Chicken or Egg

I am preparing for an upcoming sermon series on Hell. It has me thinking a good deal about the different ways that we try avoid the whole notion. In some corners of our nation, we dismiss the idea all together, but in Texas, it seems to me that we are more likely to lower the bar of salvation low enough so that we can console ourselves into believing that most everyone has already jumped over it.

The troubling thing about this "cheap grace" approach to salvation is that it seems to be a rather large issue to our Lord. Jesus warns that on the day of judgment many will cry "Lord, Lord," only to be reminded that "The Lord" never knew them. In the same manner, most all the parables that talk about Hell end with someone who claims to be in, being out.

It all seems rather back handed to me at times. We don't work to earn our salvation it is a gift of God's grace alone, but if we are saved certain actions and attitudes will surface in our lives. In my devotional time this morning, Oswald reminded me that sanctification is God's certain work in all those who have trusted Christ.

• Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ to me. It is the gift of His patience, love, holiness, faith, purity, and godliness that is exhibited in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy— it is drawing from Jesus the very holiness that was exhibited in Him, and that He now exhibits in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is something altogether different. The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal. Consequently, I slowly but surely begin to live a life of inexpressible order, soundness, and holiness— ". . . kept by the power of God . . ." ( 1 Peter 1:5 ).

The 19th century theologians used to call this idea perseverance. If you have given your life to Christ then you will persevere. It will take time, but at the end of life it is becomes obvious that God has been at work in your life. If you are saved, you will work for the Lord. You won't do it because you are forced but because the Holy Spirit has written a passion for people and their needs on your heart as a part of your sanctification.

It's never our place to judge who is in and who is out in eternal matters, but the work of God to sanctify us is a great affirmation that "He who began a good work in you will complete it."

On Beauty

We need more.

Last summer my family and I spent a week in Jackson Hole. During our time in Yellowstone, we came across several areas of burned out forest. In some areas, as far as you could see there were thousands of fallen trees littering the hillsides.

Honestly, it was ugly. In the midst of all the grand beauty of the finest of our national parks the fallen trees seemed out of place. This was most especially true along a certain well traveled pathway that led to one of Yellowstone's famous waterfalls. To reach our goal, we walked for a couple of miles on a path lined by fallen tree trunks. It was hot and there were no trees to shade our journey. Weeds and grass had grown up between the fallen trees and occasionally we would spy a new sapling coming up to greet the sky.

At one time, I'm sure that the pathway was cool and a joy to walk, but not anymore.

Later we asked some friends who were working for the part service why the fallen trees weren't cleared and new one's planted along the path. The fires that had wreaked havoc on the beautiful landscape had occurred over ten years ago. Surely there had been time to clean things up a bit.

My friends had asked the same questions and the park rangers had explained that a new park policy forbid the cleaning up of the mess, because it wasn't "natural" to do so.

Well, thumbs down on natural.

Now the park rangers may have a very good reason for making this choice, but my hunch is that this is conservation gone overboard. Before there was sin in the world there were gardeners. Adam and Eve were invited to create as God had created. To take the raw materials of nature and use them to do something glorious. To create beauty from beauty. Mankind has a contribution to make in this world and our efforts are not always destructive or hurtful to the natural order.

The application of this truth is broad. In a sinful fallen world, not everything that occurs "naturally" is beautiful. From parks and churches to giving leadership in a public school classroom the need for Kingdom minded creators is acute. There are some ugly things in this world that will remain an ugly mess until one of God's children decides to do something about it. Natural isn't always best. Natural often calls out for someone to clear away a mess and start something new - to bring beauty in the aftermath of disaster.