Confessing Christ as Lord: Faith

John 20:27-31

The story of Thomas is very important, or it would not be at the climax of the gospel. But what does it mean? (In a way that is an arrogant question, since it implies I KNOW the answer.) I can tell you a part of what I believe it means, and what it certainly means to me.
Why Thomas, here at the end? If this book is written so we might believe in Jesus Christ the Messiah, is Thomas the ideal believer?
The list of those coming to living faith in this chapter begins with the writer, John himself, who entered the tomb and believed on the spot! Then comes Mary Magdalene. Then the Eleven, locked in the meeting room, but without Thomas, who for some reason was absent. And now at the very end, Thomas. Are we to strive to be like Thomas? Or, perhaps, we should be like John who was the very first to believe-- he told us himself-- even before he saw the risen Lord?
What this says to me is that John is not holding up either himself or Thomas as models for us to follow. Rather, John is telling us that whoever or wherever we are, if we want him, and if we seek him in love, Jesus will find us and let us know he is alive. In the next chapter Jesus finds Peter in a different way, and restores him to fellowship. But that is another story.
"These are written that you might believe..." All these testimonies-- this entire book is to tell us that the risen Lord is as good as his word. "Go back carefully to the beginning and read what I've written," says John. "'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...' Read again with faith that entire story of Jesus... see how he spoke like no other man... see how he had authority over life and death and creation... see how he lived and how he died and how he has risen again... read that story, John says, read and believe! Believe and have life!"

It doesn't really matter if you come like John, or like Thomas, or like Mary Magdalene, or like Peter or Paul-- the important thing is to be able to say, "My Lord and my God!" Sometimes it seems like we are all expected to be giants of the faith. But Thomas helps us understand that the good news is for everyone-- great and small. It is not limited to a certain temperament or personality type.
Some of us come emotionally, with tears for wasted years. Some come as little children, and never know the dramatic conversion. Some seem to be able to simply quietly believe, and know they are alive in Christ. Some struggle and agonize and pray, "O God, please give me a sign!" And yet the important thing is that synapse of faith, that spark of recognition that finally says, with Thomas and every other true believer, "My Lord and my God!"
That statement is the climax of the entire Gospel. "My Lord and my God!" comes as the confession we all are to make! That confession by Thomas precedes the text "But these are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that believing ye might have life in his name."

Two other elements of great importance are linked with this confession in this climactic chapter of John's Gospel.

Jesus breathed on the company of disciples, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit!" Faith in the risen Savior is not just a matter of being persuaded of an historical fact, but it is to be a present relationship with a God who is as near to us as our very breath. The presence of God indwells every believer. "Receive YE the Holy Spirit!" It is an inevitable result of believing in Jesus Christ the Messiah!

Jesus also told that little company, the nuclear beginnings of the church, "Go and forgive people's sins!" As we understand that, it was not some confessional power, but a way of saying that if we believe in a risen Lord, and if he is present with us in his Holy Spirit, then our assignment is sharing the good news that God has already forgiven the sins of the world, and that life is to be had for the asking.

But it begins with this inner persuasion: I have met the risen Lord! I know he is alive! I bow before Him! You, O Christ, are my Lord and my God!" That faith enables us to "be more than we are!" It may not be just for giants of the faith-- but Christ comes to live in us, and helps us through the reality of life. And as we stay close to Him, He lives out through us if we will but let him.
As a Post Script:
Some scholars seem to hold Thomas up, if not for scorn at least hold him up, as a poor role model. We are not to be like "doubting Thomas." who needs more and more proof-- we are to be like John who believed immediately. Thomas was not "a giant of the faith" like Peter... or so some say.
But there are in existence in India to this day Christian churches who worship God in the name of Jesus Christ, and who venerate this very same St. Thomas. For however scholars may scorn Thomas's need for proof, it seems that while St. Paul traveled west with the good news of a God who cares, St. Thomas traveled east and preached as far as India where he established the church of Jesus Christ, and where he was finally martyred for his faithfulness to Jesus.
When we say by the Holy Spirit, "My Lord and my God!" the risen Lord Himself enables us to "be more than we are" in our own strength. He gives us his Spirit. He enables us to share his grace. He is with us this very hour.

Prayer - The Lord's Prayer

The CHANGE Wrought by Sanctification

What happens when a Christian responds to the challenge of Romans 12:1,2 to make a total and complete consecration and with abandon presents all things to the pleasure and disposal of a loving God? Growing up in the holiness movement that calls 'second blessing holiness' or 'entire sanctification' the 'cardinal doctrine' I knew all the answers to this question before I really knew the question. Often the answers were presented dogmatically, and with the blithe assurance of sincere ignorance. I truly believed that people who were sanctified wholly never got really angry. They didn't wear lipstick or wear much jewelry. They kept a strict Sabbath-type Sunday. Their lives were pretty much circumscribed by their holiness church. They didn't go to the picture shows or permit their children to dance, even in gymn class. They had rules and regulations every bit as strict as the Amish. Maybe I'm painting a picture unique to my perspective . . . I don't mean to be too pejorative-- it was a way of life with its own measure of fulfilment. Lots of things have changed in the "holiness movement." The legalism is long gone. "Holiness people" look just like any and everyone else. We keep a "convenient" Lord's Day. I have not heard any preacher claim that entire sanctification eradicates anything for maybe 45 years. As a matter of fact I can't recall too many sermons insisting on a clear-cut consecration subsequent to a clear-cut repentance, confession, justifying experience. But in spite of all that I still heartily believe in the kernal of truth I learned in the holiness movement. I believe in the call to holiness. I believe in what John Wesley preached as GOING ON TO PERFECTION. I believe I am sanctified because I have given myself to God. I understand this as something like-- but even more profound-- something like I believe I am married because I said some vows and heard some vows and gave myself to Helen and she gave herself to me and from August 27, 1954 to this moment I have been married. Covenant. Two-sided. With this sanctification-- early on I gave myself to God without reservation as best I knew how. I don't pretend that I knew then nor do I understand now all that this consecration meant. But because I knew it was God's will, and His Word I made a Romans 12:1 type of surrender to God and have never ever taken it back. Covenant. Two-sided. Have I ever sinned against Helen in these 54+ years? Well, I've had to ask her to forgive me lots of times. I may have been thoughtless or even selfish at times-- so, yes, I suppose I have. Have I ever one time been unfaithful to Helen? No, I have not, by the grace of God! I will be true to those vows, God helping me, until we are parted by death. Have I ever sinned against God in these nearly 61 years? (January 1948 was when I made those beginnings with God!) Well, I've had to ask God's forgiveness lots of times, too. It is in the Lord's Prayer--did you notice? But HAVE I EVER BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO GOD? Never one time have I removed one item from His hand. I may have plowed ahead sometimes-- or lagged behind-- but I have not rebelled. I am HIS! I AM sanctified! I WAS sanctified when I first came to repenance in that I was redeemed and included in the Family. But when I made that full consecration without reservation, I belonged now not from fear of hell but from trust in God's love. But I also am BEING sanctified-- in the sense of being made more and more like Jesus. One day I WILL be sanctified-- when the human weaknesses of emotion and ignorance and sins I cannot even see are taken away. So-- the question remains- what changes have taken place-- or what changes are supposed to take place in the character, nature, soul of the believer who is a living sacrifice? This morning I read again the 17th chapter of Genesis where God visited Abram and challenged this man of God to go on to perfection. When Abram responded in affirmation of the covenant already made (see Genesis 15) God changed his name to Abraham. Significant. Very significant. Abraham went on to become almost a picture of God! The Father of Faith. Well, I've raised more questions than I've answered. I don't see our holiness movement going back to legalistic ways, and in most respects that is a great plus. As an old man I can even live with drums and guitars and projection screens and casual dress in worship, although I really feel like I dress in my best for worship for good reasons. But I really yearn to see in our holiness people a deep hunger after God and holy joy that comes from total abandon to Him that is manifested in the totality of life. The fullness of God's Holy Spirit is available when in simple faith people make covenant with Him with no reservation or qualification-- simply an eternal "YES!" to God for time and eternity. We holiness people have been exposed to the concept of that deliberate covenant making, but it goes without saying that covenant is more than words. Many Christians in many denominations have come to the place in their walks with God where consecration became both deliberate and entire, complete. They live in the Spirit. Their 'names have been changed'. What is that change?

Go West, Old Man!

The year 2008 brought dramatic change for Helen and me. A year ago right NOW our house on the Cape was for sale, but we had little hope of selling as the market had begun flooding with foreclosures, the Cape prices falling ahead of the general market it seemed.

I was serving on staff in a Methodist church that showered us with love and provided plenty of opportunity to minister.

Then in rapid succession I went to the hospital with a fast infection that refused to be knocked down with the strongest IV antibiotics. In and out again and finally diagnosed (after bone marrow examination) with CML, a serious form of leukemia. Then our oncologist (or person in his office) located a foundation which underwrites the really expensive co-payment for a 'miracle' drug which does not cure, but keeps the production of cancer cells from happening; side effects are a bother but manageable-- then offer to buy-- at $100,000 LESS than what we were assessed taxes for-- decision to go for it--

...then Mark and Joy and Steve and Sharon along with Ben and Russ and Russ IV climaxed the packing of 18+ years of accumulation into a PODS unit-- after we had FILLED a large dumpster with stuff-- some semi-precious but only to us-- years worth of notebooks, etc-- gave away boxes of books . . . drove to oHIo and lived with Sharon and Steve for two or three months. They had set up our own bed and very comfortable quarters.

We began looking for permanent housing solution . . . ended up in a condo that seems near perfect for us. Were able to pay cash, andf anticipate that the monthly condo fee will be manageable- no snow to shovel or grass to mow. Found doctors. Found library. Found swimming pool (Helen's therapy!) Have NOT found church home- (have Bible, will travel!)

We've had several things published this very year, and submitted a book October 31 (on deadline) that was written (finished) in the midst of all this change. I do feel useless at times, but that ultimately, is the problem of my Owner. He has taken good care of us, and we are profoundly grateful.

It is a cliche I suppose that growing old is for the brave.But we (Helen and I--this is her 76th Birthday TODAY) are looking forward to the new year with anticipation of bearing fruit even when we finally get old! (John `5:8) And we are even claiming the promise that not only will the Lord not forsake us but that even in this economic stress our children will not be begging bread (Psalm 37:25).

Happy New Year! Godf bless you!

"Ding-Dong" and "ding-ding"

Two old laymen met at the back fence by chance, a deacon from one church and a trustee from another- solid pillars in their respective churches. It was in character for them to talk about their churches which they loved.
"How was church yesterday?" one asked. With a faint sigh the answer was, "I'm afraid the same old 'ding-dong. ding-dong.'" "You're fortunate," said the first. "All we get is 'ding-ding, ding-ding.'"
Of course that was years ago. Maybe today the conversation might be "DING-DONG"' and "ding-ding" due to electronic amplification.

Anyway-- in sermons and services-- there is no substitute for clear notes, beautiful melody, varying dynamics, and humble but sincere presentation. The unpardonable sin in worship is human manipulation, or making what should be the most exquisite joy humans can know a matter of performance or excitement instead of openness to divine invasion.

Reading Habits

How do you read the Bible? I'm not preaching now- just interested in how to do a better job myself . (I wish I knew how to maneuver this type/format!). .

Helen and I read the lectionary passages together each morning-- the scriptures leading up to the next Sunday's Gospel -- then we pray together. It is the best part of the day for us both.

Then I use a One Year Bible, the NKJV version, but do not always get all the passages each day-- and often 'catch up' --always Psalms, NT and OT. This time of year --the end-- comes Revelation. There is a promise at the beginning I take literally: " Blessed are those who read these words and those who hear" But that does not mean I understand all the symbolism, or even believe I am supposed to understand-- still there are some portions that are amazingly understandable: the promises, warnings, and blessings in the first three chapters-- what Jesus says to the seven churches.

What Made Them Follow?

...a recent assignment has me looking particularly at the way Jesus was a leader, how he inspired peopke to follow him. What would make fishermen lay down their nets and walk away from the family business.. or what went through the mind of a tax collector to push back from his collection table.. or, for that matter, what persuaded YOU (and me) to follow this One whom we have never seen but whom we love and serve? What is the Motivation that persuades us to put our present mortal existence on the course we have taken, to seek a Kingdom of Promise in preference to values that are so important to so many other people? How has Jesus persuaded us?

Whatever the reasons for starting out with Jesus might be I am persuaded- (or as Reuben used to say 'I think I think')- I am being persuaded that somehow I am tenderly loved. The way Jesus leads us is by persuading us that we can trust him- that his way is the good way, the right way, and that he himself will go before us- that is what leading means- and at the same time he will be with us- and by his Holy Spirit- he even will be IN us. I think it is dawning on me that this is why I follow.

I think this might have been what Peter was thinking when he said to Jesus "Lord, we have left everything to follow you!" I don't think he was complaining, or even doubting, but just stating a fact and sort of looking for the reassurance. It came.

So by the grace of God I intend to keep following. Faith to follow is a gift, a precious gift. I ask for it even as I use it up. Lord, we have followed you-- maybe imperfectly, but without reservation or turning back. Lead on. Let us be with You and it is enough...

New Home

It has been more than a month since my last blog entry - September 5 to November 11- and what a lot has transpired!
Helen and I are now in a 'new' home, a beautiful condo in Mount Vernon. We were guests at our home church in Wollaston last month for a mortgage burning, and saw a lot of people we have loved across the years. We have met new and old friends here in Mount Vernon. God is good to us.
We've heard from people we haven't seen in years- and from people we miss a lot because of blessed ties in recent years. I miss having communion each Sunday. I've been trying to keep up in my writing; I hit one deadline (November 1) a week or so ago and am trying to make another on (Jan 1) for an article on the leadership of Jesus. I'm grateful for the assignments because I haven't had a chance to plug in here-- haven't preached in weeks!
Anyway-- if you stumble across this blog "hello!" and say a prayer for us-- and if we can pray for you let us know.
I'll try to get back into sharing ideas . . . as they come . . .

Russ