Giving up on Perfection 

Why did Jesus tell us to be perfect in Matthew 5:48? We humans do not have the ability to be flawless, yet strangely we gladly criticize shortcomings in others. How then can Jesus expect any mortal human being to be perfect? Does he require the impossible from us? The Greek word translated as perfect is misunderstood in modern English. Jesus was actually telling his disciples to become mature -- full grown -- adults of full age. So, rather than faultless behavior, Jesus suggested that we simply grow up. The context was about loving our enemies. Because we are imperfect, and need grace and mercy, we ought to extend it even to our enemies. Let's grow up and stop condemning others, but rather be like God in heaven. Let's give up on expecting impossible perfection -- in ourselves and others. Let's instead grow up, extending loving mercy and grace, even to our enemies.

Just B'lieve 

I've heard people in and out of the Christian Church make fun of the statement, "Just believe!" Some use the declaration to mock what they call easy-believism or dead faith without works. Non-believers sometimes use the phrase to ridicule what they perceive to be a measure of naivety among Christians in general. Perhaps there is a degree of valid criticism if some Christians use faith as an excuse for laziness or inactivity. However, when the phrase was used by Jesus in Mark 5:36, he was not referring to criteria for eternal life or idleness. He was certainly referring to a circumstance where all possible action seemed to have been taken yet to no avail. The verse refers to the healing of an influential man's daughter when all hope seemed lost. Perhaps for us, when all else has failed, we too need to heed the words, "Don't be afraid, just believe!"

How the Bible describes Itself

Paul described all scripture as "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). He meant the Old Testament. By faith we also apply that to the New Testament. Biblically, the phrase "word of God" narrowly describes a quote from God, and broadly the message about God, the Gospel. The Bible does not describe Genesis-Revelation as the word of God. By faith we call the Bible the word of God. Jesus also called God's word truth (John 17:17). However, he specifically referred to the message that he passed on from our Father in heaven. By faith, we call the entire Bible truth, believing that it also came from God through humans. Is it inerrant truth? The word inerrant is a counter-cultural argument, a negative way of saying truth, but applies only in theory to the original manuscripts which we don't have. Biblically and by faith we believe the Bible is "God-breathed" and "truth."

Overcoming Depression 

Our state contains 600 violent gangs and 10,000 gang members. No, this is not South Africa or Baghdad, but the beautiful US state of Maryland. I could get very depressed about all this or I could look on the positive. No matter where we live in this world there will always be something negative which we could focus on: the decades long drought in Australia, the Russian mafia infiltrating Europe, or global warming drowning Pacific island nations. After all the medicine is gone and we are still faced with a troubled world, how do we cope in an age where there seems to be no hope? Psychologists tell us that we must re-train our thinking and develop a positive mental attitude. Call it what you will, it is not new medicine but an idea at least as old as Paul's encouragement to an ancient Greek church (Philippians 4:8).

Focusing on the Positive 

A dichotomy is two opposites that contradict each other. For instance, when God created all things, he said it was very good. So, some say that human nature (as created) is good. On the other hand, Jesus said that there is no one good, and so others say that human nature is evil. What is true? Both are true. Humanity is a contradictory mix of good and evil. What does God focus on? Even though all sin quite regularly, if we have repented and chosen Christ, God no longer calls us sinners, but his special treasure. What should we focus on? Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to fill our minds with "things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (the Message) Let's be positive rather than negative Christians. Let's fill our minds with good.

We all Fail

We cannot save ourselves from failure. Very few seem to understand that, as we mercilessly criticize national leaders or harshly judge each other in daily life. Somehow as we look at ancient Israel's miserable record of failing the test in the wilderness, we seem not to see ourselves in the same light. Yet, there is only one who was tested in the wilderness and passed (Luke 4:1-13). A survey on a recent TV show asked how many of the Ten Commandments that people had broken the past week. The most common answer was one, indicating a total lack of self-understanding among a majority. We all have the same problem and so Jesus had to point out that if we have thought it, it is the same thing. So, we break all Ten Commandments regularly. We humans are incapable of saving ourselves from our failures. That's why Jesus is Savior.

Passing the Test

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13), the Greek sense is that of a test. In academics, a person who supervises a test is called a proctor. Jesus was severely tested in three major areas, by an adversarial proctor. The tester was an antagonist whose purpose was to try and make Jesus fail. His test was not on doctrine by itself, but certainly on the implications of doctrine. Theologians would say that his test was not on orthodoxy (right teaching) but on orthopraxy (right practice). However, right teaching was at the root of what Jesus chose to do. As he said no to a series of three temptations, his answer was always grounded in a deep understanding of God's will as taught in the Hebrew Scriptures.What about us? As the proctor of life's temptations confronts us, how well prepared are we to pass the test?

Saying no to Temptation

Temptation to do things which destroy our health, marriage, family, reputation, existence enters our lives daily. We all fail in our minds, but woe to those who fail in action. How many careers have been ruined by one senseless act? How many marriages are destroyed by yielding to one moment? How many reputations are ruined by one careless deed? How many lives have been lost by one angry incident on the road? When Jesus was tempted (Luke 4:1-13), the battle was not just for the success of his ministry, but for the lives of all humanity. Too many of us fail when tempted by food or power. We also fail by tempting God. How many families, businesses, nations have been damaged because we failed to say no to temptation. When we do say no to temptation, in small and great things then we truly become masters of our own lives.

An Encouraging Glimpse of Death

When we think of death, we may consider pain, unpreparedness, mystery, dreadful thoughts or in some cases, relief. Athiests only speak of a rather hopeless end. When Peter, James and John were on the mount of transfiguration in Luke 9:28-43 they witnessed Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus of his then future death, resurrection and ascension. They did not speak of it in terms that we may use in everyday modern speech, and they certainly did not call it an end. Rather they used the Greek word for Exodus, which some Bibles suitably translate as "departure." Now that presents a more interesting picture of death than popular ideas may. Certainly, it is Jesus' death and some may argue not ours. Yet, there were two others with Jesus who had likewise experienced an "exodus" from this life. They were very much alive and living in brilliant glory. That is wonderfully encouraging!

Mountaintops and Failures

As the disciples of Jesus descended from the mountain of transfiguration, they encountered their own failures. They were unsuccessful in service to a mentally ill child. The embarrassing moment is found in Luke 9:28-43 and it reminds us of our failures too. Whenever we try to help others, we will also fail many times. The road to success is riddled with failures. Many bosses would utter that famous line, "You're fired!" But this is God's kingdom and even though Jesus is quite blunt with everyone, "Oh, unbelieving and perverse generation," he does not give up on his disciples. Stern lessons are opportunities, not a reason to quit. The mountain top experience does not remove from us the harshness of life, but it helps us see what is beyond. One of life's greatest lessons is that human efforts will end in failure. That's why we look to Jesus to save us.