“At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” (John 8:2-11 NIV)
I know a man who was married to a woman who was unfaithful to him. Eventually, she moved out and sought a divorce. I blame him. He shouldn’t have married her in the first place. The warning signs were there and he ignored them. He also knew deep down that God didn’t approve. Instead, he plowed headlong into a tumultuous marriage because he was lonely and thought he could somehow change the woman. He paid the price. He didn’t deserve the treatment he received, but I blame him because he was unwise and foolish. Had he avoided making such a bad choice, he wouldn’t have suffered so much.
That man is me.
Last week, I had a conversation with a student who told me of what he had learned in a class that day on sexual assault. He was appalled at how badly men often treated women on campus. When I mentioned that the vast majority of sexual assault cases on campus involve alcohol, he immediately accused me of blaming the victims. He is not alone.
We live in a culture where pointing out someone’s bad choices and the consequences from them is taboo. “Blaming the victim” is the catchphrase and it is applied liberally. When bad things happen to people, typically it is viewed as someone else’s fault. And if there ever was a victim in the Scriptures, it was the woman caught in adultery.
How was it that so many religious leaders knew of her sin? It seems to me it was some sort of set-up. Perhaps they knew of her affair and sought to exploit it in order to trap Jesus. Or maybe the man she was with feared being exposed and reported her. In those days, women had very few rights or protections. Regardless, given she was dragged before Jesus by a mob, we can naturally view her as a victim regardless of her sin. And, if reading this story for the first time, we would naturally expect Jesus to end his comments to her with “Then neither do I condemn you.” Instead, He went further. In today’s parlance, He blamed her. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” She was the victim of this “lynch mob,” but Jesus held her responsible for her poor choices. He forgave her, but He didn’t excuse her.
This is crucial to understand because the Scriptures never give us an excuse for sin regardless of our reasons or the consequences we suffer. We cannot blame poverty, a poor home life, genetics, or anything else the culture says is responsible for behavior considered wrong by God. And we can't consider ourselves blameless for our choices just because the consequences were severe. We are without excuse, but our tendency is to blame God or others. In the case of sexual assault on campus, few are willing to acknowledge the role drunkenness plays and that choices were made which were unwise and even foolish. In my case, I could easily blame my ex-wife because I was the victim of her infidelity. But the truth is, I put myself in a vulnerable position in the first place because of my own sinful desires. I blame the victim and Jesus did as well. He held me accountable and I asked for His forgiveness. But just as the adulterous woman was not condemned for her sin, neither was I.
This is the important distinction we need to make. While we are responsible for our choices and the consequences that may flow from them, the Lord does not condemn us. Therefore, His mercy allows us the possibility for redemption, but only if we stop blaming everyone but ourselves.
Today, if you are the victim of your own sin, then put the blame where it belongs. Confess and repent. The Lord does not condemn you for what you’ve done, but He does command you to learn from your mistakes and make better choices in the future.
© Jim Musser 2016
“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’
When he said this, he called out, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.”’
‘This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.’” (Luke 8:4-15 NIV)
I see this parable played out daily on the college campus. At the beginning of the school year, in particular, there will be students who are not believers that attend some of our events. They’re either invited by other students or who just happen by and are curious about what is going on. There interest leads them a bit further in, but then, suddenly, they’re gone, not to be seen again. Fear and doubt overwhelmed their curiosity.
There are also other students who seem determined to get onto a better path in life. They declare they’re going to make better choices and give up the sins in which they are entangled. Soon, however, their courage and determination fail in face of the temptations that have tripped them up before. Instead of forging a new path, they instead return to the well-worn one.
The most common is the third part of Jesus’ parable. Students at the beginning of the year often say they really want to grow in the Lord and get involved in our ministry. Within a few weeks, however, the demands of classes, the worries about relationships, and the many distractions that come with college life overwhelm their desire for spiritual growth. There enthusiasm wanes and the excuses grow.
While these examples are from a college campus, they are a composite of life regardless of one’s adult age or status. The strategy of our enemy is remarkably the same. He wants us to doubt or fear making a decision for Jesus. If we make that decision, then he wants to render it ineffective, either by overwhelming us with temptation or persecution so that we will find it just too difficult to continue following the Lord. Or he will seek to distract us, either by worries or pleasures, anything to remove our focus off the One leading us.
It is an effective strategy that has proven itself down through the ages. And the key is the enemy usually remains out of sight. Like an astute political strategist, he works behind the scenes undetected. He makes it look like things are happening naturally—doubts rising from reason, fears resulting from events, and distractions being “just life.” As C.S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters, the enemy’s greatest weapon against us is getting us to be unaware of his existence or work.
Today, be on your guard against the devil’s schemes. He wants you to doubt, to fear, and to be distracted. He will do whatever he can to ensure your faith does not grow and reproduce. The choice you have is whether or not to let him have his way.
© Jim Musser 2016
“Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:5-8 NIV)
Anxiety is the number one presenting problem of students across the country at university counseling centers. Students are anxious about their classes, relationships, sexual assault, the future, etc. My wife facilitates a group for students struggling with anxiety. Prescriptions for anxiety-related medication have risen dramatically during the past few years. Where is all the fear coming from?
In the 80’s and 90’s, there was increased focus on child abductions. It was then that pictures of missing kids began appearing on milk cartons. The Amber Alert was also later created. Increasingly, parents began fearing for their children’s safety. On top of that, safety warnings began appearing for all types of child-related activities and products, from playground equipment to car seats, and from bicycle helmets to cribs. And then there was 9/11, when international terrorism came to our country’s shores. Just so many things out there that could harm our kids. And, unintentionally, we passed our fears on to them.
The Hebrew writer speaks of looking to leaders for the encouragement and faith to stand firm when fear is knocking on the door of our lives. For children, this would be their parents; yet, what do they so often see? In my experience working with college students, I can tell you what they see often is fear. I have led countless mission trips, taking students all over the country and to many countries around the world. I have not lost a student yet. But frequently I hear about, or talk directly to, parents who are afraid to let their kids participate. Fear of terrorism, accidents, poor living conditions, or just being out of continual contact leads some parents to deny their kids permission to go on these trips.
The reality is fear is contagious. This is why it is spreading on campus. Students see few examples of their peers who aren’t anxious about something. And for Christian students, it is the same.
What is needed in our homes and on our campuses if this is to ever change is those claiming to follow Jesus to heed the counsel of Scripture: Do not be afraid. It is given countless times in both the Old and New Testament. Look it up. And the reason for this is God can be trusted. Fear is a tool of the enemy. To combat it, we must live by faith that the Lord can be counted on. Parents need to entrust their kids to Him and provide examples of fearless faith regardless of the circumstances. Students need to cast their fears upon the Lord and get on with the business of living their lives fully for Him. Fear is crippling, but it need not be.
The assurance the Lord gave us through His Word, written millennia ago, is still valid because He does not change. He is the same today as He was then, and will remain the same forever. So today, if you are struggling with fear, cast it upon the Lord. He can be trusted. And pass this faith onto others, particularly your children if and when you have them. The need is great to raise up a generation of fearless followers of Jesus who will go with Him wherever He leads.
© Jim Musser 2016
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31 NIV)
I have been reading the Gospel of John during the past several weeks. It’s my favorite Gospel because John does such a masterful job of showing Jesus as both divine and human. There are so many great stories that only John tells—the lonely and outcast Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), the woman accused of adultery (John 8), and Thomas’ struggle with doubt that Jesus was truly alive (John 20). But probably my favorite story is when Jesus appears on the beach while Peter and some other disciples are out fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21).
The disciples have been out all night and have had no luck. Not a single fish has been caught. As the sun begins to rise, Jesus appears on the beach and, as if He didn’t already know, asks if they have caught any fish. When they answered in the negative, He tells them they will find some on the right side of their boat. And sure enough, they did—153 large ones to be exact. We know this because the disciples were so impressed with what had happened that they counted every one! And then He offered to fix them breakfast. Isn’t this just like Jesus, to do the miraculous and the mundane all at the same time?
When He encountered the Samaritan woman at the well, it was a normal, human encounter. He was thirsty and asked her for a drink. But He knew all about her, her loneliness and her sins. His gentle probing into the depths of her life led her to faith and, in turn, a whole village. Isn’t that just like Jesus to transform a sinner into an evangelist?
And when the woman caught in adultery was paraded before Him by a host of male accusers, His focus instead was on the men. Which of them had never sinned, He asked? He then should be the one throwing the first stone of her execution. As they one by one left in shame, Jesus spoke gently to the woman, reassuring her that she was not condemned, but firmly telling her she needed to change the way she was living. Isn’t that just like Jesus, to speak the truth to both the self-righteous and the sinner?
When Thomas so firmly stated his doubts, Jesus appeared out of nowhere and told him to feel with his own hands the wounds of His crucifixion. He then rebuked him, saying, “Stop doubting and believe.” Isn’t that just like Jesus to show up sometimes and leave no doubt?
John says he tells these stories about Jesus so that we might believe in Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God and thereby find eternal life. He has certainly told some great ones and they have the ring of truth. To me, they sound just like Jesus, and I certainly believe He is the Son of God and my Lord and Savior. Today, I hope you do as well.
© Jim Musser 2016
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32 NIV)
Here is an observation about this year’s presidential campaign: In the 1990’s, so-called “evangelical Christians” were aghast at the immoral behavior of President Bill Clinton and supported his impeachment by the Republicans because they said he was unfit for the office. Many of the so-called “liberal Christians,” however, defended him, saying his issues were personal. Fast-forward to the present and now it is many “evangelical Christians” defending Donald Trump’s immorality as acceptable because “we’re all sinners,” and the so-called “progressive Christians” calling him unfit because of his past behavior.
Politics over and over again proves the worldly adage, “truth is relative.” Those running for elected office, and those supporting them, tend to use truth when it works to their advantage and avoid it when it doesn’t. The truth in the ‘90’s for one side was that character matters and for the other it was about policy. Today, the argument is the same, but the sides have flipped.
The fact is truth is often quite inconvenient to our plans and ambitions, and to our pride, so we often deny it or twist it. Or in the oft chance truth works in our favor, we will declare it unabashedly. Either way, truth is viewed subjectively. And, thus, instead of experiencing freedom, our use of truth keeps us in bondage.
Jesus says freedom is found in obedience to Him and He is the Source of truth. Lies, therefore, find their source in the “father of lies.” The Truth promises freedom and the Liar seeks to keep us in bondage by avoiding the truth.
We can see this play out every day. Hacked emails reveal what is really going on. Videos reveal what has been hidden. When one knows the truth, but seeks to live a lie, there is bondage. Over my life I have seen many who hide behind lies, terrified that people might know the truth about them. They have kept up the façade of a good marriage, hidden an extramarital affair, denied having a problem with alcohol or drugs, or pretended to have a love for Jesus when they loved the world far more. Hidden, however, are the shackles, the chains of bondage.
The truth is lies can never set us free. They may provide some temporary sense of relief or satisfaction, but they will always hold us in bondage because of the innate fear of being exposed (John 3:20) The only way to freedom is through truth.
Today, are you hiding behind a lie in order to avoid the truth? If so, then know only the truth can set you free. It may be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done, but the freedom will be worth it.
© Jim Musser 2016
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” (John 4:13-14 NIV)
I read an article yesterday about the continued problems with contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. A year after the story broke about lead contaminating nearly all the city’s water supply, the majority of residents are still unable to use the water coming out of their taps. It is truly a sad and tragic story. But it is not the only one.
As I have observed this political season and think back over the decades I’ve been a follower of Jesus, I realize there has also been an ongoing crisis regarding contamination of the living water of which Jesus speaks to the woman at the well. The problem with water contamination is it is often not immediately detected. Years can pass without a person knowing what they are drinking is poisoning them. The same is true spiritually.
The contaminants vary, but all will produce sickness and some even death. Tradition and legalism have long been a favorite choice of our enemy. Many churches have been rendered ineffective by clinging to unbiblical traditions and merciless legalism. But he is crafty and adaptive, so as our culture has become in recent decades much more accepting of various behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles, he has introduced unlimited grace into the stream. Paul warned of this contaminant in Romans 6. Pursuit of greed, worldly power, and adoration are other examples of the living water being contaminated. The end result is water intended to bring freedom, healing, and transformation instead brings spiritual sickness and death.
Many of the residents of Flint are using water filters in order to remove the lead in their water. For us as believers, the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures is the filter we need to remove the contaminants. Too many of us do not regularly ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), which enables Him to be in control and guide our judgment. And far too many of us are weak in our knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. As a result, it is difficult for us to filter out the contaminants in what is presented to us as living water. Thus, while we may believe we are drinking in that which gives us life, in fact, what we are ingesting is making us sick and perhaps slowly killing us.
Today, recognize the danger lurking when you seek to drink from well of Jesus. Our enemy has sought from the beginning to poison it, but in a way that is difficult to detect. The only way to protect yourself is through being filled with the Holy Spirit and having a comprehensive understanding of the Scriptures. Doing so will restore the living water to its pure state.
© Jim Musser 2016
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42)
You can just sense the struggle within David to maintain hope and faith in the midst of his overwhelming circumstances. Like a rollercoaster, his emotions are up and down, twisting and turning within him. One moment he is praising the Lord and the next he is gripped by anguish and despair. He is at war with his feelings and it is palpable. You get the strong sense he is attempting to will himself to trust God when all things around him are pulling him in the opposite direction.
Sometimes this is life as a follower of the Lord. Circumstances can overwhelm us and our feelings pull us away into fear and anxiousness; yet David demonstrates how we need to fight through our feelings and engage our will to remain focused on the hope we have in God. Our culture has elevated feelings to be the ultimate guide in life, but feelings are not always trustworthy. For example, I may continue to feel guilt over a sin I committed and confessed to the Lord; yet the Word says if I confess my sin, the Lord forgives it. (I John 1:9) In which am I to place my trust: how I feel or what the Lord says in His Word?
It is a battle to override where our feelings lead us. David clearly demonstrates that for us. However, the Lord is trustworthy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. They may feel overwhelming, but that’s just how it feels. The truth is the Lord has overcome the world and all the troubles it inflicts on our lives (John 16:33).
Today, regardless of what circumstances may be overwhelming you, put your hope in the Lord. While you cannot always trust your feelings, you can always trust in Him.
© Jim Musser 2016
