Friday, July 17, 2009

Open Access

Two years ago, my principal received a scathing letter from a parent who asserted that I didn't care about the kids. Since that time, I have had the privilege of getting to demonstrate forgiveness in front of an amazed team of colleagues, and enjoyed the opportunity as well to display (to the best of my failing abilities) what unconditional love looks like.

It has been an interesting journey, to now be serving in the capacity of tutor for this man's son. The one who had sounded on the verge of requesting out my class, rather than continuing on with me for two years of "looping," now stays after his son's writing lesson is finished, questioning me about matters of faith. God's working is an endless source of amazement.

Yesterday's conversation was particularly interesting though. The father, reflecting upon the parental expectation of wanting children to behave immediately, commented that parents don't like my teaching style; that they want the kids to behave NOW, and haven't the patience for putting up with disruptions or disobedience. Wrestling with his notions about whether it was more important to establish a rapport or see quick "results," he continued mulling over the differences: 'Your way takes a much longer time, because you're building throughout the year.'

He went on to observe how I never "shut kids off," or dismiss someone for misbehaving; that my students know that, no matter what they have done, I won't turn them away. It was then, with a mixture of annoyance and wonder, that he concluded, "Even the worst offender still has access to you."

Aye, is that not the most blessed news of the Gospel? Even those who have 'trampled under foot the Son of God and insulted the Spirit of grace' (Hebrews 10:29); who have 'judged themselves unworthy of eternal life' (Acts 13:46), and have all but concluded that they are "unforgivable," still have access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18)! There is no repentant soul whom He will not hear (2 Chronicles 7:14)!

Job states plainly the simple path back:
"'If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent...
then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you...'" (22:23, 26-27).

And so it is that, even when we have ushered ourselves into our own demise (Proverbs 16:25; 14:12), and a state of filth (Ezekiel 24:13); even when our hearts have raged against Him (Isaiah 37:23; Job 18:4; Isaiah 8:21), and we have set ourselves in strict opposition to everything we have known to be His will (Luke 12:47); even then, as "worst offenders," we are permitted into His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).

And it is in that glorious truth, broken in reverent awe over how His astounding forgiveness (see Psalm 103:10-12) overwhelms our crushing rebellion (see Ezekiel 6:9), that we grasp how our sin is not the end of our access to our Maker, but the very impetus for our ecstatic praise, by which we cry out to Him with humble wonder, 'Blessed be God, who has not turned away... His loving-kindness from me!' (Psalm 66:20).

Friday, July 03, 2009

The Best Sales Job

Found a flier left on the doorstep today: “Eternal Life is a FREE Gift.” While I commend those who were going door-to-door, spreading the Gospel message, part of me can’t glance at that little pamphlet without beholding the sorely skewed nature of the proposition. Have we, as Christians, become peddlers of our faith?

I mean, a salesperson’s job is always to present the most attractive side, and downplay anything that might hinder the conclusion of the sale. Sometimes it takes a long time after the purchase before the customer even realizes some of the hidden costs (ex. the degree of maintenance issues with a car, the amount of interest that accrues on a college loan, the long hours required above and beyond what the contract said). But the whole point is that the deal is already done.

It strikes me (and forgive the meager comparison) as trying to sell marriage based on one aspect… say, sex. Sure, one of the more appealing sides… but let’s say marriage were instead presented upfront as a merging of two lives; a morphing of one’s identity; a total restructuring of all priorities and investments; a forfeiture of ownership claims and autonomous decision-making; a daily dying to “self” as one gives preference to another equally as fallible and weak individual; in short, as the greatest sharpening tool ever to make one humble, and emptied, and holy. The whole “sex” part of it may not, depending on the individual considering it, really overcome all of the vulnerability, sacrifice, and unconditional commitment included… and the “sale” would be lost.

We don’t present Christianity point-blank like that. We attract people with God’s grace, or scare them with His judgment – but we mention both of those strictly in the context of a one-time decision. We don’t mention the altogether life-altering pattern that will mean for the rest of one’s earthly days. Why is our focus so limited?

What if we tried this instead? “Eternal life is a free gift… AND… included in its acceptance, you will now be aware of the internal war of trying to please God while your flesh is still raging to enthrone itself (Ro. 7:15). You will be required to part ways with your pride (Ph. 2:3), to set aside all plans of directing life on your terms (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and to show the most ungrateful and evil people you know the most sacrificial love you can give (Lk. 6:35). You hereby forfeit any right to live with comfort or ease (2 Tim. 2:3), to demand repayment for what is taken from you (Lk. 6:30), and to go on the offensive when you are treated unfairly (1 Pe. 2:20). For desiring to live a godly life, you will be guaranteed persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). And, because of the One you have now put your faith in, you, too, will be ‘hated by all!’” (Lk. 21:17).

But then, I don’t know… I’ve never been much of a salesperson.