The Christian life is like a spiral staircase winding up to Heaven.  The framework is made of pure gold, the steps of translucent crystal.

When we first become believers there are seven steps in place, taking us up one full turn of the stairway.  Each step is a major lesson the Lord has for us, teaching us the basics in dealing with our personal sinful tendencies and practices, such as impatience, selfishness, jealousy, greed or lust.

Depending on how teachable we are, going up these first steps may go quite quickly, or may take us a long, long time. Some who are unwilling to learn and repent may never make it up these seven steps at all; their refusal to listen to the Spirit strands them on the lower steps of the spiritual life.

When we come to the seventh step we have to stop.  The framework goes on up, but with nothing more to tread on, we are stuck.

“Ok, Lord, I need another step to go higher!” we pray.  No step is given; but in time, a big black burden, a difficulty, appears on our shoulder.  “What’s this, Lord?!!!” We exclaim. “I need a step up, not something to weigh me down!”

As we struggle to balance this burden, we realize it looks familiar.  It is one of those seven sins we learned to deal with on the way up.  Then, if in repentance we lower this burden before the Lord, confessing our sin to Him, thanking Him for revealing this to us again, praising Him for His goodness and wisdom, the burden is miraculously transformed into the next crystal step up!

So it goes: each problem that comes to us has the potential to be a burden, a barrier,  or to move us upward in our walk with Jesus. The key is our response to it.  As Psalm 50:23 says “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving [giving thanks when we don’t feel like it] honors me, and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.” Praise and thanksgiving given out of faith are powerful transformers of problems and sins into the next step up.

As we spiral up the staircase, we will have to deal with the same weaknesses of our character over and over.  Satan will say, “Look, you aren’t making any progress; you might as well just give in and enjoy this temptation!”  The truth, however, is that we are making progress, for we are encountering the same sins on a higher level; and the biblical solution to the temptation and failure is the same as before.  Apply the answer, praise God, step up.

In this life there is no end to the possibilities of progressing up this golden stairway, of getting to know God better and better, of seeing more and more victory in our lives. The key is: am I willing to praise for what I would naturally complain about? “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:18

The door to the courtroom opened and the prisoner shuffled in, handcuffed and in shackles.  The policeman led him to the defendant’s box and gruffly told him to sit down.

Shortly afterwards the bailiff stood and called out in a strong, clear voice, “Rise, for the Most High Judge comes!”

All rose as the door behind the bench opened and the Judge entered, bringing with him a strong aura of power and authority. A sense of awe washed over everyone at being in the presence of such an august and mighty Ruler.

“All may sit,” The Judge said. “Prosecutor you may approach the bench.”

The Prosecutor rose and strode eagerly forward, his tail lashing in anticipation of the kill. “Your honor,” he said,” smirking, “This man is clearly guilty as charged.  And I charge him again with treason, that is, with rebellion against you, disobeying your clear orders in the middle of battle, endangering his comrades and sowing the seeds of disobedience in those who followed him.”

The Judge looked down solemnly. “Those are serious charges, worthy of life imprisonment.” He turned to the prisoner, “How do you answer these charges?” he asked.

“Ah, well, your honor, I think he’s making this much more serious that it really is.  All I did was want my peace. I avoided unnecessary conflict. Isn’t that what you want for us? Peace and quiet? Nice relations?”

The Judge frowned and turned to the Prosecutor. “Let us see what evidence you have, and then I will again address the prisoner.”

The Prosecutor, stroked his horns and smiled smugly, sure of his case. “Certainly, your honor. I call my first witness, the spirit of fear.”

The spirit rose from his seat and floated to the witness stand. “Tell us,” said the Prosecutor, “what you have observed in the defendant’s life.”

The spirit rubbed his ethereal hands and smiled so his crooked and pointed teeth showed. “Why certainly, sir,” he said, bowing deeply to the Prosecutor while carefully keeping his face turned away from the Judge. “This man refused to submit what he knows to be true. Instead of obeying the law of the Judge—and he knows the law well—he chooses constantly to cave into what other people think, to live in the fear of man and to the fears I put into his mind.”

“Give us an example,” said the Prosecutor.

“Oh, I can give you lots of them,” the spirit replied, enjoying his role. “Most of them have to do with his family life.  He’s afraid of his wife, so he let’s her lead him.  He doesn’t want the trouble of standing on his own hind legs and obeying the Judge’s law to lead, so whatever she says, he does.  He even uses the vocabulary of submission: ‘My wife won’t let me do this or that,’ he says, or ‘I have to ask my wife before I can answer.’  His wife puts him down in public, constantly correcting him, and he says nothing to this, neither in public nor in private.  He withdraws from confrontation, he lets her lead.”

The Judge interrupted. “This is certainly against the laws I have laid down. A man is to lead his wife.  In failing to do so, he steals her security, he steals from his children a proper example, he steals from others the witness to righteousness that I built into marriage.  This is certainly a serious crime.”

The prisoner hung his head.

“And that’s not all, “ the evil spirit continued, “This failure to lead his wife comes from his failure to lead himself according to your law.  He is a complainer, he does not acknowledge your presence and help and sovereignty, he does trust you to help him, fleeing instead to what he thinks is a safer place, withdrawal from responsibility.  He lives in unbelief, denigrating your name, your Word and your  honor.”

The Judge turned to the prisoner. “What do you say to this?”

The prisoner squirmed. “Well, your honor, some of this is true…”

“Some or all?” asked the Judge sternly.

“Um, well, I guess all of it, but I don’t think it’s as bad as it’s being painted. You don’t know how scary my wife can be when she is mad, or how she can make me really uncomfortable.  If I stood up to her, things would get really messy and who knows if they’d ever get straightened out?”

The Prosecutor broke in, “There, your honor, he condemns himself out of his own mouth—he does not believe that your law leads to righteousness. He does not believe that obedience is better than comfort. He does not believe that you give him power to do what is right. He does not believe that you can change his wife. And he does not believe that it is his job to give his wife security by leading her well.”

The Judge nodded gravely. “You are right, Prosecutor.”  He turned to the prisoner.  “Without the need of further witnesses, based on your own description of your wrong doing, I declare you guilty of rebellion against my law, of disobedience in the battle of life, of leading others astray, and of failure to provide the protection I desired for your family.  I condemn you to life imprisonment in the cell of fear, where you will experience unending frustration and futility as well as fumbling failures. I sentence you to unhappiness, endless conflict and suffering until you repent. Case closed.”

The prisoner gaped, his mouth hanging open, his face slack. He gathered himself together and fell on his knees, raising his handcuffed hands to the Judge, “But, but, your Honor, that’s too strict a sentence for so small a failure!”

The Judge frowned, “So small a failure?!!! You have no idea how serious this willful disobedience of yours is. It is the same sin that Adam committed in the garden when he failed to lead himself and his wife properly in the face of the attack of the enemy. Just like Adam, in your failure to lead, you steal my glory, you jeopardize the future of your family and the service to which I’ve called you. You also exposed those around you to temptation and you weaken the witness I’ve prepared for you to give those seeking for salvation. You have also left your wife in the illusion that she can find security by controlling the people and events around her, and thereby left her in the clutches of the Prosecutor–and you say this isn’t serious?  Take him away, bailiff.

“But your honor!” the prisoner shouted, “I thought you were a God of compassion and forgiveness and grace.”

“I am,” said the Judge, “but you have refused to accept my grace and pass it on to others. You’ve had no compassion on your wife, only on yourself; you have given no grace to your family, only to yourself. Go and think on these things in your cell. I will come and visit you.

Remember, I did not send this spirit of fear to you, but you have listened to him instead of me. When you are willing to lay down your ideas and to take up mine, when you are willing to take up the power, the love and the clear thinking I send by my Spirit, then there will be a hope for you. I can only urge you to be quick in repentance before it is too late for your family. Case closed.”

The Prosecutor rubbed his hands together as the prisoner was led away. The Judge looked after him in sadness. The prisoner cried himself to sleep that night. The Spirit prepared to guide the prisoner to read the next morning to Psalm 19.

Psa 19:8  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,giving light to the eyes.

Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.

The ordinances of the the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
Psa 19:10  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psa 19:11  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psa 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

God waits, repentance waits, restoration waits.  And you?

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<Read Part 7

A real example of a “worldview shift opportunity.”

Here’s a actual situation of a local church leader in a Middle Eastern culture who struggled with a difficult, personally painful situation pointing his need to make a worldview shift.

.Harry and Ivan were two people whom  John, the leader of their little church, had helped extensively.  He had spent much time encouraging and counseling them individually. He had given each of them financial help from his own pocket. He had helped with the wayward son of one. He had confronted one on some difficult issues. He had built faithfully into their lives.

One day Ivan came to John and told him how Harry had done an unethical and dishonest thing right in front of him. They discussed Harry’s seeming lust for more income leading him to unethical behavior, his failure to lead his family well spiritually and his refusal to help a brother when it was within his power to do so, preferring instead to help an unbelieving relative. [Perhaps you can see in this last item how Harry was acting totally within a Middle Eastern worldview: family first no matter what.]

This was one of several such talks they had. John often tried to tone down Ivan’s anger, and to turn the conversation to other things.

Several months later, one of the expats working in this little church called John and asked him to come to a meeting to talk about relationships. It was not good timing for John as he was under a lot of pressure from his extended family, and was preparing to leave in two days an extended study trip abroad.

When John arrived, there were Ihan and Harry, along with two expats. The meeting started off hot and went to scalding. Ihan accused John of gossip and slander as well as unethical business practices. John was flabbergasted at this turn of events. All the love and help he’d given these guys, and this is how they acted? He steadfastly denied any wrong doing–especially when these two guys had done the exact things they were accusing him of–and attempted to hold in his anger. He refused to acknowledge that he had gossiped or slandered Harry. It was not a good meeting. Everyone left dissatisfied.

Now, the question is, biblically, what should John do?  It is clear what he should do according to his culture. He should keep up a front of being right (to admit fault would be a weakness and would bring shame on him). He should cut off his relationship with Ivan and Harry for their insulting him, and he should keep away from the expats that dragged him into such a shaming situation.

However, looking at it biblically there are three very different things he should do. First, he should confess to God his sin in the situation. He did talk with Ivan behind Harry’s back. He was angry at Harry. He did speak as if there was no good in Harry’s life, slandering him.  Second, he should then go to each of the other people involved, confess his poor behavior at the meeting along with his stubbornness, pride, gossip, slander and unrighteous anger. And third, he should ask for forgiveness.

Whoa! How many western believers would do such a thing? Yet the difficulty, the contrast with his natural worldview is much greater for John.  The gap between what John’s shame culture dictates (do whatever it takes to defend and preserve your honor, at all costs avoid losing face.) and a biblical worldview (humble yourself, confess sin, ask forgiveness). is huge. Humanly speaking, these are impossible demands.

Yet, if John is willing to reject his natural worldview and act according to biblical standards, he will be transformed, the power of his testimony will increase, he can be again filled with the Spirit and he will be a more useful instrument in God’s hand.  That’s the power that flows when we are willing to make a worldview shift.

How about you? Are you ready to embrace a biblical worldview at the cost of humiliation? If our foremost desire is to love, glorify and serve Jesus, we can answer with a hearty “YES!” We know that humiliation is the shortcut to humility. And we know that in such obedience, we can glorify God, be further transformed and be more useful for Him. In a biblical worldview, what more could we ask for?!!!

< Three things, Part 7

I wrote earlier about nurturing our first love for Jesus.  As I’ve worked at this, some results of basking in His love have become apparent. First, there has been a strengthening of my inner being, a solidifying of my emotional state.  Things that used to shake me up or disturb me now have much less effect.  This reminds me of the verse “I cried to the Lord and He strengthened me with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3 KJV)

Second, fear of man is lessening.  It is amazing how many of my decisions have to do with fear of man.  For instance in dressing, I naturally think of whether others would approve or disapprove of my clothes instead of thinking what would honor God and open the way for more witness.  Now others’ possible thoughts have less power as I see more of the pristine, powerful, perfect character of Jesus.

Third, things of this world are fading more into the background.  As I face negative possibilities, it has become easier to ask God to do what is best rather than beg Him for what I want. It is better to surrender the situation to Him, for He knows the best course to take.  It may mean that the decisions will not go the way I want because God has a plan to bring about some greater good.  When delays and problems come up, I can praise Him for what He is going to do in this. His glory, wisdom and goodness shine far more brightly in my understanding, making the negatives of this world pale in comparison.

This upward trajectory will probably continue as I persist in nurturing my first love for Jesus, intentionally gazing on Him, praising Him, worshiping Him in my quiet time. I hope this will be true for you, too, as you intentionally nurture your first love for Him.

< Read part 6

Our natural world view is influenced/shaped primarily by our view of God. Think of the worldview differences among an atheist, an active jihadist and a born-again follower of Jesus–these difference come from their divergent views of who and what God is.

Our understanding of God, in turn, flows from our religion, culture, home, experiences, and the values we choose to live by.  Our world view then determines our personal beliefs, our values and thereby our behavior.

Very briefly:

Beliefs @ God->World view-> personal beliefs –>values  –>behavior

Our world view is held primarily on an emotional level, not an intellectual one; that’s why most people are unaware of what their own world view is; that’s why just giving them  knowledge alone wonn’t change their world view.

Here are some categories that can help us understand our world view.

Beliefs about God (what He is like and how much He is involved in our lives)

Orientation of society (group vs individual)

Type of society (guilt or shame or fear)

Top values (ones we actually live by)

Top relationship (what we focus on)

How we get top value (what we have to do to procure it)

Implementation (how is this lived out)

Let’s look at two examples:

USA Worldview: (“average Joe” nonbeliever world view)

Beliefs about God: nice guy who wants me to be happy and helps me out when I need it.

Orientation of society: individualism (extreme)

Type of society: guilt (vaguely)

Top value: comfort (think of how often we say, “that’s outside my comfort zone,” or  “I’m not comfortable doing that.”)

How to get the top value: avoid anything that makes me uncomfortable, focus on self, no means too extreme to protect my comfort.

Top relationship: me

How to get top value: protect myself, think of myself first.

Implementation: focus on self leads to self-centered gratification, gluttony, materialism and addictions, laziness, broken families and relationships, relative “truth,” dishonesty, abortion, euthanasia, etc.

Now a Middle Eastern world view:

Beliefs about God—Distant, uninvolved, capricious. Therefore I have to look out for myself, especially in the area of honor. (these insights came from discussions with Middle Easterners).

Orientation of society—Group/community oriented

Type of society—shame/honor society

Top values— positive:Honor/negative: shame

Top relationships—family/community/tribe/neighborhood/nation

How to get top value: must get it through fitting in, looking honorable (good), protecting self.

Implementation—the struggle for honor results in jealousy, cutting off of relationships with those who dishonor me; there is insecurity and fear (I can lose my honor at any moment); materialism (I need to look good, dress well so can have honor); emphasis on appearance and connections leaves character underdeveloped; there is powerful pressure for conformity, no questioning allowed, intolerance leading to violence against non-conformers.

Biblical Worldview:

Beliefs about God: Holy, Just, Loving, Powerful, Righteous. He is Love, Light and Life. He is the Ruler of the universe, fully involved in our lives and loves us greatly; we can totally trust Him, follow Him, love Him. As Creator, King and Lord He is to be obeyed.

He hates sin and judges it, while at the same time He loves the sinner, and provides a way of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He invites those who are His enemies to become His beloved children.

Orientation of society: individual (with God) and community (in Body of Christ).

Type of society: guilt/shame/fear.  Honor, salvation and worth are given by God, not earned or from people. Guilt and shame are taken care of with forgiveness provided by Christ’s death and resurrection.

Top value: Glorifying, pleasing God

Top relationship: God

How to get top value: Spend time with God, learn His Word, be filled with His Spirit, learn how much He loves us and love Him back through obedience; grasp that God gives us all the honor, significance, security we can ever need.

Implementation: Among many things, as we cultivate our relationship with God:

–We enter more and more into the rich, transforming, grace-filled relationship with God as Lord, King, Savior and Protector.

–We experience ongoing growth in seeing God’s holiness and  our depravity, what we deserve and how much we are forgiven and loved in Christ.

–We see continual growth and transformation as we partner with Jesus in His great plan. Each problem, difficulty and challenge becomes an opportunity for trust and praise, to live in His grace, for giving Him glory.

–Life is one long adventure with Jesus as He moves history to a conclusion and takes us with Him.

So…..

Check out your own worldview.  How does it line up with a biblical one?  The shift of our worldview from a natural one to a biblical one is a lifelong process; it goes faster when we knowingly cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work.

Intentionally nurture your first love for Jesus, seeing both His glory and our sin; this will lead to revival, which should lead to shifts in our worldview.  When you read the Bible each day,  ask the Spirit to alert you to points where your thinking, values and lifestyle clash with what God  has to say.  Be ready for new insights, for surrender, for paradigm shifts, so you can be more useful life for Him.

Read Part 8 >