Take breath in. Now let it out. This is the most basic of life functions: breathing. Yet, while, it is also the most essential of life functions, it is, for the most part, involuntary. You don’t have to think about breathing. You do it whether you are asleep or awake, whether resting or working, whether crying or laughing. The moment you cease to breath, you cease to live.
Breathing is the physical manifestation of a spiritual reality. Just as breath is essential to physical life, the “breath of God” is essential to spiritual life. We are not alive until it is breathed into us for the first time. The Bible calls this “being born again”. How clear an analogy of the absolutely indispensable quality of this breath!
Like the physical we need this breath for all of life, the vital and the mundane. There is no part excluded from our need of breath. Jesus expressed this truth when he said, “without me you can do nothing,” for he came to give “life and life more abundant.” How easy it is for Christians to deceive themselves into thinking their need for God’s sustenance is only for those spiritual or religious acts such as praying, worshiping, or doing ministry. What is prayer but spiritual communion with God which we are commanded to do “without ceasing?” What is worship but a life submitted to His Sovereign Lordship? What is ministry but service to God and man? Is there a time we are not praying, worshipping or serving in some way? Is there anything we can do without the breath of God?
Unlike the physical though, this breath is not completed involuntary. Yes, God breaths into us, as he did into Adam and as Christ did unto his disciples when he said, “receive the Holy Spirit.” We too are given this Spirit whose name literally means “breath,” but unlike the physical we must participate in our breathing. It is not completely involuntary, nor is it completely voluntary. It is a beautiful dynamic of the Father’s provision, through the Son, of the Spirit! Life in the Spirit IS the life of God, breathing in, breathing out. 100% me, 100% God. So go ahead. Breathe.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Game Show Theology
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
I love this scripture. I love it because it has a wonderful yet overlooked truth in it. I don't think I'm alone in loving it. I think there are many out there that are drawn to it, though perhaps not for the same reasons. I think one reason people like it so much is because it talks about reward. People like rewards.
It's like being on a game show. You can win stuff. First there's the blender, but if you can answer the right questions you might be able to trade it in for a car. Sometimes you don't even have to answer a question, just take a gamble between what's behind door number 1 and door number two.
You learn a lot about people watching those shows. I admit I've watched a few, though not many. It's just not my thing. But I've watched enough to know people like to win stuff and sometimes they're willing to go to all sorts of lengths to do so.
This verse may seem a bit "game showy" to some. There's a reward, perhaps a slew of them and there's the key to winning them- faith. Religious movements have been started, millions of books written, and men and women have found fame from the game show application of this verse. "With just a little faith you can have a new house, a new car, maybe even a vacation for two in romantic Italy....." That's with just a little bit of faith, imagine what could be done with a lot.
Unfortunately, actually fortunately, that is not what the writer of Hebrews is communicating to us. He is not giving us the key to winning the heavenly game show. He is telling us something so much simpler and yet so much more profound. Yes faith will win you a reward, but what reward?
Notice what it says, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." You get rewarded with what you are seeking for. In other words, God is the reward! We don't seek him to get a new house, new cars, or a vacation anywhere. We seek him to find him!
Jesus taught us this same principle when he said, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46). God is the pearl; He is not the currency. The man sold all he had so he could possess the pearl. In doing so he revealed the value he placed on the pearl and that which he placed on everything else.
What are you seeking for? Is God what you desire or are you simply using him to get to other things you really want? What value do you place on him? Is he the treasure you seek, or the currency you use to get the things you really love? Oh, they may not be cars or trips, perhaps its health, joy, and everlasting life.
Our Father is willing to give us Himself, for that is the greatest treasure he can give us. Do you want him or what's behind door number 2? Is that your final answer?
I love this scripture. I love it because it has a wonderful yet overlooked truth in it. I don't think I'm alone in loving it. I think there are many out there that are drawn to it, though perhaps not for the same reasons. I think one reason people like it so much is because it talks about reward. People like rewards.
It's like being on a game show. You can win stuff. First there's the blender, but if you can answer the right questions you might be able to trade it in for a car. Sometimes you don't even have to answer a question, just take a gamble between what's behind door number 1 and door number two.
You learn a lot about people watching those shows. I admit I've watched a few, though not many. It's just not my thing. But I've watched enough to know people like to win stuff and sometimes they're willing to go to all sorts of lengths to do so.
This verse may seem a bit "game showy" to some. There's a reward, perhaps a slew of them and there's the key to winning them- faith. Religious movements have been started, millions of books written, and men and women have found fame from the game show application of this verse. "With just a little faith you can have a new house, a new car, maybe even a vacation for two in romantic Italy....." That's with just a little bit of faith, imagine what could be done with a lot.
Unfortunately, actually fortunately, that is not what the writer of Hebrews is communicating to us. He is not giving us the key to winning the heavenly game show. He is telling us something so much simpler and yet so much more profound. Yes faith will win you a reward, but what reward?
Notice what it says, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." You get rewarded with what you are seeking for. In other words, God is the reward! We don't seek him to get a new house, new cars, or a vacation anywhere. We seek him to find him!
Jesus taught us this same principle when he said, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46). God is the pearl; He is not the currency. The man sold all he had so he could possess the pearl. In doing so he revealed the value he placed on the pearl and that which he placed on everything else.
What are you seeking for? Is God what you desire or are you simply using him to get to other things you really want? What value do you place on him? Is he the treasure you seek, or the currency you use to get the things you really love? Oh, they may not be cars or trips, perhaps its health, joy, and everlasting life.
Our Father is willing to give us Himself, for that is the greatest treasure he can give us. Do you want him or what's behind door number 2? Is that your final answer?
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