No Condemnation

I've been studying the book of First John.  The other day as I was pondering what it means to "walk in the light."  I was reminded of Romans 8:1.  The part that I remembered was this "who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  When, however, I turned to Romans 8:1, what I read astounded me:  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."  Stop. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  That's the important part!  When we're in Christ, there is no condemnation!

I remember a lady that I studied with in New England asked me about this verse.  "How do I walk according to the Spirit?"  I'm sure that my answer now would be different from the answer I gave then.  I think we often focus on the last part of the verse.  How do I walk according to the spirit?  What do I have to do? How do I not walk according to the flesh? What should I not do? What must I do to be saved? We breeze past the first part of the verse.  There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  This is wonderful news!  When I'm in Christ, I am not condemned.  Ephesians chapter one declares all the benefits we have when we're in Christ.  In Him, we have redemption through His blood.  In Him, we have the forgiveness of sins.  In Him, we have obtained an inheritance.  In Him, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit.  When we're in Christ, the Holy Spirit causes us to walk according to the Spirit.  Daily coming to the cross and accepting what Christ has done and is doing on our behalf--that's the part worth focusing on.     

In God's Presence

Davis* is a nine year old boy who has been coming to the Saturday morning children's breakfast program and also the children's groups we have in our center.  He had the experience a couple weeks ago of accepting Jesus in to his heart.  Right now on Wednesdays we are having a children's cooking class in our center.  The first evening I was driving 3 of the kids home with Miriam, another one of the missionaries.  In the backseat was Davis, his sister Sarah,* and her friend, Emma.*  As we were driving along, Sarah cursed.  "That d*** car..."  Davis responded with authority in his voice, "You shouldn't swear, Sarah, because we're in the presence of God."  I was astounded at this declaration!  "No we're not!" Sarah retorted.  I agreed with Davis, "He's right, Sarah.  God is always with us, that makes us in His presence."  Davis again reiterated, "Yeah, we are in His presence."

* * *

What about us?  Do we live in the presence of God?  Do we daily take hold of Jesus by faith?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us, equipping us for whatever life throws at our way?  

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:2, 3

*not their real names

God is Love

It continues to fall from the sky, making the bushes outside look like cupcakes with white, fluffy frosting piled high.  Another snow storm affords me an opportunity to share a story.

* * *

I met Mary* in the summertime.  My ministry partner and I were helping out another lady in town and she gave Mary our number.  After visiting with her we found out that she needed some things for herself and her little son.  We called some church members from the SDA church 11 blocks away from our center.  (This church is on the West End, a more affluent part of the city.)  This was the extent of our relationship for the past few months; we would sporadically visit her, or she would call needing diapers--and we would find people to donate them.  It was right before Christmas when we stopped by to visit.  As we were visiting, we found out that she didn't have any Christmas presents for her son.  My ministry partner said, "Why didn't you tell us?"  She responded, "I don't really know what all you's guys do!"  After ascertaining what kind of present the little boy would enjoy, we promised to share with her the services that we offer when we came back in the new year.  That sounded good to her so we said good bye and left. 

* * *

We sat inside Mary's small but inviting living room, joined by her mother and little son.  I began to share what we as Simplicity do, and handed her a page with all the services we offer at our community center or in the home.  Things like our children's breakfast program (offered Saturday mornings, stories on that coming soon), children and youth Bible study groups, job search assistance, health consultations, community worship on Wednesdays and Saturdays, super-couponing, personal and group Bible studies, etc.  As I was sharing, Mary kept her head down, looking at the paper.  All at once, her head shot up, she interrupted me and said, "I want personal Bible studies."  I paused, a little taken aback at this sudden declaration. I smiled a big grin, "I'd love to study the Bible with you!"  I explained that we could pick a time during the week and sit down and study together.  I asked her if there was any topic she was particularly interested in studying or wanted to know about.  She was silent for a few moments.  I thought she was going to say "I don't know," but instead, after pondering it, said "What God thinks about suicide?  I know the Bible says from "dust to dust" but is there more?"  Wow. I thought.  What a question!  "Yes, we can take a look at and see what the Bible says about that."  Her mom also interjected it would be good to study about topics like guilt and shame.  After we wrapped up with prayer, Mary's mom said "Mary's son passed away six years ago next Wednesday, so she's gonna need some extra hugs that day."  Hmm, I thought, This is starting to come together.

* * *

I thought and prayed how to address this topic.  What do you say to a person whose loved one has committed suicide?  I decided to start by putting God's heart on display.  When we can fully see God's heart for who He is, then we can fully trust Him.  To that end, I've begun the three studies that Mary and I have had so far with these three profound words found in 1 John 4:8:  God is love.  God is love; therefore He sent His son, Jesus to die for us.  God is love; therefore we've been justified by faith and have peace with God!  God is love; therefore we can have assurance of salvation and rest totally in Him.  In our first study together, I learned that Mary's son did indeed commit suicide six years ago.  God is love; therefore we can trust Him fully with the hearts of others.  God is love; therefore He overlooks in our ignorance.  God is love; therefore He binds up our wounds.  God is love.   

*not her real name

The Mighty Movement

The snow is falling outside in in fine, steady flakes.  We don't have to go in today, he said.  In where?  For the past 10 months I have been an urban missionary in a city in Pennsylvania.  Why the city?  Well, there is a lot of counsel in the Bible and Ellen White about how the cities should be worked.  In short,

The work in the cities is the essential work for this time, and is now to be taken hold of in faith.  When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed (MM331.3).

This begs the question, have we seen a mighty movement?  I would boldly claim that we have not.  What, then, can we deduce from the above statement?  Yes, that the cities are not being worked as God would have them. Most times when ministry is done, it is compartmentalized.  There are many good summer colporteur programs, great Bible work opportunities, and medical mission trips aplenty.  We know how to do it--separately.  But what would happen if they all worked together as a cohesive unit?  This is what Ellen White and the Apostle Paul suggest and frankly how Jesus ministered.  The city mission I'm involved with is testing this out--combining Bible work, colporteur ministry, welfare ministry, and medical missionary work*.  There is great power in combining them together--and I have witnessed it happening.  Stay tuned for some stories of my experiences here!  

If you'd like to know more, you can listen here to our director speak on audioverse or go here to see some research done in Ellen White's writings, as well as Elder Ted Wilson's dissertation on the subject in New York City.

* Let me just say that the term medical missionary is much broader than many understand.  It is related to Christian help work, welfare ministry, natural remedies, etc.  Feel free to listen and see the above links for a more in depth explanation.