Saving the Universe

When they were younger, my sons loved playing with Legos; these days, they enjoy watching the Avenger movies.  So when I saw that Lego sells Avenger's Infinity War Toys, I bought a few sets as gifts.  

One of the sets includes a minifigure of Thanos, a complicated and intriguing antihero.  In his twisted mind, Thanos believes that by destroying half of all life, he'll return balance to the universe and save it.


I love characters with depth, and Thanos is an environmentalist on steroids.  He fascinates me.

And just like the world in the movie, our world isn't right.   We're always looking for a solution or a hero to make things better, to win the day, to undo what sin has done.

But, at the end of the day, all the stories, all the heroes, all the "saving the universe" - they all point to the greatest story ever told, the greatest hero who ever lived, the only hero who matters - Jesus.

Sometimes, the comparisons and contrasts to Jesus are so obvious that I think the author must have been inspired by the Bible's savior.  

For instance, Thanos sees himself as the savior of humanity, but he's actually an anti-savior who "shows mercy" by killing lots of people. 

But Jesus...

Jesus came into this suffering world as a baby in a manger.  He lived among us, working as a carpenter, teaching people, feeding them, healing them. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

And Jesus's solution to our suffering, to sin, to death, to Satan...Jesus offered Himself up; He died for us and rose again to give us new life.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4–5

Of course, all the "stories" we love to read and watch - they're just stories.  But Jesus is our God, and He's history; He's real.  He really lived, really died, rose again and ascended.

In many ways, but especially by the testimony of witnesses and by the Spirit Who lives within us, we Christians know this to be so.   

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.  Acts 5:32

That's our hope.  It's a hope that's sure and true. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:16–17

Pay it Forward?

This is the scenario - a customer at a fast-food drive-thru pays for his own order and also pays for the order of the customer behind him.  Then a chain reaction occurs, and each person in line pays for the next customer's order.

Or, someone receives an unexpected monetary gift and responds, "I'll pay it forward," meaning he'll show a similar kindness to another person.  

This whole concept bothers me.

The "chain reaction" pay-it-forwards - well, they're pointless.  Only the person who initiates the event actually gives and pays for someone else's order.  

Those in line who follow the trend - Everyone who participates just "breaks-even" by buying another person's order and also receiving his own order for free.

Whatever happened to just saying, "Thank-you; that's really generous of you?"  

We're a society that can't accept gifts; we don't want to be in anyone's debt.  So we respond with, "I'll pay it forward."  Or we give the person a gift in return for his generosity.

In the end, an act of generosity becomes a burden for the one receiving the gift.  That person now feels a responsibility to do something in return. 

Is there a gospel lesson here?  Of course...

 
You see, Jesus is the only One who can and truly did "Pay it Forward."  On the cross, in His death and resurrection, He paid it forward for our sins...and backward for the sins of Adam and all those born after him.  



It's a gift.  We can't "pay it forward" to another person; we can't repay Him in any way.  The only thing we can do is receive it!  

That's the gospel message.  Forgiveness, righteousness, salvation, life - they're all a gift, given freely to us by our Lord.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.                 Romans 8:35, 38-39

Jesus's gift isn't meant to be a burden, but freedom.  It's done; it's finished.

But sometimes, we have trouble believing.  We might even try to do something to earn favor with God, or prove something to Him, to ourselves, or to others.  We can get caught up in our own performance.

Even then, He loves us.  He doesn't leave us in our pride or our works.  His love comes to us, convicts us of sins, and turns us to the cross again.

And, in our turning and knowing His love, He enables us to start loving others.  While we can't reenact His sacrifice for them, we can give them our love, our forgiveness; we can be generous to them and allow them to be generous to us.   

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Romans 12:10

So, instead of "paying it forward" just say, "Thank-you."  And love one another, knowing that Jesus died and rose again for you and loves you.

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11

Has American Christianity Failed?

I'm reading Has American Christianity Failed? by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.  

In this book, Pastor Wolfmueller points out that American Christianity burdens us with teachings on how to live and be good Christians, while it should be comforting us and teaching us to know God's gifts and God's goodness.




As an example - American Christianity describes repentance as a person committing a sin and then resolving to stop sinning.  But Pastor Wolfmueller clarifies, "Repentance is what happens to us when the Law and Gospel do their work on us."  It's not an act we do.

God exalted [Jesus] at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.       Acts 5:31

Repentance is a gift from Jesus.  In repentance, the law convicts us and we're sorry and afraid; then the gospel comforts us.  

This book is abundant in substance and the topics it covers.  Looking thru my notes, I think this passage is a good summary:

Faith brings freedom.  The Christian life is a life of freedom:  freedom from the dominion of the devil; freedom from slavery to sin; freedom from the bondage of self-love; freedom from the fear of death, from the fear of judgment, from the fear of God's wrath.

Because of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, we're free.  

We're free to love and to do good works.  We're free from focusing on our own need to matter and to succeed.

And any "Christianity" that doesn't include the "freedom that faith brings" as revealed by God's Word, that "Christianity" fails. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  2 Corinthians 3:17

Martin Luther said:

On the cross, the very heart of God is shown.  We know who He is because of what He does.  We know that "God is love" because we know that Jesus has died.

Jesus has died and set us free.

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36

Read the book - it'll change how you view your Christian life.  Everything is a gift.  And the "gospel truth" will give you freedom in Christ to lose yourself in loving others. 

I'll end with this quote:

The Scriptures comfort us poor miserable sinners with the joy that Christ has died and risen for our salvation.

Do We Count Babies?

Each week at church, once our service begins, the ushers count how many people are in attendance.  Sometimes the ushers make guesses beforehand, to see who comes closest to the total.

Last week, one of the ushers asked, "Do we count babies?"

I responded, "Do you mean unborn babies?!!"  

He laughed.  But you see..."to win" the counting game, an usher has been known to count an unborn baby. 

But he was talking about "born" babies, and he felt that babies shouldn't be included.  He said babies were present but not participating in the service.

I began my answer with the fact that we baptize babies, and we believe that God gives them faith in baptism.

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children.  Acts 2:38–39

Then I said that babies do have faith and knowledge.  Babies have awareness; they're not just present with us.  They know and trust.  They especially know and prefer their parents.  

Finally, I said that babies could most certainly hear the worship service, and I reminded him that John the Baptist, while still in his mother's womb, leapt when he heard Mary's voice.  

For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Luke 1:44

At that point, he grinned and said, "So we should count the unborn babies!"

During this Advent season, we're reminded that Jesus came in human flesh, in the weakness of a baby, a baby that many people would overlook and not count. 

But Jesus is the baby who counted and still counts.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He's the One whom the shepherds and wise men looked at with awe and reverence.  He's the One who saved and continues to save His people from their sins.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil...Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.   Hebrews 2:14, 17

Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  John 1:29–30

'84 and Good Feelings...

In July 1980, I entered the United States Naval Academy as a member of the class of 1984.  And within a few weeks, the number "84" became highly significant to me and my classmates.

To us, "84" represents all the experiences and traditions that bind us together as Naval Academy Alumni.

To this day, we're amused and satisfied by that number. Every time "84" appears, whether it's in a picture, a road sign, a sporting score - we feel good inside. 

But...I'm puzzled by this reaction.  I think about my Christian faith.

Nothing in my faith moves me the way "84" affects me. 

God's Word moves me when I read it and especially when I hear it.  But it's not a guaranteed emotion or feeling the way "84" is.

A beautiful sanctuary, a crucifix - they can affect me, but not always.

Am I missing something?  Should I start to use a Christian word or phrase and make it mine?  

Maybe "He is risen" or "The tomb was empty."

The answer is no.  I don't need something to evoke excitement about my faith.

My faith and hope aren't based on a gooey feeling inside of me.  Sometimes, I feel that comfort.  Sometimes, I'm emotional about my faith.

But most of the time, I'm just living and experiencing life's normal struggles.  

My Christian faith is based on a historical fact, a fact outside of myself, outside of my feelings.  

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.                                1 Corinthians 15:3-4

While I wish that the gospel message always came with an inner comfort and satisfaction, my lack of emotion doesn't negate the truth - Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, lived, died, and rose again, for my salvation.

The hope of the resurrection of our bodies is certain and sure.

...as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18

Although the good feelings about "84" are real and treasured, God's forgiveness and His promise of eternal life thru Jesus is of more substance and comfort than anything in this life.  

Those Who Annoy

In Luke 10, a lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus's answer is a summary of the Ten Commandments:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.  Luke 10:27.

But the lawyer wants to justify himself, so he asks Jesus to clarify, "And who is my neighbor?"

Those two ideas - the command to love others and the desire to justify oneself - they've been on my mind lately.

As people, we annoy each other...a lot.  At least, that's my experience.  

Sometimes I say to myself, "Why is this person doing this?  It's just making life harder for me, for him, for everyone."
  

When another person is at fault and annoying me, I start to vent.  I justify to myself that, in this circumstance, it's okay to express hate for my neighbor, my fellow Christian, even my family member.


Then it happens.  Either through God's Word or with the help of a Christian brother, I realize what I'm doing, and I'm convicted of my sin.

At first, I feel relief in knowing and facing my sin.

Then, I remember the cross, and I'm grateful that my sins are forgiven.

Finally, my own sinfulness gives me a new love for my neighbor.

Confession, the cross, forgiveness, and love.

But this "loving your neighbor" - it's not easy to continue to love an annoying "neighbor" or to remember to do so.

The apostle John always convicts me:

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  1 John 4:20

How can I love God, whom I can't see, if I don't love my fellow man, who is sinful and in need, just like me?

And whomever God puts in my life, even and especially an annoying person - that person is the neighbor, or the brother, whom I'm commanded to love and to serve.   

I realize - I can't do it.  No matter how hard I try, sooner or later, most likely sooner, I'm going to fail.   

But Jesus could and did love in this manner.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.                    1 John 4:10

Jesus came, not to condemn, but to show us His love, and to live and die for us.  

Loving one another, loving my neighbor, my brother - it's only possible when I face my own sin and know God's love and His forgiveness for me.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32
 

Thankful to be a Beggar

Christmas decorations have been in stores since October, and I keep hearing, "Has everyone forgotten Thanksgiving?"

The truth is...

We're a consumer society, but Thanksgiving isn't a commercial holiday.  

And the origins of Thanksgiving relate to food and the harvest.  But we're far removed from relying on a local field to produce what we eat. 

Martin Luther said that, before God, we're all beggars.

And God provides well and abundantly for us beggars.

Remember the adage "Money doesn't grow on trees."  

God is so good, that our food does grow on trees!

The one thing that food needs to grow on those trees, and the thing that our bodies need to survive...water...well, it falls from the sky!

And when I think of water, like a good Lutheran, I think of baptism. 

God's provision for me, for my body and my soul, it's nothing less than miraculous.   

Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Psalm 85:11

But, I'm used to His provision; I expect it.  And I forget...I forget His goodness.  I take it for granted.

In Acts, Paul preached one Sabbath and then:

As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.  Acts 13:42

The people begged for Paul to preach to them.  If I were to be judged by that standard, I wouldn't fair too well.  I don't beg to hear God's Word.

"Give us this day, our daily bread."  That's a prayer for God to provide us with all we need.  God is the great giver.

"You shall have no other Gods before me."  That's a command to look to God for everything and to be thankful to Him.

Those two together, the prayer and the command, they remind me that I'm a beggar before God.  I'm a beggar for all my physical needs - food, clothing, family, everything.  I'm also a beggar for my spiritual needs - my salvation, His Word, prayer.  It's all a gift from Him. 

Since He's the One who provides, my only response, my only act is to be thankful to Him.   

But I don't need decorations in the store to be thankful.  I just need to remember - when I take in food, and when I take in His Word - I need to remember to give thanks.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Psalm 34:8

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10b

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  Psalm 118:1

Happy Birthday, Marine!

The Marine Corps was established on November 10th, 1775, making the Corps now 243 years old.  

And the Marine Corps' Birthday is a big deal!

On that day, Marines greet each other with "Happy Birthday, Marine."

While in the Marine Corps, I remember attending two or three cake cutting ceremonies per year.  And the Birthday Ball was an annual, must- attend event. 

November 10th was and is a day to celebrate and be happy to be a Marine.

But I didn't enter the Naval Academy with the intention of becoming a Marine.  My decision to "Go Corps" was based on intellect, not enthusiasm.  Even as I was contemplating and making that decision, I was uncertain if I would fit-in. 

I remember the day, in the winter of 1984, when my Naval Academy class had service selection.  That evening, by class rank, we went to a specified room and made our choice.  When my turn came, I chose Marine Corps.

From there, I went to a reception area for future Marines, and I went with apprehension.

As I walked into the room, the first person I saw was Major Hobson.  Major Hobson was a JAG officer, and he'd taught my Military Law class the previous semester.  

Major Hobson had no idea that I would choose Marines.  And I still remember his greeting, the smile on his face.  He was surprised and delighted to see me!  Didn't matter that I wasn't a gung-ho Marine from birth. 

When I walked into that room and he greeted me, I felt welcomed; I felt a part of the Corps.  From that moment on, I never looked back.  I thank Major Hobson that my initial reception and welcome to the Marine Corps was so positive.  No regrets!



Happy Birthday, Major Hobson.  And thanks!  You taught me something valuable that day about leadership, serving, and loving others.

Semper Fi.

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  Romans 15:7

Reading Isaiah with Luther

I thought Reading Isaiah with Luther by Pastor Brian Kachelmeier would be about Isaiah's prophetic writings.  But I was wrong.

Recall Martin Luther's famous statement:

"...for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe."

Reading Isaiah with Luther is about the conscience.

Our conscience is a gift from God.  It filters what we take in, processes it, and then influences us.  And when we're reading God's Word and hearing it preached, we're convicted by His law, we feel guilty and humbled...but then we're refreshed and freed by His gospel. 

Use of book's photo approved by CPH.

I love this book's set-up...

The author introduces a chapter's topic.  He then quotes scripture passages along with large portions of Luther's written views.  And, in a pastorly way, he further clarifies and explains those concepts.


I especially like the chapters in which Pastor Kachelmeier contrasts King Ahaz's conscience and actions with those of King Hezekiah. 

When his kingdom is threatened, King Ahaz hears God's Word, but he isn't comforted by it, he lacks faith, and he falls into idolatry. (Isaiah 7)  But King Hezekiah's conscience is strengthened by God's Word, and he turns to God in prayer. (Isaiah 36-37)

Pastor Kachelmeier deals with these two kings in a way that makes it personal and applicable for me, for my faith and my conscience.

My favorite part of the book is the section on Isaiah's conscience from Isaiah 6, which is a vision of God's throne room.  I've always loved this passage, but Luther's comments give it a whole new meaning.

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew...And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"  Isaiah 6:1-2, 5

Isaiah is in God's presence, he knows his own sin, and he confesses.  The passage continues...

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."  Isaiah 6:6-7

After Isaiah confesses his sin, one of the angelic beings, a seraph, applies a coal from the altar to Isaiah's mouth and Isaiah is free; his guilt is gone.

And Luther likens the seraph in Isaiah to the pastor.  The pastor is the one who hears my confession, announces forgiveness of sins, and preaches God's Word.  And then, at Holy Communion, the pastor gives bread and wine to my unclean mouth.  Like the coal from the seraph, this bread and wine are also given for the forgiveness of sins. 

Reading Isaiah with Luther has made me more aware of my conscience and how my conscience is influenced by my own sin and by the culture, and how it needs to be affected by God's Word.  I know that I'll be referring to this book again and again.

But, the book's real value is that it does what every Christian book should aim to do - this book has fueled my interest and desire to read and study Isaiah and to read the Bible even more. 

Thanks, Pastor Kachelmeier.

Making Decisions

Living the Christian life is complicated.  I'm often unsure of the loving thing to do or say; I make lots of mistakes.  

And I struggle with decisions.  I want to do what's right.  But often, I don't know what to choose.

I've met people who've "waited for God's answer" to a life choice, such as which job to take or which house to buy.  They'll say, "God has blessings for you if you choose correctly.  Wait for God to show you the way."  

That sounds good.  But at some point, you have to choose, even if God hasn't "answered."  

I've heard other people say, "Take the job you want.  You're free to do that.  God doesn't have a map that He's hoping you'll follow."

But for me, sometimes, I'm just not sure of the right thing to do...or if one way is more correct than another.  That leaves me stuck.

In the big picture of life, do my daily choices, even the bigger ones, make a difference? 

I don't know.  

If I have a decision I need to make that I think is a big deal, well, maybe it's not such a big deal.  Perhaps a lot of my decisions are no different than choosing to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.   

In the grand scheme of things, what's God concerned about?

As I was considering this, I happened to read Isaiah 40.**  Verse 22 says:

 It is he [God] who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers...




We're like grasshoppers - yes, the Bible really says that!

Maybe my big decisions aren't as important as I think they are.  Maybe I don't have to know the right answers, to choose correctly all the time.  

Okay...no Maybe about it.  It really doesn't depend on me!  It depends on what Jesus has already done, His Word and His Truth.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  1 Timothy 1:15

But where does that leave me when making a decision?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.   Psalm 119:105

It leaves me with God's Word. Being in His Word is a "right thing" to be doing each day - both reading His Word and meditating and thinking on it.

My best work, my best decisions, they'll always be imperfect.  But I'm blessed because He loves me, died for me.  When I'm weak, uncertain, He's strong.  I don't have it all together; I don't have all the answers.  I don't have to.  It's not on me.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."  Romans 1:17

**I'm studying Reading Isaiah with Luther.  I didn't randomly open the Bible, looking for an answer; my husband calls that Lucky Dipping!

The Power of the Tongue

James 3:1-10 talks about the power of the tongue, and the passage is a warning to control our words.

...if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man...but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  James 3:2b, 8

Every time I read those verses, I feel uncomfortable.  My mind remembers the times I've gossiped or spoken unkindly to someone, and I know I'm guilty.

But then, I don't like discomfort; I don't like feeling guilty, so I start to make excuses for myself - "What I said really wasn't that bad," or "She sinned against me first."  

The reality is...God's Word always convicts.  I am guilty.  But I can't stand it, can't and don't like to face my own sin, so I justify myself, my words, and my actions.  After all, I'm not really that bad, right?

Yeah - I know better.  

...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  1 Timothy 1:15

So where do I go and what do I do with my guilt, when I feel that discomfort, that sickness in the pit of my stomach that comes from facing my own sin.

In that same passage, James also says:

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.            James 3:10a 

I've always read that verse as a warning not to speak ill of another person or to another person.  

But wait.  Lest I forget...the tongue is also an instrument to speak blessings to people.  When Isaiah has a vision of God's throne, he says:

Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”  Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah knows his guilt before God.  But then, Isaiah gets sent to preach to the people - to speak from his unclean lips.  For God has chosen to use us, to have us share the gospel message with others, from our sinful mouths.

The message of salvation comes from us sinners, and that seems foolish.  But Jesus said:

"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."   Mark 16:15

  

And that gospel proclamation includes saying, "Jesus came, He lived, He died on the cross for your sins.  Your sins are forgiven.  Know that and believe it."  



And that's the real power of the tongue - to speak the gospel and the forgiveness of sins.  I need to hear the gospel message, to hear that my sins are forgiven, and I need to speak that truth to others!  

My prayer is, first to ask for help and strength to not gossip and not speak unkindly to others.  Second, to have the opportunity to share the gospel with others, and to tell them of the forgiveness of sins that comes thru the cross.

When You Enlarge My Heart

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart.  Psalm 119:32

For years I've thought about that verse.  And I ask myself, "What does that mean?  What does it mean to enlarge my heart?"

Well, I guess if my heart needs to be enlarged, it must mean that my heart's too small.  

When I think of a small heart, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" comes to mind. The Grinch's "heart was two sizes too small" and his heart didn't have room for anything beyond himself.


And I guess that's me as well...I was born with a small heart, a heart that only has room for me and my own needs.  Ironically, that small heart is so small that it doesn't even realize it's too small.  It thinks everything is just fine.

And, try as I might, I can't change my heart, can't make myself love people, be unselfish, or anything good.  I'm unable to enlarge or improve my own heart.

But God's Word says:

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36:26  

It's He, my God, who gives me a new heart, makes my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.

And God's methods aren't a mystery.  His ways are obvious.

First, I hear God's Word.  His commandments expose my heart and my guilt.  His Word convicts me and shows me how black and how small my heart is.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

And once I'm in the throws of guilt and despair...

Then, thru His Word and preaching, He shows me His love...His love for me and my puny, hard heart. 

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

And somehow, someway, in hearing God's Word, in knowing His love...that heart of mine becomes a heart of flesh.  He enlarges it, so that it actually starts to feel, to hurt, and to love.  My heart grows beyond itself, and has room for others.  

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.                          1 John 4:11–12

And it's that heart, that's enlarged by God, that's able to love and serve others, and it begins to do just that.

What Does God Regard?

While Reading Isaiah with Luther by Brian Kachelmeier, I came across a Luther quote.   

Luther contends that a man, who thinks he's godly, might say about his works:

 "God truly has regard for these things"

...when, in fact, God doesn't regard the man. 

What Luther is saying is that a man can look to his own ideas and works, even godly works, and believe that he's pleasing God, when he isn't.  

I've been thinking about that and asking myself:

"What does God regard?"

Or what does God look on with favor or approval?  And how do I know?

In today's society, we might think that our business or job success, our special talents, or even supportive friends and family mean that we're meeting with God's approval.  

About the Christian church, we might think that our worship attendance, the offering, or the building is a measure of God's approval.  

The perception is that God favors us when we're prospering in these areas.

Is that right?  Is God showing His favor or approval by giving us what society sees as good?

What does God regard?

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7b 

And that passage is talking about David. 

David went from being a shepherd, to fighting Goliath, to being hunted down by King Saul.  Then David became King.  And as King, he committed adultery and murder.  

Adultery and murder???  

But the Lord looks to the heart.

About half of the Psalms, the Bible's book of prayers, were written by David. 

David prayed to and was honest before his God.  David's heart knew his own sin, and he looked to God for mercy and forgiveness. 

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. Psalm 38:18

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.  Psalm 39:7 

God calls David a man after His own heart - Acts 13:22.

And David calls God "the God of my salvation" the One "who blots out iniquities" and "creates a clean heart" - Psalm 51.

God "regarded" David because David lived with full dependence on God, including and especially, David trusted God for the forgiveness of his sins. 

So just looking at the good or the bad that happens to me and the sin I fall into - it may or may not be that God regards me well...but it's my heart that He looks at, a heart that is shaped by His Spirit and His Word, by the knowledge that Jesus died for my sins and that the tomb was empty.  

With my heart continually being made new by His Word and truth, I can live in confidence that God has regard for me.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Psalm 34:8 

But this is the one to whom I will look:  he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.  Isaiah 66:2b