A Thanksgiving Prayer

This prayer is in honour of Canadian Thanksgiving.

The Inequality of Sin

Have you ever heard these phrases: “sin is sin is sin,” or “all sin is the same in God's eyes”?

I have heard them many times. Let's take a look at the Scriptures to see what they say.

“For no one living is righteous before you.” Psalm 143:2b

That is pretty clear that every one of us stands before God as unrighteous. There is no one who is “good enough” to make the claim that they will be declared righteous on judgment day.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. (James 2:10-11)

Ouch! One stumble at obedience, one sin, makes us guilty of breaking the entire law. Why is that? Because God is utterly , completely, and perfectly holy. He has never sinned. He has never made a mistake. He has never had poor judgment. He has never lied. His very nature is sinless. One sin and we are no longer like God.

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:1-2

Sin separates us from God. There is no list of which sins separate us from God and which ones don't. Any sin in our life separates us from this holy and perfect God. In this context of who is righteous and who can stand before God on the day of judgment, “all sin is equal in the sight of God,” as any sin separates us from God. Each and every one of us has been separated from God and requires a Saviour to redeem us and make us acceptable to Him. That Saviour is Jesus!

However, the other day, something jumped out at me as I was reading the crucifixion account in John 19.

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Did you catch that phrase at the very end of Jesus' reply? “Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” Jesus clearly thinks that not all sin is equal.

I decided to explore this further. As Jesus prepares to send out the Twelve Apostles to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God, he gave them many instructions. Those instructions included the following:

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. (Mt 10:14-15)

Later, Jesus says something similar to the crowd.

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Mt 11:20-24)

In both these passages, Jesus indicates that on the Day of Judgment there will be different degrees of judgment/punishment. If different sins receive different punishments, clearly Jesus does not consider all sin to be equal.

Not long after I started typing this blog post, I read an excerpt in The Utter Relief of Holiness, by John Eldredge, in which Eldredge discusses the very same topic.

“This idea has morphed into the popular notion "all sins are pretty much the same." It doesn't matter what the details are; sin is sin. I've heard that very phrase from many church leaders. Really? Sexual abuse is the same as jaywalking? I've met Bible scholars who would actually tell you yes. Jesus clearly doesn't agree. He felt that because the townspeople of Capernaum had seen him in person—God in the flesh—witnessed with their own eyes his life and miracles and had still rejected him, their crimes were far more serious than the homosexuality of Sodom. Whoa.

Jewish radio commentator and teacher Dennis Prager calls it "moral equivalency"—blurring moral differences, making all ethical issues equal, and therefore all sins equal. The idea is devastating for several reasons. First, I believe it has added to the sexual collapse I mentioned earlier. Good grief, if in the heat of passion you believe "a sin's a sin" and this is really no different from cheating on a test, and what the heck, you've already gone this far, you aren't going to have much reason to keep your clothes on. Confusing the weight of sins actually hurts our ability to resist temptation.

But the blurring of moral differences has also torn many a tender conscience apart. When a dear soul comes before God to repent of lying to her boss, and she believes (because she's been told) that she has done something just as awful as murdering her neighbor, she finds it very hard to receive forgiveness. She puts herself through all sorts of severity that frankly the offense simply doesn't call for.

This is not the view Jesus holds on the matter. All he said to the woman caught in adultery was "go and sin no more." But to the cities that rejected him, he shouts a warning that it is going to be a mighty black day come the end. There are moral differences; some matters are far weightier than others.

Furthermore, you can't pursue genuine holiness if you are walking around under the crushing weight that tossing a wrapper on the sidewalk is just as bad as harboring resentment toward your parents. It's crippling; it also keeps you from focusing on what Jesus called "the weightier matters."

The idea has also had devastating consequences when it comes to our influence in public life. It has clouded many a Christian's thinking around election time. Trees are important, but not nearly as important as human life. Education is important, but not nearly as important as the sanctity of marriage. Blurring moral differences tries to make all things equal. They are not.”

The Scriptures clearly indicate that not all sin is equal. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that “sin is sin” and allow yourself to commit sins that carry a much greater weight. On the other hand, don't beat yourself up and go into a depression for something small, thinking you are just as guilty as the murderer sitting in a jail cell. We all need a Saviour as much as the murderer, and without coming to Jesus we have no solution for our separation from God. However, Scripture is clear that the consequences in this life and the next are not the same for all sin.

Oh Almighty Father!

How awesome it is to come before Your righteous throne! We praise You and thank You for Your incredible mercy extended to us through the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross. There is no one righteous on their own merits. We have all fallen so far short of Your glory. Yet, You love us and delight in us! You want a relationship with us! We cannot give you enough praise and worship for Your incredible love! Thank You for Your Word and the wisdom it provides. Help us to realize that some sins are indeed worse than others. Some of us think small things are terrible, and beat ourselves up for being so horribly sinful. Others minimize all sin. Help us to have sober judgment when we examine ourselves. Let us remember Your promise that when we come to You in confession and repentance You forgive all our sins and clothe us with the righteousness of Christ! May we live in such a way as to grow more like You every day. To You be all praise and honour and power and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Son of God film

I heard about the film about a month ago when researching my last post on persecution. I was intrigued and really hoped it would come to Canada, where very few Christian films make it to the big screen.

I learned about a week ago that it was opening in theaters on Feb 28. I decided to invite several non-Christian friends and a few Christian ones to join me on half-price Tuesday. Monday night I had a good friend and his son coming, my oldest son, and a young non-Christian friend my brother and I have been reaching out to. All three of these young men have faced very significant mental health challenges.

Monday night a friend sent me a few links to reviews of the movie – all by Christian reviewers. Two of the reviews were so extremely negative they left me with a huge knot in my stomach. The makers of the film have combined their Christianity with new age spiritualism. I didn't want my non-Christian friend to get the wrong message. I don't think he has ever heard the full story of Jesus, and I didn't want him to hear a false gospel. The other two young men, although both Christians, because of issues in their lives, are still very vulnerable in their faith.

I wrestled much of the night in prayer. I agonized that I hadn't been bothered by the Biblical errors evident even in the trailer. I was bothered by the traditional scene of the wise men at the stable, because Biblically they didn't get to Bethlehem until maybe a year and one half later. But in the trailer the scenes of the calling of Peter and the raising of Lazarus were also not Biblically portrayed.

I finally came to the conclusion in prayer that God allowed the movie to be made. God allowed it to come to theaters. God has spoken through misguided people before. In Numbers 22 we read the story of the diviner Balaam, who was paid to curse Israel, but instead by God's power blessed them. (In case you read the account in Numbers 22 and think Balaam was a believer in Yahweh, read Num 31:15-16 where he is blamed for the advice which turned the Israelites away from the Lord). God also spoke through the high priest Caiaphas that it would be good for one man to die for the people (Jn 18:14, Jn 11:49-53).

I also fully trust in God's promise in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.” God could use this movie for the good of those He has called. With those two conclusions, I was finally able to go to sleep in peace and trust that God would work through the film in spite of the negative reviews.

The young non-Christian did not make it to the movie, because he had been up all night sick. The rest of us went. My son Caleb told me it was the first film during which he had ever cried, and in fact he cried through most of it! It was indeed a powerful film. Instead of creating or propagating conflict about the movie, pray that God will touch those who see it. God is bigger than the problems in the film!

So what are the problems? The true deep down problem is that Jesus is not portrayed as knowing his future. He doesn't know His destiny at the cross until the Last Supper. In the Gospels, Jesus knows the cross and resurrection are the culmination of his ministry long before the Lord's Supper, even from before His ministry began. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (Jn 1:29) In the movie Jesus doesn't know that Lazarus had died, He forces Judas to betray Him in response to a vision, and learns from a vision that Peter would disown Him. These just are not accurate!

This is a doctrinal issue that is very important. Jesus KNEW His future, both from all the Scriptures that referenced Him, but also because He was God incarnate. He wasn't responding ad hoc to sporadic visions. “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” (Jn 519) Jesus also claimed, “I and the Father are one.” (Jn 10:30) A claim which those who heard understood to mean that Jesus was making Himself equal to God.

Jesus prepared His disciples for the truth of his crucifixion and resurrection, starting right after Peter's proclamation that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. (Mk 8:29-33) He prophesied His resurrection not just to his followers, but also to the religious leaders. A guard was placed on the tomb (which was not in the movie) because the religious leaders recalled that he claimed he would rise in three days. (Mt 27:62-66).

He taught that it is through Him that we receive atonement for our sins and a relationship with the Father.

“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” (Jn 8:24)

I am the Good Shepherd: I know my sheep and they know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the father – and I lay my life down for the sheep... The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (Jn 10:14-15,17)

No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6b)

Although these are indeed major issues, I don't think they negate all the good that the film does hold.

Some of the other issues discussed in the negative reviews can be explained by the fact that a movie has a limited length of time to tell the story. The makers of Son of God chose to spend a lot of screen time on establishing the cruelty of the Roman occupation – that the Jews were desperate for a political Messiah. This meant less time went to Jesus' teachings. Someone viewing the film will not know what it means to be a Christian when they come out of the film. However, it is a great starting point for discussion, teaching, and a desire to read God's Word. If you are bringing a non-Christian to the film, have a Bible or New testament to give them.

There are four accounts of Jesus' life in the Bible – the four Gospels. They have slightly different accounts of certain events, because they are written from the perspective of different people. One of the reviews claimed a Biblical inaccuracy, when it was in reality the version from one of the other four Gospels.

There are a few scenes that perhaps take “artistic license” too far. In other cases scenes or teachings are combined together in order to save screen time. This is a reality of movie making and does not mean these scenes contradict Scripture.

The final complaint I find very interesting, because it is incorrect. The negative reviews were indignant that Mary Magdalene was with the disciples the entire time. Although in the Gospels she is not given any “lines” until the resurrection, she was present throughout most of Jesus' ministry. She actually helped provide for Jesus and the Twelve!

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household: Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Lk 8:1-3)

The inaccuracy is not that Mary Magdalene was present, but that the other women were absent. There absence is again a fact of movie-making. Extra characters not essential for the story are left out.

So, I suggest it is a movie worth seeing. Jesus is a warm, intriguing, humble character in this film (although they did leave out the foot-washing scene). You can see why people were drawn to Him. The scene of the calling of Matthew is an unexpected tear-jerker. The scenes of Jesus' beatings, floggings and crucifixion are extremely powerful. We all need a reminder of what He endured for us in order that we might enjoy forgiveness and a relationship with the Father! Just don't expect the film to make Christians of the viewers. We have more work to do in teaching and making-disciples. We also need to remember the spiritual battle going on and PRAY for the movie to have the proper impact.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you so much for leaving Your throne in heaven and coming to this broken messed up earth. Thank you for coming not just to teach us, but to die for us and give Your life as a ransom for many. Thank you that through Your life and teaching we can know You and Your will. Thank you that You are the Good Shepherd that lay down His life for us wayward sheep. Give us hearts to trust that You will work powerfully through this film in spite of it's weaknesses. Don't allow it to cause division in your church. Instead, let it ignite a hunger for Your Word in people – people who know you but can still go deeper; people who think they know you, but don't; and people who don't know you at all. We give You all praise and honour and glory forever and ever, amen.

Persecution

Two weeks ago Prime Minster Steven Harper made his first official visit to Israel. He brought a delegation of 208 people with him. News media that have been known to be against Harper decided to attack him in a different way. They went after three members of his delegation who have made public statements that the Bible indicates homosexuality is wrong.

The delegates include Don Simmonds, chairman of Crossroads Christian Communications, Shawn Ketcheson, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Ottawa, and Rabbi Reuven Bulka a beloved figure in the Ottawa community who recently received the Order of Canada for his community work.

The media has twisted quotations by pulling them out of context. These men have (individually or collectively) been portrayed as “staunchly anti-gay” and “homophobic.” I guess you can say they are staunchly anti-gay, as the literal meaning is to “hold fast to a conviction against homosexuality.” However, the phrase in today's culture conveys the idea of actively propagating that conviction and forcing others to accept it. “Homophobic” is used totally incorrectly, as a phobia is an irrational fear. Disagreeing with someone's beliefs does not make you “anti” or “phobic.”

Pastor Rick Warren has summed up the problem is this quote: 

“Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”

The media has singled out this one particular belief as if it is their strongest one. I do not know much about two of the delegates, but I have heard hundreds of sermons by Pastor Ketcheson. His message is always that we are all broken sinful people in need of healing and in need of a Saviour. The media had to go back to a sermon from 2011 to find Pastor Ketcheson's statement against homosexuality. The media made it sound like the entire point of the sermon was to denounce homosexuality. I was in the congregation for that sermon. It was a message on sin. It included that God considers all sex outside of marriage as sin. Greed is sin. Lack of forgiveness, hatred, jealousy, drunkenness, addictions, putting anything else before God – these are all sin.

Don Simmonds is the chairman of Crossroads Christian Communications which has the mission to provide relief and assistance to people affected by disaster, famine, poverty and war, and facilitate sustainable development programs in their countries. He has been accused of supporting the government in Uganda in their effort to legislate the death penalty for homosexuals, because he is involved in relief efforts in that country and holds the position that homosexuality is wrong according to the Bible! Talk about twisting something good into something negative!

So, how should we respond to persecution? The Bible gives us plenty of direction, the first being to expect it.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2Ti 3:12-13)

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also calls us not to just put up with persecution, but to rejoice in it!

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5:10-12)

How are we to respond to our persecutors? The Apostle Paul was stoned numerous times,spent many years in prison, and ultimately faced death by beheading for his work in proclaiming the Gospel. He answers the question in his first letter to the church in Corinth.

When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1Co 12b-13)

How are we to respond in such an incredibly difficult way? Our nature wants to defend ourselves and to attack in return. Paul answers that question for us as well.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2Tim1:7-8

We can respond as Jesus did on the day He was betrayed and crucified. We can do so by the power of the Spirit of God within us! Jesus could have retaliated, but He did not. Paul could have retaliated, but He chose to imitate his Lord. Both Paul and Jesus also call us to support those who are persecuted and not to back down when we are persecuted. Jesus

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

I don't want Jesus to be ashamed of me! We need to stand up for the truth of God's Word. We also need to support others who stand up for the truth.

Brian Lilley, a newsman for Sun Media in Ottawa, took a very public stand against the other media giants in this situation, and for the truth of God's Word. Here is his report on the situation. Harper Under Fire for Pastor. It is awesome to see other Christians supporting those who are persecuted.

Some of our brothers and sisters in other countries receive persecution on a regular basis. I will close with this statement from a poster put out by Voice of the Martyrs, as it is something for us to think about. What are we willing to give up to stand up for the Truth?  

We worship in church.

Thousands of our persecuted brothers and sisters

worship in prison.

Dear Father,

Thank you that Your Word is truth! In this world of selective morality, people are turning away from that truth to chase after lies that do not fulfill. You call us to be lights in this dark world. That starts with taking a stand for You and Your truth. But, taking a stand does not mean being abusive or attacking those who attack us. Just as You did not retaliate, give us the strength to love our persecutors! Help us to spread Your truth in a loving manner. Let people be attracted to our lives. That will not happen if we are judgmental You were so loving to the woman brought before you caught in the act of adultery. You did not judge her, but loved her enough to call her to change. The Samaritan woman at the well with a sordid past felt loved by you, not condemned! Give us that heart to be loving lights to the world. Help us to see people's brokenness, and extend them compassion as we offer Your Words of healing truth. Father, thank you for these men who have stood up for Your truth in a culture that wants nothing to do with it! To You we give all praise and honour and glory! Amen.