Reverse Contamination

Recently, my family and I traveled via plane on our vacation. While boarding the plane, I noticed a handful of people, sitting in different areas of the plane who were wearing surgical masks. The Swine Flu outbreak was at full tilt.

These folks were taking extra precaution to protect themselves from the virus. Regardless of how well the air purifiers were working on that plane, one cough or one sneeze by an infected person would pollute the air around them. The sickness would contaminate the pure air.

During our vacation, we visited a large metropolitan city. While there we traveled often on public trains and subways. As those who have done so know, it is nearly impossible to ride such trains without grabbing onto one of the many bars or loops to remain steady in transit.

When I placed my clean hand on one of those handrails, my hands became infected by the germs of thousands of passengers who had grabbed that rail previously. No matter how many times I’d washed my hands that day, no matter how many times I’d used hand-sanitizer, when my clean hands contacted that oft-touched rail, germs contaminated my clean hands.

So it is in the natural world. Germs, dirt, and viruses contaminate things that are pure.

But it’s very different in the Kingdom of God.

In the ninth chapter of Matthew when the woman with the issue of blood reached-out and touched Jesus’ garment, she was made well. Though she was declared unclean by Jewish law, rather than her uncleanness contaminating Christ, His profound purity removed her sickness and made her completely whole.

It was reverse contamination.

In the eighth chapter of Matthew, it was the leper who pleaded with Christ to make him whole. Jesus, without hesitation, reached out and touched the man, saying “be cleansed”. And he was. Though the leper was unclean under Jewish law, when he was touched by the Holiest of All, the unclean was made absolutely clean.

Reverse contamination.

And so it is in the Kingdom of God to this day.

When we come to Christ with our imperfections, faults, short-comings, errors, sins; He is never contaminated by our presence. Rather, when we reach out to touch Him, when we offer our imperfect lives into the power of His Spirit, we too are cleansed. We too are made whole. We are made entirely pure.

Our sin never contaminates Christ. Rather, His holiness purifies our sin.

It’s reverse contamination.

A Vehicle for Progress

I love my bike. I’m an avid cyclist and I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend involved in the sport. For me, the opportunity to experience the outdoors, its scenery and air, are a wonderful way to unload concerns. I look forward to the physical investment in cycling. Over the past few years I’ve logged over 9,000 miles on that bike. It’s a great form of exercise that I intend to maintain for the rest of my life.

But bikes are more than sporting gear. They are vehicles for progress. They are modes of transportation. One can use a bike to get from point A to point B. In fact, in most places around the world, that’s exactly how bicycles are used; for progress.

Part of my venture into cycling has been to understand that the best bike to ride is the one that fits you best. Sure, there are different bikes for different styles of riding. But the biggest revelation to the cycling newcomer is that there are different sizes of frames for different sizes of people. Far beyond the ‘off the rack’ bike of the typical department store, specialized bike shops offer numerous sizes of bikes to very closely fit the individual rider. In fact, those with plenty of money, and the desire to spend it, can be measured and uniquely fit for a custom-made bike. The reach to the bars, the angle of the fork, the stand-over height; every detail is created exactly for that owner.

Why?

Because cyclists know that the most successful cyclist is the one who rides a bike best fit for him. Cycling comfort and achievement is directly proportional to riding a bike that fits the rider. Even the most talented, able or gifted athlete will not meet her full potential as a cyclist if she is not correctly fitted to her bike. The rider will not progress as far or as fast if riding a bike that doesn’t fit his frame. The success of the rider is connected to the fit of the bike.

Organizations are also tools for progress. They exist to take their constituents from point A to point B. Assuming that all the participants know where point B is, they still can not be effective in reaching their destination if their organization does not fit them properly. The most effective group, the one that readily and often meets its goals and gets to its destination, is the one whose organization fits its size.

A transportation company that is just getting started with two small client contracts doesn’t need a fleet of 25 trucks and a logistics program to service thousands of monthly deliveries. That level of organization wouldn’t fit the size of the business. Likewise, a food service company serving a 2,000 bed hospital will not be successful with two residential grade ovens and three employees. This business is much too big for that scale of organization.

Here’s the bottom line. Organization is distinct from the business just as the bicycle is distinct from the rider. Organizations, like bicycles are merely vehicles for progress. If a business, or a group, or a church, is going to continue to operate successfully, it must continue to allow its organization to grow accordingly. While the business, church or group might be a wonderful, healthy, even God-ordained entity, it will not achieve its greatest success unless it is correctly fit to the proper organizational structure. The success of the business is connected to the fit of the organization. Thus, businesses must be willing to reorganize as the scale of business or ministry demands.

A Public Service Announcement

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did (2 Timothy 1:3, NIV).

Public Service Announcements (PSA’s). You’ve heard them. Those educational commercials that are offered simply to make you and me, the public, aware of some particular issue, activity, or opportunity. There are PSA’s on the airwaves to warn teens against smoking, in the newspapers to notify potential plaintiffs in a class action suit, and plastered on billboards to make voters aware of the issues espoused by various candidates. These declarations, by design, are made to concisely and clearly state the facts. They are prepared to allow the public to be informed.

In his brief writings to Timothy, Paul issues a PSA of sorts. He makes a public announcement that he serves his God. While his declaration may have numerous implications, I believe that two become readily apparent. Primarily, Paul was not at all ashamed to state publicly his allegiance to the Lord. It’s one thing to say what we believe and in whom we believe in private, but it is quite another to state the same publicly. It is easy to declare our allegiance when among those of like precious faith, but more challenging to make the same statements among those who have differing beliefs. Paul was not satisfied to be a private follower of his Lord, but rather made his faith known to all. His was a public declaration. Similarly, as children of God, we are called to make the same declaration. It is not enough to stand for our God and His truths only among fellow saints, but we must make our commitments a matter of public record.

Additionally, in making this public announcement, consider Paul’s choice of words. He said that he served his God. Service. Many in our society cringe at the concept of men serving God. Instead they would prefer the opposite: God should serve men. It’s great to be told of an Almighty God who is at the disposal of mankind, but it isn’t as exciting to be asked to submit my life in service to Him. We are comforted to know that He can deliver from addictions, renew broken relationships, heal illnesses and endue with Holy Ghost power. In contrast, we are challenged when called to serve the Lord in various capacities. He has called us to teach His doctrines, preach His message, witness to the lost, work in the fields and fight spiritual battles in order to expand His Kingdom. These things demand our efforts, talents and time. In the face of what might be inconvenient, or against human nature, serving God is a pivotal part of His plan. We are called into His service.

Reviewing the life and accomplishments of the Apostle Paul quickly reveals the profound effect that he had for the Kingdom of God. He was a man who started churches, trained disciples, wrote books and made converts. Quite a resume. Indeed, he served his Lord in a very public way. Jesus Christ is still in need of people who will willingly follow the path of Paul. Our current culture needs Christians to respond to its pressing concerns. In fact, the Lord’s church will always need those who will interrupt their typical programming to make a Public Service Announcement.

In our cultural climate, publicly stating one’s beliefs is not always acceptable. Time and again preachers have pointed out the double standards that are applied to the Bible in our world. It seems fine to state Bible doctrines openly as long as they are in line with the current philosophies. Otherwise, believers are told to tone down our message or we are simply labeled intolerant. Regardless of the attitudes and inequities in our world, we can not relinquish our obligation to openly declare that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. He lived, died and rose again so that we can find salvation. This is our Public Service Announcement.

Confused?

My trusted orange Toyota stalled. I was rounding the final corner on my way to the dorm when it just quit. No warning. No symptoms. It just quit running. After I had coasted to a stop, I attempted to restart it. After cranking the engine for what seemed like two or three minutes, it finally started. But it was running on high idle and I thought it was going to explode. Then suddenly, it stalled a second time. So again I turned the ignition, again it cranked for a couple of minutes, again it ran on high idle, again I thought it would implode, and once again it stalled. Finally accepting the obvious, I went to the dorm and called Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob could fix anything. After explaining everything to him, there was a moment of silence. Then he asked a couple of questions. Then more silence. Finally, Bob said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with it. Why don’t you call a dealership and see if they’ll give you some answers.”

What? Uncle Bob, Mr. Fix-it, didn’t know the answer. Unbelievable!

So I called a Toyota dealership and explained the problem. Before I could even finish my story, the service manager said, “Heater fuse.”

Surprised, I responded. “What? I said the car won’t run. Nothing is wrong with the heat.” 

Unfazed, he continued. “The fuel pump that serves the engine is on the same circuit as the heater. Replace the heater fuse and the car will run just fine.”

Sure enough, the fuse was bad. I replaced it and the car ran wonderfully once again. Who would have thought? Even Uncle Bob didn’t know that one, and I was sure that he knew about everything. But this fix-it was even beyond his comprehension.

Some things are beyond our understanding. On occasion we come across things in life that are confusing, troubling, and beyond our ability to correct. In those cases, we need someone who has more understanding than we do. We need someone who has experience where we don’t. And there are even times when we need answers that are beyond what any man can know. We need someone like the Lord.

He is the One who has the right perspective on all things. He can handle anything, because He created everything. He does great things beyond our understanding. He can even do things that Uncle Bob can’t do.
 
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.  Job 37:5 (NIV)

Iron Sharpens Iron

In order for a movement to be strong, there needs to be room for disagreement. In order for a movement to remain balanced, there should be room for those on both ends of the scale. In order to facilitate challenging and thoughtful discussion, participants must live exclusively by the lesson taught in Matthew 18:15-17. (As far as I can see, this passage applies to ministers as well as saints) Furthermore, until we have processes and formats for men to meet face to face, and discuss their opposing opinions in a spirit of brotherhood, the internet will be filled with divergent opinions that are not brought under the scrutiny of peer review.

 

Environments that allow discussion of views among all ministers will not only allow for elders to propagate foundational doctrines and concepts to younger generations, but will also validate the thoughts and reasoning’s of young men with the elders. Such environments will allow younger men to feel recognized. Too often, when we seek comments, we want only the elders to participate; but when we want offerings, we want everyone’s participation. This is not to say that young men’s ideas or insights should always be followed, however a significant means for them to feel valued in the process, and true participants in the movement, is to create a venue whereby they can be heard.   

 

So, when will you know?

Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you.” 1 Kings 17:24 (NLT)

“So, when will you know?” That’s the question I was asked. I had made a business colleague aware of some potential changes in our company plans. These changes would have affected her company, and I wanted to notify them of that possibility. However, I couldn’t tell her that the changes were certain, they were still under consideration. Then her reply, “So, when will you know?” How long will it be, what meetings must take place, or what needs to happen so that you will not just be considering these things, but you will know. When will you know for sure?

The widow woman that is speaking to Elijah has come to a clear conviction. The Scripture records that “now she knows for sure” that he is a man of God. Now she knows for sure that what he says is directed of the Lord. What made her come to this conclusion? Elijah’s prayer raised her son from the dead. That’s significant evidence. Yes sir, seeing a family member raised from the dead would certainly be sufficient proof for most people that God’s power was at work. Now she knew for sure.

And yet I am somewhat puzzled by her decision. I find that earlier in her life, the Lord had already performed a miracle. By the words of the same prophet, God had caused her jar of flour not to be used up, and her jug of oil not to run dry until the time of famine was ended. No more grocery shopping until the famine is over. Your refrigerator will remain full until the recession has ended. While hard times were all around, they would have provision. She and her son would not die of starvation. What a miracle! And yet, it was evidently not enough to cause the widow woman to know for sure that God was working in her life. The miracle of day-to-day provision was not spectacular enough to sway her. She didn’t know for sure until her son was raised from the dead. 

Sometimes I wonder if we too are waiting on some additional spectacular action from God before we will know for sure that He is working in our lives. I wonder if we also are acting as the widow woman and fail to notice the hand of the Lord in our day-to-day provisions. Then as a consequence, we continue to look for some extra fantastic sign that God cares for us. I am convinced that when we will stop and consider our everyday blessings, He has consistently proven His concern in lesser recognized ways.

So, when will you know?

Watch and See

Numbers 11:21-23 (NLT) 21) But Moses said, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you promise them meat for a whole month! 22) Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?” 23) Then the LORD said to Moses, “Is there any limit to my power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”

 

Prior to this, Moses went to the Lord and shared the complaints of the children of Israel. They wanted meat to eat, rather than manna. The Lord said OK. At this suggestion, Moses was perplexed. “How can you feed this many people? I don’t get it.” God’s declaration just didn’t make sense to Moses. According to his human logic, feeding that many people for an entire month was undoable.

 

Then, in so many words, the Lord replied to Moses, “Watch and See”. Sure enough, God fed them meat. He did just like He said. He did it even though Moses couldn’t understand how it was possible. There is no limit to the Lord’s power.

 

His promises to the church include:

 

Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) 31) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 

John 14:2-3 (NKJV) 2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

 

How many times are we just like Moses? How often do we hear or read the words of the Lord and then doubt as Moses did? In the confines of our own understanding, we just don’t see how it can be done. When our minds whisper the thought, “I just don’t know”, let’s be reminded that the Lord Jesus will do exactly as He has promised. Watch and See.

Paul’s Prayer for You and I

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV).

 

Within these few verses, the apostle Paul makes a clear effort to encourage those of the church of Ephesus. Though enduring imprisonment himself, he focuses instead on uplifting others in their particular time of need. His prayer is significant to us in a variety of fashions.

 

Prayer is first made that we would be able to somehow comprehend the four dimensions of Christ’s love for mankind. Paul specifically prays that we have the power to understand its immensity. While we can and do attempt to give description to His love, we will always come up short. We are attempting human description of Godly things. Our minds are accustomed to three dimensions, not four. Paul’s prayer is not that we would fully understand the measurements of God’s love, but that we would understand that it is profound, above and beyond the very best that we could conceive.

 

Having prayed that we would see the wonderful value of God’s love, he then prays that we would know that same love. His desire is not simply that we see it for all that it is worth, but that we would reach out to Christ to accept and possess that same love. He wishes upon us the experience to compliment the knowledge. Thankfully we have that opportunity today, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:5).

 

Finally, Paul reveals his ultimate goal for you and I. He prays that our knowledge and experience of Christ’s love will allow each of us to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. The apostle sought that we would not remain stagnant in our relationship with the Lord. That as time progressed, there would be a similar progression of the fullness of the Lord in our lives. He prays that with every passing day, week, and year, the work of the Lord in our individual lives would proceed to its fullness. That we would receive all that Christ envisions for us.

 

May this be the day that we receive the answer to Paul’s prayer.

An Ignored Request

In the first few verses of Acts chapter three, the familiar story is told of the lame man who was placed daily at the Beautiful gate of the temple to beg for alms. While stating that the man was lame from the time of his birth, it does not record how many years he had spent begging. However, it is safe to assume that he had been accustomed to this practice. His method consisted of simply making himself known to those entering into the temple for worship. There, in plain view, he would ask each passerby for money. He was hoping to get a few coins to assist him in his meager existence. He was not asking for their life savings. He was not looking to win the lottery. He was not looking for lifetime support. He was not asking for their grocery money. He simply desired a little help from each one. In his mind, his goal was not to gain a one-time solution to his needs, but instead, to collect enough help for this day. Tomorrow he would return again, and request just a little more.

 

In keeping with his habit, he requested a few coins from disciples of Jesus, Peter and John, as they were passing by the gate. Upon hearing the lame man’s request, Peter called for the man’s attention. At this point the Scripture says that the lame man was now expecting something from them. His call had been heard. A donor had responded. Now certainly he would receive at least something.  In his limited vision, he was looking to these men as he had looked upon many others. His vision was to receive only enough to get him a little further along in life. Enough to get him through to tomorrow. Just a little something.

 

Peter and John, however, were men of a different vision. They did not picture the ministry of Jesus as merely another method of limited assistance. Their vision of God’s hand in man’s life was to offer more than a short-term fix for a life-long problem. They did not picture Christ’s torture and crucifixion as a means to provide for yet another of man’s social programs. Men could give coins without Christ’s involvement. Rather, Peter and John had a vision of Christ that was far bigger than that. They correctly believed that Jesus Christ was not simply in the business of providing men with a little something to help them along. Jesus Christ was in the miracle business. So they ignored the lame man’s request, and instead prayed for him. He was healed.

 

As a substitute for a few coins, this man received a healing. Instead of receiving a little help to get him to tomorrow, he received his answer for all of his tomorrows. In lieu of getting what he had asked for, he got what he needed. Instead of fulfilling his small expectations, God surprised him with a miracle.

 

And He is still surprising people today.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

“I never saw the members of my father’s church enjoying themselves.” 

 

These words were spoken by Frederick Nietsche. He is the German philosopher best known as the father of nihilism. His thoughts serve as a foundation for the modern conviction that life is meaningless. We can only speculate the importance of his observation on Nietsche’s eventual belief in nothingness. Was his personal lack of faith based on his observations of those who claimed to be faithful?

 

From Nietsche’s statement alone we can not tell where he made his observation. Was he referring to what he saw in the church itself? While attending services with his father, did he notice that the members were not enjoying participating in the service?  Were those members not giving visible or noticeable evidence of their joy? Or could it be that as a youth this man noticed that whether in the church sanctuary or out in the neighborhood, the church members he observed were not enjoying their lives? Even when he saw them at the market, on the farm, or visiting the blacksmith, those who claimed to have faith in God, who claimed to know their Savior, did not seem to display a satisfaction with that knowledge. In other words, since they did not reflect joy, happiness, or peace in their everyday lives, then what they said they believed must not be true or applicable in practice. And if it is not true in practice, then it must not be worthy of belief. 

 

It’s too bad that Frederick never witnessed church members enjoying their lives. It may have made a profound difference in the formation of his beliefs.

 

Nietsche’s observation and its potential ramifications cause me to think about how others view my life. When my neighbors look at my life, do they see me enjoying myself? Are there things that they see in me that speak clearly to them that I enjoy my life with Christ? Can my coworkers point to particular aspects of my life and know that it must be great to serve Jesus? Is it obvious from my smile, my conversation, and my family relationships that following Christ is an incredible joy?

 

Time and again I need to reflect on my day to day routines. It is good to look often at the many blessings of the Lord, and be sure that my actions, attitudes, and general demeanor are letting others know that I am thoroughly thrilled to be serving Jesus Christ.