Lawlessness Leads to Lovelessness

Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12

Someone recently asked me if I thought we were in the end times.  I shared with them that I do not know.  Every generation thinks that they are in the last times.  It is a theme that has been repeated throughout the history since Christ. That being said one of the signs leading up to the end times is that the “love of many will grow cold.”  

The root cause of this happening is because of lawlessness.  This means that people will adopt a stance of open defiance of the law.  When a society and culture start down a road in which laws are rejected, unevenly applied, or treated as things to only follow if one agrees with it something fundamentally changes in that culture.  This can be seen through out human history.  It is not surprising then that this is one of the characteristics that occur in the end times.  This lawlessness leads to lovelessness.  I grieve how far down this road we have ventured.  

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ please for the love of God please restore your first love.  Please take a stand against unrighteousness, injustice, prideful elevation of self above the law, uneven application of the law and other types of lawlessness.  God’s law is of primary concern and ought to be our highest aim.  Love of God and our neighbors is the greatest command on which every other law and teachings rest on.  Let us not fall short in loving well.   Do not overcome evil with evil but rather overcome evil with good.  

Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good. Romans 12:21

Why so much emphasis on Love BJ?

I had a wonderful conversation with my father-in-law this morning.  It helped me to crystallize some of the things that God has been putting on my heart.  One of the areas has to do with how we love God.  

Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

Jesus is clearly connecting love with obedience.  

When we obey the commands of God it is to our benefit.  We can obey God because someone tells us we must or we believe that we must.  To an extent this is a true statement.  There is a benefit to the mere obedience to the commands of God.  However, I see a principle at work here when we add love to the picture.  If I obey God because I love Him it is altogether different than if I obey God because I feel obligated to.  In both cases there is a short term benefit that obedience brings as God’s graces are extended to those that obey him. However, when obedience is out of the love I have for him there is a deep, sanctifying, and abiding change that occurs in me.  The transforming power of loving obedience to God is above any legalistic formula of shame-based, or fear-based obedience.  Love transforms the sinner.  Mere obedience may produce a form of righteousness that lasts for a season, but loving obedience produces a change in the heart that results in lasting righteousness. Love of God is at the heart of sanctification.  I need to be careful here though.  It is not our love that sanctifies us.  No that would be contrary to scripture.  It is the love we have for God that allows us to enter into a relationship with Him in which He by his grace and mercy sanctifies our souls.  Further this love follows from the love that He first showed us.  As a Christian this love of God is perfectly pictured in Jesus Christ laying down his life for us.  

One other point.  Did Jesus die on the cross because he had to?  Or Did Jesus die on the cross because he loved us?  In other words was Jesus’ sacrifice an act of obligation or an act of love? I firmly believe that Christ’s obedience to death on the cross was an act of love to our Heavenly Father and toward us.

May God Richly Bless You

~BJ Olson

Slave to Ideology or Slave to Love? I Choose Love!

Recently some people who are close to me have been confused why I seem to be bucking the party line.  I think in many ways the last two years has open my eyes to an unhealthy holding up of ideology.  I think that in times past I was very guilty of this.  In fact, family and friends who knew me a long time ago would often give me feedback that I was being too extreme and that I need to be careful.  I of course always had a comeback argument as to why it was important.  Many of the issues are no longer in my memory so how important they were I just don’t have the same youthful confidence.  

So, this last year some major things happened to all of us.  I noticed that my ideology was a poor guide for morality.  It became clear to me that human ideals (man’s righteousness) were a poor guide for my life.  As I contemplated this I started to recognize the power of encouragement.  It had been something that had been growing in me for many years through life experiences that God had put into my life.  But the power of encouragement is a Biblical moral value.  

What is interesting about true encouragement is that it does not have any of the ideological baggage that encouragement guided by human ideals have. For example, encouragement from an ideological bent creates philosophical echo chambers in which we only celebrate things that agree with our point of view.  In some ways this is a type of love of self to say I will only encourage those that strongly agree with my point of view.  Over, time this encouragement takes a more sinister tone of not only do I only encourage those that strongly agree with me, but I also now have a mission to demonize those that disagree with me. This extra step, which I have seen over and over again from all manner of people, all walks of life, all political perspectives, and whether I agreed with them or not has become grievous to me.  I can hardly stand it.  I also hate it in myself as well.  

So with encouragement as foundational moral value I sought the Bible to further correct my moral compass that had become ideologically corrupted.  I recalled that in that at many points Agape Love has been at the center of many conversations related to Christian Ethics.  I delved into studying love in scripture. I discovered many things.  I even wrote a Bible Study about what I found.  I also started to see parallels with relationships that I was seeing in counseling.  I could see how in-depth research on relationships echoed much of what the Bible refers to as love.  It was a rediscovery of something that I already knew from all those years of studying God’s Word.  

I am convinced that love along with other virtues of kindness, graciousness, trustworthiness, service, compassion, longsuffering, loyalty, gentleness, and the like are values that are all together different that human ideals. They are divine in my estimation.  The only way we can understand or express them is to be connected to the Imago Dei (image of God) that is in each of us.  This image is polluted by sin so we need a redeemed Imago Dei.  As a Christian I believe this occurs in the context of a saving and sanctifying relationship with Christ.  

These divine virtues are above and beyond human ideologies.  For example, I have seen people who I have serious differences in ideology be unkind and unloving.  On the other hand, I have seen people that I have differences with be kind and loving.  Also, I have seen people who I have strong ideological connection with be mean, nasty and deceptive.  And in the same way I have seen people with strong ties philosophically be compassionate and long-suffering.  This observation quite honestly rocked me to the core.  Had I not had my faith I am not sure what might have happened.  

I realized that the Ideology that had sustained me all of my adult life was at its core fundamentally flawed.  I also realized that the ideology that I had fought against my whole adult life was fundamentally flawed as well.  I did not spend much time looking at other ideologies, but from what I could tell each of them were also flawed in their own ways.  I was rediscovering what is described in Isaiah 64:4-9. “All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, (verse 6).”  I also rediscovered James 1:19-27. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness (verses 19 & 20).” “If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself (Verse 26).”  These passages stand as a rock of offense against human ideologies.  If they are true then we are ultimately foolish to put our hopes in human ideas.  Ironically I could not see that for a long time in those human ideas that most closely reflected my own.  I held those ideas as high and at times to my shame higher than the ideal virtues described in scripture.  It was (and is) a blindness to the polluted garment of human ideology and the actions that flow from them.  

So with a revival of sorts in the virtues of encouragement and love I have attempted to put these into practice.  First I have found this excruciatingly difficult.  It has been more grief than happiness so far.  When you take the blinders of ideology off and see how really awful people are treating each other it is hard to not despair.  Then when God holds a mirror up and says look and see the same awfulness in you it is almost too much to consider. Old ideological ways do not sluff off so easily and I have found my self slipping back into old habits and strategies.  On the positive side I have had more contentment than at any other time in my life.  There is a peace that comes from a willingness to look in the mirror and see yourself as you really are (James 1:22-25).  

I have discovered that when you start to use Godly virtues that the world (including those you used to agree with) will not have it.  I have been more attacked for trying to love people than I ever was for disagreeing with people.  I am still trying to figure that paradox out.  I think in part it is when you stop using political orthodoxy as your guide you become a traitor to those that are in your camp.  Being a slave to political ideology has a bond of loyalty that can be vicious if you decide to leave it.  

Someone recently indicated that I had slipped into the opposing political ideology.  I could not see it.  I thought and thought and determined that I was still the same on political opinions as I was before.  At first, I thought that perhaps the party had moved and I had stayed the same.  I was curious enough that I sought out and took three different political ideology tests.  Each one of them came back that I had not changed in any significant way in my political ideas. I aligned as I always have.  This seemed peculiar to me.  I think what they were reacting to is my lens and therefore my reaction to the world and its issues has changed.  I no longer trust my political ideology as a lens or guide for my life.

Love has become my true north in my moral compass.  I cannot even claim that I have come close to obtaining any measure of success in this regard.  I look at the path before me and realize not only do I have a lot to learn, but I hope that God lets me live a bit longer so I can work this out.  I have spent 51 years of my life living for my ideology.  Not all has been bad.  Much of my ideology has been formed by godly men faithfully teaching me from God’s word.  For that I am very grateful to those men and to God.  Unfortunately, there also is a mix of doctrines of men that has crept in as well.  That is why love has become my cardinal virtue.  I need something to hold up to what I have learned and determine what needs to be held on to and what God really wants to take away. God’s virtues which Love is the greatest is that measure.  My hope is that I can live the next part of my life living for Love, God’s supreme virtue.  

As I engage on this journey, I ask for a bit of grace.  I do not demand it but ask that you would consider a charitable interpretation of my words and deeds.  I genuinely care about this.  I genuinely grieve when I see unkindness and unloving attitudes and actions. First in myself and second in others.  I am still broken and flawed.  I still get irritable I still neglect responsibilities, I still become defensive.  What has changed in me though is a desire to change these things rather that explain them.  That is a work of God in my heart and life.  

God has richly blessed me with a great diversity of acquaintances, friends, and family.  I have not fully taken advantage of this. Often I have been locked away in my own thoughts, opinion, or escapism.  For this I am truly sorry. My hope is that in the midst of such a rich array of beautiful people that God give me wisdom and fortitude to value the precious gift He has given me.  

My commitment is to love well, Love God and Love others.  This is all that matters.  When I fall I commit to turning to God and seeking him as a way of integrity and as a restoration of His great love for me and His great love for you.  

May God Richly Bless You

~BJ Olson

Rekindling Virtues of Civility, Unity, and Charity

The church is not perfect, but woe to the man who finds pleasure in pointing out her imperfections! Christ loved his church, and let us do the same.

~Charles Spurgeon

I have been grieving more and more about the state of division in our culture. However, even more than culture I am deeply saddened by how this spirit of division is permeating our churches. 

We have lost the civic virtue of civility. It used to be that healthy debate was accompanied by a healthy dose of civility. I know that it would be easy to blame those others for the state of things, but the reality is each of us bears responsibility for our speech.  Civility is a virtue of the tongue.  As such it is up to everyone to demonstrate this virtue.  When it does not happen, we who take such matters seriously must not get into the gutter and fight evil with evil.  This civic virtue by itself is not the solution for the church though it may turn the heat down a bit (which would be nice).

There are two primary virtues that are missing in our dialog with brothers and sisters in Christ.  The first is unity.  So much of the divisive spirit that exists today could be stood against if the Bride of Christ would learn what it means to be unified. 

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope, at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Eph 4:1–6

Notice the traits of unity: walking worthy with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace.  So much of the time over the last many months the enemy of the church has caused us to question and even deny unity.  We ought not divide on many of the issues that have come up during the last couple of years.  If Christ is our head, then we are of the same body.  That is the clear teaching of scripture.  That is a virtue that needs to be revived. 

The second related virtue that is missing often as we combat the spirit of division is charity.  Charity is also referred to as agape love.  The bent in divisiveness is to paint those that you disagreement with in the most awful and uncharitable light.  I have seen it time and again from all manner of people, all walks of life, and from all various perspectives. We are all striving to be heroes of who can be the best at insulting or demeaning others.  I fear that at times I have slipped into divisiveness as well.  Correction without charity is ugly and abusive.  We must stop.  This has become obscene and destructive.  Charity reflects genuine care for the souls of others.  Uncharity reflects a genuine care for our own opinions. Choose charity.

I fear that many have fallen into taking great pleasure in this uncivil, divisive, and uncharitable approach.  We cheer on those we agree with and teardown those that we have disagreement with.  My issue is not with the disagreement per sey. We need to offer perspective and at times correction.  I take exception with the pleasure of and the addictive nature of outrage toward those whom we disagree.  Further it is doubly grievous when we do this to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  I am disgusted with the offensiveness that passes as effective defense of each person’s perspective.  Listen if your best defense is insults and hyperbole you need to learn more before you speak.  I am downcast over the recognition that I also can become sin sickly drawn into these completely unfruitful and destructive dialogs.  We can and must do better my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In summary then, in this difficult time, in which the world speeds to greater division and irreconcilable differences we, as the body of Christ cannot join our culture in its natural bent toward destruction.  Ours is a higher calling.  We must rekindle virtues of civility, unity, and charity.  When we do there will be a light bright and clear to a world of darkness.  I have not attained this ideal, but I challenge each and every one of us to press on to this higher calling.

God Bless You

~BJ Olson

Love, God’s Truth Detector

 

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

Yes I do affirm the authority of scripture.  As a Christian I must accept the full Word of God.  There may be times that something that is taught is difficult for me.  If I do not submit to it and instead start down a path of self-determination then I only accept those teachings that I agree with.  Truth then becomes what I determine it to be. 

I also do not believe in the authority of my ideas about scripture.  In fact, elevating the authority of my ideas is no different than self-determination.  It is simply a more sophisticated version of believing what I want to believe.  Too often we elevate our own authority and with an error in thinking, claim “inerrancy” of our thoughts because our thoughts are about the Bible.  We mistakenly apply the doctrine of inerrancy to our thinking because our thinking (or we believe our thinking) is informed by the Bible.  As our mind is conformed to the truth of Scripture, we can make the claim of maturity of our thoughts.  As we apply the truth of Scripture, we can claim maturity of action.  But to jump from maturity to inerrancy of our own thoughts or actions is prideful leap into self-determination.

That is why love becomes such an important consideration when looking at what people are teaching about the bible.  It is a built-in truth detector of God’s word.  Consider:

If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Co 13:1–3

Notice speech without love is noise (i.e. lacking meaningful truth).  Prophetic words, knowledge, and faith without love is to say “I am nothing” (i.e. lacking internalized truth).  Charity and sacrifice without love is worthless action (i.e. lacking truth in action).  Don’t gloss over this.  Love is the central reality of the claim of truth.  If it is removed then the remaining religious system collapses into a pile of nothing. 

So when I or others make some claim of truth I encourage you to consider whether evidence of love is behind it. Without love you might be considering and contemplating “Nothing” which is a fruitless endeavor. 

One quick side note.  It is possible that someone who has a different point of view from you is loving.  Don’t miss this.  Love is not simple affirmation of what you believe.  This is a serious mistake in our modern culture.  Failing to affirm others’ “realities” or “truth” has become to be seen as an unloving act.  This error throws the world into chaos since not everyone can be true.  At some point even the most generous and accepting person will come to something that they say is not true. This affirm at all cost ultimately destroys truth for the sake of being accepting.  In the long run this may be the most unloving thing you can possibly do to or for another person.  For example, we know that affirming self-detractive behavior is enabling.  When we knowingly enable another’s path to destruction, we certainly cannot claim love.

If you find love then you can proceed to evaluate the claim of truth.  Is what being expressed meaningfully true?  Do they evidence that they believe the truth they are speaking?  Finally looking at their action do they act as if what they say is true. In summary, love is a divine test of integrity.  Does what they lovingly say (verse 1), match what they lovingly believe (verse 2), match what they lovingly do (verse 3)? Ultimately it is loving integrity that gives authority to what has been spoken about God’s word.  That is why Jesus reserved his most forceful criticism to those that lacked this loving integrity (See Matthew 23:1-36).

One caveat. We are all on the path toward perfection if we choose to love God and love others (see Matthew 22:34-40).  However, we are not yet perfected. 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.1 Co 13:12

Integrity is a measure of the fullness of Christ in our message, beliefs, and actions.  However, perfection is evidence that we have passed from this life to eternal paradise. So on this side of death let’s give one another a huge amount of grace.  When we do we will evidence that God’s love is in us. 

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro 5:8 

May God Richly Bless You

~BJ

Are We Generous?

 

 A generous person will be blessed
for he shares his food with the poor.
Pr 22:9

God keeps bringing me back to positive spirituality.  What I mean by that is that Christianity has so much to offer that benefits believers and the world around us.  We as Christians need to live out the calling in our lives that scripture clearly spells out.  I often hear it asked if certain Christians believe or are obedient to the Bible.  I can’t help but notice that there are passages like this proverb that do not come up in these debates.  It is a simple statement really. 

Note “shares his food with the poor.  We often think of money when it comes to solving the problem of poverty.  In this proverb we see that don’t see a command to give alms to the poor, but to share food.  Think about that for a moment.  To share food we have to become involved and not from a distance.  I have on occasion been able to “get involved” in benevolence ministry.  However, I must say that I do so at a distance.  I cannot claim generosity to the poor.  At least not as this proverb spells it out.

So what can we make of this then?  When we live our lives self-absorbed we miss the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet of loving ministry.  We spend so much time making sure that believers think the right things that we miss the more relationally useful Loving God and Loving others.  Will you join me in this challenge?

Look around you and pay attention to the needs of people in your circle.  Start with your immediate family.  Is there any need that you could share in carrying the burden in?  Beyond family look to your neighborhood, community, and out into the world.  Open your eyes and see what you could do to cultivate generosity, blessing, and the gift of sharing.  It will be hard, but God has not called us to an easy life. 

Tribute to My Sister

It has been ages since I have posted anything in my blog.  Life seems to have been topsy turvey (sp?) for me the last several years.  Some good and a healthy dose of bad.  Most recently we memorialized my sister.  She was a beautiful woman.  Beautiful in appearance yes, but beautiful in more important ways as well.  She touched so many lives.  People from all over the world traveled to pay their last respects.  As difficult as the day was I was inspired to see the lives that my sister touched. 

What can we do to live our lives so that we can be a positive influence to those around us?  How can we live as my sister did to inspire hope and goodness?  How can we make others feel like they are important, valued, cherished, and loved?

I shared this at her Memorial:

Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:10-18 (HCSB)

Elissa lived this way.  The people, that knew her, are her testimony that this truth from the Bible was on living display in her life.  If we want to celebrate Elissa’s life today we can do that by showing family affection to one another, outdoing each other in showing honor, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, being patient in trials, persistent in prayer, pursuing hospitality, blessing others regardless of whether they return the blessing, humbling ourselves, refusing to repay evil with evil, but rather pursuing peace with everyone. I hope I can honor her memory living this way.  God Bless You All

Serenity Prayer (Acceptance)

“…to accept the things I cannot change…”

Many times I feel like a toddler in an adult body.  Prone to fits and tantrums.  I recall watching an interaction between a little boy and his mother at a store.  I cannot recall if it was candy or a toy, but I do recall how desperately he wanted it.  First he asked his mother in a pretty straight forward manner, “Can I have this?”  His mother looked distracted so he said again with a little more emphasis, “CAN I HAVE THIS?”  His mother looked down and said a simple “No”  Which was immediately followed by a loud shrill, “PLEEEAASSE!”  The word was neither pleasing nor magical.  Wonder why they call it the magic words?  This continued on for what seem a very long time.  Most likely it was just a minute or two, but I am sure that it was an eternity for this little boy’s mother.  To her credit she did not give in, but boy did he make her pay for it.  I could still hear the little boy screaming as they exited the store. 

In my own spirit I have been the mother having to calm another soul that is screaming out about the injustice of a life that does not give them his or her desires.  However, if I am honest I find myself more often playing the role of the little boy.  Screaming out to anyone who will listen why I deserve what I desire.  To my shame I sometimes take this heart attitude to my prayer life with God.  I tell God what is fair for me to have or not to have and then with a shrill “please” I say Amen.  When my prayers are not answered I do not reflect on passages like , “You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires (James 4:3).”  Instead I like a spoiled little boy threaten to take my ball and go home, because I do not want to play anymore. 

Contrast that with this prayer heart, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39  God is not so cold so as to be completely unaware or insensitive to our doubts or struggles.  He can hear them when we pray for those things that trouble us.  On the other hand this attitude ought to be in us that call ourselves mature in Christ.  That we (like Christ) say “Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  You see at some point we have to come to a place of acceptance of things as they are and return our confidence to God that our present circumstances has not caught Him unaware.  He continues to have a plan and purpose, even when we or someone else is the cause of suffering in our lives. 

Let us move to acceptance that God may produce a good work in our lives.  

Serenity Prayer

“GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”

Over the next several newsletters I am going to write about the “Serenity Prayer.”

God is the giver of all good things.  If you are like me though I struggle with the notion that God would allow things into my life that cannot change or better yet will not change.  If God is sovereign (which He is) then what in the world is he doing?  It is during these times though that I also come to realize that even though God is on His throne in heaven He is not on the throne of my heart.  I would rather have a deity that fulfilled my desires than to try to grow and understand what I can through unchanging circumstances.  This realization comes quickly if I let it.

“God, grant me the serenity…”  In quietness I can discover God’s abiding Spirit in my life.  He was there all the time but my complaining seemed to drown out the still small voice. 

Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
Selah
Psalm 4:4 (HCSB)

How does God move a troubled heart to serenity?  Do not sin, reflection, and being still.  Sin will get in the way of God’s work.  Sin will magnify and give life to many more anxieties than it will ever quiet.  Do not sin.  Reflection is a lost art.  We long to be told or entertained, but rarely do we reflect.  Take time to meditate not on what troubles you, but on God and His truth.  Finally be still.  Now I struggle with keeping my focus so being still mentally is not an easy task, but it is fruitful when I am able to do it. 

Now that I am in a place that God can grant me serenity what do I do next?  Acceptance; More on that next week.

God Bless You All

~BJ

The Blame Game

Sermon preached on February 17, 2013: Personal Responsiblity

 

 

There is a game is the most popular game in the whole world.  It has no pieces, board, cards, or moving parts.  It does not require a game controller, yet it is extremely popular with children, youth, and adults alike.  It is free and can be found being played in every home around the world.  It does not need to be translated into other languages because it is universal and come in one’s native language.  People keep playing it in spite of the fact that when you play it you lose in some way.  The name of the game?  It is called the “blame  game.”