Monday June 30, 2003

~ Salvation by works vs. by faith ~

   “When the Song of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will seperate the people one from another as a shepherd seperates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
   Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of 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 visit you?’
   The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
   Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   They will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?
   He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
   Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-45 (NIV)

A woman on the street… asking for some change…

I was walking past a dirty, disheveled woman. She asked me for some change, and like any other “normal” city dweller, I looked away, said: “Sorry…” and quickly walked away. Chalk one up for the goats…

I really suck at this Jesus thing, I thought to myself and then the verse above pops into my head. Jesus takes our relationship with fellow human beings very, very seriously. Eternal-PUNISHMENT-type of serious. I’m not saying we are to become slaves to the wants and needs of our fellow man or woman, but to meet the basic needs of any human being: Food, drink, shelter, clothing, care and kindness. Jesus didn’t tell us to fulfill their every want, but to make sure to fulfill their needs. What kind of Jesus follower would value money above their fellow human’s needs? Jesus answers that quite easily, those that aren’t really disciples at all, just goats pretending to be sheep…

When you look at things from Jesus’ point of view, things start to make more and more sense. Jesus was rejected by the world and came to save sinners, people who have come to recognize the evil within their own hearts. He didn’t come for those who thought themselves better than others. He didn’t come for the proud, the powerful, or the self-righteous. Jesus hung out with beggars, tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes, and other outcasts. How can you look Jesus in the eye when He comes back… and asks, “How have YOU been treating God’s sons and daughters?” I don’t think I could look Jesus in the eye… Shame, shame, shame on me… That for the love of money, I would allow those around me to go without… #%#$% money.

The reason we have salvation, is because Jesus died for us on the cross. Salvation cannot be earned by doing good. So what is the reason for doing good? A lot of people I know seem to think that just being a “good person” is enough. The bad news is, there is NO ONE good enough. We’re all sinners… and the consequence of sin is death. Jesus died so we could be redeemed. Otherwise, there must some sort of “good standard.” We have to be a certain level of “good” to make it into heaven. Too bad, imperfection disintegrates in the presence of holiness… So we cannot earn salvation. Salvation comes through Jesus, both man and God, perfect in every way, taking on our sins, and leading us onward to heaven.

We do good because it is pleasing to God. When we push aside the love of money and follow Jesus, your love for your fellow human being becomes greater. We learn why Jesus allowed himself to be crucified. We learn what it is that God wants, what pleases Him. God looks in on our selfish hole in our chest, we like to call our heart and occassionally shows us what is inside. That is why that lady asked for change…

So I went back… and I offered to buy her something to eat or drink. I could not hand her money with a clear conscious. I wish I could tell you I bought her something to eat… something to drink, but no… she said she needed money for a bus. And I couldn’t bring myself to give her money for that. Ideas of drugs and other things crowded in… I said, “Sorry…” and walked past once again. But this time, I think I did what God would have had me do. Things don’t always turn out the way you want or expect, but that’s no excuse to not do good. Jesus beckons me again… Follow me ~

Father, Thank you for the great time of fellowship at Creation. It is always good to have a glimpse at my own heart and to be encouraged to see You at work… and to see how far I have to finally become like Jesus. Keep me in line with Your truth. Forgive me of my sins and may my actions always glorify and please you, Lord. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

== Creation East 2003 ==

Fun, non-Moshing, YELLING, screaming, Praising, love, anger, patience, Altar calls, moist eyes, prayer, morning devotion, laughter, the sun, the SON, Hersey chocolate, milk, porta-potty, Chelten Baptist, JumPInG, gatorade, birds & the bees, sunburn, deep woods off, fire, microsleep, 8AM, non-shirtless, voiceless praise, cold showers, downhill, raising tents, hacky sack, sleepover, headlight, blister, guest tent, third arm, boy scout, sunset, tent zipper, cereal-less, bedhead “fro”, toothpaste-less, forgivness, encouragement, “I love that redneck!”, stadium showers & misters, litter, ice, “free hugs”, beach ball, crosswalk, “Girls need to SHUT UP!”, mystery, challenge, cold hamburger, Compassion International, roast beef, trash pile, turn around spot, “In between and on the edge”, speeding, “I am a C, C-H, C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N…”, Thank God and everyone who helped make Creation everything it was…

== Edit: Quizilla ==

You are Romans.

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