Above the Sun: It’s all about Jesus!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

July 15, 2018

            In part 4 of my series Reasons to Look Above the Sun, we’re going to look at Jesus and His perfect example. Jesus left His life in heaven to come down to earth so that we might follow His example of love and selflessness, and learn to be “above the sun” thinkers. He told us he was going to prepare a place for us, and that someday He would return to bring His faithful home.

            Jesus not only tells us how to live, He shows us. Jesus has done everything He expects us to do. Jesus is our perfect example of how to be human, humble, and faithful.

            In Hebrews 4:15 the writer says this about Jesus in regards to living as a human:  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

            Just think of all the ways you have been tempted. The Bible says Jesus knows exactly what that feels like to face temptation like yours. I have known people who were afraid to put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27) because they didn’t feel like they were good enough to wear the name of Christ.  The fact is, none of us will ever be good enough. That is why He chose to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  He simply wants us to trust and obey. Grace does the rest!

            As for humility? In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul tells us Jesus served and humbled himself all the way to the cross. In John 13:13 we’re told that Jesus even washed his disciples’ feet. In our culture today, living with a humble attitude is something most of us probably do not see a lot of. Kali, one of my former youth group members, was in an airport recently with a college group when her flight was delayed. A man noticed how her group responded to the airport worker who informed them of the delay.  The man told Kali he could tell they were Christians by the humble way they responded. Living with an “above the sun” mentality makes a difference!

            Jesus was faithful.  In Matthew 26:36-42, Jesus prayed that if there was no other way to avoid dying on the cross, He would go along with His Father’s will. Christ was faithful and suffered for doing good. We as Christians should also expect to suffer for doing good. (1 Peter 2:19-21 and John 15:18-21).

            Jesus worked to show a lost world how to be human, humble and faithful in our “above the sun” journey.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: True love and compassion are connected to obedience

by Barrett Vanlandingham

July 8, 2018

            In part 3 of my series Reasons to Look Above the Sun, the Christ-like qualities of agape’ love and compassion take center stage.

            While love can be defined as a strong and positive emotion of regard and affection, compassion could be defined as love put into action, especially in showing concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. It really is hard to separate the two. A person who truly loves is also a person who shows compassion.  It is painful to imagine a world without true love.

            Phileo is brotherly love or friendship love. 2 Peter 1:7-9 describes phileo love as brotherly kindness or brotherly affection. Agape’ is unconditional love. It is when we seek another’s highest good instead of only looking to please ourselves.

            In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus talks about Agape’ love in response to the question: “Which is the greatest command in the Law?” He told them it was to agape’ (love) God and agape’ (love) your neighbor. In Luke 10:29, Jesus explained in the story of the Good Samaritan that anyone to whom you have opportunity to show mercy is your neighbor. So, Jesus not only defines the greatest commands, but explains on a practical level, we are to love both God and all people.  

            The apostle Paul echoes this thought when he writes, “Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).  This is a Christian’s motivation to bring more people into the church family.

            Can a person show or even understand true love if they are not a Christian? John says, “Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).  In John 14, Jesus makes it clear four times in this chapter alone that people who love Him are those who obey Him (John 14:15, 21, 23, 24).

            I know of many people who are not Christians, and yet, by earthly standards they are great people. They even do acts of kindness at the expense of their own comforts. There are no doubt countless humanitarians who do good deeds here on earth even though they never think “above the sun.”   Solomon says everything we do “under the sun” is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:14) if we do not obey God (12:13-14). Think of the opportunities that are missed when good deeds are done without telling someone about Jesus!

            God showed His love for us when He sent His Son to save us from sin. It was a selfless act that gives us a true picture of what it means to live life “above the sun.”  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: You can be joyful everyday

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 24, 2018

          We have all woken up on the wrong side of the bed at one time or another. Sometimes there’s a good reason for it, and sometimes there’s not. But when it happens, you know it.

          In my next few articles, I will write about reasons to look above the sun.  True joy is one of those reasons, and you can experience it all day every day of your life if your focus is above the sun (heaven), instead of under the sun (earthly focus only).

          As I’ve mentioned before, Solomon used the phrase “under the sun” more than 30 times in the book of Ecclesiastes. He writes that everything under the sun is meaningless. All of our best efforts to accomplish anything, and even the results of our worldly efforts are meaningless. The only way this is not true is when our efforts are attached to goals that are above the sun. In other words, what happens on earth stays on earth unless our worldly accomplishments lead to a heavenly end.

          My 80-year old dad retired at age 65. For 36 years, he owned and managed the Sonic Drive-In in Tahlequah from 1968 to 2004. He sacrificed a lot. It made for many long days, but it paid the bills. His consistency and hard work was rewarded year after year with the title of #1 in sales in the nation. But even though his earthly accomplishments got him a lot of well-deserved awards, it was his “above the sun” accomplishments that meant the most to him. I don’t even know how many Bible studies, baptisms, rides to church, and visits about life with his employees he was involved in over the years. His employees witnessed his work ethic and joy, and they knew he had something they needed. This opened the door to many “above the sun” conversations.

           Joy is God-given gladness, not temporary emotion like happiness. In John’s Gospel, Jesus portrays joy as the offspring of obedience to his command to love.

          “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:9-12).

          We are commanded to love as Jesus loves. Obeying Jesus’ love command is the doorway to joy here on earth, and in heaven.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Our souls need watering, too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

June 17, 2018

          Thank goodness I have a green thumb wife to make our yard look presentable. If it were up to me, we would have a nicely mown yard, but with no flowers, shrubs, or pergola with wisteria vine. Thanks to God for giving me a wife who has a passion for decorating our yard with warm and inviting shades of color and design.

          The other day she told me she had forgotten to water her Rose of Sharon that she had recently planted.  It was in sad shape, and would be on its way to flower heaven if it didn’t get a drink soon.  She quenched its critical thirst with a big gulp from the garden hose, and it quickly revived.

          When Lisa came in from watering, she said, “I have an idea for your next article!” She told me how sometimes we plant things in our yard, but if we forget to nurture them, they will die. She said that’s the way new Christians are, and even old Christians who have moved into a new church family.  We pride ourselves on saying, “Come be a part of our church!”  We give ourselves an extra pat on the back if we manage to get someone in the doors.  We may even invite them to lunch.  After a while, we assume they’ve experienced all the hospitality required to make them a solid and productive member.  So, we turn our attention elsewhere, neglecting to water the flowers we planted. Eventually, they wilt or even disappear.

          Remember Paul’s words: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

          Notice here that Paul doesn’t say how long is long enough to nurture a brother or sister in Christ.  It is different for everyone. Even Paul had a hard time figuring out when to stop providing spiritual milk or basic truths to new Christians, and start feeding solid food or deeper truths.

          “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready” (1 Corinthians 3:2).

           We may wonder when God is going to get around to growing someone’s faith since that is His job. Well, some people just need a little more watering than others. That’s our job. We as Christians should all work together in partnership with God, being there for each other, and praying for each other for when the day of trouble comes and we find ourselves in a spiritual drought. God bless, and have a great week!