A Brief Thought for Advent

The four traditional emphases of the Advent wreath are hope, peace, joy, and love. As I was looking at some Scriptures on those themes, I noticed a few things in the ESV:

• There is one verse that refers to the God of hope (Romans 15:13), one reference to the God of love (2 Cor. 13:11), several verses that refer to the God of peace, but none refer to the God of joy.
• There are several verses that refer to the love of God, one reference to the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), but no references to the hope of God or joy of God.

“God is love” (1 John 4:8), but God is not hope or peace or joy. He is the source of all good things, but He is not defined by those things in the same way that He is defined by love. God has no real need for hope or peace as we understand them, because He is omnipotent and in control of all things. We who are limited, created beings need to find our hope and peace in something and Someone greater than ourselves. God has joy, but it is not dependent on any circumstances. He is never surprised by a good outcome of events or a newly converted sinner. His joy is in the fellowship of the Trinity and in arranging the detailed lives of billions of people in His divine plan.

But God is love. All that He does for us, in us, and through us is because of love. His character is revealed through His love in action, and His love is multiplied through the members of His Body. Because God is love, therefore we can have hope and peace and joy. As we trust in His character we can have hope, knowing that He will work all things together for our good. If we believe in His love for us, we can have peace because He is present with us in all circumstances. And because He is love, we can experience joy as we grow in spiritual maturity and as others are brought to faith in Him.

The commercialization of Christmas has led people to believe that we can find hope, peace, joy, and love through material gifts, well-planned social events, and nostalgic traditions. In reality, they are only found in seeking God. Hope, peace, and joy aren’t found by seeking them for their own sake, but by seeking the God of love.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13 ESV).

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

The Truth Hurts

I read a few interesting passages this week:

• Jude 4 (ESV) – “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
• 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have done out into the world.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:13 – “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

As I read these verses, I realized that I had previously assumed that the deceivers mentioned were people who knew they were propagating lies and were intentionally leading others astray. But given what I see happening in the church today, I believe there are many who genuinely believe they are correct and don’t realize the error they’ve fallen into. And it’s not always clearly delineated as in the past, such as with cults like Jehovah’s Witness, Mormons, Jim Jones, etc. Instead they are people who outwardly appear to be evangelical Christians, but they are interpreting Scripture in ways that are wrong and will lead many astray (for example Jen Hatmaker, Glennon Doyle Melton, and the like). They do not see the truth of the Word, no matter how much they study it, and they don’t even realize they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie.

I have come to the point of questioning the salvation of many who claim to be Christians. Yes, God’s mercy is great, but it is limited. Some people will find that they are saved “only as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). Many others will hear “Depart from Me, I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23). I am alarmed by the direction of our “Christian” culture in which moral relativism is commonplace. Truth is being redefined and the Bible reinterpreted by anyone who is uncomfortable with its message. There is no longer any fear of God’s judgment or eternal damnation. Many seem to be more afraid of offending unbelievers than they are of offending God.

Michael Yaconelli wrote in Dangerous Wonder (110-111):

“I am beginning to wonder if we modern followers of Christ are capable of being terrified of God. No fear of God. No fear of Jesus. No fear of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we have ended up with a feel-good gospel that attracts thousands… but transforms no one… The nice, nonthreatening God needs to be replaced by the God whose very presence smashes our egos into dust, burns our sin into ashes, and strips us naked to reveal the real person within…”

This leads me to pray for a couple specific things: 1) That those who have been deceived and are deceiving others will be led by God to understand and accept the Truth and repudiate their own lies (such as happened with Rosaria Butterfield); and 2) That believers will be strengthened to proclaim the Truth no matter what the consequences may be from society or from other so-called Christians. One day God’s elect will be rewarded and all others will see the error of their ways.

Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.”

James 3:1 – “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

Rejoice in Forgiveness

Some time back I was reading Nehemiah where Ezra is reading the Book of the Law to the people, and these verses caught my attention: “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep… And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:9-10 ESV). When the people heard the law, they were convicted of their sin and their natural response was mourning, but Nehemiah told them they had reason to rejoice. His words are reminiscent of David’s experience some 500 years earlier—“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13). After which David wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2).

From my own experience and things I’ve read from many different authors, I think we all have a tendency to hang onto guilt longer than we need to. We know that God’s forgiveness is available and is freely given to all who confess, and yet we can’t let go of the mourning and turn to celebration.

When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). He didn’t scold her or give her penance to do. He simply released her from guilt so she could have a fresh start. She could have been stoned to death for her sin, but instead she was set free. I have no doubt she celebrated that day.

Although a contrite attitude could indicate that we think our sin is too big to be forgiven, I wonder if the bigger problem is that we think we can contribute something to our forgiveness? Our view of sin is too small—we don’t realize that every sin is worthy of death. How can a person on death row do anything to earn forgiveness? We deserve death just as much as the woman caught in adultery, yet we are forgiven because of Jesus’ death on our behalf. That should be reason enough to rejoice! To remain mournful when God has delivered us from death is to say that His forgiveness isn’t good enough. Are we questioning His power, mercy, love, and authority?

I shared this quote on Facebook as it related to the sermon we heard this Sunday, but it’s worth revisiting:

“I cannot imagine the depth of love the Savior had for us in those moments of extreme suffering—unfathomable love causing Him to choose moment after agonizing moment to subject himself to what He could have ended. Thanks be to God that Jesus persevered till the task was completed! With His last breath He exclaimed, It is finished, and committed His spirit to the Father, dying in our place” (Marci Julin, When You Can’t Trust His Heart, 87).

So as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may we all remember the greatest reason to give thanks— 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 3:16, 15:11).

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

Unseen and Seen

Her heart was pounding as she looked at the crowd in front of her. What she was about to do was by far the most terrifying thing she’d ever done. Harder than twelve years of calling out “Unclean!” as people walked by. Harder than twelve years of explaining her problem to doctors just to have them shake their head instead of providing a cure. Harder than twelve years of being banned from the Temple and isolated from her family. Her shame was a heavy burden, but her desperation was greater. She hid her face and slipped into the crowd, hoping that no one would recognize her and point her out. “If I can just touch the Healer’s garment...” Desperation drove her forward when fear tried to hold her back. Her hand slipped between two men and brushed the fringe of His cloak. She knew immediately it had worked and she quickly started to move away, but the Healer had noticed. He stopped and looked around, asking who had touched Him. His eyes met hers and she fell at His feet as the shame of twelve years crushed her to the ground. She started babbling an explanation, but she wasn’t even sure if the words were coming out. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart. “Daughter...” What did He say? “My daughter, lift up your head. Look at Me.” He reached down and grasped her hands, the first person to touch her in twelve years. As He drew her to her feet, she looked into His eyes and saw no condemnation, only love. Twelve years of shame and fear, pain and weakness, all fell away in that moment. “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your disease.”

The faith of this unnamed woman not only brought her healing, it also got her mentioned in three of the gospels. A woman who had been unclean and unseen caught the attention of the whole crowd. It must have been a memorable experience if Matthew, Mark and Luke all felt the need to share her story. Of all the names Jesus could have called her, He chose to call her Daughter, the same name used of Jairus’s child whose healing she was interrupting. This woman was no less important than the daughter of a synagogue ruler. Both of them received new life that day.

Although none of us really understand what it would be like to be unclean and outcast under the Jewish law, we all can think of moments of shame when all we wanted to do was disappear. Jesus could have let the woman be healed quietly and covertly and no one else needed to know what had just happened. He called her out, not just to reveal that she was physically healed, but to bring wholeness out of her brokenness, grace out of her shame, and strength out of her weakness. Her moment of deepest shame became a moment of splendor. God’s glory was revealed in a life that was not just healed but transformed.

God wants to do that for each of us. When we would settle for relief from pain and disease, He has a much greater plan of redemption. When we would like to simply enjoy a measure of healing, He wants to use our stories for His glory. He can take all our shame and weakness and brokenness and bring comfort, encouragement, and faith to many others, but only if we are willing to be seen. He can redeem our shame for His splendor. All we have to do is take those fearful, trembling steps forward to fall at His feet.

As much as I want to be used by God, I confess that shame is a powerful demotivator. It seems far easier to stay hidden and hurting than to take those little steps of faith toward wholeness. It seems easier to find ways to cope with the hardships of life than to let God uncover them for all the world to see and to judge. But His grace is greater than all our sin, shame, and suffering. Do I believe that today? Do you? Will we choose to be trust the One who knows all our secrets and risk being seen?

“Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You” (Psalm 25:20 ESV).

© 2016 Dawn Rutan.

Pinpoints

Awhile back I was walking in my yard after dark and in the grass I saw a tiny little point of light. I turned on my flashlight and poked around and decided it was coming from a glowworm larvae that was about a quarter inch long. The glowing part was only a little dot on one end. It was quite amazing to think that something so small could catch my attention in the dark.

This world that we live in is getting darker all the time with legislation, politics, terrorism, persecution, etc. Things are getting progressively less comfortable for Christians. It’s not hard to bear the name of Christian when we’re in the majority or at least are respected. It’s easy to be a light in a light world. It’s not so easy when even the tiniest light draws hostile attention. Yet that is exactly what we are called to do: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 ESV). Obviously the people who see us will not all give glory to God, but our actions should glorify God regardless of how others react. His approval should be all that matters.

Paul wrote, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). That comes in the midst of a whole chapter about persecution, affliction, and perseverance. The psalmist said, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Affliction is the fire that refines our faith. Many who once claimed to be Christian will no longer do so when it has negative consequences. Others who have been on the fringes may accept that God’s way is the only way and their light will shine that much brighter.

With some of the statements being made by prominent Christians in recent weeks, defending positions that are incompatible with Scripture, I mourn the fact that their lights have grown dim. They claim to represent Christ and His Word, but they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. They are no longer glorifying God as a light shining in the darkness because they are indistinguishable from the world and they are leading people away from the truth.

Scripture has a lot to say about the light, walking in the light, and the judgment that will come against those who walk in darkness. For example:

• “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
• “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil… But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19, 21).

We who belong to God need to be careful to guard against error, deception, and compromise, so that our light will shine more brightly as the darkness around us grows.

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10).

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

Fearless

I’m reading the book Fearless, by Suzanne D. Williams, which has some helpful and encouraging thoughts in regards to fear. She points out that Philippians 3:13 calls us to forget (no longer care for) those things that lie behind. “Allowing the cares of life, in this case the fear, to operate in my mind causes any seed of God’s Word planted in my heart to never do what it was planted to do… It is God’s will that ‘not a trace’ of the memory of this fear remain. Instead, we remember the power of the Lord, which brings our deliverance” (44). She urges readers to lay hold of these verses:

Isaiah 41:12-13 (ESV)- “You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’”

Isaiah 26:13-14- “O Lord our God, other lords besides You have ruled over us, but Your name alone we bring to remembrance. They are dead, they will not live; they are shades, they will not arise; to that end You have visited them with destruction and wiped out all remembrance of them.”

It’s amazing how fears seem to take on a life of their own—a family member doesn’t call at the designated time, and suddenly they “must be” at death’s doorstep; a boss criticizes you so he “must be” planning to fire you; and so on. If all our fears came true, the world would have exploded long ago.

Why do we let our fallen imaginations have more power over us than God’s Word? The past and the future are not living beings. Whatever we remember and whatever we can imagine have no real power. God dwells with us in His eternal present. As we live in His presence, and because of His power and love, we have nothing to fear. And yet many of us live quite fearfully. We live in a culture of anxiety, and we try to medicate the symptoms without addressing the root problem. At heart, we are not trusting God to be God. We have set ourselves on the throne, desiring to be in control but lacking the ability to control anything.

I’m not trying to point fingers at anyone but myself. I would love to blame physiology, sociology, or psychology, but mostly it is bad theology. My thoughts don’t line up with what I say I believe about God. Either He is in control, or He’s not omnipotent. Either He knows the future better than I do, or He’s not omniscient. Either He’s at work all around me in ways I can’t begin to comprehend, or He’s not omnipresent. Who am I to worry whether He’ll take care of my problems?

“God, did you know that…?” -I know.

“But what about…?” -I’m taking care of it.

“But the deadline is…” -My timing is perfect.

“OK, so what can I do?” -Just rest, child.

“He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand” (Psalm 121:3b-5).

For more on this subject, check out- http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/use-anxiety-to-your-advantage

© 2016 Dawn Rutan. 

Innocent

In How to Really Love God as Your Father, Deborah Newman comments: “Imagine yourself at five years old. What is on your five-year-old mind? Do you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders? ...Unless your childhood included some extenuating circumstances... remembering yourself as a little child should include carefree innocence.” I’ve recently read a couple different books that mentioned the idyllic nature of childhood for many children—freedom from worry and major responsibilities, and having time for fun and enjoying life. Although I would contend that such experiences are more rare than we would like to admit, they do bring to mind some images worth considering.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me; and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:14-15 ESV). While we can all enjoy the thought of Jesus embracing the little children and blessing them, Jesus’ words were actually for His disciples. His message was for the adults, including us. Yet I doubt that most of us can really grasp what it would mean for us to come to Him like a child. Why is that?

It occurred to me that there are two ways that we use the word “innocent.” One is the innocence of being free from guilt. The other is the childlike trust and naiveté that knows someone else is in control so there is no need for worry. As we grow up (and sometimes before we grow up), we lose both of those types of innocence. We know we are guilty of sin, and we know that the world is a dangerous place where we have to look out for ourselves. I believe that Jesus intends for us to reclaim our lost innocence by coming to Him.

First, He grants us freedom from the guilt of sin as we accept His sacrifice on the cross. “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He exchanged His righteousness for our sinfulness so that we could once again be innocent. We can lay aside the guilt and shame we have carried because of our own sin and the sin of others against us. “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame” (Romans 10:11). The forgiveness found in Christ can remove a lot of the burden that weighs us down as grownups.

Second, God reminds us that He is in control and He is trustworthy. Of all the worries and concerns that darken our days, most will either never come to pass or are outside our control anyway. Like a child worried about what’s in the dark, we need to trust that our Father can see what we can’t and He will take care of us. I think this is perhaps the harder innocence to recover. Once we’ve seen the pain and suffering that this world can bring, it’s hard to trust that God really knows best and will not let us endure anything that He won’t equip us to handle. We would prefer for life to be a lot less difficult and a lot more fun.

Coming to Jesus like a child is a daily choice to accept His forgiveness for our sins and to ask for His provision for our needs. He is our Father who supplies our daily bread, and who forgives those who confess. He is also the Creator of the universe, who is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. He is Abba, who heals the brokenhearted and raises the dead to new life. He is the One who bids us to come to Him in our weakness, neediness, and filth, so that we might see His strength, abundance, and cleansing power.

Jesus invites us, “Let all My children come unto Me in faith to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

© 2016 Dawn Rutan.