An Immeasurably Better Way

“The LORD God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them. The LORD God said, ‘Since man has become like Us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, and also take the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.’”

~Genesis 3:21-22

Where did God get the skins to clothe Adam and Eve? Somewhere in that garden an animal must have been slain, meaning that blood was spilt. The shedding of blood has always been God’s means for redeeming humanity.

Adam was the first man to have a personal relationship with God before he was saved. After his rebellion there was an immediate change. God came to meet with Adam, but Adam hid from God. Man cannot come to where holy God is, but God does condescend to where sinful man is—wooing… drawing… calling out. Man may run, but he cannot hide from God. Eventually we will all have to meet with God—and it is always on God’s terms.

The result of Adam’s rebellion was death. That consequence is confirmed in verse 19: “…until you return to the ground….”

But the mystery is in verse 22. Why would God cut off the way to life? The answer is—like every other mystery of the Bible—actually quite clear. Had Adam eaten the fruit of the tree of life he would have continued on forever in a fallen condition. His offspring would have been born in his image—as fallen creatures—but there would have been no end to it. God’s sentence of death, of an end to all things—even time itself—is a concession of grace! There would have been no “better life” or “better world” because this would have been it…forever. Man would live on forever until this world simply rotted out from under him—that would be a version of hell.

Thank God that He blocked that way! But in His grace He provided another. Paul called it “a better way.” In light of the truth it is immeasurably better than any alternative.

Justice and Evangelism

“Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.” (Proverbs 31:8)

Back some years ago there was a movement called “The Social Gospel Movement.” There was very little emphasis on preaching the Gospel. The emphasis was on doing good deeds to people—giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. The Social Gospel believers preached the Gospel through their deeds and not through their words.

I came along on the heels of this movement, and I was very much at the other end of the spectrum. I believed very strongly in preaching the Gospel. You can feed a hungry person in Jesus’ name—and that is good as far as it goes—but a person can die and go to hell on a full stomach as well as an empty stomach.

Then, as so often is the case, the pendulum began to swing back to the middle—and so did I. It is not a matter of either/or. It is a matter of both/and. We are commanded to do both: to preach the Gospel and to meet their physical needs. We are to feed and clothe and preach! We are to speak up for those who have no voice, stand up for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized of our society, and we are to tell them clearly and plainly the wonderful story of Jesus’ death for sinners.

Problem is, as I see it today, we are not doing either very well. Lord, please help us to do Your will—to raise our voices and extend our hands!

Smarter than an ant?

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: the ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer; hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; locusts have no king yet all of them march in ranks; a lizard can be caught in your hands, yet it lives in kings’ palaces.” (Proverbs 30:14-28).

All of these creatures live by instinct, not by reason. Man possesses reason, yet we do not act as smart as these creatures.

Ants understand the value of preparation. The time to prepare for retirement is while you still have a job.

Build your house for how it lasts, not for how it looks.

There is power in numbers and organization. Don’t be a lone ranger. Be a team player.

You don’t have to be rich to enjoy the finer things of life. Just keep your eyes and your options open.

Collectively the brains of these creatures are smaller than your little fingernail. The only way we can be dumber than an ant or a lizard is to do so deliberately! To a degree all wisdom means is to use your God-given brain! That should not be so hard.

Giving vs. Hoarding

Proverbs 28:27 says:

“The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but the one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.”

These are such strong words they almost sound like a threat! Suppose I stood up and said, “Give to the poor or you’ll be cursed!” You would be appalled. Perhaps you would start looking for another church.

We cannot pick and choose what parts of the Bible we will read, and what parts we will ignore. It is all the Word of God!

Why would God use such strong language? There are always needy people in our city and in our world. Some are poor due to their own behavior. Others are poor for reasons beyond their control. What about the children who are born into destitute situations? They have no control over their circumstances. Some adults have been devastated by disease or downturns.

Why should we help people? Generosity and stinginess both reveal a condition of heart. Generous people have an open heart. An open heart not only gives, it receives. A stingy person has a closed heart. Try to put a penny in a clinched fist. A closed heart, like a clinched fist, cannot receive anything from God. Giving and receiving is not a matter of “having something to give.” It is a matter of giving to receive. God will keep pouring into an open heart. A closed heart, like the Dead Sea, becomes a deadly pool in and around which nothing can thrive.

Will the Strong Emerge?

“If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.”

~Proverbs 24:10

Our country is experiencing a difficult time. The principles upon which this nation was founded are being tested. This trail is not from the hands of an external foe, but from within. This is not a sudden and recent attack. The facilitators of this attack have been chipping away at the pillars of our republic for a generation… and good men have virtually stood by and done nothing.

Tom Brokaw called the generation that fought in World War II “the greatest generation.” I believe there has always been greatness in our nation. But times of great stress and stirring have historically brought the cream to the top. The question that faces us now is: will the leaders emerge? Where are the men and women or great moral character, of national patriotism and spiritual courage? Are they here among us, and will they arise?

I remain optimistic. It is time for those who have remained silent to begin to speak out. I believe the strong are still among us. Are they strong enough? Will the leaders arise? I expect to see it everyday.

Differing Standards

“Differing weights and varying measures—both are detestable to the LORD.”

~Proverbs 20:10

Many of the items they bought and sold were weighed and measured to determine their value—just like today (a bushel of corn, a pound of flour, a gallon of milk). A practice among unscrupulous merchants in that day was to use weights and measurements that were inaccurate. They would shave the weights to make them lighter or add a bit to make them heavier—depending on whether they were buying or selling. If they were sly they got away with it—and gained a little profit. Lying and cheating to make a buck is nothing new. It was been around since time immemorial, and it will continue to plague our race until the Righteous Prince rules our world. But God calls this practice “detestable”—and we don’t much care for it either.

What hypocrites we are! We find the practice of “skimming” evil in the commercial world, but we are guilty of the same sin almost everyday of our lives! How?

Don’t we measure our sins with one standard and measure the sins of others with another? Don’t we call the lies that others tell “whoppers” and the ones we tell “expedient”? If someone else does not pay their taxes we call them a “cheat” but if we don’t we’re “being wise”? If someone else drives over the speed limit they’re “reckless” but if we do so we’re “justifiably in a hurry”? Differing weights and measures!

What did Jesus say?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1–2, NKJV).