Can an image lie?

The question is valid. I grew up in a country where a picture was considered to be a solid proof when truth should be established. We know that this can be disputed, because pictures can be manipulated. Likewise, even without manipulation a coincident can have an effect that changes the ‘image’ completely.

Major Beat Rieder took these photos a couple of weeks back. When he showed them to us after the meeting, it created huge amusement. However, I straight away knew that I could use them to illustrate the last blog in this autumn’s series on the ‘attributes of Christ’.

The focus through the whole year has been on our mission to bring the life of Christ to people. To be able to that I need to know what the attributes of his life are. One way to discover this is to look at his “I am” statements. They are the images of who he is. Many times, I have also quoted the verse: 

“Because, as he is, we are in this world” 1 John 4:17b

The consequence of this must be that the images of who He is should also be images found in my life. It is impossible to fake these images. Yes, I can dress like a ‘shepherd’; all the same, if I don’t care about the ‘sheep’ people will straight away know that the image lies.

In the same way, I can try to produce the fruit of the vine, also called the fruit of the Spirit, which is 

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” 
Galatians 5:22-23

Any of the qualities of the fruit on this list can be imitated for some time through human effort, but alas, unless it is genuine it will eventually be disclosed.

The interesting thing is that Jesus lived an ordinary life. He lived just like most of the people around him. He took part in their joys, their parties, their pain and their sorrows. He slept, ate and drank, laughed and wept. He had gentle conversation, and was angry when he saw unrighteousness – and all the time the attributes are part of who he is, because they are an integral part of his being.

Even though today’s illustration is not manipulated, angel-wings are not part of who I am. The image still lies and everyone knows that is the case. I pray for myself and for you that your life in this world will be genuine and true because we live as genuine and true human beings who believe that Jesus can work in and through us to spread hope in a world in need of hope.

‘Manna’ for today:

Recreated in His image!

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There will always be fruit of life!

In last week’s reflection “The source of the new life”, I focused on how important it is to be rooted in Christ, who also is the Word. This root will live forever. In the last chapter in the Bible, John describes the vision of the Tree of Life, and Jesus proclaiming: 

“I am the Root!” (1)

Yes, branches can be broken off, and sometimes it may even seem as though the whole three will fall. However, the Root of Life will never die. After Isaiah had his dramatic encounter with the Lord in the Temple, and answered the call: “Here am I. Send me!”(2), God sent him with a rather discouraging message to a hardened people, but he takes courage in a picture from the nature:

“But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
Isaiah 6:13b

The holy seed is the people still in contact with the Root of life.

Returning to my experience as a ‘Lumberjack’, I know, that it is not only terebinth and oak that will grow new trees from the stumps. Several of the tree species we have around our house in Norway will shoot new sprouts from the stump unless I destroy the root. Since I ‘harvest’ the trees as firewood, I normally let the root live, because there will always be fruit of life. Actually, the area where the house is located has the name ‘Rønninggrenda’ which literally translates: “Where trees grow from the stumps”

I may grieve some losses as age takes its toll and branches break off, but I say with Paul:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16

He who lives in me, is the Root of Life, from whom I draw nourishment that renews my inner being day by day. For this reason, I expect that there will be fruit in and of my life until the day I meet my Saviour face to face! This is His work and accomplishment only, not mine, which means that all the glory belongs to Him alone!

‘Manna’ for today:

The fruit of life is His work

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(1) Revelation 22:14
(2) Isaiah 6

The source of the new life

I do not think that the ‘I am’-statements Jesus made in John’s Gospel come in random order. The seventh and last statement is:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener!
John 15:1

I am not a gardener, but I know that a plant needs to be alive to bear fruit. Magna (my wife) is the one who takes care of our garden. However, I do quite a bit of lumberjacking and know that the roots are important for a tree or a vine. I also know what happens to a tree and the fruit when it is cut off from its roots.

The idea of being ‘rooted’ in Jesus is a central part of the Christian faith:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

The root is vital for the growth and strengthening of a tree, and for the fruit it will produce in due time. When Jesus taught about the true vine, he was of course focusing on the fruit-bearing. At the same time, he linked the effectiveness of this process to the condition of us ‘remaining in Him and His words remaining in us’ (1). This thought is also found in the Old Testament where a person who delights in the word of God is pictured in this way:

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:3

So when I face challenges in my life, I go back to the roots. When I question my ministry in The Salvation Army, I go back to the roots. I find that everything points back to The Root - the ‘source of the new life’, which is the Word becoming flesh. This Root did also invite anyone who is thirsty to come and drink, so that “the rivers of living water will flow from within them” (2). These rivers flowing from people filled with The Holy Spirit, will also help others to bear fruit. The purpose of fruit is to generate more fruit – and it all comes from the Root – the source of all life.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to be like a tree by the streams of living water.

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(1) John 15:7
(2) John 7:38b

Experiencing life in all its fullness

I must confess that writing this blog is a challenge. The reason for this is very simple. When a person decides to come to the truth, repent his sins and surrender his life to Jesus, there is no standard answer to how he will experience this important step. For some, making the decision to follow Jesus can be like the start of a pregnancy. The life is already there; however, it takes some time before that life becomes visible to others. Some can have a long ‘pregnancy’, for others it can be a matter of seconds. Others may even experience salvation and baptism in the Spirit in one instant moment.

We have a tendency to compare ourselves with one another. In light of what I just have written, it is dangerous if I drop to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with me because I have not experienced the new life in the same way as someone I compare myself with.

We have three wonderful children. They are three individualists. Physically they don’t look alike, emotionally and spiritually they are different – and their views on different matters may in many cases be so different that outsiders would be surprised that they share the same DNA. I don’t think any of them will consider the other two as less or more normal or alive, than they are themselves. Nor do they doubt who their parents are. Of course, if I asked any of them to proofread this, knowing them and their sense of humour, all of them would come back protesting and say: “I am the one who is right!”

If the life in Christ is life it all its fullness, it includes all the variations of life and experiences as well.

So how then do I know that I am a Christian?

It is about believing and receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour into your life:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12

Receiving Jesus includes repenting sin and receiving forgiveness (1). 

This is confirmed by confession:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

When this in place, life has started and step by step it will lead to inner conviction and assurance.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to live life in all its fullness

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(1) 1 John 1:9

What do you do with the truth?

On the journey towards life, many people will discover that the good news about salvation in Jesus is true. This does not mean that they are prepared to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Because when you know the truth you will very likely start to ‘count the cost’.

I know this from my own experience. As far back as I can remember, I have believed in God, in Jesus and in what was written in the Bible, but I postponed the ‘surrender’ until the moment I could not resist the calling any longer. I was 14 and afraid of the cost of discipleship. However, I soon discovered that the gain by far exceeded the cost. Since then, I have observed others go through the same process.

The climatic crisis in the world today demands an analogue kind of decision. There seems to be scientific consensus that the crisis is a result of our unsustainable exploitation of the world’s resources. Further, I observe that an increasing number of people agree to this truth; however, the cost of reducing the benefits of the exploitation to save the planet, makes us postponing the dramatic decisions that need to be made.

So is there a cost of discipleship, and if so what is it?
Jesus is very clear that the call is to follow him. He calls us to himself, and he is very explicit:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24

I think this was the verse that kept me from surrendering; However, it took some time from the day of surrendering until I discovered what taking up my cross meant. The day I saw what it really means to die with Christ, and to raise with him to be a new creature in Him, became a moment of great importance. When I saw this, it made a fundamental difference for my understanding of what this is all about. With this in mind there is ‘no turning back’ – nor has it ever been a desire. 

Yes, I can be tired, disheartened and feel that I need new strength, but I know that this can only be found in Him – and nowhere else.

The question remains: What do you do with the truth?

The answer to this question is vital for your spiritual journey both before and after Jesus has become a part of your life, and He a part of yours.

‘Manna’ for today:

I will follow the truth to the life! (1)

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(1) John 14:6

Which road-signs can I trust?

I took this picture three years ago in South Africa. I trusted it, even though it was placed upside down – after all I was ‘down-under’.

When I have started the journey towards life in Jesus Christ, there are road-signs along the way. I have already shared the signs given us in the nature and the conscience. The challenge is that these signs can lead to any kind of religious expressions, therefore it is important to look for trust-worthy signs that lead to Jesus. This is why I claim that not only the way, but also the ‘truth’ comes before life. Jesus was very clear about the truth:

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17

In practical terms this is the proclamation of the Biblical message of salvation in and through Jesus. This is the role of the church = His disciples. We may still use the arguments found in the nature and the conscience and any other argument that support the truth of the Word, however the best way to communicate the message, is through the Word becoming flesh over and over again. This can happen through you and me every day:

William Booth wrote the following with reference to a revised translation of the Bible:

Christian scholars have translated it (the Bible) and re-translated it, and then translated it again. They have commented and printed and published it in every form, and it is hurrying on to encompass the world with its revelations in every tongue. They have explained and preached about almost every word within its covers.
There seems to be only one thing left to be done with it, and that is to give us a literal and faithful and understandable translation of it in practice. Let us live it; live the real things - live the Christ-life. Such a translation, my comrades, will tell. It will be victorious. It will be triumphant. (1)

God gave me grace to start the search for life, and by his saving grace he accepted me into the new life in Jesus Christ. Therefore, by the same grace, I will present the word of truth in the world today.

‘Manna’ for today:

We will go forth in grace alone (2)

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(1) William Booth: 'The Revised Bible' - The War Cry, May 10, 1885. Link to the whole article in English.
(2) Link to the song in English

Do you see the road-signs?

Last week I wrote about the fact that the way comes before life. It does that because God shows his grace by revealing himself in the miracle of the extravagance of life on our planet. Any other explanation to this miraculous life than a great Creator, seems illogical, and when a person tries to find out more, he ventures on a spiritual journey – the way towards the life-giver.

With regard to last week’s blog, I also wrote about ‘ducks as substitutes for missing road-signs’. 

That a ‘road-sign’ is missing in Eastern Europe, does not mean that there never was one. The steel in the road-signs make good blades for ‘tools’ needed on the fields.

The ruler of this world has a strong motivation to remove spiritual ‘road-signs’. Therefore, God has issued human beings with a kind of compass or a GPS. Paul describes this ‘compass’ like this:

Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Romans 2:14-15

So even when there are no ‘road-signs’, the conscience can help us to separate right from wrong. So this is another testimony from the ‘nature’ – this time the human nature.

C.S. Lewis rejected God because of all the evil in this world. Then he asked himself: “How can I distinguish between good and evil?” – This took him on the journey to finding life in Christ, and made him one of the best apologists of the last century.

James F. Engel has made a scale of the way from having no awareness of God to becoming a mature Christian. It can be helpful to understand the journey most of us are on (1). It illustrates very well the way we have to go before conversion – and after.

However, the sooner a human being starts on this way, the more likely it is that traveling on it may be easier. At least that was how Solomon viewed it, and I leave it to him to give us the

‘Manna’ for today:

Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it. (2)

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(1) Here is a short video in English explaining The Engel Scale
(2) Proverbs 22:6

Stay on the road!

Driving in Eastern Europe is an interesting experience, and sometimes it takes us on some incredible roads. Occasionally I wonder if the ground I am driving on really is a road. However, I have not yet been in a situation where I have not been able to reach the destination because of the quality of the road. You learn some tricks. It is a challenge to drive on poor roads in rain, because it becomes impossible to see how deep holes are when they are filled with water. I had only lived here a few weeks when I got the advice: “Avoid the holes where you see ducks swimming!” 

– I thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t long before I was grateful for the ducks functioning as important signs where other road-signs were missing. As long as you know that you are traveling in the direction of your destination, you should stay on the road. 

Some weeks back I started this series on the “Attributes of life” with the question: “What comes before life?” I used Jesus’ statement: “I am the way, the truth and the life” in John 14:6 to conclude that God, the way and the truth come before life. 

If you believe that there is an eternal God who always is, it is logical that he also was before everything. However, how can I say that the “Way” comes before life?

Because I believe in God’s prevenient grace (1).

God knows that a human being needs to walk a distance on the road of faith before he can grasp the gospel and experience life. Part of this prevenient grace is the miracle of the fact that there is life on earth. The journal “Science Illustrated” (2) stated recently that there was only 0,0000000000078125% likelihood for the existence of the earth, and they call it ‘the most fortunate planet in the world’, and give ‘nine lucky coincidences’ the credit. 

Well, for some it is easier to think that “Maybe there is a God somewhere?” – as soon as a person allows himself to think that, he is on the road towards the Life. The fact that the journey has started is the grace that precedes the grace when a person receives new life in Jesus Christ.

Paul writes more about this (3) – and I will return to the subject next week. Until then “Stay on the road!” and follow:

The ‘manna’ given by Paul:

Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. (4)

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(1) The grace, which comes before the saving grace.
(2) The picture is from the front page of the Norwegian version #19 2019
(3) For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 

Romans 1:20
(4) Philippians 3:16 – (the Message)

Do you believe this?

This is a very simple question that requires an equally simple answer: ‘Yes’ or ‘no’. The context is Jesus’ conversation with a grieving Martha. Together with her sister Mary, Martha had just buried Lazarus, their brother. Jesus said to her:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26

For Bible-readers the story about the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead is well known, and I believe John chose to include this incident because it confirms that:

1. God is able to raise people from death to life.
2. God did this through Jesus when Lazarus rose from the dead.
3. God did this as a prophetic action pointing towards the resurrection of Jesus.
4. In turn, Jesus’ resurrection points towards the resurrection of all believers in Him.
5. The resurrection in Him takes place already in this life, and when we pass the threshold of death.

As for all born again believers, for me this means that I have risen to life in (1) and with (2) Him already in this life. The attribute of the ‘I am’ as the resurrection and life is therefore also the attribute of his followers. We are in this world as risen people. Risen people represent life, future and hope and want to share this with everyone who wants to hear; and with gratitude and praise we can sing: “You raise me up to more than I can be!”

‘Manna’ for today

Because he rose, I am risen!

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* Bramante Studio

(1) Ephesians 1:13-2:10

(2) Colossians 3:1-4

From lamb to shepherd

Is it possible to go from being a lamb to becoming a shepherd?

If we restrict ourselves to experiences solely from the physical world, I must admit it is too far a stretch for me. However, in the spiritual world this seems to be the desired progress, and one of the attributes of the life in Christ.

The Baptist pointed to Jesus and said:

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

So Jesus was both the Lamb of God and stated:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11

If we are in the world as He is in this world (1), then we also should develop from lamb to sheep to shepherd – without losing the fact that we are God’s children all the way along.

As the lamb of God, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. His atonement was perfect.

At the same time the idea of being ‘sacrifice’ is a central thought in the Bible. Paul touches this concept many times:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1

Earlier in the same letter Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 when he writes:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Romans 8:36

This must be read in the context of the fact that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. We are more than conquerors.
However, there is a sacrifice involved in going from being a lamb receiving care all the time to becoming the shepherd giving that care in and through Christ. But it is the way to go – we believe in the priesthood of all believers, and the growth of God’s Kingdom depends on this growth taking place in the individual believer.

The ‘manna’ for today, also comes from Paul:

Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (1)

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) Acts 20:28b

* © Nathan Greene – check his great collections!

Through the gate of life

Old Orhei (photo: Magna)

It is interesting that the preposition ‘through’ is closely linked to all the ‘attributes of life’ as they are presented by Jesus in John’s gospel. The statement: ‘as He is, we are in this world’ (1) should likewise always be linked with ‘through’. If I want to live in this world as He is in this world, I realize that this means a 100% dependency on Him working ‘through’ me, and I ‘through’ Him. Any attempt to imitate Him will sooner or later be exposed as fake. He was in this world as a vulnerable human being. So are his followers today. He faced temptations (2), grieved his shortcomings (3) and even asked to be released from his mission if it could be avoided (4).

The gate as an attribute of the “I am” makes ‘through’ even more obvious:

“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.”
John 10:7

Stop a while; ‘obvious’ is perhaps not the correct word if we look at the context. Jesus introduced the ‘gate-image’ in the very beginning of the chapter, and John writes “Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them” (v. 6).

I am not sure that it became clearer for them when Jesus introduced himself as the gate. What is ‘obvious’ is that a gate is something that you walk through. For the sheep it meant a passage to safety. And then Jesus confirms what his speech is all about:

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:9

'In' to Him, 'out' to live in this world – every day, every moment. If He is in this world as the gate, then opening the gate for people so that they can enter in to Him and find salvation, should also be an attribute of my life. A very simple picture, so easy to understand, however, so hard to live out. It was hard for Jesus too, but it brought life, and it still does.

‘Manna’ for today:

The gate of life is still open

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) Matthew 4:1-11
(3) Matthew 23:37-39
(4) Mark 14:36 

The light of life

NORSK
The second of Jesus’ “I am” statement, is “I am the Light of the world!” (1). Even though there is no problem associating the other attributes of Jesus with his followers, the attribute of being “Light of the world” Jesus explicitly also assign to his followers.

In his sermon on the mount, he said:

“You are the light of the world …. let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

These are well known verses, and it is interesting that Jesus connects the shining light with good deeds that will glorify God. This connection is also interesting in a holiness-perspective, and was one of the reasons why John Wesley made the statement: “No holiness, but social holiness” which I referred to in the blog: “Engaged for others” six months back.

In the narrative when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, we read that:

“he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”
Exodus 34:29b

David testified:

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5

After having prophesied the promise that God’s Spirit will not depart from you from this time on and forever, Isaiah continues with this exhortation:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1

This glory will lead to action, to good deeds. It is the light that drives the deeds, never the good deeds that drives the light. It is always first into him, who is the source of the attributes, and then out in the world to bring glory to the Father.

‘Manna’ for today:

Bring his light of life (1) into the world: Arise and shine!

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(1) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

The world needs bread!

I remember the Biafra crisis (1). Researchers consider this hunger-catastrophe to be the first humanitarian crisis that through media really managed to create engagement all over the world. My family had shortly before the crisis inherited a TV-set, and the pictures of the hungry and skinny kids made a huge impact on an 11-year-old boy. 

For the same reason I also remember the Norwegian Church Aid's first collection box with the inscription "Bread for the World". It came as a response to the crisis in the lent-season of 1968. Of course, I had to do my part and help to fill a collection-box. The world needs bread.

The roman emperors knew it, and gave people bread and circus. Even in Moldova, where we have lived for more than seven years, bread is partly subsidized by the state and come fairly cheap so that the poor at least can afford a loaf of bread.

Jesus fed a huge crowd with five loaves of bread and two fishes, and as a result the crowd followed him. Jesus questioned their motive and the discussion he had with the crowd includes this statement:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35

If I want to bring Jesus’ life to people, one of the attributes of his life is that it will feed the spiritual hunger of people. He is food for life. William Booth’s argument that you cannot preach the gospel to a person with an empty stomach, is valid – however, physical food should always be accompanied by spiritual food.

Albert Orsborn captured this in his beautiful song: “My life must be Christ’s broken bread” (2). Because, as Jesus is, we are in this world (3). So if He is in the world as the “bread of life”, so are we.

I am fed spiritually when I meet Christians sharing their faith-stories with me, it is bread from heaven; and I pray that they in the same way are fed when I share mine - and I believe even non-believers like to hear a good faith-story.

‘Manna’

…is bread from heaven every day!

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(1) See: More info here - NB "Doctors without borders" was founded as a result of this war
(2) Link to the full text 
(3) 1 John 4:17b

What comes before life?

I am back with my weekly reflections and the last greeting was “Live the mission”. Our mission is to bring the life of Christ to people – linked to my focus for the year.

Many books have been written about the theme: ‘putting first things first’. Whether the context is leadership, time-management, values or any other subject, the bottom-line always seems to be the same: How can I get the most out of life?

Perhaps this is very close to our mission as well. I think it is possible to get the most out of life, by letting life get the most out of me – however with some modifications. It is easy to think that life is synonymous with everything around us wanting our attention. If I fall into the trap of trying to respond to all expectations and matters wanting my attention, I end up being lived by others, instead of living my own life. This is not what I mean by letting life get the most out of me.

I think that it would be possible to get scientific support for stating that without life there is nothing. But doesn’t that make the question “What comes before life?” invalid?

Not at all. There is something greater than life. Jesus stated:

“I am the way, the truth and the life”John 14:6

Here are three things mentioned before life.

1. I am = God’s name – the one who creates and gives life (1)
2. The way = the direction back to this life in its original state (2)
3. The truth = the core of this life and how it should be lived. (3)

If we are going to live the mission, these three things need to be in place before life starts. Only then I will get the most out of life, and the life will get the most out of me. That is an intriguing thought.

‘Manna’ for today:

For life’s sake: First things first!

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(1) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
(2) The first Christians were named ‘Followers of the Way’ e.g. Acts 22:4
(3) “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32