Get Up!

"I have taken off my robe-
must I put it on again?"
Song of Solomon 5:3

She had just crawled under a puffy down quilt to escape the cold air - at least that's what I picture. Steadily drifting off to sleep, a knock on the door jolts her awake. "Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one." Wow. That's the right combination of words for a promising evening. But this isn't just any guy. This is the King of Kings! Jesus, the Bridegroom is knocking on her door with desperate love. He want to spend alone time with her. Will she share his longing? Not this time.

"Do I have to?" We're all guilty of this response. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts asking to come in and our response is often a grown. Do I have to read the Bible? Do I have to make time to pray? Do I have to ... not now. And we role over, convinced that he'll keep knocking.

Sin will do that to you.

In the midst of all the grace and mercy teaching, the church has developed an image of God that looks more like Santa Claus. With a little sweet-talkin' we can find the way to his soft side to avoid punishment. Somehow, we've convinsed ourselves that a little sin doesn't really matter to God and slowly, over time, a little sin has become a huge problem. The world looks at us with disgust because the gospel we preach is not the gospel we live.

When people don't connect with God because Christians are the stumbling block it is to our shame. "For it is time for judgement to begin with the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). Brothers and sisters, the time for casual Christianity is over! We all need to do an inventory.

Galatians 5:19-21 lists the acts of sin we are to avoid.

Sexual immorality - this includes sleeping with someone who is not your spouse.
Impurity- crude jokes, foul language and taking the Lord's name in vain.
Debauchery - pornography falls in this category.
Idolatry - it shows up in your check book and your day planner.
Witchcraft - reading horoscopes and watching shows like "Psych"
Hatred - Let's see ... this includes all forms of racism and people you refuse to forgive.
Discord - Bashing ... basically any words that tear people down.
Jealousy - Anytime you have a hard time with seeing a competitor succeed.
Fits of Rage - Lack of self-control - irritable and easily angered.
Selfish Ambition - looking out for #1 at the expense of others.
Dissension - gossip that leads people to develop negative opinions about others.
Factions - taking sides and making sides happen - parents do this with their children.
Envy - resenting someone's gift or blessing.
Drunkenness- Drinking alcohol as a stress reducer or to have a good time.
Orgies - Patronizing any business that makes money from sex.

If you're guilty on any count, repent. Humble yourself and admit your sin to God. Or better yet, ask God to search your heart. Don't let your inner defender take the stand - he's such a lier. God will reveal the secret motivations of your heart. We cannot afford to hide behind a facade of righteousness. The world sees our hypocricy and people are ignoring the message of hope because of it.

Lethargic romance - eventually she does get up but he is no longer standing at the door. The Lover won't keep knocking. Dear ones, repent and God will come to you once again. The world longs to see love that is true and passionate - a divine embrace that, alone can satisfy. Get up!

Dark, Yet Lovely?

So, I tried to teach my course at Gettysburg College. A group of students were willing to sponsor it - a voluntary gathering of people who were interested in learning about God's plan for relationships. The announcement sparked a lot of controversy. After lots of campus dialogue, rumors of protests and one tough article in the school newspaper, the course didn't happen. Most of the stir was in reference to homosexuality - on my web site I categorize this lifestyle under the heading "Immoral".

If I was gay and truly believed that I was born this way, I think I'd have a similar reaction. It's like saying, "God, you made me this way and then you made a rule that keeps me from being acceptable." I'm told most gay people really would like to be straight if they were given the choice. But, for some reason, the power to change evades them. Life must be a series of concessions. No wonder the moral message is another rejection slam. But the God of the Bible isn't asking for perfection.

Maybe you haven't read this verse:
"Dark am I, yet lovely" (Song of Solomon 1:5).

The amazing thing about God's love is that it doesn't ask for perfection. He doesn't even hold up a righteous requirement. God's love is free to us because it was purchased with a cost to him. None of us, gay or straight, have what it takes to approach God. Every one of us has messed up - there are no "really bad" sins. But God has this crazy love for people. I don't understand it really, but I know it reached out to me while I was a mess! And he still does. I'm not perfect and there are days when it's more noticeable than most. However, God says I'm "lovely" in the midst of my imperfection. That means I'm lovable. God finds me lovable even when I mess up. And he feels the same about you!

When someone puts a period after the phrase, "I am dark" there is no room for hope and there is no room for redemption. That's not the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ conquered sin and death making change possible. He gives us the power to change and that's the good news in a nutshell. List's of "do's and don'ts" raise the bar so high, no one can pass. Moral absolutes were never meant to communicate rejection and I'm so grieved when they do.

Morals are for Christians, people who recognize their need for a Savior - someone to save them from their mess. Out of gratitude for that sacrifice they have surrendered their hearts to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, no longer living for their own purpose. Morals were given to Christians to serve as boundary lines set up by a loving God to help us stay within the channel of blessings. They help us gauge danger zones that could bring harm. Morals offer wisdom but they are not requirements that determine acceptance and worth.

You are "dark, yet lovely", my friend. It's just that simple. And one tiny sentence can open the door to this reality. "I need you, God." That's where it all begins.