CamDevo

“But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Today’s verse is surrounded by a warning from Jude. It’s a detailed and lengthy warning about the existence of posers — people who pretend to be Christians but don’t follow Christ at all.

There were a lot of people like that in ancient times, apparently, and there seem to be even more today. So many in fact that it would be hard for someone who hasn’t read the Bible to know what Jesus really said or did. Does Jesus hate gay people? Would Jesus ask His followers to bomb a clinic that provides healthcare to needy women? Would Jesus endorse leaders who abused people, lied, cheated, and incited violence because they might help enact legislation He approved of?

If you have read the Bible, you know the answer to all those questions isn’t just “no”, but “absolutely not!”

There are a lot of people posing as Christians. So what are followers of Jesus supposed to do about it? Today’s verse is what Jude says to do in the midst of posers.

Step 1: Build up my most holy faith.

My faith is built by learning about God through reading His word, praying and listening for His voice, obeying His commands, trusting the outcome of my obedience, and witnessing His faithfulness.

Step 2: Pray in the Holy Spirit.

As a follower of Jesus, I have been given the Holy Spirit to remind me what is true and help me recognize lies. But I have to keep the Holy Spirit at the front of my mind. It’s easy to let other voices drown out God’s voice. So I need to take time often to pray and ask for input, direction, correction, guidance, and wisdom. And listen hard for the answers.

Step 3: Keep myself in the love of God.

This is twofold: I must remember that God loves me and remember to share that love with others. Constantly. Keep on it. When the posers say something contrary to love, I need to remember how much God loves me and how He wants me to redistribute that love generously. Love defeats hate the way light defeats darkness.

Step 4: And finally, wait expectantly for the mercy of Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Opposing the posers (by building my faith, praying, and keeping in God’s love) is work. It requires daily — no, constant rededication and vigilance. Only with God’s strength can I manage, and because of His promised future reward, I know it will be worth it in the end. I need to live in joyful expectation. He has mercifully forgiven me and will allow me to enter into His perfect eternity. Where there will be no posers, only true believers.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the tools I need to stand up against posers who pretend to know you. Build my faith, teach me to pray, and fill me with your love — so much that it spills out onto everyone I meet. And remind me to live expectantly — joyfully awaiting your merciful return.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I enjoy a good scary story. But I have learned that reading them at bedtime can be problematic.

I recently read a short story called “Ankle Snatcher” by Grady Hendrix. It was a fun read, but I realized when I turned out my light to fall asleep, I was unsettled and suspicious of every sound. I imagined movement in the shadows of my closet and was reluctant to hang my foot over the edge of my bed.

It sounds silly now, in the light of day, but in the depths of a dark, lonely night, fear has substance and weight.

God knows this about darkness and the confusion it causes us. To create the universe He started with “Let there be light!” Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World for a reason.

Darkness is the absence of light. Darkness is nothingness. God is everything. And He is light.

That is why whenever I am frightened in the dark, literally or figuratively, I turn to God.

I know God created everything so there is nothing in my dark night that He can’t see or doesn’t understand. There is no enemy hiding in the shadows that God hasn’t already defeated. Nothing in this world can snatch me out of my God’s loving hand.

The dark will still harbor sharp objects to step on, coffee tables to stumble into, even burglars who break in to hurt and steal. There is all manner of pain and evil lurking in the darkness of this fallen world. But God is always — always — near and ready to shine the light of His face into my situation if I open my eyes and look toward Him. Like a parent shining a flashlight under the bed, saying, “See? There’s nothing here to be scared of.”

Dear God,

Thank you for creating light that the darkness could not comprehend. Thank you for your promise to always be near me, shining your miraculous light into my life. Remind me again, the next time I am afraid, how trustworthy you are. Fill me with your inexplicable peace.

“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children — and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I’m not adopted. (At least I don’t think I am.) The parents who raised me are also my biological parents. In fact, among my siblings, I was the only planned child. I think I’ve pointed this out to them proudly on several occasions, as if I had something to do with it.

But as I contemplate today’s verse, it seems to me that being planned, conceived, born and then loved isn’t much to be proud of. Instead, being adopted by strangers and then loved is much more impressive.

Either way, the child didn’t have anything to do with it, but the adopted child’s gift is more unexpected, voluntary, and therefore more generous.

Parents are expected to love a child they planned for, conceived, and birthed. No stranger is expected to love an unplanned child, abandoned by those who conceived and birthed her. And yet adoptive parents do. What a gift!

Today’s verse says that God has given me this same kind of gift. Inexplicably, God wants me to be part of His beautiful family, welcomed as one of His own. I did nothing to deserve it. It’s just a gift. A marvelous gift. And like an adoptee, I can proudly call myself part of the family, a child of God. I have an inheritance and a future and a family name to live up to.

Dear God,

Thank you for adopting me into your family. I am overjoyed to be loved and welcomed by you even though I did nothing to deserve such a gift. Show me how to make you proud to be my Father. Thank you also for all the people around the world who have adopted children who needed loving homes. Fill these families with your peace and joy today.

“But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I don’t know much about being a celebrity because I am not one. However I have an idea that when big celebrities are invited to lavish events, they are often given a gift bag filled with expensive products. The idea is that the manufacturers hope the celebrities will love and promote those products publicly.

But I think over time, the celebrities get jaded and weary of trying the products and just throw the party favors in a corner of their closet and forget them. Even when they are very valuable products.

This came to mind when contemplating today’s verse. John is talking about a very valuable gift: Jesus. When He came into the world, the people He came for, the Jewish leaders, the big celebrities of His day, rejected Him. They tossed Him to their closet floor. They didn’t believe in His value.

But other people did. The poor, the sick, the lost, the outcasts of society. They clamored for what Jesus had. They soaked in His love and light and healing. They were Jews and non-Jews. Jesus welcomed them all.

Today’s verse describes how the celebrities scorned Jesus’s gift bag, so He gave it to those who appreciated it and received it gladly. And we have discovered it to be the most valuable gift bag there could ever be. In it is eternal life.

Dear God,

Thank you for offering me your gift bag of eternal life. I accept it gladly and value it more than anything in my life. I love being called your child. Teach me to behave accordingly every day.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

People get excited (for good reason) when you start talking about race. Or referring to “a people” or “a nation.” That’s because fear and greed have inspired people do horrible things to maintain the power, status, and comfort they have.

One easy way to do that is oppression and suppression. And the easiest way to oppress and suppress the largest number of potential usurpers is to create categories for them, to create a “they” for my “we.”

There are many ways to categorize people for oppression, and race has been one of the most successful methods in America. We humans are really good at being divisive and coming up with creative ways to hate people.

Today’s verse turns all this on its head. It uses the same language of elitism and bigotry, but instead, everyone from every category is welcome to be part of the “chosen race.” How refreshing!

God made a new category, a new people. It transcends the things we usually use to divide — skin color, language, economic class, gender, religious background…

The one and only requirement to be in this elite group of God’s people is to accept His gift of salvation through Jesus.

The beautiful thing about this new people of God is that we are different from all other categories of people: We don’t decide who’s in or out; God does that. There should be no oppression or judgment or fear of “outsiders” because there is plenty of God’s love and mercy to go around. There is no limit to its membership. My only job as a member is to help recruit new members by loving them and talking about how wonderful God is.

Dear God,

I’m so glad that in your kingdom, there are no divisions by anything other than one’s acceptance of your gift of salvation. Forgive me for thinking I’m better than anyone else based on any of the categories my culture espouses. I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness the same as everyone on earth. Thank you for your mercy and for allowing me to be one of your chosen people.

“On that day the Lord will become King over the whole earth  — the Lord alone, and his name alone.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭14‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The “Day of the LORD” is a phrase used in many places in the Bible. It seems to mean a few things at once. It refers to the time in ancient Israel when Jerusalem was defeated, and its people sent into captivity. But it also refers to a mysterious future date when Jesus returns to destroy evil and make all things right.

Like I said, this is mysterious!

When I read the rest of the chapter containing today’s verse, it is even more mysterious. Whoa, I don’t understand what Zechariah the prophet is describing.

But that’s okay. Because today’s verse is very clear.

No matter how mysterious or complicated or overwhelming or frustrating or frightening or disturbing or confusing the future seems, it is clear that God will be in control of it all in the end. Our loving, all-wise, all-powerful, beautiful, creative, holy, patient, forgiving God will be sitting on the throne. He will make beautiful and wise decisions. His policies will be perfect. His reign will be glorious and eternal. Every command and law He will enact will be a welcome relief and a joy to obey because of His perfect love and clever goodness.

I can’t imagine such a ruler given the corrupt and flawed leaders that are common amongst us humans. But God’s rule will be ideal. Perfect. An utter delight for those who love the Light! Knowing God, I can’t wait for the Day of the LORD when He takes the throne, once and for all.

Dear God,

Thank you for your promise to come and make all things right and good, and to destroy evil entirely. I don’t at all understand your process or the details, but I trust you because you are love. I long to be part of your perfect kingdom when it comes to fruition. Teach me how to prepare properly and to live expectantly in anticipation of your coming Day.

“Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Is doing good a sacrifice?

I guess it depends on what “good” means. In this context it means doing what benefits people other than me — the people around me, the people in my family, my church, my place of work, my school, the people on the bus with me, the people driving on the road next to me, my neighbors, random strangers whom I may never meet…

Doing good is the opposite of self-serving behavior. It’s not doing what feels good to me, although sometimes doing good does also feel good.

So yes, absolutely, doing good is a sacrifice. To do good as described above, I have to put aside my needs and ideas and comfort while contemplating what someone else might need or think or feel like. It takes energy and brain-power and time. And there may be little, if anything, in it for me.

I am me so it’s easy to know what I want. I want to sit here on my couch, eat cookies, and watch TV without being disturbed. I want to listen to music on the beach without using headphones at a volume I enjoy. I want to park in the closest spot to the front door of the grocery store. I want to walk down the sidewalk at a pace I choose. I want… I should be able to… I have a right to…

None of these attitudes are about doing good. Doing good sacrifices my “I want” on the altar with Jesus.

Dear God,

Thank you for putting aside your wants and coming to earth to save me. Forgive me for being so self-serving and thinking more about my desires or rights or goals or preferences than I do about the desires or rights or goals or preferences of other people. Teach me to seek your will instead of my own will each moment of each day so that I do not neglect to do good.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

When I was growing up, I was surrounded by lots of cousins, most of whom were younger because my mother was the oldest of her siblings. There was one cousin about the same age as me. We got into some mischief together, as young kids do. One time in particular we ended up starting a fire that got out of control on my grandparents’ farm. Afterwards, he got into more trouble than I did because he was known to be a troublemaker.

When you grow up with someone you tend to know all their youthful indiscretions, mistakes, and poor choices. I knew my cousin very well. So it was a long time before I trusted him as an adult.

That’s why it’s so amazing to me that John the Baptist calls Jesus, his cousin, the Lamb of God. They were nearly the same age, having mothers who were pregnant at the same time. They’d known each other their whole lives. And yet John believed Jesus when He claimed to be God’s Son, the Messiah.

I can’t imagine believing my cousin if one day he began to claim He was some kind of guru. I’d be reluctant to buy any product he was selling. I’d be skeptical if he professed to be an expert and began teaching any high-level subject.

Maybe I’m going a bit too far. He turned out to be a wonderful, successful person and a great husband and father.

But because I knew him when we were kids, I would be dubious of any apparent big character change he claimed.

Not John. He was whole-heartedly in support of Jesus’s outlandish claims. Son of God? Sure, sounds right! The Messiah? Yes, absolutely! In fact, John was so sure about His cousin’s role in our salvation that he devoted his life to teaching about Jesus and preparing people to believe Jesus when His ministry began.

In today’s verse, John is finally seeing His cousin begin His ministry. And he is there, ready to help Jesus kick-start things with absolute certainty and devotion.

To me, that says a lot about Jesus as a child. If John believed Jesus was the Lamb of God, how can I not believe? John knew Him as a toddler. He saw Him grow into a (typically awkward) preteen and (normally surly) adolescent. He witnessed His departure from home as an adult. He was there to see all that and still knew in his heart that this person was definitely God incarnate.

Dear God,

Thank you for the most amazing witness of John the Baptist who knew Jesus better than almost anyone and still believed with all his heart that Jesus was who He claimed to be. Thank you for this reminder. And thank you for sending Jesus to be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, including mine!

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I’ve read through the Bible, cover to cover, several times, but, sadly, I don’t have many verses memorized. Let me clarify that there are many verses I can quote but very few that I could tell you book, chapter, and verse as well. The numbers just don’t stick in my head.

Today’s verse is the exception. In fact, it may be the exception for a lot of people. Even people that have never read the Bible. A fellow named Rollen Stewart became famous for sitting in high-profile spots at televised sporting events, like behind home plates at baseball games, in the 80s. He wore a rainbow wig to catch the eye, and he always waved a sign saying simply “John 3:16.” He was probably more than a bit unbalanced (and is apparently currently serving three life sentences in jail), but there was a reason he chose that verse of all the verses in the Bible.

It is known as summarizing the message of the Bible in one verse. It does a pretty good job of it.

It talks of God’s immense love for His creation. It speaks to Jesus’s amazing sacrifice, and the marvelous outcome of accepting that gift. And it gets me excited for the future available to me if I step into the light of His love.

Dear God,

Thank you for your simple message of love, forgiveness, and hope. Forgive me for complicating it. Show me how and when to share this simple message of good news. And to keep it simple.

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Paul wrote today’s verse when chastising Peter who was going along with a group of people that had decided circumcision was critical to salvation. They were segregating themselves from the Gentiles — the non-Jews — for this reason.

The Old Testament law includes a lot of behavior that makes a person “unclean,” or unfit for participation in worship. The Jewish leaders took this even farther and declared them unfit for participation in society.

One of the things that Jesus came to clear up was this notion of what makes a person unclean and unfit for the presence of God. His answer was sin. All sin. Any sin makes me unfit to approach God. Ever.

But Jesus said the solution could not be found in the law. Not in any ritual or command or effort. The one and only solution to solving the “unclean” issue was faith in Jesus.

The Jews Paul was scolding thought they were clean because of circumcision and the Gentiles were not. They decided the Gentiles could not eat with them or come to their parties or join in any reindeer games.

But if circumcision offered salvation, what was the point of Jesus’s sacrifice?

There is nothing that can make a person worthy of being in the presence of God other than Jesus.

And because of Jesus, everyone who accepts His gift is worthy and acceptable.

That means everyone. Regardless of whatever sin I think they are guilty of. Or ritual I think they should undertake. Or effort I think they should make to change something about themselves.

Everyone. Gay people. Straight people. Women. Men. Trans. Black. White. Latino. Hispanic. Undocumented. Citizen. Republican. Democrat. Ex-convicts. Current convicts. Addicts. Homeless people. People living in mansions. Pedophiles. Yes, even pedophiles. Everyone stands on equal footing with God. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Way short.

Back to today’s verse. That fallen life of mine was crucified with Jesus, thank God. And through my faith in Him, I live a new life that is acceptable. Not better than anyone else. Not worse either.

Dear God,

Thank you for making it so easy to be forgiven and cleansed by Jesus. I’m so glad I don’t have to know and try to obey hundreds of laws. Just the one: love. Remind me every day that I only have life through Jesus, not through being good or doing good. And remind me that I am no better than anyone else. Forgive me for looking down my nose at anyone who doesn’t seem to fit in as what I think of as “your kind of person.” Your kind of person is anyone who puts their trust in you. The end.