NUMBER FIVE, 2019
In this issue 3 Insensitivity
charles r. swindoll
6 Labels
charles r. swindoll
8 Injustice
charles r. swindoll
10 Not Knowing Why
robyn roste
Q&A 12 What Does the the Bible Teach about All People Being Equal?
steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14 The Love of God
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 35 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright Š 2019 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
by charles r. swindoll
Cover & Article Photo: Anika Huizinga on unsplash.com
M
y kids pulled a fast one on me whole episode is about as memorable as one Christmas years ago. They changing a flat. And have you come across an insensitive teamed up, pooled their vast financial resources, and bought me a salesperson lately? You can feel the thicklittle motto to set on my desk. It was more ness. Your exasperation leads to gross than cute...it was convicting. In bold, impatience...and then, finally, confusion. You’re not sure if the individual underblack letters it read: DIETS ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE stands only Swahili...or is recovering from advanced lockjaw. THICK AND TIRED OF IT Perhaps the most tragic shades of insensiAt first you thmile...then it makes you thad. Especially if you’re not thick of tivity occur in the home. Between mates, to begin with. Needs in the heart of a wife long being thick! There’s another thickness that’s just to be discovered by her husband. She hides as bad. We could call it an “inner thick- them until an appropriate moment...but it ness.” I’m referring to insensitivity...being never arrives. He’s “too busy.” What cursed words! “Other things are unaware, out of touch, To be thick is more important.” Oh, lacking in insight, failunderstandable. To really? Name one. ing to pay attention. A husband wrestles The Hebrew Scriptures be thick and tired of with a matter down occasionally mention it is commendable. deep...in the “combat those who are foolTo be thick and tired zone” of his mind. Lackish and simple, as in of it but unwilling ing perception, the prethe book of Proverbs occupied wife drives on— (1:22–33). The original to change—is never pausing, never term means “thick, inexcusable. looking into his eyes, his dull, sluggish.” It’s the picture of mental dullness, one who is vir- soul-gate, reading the signs that spell I A-M H-U-R-T-I-N-G. tually blind toward others...failing to feel Insensitivity is painful. It’s damaging to others’ feelings, think others’ thoughts, our relationships, and it grieves our God. sense others’ needs. To be thick is understandable. To be Professional insensitivity is painfully common. To some physicians you’re case thick and tired of it is commendable. To number 23 today...a body, weighing so be thick and tired of it but unwilling to much...a mouth, saying words...a gall blad- change—is inexcusable. Parental sensitivity rates desperately der needing removal. And how about insensitive teachers or low these days. It’s part of the fall-out of speakers? Talk about painful! A block of our rapid pace. Solomon tells us that our information is dumped into your ears from children “make themselves known” by their mouths. Whether it’s interesting or their deeds, their actions. He then reminds well thought through is unimportant. The us that we have ears and eyes that ought to
hear and see (Proverbs 20:11–12). But again, it takes time to do that. And again, we’re “too busy.” Let’s think that over. A basic task you accepted when you became a parent was the building of self-esteem and confidence into your offspring. Without coming out and saying it, they look to you to help them know how to believe in themselves, feel worthwhile, valuable, secure in a threatening world. In dozens of ways they drop hints that ask for help. The sensitive parent spots the hint, deciphers the code, and wisely brings reinforcement. In his fine book Hide or Seek, Dr. James Dobson lists the five most common barriers that cause our children to doubt their worth—even when they are deeply loved. The first barrier on the list is “parental insensitivity.” Our challenge is to counteract the world’s value system, which requires of our little ones either high
intelligence or physical attractiveness. It’s impossible to shut out this value system entirely, but we must keep things in proper perspective—especially if our kiddos are neither smart nor beauties! Failure to do so can easily result in struggles with inferiority. The key, I repeat, is sensitivity—tuning into the thoughts and feelings of our kids, listening to the clues they give us, and reacting appropriately. The sensitive heart rubs its fingers along the edges, feeling for the deep cracks...the snags... taking the time to hear...to care...to give... to share. It’s worth clearing your schedule, I promise. Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
When the Fun Stops for Parents SINGLE CD MESSAGE
For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.
by charles r. swindoll
Image: Jon Tyson on Unsplash
L
is dispensationalist, a sinister-sounding et’s Label. That’s a favourite parlour game term very few people even understand! Another label that’s now on the scene is among Christians. The rules are easy to remember. Any neo-fundamentalism…a title that includes number can play. But it’s especially appeal- basic tenets and life outlooks that, in the ing to those who are given to oversimplifi- mind of the “labeller,” are unrelated to the cation and making categorical comments. fundamentals of the faith. Now then, to be completely honest about Name-droppers thrive on this game. And it helps if you speak with a measure of it, it is occasionally helpful to lick a label and authority…looking somewhat pious and stick it on. It saves a bundle of time and it can pronouncing your words very distinctly, communicate a fairly clear mental picture. very dogmatically. You’ll gain stature in the However—it is important that we guard group if you look down and frown a little as against using a wrong label, thus damaging you affix the label to the person in question. that individual’s true image or position in Labels vary. There are “temperament” others’ eyes. That is the main danger in playing Let’s Label. It often labels. “She’s a choleric, Being alert and means you set yourself poor thing…married to up as judge and jury, a melancholic!” discerning, basing declaring information These are akin one’s opinion on the that is exaggerated or to “emotional” labels. absolute truth, is a sign third-hand or just plain “Well, you know her— of maturity, a mark of untrue. When that hapshe’s nervous”…or “He’s pens, we have stopped a classic neurotic, a perexcellence in a life. playing a game and fectionist to the core.” Of course, “doctrinal” labels are most started to slander. Being alert and discerning, basing one’s popular among evangelicals. One guy is tagged a liberal, another neo-evangelical... opinion on the absolute truth, is a sign of and still others conservative—with a host maturity, a mark of excellence in a life. But of in-between shades. If a person men- pasting labels on people and churches and tions the sovereignty of God too much, we schools with only partial facts, feelings, label the jar Calvinist. If he seems uneasy and opinions to back those statements up regarding local church organization, is worse than unfair…it’s un-Christian. The game needs another name…like, Plymouth Brethren is the tag. If she’s convinced that God’s future program is clearly Let’s Judge. spelled out in Daniel and Revelation, we brand her premillenialist. If one thinks Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share that the Bible sets forth-distinct eras durMy Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. ing which humanity’s relationship with Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used God has unique characteristics, the label by permission.
by charles r. swindoll
T
he old prophet Habakkuk wrote relevant words of truth when he put this down in the first chapter of his prophecy: Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted. (Habakkuk 1:3-4 NASB) The writer of those words died centuries ago, but oh, how his words live on! If you are even slightly aware of everything happening in the world around us, you know how up-to-date his words really are. Have you ever been amazed at the way laws can be twisted and altered? Have you ever seen such a perversion of justice as in the last decade? The criminal is now the hero, sadly misunderstood and mistreated. The victim is the selfish sadist who decides to
press charges because he is bigoted, rash, or confused. The cold, hard facts are softened and slanted by the semantic footwork of slick political pawns. The courtroom now resembles a stage peopled by actors vying for starring roles, rather than a dignified chamber of law and order. Judges and juries can be bought, bribed, swayed, or wooed, given sufficient time in the legal pressure cooker. Jury members, who used to be anonymous and sequestered in the name of fairness and objectivity, now appear on talk shows. Remember that beloved childhood tale of Little Red Riding Hood? Well, if that scenario took place today, here’s what would probably happen. After the heroic woodcutter rescued Little Red Riding Hood by killing the wolf, who had already eaten her grandmother and then tried to kill Little Red, there would be an inquest. At this time, certain “facts” would emerge. First of all, the wolf, prior to his execution, had
not been advised of his rights. Then, a dedicated as a shrine for the wolf who civil liberties organization would enter had bled and died there. Wreaths would the picture, maintaining that “although be placed there in memory of the brave, martyred wolf—even by the act of killing and Have you ever been Little Red Riding Hood, eating the old woman who would explain that may have been in bad amazed at the way taste,” actually the laws can be twisted and while she was grateful for the woodcutter’s hungry and needy wolf altered? Have you ever intervention, in retrowas merely “doing his seen such a perversion spect she realized that thing” and thus did not he had overreacted. deserve death. of justice as in the last There would not be a dry On this basis the decade? eye in the whole forest. judge would decide If this were not so tragic and true a picthat there was no valid legal basis for charges against the wolf; therefore, the ture, it would be amusing. But frankly, I’m woodcutter was guilty of unaggravated not laughing. Injustice isn’t at all funny. assault with a deadly weapon. He would then be arrested, tried, convicted, and Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “Injustice,” in The Finishing Touch: Becoming God’s Masterpiece sentenced to 99 years. A year from the date of the incident (Dallas: Word, 1994), 298-299. Copyright © 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used at grandmother’s, her cottage would be by permission.
Read through our Case for Support and learn why we’re passionate about ministry in Canada at insightforliving.ca/support/case-for-support
Image: Andre Benz on Unsplash
Wondering what Insight for Living is all about?
by robyn roste
A
In most cases, I feel vulnerable when s a rule I’m uncomfortable not knowing the whole story. I’m hap- I don’t understand and can’t see the big piest when loose ends are double picture. And my response to feeling vulknotted and when stories have a beginning nerable often comes from a place of fear and sends me on an emotional tailspin. I and an end. But, of course, I can’t know everything. find it difficult to trust God is sovereign Most of the time I don’t even understand and has this, as well as all situations, well my own reasons for my actions, so how in hand. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:12 have can I expect to appreciate the mind and been a great comfort when my mind goes motives of another? I make guesses as to why, but those are in these types of circles. "Now we see things more for my own ease than anything else. If In order to treat people with imperfectly, like puzI can find a reasonable the same grace I’ve received zling reflections in a mirror, but then we explanation I can jusit can’t be conditional. “I’ll will see everything tify almost anything. show you grace if...” or “I’ll with perfect clarity. This makes me think about grace in a new show you grace when....” All that I know now is way. I find it easy to Grace doesn’t work like that. partial and incomplete, but then I will know have grace for others when I understand their motives behind everything completely, just as God knows questionable actions. But what about me completely." This reminds me even if I find every when there isn’t an explanation, can I available answer it’s still only a fuzzy accept that and offer grace anyway? In order to treat people with the same half-visible picture. Complete knowledge grace I’ve received it can’t be conditional. doesn’t exist here on earth. I’m going to “I’ll show you grace if...” or “I’ll show you have to learn to live with unanswered grace when....” Grace doesn’t work like that. questions and choose instead to act with Can I find a way to be at peace with the grace and live in faith that one day I will discomfort of not knowing everything know the whole story. but choosing to see the best in a person or situation anyway? I have a lot of ques- Robyn Roste is the media and marketing manager tions about God, the spiritual realm, and at Insight for Living Canada. what’s to come after this life. I feel compelled to have some control over my life or at least an explanation for why things do or don’t happen.
SZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOO UNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ пита овіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIY TEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN WORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT T вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH ÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAG WOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ння та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPO STIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANS EN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEA FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZ ONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL O QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUEST OR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK NSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS by steve johnson CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA осы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRD LASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOOR UNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ пита овіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIY TEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN WORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT T вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH ÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ALL PEOPLE BEING EQUAL?
T
he Bible’s teaching regarding humanity is that of both equality and diversity. The equality of humanity relates to the following truths. • We are all equally made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28) “The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both” (Proverbs 22:2) • All are born under sin, have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) • All people are morally equal before the throne of God facing the law and His mercy. We all have equal responsibility to use what we have to the glory of God. Every human being is the object of the love of God (John 3:16) • Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) • The Bible indicates that men and women are equal in the eyes of God as they are both created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) • Men and women are equal partners in God’s gift of new life (1 Peter 3:7). Women are not mentally or spiritually inferior
Since we are all created equal in relation to God, all have equal dignity as earthly children of our heavenly Father. Every human being deserves our respect. A rich man is neither more important nor entitled to more consideration than a poor man, and a Jew is not more entitled to the kingdom of God than a Gentile. The point of Romans 2:11 is to remind us that God is a just judge, and that all will face the same judgment of the law and an opportunity of His mercy. God shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17). The diversity of humanity relates to the fact that there are differences among people. • Jesus talked about the differences between the good and evil, the just and the unjust, women and men, parents and children, and differing ethnicities such as Jews and Gentiles • People can be stronger, smarter, and richer than others • Not all people are equal in achievement, social status, personal impairments, and intellectual capacity • People have different backgrounds, gifts, talents, roles, and responsibilities. It is
But is each person owed what another has God who determines these things. “…the for equality sake? Absolutely not! Most High rules over the kingdoms of We now live in a time when the scales the world. He gives them to anyone he of justice become imbalanced because one chooses—even to the lowliest of people” group seeks certain “rights” by demoniz(Daniel 4:17) ing another group. Rather than looking • Even at the Judgment all will not at individuals and specific details on their be rewarded or punished the same own merit prejudice and injustice are (Revelation 20:12-13) How are we as believers to respond to these rampant because one group is rewarded or punished just because they belong to a truths about equality and diversity? What Jesus stood for and the Bible teaches given social group. At the same time, believers’ primary is justice—pursuing what is right according to what God says not what society and peo- focus isn’t and has never been to fight for the ultimate resolution ple say (Micah 6:8). Like Jesus who recognized Like Jesus who recognized of people’s earthly needs. differences, we need to differences, we need to The absence of inequality and differences in reach out to all people reach out to all people society is never going to without distinction as be achieved. Social, ecoto economic status, eth- without distinction as to nicity, or gender. We are economic status, ethnicity, nomic, and political differences are an ever-presnot to show favouritism or gender. ent reality of the human (James 2:8-9). Like Jesus and the prophets, we need to stand against condition and will never be remedied as greed, the love of money, and class prejudice. long as we dwell in a fallen world populated Both the prophets and Jesus alike condemn by carnal men at enmity with God. Jesus those who oppress the poor, the orphan, and Himself said the poor will always be among us (Matthew 26:11). It will not be different the widow (Amos 5:12; Mark 12:40). We need to resist the growing polarization until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Mankind is neither guaranteed nor promin our day over differences and what constitutes justice. At one pole you have those who ised anything in this life except trouble teach class privilege defending injustice, and death (John 16:33; Hebrews 9:27). Our corrupt rulers, greed, and consumerism. At economic, social, or political standing isn’t the other pole are those who want to deny guaranteed. Some the Lord wills to be rich, differences and say all social, economic, and some poor, some male, some female, some political differences must be removed by black, some white. That’s not inequality. redistributing wealth, opportunities, and That’s diversity. privileges within a society. Should we ignore the legitimate needs of others or take advan- Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for tage of, abuse, or oppress one another? No! Living Canada.
The Love of God
“You may or may not believe you deserve to hear it, but here it is: God loves you.” - CHUCK SWINDOLL Love is the best known and least understood of God’s attributes. Few doubt that God is love. Yet many believe that God’s love, as demonstrated in His patience, mercy, and forgiveness, nullifies His righteousness, justice, and holiness. This popular notion of God, as if He were a benign, aging grandfather, sitting passively in heaven—affable, lenient, permissive, and devoid of any real displeasure over sin because He loves us—cheapens God’s love. It doesn’t uphold the value of His love. In truth, looking into God’s heart to discover His love is to discover His other attributes as well. Some have observed that God as He revealed Himself in the Old Testament is One of stern justice and capricious wrath, bordering on the thin edge of madness, while God as He revealed Himself in the New Testament is loving and merciful, a doddering grandfatherly type who smiles a lot but doesn’t quite know why. Both are extreme distortions of the popular view that God is inconsistent or hasn’t revealed Himself consistently in Scripture. Such a notion renders God as schizophrenic. This dual vision of God is not only unbiblical, it reduces God to a god (with a
lowercase “g”), which is to say it reduces Him to no god at all, because it denies His unchanging nature or reduces Him only to a god of our making. The problem lies not in the reality of God but in the perspective of those who cannot see God’s love in the Old Testament and His justice in the New Testament. Many have wrongly concluded that love and justice are mutually exclusive. But justice is not the opposite of love (nor is hate), indifference is. (Even hatred recognizes the existence and worth of another as worthy of time and negative attention.) Indifference treats another as a non-person, as non-existent; justice treats another as worthy of redemption, as worthy of love. Justice may seem a cruel cut, but the cruelest cut is the cut that never comes—that is, indifference. God’s love is too great not to cut out our sin with the scalpel of justice. He cannot be indifferent and let us die from the cancer of sin. We may take God as He really is or reject Him on the same basis, but the one opinion not open to us is to create Him as we’d like Him to be. He is and has always been the God of love and justice in both the Old and New Testaments.
“The Love of God” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series How Great Is Our God! You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.