Friends,

Here is Common Christianity column #833 (11-1-22), “Sleepers Awake.” Eric Metaxas is a favorite author and he’s blown it out of the water with “Letter to the American Church.”  Buckle up. See the column below.

And a personal note … this column #833 begins the 17^th year of Common Christianity.  It began November 7, 2006, as the Christian column in the Current in Carmel (then Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville weekly newspapers through 2015.  Since then I just do it because I must – total 833 weeks in a row.  Thankful for the outlet.  Thanks for reading, commenting, and occasionally arguing.  May Jesus Christ be praised.

Blessings, Bob

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Spirituality Column #833

November 1, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Sleepers Awake

By Bob Walters

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent.” – Revelation 2:2-5

These are the ominous words of the “always forgiving” Jesus after complimenting the church at Ephesus for its “patient endurance,” saying now they “have fallen.”  This “lampstand” is the light and protection of God. “But I have this against you…”  Yikes.

It’s not enough to be a patient, enduring Christian.  Jesus calls us to be active, be true, repent of our errors, and stand up – and fight – in the battle for God’s Kingdom.

Christian salvation is a free gift, but it is not a free ride.  Here’s a story.

The Protestant church, especially the Lutherans, celebrate “Reformation Day” on Oct. 31, marking (in 2022) the 505th anniversary of Roman Catholic priest Martin Luther’s nailing his “95 Theses” to the door of Germany’s Wittenberg Castle, effectively breaking from the Roman Catholic Church and launching the Protestant Reformation.

Some years ago, a passionate 26-year-old Lutheran minister and celebrated theological prodigy delivered the Reformation Sunday sermon at an august European cathedral.  He ripped into the staid, comfortable, and “enduring” congregation with a warning of God’s coming judgment against a church that no longer fought for truth.

It was October 1932 at Berlin’s Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.  The young preacher with the unsettling and unwelcome – and basically ignored – call to action was Dietrich Bonhoffer, who never stopped fighting for Christian truth.  As a passionate servant of Christ, patriot, and martyr, he swung from the end of a Nazi noose in 1945.

Judgment for the church, incidentally, had arrived three months after Bonhoffer’s famous sermon when on January 31, 1933, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany.

That German congregation never recovered the first love it abandoned, and the once-magnificent Wilhelm Memorial Church was bombed into near oblivion by the British RAF in 1943.  Its ruins in downtown Berlin to this day are a reminder of inaction.

Bonhoffer was not appreciated as a prophet in his own country in his own time, though he told the prescient truth.  It was a truth not about foreseeing Hitler’s and Germany’s atrocities, but what the lukewarm German church was opening itself to in a perilous time when few wanted to “rock the boat” of politics and upset comfort at church.

Moreso than “future telling,” prophecy involves discerning and communicating God’s will.  Bonhoffer’s message of God’s will in Berlin went unheeded.  Germany's once-Godly national culture had lost its will to honor God, and its lampstand went out.

I thank God that I’m almost out of space for this week’s column, because I’ll spare – for now – my own church and friends and any other Christians who read this the many thoughts I have on the relevant prophecy Bonhoffer presents to America today.

America’s lampstand flickers at a political tipping point, and the “out-loud in bright lights” message of Christ is as important to our nation’s survival as it has ever been. 

Eric Metaxas, with his book Letter to the American Church, has “thrown a bucket of cold water into the face of the sleeping church.”  We had better wake up.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) suggests this video: American Church – Metaxas.

Dear Friends,

Here is Common Christianity column #832 (10-25-22), “Life Verse.” You may or may not have a life verse from the Bible, but regardless, there’s probably one in there for you.  Mine’s a little odd.  See the column below,

Blessings!  Bob

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Labels: communion, Ephesians 1:3, heavenly realms, Life Verse

Spirituality Column #832

October 25, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Life Verse

By Bob Walters

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3

Somehow Ephesians 1:3 wound up being my life verse - it jumped out at me when I read through the Bible the first time 20 years ago.

I am a baby boomer, and a late bloomer in the faith.  The fall of 2001 (I was 47) was when I found faith in Christ and was baptized.  By the fall of 2002 I had read my way through most of the Bible - to the 10th book of the New Testament, Ephesians - and this verse hit a personal, spiritual bullseye.  It was the first verse I memorized.

I didn't then understand what all Paul was saying, nor was I aware there are two other New Testament verses, 2 Corinthians 1:3, and 1 Peter 1:3, that also start (in my 1985 NIV), "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." Good to know.

It was clear to me that this partiular verse was somewhat off the beaten path of typical "life verses," a concept which was as entirely new to me as the previously opaque pages and words of the Bible, which bloomed into coherence, truth, and hope.

A "life verse" is a top-of-mind, go-to piece of scripture that both calms and focuses our minds and prayers, and speaks directly to our relationship with God, Jesus, the Spirit, the church ... and our own souls.  It is a speical and personal expression of our own unique love, relationship, and communion with God and fellow Christians.

The righteous prayers of Psalms, the accessible wisdom of Proverbs, and the brute, faithful theology of Paul's 13 books (Romans through Philemon) - especially Romans - are popular wells of "Life Verse" origins.  I like Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Typical of life verses, they call God's presence and power into one's life.  Notice these are single sentences, not entire verses, so perhaps they are "life sentences"? There are no "rules" for picking a life verse or even having ong.  What we know is that life ruled by Christ and steeped in scripture is a good "sentence" to have.

I presented my "Ephesians 1:3 Life Verse" in a church communion meditation Sunday.  A friend said afterward, "That's an unusual choice for a live verse." I agreed; it is not the more normal "God be with me, God guide me, God is faithful" sentiment.

As a newbie Christian, I guess I figured one could do worse than start every conversation with the Lord with this dynamic praise of God while declaring the identity of Jesus Christ as God's son.  Beyond a single verse though, one of the great comforts of faith is having great swaths of scripture memorized and locked in one's heart and mind.

We remember scripture and we remember Jesus in Christian communion, which was the overall message for Sunday's meditation.

I've learned over years of study, paying attention, and contemplation, what it means to praise God for blessing us "in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Paul is telling us that in this life now, through Jesus, we have glimpses of God's heaven in eternity.  God's realms already exist, and we can know and sense and touch them with prayer, work, and the love we hold for God and each other.

Heaven, you see, isn't where we go to be dead.  Heaven is where we go to be fully alive, restored to the righteous image of God we were created to be.

Praise God for the assurance of the heavenly realms we have through Christ.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) was booting the tail end of a week-long head cold on Sunday and apologizes for the microphone-amplified sniffles.  ‘Shoulda had a tissue.

Friends,  Here is Common Christianity #831 (10-18-22), “She’s No Angel.” Our dear friend Joyce Samples passed away last Saturday.  Her journey is complete, she is now among the angels … but God gives us so much more.  See the column below.  Blessings and Joy, Bob

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Spirituality Column #831

October 18, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

She’s No Angel

By Bob Walters

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” – Romans 8:17

“Our Joyce just went to heaven.”

The succinct text from dear friend and pastor John Samples arrived at 2:33 this past Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2022,

Through tears I say RIP and be with Jesus, Joyce Estes Samples.  Many are the voices of heaven welcoming another saint. 

And to Joyce, I hope no one thinks you’re an angel, because you are so much more.

Angels are servants of God, and humans who believe in and love Jesus Christ are heirs of God.  In Jesus we are divinely adopted into the Kingdom of God, where we live eternally as sons and daughters – heirs – of God Almighty in glory through the grace of Jesus Christ.

There … just wanted to get that said.  Joyce, created in the image of God, has fully joined the family of God and heaven is better off for it.  Her humanity is now perfected.

I loved Joyce Samples.  Everybody did.  She was mom to many of us, not just to her loving and protective sons John W. Samples, with whom she and John lived, and Dain Samples, who died too soon.  Joyce will always be a beautiful, loving, encouraging, and no-holds-barred lover of Jesus Christ and sister in the faith.  She is a friend in the Kingdom of God.

Our corporate, faith-family prayers deeply embrace her husband, John.  His strong, wise presence – in my opinion and others’ – as Senior Pastor Emeritus carried our East 91^st Street Christian Church through a difficult season of pastor-transition 12 years ago.  He’s the best.

Why do I think so much of the Samples?  Well, John married Pam and me, June 22, 2009 (after we asked him on June 21, 2009 – click CommonChristianity - 764 to see the column; it’s a great story).  In 2008 John and Joyce trusted me to drive their grandson Ehren to Civil Air Patrol camp up in Michigan.  Three years before that, John arranged the 2005 baptism of my son Eric by Russ Blowers (also a great friend and pastor) in an E91 Sunday service. 

Also in 2008, John and Joyce asked me to publicly share a family story (my actual working life was in journalism/public relations).  Of nine Estes siblings including Joyce, seven of them, all alive, were married for 50 or more years; one brother died after 48 years of a marriage delayed two years by his service in World War II (note: that would have been 50), and the ninth Estes sibling, a baby sister, died before age 2.  Read all about it at CommonChristianity - 275.

The Estes Golden Anniversary story went national on Associated Press and Jay Leno offered to fly them all to LA to appear on the Tonight Show.  The Estes clan declined because some family members refused to fly – anywhere – including L.A.  They just never had … flown.

John and Joyce’s 72^nd wedding anniversary would be this Oct. 28. Their 70^th anniversary during October Covid in 2020 was celebrated with hotdogs at Costco, their charming tradition.  The Castleton Costco manager set up the employee quarantine lunch area for them.  Awesome.

Yes … scripture says there are no marriages in heaven (Matthew 22:30, like the angels, who also are not married).  But Joyce was a presence who made folks on this side of the river sure there was a heavenly home awaiting.  Faith, love, joy and kindness were what Joyce sowed in the Kingdom every day.  I don’t know how it all works but I hope she’s rejoicing with Dain.  The rest of us will be along at some point. 

For now, with a big amen to a beautiful child of God, Joyce is home, safe, and loved. But she’s no angel.  She’s an heir in God’s image, and a beacon of light and love to the faithful.

Look at Joyce, and remember.  And celebrate.  And know … that’s how you do it.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes he’ll especially miss Joyce’s daily “Ponders” (CommonChristianity - 535). She was 89.  Her funeral is Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m., in The Hall at E91.  Visitation at noon.

Friends,

Here is Common Christianity #830 (10-11-22), “What in the World?” Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom are two fairly different things, but easy spot while hard to define.  See the column just below.  Have a great week!  Bob

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Labels: James 3:13-18, Kindness, Mustard Seed Bible study, peace, philosophy, U.S. Supreme Court, wisdom

Spirituality Column #830

October 11, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

What in the World?

By Bob Walters

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” – James 3:13

Wisdom is one of those wonderful cosmic qualities, like love and beauty, that defies common, worldly definition.

One can spend a great deal of time describing wisdom or love or beauty without nailing a repeatable, true-in-every-case, conclusive list of qualities.  It’s easier to revert to the “I know it when I see it” argument Justice Potter Stewart used in a 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case involving free speech and a more opposite idea, obscenity.

But wisdom is the topic of the day.  In preparing a lesson on James 3:13-18 for a Mustard Seed session last week I discovered a couple of plainly observable elements of “wisdom” that I’ve previously overlooked … but now realize they are there all the time.

One is kindness, and the other is peace. Yeah … it surprised me too.  These have not been the first things I think of regarding wisdom.  Now, I can’t un-think of them.

James is considered the New Testament’s unofficial “wisdom literature” because it is similar in pithy, practical, easily accessible tone and advice to the Old Testament’s Book of Proverbs.  Plain language, plain instruction: do the right thing and it is wisdom.

“Who is wise…?” James can tell with two sure indicators – “a good life, and humility.” (v13) Good life here means “free of self-inflicted chaos” and humility is bridling one’s pride.  If we think of a “good life” as being “rich, smart, good looking, and healthy” – hey, I’d take it, I think – we are nonetheless flirting with and possibly nosediving into James’ next point (v14) about harboring “bitter envy, selfish ambition … [and] boasting.”

Humans tend to idolize the worldly stuff we attain, and we need to not do that.

We never encounter selfish envy and think, “This is a wise person.”  But when we see grace and calmness amid difficulty, and an abiding concern for others, and let’s not forget love, we sense a power beyond fallen humanity’s chaotic fight for survival.

I daresay we sense the comforting, peace-tending presence of the divine.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, clearly delineates origins of two different kinds of wisdoms: the wisdom from above, i.e., God, and the wisdom from below, which he describes as earthly, unspiritual, demonic (v15).  This is the worldview that creates trouble amid those who are “wise in their own eyes” (Is 5:21, Prov 26:12, Rom 1:22). To avoid, disbelieve, or discount divine – i.e., God’s – wisdom is to sow chaos and death. 

Only God’s wisdom is permanent and eternal.  Man’s earthly wisdom – we all have at least some – works for a while but ends at human death; there is no enduring, eternal peace, no “next round” to go to.  Unspiritual wisdom gives rise to earthly disorder, and when the “wisdom” of demons and Satan call the plays, evil flourishes.

Sadly, there is only limited “play” for this assessment, and that only among those of us who believe the Bible and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our connecting point to God and salvation. Whatever else happens in life, when we have relationship with Jesus, wisdom shows in kindness and inherent peace. Non-believers lack that.

Think of the countless libraries of human philosophy that are plenty erudite but lack God, the fear of God, and relationship with Christ. James shouldered the task of defining the world’s new reality in Christ, and it was God’s wisdom James shared.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) encourages you to think of Godly and wise people you know; they live in kindness and peace, right?

 Friends,

Here is Common Christianity column #829 (10-4-22), “What Do I Know?” When we understand that when we know Jesus we know God … we know a lot.  See the column below.  Oh ... and thanks to long-time friend Stan N. who was first to point out my typo last week regarding our mutual friend and mentor George Bebawi … George died February 2021, not 2001 as I had it in the mass email.  I might add … a lot of what I know is thanks to George.  Have a great week!  Blessings, Bob

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Spirituality Column #829

October 4, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

What Do I Know?

By Bob Walters

“But whom do you yourselves say that I am?” – Jesus to the Disciples, Matthew 16:15

 Modern Christians spend an awful lot of time wondering if they are behaving like Christians. Or, judging if others are behaving like Christians.

Christianity worries about sin.  And salvation.  And “my rewards.”  And, “Am I going to heaven?”  Christians thank Jesus first and foremost for forgiveness, and for His perfect sacrifice on the cross.  “Wow!  You did all that for me? Thank you, Jesus!”

Such is the state of today’s broadband church.  The therapy of knowing one is saved, forgiven, going to heaven, and meeting Jesus is the great sales pitch and palliative of faith and social life with Christ.  The brass ring of the too-often misdirected contemporary church is that “I was bought at a price and now Jesus is my Home Boy.”

Well, Jesus is certainly my friend, and yours whether you accept Him into your life or not.  We are indeed all sinners and Jesus on the cross defeated our death by covering our eternal sins with His perfect blood.  Jesus did it for love, in obedience.

But let me insert here that I bristle a bit at the whole “paid the price” thing because as churchly ubiquitous as that idea is, the Bible doesn’t say it.  And while yes, the body and blood indeed metaphorically look like a “cost,” to whom is the “price” paid? 

To God?  Jesus is God.  No, He doesn’t pay Himself. And Peter doesn’t rob Paul.

Which brings us to today’s point.  Jesus rarely asks about a person’s behavior; He asks what they believe.  When we make “faith” about our behavior and rewards, we miss the actual prize: the comfort, peace, grace, and strength of life in Christ.  Jesus emphasizes obedience to his commands, which are to love God and love others

What we know through Jesus Christ isn’t simply “how to behave.”  What/Who we know through Jesus Christ … is God.  And we know that God is love.  Jesus’s sacrifice wasn’t a “payment,” a “price,” or a “trade”: it was God’s own gift of obedience and love.

Look at the Gospels.  Rather than relentlessly instruct human behaviors, Jesus relentlessly asks, inquires, teaches, shows, and presses the point onto humanity about His own identity.  He does it with words, miracles, knowledge, and authority … by faith.

Without “proof” or business cards or an “I Am God” name tag, Jesus’s mission on earth among humanity was to reveal God as a loving Father who sent His son to repair and restore our relationship as the Creation in God’s own image.  In our aggregate pride and sin, we lost that relationship in the fall of Adam and Eve.  Jesus came to tell us God was willing to give it back … if we trust, believe, and obey His son Jesus … in faith.

And Peter got it right, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:16)

The New Testament is the Holy Spirit’s gift to us – as is the Old Testament as well – to instruct us who Jesus is and how to live in this life with the love of Jesus Christ.

Remember of Jesus: “Who He Is” is the point, not “What we do;” works don’t save us.  We accept the grace and peace of Christ with our love and trust of God, and become beneficiaries of a life in Christ; Jesus already knows what it’s like to know God.

Jesus didn’t bring a new religion, he brought revelation of reality and the gift of us being able to know God.  Our eternal, image-of-God life and relationship are restored.

If that helps one’s behavior – and it should – so much the better.  That I know.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) wouldn’t trade life in Jesus for anything; it’s priceless.