A different perspective is needed

This is my first post in a while because of a few reasons: 1) it's been a busy summer; 2) I had to finish my masters (woohoo!); and 3) I didn't have anything worthwhile to write about.  But, that last reason has changed.

Iraq is a mess of evil right now.  Unless you live in a cave, you should know what I'm talking about.  Christians are being persecuted very heavily as I write this.  They are being driven from their homes by radical Muslims.  They are not the only groups that are suffering.  There are other groups that are being forced to convert or die.  And, how many of us Christians in this country are hurting for our brothers and sisters in Iraq?  How many of us are praying for them?

Our perspective in this country needs to change.  We can become so focused on our own agendas.  We like to focus more on God's favor for us or how our church can grow or what mega church pastor is being asked to step down rather than on those who are suffering for Christ.

In this country we tend to see things through rose-colored glasses.  We keep those same glasses on when it comes to church too.  We like to think about God showing us His favor.  We teach and encourage one another to declare God's favor in our lives, but would we say the same thing if we were running for our lives?  Would we tell an Iraqi Christian who has suffered for the sake of Christ to declare God's favor over their lives?  Certainly God wants to bless His children like any loving father would, but isn't Jesus enough of a blessing for us?  Everything else is a bonus.  Everything else is the cherry on top.

Recently I was talking with my sister in law about verses in the Bible that I think we need a different perspective on.  Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28 are verses that we love to use in our country.  Jeremiah 29:11 is often used for graduation gifts or used to give us encouragement during a difficult time.  We like to say to someone who is struggling, "God will not give you more than you can handle.  And he has a great plan for you.  Remember Jeremiah 29:11!"  The sentiment is good, but the problem is that Jeremiah 29:11 was written in the midst of total destruction.  God was speaking to His people after Babylon had completely ransacked Jerusalem.  And, this was all brought on because of Israel's constant sin against God.  So, this verse was spoken after judgment had come upon God's people.  This was not a happy time for them.  This was spoken to give them hope that God would restore them.  And, what was that restoration going to look like?  Jesus.  Jesus was the restoration that God was promising.

And, this brings us to Romans 8:28: "And God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."  This verse is used to teach that God is going to work everything in our lives out for our good.  No matter what may come, it's all going to come out lilacs and roses.  God is even going to bless us abundantly because Jesus promised his followers the abundant life.  However, if you read the entire context that this verse is found in, you find a different interpretation.  God has already worked out good for those who love him.  That good is Jesus.  Romans 8 starts with, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."  No condemnation for those in Christ!  How can it get any better than that?

Our problem in America is that we like to add to the Gospel because somewhere inside of us we don't think it's good enough.  We want to look at God as the great being in the sky who will bless us abundantly if we declare His promises over our lives.  We look at God as our CEO running our Fortune 500 company.  We look at God in many different lights so that He can fit in the box we have made for him.  The problem with all of that is that God ceases to be God and becomes an idol.  Our brothers and sisters in Iraq see God as their only treasure.  Jesus is enough for them.  That is why they refuse to deny their faith.  That is why they will radically love and forgive those who do this to them. That is why they will never abandon Jesus because Jesus has given them everything they could want or need.

Our Jesus in this country is much too small.  That is why we have to add to the Gospel.  We are satisfied with that Jesus because when anything bad happens, that Jesus doesn't get us through.  We need to have a different perspective.  We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so that we can see just how great and awesome Jesus is.  Then will we become truly enamored by him.  We will become passionate about him.  Then will we become compelled to preach the true Gospel not some watered down version that we have to add to because it's not quite good enough.

Shall we cling to the old rugged cross where our great Savior died for us?  Or are we going to keep making Jesus into our image?