I have been writing blogs for over 8 years now, and my main emphasis has always been to focus on God’s Kingdom and how to bring more people to trust in Jesus and enter his Kingdom and live forever in his presence! I have tried to stay clear of political discussions, because God’s Kingdom is much greater and better, and far above any political solutions from either the right or left. But I do want you to consider a Michigan proposal to change our constitution concerning abortion, Proposal 3. Abortion, while sadly used by politicians to garner votes, is not just a left or right issue. There are pro-choice and pro-life people in all political parties. Abortion is a moral issue, one of life and death, and one Christians cannot ignore or be silent on, especially since it has become a national discussion after the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

 My view on any issue is to first determine what God has said about a particular issue, and then obey and share what God has said.  My “opinion” is not that important on any issue, (and neither is yours), because I believe God’s view is always the real truth, and any other human opinion that differs with His truth is just therefore a flawed opinion.  My previous blog explains what I believe God clearly says on this issue. Because of that, I will be totally “up front” and say I am totally against abortion, and believe every abortion is the killing of a pre-born baby, made specifically in the image of God. I certainly understand there may be an occasional necessary exception to that, such as when the very life of the mother is at stake, and some may also consider rape and incest victims. I also know that there are some Christians who read my blogs who disagree with my view, and believe abortion should be legal, usually with certain restrictions. While I disagree with you on this, I respect you and pray your decision is made out of heart-felt motives to help and protect women from harm. While even Christians may disagree on this, we are called to work together to bring people closer to God’s will and his Kingdom agenda and bring reconciliation to a world broken and torn by sin, hatred, division, accusation, and destructive vitriol!

So, if we “Michiganders” (a weird label!) look at Proposal 3, and if you share my view that God is completely against abortion, then it is an obvious “no brainer” that you should vote NO on this proposal! As you shall see, this is an abortionist’s dream proposal and one that may actually be worse than Roe itself was.

For the rest of you, some who “don’t give a rip” what God says about anything, or those who do care what God says but disagree with me about what you think God says, I still ask you to look carefully at Proposal 3. You might find that this is NOT an abortion proposal that you agree with at all, and may be much more extreme than what you really want!

When Roe was overturned this summer, it sent the decision about abortion back to the states, allowing each state legislature to debate all views and possibly come up with a compromise solution  that fits their state and reflects where most people are in that particular state. While this is never a perfect solution, it at least allows for ongoing debate and the opportunity to change the laws as our culture changes on this issue, and as the “other” party then comes into power they can vote to adjust what they view as overly extreme legislation from the other side. This at least allows more time and a process where people can more deeply look at the moral, medical, and humanitarian views on this issue, as well as look around the world to see what other cultures are doing as well. From my Christian perspective, I would prefer to live in a state and nation that bans abortion and also values women and babies (and all people) as infinitely valuable. (A “Womb to the Tomb” or “Whole Life” approach) But, none of us get what we want in this sinful and divided world, so how can we work together to draw people closer to what God desires for us all, as he seeks to heal, forgive, restore, and redeem this fallen world?

If you believe in abortion with limitations, what should those be, and how does Roe and Proposal 3 compare? Many folks like to say the United States should be more like Europe on social issues, somehow thinking that because those countries are older they are somehow more sophisticated and humane than some here may be. Most studies of people in the U.S. who want legal abortion show that the majority of them always want limited abortion, usually within the 1^st trimester (12-15 weeks). After looking at 5 different sources on abortion in Europe, that is exactly where most European nations fall. Two or three prohibit abortion except for death of the mother, rape, or incest. 47 out of 50 European nations limit it to 15 weeks or less, while one or two go as high as 24 weeks. NONE of them go the full term of pregnancy (36 months)! On a world-wide basis, one study said that of 198 countries, only seven allowed abortions past 20 weeks (except, again, for the life of the mother, rape, or incest). And of those 7, a few were still limited to 24 weeks. So, what about the U.S.? For the past 50 years, Roe has allowed abortions up until the time of birth itself (36 weeks). This has allowed for late-term abortions and the horrific practice at times of partial-birth abortions. On a world-wide scale, the U.S. has ranked alongside North Korea and Communist China as the most extreme places for abortion in the world. Proposal 3 would continue Roe’s legacy, and WILL be even worse!

What about Proposal 3?

It is NOT a law that is legislated by the state, where both sides could debate the issue. It is a Constitutional proposal that would amend the state Constitution, and would invalidate all present laws that are on the books that conflict with it’s stipulations, and would also prohibit lawmakers from making any new laws or regulations that conflict with what it says. This is a hastily written proposal after the Roe decision that is totally one-sided and is all the things the abortion industry wants. It was written by lawyers for Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, and it is cleverly and deceitfully written in a vague and general way. Many legal scholars believe it would not only eliminate or prevent any restrictions on abortion at all, but would change the relationship between parents and their children, as well as women and their doctors.

Proposal 3 goes way beyond Roe in that it seeks to create a brand new “right” to “Reproductive Freedom” that does not exist in this state or in the nation. This is a vaguely defined new right for “EVERY INDIVIDUAL” (with NO age limits), to make and control “ALL DECISIONS ABOUT ALL MATTERS RELATING TO PREGNANCY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PRENATAL CARE, CHILDBIRTH, POSTPARTUM CARE, CONTRACEPTION, STERILIZATION, ABORTION CARE, MISCARRIAGE MANAGEMENT, AND INFERTILITY CARE.”

 Because of no age limitations and “every individual” having this new right, laws protecting children and their parent’s rights are eliminated, meaning a young girl can have an abortion without her parents knowledge, and the same idea can be applied to children’s “gender reassignment treatments” (including sterilization), again without parental consent and knowledge.

In another section, the proposal gives all control to the individual as well as the attending “health care professional” (NOT necessarily a physician) and will not allow the state to regulate or infringe upon that procedure. Neither can the state take any legal action against the individual or anyone aiding them or assisting them in these procedures, even when things go wrong. This means that a botched abortion or even if a woman dies in the procedure, the state cannot prosecute against them as long as the individual gave their consent to the procedure.

There are many other concerns about this proposal as well, and I encourage you to check them out for yourself. The bottom line is that this is not a state law that can be changed or improved upon; it is a hastily-written and reactionary proposal that would become constitutional and would eliminate many laws we have now to protect not only unborn babies, but those women who seek abortions as well as laws protecting parental and children’s rights. If you do want abortion to be limited but legal, and can see the dangers of Proposal 3,  I encourage you to work with state legislators to work on such a bill that may better reflect a more balanced view of all people on this issue. No one will get everything they want! I would never vote for any bill that promotes abortion, but if I have to live in a state or nation that legalizes abortion, I would hope to live in a place that at least limits it to the 1^st trimester or less.

It is my hope and prayer that we people can do better than this as we deal with this volatile issue of abortion and unborn children. If you are a Christian and a follower of Jesus, please take time to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance for you as you consider this and all other issues we face. We are here as believers to present God’s love and care for all people, and we must be careful to discern what is being said in this world from every side around us.

Politics today, and in every generation, is an art of saying things that are partially true and sound really good initially, but can end up hurting us and others later on. This is true of both political parties today, especially in this day of non-stop news cycles and sound -bytes. Focus first on God and what his agenda is, and vote as well as you can in a way that you think honors God and his Kingdom above party line or any other allegiance. And let’s continue to pray for and love each other, even though we may disagree on issues at times!

I close with some good warning and advice from Paul in Colossians:

¹  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ⁶  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ⁸  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

– Colossians 2:1-8 (ESV)

Abortion is one of many social issues that are causing great division, hatred, and confusion in our culture today! While you won’t find the word “abortion” in the Bible, God’s Word addresses every issue we face in life either directly or indirectly. I’m writing this primarily for believers in Jesus, those who have surrendered their lives to him and who, through the leading of his Holy Spirit, are trying to live in obedience and service to the life he has called us to. So, how should we as Christians be talking about this and relating to others?

Understand there is always a spiritual battle for our hearts and minds playing out in everything that happens to us!

Imagine that above any issue or problem we struggle with, there is a spiritual battle going on in the unseen spiritual realm between God and Satan. God wants to bring us forgiveness, hope, truth, and a new life, while Satan will lie, deceive, and do anything to distract us from Jesus and lead us away from God into confusion, darkness, hatred, and eventually into death and separation from God! Jesus confronted the religious rulers of his day who had closed their minds and hearts to him by saying, ⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.⁴⁴  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  -John 8:43-44 (NIV)

What this means is that ALL of us are in constant danger of being deceived on this and any other issue by Satan, who always makes his lies and deception look appealing and seem reasonable.  So please remember that even though you may strongly disagree with those on the “other side”, they may sincerely think they are right and caring in their approach. Remember, the enemy is not each other, it is Satan who desires to destroy us all! As Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

THE ABORTION DEBATE COULD BE DESCRIBED FROM 2 OPPOSING VIEWS TODAYS, OFTEN CALLED “PRO-CHOICE” VS. “PRO-LIFE”, EVEN THOUGH FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES MAY CLAIM SOME OF THE OTHER’S TERMINOLOGY.

Rather than re-hash cultural talking points, I would like to share what I believe the Bible, God’s written Word to us, actually says about the issues.

Let’s begin with the “Pro-choice” arguments:

A) The Pro-Choice approach:

Many of us remember that when Bill Clinton was running for President, part of his platform was to make abortion “legal, safe, and rare”.  While that appealed to many back then, it has certainly not been “rare” since that time, and today has become celebrated by many. It has now morphed into a women’s rights issue, as well as more recently a women’s health issue and a reproductive rights issue. Many believe a woman has the right to “choose” what happens to her body and has bodily autonomy, and since women are the ones who get pregnant, some even say the men have should have no say or opinion on this! So, what does the God say about this in the Bible?

First, God IS pro-women! When Jesus was on earth in the Roman Empire, men were dominant, controlling, and ruled over women and children. Men even had the right at times to have their own children put to death if they desired! Jesus countered that by treating women with dignity and respect.  He broke all cultural protocols by talking with a scandalized Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), resulting in her becoming his follower and even bringing many in her village to faith him as well. He healed Mary Magdalene of 7 demons, and she followed him and was the first person to see him resurrected! He befriended prostitutes and other outcasts and brought them the hope of new life, salvation, and a new identity and hope. And as for children, when his disciples rebuked parents for bringing children to him, he said, ¹⁴ “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”- Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

The early church leaders, led by God’s Holy Spirit, were empowered to see ALL people, whether male or female, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, as precious and of equal value to God! (Galatians 3:28) In marriage, God created men and women equal, but with distinct roles and responsibilities. Women alone were given the awesome, miraculous role of nurturing a developing baby in their womb, and men were given the responsibility of protecting, encouraging, and doing all they can to help the wife become the fulfilled person God intends them to be. In the abortion debate, many women are afraid, alone, and hurting in many ways because the “father” of the child, the boyfriend or husband, is negligent, abusive, or just leaves, and in many cases is actually the one who pressures and  insists that they get an abortion. No wonder the rise and appeal of “women’s rights” issues! Men have too often miserably failed at being the men God designed them to be! Too many men in our culture are weak, self-centered, abusive, and controlling of their wives and sometimes children as well. This is the cause of most broken families, and often leads to poverty, more abuse, divorce, young people involved in crime, and the overall destruction of our society. And the burden is often left to single mothers who often do wonderful jobs but still need more love and support!

Men, the problem of abortion today lies mainly in the failure of men to be what God calls us to be! In Ephesians, 5, Paul lays this out clearly:

²⁵  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰  because we are members of his body. ³¹  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” – Ephesians 5:25-31 (ESV)

What Paul is saying to men is that it is our first priority in marriage, or even dating, to be willing to give up our rights and interests in order to love and encourage the woman we are committed to! Jesus literally gave his life for each of us so that we could have the opportunity to be forgiven and given new life, and men are distinctly called to give up our “lives” in the sense of putting the interest of the woman we love above our own desires or agenda. If men were as spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially supportive of women as Jesus is for all of us, I believe there is no woman that would not respond positively to that sacrificial love! One of the greatest needs today is for Christian communities to make a major priority of teaching men how to be biblical, Kingdom men as God designed.  (and girls and women as well!) And after that, for those adult men to become mentors to younger men. This could do more to change and heal our culture than all the laws and programs we see today, which are only band aids to cover the results of our sinfulness. If your church or men’s ministry would like to pursue this, I suggest a great book I read and used recently by Dr. Tony Evans called “Kingdom Men Rising”.

So, what about “my body, my choice” ideas? While it’s true that part of being made in God’s image involves moral choices, there is also great consequences for making the WRONG choices! The original wrong human moral choice in the Garden of Eden to disobey God resulted in physical death for ALL human beings. Thus, the idea that a woman has the moral choice to kill her own baby in her womb has no biblical support. As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches that once we surrender our lives to God, everything we are, including our bodies, belongs to God now. Not only that, but as you trust in Jesus, God’s own Holy Spirit now dwells within our bodies, empowering us and helping to become more like Jesus. Paul explains this in I Corinthians 6:

¹⁹  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.-  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

B) The Pro-Life Approach:

But what about abortion itself? Is that biblical? What does God say?

The Pro-Life crowd would say abortion is killing of pre-born babies, and biblically, that is undoubtedly true. While there is great support for women in the Bible, there is absolutely nowhere in the Bible that remotely suggests that God would think the act of abortion is ever justified. (Except in a case that would result in the mother’s death).  In Genesis 1:26-28, God indicates that humanity is unique among all creation, because we alone are made in the image of God himself, to reflect and bear that image as we live. Even though sin has scarred us all, we still bear that unique divine image from conception!

What we Christians SHOULD be doing, and don’t always do well, is to have a “Whole Life Agenda”, often described as respect for life from the “womb to the tomb”!

One of the best known passages to describe God’s love and involvement for pre-born babies is Psalm 139:13-16:

¹³  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

 -Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
(other similar verses are Job 10:8-12, Job 31:15, Psalm 22:9-10, Jeremiah 1:4-5, and Matthew 1:20, which refers to Jesus himself in the womb!)

Notice that in Psalm 139, it not only says that God is intricately involved in our development in the womb, but that in verse 16 it says that God has ALREADY determined a destiny for each of us and has determined a set number of days for each if us. Sadly, abortion, disease, tragic accidents, murders, wars, etc. (the effects of sin) can cut short those days God has planned for us. But the great hope is that he uniquely created each of us with a destiny to pursue, and we have a purpose and God behinds us, if we will surrender to him and let him help us! Thus, a “whole life agenda” seeks to care for human life and dignity from the womb up to the grave. We are to care for, love,  be a voice for, and work for dignity and justice for the pre-born babies, fearful pregnant women, orphans, widows, homeless, poor, sick, mentally ill, elderly, immigrants, etc., literally EVERYONE! Jesus died for every human life, from the womb to the tomb, and he has called his church, the body of Christ on earth, to be his hands and feet to offer redemption, hope, and power for a new life forever to ALL.

SO, what can WE do?

1) Begin your discussions and action with God’s love and hope, NOT with condemnation. Jesus came to bring, forgiveness, new life, and hope, not to condemn (John 3:16-17, Romans 8:1)

2) Find common ground with those you disagree with, especially in helping the hurting young women (and men) who are fearful and feel they have no resources to deal with in having a baby. Volunteer when you can, and certainly financially and sacrificially  support groups and ministries that aid young women (and fathers) not only through the birth process, but then help them find support financially and emotionally to begin as successful parents (or, in some cases, go through a helpful adoption procedure).  Invite them to your church and form groups you can invite them to that includes other young parents going through the same struggles.

3) Work in your families, churches, and communities to teach and encourage young men and women how to become responsible, caring, humble, other-centered individuals, based on God’s values for Kingdom living.

4) PRAY for YOUR attitude and for your actions, that God would be able to use you in this cultural battle to reflect his true image of humility, love, and compassion for the hurting people in EVERY stage of life! And never stop ceasing to pray for your family, your church, your community and especially for those you disagree with! God will use the prayers of a humble, God honoring person in powerful and effective ways, and will use you to turn others back to God and redemption and hope that will take us all the way into eternity with Jesus! (James 5:13-20)

FINALLY, REMEMBER THAT JESUS HAS ALREADY WON THE BATTLE OVER SIN IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES AND CULTURE, FROM THE WOMB TO THE TOMB!

God has “got this” in every area of life, if we trust him and let him empower us to be part of his HIS agenda and plan. Although many will refuse his offer of forgiveness, redemption, and hope, God can use each of us to bring many others into his Kingdom of eternal hope and a new amazing life forever! My late wife Claudia put a saying on our refrigerator that says “God’s part I cannot do; my part He will not do”! (It’s still there.) Don’t try to tell God how to deal with this issue or any other; his plan is better than yours! Are you willing to do YOUR part in his agenda for life, from the womb to the tomb, for ALL people? I pray and hope so!

I close with a great prayer from Ephesians that seems to relate well to this issue, and reminds us that God is all-powerful and can do more than we can ever imagine!

¹⁴  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  -Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

Ever since I retired 8 years ago, and especially since my wife Claudia died 22 months ago, I have wrestled with the question “What does God want me to do with the rest of my time here on earth (maybe 15-20 healthy years, hopefully)?And that’s a good question for all of us to consider, no matter how old you are!

Many people my age assume that because we have had a lot of experiences in life and have gone through many trials, we automatically have gained great wisdom and insight, and therefore the world really needs and of course, WANTS to hear our wisdom and opinions! Sometimes that might be true, if we are fortunate, but probably not as much as we might think, lol! And frankly, I know many people who are older (and younger) who may have a lot of knowledge about certain things, but they lack wisdom, discernment, and common sense, and are blown back and forth by every new opinion they hear from their favorite sources on the internet, on cable news, or  at college! With social media today, it’s easy for everybody to have an opinion on anything and everything, and every human opinion is just that, an opinion. It may have some truth, or no truth, it may be a good idea or a foolish one, but BIBLICALLY, FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE, no human opinion that disagrees with what God has said is true, no matter how many other humans praise that opinion and agree with it! Now, the majority of people in our culture would reject that thought, and our present culture is actually very anti-Christian in what it emphasizes on most issues today.

We live in a time very similar to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament when the book of Judges was written. It says in Judges 17:6 “In those days Israel had no King: everyone did as they saw fit”.  They had long ago rejected God’s rule over their lives and nation, they wouldn’t listen to prophets or judges, and they had no King to rule them. So they did whatever seemed good to them. Like today when people say “my truth” works for me, and “your truth” works for you. Of course there is no real “truth” with that statement; it’s just believing what makes you feel comfortable and justifies any lifestyle you want without feeling guilty.

SO, for the rest of my life, I’ve decided to continue to focus on what is GOD’S truth as revealed in the Bible, through the leading of the Holy Spirit. God has spoken directly or indirectly to every topic of debate on our culture, and I’m going to try to share His truth through teaching groups, writing, and just casual conversations with others. (And all the while enjoying all the other joys of life God has granted us, such as enjoying family times, golfing, boating, beaches, going south in the winter, good meals, friends, etc.! Life is meant to be enjoyed, with God and each other!)

SO, FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED, HOW DO WE DISCERN GOD’S TRUTH IN ORDER TO LIVE BY IT AND SHARE IT IN A LOVING, HUMBLE WAY?

• BEGIN WITH A BIBLICAL DEFINTION OF TRUTH!

In his excellent new book “Kingdom Values: Character>Chaos”, Dr. Tony Evans explains it this way:

“Truth is an absolute standard by which by which reality is measured. Truth is God’s view on any subject matter. Truth lives outside of you. In other words, if it’s true then it doesn’t matter if you agree with it. It doesn’t matter if you feel it or don’t. If it’s truth, it is, because God said so.”

SO, THAT IS WHY MY OPINON DOESN’T REALLY MATTER AND NEITHER DOES YOURS. WHAT REALLY MATTERS, FIRST AND FORMOST, IS WHAT DOES GOD SAY ON ANY SUBJECT!

• RECOGNIZE THE VALUE JESUS PUT ON TRUTH! 

Not only did Jesus claim to be THE TRUTH himself, he said the truth is what will protect us and enable us to be transformed. In praying for his present and future followers (us), he prayed:

¹⁵  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  -John 17:15-17 (NIV)
To sanctify means to set apart and transform us. Truth from God is the agent that will change us to become more like Jesus, and his Holy Spirit will empower us to make that change.

• RECOGNIZE THAT GOD’S THOUGHTS ARE PERFECT AND BETTER THAN OUR BEST IDEAS AS HUMANS, AND THEREFORE UNDERSTAND THAT FOLLOWING HIS THOUGHTS ARE WHAT WILL LEAD TO THE BEST POSSIBLE LIFE AND OUTCOME FOR US!

⁸  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ⁹  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ¹⁰  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)

A true biblical perspective, God’s perspective, means understanding that God created the universe, he created us as marvelous creatures in his own image, but he is God and we are not! And because sin affects us all, our very best thoughts and ideas are light-years away from his thoughts. So, it’s imperative that we study the Bible and learn what God’s truth is, and be able to share that truth in love, humbly, even though it will offend and even anger some who don’t want to hear what God says. As Tony Evans said in his book, “No amount of ignoring the truth is going to set people free from the bondage of lies.  We are called to speak the truth in love. We are not called to support a lie in love.”

• FINALLY, AS KINGDOM DISCIPLES, LEARN TO ABIDE IN JESUS AND KNOW AND LIVE OUT HIS WORD!

Let’s be honest… sometimes we believers do not do a great job of sharing the truth! We may be good at quoting a Bible verses here and there, but we also can come across as condemning or judgmental if we don’t share the truth in humility and with true love for others who are lost and confused. Jesus says in John 8 that we need to “abide” in him (The Word) and also abide in the written Word of God, the Bible.

³¹  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³²  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”-  John 8:31-32 (ESV)

To abide means to “hang out, stay, or remain in”. It’s possible to learn the truth in the Bible but not live it out in your own life. And when you’re not “hanging out with Jesus” in your own lifestyle, it can come across as pretty shallow when you try to tell others the truth of Jesus that will likely be a challenge to them as well. The best witness we all have to the truth is to share how God has changed us for the better through the years and, step after step, set us free from the bondage to sin and the lies of this world. And then humbly admit that we are not yet close to being like Jesus, but we will continue to abide in his love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, knowing that he will never stop loving us even when we stumble from time to time.

So relax, hang out with Jesus daily and study his Word, let his Spirit transform you from the inside out, and let the truth set you free. Don’t seek to share your “opinion”, but rather seek to share Jesus’s truth and love that will set us all free. Then humbly, and thankfully, share what God has done for you as you share his truth with others! Be the Kingdom man or woman that God calls you to be, now and into an amazing future with Jesus forever!

In chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, he encourages us to live in a way that is very counter-cultural to what is encouraged today (and in any generation, for that matter)! He tells us to be like Jesus: to be humble, to serve others without complaining, and to put other’s interests before our own! In contrast, the message we hear today is something like this: “It’s all about you, your feelings, and what you want in life!  You have all kinds of human rights, so fight for and grab the life you deserve, by any means necessary. If you hurt others along the way, it doesn’t matter, because you’re a great person and you deserve the best.”

Paul contends that when you surrender your life to Jesus and live like he did, you will actually find joy, peace, contentment, and a bigger purpose for life than you will ever find trying to follow the deceptive, clever lies we hear screaming at us every day in our culture!

SO, HOW DO WE POSSIBLY BEGIN TO LIVE LIKE JESUS IN THIS VERY ANTI-CHRISTIAN SOCIETY?

Paul gives us some very specific guidelines on how to live a life like Jesus, the life we were created for, and the life we long for in the deep recesses of our heart!

• This life begins with being part of a supportive Christian community!

¹  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,²  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. – Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Sorry, but you can’t have encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, compassion, and be one in spirit and purpose by yourself! There is no such thing as a “lone-ranger” Christian, and reading your Bible every day and trying to serve God by yourself will not work for very long. You will be chewed up and spit out quickly by a culture that is anti-God and prides itself on believing their human solutions and wisdom are somehow better than God’s (which is the very core of what sin is!)

SO, you need to be part of a local church! Jesus established the church as his living BODY on earth, and this is the way he will change the world and usher in his coming Kingdom! He will not ultimately change the world through passing laws in Congress, by decisions of the Supreme Court, and or by throwing billions (or trillions) of dollars uselessly at every problem. He will change the world by transforming the lives and hearts of his followers. And those followers will then share the love, forgiveness, and hope for an eternal future with Jesus to the world. Many will believe and accept God’s gift and enter into his Kingdom. And those who reject Jesus and his gift will be separated from him forever.

So, join a church that believes the Bible is God’s Word, and teaches that God’s Spirit can change your life and make you into a new person!  (I know… churches are full of hypocrites and imperfect people. Don’t worry, you will fit right in!)

• Be like Jesus! Put others’ interests above your own!

³  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! ⁹  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   -Philippians 2:3-11 (NIV)

Paul tells us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit”. Wow, if our culture actually followed this principle, most of our politicians, pundits, professors, “experts”, scientists, doctors, and even some pastors would resign or be fired! Most of our culture today is about groups of people trying to gain money, power, and control over everybody else so they can advance their beliefs and agenda. They always claim to do things to benefit others and advance society, but it usually ends up benefitting them and their agenda the most. This is not new, and sadly has been the history of most governments and “elite” leaders throughout the history of fallen humanity.

Jesus, on the other hand, was God himself, but he loved us so much that he was willing to temporarily give up his rights of glory and power as God in order to obey his Father and humbly serve us, give his life in our place, and enable us through his death and resurrection to be forgiven, redeemed, and restored to the hope of a wonderful future forever with him!

In today’s culture, we constantly hear talk of “human rights” and people demanding and creating more of them. We debate fiercely the rights found in the Constitution & Bill of Rights, as well as other rights recently declared and created by humans. Many of these rights are good and helpful to all people, while others seem more designed to benefit a particular group and their agenda. But ALL of there are “human” rights, created by humans, and are NOT God-given rights, as much as some want to claim to justify their position!

In the Biblical narrative, God gives us life and all the blessings of life as a GIFT, not as a right we deserve. He first breathed his life and spirit into our bodies in Genesis 2:7, and then Jesus came to give and restore an abundant, eternal quality of life to us through his resurrection. Just as Jesus gave up his rights to serve us, we are called to serve others in love and put their interests above our own, even giving up our perceived “rights” so that we might bring others into God’s Kingdom!

• Don’t complain or argue, but shine like stars in the darkness!

¹⁴  Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵  so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶  as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. – Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

Today, people love to complain and argue about what’s wrong! Then they demand their right to have what they think they deserve. Jesus took the opposite approach, and saved the world from sin by doing it! And as his followers, that should be our approach as well.

 Through our actions, attitudes, and words, we are to reflect the love and character of Jesus. That means living with a sense of moral integrity, honesty, humility, sacrificial love for others, and a sense of peace that only comes from knowing God! And when we live as true followers of Jesus, we will “shine like stars” in a “crooked and depraved generation”. WHY?… because we will not be pointing to ourselves and demanding what we deserve! Rather, we will be pointing to Jesus and reflecting his forgiveness, restoration, and hope of an amazing new life that he offers to all! We will have peace and contentment in our hearts, we will not fear the culture and what evil can do to us, because we know the future! It already belongs to Jesus, and we belong to him!

The world screams at us daily to take up their causes and agendas!… agendas of political control and power, labeling and identity politics that leads to division and mistrust, and just fear and doubt.

Jesus, on the other hand, offers us a better invitation with better results:

²⁸  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Which agenda and outcome for life will you choose?

I choose Jesus!