A Stumbler's Walk | I

And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 

- Acts 16:10 

From "them" to "us;" from "they" to "we;" from "him" to "me."

At some point, the Gospel must become first person; the faith must become our own. This good news of God is not something to merely read and sing about. It is to be experienced… first hand. Grace is personal. Grace is a person. 

When we come to Luke 16, it is as if Luke can no longer hold it in: "I am a part of this thing!" What has been to this point a third person narrative bursts through into first person. Scholars call these the We Passages. Luke can't help himself but to let the reader know, "I've seen it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears. I've felt it in my own heart, and I know it deep in my own soul! This Jesus is alive and at work! Believe me, don't believe me, (I hope you do), but I was there.”

Though Paul’s faith was powerful, it was not enough for Luke. Though Timothy’s passion was contagious, it could only motivate Luke so much. Luke’s experience with Jesus had to be his own. 

It is the same for you and me.

Our parents' faith, our pastor's faith, our favorite author's faith is not enough. We must experience Jesus on our own. The old hymn says, “Just as I am, I come to Thee…” And just we are Jesus comes to us; to give us life and joy, peace and purpose. 

First person. Personal. Intimate. He calls us by name.

God, just as I am I come.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | BURDEN

For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden…

- Acts 15:28 

Jesus is the author of freedom, not of burden. Life carries enough difficulty and pain on its own. If our relationship with God becomes a burdensome thing, something is off kilter. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).

We easily get caught up in trivial things, in unnecessary things, even in religious things. We tend to layer have-tos and musts on ourselves - or allow them to be piled on us by others. We become weighed-down; bowed and bent, trying to maneuver life while carrying refrigerators on our backs. 

These burdens are tiring. And worse, they are joy-killers. They steal away the purity of our relationship with Christ. They rob us of life. Jesus "…came that you might have life, and have it abundantly," (John 10:10).

Grace is not carte blanche to live any way we choose or do whatever we feel. "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" Paul asks the Romans. "By no means…," (Romans 6:1-2). Instead, the life of faith is lived by, "… run(ning) with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…" (Heb 12:1-2).

The Gospel brings clarity, not obscurity. Grace strips away the trivial. It doesn't add the weight of burden. The Christian life is simple; but it is by no means easy. "Looking to Jesus…" Peter walked on water when his eyes were fixed on Jesus. He sank when he focused on the storm around him. It is the same today; for you and me.

A mentor of mine used to say, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." Jesus is the main thing.

God, I fix my eyes on you...

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | TRUTH

A couple additional thoughts about yesterday's Acts 14 post:

Thought #1 on the divisive nature of the Gospel:

Truth is divisive, because truth exposes untruth. 

All truth is like that. "0" and "2" are the only integers that produce the same result when either added to or multiplied by themselves. (I.e. 2+2=4 and 2x2=4). It is mathematical truth. "3" may not like it. "178" may think he fits the mold. But that doesn't change the truth. If we read "3+3=6" we say, "true." But if we read "3x3=6" we immediately realize, "untrue." 

Truth exposes untruth.

Thought #2 is a powerful quote from a guy I heard speak over 20 years ago, and the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel:

"God loves you as you are, not as you should be. None of us is as we should be." 

-Brennan Manning

The truth of God exposes both what is true and untrue in our lives. Thank God for truth, forgiveness and restoration.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | PLUNGE

But the people of the city were divided…

- Acts 14:4 

The message of the Gospel is divisive. Yes, it is good news; the best news of love and forgiveness. It is also divisive.

As Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the message of Jesus, many were drawn by it, and many were repelled. Jesus himself said this would be the case (e.g. Matthew 10, Luke 12).There is a popular version of Christianity today that is, in fact, not very Christian. It is easy to accept because it sounds and feels good, requires little, and promises health and happiness. But it is not authentic. Try to square the "happy-healthy" message with Acts 14 alone. It can't be done. Paul and Barnabas are rejected, ridiculed, beaten, stoned (and not in the California/Colorado sense), and often fleeing for their lives.

At it's core, biblical Christianity is a message of sacrifice. Jesus paved the way. And we are called to lay down our lives for him - most often not in the literal sense (though many have). We are called to live sacrificed lives. Paul put it this way: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live... I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me," (Galatians 2:20).

We cannot dip our toe into the Gospel to test the waters. The Christian life is not to be waded into knee-deep in such a way that we are comfortable and don't get our hair wet. It is a plunge. We offer our lives to Jesus as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). In turn, we receive the life that only he gives.

God never promised to change all our circumstances to make us healthy and happy. He sometimes does, he often doesn't. God does however, promise to change us in the midst of our circumstances. He promises to be present. And somehow, in the midst of whatever circumstance, he provides joy. The result? We become overcomers; those who are not subject to circumstance. Instead, we "…fix our eyes on Jesus…and run the race…" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Oh, and the last thing on the divisive nature of the Gospel: It divides me. I know its truth… but don't always live it. I know its power… but don't always experience it. I know its joy… but am often weighed down by circumstance. I know its love… but don't always love. (Maybe you can relate.)

But God is at work! And he doesn't condemn (Romans 5:1).

God, help me take the plunge today.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | NAME CHANGE

But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…

- Acts 13:9 

Are you willing to allow God to change your name? Maybe not literally; in our culture a name doesn't normally carry the same significance as in ancient times. But God does want to change our identity, our character.

Scripture records several instances when God changed a name. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. It seems minor, but each is significant. Of more importance is what the name-change signifies. A transforming touch of God has occurred, and the transformee has been changed.

It is as if God is saying, "You were _________, but now you are _________." For example: "Peter you were a failing fisherman, but now you are a rock, and a fisher of men. Israel, you were a contentious, conniving, deceiver, but now you are a prince of God."

So fill in your blanks…

"I was without hope, but now I have purpose."

"I was addicted, but now I am free."

"I was full of fear, but now I am an overcomer."
"I was flatlined inside, but now I have joy."
"I once was lost, but now I'm found."
"I was _______, but now I am ________."

This Saul… I mean Paul wrote, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You may not see it. It is most likely subtle; even imperceptible. But God is working in you - making the changes he desires to complete your, "I was…, but now…" story.

Two more promises from the Apostle Paul: "…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure," (Philippians 2:13). "…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…," (Phillipians 1:6).

God, thank you; I was..., but now...; please continue your work in me.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | HERE

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God…

- Acts 12:5

(Who is praying for you? You may know. You may never know. For whom are you praying? Make sure they know.)

The night is dark. Prison doors are bolted. Wrists are locked in shackles and chains. Sentries of bondage are stationed on either side.

Freedom is near. An angel is on the way.

I believe in angels (because the Bible does); the literal heavenly being, full of light, flaming sword variety. 

I also believe in flesh and blood angels. The word "angel" in our New Testament is a transliteration of the original, which simply means "messenger." The context of this passage makes it clear Luke is referring to the former - a heavenly being; as is the case with most biblical references to angels. However, the angels I've experienced have been of the flesh and blood variety. (Though who knows what is unseen.)

Prayers are offered up. A messenger is sent. A dungeon becomes the place of deliverance. The formula, I think, is often the same today: Prayer… messenger… deliverance. The settings change. The messengers change. The prisons and prisoners change. But God still delivers people who are in bondage. He delivers us. And he calls on us to be the prayers for, and the messengers of, deliverance to others.

In Isaiah six, God asks the question: "Whom shall I send, who will go for us?" Isaiah's response: "Here I am, send me."

Maybe your thought is: "But I'm the one in prison. I am the one in the dark place and my chains seem as real as the air I breathe."

Freedom is near. An angel is on the way.

And here is a mystically powerful truth: When we pray for others, and when we are angels to others, our chains begin to fall away.

God, here I am, send me.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | CHRIST(ian)

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

- Acts 11: 26 

What does it mean to call ourselves "Christian?" A better question: "What does it mean to BE "Christian?" The first is much easier than the second. To say I am something, or that I believe (in) something, is really no challenge. To BE something requires life validation. To BE the thing we claim, we must deeply believe (in) that thing, with the requisite life-change and lifestyle.

Interestingly, it was not Christians that first called themselves "Christian." They were so designated by others. People in Antioch began to use the term for followers of Jesus; the far away prophet who had been killed and, the spreading stories reported, had been resurrected. The word literally means "followers of Christ." In the common vernacular it was derogatory, and carried a tongue-in-cheek sarcastic meaning of, "little Christs." Though the believers originally rejected the term, eventually the sense was, "'Followers of Jesus,' 'little Christs,' we can live with that." They were called Christian because they lived like Christians; because they were Christians.

"Christian" (the word) has lost much of its authenticity and power in our culture. We have "Christian music," "Christian restaurants," "Christian comedy," "Christian theme parks," ad infinitum. And that's all fine. But there is really no such thing as a Christian sandwich. There are only Christian people - followers of Jesus. The transformed (and transforming); those who have joined him in his mission. Jesus said the overarching distinguishing characteristic of his followers would be love for one another (John 13:35). The people of Antioch noticed it.

So the question: Is there anything distinguishing about me? Not some fake, "Look at me while I do religious stuff," kind of distinguishing. Is there authenticity, love, and to go back a couple chapters, grace and power?"

We need to self-evaluate. But we need not be self-critical. Remember we are all works-in-progress. That is the transformING part of being transformed. We need to see ourselves the way God sees us. And how is that? As Christians, little Christs. Those who have the Spirit of the living Jesus alive in us.

God, I want to BE Christian.

For now...

D