Counter-Community

My hometown has a monthly art walk. I try to participate once a year. Last time, one little girl pointed at one of my drawings and said to her dad, “I don’t like that one; it’s creepy.” To which I replied, “Unfortunately, many people choose to live like that, but they need just as much love and understanding as everyone else.”

The drawing itself is about how people often wear their emotional wounds like an identity. For example, the alternative fashion of counterculture movements. The psychology of this is actually a camouflage. In other words, they are controlling how they are being judged. If you believe you’re going to be judged anyway, it’s easier to take if it’s just for something superficial, as opposed to what’s really going on inside. Rejecting the broader community in favor of a group identity of an alt culture built on mutual resentment. In the case of emotional scars, they can be too much to hold in indefinitely, but also too painful to face head-on. So external signs of melancholy can ultimately be a superficial way to cope. Is this part of the reason why Jesus said. . .

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” -John 7:24

There is often a huge disconnect between the public and private self. This incongruence is often not as cut and dry as we assume either. Hence the need to look closer.

Still, isn’t the good news of the gospel about seeking and saving the lost? Do we foolishly assume that the lost always openly own this and ask for help? Never hiding their brokenness behind a virtual mask. Which begs the question. Are we failing our community by accusing and criticizing mere appearances? Rather than trying to understand the hurting person behind the false self. Are we like that little girl telling them, I don’t like this one; they're creepy?

The Visual PARABLEist

Who will lead us back to Community?

There is a saying, “God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.” These recent community posts bring me a whole new appreciation of this saying. Meaning the people who have the natural social skills to integrate into the community with ease have never had to consciously think about it. Let alone define their talents. So their advice concerning their skills is often not very practical at best, and dismissive at worst. So perhaps what it really takes is someone who has experienced the problem firsthand to even consider the issue objectively. Let alone understand it well enough to come up with a solution. It’s an unfortunate but all too common reality that people often have little empathy for problems that don’t affect them. As if what is easy for them should be easy for everyone. This attitude doesn’t help the community in the slightest. True Biblical community is meant to complement one another, not imitate one another.

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” -1st Corinthians 12:18-21 NIV

I dare say that many parts feel unneeded these days. Often because the church seems to only value a few key talents. Also because we would rather amputate broken parts than get involved in the mess that broke them in the first place. Which has made for a very one-dimensional community.

Yet just maybe, they are the ones who should be leading the way. Not opting out.

The Visual-PARABLEist

The fractured foundation of Community

There are two kinds of churches right now. Those that cater to young families, and aging churches that used to cater to young families. Yet the fastest-growing demographic right now is the unmarried, childless adult. So where do they fit in? Do we even care to consider the challenges that they face?

One thing is evident in this apparent rift in the unmarried community. Both sides of this proverbial gender war are bound and determined to make the opposite side solely responsible for everything, while accepting no responsibility at all. Which is not realistic. Nor is it consistent with what the disciple is called to do. Correct self first and foremost, then lead by example. (Matthew 7:1-6)

The average church's response tends to be as it always is anymore. Start at the perceived end, and work backwards. Missing all the gateway truths you will need to actually make that journey towards holiness. In the case of single people, it sounds like “just get married, then you will be welcome into our family-centric community. Until then, you've got to figure it out for yourself.”

Consider this. The Bible does not say as much about gender “ROLES” as tradition would have you believe. Most of these roles originated in ancient times when it made sense for men to do the more dangerous work, leaving the less dangerous work for women. But everyone did have to work to ensure their own survival. Technology has made much of that less necessary, creating more leisure time than ever. Which has only bred dissatisfaction, ironically enough. Yet many are still trying to stick the square peg of convention into an elliptical hole of the contemporary world. So we are all a little lost on how relationships should look and function these days. While we should make room for a dialogue about this, most are only monologging “my way or no way.” Hence the growing unmarried demographic.

However, scripture does have much to say about marriage and family in general. (Ephesians 5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-25) Yet there are three ways to read these famous passages.

1. Focus on the responsibility that you are meant to fulfill.

2. Focus on what you’re entitled to receive from the other side. 

3. Envy what the other side is meant to receive.

How you read these passages really says a lot about the state of your heart. In a perfect world, we could all do our part without keeping score, and nobody would be without. But this world is far from perfect, so natural givers tend to be used and ruined. This is why so many resort to these lesser approaches. Only focusing on what you’re entitled to shows that you just want to take and not give. That detail in itself invalidates love. Envy isn’t much better. Like so many things, there is a privilege side and a responsibility side. To envy the privilege, but not accept the responsibility, makes you covetous. Which is not behavior becoming of a disciple. Covetous takers who shirk their responsibilities and don’t reciprocate have no right to demand anything. Yet they are, but people are learning to not waste their time starting relationships with them. Hence the decline in marriage.

Which gets to the heart of the issue, not just the symptom. A world full of covetous takers leaves many damaged people in its wake. So much of what we do stems from dealing with these scars. Always wanting emotional painkillers to cover up our aches. As well as a safe place that won’t ever trigger our wounds. Yet we want to maintain the right to vent with impatience, unkindness, and rudeness. We’re looking to our relationships to produce this imbalanced environment for us with the intent of forever avoiding facing our own brokenness. This is a very poor environment for a healthy relationship. Few want to admit this, despite the havoc it’s wreaking on our community.

So it’s no wonder so many people have gotten so hesitant with relationships. Our toxic self-centered approach makes them more likely to break us than make us. We are more apt to lose ourselves than find ourselves within them. So I don’t even blame them for it, even if so many others do, including church people.

“The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” -Matthew 19:10 NIV

Again, the church is hesitant to address this issue directly. So we just lean on the whitewash of tradition as we have been. This only contributes to the mess we're in. As well as producing diminishing returns in the harvest. We are only sealing our own doom by ignoring it. 

The Visual PARABLEist

In the Post-Modern world, we have enabled many to follow their feelings blindly. This is not only unhealthy, but impossible to deal with. That's why many have just given up on trying. 

Community in Mourning

Last time I wrote about how excessive boundaries are limiting discipleship and the effect on church community. It soon became apparent that this issue goes even deeper than that. Hence the revisit.

Keep in mind that Biblical times were mostly an agricultural-based society. You depended upon the whole community to ensure survival. The concept of community was not even something they had to think about consciously. So it was important to be transparent about our troubles, so the community knew where support was needed to maintain the tribe. This was the norm for thousands of years.

This did not change until the Industrial Revolution. This created the opportunity to be more independent and ultimately more isolated as a result. This trend has only escalated with advancing technology. This is what led to the perceived need for privacy, and the downfall of community has been a side effect. I dare say this has even led us to shame sorrow, and rush people through their mourning. Making people feel all alone in their pain. Let’s look at the main perceived criticisms of public troubles to determine whether they are founded. 

The first being seeking only provision, not solutions. Galatians 6:1-6 indicates that church support is about a hand up when needed, not a permanent crutch. So that they can be the one to give support next time. The original pay it forward. As well as a sign of healthy community. There will always be those who seem to be forever in need, yet never reciprocate. Despite only taking, they always seem to have the least too. An obvious lack of blessing is seen here. This is where our fear lies; not in how it harms the community dynamic, but how it affects us. I dare say we have all been exploited through our charitable acts. Leading us to qualify our support first, or just deny everyone to be certain. Forgetting that grace does not work that way. If they themselves establish a questionable pattern that hurts the community, then we should reconsider how we support them. But let’s not judge everyone by what someone else did. Give people the benefit of the doubt until they earn that doubt. Giving with the right motives is our main concern; what they do with them is on them. People even exploited Jesus' generosity too. He never let that stop him, but unlike us, he had nothing to lose. (John 6:25-27)

Another criticism is that they are only seeking attention. Well, of course they are. They are thirsty for human connection within a dysfunctional community. Maybe we should address the obvious ills of our community, instead of shaming the one who is an obvious symptom of the problem. Then maybe they wouldn’t have to seek it in such shallow and self-destructive ways, as social media seems to be enabling right now. Are we effectively kicking people while they are down when criticizing the lonely and sorrowful for being vulnerable in their sadness? It’s gotten to the point where many are denying themselves their basic and necessary need for human connection because community has become so toxic and self-centered. When no connection seems better than the risks of unhealthy connection. Then we obviously have a very serious problem. The church should be combating this, not enabling it.

First Corinthians 12 is a passage that we tend to only look at through the lens of spiritual gifts. Yet often fail to recognize how it also has a dimension of church community. Verses 25 and 26 in particular.

“so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

Do we really have equal concern for one another? Or do we value some more than others? Or always put self first? Do we genuinely rejoice and suffer together? Or do we envy others’ accomplishments? Do we come together as a community to assist the aching parts? Or is suffering treated shamefully, and kept private as a result? Let’s face it, much of our desire for privacy tends to take root in fear of judgment. Much like the Pharisees, we tend to treat sinners as bad people who should be scorned. Yet, Jesus treated sinners as people in need. (Matt. 9:12) Not that I’m saying suffering is a sin in itself, just that a dysfunctional community tends to treat it that way.

Still, behind much of our sin that leads to suffering is a genuine need or wound. In our impatience, or perhaps feelings of isolation, we take the quick painkiller approach. Which becomes far less effective over time, and self-destructive in the long term. Permanent healing requires facing and owning the issue. It requires being vulnerable. It may even require the support of discipleship. But even that will do us no good if our fellow church members only whitewashed their plank, rather than deal with it. Since they had to face it all alone themselves.

We as the church need to start cultivating a true community of discipleship again. That means setting aside the culture of shame and condemnation for those who don’t maintain the mere illusion of community by whitewashing their pain. So we can start promoting an environment of grace, healing, and support within the community once again.

The Visual PARABLEist

Community of Boundaries

The other day, a retired minister told me how his denomination had adopted “boundary training” for their ministers in the nineties. This discouraged ministers from getting too familiar with their members. This really got me thinking.

To explain, let me tell you a story. While I was at a certain church. I worked under many different ministers in the nearly 20 years that I was there. Most of them had some sort of big push towards outreach. Yet nearly every one of them hit the same wall. There was this overwhelming reluctance to do so by nearly everyone. I’m sure there were many reasons for this. But a good broad explanation is that they didn’t want to get wrapped up in the messy lives of those outside the church. I recall one person in particular asking, “Why are you so focused on people outside the church, when the people here are in need?” Yet the ministers in question never wanted to take a step back and deal with those internal obstacles first. Ultimately, that would require getting involved in the messy lives of the church members, ironically enough. Maybe it wasn’t a simple matter of not wanting to teach by example as I assumed. Instead, they had been instructed not to, due to boundaries. Perhaps that’s even part of the reason why there was this repeated push; they knew they couldn’t. Hard to say since most have moved on; I will ask if I get the chance.

While I understand the intent behind this training. But are they aware of the huge hindrance to discipleship this has become? Has it only made the church powerless, and ultimately unhelpful? Focusing more on defining and assuring people where they are already at. Not rolling up those proverbial sleeves to get them to the next level of ever-increasing glory. That church I mentioned is no more, by the way.

This may be a sign of community as a whole breaking down, because It’s not just the church being affected by this. This so-called "dating crisis" has women asking, "Why don’t men approach anymore?" Never considering that our boundary-laden culture makes it difficult to act natural anymore. So the most damaged people are the ones setting the bar to a highly sensitive level. They can be very loud and public when their boundaries get crossed too.

Think of it this way: we all have front doors, and many of us lock them. Good people wouldn’t even approach the door without reason, and wouldn’t even check if it was locked unless there was already an invite and an established relationship. Good strangers always knock first. Bad people wouldn’t care if it was locked if there was something they wanted to take from you. My point is: the laws of attraction may cause us to part our boundaries like the Red Sea for certain people, but it’s only the bad ones that will take advantage. So our use of boundaries in dating is often inconsistent and applied backwards. Leading to more boundaries to protect our new wounds.

One thing I think we tend to not understand about the symptom of so many boundaries is this. If you grow up in a toxic environment, then your social skills are not about giving and receiving love. They are more about dealing with difficult, abusive, and neglectful people. I dare say we are even getting to the point where they outnumber the securely attached. Such people don’t respond to sincere love like a cup of cold water on a hot day. They respond with caution and suspicion. While we always assume our coping mechanisms are perfectly rational, we also assume the way other people manage their wounds is out of line. When they are likely both just as unhealthy. All because we assume our good intentions are obvious. When nothing is obvious in a world full of manipulation and passive aggressiveness. It’s a messy issue that requires more than mere boundaries to deal with. In many cases, we put up boundaries to avoid dealing with issues that need attention. 

Do we as disciples care enough to look past people’s behaviour and consider the scars behind their actions? Are we patient enough to build the trust to break down these barriers? Are we courageous enough to face our own wounds and let Jesus deal with them, so we will be better equipped to deal with hurting people ourselves? Or are we just going to hide our wounds behind the boundary of a whitewashed heart? Only to teach others to adopt the same surface-level righteousness. Will you allow the institution of the church, as well as society as a whole, to fade away like a shadow as we grow further apart in our failing community? It’s something we should all think about.

The Visual PARABLEist

Calling out Jesus?

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”-Matthew 15:21-28

In recent days, I’ve seen a few modern pastors comment on this passage and arrogantly try to act more righteous than Jesus over his bluntness. However, they are only looking at it with the depth of a teaspoon. So let’s take a closer look at one particular detail you may not be aware of.

As it says, she was a Canaanite. Meaning she was an indigenous pagan. Canaanites worshiped gods like Baal, Asherah, and Dagon. All of which are specifically denounced by the Old Testament. Their worship involved temple prostitutes, to put it mildly. They even practiced human sacrifice, including children. So it’s likely that her own dark practices brought on her daughter’s demon possession. In context, “dog” seems rather generous. Unless you still think she needs to be patronized with kindness, knowing what you do now? Or is it only right to deal with her as bluntly as those people trying to correct Jesus? Let it also be known that Jews of the time did use their word for dog as a derogatory term for a gentile. However, it's not what we see here. Puppy might be a better way to translate what he says. So Jesus is pulling his punch, if you will. 

Still, his words here are unapologetically honest, as he often was. Like he was with the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, and even his own disciples. They ultimately had to face themselves and the real issues they were avoiding by engaging Jesus and the truth he stood by. As I said in a previous post, it’s not really that kind to water down the realities of self-destructive behavior. In her case, Jesus wanted proof that she knew her responsibility in the situation that she found herself in. More importantly, was she willing to own it? Once satisfied that she understood this. Only then does he grant her request. In doing so, Jesus also showed her that he had authority over the evil things she once worshiped. I dare say that brought on a change of heart better than any superficial kindness ever did.

So why do so many stand by the mediocre practice of tact, rather than truth? Even the most tolerant, ideologically speaking, have their obvious exceptions. Ironically, they can be the most vitriolic of all. In the end, such people have thin skins and very sharp tongues. They only want to be on the receiving side of grace, but only on the giving side of discipline. There is nothing righteous or even mature about such behavior. So they have no business correcting anyone, let alone Jesus. Perhaps they should follow the Canaanite woman's example in owning their dog-like behavior.

What issues have you asked to be delivered from, with no answer? Perhaps it’s your lack of humility. It's your unwillingness to face a harsh truth about yourself.

The Visual PARABLEist 

“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” -Matthew 10:22 (Jesus)

Truth isn’t always pretty. Anyone who says otherwise is not being honest.

Salvation Space

Safe Salvation Space

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” -Philippians 2:12-13

We often view salvation as a one-and-done experience. This verse casts doubt on that assumption. But what does Paul mean by "work out your salvation," and how do we apply it? I believe much of it comes down to making all the aspects of the gospel fit together, without neglecting anything. For example, the current church seems to be split on whether forgiveness or obedience is more important. But if we want to experience that promised ever-increasing glory, we must recognize that they depend on one another. (2 Cor. 3:18) So no one side is more important than the other.

For example, the legalist who is all about obedience. While they may recognize that we need God’s grace to wipe the slate clean so that we may start over as flawless. However, they are hesitant to offer any more forgiveness beyond that. Never allowing that "safe space" to stumble and skin our proverbial knees from time to time as we learn to walk with Jesus. If they had worked out their salvation themselves, they would have dealt with that plank in their own eye. Then they would know how to assist others in their walk of salvation, instead of just condemning and criticizing them for their failures. (Matt 7:3-5) Clearly, they have only whitewashed their hearts in their own strength to avoid judgment (Matt 23:27-28) rather than be vulnerable with their own brokenness. In the end, obedience-centered churches only teach each other how to repeatedly whitewash the cracks that keep coming back to the surface. This is not the path that leads to fulfilling his "good purposes." Consider this: the verses above are part of a broader passage about Christ-like humility, something most legalists lack. Plus, Paul acknowledges that they were already obedient. Yet apparently obedience alone did not make their salvation complete.

This more recent phenomenon of grace-centered churches is a response to the legalists. They recognized the problem, only to overcorrect. Often getting into an endless cycle of failing in the same way, but never learning anything from it. This frequent backsliding often leads to completely ignoring righteousness and obedience altogether. Putting the forgiveness that they are so grateful for on a pedestal, but never using it for its intended purpose. To start over with Godly wisdom and strength that leads to more consistency. That eventually leads to the glory of being set apart for his "good purposes."

Ultimately, the church needs to be a place of support where we can work out our salvation, inevitable falls, immature beliefs, and all. (Romans 14) Since experience is often the best teacher, with the Lord directing our steps and all. (Proverbs 16:9) But do we allow the church to be that? More often than not, we see opposite extremism. All because we want to control our own path, and the paths of others. A course that tries to take shortcuts around the sensitive issues we would just assume avoid.

The grace extremists seem to want just enough salvation to keep them out of hell, but nothing more. They don’t want anything interfering with their own plan for prosperity. Including letting go of the sinful emotional pain-killers they use to mask the brokenness that they don’t want to face. But is obviously holding them back. When the chips are down, they just won’t put their heart on the line for any kind of transformation, let alone service. (Romans 12:2)

Where the obedience extremists are too caught up in their Old Testament frame of mind. Do what I say that God says, or be destroyed. This only feeds their pride, self-righteousness, superiority complex, and their desire to seek and condemn the lost. They don't want to get involved in the messy lives of others, since it reveals the whitewash over their own mess. Try reading all of Matthew 23. The average legalist has made so many of the same mistakes that the Pharisees did. Proving they are not nearly as righteous or obedient as they claim. That they fail in their own rigid Biblical standard, and show they need the additional grace that they deny others.

This isn't even the half of it. The fact of the matter is, many churches have plateaued in their spiritual immaturity. Stuck in the incomplete foundational truths of the gospel. Unsuitable for building his "good purposes" upon. (Hebrews 6:1) Yet we wonder why the church seems so powerless. 

The Visual PARABLEist

Broken Legs

Be Kind. . . or else!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

Good is a rather broad and vague word that can mean many things. For example, if we only look at the first part of the verse above, we may want to assume that good means easy or pleasant. However, if you take note of the second part about being called to purpose, we will realize this is not a self-centered form of good. Fortunately, the original Greek gives us some insight. That indicates a beneficial form of good.

So if we go back just a few chapters, we find this. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans 5:3-4

While character and hope are certainly beneficial. It also reveals that we may have to suffer to obtain that benefit. So this good that Paul speaks of in Romans 8 is not necessarily easy or pleasant.

I bring this up because we have a similar conundrum in the 21st century with the word "kind." Both progressive politics and certain segments of the church have adopted a mantra of “be kind and accept everybody,” As if this is our only goal, because that alone should fix everything. All because there is a similar false assumption behind it. That kindness is always easy and pleasant. Let me put this into perspective with a few quotes.

“Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.” -John D Rockefeller

Providing for the poor may be good in the short term. Yet if it only enables generational poverty, it is far from beneficial. Education is not easy, and maturing is not always pleasant, but it is a benefit in the long run when it delivers us from poverty. So who is kinder in the end? The one who only supplies your needs on a day-by-day basis, keeping you dependent on them for their good? Or the one who prepares you to fulfill your own needs, so you can live independently of charity?

“Certainly, no sane person enjoys hurting another. But we must be willing to risk hurting one another as well as being hurt, if we are to bear life to our relationships. A surgeon, for example, is not a knife-wielding thief. In fact, what surgeons do intentionally causes pain—and we pay them to do it, because we all agree that the immediate pain of the operation is preferable to the long-range pain of continued illness.” -Gordon Dalby

True healing often comes very painfully. This is true of not just flesh, but of emotions, and the spirit as well. Yet under this “be kind” mantra, we are unwilling to risk questioning anyone for any reason so as not to hurt their feelings. Only to allow these spiritual cancers to fester and destroy us slowly from within. Again, what is most important here? Short-term delicate politeness, or long-term and unpleasant emotional healing?

Here is the caveat. This directly follows the last verse. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:5

To maintain the healing metaphor, shame is like performing surgery without anesthesia. So it’s only natural to distance ourselves from the excessive and unnecessary pain of shame, even if it’s supposedly intended for good. Shame is a poor motivator that way. Yet I see so many on both sides of the fence trying to reshape the world by shaming people into submission. Hence, people embracing this “be kind” mantra. Even if they are just as willing to wield shame like a madman with a machete, if you don’t apply kindness the same way that they do. Hence my title, be kind. . . or else! Such people are not really following the Spirit of love this way, despite their claims to the contrary.

Ultimately, God's discipline is there to help us succeed, not to condemn anyone. We should have the same attitude towards others. But if we take more pleasure in shaming people in our self-righteousness than helping them to succeed, we are only serving our pride, not God’s truth.

“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.” -Psalms 141:5

The Visual PARABLEist

The sword is a Biblical symbol of God's authority. The significance of a double-edged sword is that one edge always points towards self. We have no business holding others accountable to a standard we don't hold ourselves to. Accountability makes us less hasty in drawing blood, so to speak. 

Musing Psalm 51

I mentioned watching a sermon series on the Psalms of Lament last time. Yet what I didn’t mention is my own drawing series based upon the Psalms. A series I let slip because I got stuck on 48. However, these sermons inspired me to pick it back up again. This time, focusing only on what genuinely inspired me rather than trying to be exhaustive. Then I got to 51, which kicked the inspiration into high gear. After making two separate drawings on 51, I recalled drawing inspiration from 51 before. Technically, I made the drawing first to express a feeling, only to find a verse that matched it soon after. Upon realizing this, I read it again, only to be inspired to do two more drawings. Even as I write this, I feel the urge to do more. So here I am sharing the experience.

51: A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. -verses 1-2 & 7-9

While two separate sections, they relay the same thing. David humbling himself before God. The repetition indicates a deep level of honest regret. Owning his sin without anymore excuses. We should follow this example.

Cleanse me with Hyssop

*******

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. -verses 3-5

This defies the pop-culture notion that “people are basically good.” That the sinful nature is, in reality, inherent. Not every sin stems from a past trauma; sometimes it’s just plain selfish want. We need to be honest with ourselves on this one and deal with our issues accordingly if we want to overcome.

The Sinful Nature

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Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. . . Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. -verses 6 & 10

With that being said, verses 3-5 were never meant to be used as an excuse. We have also been given the means to overcome, and those things come from the hand of God, not mere willpower. While the rest of the Psalm is seldom quoted, verse 10 is often cited outside the context of the chapter's honesty and transparency. Here lies a huge problem in the current church. A desire for the benefit, without the discipline and humility it takes to succeed. (1st Peter 5:6-7) This is one of the reasons why we backslide.

The Secret Place

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Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. -verses 11-12

When we feel far from God, our spirit can grieve. We often feel obliged to stay away from God out of guilt in these moments. However, that’s the exact opposite of what we should do. The weakness of our flesh tends to drag down our spirits. Only God can lift them back up again, so seek his face rather than retreat. (Matthew 26:11)

Stand in the Rain

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Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. -verses 13-15

Much like what Matthew 7:3-5 indicates. It’s only by overcoming the trial for ourselves can effectively teach others to do the same. Instead of merely defining a standard, we never lived up to it. We all struggle to live up to righteousness in our own strength due to our inherent sinful nature. That is why whitewashing is still so prevalent today. We keep it from the one who wants to help.

He also blurs the line between correction and praise. Indicating that we need to stop compartmentalizing worship away from holiness. This is a Psalm after all. Imagine someone writing a praise song about the tribulations of adultery today. Yet scripture sets the precedent. Would it not be fair to say God would be more pleased with sincere repentance than empty words? 

Teaching of Righteousness through praise

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You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. -verses 16-17

On the surface, David is technically violating Mosaic law by not making a sin offering. But if we look deeper, you may realize that animal sacrifices were meant to teach us that sin brings death into the world, and costs us something. Something he was already experiencing through his dying child of said adultery. He had already had nine months to repent; he should have made that ritual sin offering before Bathsheba gave birth. His reluctance to confess up to this point only made it all worse. Also, David knew the truth behind the practice of ritual sacrifice: sincerity. A rote transaction would have done no good at all. We would do well to be as remorseful and honest in our repentance.

Contrite Heart

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May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar. -verses 18-19

Why is David bringing up Zion and Jerusalem all of a sudden? As king, he acknowledges that his position is not just a privilege, but a huge responsibility. That his sin has had consequences beyond just himself. He uplifts the nation of Israel, for whom he is responsible, so they may not suffer for his mistakes. Have we learned from his mistake by accepting responsibility for our own actions as well? Or do we just say our choices are our business alone, despite how it may be trickling down onto others?

Spill Over

*******

This Psalm is all the more poignant in an age that shuns correction and absolutes. That wants to rationalize self-destructive behavior. As well as marginalize consequences wherever we can. But nothing can erase the harm to our immortal soul other than God's grace. We should ask ourselves, what is our Bathsheba? What are we doing to try to hide or make excuses for it? Why don’t we just admit that our reluctance to face it honestly is greatly hindering our walk with Christ?

The Visual PARABLEist

Whitewashed planks

I had been watching a sermon series online about the Psalms of Lament. Or sorrow and mourning, to use more common speech. One-third of the Psalms fit into this category. The seldom quoted and rarely preached upon third. Only to follow up with something far more straightforward, in the words of the minister. Which makes me wonder if his church didn’t respond very well to it. As unsurprising as this is, we still need to ask ourselves why.

Scripture says it so many times, and in so many ways, that righteousness and wholeness are internal. (Matt 12:33-37, 23:25-26 & 15:19-20) Yet we seem so reluctant to go there and face ourselves. Many even seem to act as if it is wrong. All because that is where the root of our sorrow lives, and we assume it’s for the best to just leave it alone. Granted, some seem to be addicted to their misery and are only looking for excuses, not solutions. Yet, the very fact that the Psalms of Lament exist indicates that you really do have to face it to heal it, instead of shunning your sadness altogether.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.” -2nd Corinthians 7:10-11

Sorrow, like so many other things, has two sides to it. Yet if we make no distinction and shun all of it for fear of the bad side. We also lose its benefits. So, have we inadvertently turned Jesus into a whitewash for the planks we don’t want to deal with? (Matt 7:3-5 & 23:27-28) Meaning we just use him as a broad blanket answer for everything. Without any applicable advice on how to put the transformed born-again life into actual practice. Especially if it means facing the brokenness within. Leaving so many unchanged and nothing to offer the lost but more whitewash. We can’t give what we never had after all.

“. . . first take the plank out of your own eye, and THEN you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” -Matthew 7:5

If a repairman told you that your foundation is collapsing, would you just repaint the house and call it good enough? Of course not, that would be ridiculous. So why are we effectively doing the same with our spirits? True wholeness, for which your holiness is dependent, requires overcoming the brokenness in our hearts. Until we do that, our faith is mostly just a facade.

“Discipline without healing doesn’t work real well over time, and it can do great damage to our hearts. . . ” -John Eldredge

Here is the good news. God wants to be part of a real solution. This isn’t a clean yourself up so you can become worthy of approaching him, as in the Old Testament. It’s about seeking him through study and honest prayer so he can cast a light on those dark places you’ve been avoiding. Then he will show you what to do about it beyond mere camouflage. 

So let me remind you of something I always teach about prayer. Expect anything. People can have tunnel vision with prayers when we assume they have to be answered in a particular way. Especially when praying about the rotten fruit of our sin, because God will likely redirect you to the wounds that they take root in. So if you find your mind wandering during prayer, you don’t necessarily need to abruptly stop and get back on track. Consider what it has wandered to, and how it may relate to your issues. It may just be God nudging you towards real answers.

The Visual PARABLEist

A few Psalms of Lament 6, 13:2-3, 25:16-18, 27:9-10, 31:9-12

Seek and WHAT the Lost?

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” -Luke 19:10

Jesus made this rather straightforward statement in reference to one of the lowest in that culture. Despite that, many church people often have a tendency to implement a seek and destroy mentality towards the undesirable, just as the world does. While we can’t be that surprised that the world submits to the sinful nature of the flesh this way. We should be aghast when Christians make the same rationalizations.

“Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” - Ecclesiastes 9:4

Once it’s over, there are no further chances to repent. So who are we to take that from anyone? To act otherwise just tells me that many believers are more concerned with their comfort in this world than the treasures in heaven that await us. (Matt 6:19-21)

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are Spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”-Galatians 6:1-2

Tempted to what? It doesn’t specify, but what are our default reactions? Impatience, unkindness, rudeness, criticism, condemnation. Everything but help people with their burdens until they are strong enough to stand on their own.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” -Romans 12:19

Do we truly have faith that God is in control? Or are we just trying to play God when we show contempt for the lost? All because we are too eager to see people experience punishment.

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” -Proverbs 24:17-18

Again, we shouldn’t be too surprised when the world does this. They care not for God’s approval after all. However, we should guard our hearts when they reveal what they truly have stored within them. Recent events have proven that it only stirs up more anger and animosity. (Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:43-45, James 1:20)

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”-Matthew 7:2

Are you judging with grace, mercy, and understanding, or just malice, wrath, and disgust? Whatever measure we use, it’s destined to come back on us. Is that a good thing?

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” -Romans 12:14

Imagine if we really did this. Took the time to pray for those who want our destruction. Doing so without assumption, judgment, or trying to control the outcome. Treating our own blessing as secondary in a truly Christ-like way.

Let’s face it, the church has been fast and loose with a lot of these verses. This has only enabled the world to play the victim, making it hard to correct anybody anymore. Perhaps it's time to back off and allow room for God to move on this one. Until the world suffers the consequences of its own actions, rather than just our vicious tongues. They are never going to have reason to reconsider their choices until it’s the choice itself that bites. Then it will be our time to offer a hand up, rather than a condemning lecture. Which only inspires a flame of seek and destroy to emerge in their heart.

“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.” -Proverbs 9:7-8

Let me close by asking you this. When did Jesus win over anyone by reason alone? He frequently tried to reason with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Yet it never yielded a thing. While he had to do that for the sake of future generations, he must have known their hearts were too hard to turn. Maybe that’s why he framed so much through parables and figures of speech. (Matt 13:34, John 10:6) It encourages people to look beyond their initial reactions and preconceived notions. It’s surely why he put so much effort into offering mercy and care to the lost instead. These are the people he reached. Still, modern teachers waste their time trying to reason with the unreasonable. Never stopping to consider that behind every unreasonable person is a broken and hurting person just wanting a little understanding.

The Visual PARABLEist

“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’”
-Matthew 25:40

Temple of the bootstrap

One thing that I have learned as a Christian educator, which they may not address directly in seminary, is to consider your audience. I’ve noticed that ministers tend to try to gather people where they are, instead of meeting the church where they are. Often forgetting that it took them years, or even decades, to get where they are. Only to assume that they can get the church up to speed with one sermon. I myself have been guilty of this in my younger years. However, I think the reason is more complicated than being arrogant about our abilities as teachers.

Obstacles. I’ve worked with my fair share of churches and ministers. Most have made some sort of push on outreach. They spend weeks or sometimes even months outlining their vision. Only for a few to step up, if anyone at all. Clearly, there is some sort of personal obstacle in the way. Yet nobody ever wants to consider that, let alone identify these obstacles. They will double down on their vision, perhaps even triple. Yet they never want to take a step back and ask why. Let alone deal with these issues that keep people spiritually paralyzed. Maybe this stems from impatience. Perhaps they just don’t know how to address planks that they themselves have not dealt with. (Matt 7:3-5) At best, these ministers get frustrated and move on. At worst, they blame and accuse their church. What good is it to tell people to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps if they have been cut off at the knees? Nothing good comes from this.

Body of Christ. As Paul says in 1st Corinthians 12:12 “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” Each part has its place and function. If a given minister is a hand in the body of Christ. He is naturally going to attract other hands. Teach them how to be better hands. Yet the body of Christ needs to be more than a hand. While some may recognize the wrists, arms, and elbows that assist them directly. They may not realize where the legs fit into their vision and neglect them. Yet at the same time, they wonder why the arm-centered church can't get into the right position. A clear sign they are using human wisdom, instead of following the Spirit.

In short, the universal church is suffering from tunnel vision. Making them blind to certain heartaches and the talents needed to address them. Consider this quote, which addresses a specific form of tunnel vision, to illustrate the ramifications of the problem.

‘When the Bible tells us that Christ came to “redeem mankind” it offers
a whole lot more than forgiveness. To simply forgive a broken man is like telling someone running a marathon, “It’s okay that you’ve broken your leg. I won’t hold that against you. Now finish the race.” That is cruel, to leave him disabled that way. No, there is much more to our redemption.’ -John Eldredge

About a year ago, I had the chance to guest speak at a church. One that has fallen on difficult times. So I made a point to meet them where they are, rather than where I am. I received such a positive response that I was invited back immediately. I eventually transferred my membership there. Not because I thought it would serve me and my vision. Rather, it was a place I could serve others with my actual talents, rather than someone else's. Not that I can save it all by myself. But if I can cast a few broken legs where needed, they will be one step closer to genuine redemption. Nobody needs a teacher who expects people to perform with broken hearts. So don't be that kind of disciple. 

The Visual PARABLEist

Working Backwards.

In a previous post, I made this statement. "Faith is ultimately a journey. As much as we may realize that we need to be at point D, we need to complete A-C first. That can be hard to do when everyone around you is fixated on points E or F and pushing you to meet them where they are. Disrespecting the process of Ever-increasing Glory. (2nd Cor. 3:18) Yet they never consider that so much lies beyond point F." Why do so many try to start at the end and work backwards? Especially since the results have been so poor. Let's elaborate by going through some verses.

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. -Romans 14:1

Do we truly accept the one whose faith is weak? Or do we push people to meet us where we are in a quarrelsome way? If our faith is genuinely strong, why are we acting as if threatened by the weak? Rushing anything doesn’t exactly produce strength and quality. So, what is our motivation in defying this verse? One thing I now realize, looking back, is that I had to learn or experience some basic things first before I could truly accept certain higher truths. Or let go of some false assumptions, as the case may be. God knew that, even if everyone around me wanted me to take a shortcut for the sake of their comfort. So I try to keep that in mind as a teacher.

“And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” -1st Thessalonians 4:10-12

Do we lead a quiet life, or are we always shooting off at the mouth? Do we mind our own business and focus on our walk? Or do we neglect our responsibilities by micromanaging everyone else’s work? Granted, somebody needs to lead and coordinate everything, but is that person you? Are you building your church with a proper foundation, walls, plumbing, electrical, and a roof? Installing everything in proper order. Or are you pushing everyone to be an electrician because that is your gift, and you don’t want to work alone? Even if there are no walls to run your wiring through yet. Let’s face it, the outside world is scrutinizing everything the church does. Trying to find fault with anything they can. All the more reason to live a quiet life of example until we are mature enough to handle the scrutiny.

“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” -Jude 1:22-23

Yes, we must correct people, but are we doing it with mercy? Doubt can't be alleviated by force after all.  Do we recognize that their battle with their flesh is the cause of their "dirty clothes?" The lack of mercy indicates a lack of patience and love on our end. So why aren’t we working on our merciless hearts and seeking help for our obvious issues first? Rather than be the blind person trying to lead the blind. Changing only the stained clothing repeatedly instead of addressing the corrupted flesh at the core of the issue. Then again, maybe if you surrounded yourself with fellow blind people, no one would expect you to move past your willful spiritual blindness to the real problem.

We can go deeper into this by reading Matthew 7:1-5. There, we will see that it is by overcoming that we learn how to help others do the same. Not by simply defining it. Yet what do we see more often, definitions or practical help? It’s a sign we are trying to lead people to places we have not been. Fixating on behavior and not where the behavior comes from. Never getting to the root of problems that inevitably spring back up repeatedly.

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” -Mark 10:13-16

The disciples acted as if the children brought to Jesus were not good enough. Yet Jesus flips the script and exalts those being dismissed. So, what is the critical variable here? A child’s faith is very pure and uncomplicated. Is this not what adults take issue with? Children don’t understand with the same sophistication as adults do, to the same level that we think they should. Are adults not the same with each other? Trying to establish dominance in an utter lack of humility. In the end, we should consider that even complex theologies often come down to very simple application.

““I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.””-John 4:17-18

Consider how Jesus responds to the Samaritan woman. He focuses on the truth she told, not what she omitted. Most people these days would have fixated on the deception, only to put people in a defensive stance. Jesus is wise and loving enough to avoid this so he can continue engaging not only her but all of Samaria. Psychologists call this “the framing effect.” The basic gist is that how we present information can have a great impact on how open the receiver will be. It’s not hard to understand, yet so many allow their sinful nature to present everything so negatively, which only pushes people away. Granted, Jesus could be tough, but he was always hardest on the highly educated religious people. Yet offered the most grace to the lost. Why do church people often do the opposite?

“Love (agape) must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. (Phila) Honor one another above yourselves.” -Romans 12:9-10

Systematic methodologies don’t exactly produce sincerity. So why are we trying to make a formula about the application of everything? Especially things like agape love. Are we ultimately honoring others above ourselves in devotion to brotherly love? Or do we interpret, hate what is evil, as hate who is evil? Honoring self above others as a result.

When teaching or correcting, we must first and foremost be patient. Growth takes time. A baby doesn't learn to walk without falling many times, and we certainly don't criticize them when they do. We should be no different with a babe in Christ.  Then ask ourselves these questions of our own heart. Are you trying to do what’s right, or just be right? Are you really trying to build others up, or just establish your superiority? Are you really doing God’s will, or are you only serving your own comfort and convenience? These simple questions could greatly affect our teaching and correction for the better. Allowing us to play the long game. Keeping it from being utterly ineffective. (2nd Peter 1:1-11)

The Visual PARABLEist

Why did Jesus Weep?

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.” -John 11:33-38

I have seen countless social media posts about the story of Lazarus in John 11. Specifically, why does Jesus weep in verse 35? You typically hear one of two interpretations.

One, he was mourning over Lazarus. This makes no sense to me. When you read verses 1-6 it’s plain that he purposely waited for Lazarus to die. As Jesus indicates, God and his son would be glorified through his death. As well as, so that they would believe through that glory. As indicated by verse 14. From his point of view, Lazarus wasn't really gone. 

Two, that he was grieving with Mary and Martha. This also makes no sense. If he had decided right then to bring him back, it would. However, as we already established Lazarus’ fate was already decided. Why waste time mourning with them when he was about to take away the reason for their sadness? We must look closer and probe beyond the misleading details to realize he was weeping for them, and not with them.

Some translations may have a heading like 'Jesus comforts the sisters of Lazarus.' This is not part of the original text and helped perpetuate this misunderstanding I am about to reveal.

The story also documents a few witness reactions. When this happens in the gospels, it often highlights their misunderstanding of the situation. This scene is no different. They are not an accurate gauge of what is really going on. It's a testament to how thick-headed the people were, and still are. 

However, there is one definitive detail here that clarifies everything. Notice the phrase ‘deeply moved’ is used twice above. This often leads us to assume empathy on the part of Jesus. However, the original Greek tells a very different story. The word in both cases is embrimaomai, and the deep movement it expresses is one of indignation, not sympathy. It means to snort in anger, to sternly warn, or to groan. Some older translations are far less vague by using the word 'groan.' The Message paraphrase is actually the most literal by saying “a deep anger welled up in him.” Not that I am trying to portray Jesus as completely without empathy. Rather say it's kinder to correct people for their obvious errors, instead of patronizing them only to enable them to repeat their mistakes.

Knowing this we can see that Jesus wept because, in his eyes, they were showing a lack of faith. Proving they did not understand what the messiah was capable of, or what that truly meant for his followers. I dare say we still don’t understand, and he still weeps over us because of our weak faith, and pathetic understanding.

This begs the question, Why? Poor translations aside, there is an apparent desire to water down his actual intent of correction. This may be a sign we love and cherish our mortal lives too much. We are not acting as if we truly believe it’s a mere drop in the ocean of eternity. That we are more concerned with our comfort, and short-term emotional distress than our long-term spiritual well-being. We want a God who takes trials and tribulations away so we don’t have to face them, instead of strengthening us by guiding us through them.

For example, God could have guided the Israelites around the Red Sea, it was a shorter path. (Exodus 13:17) He could have made the Red Sea disappear, but he chose to guide them through it instead. He could have parted it the moment the Hebrews got to the shore. Yet he waited until the Egyptians caught up to them. Yet by doing it the way he did, God's power is revealed. Also, the pharaoh would never be able to make trouble for them again. Deep down we want to be God’s spoiled children, not his victorious heirs. We want just enough faith to get by in the wilderness, not take hold of the promised land. We don't want to endure our hope, faith, and trust being tested for a second. We want to remain spiritually immature so we don’t have to take on the responsibilities of fully adult heirs of the kingdom who are set apart for a purpose. Yet we wonder why our virtual pharaoh keeps returning to haunt us.

This poor attitude definitely shows in the present-day church. What will you do about the fact Jesus may still be weeping over your lack of progress in your spiritual journey?

The Visual PARABLEist

 Jesus wept at the triumphal entry as well and for the same reason. Few talk about this passage though.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he WEPT over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” -Luke 19:41-42

State of the Church

In previous years I have done other state of the church posts like What’s the matter with church and Revival. I do this because if we don’t hold ourselves accountable, who are we to correct anybody else. (Matt 7:5) It seems like an apt time to revisit the basic idea and address recent trends, and my growing understanding of the creed. Faith is ultimately a journey. As much as we may realize we need to be at point D, we need to complete A-C first. That can be hard to do when everyone around you is fixated on points E or F and pushing you to meet them where they are. Disrespecting the process of Ever-increasing Glory. (2nd Cor. 3:18) Yet they never consider that so much lies beyond point F.

The biggest issue is the root of many others. People are only going as deep as their comfort will allow. Often reducing the gospel to simply being a good boy. So we frequently don’t challenge ourselves to become better disciples or more righteous people. Let alone set apart for a purpose. Getting stuck in maintaining our clean slate, instead of allowing our story to be rewritten. Many churches may even cater to this by only going deep enough to maintain attendance, rather than risk frightening people with uncomfortable truths. For example, we live in an age where belief, knowledge, and action are seen as separate and very distinct things. Yet in Christ’s time if you truly believed something you would educate yourself about it, and act upon that knowledge. Your belief was not seen as authentic otherwise. So this idea of “just believe” is not as passive as we often portray it. (James 1:22)

This brings us to my next point. Confusing validation for restoration. As I often say "God made us, and the world breaks us, but Christ can remake us." Yet in a culture so motivated by acceptance, we value the approval of the world that broke us, more than being remade in the image of our Creator. So we end up identifying with and making communities around our trauma, instead of the wholeness Christ offers. We have seen this phenomenon in popular music for decades. People feel less like outsiders when their feelings are validated through music when nobody else will. But if an action is unholy, self-destructive, or harmful to others; validation changes none of that. It only makes us feel better about our bad behavior for a time. It doesn't save us from the inevitable consequences.
   Offering empathy and understanding can open the door to exploring a fuller truth and eventually living that truth. Unfortunately too many only go deep enough to get to the door, yet never enter it where a transformed victorious life lies. It’s far easier to stay with the wounds we are familiar with than the healing we are not. Consider this. When we validate our brokenness, we're also rationalizing the actions of anyone who may have had a hand in breaking us. Is that what you want to do? Still, your healing is between you and Christ, not the offender. Why would you give them that power over you, other than to avoid facing your scars?

This leads to my next point. Our relationship with our past. We often see opposite extremes on this one. One side uses past trauma as an excuse to behave badly, not mature, and never become born again as a new creature. (2nd Cor 5:17) The other extreme just says to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, even if they are too worn and tattered to do so. Either way, both are avoiding truly facing and overcoming the past. Grace may absolve us of our past wrongs. But healing of the scars behind the sins is a completely separate entity. This is critical for overcoming our continued slavery to sin that trips us up in our walk. If more people embraced healing and overcame, rather than relied on greasy grace. More people would be inspired to choose restoration, rather than mere validation. 

   The consequence is that the church is merely offering shallow legalistic definitions. Instead of offering the in-depth advice of someone who has been there. Such people tend to be very prideful in their correction. Pride ultimately uplifts self more than glorifies God. No wonder God opposes the proud and the whitewashed validation that goes with it. (Matthew 23:27, Proverbs 3:34)

This is probably why we rely more on tradition and convention than in-depth knowledge and understanding. Which is my final point. (Matt 15:6, Mark 7:8) It's an easy answer that offers a mere illusion of complete truth.  Tradition has a habit of getting watered down over time if we don’t maintain its foundation through continued education of its intended purpose. Revolving the tradition around the truths we are most comfortable with, yet glossing over the details we don’t like as much. Plus, systematizing truth lacks sincerity in practice since it’s often followed more out of sentiment, than God’s will.

As you can see these points are interconnected. All of which feed a shallow, powerless, and insincere faith that inspires nobody. So it’s no wonder the church is struggling and in such a sad state. What are you going to do about that?

The Visual PARABLEist 

Hope & Trust in a world without either

There is a curious parable in Luke chapter 16. It stands out among Christ’s parables since unlike most, it’s NOT a revelation about God’s Kingdom. Rather a commentary about humanity. A testament to where we should and shouldn’t place our hope and trust. (Psalm 118:8, Jeremiah 17:5-6) So it’s a parable we must read carefully, because without this understanding we may misconstrue a bad example as a good one, and take certain statements out of context. So let’s break this down carefully.

Luke 16:1-15

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 

The setup of this obscure parable. An audit of a dishonest manager if you will, to use modern vernacular.

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’”
So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
“ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ “ 

The manager weighs his options, only to rely on what he knows, manipulation and underhandedness, rather than doing the right thing.

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. 

An unexpected thing to hear Jesus say, but one must consider the context. The rich man does not represent the Lord or anything divine in this particular parable. Unlike many others where God is interjected somehow.

For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 

Dishonorable people are more likely to betray people like themselves. Who are less likely to judge them or hold them accountable. In dog-eat-dog industries, there is a culture of greed and disrespect for those who don’t live by the harsh reality of it. Even if you are on the wrong end of it, as we see here. Alphas, as we often call them, know people will try to undermine them to get ahead. They anticipate and prepare for it. This is what makes them top dogs. This is not a recommendation from Christ. Rather a simple but unfortunate fact that we must keep in mind when dealing with worldly people. All the more reason to be wary of said communities.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 

Again, out of context, it may seem like Jesus is telling us to buy friends. In context, he is just exposing the shallowness of a world that we may envy at times. Dishonorable people want to get people indebted to them because they are always keeping score. They know nothing else, so they can’t recommend anything else. If we earn our relationships through provision, that is likely what it will take to maintain them. Such people love the provision more than the providers. This is why we shouldn’t trust them. In the original Greek ‘Eternal’ refers to a long period of time, not something divine.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
Here is where God’s Judgment finally comes into play. Those who will do bad things for you, or with you, will also do bad things to you. As it is often said, trust what people do more than what they say. It paints a more accurate picture of their character. God watches and blesses character, even when people are too mesmerized by wealth and popularity to notice actual integrity.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 

A famous verse in and of itself. Often quoted outside the context of the parable. The manager served only self, and he used money to do that. He also coveted what his master had, and hated him for it. Don’t trust anyone who puts their hope in money. They will betray you for money if given the chance.

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 

They didn’t like being held accountable to their master either. They didn’t like a spotlight being put on their superficial hearts. Since it exposed their unrighteousness.

He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. 

The Pharisees, like the shrewd manager, have earned all the respect, admiration, and relationships they had through worldly means. Yet God sees right through this thin veneer. What do you value more in this world so motivated by acceptance, approval, and validation? Where does your genuine self-worth lie?

What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” 

But unlike the rich man and the Pharisees, God sees nothing noble, commendable, or trustworthy about any of this. As I implied earlier the parable is an example of a bad example. What not to emulate about human nature.

Jesus also said ““See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”-Matthew 10:16

When you put it together The takeaway is don’t be naive, but be cautious in navigating this wicked world. Yet don’t let caution lead to bitterness and cynicism. Most of the time we go to either extreme, instead of a wise balance.

The Visual PARABLEist

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
-1 Corinthians 16:13