Author: Jason Smith

Jesus Was a Fetus

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life5 Comments
Photo by The Olive Press

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” (Luke 1:31, NIV)

In the ancient world, human life was viewed as very cheap. Someone’s value came from what they could offer to others. If you were useful or skilled, you had value in the eyes of others; if not, you were expendable. Babies were often viewed as disposable, and women and children were treated as property. Before Jesus came, human beings almost universally had only instrumental value in the eyes of others, not intrinsic value.

The birth of Jesus Christ changed all that. The Bible says of Jesus, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Colossians 1:19, NIV). His primary purpose for coming was to accomplish our redemption from sin and make us new. Yet the Creator of the cosmos was not above entering this world through a virgin’s womb. Although He was supernaturally conceived, He otherwise entered this world like you did, growing inside His mother’s belly for most of a year. And like you, after coming down the birth canal, He was totally dependent on His mother’s nourishment and care.

Here lies the greatest enigma of all. The Supreme Creator who spoke everything into being was coddled and nursed by His teenage mother. No wonder the angels look on in stunned amazement at what God has done (1 Peter 1:12). The One through whom and for whom all things exist had made Himself small. Simply put, Jesus was a fetus.

The word fetus simply means an “unborn baby.” Although there’s nothing degrading about the term itself, it is often used as a way to dehumanize the unborn. Not long ago, my wife, Whitney, and I visited OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). One of the most fascinating exhibits is called Prenatal Development. In a circular room, you find preserved unborn babies at every stage of development in utero.[1] What struck me was that from a very early stage, perhaps around nine weeks, the tiny baby revealed features that were so undeniably human. Already at that point, miniscule limbs have sprouted and little black eyes can be seen on the bean-shaped head. I came away from the exhibit agreeing with King David that we truly are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). How incredible to think that Jesus too passed through each one of those stages in Mary’s womb!

Luke records that when the pregnant Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, Elizabeth’s baby – later known as John the Baptist – leaped in his mother’s womb. And then Elizabeth tells Mary:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:42-44, ESV)

Today, many in our nation are asking, “Why should we care about the unborn?” One abortion rights advocate even mockingly called the pro-life position a “love affair with the fetus.”[2] The unborn child has even been likened to a parasite or blob of tissue.[3] No doubt the dehumanization of these precious little image bearers of God has led to the slaughter of millions.

So, why should we care about the baby in the womb? Here is one very good reason: Because Jesus was once a baby in the womb. And even while unborn, He brought joy to another unborn baby! If experiencing joy in the presence of another doesn’t qualify for personhood, I don’t know what would!

It’s worth noting that the Greek word used for baby here –βρέφος (brephos) – is the same word Luke uses for babies outside the womb elsewhere, showing that God’s Word doesn’t distinguish between babies inside and babies outside the womb (see Luke 2:12, 16; 18:15). Either way, they’re all babies.

It is because Jesus came as a baby and welcomed and loved the little children He encountered that Christians have always made the care of children a priority. In ancient Rome, where babies were often aborted or abandoned, the early Christians were known for saving thousands of babies. They brought them into their homes, adopted them as their own, and taught them the Christian faith.

When the disciples tried to hold the children back as little nuisances, Jesus famously said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them” (Matthew 19:14a, NIV). Those words inspired Christians throughout history to be the first to start orphanages, foundling homes, and eventually start Sunday Schools for children to learn about Jesus at an early age.[4]

Christians today are known for being at the forefront of the pro-life movement and starting the 3,000 to 4,000 crisis pregnancy centers across the United States. These clinics are known for offering free services and demonstrating compassion to thousands of young pregnant women in difficult situations and empowering them to make wise and informed decisions.

Many today view the pro-life movement as an obstacle to the women’s rights movement. However, those who hold this notion ignore the fact that the same Jesus movement that brought about the pro-life position also paved the way for equal treatment of women.

In ancient times, nearly every culture viewed women as having a lower status than men. Aristotle even argued that a woman ranked somewhere between a free man and a slave. Considering that a slave held no more value than cattle in ancient times, you get a glimpse of how poorly women were treated. As you review the accounts from ancient India, China, Rome, and Greece, the widespread consensus was that wives were the property of their husbands. Modern westerners can hardly fathom such a low view of women. So what changed all that? What inspired the now widespread perspective that women and men have equal value, rights, and dignity?

In the words of historian Rodney Stark, the elevation of women has its roots in the “triumph of Christianity.”[5] That is, Jesus Himself elevated women to a level of dignity and respect. He honored the women who followed Him, engaged them in conversation, and was eager to teach them alongside the men, all social taboos at the time. Jesus treated women as equals to their male counterparts. It is the early Christians who taught the then-pagan world that husbands are to love and be faithful to their wives, widows should be cared for, and polygamy was forbidden by God. Stark writes, “In response to the special appeal that the faith had for women, the early church drew substantially more female than male converts, and this in a world where women were in short supply.”[6]

What does all this have to do with Christmas?

By daring to become a human Himself, Jesus imbued all human life with greater dignity than it ever had before His birth. In the Christian worldview, unborn children, women, and men all have equal value as image bearers of God, and consistent followers of Jesus have always stood for the rights of each.

All this because of Christmas. When you trace the roots of all these changes back far enough, you will find that they all began in a little manger in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago.

[1] According to the display, all of the unborn children died as a result of “natural causes or accidents,” not abortion.

[2] Joycelyn Elders, quoted in The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/30/magazine/joycelyn-elders.html

[3] Randy Alcorn, Pro Life Answers to Pro Choice Arguments (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 1992, 1994, 2000).

[4] George Grant, Third Time Around: A History of the Pro-Life Movement from the First Century to the Present (Franklin, TN: Legacy, 1991, 1994).

[5] Rodney Stark, The Triumph of Christianity (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2011), 121-135.

[6] Ibid, 135.

Every Reason for Gratitude

On By Jason SmithIn DevotionalLeave a comment
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1, NIV)

We are entering the season of gratitude, but, if we’re honest, many of us feel anything but grateful right now. We have lived through 2020, and much of it has not been fun. We’ve seen the entire globe caught up in the spread of a pandemic. We’ve seen injustice, civil unrest, wildfires, hurricanes, and a heated presidential election.

Many of us have been caught off guard by this year and are more focused on getting the ground back beneath our feet than looking for reasons to be thankful. Having an attitude of gratitude suggests there is something to smile about, yet we might find more reasons to be sour-faced this year. You and I are probably more concerned with getting this year behind us than reflecting on all we have to thank God for these past twelve months.

For myself, I can say there’s definitely been times this past year when I’ve found it easier to complain than praise God.

If you had to guess, would you say that there’s been more expressions of anger or gratitude on your lips lately? More irritation or elation? Gloom or glee?

Someone might suggest it’s oxymoronic to try to “count your blessings” in a year that feels so cursed. If that’s you, it might surprise you to learn that “cursed” is precisely the word that the Bible uses to describe, not just the year 2020, but the present condition of our world.

Very early in the story of Scripture, God creates a beautiful world and fills it with living creatures. At the apex of creation, God creates human beings to be His close and personal friends. Perfect harmony exists. But then the first human pair make the terrible decision to rebel against their Maker and go their own way. In the aftermath of their mutiny, God pronounces judgment. “Cursed is the ground because of you,” God tells Adam (Genesis 3:17, NIV). However, God promises a Savior who will one day rescue them from the evil that has overtaken them, but the plot takes many twists and turns before He even shows up.

According to the Bible, our world today is cursed. And this account is meant to be read as sober history. Although many today want to write this story off as a myth, I find it interesting that Jesus and the biblical authors always refer to Genesis as genuine history.[1] But, really, is it so hard to believe? In fact, doesn’t the Genesis account make sense of the fact that our world is both beautifully and intricately designed and also filled with tragedy and suffering?

The Apostle Paul explains it this way: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22, NIV).

There’s no doubt about it: this year and every year since humanity’s fall has been tarnished, damaged, and spoiled by sin. Our world is broken; we are afflicted on every side by death, disease, and disaster. Life on earth is not everything God meant it to be.

“For the creation was subjected to frustration,” (v. 20). Frustration. Can you relate? And yet the thought doesn’t end there. “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21, NIV).

Although right now creation groans and aches under the brokenness of sin, God will one day redeem creation itself. The natural world will be set free from the cycle of decay and disorder along with all the children of God.

Our world is fallen. Picture a beautiful sports car right after it’s been through a head-on collision. The beauty and design is still there, but it’s badly distorted. Such is the case here. We have never seen this world as God originally created it, but all those who know God will one day see this creation reclaimed, refined, and renewed. Speaking of this future state that the Bible calls the New Heavens and the New Earth, we are told: “No longer will there be any curse” (Revelation 22:3, NIV). Don’t miss this promise: No more curse! Cue the angelic choir singing “Hallelujah!” The curse will be reversed.

And, like the account of the curse, this is no fairytale. This is a genuine promise of a coming restoration, and thus a cause for celebration.

Because God is rich in mercy, He has promised to not abandon this beautiful-yet-bruised planet. Heaven itself will invade and restore this world to be a place free of pain, disease, tears, and, yes, even death (see Revelation 21:1-5). God will take what is best about our incredible world and purify it of all that makes this world unbearable. Most importantly, God Himself will dwell with His children when creation is made new: “God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3, NIV).

Maybe we have trouble thinking of things to be thankful for because all our focus is on the “groaning” of this current world rather than the glorious future God has in store for it. When the anxieties and challenges of life seem to multiply, it’s very easy to find reasons to grumble. But when we put our confidence in God’s Word, we have every reason for sheer gratitude. On those days when life seems dreary, look with the eyes of faith on the future that God has in store for His own, and then thank Him in advance.

As you adopt this future-oriented perspective, you’ll find it easier to thank God for the countless smaller blessings in life today. Don’t let them slip by without noticing. They will remind you to persevere — with gratitude.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV).

[1] See Matthew 19:3-6; 24:38-39; Mark 10:5-9; Luke 11:50-51; John 5:45-47; Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:5-6.

The Secret Sauce for Happiness

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life1 Comment
Photo by Chris Collins

You are on a quest for happiness. From the moment you entered this world, you’ve had this impulse. Deep within your soul, you have a powerful urge — an unquenchable thirst — for joy. Whatever the good life is, we don’t want to miss it.

The philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal once said: “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every man, even of those who hang themselves.”[1]

That’s a bold statement. But it’s impossible to argue with, isn’t it? Some of us seek happiness through political power or professional success; others through material accumulation or limitless sexual excursions; and even others try the route of popularity, likability, or athletic accomplishment.

The only problem is that our quest for contentment often leaves us frustrated. The road we thought led to delight often turns out to be a dead end.

If I only had my dream career, I’d be satisfied. If I only found my soul mate, my life would be complete. If only I had children, I know I’d be happy. If I could just reach a point of financial security, I’m sure I would be content.

Certainly, such things can bring a type of happiness, at least for a time. Then we find a new longing growing in our heart — one more ingredient for lasting joy that we hadn’t considered before. We begin to ache until that one more thing is ours. Once we finally have what we thought was the final ingredient, the cycle repeats itself. A new emptiness begins to swell inside, and we are back to square one. Lasting happiness seems tantalizingly out of reach.

We’re like the puppy who chases after every bird he sees only to find that every time he nearly catches it, the bird takes flight. Genuine joy always seems just beyond our grasp. Perhaps this is why many feel bored, listless, and empty inside. They’ve become cynical about life – even happiness itself.

In our more honest moments, we recognize how little we know about where to find true happiness. We are like explorers hiking through the wilderness, unaware that the compass in our hand is broken. We know that joy is out there — it must be! — but we are clueless on how to find it. Oh, there are times when we think we’ve found it. Most people would say that when they finally accomplished something great they had been working toward for many years, they were suddenly on cloud nine.

However, just as suddenly, this thing we thought would give us happiness vanishes before our eyes in a puff of smoke.

In a revealing interview on 60 Minutes, NFL quarterback Tom Brady expressed his surprise that despite reaching the pinnacle of athletic success (a three-time champion at the time), he was still unsatisfied. “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me?” Many have told Brady that considering where he’s at in life — having all the success, loads of cash, being married to a supermodel —he must feel like he’s on top of the world. His response: “Me? I think, there’s gotta be more than this.” When asked what that missing thing is, Brady replied, “I wish I knew… I wish I knew.”[2] I wish I could sit down and talk with Brady.

In the book of Jeremiah, God pleads with His people to not seek that happiness our soul is craving apart from Him. Trying to find happiness apart from Him is like trying to slake your thirst by running to a well that looks good on the surface, but is actually broken and can hold no water. Instead, God urges Israel (and us!) to return to Him, “the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13, ESV).

Your soul thirsts for something far more real and lasting than the hollow and fleeting joys of this world. That inner sense of emptiness is like a fuel gauge for your heart, telling you of your need for God and the fulfillment only He can give.

C. S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.”[3]

After Jesus fed a massive crowd by multiplying loaves, many were drawn to Him. In fact, at that point the fickle crowds “were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king” (John 6:15, ESV). Interestingly, Jesus would have none of it. He knew that they weren’t seeking Him as the Savior who came to satisfy their souls, but as a compliant king who could satisfy their earthly desires. Jesus warned them about trying to fill the infinite hole in their souls with things that are destined to perish.

He told them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NIV).

Jesus was teaching them the secret sauce for happiness, which none of the sages throughout ancient history understood. Supreme happiness cannot be achieved by aiming first at happiness; it is found only as a result of first finding Jesus – through having a personal relationship with your Creator. When you look at the chasm within your hungry heart and then at the eternal life Jesus can give, it’s a perfect match. In Jesus alone, the abundant life – not just the good life, but the very best life! – is found.

Here is Jesus’s promise for you: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” (see John 10:10).

[1] Blaise Pascal, Pascal’s Pensees, trans. W. F. Trotter (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1958), 113, thought #425.

[2] This interview can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HeLYQaZQW0.

[3] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins, 1952), 136-137.

Balancing Grace and Truth

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for LifeLeave a comment

As an evangelical Christian in 21st century America, the constant challenge I find myself in is learning to balance grace and truth. As followers of Christ, we know that both of these are equally essential and mutually reinforcing. The Gospel of John says that Jesus came as “the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

In a practical sense, this means we must never shy away from holding on to our Christian convictions, namely those derived from the Bible. But on the other hand, we are to always be sharing this truth with openness, love, and empathy. If I was to guess, I’d say that Christians have historically known what it means to proclaim the truth about God, what He expects of us, and what He has done to rescue us. However, grace is a concept that has often befuddled people, both religious and irreligious.

I remember being taught in Sunday School that grace means “unmerited favor.” Sounds pretty good, but what does that look like? Of course, the chief example of grace from the Bible is God’s far-reaching love for those who have rejected Him, even to the point of being willing to come as a human and die for their sins. Again, this helps to fill out what we’re talking about when we use the word grace, but what does it look for us to show grace to others? After all, I cannot die for the sins of my neighbor, and they certainly cannot die for mine.

I think for starters we have to consider ways we can follow Christ’s example, such as the way He warmly embraced and unconditionally loved those who were considered spiritually and morally inferior. Jesus showed acceptance for people of every political stripe. For example, among His twelve closest companions was a former tax collector employed by the Roman Empire (Matthew) and a member of the Zealots (Simon), a group committed to dismantling Roman rule through guerilla warfare.

Jesus’ radical love for social outcasts even earned him the nickname “Friend of tax collectors and sinners,” a label the religious elite intended as an insult. At the same time, Jesus never downplayed the significance of repentance, costly discipleship, and the need to commit ourselves wholly to Him as both Savior and Lord. He called people to leave their sin behind, even while He embraced them in their sin.

A distinguishing feature of grace is not merely to show love toward those who don’t deserve it, but especially to show unconditional love and forgiveness toward those who have wronged you. Grace doesn’t hold a grudge in silence or seek to get even openly. Instead, it is the third option of accepting the one you would more naturally be inclined to disdain.

Both truth and grace are essential, but if I had to guess, Christians today are known less for their gracious attitudes than their willingness to stand for the truth. Many who have recognized this deficit have made the equally egregious error of sacrificing biblical truth on the altar of good public relations. However, I believe there is a far better way to show the world both of these necessary, Christ-like qualities.

One recent example I read about involves American pastor Tim Keller. Keller is known for his remarkable ability to communicate the relevance and beauty of Christianity within a secular culture. In 2017, Keller was given the highly esteemed Kuyper Prize at the Abraham Kuyper Center for Public Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary – that is, until it was abruptly taken away. Keller was well-deserving of the award for his leadership and ministry. In fact, he was even named among Fortune magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” in 2018.[1] Nevertheless, when word got out that Keller would be the recipient of the Kuyper Prize, several students and faculty objected that Keller was unfit to receive the award, citing his conservative views on marriage, sex, and women’s ordination.

The incredible thing is that while the award was taken away, the Kuyper Center asked Keller if he would still be willing to speak at the conference where the Kuyper Prize would be given to someone else. Instead of harboring resentment, Keller gladly accepted the offer.

Whatever your opinion of Keller’s convictions, no one could deny that Keller exhibited remarkable humility in doing this. Because of Keller’s trademark graciousness, many spoke out in his defense. In an op-ed piece, Katherine Alsdorf, the co-founder of New York’s Center for Faith and Work, even had this to say about Keller:

“We partnered in the establishment of the Center for Faith and Work, which may have done as much as any church in decades to honor Abraham Kuyper’s vision of humble, respectful engagement in a world of many faith perspectives. His teaching combines a deep confidence that the gospel can change everything from our hearts, making us more humble and generous, to the institutions and society around us. While he would never have sought a “Kuyper award,” I can’t imagine anyone more worthy of it. Like some of the women who have objected and instigated the withdrawal of this award by Princeton Theological Seminary, I do not share Tim’s complementarian views. However, I am deeply saddened by the tone of these objections, more so by the final effect.”[2]

What I love about this is that Keller’s response allowed him to have a far greater impact on his detractors than any act of retaliation would have. There are many times when it is easy for us to want to tear down our opponents for some scathing remark made about us. But how much more effective – and more importantly, how much more like Jesus – it is to “turn the other cheek.” To allow ourselves to be insulted, if only that will mean we can have an opportunity to put both grace and truth on display. Because in doing this, we will be putting Jesus on display.

Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[1] Fortune Editors, “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” Fortune, April 19, 2018, http://fortune.com/longform/worlds-greatest-leaders-2018/.

[2] Katherine Leary Alsdorf, “OpEd: Tim Keller Hired Women in Leadership,” Journey Through NYC Religions, March 29, 2017, www.nycreligion.info/oped-tim-keller-put-charge-train-men-women-leadership/.

The Self-Giving Love of God

On By Jason SmithIn DevotionalLeave a comment
Niagara Falls, beautifulworld.com

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, KJV)

It is impossible to fathom the depths of the humble, self-giving love required for the God of the galaxies to limit Himself to the workbench of a Jewish carpenter. At the same time, knowing that Jesus, the God-man, stooped to such a level out of love for us should get our attention. Too often, because we are such fickle creatures, we are in awe of things that are destined to pass away — inspiring films, beautiful buildings, a sports victory — while at the same time hardly affected by the most sublime truth in all reality. You have an enemy who would love to steal your attention away, with countless daily concerns and distractions, from that which matters most.

Can I encourage you to do something right now in the midst of all of life’s pressures? Reflect on the passion of Christ for a moment. Perhaps the story of the Crucifixion is something you have heard countless times. But the truth of God’s love for you is no less powerful after hearing of it one million times.

Even now, as I consider Christ hanging there like a common criminal of His day, I have to ask: How much must God love me if He was willing to go through the unspeakable torment of the cross in order to bring me to Himself? I encourage you to ask the same question. Peer back through the centuries to that lonely figure on the cross. Take some time to gaze at His nail-pierced hands. Consider His humiliation before ever getting to the cross. Trained torturers whip Him and beat Him and mock Him. One particularly brutal Roman guard grabs hold of His beard — a symbol of honor for a Jew — and rips it out by the roots (Isaiah 50:6). “So, you want to be known as the King of the Jews, do you?” one soldier sneers, as he firmly presses a crown of razor sharp thorns onto His sacred head. By the time they have finished with Him, He has been reduced to a mangled mess. Even His closest friends could hardly recognize Him when He stumbles pass them under the weight of the giant beam of timber they’ve forced Him to carry.

When they reach Golgotha (“Skull Hill”), the soldiers strip Jesus of His clothing, His only earthly possession. The idea was to maximize His experience of shame before all the jeering crowds. After driving the nails through His hands, they hoist Him up on the wooden cross so everyone can laugh at how pathetic this would-be Messiah looks now. He has never felt more alone. Even His own Father, too holy to look on the sin-bearing sacrifice, has turned His back on Him.

The eerie mid-afternoon darkness is environmental evidence that the judgment of God is being poured out. In a hoarse and cracking voice, the bleeding and battered man screams at the heavens, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). I cannot think of a more excruciating, painful, and humiliating experience than what Jesus went through that Friday afternoon.

Now think on this: Jesus freely submitted to all of this for you. He looked over His Father’s plans from beginning to end, then looked up and said, “I’m in.” Even if you were the only sinner in the whole world who needed saving, Jesus would have endured every bit of just for you.

At the same time, this was no easy decision for Jesus. Picture Him in the Garden of Gethsemane the evening before the crucifixion. Jesus is laying prostrate before the starry heavens, crying out to His Father in agony. Already, the darkness of night has enveloped Him. As He contemplates what He will endure in the next twenty-four hours, beads of bloody sweat begin to dot His face. A tear rolls down His cheeks.

Jesus prays, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” The cup Jesus spoke of was the cup of God’s wrath, and it could not be taken from Him. The only way for us to be spared from God’s righteous wrath was through a sin-bearing substitute taking our place. So Jesus prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, NIV).

Perhaps the most shocking thing of all is that we were in no way worthy of saving. We hadn’t sought God out. We had turned and run from Him. Each one of us – in no small way – have rebelled against God. We’ve heard His footsteps behind us. We’ve heard Him calling out to us. But we’ve run to hide in the bushes.

Like a loving Father earnestly seeking His missing children who have run away, knocking at every door in the neighborhood, God has passionately pursued us. But we stayed hidden in the shadows. The Bible says that even while we were running down the path of self-centered pursuits, God did the most selfless thing of all.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, NIV)

At the very point where all hope for us had faded and it would only be fair and just to leave us alone on our way to hell, God stepped in. He sent His own Son ahead of us to bear the punishment meant for us. As one grabbing the coattails of a blind man headed over a cliff, Jesus reached out to rescue us and give us sight. Because Jesus broke through the death barrier, we too can experience newness life.

One of my favorite hymns, “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley, captures this truth perfectly:

“And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?“

Let this truth sink in anew: The God who made you loves you more than you ever dared imagine. His love is like a massive waterfall or ever-flowing fountain that never runs dry. No matter what you have done, His love for you has not diminished one bit. He’s offering you a fresh start. Full forgiveness for all past wrongs. He’s longing for you to let Him love you as a Father. He wants you to know that life can look beautiful again. Turn your life over to Christ today, perhaps for the first time. Surrender your everything to the God who loves you with all that He is.

Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Through the Lens of Eternity

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional2 Comments
Photo by Justin Kern

By Jason Smith

Perseverance is a powerful thing. It can make or break an individual. And it can make or break your trust in God. As someone has quipped, “By perseverance the snail made it to the ark.” And perseverance is something we all desperately need right now.

In the movie Chariots of Fire, the champion sprinter Harold Abrahams suffers his first ever defeat. The Olympic athlete is utterly devastated by the loss, and he begins pouting on the bleachers. When his girlfriend comes alongside to encourage him, Abrahams says, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!” His girlfriend wisely responds, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.” Abrahams went on to win the gold medal in the 100-meter dash of the 1924 Olympics. Hers was the voice of perseverance, urging him to go on, despite difficult setbacks.

When facing a trial, we have to gain perspective if we are going to persevere well in life.

The Eternal Perspective

When we are able to see our current pain or trial in light of eternity, it really does change everything. The things that will last begin to stand out, and you begin to give everything the attention it deserves. You’ll major on the majors, and let a lot of the minor issues go. They won’t seem as big in light of eternity.

The Apostle Paul knew what it meant to suffer. And yet, his confident hope in the face of trials is astonishing.

He writes, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

If you were to lift a 200-pound anvil on to one side of a massive scale, it’s going to feel enormous. No question. You’re going to experience incredible strain on your muscles, and your back might give out under the weight. But if you were to drive an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler on to the other side of the scale, that same anvil will appear as light as a feather as it’s lifted up in the air.

In the same way, our present suffering may feel enormous right now, but on the scale of eternity, the infinite joy and relief that awaits the child of God in Heaven and on the New Earth will make what we have endured seem as light as a feather and as brief as the blink of an eye.

A pastor friend of mine has said that whenever he and his wife are in the midst of adversity, they always try to ask the question: “Will this matter in eternity?” That’s a good question to ask. “Will this really matter in eternity?” Seen through the lens of eternity, everything we deal with in life is brought into right focus.

Pure Joy

James, Jesus’ half-brother, counsels fellow sufferers in this way: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3, NIV).

That’s a pretty radical message. “Consider it pure joy,” James says, “whenever you face trials.” Joy in trials? Joy in a pandemic? Joy in suffering? Joy when mistreated by others? What a strange perspective. That’s what you call counterintuitive Christianity. And this is so important.

A lot of times our gut reaction to any kind of challenge or pain is to grow impatient or embittered about what’s going on. We ask, “Why me?” because we can’t see a good reason that God would allow this suffering.

And a lot of times we can even grow angry with God. And the way this usually manifests itself is in getting angry or impatient at other people, particularly those closest to us. We can be angry at the situation, then angry with God, and pretty soon we are angry at the next person who is under our shadow.

But James says, “Look, the reason you’re so upset is because all your focus is on this struggle in the here and now. You’re consumed with all that’s going wrong. That’s why you’re angry.” But the short-range perspective won’t help us. We need an eternal perspective on the temporary challenge.

And look when James says, “Consider it pure joy,” he’s not living in a fantasy world. He knows that the pain in the moment is real. He knows how much grief hurts. In fact, James, who was the half-brother of Jesus, was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem, which was constantly facing trials and suffering. He knew how painful life can be all too well.

But he says, “Consider it pure joy,” because he doesn’t want us to miss the forest for the trees. When we are in a major trial, our tendency is to put all our focus into what’s troubling us. But James says, we have to actively consider it pure joy first, because in the moment it sure doesn’t feel like pure joy. We need to see, with the eyes of faith, that God has good plans for us through this trial. “Take the long view,” James says, “Imagine ways God could use this for your ultimate good and His everlasting glory.”

In the Middle of It All

Remember Romans 8:28? If you don’t know it already, mark this verse down as one to commit to memory: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” That’s a powerful promise we need to bank on every day.

Do you love God? Do you have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ? If you don’t, I encourage you to entrust your eternity to Christ today. He died and rose again so that you could be granted eternal life with Him.

If you do, here’s the promise: God is working all things together for your good. Now, seriously, what could possibly be a better promise than this? The God who knows the end from the beginning is working for your good in the middle of it all. Everything you face in life, every challenge, every struggle has a purpose. We make mistakes. Trust me, I’ve made my fair share. But God never makes a mistake. He never slips up. He’s working for your eternal good in every situation you face.

So that’s why we need to first get the long-term view on every challenge we face. Because in the moment, we just want to shout, “No!” Don’t we? “No, God! Don’t let this happen.” “No, God! Make this go away.” But we need to see this challenge as a test, as an opportunity to grow.

No matter what trial you are facing right now, you will be able to persevere when you first get an eternal perspective on the temporary challenge.

Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Set Free from Fear

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life2 Comments

By Jason Smith

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

You know that moment when you first sense fear rising in your heart? We’ve all felt it. It can happen when you look over the railing above a steep canyon wall that descends hundreds of feet below. You can feel it when you hear the sound of a woman screaming, a child shrieking, or brakes squealing. We all know that feeling when our stomach lurches and our heart sinks. I see it on my three-year-old’s face when he tells me he’s scared of the dark. The experience of fear is common to us all.

But is fear always a bad thing? If you hear an unmistakable rattle while hiking in Eastern Oregon, fear can keep you from stepping into a rattlesnake’s nest. If you are afraid of what too much alcohol might do to you, fear may keep you from driving while drunk. Fear of a loss of income may keep you from sleeping in.

So fear does serve a purpose – at times. But fear should not be our default mode of life. We shouldn’t operate hour by hour persistently dwelling on the “What ifs” of life. “What if this goes wrong?” “What if something happens to the ones I love?” “What if I fail?” In the midst of this ongoing pandemic, many Americans have become chronic worriers. Countless bad decisions are made when we are driven by fear. Growing up, I remember my mom saying to us kids, “You don’t want to be a worry wart.” That’s sound advice, Mom.

In fact, it sounds a lot like something Jesus said: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27). In that context, Jesus was talking about those who worry about not having the basic necessities of life, like food and clothing. So if we cannot lengthen our days by worrying, why do we do it? How do we break free from the shackles of fear?

It has everything to do with replacing your toxic fear of loss with a healthy fear of God. Interestingly, “fear not” (or some close variation of that) is the most common command in Scripture, and our need to “fear the Lord” is one of the most common themes. When talking to His disciples about facing persecution for their faith, Jesus put it this way: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). To fear God is to revere Him, to honor Him as holy and powerful. It’s less a cowering dread and more a humble submission to God as the Almighty Sovereign of the universe. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” writes King Solomon (Proverbs 1:7). To fear God is to recognize that only His grace can save us from the worst thing imaginable – a Christless eternity in hell. In a strange paradox, when we fear God properly, we can actually grow in our love for Him. This is because He loved us first and He alone can ultimately deliver us from every conceivable danger.

The psalmist writes, “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday… Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place – the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent” (Psalm 91:5-6, 9-10).

All other fears steal away our confidence, but fear of God instills us with a humble confidence. Why? Because if we know that through faith in Jesus, God rescues us from even the worst thing imaginable (an eternity apart from Him), we ultimately have nothing to fear in this life. That’s how Jesus’ logic works in the statement above. The worst possible thing to happen to you is condemnation from God, but because Jesus washed away all our guilt through the shedding of His blood, believers are set free from fear. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). What can anyone or anything possibly do to one who is secure in Christ’s loving arms? Nothing, ultimately.

The Apostle Paul asks a series of “who” questions to drive this point home: “If God is for us, who can be against us? … Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:31, 33-35).

Does anyone doubt that people still fear such things today? Paul’s response is emphatic: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v. 37). Notice that Paul doesn’t say believers in Jesus are barely scraping by while cowering in fear. He says “we are more than conquerors” not because of how great we are, but because of Him who loves us. We are safe in Christ and not even death can separate us from His love. For the believer, nothing can ultimately destroy you or sever your bond with Jesus.

This doesn’t mean we now can throw caution to the wind and brazenly make reckless decisions that would likely harm ourselves or others. But it does mean that we make decisions based on love for God and others, not fear.

If you don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I have to ask: What are you waiting for? I invite you to turn from your sin and come to Jesus by faith, trusting not in your good works but in His good work of dying on the cross for your sins and rising from the dead. When you do that, you can have the fear-crushing assurance of being forgiven and spending eternity surrounded by His love.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). So fear not.

Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Photo Credit: American Expedition

Hope for Racial Reconciliation Today

On By Jason SmithIn Theology for Life, Why I Believe8 Comments

By Derek L. Jackson and Jason Smith

Our hope in this article is to set the stage for how to think about racism in our nation through a biblical and gospel lens. Racism is so deeply enmeshed in our nation that we cannot afford to ignore it for the problem that it is. We also need to look for peaceful and sustainable solutions. Each of us needs to ask, “How can I do my part in seeing racial reconciliation happen?”

It’s so easy for people of different skin color to talk past one another rather than listen carefully with the goal of understanding. That’s why we made a point of writing this article as a collaborative effort between a black man (Derek) and a white man (Jason). Both of us love Jesus dearly and pray that those in the throes of racial violence may find the hope and peace that only our Lord can give. Although we want to confront some tragic realities in our world, we are also filled with hope because the gospel of God’s grace is greater than all our sin.

Only One Race

We both believe that the Bible is emphatically opposed to any and all forms of racism, bigotry, and hatred. Some have ignorantly claimed that the Bible supports racism by misreading and distorting certain passages, but the reality is that the biblical message offers the only genuine remedy to the plague of racism.

The very first chapter in Genesis, the Bible’s first book, tells us that God created the first man and woman in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Of all the descriptions of humanity’s origin available, in both ancient and modern literature, you will not find a more magisterial description of our nature. In the Bible alone, we see the fascinating combination of humanity’s extraordinary greatness and tragic depravity.  Because we bear God’s image, every person has unfathomable dignity. Because we are fallen, we are all prone to treat our fellow humans in horrendous ways.

The Bible’s teaching on the image of God condemns every form of racism.  God did not create a white Adam, a black Adam, and a brown Adam, and so on, so that we might wonder if one is superior to another. Instead, the biblical argument goes like this: If we are all images of God, how can you hate another image of God (James 3:9)?  How can you say you love God, whom you have never seen, but hate your brother, your neighbor, God’s image, whom you see every day (1 John 4:20-21)?

According to the Apostle Paul, we all have descended from one man (Acts 17:26). Therefore, we are all blood relatives. The black man and the white man truly are brothers by blood. This doesn’t squelch the beauty of cultural diversity; rather, it affirms the dignity of every person because of our common bond as image bearers of God – a truth that transcends every culture.

The Ultimate Source and Cure for Racism

Many have spoken about the need to end “systemic racism,” and we agree that racial injustice has infected nearly every corner of our nation. However, we also believe that every sin – including racism – begins with the human heart. Our Lord Jesus put it this way, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19). Therefore, it requires a solution that addresses the heart.

In other words, while new laws and policies certainly must be worked for, they ultimately lack the power to uproot all forms of racism. Each of us personally needs nothing less than a total renovation of the heart. That’s where the gospel of Christ comes in. In Christ, people of every ethnicity, background, and gender are united. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Jesus died for those of every nation and skin color, and through Him, believers are all brought into the one family of the church together.

Paul writes that Christ Himself “is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16, ESV).

We all have equal access to God through the one cross. All the racial injustice and prejudice that is all too prevalent in this world is rendered powerless by Christ’s bloody cross, where He absorbed all our sin and reconciled us to our Maker.

The Need to Listen Well

When we hear about racial injustice in the news, we’re often guilty of jumping too quickly to conclusions. I (Jason) know, as a white person, how easy it is to minimize the prevalence of racism in our nation. In many ways, I would like to think that we’ve moved past the racism that has plagued our nation’s history. But in reality the stain of racism has not gone away, and we need to do our part in confronting prejudice wherever we find it, beginning with our own hearts.

We need to listen to those of a different skin tone and background to try and understand and help contribute to the solution. The point of Derek sharing the stories below isn’t to undermine the necessary and noble service of good and faithful police officers, but to give a better understanding of the experience of countless black men and women in America.

There are so many things I (Derek) can say about the death of innocent and/or unarmed black people at the hands of white police officers.  I could say that this a new phenomenon, but that would be a lie.  It’s being recorded on camera more often, but this has been happening for years.  There are television shows and movies that try to shine a light on “The Talk” black parents have with their children, but I don’t know if it is understood by non-blacks that these types of conversations are real. 

As a teenager, I was sat down by my father who taught me how to react to police officers who pull you over or seek to question you.  “Always make your hands visible, always be polite, always follow directions, and always repeat vocally the directions as you’re doing them.” But the lesson that has always stuck with me is when my father told me that the police will always see me as black first. Not as human, not as a man, not as a person, just black. What’s really sad is that I have now had to have the same conversation with my son, and he’s only 11.

The color of my skin comes with certain stereotypical misconceptions.  To some I’m seen as a criminal, dirty, less than, worthless, unintelligent or uneducated, a thief, a murderer, and a gang member.  This has been the plight of the black man and woman for centuries.

I will give one example of my run in with law enforcement. As an Oakland, California, native, I know most areas of the city. While in my early twenties, I was in the Rockridge area of Oakland near College Boulevard.  It is a more astute area of Oakland.  I was coming from a friend’s dance studio in the area one evening, just after dark. The crosswalk light was so fast you would not be able to walk across before it changed. So, as the light turned green, I ran across the street just as a police officer was coming down the street and stopping at the red light. I got into my Honda Accord and waited to see if the police officer would drive past, because in my experience he was going to follow me. He didn’t move after the light turned green. I knew if I could make it to the freeway about a mile away, I’d be fine. So, I started my car and began to drive. Of course, the police officer began to follow behind me.

As I drove towards the freeway, I was extra cautious to follow all traffic laws. The police officer followed me the entire mile. Just before I got to the freeway, he turned his lights on and pulled me over. I remember what my father taught me. Before the officer made it to my door, I already had my wallet out with my license and registration on my dash and my hands on the steering wheel, with window down and engine off.  So, when the officer made it to my car’s driver’s side window, he didn’t ask the usual, “License or registration?”  He stated, “This car has been reported stolen.” 

Now, my little light blue Honda Accord wasn’t much to look at, but it was the first car I bought with my own money and it was in my name. So, how did my car get reported as stolen?  The officer then asked for my license. As I gave him my driver’s license, an operator came over his radio stating the car belongs to Derek Jackson. The officer looked at my license, then at me, and reluctantly handed my driver’s license back to me and told me I was free to go as he walked back to his car.

It may not be a big thing to some, but the fear I had at that moment is something that I should not have had.  This officer didn’t ask if my car had been stolen, he stated that it had been reported as stolen.  I believe if I had not heard what the operator said, it would have been a different story.  That, I believe, was God’s protection.

I have other stories, such as being cursed out by a cop for being young and black or another incident of being handcuffed and put in the back of a police car after being pulled over driving to school. I can’t even get into the times I’ve been followed by police or followed in a store. God has protected me because those situations could have ended with someone posting an RIP on their Instagram or Facebook page. 

We (Derek and Jason) both thank God for those police officers of every skin color who have faithfully served and protected the citizens under their care with diligence, sacrifice, and justice. We need more like them now more than ever.

What Can We Do About It?

But what about those who have suffered death, beatings, false accusations, and harassment from the police or Caucasians who hate blacks because of their skin color? Neither of us had a say in our skin color, but we exult in the fact that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). You were made the way you were on purpose, and we affirm God’s joyful creativity seen in the mosaic of all our varying skin tones. With grieved hearts, we both acknowledge the hatred and racism that can be traced through every era of our nation’s history.  From the unjust killings of American Indians to the unspeakable atrocities of the enslavement of African men and women.

Together, we affirm God’s denunciation of hate and racism. He tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). He doesn’t say, “Love the neighbor who shares your skin color.” He just says, “Love your neighbor.”  Your neighbor is anyone you come in contact with.  We’re to love as God loves, and He loved us so much He sacrificed His Son on a cross to save us from our sin. The blood of Jesus can wash away the stain of hate, the stain of racism, and the stain of bigotry and discrimination.

Scripture tells us to speak up for the rights of the hurting and the oppressed (Proverbs 31:8-9). To be silent is to be complicit in the evil happening before our eyes. At the same time, we must not take personal vengeance into our own hands. Violence only begets more violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” We must demand justice for those who are oppressed, but we must always do so in love. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NIV). Will you join us in working for racial reconciliation today?

Building Bridges by Listening

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for LifeLeave a comment

By Jason Smith

Building Bridges by Lorenzo Quinn

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

Right now our world is fraught with emotion, anger, and distress. It feels very surreal sometimes to see the violence and tragedy aired on the news or the rage and resentment that is posted on social media. It saddens me to see all the unrestrained fury, bitter sarcasm, and personal denunciations.

So, let’s ask the question together: What can we do to move forward, to see this world become a better place? I don’t ask that question in the Pollyanna sense. I know that a perfect world is one we all hope for. It’s not just Miss America that dreams of world peace. We all want this and would like to know what would contribute to that end, even if imperfectly.

One of the troubles of the American culture right now is our glaring failure to listen. I’ve never seen our nation so polarized, so entrenched in an “us vs. them” mindset. It seems that everywhere I turn I see political, social, racial, and gender divides.

I remember in grade school, I had a relatively minor feud with another boy in my class. Looking back, it was mostly just a petty and childish disagreement. At the time, however, I was so visibly upset about the whole thing that my teacher noticed. She wisely asked me only one question, “Well, have you tried listening to him?”

My initial thought was: Have I tried listening?! That’s what got me so upset! I’ve heard what he has to say. But, of course, what she meant was, “Have you tried listening to understand him?” It’s safe to say that was something I definitely hadn’t done.

Have you ever noticed how when you are in an argument with someone, it’s very hard to actually stop and hear everything they have to say? More often, we’re better at only half-listening while re-loading our verbal shotgun with new arguments that pack a bigger punch. When words are many, tempers flare and emotions run high. It’s not easy to stop ourselves in our tracks, reign in our tongue, and truly listen with the goal of understanding the person we disagree with.

I’m not advocating some kind of moratorium on all debate, of course. Healthy dialogue between people who disagree is a very good thing, and, in fact, necessary for a free and thriving society. I’m merely wondering how much you and I really try to empathize with those of a vastly different perspective.

In Scripture, James writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20).

Whether or not you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, this should register as sound wisdom to you. James is calling us to do the opposite of what we tend to do when our blood pressure is rising and our view is clashing with another’s. Jump quickly at the opportunity – not to respond – but to listen. And hold back, be patient, and bide your time in your response.

When you thoughtfully listen to someone else, you are building a bridge to them. You’re crossing over into their world and inviting them to cross over into yours – not so you’ll come out looking the exact same, but so that understanding is better achieved. This is what Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn tried to capture in his incredible sculpture Building Bridges in Venice, depicting six pairs of hands reaching out to one another over the canal (pictured above).

In her book, I’m Still Here, Austin Channing Brown describes how difficult it was to grow up as a black girl in a world where everyone wanted her to conform to their expectations. In her own words, “I was too white for black people, and too black for white people. I had a boy’s name and bad acne. It was terrible.”[1] People from all walks of life tended to disparage her rather than seek to understand her. Perhaps you can relate.

Listening truly is a skill that takes time to master. When we listen with an eagerness to understand the person who holds a different perspective, we are loving them. We’re showing we want to step into their shoes and see things through their eyes, even for just a moment. All too often, we make assumptions about others and lay our personal expectations on them without ever asking about where they are coming from. We don’t open ourselves to differing perspectives, because we see them as a threat to the truth we hold dear. But if we really care about truth, we shouldn’t be afraid to uncover other perspectives that may just help us on our journey to the truth. In listening well, we won’t be devaluing truth. “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:8).

Here’s a good test we could all take to see how we’re doing on this whole being “quick to listen” thing: the next time you engage in a discussion with someone you firmly disagree with, go into it with the expectation and hope that you will learn something from them. You never know how a different perspective might change the way you approach the issue in the future. You may even be a little humbled. Sure, you probably won’t be fully persuaded by the differing view, but you might identify a blind spot you never knew you had.

What James is proposing is not rocket science. It is incredibly simple, really… and yet the skill of listening thoughtfully to those of a different persuasion is so rarely practiced in our world today.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article that we all desire world peace on some level, but the question is: How can we get there? I personally believe genuine and lasting peace can only be fully consummated when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to make all things new. However, I can tell you this. If, in the meantime, you do practice listening to understand, you will be making great progress in loving that person and establishing the peace that God desires in our relationships, our communities, and our world.

[1] Austin Channing Brown, I’m Still Here (New York: Penguin Random House, 2018), 32.

Dads, Build Them Up

On By Jason SmithIn DevotionalLeave a comment

By Jason Smith

While growing up, you likely heard someone say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But, of course, that’s not true. In many ways, words can bring harm at a level that sticks and stones never could. Because words can pierce through to the heart.

I can recall from an early age how much words affected me. There was a time one of my good friends made a joke at my expense, and I can still remember how much that stung to hear someone I looked up to making fun of me. I also remember times that I spoke something hurtful, and I can still see the look of anguish that I caused and still feel the tinge of guilt.

In the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, it is revealed that the beloved Fred Rogers, of the classic children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was once bullied as a child and called “Fat Freddy.” The whole ordeal really hurt the young boy, and it taught him early in life how much power our words can have on others.

Words carry far more weight than we give them credit. They have the ability to cut people so deeply that healing can take a long time. Perhaps you grew up in a household where you heard countless threats, name-calling, insults, and a regular supply of bitter sarcasm directed at you. Such an experience can be debilitating. You can grow up with the sense that you have little to no value in the eyes of others. It can make you wish you were someone else. The whole trajectory of your life can be devastated – all because of words.

However, there is a flip side to all this. Not only do our words carry incredible power to tear down, they also have the power to build up.

The wise author of Proverbs wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). When your child is hurting, feeling crushed by defeat, or upset about something, your words of encouragement can be like a refreshing spring rain that brings life and joy. Even for an adult, a timely compliment can change the whole mood of the day. And yes, it’s also true that words can kill – in fact, in some tragic cases, they have. People can be driven to despair and angst by the cruel and biting words of another.

Because of their unique role, fathers should especially take all this to heart. Sociologists, psychologists, and historians have written reams about the undeniable impact a father can have on his child’s life – for good or ill. I believe that one of the primary roles God has given to fathers is that they would be there to build up their children with their words. Spending time with your children, hearing them articulate their own thoughts, and telling them why you think they’re so great is such a simple but immensely beneficial act of fatherhood.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV).

How different our world would be if fathers took this counsel to heart. What if every single dad in the world resolved each morning to only say that which is good, encouraging, and helpful for building up their children? What kind of difference would that make? How many family rifts, embittered hearts, and feelings of despair could be avoided through this simple, daily practice?

This in no way eliminates the need for discipline. Instead, it very purposefully puts all loving discipline of your child in the right framework.

When your little guy is misbehaving, running amok, and causing trails of disaster wherever he goes, it can be hard to restrain your tongue. When your daughter throws a fit in the mall because she didn’t get the candy she was pleading for, it can be a challenge to not thrown your own private fit later. When your son uses your power tools for the eleventh time and leaves them out in the rain, it may seem impossible not to scream about how irresponsible he is. (Some of you are cringing even as I describe these scenarios!)

But how we speak in those moments can mean all the difference in the world for that child. And, trust me, this is coming from a dad who hasn’t always chosen to speak in a way that gives “grace to those who hear.” But giving grace is what we should strive for and, with God’s help, it’s something achievable.

When they don’t get the “A” they studied so hard for or don’t make the team they had dreams of playing on, they may just need Dad to silently sit with them or hug them. But when the time is right, lift their spirits with a word of encouragement. Remind them how much you love them, in the successes and the failures. Give them the boost they need. Leave no room for doubt that you are proud of them nonetheless!

Doesn’t every father need this reminder? Dads, build them up.