So I have a very transparent confession to make: I used to be a pretty legalistic person, I could quote scriptures forward and backwards, explain things to you. Tell you why something is right or wrong, avoid all people who were unholy, imperfect and broken and feel completely justified. I could explain how someone put themselves there, judge them 'all in the name of God." It was a very lonely place and there was no joy in that place, no happiness, and honestly no freedom. It was me looking around at my world pointing out the imperfections of others, feeling smug in the fact that I had it together, I knew my bible, I knew my scripture, and I kept myself in an iron clad suit of my opinions and keeping everyone else away. The problem was God couldn't heal my very broken and very weak heart from this place. I was so full of rules, regulations, and doing everything right, that I didn't have grace, compassion, or even empathy for others. They deserved what they got, and I was confident in the knowledge. So when a story came across the news about a child falling into a pit and I began to see every one's opinion I heard the Holy Spirit speak and again, it wouldn't stop. I think we need our generation to be reminded our how God feels about those who fall into a pit.
In Luke 15 Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees seeing them were saying this man welcomes sinners and asks them to eat with him. Jesus spoke in Parables and he spoke about the lost and the sinners. The parable of the lost son was the last one he told. We need to understand as Christians, we are in the ultimate hide and seek. The stakes are high and the souls that are hiding don't even know they are. There are three characters in this story and I have heard this story a million times but if you could bear with me I would like to share why we need to be intentional with our culture.
The son who peaced out
The first son went to the father and said basically "I am cashing out! I am done with this family I am doing it my own way and I really don't care what you think. I want what is mine. The father let him go and he went and did his own thing. The story talks that he blew his resources on a lavish lifestyle and then a famine came. He lost all his money and ended up working for a pig farmer and eating pig slop. He FINALLY came to himself and realized how his fathers servants were treated better than this. Sometimes we are the ones who do it our way, and then we finally come to ourselves. This process is a maturing and a humbling system. When we are young we think we have all the answers, we are quick to chase after things we think we want and then a season of famine comes and we find ourselves alone, without anyone. Humility requires us to come to God and really just press into him.
The son who followed the rules
There is nothing wrong with following the rules, doing everything right and living a good life. God honors those who live a life of holiness, but he does not honor those who live a life of legalism. The difference has to do with the heart behind it. You see I followed rules because I liked them, it gave me a sense of control. I knew what to expect I delivered what was expected and so therefore I was justified. I was comfortable here, but I wasn't free. You see when the father showed grace to the son who left it showed the heart of the one who did everything right. He wasn't doing it because he loved his father, in fact when his father went against the justification rule, the son refused to bend to the fathers will. The son was justified in his works and deeds, and he refused to be a part of what the father was doing.
The patient father.
You see there is something to be said for maturity. When you are young you think you have a good grasp on the world, you see things differently your not going to be like them. Then you have kids, you get responsibilities, bills, and life hits you. All the sudden you see things differently. The father was mature, the father loved both of his sons, and the father was searching everyday outside of his home for the lost son. He didn't leave the home to find him, but everyday he looked right where he was and when he could see his son from far off, he RAN to meet him. What would it look like if you and I ran to meet those who were coming into the knowlege of Jesus ? Most of us can see ourselves in the sons but how many of us see ourselves in the Father?
If we really want to change our cultures of our communities we need to be faithful where we are but our eyes should always be seeking those who are lost. Always with our eyes looking for them a long way off. Jesus makes it clear he desires a culture not just for the saint but that there is a place for the sinner as well. When they are ready are we truly willing to embrace them? We need to love people right where they are, but love them enough to not let them stay there. I am an old school believer that there is power in the name of Jesus and HE transforms us. I hope you all have a great week!!
In Luke 15 Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees seeing them were saying this man welcomes sinners and asks them to eat with him. Jesus spoke in Parables and he spoke about the lost and the sinners. The parable of the lost son was the last one he told. We need to understand as Christians, we are in the ultimate hide and seek. The stakes are high and the souls that are hiding don't even know they are. There are three characters in this story and I have heard this story a million times but if you could bear with me I would like to share why we need to be intentional with our culture.
The son who peaced out
The first son went to the father and said basically "I am cashing out! I am done with this family I am doing it my own way and I really don't care what you think. I want what is mine. The father let him go and he went and did his own thing. The story talks that he blew his resources on a lavish lifestyle and then a famine came. He lost all his money and ended up working for a pig farmer and eating pig slop. He FINALLY came to himself and realized how his fathers servants were treated better than this. Sometimes we are the ones who do it our way, and then we finally come to ourselves. This process is a maturing and a humbling system. When we are young we think we have all the answers, we are quick to chase after things we think we want and then a season of famine comes and we find ourselves alone, without anyone. Humility requires us to come to God and really just press into him.
The son who followed the rules
There is nothing wrong with following the rules, doing everything right and living a good life. God honors those who live a life of holiness, but he does not honor those who live a life of legalism. The difference has to do with the heart behind it. You see I followed rules because I liked them, it gave me a sense of control. I knew what to expect I delivered what was expected and so therefore I was justified. I was comfortable here, but I wasn't free. You see when the father showed grace to the son who left it showed the heart of the one who did everything right. He wasn't doing it because he loved his father, in fact when his father went against the justification rule, the son refused to bend to the fathers will. The son was justified in his works and deeds, and he refused to be a part of what the father was doing.
The patient father.
You see there is something to be said for maturity. When you are young you think you have a good grasp on the world, you see things differently your not going to be like them. Then you have kids, you get responsibilities, bills, and life hits you. All the sudden you see things differently. The father was mature, the father loved both of his sons, and the father was searching everyday outside of his home for the lost son. He didn't leave the home to find him, but everyday he looked right where he was and when he could see his son from far off, he RAN to meet him. What would it look like if you and I ran to meet those who were coming into the knowlege of Jesus ? Most of us can see ourselves in the sons but how many of us see ourselves in the Father?
If we really want to change our cultures of our communities we need to be faithful where we are but our eyes should always be seeking those who are lost. Always with our eyes looking for them a long way off. Jesus makes it clear he desires a culture not just for the saint but that there is a place for the sinner as well. When they are ready are we truly willing to embrace them? We need to love people right where they are, but love them enough to not let them stay there. I am an old school believer that there is power in the name of Jesus and HE transforms us. I hope you all have a great week!!
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