GOING ON TO MATURITY

Immaturity can be a major problem in life no matter one's age. An immature individual has a great deal of trouble accepting personal responsibility for any situation or the development of any relationship. This is generally because of their tendency to think that the whole world revolves around their desires and needs. Immaturity is the present day plague of marriages, churches, politics and our culture in general, IMHO. 

I think the overriding characteristic of immaturity very well may be the often accepted, albeit naive, idea that life is intended to be an experience of unending happiness. Unless our circumstances and relationships in life produce that happiness, we assume they are defective and must be changed. [The reverse is also immaturity, namely, that life is never to be happy and there is always only pain and suffering. But that's another blog post.]

We have, as a culture, even bought into the idea that growing old must be pleasant and produce happiness or somehow we have missed out on life as it was intended to be. So sometimes people place unrealistic expectations on themselves as they grow older that leave them searching for people, things, and experiences that they think will somehow help attain their goal of happiness . It doesn't happen, but they keep trying. 

They can become obsessed with a hunger for looks and a body that may indicate, more than anything else, a vain effort to hide from the inevitability of age. This can even lead to multiple surgeries for some because they believe by doing so, they can hold back the aging process. That self centered searching renders them incapable of real life at all. No one is more miserable than an older person who believes happiness has passed them by and refuses to look or act their age. 

So may I say it? If personal happiness is your goal in life, I think it is time to grow up and leave such immaturity far behind... whatever your age. Happiness is, in fact, a by-product of what real life is all about and in some strange way, if personal happiness becomes one's primary focus in life, it becomes so elusive it may never be experienced at all. 

This is nowhere more obvious than when happiness is associated with "being in love."  Marriages suffer greatly unless those involved realize that true marriage is not about "being in love." [happy] It is learning to love one another. Love is an active, transitive verb. An active transitive verb simply means that the word expresses a doable activity and has a direct object that receives the action of that verb. I paint a picture. That sentence shows the meaning well.

So, to say a man loves his wife means he is committed to being involved in some healthy expression towards her in their marriage relationship. His goal in life isn't her making him happy or even him making her happy. It is his being something to her. Love is something mature grownups do no matter the inconvenience of things, the failure of people or the feelings that often have to be fought through. Truly loving others defines and illustrates true maturity.

Don't for a minute think I'm advocating a philosophy that produces a skepticism of pleasure and enjoyment that ultimately creates a stoic realist about life. And I'm certainly far from being cynical about growing older. Not at all. What I am doing however, is attempting to remind us all that true pleasure comes from a refusal to treat one's personal needs and one's own happiness as the highest priority in life. 

It is a fact that the fallen world is often difficult  and life doesn't always leave us with a lightheartedness that produces giggles like those coming from a little school girl or boy. It can be hard and burdensome even discouraging.

That being so, to enjoy the true pleasure of life, we must view it with maturity. We must grow up. Selfishness always strips life of any true pleasure unless there is an absence of pain which, unfortunately, never happens. But self-giving love always enriches a life no matter circumstances that can sometimes produce an onslaught of pain or heartache for any one of us. 

Jesus is our Pioneer in this kind of life and, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul the Apostle tells us of our guide to Christlikeness. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you must not look only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"  [Philippians 2:3-5]

My personal prayer for us all echos the words of the writer of Hebrews..."May we all go on to maturity."

THE KILLING OF OSAMA BEN LADEN

I have a question. 

Do you believe Dietrich Bonhoeffer would have repented of... or celebrated over... his action of killing Hitler had it really been successful? You recall he was part of the planning of an assassination of Adolph Hitler, along with the members of the Abwehr, [The German Military Intelligence Office] and was arrested and ultimately executed for his part in the unsucessful plan. My question is an attempt to see if there is a valid reason ethically or morally for a Christian to ever celebrate the death of anyone no matter the seriousness or savagery of their actions.

The story of Bonhoeffer is fascinating. In the late Nineteen thirties Germany was under the control of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party and war was imminent. A movement had arisen in Germany among some Christians called the "Confessing Church" and, though not large, the group was opposed to Hitler. Bonhoeffer was a part of that movement.  He was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who had graduated summa cum laude from the University of Berlin in 1927 and had earned his doctorate in theology at the age of 21.  He had then come to America and studied some at the Union Seminary in New York but wasn't impressed with it and returned to Germany for his ministry.

In June of 1939 Bonhoeffer was invited by Union Seminary to return to New York to lecture. The situation in Germany was already intolerable however, and it was not an easy decision for him to make. He finally accepted and came to the States and was encouraged to remain, but quickly regretted his decision to come at all.  This is clearly seen in his letter to Reinhold Niebuhr on faculty at Union Seminary where he said, "I have come to the conclusion that I made a mistake in coming to America. I must live through this difficult period in our national history with the people of Germany...I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with her people.."  So he returned to his homeland on the last scheduled steamer to cross the Atlantic to Germany prior to the war.  

Four years later he was executed, as I said, for his participation in the failed attempt on Hitler's assassination.

Bonhoeffer himself, apparently, did not think killing Hitler was an altogether righteous thing to do. There is some question among historians about how much Bonhoeffer actually participated, but he obviously thought of himself as a participant, and struggled with some sense of guilt over it.  He did not justify whatever part he played as evidenced by what he wrote when he said this, "When a man takes guilt upon himself [Referring to his part in the plot] in responsibility, he imputes his guilt to himself and no one else. he answers for it. Before other men he may be justified by dire necessity; before himself he is acquitted by his conscience, but before God he can only hope for grace."  So Bonhoeffer did not think of the planned attempt on Hitler's life as a "righteous" thing at all, but he did view it as a "right" thing. He saw a difference in the two. He believed them to be two separate things and I'm thinking he may have been right.

In simple terms, Bonhoeffer saw a difference between something as "just" and something that could be said to be "Justified." His view of the difference would be based on the idea that while fallen creation demands sometimes a person doing the "lesser of two evils," one could never honestly equate any human action as a "righteous action" unless it was from pure love or the character of God. [It is that which would also qualify any anger as a righteous anger.]  Bonhoeffer believed that since our actions as human beings can never have that as the basis for them, we are fallen creatures after all and are not God, we may, therefore, perform only justifiable actions, but not just ones. 

This could potentially leave us as Christians with a sense of relief or satisfaction or even joy at something accomplished justifiably, like the carrying out of a punishment decided upon by a jury or the personal protection of our loved ones or our nation when at war.  The joy we experienced at the ending of the second world war would be in this category. But this is also why we often struggle and disagree with one another when attempting to define a "Justifiable war."  This struggle is because we are never completely sure of our justification for an action.

So it could even be that the justifiable death, as Bonhoeffer believed, of an evil perpetrator of crimes as a Hitler might bring great relief or satisfaction.  [Or an Osama Ben Laden?] But for Bonhoeffer it would bring a lingering sense of guilt as well.  

But in no case, for Bonhoeffer, could there be a celebratory attitude at someone dying. This, because there would always be a sense of moral loss in the action no matter how evil the behavior of the one upon whom death was inflicted. In his mind we may perform "justifiable retribution" upon a person, but never "Just retribution" as that is the preogative of God alone.

Some of you may see this as a minor thing or even a play on words. Perhaps! But, like some other issues that could give us a sense of being godlike in our behavior, unless addressed and even checked,  [Abortion for example] this difference may keep us clear minded on things with eternal ends in view. We fallen human beings often must choose between the lesser of two evils but also face our responsibility in bringing about something "justifiable."  

But something defined as "Just" would be best left in the hands of the One who knows enough to make the call. Bonhoeffer may have taught us as Christians some valuable lessons whether we agree with all his positions theologically or not.

So, the killing of Osama Ben Laden...relief, gratitude, satisfaction, justifiable end? Perhaps! But celebration? Perhaps Not!

Paul B.

FACING TEMPTATION

Things are a bit hectic and time short so here is a word that might suffice for a weekend. This is from four years ago.

I've always been amazed at that verse in Luke 4 where Jesus encountered Satan in that temptation experience. You remember Jesus had been forty days without food. There is no doubt that hunger was very real at the moment. You recall Satan said "Since you're the Son of God [no doubt in his mind about that fact] command this stone that it be made bread."

I think we are all honest enough to admit that wouldn't be a temptation to us because we couldn't have accomplished that if our very life had depended on it. But He could. After all He is the Son Of God. It would be important for us to remember at this point that Jesus DID NOT do anything during those thirty-three years on earth in the power/authority of His Divine nature. He willingly laid aside that authority and lived as man submitted to the will/ purpose of the Father. He was truly our stand-in. This is why He responded in verse 4 that "it is written that MAN shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of God." He was man submitted to doing the will of the Father.

My point is that the temptation came at the very point of the greatest strength in the life of Jesus. Temptation comes at our point of strength...not our weakness...who would have thought? 


I've aways been so sold on the idea that I've got to strengthen/guard where I'm weak because, if I don't, I'll wind up failing/falling in that area. Satan attacks me where I'm weak. Oh really? If pride comes before a fall then I must be proud of where I'm weak. 


No wait...pride is a possibility where I think I'm pretty good. Do you suppose we completely misunderstand this thing of temptation so that we guard our weaknesses but are vulnerable at our strength for the very fact that we don't think we'll fall there?

Add to this equation the seemingly overwhelming numbers of failures of ministers today at the points where they are teaching the most, as a Jim Baker who could raise money out of scarecrows, and fall because of greed. Or a Jimmy Swaggert who was strong in condemning those who are immoral. Enough said. Or a Gordan MacDonald who wrote the finest book on marriage I have in my library and failed in his marriage vow. 


By the way, I wouldn't even mention these men were their failure not public in nature. And even with that said...I do not in any way judge/condemn them at all. They are not my servants after all. They are my brothers.

We certainly could go to those in scripture who failed too. Peter, a man of extreme courage, remember how he charged that large group at the arrest of Jesus sword in hand, failed hours later fearful of being identified as a follower. 


Or Moses who was obedient enough, after being taught by his mother of God's plan for him, to choose to suffer the reproach of Israel rather than enjoy the pleasures of Egypt. Yet disobediently struck that rock the second time rather than speaking to it as commanded. 


Or David, a man whose heart was after God, in a moment of passion, gave his heart to another.

Add all this to that Luke 4 passage and we may be getting a picture that one would be wise to ask a friend this question. "What is my greatest strength?" Then, be open to the fact it could be at this point the enemy will gain a foothold in my life.

The answer to that question may be..."You're strong in doctrinal purity and Truth" or "You're strong in mercy" or " You're strong in the family" or "You're strong in honesty" or...you get the idea. 


For the first, they may fail because someone disagrees with a minor doctrine or not say a Truth the same way [inerrancy] and the doctrinally strong one will separate because of pride in a position. 


For the second, they may need to stand for a truth at some point but for fear of hurting someone they capitulate. 


For the third, they maybe see a son or daughter divorce or a daughter get pregnant and cannot find it in them to embrace those/ that one in love and acceptance for the life of them. It would be [in their minds at least] a capitulation in standards for family life. 


For the last one, they may fail to report a gift to the government or twist a word or phrase to cover a mistake. 


The whole point is that failure comes because our eyes are tightly shut to our vulnerability at the point of strengths. We would never fail BECAUSE of our strength there...but we do. 


It is, after all, His strength that is made real in our weakness but, in Kingdom living our greatest weakness IS our strength, we just don't seem to get that fact down well.

May God never allow me to write something to anyone else without applying it to my own life first. I think I'll ask Mary, my wife, what she thinks my strengths are. She knows me better than anyone else and loves me enough to tell me the truth.

Paul Burleson

EXPERIENCING GOD

11 Corinthians 3:18 is undoubtedly a tremendous verse with much meaning." But we all, with open face beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." I think I'm safe in saying that, among others things, this verse is saying...


1--We all  [All Christians]
2--Are right now  [Present tense]
3--enabled to look upon  [No veil covering us as Moses had to be covered]
4--The Lord  [Clearly and distinctly seen present in the gospel]
5--And we all  [All Christians]
6--Are being changed  [Present tense..right now]
7--To mirror or reflect Him   [His reality expressed in us]
8--All is His work in us through His Spirit.


Locke says this...


"By contemplating the resplendent face of the blessed Redeemer, [Seen present in the gospel] we are changed into something of the same image. It is a law of our nature that we are moulded, in our moral feelings, by the persons with whom we associate, and by the objects which we contemplate. Thus, we are changed into His very image by a continued succession of glory, as it were, streaming upon us from the Lord."


The idea is, according to Locke and others, by contemplating or seeing Him afresh , we become changed into the likeness of that same One we are seeing and we are conformed to that which is revealed there. In simple language, we become like Him and it is obvious to others.


My question is, how does this take place? I want to share something I heard years ago from someone, and I cannot remember who it was,  [Jim Hylton I think]  that I've never forgotten and has been a help many times in my own personal life and growth.


Let's suppose this verse really is saying as we see Him more and more clearly, we become like Him more and more. [I think it is saying that]  So, the question might be,  when do we generally see Him more clearly? For me, it has been when I've been hurting or facing failure in my own life that He graciously reveals Himself anew in His love and faithfulness. Then is when I hit myself on the forehead in recognition that I'd forgotten Him, but He, thankfully, hadn't forgotten me.


This verse may be revealing to us a cycle of experiencing God in this way...


You hit bottom, with failure, or pain, or tragedy, something that takes the spiritual wind out of your sails. You, then, find yourself broken, repentant, or crying out in hopelessness. It is dark and despair is lingering over you. But God breaks through with a fresh word or view of His presence and grace in some fashion. It could be from the Word, a song, a friend, a sermon, or just a contemplative thought on your part. But He's unmistakably there in a fresh way. You see Him present. You recognize His voice in your heart of hearts.


In that moment it is like a mountain top experience almost because He's so real and present with you. How could you have doubted? How could you have forgotten or failed, whatever the case may be? You're strong now. Kingdom living is renewed. Life is good. You're alive again.


But you go on to a bit of complacency because, after all, you're busy or pressed or just trying to live life that has so many demands on your time and thoughts. No doubts about Him...just...well... you know... as I said... busy and pressed. Things that are familiar are no longer seen with Him as the backdrop. After all, they are just normal, everyday things. And God seems...so distant...again.


Then it comes...again. Failure or pain or tragedy. The tears, darkness, and even doubts begin their journey across you mind and soul. Where is God in all this? You certainly need something from Him. Or maybe you've settled in your thinking that He couldn't care, forgive, or deliver this time after so many times before. You don't deserve it after all with what you did.


But He does show up. A mountain top again. Complacency...again.  Failure!! You get the picture.

The diagram below, which has been a guide to me for years and graciously put into pictorial form by my wife, might be helpful and revealing. Go through it. My conclusions will come on the other side of the diagram.

Conclusions...

1--We will not ever... NOT fail or face pain or tragic events.
2--We will ultimately, by His Spirit, be brought to brokenness or repentance. [Or some form of crying out for help]
3--He will faithfully show Himself present and forgiving, gracious, powerful...whatever the need might be.
 4--We will inevitably get complacent or foolish...again which inevitably lead to failure.
5--We will not ever... NOT fail or face pain or tragic events,

You see the pattern. It is much as the Nation of Israel did seven times in the Book of Judges in the Old Covenant [Testament] where that cycle resulted in seven Judges being raised up to deliver His people from their troubles.


But notice,.. in our New Covenant relational experience, we have hope beyond measure. 

 1--We are never as low as we were. [The upward cycle]
 2--We will always experience Him in greater ways than before. [Higher revelation]
 3--We will always be changed to some degree with those new revelations of who He really is in our lives. [Always different and further in growth than before]

The process, my friend, is called life and growth. Such is our wonderful journey in knowing our Gracious Lord in a New Covenant relationship and will be so until, one day, the work of changing us into His Glory will be finalized as we see Him face to face.


Paul B.