Embarrassment

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! The Heart of the Matter

Sometimes people take life a little too seriously. They lose the ability to laugh and forget that all men are human. We want our cars washed, lawns manicured, clothes starched, and our conversation thoughtful. This air of perfection often lends itself to some pretty funny moments when reality collides. While few like to admit it, all humans have been subject to an embarrassing occasion—or two!

Many of us have experienced embarrassment.

Many of us have experienced embarrassment.

These moments can be even more horrifying through the eyes of a young person. For teenagers who are seeking acceptance by their peers, one small embarrassing moment in time can wind up resulting in years of tortuous ridiculing and cruel jokes. In fact, if not addressed properly, these moments can leave scars that last well into adulthood.

Given the nature of embarrassment, we rarely, if ever, discuss this topic from the pulpit. Even though almost every Christian has suffered from some type of embarrassment, we have either learned to hide it or not discuss it. We are good at coming across as having it all together. After all, we are “dignified” people, aren’t we? And certainly we should not ever discuss such from the pulpit…or should we?

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about embarrassment.

I had really hoped no one saw me. You all were finishing up your ice cream (Wednesday night tradition!), and I had loudly proclaimed it was time to roll. With that statement still ringing in the air, I hit the exit door with great flair to head for the car. It was in that moment, with my face pressed up against the glass, that I realized I had selected the door that was still locked. I quickly tried to “save face” and slid over to the other door. But the damage was done—your mom (and probably others) was already “belly laughing” and relaying to each of you what Dad had just done. I knew I was busted, and that moment would be relived for months to come in the annals of Harrub history.

Our home life is full of funny family moments—some of which must remain secret to protect the innocent! Thankfully each of you is learning to laugh at yourself. This is a skill that I hope you will incorporate into your adult life. Understand that a part of being human means that we are apt to make mistakes, stumble, forget names, or just do something embarrassing. These humbling experiences are healthy reminders that we should never “get too big for our britches.” These embarrassing moments do not affect who you are, nor do they affect your relationship to God. And even though you may never hear of it or see it, many of your Christian friends have experience similar embarrassing moments. It is a part of life.

The next time you find yourself embarrassed, allow it to be a reminder to you of the Bible’s authenticity. Because the Bible was inspired by God and not created by any single individual (or group of people), it contains the “good, the bad, and the ugly.” In other words, it doesn’t hold back to give the appearance that everything is just fine. It paints the complaining Israelites in a negative light during the exodus (see Exodus15:24; Numbers 11; Numbers 16:41-50, etc.). It doesn’t try to hide the fact that some of them rebelled and the outcome was not pretty (Numbers 16). The Bible doesn’t hold back at the Israelites’ foolishness of creating and worshipping the golden calf (Exodus 32). As you read through some of the “ugly” accounts in God’s Word, I hope you will realize that this is just one more way we have assurance that what we read is God-breathed.

God knows you are human and doesn’t expect perfection—otherwise there would be no need for the redeeming blood of His Son (Romans 3:23)! In fact, it was because of His tremendous love for mankind (1 John 4:8) that He created us with free will (see Genesis 2:16-17; Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 7:15; John 5:39-40; 7:17; Revelation 22:17). When that free will collides with nature and your cheeks turn red, rest assured that we have all been there. Don’t allow that moment to define who you are. Laugh it off, knowing that this is a part of life. Let me also encourage you to be very mindful of how you treat others who embarrass themselves. Make sure they know you love them—even with all their warts! (And remember that special counsel that we have shared at the dinner table: “At least they can’t take away your birthday!”) Never forget, God still wants you in Heaven with Him (1 Timothy 2:4)!

In describing the good news of salvation, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed: “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs.”

Finally, never be embarrassed about the gospel of Jesus Christ! Do not forget the words of Paul: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Love,

Dad

P.S. If you have an embarrassing story you will share with our readers, please email it to brad@focuspress.org.

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Tragic

Tragic

We regret to inform you . . .” are the words that no parent or loved one wants to hear. Often times such words are followed by tragic and terrible news such as the injury or death of someone who is dear to us. Thirty-two times like words were spoken this past week to parents and relatives of the students who died at Virginia Tech. Many more times have such words been spoken to the loved ones of our brave soldiers fighting terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. More words still are spoken by police to families of those who have died in auto accidents. (Our prayers are with them all.) In an information driven society, those words echo around us 365 days a year.

As tragic as such words are, there are yet sadder and more tragic words. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus says to those who failed to honor His Lordship, “I never knew you; depart from me . . . .” How tragic will such words be for those expecting to be with Jesus in eternity when they will not. Here are those who supposed they were Christians, but they were not. They failed to adequately “prove all things” and “test the spirits” and ended up being deceived and for their error. Eternally lost! Tragic!

Matthew 25:41 records similar words. Jesus speaks to some who failed to serve him appropriately. His words: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” When Jesus words are so readily available for us to follow, how sad that such will be said to those who failed to live according His standards! Tragic!

There is yet a more tragic situation. Consider Peter’s words in 2 Peter 2:20: “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.” Here is one who knew the truth, who lived according to it, who served the Lord and knew the blessings of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4-6), yet chose to abandon these things and return to worldliness. Their last state will be worse than their first. If there is one thing more tragic than being lost, it is having been lost, saved, and returning to being lost yet again. Tragic!

Friends, such things don’t have to be! Spiritual tragedy can be averted. We can do something to prevent such from happening. Sinners must accept the Lord’s terms of pardon. How? Through hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17), believing it (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of sins (Acts 17:30), confessing Christ (1 Timothy 6:12), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Galatians 3:27, 1 Peter 3:21). The erring Christian must repent, pray to God and ask others to pray for him (Acts 8:22-24). The faithful Christian must take the word of God to others (Acts 8:4) and let them know of their hope (1 Peter 3:15). We may not be able to avoid a tragic ending in this life, but we CAN avoid one in the next. Let us do what we must to be right with God and live with Him forever.

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Having Compassion

Having Compassion

The very thought of having Jesus as our mediator is overwhelming. The amazing distance between Jehovah God and a human seems like a chasm which cannot be crossed. Yet, Jesus did this very thing! He emptied Himself and took on the form of feeble, helpless mortals. He lived among us and having returned to heaven, He received the glory He once had. The end of all of this is that we have one who understands our frailties and can sympathize with us in our troubles. One word seems to sum up so much of the way He lived among us. That word is compassion.

Compassion is almost unknown among many in our society. The heartless slaughter of the unborn, the ruthless killings in schools and workplaces and the beheading of “unbelievers” are all evidence of the absence of the godly nature of compassion. However, the problem is far greater than the extreme aspects of the heartless cruelties listed above. Study the life of Jesus and look at how often Jesus manifested compassion to those ordinary people around Him. Then, take time to look at yourself to find areas where you can be more compassionate like Him.

Jesus had compassion on the poor. In Matthew chapter 14, we read of the feeding of the 5,000. The very next day, Jesus rebuked the multitude because they only followed Him because they loved the loaves and fish He gave to them (John 6:22, 26). Yet, He fed 4,000 of them again. What is remarkable are the words found in Matthew 15:32. “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have…nothing to eat.”  So few of us would understand such compassion that He had on those whose motives were so wrong.

Jesus had compassion on scattered sheep. Mark records the feeding of the 5,000 and adds another thought to the compassion of Jesus. “Jesus when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). The Good Shepherd’s heart was moved toward those who had no spiritual direction in their lives. Think about this and those “shepherd-less” people around you.

Jesus had compassion on widows. He was in village of Nain when He saw a widow ready to bury her only son. “He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Luke 7:13). There were those other religious leaders who saw helpless widows as a source of financial gain, even taking their houses from them (Matt. 23:14). Jesus’ heart was so different from theirs.

So, take time to look at yourself. How compassionate are you to others?  What changes do we need to make to have the compassion of Jesus?

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The Concept of Truth

What is Truth?

“What is truth?”  Pilate asked Jesus that question and didn’t stick around for an answer (John 18:38).  It’s too bad he had not been in that upper room with Jesus and his disciples on the previous night, because Jesus had clearly defined truth while he was praying to his Father on behalf of his disciples.  He prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth” (John 17:17).

With Truth Comes Freedom and also Slavery to Christ.

With Truth Comes Freedom and also Slavery to Christ.

There you have it, from the Son of God himself.  What is truth?  It’s God’s Word, plain and simple.  The Bible, the Holy Scriptures, Genesis through Revelation…they contain the truth.  They are the truth because they are the Word, the same Word which “became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  Jesus, the Word, the only begotten from the Father, is full of grace and truth.  He is God (John 1:1), and the Scriptures are his Word.

The writers of the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:19-21; Eph. 3:3-5), who in turn received his message from Christ (John 16:13-15), who in turn received it from God the Father (John 12:49-50).  Jesus and his Father are one (John 10:30).  Therefore, it is not only the “words in red” in your Bibles which belong to Jesus.  “ALL Scripture is breathed out by God…” (2 Tim. 3:16), and the words which the inspired writers wrote in Scripture “are a command of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37).  They are all truth, because they come from Jesus…and Jesus is“the truth” (John 14:6).

If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you are interested in the truth.  Perhaps you are searching for the truth.  If so, know that God is pleased with you because he “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4).  My goal is to use this blog to teach you God’s Word and God’s Word alone, and you will profit by it if you receive the Word with “meekness” and “hold it fast in an honest and good heart” (Jms. 1:21; Luke 8:15).

Perhaps you desire to challenge or examine the truth.  If so, then you will find plenty to challenge in this blog because my goal is to do nothing more or less than to use this blog to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2) in its entirety (Ps. 119:160; Acts 20:27).  I encourage any and all questions or challenges presented in sincerity and civility, because the Lord has commanded me and all other faithful Christians to “prove all things” and “always (be) prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:15).  Finding biblical, logical answers to your questions and comments will help me to grow as a Christian and strengthen my faith (Prov. 27:17), and so I welcome them…as long as they are presented in a civil manner.  Those who prove themselves to be interested in nothing more than persecution will receive no response and their comments will be deleted (Matt. 10:14-15).

Perhaps you know the truth and want to know it better, defend it and proclaim it.  If so, then you’ve come to the right place.  Our faith comes from God’s Word (Rom. 10:17), and we are called to contend for it (Jude 3), be reminded of it (2 Pet. 3:1-2), grow in it (2 Pet. 3:18), and share it with others (Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20).  I encourage you to share this blog with the lost and with the brethren, and it is my hope that this blog will help all of us to be stirred up “to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24).

Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).  Friends, it’s not enough to simply believe in Jesus (Jms. 2:14-26).  We must also obey him (Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21-27).  So let’s abide in his Word.  Let’s be his humble servants in all aspects of our lives.  Let’s know the truth and be set free from the bondage of sin!  I’m looking forward to starting this journey with you.

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Man-made Religion

Manmade Religion

Does Your Religion Match that in the Bible?

Does Your Religion Match that in the Bible?

We live in a world with a lot of different religions.  Depending on who one asks or where they are, questions on religion will produce a wide variety of answers.  There are some stark differences between Christianity and all other religions in that the central figure of Christianity is attested to have been crucified and resurrected by a considerable number of eyewitnesses , all of whom suffered horrific persecution and in most cases death as a result of their testimony.  If one were to visit the grave site of religious leaders such as Mohammed, Buddha and others they will find these people are dead and they occupy those graves.  On the other hand, if one could visit the tomb of Christ, it does not contain His body.  And a great number of people who lived during that time lived lives of extreme suffering because of their testimony that He arose from His grave alive.

His coming was prophesied by people who lived hundreds to thousands of years before He lived.  His message of love and compassion stands in stark opposition to the self serving messages of other religions.  But one of the most compelling facts of Christianity is what was done by God on behalf of mankind.  Man sinned and thereby lost fellowship with God.  God desired for man to be reconciled to Himself so He left heaven and appeared on earth as a man and was rejected and slain by those He came to save.  And in the end, His death at the hands of mankind served as a substitutionary punishment for the sins of mans and provided the means for the forgiveness of transgressions and the means of restoration to fellowship with God for all.  In short, God, in the form of the man Jesus Christ, paid the penalty man deserved for his own transgressions.

This act on the part of God was prophesied by numerous people who could not have known the future.  It is not humanly possible to fabricate such a story thousands of years before it happened and then have it carried out with the pinpoint accuracy that it was.  A hoax conceived thousands of years prior to its completion which ended with the death and resurrection of the central figure, prophesied and carried out like it was is completely beyond the ability of mankind to achieve.  The Bible was written by about 40 different authors over a period of time spanning roughly 14 centuries.  From beginning to end it has a central theme which focuses on the deliverance of mankind from His sin.  The only explanation for the existence of Christianity is undoubtedly a result of divine accomplishment.  Christianity cannot be a product of man’s invention.

No other religion on earth can make the claim to authenticity with the same undeniable stamp of divine achievement.  No other religion on earth reduced its central figure to the status of a servant to all and resulted in his death at the hands of man for the transgressions of man.  No other religion on earth can start this grand plan thousands of years in advance and bring it to fruition through hundreds of generations of people.  No other religion on earth can provide the supporting documentation of this plan from start to finish with the overwhelming wealth of manuscripts that Christianity enjoys.  Christianity is the only religion on Earth that is unmistakably not a religion of manmade origin.  And as such, it is the only religion of the ones to choose from that is authentic.

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