Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Circus theology

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Acts 2:38-39
Peter said to the Jewish people gathered before him, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call."

In a good imitation of Jesus' word-picturing, story-telling style, one of my favorite professors said something like this:

"The Kingdom of God is like a tent. The tent is long and wide, and there are many people under it. The center pole of the tent is truth, and the people with seats nearest that center pole are least likely to be blown out by errant hurricanes around the tent."

I don't know whether those center seats are the best seats. Maybe they are the safest seats. What interests most of us is how big that tent is.

This is the reason religion is such a difficult source of cocktail conversation. Is my father going to heaven, and my friend, and my neighbor? On the other hand, surely Osama bin Laden won't be there. Adolf Hitler must have been relegated to the pit of hell. And the teacher who sexually abused his students, her students? People who are convicted of selling drugs to children spend a lot of time in jail. They won't be in heaven afterward, will they?

Peter doesn't say. He does say, "This promise is made for whomever the Lord will call." The promise requires action on my part: repentance, baptism, acceptance of God's forgiveness. These verses spur on Christian missionaries.

They also divide loving people into spiritual camps. Just who is in that tent? Muslims who pray five times a day? Buddhists who strive to protect every living creature? Christian capitalists who think an awful lot about their bottom line?

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). His words describe his own absolute power over our future eternal life. Do I have anything to say about it? Do I even have to know Jesus as long as he knows me?

Knowing Jesus is becoming the most wonderful and satisfying part of my life. I hope it grows into more and more of my life. I am glad to be in the tent. But I don't want much to do with the circus of gossip and judgment about who is in there with me. That's up to God.

Lord your word is right and true; you are faithful in all you do. You form our hearts and consider everything we do. You love righteousness and justice, and the earth is FULL of your unfailing love. Your plans, oh Lord, stand firm forever. The purpose of your heart lasts through all generations. We are blessed because you have chosen to be our God. - Psalm 33

Devotions Archive

Circus theology

Tuesday, April 6, 2010