Is Faith a Crutch?

Philippians 4:13

Skeptics argue that religion is for the weak--a crutch to prop up the sick and feeble-minded. My response to them may surprise you. I agree with them.

In my experience, those who are agnostics and humanists have a "can do" attitude about life. They say things like what Paul Kurtz says in the Humanist Manifesto II, "No deity will save us. We must save ourselves." That sounds noble and responsible to many people. Christians believe in personal responsibility too. The difference is, we believe that human nature is marred and in need of an overhaul. Take a look around, or take a look inside. At any given moment we can alternate between blessing others and cursing others.  In this way we are all weak.

So, when a very capable man like the Apostle Paul declares that "[he] can do all things through the strength of Christ," I know what he's talking about. Human nature is not something we can overcome ourselves.  It would be wonderful if when we became believers God eradicated the human nature in us. But, he instead chose to plant a new nature within us. It resides side-by-side with the old nature and there is a battle for the control of each of our wills. This is why we see such varying degrees of goodness in Christians. Some have let the human nature override the new nature.

Contentment, righteousness, faithfulness, peace, joy, patience, goodness, and kindness are products of God's work in a life.  If you find yourself frustrated by a lack of personal development, don't get angry. Take it to God. Work hard at relying on the strength he alone can provide. He can do in you what you are too weak to do.

Out of the Depths

Psalm 130:1-6

Often the best course of action is to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. The author is unknown, but the subject is universal. Even though we are sinners and make big messes for ourselves, the Lord hears us cry out of the depths.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

O LORD, hear my voice,

Let your ears be attentive
To my cry for mercy.

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,

O LORD, who could stand?

But with you there is forgivenss;

Therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits

And in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

More than watchmen wait for the morning.

Passing the Pen

Matthew 19:26

Do you remember when you were very young and the sky was the limit? You were free to dream big dreams and discouragement was rare? What is the current state of your hopes and dreams? Somewhere along the continuum of life we start to see things differently. Life experiences temper our enthusiasm and our expectations lower to safeguard us against the pain of disappointment.

I like to think of our lives being chapter books. We take up our pens each day and write. The opening chapters are full of imagination. We look forward to the slaying of dragons and turning the world right side up again. But as we move past the prologue and into the middle of the story we shift from doing the impossible to coping with reality. We aim low to avoid being disappointed with mediocrity.

I propose a solution that may cause some fear at first, like standing at the edge of a precipice. Why not give the pen to "the Author of life"? (Acts 3:15) God is at work all around us and has plans to prosper us (Jer. 29:11), he has good works for us (Eph. 2:10), and rewards for faithfulness (Phil. 3:14). Anyone who has handed the pen to the one who designed us can tell you that impossibilities and dreams start looking more like possibilities and realities. Jesus said, "with God all things are possible."

So, how tight is your grip on the pen?  Hand it over and start dreaming again.

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:22-23

It has been said that regret is insight that comes a day too late. I've wanted to hit rewind on my share of blunders but since humanity has not yet unlocked the ability to change the past I'll look for a more realistic option. You can find all kinds of advice about regrets from philosophers, actors, politicians, etc. They range from embracing them and meditating on them till you learn to acquire a taste for them (Thoreau), to that guy who jumped off the bridge on the Simpsons screaming in defiance, "I regret nothing!"

Thankfully, we can turn to the Bible for some sanity. It includes a wonderful truth tucked away in the little book of Lamentations.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (ESV)

 The answer to regrets cannot be to deny we've done wrong things, nor can it be to dwell on them indefinitely. The answer must be to allow our failings to keep us humble while remembering the steadfast love of the Lord. There is a freshness to each day, new opportunities to do good and to avoid evil. We cannot erase the past, but we must learn to leave our mistakes where they belong--in the past.