What Happens When the Family I've Always Wanted is Not What I Expected?

The Forgiving Family of God

The Family I Have Always Wanted Part 2

In my last blog I discussed how looking at the examples of Abraham’s family, my family, and the church shows how God can and will give us the family we have always wanted. Some of us have suffered loss. Some of us have been hurt. Some of us struggle with depression. Some of us struggle with loneliness. The list goes on but God’s family includes all of us, if we believe in Christ. We have a place in God’s family. This is quite a remarkable truth. However, there is another side to this story that should be addressed. Let me tell you about my family, that is, the family I’ve always wanted. They are adulterers, fornicators, murderers, thieves, robbers, and the list goes on. They are a selfish, slothful, and lazy family. Is this really the family I’ve always wanted? For every good thing or good person in God’s family, there is a bad thing or bad person in it. Why would anyone want to be a part of this family? In an earlier blog I asked the question, “Where is God?” God has made a new family made of all people. God is present in his people making them into a new humanity and a new family. So God’s family, the family I have always wanted, is “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit,” as the Apostle Paul has declared. How can this be, given what is at times characteristic of this family? What happens when the family I’ve always wanted is not what I expected? I should practice forgiveness. We should practice forgiveness. God’s family embodies the dwelling place of God and represents God by being a forgiving family. When God’s family lives a life that practices forgiveness, as Christ has forgiven them, they echo God’s forgiveness to the world. God’s family forgives first and foremost because God has forgiven them and has reconciled them to himself through his son. God loved them and forgave them, so they in turn are to love similarly to others. Therefore, God’s family seeks to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to others. There is no limit to the amount God’s family seeks to offer forgiveness, since they are to imitate and echo the forgiveness of God. Truly being God’s family means learning how to forgive and learning how to be to others all the things God is to them.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

God’s family forgives first and foremost because of what God did in Christ to forgive and reconcile us to God. The apostle Paul affirmed this of God, “Now all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, God was reconciling the world through Christ to himself, not counting their trespasses against them and having established in us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19). Here Paul affirms that God has reconciled us to himself. Reconciliation simply means “to reestablish proper friendly interpersonal relations after these have been disrupted or broken.”[1] Paul does not preface here that only certain trespasses or wrongdoings apply. God in Christ does not count any wrongdoing of those whom God has reconciled through his son. What great news for those who believe. Humanity does not deserve forgiveness and reconciliation but God does offer humanity this, as a gift.

God first loved humanity so that they in turn can love him and love others. John affirms this in his letter, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a means of forgiveness for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Here it is plain to see that God’s love is clearly linked to his forgiveness. God loves humanity and thus offers forgiveness to them. But John does not leave it there. He encourages, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). What happens when the family "we’ve" always wanted is not what "we" expected? They practice love that encompasses forgiveness.

God’s family is also to be a people that seek reconciliation. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount quotes from the Old Testament declaring, “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment” (Matt. 5:21). He continues by taking this a step further and declaring, “If you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt. 5:22). This is quite a statement that almost makes his command seem impossible. However, Jesus offers a solution to anger and when anger is full blown, its desire to murder. Jesus gives an example when someone would go to the temple and give their gift to the altar. If they remembered that their brother or sister has something against them, they should leave their gift at the altar and first seek reconciliation with that person. Lastly, Jesus gives one more example of a lawsuit. Jesus says, “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him or her, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison” (Matt. 5:25). Jesus is strongly emphasizing that to first be reconciled and to quickly come to terms with your accuser. This is a practical way that God’s family can practice forgiveness and seek reconciliation and thus break the cycle of anger, resentment, and murder.

God’s family is to offer forgiveness limitlessly. One of Jesus disciples named Peter asked Jesus a question about the limits of forgiveness. Peter asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times” (Matt. 18:21)? Jesus responds, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matt. 18:22). Some have said that seventy-seven times is not enough. This can be true, but Jesus was making the point to never hold something against another. This should not be limited.

Forgiveness in Practice

Miroslav Volf in his book Free of Charge tells a tragic story of his older brother that unfortunately he never got to know. His brother Daniel was five and Miroslav was only one. The two brothers were being watched by their long time nanny, aunt Milica. When aunt Milica was not looking, Daniel slipped through a large gate that was in the courtyard of the apartment complex. Daniel went to a small military base that was near their home. There were some soldiers who were in training and saw the boy. They were bored and in need of some entertainment. So they began to have some fun with Daniel. This is where the story begins to turn for the worst.

On that fateful day in 1957, one of them put him on a horse-drawn bread wagon. As they were passing through the gate on a bumpy cobblestone road, Daniel leaned sideways and his head got stuck between the door post and the wagon. The horses kept going. He died on the way to hospital – a son lost to parents who adored him, and an older brother that I would never know.[2]

What a tragic story for their family to have to go through. Miroslav figured out over the years that it was his long time nanny that was responsible for watching both of them. Someone has to take the blame for this, Miroslav thought. “When terrible things happen, people find someone to blame even when there’s no one to blame.”[3] But Miroslav’s mother did not tell him about aunt Milica’s being partly responsible to their family tragedy. Why? She had forgiven her. This was very difficult but she did. His mother now had a new understanding for the price God paid by send his one and only son to die for the sins of the world. “Aunt Milica was forgiven, and there was no more talk of her guilt, not even talk of her having been guilty.”[4] This is the hope of forgiveness. That is, to forgive, in such a way, that even the thought of a past offense is far from one’s mind. This is how God forgives humanity.

There is one more part to this story, and that is the part of the soldier. He was the one primarily responsible for Daniel’s tragic death. He took it so hard that he had to be hospitalized. Miroslav’s father did a very difficult and painful thing. He went to visit the soldier in the hospital to comfort and console him. He also let him know that that he and his wife had forgiven him. Miroslav’s parents went to court and said they would not press charges on the young man. They did not want to see another mother’s son’s life be wasted, because of a very careless decision. The soldier was discharged from the army and he went home unpunished. After this, Miroslav’s dad went to the home of the former soldier. Why did he go? Miroslav explains, “He was concerned for the soldier and wanted to talk to him once more of God’s love, which is greater than our accusing hearts, and of my parent’s forgiveness.”[5]

Resentment and Unforgiving

The New York Daily News reported this morning that a teen and her mother are suing her softball coach and are suing the city, claiming she busted her ankle because her high school coach never taught her how to slide.[6] She has not been able to play since her injury. Her mother and her demand justice. She said that the coach did not supersize the sliding. The coach delegated that to team veteran players to teach the younger players. The case is still pending at the moment.

Still My Family

Now based on the above, is this an appropriate response to take? Here are two examples of what people can do in response to a tragedy. One is of course considerably less tragic than the other, yet the one that is less tragic is seeking more in return. When God’s family lives a life that practices forgiveness, as Christ has forgiven them, they echo God’s forgiveness to the world. We are to be to others what God has been to us. Bitterness and resentment has no place in God’s family. This is still the family I have always wanted, because this family is the forgiving family of God that shows forgiveness to the world. The apostle Paul puts its well "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). Let us all imitate Christ in how he forgives others.

A Few More Thoughts

I could say a lot more about forgiveness. The book I just completed reading is 240 pages long or so on the subject. Feel free to ask some clarifying questions. I would just add here, that a lot of times complete forgiveness does not always happen. There are many contributing factors to this. Sometimes the offender is a danger to themselves or to others. Sometimes the offender does not think they have offended anyone. But the hope still remains for complete forgiveness, because Christ forgave us. In God’s new world we will have complete forgiveness and reconciliation with one another. This is what forgiveness in today’s world points to and looks forward to.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

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[1] Johannes P.; Nida Louw, Eugene Albert Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, 2nd ed., vol. 1 (New York: United Bible Society, 1996), 501.

[2] Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005), 121.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid., 122.

[5] Ibid., 123.

[6] See full article http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/12/16/2009-12-16_teen_plays_hardball_sues_city_hs_softball_coach_after_breaking_ankle_in_slide.html

The Family I Have Always Wanted

Many people desire to be in a family or to belong to a community. This is a value because these people are given a sense of worth. They contribute to this family and the family in turn contributes to them. So, for many this is deep desire to want to be in a family. God has given us a family. God has given us his family. This is, “the family I have always wanted.” I am reminded of Abraham and how his family started. I am also reminded of my own family and the loss that we suffered. I am lastly reminded of the church, who is God’s family. Looking at these three examples of family will show us how God can and will give of the family we have always wanted.

Abraham was nearing one-hundred years old and he and his wife Sarah were with out a child to continue their family. This was especially important in those days. At was during this time that God spoke to Abraham saying:

I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God" (Genesis 17:5c-8).

What was Abraham’s response? Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety” (17:17)? Even though Abraham at first laughed at the idea, God still kept his promise to give Abraham not only a son (Isaac) but a great family. God promised to bless his family. Unexpectedly Abraham received “the family he always wanted.” This family was going to be God’s family. They would call the LORD God their God.

Since I can remember, I have had the desire to belong to a family. As a young child, my mom was sick and unable to care for me in the way that she wanted. She passed away of complications from diabetes, when I was 12 years old. My dad moved away after this and I lived with my grandparents. I was grateful for them but my family was somewhat incomplete. I felt this even more when my grandfather passed away later that same year. Was there a family out there that could give me a sense of worth? Was there a family out there that could comfort me? Was there a family out there that could be the family I always wanted? Thank God for his family!

In the New Testament the Apostle Paul talks about the family of Abraham. Paul says, “So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the Law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:16). So we are included in Abraham’s family if we believe! It is a free gift! The promise of an everlasting covenant, the promise of blessing Israel and Israel being a blessing, and the promise of being in God’s family is for all who believe! We a part of God’s family. This is a family I want to be a part of. This is the family I have always wanted.

I very much desired to be a part of something greater than myself but at the same time provided me a place to belong. Many of us may feel the same way. We have suffered loss. We have been hurt. We struggle with depression. We struggle with loneliness. The list goes on but remember that God’s family includes you, if you believe in Christ. It is an unexpected family but it is the family I have always wanted!

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

Where is God?

"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
The Apostle Paul

Where is God? I often ask this question when things are not going well in my life. When I have felt alone or scared, I ask this question. Many of Psalms in the Old Testament ask this question, as well. The Psalmist new that YHWH (the God of Israel) dwelt in their temple, though his presence was not limited to it. This question is not a new question for God's people and humanity in general. The Apostle Paul gives the answer to this question in his letter to the Ephesians. Where is God? Where his people are at! What a truly shocking claim to make. God is making his people (both Jews and non-Jews) in to a dwelling place for God. This new family of God is where God is present! God is in their midst.

This past summer, I went to see "the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" with some very good friends. It was very hot that day. Probably over 100 degrees. They had giant fans with water misters to keep us somewhat cool. The time came for us finally to go inside the studio. We had been waiting for hours to get inside the air-conditioning and of course to see Conan. When the taping finally began, the energy picked up in the audience. Then when Conan came out the place erupted with ovation for this very funny man. It was somewhat hard to believe that we were in the same room as Conan O'Brien. What excitement! Seeing my friends, who are bigger fans than I am of Conan, with so much excitement and joy on their faces was fun to see. I saw how people can get rather fanatical when they are near a celebrity. It was pretty cool and a great experience. It was well worth waiting in 100 degree heat. Being in the same room as Conan is rather noticeable and exciting but do we notice that God is also in the same room as his people?

God is not only in the same room as us but God is present within his people. God has made a new family made of all people. What if we notice that God is present in his family the way we notice when a celebrity is near us? What if God's people were consciously aware of his presence. Where is God? Where is God present? God is present in his people making them into a new humanity and a new family.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

What Is Hell Like? Does It Even Exist?

Very interesting video by N. T. Wright about Hell and its existence. Perhaps we in the west (Protestant and Catholic) have gotten this wrong. Should we take some of the descriptions of Hell as literal descriptions of a literal place? Or do these descriptions point to something else that is happening to humans that chose not to reflect the image of their Creator? N. T. Wright gives us yet another perspective on things in this video.

Debate on Homosexuality. How to begin to have the debate..

N. T Wright in this video helps to frame the debate so that those who are apart of it can begin to have a healthy discussion about it.

Impartial Justice

Impartial Justice

Say among the nations, “YHWH is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with fairness.” Psalm 96:10

I make no claim to be an expert in politics but as I was reading on MSNBC.com about Sonia Sotomayor, who could very well be the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, I couldn’t help but reflect on her pledge to serve the “larger interest of impartial justice.” Republicans have questioned her impartiality while Democrats have praised her for being a Hispanic pioneer. It very well appears that she will get the position.[1] Since we are humans that do not always remain impartial, we do not always trust that others will remain impartial as well.

I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for an individual nominated by any president who believes it is acceptable for a judge to allow their own personal background, gender, prejudices or sympathies to sway their decision (Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama).

Who is the one that will always judge in fairness? Who is the one that judges impartially? The writer of this psalm says it is YHWH; the Lord that Scripture says is the creator of all, king of all, and judge of all. However, YHWH is not like other judges, kings, or people who may or may not judge impartially. The Bible says that the Lord is just and will right the wrongs of this world (creation, and humans). There will come a day when the Lord will deal with injustice.

He (YHWH) shall judge between the nations,

and shall arbitrate for many peoples;

they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4).

Who will deal with injustice? Who can we trust to be an impartial judge? Proclaim to the nations that the Lord is King! He is the one who will deal with injustice. It may seem like there is little hope for justice. It may seem like there are few if any (even within God’s people) to trust, but the Lord is the one to trust. We may have our doubts about people and how they judge but know that there is no doubt that God will judge impartially. This message is desperately needed in today and tomorrow’s world. Just read the world headlines and you will see people who are desperate for someone to bring justice. I conclude with this passage from the prophet Isaiah, who was prophesying of the coming Messiah of God.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and decide with fairness for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

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[1] Whether or not Sonia Sotomayor will be an impartial judge is not my point here. There are places to read up on the opinions of both sides. See your favorite news website for starters.

Reflections from the way of the cross Part 3

Two Trails

“. . . the end of those things is death . . . the end is eternal life.” The Apostle Paul

There are multiple trails that lead out of Campus by the Sea. About the middle of the week family campers (who choose to) go off on a trail that leads to the tourist town of Avalon. The campers know that if they stay on the trail they will “end” up in Avalon. It is inevitable. There is another trail, a much short one (one I prefer), that ends up at the “way of the Cross.” This way too is inevitable. A camper will not go to the trail that leads to Avalon and expect to “end” up at the “way of the Cross.” One trail leads to one place and the other trail leads to another. This is what is expected. The Apostle Paul says that if one presents oneself “as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity” their “end” is death, but the one who presents oneself “as slaves to righteousness for sanctification” their “end” is life. This is their end result. The outcome of the life that is devoted to one way or the other will result in one of two things.

Paul concludes chapter 6 of Romans saying, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in the Messiah Jesus our Lord” (verse 23). We choose one trail or another but this path of life is made possible by us being in the Messiah Jesus our Lord. We have died and have risen to new life (Romans 6) and we await the day of our own resurrection.

Thanks for reading

Marcelino

What Happens After You Die?

N. T. Wright on what happens after we die. He speaks of new creation and the resurrection of our bodies. This is a short video of some of the things I have been writing about.

Reflections from the way of the cross Part 2

“A transformed family is a family centered around the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.”

Tim Theule, Pastor of Grace Church San Luis Obispo

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” The Apostle Paul

This past week of family camp was excellent as I have already stated in my previous blog. Pastor Tim spoke on the life of Paul this past week of family camp. He is one of the best speakers that I have heard. He is great on speaking profound theological truth and at the same time being very practical in his illustrations and application. I said in my previous blog, “I love to hike up the “way of the cross” because it gives me a bigger perspective. In my own little world, which consists of me and my salvation, I can get consumed with myself, but when I come up to the cross I can see where human redemption meets creation’s redemption.” The cross gets us to think of more than ourselves. Or as Pastor Tim would say it “the Gospel of God’s grace” is what gets us to think of our families, friends, enemies, and yes creation as well.

The Apostle Paul also wrote in his letter to the Philippians that they too were to think of others and to move past their own selfish ambitions. Philippians 2:5-11, which is a profound Christological passage but if not for the situation that arouse in Philippi it may have never been written. We are to live a selfless life with others especially in our families. Pastor Tim was very insightful in saying that Paul was always looking how to apply the Gospel in every situation. We never get past it and we always need to look to the Gospel. Understanding the significance of the cross and for that matter the resurrection never gets old, as Paul shows in Philippians 2:5-11. How much could people’s marriages and families be transformed with understanding the reality of the Gospel of God’s grace? Many marriages today need to hear the message of the selflessness of Jesus Christ. I could go on but I think you get the picture.

Coming home and hearing the message Pastor George spoke on Sunday at Living Water Foursquare was helpful in continuing of God drawing me further into this selfless life that moves me past my own selfish ambition. Again, this is what the Gospel does. “PG” mentioned how some live on the surface of being Christian. This I find perplexing, which I am sure Pastor George would agree. What has gone wrong? I find “living on the surface” highly unlikely if families are “centered around God’s grace.” Christianity is not a “fire insurance” faith but a Gospel centered faith. I will finish this blog by concluding with the Apostle Paul’s great and profound Christological statement but at the same time very applicable to Christians and families as well. Let’s make it our prayer!

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Reflections from the “way of the Cross” Part 1

“In the Bible, salvation is not God’s rescue of people from the world but the rescue of the world itself.” N. T. Wright

“That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” The Apostle Paul

I am sitting here up on a hill on Catalina Island, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the cross of Jesus (I wrote this when I was at Campus by the Sea). I am reminded that God is both Creator and Redeemer but these two are closer than we think. In Romans 8:21 (quoted above) Paul reminds us of this truth. We as humans receive from the cross of Jesus and his resurrection the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:24). But we share this redemption with creation! I am in awe of this great plan of redemption. As I am sitting looking at the cross, which overlooks God’s creation, I realize that the cross will redeem this creation. Yes, it is true! God’s creation will obtain the very redemption that we will obtain!

I love to hike up the “way of the cross” because it gives me a bigger perspective. In my own little world, that consists of me and my salvation, I can get consumed with myself, but when I come up to the cross I can see where human redemption meets the creation’s redemption. What is the redemption of our bodies? What is the redemption of creation? How does this change how we live our lives today? This is nothing short of the renewal/rescue of all things! We are not being rescued from creation but God is going to rescue creation itself! God is going to put things in order that was once in disorder. Humans as well as creation are in disorder! They both long together for their redemption. Know that the cross and Jesus’ resurrection makes all things new!

“He has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” The Apostle Paul

Father,

Help us by your Spirit to see the big picture and to live as if your new creation has started (which it has in your Son’s death and resurrection) and help us to see that we have a part to play as your stewards of your creation!

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God forever and ever, Amen!

Conversion a process, at a moment in time, or both? Why should I care?

I want to begin by stating that this blog or note is directly and also indirectly influenced by Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible by Joel Green (professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary) and also through reflecting on lectures from my Medieval and Reformation Church History course by “Mel” Robeck. My seminary experience has profoundly influenced and challenged me but not merely intellectually or academically but spiritually as well. I have come to learn that to try and separate the two (intellect and spiritual) is virtually impossible. Now on to what I want to write about and that is conversion.

I have often thought of conversion as strictly happening at a moment in time. I am not saying that all Christians think like this but in my experience and in my tradition this was the case. I prayed “the sinners’ prayer” at age 16 and it was then that I was “converted” or I became a “convert.” At that moment, I became a “born again” Christian. After that God continued to use others in my life to help grow my young faith. These were and still are moments I look back on and see God at work in my life. I am very thankful for God working in my life and I am very thankful for the people God put in my life. But as I look at my life, I see God working even before I prayed “the sinners’ prayer.” Was this God working in my life in anticipation or preparation for the moment I became a convert? Or was I already in the process of being spiritually formed? Or another way to put it, did I have “enough” knowledge and trust in God and therefore already was a convert? How do we define a convert? Defining a convert may be a good way to start. Joel Green’s definition fits well here. “. . . one who has undergone a redirectional rotation and is on the move in faithful service to the purpose of God as this is revealed in Jesus Christ and underwritten by the Spirit of God.”[1] This “redirectional rotation” is not only the process of conversion but of repentance, which is closely linked to conversion. Peter says, “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). Also John the Baptist ministry consists of turning the people of Israel to God.

He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:16-17).

We can see that John’s ministry as well as the message of Luke-Acts as a whole that repentance as Joel Green puts it is “aimed at a transformation of day to day patterns of thinking, feeling, and believing.”[2] This type of transformation happens over a period of time but this does not deny the key spiritual moments that are valuable to our spiritual formation.

Is there a difference between conversion and repentance? I once thought conversion had to do with the changing of one religion to another and repentance included the changing of one religion to another but also can include the repentance within one’s religion. A closer look at Luke-Acts in particular shows that both Jews and Gentiles are called to repentance and conversion. “God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). “God exalted him at his right hand as leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (5:31). Green also notes, “he (Luke) characterizes conversion as the movement from darkness to light.”[3] In Luke-Acts Jews and Gentiles are called to come out of the darkness and into the light. Paul says that he was sent “to open their eyes so that they might turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:17-18; see also Luke 1:78-79). Conversion in Luke-Acts is a “redirectional rotation” but this is a process of learning how to be a member of a community that is fully reliant on the saving work of Jesus Christ. This is seen with the disciples’ lack of immediately understanding the mission of Jesus. They even had a wrong understanding of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. “They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost” (Luke 24:37). Also Peter and the Jerusalem Church had to learn that the Gentiles are also apart of God’s community and Jesus is “Lord of all.” “The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45). This does not deny that Peter and the disciples were not in some sort of process of sanctification but at the same time the above should show that meaning of conversion is expanded in Luke-Acts.

Now in regards to my own conversion, I do not think that I became a convert at age 16 when I prayed “the sinners’ prayer.” As a young Catholic, I was very much looking at how I might fulfill my purpose within God’s redemptive plan. I had a very limited understanding. I did believe that Jesus died for me and that he was raised from the dead. Did I understand the full significance of that? No. Will I ever in this life understand the full significance of his death and resurrection? No. It is a process of learning, believing, and growing within the community of God. One final quote from Joel Green, “Conversion is a journey, not an instantaneous metamorphosis; even though points of decision-making can be traced in the Lukan narrative, these provide points of beginning and milestones along the way, rather than conclusion.”[4] I have come to realize that my journey of conversion began long before praying “the sinners’ prayer.” But at the same time I want to affirm that praying that prayer was a significant milestone in my spiritual formation. More could be said here but this should at least be a good start to get us thinking about how this might change how we evangelize and disciple people.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

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[1] Joel Green, Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008), 137.

[2] Ibid., 123.

[3]Ibid., 134.

[4] Ibid., 137.

Knowing Christ, the Uniting Factor

Knowing Christ is essential for any and all Christians. For the Apostle Paul, it was the uniting factor between Jews and Gentiles. They had various customs and rituals but all that did not matter, for God in Christ has made them both a new humanity (Ephesians 2:15). The Apostle Paul also says, “For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything” (Galatians 6:15). Paul speaks of how the Church of Ephesus (Gentiles in particular) did not remember Christ, as they had learned him. They needed to be reminded that they were a new humanity (Ephesians 2:15) and that they were called to live a new moral life (See Ephesians 4:17-24). Jews and Gentiles together are “created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:23). This is how they have come to know and learn him through apostolic teaching and through their own relationship with him corporately and personally.

Does the Church, which appears to be divided today, need to hear this uniting message? I would say that this message absolutely needs to be heard. This message of unity involves being truly the community of God. This community works together to figure out how to live out what it means to be God’s workmanship, all the while remembering how we have learned Christ. So knowing Christ unites Christians from different traditions to encourage and enable each other through the knowledge of Christ to be the new creation and humanity that God has made them to be in Christ Jesus. It is the uniting factor.

Richard Mouw (President of Fuller Theological Seminary) spoke to 400 plus graduates on June 13, 2009. The graduates consisted of people from all kinds of Christian denominations and traditions. He “charged” them all with the same message of “knowing Jesus.”This is what unites us as Christians. Time after time even in my own life, I have looked at the differences that I had with other Christian traditions. I have since been challenged to look not at what divides us but at what unites us as Christians. A lot more could be said on this topic and I do think differences need to be looked at but we need to be careful not to jeopardize a united community of Christians.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

Dreaming Dreams and Seeing Visions

The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel had its annual national convention last week. Pastor George this past Sunday highlighted a few points from the “Connection.”  One thing that stuck out to me was the point of being “wide open to dreams and visions.” The Foursquare Church and for that matter the wider church should be seeing where God wants to take His church.  In Acts 2 Peter gave his great sermon after Pentecost saying:

            ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

and they shall prophesy (17, 18, see also Joel 2:28, 29).

 

God wants to impart visions and dreams to people but not just any visions and dreams (though God can impart what he wills). He wants to impart dreams and visions that show people how to be partakers of and be participants within God’s Kingdom. What is God’s Kingdom, especially within this world? It is God’s rule and new creation breaking into the current creation anticipating the consummation of his rule. Or more simply put it is the answer(s) to the question, “What would this world look like if God were running it?”[1] We are partakers because we have been saved (Acts 2:21) in that God is now “running” us and we are participants in that we are witnesses to Jesus, who is both Lord and Messiah (2:36). Somehow by God’s grace and Spirit Christians are to be agents who help build for the Kingdom. We through dreams and visions help answer the above question. This I believe is where we can catch a glimpse of what God’s new world will look like. Dreaming dreams and seeing visions is seeing God’s new creation breaking in to this world. I see a vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, God wiping every tear from our eyes and we as a resurrected and united Church shall be called his people (Revelation 21). Let us then dream dreams of God’s new world!

My dream or vision is to see Christians (Pentecostal, Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox, and so on) united in prayer, scripture, and the mission of the church. This is a vision in which we as Christians put aside our differences and seek a unity that will be seen in God’s new world. As being in “the last days (ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις eschatais herais)” where we get our term eschatology, this vision is truly eschatological. This quotation by Peter of the prophet Joel anticipates an equal and united church with the inclusive language of sons and daughters, men and women, and so on. This inclusive language includes but goes beyond the Foursquare family. It also includes all of the Church. So my vision is to see this equality and unity now, as a way to anticipate the future eschatological reality of unity.

            So this is my vision or dream in its early stages. What is your dream(s) or vision(s)? How does this play a part (great or small) in God “running” this world? God wants to birth these dreams in us, which is also a way in which his new creation breaks in. It is never too early or too late to start dreaming! Let us dream dreams and see visions of God breaking into this world! And let us do it!

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

 

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[1] Quote from N.T. Wright taken from various lectures

Suffering and the New Life

Dr. Ron Williams spoke at Living Water Foursquare on May 24^th. If you have not heard Ron Williams’ testimony, I suggest that you hear it some time. God truly moved in Ron to bring about extraordinary healing in him that saved his life. God increased his life as Dr. Williams referred to God increasing the life of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:6). One of the things Dr. Williams said (which I will paraphrase here) was that with the terrible/tragic events that happen to us we end up asking the question, “Why is this happening?” When perhaps we should ask, “What can I learn from this?” This is the topic that I will reflect upon, that is, suffering and what God wants us to learn from it. Not only this, but God brings new life through our suffering. When I see Dr. Williams, I see God’s new life breaking in. This is because of the physical and spiritual work that God has done in him.

We as humans naturally ask the question, “Why?” But as we come to worship the Lord in our lives, we come to realize that our suffering has a purpose. Dr. Williams mentioned Romans 5:3-5 which states:

We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Dr. Williams discussed how suffering produces endurance (consistency), character produces hope and so on. I could see how he believed this was true in his own suffering. God had truly done a work in him not only physically but God had made him more spiritually mature. He said, “Real men don’t cry but they have heart attacks, and ulcers” but he learned that through his suffering that this was not how to be a “real man” or truly human. Men as well as women within the Christian community are to be there for each other through the good times and hard times. They are to rejoice and mourn with each other (Romans 12:15). Suffering producing a mature person is also discussed in the book of James 1:2-4 which states:

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

These two passage in particular deal not with the “why” question but with the “what” question. God wants to move us from our “fallen self” to a “complete self” or a person who is truly who they were meant to be. So instead of dreading difficult times (persecutions, trails, suffering, or whatever), a person should consider it joy because a person becomes the “complete self” that God wants for them through their suffering. If however a person does not "consider it nothing but joy" they become more like the “fallen self” that God saved humanity from through his son, Jesus Christ.  

This is the new life God has for us. As Jesus suffered and died, and rose to new life, so we too must suffer and die to gain a new life (Romans 6:1-11). This is done for us through the dying and raising of Jesus, which enables us to do the same. This new life is not just when we are literally raised to new life but this new life breaks through now, as with Dr. Williams. The challenge is laid before us, as Christians. Do we embrace suffering for what it can produce in us? Or do we shrink away from it and thus shrink away from the “complete self” God wants for us?

Thanks for reading.

Marcelino

A Reflection on Works, the Christian Life and Reflecting the Image of God

Last Sunday Pastor George spoke on “Reflecting the Image of God.” He asked what image we were reflecting. Is it our own, the worlds, or God’s? He appealed to those who were there to not see the Christian faith as merely “fire insurance.” It is much more than that. God has made us a new creation to reflect his image. I have been thinking about works in relation to the Christian life and this sermon has caused me to reflect even more on this.
Tom Wright says, “Human beings were made to know, worship, love, and serve the creator God. That always was and always will be the way to healthy fruitful human living.” By doing this, we learn how to reflect the image of God not only back to God but to the whole world. When Christians see works in this way, it does not become burdensome. Because Protestants believe in justification by faith alone, some can at times be afraid of hearing the word “works” in relation to our faith. However, works are a necessary part of the Christian life and dare I say without them, there is no Christian life. Christianity is not “fire insurance” as Pastor George said. Perhaps, if Christians focused more on the salvation of the whole person, instead of saving souls from hell, that may help to dissolve the misunderstanding of this “fire insurance faith.” New Creation as Pastor George mentioned, is a step in the right direction. We “are” a new creation in Christ Jesus created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:9). This implies that we “are” new creation so that we may “do” new creation. We are a new creation, a new humanity and are learning a new way to be human. We are saved to “do” something. As Paul says after explaining the climax of new creation being the resurrection of our bodies, he says that we are to “do” the work of the Lord for our faith is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15).
What is interesting and also amazing is that our life, humanity, and works are very closely tied to the image of God. Humans have always been meant to reflect God’s image (this goes back to Adam) and though we have missed the mark on this, thank God for the one who is truly human, Jesus Christ. Now humans can begin to learn what it means to truly be human, which is to reflect the image of God. This requires humans not to be God’s puppets controlled by the Holy Spirit but God has enable us by the Holy Spirit to finally be his new creations and new humans, who are able to think, choose, and do the work of the Lord.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino

A Comprehensive Immigration Reform

At Fuller Theological Seminary Cardinal Roger Mahony at Fuller's All-Seminary Chapel. He spoke on a comprehensive immigration reform. I have to say I do not know much about this topic myself, but the Cardinal has helped to open my eyes to this pressing issue and the Churches part in it. The Cardinal said,"the Scriptures teach us to have unrelenting compassion, even in a difficult economic time, for those seeking new hope for their lives.” He is looking at this issue through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He makes a good point that "the economy is for the people and the people are not for the economy." He stressed the value of human life and that all our welcome at God's table. He proposes a comprehensive reform that he details in his message. I put up the message for you to watch.
I am always moved to see the Church, whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox, seeking to "do" the mission of God/Church or as I said in my previous blog "do" new creation.
Marcelino

Where will amazing happen?

It has been quite awhile since I have blogged. Seminary has kept me very busy. I have been learning a lot and I have been challenged both academically and spiritually. I am glad to say that I am going to pick up blogging again.

The NBA has been advertising all year that their league is "where amazing happens", which I think has been a successful slogan. Now that the playoffs have started they have shown past clips of spectacular plays of the playoffs of past years. They have asked, "Where will amazing happen this year? To find out the answer fans need to watch this seasons playoffs. I asked myself, what if we ask this question outside the sports or basketball world and ask the Apostle Paul this question and then leave the question to Christians?

"Where will amazing happen?" 

The answer to this question is wherever God's new creation breaks in! The Apostle Paul says that Christians will be raised to newness of life and will be restored along with God's creation. God will raise believers from the dead and restore his creation (see Romans 6, 8). This is what we are look forward to. But Paul does not leave it there. Christians are to do the "work of the Lord" and Paul says some how our work will not be in vain but will be affirmed in God's new creation (1 Cor 15). Paul also says that we are new creations even now and it is everything (Galatians  6:15). So though this new creation will happen in the future it is happening even now. It happens when people come to faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it happens whenever and wherever the Church of Jesus Christ does the work of the Lord. "Amazing" happens among those people that "are" new creation and "do" new creation.

So as I prepare to watch the Lakers tonight, I won't be looking for what is truly amazing, instead I will look to God and is church for "amazing" or "new creation". I am remind of N. T. Wright's appeal to "dream the dream of God's new creation". What would it look like? To quote Kanye West "Amazing!" I never thought I would quote Tom Wright and Kanye West together! Anyway, I am encouraged to ask this question and then as Paul would say go out and "do the work of the Lord!" I hope you are encouraged as well.

God Bless,

Marcelino