Insights Magazine: January 2013 by Insight for Living Canada

January 2013

In this issue

8 6 3

How to Stop Expecting Perfection Charles R. Swindoll

6 When the Picture is Incomplete Robyn Roste 8

“Isn’t all sin the same in God’s eyes?”

11 Overcoming Sin Dr. Malcolm Gill 14 Q & A Steve Johnson

Laughing Matters The Trouble with Genesis Phil Callaway

Copyright © 2013 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. Insights is published by IFLC, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NASB. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by IFLC staff. Printed in Canada.

by Charles R. Swindoll

Not being a bumper sticker freak, I find myself turned off by most of the stuff people announce on rear windows and back bumpers. But years ago I noticed one I’ve never forgotten. For some reason, it stuck in my cranium as firmly as on chrome. You’ve seen it dozens of times:

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT PERFECT, JUST FORGIVEN. The last time I saw it was on the back of a car that whizzed by me on the freeway while I was doing about 70 mph. The time before that, I saw the sticker on a parked VW bug that had a ticket under the wiper because the meter was red. Now before I emote all over this page, I need to set the record straight. There is no way we are ever going to convince all 4

How to Stop Expecting Perfection continued from p. 3

those outside the family of God that this bumper sticker is true. A few unbelievers understand, but most will never get it. Instead, most non-Christians will continue until their dying day being shocked and angered, and offended and blown away whenever a Christian shows even the slightest crack in his or her life. Of all the things unbelievers can’t seem to understand about Christians, God’s grace and human depravity confuse them the most. • How can something as marvellous as forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation be free? • How can that person claim to be a Christian and act like that? If you’ve spent much time talking to the lost about Jesus, you know how often those two questions get asked. They are stumped when it comes to the seeming incongruity of the grace of God and the humanity of Christians. Why? Because the unbeliever's whole perspective is horizontal. Their earthly mindset says: things that are valuable are costly. Therefore, it is inconceivable to them that something as priceless as heaven could be offered as a free gift. And there isn’t much grace running loose on the horizontal plane either. Also, because the nonbeliever’s whole frame of reference is human-centred, it’s virtually impossible for them to imagine that an individual who claims to be in God’s family is one who still struggles with imperfection. After all, they’ll ask, “If you say God has come into your life and Christ has wiped your slate clean, how come you aren’t perfect?”

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That’s the non-Christian way of thinking. They equate salvation with perfection—no wonder they’re confused! But Christians? Hey, we know better…and we certainly should. Being fellow members of one another, we understand that becoming a Christian in no way ushers us into a life of perfection that erases our humanity and eradicates our depravity. If perfection actually happens at the moment we believe in Christ as our Saviour, then why in the world is the New Testament filled with the importance of obeying God after salvation? Why does it teach about forgiving one another, understanding each one’s failures, accepting their cracks, and focusing on their strengths (few though they may be)? It’s one thing for unbelievers to expect perfection—I can live with their expectation and tolerate it fairly well—but it’s most disconcerting to be pushed into a perfection mould by fellow Christian brothers and sisters! Oh, I understand that our example is Christ…and that the standard is high…and that our motives are to be pure. But it needs to be repeated again and again and again:

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT PERFECT, JUST FORGIVEN. How very easy it is to manipulate and victimize our Christian brothers and sisters! How quickly the thin thread of freedom snaps as heavy weights of perfectionistic expectations are laid on us! Christ Jesus never did that with those around Him. When people were near Him, there

"Let’s relax the stranglehold on each other. Let’s allow the Lord to do the correcting and the finger pointing and the demanding and the judging." was incredible magnetism because of His absence of unrealistic expectations, subtle demands, and manipulative devices. Rather than using pressure tactics, He simply accepted people as they were. Paralysis sets in when we struggle to breathe in the choking context of the perfection–expectation syndrome. Fed by fear and guilt, the Christian becomes a victim of fellow Christians rather than a victor in Christ. Let’s back off! Let’s relax the stranglehold on each other. Let’s allow the Lord to do the correcting and the finger pointing and the demanding and the judging. Let’s grow up and stop being so nitpicking and condemning. I love what the late Ruth Graham so wisely said: “It’s my job to love Billy. It’s God’s job to make him good.” Replace the name Billy with the name of your mate, your parent, your friend, your boss, your missionary—and especially your pastor—and you’ll begin to get the drift of the bumper sticker’s message. What’s more, you’ll be a lot easier to live with. And so will I. ▪ Photograph of Chuck Swindoll © 2012 by Luke Edmonson

When The Picture is

Incomplete by Robyn Roste

ne night while watching the news I saw a story about a criminal who had passed away awaiting trial. I no longer recall the details, just that there were many unanswered questions. A family member close to the situation summed it up saying, “I don’t think we’ll ever know what really happened.” These words have stayed with me. Over and over I wonder if it’s possible to have closure if you don’t really know what happened. Can you really move on when you don’t know why someone behaved in a certain way? Why something played out the way it did? As a rule I’m uncomfortable not knowing the whole story. The phrase “it is what it is” grates at me—I’m happiest when loose ends are double knotted, when a story has a beginning, climax, and end. Not knowing the reasons why something happened compels me to dig in and learn as much as I can. Even as a child I asked “why” a lot. The answer I recall most vividly came from my mom. I’d ask why and she’d respond “zed.” But the truth is we can’t know everything. Most of the time we don’t even fully know our own reasons for our actions—how can we possibly know the mind of another? We make guesses, but those are more often for our own ease than anything else. If we can find a reasonable explanation we can justify almost anything.

Believe it or not this makes me think about grace in a new way. I find it easy to have incredible grace for others when I understand their motives behind questionable actions. When I think I know the whole story I can excuse poor behaviour, forgive debts, and look the other way. That kind of grace is easy to draw on, but what about when there isn’t an explanation—can I accept that? Can I shake off the questions and choose to see the best in a situation? In a person? Can I still have incredible grace when I don’t know the whole story? If I’m truly to treat people with the same grace I’ve received it can’t be conditional. Because grace isn’t a prize in exchange for secrets or something we hold over people. “I’ll show you grace if...” or “I’ll show you grace when....” In most cases, not seeing the big picture leaves me feeling vulnerable, and I find it difficult to trust God is really, truly sovereign over everything. My reaction is often fear in place of faith, which leads to a tailspin of emotionally charged actions in a desperate attempt to regain homeostasis. In his sermon Providence Made Practical Chuck Swindoll says what I’m actually wrestling with is God’s providence. What I think is a desire to know the whole story is really motivated by selfishness, fear, and pride. Can I live with not knowing everything? Can I find peace without having complete

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"If I’m truly to treat people with the same grace I’ve received it can’t be conditional." knowledge? I have a lot of questions about God and the spiritual realm. Especially when I think about what’s to come after this life. I feel compelled to understand the reasons for everything, to feel like I have some control over my life. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:12 come to mind when I start going in circles like this.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely. (NLT) This passage reminds me even if I find all the answers available it’s still only a fuzzy half-visible picture. Complete knowledge isn’t available here on earth. I’m going to have to learn to live with unanswered questions and choose instead to act with incredible grace...and live in faith that one day I will know the whole story. ▪ Robyn Roste is the Living Bridge Media Manager at Insight for Living Canada.

Laughing Matters by Phil Callaway

We’ve had to lay down the law at our house: No more Bible reading before 6 a.m.

hat’s right, it was getting out of hand. It all started on a winter morning when our son Stephen was three years old and learning to count. He had worked his way up to 10, then 20, and finally to 99. At this point his face grew wrinkled. Where to from here? I told him where to find one hundred. And how to start all over again… “See how high you can get,” I said, not knowing that this is torture for an earnest child who cannot resist a challenge. By evening he hit 999 and was searching for more. I told him how to find it. Next morning he announced: “I’m at 3,007.” By mid-week he had topped the 10,000 mark. Oh great, I thought. Come kindergarten he’ll need counselling. The problem worsened as he entered school, journeying past Dick and Jane and into grade two where they string words together into sentences. One day he rushed home with a library book on dinosaurs. Opening to page one, he began to read: “Fifty...um...billion...years ago....” “I’ll tell you what,” I said. “You read the book of Genesis and I’ll buy you a brand new pair of ice skates.” He looked up from his book. “Ice skates?” He thought he’d won the lottery. The child wolfed down

his supper, threw on his jammies, and climbed into bed early. His mother and I were shocked. Once in bed, the child began to read aloud: “In…the…um…beginning… um…God....” Ah, I thought to myself, my wallet is safe. After all, the boy is seven. Genesis is 50 chapters. At this rate he will finish sometime during his Sophomore year of college. What good will size two ice skates be then? A few hours later I fell asleep, entertaining nostalgic dreams of the time my own father talked me into reading the New Testament. The reward was a coveted digital watch, and, upon finishing Revelation, I showed up to claim the prize. “Aha,” said Dad. “You read it in English, didn’t you. I told you to read it in Greek.” The nightmare was interrupted by a seven-year-old standing at the foot of my bed holding a big red Illustrated Children’s Bible, and smiling proudly. “Daddy, guess what? I’m on chapter six!” “Uh...that’s really good, Stephen. What time is it?” Turning my head I was confronted with the awful truth: It is 4:03 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. “What in the world? Stephen, go back to bed.” The child obeyed—or at least partly. At 6:30 he had been on a cruise with Noah, a mountain with Abraham, breathed the sulphur of Sodom and Gomorrah, and learned all he will ever need to know about circumcision. I sat down beside him as he zeroed in on chapter 25. “Dad, what’s a Hittite?”

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At 4 a.m. the next day, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. At five Joseph’s wicked brothers sold him to Egypt. At six they were forgiven—and by seven Stephen was as miserable a little boy as you will meet. “Jeffrey, you stole my Lego!” he hollered, waking me from slumber. Then he began pounding on his little brother. Screaming ensued.

"There is no virtue in studying Jesus’ words. I must put them into

practice."

As I conjure up punishment, I study the boy on my lap. He reminds me of me. When I was old enough to read I found the Bible fascinating. But it was always easier to enjoy it as literature than to let it change my life. I’ve read Jesus’ words “Love your neighbour as yourself,” and just like Stephen, I’ve pounded on those around me. Not with fists, but with words. With gossip. I’m still learning that there is no virtue in reading about Abraham’s obedience. I must obey his God. There is no virtue in

studying Jesus’ words. I must put them into practice. James said it best: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” “Stephen, I want you to say sorry to Jeffrey, then get some sleep.” “That’s it?” “Yup. But first I’d just like to hang on to you a minute.” He snuggles up close. “Son, would you do something? Remember that the most miserable people I know are the ones who can tell you all about the Bible without living it. I’m glad to see you reading God’s words, but that’s not enough. Let them change you, OK?” On the following Monday, the child received a pair of size two ice skates. And a bookmark too. It’s covered with panda bears and the verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...and your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). By Friday, Stephen was using it to mark his spot—in Leviticus. ▪ Phil Callaway writes best-selling books and speaks for conferences, churches, and corporations. He wears size 10 ice skates.

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Upcoming Messages Include: Guiding Others to Freedom The Grace to Disagree…and Press On Do You Really Model Grace? A Marriage Oiled by Grace

Overcoming

Sin by Dr. Malcolm Gill

ear Grylls is best known for his reality TV program, Man vs. Wild. The basic premise of the show is to show you and I how to survive in the harshest of conditions. Bear is dropped off in a remote or dangerous area, and given the task of trying to survive and find a way to safety. From the Florida Everglades to the Ecuadorian jungle, from the outback of Australia to a remote desert island, Bear’s job is to overcome the odds. He does this by jumping waterfalls and eating snakes, alligators, bats, and dead camels. The show is popular because it plays into our desire to see one battle through obstacles and succeed. We love the overcoming mentality. Motivational speakers, gurus, personal trainers, along with TV personalities drum into us that whatever the odds, we can overcome them through hard work, desire, and pure tenacity. But there are certain obstacles that, no matter how hard I try, I will never succeed in overcoming. And guess what? I’m confident that you will not be able to overcome these two obstacles either. What are they? The Bible refers to these obstacles as sin and death.

First, you and I can’t overcome sin. The Bible teaches in the book of Romans 3:23 that...“Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Sin not a popular word. Most people think of sin as doing something really bad, murder, assaulting someone, robbery. But the word “sin” has the idea of missing the mark, or not hitting the target. The idea is 12

that God has set a glorious standard and when we fail to live by it, we sin. You and I say, do, and think things that are contrary to God’s standard, and the problem is that no matter how much we try and achieve change by ourselves, we just can’t succeed.

"Religion is all about doing. Christianity is about what Jesus has done."

The Bible teaches that our nature is imprisoned to sin. We miss the mark because we choose creation over the Creator. We look to succeed by our own strength, yet we never shake our own selfish sin. You and I, no matter what our education, what our religious heritage, what our ethnicity, what our financial status, cannot overcome the power of sin by ourselves. This is a problem.

There is a second problem. You and I can’t overcome death. Death is a reality that we don’t like to address. Even at a funeral we love to avoid the confronting reality of our own mortality, by focusing on the deceased’s life

mountain climbers

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achievements, funny stories, usually followed by cakes at someone’s house. We don’t want to talk about death, we sweep it under the carpet, we live for the day and foolishly imagine it will never come our way. But the Bible, in contrast to our imagination, tells us how it is. It says in Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death.” When I work I receive wages. If I put in 40 hours of labour, my wage is my due, it is my right, it is what I deserve. Here the Bible reminds us that the reality is each of us will face “death” because that is what we deserve because of our rebellion. In the Bible death has the idea not only of physical separation, but always spiritual separation. Because of our sin, we have created a gap between ourselves and God. We have separated ourselves from Him. The result is alienation from God and physical death. Again here is the problem, you and I no matter what we do, can’t avoid death. But the good news of Christianity is that these two impossible barriers can be overcome. The Bible teaches the solution to overcoming sin and death is not found

in ourselves, it is found in the person and the work of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches in Romans 5:8: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” The good news of the Christian message is Jesus achieves what you and I can’t because He overcame sin and death. The wages for our sin that we should receive were placed on Jesus. God couldn’t ignore our sin, for that would not be just. A price had to be paid. Jesus, by dying on the cross, pays the penalty for sin that we deserve to pay. Jesus, the Son of God, comes and exchanges His life for ours. He, the innocent one dies, so we the guilty ones might live. Religion is all about doing. Christianity is about what Jesus has done. Take time to rejoice today in what Jesus has done on your behalf. Quit struggling to please God and rest in the assurance that your forgiveness is based on Jesus’ work, not your own. ▪ Dr. Malcolm Gill lectures in Greek, New Testament and Preaching at Sydney Missionary and Bible College in Sydney, Australia. He also serves as board member of Insight for Living Australia.

by Steve Johnson

Question: Is one sin worse or greater than another? Isn’t all sin the same in God’s eyes? Answer: Many have asked this question, me included. To find the answer we have to consider several truths. First, all sin is equal in the sense that all sin breaks God’s law and falls short of His perfect standards. The Bible portrays sin as straying from God’s paths—it is opposing Him; it is rebellion. Whether it is the sin of stealing a small item, telling a lie, or murder, all sin transgresses the law of God. In that sense all sin is the same in God’s eyes. Human law parallels this: a person can break the law by jaywalking or by mass murder. Either way, the law is violated. The second truth to consider is the personal and social consequence of sin. In human law, jaywalking does not have the same personal and social impact and consequence as committing murder. Similarly the Bible also teaches that not all sin is equal in its personal, social, 14

spiritual, and eternal impact. The sins David committed in connection with his adultery with Bathsheba had a far greater negative personal, social, spiritual, and eternal impact than the lie told by Rahab to protect the Israelite spies (Josh. 2:1-7). Measuring it that way, some sins are obviously greater than others. This has implications in light of a third thing to consider: God’s justice. The justice of God requires He render to everyone that which is due them, both good and bad—reward or punishment (2 Cor. 5:10). And justice requires that rewards and punishment must be commensurate with the deeds. Greater sin requires greater punishment or else it isn’t just. In Matthew 11:21-22 Jesus says, "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth

cuffs

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and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bear- destination of heaven is already settled by able for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judg- owning Christ as Saviour. We are already ment than for you.” Korazin and Bethsaida justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) and for the were places Jesus did miracles and there- believer there is no condemnation or punfore gave more light concerning His iden- ishment (8:1). But the issue of rewards in heaven is yet to tity. But the peobe settled at the ple didn’t repent of their unbelief. "the Bible also teaches that Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). Jesus indicates not all sin is equal in its Some believers how punishment personal, social, spiritual, will receive great would be worse and eternal impact." reward in heaven for unbelievers of (Matt. 6:1,4; Luke Korazin and Beth6:23) while others saida because they have been given more light (Jesus’ miracles) would be saved “yet so as by fire.” That is, than those in Tyre and Sidon. They were being saved but with no rewards to show (1 Cor. 3:14-15). Some will show faithfulaccountable for more. In God’s mind the sin of Korazin and ness in this life and be granted even greater Bethsaida was worse and therefore responsibility in heaven, while those who required greater punishment. Unbelievers weren’t faithful will lose any reward they who commit greater sin in this life receive might have had (Matt. 25). Accepting or rejecting Christ detergreater punishment in eternity. That is why the books are opened at the judg- mines destiny. How we live—choosing to ment—to weigh their lives “according to sin or not, and the kind of sin we engage their deeds” and to measure appropriate in—matters now, and for eternity. While punishment (Rev. 20:12–13). Acceptance every sin breaks God’s standards, not or rejection of Christ’s work on the cross every sin is consequentially the same. How we live counts forever. determines destiny of heaven or hell. I hope this helps. Judgment of the deeds determines degree - Steve of punishment. When it comes to believers God will Steve Johnson is the executive reward the deeds done in this life. Our director at IFLC.

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