I’ve just begun reading Tim Keller’s new book Counterfeit Gods. Literally, the second page of the introduction and I’m already floored with introspection and personal reassessment.

I will share a brief excerpt from Keller’s introduction, though I’m sure there will be quite the slew of quotations in the forthcoming weeks as I creep through the book.

Keller writes:

“There is a difference between sorrow and despair. Sorrow is pain for which there are sources of consolation. Sorrow comes from losing one good thing among others, so that, if you experience a career reversal, you can find comfort in your family to get you through it. Despair, however, is inconsolable, because  it comes from losing an ultimate thing. When you lose the ultimate source of your meaning or hope, there are no alternative sources to turn to. It breaks your spirit.”

This resonated with me in some ambiguous way. See, for me, I often struggle with emotions that are difficult to describe in any other way that despair.  The trouble is, I’m uncertain what was “lost” that was so deeply important that it continually produces this posture in my spirit.

Keller continues in his introduction to convincingly explain that we experience despair when we have some ‘counterfeit god’ as a foundation for our hope and joy.

If then, I believe myself to be experiencing despair, it would it would follow that perhaps I have set up something less than God as a god. This is deeply troubling, yet simultaneously telling and stimulating. I can only pray that as I explore this these ideas that the Spirit would speak and reveal truth.

I have only read the introduction, but I already feel like this is a book that many of us should be reading. It’s very reasonably priced. You can buy it here.

I have recently been provoked to reassess my convictions on various things. This is good. Introspection and reconsideration are good. Willingness to be proven wrong are good. We either come out the other side more attuned to our convictions, or realizing that we were in error.

This is where I am, although I will not dive into specifics. At least not right now.

But at the same time as I am seeking the scriptures to better understand the way I ought or ought not live, I am also being challenge not to allow myself to read more into scripture than is really there. Personally, when I am thoroughly challenged in my conviction (particularly by a respected brother or sister), I will have the tendency to either produce the fault in myself and so win back their approval. Or, for my own conceit, find the justification for my conviction in scripture, whether it’s there to be found or not.

But reading in 1 Corinthians today, I’m challenged particularly by what Paul writes, using Apollos and himself as an example for the church.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5:

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Paul has established that in spite of what others might say about him, his conscience is clean—however, that is not evidence enough in itself to to ‘acquit’ him of guilt. Rather, he explains that it is God who is the only one who can truly judge. For us this means God’s Word.

I find myself in a similar position to the one Paul describes here. Although I have a clean conscience, I cannot be confident on that alone. When I am challenged by a brother, I must accept that perhaps I have misunderstood, misread, or misinterpreted the only right foundation for a clean conscience.

But it’s in Paul’s next words that I’m particularly struck.

1 Corinthians 4:6:

“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.”

Whether in vindicating myself, or in seeking another’s approval, I should be especially careful “not to go beyond what is written”. I must allow no part of myself to be sacred. Instead, faithfully seek God’s word to establish a right conviction—whether it find me affirmed in the area I was challenged, or find me convicted and repentant of some sin.

But all the while, I rest assure that God’s grace in the blood of Jesus Christ is greater than all and he will guide me to truth, eventually. And in that there will be glory and satisfaction.

I just read the story of Josiah in 2 Kings a couple days ago. You probably recognize it. Josiah is the king who sets out to repair the temple. So he sends a priest into the treasury to get money out to pay the workmen. But while they’re there, the priest stumbles on the Book of the Law. He takes it back to Josiah and reads it to him. When Josiah hears what’s been written, he realizes that Judah is living in sin. He tears his clothes and mourns for Judah.

Then, he gathers all the people together and has the Book of the Law read to all of them, “great and small”. Through Josiah’s leadership, the people reform their ways and for the first time in many, many years they celebrate the Passover.

In the narrative timeline of 2 Kings, this is a really positive turn. The kind of moment that makes you say, “Yes!”. After reading, “so-and-so reigned in Israel so-many years and did evil in the sight of the Lord…” over and over again, things start to look bleak. Then Josiah comes along and you almost breath a sigh of relief—or you would if it were you first time reading the narrative.

But, the truth is that it didn’t last. Josiah is unexpectedly killed in battle and is succeeded by Johoahaz. Who, guess what, “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”.

What a let-down. But I think the truth is that most Christians who’ve been walking for more than a few years can really relate to this—whether they recognize it or not. Life is made up of times of great spiritual strength and times of questioning where that strength went. Of course, both are guided by God and, in both, God is the defending agent. As soon as someone is met with their first time of spiritual trouble, they’re also sure to be met with false starts.

By that I mean a temporary resurgence in spiritual fervor. Like all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, there is fresh spiritual vigor. But, whatever was a bring down in the first place probably hasn’t finished causing trouble and the spark of energy is gone almost as quickly as it came.

I’m no foreigner to these ups and downs—and especially not the false start. For me, if I’m not aware of what’s going on, the discouragement can leave me in worse shape than I was in to start with. I’ve found that managing my expectations is fundamental in keeping myself from even deeper discouragement. It’s important to remember that the Spirit is never “business as usual”. He deals with us differently at different times out our life. I have to understand that any “start” could easily be a false start, but even if it is, it is for a reason and I should be patient and not give up hope during that time—whether it lasts or not. God is working all things for my ultimate good.

So, if you’re one who experiences the false starts frequently, or are experiencing one now, or just experienced one, or whatever—keep up hope. God is the defending agent and that’s a lot better than business-as-usual.

The Church in America—me included—has a big problem with giving. Tithing I mean. I’ve talked about it before. The church in America, percentage wise, gives less than almost any other nation.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes to the Corinthian people about the generous giving of the Macedonian church. Out of their “severe test of affliction” and “extreme poverty”, they “overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (v.2).

Paul writes to the church at Corinth (a comparatively wealthy group), stirring them up to generosity using the abundant giving of the Macedonians to shame them.

What Paul writes just a few verses later I found interesting. 2 Corinthians 8:3-6:

“They gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

It would seem, taken the larger context, that Paul is saying that the Macedonians, although they were severely afflicted and extremely impoverished, sought to support the saints financially out of the overflow of their joy they had in the Lord. In “giving themselves first to the Lord”.

Although it may not be a direct correlation here, there’s clearly a principle worth observing. The Corinthians were true Christians, yet they needed stirring up in order to give of themselves financially. The Macedonians were also true Christians, but the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord and as they did that were spurred on to give themselves to the Apostles—financially.

I’ve always struggled with the Church’s use of money. I’ve struggled with the church asking for money, given it usually seems squandered. But scripture makes clear that all we have belongs to the Lord and when we give, we simply give to God what is God’s—something we’re taught to do to exercise faith.

For a number of reasons, both common and uncommon, I find giving financially to be especially difficult. As I do it, It’s often not all that joyful, but more as my own disciplinarian (which is not altogether bad either).

But, It shouldn’t be this way for me, or for you.

Following the principle here, perhaps we should seek to prayerfully give ourselves to the Lord in new ways as the Macedonians did. Possibly embracing our own unique experience of affliction. Hopefully in that, the Lord will cause us to then give ourselves financially as well—which will inevitably lead to our Good and God’s glory.

It seems that the Lord is impressing the concept of humility on me this morning. Perhaps not a concept, but a radical need. It is easy to slip into smug, self-righteous, judgmental assumptions of self, others and circumstances. It is very easy. What is not easy is looking out from inside those smug, self-righteous, judgmental assumptions and see that they are smug, self-righteous and judgmental. Wrapped up inside such a blanket, self-justification of thoughts and actions is far more pleasing—and far easier.

But, the Lord gently and graciously speaks to our hearts—often times, even when we don’t mean to listen. I read this morning in John 17, Jesus begins the “High Priestly Prayer”. I actually get to read the Saviors prayers for me. Not in a general sense, but personally. He prays for those who the father has given him—that’s us, that’s believers. What could be more humbling that hearing the Savior’s prayers for those elected by Grace, unto salvation?

Tim Keller writes this, in The Reason for God:

“Sin and evil are self-centeredness and pride that lead to oppression against others, but there are two forms of this. One for is being very bad and breaking all the rules, and the other form is being very good and keeping all the rules and becoming self-righteous…If you are avoiding sin and living morally so that God will have to bless you and save you, then ironically you may be looking to Jesus as a teacher, model and helper but you are avoiding him as a savior.”

What really is that smug, self-righteousness that quietly slips in when we let our guard down? What is it really? It’s the very sin Keller is talking about here. It’s a slap in Jesus’ face. It’s saying, “I’m good enough”. It’s as good as saying, “Jesus, you’re a great teacher, but I’ve got it”. We forget that we were not saved because of how good we were. We forget that we were not chosen because of our good doctrine, great understanding or moral uprightness.

We, instead, understand that we are saved by the gracious wisdom and kindness of our God. It’s a massive logical contradiction to look condemningly on others when we were spared the Lord’s piercing stare for the same exact thing!

Keller continues later on the same concept, talking about the difference between being motivated by grace and being motivated by self-righteousness:

“Another difference [between the two motivations] has to do with our identity and self-regard. In a religious framework, if you feel you are living up to your chose religious standards, then you feel superior and disdainful toward those who are not following in the true path. This is true whether your religion is of a more liberal variety (in which case you you will feel superior to bigots and narrow minded people) or of a more conservative variety (in which case you will feel superior to the less moral and devout).”

Keller is right. When the heart of the Gospel—grace unto salvation, through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ—is lost sight of, then self-righteousness is the only viable option. And, it seems the inverse would also be true. If I feel smug, self-righteous and judgmental, there’s a very good chance I’ve lost my view of the Gospel.

So, I feel humbled this morning—reminded that it was the perfect work of my Redeemer that I am privy to this great salvation. I should not, cannot, assume superiority and when I do, I forget the very foundation of that perceived “superiority”—which is of course no superiority at all.

To round it off, I find this in the prayers of the Puritans:

“Sin’s deformity is stamped upon me, darkens my brow, touches me with corruption: How can I flaunt proudly?… [When] I fall,  let me hide in my Redeemer’s righteousness… Keep me humble. Keep me meek. Keep me Lowly.

A Parable

Imagine that there were ten men in two groups, and they were all enslaved to a third group of men. There were five in one group and five in the other and five in the group that owned them. They were to do everything they were told and if at any time the owners were dissatisfied with the men, they could exercise their rights over their property and dispose of them.

One day, a man from among the slaves rose up with great charisma and a powerful argument. The owners were moved and convicted by this charismatic leader and they freed all five members of that man’s group. The group, now free and satisfied with their own freedom turned a cold cheek to the other five men still in bondage. And, to the charismatic leader’s dismay, in time, they themselves became slave-masters.

A Double Standard

I read in the newspaper today a commentary on Obama’s intentions to sign the Freedom of Choice Act and the strange irony that it presents.

Less than 150 years ago African-Americans were still being held as property. Less than 40 years ago, there was still legislated separation between blacks and white. Now, in just a few short (compared to the whole human timeline) decades, we have a officially elected a black president. This is a profound moment in American history. And, in many ways, and on many, it is a great grace from God, overcoming sin in a fallen world.

But, the president chosen, who has personally and directly benefitted from a fight against unjust laws of slavery, segregation and discrimination, stands passionately by another legislation that ensures millions of people continue to be treated as property.

Therein lies both a philosophical problem, a logical problem and a double standard.

Indeed, no person should have the right to enslave another. No white man should ever have the freedom to own a black man. Nor should a black man have the freedom to own a Hispanic man. Or a Hispanic man, a white man. Much less should they have the freedom to dispose of them as property who no longer desired. While we would affirm these things strongly, and our president probably even more strongly, yet he, and many, affirm the right to dispose of unwanted children.

If children indeed should be treated as property and their owners should have the freedom to dispose of them for convenience sake, then why is it so passionately affirmed that the African slave trade was an evil—or the modern sex trade, for that matter. After all, these things made many lives much easier.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece, Alveda King, said it like this:

“The battle for equal rights has reached a major milestone [with the election of Barack Obama], but Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of full equality remains just a dream as long as unborn children continue to be treated no better than property…”

A Conclusion

I’m finding a more tender heart these days for the unborn; the helpless, those who truly cannot defend themselves. We should:

…Pray for President Barack Obama, that God would have mercy on him and his heart would be softened and changed. 
…Pray that God would stay the hand of our government from passing into law the Freedom of Choice Act.
…Pray that God would have mercy on the millions of unborn at stake.

…Pray that God would have mercy on our nation that loves comfort and convenience, literally, more than life itself.

You know the old song:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By today’s standards, song is definitely on the cheesier side of things, but the sentiment is unmistakably good. “They”, the unbelievers in the world, “will know”, without a doubt, “we are Christians”, our primary defining trait, “by our love”. Good, yes? Nearly all Christian churches acknowledge this. Most contemporary churches make extra efforts and go way out of the way to be loving toward outsiders. This is a good thing, don’t get me wrong.

However, while the sentiment in the song makes no mistake, for most communities, most of the point seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.

The main thrust of the song comes from John 13:34-35:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When Jesus says that people will know we are Christians by our love, there is no ambiguity in his meaning. He means that people of all kinds, will know a believer when they see one because of the love they show for other believers.

We hear many teachings about being the salt of the earth, not hiding our lights under a basket, and being a light set on a hill. Often, this idea is equated to loving unbelievers unashamedly—that’s good, and part of it. But Jesus makes clear that the real tell is in our love for each other. How does the church love its own? Do we betray, backstab, gossip, and abandon? Or, do you encourage, uphold, strengthen and support each other?

It seems that more often than not our communities are the former, rather than the latter. I think that I would like to see us become that change. That in our communities, the world would know we are disciples of Christ, not just because we pay for the cheeseburger or offer a ride home, because of the deep and unmistakable love we have for each other.