Who is the Real Christian?

It was one of those perfect autumn days here in Denver yesterday. The sky was clear blue, temperatures in the upper 70's and just a hint of a breeze in the air. Along with a friend we met another of our friends downtown to walk the 16th Street Mall. This wasn't simply an escape to downtown or a shopping excursion. We were there to connect with over 100 non-profit agencies here in Denver that meet the needs of the community. We wanted to discover what opportunities exist for people to become involved in volunteer service to the community.

We met some wonderful people and had engaging conversations with a few of them. What was so impressive to me was how many organizations serve the diverse needs of our city. We discovered service opportunities for tutors, mentors, quilters, alcohol and drug treatment centers, rape hotlines, single parent support services, animal therapy for troubled teens, food banks, etc...

Well, you get the picture! What was so astonishing to me was that there is no end to volunteer service in our city. If there is a need, there is probably an non-profit organization that is designed to meet that need.

All this got me thinking about the passage in Matthew 25:31-46. You know the one--the sheep and the goats. It pictures Jesus dividing people at His coming into two different groups. One group of people are those who did deeds of kindness to those in need around them. Jesus commends them and tells them that as they were serving others, they were in fact serving Him. The other group--the goats--were those who saw the same needs but did nothing about meeting those needs. And in not meeting those needs they missed a golden opportunity to minister to Christ Himself.

Now my question is simply this: Who is the real Christian in your community? Is it the "saint" who adheres to the right beliefs, attends Christian services faithfully, and offers regular financial support to the church? Or is it the non-attending "sinner" who is active in his/her community faithfully volunteering time to serve the needs of the community through various agencies.

Based on Matthew 25, I think I know, and I believe you do too, what the answer to that question is. But again I ask the question for you to consider: Who is the Real Christian?

What a Celebration!

There they stood, the bride and groom, exchanging vows of commitment in front of family and friends. As I looked around the scene before me this past Monday, I could sense just a wonderful sense of joy and happiness for the bride and groom. It was a fantastic ceremony that was an accurate reflection of who the bride and groom are. The children were cute, the music was heartfelt, and the bride and groom were stunning!

Then the fun began as the wedding party and guests moved into the reception area. What a wonderful evening it was as all the guests enjoyed delicious food, the kids hovered around the candy table, toasts were made to the bride and groom, and folks laughed and celebrated well into the evening. What a wonderful celebration to honor Steve and Jodi!

As I reflect on this grand occasion, my mind can't help but wander to these words in Revelation 19: "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.' "

Some of the most wonderful moments of my life in the past few years have been spent in celebrating the weddings of people I love and cherish. Yet, as fantastic as these celebrations have been, they pale in comparison with the grand celebration God has planned for us when the marriage of the Lamb and His bride takes place. Can you just imagine the feast? I wonder what the heavenly music will be like. How long will we party and what will the celebration be like?

There's a lot I enjoy about my life here on earth, but I can hardly wait to particpate in that heavenly wedding that God has planned for us to enjoy. What a celebration!

He Understands

I love Lucy! Lucy is my Westhighland White Terrier. There's a number of reasons why I love her. She's energetic, she's feisty, she's small enough to sit on my lap, she's a good watch-dog, she's gentle with my granddaughter, she's...well, you get the idea. I love her.

This week reminded me of another reason why I love Lucy. In the middle of the night (early Tuesday a.m.), I got hammered with a flu bug like I haven't had in years. My wife had to work on Tuesday, so I was left alone in my pain and misery. It was so bad I was only out of bed for 45 minutes on Tuesday--to feed the dog and to open the sliding glass door so she could go in and out. Other than that, Tuesday was a miserable day spent alone in bed. Except for Lucy.

For those of you who have pets, you will probably agree with me when I say, I believe Lucy understood that I wasn't feeling well. She acted different than she typically does. She curled up on the bed beside me and snuggled close. She didn't beg for attention or to be petted. Lucy simply seemed to understand that I wasn't feeling well and that since she and I were the only ones in the house, she was the one who was going to have to provide me with some comfort.

Lucy understood me. I love Lucy.

Lucy's understanding reminds me of Hebrews 4:15,16. Notice what it says.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Jesus understands. He understands our temptations. He understands our weaknesses. He understands that we fall and fail. He understands that we need His help. He understands how important His mercy is to us. He understands how desperately we need His grace. Jesus understands.

Because Jesus understands, He has provided the mercy, the grace, and the help that we need. And so He invites you and me to come confidently to the throne of grace. We don't come haltingly or hesitatingly to the throne of grace. We come in humble confidence to receive His mercy, His grace, and His help. Why? Because Jesus understands!

When you are tempted to despair, when you're tempted to give up, when you're tempted to think you have to go through life alone, remember: You are invited to come to the throne of grace with confidence because He understands!