Healing Rays of Righteousness

Working in God’s Business

The Labor Day holiday is a good time to be reminded that the work of God happens when the people of God work.  God intends to work in this world through us.  This should encourage and motivate us to get busy with God’s business.  But what can we correctly say is God’s business?

The Lord’s Prayer is repeated every Sunday by millions of Christians around the world, and in that prayer we petition God that his name be made holy and that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  So what is his will and how will it be done?

In Luke 4:16-21, we read that Jesus returned to his hometown, Nazareth, and on the first Sabbath, went to the synagogue where he read the prophetic listing of the Messiah’s work credentials and surprisingly claimed them as his own.  And later, he listed the same work credentials to the disciples of John the Baptist when they asked, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

I believe these social concerns continue to be the authentic work credentials for all God’s people living today.  This is God’s business.  I firmly believe that following Jesus is a commitment to daily participate in God’s transforming, redemptive work in the world, so that God’s will is made evident “on earth as it is in heaven” by our deeds and labor.

Anabaptist Christians believe the New Testament scriptures teach that Christian faith is made visible in Jesus-like acts of compassionate love and material generosity.  We believe that Christian faith is more than worship and verbal commitment to the Lordship of Jesus on a Sunday morning, but is also the live performance of that worship and commitment in every conversation and activity of life Monday through Saturday.  It is “walking the talk” of Jesus’ lordship and love in our worship, work and every relational encounter.

Or, as Jesus would say in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  And in verses 44-45, we hear this also includes our response toward our enemies.  “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

As evidence of walking with Jesus, Anabaptist Christians have cultivated the practice of serving others because we believe this is the example and command of Jesus for our lives.  We believe that God’s Spirit is at work where social concerns and human needs are responded to with authentic love and practical efforts.  This is what identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ.

Moreover, Anabaptist Christians do not serve others because of political mandate, financial profit, or religious necessity.  We have a genuine compassion and love for others and serve their needs in response to what Christ Jesus has done for us.  We joyfully, generously, and even sacrificially work to provide for those in need because of the love and Spirit of Christ, which fills our life and has transformed our hearts.

When James and John, two disciples of Jesus, asked him to give them positions of honor and power in His Kingdom, Jesus replied that those who wish to be great must become servants, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45).

For this Labor Day, let us rethink how deeply we believe that serving others and making sacrifices in their behalf should be the normal behavior of those who follow Jesus as Lord in their life.  How committed am I to laboring in God’s business of loving and caring for the world through me?  How sincere am I in praying “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

I challenge us to sincerely invest ourselves in God’s business of bringing life and light, joy and peace to our churches, towns, nation, and world through us, his people who “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8).

In doing so, be encouraged by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  Amen!

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 28, 2019

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

God is Love Always

Are there times that you feel uncertain about God’s love for you?  I’ve had those times, and that’s when I most need to be encouraged by the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians; “For he chose us in him (Christ) … In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, … In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (1:4-7). 

Oh, what love God lavished on us.  Can we imagine any greater evidence of his love for us?

In chapter three, Paul prays that we may grasp, come to understand, more fully the magnitude of Christ’s love for us; which he believes is much greater and more expansive than the whole universe with its limitless sky above, its limitless horizons on every side, and the deep depths of the earth and the seas beneath us.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”  Then, as if desperate for adequate words, he adds the phrase “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  (3:17-19). 

Paul wishes for all who follow Christ to experience being Spirit-filled to the brim with all the fullness of God in every day, activity, and encounter.  And “For this reason I (Paul) kneel before the Father, … I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”  (3:14-17).

Paul believes that to be Spirit-filled means having a deep love relationship with God.  A love relationship that is fully yielded to him, and brings to us a life rich in experiences of his amazing love and powerful presence.

Paul is saying that God’s love for us is far beyond the rational limits of intellect or theory.  It is experiential knowing, that is, to experience Christ’s love in everyday living experiences.

I remember reading of a farmer who had a weather vane on his barn, on which was written GOD IS LOVE.   When friends asked why, the farmer said, “This is to remind me that no matter which way the wind blows, God is love.”

The following scriptures would confirm this truth, and are verses that I have found encouraging in my journey.

When the warm ‘south wind’ with its soothing and balmy breezes brings showers of blessing, God is love.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).

When the cold ‘north wind’ of trial and testing sweeps down upon you, God is love.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

When the ‘west wind’ blows hard upon you with its punishing intent, God is love.  “do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6).

When the ‘east wind’ threatens to sweep away all that you have, God is love.  “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

Yes, it doesn’t matter which way the wind of life is blowing, the truth remains, God is love.       

Paul concludes his prayer for us with a doxology of praise to God who, he says, is able to do more for us than we could ever dream of, or think possible.  He first prayed that God would bestow blessings on us that transcend our knowledge.  He then expresses his confidence that these blessings will be granted, for he believes that God is love, and that God is able.

Read verses 20-21 slowly, drinking in and savoring every healing drop.  I promise it will refresh your spirit every time you do so.  “Now to him (God) … who is able … to do … immeasurably more … than all we ask or imagine, … according to his power … that is at work … within us, … to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 21, 2019

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Glory of the Son

The “Transfiguration” story, recorded in Matthew 17, tells how three of Jesus’ disciples were privileged to see and better understand the awesome transforming power and glory of Jesus Christ.  “… Jesus took with him Peter, James and John …, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  There he was transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”  (Matthew 17:1-2).

Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three disciples caught an awesome glimpse of his glory.  What they saw was the power-filled glory of God radiating from Jesus.  And what they heard was a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!”  (Matthew 17:5).

Years later, Peter remembers this experience with Jesus and writes about in his second letter (1:16-18).  Peter remembers it as “the sacred mountain” because he believed it was here that Jesus’ authority, power and majesty as the Son of God was confirmed.

Peter believed that it was in this moment, that Jesus fully committed himself to walk the painful journey down the mountain to Jerusalem, the cross and the grave, where he would victoriously bind Satan’s power and authority forever.

In verse 9, we read that as Jesus and the disciples are coming down the mountain, Jesus tells them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”  Why would Jesus tell them not to talk about what they had just seen and heard?

Jesus knew the disciples could not understand nor appreciate the magnitude of what they just witnessed, nor could anyone else, until after he completed the work of redemption through his suffering, death, and resurrection from the tomb as the risen, living Christ.  Only then could his glory be seen and understood by mankind.  Only then could Christian truths about God and his amazing love, be deeply appreciated.

Three days after his crucifixion and death, Jesus arose from the tomb as the majestic conqueror over all evil and death, to lead the redeemed (set free) men and women of every race and creed on a royal pathway to heaven, where he, Jesus, is forever seated as “King of Kings and Lord or lords.”

The Hebrew writer calls us to behold and worship the risen Son; “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”  (Hebrews 1:3).

Whenever Jesus talked about his pending death, the disciples were troubled and confused in there thinking.  But after his resurrection and their seeing him alive, the meaning and purpose of his death became much more understandable to them.

This new understanding emboldened Peter, when standing before the Sanhedrin, to declare “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

It also emboldened Paul to declare that Christ “…is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:15-17).

I sincerely believe with Paul that nothing exists outside of Christ’s awesome creative power, and that his almighty, all-loving, redeeming presence touches every part of God’s infinite and ever-expanding universe.  “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  (John 1:5)

Even though the awesome glory of Jesus Christ remains beyond our full understanding, he still shines on us, not only on mountaintops of extraordinary experiences, but most often in our daily routines of living.

In many and various un-dramatic ways, his glorious “healing rays of righteousness” shines upon us to restore and enliven us toward joy-filled living each day.  For without him we cannot and will not survive. “In him all things hold together.”   Blessed be his name!

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 14, 2019

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Agreeing to Walk Together

Should my relationship with you depend on whether or not you agree with me?  No! My relationship with you should be rooted in fully accepting and respecting you, even though we may disagree on particular issues.

The reason so many friendships, churches, and communities are fractured and in trouble today is because we do not recognize the difference between agreement and acceptance.  Behavioral studies show that much of our anxiety is caused by an egocentric, neurotic need to have others agree with us.

We also know that the dynamics of every healthy people grouping, whether it be church, community, or nation, includes lively disagreement.  The “loyal opposition” is needed to keep us from getting too comfortable with our selfish, narrow, and off-times marred visions.

Also, to presume others need us to correct them, but that we do not need them to correct us is to assign to ourselves an omniscience that belongs only to Almighty God.

Regretfully, many Christians have been misled by the King James Version of Amos 3:3, which asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  They understand the prophet to be saying that any disagreement is detrimental to healthy relationship and community and thus, “no agreement, no relationship.”  But that is not the meaning behind the original Hebrew.

The New International Version (NIV) better clarifies the original meaning as follows; “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?  This more correctly suggests an agreement with neighbor to meet for a walk together.  It is a commitment to a planned and scheduled activity together.  In other words, I agree to walk with you because I accept and respect you regardless of our disagreements.

Dietrich Bonhoffer warned that “He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon no longer be listening to God, either.”

The image of the Christian life being a walk is firmly rooted in the New Testament teachings.  The apostle Paul tells us Christians “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2).

To the Christians in Rome, Paul says, “Love must be sincere.” (Rom. 12:1).  And included in his list of loving behaviors is this admonition in verse 18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”   He then concludes with this word, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (v.21).

These voices, as well as the whole of the New Testament, are telling us that to be Christian is to always be intentionally and fervently working to establish and nurture strong, loving relationships with others.  This is our calling and mission.

For that reason, I am deeply troubled by what appears to be a serious drift by those who call themselves Christian, away from the biblical principles of “community by acceptance” and toward a more totalitarian view of “community by agreement” and it’s very low tolerance for disagreement.  It is a kind of mentality that fixes its eyes on another with a cold look and says, “If you don’t agree with us, get out.  Go somewhere else.  You don’t belong here.” 

The New Testament clearly teaches that the followers of Jesus will live a lifestyle built around LOVE.  Sacrificial love is to be at the core of relationships with fellow believers, and also determines our attitude towards all people at all times.

I’m reminded of the story of a young man who stopped at a farmhouse asking for work.  The farmer asked of his occupation, which was carpentry.  At first the farmer said he had no work.  Then, pointing across the road to the neighboring farm, he said, “That is where by brother lives and we have become bitter enemies.  He even took a bulldozer and cut a stream from the reservoir through the pasture between us.  I’ll hire you to take that lumber by the barn and build an eight-foot high solid fence between us, so that I don’t need to be looking at him.”

The farmer went to town for the day, and the young man went to work.  When the farmer returned, instead of a fence, he saw a beautiful bridge across the stream, with handrails and all.  At first he was angry, but then he saw his brother walking down the hill to the bridge with his arms outstretched.  As he walked to meet him, his younger brother called out, “You are a special brother, to think that you would build a bridge so that we can get together!”

As the carpenter was walking away, the farmer called, “Hey, where are you going?”  The man answered, “I’m going to build other bridges!”

O church, community, and nation, we call ourselves Christian, so let’s walk our talk.  Let us love, accept, and walk together with all people, respectfully listening to the “loyal opposition” toward seeking common ground and guidance in making a better world for all of us.  AMEN!

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 7, 2019

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley