How can we coexist?

Posted on February 5, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre 1 Comment

This is the 20th post in the Sermon on the Mount Series.

“Give peace a chance” “Coexist” You’ve probably seen bumper stickers with similar sentiments.

The problem is that evil is a reality that must be dealt with. Some men (or women) will seek to dominate others through force or intimidation. Even a casual investigation into the history of man provides ample evidence of this. An ever so small slice of the news is sufficient to prove the reality of evil.

One response to evil is to lash back to hurt the perpetrator of that evil. This seems to be the default response in the human heart. This is illustrated by what Sean Connery says in the Untouchables, “They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue.”

Religious and irreligious systems have both perpetuated this response to evil. One need look no further than the Middle East for many examples of religion responding to evil in kind. But religion is not alone in this. Marxist states and other totalitarian systems are equally guilty.

It is likely that we agree on the sentiment behind these bumper stickers, by on what basis can we coexist? Where do we find the power to forgive and bring healing when evil strikes? How can evil be overcome without further violence?

To not respond in kind to evil requires a sense of delayed gratification. The one who does not respond must feel that it is better in the long run for him to let the evil go without revenge.

For the Christian, the idea that God will ultimately set everything right forms the basis on which we can turn the other cheek. Jesus goes so far as to tell us that we are blessed if we are persecuted or insulted (Matthew 5:10-11).

I am not saying that Christians are the only ones that can practice forgiveness and be peacemakers. I am also not saying that Christians have always done this well. We have struggled with this from the foundation of the Church.

I am saying that Jesus makes a compelling case as to why we should be forgiving and pursuing peace.

The struggle comes in the moment by moment decisions that need to be made. Do I complain about the boss to a coworker? Do I share a tidbit that I heard on the radio (and did not verify) about a politician with whom I do not agree? Do I use my words to build up or tear down? I have ample opportunities to practice peace making.

A couple of thoughts regarding peacemaking come to mind. First, our peacemaking should not be based on denial of the evil. Paul tells us to be angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26), thus indicating that there are legitimate reasons to be angry. The second thought is that I do not have to rely on my own strength and wisdom to be a peacemaker. Jesus promised that we would have help:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” (John 14:15–16, ESV)

The core issue for me in being a peacemaker is whether or not I trust God enough to leave it in his hands. My failures at peacemaking indicate that often I do not have sufficient trust. But, it is growing . . .

My god is too small

Posted on February 1, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

My god is too small.

I do not have a theological problem. I have no trouble affirming the God of the Bible, especially as revealed in Jesus.

I do not struggle to assent to an infinite, all powerful God; this is not an intellectual problem.

My problem is a belief problem. What I truly believe is indicated by my actions and when I observe my behavior, I must confess that my god is too small.

My god is too small when:

I look to others to define who I am and how I am doing
I am overwhelmed by my circumstances
I feel that no-one understands me
I get bogged down in guilt
I let my failures define who I am

On the flip side, Scripture reveals the character of God and speaks to all of these issues. For example:

Psalm 139 tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that I am not a mistake. God determines who I am and how I am doing (Psalm 139:14).
Jesus promises to be with me (Matthew 28:20) and is in control of my circumstances.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and understands me
In Jesus I am under no condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Scripture presents every giant of the faith as having experienced failure. Their failures did not define them or keep them from being used by God.

If I truly believe these things, I will act upon them. When I am caught in the first list, it is evidence that I am not believing in the God of the Bible. At that point, the god in which I believe is too small.

Thankfully, I can echo the prayer recorded in Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!” A prayer from which I have taken much comfort over the years.

WWJD?

Posted on January 17, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

I haven’t seen one in a while, but bracelets with the letters WWJD had some popularity at one time. The acronym stands for “what would Jesus do?” and was a reminder to follow Jesus in responding to a particular situation or question. I think that this is a worthy question to ask in any situation.

My problem is not with the theory behind the question, it is with the implementation. The problem lies in really understanding what Jesus would do.

In the Gospels, we have many episodes recorded where Jesus did exactly what he was not expected to do. A lame man was brought to Jesus so that he could walk again and Jesus forgave his sins (Mark 2:1-12). The woman caught in adultery was defended in front of the angry crowd (John 8:1-11). A rich man was told by Jesus that he needed to give away all his wealth (Matthew 19:16-22). A man from whom a legion of demons was expelled was told that he could not follow Jesus but should go home (Mark 5:18-19). These are just a few examples that come immediately to mind.

Yes, we can learn from these and begin to understand how Jesus responded to situations and people. But, as I see it, there are two problems in implementing the WWJD framework.

Love like Jesus loved

First, we cannot love the way that Jesus loved. I have observed in myself and in others that it is hard to see past my own needs, wants and shortcomings. I put everything through the grid of “what is good for Mark?” Yet Jesus put everything through the grid of what was good for the other person. Paul tells us in Philippians:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:3–8, ESV)

I see plenty of selfish ambition in myself, and I have observed it in others in the church. As a result of the fall of man, this is our default position. To implement the WWJD framework, we must understand and seek to counteract the selfish impulse.

See as Jesus sees

The second struggle in implementing WWJD is that we have a limited understanding. Jesus not only loved more deeply than we are capable of loving, he has a better understanding of the heart of the people. In John 2:24-25, the evangelist tells us:

“But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” (ESV)

To respond as Jesus would respond in every situation requires a wisdom and understanding that is supernatural. Jesus had the ability to see beyond all the pretense and delusion and respond in grace and truth (John 1:14). To really do what Jesus would do requires a thoughtful examination of my own motivations and the motivations of the person or persons I am dealing with at the time.

Get out of the way

Trying to respond to every situation as Jesus would do is a worthy goal. To do it, however, requires thoughtful examination of the situation, keeping in mind my own proclivity toward selfishness. I need to love as Jesus loved while remaining conscious of the effect of man’s defective sense of morality.

The good news is that I do not have to pursue this goal in my own strength and wisdom. In a similar struggle to learn contentment, Paul tells us “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, ESV) Jesus tells us that he is with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20). He also confirms that we will struggle but that he wins in the end (John 16:33).

I am not alone in the battle. I just need to stop getting in the way of the one who can win it.

Turn to God As Your Study Buddy

Posted on January 14, 2014 Written by Ian MacArthur 7 Comments

This is a guest post by Ian MacArthur. If you are interested in becoming a guest author, please see the guest post guidelines and use the Attempts At Honesty contact form.

Education is something that we value greatly because it is our ticket to a brighter future. We try hard to produce positive results at any challenge we go through. Learning is definitely important, but it is not easy for some individuals such as myself. I have a hard time completing my academic responsibilities because of all the activities, stress and exhaustion that comes with academic life. Luckily, I managed to find someone who can help me in my predicament and times of need. You can call him as a “study buddy” if you will.

For me, a study buddy is someone who can help you answer the hardest questions you’re faced with or someone who can encourage you to do something that seemed difficult at first. Everyone can find one if they look really hard. After doing my own searching, I’ve found mine and it’s none other than our lord and savior, God. Believe it or not, turning to God has helped me a lot in my studies and I consider him as the best study buddy that I’ve been with. However, I’m not asking God to help me in the way you might be thinking such as the answer to question #14 at my science exam. No, nothing like that.

Not to brag, but I’m doing pretty well in college. It’s just that I’m having problems with other things that are much more personal. I remember last year when I entered college and I was already plagued with various questions such as, can I do it? Will I be able to comply with every assignment or paperwork my teacher gives me? Am I good enough? These questions can really dishearten any person which is why I tried talking to my friends. I received a lot of advice which was good and positive, but sadly, it’s not what I was looking for. I’m grateful that they took the time to listen to me and gave me helpful suggestions. However, I was still lost and didn’t know what to do.

It all changed after I made a call at home. At the time of the call, I was also homesick. Luckily, my uncle, who is a pastor, decided to pay a visit on my parent’s house. He is one of my relatives from whom I have sought guidance in the past. When I told him about my predicament, he simply asked me why would I not turn to God for answers? He said that God will be able to give me the answers I’m looking for. Before passing the phone onto my parents, he gave me a few phrases to read on the bible. I can definitely say that it helped because I felt relieved and enlightened after reading some of it. Although I may not be able to remember the exact wording of the scriptures, I took each verse to heart. Here are those phrases.

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Through these verses, I was able to overcome my doubts which has enabled me to excel not only in academics, but spiritually and emotionally as well. Like I said earlier, A study buddy is someone who will be able to help you if ever you’re stuck with a problem that you can’t solve on your own and God has been able to help me when I was buried with self-doubts. So if you’re going through the same thing I did, why not consider God to become your study buddy? I guarantee that you wouldn’t regret it.