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The keener the memory of our awful rescue, the more naturally we pity those in a similar plight. The more deeply we feel how undeserved and free was the grace that plucked us from the flames, the freer will be our benevolence to sinners.
–John Piper

We are right on top of the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
It seems to me that those who experienced the loss of their home in Katrina are some of the first to want to help others when they hear of tragedies that others have encountered.

When they hear of a fire that has burned down someone’s home, they want to help.
When they hear of an earthquake, they want to send relief.
And definitely when they hear of flooding, they remember how others helped them, they remember the rescue, they naturally pity those who are experiencing the same feelings, and they are so very benevolent towards those in the midst of the crisis – wanting to help in any way possible.

And if we will allow God to open our eyes to see the matter clearly, we will see that we were in an even worse situation than those who lose a house. We were in a situation where our soul was lost – when our lives were wrecked by sin and we were destined to an eternity in hell for our rebellion until Jesus came in with His amazing grace and plucked us from the flames. If we will see that truth clearly, then we will have a natural desire to help others find the same help and rescue from Jesus. We will naturally pity those without Jesus, and we will be benevolent towards them – doing all that we can to help in any way possible.

But if we don’t feel that Jesus had to rescue us much, because we were pretty good people… then we’ll take the stance of the Pharisees who never saw their need, never knew their plight of spiritual shipwreck, and never had benevolent compassion for others to find rescue by the Messiah.

God, help me to have a keen memory of who I was before Jesus – with no righteousness of my own, lost, and destined for hell. Help me to have pity for those still without you. Help me to want to help them out of their terrible situation.

“Personal relationship with Jesus Christ…” could give the impression that the Christian faith is private—“just between you and God.” For while our faith is indeed very personal, it is definitely not private. Private Christian faith is an oxymoron.
–Matt Chandler

As Americans who are so individualized and who care so much about how things affect me, we recoil a bit at this quote. But what does Scripture say about our Christian faith?

You are one body made up of many members.
Consider one another as more important than yourselves.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

It does not take long at all to see from Scripture that the Christian life is not private. It is meant to be lived together in fellowship and accountability in community. Just look at the model of the early church in Acts where they met together, prayed together, shared with one another, and saw God do amazing things because of it.

Jesus tells us that people will believe in Him based on our unity. Our ability to be diverse individuals who experience a oneness with each other – allowing the uniting power of Christ to bridge every difference – that is what God says the Christian life should look like. So, if you are trying to live the Christian life alone, you are “doing it” wrong!

The Christian Life is Doing Life Together In Christ.

“His track I see and I’ll pursue,” sang our fathers only a short generation ago, but that song is heard no more in the great congregation. How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of “accepting” Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls. We have been snared in the coils of a spurious logic which insists that if we have found Him, we need no more seek Him.
–A. W. Tozer

The language of this quote by Tozer may be a bit difficult, but I think it points out a great tragedy that has occurred in the lives of many people due to a failure of God-honoring teaching in the church. The teaching is that as long as we “accept” Christ and gain our “fire insurance” to keep us out of hell, then we don’t need to continue “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.”

I hope that you haven’t stepped into a relationship with Jesus and then you just sat down. I pray that you will desire to go deeper and deeper in your relationship with Him. That you’ll hear Him calling to you: “Farther Up and Further In” as you strive for more spiritual maturity and as you seek to become more like Christ daily.

Pain.
Hurt.
Suffering.

Have you ever noticed that there’s a kind of secret society you enter once you’ve suffered? The particulars of your story don’t matter as much as the simple fact that you and someone else have felt the same deep pain. Though initiation stinks, there are benefits to membership. Camaraderie is one. You also become more aware of other sufferers around you and feel less self-conscious about offering sympathy. You get to hear their own heart-wrenching stories and learn along with them. You get to rejoice with those who overcome. And in your own darkest moments…you get to draw from the deep wells of authentic wisdom that come from walking through the fire.
–Anonymous, Embracing Obscurity

None of us hope to join the Secret Society of Those Who Suffer, but we all will become members before we end this life.

But instead of worrying about the suffering that is coming, or even the suffering we are in the midst of, how about we think about the benefits of being in the club. The benefits that are mentioned in the above quote: Camaraderie with others. A deeper awareness of the needs of others. Less self-conscious about being sympathetic. And gaining wisdom that can be shared with others due to your own walking through the fire.

Take Jesus’ hand, and let Him lead you safely through the fire, through the darkness, through the suffering that you definitely will experience in this life (or may be experiencing even right now). On the other side are benefits for yourself and others. Be willing to share your experiences with others to help them know how to navigate the treacherous waters with Jesus.

Ten thousand people telling a lie do not turn the lie into truth.
–Bruce Shelley

What is the standard for truth?
It must be something outside of myself, otherwise I am the creator of truth.
2+2=4, not because I agree or disagree with the statement, not because I like or dislike it.

So what is the standard?

The unchanging character of God determines truth and morality.
What He says is true. Who He is is true.
Anything that goes against His nature, character, word, or will is not truth.

The problem is that we don’t want it that way.
But just because I want 2+2=7.5, won’t make it so.
And just because all of society wants to redefine truth or morality, won’t make it so.
Therefore, look to God’s Word, learn His truth, and hold it up as what you will trust and believe and follow.

To do otherwise is to hope that you can change the truth by majority opinion.
And worse, it will put you outside of God’s will and His plan for your life.