Christians and the World

I don't know about any of you, but it seems I always find myself getting hung up on the issue of being a Christian “in the world but not of the world;” Seeking first the Kingdom of God (and its righteousness) while still living in the kingdom of this world (which is passing away).

It seems I’m always facing the dilemma; do we forgo earthly endeavors in order to focus more keenly on the Kingdom of Heaven? Do we need to get away from man and worldly (read earthy) things in order to be rightly focused on God and the “truly” spiritual things?
How are Christians to view their jobs, their relationships, and whatever other earthly activities they engage in? Are we to pour our energies into these things? Are we to have these things in our lives? Or will they only serve as a distraction from realizing the Kingdom of heaven? Will focusing on (or paying much attention to) earthly things (such as politics, social issues, careers, family etc) really honor God in the end? Or does it represent a “defocusing” on the Kingdom of Heaven and the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Now, since it’s clear we can’t completely get away from these earthly things, (i.e. man must work if he is to eat) do we then just try to minimize these aspects as much as possible in order to maximize the heavenly aspects? Should we view this life as some kind of cosmic balancing act where we deny ourselves of earthly involvement in order to further our heavenly fulfillment?

Here is an blog I just read which touches on the dilemma. I thought it was quite good. Just so you know, these are some of the thoughts that still circle around in my mind… And although, I’ve considered them quite a bit, it’s still a struggle. So what can I say that I’ve learned? What’s my conclusion?

Honestly, I believe this is just evidence of how much we still battle the ancient (but perennially potent) heresy of Gnosticism in the Christian Church today. Thus we need to be constantly reminded from God’s Word about what His thoughts are on the matter… We are to have the mind of Christ [and that’s a lot different than the thoughts of the Gnostics (I might touch on this at a later entry)].

So it helps when faithful men point out [again, in my case (I’ve been through this before)] the doctrine of creation. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... And he declared them to be good. We must have this view of things or else we will always run the risk of loosing our appreciation for what God has created (for His glory!). And thus, we will not offer up our whole lives to God (as living sacrifices pleasing to Him) but rather, we will offer pitiful mutations of the original – tragically stripped of the things God has created (for his Glory). Our jobs, our work, our families, our relationship, our communities, our societies -- all of creation He made, and He made them GOOD. And most importantly, He made it for His glory. And it honors and glorifies Him when we recognize that, and dishonors and doesn’t glorify Him when we don’t. In our pious attempt to please God by shunning this world, we actually displease Him by shunning his creation and withholding from Him our worship through those things.

He is both the giver and the creator of ALL of life. And thus He deserves it all.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4)

For His is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen

The Olympic Games (Part 1)

I don’t know how many of you have been paying attention to the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer, but I’ve been able to watch a bit. I’ve always enjoyed the summer games. However, I came to thinking about the sense of accomplishment athletes feel when they have won their event and are receiving their gold medal. Now for some it doesn’t seem as moving as for others. Michael Phelps can’t seem to loose any event he enters, winning more golds than anyone in history and smashing countless world records. It’s hard to imagine what really is going through his head when stands on that podium again and again. But for others, you can’t get away from the sense that this is an immensely meaningful point in their life.

No matter who the athlete is, you know he or she has been training for this – and training hard. For at least the last four years, they have disciplined themselves beyond what most of us would think is normal. From strict dieting, countless hours in the gym, and exhausting physical regimens, they have trained their body to the utmost of their ability.

And now, they’ve made to the Olympic Games, and the world stage is set. All their life energies and expenditures culminate in this one event. The last for years come rushing into their minds. This is it. ‘This is what they’ve been training for and waiting for all their life.’ They’ve practiced self-denial and laid aside every weight in order to be the best. And now they block out all other distractions that might keep them from focusing on that one goal.

Needless to say, they don’t all win. But they all try to. And when they do… well it can be electrifying.

Sometimes I look at their faces and wonder what’s going inside. All that hard work, all that dedication… Now it’s over, it’s done. They’ve won. They walk onto that stage. Lights are flashing as the anthem begins to play. The whole world is watching, but they’re on top of the world. Their coaches, who have invested so much in them, look on with joy and pride. A father lovingly embraces his child. A mother cries tears of joy. Adoring fans scream in adoration. The crowd erupts in a chorus of recognition and congratulation. The whole world is screaming ‘well done’ – even from a millions miles away.

Then I got to thinking…

“They do [this] to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Cor 9:25b, emphasis mine)

More to follow…

To Blog or not to Blog

I was talking to my friend Shane today about how I always thought it would be nice to someday run my own business from home. Maybe a web development company or something. That idea has always attracted me. We discussed the various pros and cons with my friend pointing out some disadvantages to working in solitude. I must say he had a point. As Christians, we should be willing and ready to serve those around us. And if the thought of working at home so we don't have to deal with bosses, coworkers and other fallen people, has us getting intrigued, we should probably take a better look at our hearts.

However, I have always wanted to make positive use of the technological means we now have with the Internet – particularly with networking, discussion boards and blogging. So, all this being said, I have decided to retake up my weblog True Blue. I don’t know where this will go, but we shall see.