Tipping Sacred Cow

Some Cows Need Tipping

What’s It Worth?

by

My world view drastically changed when I got my first job. Up until that point in my life I had never given much thought to how much things actually cost. If your childhood was anything like mine, your parents financially provided for all your necessities, and within limits, your desires. “Oblivious” is probably the best word to describe our childhood understanding of economics and the law of supply and demand. However, in the process of time we all hit the magical age when we are eligible to apply for our first real job, whereupon fiscal realities promptly slap us in the face.

I am guessing my experience was not unlike yours. Once I emerged as a “Working Man” it became my responsibility to purchase, or contribute money towards, anything I wanted that fell outside of the realm of necessity. No longer could I arbitrarily request my parents buy me something, instead I was required to be intimately involved in the transaction. All of a sudden my young mind was forced to do mathematical gymnastics in order to understand the real cost of things. Rapidly I came to understand that in a very real way those numbers on my paycheck equated to my time, sweat and effort.

In the same way price tags ceased to be simply numbers, but instead began to represent valuable allotments of time. My thinking quickly became, “Do I really want to trade four hours for that movie?” or, “Are those shoes really worth a week of my life?” This was the beginning of my understanding of “worth”. The price tag might be telling me those shoes are worth $140, but they were not worth that to me. All of a sudden the things I formerly “couldn’t live without” became luxuries I could in fact live without. Funny how that goes when your money is on the line.

So what was going on here? Did those item cease to be valuable, or was there something else in play? Did the intrinsic worth of a pair of shoes really change, or was I simply cheap? Well, I am not going to answer those questions today. Instead I am simply going to use todays post as a teaser. It is my plan to lead into a series of posts which will explore the idea of value and worth. What makes something valuable, and what determines that value? How does God determine worth, and how does man? Be sure to come back Monday as we begin to explore the criteria of determining value.

Death Where Is Your Sting?

by

When I started Tipping Sacred Cow I did so with the intent of occasionally pointing out the strange things we believers do.  Today, I was reminded of one such custom; one that I must admit drives me a little nuts.  I am referring to the way we tend to use 1 Corinthians 15:55 out of context, and at less then opportune of times.

 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:55

I am sure you have heard this verse before.  It is a rather popular passage, one which you are likely to hear quoted at a funeral.  Now, it is more than understandable why this verse might be used at a funeral.  It speaks to our life after death, one where the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal takes on immortality.  This is an encouraging verse for all of us who are looking forward to the promise of our eternal life with Christ.  However, is it really appropriate to use it when consoling those who may be in the process of grieving?

I don’t know about you, but when someone, in an attempt to console a mourner, proceeds to say, “Death where is your sting?” I want to jump up and say, “This is it right here.”  In context 1 Cor 15:55 is speaking of the day when we receive our glorified bodies, and death is no longer an issue.  Definitely a day we can all look forward to with great expectation.  However, this verse really does not speak to the loss we feel when someone we love and cherish passes on.  A loss that is very real, and one we most assuredly experience.

Christians are by no means exempt from grief.  Sometimes I wonder if it is a prevailing belief among contemporary believers that this shouldn’t be the case.  Many times I have heard 1 Cor 15:55 quoted in such a way as to say, “Hey, you don’t need to greave.  Don’t you know death has lost it’s sting?”  In such circumstances I have actually seen it make individuals feel awkward, or worse yet convicted for experiencing a sense of loss and grief for their loved one.

In truth the issue isn’t whether Christians should grieve, but how they should grieve.  The Bible informs us that as children of God we have a hope in Christ which causes us to approach the grieving process differently than those who do not possess this same hope (1 Thes 4:13-18).  When we do grieve, we must do so with the cross in sight.  This means the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection has to inform our understanding of our present, as well as our future (1 Peter 1:3-5).  We will still experience a sense of loss, knowing that this side of eternity we will not see our loved one again.  However, because of the price Christ paid on the cross, and the fact he rose again from the dead, we are comforted knowing we shall join them with Christ some day.

Therefore, when it comes to helping brothers and sisters in Christ dealing with a loss of a loved one, you must be sure to keep the cross upfront and visible.  We may mourn, but we will mourn with the cross in sight.  1 Corinthians 15:55 alone will not console the grieving soul.  Only when we first have a shared hope, founded in Christ’s death and resurrection, will the prospect of death’s defeat truly have significance.

 

Note:  This post ties in nicely with this podcast.

 

 

Disproportionate Trust

by

I always find it interesting how God chooses, or more specifically the time he chooses, to deal with me on the issues in my life.  Let me give you a current example.  This past Sunday morning I woke around 4 am with the overwhelming sense that I needed to repent.  You are probably wondering what exactly I felt I needed to repent of.  Well, I was hit with the realization that I have been functioning, leaning upon, and trusting in my own abilities more than I have been in God’s.  This reality was both shocking and sobering.

Now before you get all pious and holier than thou, try and remind yourself we are all in the same boat floating down the same stream.  Human nature being what it is, left to our own devices, we will inevitably begin relying on our own abilities rather than on God’s ability.  Think about it, we do it all the time.  When we find ourselves confronted with a new and unfamiliar situation we quickly look to God for guidance.  Oh, we are quick to pray, and quick to search out his will in the Word.  We become praying machines.  However, given time and familiarity we slowly begin to get comfortable and simply run on reflex.  We know the routine, and we know exactly what needs to be done.  Been there, done that, excuse me while I take care of business.  Gradually we begin to rely less on God and more on our experience, talents, and expertise.  Starting to sound a little bit familiar?

Ultimately what this boils down to is we have a trust issue.  I am not saying that we do not trust God, but rather we are disproportionately trusting in ourselves.  Nothing new under the sun when it comes to our extravagant self-trust.  You can see example after example in the Bible where individuals, with the best of intentions, figured they knew how to get things done.  Case in point, Abraham and Sarah’s decisions leading up to the birth of Ishmael in Genesis 16.  Don’t judge them too harshly, because we tend to do the exact same thing.  That is why I believe God left verses like Zechariah 4:6 for us.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Obviously this was spoken specifically to Zerubbabel, but there is definitely a universal truth here.  Just like Zerubbabel, when we encounter obstacles in our daily lives they are best handled by the Holy Spirit.  That is not to say we take the limp glove approach and simply “let go and let God”.  God will most assuredly use, and inform, our experiences, talents, and expertise, and as such, accordingly place demands upon us.  In other words we have an active part to play.  A part grounded in faith and trust in God, such that we believe his Spirit will direct and guide us as we take life head on.  It will not be by your strength, ability, or expertise, but by God’s directing and empowering.

After the initial shock of my predicament, I chose to pray and repent.  When I finally did get out of bed – it was 4 am people – I went to God’s Word and found a few scriptures pertaining to trusting in God.  They were a helpful reminder that it is in God I place my trust, and not in my strength, or the strength of man.  I have included them (in no particular order) for your enjoyment and edification.  God bless.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:7

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my  strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord,  who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool….” Proverbs 28:26

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You;  Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:1-2

“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:28

 

TSC Podcast 1

by

Is There Life After Death?

 

This is Tipping Sacred Cows fist podcast.  What I will be covering the ever popular question, “Is there life after death?”  Feel free to check it out if you are interested in hearing the answer, or if you simply make fun of my first attempt at podcasting.  In either case I hope you enjoy.

Scriptures covered:  Job 14:14, Matt 25:46, Luke 16:19-21, Heb 9:27

 

Q & A: Why Does God Allow Evil And Suffering?

by

Given the position I am in I get asked a lot of questions.  From time to time I may post a question along with my answer here on the Tipping Sacred Cow.  If you happen to be someone who has asked a question in the past, don’t worry I will not post it unless I have received your permission.  Be warned I probably will not seek your permission if you have posted my answer on the wall of your Facebook page.  At that point I am assuming permission is implied.  🙂

Today’s question came in on my Facebook account.  The question involves a scenario I am sure many of you are familiar with.  An unbelieving friend asks you, “If God is so loving why does he allow evil and suffering in the world?”  So what do you tell your friend?  Is there any answer which is biblical and will not sound hollow?  I should hope so.  You will see my response below.  I am leaving the original question out of the post in order to protect people’s privacy.  I simply cut and paste my response from my Facebook account, so please do not hold any grammar and spelling mistakes against me.

The Bible reveals to us that God by His very nature is gracious, merciful, good, kind, and loving.  However, most people have difficulty harmonizing these attributes with the ever present reality of evil, pain, and suffering in the world.  The question your friend asked is not an uncommon one.  In fact it is probably the number one question that people ask Christians.  It comes in many different forms and contexts, but ultimately it could be summed up in “Why does God allow evil and suffering to exist?”  There are several ways one could go about answering this.  I will see if I can give you an answer which might bring clarity.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the Bible is relatively mute on the topic of the origins of sin and evil (other than to explain how it first entered man).  The reason why I bring this up is because death, pain and suffering originate from sin (Rom 5:12).  In other words all the suffering we see and experience in the world is a direct result of sin.  I am not saying that every time we personally experience pain and suffering it is because of some particular sin we committed.  What I am saying is suffering and death were birthed the moment man sinned, and continues to exist because sin remains.

I guess this naturally leads to the question “Why does God allow suffering to continue?”  When people ask this question I usually ask them “What would you propose God should do?”  Their reply is almost always “He should put a stop to all evil and suffering.”  This may sound odd, but I typically tell them that we are very lucky that He doesn’t do that.  For God to put a stop to ALL evil and suffering He would have to put a stop to every act and/or every individual that causes suffering.  This list of people whom God would have to stop would include all liars, thieves, murders, adulterers, back biters, slanderers, abusers, etc.  Even thought the ramifications might be “different”, the list would also have to include everyone who has acted selfishly and hurt anyone’s feelings.  The list, although not conclusive, is pretty big.  It gets even bigger when you realize that in God’s economy you are just as guilty when you conceive such things in your heart (Matt 5:27-28).  In fact, I am sure that by my own actions (or inaction) I have caused some of the suffering that exists in the world.  This means that God would have to put a stop to me too, and I am sure I am not alone here.  The necessity of God having to put a stop to me in order to end all suffering is quite sobering.

What we come to discover is that in reality it is an act of mercy that God hasn’t done away with evil and suffering.  I understand this doesn’t make sense, but please stick with me and let me explain.  God takes no joy in pain, suffering, and death.  In fact there will be a day when He gloriously abolishes all three.  However, until that day He patiently tolerates our sin and the suffering we cause so that He might sovereignly save us by His grace.  In other words His mercy and patience in the face of our sin gives us the time we need to change and repent.  He is simply waiting for the fullness of time so that He might save all those whom He foreknew.  Is He capable of bringing the “hammer” down upon evil, pain, and suffering and immediately destroying them for all time?  The answer is a resounding yes.  However, He is too loving of a God to do that when those whom He loves will be destroyed as well.

This understanding has helped me to harmonize how a loving God can allow pain and suffering to exist.  However, I am also fully aware that my answer falls short and will fail to satisfy those who are intimately dealing with pain an suffering.  What do you tell an individual who is personally, or in relationship with someone, suffering or in pain?  What helps me in such occasions is the understanding that this present life isn’t all there is.  The Bible shows us that our lives are indeed but a vapor (James 4:14, Job 7:7, Psalm 78:39), here today and gone tomorrow.  However, it also shows us that when this life concludes another one begins (Matt 25:46, John 11:25-26, 1Cor 15:20-22, 1Cor 6:14).  Sometimes the immediacy of the pain and suffering overshadows the truth of the fact that suffering is temporal, and is not worthy to be compared to the wonderful things God has in store for us (Rom 8:18).

You have to keep in mind there are also aspects of suffering we will never understand this side of eternity.  God is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.  Since we are not eternal, infinite, omniscient, and omnipresent there will be many aspects of God’s plans we will not be able to wrap our minds around.  Yes, sometimes bad things happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, and even in the midst of suffering, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him.  Could God prevent all suffering? Of course. But He assures us that even in suffering “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” Rom 8:28.