“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 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 2:13-22 NIV)
It was a “feel good” story that I couldn’t resist sharing on my Facebook page last week. Police officers in a California town had given a bicycle to a young black man who had been walking several miles each way to work every day so he could save up for college. With the news, and my newsfeed, filled with tragic stories of black men killed by police, this story helps us to see that an alternative narrative is possible.
I have no idea if any of these police officers are followers of Jesus, but I do know this is a glimpse of what “breaking down the wall of hostility” looks like. These officers, though of a different race or ethnic group, treated the young man as an equal, one deserving respect and kindness.
We tend to think our country is the only society dealing with race and discrimination issues, but, in reality, it occurs in every society and has since the Fall. In the 1st Century, Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles) were hostile toward one another. The Jews viewed the Gentiles as sinners and unworthy of God’s blessings and mercy. The Gentiles viewed the Jews as belonging to a weird sect of people who only believed in one God, which was viewed as very ludicrous thinking in a polytheistic culture. At worst, they hated each other; at best, they viewed each other with suspicion and distrust.
Even after Jesus rose from the dead, His followers struggled with the idea that God’s grace was given to the Gentiles. Read here of their reaction to the Holy Spirit coming upon Cornelius’ household. Even Peter struggled with his own prejudice long after Jesus ascended into heaven. Read here how Paul called him out when he refused to eat with Gentiles for fear of upsetting Jewish believers.
Whether we want to admit it or not, prejudice is in our fallen DNA. We’re bent toward it. It is difficult to relate to those who are different from us, and often, to justify it, we consider ourselves superior. Our prejudice isn’t always limited to race or ethnicity; it can be toward others in a different economic class, social class, political affiliation, religion or church denomination, or even fans of a different sports team. And, as I wrote several weeks ago, Jesus is the only way to overcome our prejudices.
As He says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” The fact is we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Sin, in other words, makes us all equal, regardless of our skin color, ethnicity, etc. So we all have a shared problem that has only one solution—Jesus.
What Paul is saying here is the prejudices we inherently have can cease when we acknowledge our mutual sin and our mutual need for a Savior. In other words, we are all in the same sinking boat and we are all dependent on the same Source for our rescue.
Today, consider honestly the prejudices you hold. Confess them to the Lord and humbly acknowledge that, as a sinner, you are no better than those toward whom you have considered yourself in some way superior. They are your equals, and, if they are followers of Jesus, your brothers or sisters as well.
© Jim Musser 2016
“Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’
Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.’” (Genesis 13:5-17 NIV)
If you are with a group of people in someone’s home and see a comfy chair, will you immediately seek to sit in it or allow someone else that honor? If there is one cookie left, will you take it or wait to see if anyone else wants it? Or if you see a parking spot in a nearly full lot and see another person heading for it, will you try to beat them to it?
I am guessing most of us, if we’re honest, will answer these questions in the affirmative of getting what we want rather than to defer to someone else, because that is our bent—to serve ourselves. It takes intention and discipline to put others’ interests before our own. That is why, as I heard happened recently, that a college student remains in his seat on a bus rather than giving it to an elderly man. People tend to think about themselves and their needs first.
That is why this story of Abram (later called Abraham) and his nephew, Lot, got my attention. In this ancient culture, the elders were respected and honored. It was a given their needs and wants came first. Thus, when their families had grown too much for the land to sustain them, Abram rightfully could have chosen both where he would settle and where Lot would reside. Yet, he didn’t. In fact, he gave his nephew first choice. And, not surprisingly, Lot chose what he saw as the best land—flat and well watered. Rather than say, “No, Uncle Abram, you choose first,” Lot did what comes naturally to all of us, he took advantage of the opportunity to satisfy his own desires.
We learn later that life did not turn out so well for Lot, but notice the Lord honored Abram. He was far from a perfect man, but he is known as a man of faith. Instead of grabbing what he could for himself, He trusted God to provide for his needs, and this story is a testimony to that.
Today, consider the generosity of Abram when you see that comfy chair, someone in need of a parking spot or a seat, or that last cookie on the plate. For the Lord is pleased when we sacrifice our needs in order to bless others.
© Jim Musser 2016
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:1-4 NIV)
This week I attended a meeting of local pastors. One topic that came up was false teaching in the church. One pastor shared about a couple who was about to get divorced who received encouragement from their pastor that it was not wrong to do it because that was what grace was for. In this passage, Paul condemns that view, as well as those of many others who seem to believe and promote that grace sanctions any behavior.
I grew up in a time where sin and judgment were the dominant themes of many churches. “Revivals” were routinely held to call both unbelievers and believers to repentance. Altar calls went on for long periods to give people the opportunity to consider their sin and repent of it. Guilt and shame were tools of motivation by pastors and evangelists and they wielded them with great delight and fervor. Most were well intentioned, I believe, but they erred in their lack of emphasis on grace and mercy.
Now we live in a different time. Judgment, guilt, shame have fallen out of favor with the culture. And, as with so many things, the church has followed. What is taught now and sung about is God’s love and mercy—His grace. Most sermons that are preached, most books that are written, most songs that are sung focus heavily on God’s love. Sin is talked about primarily as a minor annoyance that everyone deals with but is no match for the awesomeness of God’s grace. This view is exemplified by the pastor’s comment to the couple on the road to divorce. Sin doesn’t matter because of God’s grace.
But just as the preachers and evangelists of an earlier generation got it wrong to focus almost solely on sin and judgment, so, too, do many of today’s pastors miss the mark in relegating sin to relative insignificance. If Jesus had to offer up His life for crucifixion because of it, how dare we treat it as unimportant and insignificant. How dare we give the impression to the people God created to be in relationship with Him that it doesn’t really matter how they live their lives when the very sin they’re stuck in, and for which Jesus died to set them free, is preventing that very relationship from existing and growing.
As Paul relates, grace is meant to set us free from bondage to sin in order that we may live a new life; not, as many seem to believe, to give us permission to continue living the same way, just without the guilt.
Today, recognize grace is not an excuse for you to do as you please, but rather the means by which you can be set free from the vicious cycle of sin in your life. It is meant to lead you to repentance (Titus 2:11-14), not just to receive forgiveness. Jesus didn’t die so you could remain stuck in sin. He died so your life can be changed into one that honors and is obedient to Him.
© Jim Musser 2016
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV)
Think about your average small group or church at the time prayer requests are being shared. What requests are made? Typically, they involve people who are sick or struggling. Sometimes, they are made for people who are traveling or making important decisions. On campus, they often revolve around tests and projects. Rarely, if ever, do you hear a request made to have more love for the Lord and people, more knowledge and insight into the things of God so as to be able to discern the best way to live each day.
Now there is nothing wrong with asking for prayer for Aunt Sue’s struggle with cancer, dad’s search for a new job, or your week full of tests and projects due. Yet, like one’s diet, it’s good to have a balanced approach.
Paul’s prayer here is focused on long-term spiritual growth and transformation. That is to be the goal of every follower of Jesus, but in terms of our prayer lives, we too easily become focused on what’s right in front of us—the tests, the illnesses, etc. What’s missing often are the deeper prayers, such as this one that Paul prays. When we focus solely on the difficulties right in front of us, we can miss out on the resources that ultimately help us to deal better with the trials and struggles in life.
Any casual reading of Acts and the letters of Paul, Peter, James, and John reveal a 1st Century life full of difficulties. Yet, Paul’s prayer is not focused on any particular one. Instead, it focuses on the broader, and deeper, need to be “pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” which is the ultimate purpose of each of our lives.
Today, consider the content of Paul’s prayer. If you are like me, your prayer life could use a lot more balance. This prayer would be a good place to start.
© Jim Musser 2016
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:1-8 NIV)
Almost every day, many of my Facebook friends are posting or sharing articles on this year’s presidential race, and most have the theme of protection. Hillary is going to protect us from that “deplorable” Trump. Trump is going to protect the country from liberals like Hillary. She will protect the nuclear codes from the likes of Trump. He will protect the country from “going down the tubes.” She will protect the dignity of the office of the President. He will protect the rights of Christians. She will protect the rights of minorities. And on and on it goes.
I am not going to reveal in this space who I’m for or against, but one thing I do know is that our ultimate protection is found in the Lord, not in any politician. Regardless of the outcome of the November election, I know there are going to be many who will be aghast at the thought of who will soon be sitting in the Oval Office, and just as many who are breathing a sigh of relief that the other won’t be. But the truth is, regardless of who wins, the Lord, the Creator of the universe, is still in control. Perhaps much to the chagrin of many, He will have allowed the outcome for His purposes and He will use it to accomplish His will.
As my wife and I were talking over the weekend, it is quite possible things will get a lot worse in this country over the next four years for the express purpose of getting both the nation and the Church to repent—the nation from its rejection of God’s authority and the Church for its shallowness, lack of commitment, and focus on worldly things, such as power and prestige.
The fact is, regardless of who is elected, we error to look to them to be our protector or savior. The Lord Almighty is the only One who can fulfill that role. He indeed uses people, including those of less than honorable character or intentions, to serve His purposes, but He is ultimately our protector. In the strangest political year I have ever experienced, I find comfort in this. In November, I will vote and I will likely follow the returns to see who wins, but I won’t be fretting about the outcome because I know the Lord is still in control. Whatever happens, He will use it to accomplish His will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Today, if you are anxious about the upcoming election, recognize the Lord remains in control. Rather than the election somehow thwarting His will, He will use the results to accomplish it. In the midst of the chaos and upheaval of this political season, may this provide you with peace of mind and a sense of hope for the future.
© Jim Musser 2016
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)
There used to be a show on called “Restaurant Impossible.” The premise was the host came to the rescue of a failing restaurant and sought to turn it into a successful one in just two days. I remember one episode where the featured restaurant was a small, family-owned one in South Carolina. The owners literally knew nothing about the business and were serving up mostly frozen, canned, and pre-mixed items. They were losing around $10,000 per month.
So the host, chef Robert Irvine, came in with his crew and did a total makeover of the restaurant, created a new menu, and attempted to show the owners and staff how to make their restaurant a more pleasant experience for customers. I was skeptical from the start after seeing how little the people knew about cooking and running a restaurant. That was all going to change in two days! I doubted it.
Well, according to the show, the restaurant had a successful reopening and Mr. Irvine could claim another success story. However, I went online a bit later and checked out some of the reviews of the restaurant months after the show was filmed. While there were a couple favorable ones, most cited poor service and poorly prepared food. The most consistent favorable comments related to the décor, which was totally redone by Mr. Irvine’s crew.
The lesson learned here for me is you can’t become skilled in something without proper training, and that a two-day course will not make you qualified, particularly if you don’t have even a base knowledge that goes with a certain skill.
The same applies to being a follower of Jesus. I know many who put out their sign, “Follower of Jesus,” but have no clue of how to really do it. Like the South Carolina restaurant owners, they may be sincere but they have never sought to be properly trained. So what they serve up is canned fare that attracts few people. And hearing a sermon once a week or spending a weekend at a retreat is not going to change that. Only through thorough training can we effectively learn how to follow Jesus. And the first step is to become students of the Scriptures. It is the most effective tool in establishing a base knowledge of what is involved in living the life Jesus wants us to live. Obedience to what it says is the important next step, but you can’t be obedient to what you do not know, just like a cook can’t prepare a certain dish without knowing the recipe.
Today, recognize you cannot truly follow Jesus without the base knowledge of what that means. Getting thorough training from the Scriptures will put you on a successful path of following Jesus.
© Jim Musser 2016
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:7-18 NIV)
People I have been talking with lately have been having lots of troubles. Lots of illness car problems, and financial stress. Others are dealing with family stuff—parents sick and siblings dealing with issues. So focus on school and on ministry is difficult. Troubles, at the very least, are a distraction, and, at worst, can suck the life right out of us. And they are nothing new. Troubles are part of living in a fallen world.
In the 1st Century, Paul was dealing with troubles of his own. He was being persecuted both physically and emotionally because he had abandoned Judaism and embraced Jesus. The Jews were furious and the Romans were annoyed. Everywhere he went, the Jews harassed him and stirred up the crowds. The Romans, who held civil order in the highest regard, then would have to come in and quell the disturbance. His life was constantly being threatened and there were times he reached the breaking point. (II Corinthians 1:8-9)
Yet in these times, Paul learned a lesson—to fix his eyes not on what was going on in his life, the troubles he was enduring, but on his hope in Jesus and the promise of better things to come. In comparison, then, his troubles seemed, in his words, “light and momentary.” In fact, he viewed them as a means to achieve a greater eternity because his troubles compelled him to lean more heavily on God.
We don’t normally think that way, do we? When troubles come our way, we usually become consumed by them. We don’t look beyond them because they fill up our entire view. But Paul shows us a better way to live. Rather than be consumed by our troubles, let them propel us into a deeper dependence on the Lord. Rather than letting them fill up our entire view, see them through the lens of eternity and thereby reduce them to what they truly are—light and momentary distractions.
Today, while it may seem very difficult, begin to look at your troubles through the lens of eternity. If you can do it, then what you are going through will no longer look so big or so terrible.
© Jim Musser 2016
