Unchained

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

– Romans 12:2

The fifth chapter of Mark’s gospel begins with the story of a man who faced some serious problems. Or maybe a legion of problems best describes his plight.

This tormented soul had been exiled from the community to live out his days in a cemetery near Lake Galilee. The man was literally overcome by demons. And so total was his possession that he could use extraordinary strength to repeatedly break the chains and smash the leg irons that confined him. 

“No one could control him,” Mark wrote. “Night and day he was in the graveyard or on the hills, yelling and cutting himself with stones.”

And that would have been the end of the man’s bizarre narrative. But then along came Jesus and his disciples from their voyage across the lake. Recognizing that Christ was God in the flesh, the demons that possessed the man begged to postpone their own eternal fate, and instead inhabit a vast herd of pigs that roamed the hillside. Jesus agreed. And the demons immediately fled from their victim.

Fast-forward now to 21st century America. Does it seem like “demons” are only found in horror movies and ancient fairytales? And when a celebrity, sports star or even a neighbor faces the consequences of alcohol, drugs, anger-management issues — or some other destructive force — we can count on their loved ones to comment that they struggled with their share of demons. Sometimes that’s a figure of speech. But actual demons really can torment people, and they do their best to make their victims’ lives a living hell.   

The fact is that everyone has their share of demons to one extent or another — even Christ-followers. And even though we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, asked him for forgiveness and then received it, we still can slide back into all those bad habits and behaviors that we thought we had left far behind. And then we slide back time and time again.

So what’s the problem? Doesn’t the Bible say that becoming a Christ-follower makes you a new creation?

It does. But our transformation is a work in progress on God’s timetable. Although it can happen immediately, shedding our personal demons often takes place bit by bit and day after day along our faith-journey. What's more, our journey’s pathway is narrow, twisting and full of unexpected hairpin turns. And it’s when we take our eyes off our destination and follow our demons instead of Jesus that we wind up in a ditch.

Let’s finish by considering the life-lesson of the apostle Paul — the unlikely Christ-follower who wrote much of the New Testament. In his 2,000-year-old lament that sounds so familiar to modern ears, Paul complains that he continues to do the very things he despises. Yet at the same time, he fails to do the things he knows he should accomplish.

If this great Apostle to the Gentiles had so many problems with sin and temptation, what hope can we have of breaking free from our own chains? Well … quite a bit! As Christ-followers, we don’t have to accept sin’s dominance in our lives. It all comes down to our ultimate trust and dependence on a Power that's much greater than ourselves.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” asks Paul. “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

In Search of Excellence

But as it is written, "What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived -- God has prepared these things for those who love him." 

-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

It’s one of history’s best-selling and most-influential books on business, as well as the most widely-held library book in the United States from 1989 to 2006. But some critics say its content is flawed and that the hype fails to live up to expectations.

First published in 1982, In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best Run Companies explores the common management methodologies of 43 profitable and innovative corporations. And data analysis reveals that the authors’ choices have largely held up over the years. However, Forbes magazine points out that some of the profiled companies — like Wang Laboratories and Atari — actually shrank or went bankrupt. The balance sheets of Xerox and NCR were also less than stellar in the 1980s — the era that the book covers. And an article in Fast Company magazine suggests that In Search of Excellence used faked data to make its case.

Maybe some of these companies weren’t so excellent after all. But that’s the way it is with anything created by human hands and ingenuity. In one way or another, it’s all destined to disappoint.

Let’s contrast this somber fact with heaven, one of God’s creations that will far exceed mankind’s preconceived notions and expectations. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians that 14 years earlier, he had a remarkable glimpse of what all Christ-followers will one day experience for eternity.

“Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body,” he reported. “But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.”

The Bible doesn’t provide a complete description of the afterlife, but what it does tell us is amazing. For example, we’ll be reunited with fellow believers and celebrate with them in joy. And Revelation tells us that God’s city is 1,400 miles long and just as wide and high, with walls 200 feet thick. Notably, there won’t be any churches  because we’ll have a personal relationship with Jesus and God. And no one will need the sun or the moon — or any kind of light for that matter — because God’s glory will be the light, and the Jesus will be its lamp. Revelation 21:3 tells us, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.’”

 

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can look forward to an eternity of joy with our Creator. What’s more, we can look forward to a total absence of everything negative in the human experience. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sadness. There will be no more crying or pain,” we read in Revelation. “Things are no longer the way they used to be.”

Describing heaven on this side of eternity is largely futile because its mere existence overpowers anything that we can ever hope to imagine or comprehend. So until we get there, rest assured that it will exceed our expectations many times over. It’s in heaven that we’ll finally discover true excellence.

Choosing Hope

“I myself am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus told her. “The man who believes in me will live even though he dies, and anyone who is alive and believes in me will never die at all. Can you believe that?” 

– John 11:25    

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 our children and we’d love for our favorite football team to win the Super Bowl. 

The same is true for the word hope. We say that we hope COVID-19 goes away. We hope we’ll make it to the office on time. And we also put our hope in Jesus for our eternal salvation. But why should we hope for that? Isn’t Jesus just one of many religious figures out there? 

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 planned it at the foundation of the world. His resurrection from the grave — just as Jesus had predicted — proved his power over death. He fulfilled prophecies written centuries before his birth. And 2,000 years later, Jesus' words continue to change lives and deliver hope.

Jesus is quite literally hope personified. And he’s also the only way to God. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims that no one can come to the Father (God) except through him. And when his disciple, Philip, asked to see the Creator, Jesus reassured him that God was much closer than he suspected. In fact, very close: 

"Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?" asked Jesus. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'" 

This is great news because Jesus' death and resurrection make eternal life available for EVERYONE who puts their faith in him! Christ won’t close the door on those who seek and ask. And unlike man-made religions, the true way to God isn't about keeping certain rules, saying special prayers or eating (or not eating) particular foods. Instead, it’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus, accepting what he's already accomplished and letting him live within. Religions are about doing. But our hope in Jesus is about what’s already done. 

To borrow the title of an old-time Gospel song, this news is nothing less than Blessed Assurance. We know without a doubt that Jesus has taken care of our past, present and future through his sacrifice on the cross. And in a world dominated by tragedy, sorrow and uncertainty, he's the only reason that we can choose hope.   

Be My Guest

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days.

– Acts 28:7

It’s for good reason that we teach our children to beware of strangers. But as Christ-followers, we should also be mindful of the roles hospitality and practical compassion play in our lives. It’s in the New Testament book of Hebrews that we’re told not to forego showing hospitality to strangers, because some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 

And then there’s the story of The Good Samaritan — one of the most familiar stories of Scripture. It’s in Luke’s gospel that we read about a traveler who was attacked by robbers and left for dead. A priest saw the wounded man, but elected to pass him by. Later, a Levite (a member of one of the tribes of Israel) also saw the man lying on the ground, and he too avoided him. But when a Samaritan — a member of a despised ethnic group — happened to come by, he bandaged up the injured stranger, checked him into a motel and even prepaid the bill!

Two supposedly "good" people had a chance to help the helpless, but they went out of their way to do nothing. Instead, it was the Samaritan who found God's approval because he had shown practical compassion to his neighbor (a total stranger).

Although that's a lesson we all need to learn and live by, helping neighbors and strangers isn't always easy. We too often let selfishness and pride get in our way. We don't want to get our hands dirty, and end up like the supposedly good people in Jesus' story. But let's consider the other side of the coin: How are we showing compassion to fellow Christ-followers — not strangers — but rather other Believers?

The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become a member of an enormous family of faith spanning race, nationality, gender and generation. We may be very different, but it's our faith in Jesus that bridges the gaps. For all of us, Jesus is at the core of our thoughts and motivations. What’s more, we all share a common, eternal destiny and a loving Father.

This is just one of the truths that separates Christ-followers from everyone else in the world. And since the world is watching and questioning our motives, it’s more important than ever for us to demonstrate love, compassion and hospitality to both believers and strangers alike.

War of Words

“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need — words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”

– Ephesians 4:29

It’s been 40 long years since the creation of the internet. But according to an IBM Marketing Cloud study, 90% of the data you’ll find on it was created relatively recently: after 2016. Google, which is a major source of this information, processes over 40,000 search queries each second.

That’s over 3.5 billion searches per day or 1.2 trillion searches per year. And the Library of Congress, America’s storehouse of books, maps, photographs, films, audio and video recordings, has well over 15 terabytes of data. How is mankind making the most of this ever-growing mountain of knowledge? One comedian has quipped that we’re using it to trade cat videos and argue with strangers. 

That amusing observation is not far from the mark — especially the part about arguing. It’s yet another symptom of society’s growing lack of civility and not-so-common decency. One reason is that the anonymity of social media has made it easy for so-called keyboard commandos to defame or otherwise tear down others without the fear of repercussion. What's more, things that we wouldn’t dare say to someone’s face can be conveyed online. In person or in cyberspace, words matter … and they can hurt and cause immense damage.

In the New Testament book that bears his name, James, the half-brother of Jesus, taught much the same lesson about the incredible power of the human tongue. While only a small part of the body, our tongues have the ability to change lives: to uplift and destroy, and bless and curse.

We know this all too well through our life experiences. How many times have we uttered something inappropriate — or maybe downright mean-spirited — that seemed to come out of nowhere? Communicating the wrong thing at the wrong moment to the wrong person has cost people their careers, marriages and reputations. And the sad fact is that our words (written or uttered) reveal what we really think deep down inside. They’re a reflection of our heart.

Back in World War II, the U.S. Government printed posters with the headline, Loose Lips Sink Ships. The message was that spies can pick up careless — although seemingly innocent — gossip about Allied troop movements, ship launches and other secret information. And when such information reaches the enemy’s ears, the result is often carnage, death and destruction. Likewise, all Christ-followers must watch their tongues (and their keyboards) to avoid causing needless, irreparable damage to relationships and reputations. Let’s take the time to rediscover the lost art of civility. 

Keeping It Kosher

We should live like that while we wait for our great hope and the coming of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us so he might pay the price to free us from all evil and to make us pure people who belong only to him — people who are always wanting to do good deeds.

– Titus 2:13-14

If you shop for groceries or cook, chances are that you’ve seen them a thousand times. They’re those special symbols on food packaging that certify the contents as kosher (fit to eat).

Kosher food is prepared according to Jewish dietary laws, which are rules and regulations derived from Old Testament laws and rabbinical extensions to ensure quality, cleanliness and safety. Hebrew National — a well-known brand of hotdogs — has a famous slogan that sums up their call to be kosher: We Answer to a Higher Authority.

Christ-followers do, too. And although we aren’t bound by the Old Testament dietary laws observed by the Israelites, these statutes are still a valuable reminder that we worship

a God who knows us intimately, who cares for us deeply and who wants us to lead pure, Spirit-filled lives. What’s more, he wants his children to live by higher standards that distinguish them from the world. This profound, loving care and attention also covers much more than the necessities of food, clothing and shelter. Our Creator wants only the best for us when it comes to our personal relationships as well.

His instructions on this matter are both timeless and straightforward. When it comes to dating and choosing a mate, the Bible tells us to be picky and refuse compromise. Does your prospective spouse share your love for God and strive to grow in his or her spiritual walk? If not, beware! Our nation’s high divorce rate tells a sad story about choosing an incompatible mate. And what about his or her standards of personal behavior? Are they driven consistently by Christ-centered principles like patience and kindness? Likewise, we can’t ignore the uncomfortable topic of same-sex relationships. The world tells us that we’re bigoted, intolerant and old-fashioned if we don’t fall in line. But God’s opinion about this matter is unambiguous. And he calls Christ-followers to be Biblically correct, not politically correct.

“You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives,” the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians. “The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own.”

That’s a difficult admonition that clashes with today’s feel-good, live-for-the-moment perspective. And that’s just the point. As Christ-followers, we’re not to follow the crowd. Instead, we’re to follow God’s standards for purity and refuse anything less. Our very lives should be kosher. After all, we do answer to a Higher Authority.   

Doing the Right Thing

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

-- Romans 12:19

Author C.S. Lewis defined integrity as doing what’s right when no one else is watching. But in our modern culture that teaches what’s right or wrong is no longer so black or white, it’s reassuring to know that our God is One who never changes. What's more, he’s also a God of justice, and he promises to right the wrongs done against us. But he also expects his followers to seek justice along the way. As we read in James 4:17, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Doing the right thing often calls for bravery. And while we may never

need to use it against a powerful army on the battlefield, we might have to take on figurative opponents like injustice, crime or discrimination. We have no hope of defeating them on our own. But we should be encouraged that God specializes in empowering average Joes and Janes to do the extraordinary against overwhelming odds.

A case in point is that David — an obscure shepherd boy and musician — once protected his nation by killing the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone from his slingshot. It was this same David who eventually became the mighty King of Israel and the one God called "a man after My own heart." Likewise, a fisherman named Peter quite literally dove into the deep end when he accepted Jesus' call to walk on water. After he began to doubt his own abilities, Peter started to sink. But Christ saved him once he called out in faith. This same hesitant follower, who would eventually deny Jesus to others three times, ultimately became a bold preacher of what the Book of Acts calls The Way (the Good News about his Savior, Jesus Christ). Two books of the Bible also bear Peter's name.

As Christ-followers, these examples should help us take heart. We know that the world can be a scary place, but God doesn't expect us to solve all of its problems. Instead, it's by seeking and embracing his power in faith that we can make a world of difference. And it all starts when we seek and do the right thing.