Suicide

This morning a friend asked me to address suicide and my thoughts on this topic.  

It's a very personal topic for me.  

My niece took her life several years ago and the thoughts of her are still near to all of us.  Suicide leaves questions for those have chosen it and for us left behind. 

Why did they do it?  Was their life that bad?  How could they leave us like that?  And for us left behind, will the pain ever diminish?

As one author described it "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."  If only they had asked for help, if only they had waited till morning, if only.....but all we have are unanswered questions that leave us empty and hurting.

And, in the area of faith and eternity these questions arise,

Is suicide a sin?

Can someone who commits suicide be forgiven?

Many have written that this is an unforgivable sin because we don't have an opportunity to repent of it.  It's a final choice, taking our lives into our own hands, leaving us no opportunity to repent.

One wrote that this situation leaves the person without forgiveness...doomed.

But let me address this topic in light of what Jesus did on the cross.  
(Let me make clear that I'm speaking in reference to a Christian who would take their life.  If we are speaking of a person who hasn't trusted Christ we have a completely different discussion to work on.)

Here are a series of questions that will help us get to some basic answers, are you ready?  (If you want all the scripture references do ask, but I'm leaving them out for the sake of brevity.)

1. When Jesus died on the cross how many of our sins did he die for?  If you know the bible the answer has to be "all of them".  (Do you remember his last words? "It is finished."  The total price was paid....it's called "grace".)

Hebrews tells us Christ died "once for all."  (7:27, 10:10, 12, 14) What that means is that he made one sacrifice for all men, for all time, for all sins.

2. Now, if he died for all sins, when he died how many of your sins were still future?  If you're thinking, you have to respond, "all of them!"

3. So, when you trusted him as savior how many of your sins did he forgive?  You can see where I'm going, can't you?  Again, you will have to reply, "all of them!"  

I'm sure you are asking what does this have to do with suicide?  But be patient, we will get there....you can't deal with such a difficult issue so easily.

One person wrote that when you commit suicide you don't have a chance to repent and they are right, but based on what I have asked you already, what does repentance have to do with forgiveness?  

Did you understand the implications of what I just asked?  IF you have trusted Christ then all your sins, past, present and future are forgiven already.  All of them!  Even my last choice of taking my own life.  

Some will quote 1 John 1:9 in this discussion.  I've heard it many times as a response to grace, but read this verse in context and you will see it's a once for all verse-  "he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from ALL unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9 fits perfectly with what we have discussed already.

Repentance is important, but it's a response to forgiveness, not a way of getting it.  Forgiveness was done at the moment you trusted Christ.  Repentance is the right response on my part to sin and deals with my relationship with God, not my forgiveness.

Am I giving approval to those thinking about suicide? Not at all!  

God forbid!  

It's a sad, terrible, painful choice that scars those left behind....but for the one who has chosen, in that dark moment, to take their own life and not trust God with the days ahead, they will still find themselves with the Lord, forgiven of sin, regretting their final choice to not trust God with the situation they faced.

Is a Christian who commits suicide forgiven and in heaven? YES!

Do they regret their choice? YES!  Because, in light of eternity, they realize they didn't wait to see what God could do with their terrible situation.

I'm sure my niece wishes she could undo her choice, but she can't and we live with the pain....missing her daily.  

Are you thinking about taking your own life?  Please don't!  Get help, tell someone, wait till morning...you will never regret the choice to trust God, but for the dear saint who is so broken that they sin and commit suicide you will see them in heaven.  And we will rejoice at a wonderful savior who provides all we need, even when our last choice is the worse one of all.

Fear

I fear we are afraid of all the wrong things.

We fear those in power.

We fear those who want to be in power.

We fear guns.

We fear those who have guns.

We fear those who want to take guns away.

We fear Muslims.

Many fear Christians.

We fear conservatives, liberals, the media, big business.

We are afraid of what might happen to the economy.

We fear our boss, 

the guy in the car next to us, 

an angry look in a store.

Fear is addicting and has become the drug of choice 

in our country today.

Fear is the dominant emotion of our day.

But, sadly, we don't fear the one thing we should.

It's fear of this one thing that would calm all our other fears.

If only we feared the right things....

....if only we realized 

there is only one thing to fear,

only one thing that really matters.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him (Psalm 33:8). 

“Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence?" (Jeremiah 5:22). 

If only we feared God.

All our other fears would evaporate 

in the shadows of the God who loves us.

Upside down world

Our world has been turned upside down by humanities desire to dismiss God and do things their own way.

Recently, on a television talk show, one of the hosts said, 

"I’d Vote for a Rapist 

as Long as He Votes for Abortion."

It's just a small slice of how our entire culture has turned everything upside down to deny God and do things their own way....even to justifying sin so they can allow more sin.

Of course, I know, sin is a dirty word now days.  How dare I call someone's words or actions sin, but I still believe that what God says is right in spite of what the world around me says.  It means that people like me will be hated, ridiculed and marginalized as haters....but we aren't.  

Actually it's love that motivates us to deal rightly with actions.  We love others and don't want them to suffer the results of sin and death, but they see it as hate.  When everything is upside down what do you expect?

Paul tells us this is coming in the ending of Romans 1 when he says, "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

We live in an upside down world.  It gets confusing once in a while, doesn't it?  The only solution is a good compass to get our bearing....it's called the bible.

Ambition

What's your ambition?

What do you aspire to?

What is your focus for the new year?  

Where are you going?  

Is it the right place?  

Is your goal clear?

What's the ambition of your life?  

I ask that because it matters, it shapes you, it drives your decisions and makes you into the person you will become.  

Ambition is powerful...it transforms us for good or bad.

If your ambition is to be rich you will throw away people for the goal of gaining wealth.

If your ambition is fame you will do whatever it takes to be noticed, to "make a mark, to become someone."

If your ambition is power you will lie to get it, steal to keep it and hurt others to gain more.

Ambition forms us, so it's vital it be the right ambition.

Here's one that Paul offered for your consideration,

"Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." 2 Cor. 5:9

Ambition can destroy you or it can aim you and transform you.  

What's your ambition in this new year?

Living with uncovered faces

"And we, who with unveiled faces

 all reflect the Lord's glory, 

are being transformed into his likeness 

with ever-increasing glory, 

which comes from the Lord, 

who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3

Often, as I read Paul's words, I am amazed that he writes such profound words as if they are simple thoughts.  This one verse encapsulates mountains of words to unpack it!

Let me do something strange with this verse to help explain it, let me write it backwards...

"The Holy Spirit, who is actually the Lord, with more and more glory each day, is transforming us into the image of Christ, so that his glory will be seen in us who live with uncovered faces....faces uncovered to God...faces that the world can see God through."

The Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit are all working in us with one goal in mind...that we might look like him and that the world will see that.  It's his grand plan of redemption in broken, fallen men so that his glory will be seen.

Anytime the world sees a bit of God in you or me it's because of God's work.  He is working to make us like Christ.  

Isn't that amazing?  And so he leaves us in the world so that those who are lost might see broken lives transformed....sinners becoming saints, liars becoming truth tellers, thieves becoming honest men, immoral men becoming Godly.

Day by day, bit by bit, the glory of God is being seen more clearly in each of his children as Father, Son and Spirit transform us into the image of Christ.  It's a wonderful work that only God could do, but there is one requirement....you have to be available for the work to proceed.  

You and I have to submit to the construction.  Let me be clear, it will ultimately happen for a child of God even if they resist, but for God to work in your life you have to come to him and simply be available for the work he wants to do.

There are days, I have to admit that it is painful.  My ego gets bruised, my pride is abased, my feelings are humbled....but day by day the glory of God is being seen more clearly through me.  I can't wait to see what I will look like when he is done.....

....but wait, I already know....I'll look like Jesus!

First day

I just got the call.

She was a good friend 

and member of our church.

On this first day of

2016

she passed away....

...but in truth

she began to live

for the very first time.

She began 2016

in

eternity!

After a dozen years

of struggles with cancer

she finally won.

Today

in our first day

of

a new year,

but she began eternity.

Her first day in eternity...

can you imagine?

No pain.

No fear.

No longer weary.

Sin and sorrow

pain and loss

fear and worry...

...are gone!

This is her first day in eternity!

What a way to begin a new year.

She is so blessed!

The End

Another year is nearly over.  It's been a year of chaos around the world.  Storms brewing in the weather and in governments.  Things are quickly changing.  Fears are rising.  

It seems our world is beginning to unravel at nearly every level.  And yet, this year offers a new excitement for the Christian.  Each day tells us Christ is coming...it may be today.  

Yes, it's the end of a year, but a new one begins tomorrow.  2015 will be remembered in different ways, each of us celebrating high points or glad to be done with the low points.  Babies born, friends dying.  Marriages begun, others ending.  As Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun."

Another year is past.  The end has come.  Tomorrow we begin anew.  I look forward to the day when eternity begins and the years of sorrow are over.  Soon, history as we know it will end and eternity will begin.  But until then we have another day to live for the God who made us.

May we live to glorify him.  There is no better way to begin a new year.

Back to basics

At the end of each year I go back to basics to make sure I haven't wandered from the truth of what I believe.  Part of the basics for me is reading certain passages of scripture to recalibrate, to focus once more on what is essential.

Years ago Vince Lombardi did the same thing after a bad loss to an opponent.  He began his speech to his team with these famous words, "Gentlemen, this is a football."

We have to constantly revisit basics because, without meaning to do so, we wander from truth and the main messages of scripture. Back to basics for me involve rereading Ecclesiastes, Romans, Philippians, a passage from Mark 12 and a passage in Luke 6.  There is much more that will refocus me, but these are the essentials.

This morning let me focus on the passage in Mark because it is the most important, the essential truth of living in this world.  Here it is,

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

This is the heart of the Christian life.  If I don't get this right then nothing else will work as it should either.  First, love God.  Next, love others.  If this was all I did (and did it well) I would live out the Christian life well.

There is no other faith on planet earth that has this as its starting place....a God of love inviting that lifestyle as the way to please him.  Imagine that.  Loving God and loving others is the core of the Christian faith.  If you do those well then you have got the basics.

In a world where war, fear, death and anger rage there is a people who live out a message of love.  

Although it isn't flashy or news worthy it is the only thing that will change lives, that will change the world.  

Christmas eve

I just watched the sun rise.

Each new day shows God's love,

his faithfulness,

his power.

But this morning is special.

Today, the day before Christmas,

I think about a God

who loves us,

who cares.

The God who made the Universe

stepped out of eternity

and became a baby.

Do you realize how unbelievable that is?

Do you know how amazing that is?

That God,

the only God

became man

to

save us,

love us,

tell us about him,

show us grace,

hold us,

cry with us,

pray for us,

laugh with us,

heal us,

and die for us.

Do you realize this is,

without exception,

the most 

exciting,

outrageous

thing to ever happen

on planet earth?

God became man. 

His name is Jesus.

Emmanuel,

God is with us!

Just thinking....

It's Wednesday.  I have been studying, praying, preparing for Sunday.  It seems, no matter the topic, when I prepare to preach or teach I am challenged in my own faith.  My own life and heart are changed.  

I'm fascinated that God would use me at all, but then, as he does he changes me too.  It's quite overwhelming for me to know the God who made me.  How is that possible?  How can my creator take time or even be interested in me?  But he does, he is!  

I don't know how to respond to that....it's beyond words for me that God sees me! He loves me.  He values me.  He listens when I call. He actually likes to hang out with me.  How is that possible?

What kind of God is this that cares so much?  If you really think about it, if you really understand it....you will be overwhelmed, humbled, surprised and relieved....God loves you.

Do you know how big that is?  Do you know that he loves you? That he cares about you? Do you know him?  

I know, these thoughts are rambling a bit, but the thoughts I'm working through now are speeding by at 100 mph.  It's amazing to know that the one who made me, the one who made you loves us and cares about us.  Isn't that wonderful?

Something fun on a Tuesday

Come, let us adore him

This morning I'm having coffee at a restaurant and reading 

the word. In the background the music playing is "Come let 

us adore him" with the words clearly sung, "COME LET US 

ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD....." 

It's fascinating that all around us at this time of year the 

praise of God is being sung and the world is missing him. 

For them it's nice seasonal music, but for me it's praise to 

my wonderful savior. "Come, let us adore him"....what a 

glorious invitation that most ignore as background noise. 

I am so thankful that the baby born is Christ, THE LORD!

Empty people

We are in a world of empty people 

looking for something to fill them

All of us are aware of the emptiness  

We all feel it

and we try to fill it with noise

with activity

with people

with entertainment

with anything....

....so we don't feel the emptiness.

But it's still there

It doesn't go away

because our souls aren't satisfied

with the things we fill it with.

Things don't satisfy

they don't fill the emptiness

It doesn't last...

The emptiness rages on

So we add new things to fill it...

alcohol, drugs, movies, anything!

But we are empty still

And so depression, resignation sets in

We give up because nothing we try works

Nothing fills the emptiness

Nothing.....

....and then, somehow we discover

that the one who made us 

made the emptiness for Him to fill

The emptiness is only filled by the maker

by God

He designed us with the emptiness and filled it himself

but we decided we wanted to fill it with something else...

...but nothing else works

There is only one thing that will fill the emptiness in us....

....GOD.

When I think of the greatness of this great plan I fall on my knees before God the Father (from whom all fatherhood, earthly or heavenly, derives its name), and I pray that out of the glorious richness of his resources he will enable you to know the strength of the spirit’s inner re-inforcement—that Christ may actually live in your hearts by your faith. And I pray that you, firmly fixed in love yourselves, may be able to grasp (with all Christians) how wide and deep and long and high is the love of Christ—and to know for yourselves that love so far beyond our comprehension. May you be filled though all your being with God himself! Ephesians 3:19 (J.B. Phillips)

An uncomfortable contentment

A friend of mine has posted a series of photos on Facebook of homeless people, refugees, distressed people, troubled lives. They are disturbing and I know he meant them to disturb our self-focused lives.

When we see what others struggle with it should make us uncomfortable with our easy lives and lack of contentment in all we have.  The luxury of excess often makes us numb to the pain of lack.

Paul tells us in Philippians to be content. It's not a contentment of comfort, but a contentment with God's provision whether little or much.  And yet, around me and in me is a culture of discontent cultivated by the advertising industry that tells us we "need" the new, best, most advance whatever.  It breeds a subtle discontent with excess.  Sad, isn't it?

Often, when I'm able to travel to a third world country I feel ashamed and embarrassed by all I have.  It makes me wish for a contentment in God alone apart from the things around me and yet it's so elusive because our flesh tingles with the thought of something new....something no one really needs, but if we had it we would be "happy."

My friend has reminded me that the excess we enjoy is not the norm and we should be uncomfortable with it.  To have a car, a home, socks without holes, food on the table and a refrigerator to put it in are excesses most of the world does not know.  But we take it all for granted.

I pray for an uncomfortable contentment that makes me ever thankful for what God has provided, but uncomfortable with having it when others have nothing.  Lord, help me to see the things I have as simple gifts to use for your glory and not trinkets to hoard for my own pleasure.

Years ago I remember Dr. Henry Brandt say, "My goal in life is not to get to the end of it and compare my pile of ashes to your pile of ashes."  

May we live with an uncomfortable contentment that glorifies God.

Philippians 4  "I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."   (THE MESSAGE)

Besides You...

"I said to the Lord,

'You are my Lord;

I have no good 

besides You.'"

Psalms 16:2

As I begin these thoughts I'm struggling for words.  The reason this comes with difficulty is the immensity of this simple verse I quoted above.  It's funny how often new verses like this appear in my bible that weren't there before, but this is one of them.

As I read it I stopped....."I have no good besides You."  I couldn't go further, I had to read it again, "I have no good besides You."

What do I do with that?  How do I fit that into my life?  David, the author of these words was a wealthy king.  He had treasure, fame, and literally everything we in our day call the good things of life. 

A man who had it all takes a moment to contrast them to God and is basically saying that none of it has value in comparison to God. "I have no good besides You" is the ultimate value statement about life and all it offers.

Now, what do we do with it?  Would we shake our heads in agreement?  Would we say "amen" from the bleachers?  Is this how we see all that is around us?

I think not!

We live in a world of good things....a culture rich the the very best, the "good life" as they call it.  But it seems that David saw beyond the curtains and saw the God who made it all.  In contrast to having God all the rest is rust, rot and rubble.

This is something I will be thinking about for a while.....because to be honest I hesitate at this verse because it's not mine.  I have something I need to do about this.  More on that another day.