The Mark of a Christian

The other day I saw several Christian bumper stickers, I saw a van with the Fish symbol, I saw several cars with a window sticker from local Christian radio station, I saw a cross on the dash board of another car and it made me think.  Are these signs effective?  I started to dwell on this and wonder if all Christians should express their faith in this manner.  As I continued this thinking I came across a book from  1970 written by Francis Schaeffer titled “The Mark of a Christian”.  In it Schaeffer writes:

 “Through the centuries men have displayed many different symbols to show that they are Christians. They have worn marks in the lapels of their coats, hung chains about their necks, even had special haircuts. 

   Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of this, if one feels it is his calling. But there is a much better sign — a mark that has not been thought up just as a matter of expediency for use on some special occasion or in some specific era. It is a universal mark that is to last through all the ages of the church till Jesus comes back. 

   What is this mark? 

   At the close of his ministry, Jesus looks forward to his death on the cross, the open tomb and the ascension. Knowing that he is about to leave, Jesus prepares his disciples for what is to come. It is here that he makes clear what will be the distinguishing mark of the Christian: 

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:33-35) 

This passage reveals the mark that Jesus gives to label a Christian not just in one era or in one locality but at all times and all places until Jesus returns. 

   Notice that what he says here is not a description of a fact. It is a command which includes a condition: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." An if is involved. If you obey, you will wear the badge Christ gave. But since this is a command, it can be violated. 

   The point is that it is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark, but if we expect non-Christians to know that we are Christians, we must show the mark.”

Expressing our faith through love…doesn't that just sound right?

Grace and Peace!

I Will Trust You

I love music; music of all kinds.  I came up during the era of southern influence with bands like the Allman Brothers, Wet Willie, Elvin Bishop, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the list goes on.  As such, I tend to gravitate to that sound.  I have come across an artist with such a sound in the Christian music world; Chris Lizotte.

To quote from his biography: “Chris was born and raised in Orange County, California, and is currently the Worship Pastor at Vineyard Community Church in Laguna Niguel, CA.  He has led worship for such events as The National Youth Leaders Convention, Promise Keepers, Campus Crusade as well as many other events across the Nation and Europe.

Somewhat unpredictable with the musical direction he takes on his albums, Lizotte’s lyrical direction always seems to remain consistent. He has a goal to touch, encourage, and relate to the hearts of the churched and the un-churched.  In his release “Signal Hill Revival”, gospel, blues, and rock tones merge together to create an unforgettable sound that is sure to delight fans of various musical genres.”

Part of Signal Hill Revival is a song entitled “I Will Trust You”.  It has touched me deeply.  Enjoy the lyrics!

“In my weakness would You come
Help me stand up, help me run
To the shadow of Your wings
And the comfort that it brings

And I'll wait and be still
And I'll know You are God, You are God

I will love You and adore You
I will trust You, God
I will sing in times of trouble
And I will trust You, God”

Father God, no matter what we love you and adore you.  We will trust you, God! We will sing in times of trouble and we will trust you, God!

Grace and Peace!

The Beauty of Creation

I have been blessed to have some time living by the water; a saltwater inlet.  It is peaceful and a remarkable place to contemplate life.  I was recently cooking out and as I had the meat on the grill, several manatees swam past.  I noticed the mullet jumping almost in unison and a roseate spoonbill flew past.  The seagulls were fishing and to put it simply it was an amazing, peaceful and beautiful time.  It occurred to me just how amazing and beautiful our God is.

  

I recently came upon this writing by Saint Augustine entitled;

The Beauty of Creation Bears Witness to God

“Question the beauty of the earth, the beauty of the sea, the beauty of the wide air around you, the beauty of the sky; question the order of the stars, the sun whose brightness lights the days, the moon whose splendor softens the gloom of night; question the living creatures that move in the waters, that roam upon the earth, that fly through the air; the spirit that lies hidden, the matter that is manifest; the visible things that are ruled, the invisible things that rule them; question all these. They will answer you: "Behold and see, we are beautiful." Their beauty is their confession to God. Who made these beautiful changing things, if not one who is beautiful and changeth not?”

I am reminded of Psalm 8:

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:  all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Amen and Amen.

Grace and Peace!

No Worries

Everyone has probably heard the phrase; no worries.  This phrase has been described as the national motto of Australia, but it is more than a motto.  It is an attitude of optimism.  This is difficult in life, with economic, political, environmental, health, financial, religious pressures.  So much, so busy, so many worries!  Can this attitude of no worries really be possible? 

While in this broken world we may never be able to master the no worries attitude all the time, I do believe there is a way to be headed in that direction.  I believe that it is a matter of focus.  What are we focused on; the object of our worry or the answer?  I think Christ shows us the answer in Matthew 6:25-34; this is the do not worry passage.  I think Christ shows us the way in Matthew 6:33a;

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness

This should be our focus.  This word seek in Greek means so much more that trying to locate. It has this essence of striving, desiring, craving and aiming.  And kingdom has this connotation of a royal power or presence.  So for me as worry creeps in I must sharpen my focus on the royal power of Christ and His presence within me; I must crave and desire that above the worries of the world and as I do this the worries will not be so…uh…worrisome.

James Montgomery Boice points out 3 keys to this verse.  First, the promises of Christ are for Christians only; therefore there will be worries in this world.  Second, as a believer we must mature and learn as much as we can about God’s nature and ability to care for His people. We are to learn about Christ, which will lead to a sharpened focus and strength in our faith.  And third, as believers we must get into the habit of turning to God as worries begin to creep in.  It must become our natural and first reaction. Amen!

Friends, no worries!  Trust in Christ!

Grace and Peace!