Empty of Self?
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond‑servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
If there is one factor at the root of all our problems, it is how we see ourselves. The issue is not that we are a “self” (that is inescapable) but rather the importance we place on our wishes, wants, and preferences. We are surrounded by a culture which is dripping with “ME, first and always.” Often, even the concessions we make to others are to advance our own cause. Paul challenges the Philippians to develop and exercise a different mind set. It is hardly surprising he points to Christ as the ultimate example of One laying aside individual station to fulfill a calling. In a mystery we will never fully understand in this life, He entered this world “at just the right time” to complete His redemptive work. Though Christ shares in the glory of the Father, it was necessary for that glory to be veiled as He came proclaiming the arrival of the eternal kingdom.
Remember the story of the giving of the Law at Sinai? As the lightning flashed and the mountain shook, the people asked that God might not speak directly to them. They were terrified at the appearance of just a hint of His glory. When Moses came back from the mountain the second time, his face radiated the glory of God such that the people could not look at him. All this and so much more, Christ veiled in flesh to walk among mankind. Only at the transfiguration were men allowed to glimpse His glory and the experience absolutely terrified them. If you’ve ever ventured a direct peek at the noonday sun, you have a hint of their experience. You may want to gaze deeply, but you cannot. Although He possesses the fullness of glory He chose to conceal that overwhelming Presence.
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul spoke of the rights which he, as an apostle, might claim and concluded that for him to do so would nullify (empty the glory of) the good news of the gospel. So, he chose rather to empty himself of the claims he might have otherwise made on the Corinthians. He followed the example of Christ just as he urged the Philippians to do. Paul’s claim to be an imitator of Christ was more than words. It was his lifestyle. We may marvel at what he and others endured but if we miss their response to what they suffered we miss the greater part of its significance. They didn’t just endure, they endured with rejoicing (i.e. contentment, satisfaction).
What is our reaction when we feel like life short changes us? More often than we’d like to admit, we are at best confused and frequently aggravated we have been exposed to such injustice. Even when while we struggle to embrace what God in His sovereignty has allowed to enter our lives, our thoughts are only of escaping the discomfort and, if others are the source of our pain, delighting in thoughts of Divine retribution. To those who would put their own comfort first, Paul’s devotion to Christ on behalf of others stands in stark contrast: “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh....” (Romans 9:1-5 NAS)
Make a list of those who have “persecuted” you for whom you would make such a sacrifice. Humbling, isn’t it? “Separated” is an insertion in the NAS to express the significance of the word for “accursed” - anathema. Paul was so identified with his Lord he was willing to sacrifice that relationship if it was possible for it action to restore his brethren. Yet, like Christ before him, the very ones to whom he dedicated his life wanted to end it. Some today want to credit Paul for developing Christianity as we know it, but they go too far. Nevertheless, he does show us his faith is more than words. He truly emptied himself so the glorious light of the gospel would not be tainted by any accusation he was pursuing personal gain.
Many pulpits around the world (especially those on TV) could enhance their ministry by following Paul’s advice, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Jesus had said He only did what He saw the Father doing. Paul says He is doing what he saw Christ doing, and he urges his audience to do what they see him doing. There is a legacy of faith “once and for all delivered to the saints” and its power is found in the living of it.
Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. I’ve discussed that symbolism before but share it again briefly for new readers, and as a reminder to those who heard it previously. An architect friend once shared how this idea works out in construction and the application is clear. When a building’s foundation is laid out the first/chief corner is set according to the plan. The distance and direction of the next corner are measured and it is set. When the third corner is set, the distance and direction to the second are measured, but an additional step is taken. The distance and direction to the chief corner is measured because, using simple geometry, the distance and direction to the first corner can be computed. If the actual measurements don’t agree with the computation, an error was made laying out the corners. By checking each corner’s relationship to the chief corner, the foundation can be laid true. There may be errors with more than one corner but wherever error exists it must be corrected.
As we imitate those
who we see following Christ, it is imperative that we continually check our
relationship with Him. If we are “out of alignment,” we need to be shown
where we got off track. The Holy Spirit is our Faithful Guide in that regard. We
just need to pay attention, empty ourselves, and be diligent to correct our
course as often as necessary.
The
High Price of Zionism
Decades ago in Sunday School, we learned about the various sects of the Jews. One that was viewed with disfavor was the Zealots. They believed in a military solution to end their subjugation to Roman domination. The Sadducees bargained with Rome for favor. The Pharisees bargained with God. The Zealots simply were not content with the situation and they were willing to do anything to change it. Today, most Christians are oblivious to the fact that the horror which was visited upon Jerusalem in its last days really had its origin in the Zealots. Rome wanted to keep the city intact but the Zealots would not allow it.
In fact, it was the Zealots who killed the High Priest, and set fires in the Temple compound. The Zealots destroyed the stores of food which would have sustained the city indefinitely during a period of siege. Only after the Zealots had largely destroyed their own city did the Romans move in and mop up. It is a sad story but, the real tragedy is that today we continue to witness the same mentality in the modern state of Israel. Worse still, that horror is perpetuated by many Christians who insist the modern state is biblical Israel which has been restored in fulfillment of prophecy. They lobby Congress to support the military state and insist that our resources be used to rid the Holy land of Palestinian intruders. In doing so, they are pushing us more and more into war.
This sincere but misguided venture has put our country at odds with much of the third world and is responsible for making us the object of terrorist attacks. Still, Christians insist on supporting the horror and sacrificing their children in the conflict. Have we forgotten we serve the Prince of Peace?
Most
Christians would be shocked to learn that Orthodox Jews oppose the modern
state of Israel! I’m writing this on April 14th and on this day,
a group of Orthodox Jews is protesting in front of the White House as Bush
meets with Ariel Sharon. They refer to themselves as the Neturei Karta
(Guardians of the City) and represent many Orthodox Jews around the world. You
can read about them on the Internet at www.nkusa.org
. Here is a sample of what you will find
there:
The Jewish people throughout the world, who are true to their religion, have been thrown into turmoil and are deeply incensed at the recent colossal happening, the tragedy that has taken place.
We mourn together with our Palestinian cousins, the murder of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.
As we gather our thoughts and attempt to again stand up to the evils of Zionism and the State of "Israel", the words of our leaders, the Rabbis of the generation past, stand before us. How they warned us that Zionism and all the evils emanating from it, will cause endless bloodshed, of coarse the misnomer and tragedy of equating Judaism with Zionism is of the major contributing factors to this endless stream of blood. And so we are reminded of one of the exceptional attributes of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin. How he constantly drew a clear distinction between true Judaism and Zionism and between the practitioners of Judaism and Zionist perpetrators. The followers of Judaism were never considered by the Sheik to be an obstacle to true peace.
We declare that:
Zionism and Judaism are diametric opposites and totally incompatible.
Judaism is a G-dliness a religion of compation without any aspiration for a land or nationalistic entity. Zionism is the transformation of the above said religion into a G-dless political nationalistic entity with a land based goal.
Zionism and the State of “Israel” have no right to represent Judaism and/or the Jewish people.
Zionism and the State of Israel have no right to speak in the name of the Jewish people. The name “Israel” in reference to Zionism and their State is false, it has been usurped from the Jewish people.
To subjugate and oppress a people, in this case the Palastinian people, to steal their land, their homes, olive orchards etc., is totally against G-d and the laws of His Torah. These crimes can only bring dire results.
True Jewry is deeply anguished by the existence of Zionism and the State of “Israel” and are constantly pained and humiliated by their actions.
Jews are required by G-d and the laws of His Torah to by loyal citizens in every country in which they reside. In the United States to the American government, in Iran to the Iranian government, Germany to the Germans, Tunisia, Yemen, Morocco and so on, to their respective rulerships. As such the Jewish people are required and want to reside as loyal citizens in the Holy Land under total Palestinian sovereignty.
The Jewish people have been co-existing and living harmoniously in peace and tranquility for centuries together with their Muslim/Arab brethren in Palestine and throughout the Muslim countries. Zionism, which was created around 100 years ago by non-religious Jews, in fact by Jews who detested the Jewish religion, was the sole cause for the rift, mistrust and animosity created between Muslims and Jews. Zionism is the root cause for the bloodshed and suffering to Muslim and Jew in the Middle East close to a century, may G-d have mercy.
May G-d help that our hope and dream come to fruition, speedily and peacefully, painlessly without any further bloodshed, that Arab and Jew can once again live side by side under Palestinian rule over the entire Holy Land.
We pray that tragedies should never again occur and offer our deeply felt condolences to Sheikh Yassin's family and to all our Palestinian brethren. We pray to G-d for the speedy and peaceful dismantlement of the State of “Israel” – it’s transformation into a Palestinian sovereignty and ultimately we pray for the revelation of G-d’s glory over the entire universe, at which time all humanity will recognize the One G-d and serve Him in joyous harmony. Amen.
Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss
I trust you find that rather
lengthy quote a good use of the limited space here. Personally, I am
tremendously encouraged to know there are leaders in the Jewish community who
want peace. It is a shame that our media (which is greatly influenced by Zionist
Jews) does not allow the public to hear this message. The advent of
dispensationalism about 200 years ago primed many Christians for a return of
Israel to the land as a sign of the end times. Since that time, Christians have
been trying to advance the supposed time-line by encouraging our government to
participate in bringing those events to pass.
The so-called good news of dispensationalism is that we need to gather the Jews back to the Holy Land where two-thirds will be killed! Some even say Jesus is literally going to trample three-fifths of the world’s population under His feet and destroy them! Can we really say that is good news? I don’t think so, and I don’t think scripture teaches such a gospel. How much better the world would be if we sought to work with peace loving members of every stripe and color instead of committing ourselves to warring factions for whatever political gains we might envision.
Orthodox Jews are still waiting
for Messiah (Zionists are mostly atheists who only seek global dominion). If we
are prepared to demonstrate how Jesus kept His word to Orthodox Jews we will
overcome one of their greatest objections to Christianity. If we let them know
we do not support a Zionist state, we can build bridges which will lead to many
receiving the really good news that Messiah came, just as the prophets promised.
That is a gospel of life, not death and it has great appeal. I encourage you to
write your representatives and urge them to abandon our failed policy in the mid-east.
We should be focusing our attention on those who want peace and stop supporting
those who seek power through warfare.
The Marriage Amendment
Here we go again. Now Christians are clamoring for the federal government to define marriage. I understand they are well-intentioned, but honestly, can’t we think through these issues and realize we are only making matters worse?
Any time legislation is proposed at the federal level, the first question to be asked is, “Will it expand the power of the federal government?” If so, we should reject the notion. Liberty decreases every time government authority is increased. Yet, I am amazed at the number of Christians who are willing to sacrifice their liberty in the hope that the federal government will give them some crumb from the table. Right now, the federal government has no authority to regulate marriage. The proposed constitutional amendment would have the appearance of giving it that power. I say “appearance” because the legislation would be unlawful and have no force of law, though it would be enforced anyway.
Christians need to understand that once the federal government appears to have the authority to define marriage, it will only be a matter of time until marriage is redefined in ways they won’t like. If one believes a government pronouncement that only adult heterosexual relationships can constitute marriage, one, of necessity, must agree any relationship the government later pronounces to be legal is marriage. By giving this power to the federal government, Christians will forfeit the moral ground to oppose improper relationships once they are made “legal.” While there are some homosexuals who really care whether society sanctions their relationships, most are simply concerned about being eligible for benefits. The government does not have the authority to be passing out benefits in the first place, and that is where we need to address the problem.
Most Christians are compromised because they are on the take one way or another and don’t want to give up their perks (student loans, small business loans, farm subsidies, and all the rest). Consequently, rather than removing the motivation for government sanctioned homosexual marriages, the effort is being made to ban them. The federal government does not have this authority. State and local governments do and that is where action should be taken without federal interference. If one state wants to allow perversion, that is their choice as a “free, independent and sovereign” entity. Others will make Godly choices and both will reap what they sow.
The
stark contrast between the results of Godly behavior and perversion will be a
clear witness to which path God blesses. Those who want the blessings of Godly
behavior will be free to move to a Godly state and the morally bankrupt can
congregate with those of like mind to their mutual destruction. The Marriage
Amendment, if passed, will ultimately diminish the light which once shone
brightly in this country.
The Apprentice’s Journal
We're
excited to welcome David McDowell King into our family! He was born at home
April 1, 2004, at 1:57 a.m. At 8 lbs. 12
oz. and 21 inches in
length, he matched his brother Joshua (who turned 2 on March 26th).
Both Joshua and Geren love their new baby brother! The family is doing well, but
adding one more person to the mix, who has
unique needs and insists they be met, increases the challenge.
Like the first two births, Sharon and I hoped to be there for the event and it almost worked out. David was due on March 27th and we were there for Joshua’s birthday on the 26th, but, David didn’t cooperate and we returned home on the 28th.Both of us were sick by the time we left and I was really struggling. On the evening of the 31st, Sharon told me she thought we’d be leaving that night and urged me to load up on drugs and go to bed early. With temperatures over 100°, we both did.
The phone call came about 10:30 p.m. and Sharon suggested we get a couple of hours sleep before leaving. I’m normally a very light sleeper, but Sharon had a hard time waking me about 12:30 a.m. and I was so zonked I decided to stay home. I hated for her to be on the road alone at night but I was in a real fog. Nevertheless, I couldn’t go back to sleep so I probably should have gone on with her. She did have a cell phone and they knew she was on the way. When she called to check in about 2 a.m., David had just been born. Sharon got there about an hour later and, after everyone settled in, got to bed about 5 a.m.
Sharon
was able to stay and help almost two weeks and I made it up Easter weekend after
recovering from the crud. It is such a blessing to see new life come into the
world! Friends asked what we
wanted and my standard response was, “It really doesn’t matter as long as
they grow up to be faithful servants of our King.” It is not what we are when
come into the world that matters, but rather how we leave it.
I pray for the men in our family as we have entered difficult times. Our world needs men of faith to stand courageously in the face of oppression and I intend to do all I can to instill in them the values of Godly conduct. It is my deepest desire that they be far more faithful in their walk with God than I have been. God willing, the days ahead will hold many opportunities for sharing what little I’ve learned in this life. I pray they will be open to receiving those lessons and that they will build upon them to accomplish far more for God’s glory than anyone can imagine right now.
For the moment, it is a joy just to share the experience of being children with them. It’s great to have an excuse for doing things which would normally be seen as silly behavior for an adult. Children open lots of doors for adults if we just take timeto walk through them together. It can be an interesting journey if we map it out with care. Such responsibility should not be taken lightly but be made an object of devotion.
On the garden front, the plot is still a mud pit and nothing has been planted. Those of you in the north should understand it is very late to be planting some things in Texas. I don’t know if the spot is going to get dry enough to plant at all this spring!
The hummingbirds are back from their trek to South America and the bottle brush plants are loaded with blooms for them to enjoy. Bluebirds have nested with us for the first time! I am amazed at the variety of critters which show up in the yard. Last week, I saw a damselfly for the first time in my life. At first, I thought it was a dragonfly but it just didn’t look quite right. A quick look at www.enature.com identified it as an Ebony Jewelwing damselfly. The wings were carbon black and appeared velvety smooth. The body was an iridescent blue-green. It was gorgeous! Check out enature. It’s a great place to keep track of all your backyard visitors.
What wonders God created to show His glory! I hope your eyes are truly open to all He brings your way to show forth His majesty. The more we see, the more we stand in awe of His mighty works.