Tag: christian faith

Remain In Me (John 15:1-8)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
The Vine and the Branches, by Irene Thomas

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (New International Version)

In the New International Version of the Bible, the word “remain” is repeated 8 times in 8 verses. The original Greek word translated as “remain” is μένω (pronounced “men-oh”). It means to linger in the present moment; to be mindful to ourselves and our situations; to stay connected.

Remaining with Jesus means we that have continual unbroken connection of unity and fellowship with him.

In order to have a connection, there must be two ends to connect. The Jesus connection is always there. We are the other connection. And, frankly, we can be flaky – pulling away and coming close – which is why Jesus gave a repeated invitation to keep the connection.

Some other translations of John 15:4 may help to fill out an understanding of this invitation to remain in Christ (emphasis mine):

Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. (CEV)

Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It must stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. (GW)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (NKJV)

Stay connected to me, and I will stay connected to you! A branch cannot produce fruit on its own but only if it has a vital connection to the vine. In the same way, there’s no way you can produce fruit at all, unless you have a meaningful connection with me. (my own translation)

The task of every Christian is to remain connected to Jesus. So, the question is: How do we keep the connection without breaking it? How can we be fruitful?

Focus on the Relationship

Christianity, at its core, is a living relationship with Jesus. Yes, doctrine is important; and it’s necessary to know the basic tenets of Christian faith. Yet, any knowledge we gain about Christianity is to be channeled into developing the relationship.

By Helian Cornwell

Bible trivia is only as good as the understanding we apply to build the relationship. Knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. Knowledge makes us feel important, yet love strengthens the Church. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1)

Christ’s redemption – his incarnation, holy life, death, resurrection, and ascension – are meant to restore the severed relationship with humanity. Only knowing doctrinal truth is not the same as using the doctrines to connect with God in a loving relationship.

It takes planning, dedication, time, and effort to grow and maintain our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we fail to use our time and energy on that relationship, then the leaves on the branch begin to wither.

Scripture, silence, solitude, community, prayer, giving, and fasting have always been at the center of Christian practices designed to put us in a position to hear and receive from God.

Relate Well to the Other Branches

The Church is a living growing community. Christ and the Church have a vital union with each other. I used to live in a place where there was a tree that had grown up next to an old fence post. The tree grew tall and engulfed the post to the degree that now you can only see part of the fence post.

To remove the post, you would have to remove the tree; the two have become one. Not only are we connected to the trunk, but we’re also connected to each other. We are all part of the same vine; we aren’t separate vines. So, we all need to do our part in the vine’s system.

Keep Close to the Vine

My grandmother had a grapevine in her backyard when I was a kid. I have firsthand understanding that the sweetest, juiciest, biggest, and best tasting grapes are found in the middle, securely next to the vine’s stem.

The sour grapes are found at the end of the branches. Show me a sourpuss Christian, and I’ll show you a Christian who is not close to Christ. Show me a sweet Christian and I’ll show you a believer who daily works at their close connection with Jesus.

Pruning is Necessary

Healthy vines need pruning, at least once a year; ideally, twice a year, in the Spring before budding, and in Autumn, after the harvest. Without pruning, the vine’s ability to produce good and abundant grapes is compromised. The grapevine’s branches need to be kept short because the nutrients are concentrated in and near the vine stem.

Pruning hurts. From the perspective of us branches, pruning feels like judgment. But it isn’t. Even though pruning is painful, it makes us healthier and tastier.

It’s better to do a few things well, rather than try and do a lot of things for which there is limited time and energy. So, do some spiritual pruning twice a year!

Know Why You are Connected

Yes, Christians have a connection with Jesus so that we are saved from sin, death, and hell. And, yes, we are connected to experience abundant life. Yet, the goal of that connection is to produce succulent fruit.

If there are no grapes on the vine, the vine is useless. Grapevines exist to produce grapes. Christians and Churches exist for the life of the world, to produce the fruit of righteousness consistent with our Christ-connected union: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Church is not an end in itself, but exists for the life of the world. Using other metaphors, Jesus said:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV)

Pray

If we live in union with Christ – with the words and ways of Jesus powerfully within us—then ask for anything, and it will be done. Prayer is both an event that anyone can do, as well as a spiritual practice that needs growth and development.

The words of Jesus are the nutrients for our spiritual life. When those words find a home within us, there is a divine/human conversation. Christ promises that if we just ask, we’ll receive.

As the relationship with Christ grows, we learn to be thoughtful about our asking. Flippantly or selfishly asking for things disrespects the connection we enjoy with God. Claiming or demanding answers to prayer demeans the relationship. We can also dishonor God by simply not asking, at all.

Prayer is the delivery system for receiving our nutrients; and is also the means of delivering fruitful blessing so that the world might live. Jesus modeled a prayer for us that is grounded in connection and unity with the Father:

I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.

Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them. (John 17:20-26, CEV)

We must live and pray consistent with who we are, and what our mission is. The Church is to be one as God is One. Christians are to pray for unity because the triune God is always united. Believers everywhere need to remain in Christ through a vital connection of loving God and loving their neighbors. Amen.

Magic vs. Miracle (Acts 8:9-25)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Peter’s Conflict with Simon the Sorcerer, by Avanzino Nucci, 1620. Simon is on the right, wearing black.

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 

But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (New International Version)

Simon the Sorcerer was quite a character. For that matter, so was Simon Peter. The contrast between them, however, shows that there were really no similarities between the two – even though the Sorcerer tried to make it so.

The Sorcerer reminds me of the church elder who is a continual suck-up to the pastor. Those sorts of parishioners always drive me nuts in the ministry. I have known plenty of them over the years, who put on a façade of politeness and speak with flattery; but their real agenda is to have power, by any means possible.

People like Simon the Sorcerer have always existed, ever since the fall of humanity into sin. They aren’t committed to anything but themselves. Their actions are motivated by the accumulation of information so that they can use that knowledge to leverage for more power and control.

What is so sad about the Simon the Sorcerer sort of people is that they actually believe that everyone else is motivated by the very same things they are; and that the world operates on acquiring more and more control and power over it.

They need money because they believe everyone has a price. They compulsively follow influential individuals because they believe anyone can be manipulated. They continually boast (and even lie) about their importance and all the great things they have done in the past.

Perhaps most of all, the Simon the Sorcerer type person obsessively seeks attention because they believe their sense of security and self-worth are determined by how many other people like them.

The Apostles of Christ, Philip and John and Peter, saw right through the false discipleship of the Sorcerer. They didn’t need to know all the events of Simon’s past to clearly see that he was a bitter man who was a prisoner to the guilt and shame he carried around in his heart.

simony: The buying or selling of advantages for positions in the Church, or for religious pardons

The difference between Simon the Sorcerer and Simon Peter the Apostle is the difference between manipulative magic and divine miracles. Like the Egyptian magicians of Pharaoh, and the divinely inspired Moses, the ability to perform a great wonder of power, or spiritual sign of power, seem rather similar – that is, at first.

But the similarities of the supernatural powers are merely superficial. There are always limits to what the Sorcerer can do versus the unlimited abilities of the true believer possessing spiritual power – or even between supposed Christian faith healers and the godly believer who is gifted with being a healer.

The bottom line of it all is that the deeds of Simon the Sorcerer pointed to himself in selfish acts of self-glorification. The signs and wonders of Simon Peter – and all the other Christian Apostles – consistently pointed to the kingdom of God and validated the message of repentance and new life, faith and forgiveness, in Jesus Christ.

In other words, the Apostles did not really do any of the miracles of bringing a changed life to people; Christ himself did that, through the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. It was a message about release and freedom from the dark forces of Satan, and the ability to live a good, just, and right life without having to pay for it in any way.

Today, although few people practice an overt form of magic as the ancients once did, we still must be wary of those who promise magical results for whatever we need or what ails us.

One could argue that much of contemporary marketing and consumerism are a modern form of buying into the magical thinking that my life can be mystically and unexplainedly improved through using a particular product (or a certain church consultant!).

The easy way is most typically the approach of the Sorcerer and charlatan; it doesn’t really change anything, or require anything of us, especially when it comes to the human heart. It never truly brings about a better world.

The way of the cross, however, is a hard road – the narrow way – and few end up finding it. The old life must go in order to make way for the new life. There must be a crucifixion before there can ever be a resurrection.

God, you sent your Son into the world that we might live through him. May we abide in his risen life so that we may bear the fruit of love for one another and know the fullness of joy. Amen.

Persecuted (Acts 8:1b-8)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
A scene from the movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” in which Saul sought to wipe out Christians beginning with the stoning of Stephen

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. (New International Version)

Just because Christians experience the blessing of God through new life in Christ, does not mean that the rest of this earthly life will be bunnies and unicorns without any hardship.

Sometimes we forget that rabbits and horses produce manure, and we’ll have to muck out the barn. And even more than that, blessings from God are not limited to an abundance of earthly resources; blessing also comes through suffering. Jesus said:

“Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right. God’s kingdom belongs to them.

“People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 

“Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12, ERV)

Saul was an up and coming Jewish Pharisee. He was intelligent, driven, and pious. Saul had the pedigree, passion, and position to go a long way and make a big splash in Judaism. And he was more than ready to do whatever it took to stamp out a heretical and dangerous sect of Jesus followers – even to the point of giving approval to the stoning of the Christian Stephen; and leading a persecution against believers like him.

Jesus not only promised abundant and eternal life to his followers, but he also promised that the cost of Christian discipleship would be persecution. Believers in Jesus Christ can expect to suffer in this life for their faithful commitment. Yet, because Christ overcame the world, we too, can accept, cope, and transcend any persecution and trouble we face in our embrace of faith. Jesus said:

“The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” (John 16:33b, GNT)

Even though the unity the believers enjoyed together in Jerusalem was disrupted and destroyed by the leadership of Saul, God bent the adverse situation toward blessing. Christians were flung all over the known world. In their going, they obeyed the words of their Lord Jesus to proclaim the message they so wholeheartedly embraced.

When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you.

“And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” (Matthew 28:18-20, GW)

The ancient prophesies were becoming realized. Grace, mercy, and peace were overcoming bitterness, judgment, and enmity toward one another. Even though persecution was happening, there was now a very different response to it, which will lead to a new outcome. In the last days…

The Lord will mediate between nations
    and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
    nor train for war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4, NLT)

Suffering can be tolerated, even embraced, whenever we are aware that it can lead us to peace and joy – both personally and communally. Instead of evil taking root amongst a people, good seeds can be planted in the heart of humanity. And when those seeds are watered and nurtured, they grow to become a blessing for the world.

Finally, Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it? It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world. But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32, CEV)

Spiritual growth is built into Christianity. The faith formation and development of both individual believers and churches is important. Without it, Christians devolve into cliques of special interest groups.

But with it, Christianity becomes a blessing to the world, that is, if believers focus on producing and harvesting the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Whenever and wherever believers and followers of Jesus are spiritually growing in their faith, they become like exorcists who organically purge unhealthy institutional systems of their moral corruption, selfishness, idolatry, hate, in-fighting, obsessions, bitterness, rage, competitive oppositions, conflict, and polarizing group rivalries. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Christianity is meant to bring joy and healing of both body and soul. If it doesn’t do this, then it has become just another unjust and unhealthy organization that is in need of purging its impurities; and embracing its mandate to uphold the common good of all persons through proclamation of good news and committed to a lifestyle of loving one another as Christ has loved us.

For people pay attention to that which is right, just, and good – because righteousness, justice, and goodness are in everyone’s spiritual DNA.

Almighty and gracious God of all:
Remember Christ, your Son, who is peace itself,
and who has washed away our hatred with his blood.
Because you love all men and women everywhere,
look with mercy on all who are engaged in battles of the flesh and the spirit.
Banish the violence and evil within all combatants of both body and soul
so that one day, we may all deserve to be called your sons and your daughters.
Grant this through Christ our Lord, in the enablement of the Spirit. Amen.

Challenging the Status Quo (Acts 4:1-4)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them. They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus. They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.) Many who heard the word became believers, and their number grew to about five thousand. (Common English Bible)

I’ll be honest. I like upsetting the status quo. It drives me nuts when a system or group of people get so used to doing things a certain way that there is no room for anything different. Peter and John did exactly that – they went off the beaten path. According to the religious authorities, they were creating trouble, causing a stink, disturbing the peace, and making waves.

At the heart of the disturbance was the authorities’ deep concern of potential social disorder. After all, the Roman Empire with all its great strength was firmly ensconced in Judea. It was already hard enough for Jews to maintain their customs and religious practices. Now, these rabblerouser disciples of Jesus come along with their unorthodox teaching, and threaten the very social fabric of Jewish life. No! Get them out of here!

So, off to jail Peter and John went. That’s how the politics of fear typically works. Being afraid of change leads to removing the object of fear. Stuff the apostles in the gulag. Shut and lock the door. Maybe if they are out of sight they will be out of mind to the people.

But the rulers were too late. A lot of people heard the message of Christ’s resurrection. The number of believers in Jesus swelled into the thousands. Well, now, everyone’s really in a pickle! That is, except the church. Each time the Christians got squelched and silenced, more of them showed up. Oh, my, goodness. The ruling council saw they were multiplying like roaches!

It didn’t help the authorities that these religious bugs continued to interpret their own whippings and jailtime as a positive thing – enjoying the solidarity of suffering with their Lord. Ugh. What’s a decent Sadducee to do with that kind of thinking and behavior?

Apostles Peter and John heal the sick, by Pieter Aertsen (1508-1575)

Turns out nothing can stop resurrection. It cannot be chained, bound, or imprisoned. Once life gets into the hearts of people, there’s no getting it out. The message takes over and consumes the whole person. Then it spreads to another, like an infectious disease.

Before you know it, the entire social order is off kilter. What a bunch of weirdos. Following a dead guy who they say isn’t dead. Walked right out of the grave, they say. Sheesh. Pull yourselves together. So many unhinged delusional people believing in resurrection!

It’s easy for some Christians to be hard on non-Christians, just as it was easy for the ancient Jewish rulers to be hard on others leaving their fold. Sometimes we followers of Jesus forget whence we have come. We can get so upset and worked up in fear.

It could be that our underwear is too tight. More likely, we take the prideful stance of believing that our own status quo is best for everyone. So, there’s no listening, paying attention, or teachable spirits.

Peter, John, and the other apostles just went about proclaiming good news with joy. And the gospel spread. Jesus became known first to thousands, then tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions. Today, according to the Pew Research Center, there are over 2.5 billion Christians in the world. That’s a lot of people.

Christianity has had two thousand years to create their own status quo, some of it good, some of it not so much.

Yet, at the heart of it all, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death. It’s a message that still speaks to billions. And it’s a message Christians need to come back to, whenever they are fearful of others challenging their hegemony.

All the hopes and expectations of Christians everywhere are realized not in maintaining some Constantinian sort of Christendom, but in the resurrection of Jesus Christ the dead. The former does a lot of handwringing over social and cultural issues. The latter has a lot of joy, celebration, and renewal which works itself out in both personal and systemic redemption.

Because the good news of Easter can hardly be contained in a single day’s celebration, it’s message of new life in Christ is like a bright sun of inexhaustible grace to people everywhere – still warming the earth all these centuries later.

The Apostle Peter went on to pen a letter to struggling Christians facing hard circumstances in a world not yet dominated by Christianity, reminding them of the heart of Christian faith:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9, NIV)

Don’t get stuck in the status quo to the point you cannot see anything outside yourself.

May we come back repeatedly to Christianity’s message so that our faith is strengthened, the church is edified, and the world is blessed. Amen.