JESUS BRINGS DIVISION

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love others including our enemies. We are to seek peace both as fellow humans and as citizens. Within the church we are to do all we can to keep the Body of Christ united in relationships even as we are united by the Spirit.

Nonetheless, we follow One whose coming brought and still brings unavoidable division. Jesus himself put it this way:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, 
a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household." (Matt. 10:34 - 36)
Jesus uses the example of our closest relationships to reveal the reality that commitment to Christ will bring division. Understood correctly, the person and claims of Christ should bring either deep loyalty or strong opposition.
This is very clearly illustrated in John 7 and 8. Jesus was doing miracles and teaching in Jerusalem. Twice John notes that many people believed in Him. (7:31, 8:30). Some were saying "He is the prophet" while others were saying "He is the Christ." (7:40, 41)
In contrast, others saw the same miracles and heard the same teaching; Yet they "tried to seize him" (7:30); sent temple guards to arrest Him (7:32); and tried to kill Him (8:59). The religious leaders wanted to arrest and kill Jesus. The guards they sent to arrest Him returned without Him, saying "No one ever spoke the way this man does." (7:46)
Jesus provoked strong reactions and did not try to avoid this. He was challenging people, calling people out of darkness into God's Light (8:12). He was pleading with them not to follow the lies from the father of lies, but rather believe the truth He was teaching (8:42 - 47).
So it should not surprise us when in our Western culture, things can be written or said against Christ followers that would be deemed very unacceptable if said about Jews, Muslims or homosexuals. It should not surprise us that where academic freedom is fiercely defended, open angry prejudice against evangelical Christians often goes unchallenged. It should sadden but not surprise us that in many countries today, if a person chooses to follow Christ they will be excluded from their family - and may even be killed by their family.
It is not much fun to be unpopular or to be angrily opposed with prejudice. It is far worse to realize that declared loyalty to Jesus will likely cause you to lose your job, your family and perhaps your life. And still every day, thousands choose to believe in the One who is the Light of the World; who came to planet earth to show us the Father. 
Opposition, persecution and rejection happened to our Lord Jesus and He made it very clear that His followers should expect to be treated as He was treated.

BELIEF AND BELIEF

^"Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people." John 2:23


This passage is very helpful in recognizing there is a kind of believing in Jesus that is not "saving faith." The exact phrase in Greek and in most translations is found in John 1:12 and in John 2:23. In 1:12 we are told that those "who believe in His name" receive the right, the authority to become children of God.
In 2:23 we are told that there were those in Jerusalem "who believed in his name". But Jesus response to them was that he did not trust them, because He knew people. 
John uses an interesting parallel of Greek words here, which we see in English if we translate that they "trusted in his name" but Jesus would not "entrust himself to them." The same Greek verb is used: they "believed" but He would not "believe" himself to them.
Evidently the faith referenced in John 1:12 is very different from the faith of the people described in John 2:23. Why did Jesus not trust their kind of trust in Him? Was this deficient faith only superficial? Was it a faith in Jesus as a miracle worker but with no desire to become His disciple? Was it a case of attraction to what He might give but with no desire for a relationship with the Giver?
The other passage in the Gospels in which Jesus clearly distinguishes between some faith and real faith, is found in the story of the Sower and the four kinds of seeds. Remember that only the third and fourth seeds really grew, and only the fourth produced fruit.
I think many Scriptures (such as John 1:12) provide assurances to "real" believers that we are eternally secure in our relationship with God through faith in Christ. But the two passages I've referenced, along with others, provide strong warning signals for those who may be only "superficial" believers.
Jesus does not "entrust" Himself to just anyone. It is possible for people to make professions of faith in Christ and yet never to have entered the relationship that produces eternal life; life with God that is enjoyed now and forever. (John 17:3)
We need to be certain our faith is the kind that is life changing and relationship building. As we help others to believe, we need to help them understand the implications of true faith. We know that Jesus was always looking for true followers, real disciples; not those who only gave mental assent to who He was or simply responded with passing enthusiasm.
I love the wonderful assurance found in I John 5:13. But may we not unwisely or incorrectly offer this biblical assurance to those who don't truly believe.

INCOGNITO STILL

My friend was CEO of a company with many locations and hundreds of employees. I had the opportunity to visit some of their locations while visiting with him. Due to the size of the company not all employees knew him or would even recognize him. Normally he did not bother to introduce himself but simply politely interacted with them. I enjoyed observing the conversations when the employees were unaware that he was their ultimate boss. He was treated well like they treated other customers. But not quite the same as if they had really known who he was.
I thought of this today as I read the familiar words of John's Gospel: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive Him." (1:10, 11)
What amazing humility. Lord of the Universe! With the Father and the Spirit, Creator of all, including all humans! He lived on planet earth and mingled with humans for 33 years and yet went largely unnoticed; or when somewhat recognized, not truly appreciated as He deserved. What an immense tragedy, that the Creator received such a response.
As I was reading the first words of John's Gospel, I heard another funeral procession passing by our apartment building. Led by Buddhist monks and followed by the typical (although so strange to us) four piece band, the mourners  moved down the street with the body. I wondered if he/she ever knew that the Creator had visited our planet? Did he/she even have a chance before death to know that "The Light" had shone in this world's darkness?
In His resurrection power, Jesus was fully revealed, no longer incognito. Yet so many in our world have no knowledge that the Creator has visited planet earth. Such a huge percentage of Vietnam's population has no knowledge of Christ. This in spite of Portugese Catholic missionaries coming 500 years ago; French Catholic missionaries coming 150 years ago and Protestant missionaries coming 100 years ago. Although some of the tribal groups have a high proportion of Christian believers, the numbers of believing ethnic Vietnamese (85% of the population) remains extremely low.
Please pray for Vietnamese Christians, that Christ's light and life will shine through them to the millions around them.

FATHER FORGIVE THEM

Jesus taught His followers that we are to "turn the other cheek" and to pray for those who abuse and oppose us. In Luke 23:34 He provides our example. Jesus had been mocked, abused, beaten, and cruelly nailed to the cross. His pain might have been all consuming. Yet as He lived, so He died, thinking of others. "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
If ever people were ignorant of the significance of their actions, it was surely during the hours of Jesus arrest and crucifixion. They did not know. They did not understand that they were killing "the author of life". (Acts 3:15)
Many of us are praying for the Muslim world, especially during these days of Ramadan. This provides us direct opportunity to love and pray as Jesus taught and as He provided the model. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44, 45)
Saudi Arabia recently released two Indian Christians who they had arrested, beaten and jailed for six months because these men shared the Good News of Jesus. The new freedom in Tunisia seems to have resulted in more persecution of believers. In Algeria in recent months, 8 churches have been forcibly closed. In Egypt the strong Islamists are pressuring the moderate Muslims and secular Egyptians to make Egypt an Islamist country with Sharia law.
In these and other Middle East countries, there seems to be an increasing opposition to and persecution of Christians. Many believers are trying to leave their home country in fear for their lives. What would Jesus do in this situation? I believe He would have us join Him in prayer for our fellow believers but also for those who oppose and persecute.
These modern enemies of Christ and the Gospel are very much like those who surrounded Jesus in His last hours on earth. They are spiritually blind and spiritually unaware that their opposition to Christ followers is opposition to the very God they seek to worship. So we pray:
"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." 

TO OLDER SINGLE WOMEN

Jesus tells us in Luke 21 that the very small gift from a very poor widow was far greater than any of the large gifts given by wealthy people at the Temple treasury. (21:1 - 4) I recall the slogan used by some churches "Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice." In my opinion (and of course I have never tracked anyone's giving) rarely can wealthy Christians match the sacrificial generosity often found among impoverished Christians. It is almost impossible for them to do so unless they give almost everything away.
However after reading this familiar passage today, I did not spend time meditating on giving. Instead I paused to thank God for the various godly widows (and some never married and some divorced women) Jan and I have known over the years. I am thinking especially of those who were 60 or over when we knew them.
In each of the four Christian communities where we spent most of our ministry years - Edmonton, North Palm Beach, Toronto and Calgary - I can picture women who in my eyes are great examples of active faith. I think of one who hosted Jan and I, a young couple new to the West and new to ministry, on our first nights in Edmonton. She was a quiet woman who raised godly children and faithfully served God's people.
I picture a feisty lady in Florida (originally from New Jersey) who had come to faith later in life. She was separated and later divorced by her unbelieving husband. He was wealthy and let her struggle financially. Yet in the church she was known for her energy, her quick wit and her deep love for the Word and the Lord. In later years when visiting Florida, she told Jan and I her reaction when her church announced the beginning of a Saturday night service. "I thought it was a crazy idea. I was against it. Then I repented. So now I go on Saturday nights and serve as a greeter. Then I go back on Sunday for my own worship."
I picture a well known woman in our Toronto church who served actively for many years. By the time we came to the church, she was not as active, but her service was just as effective.  She always sat at the back of the sanctuary. People knew where to find her and they did; going for a word of encouragement or counsel, or for prayer. Throughout the week by phone or as they came to her apartment, she offered wise counsel and prayer. She was an amazing support to this pastor and his wife.
I picture two widows in Calgary. Both widowed at a young age, left alone to raise young children. Both so positive in their attitudes, joyful in their faith, still active in leading Bible studies and serving people.
Those are just a few among many who walked through my mind today. As I thank God for that widow in Luke 21 who provided a fine example of sacrificial giving, I thank God for older single women I have known who have provided godly, encouraging examples for me and many others.

RAMADAN

Yesterday I wrote about the joy we should experience and the joy in heaven when lost people are found; when wandering people come home to the Father who loved them enough to send Jesus.
The month of August this year coincides with the Muslim month of Ramadan. For twenty years there has been a growing movement among believers to focus special prayer for Muslims during their holy month of Ramadan. I am so glad that a Jan and I were introduced to this prayer effort many years ago.
Each year when in Canada we ordered a number of prayer booklets for people in our church which provide guidelines for daily prayer during Ramadan. However being in Vietnam we did not get one for ourselves this year. Thankfully, I received an e copy through friends who work in the Muslim world.

If you don't have this Prayer Guide, and if you are willing to pray daily for the next four weeks for Muslims, than quick, do something! :) Write to me at nelsonjannan@gmail.com and I will send you an e copy.
I recommend this as perhaps the best thing you could add to your Christian life for the next four weeks. Some people hate Muslims. Some people fear Muslims. We should be those who love and pray for Muslims.

Remember, we want to join with heaven in celebrating those who are finding new life in Christ. More Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus than ever before. So come on, get in on the rejoicing by praying with all of us during Ramadan. 

CELEBRATE!

In reference to my last blog: as a nice wrap up of my weekend in Hanoi; following my confused airplane and hotel arrangement Friday, I arrived at the airport on Sunday evening to find my 9:20 pm flight had been cancelled due to bad weather. This was the last direct flight home. They bumped me to a later flight that had one stop. we landed at 12:50 am and I arrived at my apartment at 1:30 am Monday morning.

On to eternally important subjects. While in Hanoi I met a student from Laos studying in a Hanoi university, who came to faith through an expat English teacher last year. I congratulated him and rejoiced with him over his new life in Christ. He told me it will be difficult for him when he returns because he is from an important family and there are Buddhist priests among his extended family.

Today my Scripture reading was in Luke 15. I so enjoy the three "lost" stories that Jesus tells, don't you. There is so much joy and rejoicing in these stories. The Pharisees and religious teachers were so frustrated/angry that Jesus enjoyed and spent time with people who were "unclean". They were into religious purity and legalism. Jesus was into love and life change.
Do you remember the emphasis on joy in these three stories? The shepherd is joyful when he finds the lost sheep and tells his friends to rejoice with him. Jesus says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people (Pharisees and teachers?).
The woman calls to friends and neighbours when she finds her lost coin, "Rejoice with me." Jesus again says "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Then of course the lost son returns from his rebellious sinful wanderings. His father says "Lets have a feast and celebrate (the Greek word could just as properly be translated "rejoice"). So they began to celebrate (rejoice).
The angry older son won't join the party. His father tries hard to explain why his brother's return is so important. And he says "But we had to celebrate (rejoice) and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
Nine times Greek words for rejoicing are used. And the whole chapter is all about spiritually dead, spiritually lost people coming home to their Heavenly Father. Heaven rejoices when this happens on earth.
I often am close to tears of joy when I hear a story of another life changed by Christ. Those stories never grow old. And I count it one of life's greatest joys to be present when someone prays with heartfelt sincerity, asking for forgiveness and trusting in the great work of Christ. I don't know many things that bring greater joy than that - if we are in tune with Jesus and heaven.
Of course the "religious people" of Jesus day were not. So they missed the joy. And I know too many Christians who seem to focus all there attention and try to get all their joy from good but secondary things. If bringing lost people to their waiting Father is what causes joy in heaven for Jesus and angels, shouldn't it be more important to us? And when it happens, shouldn't it cause us to really celebrate?