Point of View

Mark 8:31-38 

I usually don’t like novels that have multiple points of view. When I’m absorbed by the story, jumping to another character is an interruption for me. I know that authors use this device to give their readers information that the main character doesn’t have. But the primary point of view has to come from the main character. 

Jesus told His followers not to see things from a human point of view. As the Author of creation, He knew that God’s point of view is the one that matters because God is the main character.

But in this case – real life – the main character knows things that the rest of us don’t know. We’re not the readers; we’re the minor characters. With our limited knowledge and personal biases, God’s point of view sometimes appears pretty radical. I’m sure it wouldn’t if we knew the whole story. As it is, we have to accept what the Author tells us.

God’s Point of View: The big event in the story was Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection.

Human Point of View: That can’t happen. The main character doesn’t die and what is this talk about resurrection?  The minor characters don’t believe because they don’t understand who Jesus really is.

This is the point where the Bad Guy is introduced. It turns out that the human point of view is really Satan’s point of view. The minor characters not only lack faith and understanding, they don’t even have original ideas. They get them from the Bad Guy.

But the Author moves the story forward, calling all the minor characters over to share God’s point of view. He wants them to understand the main themes of the story.

The minor characters are asked to turn from our selfish ways, take up our crosses and follow the Author. We need to stop thinking of ourselves as important characters. He wants us to accept our roles, which include suffering and even death for others. He draws a contrast between His point of view and that of the Bad Guy, who disguises himself in the World.

The World’s Point of View: Try to hang on to your life; live for yourself and ignore the future even though you know that in the end you’ll lose your life. 

God’s Point of View: If you give up your life for Jesus’ sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 

World’s Point of View: The world is attractive and it’s something to strive for, and don’t worry about your soul.

God’s Point of View: The world is worthless if you’ve lost your soul. Your soul is what has value.

World’s Point of View: Jesus and His message are embarrassing. The other characters will think you’re weird or will persecute you if you proclaim it openly.

God’s Point of View: What God thinks matters more than what those around you think. So tell others about Him.

Point of view matters. But what’s more important, is understanding Whose point of view matters.

NOT a Prophecy from the Lord

Jeremiah 23:34-38

I want to make it crystal clear that this blog is NOT a prophecy from the Lord. I’m writing my thoughts about the scriptures I read after praying over them and meditating on them. I may be wrong in my interpretations. If I am, I rely on my friends and readers to make me aware of it.

This issue is on my mind lately because I’ve had some disagreements in doctrine and interpretation of scripture with some people I love a lot and agree with in other ways. I’ve become very conscious that I might be the one who is wrong.  

In Jeremiah’s time the prophets and priests were claiming to know God’s truth. They used the phrase “prophecy from the Lord” to give their ideas authority. God rejected that authority and told them to ask each other what His answer was. 

I wonder what I use to give authority to my ideas. Do I claim that they come from God? In my last post I made some definitive statements about why it’s essential to believe in the inerrancy of scripture. I almost left that paragraph out of the post because I knew it was written with authority, as if I know God’s mind. While I believe what I wrote is true, those were my words, not God’s. 

So what authority can I claim? God told His people to ask “What is the Lord saying?” I have a friend who often refers to scripture during discussions. She uses the phrase “scripture says.” I admire her knowledge of scripture and have sometimes used her phrase as well. But I know I need to be cautious about it. Unless I can quote the verse or find the reference, I shouldn’t assert that an idea or thought comes from scripture. And even when I can, I need to make sure I’m interpreting it correctly. Because when I use it, I’m telling others what God is saying. That’s a scary responsibility.

Claiming my ideas are from God doesn’t make Him happy. In fact, He told the prophets that if they didn’t stop He would forget them completely. 

I can’t begin to express the horror of that idea. 

So I pledge to always be careful not to claim the authority of my words comes from God. I will always go to scripture to learn what God is saying. If my blog inspires you or gives you something to think about, praise God. But read the Bible to find out what God has to say.

For Those Not Yet Born

Psalm 102:18-22

I’m fortunate to have some relatives who have researched our genealogies. I also have copies of letters written by several of my ancestors. The record of their lives includes their faith and I’m blessed when I read it. I like knowing who my ancestors were and how they served the Lord. But I seldom think about future generations of my family. I’m grateful that my children know God and my grandchildren are being raised to know Him too. But this psalm is for my great-grandchildren and their children . . . 

God looked down from Heaven and saw a world full of prisoners condemned to die. He came to free them from their bondage and all the nations will praise Him. The Gospel summarized in two verses.

Thousands of years ago, the message of salvation was recorded for future generations. I was one of those not yet born. But the chain continues and there are many more to come.

As a writer, I can’t help reading this Psalm as not only a message of hope, but also as an admonition. 

Write a message for those not yet born. 

My writing is not just a pastime. It’s not just a passion. It’s not even just a service to God. My writing is a record for my great-grandchildren. 

Just as my ancestors recorded their salvation for me, I should write about my salvation. That doesn’t mean that everything I write has to include a salvation message. It doesn’t even have to have an explicit Christian message. But everything I write must rest on my salvation. God saw my bondage and sent Jesus to free me. I stand with all the generations and nations to praise Him for it. The joy of that freedom should shine through in everything I write.

I want to help those not yet born to praise the Lord.