The Fixer Upper

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

– Luke 5:31-32

Although home renovation is hardly a new concept, the related house-flipping industry has more recent origins. The principle behind flipping is to buy a foreclosed or otherwise distressed property at a bargain-basement price, fix it up quickly, and then sell it for a big profit. For example, the Magnolia Network’s popular TV series The Fixer Upper follows Waco, TX-based Chip and Joanna Gaines as they renovate the worst homes in the best neighborhoods. The results from their shared efforts are nothing less than spectacular. What were once useless eyesores are transformed into cherished homesteads.

Every Christ-follower can relate to this illustration. Like run-down properties made new, we become born again once we accept Jesus Christ through faith as our Savior. We start over at that point with a clean slate with God — now ready and able to do good works to advance his Kingdom. All our failures and sins (past, present, and future) have been forgiven. And it’s all because Jesus willingly paid that heavy price and died in our place on the cross.

As new Christ-followers we become transformed in the way we live, the way we see the world, and the way we look toward the future. But like a weather-worn house with a bad foundation, the renovation takes time … and it’s on the Master Builder’s timetable. Ezekiel 36:26 offers us this amazing promise:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

God — like those home pros we watch on TV — enjoys transforming the worthless into the worthwhile. And he tends to accomplish his plans in some unlikely ways and places through some even more unlikely people.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” our Creator proclaims through the book of Isaiah. “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Liberty or Death

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will  baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 

– Luke 3:16

Americans enjoy countless rights and privileges protected under federal, state, and local laws. And the First Amendment of the Constitution even guarantees our freedom to worship God as we see fit. But if we look at things through Jesus’ perspective, no one (of any nationality) has any real freedom. The truth is that we’re all slaves! 

Regardless of what’s written in our Bill of Rights or President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, everyone without exception is a slave to someone or something. They might not have literal chains around their ankles. But as Jesus puts it so bluntly:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

This type of sin represents bondage to the world’s values, and it comes in many forms. It might be slavery to money and possessions, pleasure, fame, career — or even religion. But whatever its form, it boils down to substituting false, man-made gods for the One and Only True Creator.

Christ-followers are also slaves. The big difference, however, is that they willingly choose to give up the temporary things of this world for the true freedom gained from an eternal relationship with the Savior.

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey,” writes the apostle Paul, “whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Paul’s question reveals that our choice is one of liberty or death: following Jesus or following sin.

Is this a difficult decision? Let’s remember that our earthly possessions aren’t really our own, and we certainly can't expect them to last. We can lose our jobs unexpectedly through a layoff, and our homes and property can be ruined through a natural or man-made disaster. Serious health issues can arise at any time. And let’s face it: the mortality rate for everyone is 100%.

The fact is that one day we WILL lose it all in one way or another. And unfortunately, most people will choose to do it through their slavery to sin. But there’s a far better and more satisfying choice: bondage to a very kind master through acceptance of Jesus’ generous offer of eternal life.

"Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever," Christ assures us. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

 

Hope Personified

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

– Luke 1:32-33

One of the great things about the English language is that a single word can mean so many different things. For example, we might say that we love going to church, we love pizza, and we’d love for our football team to win the Super Bowl.

The same is true for the word hope. We hope that food and gas prices will decline. We hope we’ll make it to the office on time. And we also put our hope for eternal salvation in Jesus. After all, He’s the fulfillment of God’s promises … and the Savior for all people.

Christ-centered hope isn't anchored to empty promises. During his brief time on earth, Jesus cured the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins, and became a living sacrifice to pay the price for all the wrongs of the world — just as God had planned it at the foundation of the world. Christ’s resurrection from the grave — just as he had predicted it — proved his mastery over death. And 2,000 years later, the Savior’s words continue to change lives and render hope. 

Jesus’ status as hope personified is a certainty that every Believer should embrace. But sometimes that’s easier said than done because there are situations where we can't see the big picture. We don’t know the life-changing people and circumstances that God will place into our existence. And we also don’t have his vantage point of knowing what’s around the corner and miles up the road. Moreover, it’s hard for us to see a greater purpose in our lives when we're going through the pain of unemployment, lingering illness, family issues, or even death. But God is in control. And for those who trust and follow him, he offers this assurance:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you,” says our Creator. “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

To borrow the title of an old-time Gospel song, this promise is nothing less than Blessed Assurance. We know without a doubt that God — through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross — has taken care of our past, present, and future. So, in a world marked by tragedy, sorrow, and uncertainty, we can still find hope for today … and tomorrow.

 

Follow the Leader

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” 

– John 15:5

Imagine that it’s nighttime, and it’s raining so hard that you can barely see over your car’s hood. The fog and mist have rolled in. And you can’t risk slowing down or pulling over to the roadside. It’s a multi-vehicle accident just waiting to happen.

So, how can you make it safely to your destination? 

When it’s raining cats and dogs, sometimes the best move is a serious game of Follow the Leader. That means following the dim red taillights of the vehicle ahead of you and matching the driver’s every turn. When he taps his brakes, you do, too. And if he bears right, you don’t ask questions. That’s because you know he can see what’s up ahead. Danger awaits if you try to make it on your own. So ultimately, it’s a matter of trust.

Isn’t that also true for every Christ-follower — as well as the pastors, elders, and teachers who lead them? Jesus asked his disciples to follow him into storms, hostile crowds, and towns full of unbelievers. Those were hazardous situations. But like that lead driver on the highway, Jesus could see what was ahead. And he led those who believed in Him to experience life in its fullest.

That was fine 2,000 years ago. But what does it mean to follow Christ in the 21st century?

Simply put, Believers should imitate Jesus. That means following His example of communion with God through regular prayer, Bible reading, worship, and gathering with other believers. We can also mimic our Savior by being a friend to the weak and helpless, sharing our material blessings, and being an advocate for justice. And that barely scratches the surface.

If you’re of a certain age, maybe you wore a What Would Jesus Do (WWJD) bracelet or had the bumper sticker on your car. And it’s still the BIG question — more so now than ever considering these stormy days of social, economic, and political turmoil. Indeed, what would Jesus do? 

There’s only one way to find out. Let's follow the Leader!