"It’s Your Thang--Do What You Wanna Do"--huh?

“It’s your thang; do what you wanna do!”  That was the music of my generation.  It was radical, it was hip, new and cool for us teenagers.  It was a cry of rebellion against the older generation, and we loved it.

But as a new Christian at age 15, I couldn’t help having this nagging question – “How does this fit with the Scriptures?”

I was all for independence, and I did move far away from home, go to places my parents had never gone, and followed a career path they did not forge.  However, I was never “on board” with the current culture’s “Do your own thing” protest.  It was mixed with something foul, though I couldn’t put my finger on what.

This morning, the day before Easter Sunday, I read this verse:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:5-6

There is the answer to my question. “Each of us has turned to our own way” sounds awfully close to “Do your own thing,” don’t you think?

What’s wrong with that?  What is wrong is in the meaning of the word “iniquity.”  Iniquity is not innocent independence, as of a young person reaching maturity, but it means being a law unto yourself.  It is an attitude before it is an action.  In ancient Hebrew times it meant to “go astray” or “deviate from the right path.”  In Jesus’ time it meant “the condition of one without law” or “lawlessness.”

I was right to reject this attitude.  This was the very attitude which caused Jesus to die on the cross.  The attitude of “lawlessness” – an extreme version of “do your own thing” – is the root of all sin, and it carries a steep penalty.  Praise God that Jesus chose to take that penalty himself.

This is what Easter weekend is all about – we human beings went astray but then Jesus stepped in and took the punishment.

But the weekend is not over yet!  Sunday’s coming!

Do You Own a Bible?

Do you own a Bible?  Have you ever read the Bible?  This is not a religious question, just a fact-finding one.

If you haven’t read it, there are a couple things you should know before starting:              

1.      The Bible is a special book.  It’s not magic, but it’s the next best thing.

2.      It was written by only One author, who used over 50 different voices.

3.      The Bible is self-correcting.  If you have a question about one part, you will find the answer in other parts.

4.      It promises to slay dragons, protect the weak, and completely transform your life.

Now, suppose you have read the Bible, perhaps in the past, and perhaps only in part, but you don’t care much about it right now.  There are several specific reasons for disinterest in the Bible:

1.      The Bible is a bright light which shows up all the stains in human nature, and all the purity in God’s nature.  That’s uncomfortable.

2.      It can’t be truly understood by just the mind; it is only understood by something in us called the “spirit.”  This part of the human being is not active until that person is touched and revived by God’s Spirit.

3.      If you have any pet addictions or any wrong behaviors you don’t want to give up – you will reject and run away from the Bible, because reading the Bible will prick your conscience.

4.      Worldly human thinking is at odds with the thinking you will find in the Bible.  You will be drawn to one and dismiss the other.

Which way of thinking will you choose?  You’ll never even know there is a choice until you have read the Bible.  Don’t reject it until you’ve tried it.  Chances are you will be very glad.

The Sermon That's Not For Everyone

The Sermon on the Mount 

Matthew 5-7

Jesus’ popular teachings that are often called “the sermon on the mount” are not for everyone.  And yet, of course, they are for everyone.  Let me explain.

In Matthew chapter 4 we read that Jesus had been supernaturally healing everyone who came to him.  Naturally, this stirred a lot of interest!  More and more people began to follow him.  Such a huge crowd of people followed him that he went up on a mountainside to teach them.  It’s as if he was saying: “So you are looking for physical healing from God – let me show you how to find true and complete healing from God – a life transformation.”

I’m sure many books have been written on the teachings in this sermon of Jesus’, but I want to focus on his one simple message –

Here’s how a person who wants to follow God

 can line up his behavior with what God is really like.

I see three truths that Jesus revealed about God:

• God is holy – no fudging it.
• God is genuine – no faking it.
• God is generous – no worries.

Here’s where I explain why this sermon is not directed at “everyone” – Jesus was talking to those who were “following” him, those who were seeking God.

So when he talks about divorce, murder, adultery – he tells them that their cultural morality they have grown up with won’t do.  If you’re seeking after God, God is holy – you will have to set the bar higher.  You think that a good person is kind?  God is even kind to his enemies.  You think that you’re OK in your marriage if you stop short of sex with others, but where is your head?  You think it’s natural to want revenge for a wrong, but God is forgiving and compassionate.

Next he kind of addresses the “religious” crowd – those who have been faithful to go to synagogue and obey the Mosaic law all their life.  Praying, fasting, and tithing, these people “seem” to be seeking God.  But you can’t fake God out – you will have to really mean your prayers and do your service to others from the heart if you want to follow God.  God entertains no fakers.  Get real.

And then there are his encouraging words to the normal, hard-working people – don’t be discouraged, because God is way more generous than you think and he’s got your back.  So you work 9 to 5 and take a second job to support the family and still you worry that you can’t make ends meet?  Look around you!  Even flowers and birds get their needs met by this caring Father, and you have the privilege and ability to ask when you need something!  Don’t worry about it.

So, you see, Jesus was not talking to people who want to be good, he was talking to people who want to have God.  You can be good by the world’s standards and miss God’s completely.  How badly do you want God himself?  It’s up to you.