AN IRREFUTABLE TRUTH

AN IRREFUTABLE TRUTH

Michael W. Niva

Christians struggle greatly over the erosion of what we call "moral absolutes." While we often focus on the loss of this stabilizing societal principle, it would seem to me that we must begin at home; we must begin with being absolute about what we believe to be absolute before we have any solid ground from which to contend with society at large about their own cultural drift. Further, it is incumbent upon us to see to it that our absolutes are illustrated in absolute action and not merely absolute belief. If our actions are not congruent with our supposed belief system, then it is we who possess no moral absolutes. We merely walk in what some historical theologians have called "mental assent," a certain cerebral agreement with principle, not necessarily followed up with consistent corresponding action.

This is precisely what the Apostle James points to when he states; "Faith without works, (corresponding action) is dead." If believers fail to follow belief with action, we actually expect society at large to be moved to life by a faith that is a religious corpse. This, I believe, is an abysmal injustice. How is it that we expect what is dead in us to produce life in others?

Jesus had an uncanny way of cutting through religious rhetoric to reveal the heart. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (see Matthew 25) He draws an incredibly clear line in the sand. (He did this literally once and metaphorically many times.) He divides mankind into two distinct groups; those who see the plight of the less fortunate and fail to act in redemptive ways and those who see the same plight and are moved by compassion to relieve human suffering. It is clear from the story that the sheep are in no way doing what they do to merely impress God (hypocrisy) but are simply moved to do what is good and right because they are, on the inside, good and right. This is revealed by their inquiry; "When did we see You?" This question illustrates that they possess no ulterior motive at all. They simply see what needs to be done and then they do it. They don't move forward redemptively because they see Jesus in the "least of these," but in spite of the fact that they see nothing but humanity in various states of suffering.

I've come to believe that much of what we do in a church setting is done in an effort to convince God of our deep love and devotion. That is all well and good provided that it is followed up by loving others as we love ourselves. If we fail to act kindly toward others when we have approached God in adoration, then we clearly fall in the goat category, in spite of the outward appearance of our spiritual devotion.

Each one of us will encounter Jesus today, hidden in plain sight, in the guise of some needy man, woman, boy or girl. How will we respond? The way in which we choose to respond, in either compassionate action or passive and unconcerned ambivalence, will point to an irrefutable truth; WE ARE WHAT WE DO, not what we simply mentally accept or verbally confess. Faith without works is dead. Faith which is alive works! Which camp do you find yourself in? For the sheep, we are promised that we will enter into a Kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world. Jesus will see you today. That is absolutely clear. Will you see Him? That truly remains to be seen.

ONLY LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW

ONLY LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW

Michael W. Niva

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for

he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

The clear teaching of God's Word is that love alone fulfills the intent and requirements of the law. This being said, love alone is the logical pursuit in our attempts to bring pleasure to a God of love. Why is it then that even the Christian world is so divided concerning fine points of law, to the end that we have created 38,000 Christian denominations in the world? Why do we continue to argue over what is right rather than to excel in what is good; especially when scripture has made it clear that it is "the goodness of God that leads men to repentance?"

The passage above makes it clear that we are indebted to all men because of the love that the Father has shown us. The only way that this debt, what we owe to mankind, can be satisfied is through loving all men as we love ourselves. This is the only path to fully loving God.

Law can be forced upon people (enforced). Perhaps this is the main reason we resort to it. Through law, we seek to control the behavior of others. Our over-taxed prisons and correctional facilities testify to the fact that this, in the end, is not very effective. Love cannot be forced. It can only be invited. In order to be invited, it must be modeled or illustrated in powerful and convincing ways.

Jesus told us that the greatest way in which we display love is when we "lay down our lives for our friends." (John 15) It is not that we don't know the correct path, but that we continue to violate the law of love in favor of our constant fixation with lesser issues.

Love, fully demonstrated, speaks for itself and patiently waits for a heart to respond in like kind. Law simply demands a certain observation of or adherence to rules and regulations and constantly monitors and measures the behaviors of others in relation to the rules. This behavior is simply called judgment in the Word of God and, according to Jesus, living in judgment of others is a sure way to bring judgment upon ourselves in the same measure.

A friend of mine says, "The heart cannot be forced." Behaviors may be modified through fear of retribution, but the heart can remain largely untouched, or worse yet, marred by the fear of judgment and rejection.

According to Colossians 2:13-14, Jesus has fulfilled the Law and taken it out of our way, so that it is no longer an obstruction or impediment to love. Yet, like the Galatian believers, we often fall from extravagant love and back to law. Only by focusing on, listening to and following the Spirit's soft promptings in our hearts can we maintain the constant vigil of Christlike love. (Rom. 8:4)

Do you desire to please the Father? I encourage you then to not pick up what Christ has laid aside; the ordinances (laws, requirements) which were against us. This is truly an affront to His grace and mercy.

Of all the things we might pursue in the flurry of our religious and spiritual activities, the love of God to us, in us and through us to a loveless world ought to be our constant goal.

The Law will not lead you to grace, but only further from it. Though it is righteous in its content, its intent (LOVE) can only be achieved by a passionate pursuit of the Father's heart, not only for ourselves, but for our neighbors as well.

My wife has often said that she wants the inscription on her gravestone to simply read, "She loved well." If you love well, you will live well. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us." Now simply pour out what has already been poured into you.

The law came through Moses, but grace and truth, and yes, LOVE, have come to us through the life and example of Jesus Christ. Follow love and you will find Him. Find Him and the world around you will blossom. Shalom!