Speaking of Friends of God...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Is 55:8-9)"

It is interesting that this particular passage is found in the midst of Isaiah, the record of what may be the longest persecution of the people of God. There are so many promises throughout the bible that took place anywhere from a generation, to a century, to a thousand years to be fulfilled, and some that still have not come to pass. Why is it, that those of us in the Western part of the world read the bible with a "buy now, pay later" mentality. God speaks a promise to us and if it does not come to pass within the next 21 days, we believe we are in sin, or Satan is against us. Our faith, our experience with the living God should affect how we view the world we live in, but sadly, this is not so. Our experience with the world we live in adversely affects how we view our faith and our experience with the living God.
This is especially true in charismatic circles. Movements like the Word of Faith have reduced the living word of God to a mantra to be recited in order to obtain health, prosperity, and favor while on the earth. Instead of "buy now, pay later," their message appears to be "buy now, pay nothing." But this is not so.

Salvation is a gift from God, meaning it is free. No merit or worth on our part can secure the gift of reconciliation to God. However; from that point on, it is blood, sweat and tears, and ironically, the joy comes during THAT journey. Consider these verses.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensures us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Heb 12:1)

"But you, O man of God...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed... (I Tim 6:12)"

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rom 5:3)"

The verses go on and on. Look up the words fight, endure, and persevere in your concordance and the verses are seemingly endless. This is an eternal fight, an eternal journey, one that may or may not, end with our generation. The workers in the parable of the vineyard were condemned because they lived like the husbandman was not returning. We have to live dually as if Christ is returning, looking for Him with our hearts and living our lives to please Him, while occupying like we have a century to complete the work on this temporal plain. That's what it means to "Occupy til I come."

I watched a documentary on the life of Pope John Paul II last night and was surprised to find the kind of life he lived and the kind of man he was. Being a Christian in the Western World and having a very limited view of things until as of late, I didn't concern myself very much with the Pope. Quite frankly, in the circles I travel, more homage is paid to certain televangalists and those that profess to carry a "supernatural anointing." How wrong we are.

This was a man of great humility and intelligence, who allowed his faith to define his position instead of the other way around. Throughout his years he fought communism and it's persecution of those in it's grasp with courage, perseverance, peace, and a profound faith in the eternal. When communist Poland created the "city without God," and bulldozed churches and any sign of religion, he led thousands in masses outside regardless of the political or natural climate. People met amidst persecution and severe weather to observe the sacraments of the church. This is not mere religion, "having a form but denying the power," it is faith, strong and true. Over a period of 20 years this fight was fought with wisdom and peace, strength and mercy until communism gave in and allowed a church to be built. I could go on, but my point is to impress upon you the eternity of the purpose of our faith, not to keep you here for an eternity.

In Deuteronomy, there are a series of curses pronounced on those that are disobedient to God. One of these is that "He (the oppressor)shall be the head and you the tail. (Deut 28:44)" I have heard this curse reversed to a blessing many times. "You shall be the head and not the tail," when referring to health, wealth, joy, and blessing. When looking at it in the context of faith persevering in the midst of communist persecution, it takes on a much deeper meaning. At the opening of the church, Pope John Paul II (not yet the Pope), encouraged the thousands upon thousands that met there that this was their city, it belonged to the people of God, and they did not have to allow their future or faith to be dictated to them. This was only a twenty year journey, but what a result.

Yes, God brings His spirit and visits His people, yes, He has plans for us for our good. We should never doubt that He is active here and now on our behalf and is concerned with even our most trivial needs. "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; (Is 53:4)" But it saddens me that the gospel message in the West has been largely reduced to biblical money management and keys to personal success. I also suspect that whether or not we boycott Proctor and Gamble or read Harry Potter books has litte to do with the eternal scheme of things. Let our vision be extended to the eternal.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst cries of "Hosanna, Hosanna," it was because the inhabitants of that land were looking for a victorious conqueror who would liberate them with vengeance from the oppression they were under. Instead, they found He was a Lamb led to the slaughter and rejected Him. We cannot fashion a Christ after our own desires, but have to fashion ourselves and the work we do after His desires.

Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus. Lord, open my eyes to your eternal purpose. Let me not squander your purpose on my own temporal needs and desire for recognition. Give me the strength to persevere in the building of your kingdom, finding the joy in what lies ahead while serving in the now.