The Way In

Posted on by Betsy

A few years ago my daughter and son-in-law took us to a secret speak-easy in Orlando called Roka Hulu. It was located inside a restaurant with no discernible doorway. We stumbled around the large lobby for several minutes trying to find the door. Then someone came up to us and explained that you had to sit in chairs that were located next to a tall leopard statue and wait for someone to notice you and “buzz” you in. The platform you were sitting on suddenly began to move and you were rotated around, finding yourself inside a hidden restaurant filled with color, people, and mouth-watering Asian cuisine. It was fun, as long as you knew the way in!

I thought of that today when I read Paul’s letter to the Hebrews where he described Jesus as a “new and living way” into the Father. We remember that at Jesus’ death, the curtain to the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn, signifying that the barrier to God was broken. The forgiveness of sins offered there makes us clean and enables us to draw close to the Lord with genuine hearts. And we know the way in; Jesus is the way.

Hebrews 10 (Common English Bible)

19 Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the holy of holies by means of Jesus’ blood, 20 through a new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, which is his body, 21 and we have a great high priest over God’s house.

22 Therefore, let’s draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.

23 Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.

Jesus is the way to the Father. It is only in Jesus that we see who the Father is and what the Father is like. And only Jesus can lead us to the Father, having paid the price of admission with his crucifixion on a cross. Other faith systems will lead to other gods, but only the God-incarnate, Emmanuel, Word-made-flesh Jesus can take us to the one true God. This radical statement undoes centuries of reliance on the Temple, Festivals, rituals, and altar sacrifices. The Father is no longer in the Holy of Holies; this Father and Son reunion, surrounded by the Holy Spirit, is the new heaven. 

Think about it this way. You have lost your on a country road heading toward a vacation cabin. You can’t get a signal for your GPS so you stop to ask directions. A friendly store owner gives you a fourteen-point series of directions that includes things like “turn south at Henry’s pig farm” and “go right at the corner where the old school house used to be.” There is no way you’d ever get there! But what if it turns out that the store keeper is the son of the cabin owner and gets in the car and drives you there, turn by turn, until you arrive safely at your destination? That would be the only way. The only way to the Father is through the Son.

The night before Jesus died on the cross, he gathered with his disciples and told them he was leaving. Thomas was frightened and replied that they didn’t know the way to where Jesus was going. Jesus’ answer to Thomas was an invitation to recognize him as the Way. He didn’t just give him advice and directions. He held out his hand and said, “Come. I’ll take you.”

As we make our way through the rest of our days to the one who is the Way to eternal life, let us listen to what Paul says about how to spend this remaining time:

24 And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

Let us spark love by doing good deeds, and keep up our worship attendance, encouraging everyone along the way about the Way.

Do you know the Way?

The Way to the Father by Kathy Schumacher

Freedom Sounds

Posted on by Betsy

Recently, I sat in my favorite chair by the corner windows overlooking Colington Harbour and I was startled by the sudden sound of jet noise. I looked up and saw Navy F-18s flying low in a tight formation. NAS Oceana is just over an hour away, and it is not uncommon for us to see Navy planes flying training hops over our beautiful island.

For the first eight years of my marriage, I was a Navy pilot wife. I am accustomed to the sound of freedom flying overhead. We lived close to Naval Air Stations where jet noise was a constant reminder of what freedom costs our young men and women as they serve in the skies.

And then there was that horrible time when no planes flew for days. After 9/11, air traffic was grounded for two days. By that point my husband flew for Delta Air Lines, and we lived just south of the Atlanta airport. The dead silence of the air was like being in the Twilight-Zone. It was eerie and frightening to walk our dog and not hear a single airplane overhead. That was unheard of; the Atlanta airport handles over 2,700 arrivals and departures a day. There was ALWAYS faint airplane noise, morning, noon, and night…until there wasn’t.

Our country began with the hazardous journey of intrepid immigrants looking to settle in a new land where they could have religious freedom. From that moment, our forefathers and foremothers worked to secure freedom for the nation. A century and a half later, it was time to truly be free and independent of a monarchy that was oppressive. For some, this freedom came immediately, for others much later and much too late. In many ways, freedom for all is still a work in progress. We have both succeeded and failed in this task.

But as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, let us remember other important words that have eternal consequences:

Galatians 5 (Common English Bible)

13 You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. 14 All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!

Paul is clear. Loving your neighbor as yourself is a true measure of the freedom to which we are called. Not loving your neighbor results in getting eaten up by each other … and Paul never experienced social media! Imagine the letters we would be getting now if Paul were alive today!

I am thankful for everything God provides; for the beasts of the field, the creatures in the sea, the sunrise over the ocean, and the moonrise over the canal. I am thankful for my family, friends, and a congregation who loves me. I am thankful for all those who serve our country and protect our freedom. I am thankful for my home and my family, and for everything God has given me that brings so much happiness into my life. I am thankful for the freedom that comes from Christ. This is a freedom available to all.

What freedoms are you celebrating?

We give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for us, especially our freedom. God satisfies the thirsty when we turn to him and fills the hungry with good things. It happens every time we open the Word or sit at the table. I hope you had a blessed Independence Day that included a flag cake!

May the blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness be yours today.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.“

The Bennington Flag

Follow the Way

Posted on by Betsy

Today we are going to look at the John 14 passage again and focus our attention on Thomas’ question and Jesus’ answer. I love that Thomas was bold enough to ask what everyone else in the Upper Room that night was probably thinking! My teacher friends tell me that they always appreciate that kid with all the questions. They’re the ones that get all the answers.

John 14 (Common English Bible)

 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

     5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

     6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thomas the Questioner was someone who probably never let a question go unspoken. He was not a doubter in my mind, but just the one who was bold enough to state his confusion. Every small group needs a Thomas! We’ve all known Thomases in our time; that child who barrages you with questions at every meal, the coworker who engages in a debate at every chance, and even the secret places in our own hearts where wondering turns into endless querying, especially in times of trouble. But we have to give Thomas his due here, because his unabashed questioning gave us one of Jesus’ best and most definitive statements of his life. To answer Thomas’ nervous claim that they didn’t know where Jesus was going or how to get there, Jesus gave this calm response “I am the way, the truth and the life” (verse 14:6a). 

Connecting these three things would have meant a great deal to the Jewish men sitting around that table. The Jews have talked about the way for centuries, connecting it to the way people must walk by understanding the ways of God. God told Moses not to walk to the right hand or the left hand, but to walk “in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:33). The Law and all of the rabbinical teachings centered around the way of God and the way people must walk. 

One of the ways that people must walk is by seeking the truth in all things; a truth that would hold up to their teachings. The Torah and the Midrash (rabbinic interpretation) must be studied in order for people of God to learn the truth. Moral truth was the goal and study was the way.

And all good Jews sought a path that led to a good life. Many of the Psalms and Proverbs expressed this desire: “He who heeds instructions is on the path to life” (Proverbs 6:23). A worthy life that was worth living was the proof of obedience.

Jesus clarified that he was the culmination of Jewish expectation, wrapped up in these three pillars of thought and offered to everyone. Jesus provides the way that gives direction to all who wander in confusion and affliction. Jesus is the truth that answers all of life’s mysteries. Jesus is the life that brings hope to those who are dead inside and don’t know how to go on.

The way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the three-in-one answer to all of life’s questions. Looking for eternal life? Follow Jesus.

The Way of Light by Michelle Robertson

Room to Spare

Posted on by Betsy

In just a few weeks, my household will expand to include four more adults, six children, two dogs, and a tortoise named Bob. I have been getting rooms ready for this onslaught of family fun, and have enjoyed turning my upstairs office into a puppy palace for grandchild #4 to sleep in. I was just a little embarrassed recently when I looked at myself in a ZOOM call with my District Superintendent and other committee members and realized that you could see puppy decor hanging from the ceiling fan. Nobody mentioned it but I’m sure they were wondering why there were corgis and lab puppies dangling over my head. I’m just trying to make room for one more!

In our passage today, Jesus told his disciples about the things yet to come.  We join them in the Upper Room on the night before the crucifixion. He had just washed his disciple’s feet and was getting them ready for his trial and crucifixion. Even with such horrors on the horizon, Jesus’ words were meant to comfort them. He had just told them that he will soon die but reminded them of his promise to return for them. He is going ahead to get things ready and assures them that there will be a reunion where they will be with him again. “Where I am, you will be, too,” he promised (verse 3b).    

John 14:1-6

 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

     5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

     6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus’ first words about not being troubled are followed by his invitation to trust, which he said twice. Jesus knew how frightened they were. He wanted to leave them with hope as they faced the fearful situation of his departure. Regardless of what they may think heaven is like, Jesus gave them this concrete hope; heaven is wherever I am. Heaven is where God and I dwell. So do not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the “preparing” of this dwelling. Jesus’ promise to “come and get you” is the Second Coming. 

What a blessing it is to read this today in the Common English Bible, the assigned text for all of my Cokesbury writing assignments. The phrase “room to spare” opens up an entirely new promise for us. You may be more familiar with the phrase “My father’s mansion has many rooms,” but that imposes an image in our minds of a static house built with a set number of rooms. But “room to spare” implies an open-ended invitation to anyone who wants to come in. Like Hermione’s tent in The Goblet of Fire, God’s eternal presence will just keep expanding and adding space for everyone to fit in.      

This phrase also provides a beautiful counterpoint to Jesus’ first night on earth when there was no room to spare for him and his parents at the Inn. The majesty of an endless eternal dwelling place replaces the harsh lowliness of Jesus’ first night in a feed trough. This place with plenty of room to spare will be a function of our relationship with God, where God dwells in us and we dwell in God.

So let us be untroubled. Let us trust in God and his Son. Let us make ourselves ready for that place with room to spare. And let us be sure to invite others in, too.

Who Let the Dogs In??

Keep Love Warm

Posted on by Betsy

In Matthew 24, Jesus was being grilled by the disciples about his promise to return after his death. Like hungry children, they demanded to know the signs and the timing of his Second Coming. We can’t fault them for being anxious. If we’re honest, we’re anxious too. We’re confused by the many depictions of what the End Times will look like and we want reassurances. And we want them now.

Jesus wasn’t interested in describing the signs. He was more invested in making sure his followers were prepared spiritually for the parousia. He was much more interested in the condition of their love and encouraged them to endure to the end and continue to proclaim his Gospel.

Matthew 24 (Common English Bible)

4 Jesus replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the Christ.’ They will deceive many people. 6 You will hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet.7 Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in all sorts of places. 8 But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end. 9 They will arrest you, abuse you, and they will kill you. All nations will hate you on account of my name. 10 At that time many will fall away. They will betray each other and hate each other.11 Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

12 Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.14 This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come.

I believe it is incumbent on us, too, to be ready to meet our returning Savior whenever that happens. This passage demands two questions of us today. First, verse 12 speaks of “love growing cold.” How can we prevent that from happening? 

Cold love will not convert the world, and that is our task. When we realize that our light brings no heat, our preaching brings no conviction, our music has become performative rather than soul-stirring, our prayers have devolved into repetitive, empty ritual, and our worship focuses on outward appearance rather than inward transformation, we know we are in jeopardy of being exactly what Jesus cautions against. True, deep, and honest self-examination and reflection are needed to right this wrong from the preacher and the pews. We remember what Paul said to Timothy: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, New International Version). Love stays warm when you fan the flame with God’s power, with acts of love, and with self-discipline that keeps Jesus the focus in all aspects of living. After all, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.This passage begs the question: Has your love for God gone cold? How can the church reignite its passion for God?

Proclaim the Gospel

The second question comes out of the 14th verse where Jesus says, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations.” Even through all the hardship, distress, natural catastrophes, and everything else that is present during these times, Jesus contended that the Gospel will still go out to the world. 

This is our job, friends. This is the only thing we need to concern ourselves with as we contemplate Jesus’ return. You see, it’s not just about being ready ourselves, but helping all of humanity get ready. As individuals and as the church, we need to continue to preach Christ crucified to a disbelieving world. 

It can start as simply as an invitation to a church event. It can be as easy as calling on a neighbor with a casserole in your hand. (We’re Methodist. Casseroles are our love language.) It can be as small as offering to pray for a stranger that you notice is in distress. It can be a little gesture of comfort to a colleague who is having a bad day. Anything done in the name of Jesus advances the kingdom. When our actions speak louder than our words, people notice.

What one small gospel-sharing thing will you do today? Let’s get ready together.

Fan Into Flame the Gift of God by Michelle Robertson

Overpowered and Enslaved

Posted on by Betsy

One of the most fun songs to come out of the Broadway show and movie “Wicked” was a tune called “Popular.” Written to be a light, bubbly piece that signals a turn in the story arc between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Galinda, the Good Witch, this song highlights what it means to be admired and sought after. In the story, Galinda was overpowered and enslaved by her need to be popular, which informed her decisions. After setting up Elphaba for humiliation by convincing her to wear a very unfortunate hat to the school dance, Galinda takes pity on her green-skinned roommate and decides to give her a complete make-over. Empty and self-important, Galinda boastfully sings her song from her privileged position. The message is “conform or be excluded.”

One verse foreshadows the political conflict that is about to happen in Oz and alludes to the character of those who pursue influence over the people. Galinda states she is reminded of “celebrated heads of state or especially great communicators” and asks the question, “Do they have brains or knowledge?” She then snorts out her response: “Don’t make me laugh! They were popular!” In the land of Oz, power and status do not go to morally qualified leaders. No indeed, leadership is given to those whose popularity lures people in with their false messaging about so-called freedom … much like the false teachers that Peter warned about in our reading today. 

2 Peter 2 (Common English Bible)

But false prophets also arose among the people. In the same way, false teachers will come among you. They will introduce destructive opinions and deny the master who bought them, bringing quick destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow them in their unrestrained immorality, and because of these false teachers the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will take advantage of you with lies. 

In our continuation of 2 Peter this week, we remember that this letter is a charge and an encouragement to become strong, godly, and virtuous followers of Christ. It was written to the undesignated churches addressed in 1 Peter, including churches in Asia Minor, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1). Paul’s letters were also known to many of those churches.

Today’s reading opens up with a stern warning to these churches about the “false teachers among you,” indicating that the problem was not just coming from outside pagan influences. False teachers work in secrecy as they bring in destructive heresies and lies. We see echoes of Peter’s warning in other New Testament writings found in Mark 13:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 

Their motive was greed. Their method was exploitation through false propaganda. The effect was that many people were lured away from the truth. The result was followers who walked away from their faith and embraced this new popular immorality. 

The presumptive delay of Jesus’ Second Coming created quite a challenge for the early church. When it became obvious that Jesus wasn’t coming back anytime soon, wicked operatives saw a small gap of eschatological skepticism start to grow in the confused people’s expectations, and they squeezed through it like a big rat in a city apartment building.

The death of the first Christian generation created a crisis of faith. Living in this diminishing hope, it was easy for false teachers to emerge on the scene with their enticing promises of freedom and moral laxity. Their claim that the Judgment that had been associated with Jesus’ return was now suspended was received with acceptance. Freed from the apostolic demand of living a holy life, this false teaching encouraged new and weak believers to pursue pleasure and self-gratification without penalty or restraint.

Peter’s words were harsh. He pulled no punches in confronting the dangers of this way of thinking. He is not so much being judgmental as he was expressing deep concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the people. Following the false teaching would leave them spiritually bereft and indeed would not protect them from the Judgment to come. He was attempting to persuade his readers to uphold their righteousness in spite of the challenge posed by the wicked false teachers. Peter was literally fighting for their souls.

We also live in an era of false teaching, freedom that enslaves, self aggrandizement, and false propaganda filled with lies. We would be wise to heed Peter’s words and focus on the Truth of Jesus Christ. In order to do that, we must be students of God’s Word every day.

16These false teachers promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of immorality; whatever overpowers you, enslaves you.

What enslaves you? Have you been overpowered? Are your addictions, cravings, and desires distracting you from your call to holy living?

Be honest. Are you enslaved to your phone and electronic devices?

God can use his power to help you get out from underneath the things that have overpowered you. You don’t have to be a slave anymore.

Free Roaming Iguana

Tempus Fugit

Posted on by Betsy

Today’s Scripture lesson offers us a glimpse into what Peter was thinking when he knew that his death was imminent. Like John Wesley, Peter intended to praise his maker for as long as he was alive. There is a notation in Wesley’s journal recorded on March 2nd, 1791, written by “one who was present” that records his last words. In his final hours, Wesley sang a hymn:

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath, 

And when my voice is lost in death, 

Praise shall employ my nobler pow’rs; 

My days of praise shall ne’er be past, 

While life, and thought, and being last, 

Or immortality endures.

And at the end, Wesley proclaimed these hopeful words: “The best of all, God is with us.” Amen, Brother John! Amen. 

Here is what was on Peter’s mind in his last days on earth:

2 Peter 1:12-21

12 So I’ll keep reminding you about these things, although you already know them and stand secure in the truth you have. 13 I think it’s right that I keep stirring up your memory, as long as I’m alive. 14 After all, our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I am about to depart from this life. 15 I’m eager for you always to remember these things after my death.

16 We didn’t repeat crafty myths when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Quite the contrary, we witnessed his majesty with our own eyes. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice came to him from the magnificent glory, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” 

It was going to be up to the people to carry the mission of the church forward. Peter’s message focused on reminding his followers about the words of his testimony. He was an eye-witness to many of the things that Jesus said and did, and he sought to stir their memory of all of the truths he had passed along to them so that they could pass it along to others.

It was important that the Apostolic teachings continued as the apostles died out. Their firsthand, eye-witness accounts were central to the traditions of the church and needed to be passed from generation to generation. We base our faith on these truths and our hope for the future that these traditions promise informs the choices we make today. Peter understood that congregations need to be systematically informed of their heritage. 

 18 We ourselves heard this voice from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 In addition, we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.20 Most important, you must know that no prophecy of scripture represents the prophet’s own understanding of things, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

We hear an echo of Wesley’s thinking in what Peter was saying. Scripture is the foundation of everything we say and do, so the Old Testament prophecies give us that direction. Tradition guides our faith and preserves our understanding of God’s activity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so passing that along is vital. Peter used his own Experience of the transfiguration to give his listeners a vision of the nature of Christ. Thus it stands to Reason that the church would logically accept the charge to bring the Apostolic teachings forward and make them primary to the mission of the church.

All of this is especially important to us today in this post-Christian world where the assumptions and social values are increasingly non-Christian in popular culture and mass media. Our struggle today is against the pervasive secularism that teaches our children that God, Jesus, and the church are irrelevant and ineffective. It is important that Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason continue to be a conscious part of our lives.

This is a serious challenge for today’s church and today’s parents. Are you raising your children and your grandchildren in the faith? Do they know their Bible stories? Can they pray? Do they understand what your denomination teaches about God?

It’s never too late to start until it is. Best get at it.

Time is Running Out

Clean and Unclean

Posted on by Betsy

In Acts 10, we read a remarkable account of a vision Peter had regarding clean and unclean foods. In that vision, God told him to kill and eat of any of the animals that were presented on a sheet, which included those considered unclean by Levitical Law. A pious Jew like Peter could not do this, but God commanded him to obey.

Immediately a delegation from Joppa was at his door, inviting him to come to with them to speak with their leader Cornelius, a well-respected centurion and righteous Gentile. When Peter arrived at the house, he told the large gathering that had assembled, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28). 

Acts 10 (Common English Bible)

 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” 27 As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. 29 For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ 33 I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.”

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!

Peter demonstrated incredible growth in his understanding and knowledge of the truth of God’s inclusive call to righteousness. It was a huge departure from his previous way of thinking and helps us understand his passion for instructing people of faith on righteous behaviors and attributes in 2 Peter, as we read in our last devotional.

When he acknowledged that God accepts anyone who “does what is right,” the centuries-old wall between Jews and Gentiles was shattered and replaced with a bridge built of grace, love, and acceptance. Peter followed his own outline from faith to knowledge to affection for others to love. By the way, it always ends with love.

How deep and wide is your love? Do you still consider some groups of people to be “unclean”? This Scripture clearly states that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another.

If God doesn’t, how dare we?

This is my neighbor’s cat, Lola. She loves everybody.

An Outline for Living

Posted on by Betsy

Do you use outlines to help you organize your thoughts when you write? I always tape an outline of my sermons inside my bible so that I have something to refer to if I get lost. I dislike preaching from a manuscript, so this is the perfect compromise. Outlines give direction!

See if you can spot the outline in our Scripture passage today. It gives direction for a righteous and holy life:

2 Peter 1:1-11 (Common English Bible)

1From Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who received a faith equal to ours through the justice of our God and savior Jesus Christ.2 May you have more and more grace and peace through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

3 By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory. 4 Through his honor and glory he has given us his precious and wonderful promises, that you may share the divine nature and escape from the world’s immorality that sinful craving produces.

5 This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. 8 If all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Whoever lacks these things is shortsighted and blind, forgetting that they were cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be eager to confirm your call and election. Do this and you will never ever be lost. 11 In this way you will receive a rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Let’s unpack that.

Faith. Peter begins with faith, just as someone who was called “The Rock” would do. Faith is the strong foundation for the rest of our learning. We understand faith to be the “reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see “ (Hebrews 11:1).

Moral Excellence. Added to faith is virtue, an attribute of following moral practices and behaviors that are above reproach. As we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we can only be a witness to his power in our lives if those lives are morally sound and Christ-like.

Knowledge. Not to be confused with intellectual understanding or instinct, knowledge is the product of our conversion. It increases through study of the Word, prayer, and community interaction. Knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ was and is essential to the future of the church as it wrestles with false teachings.

Self-control. Both Peter and Paul include self-control as a necessary ingredient of a godly life (Galatians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:7). It makes sense. How could we attain righteousness with a disordered and out-of-control life? We couldn’t. Neither could those who followed false teaching.

Endurance. Perseverance in all of these things on Peter’s outline will win the day. Being steadfast, intentional, and consistent in practicing these habits will increase our knowledge of God and keep us strong in the face of temptation, suffering, and evil.

Godliness. Godliness is both the goal and a necessary step. Godliness is a state of piety where we walk in God’s precepts and strive to be obedient to God’s will. Godliness includes looking and interacting with the world in the way that God would. Asking ourselves if a thought, word, or deed is what Jesus would think, say, or do gives us a daily insight into godly living. 

Affection for others. Did you notice that the early parts of the outline are inward-focused while these later parts focus our faith outwardly? Displaying acts of neighborly love is the result of knowing God at a deeper level and feeling the impulse to share God’s love with others around us.

Love. Love is the pinnacle of all of God’s work in us. Love completes the outline of demonstrable godliness and proves that we have learned how to apply Peter’s teachings to our lives. Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the lesson. It is by our love that we are known.

It is important at this juncture to note that this is not a check list of abstract rules of a moral code that must be obeyed. No, indeed, this a statement of what living in Christ and living for Christ looks like. Peter outlined behaviors that are rooted in our relationship with Christ and are an expression of what comes out of that relationship, as opposed to what must be put in to gain that relationship. Grace makes it impossible to work hard enough to gain Christ. Freely given, all we need to do is accept him and then continue to grow in these things. 

How do you measure up to Peter’s list? Are there areas in your life that could use some improvement? Are your inner and outer faith worthy of Christ?

May we strive to grow in our righteous living, especially in love.

Colington Sunset

Pants on Fire

Posted on by Betsy

Do you remember the late 1990’s movie called Liar, Liar? Jim Carrey starred as pathological liar Fletcher Reede, a divorced defense attorney with a young son named Max. Reede is incapable of telling the truth and frequently makes false promises to Max and then lies about why he had to break them. Each lie is followed by his manipulative cries of “I swear it’s the truth!” Reede misses Max’s 5th birthday party and of course lies about the reason. Max then makes a special wish as he blows out his birthday cake candles, wishing that his father would be forced to only tell the truth for 24 hours. Hilarity ensues as Reede goes to court for a high profile case and cannot lie for the first time in his career. The movie ends with Reede and his ex-wife reuniting with a new relationship that is grounded in honesty.

Jesus addressed the law concerning oaths and our tendency to make insincere vows in today’s reading. People had tried to find a loophole around swearing directly on God’s name by swearing instead on the name of heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or even their own heads. Somehow they felt that these oaths would be less binding and could be more easily broken. Jesus assured them that they were wrong.

Matthew 5 (Common English Bible)

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. 34 But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. 35 You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. 36 And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

At the heart of his message was the need for complete honesty. As one without sin who never lied, Jesus was the epitome of everyday honesty, accountability, and integrity in truth-telling. Swearing oaths would not be necessary if our words were trustworthy, true, and unshakable. Indeed, having to swear on something betrays a certain weakness, demonstrating that the veracity of our word won’t hold up under scrutiny. There is a credibility gap between what we say and what we do. Swearing won’t make a difference if our intention is to break the vow anyway.

This isn’t a tirade against oath taking, per se. God swore oaths. Jesus spoke under oath in court. Paul made several oaths. We are invited to make vows that demonstrate our complete commitment and intention. Jesus was warning against making flippant, insincere, manipulative promises that we have no intention of keeping. Better to make no oaths at all than to do that, says our Lord. “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” (verse 37).

We are taught to “say what you mean and mean what you say.” If we can’t be people of our word, there is no hope for spreading the Word. We need to mean everything we say about the goodness of God and the power of the Gospel in our lives. When we lie, that power is diluted in the eyes of the world. Is your “yes” a true “yes?” Say yes to God.

Say Yes by Michelle Robertson