Chi Alpha

Our Chi Alpha chapter (at MIT) recently co-sponsored a program called: “Global Genocide – Lessons from a Liberator and Holocaust Survivors.” It was one of many interfaith observances during Holocaust Remembrance Day. One of the speakers was a former platoon sergeant in the liberating unit of the 7th Army’s 45th Infantry Division. The second speaker is the author of a book about Boston area Holocaust survivors.

The author mentioned a museum in a small town near Munich, Germany, both known by the same name – Dachau. The memorial museum is located on the grounds of an infamous Nazi concentration camp. It is a site visited annually by millions interested in history, yet a place of horror for those who revisit where they had been imprisoned and tortured. A phrase is noticeable on the Iron Gate entrance to the place where prisoners once entered: “Arbeit Macht Frei” or work makes you free.

The phrase is misleading because the Nazi agenda was cruel and the words were a blatant lie to those subjected to the savagery of their German captors. “Work makes you free” gave false hope to the wretched souls forcibly detained and beaten by the Nazi’s, and most of them would die within the walls of their prison.

There is another lie still taught and believed today that gives false hope – “Be good, do good, and you will make it (fingers crossed) into heaven.”

The Holy Scriptures teach that to pass God’s standard of perfection and holiness, each of us would have to live a totally sinless life. Yet no one has ever been able to accomplish that. Not until Jesus of Nazareth came along.

Scripture asserts that only through Jesus are we able to be made right with God. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus took on our sin and in exchange offered us His grace and forgiveness. Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians (2:8-9), “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Does that mean that good works have no place in God’s plan? No. It means that the good works that God expects of us come AFTER we put our faith in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 reads, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Read Titus 3:3-8. The author of the letter to Titus was Paul, and notice what he said in v 8: “Those who have trusted in God should devote themselves to doing what is good.”

Think theologically. Do not believe the lie that your “works will save you” from eternal death. Scripture says that it is only through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross that we can have real freedom from sin.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I just re-watched the hit animated movie Monsters, Inc. It is based on the idea that kids are afraid of what lurks in their closet(s), and their fear provides the electrical power for Monstropolis, where the monsters live. The main scarer at Monsters, Inc., is a furry blue giant named Sully, assisted by a green, one-eyed creature named Mike.

The plot of the movie is something we all can relate to based on our childhood – when the lights go out, we get afraid of the dark. Yet the fear subsided when mom or dad came into the room at the sound of our cry and turned on the light (and of course, looked under the bed or in the closet).

When we live is spiritual darkness – away and apart from God – we may experience fear. We cannot see what lies behind or ahead, we are not sure what is in the shadows, and our feelings may get the best of us. We need God to enlighten our way. If and when we ask the LIGHT of the World (John 8:12) to be light to us, he responds by initiating friendship with us.

We can also struggle with darkness as children of God if we ignore Him and his Word. We have a responsibility to develop and feed our faith. If we refuse to read Scripture and walk in the light God shines into our lives, it should not surprise us when we stumble around in the dark. We often revert to our old ways. We ignore and even shut out God’s light. You know what happens next: we get more easily enticed by temptation, we seem to enjoy darkness more than light, and even stop following God, saying we are too busy.

The apostle John had a pragmatic approach to life and spiritual health. Read 1 John 1:5-2:2. To him, living in the light involved walking in the light. John felt following the example of Jesus had two obvious implications: First, it calls for obedience. That theme is reflected throughout 1 John…”anyone who claims to be in Jesus must walk as he did” (1 John 2:6).

The second implication as you walk in the light is that you notice other believers (Christ-followers). John said when we are in relationship with God, we are also enabled to develop proper relationships with others, and we can walk in the light together.

One helpful benefit of light is that it helps you see everything. Light repels the darkness. No monsters can hide, because the light will expose them. We have nothing to fear while walking in God’s light.

How will you walk in the light today? Will you get back to (or continue) a daily discipline of reading the Scriptures? Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Grow devotionally. How about reading Psalm 119 once a day for a week? 5 Psalms a day for a month? One chapter of Proverbs a day for a month? Remember that whatever you feed (darkness or light) will grow.

How will your life change because you are walking in the light? The characters of Monstropolis do not need your fear to power their gadgets. But your spiritual adversaries crave and seek to cultivate your fear so they can rob you of the spiritual energy and resources made available by Jesus. Ignore them, turn on the light and walk in it. It is always easier to get around in the light, and you’ll find more joy and laughter.

Love is a verb

Mike O

P.S. Don’t miss the other benefit of walking in the light listed in 1 John 1:7-9. If and when you stumble and sin, God is ready and available to forgive you. That’s something not even Sully and Mike can do for you.

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Chi Alpha Boston, launched a series of weekly podcasts back in January to aid in the discipleship and development of students, as well to others in the digital world. I am excited to report that it has recently been added to the NEW & NOTABLE Listing on iTunes.

As far as we can tell, this is the only campus ministry sponsored podcast that has garnered such attention, but we need your help in three ways.

1. Go to www.abovethehaze.org and click on the green subscription button. It will automatically subscribe you to iTunes, and you can get the podcasts we make available each week. They cover topics such as Christian biographies, arts and culture, the vocabulary of worship, apologetics, and much more.

2. After joining and please write a review of the podcast.

3. Help us spread the word. Place a link on your facebook, invite friends to view the pod cast, etc… The more traffic and reviews bumps us up the viewing list.

Thanks for considering my request.

Eric Lovejoy

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A friend of mine traveled to Japan and later told me about a shrine he visited. This shrine held hundreds of similar looking figures, with minor, but subtle differences. The tour guide informed my friend that worshipers would select a figure that resembled an ancestor and pray to that statue. My friend said he remarked that the custom seemed a bit odd to him as a western Christian, but the tour guide informed him that it was a very normal response in many Asian cultures.

I have worked with many international students over the past 26 years and remember a young man from Japan who went by the name Lee. He had come to the United States to study economics and we met through a friendship conversation program on campus. I learned that Lee practiced ancestor worship and he found stability and comfort in praying to his grandfather, who had passed away when Lee was a boy. Lee had fond memories of his grandfather and told me he found the experience warm and personal because he could pray to someone he knew.

I had the opportunity to introduce Lee to Christianity when he asked about the religious practices of my family. As I described some of the spiritual disciplines I followed, like Bible study, prayer and fasting, he remarked they seemed a bit odd. Why learn about, worship, and pray to an invisible God? Christianity sounded like a fairy tale to him, based on western ideas and thinking.

But then Lee had the chance to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in the home of an American student colleague and his family, all whom happened to be Christian. He experienced a Christian family in action, learned about American and Christian traditions, and even heard the story of Jesus for the first time. While different from the narratives he had heard in Japan, the story of Jesus captured his attention. He asked for the story of Jesus in Japanese and received a Japanese Bible a week later, which he started reading. He read the Gospel of John over a weekend and kept coming back to John 1-3 with a lot of questions.

Lee realized he never actually received any tangible help from ancestor worship and prayers. But as he read John 1:1-18, he began to feel the pull of the Holy Spirit. After a while, he decided what John was describing was not foreign worship, but the truth, and trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord, according to John 1:12 (believe + receive = right).

It took patience, love, a few members of the Body of Christ doing their part, listening, asking and answering questions, and a clear explanation of the gospel before Lee even showed interest in exploring the person and work of Jesus. Of course, it also took the work of the Holy Spirit to draw and convince Lee to trust Jesus.

Read Acts 17:16-34. When people we know see Christianity as foreign worship or something that does not make sense to them, we need to respect their ideas, questions, objections, skepticism, and even their heritage while showing them unconditional Christ-like love. We also need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by taking initiative to reach out to others around us with the message and grace of God. The Holy Spirit knows how to do His part. Will you do yours? Serve globally.

Mike

P.S. Take a look at www.onemorefriend.org for help in caring for the international students around you. Ask God for help in initiating friendship with a student from another country and culture.

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Every year, millions of children are born into the world with no valid proof of their existence. Many are from developing countries where government registration of births does not take place. Just because there is no official record does not mean they are not alive. It only means they cannot produce an official document to prove it.

Have you ever been challenged to prove you exist? Or that you belong at your school? Or questioned why you had a job or internship? Has anyone ever asked you to prove you are a follower of Jesus? The question could come from another Christian who believed that if you could not name the time and date of your conversion, your salvation may be in question. A skeptic could state that it is impossible to say God is in your life, and that you cannot be absolutely sure of the result of faith. Both questions seem a bit narrow and restricting.

The New Testament is full of admonitions for followers of Jesus to connect belief and behavior. Like two wings of an airplane, belief and behavior are crucial for balance, health, and maturity. Read 1 John 3:11-24. Verse 23 is a command from Jesus to BOTH believe in him, AND, love one another.

Do a brief study of the New Testament and look up all the “one another” statements such as, love one another, serve one another, and care for one another. Jesus expects our love for Him (and the evidence of a changed and empowered life) to be expressed in our love for one another. Remember the words of the apostle John: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. (1 John 3:14)

If someone asks you to prove that you are a Christian, go ahead and admit that it is very difficult to do. But continue to live out the teachings of Jesus each day and demonstrate what the Scriptures call us to be. When you love someone with the love of God, they will know that you are His disciple. Live communally. Love is always louder than an argument.

Love is a verb,

Mike

P.S. If there is a skeptical person in your life, will you ask God for an opportunity to love that person today?

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Friends of mine are expecting their first baby any day now. When I asked, they had indeed chosen a male and female name for the child, even though they did not know if they were going to have a boy or a girl. Yet the name of Judas was not on their list. I imagine Judas’ name would not be on any list of possible children’s names.

Parents probably do not want to name their child after a man whose name is synonymous with betrayal. But if we are honest, none of us can avoid that same stigma, because all of us have betrayed Jesus at some point, in some way.

Luke the doctor records in his gospel (read Luke 22:47-62) that Judas was not the only guilty person mentioned. The other guilty person is remembered not so much as a deserter, but as a committed follower. His name is Peter. He is known as a disciple who walked on water, was a bit rambunctious, and as one whom Jesus reinstated after he turned his back on the Lord three times (John 21:17)

What made the difference between Judas and Peter? Why did one man’s life lead to hopeless suicide, while the other lead to helpful service?

Some people assume it happened because Judas never repented. Matthew 27:4 records that Judas admitted his guilt when he said to those who paid him to hand Jesus over to them, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” But why did Judas then take his own life?

Just like Peter, Judas was sorrowful for his actions. But sorrow does not lead to repentance according to 2 Corinthians 7:10. Many believe Judas knew he was guilty, but did not believe he could be forgiven. Therefore, Judas figured that taking his own life was the only way to get rid of his guilt. He then became his own judge, jury, and executioner.

What self-destructive habit do you battle with? Drinking? Spending? Lying? Inappropriate sexual expression? Self-mutilation? Eating (or not eating)? Failing to keep your word? Are you constantly punishing yourself for your sin(s)?

Worldly sorrow led Judas to admit his own sin and then try and erase its effects by destroying himself. Godly sorrow led Peter to admit his own sin and then allow Jesus to remove it.

Grow devotionally. Read 1 Peter 1:18-19, and 1 John 1:7. The real sin that ended the life of Judas was not betraying Jesus, but his failure to ask Jesus to forgive him.

Mike

P.S. For another example of the power and love of God at Easter, read Luke 22:50-51

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He was Briton by birth, raised in a well-to-do family, and his first language was Latin. He was kidnapped at age 16 by Celtic pirates and sold into a slavery in Ireland. His captors thew him out into the fields to tend to the livestock. During many lonely days and nights, he thought back to his Christian heritage and practiced the presence of God by worshiping Him as he saw the works of God in nature. He prayed a lot, recommitted himself to God out in the fields, and even his captors saw a noticeable change in him.

While in captivity, this young man came to know and love the Irish people and their culture. He also saw their desperate spiritual need for reconciliation with God through Christ.

Six years later, after a dream, he escaped from slavery. The next 25 years of his life were lived in obscurity, but somehow he received theological training and spiritual formation to serve as a priest. God then called him to take the gospel of Jesus to the barbarian Celtic people of Ireland. He set out for Ireland in 432 A.D. with a small team of priests and helpers.

His goal was gargantuan: to accomplish what the dominant Roman church thought was impossible – to bring the message of Jesus to the barbarians. At that time in history, no one was reaching out to that tough people group. Most of the Roman church thought the barbarians had to be civilized before they could possibly become followers of Christ.

Yet, the Celts were reached for Christ! Before he died 28 years later, this man and his team planted 700 churches, ordained 1,000 priests, and almost 40 of Ireland’s 150 tribes became Christian. The slave trade was also abolished before he died, due to his efforts. After his death, his followers reached most of the Celts and Scots, and within 100 years re-evangelized all of Europe.

Today is a holiday named for that priest – some of you recognize him as Patrick, or Saint Patrick.

What characterized his strategy? First, he and his pals worked as a team. They engaged people in conversation, prayed for the sick, fed the hungry, listened to people’s questions, and answered them from Scripture. Second, they invited the Celts to join small groups to experience the presence and power of God. People were allowed to belong before they had to believe. Third, Patrick and his team practiced hospitality.

What can we learn from Patrick and his mission to the Celts? The Christian faith has to be transferred and interpreted into other cultures. Evangelism is about helping other people to belong so they can come to believe.

Serve globally. How will your faith in Christ extend to others this week on campus? How can you make a difference in God’s global plan?

Mike

P.S. To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend The Celtic Way of Evangelism, by George Hunter.

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Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in central Russia to parents of Russian nobility. Both of his parents died when he was young, and he was raised by his aunt. He attended Kazan University in 1844, and his teachers said he was mostly unable and unwilling to learn. Despite his heritage and affluence, he led a life of pleasure seeking (wine, women, and cards), until a deeply religious experience in his mid-life years. He discovered the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) that radically affected him.

He started to try and live up to Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness, and simple living. He gave away most of his inheritance, started a lot of charities, and preached the gospel of Jesus to any who would listen. He also wrote broadly about Russian life, and his more famous novel is entitled, War and Peace.

He also wrote a lot about applying Jesus’ teachings to everyday life. One such work was called, How Much Land Does A Man Need? The story describes a peasant named Pahom, who dreamed of owning his own property. He declared that if he owned property, he would not fear the devil. The devil overheard the boast and made it possible for Pahom to gain more land. Yet despite the acquisition of more property, Pahom was never satisfied with what he had. One day a local town leader in central Russia said that if Pahom started off walking in the morning, he could have all the land he could cover by sundown.

Pahom started off at dawn, motivated by sheer greed, and attempted to walk off the largest possible circle of land as he could. He covered a large circle of territory and made it back to the starting point as the sun went down. As he crossed the line, he collapsed and died. Tolstoy concluded the narrative with the words, “Six feet from his head to his toes was all the land he really needed.”

Our culture declares the viewpoint that “He or she who has the most toys wins.” Commercials are designed to imply we are desperately missing what their product has to offer. Scripture indicates that if we are consumed (i.e., obsessed) with acquiring anything – popularity, possessions, power, prestige – we are choosing to step into the devil’s trap. Satan will use greed to cripple, and ultimately destroy us. Walk wisely. Jesus says it is better to give, not get. Read Matthew 5:3-10.

I have officiated at funerals and have yet to see a funeral hearse pulling a UHaul of a person’s possession, because you cannot take your stuff with you when you die. Life is short. Why waste it on mere material pursuits. Jesus asked, “What would it profit a person to gain the whole world, but forfeit their soul?” Imagine your funeral and what people would say about you as they thought about your life and contribution. Based on what you hope people would say, start living that way now. Make your life count for eternity by living for things that really count.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I recently watched an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show called, “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs” in which Andy Taylor’s young son Opie was kind to a little dog. He fed and loved on him, but one day the dog took off. Soon enough though, the dog showed up with a few of his pals…dogs of various sizes. Opie was excited and proceeded to feed and play with the 10 or so dogs. Opie’s dad (who is the sheriff of the town) and his deputy knew that Opie could not keep the dogs, and tried to find their real owner. After several failed attempts, they brought all the dogs back to the sheriff’s office to avoid a thunderstorm. Later in the show, Opie and his dad find the dog’s owner and return the canines.

When I think about Opie, I am reminded that kindness often results in a positive response. Someone is helped or cared for. A gift is given. An encouraging word is spoken. A gesture is acknowledged and received. A response of thanks may or may not result, but that does not diminish the act of kindness in the first place.

I do not know how you feel about being kind, but Scripture indicates the apostle Paul was inspired by God to write, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Read 4:32 in the broader context of Ephesians 4:22-32, to see how Paul described the radical life of followers of Jesus. When you treat people in a loving way, even if or when they do not deserve it, you are living the kind of life Jesus called you to. In addition, you are showing evidence of the Holy Spirit in you. Galatians 5:22-23 says the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”

It’s understandable that Opie enjoyed the company of the dogs, and responded with such kindness. Children often do that around animals. But there is no reason for you to let kindness go just to the dogs. Read Psalm 103:8-12 right now. Why is it important to think about and meditate in God’s kindness? In what ways do you try to show kindness to others?

Live communally. Put your kindness into action this week to someone. Kindness communicates Christ.

Love is a verb,

Mike

“I hope to be God’s pencil. A tiny bit of pencil with which He writes what he likes.”

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A recent episode of Smallville portrayed Clark Kent (aka Superman) meeting an almost identical twin, called Bizarro. Clark was amazed at their likeness and comparable power, and learned that Bizarro was there to steal his identity, destroy him, and take his place on earth. Since no one but Clark can recognize the difference between them, Bizarro does some stuff that makes Clark look bad. Clark became a scapegoat.

The word “scapegoat” refers to someone who gets the blame for something. When someone is “scapegoated”, it often happens against their will. Women weren’t allowed to go to college in the mid-nineteenth century, because men felt they could not handle the educational load. Adolf Hitler blamed the Jews in Europe during World War 2 for the economic problems in Germany.

The origin of the word, “scapegoat” can be traced to an annual ceremony conducted on the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament. You can read in Leviticus 16:5-22 how two male goats were selected by the Jewish high priest. One was chosen to be sacrificed for the sins of the nation of Israel, while the other would become the scapegoat and would carry away the blame for the sins.

The New Testament records that these goats were symbols of Jesus and what He did for all humanity. He gave his life once for all, according to Hebrews 7:27, atoning for all of the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The first goat, which was a sin offering for the Israelites, symbolized Jesus’ death on a cross. The second goat – the scapegoat – symbolized the totally innocent Jesus, receiving and accepting and removing the guilt of sin that each of us is responsible for. Read Psalm 103:1-12 for something else to shout about.

Have you ever been a scapegoat? Ever wished you had one? None of us is without sin and guilt. Scripture says all of us have turned away from God, and He has passed that blame onto His Son Jesus for each and every one of us (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus has become our scapegoat. Think theologically. When we put our trust in Jesus, we receive forgiveness for everything we have done wrong. God then sees us as blameless children of His – because Jesus took the blame we deserved.

Jesus took on your guilt, shame, and sin. Have you placed your trust in him as Savior and Lord? Relating to Jesus as Savior involves forgiveness and love. Relating to Him as Lord involves obedience and service. How are you developing a lifestyle of reverence, obedience, and service?

Love is a verb,

Mike

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