GET THE MESSAGE
DAY 122-123: One year ago the first of our four kids graduated from college. With all of them enrolled at the same time, we are thrilled one of them can officially be classified as an adult. More important, one of them is now employable! Of course, with an undergraduate psychology degree until Michael pursues his ultimate goal of graduate school he might have to compromised on the dream job.
But psychology is not all he learned in his years at college. He also learned all those critical things you only learn when you move out on your own - like getting up when the alarm goes off, how to boil an egg, wash your own clothes, do your own shopping, make your own hair appointment, clean your house, and handle your car's maintenance. Those have been just as much a part of his "graduation" to adulthood as his university classes.
Some things that he learned are not so easy to list. As part of a college campus, Michael was exposed to new ideas, philosophies, and viewpoints on everything from politics, to gender roles, to religion. There is virtually no topic he wasn't challenged to wrestle with in the quintessential market place of ideas - a college campus. All ideas, though, are not created equal. One of Micheal's greatest lessons was to be discerning. Just because a notion comes out of the mouth of someone in authority or "educated" does not make it credible. Just because it is new or modern does not mean it is trustworthy.
One of the most important things he learned was that people introduce and argue ideas for different reasons, and their motives are not always about truth. Being able to discern such things is something we have tried to help all our kids learn BEFORE they left home. Our formula for that was relatively simple; we challenged all our kids to ask first if an idea is consistent with the principals of God's Word. Whether in religion, politics, or cultural issues that is the first test of an idea. If its new or improved or novel, no matter how valid the argument might be, if it is inconsistent with God's ideas it cannot be embraced. That kind of wisdom can come with or without a diploma.
In the passages for the past two days, Jesus was trying to help those around Him graduate to the same understanding. First, He said some hard things, but they were consistent with what God had already revealed.
John 6:43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
Jesus explained a hard truth. God draws man - man doesn't pursue God. It is what God had already revealed to their ancestors. Jesus words were consistent with God's revealed truth. He also explained how God gave bread for life - once in the form of manna but now bread for eternity. Jesus declared himself to be that eternal bread of life. It was hard teaching, but it was true to God's purpose and plan. But it offended many and they could not handle it.
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
Others, though, considered His words in light of what God had already revealed.
67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus would speak of ideas many more times. Some would be His, but at other times He would challenge ideas of others. The reactions were mixed.
John 7:12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Authority can either promote truth or distort it. When our eyes are only on the authority and not the veracity of the idea we too can be led astray. Jesus reminded those listening that they should only be concerned about One Authority.
16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak their own ideas only want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
Truth or lies. Jesus challenged those around Him to know the difference. We challenged our kids. God challenges us. If an idea is contrary to the revealed will or principals of God's word, does it matter what other authority speaks of the idea? Or if an idea is consistent with God's word should we be afraid to embrace it because the messenger is of little notoriety. Many discounted the Jewish carpenter's ideas, but embraced those of the so-called leaders. Listening to the message rather than reacting to the messenger will make us more likely to be discerning.
I am challenged to own this lesson right now as there are a lot of messages coming from some pretty big messengers. Being in awe of the messenger can leave me forgetting to judge the credibility of the message. What is the definition of marriage? Who has the right to take life? Should the poor be left to fend for themselves? Does protecting our citizens include taking lives? Some pretty big names are giving their "own ideas" but it is up to me to discern if it is for their own glory or for God's.
It is not about whether an idea offends us or inspires me; it's about honoring and obeying our Greatest Authority. That means having the courage to oppose the lies and speak in favor of the truth - no matter how culturally incorrect. To learn that at any age is to graduate to a degree of spiritual discernment WITH HONORS.
JESUS GETS THE FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT OF IDEAS: " 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Day 122 of 365
1 Samuel 10
1 Samuel 11
John 6:43-71
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 15:1-3
Day 123 of 365
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel 13
John 7:1-30
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 15:4
Some things that he learned are not so easy to list. As part of a college campus, Michael was exposed to new ideas, philosophies, and viewpoints on everything from politics, to gender roles, to religion. There is virtually no topic he wasn't challenged to wrestle with in the quintessential market place of ideas - a college campus. All ideas, though, are not created equal. One of Micheal's greatest lessons was to be discerning. Just because a notion comes out of the mouth of someone in authority or "educated" does not make it credible. Just because it is new or modern does not mean it is trustworthy.
One of the most important things he learned was that people introduce and argue ideas for different reasons, and their motives are not always about truth. Being able to discern such things is something we have tried to help all our kids learn BEFORE they left home. Our formula for that was relatively simple; we challenged all our kids to ask first if an idea is consistent with the principals of God's Word. Whether in religion, politics, or cultural issues that is the first test of an idea. If its new or improved or novel, no matter how valid the argument might be, if it is inconsistent with God's ideas it cannot be embraced. That kind of wisdom can come with or without a diploma.
In the passages for the past two days, Jesus was trying to help those around Him graduate to the same understanding. First, He said some hard things, but they were consistent with what God had already revealed.
John 6:43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
Jesus explained a hard truth. God draws man - man doesn't pursue God. It is what God had already revealed to their ancestors. Jesus words were consistent with God's revealed truth. He also explained how God gave bread for life - once in the form of manna but now bread for eternity. Jesus declared himself to be that eternal bread of life. It was hard teaching, but it was true to God's purpose and plan. But it offended many and they could not handle it.
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
Others, though, considered His words in light of what God had already revealed.
67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus would speak of ideas many more times. Some would be His, but at other times He would challenge ideas of others. The reactions were mixed.
John 7:12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Authority can either promote truth or distort it. When our eyes are only on the authority and not the veracity of the idea we too can be led astray. Jesus reminded those listening that they should only be concerned about One Authority.
16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak their own ideas only want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
Truth or lies. Jesus challenged those around Him to know the difference. We challenged our kids. God challenges us. If an idea is contrary to the revealed will or principals of God's word, does it matter what other authority speaks of the idea? Or if an idea is consistent with God's word should we be afraid to embrace it because the messenger is of little notoriety. Many discounted the Jewish carpenter's ideas, but embraced those of the so-called leaders. Listening to the message rather than reacting to the messenger will make us more likely to be discerning.
I am challenged to own this lesson right now as there are a lot of messages coming from some pretty big messengers. Being in awe of the messenger can leave me forgetting to judge the credibility of the message. What is the definition of marriage? Who has the right to take life? Should the poor be left to fend for themselves? Does protecting our citizens include taking lives? Some pretty big names are giving their "own ideas" but it is up to me to discern if it is for their own glory or for God's.
It is not about whether an idea offends us or inspires me; it's about honoring and obeying our Greatest Authority. That means having the courage to oppose the lies and speak in favor of the truth - no matter how culturally incorrect. To learn that at any age is to graduate to a degree of spiritual discernment WITH HONORS.
JESUS GETS THE FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT OF IDEAS: " 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Day 122 of 365
1 Samuel 10
1 Samuel 11
John 6:43-71
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 15:1-3
Day 123 of 365
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel 13
John 7:1-30
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 15:4
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