Tag Archives: love

He Gave the Right (pt 2)

I am an American.  I was born in the USA.  Graduated high school in the late 80’s and finished college and seminary in the early 90s.  Having lived in Ireland for 23 years, I’m married to a wonderful Irish woman and have 4 kids who find it amusing to be ‘half’ American.  A number of years ago I was granted Irish citizenship.  The exchange of citizenship was made official when I received my Irish passport.  But the benefits of citizenship would mean very little to me if I do not exercise the rights of citizenship.  When a right is bestowed on us, it is something we must embrace and choose to exercise.

“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

Understood in this way, it is interesting to note that the Greek word for ‘right’ is actually ‘exousia’.  This Greek word is translated as ‘authority’ in other passages.  For instance, when Jesus sent the Twelve to preach and heal the Bible says he gave them power (dunamis) and authority (exousia).  This wider context of the use of exousia sheds deeper meaning on the ‘right’ God extends to enable us to become His children.  Specifically, in the same way authority must be exercised to bring God’s truth into a situation, the rights of family must be exercised to experience the relationship of a child with a Father.

As we’ve seen (see post), the act of receiving Him is an integral component to becoming His child.  Believing in His name is the other crucial component.  We can only ‘receive’ the One in whom we believe.  Through being ‘receptive’ to believe, we are able to put our trust in Him.  And through trust we learn to exercise our right (authority) to BE a child of God.

Exercising the rights of a child more easily flow from a place of belief – where love, faith and trust are deeply rooted.  A child learns trust from infancy.  Since we are children of the perfect parent, we have the opportunity to learn to trust Him from the moment we receive and believe.  It is through love we obey Him.  The more we obey, the more we learn trust.  As we learn to trust him, we develop our understanding.  As we become more understanding of Who He is, we grow in wisdom (see post) and become more like our Father (see Col 2.3).

“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

 

 

He Gave the Right (pt 1)

When we talk about God or church in intimate, family terms it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable for people.  But, when discussing those who believe, the imagery and language of family is used throughout scripture.  The family of believers.  God as Father.  God as Daddy (see post).  The believer as a child of God.  Believers as brothers and sisters.  One verse that clearly articulates the reality of the believer as a child of God is John 1.12.

“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

The clarity of this statement carries significant meaning and promise.  It states that being a child of God is available to anyone – to all who receive him.  But, it also indicates that becoming a child of God requires a response from us.  He has cleared the way.  He has made it possible.  The invitation is open to all.  But in order for someone to become a child of God, they must first come to a place where the heart is open to receive and then ready to believe.

“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name…

There are steps in the process toward belief.  Rarely do we simply arrive at belief.  The path toward belief is a journey.  Some people may traverse the path quickly.  Others seem to explore the path more cautiously; and some examine the path judicially.  But along the journey to belief, we go through the process of receiving him (see post).  In order to receive Him, we must first be receptive.  Open and willing to receive.  Then, once we’ve opened ourselves to receive Him, the path toward belief is made clearer.  Our hearts cannot be open to believe Him if they are not yet open to receive Him.

Believing and receiving introduces a Right. 

Then, once someone has arrived at belief, God extends to them the right to become a His child.  The RIGHT.  The idea of us having a Right to become His child adds a layer to what I’ve previously understood about how God brings us into His family.  Namely, that being identified as His child was an automatic part of believing & receiving.  The act of Justification (Jesus’ righteousness conferred on us) is a theological principal that defines a supernatural, spiritual reality.  We were crucified with Christ (Gal 2.20); re-born by the Spirit (Jn 3.5-6) so he old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5.17).  Becoming a child of God occurs within this new exchange.

Yet, this idea of us having a RIGHT to become children of God introduces another dimension.  At one level becoming a child is a spiritual reality that occurs as part of a miraculous supernatural process.  On another level, becoming a child is a right we must choose to exercise.

 

“Abba! Abba!”

As I walked through the narrow streets of historic Bethlehem I could hear the sound of a child crying.  It was the sort of cry you might hear if a child had fallen down or was in need of help.  Over the hustle & bustle of the noisy street I could hear, “Abba… Abba…”.  I remember stopping in my tracks, taking in the significance of what I’d just heard.

I was with group of college students who were on a study trip in Israel as part of a course in biblical history.  I knew the scripture verses in which Jesus and Paul used the word Abba to describe God as ‘Daddy’ but my understanding of the word Abba had always remained academic; in my head.  But at this moment, in the narrow streets of this ancient city where people still spoke Aramaic the reality that God is ‘Daddy’ landed home in my heart.  The cry of a child in need of help, calling out for her Daddy was an illustration I will never forget.

Abba.  It is a term of endearment reserved for the intimate relationship between a father and his child.  In today’s language we might say Dad, Daddy, Da, Papa or some other intimate variation.  But in middle eastern culture the pet name Abba continues to be used.

Jesus regularly spoke of God as ‘Father’ and, in doing so, tried to help people perceive God as personal, close and caring.  But on at least one occasion Jesus used the term Abba when he spoke to God (Mk 14.36).  This is evidence that Jesus knew God as his Daddy.  Paul, on two occasions spoke of how we, as children of God, are able to join our voice with Holy Spirit to call God our Abba – our Daddy (Rom 8.16; Gal 4.6).

It is very easy for me to know God as Almighty God, Creator God or even Heavenly Father.  But God wants us to know him as Daddy.  A Daddy who desires a Dad-type relationship with his children.  Up-close, personal, interested and involved.  Willing to give input and caring enough to intervene.  Powerful enough to bring change and wise enough to help us learn.  He wants only the absolute best for all His children and He desires to be Daddy to us all.

Belong: Families for the Lonely

Family.  That word means something different to all of us.  Think about your own family system for a moment.  What happens in your house on a daily basis?  How are evening meals spent?  How does your family spend major holidays?

I remember some of my early experiences with a different family system.  I had moved away from home to attend college.  Living on campus in a dorm full of young men was a fantastic experience – and some of those guys remain good friends.  On several occasions I’d go to one of their homes for a weekend.  I recall being fascinated by their families.  Whether it was how they did meal-times, listening to their interactions or noticing the subtle ways they treated each other, I couldn’t help but be aware of the differences from my family.  But apart from any observable differences, the best part was that these families included me as one of their own.  With each new college friend, I gained a ‘home away from home’.  Sort of like a new family.

The Bible tells us that God makes a point of putting the lonely into families (see Ps 68.6).  While I would not have described myself as a ‘lonely’ young college student, being welcomed as one of the family by these friends triggered something inside me.  I became aware of a longing I didn’t know existed.  I had a desire for family, for belonging; where I felt safe, valued and free to be myself.

If we think about it, aren’t these things what most people want?  To feel welcomed (wanted); to feel safe (protected); to feel valued (respected) and free to be themselves (identity).  These are some of the basic attributes in the Father’s family system.  He is a good, loving Father who makes provision for us all.  His manner and way of establishing the family system creates an environment within which we can all learn and grow together.

Becoming a part of a spiritual family, though it may be quite different than what we’ve been used to, will help us feel welcomed, safe, valued and encouraged to grow into our true identity.

 

God’s Heart for People

I loved the summer season when I was growing up.  I loved playing baseball, riding my bike and warm summer evenings.  I loved just being outside.  My first ‘job’ was to cut grass at the local KFC.  They paid me $2 and large soft-drink.  What could be better for a 10-year old budding entrepreneur?!  As I got older my grass-cutting jobs evolved so I became an outdoor handy-man; somewhere between a landscaper and window washer.  I saved the money from these summer jobs and, at the age of 15, I bought a really nice drum set.  At the age of 17 I bought my own pick-up truck (an absolute must for any self-respecting teenage boy in Indiana).

I recall one summer in particular.  I had recently become a Christian and I spent much of my time praying and engaging with God as I walked the lawn-mower up & down the big gardens of my customers.  It was a season in my life when I felt happy, content and at peace. I didn’t understand enough about God’s grace to realise this was what I was experiencing; but things just seemed to ‘click’.  The baseball team had won our division championship and played a state final in the professional stadium (read, all-Ireland final in Croke Park).  The band I played for was getting invitations to play in more events around the city.  And I was being asked to speak to youth groups about my newly realised belief in Jesus.  It was one of those seasons when things just seemed to get better and better.  The more time I spent time with God, the more I grew to know Him.  The more I grew to know Him, the more I was learning His heart and learning His ways.

Starting back into school that autumn, things began to change.  The guys in the band weren’t keen on my new perspective on life.  They didn’t want their musical ambitions restricted by their drummer’s convictions about a lifestyle of purity.  The baseball team’s coaching staff changed and, for reasons still unclear to me, the new coach simply didn’t seem to like me.  I soon felt a growing distance from all who were previously my friends.  As a consequence of my desire to share what had changed in me, the entire student body seemed to conclude the once fun, popular Cope had changed; turned weird; gone ‘religious’.

Teenage years are difficult for anyone and those few months were hard for me.  But through it all I felt God’s grace and protection.  I made new friends, I didn’t waiver in my love for the Lord and I sought ways to share His love with others.

One day in class a note was passed to me.  It was from a girl who sat across the room. I only knew her from a distance and had never really spoken to her before.  She hung around in a different crowd.  She was popular and captain of the Cheerleading squad.  Her note said she had questions about God, she wanted to believe, but was afraid of what it might mean.  She didn’t know who else to talk to.  She didn’t want to be seen talking with me but wanted to know if we could exchange notes so she could ask me questions.  A series of letters back & forth eventually led to her being faced with a decision.

That experience taught me a great deal about God’s heart for people.  No matter who they are, where they come from, what they’ve been taught, or what conclusions they’ve made, God loves them.  In addition, each person, every individual has been created in the image of God and carries a unique expression of God within them that the rest of us need to experience.

My cheerleader friend wanted to follow Jesus.  He was revealing himself to her.  Holy Spirit was tugging at her heart.  But she, at the time, felt she did not want to risk the change she felt would surely come to her lifestyle.  So she chose not to respond to God.

I will always remember those letters, the knowing glances across the school hallway when I was convinced she would become a Christian and, especially, the tears that filled my prayers as I discovered the heart of God for people.

No matter what else happens in the life of a church, God’s heart for people must remain a top priority for all we do.  Jesus came to seek and save all who were lost (Lk 19.10).  He did not come to condemn the world but to save it (Jn 3.17) by destroying the works of the devil (1 Jn 3.8) and making abundant life available to all (Jn 10.10).  By coming into relationship with the Father, we have been commissioned to carry on the mission of Jesus (Jn 20.20, Mt 28.18-20).

Years later I received another letter from my cheerleader friend.  We had gone to different colleges and she went to a lot of trouble to find my address.  She wanted to thank me for being patient with her questions and not giving up on her when she chose not to follow Jesus.  Her life had spiralled downwards during her time in college until she met a group of Christians.  She wrote to say she had become a Christian and could now fully appreciate all I had tried to share with her those years before.  She was now active in campus ministries, sharing her love for God with those around her.

She had discovered God’s heart for her – and his heart for others.

 

Words

Words.  We use them all the time.  We use words to communicate; to express an idea, a thought or an emotion.  We use words to entertain; to sing a song, tell a story or share a joke.  We use words to conduct business; to promote a cause; to influence others.  Sometimes, we use words without fully thinking through the way others will hear the words – so we often must use words to clarify, to apologise or seek forgiveness.

Words are powerful.  Words create new realities; new possibilities.   Words can inspire, convey truth, elevate thoughts, ignite hope and impart faith.   Words can change someone’s demeanour; someone’s outlook; someone’s perspectives.

Words can build up and words can tear down.  The words we speak can discourage, distort truth, dampen hope, spark conflict, invite chaos and perpetuate fear.  In this context, the message of Proverbs is a stark reminder; “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (18.21).

The power to bring life and death through the spoken word is available to all.  This power is a natural ability which carries a spiritual reality, which is true for those outside the Kingdom just as it is for those within the Kingdom.

But for those of us inside the kingdom, those within whom Holy Spirit dwells, the choice of words is even more important.  This is true for several reasons.  One of the main reasons is found in Jesus’ statement,  “It is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks” (Lk 6.45).

What are the reservoirs from which my words come?

Simon, Do You Love Me? (Part 6)

When I first realised that Jesus gave Simon the new name but didn’t seem to use it when he spoke to him, I found myself being a little confused; even a little uneasy.  Why give him the name and not call him that when you talk to him?   Why put the guy through that kind of confusion?

Now that I see the end of the story I am more settled, more at peace.  Again, much of this is my own surmising, but when we get to the final conversation between Jesus and Simon, it is clear that something very significant had taken place.

After the resurrection – and after Jesus had appeared to the Disciples a few times – Simon and some of the others were out fishing.  Although they had seen Jesus and experienced the breath-taking awe of his resurrection, I still wonder what was going through Simon’s mind?  How was he dealing with the fact that he had denied Jesus?

While they were in the boats Jesus showed up on the beach cooking fish that he ‘caught’ before the others dragged in another substantial catch.  After breakfast Jesus had a conversation that is often referred to as the re-instatement of Peter, yet Jesus continued to call him Simon.

Simon…, Simon…, Simon…

Three times Jesus asks, “Simon, do you love me?”  The Greek words used in this conversation (Jn 21.15-17) relay an increasing level of personal commitment; intimate, experiential knowing; and profound, godly love.  By using a progression of words which reveal a deepening of the meaning of love, Jesus is directing Simon’s attention more deeply into the very core of his identity and, therefore, the very depths of his relationship with Jesus.

It’s as if each question from Jesus reminded Simon of his three denials.  Each question about the level and type of love he had for Jesus forced Simon to face what was at the root of each denial.

“I don’t know him.”   …Simon, do you love me?

“I am not one of his followers!”  …Simon, do you really love me?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!!”   …Simon, do you truly love me?

After the third exchange Jesus told him of the kind of death Simon would undergo and then re-issued his invitation for Simon to follow him.  It’s as if Simon had to get to the very bottom of ‘Simon’ in order to become the ‘Peter’ Jesus knew he was.  Once Peter had gotten to that place, Jesus re-issued the call, “Follow me!” (Jn 21.19).

The power of Jesus’ mercy is striking.  He didn’t condemn Simon; yet neither did he ignore the denials.  But rather than give him a lecture, Jesus went straight to the heart of the issue.

Simon, do you love me?  You denied me because you were afraid.

Simon, do you love me?  You were afraid because there was a part of you that was insecure about my love.

Simon, do you love me?  There is a depth of relationship with me that can free you from the effects of fear, insecurities and desire for reputation.

Peter…. Follow me!

Love, Fight or Flight

Jesus used a story about a man who was attacked, beaten, robbed and left injured on a roadside. The ones we would expect to have mercy and help were the ones who didn’t stop to help him. The reasons (excuses) implied in the story could well have been related to their religious traditions.

Even if we give them the benefit of doubt, and presume they didn’t act because they believed their action would put them in some form of danger, difficulty or inconvenience; at best we can see their worldview was flawed because they chose not to help someone in need, even though they had the opportunity to do so.

The other side of this can be found in John 16.2 when Jesus warned his followers of the harm that would likely come to them at the hands of others. He says, “…a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”

Now we have a group of people who are completely committed to God – so much so, that they are willing to kill another person and consider it a service to God.  In this instance their worldview makes it permissible to inflict harm on another person because of the difference of belief, teaching or practice of devotion to God.

In the first instance (Lk 10.31) the religious worldview chose to ignore someone who had been harmed, but in the second instance (Jn 16.2) the religious worldview chose to inflict harm.   Both operated from a worldview that was based in some form of devotion to God and both felt they were justified in their decision.  BUT, Jesus made it clear that both were wrong.  In Luke 10.37 he said they didn’t demonstrate love and in John 16.3 he said those people don’t know him or the Father.

While it may be easy to hear of these two negative extremes and respond with something like, “Oh, I would never do that.” It may be helpful to take time for critical reflection.

  • Have we ever chosen not to act when we could have done something to help another person who was in need?
  • Have we ever distanced ourselves from someone because we were uncomfortable with their opinions or personality?
  • Have we ever inflicted harm (emotional, psychological, physical or spiritual) on another person because we did not agree with their position on something?

We’re familiar with the defence mechanisms of Fight or Flight.  In relationships we employ these through the manoeuvres of Attack or Withdraw.  It is important to remember that these mechanisms are based in fear.  If we operate from fear, we are not operating from love.

The first group mentioned above operated in Flight.  They were, in some way, afraid of what would happen if they got involved so they withdrew from the situation.  The second group operated in Fight.  They were afraid of someone expressing their love for God differently from their own and their means of dealing with this fear was to attack (or kill).

Neither expression is borne out of love.  Love does not kill; love does not ignore people in need; love does not fear.  Perfect love casts out fear.

 

Jesus & God in Healing (part 1)

Another image of God that I picked up somewhere along the way is the idea that people get sick either because God gives it to them or, at the very least, he allows it in order for them to learn something to make them better people. But, if the author of Hebrews is correct, Jesus is the perfect representation of God and no matter how hard I looked, I simply could not find anywhere in the life of Jesus where he told people that the sickness they had would make them better people. Again, I see the opposite.

Jesus actually healed everyone who asked him for healing. Everyone who asked. Not once did Jesus tell somebody that the disease they were suffering with was sent to them by God in order to build their character, help them be a better person, teach them patience, bring their family closer or to die with dignity. Yet, for so much of my life, I’ve heard Christians give reasons like these to explain why people get sick.

When we talk about healing from a Christian perspective I think its essential that we talk about it from the example and teaching of Jesus. Too often healing is discussed from our point of view – and that isn’t always the most biblical. It is important that we stop to consider from where we form our beliefs. Where do your beliefs about healing come from? Have you arrived at those beliefs through studying the Scriptures? Or are your beliefs about healing arrived at through your personal experience?

I’m not saying I have all the answers. In no way do I have it all figured out. But I am sure about one thing: Jesus healed everyone who came to him requesting healing – he even went to heal people who didn’t ask him for healing! Not once did Jesus turn someone away. Never did he tell someone to get their act together before he would heal them. Never did he tell someone to get used to the disease because it was the ‘cross they were to carry’ or that it would make them a better person. His only response to disease and physical ailments was to get rid of them by healing the person who was sick.

Jesus and God (Part 2)

The more I learn about Jesus and his relationship with God I am surprised that I ever had an idea that they were so different.

Jesus was with God in the very beginning and through him all things were created. But Jesus was humble enough to willingly set aside his divinity in order to be born as a man. In his human-ness he was able to live and identify all the aspects of the human condition, yet he remained without sin. How was he able to live without sinning? He maintained a relationship with God. As a young man he grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with both people and with God.

Jesus matured into manhood living a life of perfect relationship with God. His relationship with God was so close that he repeatedly told people “If you have seen me you have seen the Father” and ” I and the Father are one”. But this didn’t just come from Jesus. On three different occasions God spoke in a voice that others could hear, telling people that he was proud of his son, Jesus (Mt 3.17, 17.5; Jn 12.28).

Jesus wanted so much to retain his relationship with God that he would often spend long blocks of time away from other people so he could pray and spend time alone with his Father. Through that close-knit bond between them, Jesus knew the heart of God and wanted only to please him. He said that his ‘food’ is to do the will of the one who sent him (Jn 4.34). As a result God honoured Jesus and “was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Col 1.19; 2.9).

So, when we talk about Jesus being the exact representation of God, it is because Jesus – as a man – was more interested in living to please God than to please himself. His desire to please God and to mirror the heart of God to people, meant that he only did what he saw the Father do, and said what he heard the Father say (Jn 5.19). This perfect obedience in a relationship of love is what made it possible for him to exactly (link to post) and precisely reflect and represent the heart, nature and character of God.