Spiritual Meat: Hebrews 6 - 10 YEARS of Reflectionary

First posted on September 18, 2009

 

I remember many years ago, gathered around a campfire somewhere, talking about people, events, and the Bible. There were about a half-dozen young men there, all between 16 and 26 years of age. We were very close friends. I believe it happened at Camp Shockley outside Francis, Oklahoma.

We got onto the topic of doctrinal distinctives of this, that, or the other denomination.

Inevitably, we all agreed that it was good that we understood the Bible as well as we did. Our understanding of the deeper things of Scripture meant that we had the special favor of God. He would bless our efforts to evangelize. We would grow in power and influence. We would not fall. Our faith (or so we called it) was firm.

What were these special doctrines? They were the points on which we differed from most other Christians, of course! We are only human, children really, that desperately need to be different from others (notice me!). A sense that we are different, in this case "right," gives us a sense of security when Judgment Day comes. But, is God going to judge us, based on how well we knew our own distinctives?

We patted ourselves on the back. We were feeding on Scriptural meat; raw, tough, manly beef! Yes, we were rugged all right!

But what is, actually, the spiritual meat, the "solid food" discussed in this Hebrews passage?

Solid food is for adults, who by conditioning have acquired senses trained to distinguish right and wrong.

The writer lists the basic foundations of faith, the "milk":

1. repentance works that lead to death
2. trusting God
3. the washing and laying on of hands
4. the eternal judgment
5. the resurrection of the dead.

Those are the basics, the milk! The very stuff we considered "meat"!

So what then is the solid food from Scripture? Very simply, to follow Christ and walk in his steps! Is not love called "the greatest of these" by Paul? We get people into Church, and face to face with Christ, through the message of judgment, baptism, repentance from sins, etc. But far too many of us go no further than basic doctrines.

Christ called us to the higher things, the solid food - the part on which we all agree: that love conquers all! That humility and service to others is really what it's all about!

Leaving arguments and divisiveness aside, we press on to gentleness and selflessness - the most difficult step of all, yet the most simple. And there is no place at all, in the feast of the solid food, for divisions.

Our ancestors disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Have you noticed that children have a much easier time than adults, in doing good? Kids are out playing, enjoying life. Even Hitler was once a child playing in the schoolyard! Adulthood changes us, presents us with a myriad of alternative paths to follow. We are bombarded with images of violence and immorality all the time: we gain the knowledge of good and evil! And we usually choose the evil!

We are not ready for this knowledge, so death had to be the outcome.

The Christian that feeds on the solid food of love and selflessness becomes one that can be presented with good and evil, and not be warped by it.

Self-Appointed "Leaders." Yeah,. Right (Hebrews 5) - 10 Years of Reflectionary!

Original draft published on September 8, 2009

A single person, out of thousands, may self-appoint himself into a position of great authority over the thousands.

This happens all the time in American society. Our system is supposed to elevate the natural leaders to supervision of our government and laws. Our legislatures are supposed to be composed of people that are most representative of those represented, to go speak on behalf of the whole.

But instead we get partisan hacks that manipulate the system for their own benefit.

A democratic republic that is functioning efficiently, should never have a man as President, that nobody heard of four years ago. And it should not keep returning to office Congressmen that have forgotten what it is like to be Average Joe Citizen.

If there is a vacancy in my local Planning Commission, I can go in, fill out a form, be interviewed by the Township Board, and receive its appointment. I have, in effect, appointed myself to a position where I can tell your neighbors what they can and cannot do on their own property. I do not have to have any special credentials. It is not important that my values match those of my neighbors. I just have to step forward, and suddenly my influence has multiplied many times over. And really, the most important factor is that I want the job.

Sadly, the same dynamic holds true in our churches. Some young person claims to have been "called" to the ministry. He or she receives the requisite college preparation, followed by ordination. Next thing you know, a person of under thirty years of age bears the mantle of "church authority" that is not to be questioned.

Also, one doesn't bestow such an honor on oneself but is called by God just as Aaron was.

The scriptural record could not be more clear. If we would care to look, the requirements for any position of leadership in the Church are delineated in detail. But here, perhaps the most important point is made: God calls people to the ministry. They do not appoint themselves. And I have seen enough young people get burned out in the ministry, such that their marriages fail, that we should be wary about entrusting God's calling to a person whose frontal lobe is not fully developed (at about the age of 25. The frontal lobe governs our ability to weigh options and make wise judgments.)

All across society, at every level and in every profession, I believe that we suffer because we let people (particularly "leaders") select themselves for important roles. If the most important quality of leadership is humility, then it's no wonder there is a crisis of leadership in the US.

Leaders in the Bible were dragged into authority. They begged not to be appointed, or called.

So, when leadership or representation is called for, let us consider praying for wisdom first. Let those making the selection consider carefully if this person truly is viewed as a leader. Is she humble? Do others respect her? If a person is called to be a representative - then does he truly fit into the beliefs and background of the people to be represented?

The party system may be easy. And we may believe that a person wanting to lead should at least want the job! 

Whatever. 

It's not the model God showed us. And it is not getting us good results.

Being Your Own High Priest: Hebrews 5 - TEN YEARS OF REFLECTIONARY

First Published Monday, September 7. 2009  (edited for 2019)

God is very careful to select humble people for great tasks.

He selects the humble. The world selects the proud and arrogant.

With the possible exception of George Washington, every person ever elected President of the United States, wanted the job. They thought that it was owed to them. It is almost a requirement of the office, that you must believe you are better than the other person. And how arrogant is that?

What candidate for office ever said in a debate: "Please do not vote for me. I am slow of speech. I have a physical handicap. I'm not that sharp. Take one of these others."

It just doesn't happen that way, and it makes us wonder if anybody really gets the point of the connection between real leadership and humility.

And what about this "elected for life" concept? For example, in many local governments in Michigan, you will find elected officials that have held office for over 25 years. Not only do these people not step down, it becomes impossible for others to unseat them. Are they truly the only people out of the tens of thousands that they represent, that can do the job, over the course of decades?

The same is true in national office. Is Jerrold Nadler the only person who can best represent his New York City district in Congress, for almost three decades? Is he the one person that most truly represents the whole of his district? What is that saying about Congressman Nadler? What does it say about his constituents?

The person that keeps re-inserting him or herself into elected office is anything but humble! But God always chooses the humble.

. . . every . . . high priest . . . is . . . subject to weakness.

So, God started out a system of government way back in the time of Abraham. The only position required at the time was that of high priest. But he made sure that the high priest knew that he was a weak vessel, just like the humans he represents. Imagine, what if every high priest to follow continued with humility. The writer of Hebrews says that the high priest has to make sacrifices for his own sins, as well as the sins of the people.

Humanity copied the idea of high priest, and turned it into a warped symbol of prestige and power. By the time of Christ, the pharasaical system had become the twisted result of what happens when we take something good from God, and put our own spin on it. The Scribes and Pharisees were the purveyors of condemnation and guilt. They had made themselves into God's representatives, looking down on others and living a high life.

We have high priests because we need them . . . all of us. Even the high priest needed a high priest.

Remember this as we go into an ugly season of partisan politics at the national level. We're approaching Hallowe'en, and summer is over. The American national government is about to go to war with itself over impeachment, at the expense of more immediate and personal problem-solving. As you observe the debate, look for little hints of humility on the part of of "leaders" in Washington.

Drawn Close Lately? Hebrews 4: TEN YEARS of REFLECTIONARY

Originally posted on September 6, 2009

I read somewhere, that Sence has proven that we never use more than 15% of our brain's total capacity. Think about that for a second.

What does this mean? What could a fully engaged, 100% active brain do? The science-fiction buff in me shudders at the possibilities: mind-reading, levitation, telekinesis, foretelling the future, etc.

How many fully-activated brains would it take to solve the world's problems? Could a cure for cancer be devised in an instant? Could cancer even be thought-away? Could our 100%-brain-manipulated words persuade Bill Maher into quitting and, maybe, becoming a world-class Christian evangelist?

Maybe this is something God understands about us. It's why He didn't want us eating of the Tree of Knowledge. Maybe it contains vitamins and minerals that give us 100% brainpower, and we are not good, pure, and holy enough for that yet!

No, our brains are way underutilized, and will continue so until God bestows spiritual bodies upon us at the Return of Christ.

But what about another source of power that we never tap into? What about the throne of grace? God begs us to meet with Him there. Do we ever do it, though? We have a standing invitation from the Creator, to meet with Him. All of our answers are there. Grace and healing is there for the taking. Power that is greater than an entire brain, is there for the asking.

Then let us confidently draw near to the throne of grace and receive the mercy and find the grace that can give us timely aid.

I have not, if ever, been to the throne of grace. I've been close to it. I've reached out, perhaps, and felt its warmth. I have seen it from afar. Where John Wesley's chest was "strangely warm" once, mine has moved into lukewarm, maybe, a time or two in my life.

The writer of Hebrews says to go confidently to the throne of grace.

I don't know how this is done. I think you should be on your knees. I think you should have no other distractions. Having studied the Word of God recently can't hurt. Being around other Christians, that also long to touch the throne, helps.

But you have to try.

There is not a problem that God cannot solve. He is all around us. He is never far away. He sees it all and reaches out His hand. The problem isn't with God. It's with us. We need only focus on Him, notice Him, reach out to Him, and He will not disappoint. We are the ones that need to move.

Go to the throne today. Confidently. Go.

Faith Without the Word? Hebrews 4 (Ten Years of Reflectionary)

2019 Comment:  I remember that I invited a trusted mentor to begin reading "Reflectionary."  When he got to this one, he reflected to me: "Maybe you'd better not be writing this stuff and making it public."

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First published on September 5, 2009

I marvel when professing Christians act worldly. You know you're acting worldly, if you are behaving like children. Throwing tantrums, getting your feelings hurt, insulting others, insisting on your way . . . these are immature behaviors. They are not godly, and they are not Christlike.

When you see a professing Christian acting this way, you may reasonably conclude that this person has not been reading (studying, meditating upon) his or her Bible.

I know myself, that when I am behaving inappropriately, it is because I have not been studying the Word.

A teenager expressed her doubts to me, that God is real. She complained that God hasn't done anything good for her, ever. But I also know that this particular girl does not read her Bible. It is not a habit to her.

The Bible is the Word of God. And the Word of God is Christ. Whatever you believe about who Jesus Christ is, chances are you admire his words and deeds. It stands to reason that, if you read about him, and learn his teachings, you will be influenced by him. You will become more like him. If you want to be more like Christ, fill yourself with Him by reading the Bible!

If you have doubts, or questions, or difficulties, read the Word!

For the word of God is living, active, more cutting than any double-edged sword, and penetrating enough to sever soul from spirit and marrow from bone, while it judges the thoughts and passions of our hearts.

What then, you say, about Bible-thumpers, people that think they are better than others because they have "the truth"? How do these narrow-minded people, that read the Bible every day, fit into this model of the "Christ-like Bible student"?

The answer is simple. It is because they, indeed, study the Bible narrowly. They only see passages that fit their assumptions. They read "proof-texts" only, and skip the sections that address behaviors and beliefs that they should change in themselves.

You can spot these people easily in a Bible study. They will refuse to discuss difficult passages that would require them to examine their own lives. But they come alive when an essential doctrinal verse is discussed. How they love the Bible, when it agrees with them!

You cannot live in Christ, without studying his word. In essence, you are what you read, and many of you have not been reading good stuff. It shows in your behavior.