Post #11: Important Questions - my letter to Shawn Ryan
Dear Shawn,
There were a couple of questions -- very critical questions -- that you asked Wes Huff during your interview with him a few weeks ago. If I may be so bold, I wanted to follow up with some additional comments and scripture. I myself have asked these same questions many times, and I feel like most followers of Christ do. It is vital to our faith to pay attention to what we believe about the heart of our Father in these critical areas. This compels me to expand a bit, using scripture, on the topics you asked Wes about. I am neither a scholar or linguist, but simply a lay-teacher and believer. Hopefully my years of study, my personal experiences, and my insight will be of some help as you (and all believers) wrestle with these topics. On a personal note, my background is in the military as well, and am grateful for your service. Your journey to faith is of great encouragement to me.
Question 1 (paraphrase): What is the point of living like a Christian…all you have to do to go to heaven is believe? (You brought up a story, that some even believe we have a chance to turn to Jesus after death – which I don’t believe is supported in scripture, but is certainly possible, if God chooses to do so.) But what is point of living a “good” life? Why not do all the bad and “fun” stuff while we are here on earth?
· Jesus (speaking in Matthew chapter 25) outlines what it will be like at the end of time, when all people face the final judgment.
This warning emphasizes that what we do in this life matters. Although we certainly need to remember that we are saved by grace, through faith alone (Ephesians 2), the evidence for us being united with Jesus is the fruit we see produced in the life we live. If there isn’t evidence of a life lived doing things for others, we should question whether or not we truly know God.
In John 15, Jesus tells us that if we remain in Him, we will produce much fruit. In John 13, He says that our love for one another will prove that we are His disciples. If we have truly given our heart to Jesus, our life will be marked by attributes of Him, since He lives in us!
· The Bible says that God is love. And in Colossians 2:20, Paul reminds us that our old self has been crucified with Christ. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Since God is love, and Jesus lives in us, our lives should be marked by love as well.
· What other attributes of God should be evident in our lives? Galatians 2 goes on to describe the “fruit of the Spirit.” In no way does every believer and follower of Jesus live these out perfectly all the time. But our goal should be to seek His help in becoming more like Him, if we have truly given our lives to Him.
· Paul warns against continuing to live according to the “flesh,” or this “world.” I believe there is a point in each person’s life when they get hit with the truth – the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the truth about what Jesus has done for us. If we reject living according to His ways (which are marked by love, kindness, generosity, and service, as opposed to selfishly fulfilling the desires of the flesh and sin), we are playing with fire. In Romans 8 (try to take a moment and read the whole chapter), Paul also says that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him. So we must ask ourselves, if living according the sinful way of the world is in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus. And if not, then I believe God wants to bring us out of that type of lifestyle, and into union with His Spirit.
· Here are some excerpts from Ephesians 3 and 4. I encourage you to read each chapter fully and spend time considering what it says.
I believe we all have a chance -- at some point -- to turn to Jesus, or reject him. That chance to accept or reject Him probably comes at different times, and in different ways, to each person. A life of freedom from sin is just that: freedom. Eternity begins now, not after we die. The “abundant life” Jesus mentions in John 10 is available to start now. In his series, The Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis uses allegory to describe our life on earth as though we are kings and queens in training. This builds on the idea that each man will reap what he sows. What we do or don’t do in this life matters. Not for salvation – Jesus paid that price and secured our destination to be with God forever through His death and resurrection. However, God desires to teach and transform us and we are continuously learning. We are being made more and more into the man or woman that He has truly created us to be. Some day we will realize fully what is means to reign with God in His renewed creation. We are royalty – God’s sons and daughters.
· In Romans 8, He calls us “joint-heirs with Christ.” That means we are His adopted sons and daughters. It’s exciting to think about what our inheritance will be one day. But God has work yet to do in us to prepare us for that.
N.T. Wright said it well. “Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven, but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.” God is calling all believers into a life of freedom from sin. Our life, together, can be an abundant life of blessing if we are seeking His strength to transform our hearts and minds.
Question 2: How am I supposed to just “turn my problems over to God?” What does that mean?
· Most importantly, God is relational. Although He does want us to ask for things, He wants to be more than just a God who gives us good gifts (which he certainly does). He wants relationship. Imagine if you only asked for things from your spouse or a good friend, instead of really investing in the relationship of getting to know one another. That would be a very unhealthy relationship. In the same way that a loving spouse wants to give good things to their partner, if that was the sum total of their interactions, it would not be a healthy marriage. Each one needs to give. Each one needs to talk. Each one needs to contribute. In a healthy relationship, they need to share with each other, grow together, learn together, struggle together, plan together, give together, play together, mourn together, and sometimes just be, together.
· The act of surrendering our problems and concerns over to Him is actually an act of worship. It puts us in a position of humility before God, first and foremost.
· Giving our concerns to God is also the beginning of removing worry. (Matthew 6 reminds us not to worry about what we will eat, or drink, or what tomorrow brings. Your heavenly Father knows your needs, as he cares for the rest of creation, He will provide you what you need.)
· In certain situations, the “best” solution we are praying for may not be the best solution. Have we asked God what he wants to do, instead of demanding our way (what we think is the best outcome)? Have you ever asked, or prayed or desired something, then years later realized what you were asking for would not have been the best outcome in that situation? Perhaps only God knows the proper steps needed for any of us to move towards solutions for whatever we are needing help with and/or healing in our lives. Maybe there is healing from past sin, or emotional damage that needs to be dealt with first? I would contend that only God knows the proper sequence and process for each of us to grow, be made into His image as we were created, and become more like Christ? Ask Him what he wants to do. That should be our starting point before asking for something specific.
There were a couple of questions -- very critical questions -- that you asked Wes Huff during your interview with him a few weeks ago. If I may be so bold, I wanted to follow up with some additional comments and scripture. I myself have asked these same questions many times, and I feel like most followers of Christ do. It is vital to our faith to pay attention to what we believe about the heart of our Father in these critical areas. This compels me to expand a bit, using scripture, on the topics you asked Wes about. I am neither a scholar or linguist, but simply a lay-teacher and believer. Hopefully my years of study, my personal experiences, and my insight will be of some help as you (and all believers) wrestle with these topics. On a personal note, my background is in the military as well, and am grateful for your service. Your journey to faith is of great encouragement to me.
Question 1 (paraphrase): What is the point of living like a Christian…all you have to do to go to heaven is believe? (You brought up a story, that some even believe we have a chance to turn to Jesus after death – which I don’t believe is supported in scripture, but is certainly possible, if God chooses to do so.) But what is point of living a “good” life? Why not do all the bad and “fun” stuff while we are here on earth?
· Jesus (speaking in Matthew chapter 25) outlines what it will be like at the end of time, when all people face the final judgment.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”
This warning emphasizes that what we do in this life matters. Although we certainly need to remember that we are saved by grace, through faith alone (Ephesians 2), the evidence for us being united with Jesus is the fruit we see produced in the life we live. If there isn’t evidence of a life lived doing things for others, we should question whether or not we truly know God.
In John 15, Jesus tells us that if we remain in Him, we will produce much fruit. In John 13, He says that our love for one another will prove that we are His disciples. If we have truly given our heart to Jesus, our life will be marked by attributes of Him, since He lives in us!
· The Bible says that God is love. And in Colossians 2:20, Paul reminds us that our old self has been crucified with Christ. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Since God is love, and Jesus lives in us, our lives should be marked by love as well.
· What other attributes of God should be evident in our lives? Galatians 2 goes on to describe the “fruit of the Spirit.” In no way does every believer and follower of Jesus live these out perfectly all the time. But our goal should be to seek His help in becoming more like Him, if we have truly given our lives to Him.
· Paul warns against continuing to live according to the “flesh,” or this “world.” I believe there is a point in each person’s life when they get hit with the truth – the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the truth about what Jesus has done for us. If we reject living according to His ways (which are marked by love, kindness, generosity, and service, as opposed to selfishly fulfilling the desires of the flesh and sin), we are playing with fire. In Romans 8 (try to take a moment and read the whole chapter), Paul also says that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him. So we must ask ourselves, if living according the sinful way of the world is in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus. And if not, then I believe God wants to bring us out of that type of lifestyle, and into union with His Spirit.
· Here are some excerpts from Ephesians 3 and 4. I encourage you to read each chapter fully and spend time considering what it says.
- You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do … darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have…given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you … were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self … and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of Jesus
- Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up
- Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
- Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
- But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you Let there be no … crude joking
- You may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
- Walk as children of light… try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
- Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil…do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is… to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
I believe we all have a chance -- at some point -- to turn to Jesus, or reject him. That chance to accept or reject Him probably comes at different times, and in different ways, to each person. A life of freedom from sin is just that: freedom. Eternity begins now, not after we die. The “abundant life” Jesus mentions in John 10 is available to start now. In his series, The Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis uses allegory to describe our life on earth as though we are kings and queens in training. This builds on the idea that each man will reap what he sows. What we do or don’t do in this life matters. Not for salvation – Jesus paid that price and secured our destination to be with God forever through His death and resurrection. However, God desires to teach and transform us and we are continuously learning. We are being made more and more into the man or woman that He has truly created us to be. Some day we will realize fully what is means to reign with God in His renewed creation. We are royalty – God’s sons and daughters.
· In Romans 8, He calls us “joint-heirs with Christ.” That means we are His adopted sons and daughters. It’s exciting to think about what our inheritance will be one day. But God has work yet to do in us to prepare us for that.
N.T. Wright said it well. “Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven, but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.” God is calling all believers into a life of freedom from sin. Our life, together, can be an abundant life of blessing if we are seeking His strength to transform our hearts and minds.
Question 2: How am I supposed to just “turn my problems over to God?” What does that mean?
· Most importantly, God is relational. Although He does want us to ask for things, He wants to be more than just a God who gives us good gifts (which he certainly does). He wants relationship. Imagine if you only asked for things from your spouse or a good friend, instead of really investing in the relationship of getting to know one another. That would be a very unhealthy relationship. In the same way that a loving spouse wants to give good things to their partner, if that was the sum total of their interactions, it would not be a healthy marriage. Each one needs to give. Each one needs to talk. Each one needs to contribute. In a healthy relationship, they need to share with each other, grow together, learn together, struggle together, plan together, give together, play together, mourn together, and sometimes just be, together.
· The act of surrendering our problems and concerns over to Him is actually an act of worship. It puts us in a position of humility before God, first and foremost.
· Giving our concerns to God is also the beginning of removing worry. (Matthew 6 reminds us not to worry about what we will eat, or drink, or what tomorrow brings. Your heavenly Father knows your needs, as he cares for the rest of creation, He will provide you what you need.)
· In certain situations, the “best” solution we are praying for may not be the best solution. Have we asked God what he wants to do, instead of demanding our way (what we think is the best outcome)? Have you ever asked, or prayed or desired something, then years later realized what you were asking for would not have been the best outcome in that situation? Perhaps only God knows the proper steps needed for any of us to move towards solutions for whatever we are needing help with and/or healing in our lives. Maybe there is healing from past sin, or emotional damage that needs to be dealt with first? I would contend that only God knows the proper sequence and process for each of us to grow, be made into His image as we were created, and become more like Christ? Ask Him what he wants to do. That should be our starting point before asking for something specific.
· In all of this, God is a good father, and He will lead and guide you, even though you may not feel like He is doing so. There will be times in your life when you are seeking God’s guidance, and in absence of the Holy Spirit telling you to stop, you can move forward in confidence and assurance that God’s Sprit is leading and guiding you in the right direction (even if you don’t feel it at the time). One of my favorite verses comes from Isaiah 40: (my paraphrase) Whether you turn to the left or the right, you will hear a voice behind saying, this is the path, walk in it! In other words: move forward as you “turn your problems over to God” in confidence, knowing that He goes before you and is preparing a path forward for you, for your good. That is encouraging.
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