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The Map
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Once upon a time there was a village. For generations all the folks had heard tales of a legendary valley. It was filled with rich fruits and abundant plenty such as they had never seen. There was a person in the village who said finally, "You know, we've heard a lot about this thing, but has anyone ever gone to find it? No.
So he decided to go.
Picking up whatever clues he could from the tales, he planned a path, got his compass, and set out on the journey. After many travails and wrong turns he finally reaches the valley. And guess what, it was everything the myths had said and more. He couldn't believe it and wished so much that he could have the whole village there to see it. He realized he couldn't carry the fruits back. It would spoil and be too much to carry. But he thought of what he could do - he would make a map. He retraced his steps making it nice and detailed. Now anyone could go and experience this gorgeous valley for themselves.
After amny long weeks and months a huge cry - he's back! And he tells them the story, that it was everything they had said and more. And in fact, now he has this map so that everyone can go on this journey.
But what happened was the elders of the village seized the map. The encased it in a shrine in their house of meeting. They made it a sacred text. They imposed it on others as a holy belief. Debates began to spring up as people began to study the map.
The man was sad in his heart because instead of anyone going on the journey themselves they became experts on the map. The story ends with no one else ever going on the journey. The man went back by himself.
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Part II
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Can't we be a lot like this story with God? We are given the Bible. It's the map. But there are many people who argue over the map instead of do what the map tells them to do which is to go to God. Not to lord it over others about your own opinion of the map. Is that loving on another? Some may think so. Ask those on the other end! Pontificating from your extensive arsenal of scripture only makes you come across like a Pharisee. If you wish to impress others with your knowledge then learn about church history.
You probably have heard about Amazing Grace. Why would God save you when all you've done is sin all your life? Because He loves you. And once you're saved, does God say, "Okay, I've covered everything until now, so now watch it, because the second you step out of line from here onb in everything's on you..."? No. He died for the sins of the whole world.
What did Jesus say about forgiveness? Didn't he talk about seventy times seven? What about the Prodigal's son? He didn't even feel like he had the right to consider himself a son anymore. But before he could even make his speech about how I'm not worthy his father saw him, ran to him, kissed him, put a robe and a ring on him, and threw a party. There's significance in putting the ring and the robe on him. The father was saying that you are my son no matter what and I don't want to hear anything else from you. I'm covering you. I'm putting my mark of identity upon you.
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Part III
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Are you thinking that I'm saying anything goes? Or that we should continue to sin that amazing grace may abound? No, of course not. But what do you need to do in order to be in a position to receive forgiveness?
Sin.
Surprised?
If you don't sin you don't need forgiveness. But we all have sinned and we all need forgiveness. So we're all in the same boat. I'm not going to kid myself; or hide myself from my own flesh; or be that awful thing that people can't stand - a hypocrite!
Ah, but have you asked for forgiveness?
What do we gain from sinning? A defensive demeanor and a guilty conscience.
Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's partner in "A Christmas Carol" was a deceitful person all his life. So in death, according to the Dickens tale, his ghost had all of these heavy chains that he had to drag around for eternity (eternity, how shall I grapple with eternity?). (I'm not saying this is theological truth) What I'm saying is: That's what you and I do right now in time and space as we walk around sinning thinking we are getting away with something. We don't. We just add another link of chain to our conscience and we make it heavier and heavier. And the soul that sins does die. It withers right on the vine...
But God is after the Restoration of your soul. God didn't come here to give us a rule book to tie us up with do's and don'ts. Or for us to argue with each other about the things we disagree about. We're not going to erase the differences, so why not embrace the differences? The "we've got to get them to be a part of us" mentality is wrong. People need Christ. Christ is the answer. All things come together in Him. We can have a unity of the spirit - not necessarily ideas. A sharp contention arose between the Apostle Paul and Barnabas so that they went their separate ways - in Christ.
Christians shouldn't condemn the world for not living the Christian life when the world doesn't know Christ to begin with. The Bible says the natural man cannot understand the things of God.
The Bible shows us the path to God. We don't worship the map. Even nature points to God. Ever lift up your eyes to the hills and think about God's wrath?!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we can say "By the grace of God I am what I am". And if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. Now that we are justified by faith, we have peace with God. Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Have you seen the mechanics of Christians trying to use guilt and condemnation to force people to Jesus? Or Reverend Killjoy trying to manipulate and scare believers into spiritual growth? Ever see the after-fruit of that? There's actual physical fruit in the world that at first tastes sweet, but afterwards it's really bitter. Guilt Christian teaching does the same thing. You can get a quick result if what you want is everyone up at the altar weeping. But then there's the bad aftertaste. Why? Because you're not going to use guilt or condemnation to promote spiritual growth. It doesn't work!
There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Everyone's heard John 3:16 (For God so loved the world)
Ever read on to John 3:17?
Have you?
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