Where's the Love of God?

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ESV 1 John 4:9,11

This past week, horror, disbelief and grief gripped our nation as we watched a senseless tragedy unfold in Virginia. Thirty three people died. Thirty three sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, mentors; all have passed into eternity. Why? I think that’s the question that I’ve heard most often. Why would anyone do such a thing?

Unfortunately, Virginia was not the only home to tragedy this past week. A similar event unfolded at the Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston; two people passed into eternity. Why?

Last week in Malatya, Turkey three men, ages 32, 36 and 46 passed into eternity at the edge of a blade while at work in a Christian publishing house. Why were these Christians killed? The short answer for this tragedy is summed up by the five assailants who claimed: “We did this for our country. They are attacking our religion.” This…in a country where only 1% of the population professes Christianity.

But why did any of these events come to pass? I won’t attempt to answer except to say that each tragedy should remind us all of just how deeply jaded mankind has become because of sin. We live in a terribly wicked and unrepentant world. Each tragedy should also remind us that life is “just a vapor;” every moment is precious.

And where is the love of God in all this? Does God withdraw his love when we experience tragedy? No, as tragic as these events are, God’s love is still with us. And God’s love will never forsake us even in the most tragic of circumstances. You see, the love of God was fully revealed and extended to us when Christ came, suffered persecution, died, and rose from the grave. God has so loved us that he gave up his “only begotten son” so that even in death, we can live through him.

John Flavel, a puritan writer, describes God’s love as “the highest and fullest manifestation of the love of God to sinners, that ever was made from eternity to them.” You see, God has already given us the greatest expression of His love possible. It doesn’t get any better than Christ.

And God’s love is near to us today. Even in the midst of horror, disbelief, grief and tragedy, God’s love is still real. God’s love is still magnificent. God’s love is still held out to a wicked generation. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8 that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

So, what is a proper response to the love of God manifested in Christ? Flavel writes that “if the greatest love hath been manifested in giving Christ to the world, then it follows, that the greatest evil and wickedness is manifested in despising, slighting, and rejecting Christ.”

Don’t reject Christ. Reach out and embrace God’s love for yourself. Take hold of Christ so that even in death you might live through him. Then, share your love with those hurting in our midst. Just as God loved you, show love one to another.

The Real Deal

“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” ESV Proverbs 23:23

Have you ever purchased an imitation (purposefully or not) that didn’t hold up like you thought it should? Maybe you bought a name brand garment only to find out later that it was a fake. Or perhaps you intentionally bought a look alike product because it was cheaper than the original. I guess we have all have a unique story we could tell about imitations. But I’ll bet we would all agree that imitations generally don’t stand the test of time. There are usually differences in quality and/or construction that affect the usefulness or endurance of imitations.

Then what is it that attracts us to imitations? The obvious answer is generally the cost; imitations are cheaper. However, the root attraction could be envy, lust, jealousy, peer pressure, desiring to be accepted or even simple pleasure just to name a few. We do live in a society that promotes instant gratification you know.

Sadly, the same root causes for purchasing imitation “stuff” can cause us to buy into false teachings as well. What I mean is that the same underlying reasons that attract us to cheap goods can draw us to cheap teachings as well. Paul warned Timothy to be on watch because a time would come when people would not endure sound teaching, but instead would find teachers to suit their own passions. (2 Timothy 4) This explains why we have millions of people tuning into the likes of Oprah, Dr. Phil, Ellen, Donahue (in another era) and countless others for answers to life questions. Their teachings satisfy our passions; they tell us what we want to hear. But does their advice endure? Does their advice stand the test of time or does it change with the whims of their viewers? I’ll leave you to answer.

Now please allow me to make my point using Scripture. Isaiah says it better than I ever could: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (ESV Isaiah 40:8) The Bible has stood the test of time. False religions have come, gone, are in abundance now, yet all will ultimately pass. But the word of God has endured and will endure forever. You see, God’s word is the real deal. The Bible is truth; not a cheap imitation designed to suit our fancy.

So, let me encourage you to take this proverb to heart; “buy truth and do not sell it.” Buy the truth of God’s word and hold onto it tenaciously. Because when you lay hold of Scripture, you possess a great treasure. With God’s word, you have an enduring foundation that is well suited and sufficient as the rule and guide for your life. The imitations will fade, but God’s word will endure forever; it’s the real deal.

Having just celebrated Easter, we know that Christ’s humility was not in vain. Death couldn’t hold Him; He rose from the dead! And God the Father has honored Him with “the name that is above every name.” He has been given the name before which “every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ESV Philippians 2:10-11

If you, like me, have ever been guilty of letting pride rear its ugly head in your life, I challenge you, in obedience to Scripture and in honor of Christ’s example, to strengthen a relationship this week by deliberately putting someone else’s interests ahead of your own. The results of sincere humility may surprise you. One word of caution though. If you end up proud of being humble; humility escapes you still.

Philippians 2:3

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” ESV Philippians 2:3

I have a friend, Steve, who moved to Memphis a few years ago. But thanks to technology, and a little effort on our part, we’ve managed to stay in touch. And once or twice a year we’ll either get together for a bike ride or our families will do something together. True friends are hard to come by, so it’s worth the effort.

Steve and I both enjoy reading good books on theology and/or ministry. So during the course of a year we seem to always give one another a book that we think will be “particularly meaningful.” This year for instance, I gave Steve a book on the subject of prayer with the hopes that it would enrich his view of prayer.

Sometimes the titles are more personal. Last year, Steve gave me a book that I presume he thought would be “particularly meaningful” to me. It was titled Humility: The Forgotten Virture. Ouch! With friends like Steve,…

Truthfully though, I need more friends like Steve; we all do. We all need friends that are willing to come along side us, encourage us, support us, and if necessary, gently correct us in an effort to help us live our lives in a manner that glorifies God. Where do you find friends like that? At church perhaps? I certainly hope so.

Our verse today deals specifically with humility within the church. It is excerpted from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi; a church that he had been instrumental in planting during his second missionary journey. So, in its immediate context, it is applicable to unity in the church. But the truth of these words reaches far beyond church walls. Think of how much richer all of our friendships, marriages and family relationships would be if we genuinely put these words into practice; always considering others more significant than ourselves. The results would be nothing short of stunning.

We have a perfect example of humility in the Bible. The perfect example of humility is Christ. Paul tells us that He willingly left heaven, came to earth in the form of man and humbled himself even unto death; death on a cross. Now, think about that long enough to let it soak in; from paradise, to crucifixion as if a criminal. You won’t find a more extreme example of humility anywhere. And He did it all for His bride; the church.

Having just celebrated Easter, we know that Christ’s humility was not in vain. Death couldn’t hold Him; He rose from the dead! And God the Father has honored Him with “the name that is above every name.” He has been given the name before which “every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ESV Philippians 2:10-11

If you, like me, have ever been guilty of letting pride rear its ugly head in your life, I challenge you, in obedience to Scripture and in honor of Christ’s example, to strengthen a relationship this week by deliberately putting someone else’s interests ahead of your own. The results of sincere humility may surprise you. One word of caution though. If you end up proud of being humble; humility escapes you still.

-Ken Askew

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." ESV Luke 22:19

The Passover meal is an annual event that Jews share in every year. Its origins go all the way back to Egypt when the angel of death passed through the land. You will recall that the tenth and final plague that God brought against the Egyptians was one of death. Yet the Hebrews were spared that evening because they had smeared the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doorposts and lentils just as God had commanded. The angel of death “passed over” their homes. To commemorate that event, or perhaps more particularly to sustain the remembrance of God’s deliverance, the Passover was initiated and is still observed today.

The Passover meal is special. It has a good many parts and a particular order. Each food item brings special significance to the meal. For instance, bitter herbs are dipped into salty water to bring to remembrance the bitterness of slavery and the tears that were shed. The meal also involves unleavened bread, wine, roasted lamb and other components; all of which have particular significance.

Jesus and His disciples had gathered to eat just such a Passover meal. The food items would be the same as every other year in their memory. The order of the meal would be just as it was every other year. The disciples would have anticipated a very routine celebration. Much like we anticipate a routine Thanksgiving or Christmas meal today. But Jesus introduces something different at this meal; He breaks with tradition.

This Passover meal would be anything but routine. Jesus broke with tradition that evening by uttering the words that are engraved on countless tables: “Do this in remembrance of me.” And with those words, Jesus instituted what we know today as the Lord’s Supper.

While the Passover celebration had brought to remembrance God’s deliverance and redemption of a nation out of captivity, the Lord’s Supper should bring to remembrance the finished work of Jesus. His death, burial and resurrection makes possible our redemption and deliverance from the penalty of sin; which is eternal spiritual death. You see, as Christians, Christ is our Passover Lamb.

The Apostle Paul confirms this in his letter to the Corinthians: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” [emphasis mine] ESV 1 Corinthians 5:7

In anticipation of His death on the cross, and subsequent resurrection, Jesus seemed to be telling the disciples:

• I am your redemption.
• I am your deliverance.
• I am The Lamb of God that will deliver you from certain death.
• I, Jesus Christ, am your Passover Lamb.
• From now on, remember and celebrate Me!

As you approach Easter Sunday this week, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. And the next time you’re fortunate enough to share the Lord’s Supper, I hope it brings to remembrance Christ and his finished work. He died, as a perfect sacrifice, so that you could have eternal life.

Have a great week!

Ken worships at Tharptown Baptist Church where he teaches an adult Sunday School class. Comments on his column may be sent to kenaskew@charter.net.