Note: This is a direct quote from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoffer. In these days of "easy believe-ism," it seems important to re-examine this thought and ponder on it's significance...
"Cheap grace means grace alone does everything, and so, everything can remain as it was before. Let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself after the world's standards. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in a field. It is the kingly rule of Christ. Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which one must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life..."
~ Dietrich Bonhoffer
Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I Am Determined...
Webster says determine is "to fix conclusively or authoritatively; having reached a decision, firmly resolved; settling and ending controversy; a firm or fixed intent to achieve a desired end." Another source says it’s "resolute, staunch, decided, settled, resolved," and synonyms are; "inflexible, unfaltering, unwavering."
In the Bible, when the word, determined is used, the thing is set. When God determines a thing, it will be accomplished. Every Bible prophecy confirms this truth.
Because God gave man a free will, when man determines to do an evil thing, he will do it, unless God intervenes. For instance, Saul was determined to kill David, but the God-inspired intervention of Jonathan spared David’s life. In so doing, Jonathan became an example of self-sacrifice and true friendship.
Immediately after Amnon’s assault on his sister, (Tamar,) Absalom determined to kill him and waited years for the chance to carry out his plan. For Amnon there was no intervention – the law of sowing and reaping was in full force.
In the Bible, when the word, determined is used, the thing is set. When God determines a thing, it will be accomplished. Every Bible prophecy confirms this truth.
Because God gave man a free will, when man determines to do an evil thing, he will do it, unless God intervenes. For instance, Saul was determined to kill David, but the God-inspired intervention of Jonathan spared David’s life. In so doing, Jonathan became an example of self-sacrifice and true friendship.
Immediately after Amnon’s assault on his sister, (Tamar,) Absalom determined to kill him and waited years for the chance to carry out his plan. For Amnon there was no intervention – the law of sowing and reaping was in full force.
It is also possible and praiseworthy to be determined to do good.
- Solomon determined to build a house for the Lord. (II Chronicles 2:1)
- Jesus was determined to go to Calvary. (Luke 9:51; 22:22)
- The church in Antioch determined to send relief to Judea. (Acts 11:29)
- The Apostle Paul was "determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2)
This kind of determination caused Jonathan to recognize the anointing on David’s life and to deal with his own will and desires by blessing and helping David. This kind of determination helped Jesus ("the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame…") complete the course set before Him.
In the flesh, determination is dangerous. It can separate friends. Barnabas’ determination to take John Mark caused a long-term rift between himself and Paul. Unbridled determination easily crosses the line into self-will. Cain insisted his sacrifice was sufficient. His way led to stubbornness, rebellion, murder, insolence and banishment.
The Jews’ determination to see Jesus crucified was stronger than Pilate’s determination to let Him go. Their determination amounted to rebellion against God. Pilate’s determination was merely political. He knew their accusations were spawned from envy; yet, under their pressure and despite urgent warnings, Pilate traipsed out onto thin ice… It was only a matter of time before he caved in and was drying himself off, crying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man."
By dropping an "e" and adding a "t", another word is formed... and determine becomes detriment, which is damage, harm or loss, or, something that causes damage, harm or loss. Without determination, one cannot achieve their goal. Thus, a lack of determination is a detriment and leads to defeat and failure.
When it comes to spiritual things, strong determination can make one bold and hold him steady. It can also thrust detrimental things out of the way. Daniel and the three Hebrew children purposed in their hearts (determined) not to defile themselves by eating the king’s food. Because of their determination, they proposed a ten-day trial. At the end of the ten days, when they were in better shape than those who were eating from the king’s table, all opposition evaporated.
We need the kind of determination that makes us stand fast, holding to the profession of our faith. It’s time to re-evaluate and re-commit ourselves. It is high time to say with Jonathan, Daniel, the three Hebrew children, the Apostle Paul, and the songwriter, "I am determined, I’ve made up my mind – I’ll serve the Lord!"
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Shared Sorrow...
A "Hmm..." moment regarding recent disasters around the globe.
China doesn’t want workers, just money and machinery. Politicians assure everyone that they are doing everything they can; complete with photo-ops, hugs and televised speeches, but the magnitude of the earthquake and the sheer quantities of victims stagger the mind and belie the words. Exhausted relief workers sit by the sides of roads trying to catch their breath before heading on into more carnage. People, too afraid to sleep in buildings, choose to sleep on the ground out in the open as the earth continues to rumble beneath their feet. The media is filled with images of parents weeping over their dead children. For many, it’s their only child, (due to governmental birth control regulations). Mothers Day just past, the photos are a striking reminder that life is fragile and tragedy can transform a normal day into continual temblors of grief. Face after face, each one different, yet each one sharing a common denominator, sorrow. So many faces, so much distress, it numbs the mind... and the numbers keep climbing.
The rulers of Myanmar (Burma) claim they don’t need help. Ask the Burmese people whether they need help as thousands swell the cyclone’s toll. Yet with frustrated hand-wringing and "for shaming," the world sits on the sidelines, plane and boatloads of help at the ready, waiting for permission to enter, while millions huddle in misery out in the open or in temporary shelters, enduring heat and the stench of dead bodies all across the landscape. Disease opens her mouth to swallow the residue. Under pouring rain and sodden skies, with the threat of a second cyclone looming, they sit exposed and defenseless, an unwilling sacrifice to implacable gods. Their leaders spirit away the trickle of relief they allow into the country, while doling out rotten rice to a fraction of those who so desperately need nourishing food. Words from long ago echo across time, "Is it nothing to you, all ye who pass by?"
Throughout, there have been reports of bravery, courage and selflessness. It is right and proper that such be recognized, but when and wherever these stories are told, you can be sure there is an even greater number of unsung heroes. And in their lives and actions the world sees the truth of the words, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend."
Thus it is that in the midst of horrendous suffering and chaos, the gold in the human spirit gleams brightest. Spurred on by inner strength beyond their own, they plunge forward into the unknown intent on saving, helping, rescuing, doing what they can to bring hope and light into troublesome times and events. It was this spirit that sent the NY firemen into the World Trade Towers. It was this spirit that sent one lone man in his own boat into the flood waters of Katrina's aftermath to rescue hundreds who were stranded on rooftops and upper floors. It was this spirit that urged the good Samaritan to forget about his own safety and minister to the needs of the wounded man laying by the side of the road. We are not given his name, just his nationality. But he not only ministered on the spot, he also put himself out to take the wounded man to further help and provided for the man’s continued care when duty called him on. That Samaritan’s actions became an illustrated sermon in answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
"Love your neighbor as yourself" – strong words, convicting words, words to remember, but not only in times of tragedy. The hardest part of loving your neighbor as yourself is constancy – becoming the illustrated sermon throughout your life. One thing is sure. Those who make a practice of caring and sharing in the lives of others and who consider others’ needs ahead of their own are legitimate heroes in anyone’s book. When it comes to character – the man or woman, boy or girl who fleshes out this commandment day in and day out far surpasses the shallow, self-centered attention grabbers of this world. And in the end, when we all give an account, this kind of gold, where’re it may be found, can stand the closest of inspections.
China doesn’t want workers, just money and machinery. Politicians assure everyone that they are doing everything they can; complete with photo-ops, hugs and televised speeches, but the magnitude of the earthquake and the sheer quantities of victims stagger the mind and belie the words. Exhausted relief workers sit by the sides of roads trying to catch their breath before heading on into more carnage. People, too afraid to sleep in buildings, choose to sleep on the ground out in the open as the earth continues to rumble beneath their feet. The media is filled with images of parents weeping over their dead children. For many, it’s their only child, (due to governmental birth control regulations). Mothers Day just past, the photos are a striking reminder that life is fragile and tragedy can transform a normal day into continual temblors of grief. Face after face, each one different, yet each one sharing a common denominator, sorrow. So many faces, so much distress, it numbs the mind... and the numbers keep climbing.
The rulers of Myanmar (Burma) claim they don’t need help. Ask the Burmese people whether they need help as thousands swell the cyclone’s toll. Yet with frustrated hand-wringing and "for shaming," the world sits on the sidelines, plane and boatloads of help at the ready, waiting for permission to enter, while millions huddle in misery out in the open or in temporary shelters, enduring heat and the stench of dead bodies all across the landscape. Disease opens her mouth to swallow the residue. Under pouring rain and sodden skies, with the threat of a second cyclone looming, they sit exposed and defenseless, an unwilling sacrifice to implacable gods. Their leaders spirit away the trickle of relief they allow into the country, while doling out rotten rice to a fraction of those who so desperately need nourishing food. Words from long ago echo across time, "Is it nothing to you, all ye who pass by?"
Throughout, there have been reports of bravery, courage and selflessness. It is right and proper that such be recognized, but when and wherever these stories are told, you can be sure there is an even greater number of unsung heroes. And in their lives and actions the world sees the truth of the words, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend."
Thus it is that in the midst of horrendous suffering and chaos, the gold in the human spirit gleams brightest. Spurred on by inner strength beyond their own, they plunge forward into the unknown intent on saving, helping, rescuing, doing what they can to bring hope and light into troublesome times and events. It was this spirit that sent the NY firemen into the World Trade Towers. It was this spirit that sent one lone man in his own boat into the flood waters of Katrina's aftermath to rescue hundreds who were stranded on rooftops and upper floors. It was this spirit that urged the good Samaritan to forget about his own safety and minister to the needs of the wounded man laying by the side of the road. We are not given his name, just his nationality. But he not only ministered on the spot, he also put himself out to take the wounded man to further help and provided for the man’s continued care when duty called him on. That Samaritan’s actions became an illustrated sermon in answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
"Love your neighbor as yourself" – strong words, convicting words, words to remember, but not only in times of tragedy. The hardest part of loving your neighbor as yourself is constancy – becoming the illustrated sermon throughout your life. One thing is sure. Those who make a practice of caring and sharing in the lives of others and who consider others’ needs ahead of their own are legitimate heroes in anyone’s book. When it comes to character – the man or woman, boy or girl who fleshes out this commandment day in and day out far surpasses the shallow, self-centered attention grabbers of this world. And in the end, when we all give an account, this kind of gold, where’re it may be found, can stand the closest of inspections.
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