Outside the Camp with Christ

August 30, 2009 · Posted in Devotional, Jesus Christ · Comment 

For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
Hebrews 13:11-13

outsidelookinginJesus suffered “outside the camp.” What a stark picture of loneliness and solitude. He suffered while hundreds, perhaps thousands, passed by. Yet, He suffered alone.

He was not in the camp. He was not in the mainstream. He was not among those who followed the popular school of thought in His day. He offered a radically different message: one of  righteousness and mercy, judgment and forgiveness.

He loved the unlovely. He exposed hypocrisy. He told the truth.

Now, the writer of Hebrews stirs us to action. He rallies the Christian troops with the words, “Let US go to him, OUTSIDE the camp, BEARING his reproach.” Let us be less concerned about how we “look” to others, or that we might “appear” fanatical, or that we might not find ourselves in the “mainstream,” and more concerned with having a real, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

No one can have both.

You cannot walk with the “world” and Christ. He is always going to be outside the camp.

So, choose, my friend. Will it be Christ or the crowd? Are you willing to bear the abuse that accompanies surrender to His will and Word? Which do you desire more – a place in the camp today, or that city to come?

A Prayer For Today: Lord Jesus, I choose You. I will come to You and follow You regardless of the cost. No earthly acclaim or acknowledgement can take Your place in my life. And no human reproach can compare to the joy You give to me. Give me strength and grace, Lord. Amen.”

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Give Me a P! Give Me an R! Give me an I! Give me a D! Give me an E!

May 18, 2009 · Posted in (Gene)ric Ramblings, (Gene)tic Rantings, Life Experience · 6 Comments 

The Bible has a great deal to say about pride…and none of it is good. Over and over again, pride is roundly condemned. It is listed among the seven deadly sins. God goes so far as to say that when a person is filled with pride, He hates the look on that person’s face. [See Proverbs 6:16-18.]

Why then has it become vogue for Christians to tout their pride? They are proud of their church, their preacher, their kids, their jobs, their accomplishments, ad infinitum. I know that we Christians love to do ideological and theological gymnastics to defend our own faults…and even to paint them, not as faults, but as strengths. Church pride can’t be a bad thing, right? I mean, after all, the church is all about Jesus and Jesus is all about the church…so if I go around smacking everyone in the face with how my church rocks the most, that just has to be something Jesus would high five me on. Right? And community pride. I mean, come on! I am a Texan. How can I not rub that in the face of everyone who isn’t? And my grandkid? He is way cuter than yours and I have the pics to prove it.

It isn’t any wonder that many thinking people are turned off more by Christians than they are Christianity. Too often, we pretty much do what we want and interpret the Bible in a way that supports how we wanted to live in the first place. Then, we puff out our chests and look down our noses at all the poor, ignorant slobs who aren’t as enlightened as us.

We  pat ourselves on the back, so proud of all we are…and all we aren’t.

Lest you think me unqualified to speak on this subject, I would draw back the curtain to my own heart and reveal that my besetting sin is – and always has been – pride. I didn’t preach to any church yesterday. I am not pastoring one today. I won’t be overseeing one tomorrow. I am where I am because of pride.

I’m not proud of that. I am proud of myself for recognizing and acknowledging it.

Um, wait…

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