Are you really Free?

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give a reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15)

This series of blogs tries to serve two purposes; it gives an answer to those asking and gives a way for those being asked to frame an answer. It's for the one asking and the one being asked. 

I'm trying to write it in a conversational way because it seems that's where questions are asked. The answers given are incomplete but are heading in the direction of Jesus. I would fully expect and hope that the questioner would respond to what's said and call me on things I've gotten wrong with what they're said. That's the sort of conversation I love. That's the sort of conversation I miss.

So, here's this weeks statement:

"I would never become a Christian because... I love the freedom I have and wouldn't want to give it up."

This barrier to faith in Jesus believes the Christian life is restrictive. It restricts our fun and freedom to live life the way we want. This challenge to Jesus also believes 'living the way we want' is the road to our greatest happiness and fulfilment. Those who think this way are both right and wrong. Here's how I might answer:

"I suppose looking in from the outside the Christian life is restrictive. In the same way as looking into marriage can seem restrictive if you're not married. 

And you're right- The truth that I (and every Christian) live under is -Jesus is Lord. We have a King over our lives. 

But that's no different from everyone else. Everyone lives under a king. Here's what I mean: there's something or someone that directs/dictates the choices of your life (and everyone's life). Our choices and behaviours are directed by certain beliefs and desires. In other words, we do certain things because we believe they will bring us the meaning, the joy and the satisfaction we long for. And we restrict ourselves from certain behaviours and places because we don't believe happiness is found there. 

Happiness is defined by our king. 

Let me give you a few examples of what I mean.

If happiness for you is sporting success or fitness, you will eat certain foods and train hard. Your life will seem restrictive to someone else but you are driven by your desire to succeed to be the best you can be. After a hard training session you will collapse feeling satisfied with your PB or the score line. Or you'll be gutted if it hasn't been good enough. Your king can be unforgiving and will heap guilt upon you for eating that extra biscuit or missing your training. Training can be punishing (especially if you walk/run/cycle these hills around Dromara) and success fleeting. 

Or

If happiness for you is found in popularity, that will lead you to crave others attention. And you will do whatever it takes to win the approval of your group of friends or those you admire. You're not living under freedom, you're living under the gaze of others. Their attitude, dictates the choices you make. What will they think? What will they say? Becomes the chains that enslave you. This king has the power to raise you up and knock you down. It can embarrass and shame you.

 So we're not as free as we think we are. Our freedom is an illusion. We all give allegiance to someone or something. The question then becomes does it give us the joy and satisfaction we long for? Or is it all-demanding with no mercy? Jesus is the forgiving King that offers rest and not shame. Here's what he says:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

That's the king I live under. What's your king like?

It's just a Fairy Tale

We meet by chance on our daily walk. Stand at least 2 Metres apart. It's always good to see a friend but especially in these days of restrictions. Then we do what we always do- we sort the problems of the world out. I say something about my hope being in Jesus, and they say I could never be a Christian because... it's just a fairy tale. It's a made up story. Yes, Jesus was real, maybe even an extraordinary teacher, a guru but here's what I think happened (my friend say)...as the years have gone by lots of stories have been added to him. A bit like what happened to St Patrick. Patrick was an extraordinary man but miracles like driving snakes out of Ireland have been attached to him. No, I could never believe in the fables and myths about Jesus. And if I'm honest, I'm a bit surprised you believe in all that stuff.

Now, reading this, where do you stand in this scenario? Are you imagining yourself as the one who has to answer this OR are you thinking, 'I might not put it that way, but they have a point-can we really pin our hopes on an ancient story? Is it reliable?'

Here's how I might answer...

Mmm... (I check our 2 metre distance which has become a bit of a habit)...a fairy tale? Are you sure? I've read a lot of fairy tales and they're always vague about the details of when (Once upon a time) and where (in a land far away). Also, it's not physically possible to walk in Cinderella's dainty footsteps (except if you travel to Disney World) nor can you read multiple accounts of her words ("Oh the Prince was so dishy, a wonderful dancer") nor do eyewitness accounts of her life exist ("...and there I was looking at the most beautiful carriage that only a few minutes before had been a pumpkin")

Yet the accounts of Jesus read like historical narrative. They're very specific about when (eg "This took place when Quirinus was governor of Syria" ) and where (eg His disciples "go ahead of him to Bethsaida"). It's physically possible to walk in his 'footsteps', millions do every year. We can read not one but four eyewitness accounts of what he said and did, how he died and how he rose from the dead.

And I think that's the sticking point for a lot of people. Most people are like you and accept that Jesus was a real historical person but they struggle with the miracles, especially the rising from the dead miracle. For them it's too good to be true. I suppose in that way it's like a fairy tale. It sounds too good to be true. Who would believe a story in which evil is defeated (the evil stepmother dies) by an unexpected hero (seven reclusive dwarf miners), justice is done (the witch falls into her own trap) and love conquers in the end (Snow White marries the prince). Who would believe that fairy tale? And yet we want it to be true. Don't we?

What if it is true-here and now. What if evil is defeated by an unexpected hero, justice is done and love conquers in the end? Worth checking out for yourself, wouldn't it be. What do you think?

What do you think? The video below offers a way to look at one of these eye witness accounts of Jesus life for yourself. Or maybe this is something you could offer to do with a friend.

(Apologises for the presenter. It's his first attempt. But the challenge is worth doing.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFQPIZd0F00&t=5s

What would you say?

Let’s imagine we’re having a cup of tea together, relaxing in each other’s company as friends do. I’ve just said something positive about being a Christian and you say, “I’m glad to hear that, but I would never become a Christian because…

How might you or your friends finish that sentence? Over the next few Thursdays, I’m going to imagine that sentence finished in different ways and what I might say in response.

I won’t be saying everything I could say as if it was a lecture but what I might say next as part of a conversation. Like every conversation it might lead to more questions or objections. That's how we get to understand what each other thinks without spilling blood... or tea!!!

So, you pass me another biscuit (thank you) and say, "I'm glad to hear that, but i would never become a Christian because... it's so out of date." You might even add with a rye smile, "The world has moved on beyond that old fashioned stuff of church, hymn singing and praying. Just leave it behind and try and catch up with the rest of us."

Yes I can see why you'd think that. Christianity has been around for centuries. And in a world where we celebrate the latest, shiny thing, Christianity seems dusty and out of date. Before I say anymore I'm glad of the latest technology, medicine and science. I happily live in this world of Northern Ireland 2020. But we know there are some things more important than the latest trends. We know that the deeper cries of our hearts like love, joy, hope, community, forgiveness etc are hugely important. Always were, always will be. It is into these deeper cries that Christianity speaks clearly. Christianity is not in conflict with these things. Their roots are buried in the soil of Christianity. As technology, medicine, science advances these big questions of life need answered.

Also, in a world that has given us Betamax and fidget spinners, there's something appealing about Christianity's enduring power. It has thrived across centuries and cultures, through wars, famines and pandemics and through the rise and fall of great civilisations. It's enduring power rests solely and completely on Jesus Christ. Has there ever been any other person who shines so clearly throughout history? Is Jesus' example and teaching out-dated?

How the "imaginary you" might respond only the "real you" knows. Why don’t you comment below as yourself or as a friend might respond and let the conversation continue…

Is there a Happily Ever After?

Death had a 100% success rate. It never failed, not once, not ever. Some may have seemed for many years like they had beaten it. Winning the battles against illness, accident and disaster but in the end death always won the war. Science, health and education continue to push it back, extending life expectancy but death wins in the end.

I guess that's the two words that sum up death. It's the great THE END. It pronounces 'The End' on all our lives (Psalms 49:10-11).

All die.

Even those few that Jesus raised to life like Lazarus died in the end. Everyone's life story follows the same pattern. They're born--They live--They die. It has a morbid certainty about it.

Rich or poor-All die.

Known or unknown-All die

Young or old-All die

Nothing and no-one ever changed the pattern. That is until Easter Sunday!

On Friday it looked like Jesus was no different from everyone else who had ever gone before him. He had said and done amazing things. He had made huge claims about being God but in the end, he died. The full stop of his life was rolled into place over his tomb. But it wasn't the end. What happened next was the end of The End. Jesus rose from the dead because "it was impossible for death to hold him". He "destroyed death and brought life and immorality to light through the gospel"

This wasn't a temporary reprieve this was the beginning of his forever life. He said "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!"

The Good News of Easter is that His forever life becomes the forever life of those that trust Him. He has established a new pattern. They are born--They live--They die and now it's not The End but Happily Ever After. Not a fairy tale happily ever after but better than that. This one is for real and forever. Is that not the ending we're all looking for?

Happy Easter as we celebrate the end of THE END

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y5lQvgVI1Y

We need a Hero

Death stalks our world, our communities and our homes. It rips life and joy from us and gives us grief and pain instead. It looks very much like death is running wild among us. The numbers dying from the Corona virus are overwhelming. Yet each death is not a number, it's a person who leaves behind loved ones shattered by grief.

Death doesn't care. It has been stalking us long before this pandemic and will continue long after it's over. But to hear about it night after night can be too much for us, so we try to distract ourselves. We escape into projects, movies, music, books, exercise or relationships. Yet these are only temporary distractions. We're like prisoners on day release. We can pretend everything's fine for a time but at the end of the day we return to our dark prison cell. Trapped by death. We don't need distracted we need rescued. We need someone who will bust us out of our prison and release us to live life. To live life without looking over our shoulder to the creeping reality of death.

If only there was someone who would rescue us from this darkness. If only there was someone who would destroy this savage beast of death.

God has.

Through the death of His Son, God has "...rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins."

And through Jesus resurrection to life, the claws and teeth of death have been removed. "Death has been swallowed up in victory". That victory over death is ours through Jesus Christ. Death may growl at us but we need not fear it, because of Jesus.

May you this day (and everyday) rejoice in your rescue from darkness and enjoy the life that is now yours through Jesus Christ.

Check out the video below and discover the Hero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gn2eXwiL-Q

4. True Love Sacrifices

People who serve us will die. That's the reality of this crisis. People who could have kept themselves safe by staying at home, instead go to work where they could die. Some go to the most infectious areas to give those that were sick a fighting chance of getting better, and in doing so increase their chance of dying.

We are familiar with sacrificial love within our families but this is sacrificing for the stranger regardless of race, attitude or wealth. This pandemic has shone a spotlight on those we have often taken for granted. It's right that we clap them and others like them who serve us behind the scenes. Theirs is a love for the stranger that could cost them their live.

Sacrificial love is at the heart of the events of that first Easter. Jesus' love was costly. He gave his life for those who hated him. While it was usual for the crucified man to call down curses upon those who had put him there, Jesus asked his Heavenly Father to forgive. Such love; that cries "Forgive" those who nailed his wrists and feet to the cross. Such love; that cries "Forgive" those who gather around the cross to mock and jeer him. Such love that takes the full weight of the punishment we deserve (Isaiah 53: 5-6) and cries forgive them. This is heart melting love.

This is the love that Easter shines a spotlight on. This is the love that everyday we clap and rejoice in. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." This is the love that defeats death. Has this love melted your heart? If it has, death brings us joyfully to Jesus Christ.

What riches of kindness He lavished on us

His blood was the payment His life was the cost

We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

(His Mercy is More, Getty music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PlX0NIERMk&t=5s

3. Jesus transforms death

Have you ever washed your hands so much in your life? We wash every inch of them to make sure they are free from virus (we hope). We don't want the virus in our system as it will lead to sickness and in some cases even death.

The bible describes sin like a virus. It's already in our system and it will lead to our death. It's fatality rate is 100%. When we turn away from the life giver and go our own way (Sin) is it any wonder death is the result. No amount of hand washing can rid us of this 'virus' but there is a way to be purified... through the death of Jesus. Or as 1 John 1:7 puts it "the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin". We are washed completely clean.

No fear of any of the 'virus' remaining. That doesn't mean those who trust in Jesus are perfect. Far from it ,as we well know. But it does mean that Jesus death purifies us from all the sins of our past, our present and our future. We are forgiven. What a motivation to keep ourselves clean.

Can you see what looks like a flaw in all this? If Jesus death purifies us from all sin, how come those who trust in Jesus still die? Some in the early church asked this very question. Here's how Paul answered them. "We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him".

Did you notice how death is described? Jesus doesn't eliminate death, He transforms it. Those who die in Jesus really just fall asleep and awake to be with Him forever.

We close our eyes in death and open them to Jesus. Wouldn't that make you approach death differently. Wouldn't that make you live life differently?

That's what Pete found

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gYowHtIX7Q