over a little box trying to direct his drone where he wanted it to go. His frustration was evident as he continually lost sight of his buzzing distraction. He apparently lost track of it when it went over the water or the roof of the condo. The girl finished her coffee and eventually deserted him to go inside. The gardener finally chased off the guy with his bug sprayer, needing to spray the hedges. I hope tomorrow the young man chooses to sit on the bench and enjoy the sunrise—minus the drone.

The scene made me think about returning home to a busy work schedule, lots of laundry, and an empty fridge. I think I will miss having my morning coffee with the view from the lanai. It was a special place to view the powerful ocean and ponder the deeper thoughts about God. His creation is the only proof I need that God is an intelligence and power much greater than any man’s. I think that is what caused me to be sad for the young man. He was far more fascinated by his man-made drone than he was by God’s amazing creation displayed all around him.

I love that we have had the chance to get away and enjoy such a unique and different spot on this planet. It has been good to rest, but it will be good to get home too. I just don’t want to lose the deeper thoughts when I return to the regular moments of my daily schedule. It’s the old problem of leaving the mountaintop for the routine. But God didn’t call me to live on the mountaintop. I’m blessed to have been able to retreat there with him for a while.

Oswald Chambers said in My Utmost for His Highest, “We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God’s perspective and have wanted to stay there. But God will never allow us to stay there. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain.”

God wants us to spend unique moments with him during this lifetime. Those moments are a taste of what eternity will be like. But, God brings us to those times to be filled with the strength and character we need for our lives and ministries. The real takeaways from the mountaintop experiences are the truth and guidance God reveals while we were there. The mountaintop moments should change who we are, not just what we know.

I thought about God as I watched the young man and his drone. It will be a temptation when I return home to become so consumed with the details of daily life that I lose focus on the God who is life. The view from my den doesn’t compare with the view I have had on the lanai. On the other hand, the lanai never felt like home. It was always a place to visit and never a place to live. I’m glad for the mountaintop moments but happy God has called me to live and serve at home.

Oswald Chambers ends his devotion saying, “The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. The moments on the mountaintop are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God’s purpose.” I imagine I will come to understand his purpose as the weeks and months ahead unfold.

I have a new image that will greet me each morning when I open my laptop. It will remind me of those wonderful moments on the lanai. I’ll enjoy the good memories, and then I will close my computer and go about the day. We serve an amazing God, and his creation is just a glimpse of his immeasurable intelligence and power. One day we will meet our Creator, and eternal life will be lived forever on his mountaintop. Until then, home is a house in Dallas, and I am happy to be there. But I can’t help but wonder how good the view and the coffee will be from the lanai on my eternal mansion. (In case God takes hints from a blogger . . .)

Let’s take a few moments today to consider the majesty in God’s creation around you. It may not be a spectacular ocean view, but God’s existence is seen throughout the world. Then let’s remember, what you can see on earth, or even be awed with on earth, is only a small glimpse of his greatness. All of us who are Christians have a LOT to look forward to!