Curing the Incurable

"Incurable." It's a word no one wants to hear. It usually goes along with other words. Words like "chronic" or "fatal." They are words that have been around since the beginning of mankind. Maybe not in English, but they were definitely there in concept. When we hear words like "incurable" or "chronic," our minds immediately go to certain diseases or physiological conditions. Rarely do we think of spiritual condition. But, it was the spiritual condition of His people that God was speaking about through Jeremiah:

"For thus says the Lord:
‘Your affliction is incurable,
Your wound is severe.
There is no one to plead your cause,
That you may be bound up;
You have no healing medicines.
All your lovers have forgotten you;
They do not seek you;
For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy,
With the chastisement of a cruel one,
For the multitude of your iniquities,
Because your sins have increased.
Why do you cry about your affliction?
Your sorrow is incurable.
Because of the multitude of your iniquities,
Because your sins have increased,
I have done these things to you."

~Jeremiah 30:12-15 

The affliction of God's people was incurable and, therefore, their grief was incurable. They had no way to erase their sin or mitigate their sorrow. And without Jesus, we are in the same boat.

The penalty of death for sin introduced in the Garden of Eden did not come from Satan or some "cosmic law of morality." It was God's judgment. God made the rule and, when the rule was broken, God imposed the punishment -- yes, on His friend, Adam; yes, on His daughter, Eve; yes, on all His glorious creation wrought by His perfect design. And that is completely consistent with who God is. These days people would rather pass judgment on God. "Why would God do that? Well, the punishment hardly fits the crime." 

Let's say I walked into your home and noticed a large bowl of colorful candies on the counter. You see my eyes go to the bowl, and you warn me I am not to eat them. Knowing, in reality, they are not candies, but medication which is highly toxic to anyone with the last name Murphy; you say, if I eat them I will die. First of all, you have a reasonable expectation of your rule being honored. It is, after all, your home; you are extending your hospitality to me. Furthermore, I was not misinformed or insufficiently informed. If I choose to disobey your rule, I do so fully aware of the consequences, eyes wide open. "Such a small thing, to eat a piece of candy from a bowl full of many," I reason. "Surely, I will not die." Famous last words, you might say.

But if God is love how could He sentence His own creation to death? Because God is also Law. It is because of His righteous and just character that He can deliver such a judgment, even on those He loves. It's because of His merciful and loving character, He made a way of escape even for those of us who have broken His law.

Just like Israel, my affliction was incurable -- but for Someone greater, Someone perfect in every way, to pay the price I was sentenced to pay. No one in or of this world is suitable to plead my case. There is no remedy, elixir, or vaccine capable of making me acceptable or unworthy of death. Those who lured me, accompanied me, conspired with me, encouraged me, or followed me into sin are unable and, I'm sure, unwilling to plead for me or be my proxy before the Throne of Judgment. I have been sentenced by the Living God. There is no point objecting to, or complaining and crying about my situation. I earned every ounce of condemnation, and there  is no escaping justice from the hand of a just God.

BUT FOR JESUS!

God does not contradict Himself. Every aspect of His character works together perfectly. But for the mercy and love of a just and loving God, of a perfect and relational God, I had zero hope of escaping that to which I was entitled. But for the grace and power of a just and loving God, of a perfect and relational God, I had zero hope of procuring that to which I was not entitled (in the least): salvation from death, the hope of glory, a new nature, and the opportunity to do wonderful things for the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ our Lord is the only cure for the incurable.

Special Delivery

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Pennsylvania mandated that, beginning at 7 pm, businesses would be required to observe regulations determined to prevent/ restrict the spread of COVID-19: limiting the number of people in their operations, requiring those on premises to wear masks, and facilitating social distancing. That morning, I went to a nearby grocery store, prepared to enter just as I did the day before, knowing the mandate had not yet gone into effect. To my surprise, plastic tarps covered doors and created "cattle shoots" through which the very limited number of customers could enter. A masked man in a haz-mat suit stood out front advising that no one could enter without a face covering. It was a dystopian scene, to say the least. "I thought this wouldn't be enforced until this evening," I argued. "We're enforcing it now," was all he said. I left. I was angry. This was my store. I loved the people that worked here. I didn't want to go elsewhere. This was not what was supposed to happen. Why hadn't they given anyone warning? Did they really expect us to shop this way? It was almost as frightening as it was infuriating. Looking back, I think my response had a lot to do with the delivery: the haz-mat suit, the tarps fixed with wide swaths of duct tape, glaring eyes as the store representative explained my freedom to shop as I was accustomed had been revoked. And I'm not saying precautions were not necessary, but the delivery was, well, a bit authoritarian, repellent, and intimidating. 

Information can come across that way. Organizations pay lots of money to professionals trained to deliver bad news. The way something is heard for the first time can be particularly effective and enduring. Which is why the way we deliver the good news of Jesus to others is important. It is important that we, first of all, pray. We need God to prepare our lips and the listener's heart. Prayer can bring something to our lips the person needs to hear, without us ever knowing how that word has hit the mark. (And sometimes leaves us wondering, "Why on earth did I say that?") We have no clue what God has been doing in the lives and hearts of those brought into our path, but the Holy Spirit can use the discussion to plant, water, or harvest a spirit. 

Secondly, we must love others. Traveling around with condemnation on your lips can alienate people rather than draw them in. And, if we're not teaching the Gospel out of love for others, do we truly love the Lord? How did someone share with you the good news? How would you have liked them to share? Believe me, I am not saying refrain from using that "sin" word, or don't confront everyone's need for a Savior -- "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23, emphasis mine) -- but starting from the door with, "Did you know you're headed for hell because God hates sinners?" might leave the impression we are sending them there, if you catch my drift. 

Lastly, it is important that we know the Gospel, and know that, while our personal story may be a wonderful example of the Gospel at work, it is not the Gospel. The Gospel is that we all miss the mark of God's perfect standard, and we have missed it by our humanity as we received it as well as accepted it. In other words, not only was a sin nature inherited by each of us, but we obeyed that nature -- all have sinned. The penalty for sin is death and, because our sin is ultimately against an eternal God, so is the penalty. Therefore, we are, from birth, headed to pay the eternal consequence for our sin -- eternal death -- but for God sending His Son to pay our penalty for us at the cross! That is good news! But, it requires a response from every individual. It requires every individual to confess these truths -- their sin, the penalty, and Christ's substitution -- and to live their lives in gratitude for this precious gift and in worship of the Giver. And the way for anyone to find out what that looks like exactly, is to read God's Word, to talk to Him, to meet with other believers for spiritual guidance, and to trust and obey God in everything.

COVID has changed our lives, without a doubt. Many people took objection to the way information was disseminated. It was inconsistent. It was incomplete. It was attached to so many other agendas. It was poorly received by many. The Gospel is a life changer. Let's be responsible in the way we proclaim it -- prayerfully, completely, consistently, thoroughly, knowledgeably, purely, and in love. And while it may be poorly received, we too must trust and obey.

Go Ahead. I Dare You.

One day, I began going to a Bible study. If you'd asked me why, I probably would have told you, "I don't know." Honestly, at that time, it just seemed like something I wanted to do. And that is exactly what it was, only I didn't realize it; I couldn't tell you when it happened, but God's Holy Spirit was working in me, drawing me to Him, and giving me a greater desire to know Him. Praise God! These days, I attend two studies in addition to personal Bible study each day. Now, that doesn't give me extra trophies, it simply testifies to two things: 1) I just might need more "couch time" than other folks, and 2) I am blessed to be able to do something I truly want to do -- study God's Word -- a lot! And that "want to" didn't come from me.

That first study was a group of women, twenty or more years my senior, taught by a man -- a pastor, in a stuffy lounge that smelled like Grandma's sitting room. No snacks. No coffee. Couches that hurt my back. Windows almost all the way around, so as I sat inside, I could see the golden sunshine and emerald green trees swaying in light breezes; I could almost smell the fresh air -- except that this particular room, including faded plastic flower arrangements, hadn't been disturbed since 1970. You know the smell. I know you do. Why would any rational person do that to themselves? I loved every minute. We were studying God's Word. We were sinking deeper and deeper into who God is and developing a response to that. 

I think I've mentioned before a prayer that I prayed as I drove to work one morning. I had already turned what I thought was everything over to God. I had asked Him to use me in whatever way He saw fit, to transform my life into something that would bring Him glory. And I meant those things. In all honesty, though, I wanted those things because I just didn't want to go through the chaos and pain I'd gone through in the past. If there was chaos, I wanted to trust that God would do something terrific from it. If there was pain, I wanted to know I wasn't going through it because of my own sin. I guess, in some way, He was more like a broker. I was admitting I'd made some terrible investments, handing over my portfolio, and saying, "I know You know what You're doing. Have at it." And as self-centered as my thinking was, God refused to allow me to stay in that place. I began to realize I didn't really love God as I wanted; the love, the passion for Him just wasn't there. And it was on that back airport road the thought occurred to me: just ask God to show you how to love Him. I asked, but it wasn't then His work began, because He had been changing me all along; it was then I knew it was His Spirit at work. It was then I acknowledged that, apart from Him I can do nothing -- not even follow Him. I wasn't sitting in Bible study just because I enjoyed the smell of plastic melting in the noonday sun. I wasn't turning things over to God just because it was my idea. I wasn't desiring a deeper relationship with God because I sought Him. It was all because He was pursuing me; it was because He had a plan to use me for His glory and it was time I took the job.

Whatever it is, wherever you are in your relationship with God, I dare you to ask Him to change it. I dare you to ask Him to change those "boring sermons" into messages you hunger for. I dare you to ask Him to change those prayers that seem to go no further than the ceiling into powerful conversations. I dare you to ask Him to give you a selfless love for those neighbors that park in your driveway as if they own it. I dare you to ask Him to show you how to love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. And maybe I'll see you at study. This one has snacks!

It's Monday. What Will You Do?

The Christmas season is full of hype. We go crazy from Thanksgiving to Christmas trying to recapture that same sense of wonder we had as children, or trying to pass on the mystery to others. And, within twenty-four hours, it's over. Some of us return to work the next day, some of us are able to prolong it until after the New Year; but, essentially, it's a one day event. Twenty-four hours after we've dined on seven fishes, or transported the family to candlelight service, all is quiet. Traditions and decorations go back into storage.

"Easter" as it is generally known, is a bit different, however. Forty days prior, is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, a season some associate with Jesus' forty days in the wilderness, a season some observe with self-denial, repentance, and reflection. As Lent draws to a close, Maundy Thursday is an observance of Jesus' Last Supper when He celebrated Passover, instituted Communion, and washed the disciples' feet. Good Friday we are reminded of Christ's death on the cross and the inhumane treatment He endured. Sunday morning is the masterpiece. The glorious rendering of Christ's completed work and His confirmed power over sin and death! Days and days of heart preparation and solemn remembrances end in Resurrection Sunday celebration! He is risen! 

But, this is Monday. What are we expected to do on Monday? 

Just over a year ago, we all entered into this "COVID thing." We didn't know when it would end; we didn't know how it would all transpire. We're not much more informed today, but we can see light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the ordeal, I have heard many people promise to never take things like family gatherings, lunch with friends, and seeing another person's smile for granted. Others have struggled with mental health during this time of isolation. Others were never able to properly grieve or say "farewell" to those whey lost. We have been changed. Our perspectives have been altered by these events. This past year has brought us to a place of gratitude for some of the simplest things. Let's hope we never forget. But, we are a fickle, selfish people. Remember the spirit of brotherhood and equality that existed after 9/11? Last summer was a far cry from that.

So, what about Monday? 

None of us listened as Jesus spoke the words of Scripture through cracked lips, as He hungered in the desert. None of us watched as He knelt to wash the feet of His friends. None of us collapsed at the foot of the cross, begging the cruelty to end. None of us felt the earth quake or heard our gasps echo through an empty tomb. None of us was there. On Monday, we can go back to the lives we knew before we entered this time. We can pack away the traditions and decorations for another year. Or, we can trust that it all happened, rest in the truths we have heard in this season, and allow the Spirit of God to change us. 

It's Monday, what will you do?