Searching for the Secret to a Long Life

Remember the story of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon searching for the legendary “Fountain of Youth” in the 1500’s? I heard there’s a rumor going around that he currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida and spends his days watching reruns of “Dora the Explorer.”

Going through my email recently a headline caught my eye. It read, “Harvard Study Shows Unexpected Key to Long Life.” I didn’t take the time to read the article, but I thought everybody knew the secret to a long life: Just avoid dying. (Good luck with that.)

 

I’ve read a few novels and seen science-fiction films and TV shows about people who somehow achieved immortality. There’s an episode of the old “Twilight Zone” dealing with that theme that I especially enjoyed. What would you do – how would you react – if somehow you stumbled across a Fountain of Youth or ingested some kind of elixir that enabled you to live forever?

 

I’ve pondered this on occasion. My conclusion is it wouldn’t be all that great a deal. Think about it: All of your family members and friends eventually would pass away, but you’d keep hanging on. In a film I viewed recently, the indestructible lady had to keep inventing new identities to avoid raising suspicions about why she never aged or became ill. Hers had become a lonely existence; after a century or so she became tired of it. She was actually relieved when she became mortal again.

 

Then again, the Bible clearly and unwaveringly addresses the prospect of not a long life, but a forever life. The best-known verse of all declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

 

When Jesus Christ said this, He clearly wasn’t offering an assurance of not experiencing physical death. Rather, it was His promise that for those who trust in Him, death is merely a step into what we might term, “the other side of eternity.”

 

Sometime later, in comforting Martha, whose brother Lazarus had just died, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Then, as if to demonstrate His power over life and death, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead – a foreshadowing of His own resurrection after His crucifixion.

 

We could cite numerous other passages that offer the same assurance, but here are just two more to consider: In Titus 1:2 the apostle Paul writes about, “a faith and knowledge resting in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” This, Paul made clear, was not a “hope-so” faith, but a confident assurance, an earnest expectation for all who follow Christ.

 

And another apostle, John, asserts, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God has not life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13).

 

No doubt, scientists and physicians will continue their search for the keys or secrets to longer life. And that’s not a bad thing. But death for us all is inevitable, even more than taxes. It’s just a matter of when. To date, the mortality rate for humankind – and all living things – has been 100 percent. But by faith in Jesus Christ and His transforming power, we need not dread death. We’re assured that when our days on this earth come to an end, there’s a far more glorious life to come, beyond anything our finite minds can comprehend.

 

As the two most pivotal days on the Christian calendar approach, Good Friday and Easter, we can rejoice in the promise Jesus gave to His followers: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).

 

For now, we can do as King Solomon admonished in Ecclesiastes 5:18, “I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.” And then, for everyone who knows and follows Jesus Christ, real life will begin.

It’s About Transformation, Not Information

As I’ve observed previously, somewhere along the line we became infatuated, enraptured, enthralled and obsessed with information. 

 

For years we’ve had access to news 24/7. In bygone days, we waited until the 6 or 11 o’clock news to find out what’s happened in the world around us. Now it’s readily available to us at the press of the remote on countless channels. We can access hundreds of news websites filled with information, some of it balanced, some of it extremely biased. If that’s not enough, we have numerous news apps available for our smartphones.

 

In the “olden days,” to learn more about a particular subject, folks would trek to the library, rummage through the card catalog and find the appropriate books. If they could afford it, parents would purchase Britannica, World Book, or Funk & Wagnalls encyclopedias. But who needs those anymore when we’ve got online resources like Wikipedia, a variety of search engines, and websites devoted to virtually any topic imaginable?

 

We’re saturated with information. The modern Church isn’t any different. In addition to the Bible – available in numerous translations with editions aimed at almost any demographic – we have commentaries, concordances, Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, not to mention thousands upon thousands of books, DVDs and audios. We have conferences and seminars, all designed to increase our biblical knowledge.

 

But I’m reminded of what the late Latin American evangelist Luis Palau said years ago when asked to contrast American Christians with believers in Third World countries. His comment that stuck in my mind was, “Americans are afflicted with the lust of the mind.”

 

Knowledge is a good thing. Certainly, the more informed we are about aspects of our faith, the easier it is to solidify our beliefs and communicate truths of the Bible to others. But as I read the Scriptures, I find the underlying message isn’t about information – it’s about transformation.

 

Many people with vast knowledge about the Bible don’t know the Savior presented in the Bible. Some that have consumed tons of information about doctrine and theology, when they stand before the Lord, will be greatly disappointed. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven…. Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

 

Information and understanding are important, but without transformation by God’s Spirit, we might be merely hoarders of biblical facts and stories. We're told in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” When we have a truly life-changing encounter with Jesus, we don’t just gain new values and perspectives; we receive new life.

 

That’s the message of Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me.” To know Jesus is to experience new, transformed life spiritually.

 

This isn’t a concept readily grasped, even by established religious leaders. When Jesus was approached by Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council, the Pharisee was struggling to figure out who this miracle worker and spellbinding teacher truly was. When Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3), poor Nick was dumbfounded.

 

“’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit’” (John 3:4-5). He was referring to both physical, temporal birth and spiritual, transformational birth.

 

The Christian life isn’t about trying harder, trying to fix or improve ourselves. It’s recognizing that apart from the saving, life-giving power of Jesus Christ, it’s an exercise in futility. As He told His followers: 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener…. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:1-5).

 

When the apostle Paul admonished Christ followers in ancient Rome, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), he wasn’t urging them to seek information for the purpose of possessing more knowledge. They were to pursue a mind that had been transformed by the power of God’s Spirit.

 

Elsewhere Paul exhorted believers, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

Ultimately, God is not asking us to be good, or to become better. He wants us to be made new.

Wondering Why We Waste Energy on Worrying

One of our favorite national pastimes, it seems, is worrying. Baseball season may be right around the corner, with its balls and strikes, home runs and shutouts, but it’s worry that occupies so much of our waking moments. 

 

We worry about everything: We worry about the economy, the possibility of a new pandemic, the likelihood of war, the weather, the environment, and the direction our nation and the world are headed. We worry about whether we’ll have enough money to pay the bills this month, what we’ll do if we lose our job, what if that bothersome ache is more than just an ache, what those tests the doctor ordered will show. We worry when our new teenager driver is out driving. We worry about getting old – or older.

 

It wasn’t that long ago that we found ourselves worrying about shortages of toilet paper, eggs and other essentials. Some folks, it seems, even worry about whether the sun will come up tomorrow morning. And when we have nothing to worry about, we worry about that.

The “benefit” of worry is it gives us a sense that even when circumstances seem out of control, at least we’re doing something – worrying. But in reality it accomplishes little – if anything – other than to keep us in a state of anxiety and dis-ease. 

 

Not only that, but as experts tell us, 90 percent of the things we worry about never happen. There have been times when I’ve looked at my schedule for the day and worried about how I would ever get everything done. As the day wore on, however, I would find that some items on my to-do list took less time than anticipated. One or two meetings were rescheduled. Suddenly I found myself with time on my hands – with nothing to worry about. 

 

Have you ever stopped to consider how much mental and emotional energy are expended when we worry? It causes us to lose focus and be distracted. Self-induced stress can take a physical toll on our bodies and our health. Ah, something else to worry about, right?

 

As we read the Scriptures, we find many teachings with worry. Basically, we’re told, “Don’t do it!” One particularly strong verse is Philippians 4:6, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” The next verse tells us what will happen as a result: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

In other words, instead of harboring our worries inside, letting the stress eat at us, entrust those things we’re concerned about to God and entrust Him with it. That’s what faith is all about – believing that the Lord is fully able to deal with our troublesome issues, usually in ways far beyond anything we could have conceived. This is why 1 Peter 5:7 admonishes us, with great confidence, to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

 

We could review many other passages, but there’s no better authority to consult than Jesus Christ, who addressed the troubles of His hearers in the Sermon on the Mount. He said: 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:25-29).

 

Jesus gave other examples of God’s faithful provision and then concluded His exhortation, noting that many of our worries are focused on the unknowns of the future: “But seek first [God’s] kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 7:33-34).

 

Think about it: Good parents might not fulfill every want a child has, but they won’t fail to meet every need. Our heavenly Father knows about everything we need, every problem we will ever encounter. He’s a good Father – the very best Father. Because of that we can trust Him with our worries, and rest in Him.

Everyone Has a Mission Field of Their Own

Our church conducted its annual mission conference this past weekend, with more than two-dozen missionaries from different parts of the world participating. All could attest to the joys and difficulties of adjusting to new cultures and languages – and personal sacrifices – for the privilege of taking the message of Jesus Christ to people who need to hear about Him.

Having gone on short-term ministry trips to countries in Central and South America and Europe, I’ve had brief exposure to what those experiences are like, but I’ve never been “all-in” in the sense of relocating geographically for an extended period of time. I have great respect and admiration for the men and women, often with their families, that leave the comforts of home to answer God’s call for service in a foreign culture.

 

One thing I’ve learned, however, is we don’t necessarily have to venture beyond the borders of the United States to serve as missionaries. In fact, we don’t have to leave our own state, or even our own city. 

 

Yes, in Mark 16:15 we read about Jesus Christ instructing His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News [the gospel] to everyone.” And Jesus’ final command to His followers, before ascending to heaven, was, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

However, “all the world” and “all nations” doesn’t just mean people living in distant lands. It includes folks in your neighborhood, the office down the hall, the person sitting next to you in the classroom, someone you engage in conversation while shopping, or even in your own church. More than one authority on evangelism has said the easiest place to find unsaved people in within the walls of the church – those who know how to go through the motions but have not yet come to know the Savior.

 

Historically there’s been a mystique about people working in remote mission fields, as if they are somehow “super-Christians.” As I’ve already said, those who give up so much to become foreign missionaries are special people who deserve our prayers and financial support. But our own missionary responsibilities don’t stop there.

 

The late Jim Petersen, who wrote numerous books about personal evangelism and discipleship, spent many years as a missionary in Brazil and other countries. He told about one experience while on board a ship heading across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa. During the voyage he encountered some young adults whom he learned were headed for another country to become missionaries there.

 

Very interested, Petersen asked to learn more about their assignments. Then he made an inquiry that caught the eager young people by surprise. “How many people did you lead to Jesus Christ while you were still in the States?” After a brief pause, they answered, “Well, no one.”

 

Tactfully but directly, Petersen responded with a bit of amazement. How could they expect to introduce people to Jesus Christ in a strange land, having to overcome the obstacles of language and culture, if they couldn’t effectively share their faith with people they knew in their own country, without linguistic and cultural barriers?

 

Perhaps it’s natural to romanticize going to reach the “heathen” in other parts of the globe, but there are countless individuals and families in our own communities who need to hear a loving, caring presentation of the gospel message. Just because Bibles are plentiful and readily available in the U.S.A., that doesn’t mean everyone has heard the message of Jesus Christ – at least in a clear, meaningful way.

 

My friend Ken for several decades led a ministry for business owners and executives. To each new member he gave a sign they could display atop the door frame inside their office door. It read, “You are now entering the mission field.” What a great reminder! Because whether it’s employees, customers, suppliers, or others we encounter over the course of a typical workday, we’re bound to find some who have never heard of the saving grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we’re paying attention and willing to be used by God, you or I could be the person God uses to tell them about the Good News.

 

A wonderful Bible passage applies here. After the declaration, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13), we read the following challenge:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15).

 

This undoubtedly applies to men and women serving in foreign mission fields. But it also relates to us right where we live. In a world with more confusing, conflicting messages than ever, most people won’t simply wander into a church building looking for answers to the perplexing questions of life. 

Throughout history, God has used ordinary people to tell others, to “preach” the gospel message. Who knows? Yours might be the “beautiful feet” that go to someone down the street or to another part of the building to help that person discover a life-changing relationship with Christ. 

Of All God’s Attributes, Faithfulness Is Near the Top

When we think about an individual, whether it’s someone we know well or a famous person we know only by reputation, certain characteristics often come to mind. They might include charisma, determination, integrity, perseverance when faced with adversity, humor, honesty, generosity, or many other qualities. We hear someone’s name and almost immediately associate one or more traits with them. 

 

What comes to mind when you think about God?

 

A comprehensive listing of His attributes could fill an entire book, even without elaborating on what each one means and how it relates to us. These would include His omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, perfection, mercy, love and sovereignty. You might be able to add several more to the list without a moment’s hesitation.

 

All are intertwined as part of the character of God. If it weren’t for His grace and mercy, we’d still be “dead in our sins and trespasses,” as the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1. 

 

If not for God’s limitless love, Jesus Christ would not have come to earth, not just to teach and serve as an example, but most important, to become the perfect payment in full for our sins. “[He] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and become obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Hebrews 2:7-8).

 

Some of the Lord’s attributes, such as being eternal, infinite, holy and righteous can quickly scramble our brains if we attempt to fully comprehend all that they mean.

 

One attribute or trait that has particularly stood out for me over the years is God’s faithfulness. As 2 Timothy 2:13 declares so clearly, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

 

Each of us, no matter how long we have been striving to follow Christ, has lapsed into times of faithlessness, times when we doubted or disobeyed because we somehow believed we knew better. What if God were like that, losing interest or abandoning us when we’ve gone astray? What if He gave up on us when our best efforts have fallen short, or we’ve become discouraged or disheartened?

 

Thank the Lord – literally – that’s not the case. As the verse says, even if we’re faithless, He remains faithful. God’s faithfulness is emphasized throughout the Bible. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” The classic hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” is based on this passage.

 

Psalm 85:10-11 puts it so beautifully, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.”

 

Why is this important? Because no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, regardless of how difficult our current trials and temptations may seem, these guarantees of God’s faithfulness give us hope. Even when things look the darkest.

 

When God vows, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 31:6,8 and Joshua 1:5) and the New Testament (Hebrews 13:5), we can trust His promise will hold true no matter what. Friends and family members may fail us at times, but our Lord never will.

 

Is it any wonder that faithfulness is one of the qualities God desires for His followers? Proverbs 20:6 asks, “Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?”

 

Writing to his young protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul offered this challenge: “And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). This is at the heart of true discipleship and disciplemaking – faithful men and women helping other faithful people to grow in their faith, so they then can teach others in the same way.

 

Remaining faithful in our walk with God is crucial, but it isn’t easy. There is much to distract us and lure us away from living the kind of life He expects from us. But if we take to heart the words of the old hymn, we’ll find the assurance needed to press on, no matter what we encounter:

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou has been, Thou forever will be….

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.” 

Is a Gift Really a Gift If It’s Not Received?

We all like gifts, don’t we? Whether given in appreciation for something we’ve done, an expression of someone’s care for us, or a spontaneous gesture, gifts are fun.

 

Of course, some gifts are great but others, not so much. Years ago, one of my aunts had a habit of giving really unusual gifts. One time it was three pairs of thin, stretchy socks – red, yellow and white; another time it was a glass gravy boat with a lid shaped like a turkey. They say it’s the thought that counts – I couldn’t help wondering at times what she was thinking.

On the other hand, a few months ago, a good friend gave me a gift that was totally unexpected. Like me, Herb has enjoyed playing drums since his teen years, but decided it was time to part with his set of drums. Knowing I had resumed taking drum lessons for fun, Herb gifted me with his drum kit, complete with accessories.

 

The electronic drum kit I’d been using was enjoyable, but it wasn’t as serviceable as the real thing. So, I was very gratified by my friend’s generous gift. However, what if I had chosen not to accept the drums? They wouldn’t have been a gift, just a friend’s good intentions that weren’t accepted.

 

There’s a spiritual parallel to this. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is one of the most amazing and encouraging passages in the Scriptures. Because we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, as Romans 3:23 asserts, we deserve condemnation and eternal separation from God. However, in His grace and mercy, the Lord offers us eternal life as a totally unmerited gift.

 

This is where the importance of receiving the gift comes in. John 1:12-13 declares, “Yet to all who have received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” The right to become children of God (complete with the gift of eternal life) is available “to all who have received Him…who have believed in His name.”

 

Oh, but God is love, right? Doesn’t He accept everybody, regardless of what they’ve done or what they’ve believed? According to the Scriptures, that’s a definite “nope.” His gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life is offered freely, but must be received.

 

According to the Scriptures, it’s not a matter of good things we have done. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

 

Those are hard words to read. They certainly were difficult for people who heard Jesus say them in person. But it comes down to sincere faith, believing who Jesus was – and is – and receiving Him as Savior and Lord. As Paul the apostle wrote, “And we thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

When we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, in addition to redemption and life everlasting, there are many other things we receive. But that’s a subject for another time. What’s most important is having assurance that we have indeed received His free gift. In appreciation for what the Lord has done, we also should tell others about the gift that’s available to them as well. As Jesus told His disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). 

Instead of Wisdom, Maybe We Need Some ‘Foolishness’

A while back I wrote about the explosion of information in our world, observing that despite having oodles more knowledge now than we ever did, we haven’t experienced a corresponding increase in wisdom. It’s said that today’s smartphones give us knowledge surpassing that of all libraries combined 50 years ago. But do our smartphones provide us with more wisdom?

 

The answer, I suppose, depends on what we perceive to be wisdom. Views on morality, ethics, science, psychology, religion and many other things have changed dramatically from what they were 50 or 60 years ago. But is that because we’ve become wiser – or less wise?

My perspective, and I don’t believe I’m alone in this, is that foolishness in our society has increased exponentially. Things that used to be almost universally regarded as wrong are now hailed as right by many – and vice versa. A very old book, the Bible, foresaw this thousands of years ago:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:20-21).

 

This says to me that even though we’ve unquestionably accumulated more than enough information and knowledge to drown in, we’re not necessarily any the wiser for it. The Scriptures address this as well:

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20).

 

Maybe it’s not worldly wisdom we need, based on the speculations of finite human minds, but foolishness – the “foolishness” of our all-wise, infinite Creator God, as 1 Corinthians 5:25 states: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is greater than man’s strength.” 

 

This isn’t saying God is foolish in the sense we typically understand. It’s more like a world-champion weightlifter telling an infant, “My little finger is stronger than your entire body.” Science, mathematics and other disciplines have taught us much, but it seems that all our learning only exposes how much we don’t know. Therefore our “wisdom” is dwarfed by even the most foolish idea the Lord could ever muster.

 

There are those who dogmatically argue against the existence of God, confident the complexities and intricacies of the world, the solar system and the vast universe can be explained by human reasoning, but I think it’s more like an ant trying to understand how the loaf of bread was created that it’s ogling at a picnic site.

 

Trying to explain biblical truth to some people is tantamount to mission impossible. Their minds are set, they have no interest in learning about an eternal, omnipresent, all-powerful God when they feel quite confident in serving as their own gods. But again, this isn’t a new development. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…. For in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 5:18, 21).

 

Nevertheless, if the world around us in its “wisdom” assesses us to be fools, so be it. As the apostle Paul said, “We are fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Corinthians 4:10).

C.S. Lewis, a one-time skeptic whose quest to disprove the Bible led him instead to embracing faith in Jesus Christ, said it so well: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Perhaps as well as anyone, Lewis discovered that indeed the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom.

Humility: Capacity for Putting Self on the Shelf

Whether it’s athletes, politicians, entertainers, business leaders, or people we encounter every day, we understand the value of confidence and self-assurance. But at the same time, perhaps paradoxically, we also delight in seeing and hearing displays of genuine humility. 

 

We find many examples of non-humility, people with household names who seem consumed with themselves. “Look at me!” “I’m so great!” “Did you see what I’ve done?” Even if their accomplishments are significant, don’t you find attitudes like that extremely off-putting?

 

Not sure who said it first, but here’s a great definition of true humility: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but rather, thinking of yourself less.” It doesn’t mean self-flagellation or self-deprecation. But it does mean, as Romans 12:3 expresses it, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

 

Even for individuals unusually gifted in certain areas, there’s little reason for becoming overly prideful. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “…What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 

 

In other words, even if one can run fast or jump high, speak powerfully in a resonant voice, sing glorious melodies, or influence people through a winning personality, that’s not cause for boasting. We can hone and refine innate talents through training and practice, but we couldn’t have excelled without the raw talents to begin with.

 

It’s become a Christmastime tradition for some people to engage in escapades they call, “Elf on the Shelf.” Humility can be a year-round pursuit – putting self on the shelf.

 

I’ve found an excellent description of this in what I refer to as the “do nothing” verse from the Bible: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). 

 

When we encounter someone sincerely concerned about the needs of other people, even at a cost to themselves, doesn’t that warm our hearts? People like Mother Teresa come to mind, as well as folks who dedicate themselves to working with the homeless and the inner-city poor, schoolteachers resolved to identify the best in every student, and other sacrificial endeavors.

 

We can manifest the so-called Christian life in many ways, but one of the most attractive traits of a true follower of Jesus Christ is humility, not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought. We have no greater example than Jesus Himself.

 

Philippians 2:5-8 admonishes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to death – even death on a cross.” 

 

His example applies to everyone, but especially for those in positions of leadership and great influence. As Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke12:48).

 

We often interpret this teaching in terms of wealth and material possessions, but it also concerns the abilities and opportunities the Lord gives and sets before us. Rather than utilizing them for our own advantage, the principle is we’re to use them to benefit others. We find the following exhortation for those in leadership:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be…eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:2-6).

 

Is this easy? Or even natural? No. We’ve heard people say, ”If I don’t look out for myself, who will?” So, it requires a willingness and determination to follow through on what Jesus instructed: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is one reason Paul wrote, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). It’s an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

 

Much more than could be written about this; I wrestle with it more often than I’d like to admit. But one place to start is by heeding the challenge of Hebrews 12:2 – ”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame….” Focusing on Him and not ourselves can be a beneficially humbling experience. 

Love Means Having to Say You’re Sorry

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Do you remember that phrase? It was the most memorable line from a popular 1970 film called “Love Story.” Based on a best-selling novel by Erich Segal, the movie was a classic rendition of the star-crossed-lovers theme. Even today it ranks No. 9 on the American Film Institute’s list of most romantic films.

It was about Jenny Cavalleri (played by Ali MacGraw), a working-class student of classical music, and Oliver Barrett IV (played by Ryan O’Neal), the heir of an upper-class family – as the Roman numeral at the end of his name implied. Despite their  differences, the two fell in love and married against the wishes of Oliver’s father.

 

For a while it seemed the couple would overcome their obstacles to live happily ever after, but then Jenny was diagnosed with an incurable blood disease. As Oliver struggled to cope with the hopeless situation, his wife uttered the words that became a catch phrase for the era: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

 

It sounded clever at the time, but experience and wisdom have taught me that just the opposite is true. Love at times does require a willingness to say you’re sorry. In a marriage, a sincere apology or asking for forgiveness is the fastest way to begin healing hurts when one or the other partner is wronged, intended or not.

 

A parent will often insist that a child say “I’m sorry” for words or actions of disobedience, but the parent should also be willing to admit when he or she has spoken or acted wrongly toward the child.

 

In the working world, expressions of contrition can likewise mend damage caused by arguments and conflict. In a competitive environment, colleagues can quickly become at odds. A timely, genuine “I’m sorry” can restore much-needed cooperation and synergy.

 

We find the ultimate example in our relationship with God. We know that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, He suffered the penalty for our sins. In Jesus’ last words He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), His word in the Greek was tetelestai, which means “paid in full.” However, His offer of total forgiveness – what theologians called “justification” – demands that we say those words that are often so hard to utter, “I’m sorry.”

 

More accurately, it requires repentance, a conscious decision to turn from going in the wrong direction and embarking on a journey of following the Lord instead. Declaring the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News” (Mark 1:15). The implication is clear: If we don’t repent, do we truly believe that, as Romans 3:23 asserts, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”?

 

After Jesus’ resurrection, He told His disciples, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations…” (Luke 24:46-47).

 

Early on we find the disciples carrying out this mission. Speaking to astonished onlookers after a crippled beggar has received healing, the apostle Peter admonished them, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

 

As we strive to maintain and strengthen our relationship with the Lord, however, repentance isn’t a one-off event. Just as a healthy marriage is marked by times of apology and requests for forgiveness, our sins – even though paid for once and for all – must be acknowledged. Failure to do so disrupts communication and a harmonious relationship with God.

 

This is why we’re instructed in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  To love God is to desire to please Him, to honor Him and obey Him. As we learn in a verse later in the same book, “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

To enjoy a healthy marriage, a nurturing relationship with our children, and a growing relationship with God, love means sometimes having to say you’re sorry.