Does our language keep us from understanding each other?
I have been spending some time in Romans recently. When I go there I have to stay for a while because it takes a lot of work for me to understand Paul’s writing. His large and complex sentences and big words can really confuse me, but also he says a lot and it usually packs a punch.
Today I was in Romans 3. It talks about the law. People in Paul’s time knew a lot about the law. They had been raised with it and their lives were bound by it in many ways. Christ’s message had opposed that and redefined it bringing a lot of grace, mercy, and forgiveness, but for many people that message must have brought confusion and inner turmoil.
We don’t talk about the law very much in America today. There are Christian circles that don’t even talk about the old testament other than maybe the well known stories of faith that are referred to in the New Testament. However, the law is a part of what God gave us, and part of the history of how he has revealed himself to mankind. Paul discusses the law and tells people they are not bound by it. That is great news, and must have been very freeing for the people of that time. However, reading verse 20 this morning I was struck by the truth of what comes from observing the law. If we observe the law….if we choose to try to walk a life that follows the guidelines that God has expressed will lead us toward a better life….if we seek to live a life that will draw us closer to God ….what do we get? We get to become more conscious of our own sin. Is that supposed to be encouraging? Do this…follow God’s word….seek to live well…and you will become even more aware of how far you are from the mark, and how messed up you are. The good part is we will become more aware of how much we need God, but I have to say I am not exactly encouraged and excited to live by the law today. I have a pretty good view of my sin and shortcomings already, the idea of seeing it more clearly is actually a pretty repulsive thought. I guess the trade off is that if I don’t live by the law you get to see my sin and shortcomings.
Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Yesterday I received a thank you note from someone that started with “You are a servant.” The words struck me for two reasons. First, I often feel very selfish and feel like I am not doing enough to give to and care for others. My life tends to revolve around me and I have to actually work to find ways to give to others and reach beyond myself because I don’t have natural outlets for that. Second, my understanding is that being a Christian is being a servant so for someone to thank me for being a servant seems like they are thanking me for living out my walk with God. Such a strange thing!
I looked up the word servant and found it defined as: a person in the service of another; One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another; a person who serves others.
Are we called to be servants, or we already a servant “of Christ” because we believe? Isn’t there a spiritual gift of service? Does that mean that anyone who serves has the gift of service? Some people seem to serve without boundaries and limits while others have to be directed and guided in what to do. Is that the difference between a gift and just having a willing heart?
Enough thinking and dwelling on my own confused thoughts. I guess I should truly do something beyond my own selfish desires, and actually put this to action by serving someone else today. It is good to keep in mind who I am serving and why though.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Yesterday at church I was watching some of our youth who were really into the worship time, but the worship was filled with loud and upbeat music. It left me thinking of how easy it is to get caught up in the music and the presentation and forget the words we are actually singing.
My latest favorite song of worship (I don’t think a song has to be a “worship” song to be a song that is used to worship.) is Wait For Your Rain by Todd Agnew. It has been running through my head and stereo a lot in the last week.
Some of the words are:
I throw myself on Your mercy
I throw myself at Your feet
I throw my filth on the grace of One whose beauty is beyond me
And I wait
I wait for Your rain to fall
The waves of Your grace to wash over me
I wait for Your rain to fall
Strange how forgiveness comes so easily
When I call Your name
And wait for Your rain
I have been left to question if I really mean what I sing and have been asking how I can learn to connect more with the music? When I worship whether on my own, at church, or even when I lead worship do I really mean it? Am I willing to turn the words I say into action? I know for me the line “I throw my filth on the grace of One whose beauty is beyond me And I wait” really made me stop to think. Do I wait??? Not often enough. I might wait for a moment but then I grab it all back and try again on my own strength and with my own ability. I wonder what it will take for me to learn!
I find that when someone I believe is a Christian is dying I can find peace because I have confidence that person has found truth and is going on to a better life, an eternal life. When someone I know is not a believer or who I don’t feel certain is a believer is dying I find my emotions are all mixed up. How are we supposed to respond?
A few minutes ago I received a call about a relative who has had a major stroke. The doctors said there is nothing they can do and they have called in hospice care. The call was to ask me to pray that my uncle will let go and that this will be over quickly. Is that the right prayer when I don’t think he is a believer? What should our response be? I am not living in the same state so I can’t quickly go visit and I have to rely on God to use others, probably people I do not know.
Should we be fighting for people’s salvation up until the very last second, even if the person we are fighting for might not cognitively be able to make a choice for God any longer? Is there a time where we stop fighting and just accept the situation? Would Christ stop fighting for us?
A few months ago I felt God was moving in me to learn even more about what it means to give myself and my life away. I have to admit, I am failing in that area of my life, and I could really use your help. If you have any recommendations or advice for me in these areas I would love to hear about them.
1) I felt convicted to give a significant amount of money away. I went to my pastor but was told that my church was not ready to deal with a donation like this and it would be better to find other organizations to give to or work with. I want to give the money to organizations that don’t just meet a need, but work to build an infrastructure that trains people to live differently and to move out of their place of struggle. I also want to make sure the organization is financially sound and uses the majority of their funds to directly impact people, not for administrative or marketing activities. Do you have recommendations of credible organizations?
2) I am committed to giving of my time and energy by going on a mission trip in 2008. Do you know of any great organizations that hold trips a single female adult could join? Again, I want to find a credible organization, but I also am willing to go beyond the ordinary and to travel wherever God leads. I would prefer going a trip where we don’t just provide social service support, but where those on the mission actively walk out their Christian beliefs in their service. I would also love for it to be an organization that I could develop a relationship with so I could bring others (youth, adults, and maybe even families) on future trips.
All recommendations are welcome. Thanks.
Yesterday I received an email newsletter from a ministry I am connected with. It’s message made me stop and take notice.
Are you prepared spiritually? Have you checked the condition of your heart to make sure that you are at your best with God? Serve others powerfully by filling yourself up spiritually first.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. (Ephesians 6:13, The Message)
What if this was our first step before stepping into ministry every day/week/month/etc.? What if we did this before attending worship each week? When was the last time you prepared yourself spiritually to be in the presence of and share with the Almighty God?
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