Pilgrim’s Progress – #1

Modern prophets with PhD’s and white coats urge us to take more pills than at any time in history to find peace and happiness. They urge therapy from psychiatrists, especially during the recent pandemic. Pundits fill our bookstores with “How to Books” on finding fulfillment and happiness. But it is Jeremiah  who 2500 years ago had an accurate diagnosis. He said that they cry, “peace, peace, . . . when there is no peace.” (Jer 6:14)

Want peace, fulfillment, joy? What should we do? “This is what the Lord says: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jer 6:16) And so in this news series of blogs I’m going to go back to the story of Pilgrim’s Progress from John Bunyan, b 1628.

John Bunyan along with 50 or 60 other evangelicals who dissented from the official religion were thrown into an ancient jail constructed on one of the pillars of a bridge. He spent 12 1/2 years there during which time he wrote the classic Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegory about an ordinary Christian pilgrim travelling from the city of destruction to the gates of heaven. Imagine the agony with which he parted from his wife and four children. The illustrations in this series are from engravings on wood included in an 1861 edition.

The lose of evangelical freedom in those days is a warning to believers in the Gospel during our days as we slowly, ever so slowly see our freedom erode. Fortunately, we still have enormous freedom to speak forth the good news.

Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory. Although allegory as a form of writing is unfamiliar with many of us in our day; an allegory is a narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners. It makes the complex simple, relatable, and easy to understand.

Writers and speakers typically use allegories to convey (semi-)hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning the author wishes to convey. Many allegories use personification of abstract concepts.

While in jail for his faith, John Bunyan wrote an allegory about having a dream of a man in rags with burden on his back. The man read from a book which led him to weep and tremble and cry out, “What shall I do?” Although written in 1600’s, Pilgrim represents millions of burdened people today.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Is Self-reliance more Important than Mutual Encouragement?

Why do we even need to ask the question?

In the western world we’ve made a virtue of independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency. In some ways these virtues have served us well by enabling us to avoid getting stuck in a rut dug by clinging to out-moded cultural mores. They help many to launch out into life without clinging to their parents. They have energized explorers and inventors.

But we are not meant to live as independent islands of self-reliance. For many of us, Christmas has again demonstrated to us the blessing of families. For me, at this advanced stage of life, my children and grandchildren have often been there when I needed their help.

And yet, we often run into this misplaced spirit of independence, especially in those who have lived productive lives but now come to an age when receiving help is irksome. We have a friend who needs help very badly, but every time we try to offer help, she feels the need to pay for it in some way. It’s as if she cannot conceive of the concept of grace, “freely you have received, freely give.” She seems to avoid asking her kids for help.

This concept of giving and receiving grace is meant to permeate the church. Let me apply this concept in what may seem a strange way, by asking why so many professing Christians act as if they are independent islands of self-reliance? Are individual Christians meant to be isolated? Let’s take the example of one of the strongest Christians we read about in the New Testament and see what he says.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul sent Tychicus to the church so that “you may know how we are [and what I am doing] and that he may encourage you” (Eph. 6:21,22). Paul wanted news of the Ephesians so he could be encouraged and so they, in turn, could be encouraged.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you…Epaproditis…he longs for you also and is distressed because you heard he was ill…so that you may be glad” (See Phil. 2: 19-30) Paul recognized his need to be cheered by news from that church—and for them to be encouraged.

In writing to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Tychicus…a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts…with Onesimus…they will tell you everything that is happening here” (Col. 4:7-9).

Paul goes on to describe how, “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus” is being sent after being a comfort to him as one who is “wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured…he is working hard for you” Then he mentions Luke, the doctor and others while asking that this letter be read also in Laodicea. (See Col. 4:10-17.)

Paul spent a whole chapter of Romans (16) listing dozens of helpers. If Paul needed co-workers, if Paul needed encouragement from other believers, who are we to think that we don’t? The church is meant to be, not only a place of worship, but a place where we gather with other believers to imbibe hope and joy and love from our brothers and sisters. God never meant us to be islands!

Isolated or connected? Hearing about how God is dealing with one another or the silence of living alone or only with our spouse? Encouragement from each other or stolid “stiff upper lip,” “I don’t need anyone,” “I’ve got it all together?” The answer is self-evident unless we are blinded by some exalted opinion of ourselves.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10: 24,25).

How the Fear of God Delivers us from Other Fears

The other day, I was meditating on the abundance of verses on our need to live and walk in the fear of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;” “Store up my commands within you…then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body.” (Prov. 1:7a, 2:1,4;3:5,7,8) And many more.

We’ve been discussing the fear of the Lord in one of our Bible studies. Any cursory study on what God is like leaves us astonished at his glory, the glory of the infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent God. King of the universe who rules over all. The Most High. The thrice holy. Aligning our lives with Him so we walk in loving and humble obedience to his will is the only way for a Christian to walk. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:12; “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Submit to Christ as Lord.

But that day, I had occasion to apply this sense of the overwhelming sovereignty and power of God in a practical way. Phyliss and I were in the US on our way back to Canada. She has applied for a Canadian visa, but the process was incomplete. The car was stuffed full. Everyone tells horror stories of border agents. What should we expect?

You know the tightness you get in your stomach when a police car with sirens blaring approaches you at high speed. “What did I do? Did I go through a red light? Was I speeding?” And then it races by after some felon in the next town. Well normally, I get that feeling when we approach a border crossing. Did the agent at the booth get up on the right side of the bed today? Or?

But I had been thinking how foolish our fears were in the light of awe for and trust in God. Doesn’t he watch over us? Isn’t he sovereign of the universe—certainly officials of all kinds. Can’t I trust him? Am I more affected by dread of officials? A whole panoply of fears skate over the surface of our minds; fear of sickness,  hospitals, accidents, speaking. How puny these fears are in the light of our Father’s care. And any fear we have of him is laced with awe and love and compassion. As a Christian I should not be so impressed by things around me but live with a powerful sense of God over all.

My normal dread eased considerably. And even though the agent sent us into the customs and immigration building, we found the officers considerate and friendly. Too often our fears are misplaced.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

How is Joy Related to Contentment? – Meditations on Christian Joy, Part 5

We just watched a movie about the indominable spirit of Diana Nyad, a swimmer in her 60’s who after 5 tries was still determined to do the impossible, swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida. With the help of a supportive team, she finally conquered the ocean with its sharks and jellyfish. Part of the take-away from the film was a celebration of the unconquerable human spirit, that we are never too old to follow our dream, and that we should never give up. While perseverance is a worthy quality at any age, we wondered about the restlessness and unhappiness so evident in Diana Nyad.

We should have high goals and dreams. Being content with mediocrity, rootlessness, or insignificant goals is not nobility. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the evils of laziness. God has gifted all of us with skills that can be used to improve our own and our community’s condition. The innate creativity God gave us has enabled civilization to progress through better medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and even housing. All of this is good.

And yet, the Bible has a lot to say about being contented with our lot. Without contentment we can never know the joy of the Lord.

But how is contentment possible while we live in a world bent on urging us to buy a better car, build a bigger house, seek a higher paying job, go on a more exotic trip, eat at better restaurants, improve our appearance with implants, get a higher golf score? We are continually bombarded with promises of winning this or that lottery. Continual discontent with our circumstances breeds unhappiness.

Clearly, the goals that captivate our hearts, affect everything in our lives. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23). But what are those aspirations that should well up from within our hearts?

Paul’s advice to Timothy is clear. We should strive for godliness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

When our soul’s happiness is disrupted by an unfulfilled craving for money, status, property, or power we cannot know the joy of the Lord. Instead of these unworthy goals God urges us to strive for holiness. Holiness is manifest in various ways as the fruit of the Spirit, Christ-likeness, the beatitudes, a deep reverence and love for God, or a generosity and love for our neighbours. These are the goals of the Christian. As the Spirit reproduces them in us, we find deep contentment and joy. We learn to rest in our heavenly Father’s care. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Jesus pointed his disciples to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air while teaching them to trust God for their needs. But since the joyful life is connected to contentment, what about enduring troubles and privation, what about suffering? Habakuk boldly wrote:

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places. (Hab 3:17-19)

Imagine a condition of great privation when all the crops fail. Yet in such a condition Habakkuk had learned to rejoice in the Lord. Such rejoicing is internal, within the heart where we treasure love and faith for the Lord.

This is not to say that we will not at times feel gloomy, even cry out in pain and discouragement. Contentment comes by heeding biblical examples and yielding to the training of the Spirit–and much prayer. Paul suffered from some “thorn in the flesh” which he asked the Lord to take away. In answer “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,10).

Clearly, Christian joy is an attitude that flows from a heart satisfied with God’s grace. The more we celebrate God’s grace in Christ, the happier we will be. A heart captivated by a holy love for God while being content with external circumstances becomes fertile ground for the flower of joy to bloom. In other words, joy is a byproduct of spiritually worthy pursuits.

Lord help us to realign our priorities; holiness and contentment.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

DNA and the Beanstalk

One thing I miss in our current condo is having a garden. I even miss the fall clean-up. I remember trying to untangle the climbing bean stalks from the poles and trellis I had set up for their growth. The beans stalks grew round and round the poles and each other, then onto anything nearby including the tomatoes. The plants had kept us in fresh green beans almost until first frost. They grew so dramatically high that if I had been able to install a two or three story lattice work they would have climbed to the top. As it was, I had to use a step ladder to pick the topmost.

And all this growth from a few little bean seeds. How did those seeds know to climb when my bush beans didn’t? How did they know they weren’t soy beans? How could they climb so high? My climbing beans reminded me of the magic beans described in the story of Jack and the beanstalk. I can see why the imagination of the writer went wild.

The information packed into the DNA of those seeds is incredible. How does God do these kind of things? A bean stalk ten or twenty feet long. An apple tree from an apple seed. And what about a giant sequoia? Moving from plants we could ask the same questions about a whale or a butterfly. As Werner Gitt points out in his book, In the beginning was information, there is no known natural law or process or phenomenon through which matter can give rise to information. And without encoded information there can be no life.

I’ve been writing about a bean seed, but what about the information stored in human DNA? We are told that every kind of life and every organ of every living thing uses specific proteins. In our bodies there are about 50,000 different proteins. Wow! The result of billions of years of chemical accidents? A product of evolution? Sorry, I’m just not that credulous. I’d rather go with David and praise our Creator God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14) Do we know that? Do we know Him?

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright –– )

 

November 4, 2023

The Further We Drift from the Christian Faith, the Needier We Become – Essential Belief, #43

Our culture indoctrinates us to say, we are independent, self-reliant men and women. And if by chance we do have needs there is always a doctor or psychiatrist or philosopher or beer-buddy to point us to help—or simply commiserate.

The foundations of western civilization tell us different. They go back, back, back to the Man of Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth who came because we were needy, because the best that human wisdom affords was an abysmal attempt to satisfy our needs. I’m not talking about warmth, shelter, and food which many civilizations have done a commendable, though flawed, job in providing.

John Stott (at 88) writing about the neediest among us comments; “I sometimes hear old people, including Christian people who should know better say, ‘I don’t want to be a burden to anyone else. I’m happy to carry on living so long as I can look after myself, but as soon as I become a burden I would rather die.’ But this is wrong. We are all designed to be a burden to others. You are designed to be a burden to me, and I am designed to be a burden to you. And the life of the family, including the life of the local church family, should be one of ‘mutual burdensomeness.’ ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2)” — John Stott, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling

As Stott points out there is something in us that resists admitting our neediness. Not only is the Christian faith designed by God to help us bear one another’s burdens, at it’s root it is a cry to enter God’s presence through the wicket gate of confession and repentance for our sins—admitting our ultimate neediness. Pride keeps us from admitting our sinfulness, which is the most fundamental of our needs. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It may not only keep us from seeking practical help, but it may keep us from embracing God’s need-meeting Saviour. Who? Jesus Christ, the Lord, who has been eternally appointed by God to be mankind’s prophet, priest, and king, fulfilling three offices that address humanity’s fundamental needs.

Jesus is the prophet we need because we are ignorant of eternal truth and the operation of God in the beginning and continuing operation of our universe. We need a divine teacher, Jesus, to dispel our ignorance. We operate as self-centered beings inventing amazing machines but blasé about ultimate questions. Indeed, we are—dare I say it—wilfully stupid. We have no idea about what is beyond the grave. We march blithely toward our hellish destiny with seldom a care. Then Jesus, the Prophet, calls us to stop, listen, and believe the gospel. “The Word [God’s communication] became flesh and made his dwelling among us…No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, [Jesus, the Son of God] who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:14,18). “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Listen and believe.

Jesus is the priest, the mediator between Heaven and earth. He shed his blood to secure our salvation. Only he can reconcile us to God through pleading his crossly sacrifice before the Father in order to blot out our guilt. Only he can render us acceptable to God. As our priest he continues to intercede for us. “Christ came as high priest…He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:11, 12). “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:24,25).

Jesus Christ is King, the only one powerful and insightful enough to rescue us from our spiritual adversaries including that arch enemy, the devil. Do we realize that, “your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)? As the 1689 confession states, “We need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, sustain, deliver and preserve us, until we finally enter his heavenly kingdom. He came proclaiming the kingdom of God. The New Testament ends declaring, “He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings” (Rev. 17:14).

As prophet he teaches us about our spiritual need of rescue. As priest he rescues us through his blood and continues to intercede for our transformation. As King he guides, sustains, and protects until he calls us home to enjoy the blessings of His kingdom.

Living The Impossible Life

It’s impossible to live the Christian life. Yet many do the impossible. How do they do it?

They live a transformed life by faith in their mystical union with Christ. What is that about? Isn’t that just theological mumbo jumbo? Well, no, it’s much more practical and real than words in a musty volume.

In some mysterious, mystical way it is our connection to Christ that enables his life to flow into us in transforming power. This is a continuing theme through the New Testament.

Together with other believers we are built into a temple through Christ who is the chief cornerstone. (Eph. 2:19-22) He is the vine and we are the branches. Without this connection to him we can do nothing—nothing, meaning bear no spiritual fruit. (John 15:1-8) First Corinthians 12 tells us, “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it” (vs. 27). It is only in connection to Christ that we can use our diverse gifts to prosper the kingdom. Ephesians five goes so far as to teach that just as in marriage a husband and wife become one flesh, so we are one with him.

To make sure we don’t miss the place Christ has, not only in saving us through his blood—regeneration, justification—but in continuing to sustain, energize, and motivate us, the phrase “in Christ” is mentioned 75 times. “In him” is mentioned a further 70 times.

Louis Berkhof defines this union as that intimate, vital, and spiritual union between Christ and His people, in virtue of which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessedness and salvation.

It is a vital union made possible by the covenant relationship between the Father and the Son, the incarnation and atonement of the Son, and the practical ongoing mediation of the Holy Spirit. Paul prays to the Father for Ephesian believers that “out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:14-19).  

We appropriate the resources of this mystical union “by faith;” “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Galatians 2:20 tells us that the life we live in the body—this body of flesh and bone—we live by faith in the Son of God. And so, as moved by the Spirit we appropriate the living bread, the water of life that Jesus offers. “And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

Calvin writes: “Therefore, that joining together of Head and members, that indwelling of Christ in our hearts—in short, that mystical union—are accorded by us the highest degree of importance, so that Christ, having been made ours, makes us sharers with him in the gifts with which he has been endowed. We do not, therefore, contemplate him outside ourselves from afar in order that his righteousness may be imputed to us but because we put on Christ and are engrafted into his body—in short, because he deigns to make us one with him. For this reason, we glory that we have fellowship of righteousness with him.”

Let us then “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith…[and press on] in your struggle against sin” (Heb. 12:2,4).

—–

Post script: While contemplating this incredible provision of God, we must not misinterpret it to indicate an identification with Christ in his essence, that is, as he is united with the Father and Spirit. We do not become ‘gods” or partake of God in some pantheistic sense. Nor must we connect it to the immanence of God in all creatures. God is omnipresent but distinct from all his creation. Nor is this union to be understand in a sacramental sense as some churches teach, as if they are the depository of power which they can dispense through the communion elements.

Instead of drifting into self-centered mysticism, let us draw strength from Christ by faith—and thus live the impossible life.

Essential Beliefs of Jesus-followers, #42

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

MEDITATIONS ON CHRISTIAN JOY – Part Three

Living a joyful life is our heritage as Christians. We read, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “Joyfully draw water from the well of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus explained to his disciples that his teaching should lead to joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11; see also John 17:13).

But what is this joy? Roget’s Thesaurus lists as synonyms for joy: happiness, delight, euphoria, high spirits, gladness, bliss, glee, elation, cheer, jubilance, rapture, transport with antonyms as; misery, depression, desolation, and despair.

High spirits? Glee? Euphoria? In some Christian circles, we are expected to demonstrate a joyful countenance to show that we are rejoicing in the Lord. I think joy is far deeper. It is rooted in an awareness of the panoply of redemptive graces that God pours into our lives through Christ. It can, and probably should, lead to a feeling of bliss, of gladness, of elation, of rapture, or of euphoria.

However, since we are to grow in grace, the full expression of our joy may develop over time. And with our different personalities and upbringings, we may express ourselves differently. Surely, we should aim to daily draw up copious amounts of joy from the inexhaustible well of salvation. That is our heritage. But we should not force a certain kind of joyful expression on others. We cannot whip it up. Manipulation is a very hurtful tactic. Let’s draw attention to the well and pray for one another that we may know more and more “the joy of the Lord” without signally that membership in our group requires a certain outward expression.

In this series, as the Lord leads, I want to consider joy as it relates to a full-orbed understanding of salvation and being assured we are saved, joy as it relates to being part of a Christian community, joy and suffering, joy and faith in God’s sovereignty, joy and faith in God’s character, joy and contentment, joy and meaningful service, and joy and love among other subjects.

But before I leave this post, there is one aspect that we tend to neglect because we are warned that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Christian joy is far more enthralling than the tastiest steak or the most exquisite wine.

But a misreading of the balance of Scripture has led many in church history to over-emphasize asceticism and self-denial of anything that might be enjoyable. As if refusing to enjoy the gifts of the Creator somehow makes one more holy or more devoted. Yes, there is a time for prayer and fasting. But there is also a time for feasting as we see in the instituted feasts of Israel.

Our pastor, in his series on Ecclesiastes pointed out in chapter nine a recurring theme. Since life is unpredictable and will end in death, we should enjoy what God provides in the days we are given. “Go eat your food with gladness, and drink you wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. …anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun…whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10). [For an understanding of “meaningless” in the book, I’d suggest you go to a good commentary.] God did not create a world of luscious fruits, meaningful work, and marriage for these gifts to be spurned! He expects his children to enjoy his gifts, while knowing that salvation is the greatest gift of all. Yes, there is a measure of joy in these other gifts also.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Meditations on Christian Joy, Part One

I remember a preacher once saying that we all looked like we had swallowed a pickle. Instead of joy on our faces, we evidently looked glum. Clearly, God wants redeemed sinners to know joy, but can we just change the expression of our faces and have joy? Hardly.

A cursory read through the Psalms, for example, reveals that genuine God-fearers may occasionally look like they have swallowed a pickle. Many of the Psalms are laments. David, and others, frequently express “disquiet of soul,” a downcast countenance, sorrow and grief. In Ecclesiastes we are reminded that; “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:4). Christian joy is not a denial of reality. It is not a grit your teeth and bear it attitude that we force ourselves to adopt to paper over pain, grief, or tragedy.

Happiness, on the other hand, normally depends on circumstances. Healthy…then happy. In a harmonious marriage…happy. Money in the bank…happy. Sunshine…happy. Normally, we don’t expect people who don’t have enough money to pay their bills to be happy. Or those in abusive relationships. We don’t expect people struggling through sleet on their way to work to be happy while cold drizzle runs down their back. In fact, if they pretend to be happy, we think them strange. Generally, pleasant circumstances make us happy.

Fifteen months ago, God called my wife of 61 years home to heaven. Fortunately, most of my family and peers didn’t expect me to get over my grief quickly. Yet some Christian writers who have gone through grief write as if “the joy of the Lord” will quickly triumph over tears. So, this subject is very personal to me.

I am not alone in dealing with grief. All around us there are a multitude of those who have been abandoned, abused, widowed, or struggle with cancer, the loss of a child, or a mental illness of some kind. What do we expect God to do for them? Should we expect them in a reasonable length of time to break into joyful song? Paul and Silas did while in prison. Clearly, we need to look deeper.

After the exiles returned from Babylon and rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, Ezra read “from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” When they saw how far short of God’s moral standards they had acted, they began mourning and weeping. However, Nehemiah and the leaders urged them; “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). They found joy in God’s covenant love which had led to their return from captivity and the restoration of their city and land.

The prelude to joy is an acknowledgement of our sinfulness and need of forgiveness. We cannot expect joy to pervade our beings if we are self-righteous and judgmental of others, if we harbour unconfessed sin or lust, if we pilfer from our boss or spread gossip. Joy comes when there is nothing but a sense of God’s forgiving love between us and our Saviour. Joy comes from a source outside of ourselves.

Isaiah writes that we will joyfully draw water from the wells of salvation. (12:3) Wells of salvation? We can’t obtain water unless we have a source, in this case, a well. To get a well we first have to dig it. In the case of Christian joy, we’re fortunate that God steps in and metaphorically digs a well in our hearts that bubbles up with joy. How does he do that? By calling us to faith in Christ. We become born again. He takes away our stony hearts and gives us new hearts, tender, and sensitive to his love.

Clearly then, the prerequisite to know joy is to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ who bore our sins upon the cross. In a biblical sense if we do not have salvation, we have no well from which to draw up draughts of joy. But being saved means we have an inexhaustible source of joy through meditation on our forgiveness, adoption, reconciliation, justification, and many other facets of redemption.

Of those who know his salvation, God declares that he has made known to them, “the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11). That might indicate that this joy is not fully known until we go to heaven. But no, joy is offered along “the path of life” as we walk with a sense of God’s presence. Having that sense is crucial.

Do we know God is near? Do we believe that “underneath are the everlasting arms?” With David do we realize that God is beside us, ahead of us, behind us, beneath us? (See Psalm 139.)

Jesus makes it clear that the impact of his message on his disciples is “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). His joy. Gospel joy. Christian joy. This joy cannot be experienced outside of his message. Ignorance of his teaching muddies the well and rusts out the bucket. Are we daily drawing water from the descriptive well of Scripture?

There is much more to consider about this delightful subject.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Why Attend Church? — The Wrong Question

In an article in the March issue of Christianity Today, p. 69, Kirsten Sanders tackles this question. With many asking why attendance at a local church matters she comments: “The instinct that God can be encountered in living rooms, in nature, and even on a TV is not wrong. The entire Christian tradition insists that God is not hindered by anything and can be near people through matter—even when conveyed by data packets to a screen. God indeed dwells with his people, gathered in homes across the world. Yet it would be incorrect also to call such a presence ‘church.’” “The concern of God in creating the church is not to form persons but to form a people.” A gathered people.

I would add to her article several other matters, including the fact that Jesus came preaching the kingdom. After his temptation, baptism by John, and then John’s imprisonment Jesus began “proclaiming good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:14,15). His early followers misinterpreted that to mean that he would set up an earthly kingdom in place of Rome.

The whole New Testament explains that this was not his purpose. The kingdom comes when a sinner is born again and God, as king, through the Spirit enters into a sovereign relationship with that person. The person is transported from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Think of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Luke explains; “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20,21).

The first Christians showed they were part of this kingdom, an earthly beachhead as it were, with specific gathered activities. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” They kept meeting together and praising God. Hebrews 10:25 explains how normative that is.

We need to realize how special we are as believers. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people; but now you are the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9,10).

Dear friends, we are kingdom people. We represent the kingdom of God on earth until that day when Christ will return and establish his overt authority over all. Every local church is an embassy of the kingdom. We do not have a choice to go to church or not. If we have been chosen and redeemed, we have become citizens of a new country. We may be Canadians or Americans, but first and foremost we are God’s Kingdom Citizens. Should we deny our citizenship by refusing to attend a local church?

If you have worked in Bongo Bongo for a decade and the Canadian Embassy there puts on a BBQ for all its citizens would you be embarrassed to go because you disagree with some of the politics? You’d probably look forward to rubbing shoulders with fellow Canadians.

At this point many will say; but the church hurt me, my church has real flaws, or I don’t agree with the leadership, or it didn’t help me when I had a need. Or, in extreme cases, my church has fallen away from grace and become heretical. If your church has become a synagogue of Satan instead of a flawed representative of heaven, then you may have some reason to avoid it, even fight against it. BUT, that is not the case for most who avoid attending. Brothers and sisters, it is time to put away the daggers, put the hurts under the blood of Christ, and join other flawed brothers and sisters in gently, lovingly, prayerfully working to make your church a genuine place where the God of the Word, the Spirit of God, and where the Head of the Church maintains authority. Your fellow struggling saints need you! And the needs to know God has establish a beachhead on earth.

Should we look for excuses not to attend? Or excuses to go?

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)