What the Evangelical Church Can Learn from an Apostate Church -- i.e. Westboro Baptist Church?
If you know or heard anything about the efforts of Westboro Baptist Church, you know this church is shepherd by a man who is insane and members who are likewise.
Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is well known for protesting funerals, desecrating American flags, and promoting its signature message that “God Hates Fags.” A trip to the Westboro website makes you wonder if this “church” (actually, Pastor Fred Phelps and his large family) is completely sane.
But might there be something we conservative evangelicals can learn from Westboro? Not any positive lessons mind you, but anything we can glean from their monumentally misguided example? I think so. Let me suggest three things.
1. The Lesson that any truth promoted to the exclusion of other truths can become an untruth.
WBC seems particularly anxious to celebrate the wrath of God. Their web site contains numerous references to God’s judgment and his hatred for sin and for sinners. These things are true and need to be defended in our day. But when WBC gives exact figures for the number of people damned while visiting their website, it’s safe to say we’re visiting the lunatic fringe. God’s hatred for sinners is mentioned in the Psalms and elsewhere, but it’s hardly the essence of the apostolic deposit, certainly not all by itself. The biblical storyline is about how God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Yes, divine grace apart from divine wrath is meaningless. I would be the last person to deny the doctrine of hell. But the preaching of the gospel celebrates rescue not reprobation. WBC quotes a lot of Bible verses on wrath and judgment, but it is possible to quote a lot of the Bible and quote it in such a way and in such a context that you’re actually conveying something quite contrary to the message of the Bible.
Yet here is where we conservative evangelicals need to be careful. There is a large section of evangelicalism that teach and preach the love of God almost to the exclusion of His wrath. And whenever the anger of God is discussed or touched upon, it is done so quickly and in a shallow manner.
Therefore, in the same way it is wrong to overemphasize the wrath of God at the exclusion of His unconditional love so as not to go away with a lopsided view of God, it is also wrong to overemphasize the love of God at the exclusion of His wrath. Again, this does occur within many of our evangelical churches. Sure, people in general are more responsive to a positive message on the love of God, but people’s response is not to be the pastor’s main priority. He should be consumed with declaring to his flock “all things that are profitable” (Acts 20:20) and “the whole purpose of God” (v. 27). The whole purpose of God contains His love and wrath.
In the same way the lopsided message of WBC grieves the Holy Spirit and causes us to see them as insane lunatics, we evangelicals who are on the other side who overemphasize the love of God and deemphasize the wrath of God likewise grieve the Spirit of God and appear to some as soft and spineless. We must be balanced and come down from our own soap boxes.
2. The Lesson that it does matter how we’re heard.
I don’t believe WBC has any interest in persuading anyone of anything. Their goal is protest and provocation. But if we are concerned to “win some” as the Bible would have us be, then we must consider how we are heard. Of course, this does not mean we change the message for a fickle audience. But it does mean there’s no reason ever to use the word “fag” to describe homosexuals. It gains nothing and wins a hearing with no one. Whatever the derivation of the word, it is now a slur. I understand that sometimes people will hate Christians no matter how mealy-mouthed they make their pronouncements. Some offense we can’t avoid. But we can avoid needless provocation. Tone does matter.
This is why it is crucial that we take a step back and see and analyze how we are being viewed and heard from others through our picketing and protests. We can become so engrossed in what we are doing that we do not care about how others, such as the world are viewing us.
I don’t know about you, but to me it does matter how the world thinks of me and my church especially if they unfairly compare us to WBC because they see similarities. We can be passionate about taking a stand for the truth that our passion for the truth may come across with an absence of love. WBC protests and so do we. WBC pickets and so do we. WBC puts on demonstrations and so do we. WBC takes a stand on issues and so do we. How then are we any different? It will be seen in what we take a stand for and never forget this – and HOW WE TAKE OUR STAND.
3. We must refuse to play into the mindset which says the opposite of unconditional acceptance of anything is utter hatred.
Let’s take for example the issue of homosexuality. There are two ways to make Americans more and more accepting of homosexuality: one is by making same-gender erotic relationships look normal and the other is by making those who oppose them look nasty and sound like fools. Everything about WBC plays into the thinking that says “either you approve of homosexuality or you despise homosexuals.”
It’s sad to think that wherever WBC puts on their demonstration, those who feel rightly repulsed by the in-your-face “God Hates Fags” provocation, will then conclude that the only safe place away from the hateful rhetoric is to land far on the side of “God couldn’t be angry with anyone or anything for any reason.”
If I were a pro-gay advocate, I’d send camera crews to follow WBC wherever they go. I’d send them money and buy them oversized signs and markers. Every “God Hates Fags” protest makes it harder for orthodox Christians to say what the Bible says, that God is angry with homosexuals (and with all sinners), but lovingly calls them (and us) to repent, to change, to be forgiven in Christ.
Here is my point: Although we as Christians ought to show displeasure in the things that God hates, we also must point to the only real solution – faith in Christ. Too often the church is known for what it is against, rather than what it is for. Too often we are preaching a message that says, “Stop it,” but we do not preach messages that teach “do this” instead.
Therefore, I believe we evangelicals can learn some vital lessons from WBC. Let me summarize:
1. Any truth promoted to the exclusion of other truths can become an untruth.
2. It does matter how we’re heard.
3. Refuse to play into the mindset which says the opposite of unconditional acceptance of anything is utter hatred.
The church has been guilty of these things. In the same way so many of us are repulsed by the tactics and message of WBC, others are also turned off by what we do that’s similar. The message of truth will always carry with it a measure of offense. This cannot be helped nor should we worry about it. But we need to ask ourselves if it is the message that is offensive to others or could it be us?
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Fall of a Tree
When I was working as an office manager at a downtown condominium several years ago, I heard a terrible crash outside of my office. As I jumped out of my seat and rushed outside, I saw that a large section of a banyan tree had fallen onto the driveway in front of the condo. It was a massive piece.
As I approached the broken piece, I saw the reason for the fall. Beneath the bark of the tree that had been hidden from public view for years was some kind of killer disease. You see, the tree didn’t just fall. It was in the process of falling for years. Something unhealthy was eroding its insides. The outward crash was not the beginning, but merely the conclusion.
We notified our maintenance crew and within an hour or so, the fallen tree was cut up and taken away. The shavings were swept up as well and within a short time, life was back to normal.
But people are not like fallen trees. When people fall, others around can be greatly injured for years! But what is similar to fallen trees is this: No person falls without there first being some erosion that was already occurring on the inside – where it was hidden from public perception. We are good in putting our best foot forward to show that there is nothing to be concerned about, but meanwhile the erosion on the inside, erosion from entertaining bad thoughts, fanaticizing over sleeping with someone, secret sins that turn into lies over how we tend to explain such things away when challenged, all work to eat away on the inside of us until one day we too experience a great fall.
The fall was not sudden. To others it seems that way. But upon a careful inspection of what was occurring on the inside, it becomes obvious, the fall was in process over many years.
A family, a circle of friends, a body of fellow believers, a group of distant admirers – all experience the injury. And there is no clean up crew to come by and sweep away the debris. The damage is done and the effects continue for quite some time.
So what does this tell us?
First, starting out well does not guarantee finishing well. What goes on between the start and finish is very vital and should occupy most of our energies.
Second, spiritual erosion could be at work on the inside of a person, even though the bark looks healthy and the fruit tastes good. Just because erosion is not overtly evident does not suggest erosion does not exist.
Third, to keep oneself from falling, remember that spiritual strength comes from deep within. If you neglect the spiritual condition of your heart, you will fall and you will inure others as a result.
Fourth, a support system is needed. If you do not have a few good buddies to keep you accountable and ask you the tough questions, you will be setting yourself up for failure.
Fifth, always ask yourself this: “Am I able to discuss with my spouse publicly what I am doing privately?” If the answer is “no,” then don’t do it! Never think that your hidden erosion will not in time been seen by others.
1 Corinthians 10:12: "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall!"
As I approached the broken piece, I saw the reason for the fall. Beneath the bark of the tree that had been hidden from public view for years was some kind of killer disease. You see, the tree didn’t just fall. It was in the process of falling for years. Something unhealthy was eroding its insides. The outward crash was not the beginning, but merely the conclusion.
We notified our maintenance crew and within an hour or so, the fallen tree was cut up and taken away. The shavings were swept up as well and within a short time, life was back to normal.
But people are not like fallen trees. When people fall, others around can be greatly injured for years! But what is similar to fallen trees is this: No person falls without there first being some erosion that was already occurring on the inside – where it was hidden from public perception. We are good in putting our best foot forward to show that there is nothing to be concerned about, but meanwhile the erosion on the inside, erosion from entertaining bad thoughts, fanaticizing over sleeping with someone, secret sins that turn into lies over how we tend to explain such things away when challenged, all work to eat away on the inside of us until one day we too experience a great fall.
The fall was not sudden. To others it seems that way. But upon a careful inspection of what was occurring on the inside, it becomes obvious, the fall was in process over many years.
A family, a circle of friends, a body of fellow believers, a group of distant admirers – all experience the injury. And there is no clean up crew to come by and sweep away the debris. The damage is done and the effects continue for quite some time.
So what does this tell us?
First, starting out well does not guarantee finishing well. What goes on between the start and finish is very vital and should occupy most of our energies.
Second, spiritual erosion could be at work on the inside of a person, even though the bark looks healthy and the fruit tastes good. Just because erosion is not overtly evident does not suggest erosion does not exist.
Third, to keep oneself from falling, remember that spiritual strength comes from deep within. If you neglect the spiritual condition of your heart, you will fall and you will inure others as a result.
Fourth, a support system is needed. If you do not have a few good buddies to keep you accountable and ask you the tough questions, you will be setting yourself up for failure.
Fifth, always ask yourself this: “Am I able to discuss with my spouse publicly what I am doing privately?” If the answer is “no,” then don’t do it! Never think that your hidden erosion will not in time been seen by others.
1 Corinthians 10:12: "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall!"
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Lopsided Prayers
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved – Rom. 10:1 NIV
During the moments I spent with my wife just before her death, the Lord taught me many great things. But one thing I was shown that really hit me hard.
“I spent a great deal of my time praying to keep Christians out of heaven, while also hardly spending any time praying to keep sinners out of hell.”
Here is what I know to be true:
200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith.
176,000 Christians are martyred each year. If the trend continues, 210,000 Christians will be martyred in 2025.
Abel was the first Christian martyr in the Bible (Gen. 4:8).
James was the last Christian martyr in the Bible (Acts 12:2).
The divorce rate among Christians and non-Christians is about the same.
The percentage of Christian who get cancer is the same as the percentage of non-Christians
The death rate of Christians and non-Christians is the same:
1/1 Christians who tithe die
1/1 Christians who pray regularly die
1/1 Christians who go to church regularly die
1/1 Christians with orthodox theology die
1/1 Christians die
1/1 non-Christians die
The main point: Christians should not expect to be delivered from the problems of this life. Therefore, how is it that I am spending so much of my time praying fervently for Christians to be healed from their diseases and sicknesses in order to be kept from going to heaven prematurely (in my thinking), and so much lesser time praying for sinners to be kept out of hell which is far worse?
When I get word that someone has cancer or some other debilitating disease, I rush into intercession. I pray and if led to, I fast. I go the whole nine yards to keep that believer from entering early into heaven, but I can’t remember the last time I gave my all in prayer for my unsaved neighbor in order to keep him out of hell!
What is the answer? I should not stop praying for my brothers and sisters who are in need of healing, but I must also with the same intense desire and passion add to my prayers those who are lost and without Christ, so that unless God intervenes, will enter into a Christless eternity.
My prayers have been lopsided! This is another great lesson my late wife has left with me to think about.
During the moments I spent with my wife just before her death, the Lord taught me many great things. But one thing I was shown that really hit me hard.
“I spent a great deal of my time praying to keep Christians out of heaven, while also hardly spending any time praying to keep sinners out of hell.”
Here is what I know to be true:
200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith.
176,000 Christians are martyred each year. If the trend continues, 210,000 Christians will be martyred in 2025.
Abel was the first Christian martyr in the Bible (Gen. 4:8).
James was the last Christian martyr in the Bible (Acts 12:2).
The divorce rate among Christians and non-Christians is about the same.
The percentage of Christian who get cancer is the same as the percentage of non-Christians
The death rate of Christians and non-Christians is the same:
1/1 Christians who tithe die
1/1 Christians who pray regularly die
1/1 Christians who go to church regularly die
1/1 Christians with orthodox theology die
1/1 Christians die
1/1 non-Christians die
The main point: Christians should not expect to be delivered from the problems of this life. Therefore, how is it that I am spending so much of my time praying fervently for Christians to be healed from their diseases and sicknesses in order to be kept from going to heaven prematurely (in my thinking), and so much lesser time praying for sinners to be kept out of hell which is far worse?
When I get word that someone has cancer or some other debilitating disease, I rush into intercession. I pray and if led to, I fast. I go the whole nine yards to keep that believer from entering early into heaven, but I can’t remember the last time I gave my all in prayer for my unsaved neighbor in order to keep him out of hell!
What is the answer? I should not stop praying for my brothers and sisters who are in need of healing, but I must also with the same intense desire and passion add to my prayers those who are lost and without Christ, so that unless God intervenes, will enter into a Christless eternity.
My prayers have been lopsided! This is another great lesson my late wife has left with me to think about.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
"If You Really Love God. . ."
Sometimes when I am listening to other preachers wax eloquent on certain topics, I am always interested in how they arrive at their conclusions. This is because I may also be interested in their topic of discussion and I want to know if their way of arriving to a conclusion is better than mine.
Often, preachers will do well until they come to the end and then they seem to blow it. Take for example, “drinking.” Some preachers see drinking beer and wine as evil. Now they do not come out and say this because the bible does not say such things. The bible does expressly forbid drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), but not drinking a glass of wine or a can of beer.
But since their mindset is that sipping beer and wine is evil, they conclude their messages with these words or something similar: “If you really love God and offer yourself completely to Him, then you would not drink beer or wine.”
What arrests my thoughts on this is since they cannot use the bible to forbid casual drinking, they now seem to challenge people’s devotion to God.
It seems to me that taking a position on any point of doctrine can have the affect of justifying one’s need to exert their love for God. The believer’s love for the Lord should drive them to carefully study the Biblical text and have the desire to understand what it is communicating. But the overall landscape of Christianity certainly should indicate that there are a variety of differences affecting many areas of Christian doctrine and life. Christians differ with regards to styles of worship, baptism and implementing the Lord’s Supper. We also have differences regarding tongues, the role of women pastors, and whether or not a man who has been divorce can still serve as a pastor.
By challenging a believer’s devotion to the Lord, one can use it to say just about anything. For example, if you really love the Lord, you would:
Not prohibit women from certain leadership positions
Not twist scripture to suit your purposes
Not put God in a box and see that all spiritual gifts mentioned are for use today
Not drink or get tattoos
Not impose legalistic standards where Christians can have liberties
The list can go on. But it demonstrates that whatever position we take, particular in areas that are not essential to salvation or historic orthodoxy, we can associate that position with Christian allegiance such that the Christian who takes a differing position must do so because of a lack of devotion.
It is not enough to say the other person is wrong but when their allegiance and affection is questioned because they disagree, it casts dispersions on their faith. Just because someone takes a differing position does not mean they have any less affection for Christ.
The fact that they have come to a different position involves interpretive differences but does not suggest that they are seeking to dishonor God or have a lesser love for Christ.
I want to challenge my fellow preachers to be careful not to go down this road. If the bible cannot support your ideas, then don’t force the issue and certainly do not bring into question the spiritual allegiance of those who differ. Major on those things which are eternally significant, and preach grace and tolerance on those things which are not.
Often, preachers will do well until they come to the end and then they seem to blow it. Take for example, “drinking.” Some preachers see drinking beer and wine as evil. Now they do not come out and say this because the bible does not say such things. The bible does expressly forbid drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), but not drinking a glass of wine or a can of beer.
But since their mindset is that sipping beer and wine is evil, they conclude their messages with these words or something similar: “If you really love God and offer yourself completely to Him, then you would not drink beer or wine.”
What arrests my thoughts on this is since they cannot use the bible to forbid casual drinking, they now seem to challenge people’s devotion to God.
It seems to me that taking a position on any point of doctrine can have the affect of justifying one’s need to exert their love for God. The believer’s love for the Lord should drive them to carefully study the Biblical text and have the desire to understand what it is communicating. But the overall landscape of Christianity certainly should indicate that there are a variety of differences affecting many areas of Christian doctrine and life. Christians differ with regards to styles of worship, baptism and implementing the Lord’s Supper. We also have differences regarding tongues, the role of women pastors, and whether or not a man who has been divorce can still serve as a pastor.
By challenging a believer’s devotion to the Lord, one can use it to say just about anything. For example, if you really love the Lord, you would:
Not prohibit women from certain leadership positions
Not twist scripture to suit your purposes
Not put God in a box and see that all spiritual gifts mentioned are for use today
Not drink or get tattoos
Not impose legalistic standards where Christians can have liberties
The list can go on. But it demonstrates that whatever position we take, particular in areas that are not essential to salvation or historic orthodoxy, we can associate that position with Christian allegiance such that the Christian who takes a differing position must do so because of a lack of devotion.
It is not enough to say the other person is wrong but when their allegiance and affection is questioned because they disagree, it casts dispersions on their faith. Just because someone takes a differing position does not mean they have any less affection for Christ.
The fact that they have come to a different position involves interpretive differences but does not suggest that they are seeking to dishonor God or have a lesser love for Christ.
I want to challenge my fellow preachers to be careful not to go down this road. If the bible cannot support your ideas, then don’t force the issue and certainly do not bring into question the spiritual allegiance of those who differ. Major on those things which are eternally significant, and preach grace and tolerance on those things which are not.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Paul Had a Death Wish
Sanford Rothman told police he woke up to a "bang" and realized he had suffered a gunshot wound to his knee. Police said he likely shot himself while sleepwalking.
The sixty-three-year-old resident of Boulder, Colorado told investigators he had no clear recollection of the incident early on Tuesday.
No one else was in the home at the time. Police said Mr Rothman kept a 9mm handgun near his bed and took prescription medication for pain. He was treated at a hospital and released.
I think this man was very fortunate to have shot himself in the knee and not in the head or chest. But imagine if you will his wife or kids. The article above does not say anything about his marriage or having a family, but if you lived in the same house with a person who sleep walks with a gun and who then shoots himself, would you rest soundly? Sleeping in the same house with that man would be like having a death wish.
I think Paul had a death wish, don’t you? I mean, when you read through the Book of Acts, doesn’t seem like he had a death wish? Let me show you what I am referring to.
While staying a short time in Tyre, Paul met up with some disciples who “kept telling him through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4). Later he sailed to Caesarea and entered the house of Philip the evangelist. It was there that a prophet named Agabus came to him. When he met Paul, he took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owes this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’” (v. 11). After hearing the prophet, the disciples and local residents begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem (v. 12). But what was his response? Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13).
Now folks, how would you determine the will of God for your life? How would you counsel someone today to comprehend and understand the voice of God? I am sure you would use the following three approaches:
1. Listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 21:4). The verse says that they (the other believers) kept telling Paul THROUGH THE SPIRIT not to set foot in Jerusalem.
2. Listen to a recognized prophet (vv. 10-11). Agabus clearly spoke and gave a physical demonstration on what would happen to Paul if he set foot in Jerusalem.
3. Listen to the counsel of others (v. 12). The rest of the disciples and the local residents pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem.
Now folks, listen carefully. If you heard from the Holy Spirit, a prophet and the counsel of other believers – three different voices all saying the same thing, wouldn’t you conclude that perhaps it would not be a great idea to go to Jerusalem? And wouldn’t you pause to thank God for making His will so clearly known to you?
You know what happened, right? He went to Jerusalem anyway. Was Paul disobedient to God? I personally think Paul had a death wish.
Let me show you why. There is a reason why he ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, a prophet and other disciples. Paul had a death wish.
In Acts 14, while serving in Lystra, Paul was severely stoned to death by a multitude (v. 19). He actually died. Paul talked about this event in his life in 2 Corinthians 12, referring to him being out of his body and caught up to the third heaven (v. 2). While he was in Paradise, he heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (v. 4).
Paul evidently was privy to revelation that blew his mind. I do think that God only gave to Paul partial revelation. For he states that he “heard inexpressible words,” nothing about seeing anything. I think God must have kept his eyes shut from seeing things in Paradise, but nevertheless what he heard left an indelible impression of him that lasted his whole life.
When Paul returned back to his body (Acts 14:20), he got right back up and started preaching again. And a short time later, guess where he goes? Right back to Lystra (v. 21), the very place where he was stoned to death.
Paul had a death wish. You know why? Because he had died and was caught up to heaven and heard some really neat things and couldn’t wait to go back. Paul knew that suicide was not the way to go home. So he went and preached where he was hated the most knowing that the chances of dying was highly possible, but he did not care, he wanted to die and be with Jesus which was far better. Paul had a death wish.
I mean, how else can we explain the mindset of the man who ignores the Holy Spirit, won’t listen to a prophet and shuts out the counsel of other believers? “Paul, don’t go to Jerusalem. You will suffer and possibly die there.” What was his reply, “Stop breaking my heart with your warnings. If you experienced Paradise the way I did, and if you heard the things I heard, you would lead the way to Jerusalem and be the first to die.”
Paul had a death wish. How else could we explain his remarks when he states: “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ which is VERY MUCH BETTER” (Philip. 1:23)? Elsewhere he boldly states, “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31). Paul was exposed to so many physical attacks and dangers on his life. He lived for such moments. He had a death wish.
How about this testimony?
I have. . .been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers (2 Cor. 11:23ff). Paul had a death wish.
Here is my point. Paul was not someone who was consumed with death. No I do not mean death wish in terms of this. But Paul was not concerned at all with trying to live a long life here on earth. He was consumed with fulfilling Jesus’ purpose for him and finishing the course that the Lord gave to him to run. But if running the course meant that he would face extreme physical dangers and possibly die, instead of backing down, Paul ran full steam ahead! He knew what awaited him on the other side.
Paul’s courage in the face of death is a great encouraging lesson to each of us. Whatever he heard while in Paradise, left a remarkable and long lasting impression upon him. Whatever he experienced, we will experience one day. I am almost positive that if any one of us were to be caught up to the third heaven and experience Paradise, we would hope that someone would come along and put us out of our misery just so we can return to the glory of Paradise.
Heaven is ready and waiting. Don’t do anything stupid, right? But when the time comes for your name to be called and for you to soon have your out of body experience called death, will you passionately welcome it, or be too sad to leave? I think all true Christians have to some degree based on their maturity in Christ their own death wish.
The sixty-three-year-old resident of Boulder, Colorado told investigators he had no clear recollection of the incident early on Tuesday.
No one else was in the home at the time. Police said Mr Rothman kept a 9mm handgun near his bed and took prescription medication for pain. He was treated at a hospital and released.
I think this man was very fortunate to have shot himself in the knee and not in the head or chest. But imagine if you will his wife or kids. The article above does not say anything about his marriage or having a family, but if you lived in the same house with a person who sleep walks with a gun and who then shoots himself, would you rest soundly? Sleeping in the same house with that man would be like having a death wish.
I think Paul had a death wish, don’t you? I mean, when you read through the Book of Acts, doesn’t seem like he had a death wish? Let me show you what I am referring to.
While staying a short time in Tyre, Paul met up with some disciples who “kept telling him through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4). Later he sailed to Caesarea and entered the house of Philip the evangelist. It was there that a prophet named Agabus came to him. When he met Paul, he took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owes this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’” (v. 11). After hearing the prophet, the disciples and local residents begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem (v. 12). But what was his response? Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13).
Now folks, how would you determine the will of God for your life? How would you counsel someone today to comprehend and understand the voice of God? I am sure you would use the following three approaches:
1. Listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 21:4). The verse says that they (the other believers) kept telling Paul THROUGH THE SPIRIT not to set foot in Jerusalem.
2. Listen to a recognized prophet (vv. 10-11). Agabus clearly spoke and gave a physical demonstration on what would happen to Paul if he set foot in Jerusalem.
3. Listen to the counsel of others (v. 12). The rest of the disciples and the local residents pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem.
Now folks, listen carefully. If you heard from the Holy Spirit, a prophet and the counsel of other believers – three different voices all saying the same thing, wouldn’t you conclude that perhaps it would not be a great idea to go to Jerusalem? And wouldn’t you pause to thank God for making His will so clearly known to you?
You know what happened, right? He went to Jerusalem anyway. Was Paul disobedient to God? I personally think Paul had a death wish.
Let me show you why. There is a reason why he ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, a prophet and other disciples. Paul had a death wish.
In Acts 14, while serving in Lystra, Paul was severely stoned to death by a multitude (v. 19). He actually died. Paul talked about this event in his life in 2 Corinthians 12, referring to him being out of his body and caught up to the third heaven (v. 2). While he was in Paradise, he heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (v. 4).
Paul evidently was privy to revelation that blew his mind. I do think that God only gave to Paul partial revelation. For he states that he “heard inexpressible words,” nothing about seeing anything. I think God must have kept his eyes shut from seeing things in Paradise, but nevertheless what he heard left an indelible impression of him that lasted his whole life.
When Paul returned back to his body (Acts 14:20), he got right back up and started preaching again. And a short time later, guess where he goes? Right back to Lystra (v. 21), the very place where he was stoned to death.
Paul had a death wish. You know why? Because he had died and was caught up to heaven and heard some really neat things and couldn’t wait to go back. Paul knew that suicide was not the way to go home. So he went and preached where he was hated the most knowing that the chances of dying was highly possible, but he did not care, he wanted to die and be with Jesus which was far better. Paul had a death wish.
I mean, how else can we explain the mindset of the man who ignores the Holy Spirit, won’t listen to a prophet and shuts out the counsel of other believers? “Paul, don’t go to Jerusalem. You will suffer and possibly die there.” What was his reply, “Stop breaking my heart with your warnings. If you experienced Paradise the way I did, and if you heard the things I heard, you would lead the way to Jerusalem and be the first to die.”
Paul had a death wish. How else could we explain his remarks when he states: “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ which is VERY MUCH BETTER” (Philip. 1:23)? Elsewhere he boldly states, “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31). Paul was exposed to so many physical attacks and dangers on his life. He lived for such moments. He had a death wish.
How about this testimony?
I have. . .been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers (2 Cor. 11:23ff). Paul had a death wish.
Here is my point. Paul was not someone who was consumed with death. No I do not mean death wish in terms of this. But Paul was not concerned at all with trying to live a long life here on earth. He was consumed with fulfilling Jesus’ purpose for him and finishing the course that the Lord gave to him to run. But if running the course meant that he would face extreme physical dangers and possibly die, instead of backing down, Paul ran full steam ahead! He knew what awaited him on the other side.
Paul’s courage in the face of death is a great encouraging lesson to each of us. Whatever he heard while in Paradise, left a remarkable and long lasting impression upon him. Whatever he experienced, we will experience one day. I am almost positive that if any one of us were to be caught up to the third heaven and experience Paradise, we would hope that someone would come along and put us out of our misery just so we can return to the glory of Paradise.
Heaven is ready and waiting. Don’t do anything stupid, right? But when the time comes for your name to be called and for you to soon have your out of body experience called death, will you passionately welcome it, or be too sad to leave? I think all true Christians have to some degree based on their maturity in Christ their own death wish.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)