Walking Around in Whitewashed Tombs

Picture a friend inviting you over to her house for dinner, promising a sumptuous meal. Upon arrival, she directs you into the backyard and points to an old garbage can.

 

“Dinner’s in there, take as much as you want,” she says. “Oh, don’t worry. We hammered out some dents and put a fresh coat of paint on the outside. Almost as good as new!”

 

How would you respond? Would you have trouble suppressing your gag reflex? Would you suddenly announce a fast-food restaurant is calling your name? You’d probably think your friend was out of her mind, right? The outside of the garbage can might look shiny and clean, but who knows what’s been inside the thing?

Interestingly, Jesus Christ used a similiar metaphor in dealing with some of the high and mighty, holier than thou religious leaders of His day. Jesus didn’t mince words. He called things as He saw them. He wasn’t angling to become a prime example for the classic book Dale Carnegie would someday write, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

 

On one particular occasion, Jesus expressed how fed up He was with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees, men who commanded – and demanded – reverence whenever they showed up. Several times in Matthew 23, the Lord decried how outward appearances could disguise spiritual filth lurking inside.

 

Can you imagine being there as He rebuked them, opening with, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!...” This certainly got their attention, but not in a good way. But just in case, Jesus switched His terminology: “Woe to you, blind guides!... You snakes! You brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:13-33). How would you react if someone spoke to you that way?

 

While He didn’t refer directly to a garbage can, Jesus’ message clearly conveyed the same idea: He called out these esteemed pillars of the community, labeling them as, “whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:27-28).

 

Tough words, no doubt. But let’s take a step back: Have you ever been to a cemetery where the remains of some of the deceased had been placed in tombs or mausoleums? These might be proud architectural structures outwardly, but we can imagine the decay that was going on inside. The mere thought of it grosses us out, but Jesus had no intention of sugarcoating His rebuke.

 

He closed by extending the metaphor, declaring, “…you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:25-26).

 

If we’ve read much of the New Testament at all, we’ve probably come to regard the Pharisees as the bad guys, the uptight legalists who were quick to judge everyone but themselves. So, how does that relate to us – or to people we know?

 

We probably don’t have to think too hard, because we’ve all encountered folks who would fit these descriptions. Individuals skilled at putting on the very best of outward appearances, ones we’ve learned from experience and observation that are very different on the inside.

 

Certain groups of people might quickly come to mind – entertainers, celebrities, politicians, even religious leaders today – who could be found guilty of such hypocrisy. Shame on them, right? Unfortunately, doesn’t this also describe each one of us, at least part of the time?

 

I’d like to think I’m the most caring, compassionate person around. And at times I’ve probably appeared that way. But I regret to admit that many times I’m not. I’d like to consider myself as “Christlike,” but my family and friends could tell you of times I’ve not been like Christ at all.

 

Some people excuse they’re reluctance to become part of a church family because, “The place is filled with hypocrites!” That’s true, but that just means they’d fit right in. Hypocrisy seems embedded into our human fabric.

 

But there’s good news! We might struggle with hypocrisy, at least at times, But Jesus offers the remedy, and it’s available to anyone and everyone willing to accept it. As pastor J.D. Greear stated recently, “Christianity is not turning over a new leaf; it’s the power of a new life. It’s not a resolve to live better but a resurrection to life in Christ.”

 

He probably had 2 Corinthians 5:17 in mind, which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Instead of walking around like old garbage cans disguised with a fresh coat of paint, in Christ we can become “new creations.” We can put our old selves – our sinful behavior and tendencies – behind us and living life as God intended through the power of Christ and His indwelling Spirit. Sounds better than being “whitewashed tombs,” doesn’t it? 

Do We Worship a ‘Build-a-Bear God’?

When our daughters were young, a few times we visited a retail store that amounted to a do-it-yourself enterprise. It was called “Build-A-Bear,” where children could select their specific furry animal, its little clothes and other features, then put it into the magic stuffing machine. Voila, instant favorite toy!

 

Pastor and author J.D. Greear referred to this recently when he stated some believers seem to be worshipping a “build-a-bear god,” one that meets their whims and desires, perhaps even one they’ve “created” in their own image. We’ve seen this in some who follow prosperity theology adherents, the “God wants you to be rich” preachers. “If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, as it says in Psalm 50:10, just ask Him to sell one of the cows for you.”

 

Similar to this is the “name it and claim it” crowd, folks who believe that since they’re children of God, as the Bible teaches, they can ask for anything they want and God will do it for them. They might even cite John 15:7, when Jesus said, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, as whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

 

Then there’s the “build-a-bear god” who loves everybody to the extent that they all will be welcomed into God’s eternal family, no matter what they’ve done – even if they didn’t believe in Him or flat-out rebelled against Him during their time on Earth.

 

There are many other variations on this same theme, but basically a God who answers our prayers and does whatever we want, however we want it done. I find this troubling on a number of levels. 

First of all, if God is who He says He is in the Scriptures, He’s clearly the one in control, not us. Like it or not, the Bible recounts many times the Lord exacted harsh judgment and punishment of people who defied Him and His teachings. Perhaps we resist this image of God because deep down we realize, apart from His grace and mercy, we deserve the same treatment. 

 

We have straight-forward passages such as Psalm 100:3, where it declares, “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us, and not we ourselves.” As our Creator, Provider and Sustainer, God is the one rightfully calling the shots, not us.

 

In terms of the “God wants you to be rich”-type sentiments, it’s true that in many places the Lord expresses His eagerness to bestow wonderful things on His people. In Luke 11:13 Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” But He never promised that every one of His followers would enjoy an earthly mansion, a luxury car (or cars) with the latest high-tech gizmos, or a bottomless bank account.

 

The apostle Paul offered a very different perspective in recounting his life before and after encountering Christ. After writing about the lofty status that he had been accorded as “a Hebrew of Hebrews [and] a Pharisee,” Paul then asserted, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:5-10). Doesn’t quite mesh with the promises of boundless health and material wealth sometimes promoted.

 

When Moses met the Lord at the burning bush and God told him to serve as His messenger to the Israelites, Moses was reluctant. “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13). In other words, “Who shall I say is this God who sent me?”

 

The next verse gives the response, which was quick and direct: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM who I AM.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites. ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God didn’t say, “Well, who would you like Me to be? How can I meet your expectations?” He just said, “I AM.”

So rather than trying to determine the God we want, why not simply accept, glorify and worship “the God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (Revelation 4:8). And if we’re unclear about who exactly that is, He has given us 65 other books of the Bible that tell us all we need to know about Him. Certainly not all there is to know about Him, but all we need to know – to love, honor and serve Him. 

No Need to Stew Over Stewardship

Are you playing your life like a game of Monopoly?

When your pastor announces his sermon is about stewardship, or your church celebrates “Stewardship Sunday,” how do you respond? Many people immediately reach protectively for their wallets or make sure their purses are close by. After all, it’s all about getting more of your money, right?

I have felt that way at times. We’ve just paid the bills, bought the groceries, did our usual charitable giving, and then I hear a message that we’re not giving enough. “That’s easy for you to say,” I think. “You don’t see our budget and expenses.”

Actually, there’s a lot more to stewardship than being asked to share some of your hard-earned cash. Ultimately, our lives in total represent forms of stewardship. We’re given 24 hours each day – how are we going to use them? We receive an education – how are we going to use it? We have unique skills, gifts and talents – what are we going to do with them?

The temptation is to clutch tightly to whatever we have, not just our financial resources but also our time, material possessions and talents. “They’re mine, and I can do with them whatever I want!” we reason.

The problem is we tend to approach this life as if there’s nothing else. That we need to squeeze every dollar and minute for our personal satisfaction. In reality, however, this life we know so well is just a hint, a taste, of what’s to come. In fact, the Scriptures tell us, “’What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Jesus had that in mind when He cautioned His disciples and others listening, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Then He explained why this is so important: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Again, some may interpret this as a statement about our material resources, but looking at the scope of Jesus’ ministry on earth, it’s clear He had more in mind than bank accounts, portfolios and leisure spending.

When he was president of CBMC, a parachurch ministry I worked with over two decades, Ted DeMoss often quoted this brief poem:

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past –

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

It was a frequent reminder that we needed to review our priorities and make certain we were investing not only our treasure, but also our time and talents for eternity. As someone has said about Christ’s admonition to store up treasures in heaven, we can’t take anything with us when this life comes to an end, but we can send things on ahead.

I recently heard speaker and pastor J.D. Greear use two analogies for the folly of concentrating too much on what we have in this temporal life and failing to appreciate what we can do that’s of eternal value. He said it’s like renting a motel room and engaging in a costly renovation of the space, even though we’re only going to be there for a brief time. Bigger sink, replacing the carpet, new furniture. Wouldn’t that be foolish to spend money, time and effort in refurbishing something we’ll be leaving in a day or two?

His other example was the popular game of Monopoly. Fierce competitors cruise around the board buying everything of value, from Boardwalk and Park Place to the railroads and utilities, multiplying houses and hotels. They smile smugly when other players stop on their properties and have to pay rent. This might go on for an hour or two and then…everything goes back in the box. Game over – and nothing to show for it.

For some of us, that’s how we play this game called life. We devote our energy and resources to things that won’t last, while ignoring opportunities to invest in things that do. If asked to take a stewardship test, chances are our grades wouldn’t be very high.

So when we next hear the foreboding term, “stewardship,” maybe it’s not a pitch for our money. Rather, it might be a timely reminder that the things God has entrusted to us should be used for His glory – and His eternal kingdom. As the little poem says, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Will You Be ‘Good to the Last Drop’?

Remember the old Maxwell House coffee commercial and its motto, “Good to the last drop”? Even if you don’t – I think it’s been years since they used that ad slogan – if you look at the labels of Maxwell House coffees, you’ll still see the image of a tilted coffee cup releasing its last drop.

Coffee, and life, should be
"good to the last drop."

I mention this not to promote a particular caffeine producer – don’t mean to slight the Folgers, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or McDonald’s folks – but the last drop concept seems a fitting metaphor for a life that’s been well-lived.

Without intending to seem morbid, I remember several people over my lifetime who literally dropped dead while engaged in some type of activity. One was cutting grass, another had laid down for a quick nap, and yet another was in the middle of his daily jog. There have been others, but a common denominator of the three individuals I cite is they were still actively involved in serving their Lord when their days on earth abruptly came to an end.

Nearing the close of another decade myself, this raises a question I hope to answer in the affirmative: “Will I finish well?” I used to think such a consideration was reserved only for men and women well into their senior years. But I’ve come to realize the secret to a life that’s “good to the last drop” is striving to make the best of every day we have, whether we’re 18, 28, 48 or 88.

Sadly, I’ve also known people who failed to finish well. Whose “last drop” wasn’t all that good. They got off to a good start – like the field at the start of a NASCAR race, all bright and shiny, no dents. Full of energy. Then somewhere along the line they spun out, had a flat tire and banged against the wall, or drove to the pits and never came back out.

Ah, but I mix my metaphors. Did you ever find yourself enjoying a nice cup of coffee…until the end, when the last sip filled your mouth with a bunch of grounds? Yuck! One of our regular coffee places – it shall remain nameless – has a nasty habit of including little coffee crunchies in its hazelnut blend. Some things I like crunchy, but not my coffee. So, I have great appreciation for brews that are good to the last drop – as well as lives.

Why is it that some start their lives – and their walk of faith – strong, continue with consistency and finish well, while others don’t? The problem, it seems, isn’t so much with the ending as it is with the beginning. J.D. Greear recently made this observation: “Faith that fizzles before the finish was flawed from the first.” His alliteration is clever, but the meaning is profound.

Perhaps that is why the apostle Paul encouraged believers in the church at Colossae, “having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:7). Just as a plant must be firmly rooted to grow properly, faith also must be deeply rooted into Jesus Christ as the foundation.

Writing to his protégé, Timothy, Paul also exhorted, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Rather than being guided by feelings, whims, or even the opinions of others, Paul taught Timothy to anchor himself in the timeless, changeless truths of the Scriptures.

Heeding his own advice, the apostle could say near the end of his life, “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). This kind of resolve can’t be established by someone “prepping for the finals.” It’s a lifelong pursuit. If not already underway, it must start now.

How are you progressing in the quest to ensure your life is “good to the last drop”?

Can We Handle the Truth – with Grace?

“You can’t handle the truth!” This classic line from the film, “A Few Good Men,” resonates today because it seems many people have problems handling the truth – or even recognizing what it is.

Truth faces uphill battles these days. We hear claims of “fake news” or “fake facts.” (And that’s just from kindergarten classrooms!) Politicians point to each other, and the mess – I mean, mass – media with accusations of fabricating falsehoods or intentionally distorting the truth. Entire websites are devoted to propagating fictitious news stories, sometimes disguised as satire. Outrageous “reports” get posted on social media, and darned if hundreds of people don’t fall for the hoaxes. It’s increasingly hard these days to distinguish truth from fiction.

The old quiz show, "To Tell the Truth," recently revived,
capitalizes on the transitory nature of "truth."

In the midst of this “truth crisis,” the quiz show “To Tell the Truth” has been revived. It originally ran from 1956 to 1968, featuring guests with unusual occupations or personal distinctions, as is the case with the newer version. In each segment, one guest is telling the truth. The other two are imposters, posing as the person to be revealed., By asking a series of questions, panelists seek to discern who’s telling the truth and who’s not. Sometimes, the charlatans appear more truthful than the real deal.

Believers today are also wrestling with truth, but in a different sense. The truth has always been bedrock to Christianity. Jesus Christ claimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). We are convinced as well that the Bible is God’s inspired Word, His truth about who He is, who we are, and how we should live. Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Because of this, we assert the truth is non-negotiable. At the same time, God didn’t call for us to bludgeon others with the truth, wielding it as a spiritual club in our attempts to persuade others to understand and accept it. Because inherent to the truth of the Scriptures is His unconditional love and His grace, the Lord’s unmerited favor extended to all who will receive it. This leads to a tension – the struggle to balance God’s revealed truth with His grace, which no one can earn or deserve.

Because it can feel awkward to present both at the same time, many of us tend to lean toward one or the other – black-and-white, unyielding truth, or grace, which often seems more welcoming. But as pastor J. D. Greear recently noted (and others before him), we haven’t the option of choosing one or the other.

Greear stated, “Truth without grace is fundamentalism; grace without truth is vapid sentimentalism.” Both are indispensable to the gospel message. But it’s a great tension – presenting the truth in a gracious manner, as well as discussing grace in the light of God’s truth.

I’ve wrestle with this often. I’m inclined to be blunt, speaking the truth from the Scriptures as I’ve come to understand it, firing from the hip. To borrow Greear’s terms, none of that “vapid sentimentalism” for me. However, a 100 percent dose of truth, without the softening effect of grace, can come across as harsh, legalistic, judgmental, rigid and insensitive. When I was first confronted with God’s truth, thankfully it was offered with an equal portion of grace.

Jesus never minced words about the truth: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Many of us have experienced this in our own lives, finding the teachings and principles of the Scriptures are not restrictive, as some would contend, but liberating, affording us the joy of becoming what God has intended for us to be.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus made bold, seemingly outrageous claims that if untrue, would earn Him status as either the greatest liar in the history of the world, or insane. He was neither. At the same time, the gospels often show His interactions with others as being filled with love and compassion. He sought to relate to people exactly where they were – not where He wanted them to be or thought they should be. Our approach in presenting His truth to others should follow His example.

This is why 1 Peter 3:15 admonishes: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” We’re to hold fast to the truth – that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord, the only way to God. But we’re also to respond to those who inquire about our faith with grace, “with gentleness and respect.”

Another of my favorite evangelistic verses expresses it this way: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Just as Jesus always responded with the right words for the right occasion, our prayerful desire should be to do the same whenever opportunities arise. Then, others may be able to handle the truth they hear from us.