Our message is Grace, not Judgement

With all the flooding that’s going on now, it’s inevitable that some ‘prophet’ is going to start going on about God’s judgement on a sinful people. Hopefully all political parties will learn from this terrible lesson and never attempt to take out a sitting prime minister from Queensland again. But seriously, before we are too quick to proclaim God’s judgement, let us consider three points.

Firstly, what are we to do with all the Christians in the area who were flooded out as well? Can we say with certainty that they were more sinful than all the other Christians living in Australia? Were all the properties owned by Christians miraculously preserved? Do we dare to say those unaffected by the floods are more righteous than those affected? Before we make up our minds about this, let us consider Jesus’ teaching in Luke 13:1-5. Or to take it further, shall we now say that of all the states and territories in Australia, Queensland deserves God’s judgement the most?

Secondly, while it may be a simple explanation that the dry are just more righteous than the wet, we should also keep in mind that old saying about specks of dust and optical plank removals (Matthew 7:3-5). Jesus wasn’t very nice to people who thought they were more righteous than all the others around them (Matthew 23, Mark 7:1-13, Luke 11:37-53).

Thirdly, Jesus was more interested in proclaiming grace rather than judgement (John 3:17). And when he did talk about judgement, it was more often than not directed at people who claimed they were God-followers. Those who claim to know God’s laws have less excuse than the heathen who are ignorant of God’s expectations (because God’s people aren’t very good at explaining it to them).

We are all sinful and we all deserve judgement. But Jesus came to fix that and that is what we should focus on. If we really are bursting to say something to the lost, it would be better for us to remind them of God’s compassion, goodness and grace, and invite them to partake of that.

Affluence in a time of limited resources

Guess how many people live on earth now? According to a recent article in National Geographic (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/seven-billion/kunzig-text/1), sometime late this year, there will be seven billion of us. And by 2045, there might be nine billion. Looks like we’ve all been busy since God gave Adam and Eve the command to be fruitful and increase in number (Genesis 1:28). But how many people can our planet support?

Before we all dust off our copy of Soylent Green (an interesting movie made in 1973 with Charlton Heston as the lead) and start thinking sad Malthusian thoughts, the article goes on to say that there is hope for us all. Firstly, with nine billion people living spread out all over the earth, ‘…the world population density will be a little more than half that of France today.’ Which means we won’t be all that crowded. Secondly, we are a pretty resourceful species. The green revolution and continuous advances in agricultural sciences will keep us going for a long time. There are limits however to what our planet can actually take and with the increase in the ‘global middle class’, the article points out that, ‘…it will be a hard thing for the planet if those people are eating meat and driving gasoline-powered cars at the same rate as Americans now do.’ In other words: we all need to live more simply if we’re going to make it.

For some of us, this could mean becoming a little more counter-cultural and getting less stuff. For he/she who dies with the most toys does not win. As Christians, our role model for the simple life is Jesus Christ. We know that He was an itinerant teacher who owned neither home nor property (Matthew 8:20) and as those who profess to follow in His footsteps, we should be considering what it means to live out our faith in a time of considerable affluence.  St Elizabeth Seton, the first native born citizen of the United States to be canonized is quoted as saying, “Live simply that others might simply live.” Something maybe for us to ponder for 2011 as we welcome in citizen 7,000,000,001.

God has a plan for 2011 (and you’re in it)

Readers of the Daily Telegraph might have spotted a remarkable photo of a dolphin in mid flight in last week Thursday’s edition (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/fishermans-photo-catch-of-the-day-a-dolphin-frolicking-in-the-air-at-coffs-harbour/story-e6freuy9-1225974656338). If you look closely, you might be able to make out the cheeky look on the dolphin’s face. It’s almost as though its thinking, “Wheee! Look at me go!” but we can only wonder what was going through its head as the photo was taken.

The dolphin playing in the waves was only doing what it was created to do. And it probably put a smile on the face of the fisherman watching it. For those of us who are wondering what 2011 will bring, it will be good to remember that God created each one of us with a role to play in His plans for eternity (Jeremiah 29:11). Just as the dolphin is filled with joy and brings pleasure to those watching it, as we play our part in God’s plan we will also feel God’s pleasure as we bless those around us. While it is hard to imagine how or why an infinite God would have interest in each individual person on this planet, the fact remains that the Creator of the universe has a personal interest in you (Psalm 139) and you have a part to play in His plans for 2011.

As 2010 comes to a close some of us may want to take some time out to ponder the highlights and lowlights of the year (and we won’t say anything about the cricket here!). All of us probably experienced God’s goodness at some points in the year and we should take a moment to thank God for them. For those who have suffered loss in 2010, we may want to vent our anger or sorrow to God. The Psalms are full of prayers made by frustrated people (Psalms 12, 13, 38, 60, 74, 83, 102, 109, 120, 130, 143) and if you’ve never tried it before, it can be quite therapeutic. Who knows? You might even hear God answering you as you call out to Him. Our creator appreciates honesty but His answers may not always be what we expect!

The Season of the Gift

In this politically correct, inclusive and tolerant age, Christmas can have many different meanings to many different people. Some will tell you that it is all about family. Others will say that it is a time to be grateful (but they may not be able to tell you who to be grateful to). A visiting Martian observing the cards, decorations and songs may very well come to the conclusion that the celebrations revolve around fir trees, snow, a jolly bearded red-suited man, reindeer or even (according to some family traditions) the barbie by the pool. A smaller segment of society will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but parents may have to be sensitive as many small children could be easily confused (“But isn’t that a naughty swear word daddy?”).

For some, the season is about giving. Businessman Dick Smith came out guns blazing recently accusing the ‘super rich’ in the country for not giving away enough this Christmas (http://www.smh.com.au/national/tycoon-dick-blasts-australias--appalling-and-greedy-super-wealthy-20101221-193q1.html). For Mr Smith, this is the season of giving, of gifts and of putting the needs of others over oneself. It’s almost a Biblical way of looking at Christmas- a time of remembering Jesus Christ, God’s gift to all humanity.

While many will be quick to point out that Christmas has pagan origins (being the celebration of the winter solstice), Australia does not have a pagan history. The Europeans who colonized this great land brought with them Christian faith, values and traditions, one of which was the celebration Christ’s birth (Luke 2:1-7). As Christians who read the Bible, we read how the Eternal, Infinite, Almighty Living God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth was born to a peasant couple in Bethlehem as a gift to all humanity. It is a time for us to remember that we were undeserving of this gift but God was reaching out to us anyway. It is a reminder that in the midst of a broken world there still is Hope for all peoples. It is a reminder that God desires Peace on earth and Goodwill to all of us and He sent Jesus to show us the way.

The Almost Religious Experience of Oprah

How many times has US President Barack Obama visited Australia? Zero. But really, had he come to visit, the media would have been full of news reports about trade, defence treaties, and possibly even the global threat of climate change. Ho hum. Perhaps then it’s just as well that the most powerful woman in America came to visit instead of the most powerful man.

Oprah’s visit Down Under has been somewhat of a publicity coup for Tourism Australia which coughed up $5 million towards her visit. Concerned tax-payers however need not be dismayed. Pundits estimate the Big O’s visit will generate $14 million worth of publicity in the United States and $71 million domestically. This is a pretty good return on the investment compared to the Lara Bingle ad bungle which cost $180 million (yes, really) and had to be withdrawn when some countries objected to the swear word (you know which one) and the mention of alcohol (some countries are just very strict about such things). Oprah on the other hand will soon be seen and heard shouting her love for Australia and all things Australian in 145 countries with God knows how many people hanging on to every word.

As we pause and reflect on this extraordinary event two things may come to mind. Firstly, as we observe the almost religious fervour/ecstasy of Oprah’s followers, let us remember the coming of a man who came quietly into this world two thousand years ago. He was not given $5 million to show up but He came anyway, born in an unfashionable backwater to tell us all He loved us and wanted to give us a special gift. There were no pearl necklaces or laptops involved, instead there was a promise of Undeserved Divine Favour.

Secondly, Oprah believes in the goodness of this country (and why not indeed?) and is only too happy to share the good news to all her friends and acquaintances. As Christians who have experienced the goodness of this Undeserved Divine Favour, should we not also be as enthusiastic in sharing our excitement of this great Gift? And why should our excitement be any less?

God, could you please fix the plumbing?

After going through years of drought, what is going on? According to a hydrologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, the flooding which is afflicting large parts of New South Wales is “a once in 20 years event”. While all the rain would have been welcome during the drought years, most would agree that there is just too much of it now!

Many news reports carry stories of farmers who had hoped that the rains would bring some relief after so many barren dry years. But now there is too much of it. Even the vines are suffering from the damp.  “How can a good God allow such a terrible thing to happen?” will be one of the questions which will be asked. Those who don’t believe in God will be spared this question as a non-existent God cannot be responsible for any events in the world, good or bad. Those who do believe in God however are left with tough questions. Is God really good? Does He really care for us? How could He let something like this happen?

As to the question, “Why?”, the Bible does not disclose much. We know from the book of Job, that God does not give Job an answer for his suffering. All he is left with is the realisation that God is God and Job is not. For tough questions such as the recent flooding only God knows the answer and we are just asked to trust in His wisdom.

But we live in hope. The Bible teaches that the world suffers from the fall (Romans 8:22) but that God will one day inaugurate a new age when there will be no more sadness or suffering (Revelation 21:4). Our hope is ultimately in God and the next world. We can also be comforted knowing that we have a God who is intimately familiar to the human experience of grief and pain. For those who have put their faith in God, we have the promise that we are not and will never be alone. God walks with us (Matthew 1:23) and will bring us safely home one day.

That Devil Drink

For those who read the Mudgee Guardian’s police briefs from last week you might have seen a recurring theme running through most of the segments. If you haven’t it can be read here: http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/police-briefs-for-november-24/2006404.aspx?storypage=0

At a first glance it would seem that alcohol intoxication would be either a primary or secondary factor in many of the incidences in the report. But this seems to be in line with the state average. According to NSW State Commissioner Andrew Scipione, 70% of all street crime is caused by alcohol overindulgence (http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/booze-is-the-reason-for-crime-scipione-20100913-157hu.html). For those who are not convinced of the dangers of overdosing on booze, The National Health and Medical Research Council’s website (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/your_health/healthy/alcohol/burden.htm) lists a frightening array of diseases associated with alcohol consumption. These include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, obesity, liver diseases etc etc. Does this mean Christians should not drink at all?

The Bible actually mentions wine a fair bit in the Bible. The first time we read about it is in Genesis 9:21 when someone quite important (Noah) gets sloshed. Are we to see this as a warning against drinking alcohol? Probably not but there are many other Bible passages which warn against overindulgence (Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-32, Isaiah 5:11, Ephesians 5:18). So we may drink, but not in excess. After all, we even read about Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:9) at a wedding.

Something else we need to consider as Christians is that everybody is different and for some people, alcohol is a hindrance to their spiritual growth. On our part, we should be aware of our own limits and ensure we do not go beyond them but we should also be sensitive of those who may be struggling to control their own drinking habits. Just because we feel we are free to drink (within our limits of course) we should not assume everyone else is too. There are those who live with a daily temptation to overindulge and we should do our best to support our brothers and sisters who fight this temptation. The apostle Paul writes with this in mind in Romans 14:21.