“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:15-18 NIV)
There is a narrative among many Christians that since we are all sinners, sin is just a part of life and we shouldn’t make that big of deal of it. The need for obedience to the God’s commands fades in the midst of His abundant grace and love. A call to repentance is viewed as condemnation and judgment. Like many of the Roman Christians were proclaiming, sin is viewed as an opportunity for God’s grace to abound.
But what is lost in this narrative is God’s desire for us to become righteous, not just forgiven. And, as Paul states here, righteousness is formed along the path of obedience. Yes, any sin can be forgiven, but is it better to sin and gain forgiveness rather than be obedient in the first place? To that Paul answers a resounding “NO!”
Perhaps this is the reason the Church is so weak; the emphasis has been skewed too far toward forgiveness at the expense of calling people to obedience. Paul was no slouch on grace, but it seems he saw the danger of people using it as an excuse to sin and resist obedience. And I have seen that as well.
When I first came to my present ministry, I found a lot of students claiming to follow Jesus, but who felt free to get drunk and sleep with their significant others because they were already “saved.” One student leader proclaimed when I confronted her, “Jim, we’re college students,” as the excuse for such behavior. They had the mistaken belief that grace was a license to live as they pleased.
What grace provides is the way back to God when the road should have been permanently closed. But once we get there, we are not free to just do as we please, nor should we want to be. Rather, our desire should be to be like Christ and the only way we can achieve that is through obedience. It is through obedience that the death march of the flesh begins. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…,” Paul writes to the Colossians (3:5). This is what obedience looks like. It is not easy, nor does the flesh go quietly, but consistent obedience will lead to greater righteousness and maturity.
Today, recognize grace is your path to God, but it is not a license to do as you please. Instead grace is to lead you to a life of obedience in order that you can become more like Him.
© Jim Musser 2015
“You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85:1-7 NIV)
I’ve been a bit nostalgic the past few days. It was 40 years ago that a lost 19-year-old college freshman found his Father and a love he had longed for but had never before experienced. It was the mid-70’s and revival was sweeping the country among what was then called the “hippy generation.” It was made up of young people scarred by the fallout from the Viet Nam war, the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, and the failed promise of an utopian life via sex and drugs. The Holy Spirit was moving and young men and women were coming to know Jesus in numbers not seen for generations.
My conversion came at the tail end of what became known as the “Jesus Movement.” The memories of that time came flooding back as my wife and I viewed the movie, “Woodlawn,” the story of how a high school football team in the early 1970’s had a major impact on the struggles for desegregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The entire team gave their lives to Jesus and demonstrated the truth of Galatians 3:26-28, that in Jesus we are all one regardless of our race, gender, or ethnic background.
Forty years later, it seems we are returning to much of the same environment that was present then. Hatred for one another is being spewed on social media. Protests and riots follow what are believed to be racist and unjust events. The cracks in our society are beginning to resemble those of an earlier generation. And the suggested remedies are similar as well—more understanding, more tolerance, more justice.
In the movie, there is a scene where Hank, the team chaplain, asks the players if they aren’t tired of all the anger, hatred, and injustice. If so, he says, then there is only one way to solve it—Jesus. The team responds to his invitation en masse, and the anger and hatred among the team members dissipates into love.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the anger and hate in our society right now. I’m tired of the greed, the callousness, the self-centeredness, the shallowness, and the pettiness of people. And I know no hashtag campaign or change.org petition is going to make any real difference. Nor are conferences or summits on diversity and peace. No, what we need is a revival where the Spirit is transforming hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, where the walls of hostility are broken down not by force but by love, and where seated on the thrones of our lives is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
You may think it a cliché, but the truth is Jesus IS the answer. Indeed, He is the only way out of this mess. So I am committing myself to pray earnestly for revival in this nation of ours, for repentant hearts and transformed lives. It has happened before; it can happen again. Today, will you join me in praying for God to begin a revival among the people of our nation? We need it in the most desperate of ways.
© Jim Musser 2015
“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’
‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’
Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” (John 5:1-9 NIV)
Sometimes I want to ask this same question of students: Do you want to get well? They complain of continual stress or anxiety, about an unhealthy relationship, or about a long-term struggle with a sin. It may sound like an uncaring question, but Jesus did ask it of the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda.
I think the reason is that some people can find their identity in a particular struggle with sin or an ailment or life situation or grow so accustomed to it that a change is threatening because it is unknown. Such a person may not, in fact, want to take a way out of their circumstances. In an odd way, it works for them. So, when we seek to help them, to point a way out of their predicament, they are not interested because that would mean a radical change in their lives.
We are, for the most part, creatures of comfort and refrain from making changes that threaten our comfort. For instance, we may resist the urging to try new food or don a much different outfit than we’re used to wearing. Or we may stay in the same job even if we hate it and there are better ones out there for us. If our comfort range is very narrow, then we will resist change, even if it may be in our best interests.
Jesus was testing this man’s true desire to be healed. Did he request to be brought to the pool every day in hopes of being healed, or had it just become his daily routine, something he was used to and content with doing? It is a good question that sometimes needs to be asked. I recall asking it of a young man struggling with pornography. He often spoke of his struggle but never seemed interested in the counsel I gave him to help him overcome it. I once posed it to a young woman who had a problem with drunkenness, but never seemed inclined to give up the friends who encouraged her to keep on drinking. It is one thing to struggle with something; it is quite another to only want to talk about it but never want to do the necessary things to overcome it.
Today, perhaps there is a struggle in your own life that is ongoing. It may be a good time to ask yourself the same question that Jesus posed to the crippled man: Do you want to get well? And like this man, if the answer is yes, then Jesus can provide the way to healing.
© Jim Musser 2015
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:14-22 NIV)
Earlier this week, over 800,000 fans of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals gathered in downtown Kansas City to celebrate. The city was literally a sea of Royal blue, and there were no reports of rioting or vandalism.
There is no doubt this crowd was made up of different races, political views, socioeconomic levels, and limitless varieties of ages and personalities. Yet, here they were united as one in their love for their Kansas City Royals.
In today’s society, we hear a lot about diversity, but very little about unity. The emphasis is on accepting and honoring our differences. It is not a bad goal for us to appreciate one another, but as is clearly evident, there is not much unity coming from the emphasis on diversity. The reason is unity can only come about from a singular focus on something outside of ourselves. In World War II, our country was united by the singular focus on defeating the Nazis and Japan. On 9/11, the shock and grief of an attack on our country and the death of more than 3,000 of our citizens united us.
But it is difficult, as evident by our nation’s history, to keep that singular focus. Some would say we are more divided than ever by our politics and by our views of what the American way of life should look like. We cannot agree, so we are at odds with one another.
And it is no different in the Church. We have long been divided along theological lines—Catholic and Protestant, evangelical and mainline, conservative and progressive—and for the same reason. We lose our singular focus on Jesus. Instead of pursuing Him, we pursue bolstering our personal beliefs. Instead of submitting to Him, we seek to recreate Him into what we want Him to be. Instead of focusing on His will, we focus on our own. And this naturally leads to divisions and fights among us.
What happened in Kansas City this week was amazing and it just shows how people can unite regardless of their differences when there is singular focus among them. Today, recognize we can only be united as believers if our singular focus is on Jesus. It cannot happen by focusing on social justice, the inerrancy of the Scriptures, or right doctrine—all of which are important. No, it can only happen if our singular focus is on Jesus, loving and worshipping Him above all else.
© Jim Musser 2015
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15 NIV)
As I was reading this yesterday morning, the phrase “they will still bear fruit in old age” jumped out at me. Now age is relative. To the students with whom I work, I am old, but to others I know who are retired or near retirement, they see me as still a youngster. One thing is clear, however, I am not getting any younger.
We live in a culture that glorifies youth and connects aging with decline. Physically, that is usually true. My body isn’t what it once was. Although a knee replacement has given me the opportunity to become more active, I am still move much slower than I was in my 20’s and my vertical leap can be measured in mere inches. A once full and dark head of hair is noticeably thinner and graying. Yet, spiritually, instead of declining, over the years I believe I have continued to grow and bear fruit.
That is the beauty of walking with the Lord. While we may be in physical decline (and experts say that begins in our early 20’s!), we have the hope of thriving spiritually throughout our lives. And that is God’s desire. Just because we are reaching a stage of transition in our lives, whether that be graduating from college, marriage and family, or retirement, doesn’t mean we move into some sort of spiritual low gear or park. He wants us to remain productive, to continue bearing spiritual fruit throughout our lives. And contrary to the beliefs of our culture, the Psalmist reminds us that it is indeed possible. As I age, I find that exciting and reassuring, knowing I can be spiritually productive to the very end of my life.
Today, regardless of your age, remember the Lord’s desire for you is to bear fruit throughout your life. And regardless of how old you get, you can still retain spiritual vitality. I think that makes the reality of aging a lot more tolerable.
© Jim Musser 2015
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)
A number of years ago, my wife and I were looking for a new church. We had attended a large church in town, but never felt a part of the community. Every week, during the “greeting moment,” which I dubbed “the most uncomfortable minute of the week,” we felt as if we were strangers among people who had no interest in knowing us. There were smiles and handshakes, but no real conversation. After the service, we often stood in the middle of the fellowship hall observing people talking with one another, but rarely engaging us. When we realized we were waking up and dreading going to this church, we knew we had to seek out a different community.
And we both remember the second time we walked into what is now our home church. I say the second time, because the first time was what we expected. An elderly man greeted us, introducing himself and asking our names and what we did. It was nice, but not out of the ordinary. What got our attention was the next week when this same gentleman greeted us by name and said that he and his wife had prayed for us and our ministry that previous week. It was like a hot drink on a very cold day. And we have remained a part of this community ever since.
Both churches are strong on biblical teaching, great missions outreach, and wonderful worship, but the sense of love was the difference for us. Now I’m sure there are many in our previous church who could write and say wonderful things about the love of that community, but we personally did not experience it. And that made all the difference. Love is that important!
Love is what drew me to the Lord back when I was a college student. I saw love between believers and experienced it from them. I have seen students who are broken be transformed by this love and churches who bring healing to deep wounds by the same love.
Regardless if a community of believers has sound doctrine, a wonderful worship band, a great missions outreach, great children’s and youth programs, it is really nothing if individual people don’t experience love. And that is the great challenge of the Church, to show love to those around us and never assuming “they are taken care of.”
“Love one another” is an inclusive command. It includes not just the people we know well, but those around us we may not know as well or at all. And it is a difficult one to keep because our tendency is to focus on those we know and are comfortable with.
Today, think about how you can demonstrate love to those in your church or campus ministry that are beyond your friendship circle. As you well know, if they experience love, it will make all the difference.
© Jim Musser 2015
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)
I went to bed this morning at 1 AM and woke up at 6 AM, so we will see how this goes. Why was I up so late? Well, after 30 years, the Kansas City Royals major league baseball team had the opportunity to win the World Series and I wasn’t going to miss seeing it. I lived an hour away from the Royals stadium for many years and have been a long-time fan. And in typical Royals fashion, they came from behind to win the title in 12 innings!
After so many years of futility on the field, it has been fun to watch this team scratch and claw its way to the pinnacle of professional baseball. They never lose hope when the situation seems dire. They’re confident they can still win regardless of the circumstances. And they encourage each other to never give up. It sort of reminds me of what this passage commands us to do as followers of Jesus. But, of course, the stakes are much higher.
We who follow Jesus are in the midst of our season and it’s a long, hard one. While there may be moments of celebration, the challenges and struggles make it a grind. That is why we need to function as a team and not just as a group of individuals looking out for ourselves. We need the power of collective hope; the ability to look around in the midst of troubled times and see hopeful faces rather than dire ones. We need the strength to look beyond our present circumstances to give encouragement to our fellow brothers and sisters that much better times are ahead. And we need the humility to know we cannot go this alone. This is, in reality, the Church, or at least how it is supposed to be.
It may seem silly to compare the Church to a baseball team, particularly when sports metaphors are often overused. Yet, watching the Royals over the past two weeks, I can’t help but take inspiration from their example and see its application in my life and the lives of my fellow believers. From the start of the season, they had one goal—to finish at the top. They were in it together and worked together to accomplish it. And they had faith, not the blind kind, but the type that is built on evidence and experience (last season). Not all went smoothly or as planned. They lost five in a row in late August; they lost their closer for the season. Yet, they were undeterred and they kept encouraging one another along the way. Early this morning, they reached their goal.
In the Church, particularly here in the States, we need that sense of team. Yes, we each follow Jesus, but we together ARE the Church. It is less about our individual walks with God, and more about we as a community. For it is in the community of believers we are to find strength to maintain our hope and carry out our purpose.
Today, recognize how much you need other believers to maintain your faith and fulfill your purpose in this world. You may not be a Kansas City Royals fan, or a baseball fan for that matter, but there is a lesson for you to learn from these newly crowned champions—never lose hope, never give up. In the end, we will win!
© Jim Musser 2015
