If you love Me...

There is a passage in Hebrews chapter 3 that speaks about not hardening our hearts - not sinning - else we may not enter into God's rest. And this is one of those passages that gets used by people now and then to point at specific sins in other people - usually sins they believe they are not guilty of themselves. But does this point to something of that nature, or perhaps does it point at something else.

The Hebrews 3 passage speaks about those - Israel - whom Moses was leading through the wilderness after leaving Egypt, a story told in Exodus. This is the example we are given so that we may understand what this sin is, so it is to this place we must go.

Now then, if I were to ask what was the dreadful sin which plagued Israel and, eventually, led to them not being able to enter into the promised land/God's rest, what would you think of? No small number would think of the story of the golden calf and the subsequent orgy (that is how it was done) of worship to this thing. But that is just one event and God did not wipe them all out after this happened, so it really could not be what He is refering to.

If we read through these events in Exodus, we will see something happening repeatedly. One thing we see is that the Israelites seem to complain a fair bit about, well, most everything that comes across their path really. I put it to you that this is an outward symptom of the sin in question. Think about it, over and over God did amazing things to provide and care for them - everything from parting a sea to lead them away from those who wished them harm to water from a rock and food, literally, from out of nowhere provided daily. And yet, yet they complained about everything. Why did they do that? While we could try and analyze possible answers, the  most obvious answer is that they did not, in fact, actually trust God. No matter how many times He proved He could be trusted, they still refused to trust Him. Even when they got to the "promised land" they refused to trust Him and, subsequently, got to wander the wilds for a generation.

Let us fast forward to the Gospels. More than once, Jesus Himself said for us to not worry. That God knows what we need and what we want long before we even know we do and He is not hard or cruel, so He does not with hold these things from us. So we do not need to worry - we can trust Him.

Now we come full circle to the book of Hebrews and our passage from chapter 3 and verse 19:  "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief". What was their unbelief? What was this sin? Simply put, they did not trust God.

Of the two commands Jesus tells us we are to follow, loving God is number one - trust and love go together with each other. If we say we love God, then we must trust Him. Even when we are in the wilderness and we cannot fathom how things will work out or how what we need will come, we are to trust Him and He will take care of everything. He knows our limitations after all.

If you are a believer, how much rest do you have in your heart, mind and soul during those times which you refuse to trust God to take care of <whatever>? When you strive and try and scheme to make it work on your own, apart from God? From my own experience, I know the answer to be "not much", not much at all.

He can be trusted, not just because He says He can either. God will prove - over and over - that you can actually, completely and totally, count on Him. Do not base your trust of Him upon your own experiences trusting another person. He is not human, after all - He is God.


*Edit/Addon*

God is not stupid. Things which He says to either do or not to do, He does not do so to try and "make you work for it" or "take away from your fun". He knows what the consequences of our choices - for everyone concerned - can and will be. Trusting Him is no exception to this. He knows how insane we drive ourselves if we do not. He knows about the sleepless nights, the hours spent in therapy sessions, the words said unintentionally in arguments which can never be taken back fully or the addictions which pop up as we try to cope on our own. He knows the ground the enemy gains when he can get us to question and that he (satan) has the absolute worst in mind for us. Taking God at His word with regards to who He says He is, whom He says we are and about the relationship between us - that is, trusting Him - brings a great peace to our hearts, minds and souls in all situations and circumstances, for we know Who is in control and He is most certainly trustworthy.  He also knows we do not trust Him near as often as we should and no, He is not about to heave a lightning bolt at us for it - He is far more patient than we are.

One Life, Two Views

There are, generally speaking, two ways of looking at this life of ours.

1. That we are spiritual beings who happen to have a physical form for our temporary use while we are here in this plane of existence.

2. That we are physical beings who happen to have a spiritual component.

These are major differences and, as such, create significant differences in how lives are lived. For example:

Type 1:  As spiritual beings, what happens in the spiritual realm as well as what happens after we leave these temporal bodies is of primary concern. Therefore, with this as our starting point, spiritual matters - and any absolutes within - shape how we view the world we live in as well as how we attempt to live our lives within said world. Everything else comes in,  at least, second place.

Type 2:  Since spirit is only a component of the whole, it is no more important than any other part. Instead, as a primarily physical being, what becomes important are more immediate matters, not the least of which is how things make us feel and feelings have no absolutes. What makes one person laugh may cause another to cry - neither is "right" since they are responding to a myriad of personal factors which influence their emotional response to a given situation. Therefore, feeling (physical, mental, etc) and emotion become the primary focus of this view of the world and influences how lives are lived within it.

Do these two views conflict with each other? They most certainly do and this, obviously, causes some friction between them although not necessarily a warranted friction. If each considers that the other has a whole different starting point for their view of life and events than their own, perhaps some of that tension between the two will ease a bit.

If you are type 1 (which would hold those within the Christian Church), then you cannot demand that those who do not share your view "toe the line", since their "line" is totally different than your own. This is not something new, this has always been the case.

If you are type 2, understand that type 1's response is not due to how they feel about you or an issue but rather, is due to an absolute that they believe in. Also, if you do not believe in absolutes, you really cannot say type 1 is wrong for you have no absolute to base that upon.

Now then, this is hardly comprehensive nor is this to condemn either group - it is simply to explain, perhaps, where some of the tension and friction come from minus the name calling.

More than talk

So much of what we hear or read about "being the Body of Christ" seems to revolve around our behaviors in regards to "the Law" - that is lying, sexual matters, slander, etc. But is that all there is to "being the Body" - being "well behaved" or "morally upright"?

James 2:15-16 reads: " Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"

I know it is popular to bitch about how the government is not doing enough for those in need within our own country but have you ever stopped to consider that that was never something the government was supposed to be responsible for? For that matter, the notion they are is actually not that old.  Who is responsible then? The Church is who was to be responsible to help those in need (consider Lev. 23:22, for example). With that thought in mind, I find myself pondering how we are actually doing in that regard. I know there are many aid organizations affiliated with the Church, but how are we doing on a smaller scale?

Perhaps you read that and think "but our local church is only 20 people, what can we do?" No one says you have to pay someone's rent or clothe a family or buy groceries for a year so do not get caught up in the scale of how many need help. Something as simple as giving away a cup of coffee can make some difference. Think about it: a can of coffee + sugar + whitener (easier to store than milk) + coffee filters runs about $20 and could serve well over a hundred people. I know it seems trivial - a cup of coffee - but to someone who does not have much, even small things matter a great deal. If you ponder perhaps actually feeding people food, again you do not have to serve a full turkey dinner everyday to everyone who has need - even simple "mac n cheese" is food.

So a quick challenge to those within the Church who read this: do something. Find someone else who shares your thoughts and plan something out. Take it to your local church or go for it merely as fellow believers if the local seems slow to act (churches with boards and whatnot can be as slow anyplace else with same). Make coffee, hand out mittens or gloves, feed a half dozen people or whatever but DO something (preferably more than drop some change in a box on the counter when you buy your own coffee).

Do not merely read this, nod and agree and go on your way. Hear. Listen. Be the Body and change the world.

" For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:35-40

Why Do I?

Why do I say the kinds of things I do? Why do I try and make those within the Church take a look at themselves, as opposed to "blowing smoke up their tail pipe" to make them feel good?  Here's one you don't know about me...

Have you ever seen a church die?

I do not mean shrink.  I do not mean have to change buildings. I mean DIE. As in "God has left the building" kind of die.  I have.  A relatively long time ago now, when I was much younger in my faith, I saw a church die. That does something to you.

But it gets worse.  You see, I was given a very direct Word and it was a Word about the church in question.  But I was young in my faith.  And I was afraid. I was afraid to share it.  Afraid that they would look at me funny, or not listen, or not like me, or mock me.  So I said NOTHING. I kept it to myself. And a church died.

Maybe me saying it would not have changed anything. Maybe they would not have listened. Maybe they would mocked me or whatever. But maybe, maybe they would have heard. Maybe. I'll never know. Because that  church died. It was dead and gone by the end of the week - it never made the next Sunday.

So if you take offense or whatever because I seem to continually be trying to make you look at yourself in mirror. If it bothers you that I point out "little things" like the Church acting like the world, or getting defiant about stupid insignificant  matters or becoming self centered or holier than thou or just "going through the motions", know this:  I AM GOING TO SAY SOMETHING. I will not be silent no matter how many of you hate me for it. No matter how many of you stand in self righteous judgement over me. I will not be silent again. Not because I am better than you, but because I know what it is to fail and how bitter tears flow.

I cannot handle any more blood on my hands. Never again.

And yes, even now I still cry...

Pant, Wheeze, Gasp.....

The Bible likens our walk with Christ to a race. While this is good way to look at it, I think some of us make the mistake of thinking it is a 100m / 100yd dash and that we are well trained athletes. That we explode off the starting block full speed and maintain that throughout our short distance, crossing the finish line quickly and easily, even if maybe a bit spent.


Perhaps for some, that is true but not for most of us. For most of us, our Christian journey is more of a marathon and we, are at best, "weekend warriors" (or couch warriors for that matter). Our "race" begins and we explode off the starting block, only to find the race continuing - and our persons complaining about that fact - not far down the road. So we find our pace slowing, and we get upset with ourselves for not pacing ourselves better, not being in better shape, or not being as "fast as that other guy". But we continue moving forward even if not the picture of athletic prowess - we hobble here and there as cramps come and go and we stop moving now and then as we gasp in air desperately. But we do continue, even in spite of all this. Going back to the starting line is no option for us and that finish line has to be up there someplace ... maybe around that next turn.


It does not matter if you cross that line running like a graceful deer or stumble across it half alive with tear filled eyes, all that matters is that you finish. This is your race - your walk with Christ - not someone else's. And you can make it.


"..one thing I do: Forgetting  what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:13-14