God Doesn't Play Favorites!

Sometimes my young sons and I play a game on the road when we see Volkswagen Bug cars. The first person to see one of these vehicles punches the nearby person while saying, “Punch Buggy.” Obviously, it’s better that you are the first one who notices a Bug.

Recently, as I was driving into work I noticed a newer Bug but did not have any of my kids with me to play the game, so I hit myself. No, not really. Something did stand out about this particular VW Bug; however. The bumper sticker on the back stated, “Jesus loves you but I am His favorite!”Hmmmm. That statement seems kind of cute at first. Someone in my family actually chuckled a little bit when I shared this later. But biblically, this statement is not fully true.

Yes, Jesus loves you (for example; Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.). There are great examples of Christ’s love in God’s Word (e.g. died for our sins). Proclaiming Christ’s love to the world is a good news truth statement; however, the second part of the bumper sticker phrase “but I am His favorite!” is not backed up by God’s Word. In fact, it goes against what Scripture teaches about God. And just to be clear, theologically, I believe God’s word teaches there is one triune God, one God existing in three Divine Persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So, when we learn in God’s Word that God does not play favorites, this is true of the eternal Son of God even if His name, position, and title are not specifically identified when God is referenced.  

Consider some Bible verses about God’s impartiality.

Deut. 10:17 ESV For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.  

2 Chron. 19:7 ESVNow then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.  

Job 34:19 ESV who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?  

Acts 10:34 ESV So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
(other translations; NLT uses the phrase “no favoritism” and the KJV: “no respecter of persons.”)  

Romans 2:11 ESV For God shows no partiality.  

Galatians 2:6-7 ESV ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised  

Colossians 3:25 ESV For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Peter 1:17 ESV And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

Showing favoritism towards people is a form of discrimination, treating people according to their rank, status, or importance, for example, at the cost of others. I realize at first glance that the phrase ‘respecter of persons’ sounds like a positive thing since it is a good thing to respect people, but this particular phrase is often used in the negative context, especially in God’s Word.  

Here are some examples of favoritism in our culture. When a pastor gives extra preferential treatment toward the church member who tithes 90% compared to the member who tithes 10%, just because the previous one gives more money. Another example involves a father metering out discipline/punishment to his three sons who all lied to their father, except the dad only punishes two of the sons because the other son is his favorite of the three. Then there is the boss who gives extra perks to one of the employees just because they are good friends. This type of favoritism behavior is not God-honoring when we do it and it’s not representative of God’s character and conduct either.  

What would it look like if God showed favoritism? It would be like God thinking this to Himself; “I really like that President of the United States more than that peasant worker in south Asia because he is such a great man and that small potatoes guy is insignificant so I will not judge the President for lying but I will judge the peasant for lying.” Or how about this example: Imagine God thinking this; “I really like that pastor in California more than the one in Timbuktu because he has a huge mega-church and wrote the best-selling book to date and he is Caucasian. I will make his life a lot easier because I like him more.” What? No way. Not happening. God doesn’t play favorites.

God is perfectly Holy and just and righteous. God loves people, sinners. God’s grace and mercy extends to all people. God is not partial in His judgment upon people. And He can’t be bribed by us somehow to act in our favor like He’s some sort of compromising politician, judge, or law enforcement officer. What is truly great news is that salvation is freely given by God’s grace through faith in Christ, for those who believe upon Christ as Savior and Lord. This is true regardless of who you are and your background.  

God doesn’t show favoritism to the rich over the poor or the great over the small or one ethnic group over the other or one gender over another and neither should we (see Rom. 10:12, Gal. 3:28, James 2:1-9).

God doesn't play favorites. So, biblically, the driver of that Bug with the bumper sticker, me, you, none of us are God’s favorite.

What are your thoughts about this?  

Mike

 

Why Am I Here?

Recently, the department I work in was gathered together and our leader had us take out a piece of paper and write #1. Then we were to write our answer to this question; “Why am I here?” No context was given to the question. We had to write whatever we thought in relation to that question. How would you answer this question if your boss surprised you with this question where you work? Go ahead, pause a moment, to think about this question in your context.

Immediately, I began wondering about the context of this question. Is he asking in the context of the mission of our department? Or is this more about my overall response to why I exist as a person? I chose the latter because I believe this is more important and since I wasn’t given any specific context to do otherwise. So, my first thought was how God’s Word answers this question because as a Christ-follower I tend to view life through a biblical lens. And the first verse that popped into my mind was 1 Cor. 10:31 ESV (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) and I wrote “1 Cor. 10:31 .. Glorify God in all I am and do.”

I believe this is a good overall purpose verse for God’s people. There are other verses that I did not write down. For example; Col. 1:16 ESV (For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.), Rom. 8:29 ESV (For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.), Phili. 3:14 ESV (I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.)

Ultimately, I believe God’s Word teaches that we exist for His glory which means with our lives, through who we are and what we do and don’t do, we are to bring honor and pleasure to our Creator God. I think this is a central purpose to why we exist. We can get more specific about Christ-centeredness and Christ-likeness but glorifying God in all we are and do is to be the overarching thrust.

I felt good about my written answer to my leader’s #1 question “Why am I here?” How do you feel about your answer? Then my leader surprised me when he asked us to write #2 and answer why we wrote what we wrote for #1. Hmmmm! Now I have to dissect this some more. You try it. Take a moment and ponder why you answered the way you did for the #1 question.

My answer for #2 was “My great purpose in living as a Christ-follower according to Scripture.” Then he did it again. We were to write #3 and answer why we wrote what we wrote for #2. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #2 question.

My answer for #3 was “The Holy Spirit revealed this truth to me and compels me to answer this way.” Then our leader repeated the same thing for #4. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #3 question.

My answer for #4 was “There is a God who has revealed truth through Holy Scripture about Himself, us, and His redemption plan and purpose for us. Then one last time for question #5, I answered why I wrote what I wrote for #4. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #4 question.

My answer for #5 was “I believe this truth by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord.”

 If you wrote these questions down it would look like this:

1) Why Am I here?
 

2) Why did you answer the way you did for question #1?

3) Why did you answer the way you did for question #2?

4) Why did you answer the way you did for question #3?

5) Why did you answer the way you did for question #4?

 

I admit I felt very challenged personally to keep writing why I answered the previous answer all the way back to why I answered what I did for the question “Why am I here?”

This was an exercise of introspection/self-reflection to explore the question of “Why am I here?” I encourage you to explore this question yourself and look to the Holy Scriptures, God’s Word for truth statements about this subject.

  

Why am I here?

 

Why do I exist?

 

What is my overall purpose in this life?

 

Why did I answer these questions the way I answered them?

  

Mike

Be Careful Eyes What You See, Ears What You Hear

I recently heard an incoming @LibertyU student say something like this, “Watching R-rated movies is not a problem for me. I don’t do what they do in the movie. I am entertained.” This was his reaction upon learning that the student conduct code at this school prohibits watching such movies while enrolled as a student at this school.

His statement stirred my soul to write a little bit about being careful with what we watch and listen to.

Sure, an enrolled student at this school is to submit to their governing authorities (Rom. 13), but I’m more concerned with what we watch and listen to, how we are influenced, and how God’s Word guides us in this matter.  

This is an ongoing struggle in my life and I have been a Christ follower for over 35 years and a pastor for 13. In my lifetime I have certainly seen shows with excessive foul language, graphic sexual scenes, and extreme violence not to mention a smattering of condoned immoral behavior but, praise God, I have been improving over the years at avoiding such things. And here’s why, God’s Word for God’s people.

For example, in short phrases; be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:14-16), do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31), be perfect as God is perfect (Mt. 5:48), be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1), become more like Christ (Rom. 8:29, 2 Cor. 3:18), walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him (Col. 1:10). Are we considering these passages when we watch TV-Internet-Movies-Videos? How about a more specific verse; Ps. 101:3a ESV I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless (belial: wicked, evil, ungodly, good for nothing). This is the sort of high standard that God expects from His people, that pleases and honors God and I struggle to meet it consistently. Maybe we know these verses and what they mean but do we put them on the shelf, so to speak, when it comes to our precious entertainment habits?

Sometimes I feel like a slave to entertainment viewing. It has its grips in me and won’t let go. Some shows can be addictive in our flesh and we seek to justify that it’s okay to view questionable content so we can keep feeding these desires. This is an ongoing struggle in my life and maybe you can relate.

I remember when I was heartbroken back in early 1996 from an ended relationship and I turned to God with an “all in” submission like never before. It was soon after that God called me to fulltime pastoral ministry. For several weeks I totally abstained from entertainment viewing. Then, I slowly returned to watching some shows but with much more discernment than before. For example, I remember watching one late night weekend show and thinking no way should I be watching this foul content because I was convicted that it was not honoring to God for me to be entertained by this immoral junk and I did not want to have memories of it linger.

I have cut back on watching shows and videos in recent years. It helps to discontinue the cable or satellite TV packages, although I miss that NFL Sunday Ticket (Go Bucs!). There are plenty of redeeming things to do instead. I do have Internet streaming ability for free and pay per viewing is available and I occasionally rent videos, or go to the theater but usually with God-honoring discernment.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ESV but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

I like to look for written reviews for shows ahead of time from a Christian perspective like at www.pluggedin.com which points out foul language, sexual content, negative content, spiritual content along with positive content. I have turned away from many shows/videos based on these reviews. Sometimes I don’t agree with the reviews and their advice and sometimes I regret that I viewed something whether I had prior knowledge of red flags or not.

Sometimes I’ll watch a show, but over time, I sense that the content is a negative influence on me that is a hindrance to me becoming more like Christ, so I stop watching it. Recently, my wife and I began streaming a SciFi show that we thought was original and creative. After a few episodes, a whorehouse, lesbian/adulterous affair, and a lot of one woman’s skin in the bath tub were all being highlighted. I told my wife, “I am really bothered by this content . I will be tempted to lust after this character if I keep watching. I’m not going to watch this anymore.” So, we both dropped it. I see this type of decision making as our proper response to the Holy Spirit led convictions within us.

It bothers me down deep to hear certain foul language, the Lord’s name in vain, suicide scenes, sexual scenes, various immoral behaviors, victimizing of people, the occult at work, and stories that are void of God and have no redeeming characters, no hope, etc...  I think this sort of stuff contaminates the soul, at least a little bit at a time.

 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.

I think this Bible verse can be applied to what we view and listen to. Some TV shows, movies, and videos are just plain bad company and they will contaminate our minds and hearts. I think we are spiritually naïve to think they don’t or won’t.

I read a couple good chapters recently about this overall subject. Not Even a Hint; Guarding Your Heart Against Lust, Joshua Harris, Multnomah Publ,; Chp.7 and Soul Detox; Clean Living in a Contaminated World, Craig Groeschel, Zondervan Publ., Chp10

Here are some quotes from Joshua Harris:

“If you can’t bow your head and sincerely thank God for a movie….then for you that activity is wrong.” Pg121

“Jesus Christ died to rescue me from darkness and sin. How can I willingly immerse myself in that darkness for the sake of entertainment? What a tragedy it is that I’ve sat idly by during movies and television shows and watched the very sin for which Christ had to die being laughed about, even celebrated.” Pg124-125

 Here are some quotes from Craig Groeschel:

“Just because something doesn’t bother you doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t.” Chp10

“Am I being entertained by sin? Is this pleasing to God? Does this lure me away from Christ?” Chp10

These verses and these quotes really stand out to me, to invoke change in my life that I am more careful and God-honoring about what I see and what I listen to when it comes to my entertainment choices. How about you? How are you careful and God-honoring about what you see and hear when it comes to entertainment?

Mike

Stranger in the Night

Ding dong! “Is that the doorbell?” I said to my wife at 3am, recently. We rise up in bed. I try to wake up some and put more clothes on. It is pitch-black outside and no streetlight anywhere near our home among a strip of houses in the outskirts of town. We turn on the front porch light. I look out the upstairs window to see who is standing near our front door. The young adult male has a baseball cap on and hands in both pockets. Hmmmn?

“What should we do?” we asked each other. “Should I get a weapon?” I thought. My wife said, “No. He could take it away from you and use it.” “Should we call the police?” I asked. “No. You don’t need to call the police,” she stated. I’m praying internally about what to do, whether I should open our front door or not. I have a wife and four young kids, including a baby girl. What would you do?

I was thinking about some possible scenarios. This guy could be planning to scam or con me in some way. Maybe he is after money or prescription drugs. Maybe this might become a home invasion. If I go out there I may be taken advantage of, threatened or even harmed in some way. I was also thinking this was just another test of faith in God and as a Christ-follower I am to help people in need.

I felt my next step should be to communicate with this stranger through the door to find out why he just rang our doorbell. I asked him, “Can I help you?” The man responded with, “I need a wrench for my truck. I was just on my way home from work and it stopped.” This guy wasn’t erratic. It didn’t seem like an urgent emergency. Maybe he just needed some help with his vehicle. But it is very late. There is no one else around that I’m aware of. And it is very dark out there.

What do I do next? Do I give him a wrench”? Do I open the front door? Do I not help him directly or at all? Maybe I should call a neighbor or my relatives who live nearby. Two are better than one (Eccl. 4:9a).

I thought to myself that there are two 24/7 service stations about one mile down the road and that is what I told him through the door. His response was, “I can’t drive my truck. Thanks.” And he walked off into the dark. I went back to the upstairs window where I could barely see him doing something on a vehicle in front of my neighbor’s yard. I am thinking that this is not over.

Should I do something else? About five to ten minutes passed and the truck started and he drove off into the night. I did not hear any voices or notice any other vehicles. This is good news that he was able to drive off because he did tell me he could not drive the truck. But maybe that was a lie. I don’t know. What would you do if you were in my shoes, or slippers, that night?

I have helped strangers many times, even taking some of my boys with me in our vehicle while giving strangers a ride somewhere. But I seem to remember all those occasions were during the daylight. I still prayed and trusted God through them. I remember once when a stranger called the church, where I was pastoring, asking for a ride for some gasoline because his truck ran out of gas. I drove to pick him up and along the way I prayed for increased faith in God and for divine protection in case this man wanted to take advantage of me, steal from me, or harm me somehow. That moment of ministry went well and I had a good conversation with the guy.

Then, there was that time in my early adult years, before I was a pastor, when I lied to a stranger about not having jumper cables because I did not want to be inconvenienced in helping him. It was wrong for me to lie and I had the means to help him but didn’t because of convenience. I believe that was wrong as well. Praise God for His grace and forgiveness when we humbly confess our sin to Him. That was a teachable moment. I want to help people when I am able to do so.

Proverbs 3:27-28 ESV  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

And of course Christ Followers are called to be Good Samaritans to strangers in need (see Luke 10). I recognize these biblical principles and my heart was stirred on this particular night to help this stranger but I also discerned that I should be protecting my family as well as I can and I should not act impulsively or foolishly under these circumstances. We lock the doors at night for a reason.

Nehemiah wrote this about protecting your families against the threat of violent enemies. Nehemiah 4:14b ESV ..“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Jesus pointed this out. Luke 11:21 ESV When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;

Jesus also said this one time to His disciples when sending them out into world. Luke 22:35-36 ESV ³⁵And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

I believe we are to trust the Lord for provision and protection but this doesn’t mean we don’t work when we are able to or that we foolishly ignore safety concerns and just see what happens. On this particular night, I discerned that I was to be cautious and protect my family. Perhaps I could refer the stranger to help nearby or call someone on his behalf but I was not going to open the front door to him at this time. I felt a little spiritual guilt about this at first but overall I believe I made the right decision on this occasion.

What do you think?

Mike

Mike's Morals Lives Again

Back in the early 90's I worked as a System's Engineer for EDS (Electronic Data Systems). I wanted to influence co-workers in encouraging and thought-provoking ways so I decided to contribute to the employee newsletter at one of my office locations while I served in Richmond, VA. I called the piece 'Mike's Morals.' I was thinking I am a Christian and I seek to live by God-honoring morals based on God's Word, the Holy Bible, for His people today and I could write brief things that are encouraging, maybe funny, maybe thought provoking, etc... I wrote many pieces for the newsletter and received some affirming feedback.

Now twenty years later I want to go back to writing under the same title to do something similar; try to encourage others through words, maybe exhort others in developing God-honoring character and behavior, maybe stimulate some thinking about life as I look at it though a Christ-centered biblical lens from my perspective.

I'm married. I have four young children. I am a Campus Pastor at a Christian university but most importantly I am a Christ follower who knows Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord and I am seeking to become more like Him all to the glory of God. I'm a sinner saved by God's grace. There is much I don't know but I believe in the Gospel great news of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scripture which I believe to be God's Holy Word and it's life transforming and eternally significant.

Mike's Morals is just me writing about life stuff. So, what should I write about in this blog? Tune in and you'll see....

Mike
7/19/13