"Clean" or "Unclean" Who Is To Decided?

I was thinking about the conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles this morning. While I was reading in the Book of Acts, chapter 10 and 11, when these words from Jesus came to mind.

34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13)

And I wondered!  How many times have people read, or heard, those words?  Jesus was perfectly clear about the fact that we are to love others. 

That is what was going through my mind as I read the story about Peter and Cornelius in Acts.  Where we are told, in a different way, to love.  This is a story about the division between the Gentiles and the Jews.  And the not so subtle issue of the Jewish attitude of exclusion.  An attitude that limited God’s love to just those of the Jewish faith. More specifically, to the “circumcised” believers.

The main problem in this particular account is: 

One, Peter had fellowship with the Gentiles.  That is he had eaten at the same dinner table with them inside an uncircumcised  Gentile home.  And in doing so had violated some extremely sacred Jewish laws.  

Two, Peter’s witness God's acceptance of the Gentiles, when the Holy Spirit came upon them (chapter 10).

As the story continues, in chapter 11, Peter is being confronted — criticized — by his circumcised brothers in Jerusalem, about his association with “those people.”   Those “unclean,” “unworthy,” AND “uncircumcised” men! 

Be clear on this!  These are NOT, on any terms, minor violations that Peter is facing.  They are sacred rules that he has totally disregarded.  Violated!  

I can just imagine the tension in the room!  The anger on the faces of those pious men!  The indignation shooting with powerfully silent, unflinching attitude, right at Peter!  The fireworks were all in place just ready to ignite.  

Imagine how you would be tempted to respond if you were in Peter’s shoes.  Immediate defense!  Right!  At least that is what usually happens when someone is accused of doing something really-really-bad.  Being confronted by  serious accusations.

 It is no secret how Peter had responded, in the past, when face with something he didn’t like or approve of.  Remember how he argued with Jesus when told how Jesus would die.   Or how he reacted when Jesus wanted to wash his feet.

Or In the courtyard, after Jesus’ arrested, when he vehemently denied knowing who Jesus was.

Peter certainly was not shy when it came to expressing his opinion!

However this time, when faced with the authority of Jewish religious leaders, he simply told the story.  And he did it with no defensive tone of voice (my interpretation).  

First he told them about his vision:  “I was in Joppa praying…And I saw a vision about a sheet being lowered down from heaven.   In that sheet were all kinds of creatures of unclean origin.  And I heard God’s voice telling me to “get up, kill, and eat.”  And I responded to God by saying: “By no means Lord for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.”

God gave me this vision three times, and then made it very clear to me that my assessment of “clean” and “unclean” was not of God’s making.  I heard God say: “What I have made clean you must not call profane.”

Then Peter told them of how Cornelius’ friends had come to him.  Men who were Gentiles who believed in God.  And how the Holy Spirit told him to go with them.  And not to make a distinction between them and us.  The Gentiles told him that God had spoken to Cornelius, and told him to send for Peter; and that Peter would give the Gentiles “a message."  The message that Cornelius’ entire household would be saved.”

And then!  And then Peter told his accusers the unbelievable story about how, as he spoke to these Gentiles “The Holy Spirit fell on them,”  just as it had happened to Jesus Disciples. Then he said to them:  “If God gave them the same Spirit that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Then who was I, that I could hinder God?”

Peter’s Gentle explanation quieted the tension within the room. We are told: “When they heard this they were silenced.  And then they praised God that God has given, even to the Gentiles, the repentance that lead to  life.”

Think about this!  Peter didn’t defend himself! Or argue! He didn’t debate!  He didn’t raise his voice!

He simply told the story!

And then asked the question: “Who am I to hinder God?”

We learn at least two things from these chapters from Acts.  One, Stories work better, sometimes, then debate!  Two, no matter how hard we try, we will never limit God’s love!

We also learn that “being right!” Or doing what we deem as “right” or “clean” or “good” doesn’t always agree with God’s plan.  Actually sometimes — a lot of times — our thoughts and opinions are skewed by our cultural training. 

You see God came, in Jesus’ skin, to change accepted cultural norms, rituals, rules and traditions.  He came to change the mindset of those who had made so many laws “In God’s name.”  Rules that judged, excluded and limited God’s will!  Disregarded God’s love!

This very pointed story, about the clash between Jewish followers of Jesus and the gentile believers in Jesus, is clear. It is not our privilege, or right, to limit God in any way.  And, it would behove us to constantly be asking ourselves what Peter asked:

“Who am I to hinder God?“

Who am I to name someone “unclean” or “profane” or “unworthy” of God’s love?

Because!  “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”  That one truth is often forgotten in the cultural maze we live in.  A maze that influences both  our knowledge and  opinions!

Jesus was constantly telling us, that we are not to judge!  We are to love! 

Love as He loves!

Is It "God's Plan?"

Reader: “You posted as the blog topic a participant's hope of how he/she would react to a terrible loss  - to forgive and be spurred on to greater action. We read stories of people who feel led to help raise issues to make change.  This is a desirable notion or hope - up to a point.  These stories give rise, I suspect, to the poster’s hope.  Those with faith ‘believe’ they, too, might do this.”

My response: I don’t believe that I wrote about people, in their grief, offering  “forgiveness” nor “greater action,” in my three posts on how the Holy Spirit/Advocate would prove us wrong in “sin, judgment and righteousness. 

Reader: “But what if the person can’t respond in a horrific situation that way.  What if that hope is obliterated by the sheer weight, senselessness, or inhumanity of the event.  What, as a pastor/blogger, would you say or do to help that person accept the inability to live that faith in their overwhelming grief - to a loss of the idealized faith in the face of reality.  What does a pastor do to help a person?”

My response:  Hopefully this will become clear as I move through your thoughts and concerns.

Reader: “The conflict must be great:  to believe that God has a plan and to feel as if they must have faith in it because it is his will.  Or to feel the reality of the distance from that faith. Doesn’t that set up a huge ‘failure’ for the person who had hoped strong enough faith to be different?  Unresolvable conflict for the individual already feeling huge loss and despair.  Doubles the hurt.”

My response: I am not at all sure where you got the idea that I think, or suggested, that people should take courage in their grief; because it is “God’s plan” for them.  I, would alway and totally, reject that kind of theology.  What the human physic prompts a person to do — act out in ways -- that affect another human being in negative and tragic ways; has nothing what-so-ever   to do with “God’s plan!”   Using a gun,  alcohol,  drugs,  knives,  trucks filled with explosive,  bombs on airlines or driving the wrong way at hundreds of miles and hour, to endanger other’s lives.  Is not in “God’s plan!”  I have spoken, and written,  many times about the flaw in that kind of thinking. 

Yes, people make the decision to destroy!  

That is not God’s decision!  

That is people choosing to act as a god! 

Reader: I hope, when you comment on the blog this morning, you might include thoughts about how this ‘hope’ in the ‘if’ situation is for those actually affected by the Santa Fe high school shooting (or all the others before).  It seems to me a verrrry long space between the ‘hope’ to the reality.”

My response:  Addressed at the end! 

Reader: “Maybe God is trying to get humanity to pay attention to the violence and mental illness issues but people keep praying that God’s plan will make it right.  “I have to spank you, and it hurts me more than you to spank you, but it’s necessary to get you to listen”  Does this actually work as a way to think about it?” 

My Response:  Well!  I will agree with you on two points!  

Yes, “God is trying to get humanity to listen!”  God has been at that task for thousands of centuries! 

And yes, “People have been praying that God’s plan will make it right!”  

However what you are leaving out of those two thoughts is that the people are not listening to God.   

To reverse the old saying:  “It wasn’t God that that made them do it!”  

God’s plan is for peace and harmony to prevail.  That plan got lost quickly after creations began.  However the beginning began!

Reader: “What would you say to help the blogger to accept THE POSSIBILITY of an inability to live that faith in their overwhelming grief - to a loss of the idealized faith in the face of reality.

My response:  As a person and a pastor  I would first tell those, who have to experience such horror,  that it was not God actions nor his plan.  Then I would gently sit with them and share my belief that God is with them to offer strength and comfort as they walk through their impossible sadness and loss.  

What I might say, if it seems okay at the moment, is that God never promised us that we would not experience pain or suffering, or grief.  But he did promise his never ending presence within any and all situations we face.  That God will walk with them, however long they need, to heal the awful pain.

I hope my thought have filled that  “verrrry long space between the ‘hope’ to the reality.”

Reality” is what is!  What is!  Regardless of God’s plan! 

 “Hope” is what can be!  However it is not what we often experience here in the messed up world!

“Reality” is seen, and felt!

“Hope” is not seen!  But hoped for!  

Me Righteous??

1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 

We continue this morning with the third thing the Advocate came to prove the world wrong about.  Righteousness!  

So I will begin, as I often do, with the Greek and Hebrew meaning of righteous.  You will be surprised to know that the root meaning is “justice.”  To do what is right, correct, fair.  It was meant as a legal term not a theological term.  However its use in scripture became understood as right conduct in accord with God’s will.  The righteous, then, are those who show faithfulness and loyalty to God.

Here we have the age old confusion between needing to earn God’s love and acceptance by our works.  The things we do to look, or be, perfect -- God like.  

Or standing before God in faith that God is a God of unconditional acceptance of our weaknesses and flaws.  That is,  faith alone is enough! God’s love is not something that we earn.  God’s love is free for the receiving.

There is a huge diffidence between trying to be perfect — trying to live up to God’s image.  And being loving and kind and humble, before God in faith.  As Jesus came to model for us! 

Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation, spent most of his young life struggling with the concept of being perfectly good and correct.  He thought!  No, actually he totally believed that righteousness grew out of working hard to earn God's approval. And doing so by being as perfect as any human can.  To be above any possible reproach!   

Luther lived in constant fear of God’s wrath. He was convinced that it was only through constant vigilance that he would earn God’s love and approval.  He had been well indoctrinated by the Roman Catholic traditions of his day! 

The quandary he lived with was:  “Who could live by faith, but only those who were already righteous?  Because it says so clearly, in Romans 1:17,  the righteous shall live by faith.”  

Luther’s struggle is not unlike most people’s.  And he worked tirelessly at being good enough for God.  For years Luther believed that righteousness came first.  That faith grew out of being perfect.   Luther was convinced he did not have faith, and so could not “live by faith.”  Because he was not righteous.  

When actually it was his faith alone that made him right/acceptable before God.. 

His major epiphany, that helped him to become free of his self-made-prison, came one lonely moment when he realized that it is the righteousness of God through which he could receive faith. 

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, "The one who is righteous will live by faith.”(Romans 1) 

Faith is the conduit through which God works in him/us to be right.  The Spirit of God is the source of a growing faith.  It is faith that makes us right with God!

1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. 5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you." 9 For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed. 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." 12 But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.(Gal. 3)

A Comment From A Reader

I received this comment from a reader the other day who was responding to my blog titled God's Promise Revisited.  I will leave you with this thoughtful comment for today.  The I will tackle the third term of what the Advocate came to prove the world wrong about . 

"I'd like to think that, if I were to suffer through an illness, family brokenness, or endure a tragedy - my relationship with God would be strong enough to view it as a way that God is trying to communicate with me. Perhaps He is trying to remind me of the blessings that He had given to me in the past. Good health, a rewarding career, loving family and strong relationships come to mind. I would try hard to listen to God speaking to me in a way that would prompt me to remain joyful, and to allow Him lead me in the direction He has in mind. If I simply listen - could God be asking me to help others who are ill, as I am able, or to be involved with youth in positive ways, or to use my heart and hands help rebuild what has been destroyed? I pray that God blesses me with that discernment - through the good and the bad." 

This quote, by the way, has a great deal to do with the exegesis of the term "righteousness.  

More tomorrow!

Are We Stumbling Blocks to God's Loving Nature?

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”(Jn. 160

Have you ever read a familiar passage, from the Bible, and realize that you have never truly listened to what it was actually saying?  It happened to me Sunday morning.  I was reviewing the readings for Pentecost!  The Epiphany came in the Gospel reading, from John 15 &16.  When a new, much brighter, light bulb clicked on in my brain.  Jesus was talking to the disciples about his leaving them.  And how the Spirit/Advocate would be coming to them. 

Nothing new there!  Right?   

But it was what he was telling them, about the Spirit, that captured my thoughts.  He tells them that this Spirit will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:  

In my mind flashed this huge WOW!  The Spirit will bring us new insight into the old ways, traditional ways of thinking about “sin and righteousness and judgment.”

DAAAAAA!

I have always aware that Jesus came to adjust the old ways of being God’s children. The old opinions about God’s character! Jesus' mission became ever clearer when he pointedly challenged the Ten Commandments, in Matthew 5:17 - 7:12).  Verse 12 basically summarizes the rest: “In everything do to others as you would have them to do to you; for this the law and the prophets.”

Also when he sums up the Ten Commandments, with the Great Commandment, to love God with all or our being and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:34f)

However, since my greatest passion has been to provide, those I served, the basic truth about Jesus’ ministry. I was astounded that I actually missed this important passage, from John 16 Sunday, that is so specific to an incorrect understanding about “sin and righteousness and judgment.” 

Three, very contentious, subjects that have so often created misunderstanding and actually hypocritical attitudes among God's faithful people.

I am having a difficult time expressing to you the excitement that filled my entire being Sunday.  I love it when I find such a treasure.  

Such a small sentence!  

Packed with so much crucial information!  

Just think about all talk about a God of judgment and wrath that has invaded Jesus’ teaching about a God of love and forgiveness. The entire Old Testament is replete with that, overwhelming public opinion, God was a God of strict judgment and terrible terrible.

I don’t think I need to expound on that one.  Judgment that is!   Except to say that Jesus came to totally undue that assessment of God.  He also came to undue the human need to judge others as well.

So I will attempt to tackle the powerful little word “sin” first.  Sin is one of those abstract, general concepts, that has been misused and abused for centuries.  Many of you have heard me on this subject more than once!  We humans love to name sin, call others “sinners” and place judgment on someone else because of their apparent sinfulness.  

When the “sin” that Jesus found difficult to overlook was just one!  “Unbelief!”  Those who choose to disregard his teachings as coming directly from God.  

5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.(Mk. 6)

This pronouncement followed Jesus’ visit to his home town, when he was teaching in the synagogue, among his family and childhood friends.  Where he was received with a “who do you think you are” attitude.  It says they took offense at him and his wisdom.   

You see, one of the basic reasons that people took offense at Jesus was that he taught a different theology than the one he had grown up with.  And in his attempt to rearrange their thinking about God’s character.  And, most especially, his reversal of many traditions, rituals, and understanding of the Ten Commandments; challenged the authority of the religious leaders. It challenged  his family and friends as well!

Interestingly enough, his was indeed among them to totally buck, not only the status quo, but the economic system, religious beliefs  and their ways of treating each other.  

I’ll say he was there to make a huge adjustment to the “sinful” temptations of the human ego!    

Jesus came to take away our sin!  

Let me see if I can unpack that ,commonly misunderstood, statement.  I’ll say it means that we human creatures have taken what was created “Very Good”;  and made it not so pleasant.  The human creation has move miles away from our original design!  “God’s Image!”  

And, I will suggest, that is was because we were made in God’s Image that it was so easy for us to take charge.  It was easy for us to think for ourselves; and do for ourselves; and decide for ourselves.  God made us much too self sufficient!  We became our own gods! 

If you read the accounts of the temptation of Jesus, in Luke 4, it was the issue of claiming god-hood that was the point  of each temptation.  

There are at least two times that Jesus referred to “missing the mark” — sin.  One was in the passage below when he talked about their unbelief.  The other comes in Matthew, 18:6ff, where he talks about putting stumbling blocks in the way of someones else faith.

Just think about how gracious and accepting Jesus was of all those called “sinners” by the religious of his day.

Then think about the two major sins that now encourage poster-lined city streets and highway billboards today.  Homosexuality and abortion!  Two issue that gain a lot of attention among those who are so sure they have the correct theology.

Then realize that Jesus did not talk at all about homosexuality.  And as for the subject of abortion — “murder” — he give a wonderful exegesis of that concept in Matthew 5:21-26.  You can read that this one for yourself.

When someone is bold enough to label another a “sinner.”  They are being stumbling blocks in the way of God’s loving, forgiving and accepting nature.  

1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.(Mk. 6)

God's Promise Revisited

25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.

Jesus is preparing them for the time when the world, as we know it, will end.  Telling them all of the destruction and terrible things that will take place.  

I can remember, as a child, being frightened when adults would talk about the world coming to an end.  They would name times and possible dates it would happen.  And they talked about those who would “not be saved.” That is, would not go to heaven.  They would use texts like this one to make their point.

It was really scary!

Scary because somehow the conversation never got around to Jesus’ promise:

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

That is!  Terrible things, scary things, painful and awful things will happen.  But!  But through it all, all of it,  we have this amazing truth to hold on to.  We have God’s Word, God’s everlasting covenant, and sustaining power surrounding and supporting us.  That will never end!  Never leave us to handle it alone!

We are told, in many ways, throughout scripture that we are not to worry and get all anxious; because nothing can separate from the presence of God. 

So, heres the deal! 

Here is the bump in the promise!

What we know, for a fact, is that when our physical possessions are destroyed.  They are gone!  They are no  more.

We know for certain that when one of the limbs of our body is amputated.  It is gone!  It is no more!  Never to be apart of us again.

When a loved on dies, we experience a painful separation/loss.  A very final feeling of being cut off.  They are just gone!

When fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes  happen.  People lose everything they once called their own.  Home, furniture, clothing and toys of all kinds.  Gone!

People who  experience such terrible loss know of what Jesus speaks: “All things will pass away.”  Will be gone!  All gone!  “But my word” — my truth — will never be gone!   That is, my grace, mercy, strength and comfort will never, not ever, go away.

Now that promise is suppose to be enough for us!  All we will ever need.

My wonder is!  Is it enough?

Is it enough when someone stands facing their home of many years.  The home that housed all of their dreams, memories, precious treasures and most private secrets.  And they see the destruction of it all.  Every last thing gone!  I can’t help but wonder if it is enough!  Enough that God stands with them in front of all the rubble?

When a spouse sits by the bedside of their one true love in the most fragile of relationships, dying before their eyes.  Rendered helpless!  I wonder if God’s promise presence is enough?  If God’s offer of strength to get through it, is enough?

Or, how about when a parent struggles to walk beside a child who is making damaging decisions.  Or who can never seem to get life “right.”  Constantly in some sort of trouble, or crisis, with the school or the law.  I wonder if it is enough for them to know that God’s support is ever present and positively dependable?

Or, what about the person whose heart is crushed and their life is scattered, like a gig-saw puzzle, all over the floor.  With no two pieces that seem to fit together; because of the destructiveness of divorce.  I wonder if it is enough for them to know that God is there to pick up all the pieces for them and to calm their pain?  Eventually finding peace and new life?

All of this!  All of it will pass away!  

Yes, all of it will happen!  But God will never ever pass away!  Never leave us!  

Thats the promise!

Now, I am abundantly aware that our trials, our experiences are not the end of the world.  However, at the same time, our experiences often do seem like the end of the world.  Insurmountable devastation!  Irreversible destruction! 

And yet, whatever the circumstance, Jesus asks this of us:

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life,…” 

Weighed down, to the point of hope-less-ness and despair.  

Instead, he suggests, that we pray! 

“..praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

That sounds, to a totally human ear,  like a neat little package of self-help instructions.  So again I can’t help but ask, is prayer enough?  Does pleading to, an invisible untouchable, God really help at these end-time moments?

In my experience the answer are often: “No not really!  Not in this moment!” Or, “His promise doesn’t quiet the pain right now! ”  Or, “I need someone I can see and touch and hold me.”  “I know God is here, but right now I don’t feel his comfort.”

Doe that mean that their faith is not good enough?  NO! 

Just because we don’t “feel” God in our lives, in those trying moments, does not mean we don’t have faith in God.  It means it is just enough to know God is there.  And God works through the faith, we have, to bring us to a better place. 

I think that it means that as humans we meant to feel the pain of loss!  Whether it is our possessions or a loved one’s life!

God does not measure our faith!  Tiny is good enough!

25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21)