No Vacancy

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.-Luke 2:7

2000 years ago in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary showed up at an inn desperate for entry. Labour pains searing, aching from a long journey, far from friends and family.

What is interesting to me here is the fact that there was no room at the inn for them. This begs a question. Why was there no room in an inn for a woman going into labour? Could the inn keeper not see the urgency of the situation? True, his inn was full. But it causes me to wonder why he didn't have any other guests leave in order to make room for this most special of guests being born.

He could have feared how his business ethics would be called into question. Maybe he was concerned about how he would be perceived by the community asking someone to leave the inn to make room for a couple peasants. He may be concerned that his status in the community might suffer. It's possible he was afraid of the people who were staying in the inn and thus more concerned about what might happen to him than this critical need. It could be he was more concerned about the effects on his business. If word got out that you might lose your reservation, his future revenue may be affected.

Whatever the case, that which was inside needed to be replaced by that which was at the door.

As Christmas approaches, it is good to consider the effect of the birth of Jesus on others such as the inn keeper. The problem today is that there is no room in the inn of most people's hearts for Jesus to indwell them. They hang a "no vacancy" sign over their hearts because to allow Jesus inside would require the keeper of the heart to evict certain residence. Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods makes a statement throughout the book that gods or idols cannot be removed. They must be replaced. This is the case we find today. There are many things that people are trusting in and treating as a god. These are similar to what the inn keeper 2000 years ago may have been going through.

Some people will not let Jesus be the God of their life because it would mean admitting defeat. To receive Jesus is to acknowledge that your own morality and righteousness are leprous and festering. It is admitting that they are sinners and they need Jesus to bear their sin. Some people today are more afraid of how people will view them if they became a Christian. To them their self-image defines who they are, and to surrender that god of self-image to the true God is more than they are willing to bare. Others find importance in how others perceive them, and so keeping others happy and seeking man's acceptance would cause a person not to open their heart to Jesus. It is too much for them to be accepted by God and rejected by men. Still others keep the door to the inn closed because it will affect their lifestyle, business ethics, home etc.

Christmas is a great time to remember that the one who was refused entrance to the inn now knocks on the hearts of all men. Jesus says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock..." (Rev 3:20). The door must be opened from the inside. And the things we trust in, we need to allow Jesus to throw outside as Jesus is received inside.

Jesus came to dwell among us. He knocks on hearts to dwell within us. Is there room for Jesus in your heart?

Symbols of Christmas

I just read this post by John Piper on DesiringGod.org about all the symbols that relate to Christmas. I was blessed by his (and his wife's insights) which echo some of the things we are doing in our home.

To read his post, click here.

PS - if you've never heard of John Piper, let me whole-heartedly recommend his books and teachings.

Unfair!!!

The children of your people say, 'The way of the LORD is not fair,' But it is their way which is not fair! - Ezekiel 33:17

Having four small children, there are many things that come out of their mouths, both positive and negative. One of the beauties of small children is they say what they mean and they mean what they say. They haven't learned the art of cover-up. If they do not like something, they simply tell you. If they are excited, it cannot be hidden.

One of the phrases that often comes forth in the midst of sibling rivalry is "Not fair!". The essence of the statement is that I have been wronged and dealt with unjustly. You have received what I deserve to have, give it to me. This is obvious in small children (remember, they do not hide their feelings well). However, when it comes to us mature people, we hold the same mindset however enshroud it with a sophisticated arrangement of smoke and mirrors so things do not appear as they are.

The problem is what we may call an ego-centric perspective. We have a wrong assessment of ourselves and therefore deem ourselves worthy of whatever it is we feel we are lacking. Humanity as a whole has the same problem (anthropo-centric). When difficulty happens and tragedy befalls us, humanity is quick to place the blame on God and claim that God has not dealt fairly with us. This is evident by the statement often uttered "If God is good, then why ________?" Fill in the blank! The problem with this perspective is that man thinks that God owes man something. God has somehow deprived him or someone else of the right to health, wealth, comfort, security, and ultimately of self-defined happiness etc.

We see this here in Ezekiel 36. "God is not fair!" They rail their accusation against God claiming Him to be corrupt. However the prophet puts the emphasis of corruption (unfairness) back on the people.

God created a beautiful world and made mankind in the perfect image of God. God, the Creator, blessed man and endowed man with myriads of gifts, the greatest of which was the very presence and favour of God. God had told man that there was one thing he was not supposed to touch. Man then said in essence, "That's not fair. I deserve the fruit of that tree." Thus corruption entered the world. The core of this problem is a high view of man (anthro-centric) and a low view of God (theo-centric). Somehow the roles were reversed and the Maker is to become the servant and the servant then judges the Maker.

Man says he doesn't want God but then demands that God give man those things associated with God (i.e. God's blessings, favour, joy, provision). Maybe God hasn't been fair, but if that's the case it's only because He has been more than fair.

All of humanity has fully earned hell and God's judgment. Yet they cry out for fairness. If God were to deal fairly, all would be under His wrath. Yet God gives bread to the eater and rain to the sower (Isaiah 55:10). God blesses all mankind with this life. As if this were not enough, God has made it possible for us to be saved from our well deserved judgment by sending His own beloved Son to bear the wrath of God's justice for fallen humanity. Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus shall find that God's fairness towards them was given to Jesus in the crucifixion.

If we were to cry out to God and say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" We should do so acknowledging that "The way of the Lord is more than fair!" Truly it seems unfair for Jesus to bear our judgment. However, because God loves you, Jesus willingly suffered your fair death, that you could have His fair life.

Steal No Longer

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. – Ephesians 4:28

The fourth chapter of Ephesians has a great emphasis on the importance of the body of Christ. In Eph 4:4-6, we read that there is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father that unify us as the Body of Christ. In other words, in Jesus we are all one. Paul continues then to show in Eph 4:11-13 how certain parts of the Body exist to enable and equip the whole Body of Christ to edify one another, unifying us further. Then in Eph 4:16 Paul goes on to point out the fact that the body of Christ is made up of individual parts who work corporately emphasising the importance of every part doing its share.

It is in this great context of oneness and one-another-ness that we find Eph 4:28. Often this verse is read in relation to those who stole before coming to Christ, and now should seek to do the opposite (give). But what if (keeping in mind the predominate context of the chapter) this is a message to Christians as Christians. In other words, the context of this passage could mean that Christians (as members of the Body), who do not do their share, are actually stealing from the Body of Christ.

How our own physical bodies function will lend light to this concept. God has designed our body’s members to work in harmony for the whole body’s ultimate good. In other words, the feet do not work simply for their own purposes. The feet serve the body, but also receive what they need from the body. The feet enable the body to walk from point A to B, but the body also supplies the feet with the nutrients (via digestive system through the blood), oxygen (via the lungs through the blood), direction and balance (via the head) etc. that the feet require to do their job and to exist. If part of our body did not contribute toward the wellness of the body, and only absorbed the body’s energy, we would call that part a parasite. A parasite only seeks its own benefit which weakens the body and does not strengthen it.

Christians who do not do their part in the body, I believe, are being exhorted here to steal no longer. Rather let them use what God has gifted them with for the benefit of the Body, that way he can give to him who has need. He will be receiving, but not thieving. He will be giving, but not depleting. It has been said that in churches 90% of the work is done by 10% of the people. Oh wouldn’t it be beautifully healthy if 100% of the work was done by 100% of the people? The irony of it is, only those who do their part truly enjoy the blessing of being part of the Body. Eyes that do not function but only draw away energy and nutrients are neither blessed nor blessing, yet always absorbing. Oh the beauty of a functioning body. Let him who stole steal no longer, rather let him fulfil His God-given role in the Body of Christ, that he may be used to satisfy him who has need.

The Will of God

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:17

What is the will of God for my life? This question comes up often in conversation and in prayer. It seems Christians are always struggling to figure out what God’s will is for their lives. Usually, this is a question in relation to specific matters such as whom I should marry, where I should work, when should we have kids, when should I retire etc. Verses such as Ephesians 5:17 can cause panic as we realize there are many situations in which we find ourselves and we do not know how to proceed. Rather than do something that is out of the will of God, we do nothing, which often is no better.

What is the will of God for your life? Here are some verses that clearly reveal His will for you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us that the will of God is that we are sanctified, or set apart for God’s purposes. Paul then gives the example of sexual immorality being one of those things that works against sanctification (being set apart for God’s purposes). It is God’s will that we allow Him to conform us into the image of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that the will of God is that we give thanks in everything. It is God’s will that we don’t complain about our problems, but rather in them offer thanks to God. To complain is essentially to say God has dealt with us in an unjust manner. God is never unfair. He is more than fair. God’s will for your life is for you to have an attitude of gratitude towards God.

1 Peter 2:15 tells us that the will of God is that we do good. God’s will for you is to seek to bless and be a blessing to others. As a Christian, God wills you to show through your life the goodness that you have received from God.

I believe that when we do what we know, then what we need to know will be revealed to us. In other words, rather than fretting about what God’s will is in your life in regards to the specificities of life, step back and see His will universally (generally). Are you being sanctified, giving thanks, and letting God’s goodness shine through your life? If you would answer ‘no’, then I think that is an indication that you should focus your attention on what you know you should be doing. Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. If you are letting Jesus work out His will in your life in these ways, I trust that, as you continue to seek Him, He will make His will, in more specific matters, clear. Be faithful in what you know and let the Spirit work out the details.