All For One

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

-- Ephesians 4:4-6

         

When it comes to relationships, do you believe that opposites attract? Or is it more your experience that birds of a feather flock together?

For those in a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus Christ, the answer really is both. For example, one of the most reassuring truths revealed in the Bible is that God wants to be in a personal, loving relationship with us regardless of gender, race or nationality. It doesn't matter who you are, where you've been or what you've done. Everyone is welcome to accept God's free gift of forgiveness and live a changed life as a Christ-follower. Our past failures no longer matter and can be forgiven and forgotten. We can become new creations who are born again.

Meanwhile, opposites do attract in this spiritual relationship, and you can see that in action in just about any Bible-believing church. For example, at Velocity Church in Richmond, VA, we worship among fellow believers of different ages, political viewpoints and nationalities. And we also see things differently when it comes to sports. Some of us love the Redskins while others root for the Cowboys. There's also a healthy mix of fans supporting Virginia Tech, UVA, James Madison and VCU. 

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body," we read in 1 Corinthians, "whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Indeed, for all of their differences, Christ-followers at Velocity and around the globe share at least one thing that unifies them--and sets them apart from all creation. It's their common, fervent belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And it's this same distinction that helps us share the joys and overcome the struggles, disappointments and even tragedies that we all face along our unique faith-journeys.

As a diverse group of Christ-followers in a single, incredible relationship, we're by definition all for One. But what's more important is that we also know the One who's for us all.

Like Clockwork

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

         

During the 1950's and 1960's more than half of the wristwatches sold in the United States were made by Timex. Officially known as U.S. Time, the company marketed its dependable timepieces in department stores and pharmacies from coast to coast. And it's no doubt that Timex's popular television commercials helped to drive sales. Sometimes appearing live and in prime time, the advertisements used extreme demonstrations to prove their product's toughness and reliability. Examples include a Timex watch strapped to a speedboat, abused by a wild gorilla, and run through a dishwasher. 

"It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!" proclaimed long-time spokesman John Cameron Swayze. And sure enough, Timex watches usually did just that. 

Those old commercials can teach us about a vital characteristic of true Christ-followers: dependability. After all, what good is a watch if you can't rely on it? We should ask the same about ourselves if we claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

Our troubles won't suddenly disappear the moment we start following Christ. And we can't expect our faith-journeys to be smooth drives down Easy Street. In fact, our daily struggles may actually intensify because the devil sees us as a threat. We should count on hitting bumps along the road: 

"In this world you will have trouble," Jesus promises us. "But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

Unfortunately, too many would-be Christ-followers give up and turn away when the troubles of everyday life get too big. Instead of relying on the unlimited resources they could access as a child of God, they wither from the heat of trials and circumstances.  

Do you keep on ticking after taking a licking? Like those dependable wristwatches in the commercials, Christ-followers must live lives demonstrating reliability and toughness. Ours is a permanent, 24/7 identity--not simply a role that we play for an hour or two on Sundays and at weekly Gel Groups. Instead, Jesus tells us to take up our rugged cross. And then follow him.

Freed and Forgiven

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

-- Psalm 130:4

         

"I never thought I'd be wearing this striped suit," admitted the young man as he addressed the crowded Naples, FL, high school gymnasium. "I was 10 feet tall and bulletproof."

The speaker was Eric Smallridge. But for the last several years, he's been known as Inmate P22679.

In May 2002, Eric drove drunk, lost control of his vehicle and collided with another vehicle driven by 20-year-old Meagan Napier. Meagan and her passenger, Lisa Dickson, were killed instantly. Eric was convicted of DUI manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Renee Napier--Meagan's mother--was devastated by the tragedy that so radically changed her entire existence and outlook on life. She described her tortured emotional state as "the wailing and crying that comes from the depths of your soul." To render good from such a seemingly senseless incident, Renee founded The Meagan Napier Foundation, where she has so far educated more than 100,000 people about the dangers of drunk driving. Her audiences include high-schoolers, church groups, college students, military personnel...and DUI offenders.

Her presentations were riveting. But Renee still felt that something--or perhaps someone--was missing. And that someone was inmate Eric Smallridge.

"I knew from the beginning that if I could have Eric with me, that would be very powerful," she explained to ABC News. And in 2010, Eric was given permission to accompany Renee during her presentations. A stipulation was that he was required to wear his prison shackles and jumpsuit.

Now almost 15 years since the accident, Renee says she still can't forget the moment she heard the awful news about her child's death. But she's been able to forgive. In fact, she's grown to love Eric and his family. And she's even lobbied to have Eric's prison sentence cut in half to help prevent him from leaving his incarceration with a hardened soul and a criminal mind.

"I could be very angry, hateful and bitter," Renee told a reporter. "But I didn't want to live my life that way. There was no way I could move on and live a happy life without forgiving Eric."

Ironically, we're often the ones who can find ourselves in chains when we need to forgive those who've offended us. It's in Matthew's Gospel that we read Jesus' parable about a man who received forgiveness for his own large debt, but was still stuck in a prison of anger. His wounded soul could not heal...and he was unable to release another's relatively small debt to him. As Christ-followers, we've all been forgiven of a lifetime's-worth of sin and shortcomings. So when we're hurt by others, let's seek him for the power to move us toward the freedom found only through a forgiven--and forgiving--heart.

"Make it a point not to be this guy," said Inmate P22679, referring to himself. "Don't reduce your life to shackles and chains."

All Hands On Deck

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers-all of them skilled workers and designers.

-- Exodus 35:35

         

One of the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, is 1,141 feet long and carries more than 4,900 guests. Its gourmet restaurants serve thousands of meals each day. And the ship's laundry cleans just as many towels, sheets and table linens.

Supporting this floating city are hundreds of talented, hard-working crew members--all dedicated to making their guests' vacations as fun and memorable as possible. The ship's complement includes an army of stewards, cooks, mechanics and even daycare attendants--and that's not to mention everyone assigned to navigate the ship. From captain to cabin boy, every crew member has a critical role in helping their vessel sail effortlessly through both calm seas and choppy waters.

Like a full-service cruise ship, the church also needs dedicated people who work together toward a common goal. That's because we're much more than just a group of folks who meet on Sundays to listen to the pastor and sing along with the band. 

The Bible tells us that God has given every Christ-follower certain gifts, talents and resources for advancing his kingdom on Earth. Some are obvious--like singers and musicians leading worship with the band. Others relate to behind-the-scenes applications like bookkeepers and office managers who help the church use its resources wisely and efficiently. For every gift, talent and resource in the secular world, there's a corresponding application for strengthening the body of believers known collectively as The Church.

The first Christ-followers were a diverse crew from many walks of life. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector and Jesus himself had carpentry skills. And when we fast-forward 2,000 years, the Savior still seeks those who are willing to represent him in our community and serve others with their God-given gifts, talents and resources.

"Come, follow me," Jesus once told fishermen Peter and Andrew, "and I will make you fishers of men."

If we're willing to follow the example of the first disciples and open ourselves to the great possibilities ahead, Jesus will no doubt use us to lead and strengthen his Church. It's when we all work together with a unity of purpose that community occurs and amazing things happen. So it's now up to you and me to respond to His simple--yet radical--invitation to join his crew.

Are you onboard? The Captain's call is for all hands on deck.

Follow the Leader

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

-- Luke 5:11

         

Picture one of those nights that even experienced drivers fear. 

It's extremely dark, 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 don't dare slow down or pull over to the roadside. It's a multi-car accident just waiting to happen.

So what can you do to 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 in front 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 any questions. That's because you know he can already see what's up ahead. Things can get dangerous if you try to make it on your own. So ultimately, it's a matter of trust.

Isn't this a picture of what it means to be a Christ-follower? The Bible reveals that Jesus asked his disciples to follow him into storms, hostile crowds and towns full of religious hard-liners. These situations were dangerous and scary. But like the lead driver on the highway, Jesus knew 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 Jesus in the 21st Century?

What was true back then is still true today. It starts with following Jesus' examples of growing closer to God through regular prayer, Bible reading, worship and gathering with other believers. We can also imitate him by being a friend to the weak and helpless, sharing our material blessings and being an advocate for justice. That, too, can be scary at times. But it's all meant to help us experience life as our Creator meant it.

How are you doing so far on your faith journey? Whether the skies along the way have been dark and stormy or sunny and clear, the same wisdom applies: Stay on the narrow road and follow the Leader! 

Gold Standard

He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

-- Deuteronomy 26:19

         

What makes a dollar bill worth more than the paper it's printed on?

It's really nothing more than the U.S. Government's assurance that we can trust them to back it up. Before 1933, our nation's monetary policy was based on the gold standard, which meant you could exchange a paper dollar at the bank for a dollar's worth of gold. But the Great Depression changed that. Seeking ways to inflate the nation's money supply, increase spending and get the economy moving, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the confiscation of gold coins and gold certificates in denominations greater than $100 in exchange for other money. In theory, a dollar bill (Federal Reserve Note) was still backed by a dollar's worth of gold or other tangible assets at the U.S. Treasury. In 1971, the government officially abandoned the gold standard. And ever since, the dollar is backed only by its assertion that our currency is the nation's legal tender "for all debts public and private."

This rock-solid guarantee has stabilized our nation over the years because the public knows it can literally take it to the bank. And although that's a comforting thought during these rough economic times, Christ-followers should find much greater solace in another promise that's printed on every dollar bill: In God We Trust.

God's promises extend beyond our financial status and job prospects. Not only are they eternal, we can count on them because of his proven track record of meaning what he says and saying what he means.

J. Barton Payne's Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy cites more than 1,800 promises from God. And no doubt the greatest was fulfilled--as predicted centuries earlier--through the birth of the world's Savior in an obscure outpost of the Roman Empire. It was that first Christmas that God came to Earth to live among his creation in the person of Jesus. God was here with us in the flesh!

The fulfillment of this promise was much more than a footnote in history. Through Jesus, the devil was defeated and Christ-followers were given the power to live victorious, Spirit-filled lives. What's more, centuries after his death and resurrection, these same promises and assurances still apply to us today. Let's consider this familiar passage from the tenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny," Jesus asked some of his earliest followers. "Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

It's a reflection of our Creator's deep concern and love. In fact, he knows every one of us intimately--even before he formed us in our mother's womb. So does God really care about our troubles? Rest assured that his promises are worth more than any amount of gold. And you can take that to the bank!

Catch Me If You Can

As Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, "Here is truly an Israelite.
There is nothing false in him."

-- John 1:47

         

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar in 2016 for his performance in The Revenant. But 15 years earlier, he wowed audiences playing the ultimate impostor, Frank William Abagnale, Jr., in the movie Catch Me If You Can.

Jailed in France, Sweden, Canada and the United States for passing bad checks and other crimes, Abagnale could talk his way out of just about anything. When his ex-girlfriend obtained a business card from an inspector of the US Bureau of Prisons, the conman used it to convince the guards that he was actually a prison inspector. Soon, the fraud was a free man and back on the streets.

One of Abagnale's most famous cons involved impersonating an airline pilot. This enabled him to cash bad checks at banks because tellers considered pilots to be credible and respected professionals. And in yet another scam, Abagnale convinced several people that he was a physician!

The FBI eventually caught up with the brazen criminal. Following his release from prison, Abagnale went straight and established Abagnale and Associates, where he today consults for clients--including the US Government--on issues related to forgery, embezzlement and secure documents.

"To look at him, you wouldn't think he could steal a postage stamp," remarked Leonardo DiCaprio after meeting Abagnale. "But he has an almost unconscious way of engaging you with his eyes, with his energy and with his intelligence."

Frank Abagnale's story is both fascinating and disturbing. How could a dime-a-dozen con artist garner so much respect and admiration from so many unsuspecting people? Unfortunately, the same question can be asked any Sunday morning at churches around the world. While smooth-talking individuals aren't there posing as airline pilots or doctors, there are impostor Christ-followers in the building. They know all the right things to say and the groups to attend, and they've often played their illicit role for years because it's what their spouse, family or neighbors expect. These imitators fool just about everyone on Sundays. But it's a far different story the other six days of the week. Their hearts are far from God. But our Creator isn't deceived for a moment.

It's tiring to even imagine, but many people actually prefer wearing the mask of religion rather than being clothed in an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. How about you? If you're sick of looking over your shoulder in a Catch Me If You Can existence, you too can go on the straight-and-narrow and have a fresh start in life. It begins with dropping the disguise, asking The Savior to clean you both inside and out--and then living out the power of God's love in authenticity.

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink," Jesus assures us. "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

Is it time to let him catch you? After all, he can.