Hearts Revealed

Today is Christmas -- the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Though he was fully God, by the will of his father and his own humility, he chose to come to us as one of us. Paul describes his attitude in Philippians 2 (NIV):

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!

He came knowing that he would die. The death was required as payment for the sins of man. Sin -- that's not a word we like to use often. Or, if we do, we think of it in religious terms. I make a mistake. I say I'm sorry. So what, sin happens. This very attitude represents the extent of sin -- it is not only something we do, it is what we have become. It is our nature. It reveals our heart. Christ came to pay for our sins (past, present, and future) and to restore our relationship with God.

Immediately following the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke chapter 2, there is an interesting account of the following days of Jesus as an infant. Since he was Jewish, he was raised by Jewish traditions. When he was eight days old, his earthly parents took him to Jerusalem for his circumcision and dedication. We find this account (Luke 2, NIV):

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

God's story of the redemption of man began shortly after creation. (In fact, God foreknew that he would need to redeem mankind even before creation; yet, he created us anyway because he desired a relationship with us.) Simeon was a follower of God and anticipated the day in which the Messiah would come. God, through his Spirit, had revealed to him that he would see the Christ. A key role of the Spirit of God is to reveal truth to us. He reveals the contents of our hearts; he reveals truth; he reveals himself.

Following the prompting of the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courts for the dedication of the Christ child.

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Jesus was the promise and fulfillment of God for our redemption. He was God, fully man for all to see or read of in scripture. He came for everyone -- the glory of his chosen people and a revelation (revealing) to everyone else.

Jesus came to reveal our condition and to reveal God to us:

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Without Jesus, our hearts are deceitful, self-centered, and, dare I say, wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Without Jesus, our lives are lived with a focus on ourselves. There is hope. Jesus is the hope -- our hope. He came to give us a new heart (Ezekial 11:19).

On this Christmas, take the opportunity to truly learn of the Christ of Christmas. He will reveal the content of your heart to you. He will reveal himself to you. He will change your life and give you a new heart, if you let him.

Life takes on new purpose when we follow after and experience the heart of God. We see everything in a new light. We care for others and for a purpose beyond ourselves.

Merry Christmas!

A Change in Landscape

An open letter to Gateway Baptist Church, Ballentine, SC:

Dear Friends,

Each of us who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are called by Him, to Him, and for Him. Once we enter that relationship with Christ, we are called into the physical expression of that relationship. This is where our vocations are manifested as a result, not as an end in themselves. [From Os Hillman]

Over the past three years, I have been honored and privileged to serve as one of your pastors. God placed a call on my life early and equipped me with gifts that have enabled me to be a servant leader in business and most recently at Gateway. Now, he is moving Patty and I into the next landscape of our calling.

I will be stepping down from Gateway staff at the end of the year and joining a small local company. Through this opportunity, I believe God will provide opportunities for me to utilize my gifts in the workplace as well as with various boards, both ministry-related and secular. I am particularly excited about opportunities that may lead to working with emerging leaders.

While I will no longer be on staff at Gateway, Patty and I will still be active members involved in giving and serving in our church as together we pursue the vision to reach our community so that they have the opportunity to experience LIFE in Christ.

Os Hillman goes on to write in a way that is compelling to all of us:
Our calling goes beyond our work and includes our relationships to others: our spouse, our children, our neighbors -- and our co-workers. We must remember this in order that our "work calling" does not become elevated at the expense of the other important aspects of our lives. This is the holistic approach to the gospel in which God made all of life equally important.

Therefore, the next time someone says, "I was called into the ministry" or "I am in full-time Christian work," stop him or her and tell him or her we are all in full-time Christian work. There is no secular and religious in the economy of God. I have a dear friend who often says, "I am a servant of the living God masquerading as a dentist." So, too, are you first a servant of the living God.

With love and gratitude,
Russ