Above the Sun: Let Your Light Shine

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 7, 2019 (original version, May 19, 2005)

          One of our goals as Christians is to be a breath of fresh air and sunshine to the people we come across each day.

          "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) This verse from the Sermon on the Mount is one of many in Matthew 5-7 that has given the world an incredible amount of hope, confidence, challenges, and empowerment.

          If you ever needed a good reason to have greater commitment in your faith journey, this three chapter passage (which only takes about ten minutes to read) raises the standard for Christians today. This was also true for those crowds of people who sat on the side of that mountain nearly two-thousand years ago to hear Jesus preach. His commands regarding murder, disputes, adultery, love for enemies (ch. 5), as well as how to carry out acts of righteousness for the needy, how to pray, how to fast (ch. 6), and His thoughts on judging others and worrying (ch. 7) are all covered.

          In the Beatitudes (5:1-12), Jesus challenges us to take on a spirit of humility and obedience, reminding us that the way we think, feel, and act really does impact where we spend eternity. Jesus reminds us that we can “Rejoice and be glad” (5:12) in spite of the insults people cast towards faithful followers. When we are being the “salt of the earth” and flavoring our surroundings, people will either taste that God is good, or they will reject the message of Christ and reject us, too. Christians must not grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9), but remember that our job is to plant seed, and let God give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Isaiah 55:11 says God’s word will not return to Him empty.

          To me, the Sermon on the Mount is empowering, because Jesus takes this opportunity to tell His followers (us) that mediocrity is not acceptable. So, when He tells us to take our spirituality to a higher level (such as regarding anger and lust in the same severity of judgment as murder and adultery), Jesus actually expects us to obey. Obedience may seem like a tall order to fill, but God helps us successfully complete this mission in spite of our human weaknesses.

          Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

But it still pays to stay on His lighted path (1 John 1:7), fellowshipping with God, trusting Him even in the midst of trials and temptations and even failures. It is here that God’s grace through the blood of Jesus continues to purify us from all sin.

          When we are immersed (baptized) we are clothed in Jesus and our sins are washed away (Galatians 3:27 and Acts 22:16). We are also buried with Jesus, and raised to live a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). Luke tells us when we turn to God and are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Spirit guides, comforts, and helps us make good choices if we listen to Him. He always points us to the truths found in God’s word, helping us to be a light to those who are living in darkness, and an encouragement to fellow Christians. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: There are some things we can know about the afterlife

by Barrett Vanlandingham (original version, June 2, 2005)

March 24, 2019

          It is hard to imagine what an eternal Heaven and Hell would be like even if they were physical instead of spiritual places. The same goes for Paradise and Torment which the Bible describes as our only two options in the immediate afterlife while waiting for Judgment Day.

          The description of a heaven’s golden street or hell’s fire and brimstone only serves to let us know that those who are found to be faithful are destined to enjoy a reward better than we can possibly imagine. Those who die in their sins will suffer an eternity of unimaginable pain.

          Torment and ultimately Hell can be avoided by becoming a child of God through faith (belief) in Jesus as the Son of God and His power to save. Our faith is demonstrated by obeying God’s will for believers to be baptized (immersed) in water. This necessary act of faith clothes us in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:1-11). From this point forward, Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin as we continue to walk in His light (1 John 1:7).

          Luke 16:19-31 tells us about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus who laid at the rich man’s gate. Lazarus was covered with sores and longed to eat scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Both died. The rich man went to Torment, while Lazarus was carried by angels to Paradise. They were in separate places with Lazarus unable to even dip the tip of his finger in water to cool the tongue of the rich man who was in agony in fire.

          There are several things we should know about where we go after death.

          1) Paradise and Torment are places we cannot leave until the final judgement. Even then, people who are sentenced to Torment in the afterlife will continue to be separated from God because their sins were never covered by the blood of Jesus. A dead person has no more chances to repent, to be forgiven, or to be baptized.

          2) The afterlife is a place where we will be able to recognize our loved ones who are there, and remember our loved ones who have yet to pass. While in Torment, the rich man was worried about his five living brothers. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them of the terrible fate that would also befall them upon death if they behaved on earth as he did.

          3) In the afterlife, Lazarus was comfortable in Paradise, while the rich man was in agony in Torment. Jesus pointed out this irony we can learn from.

          Wouldn’t it be sad to notice in the afterlife that some of your friends and loved ones were in Torment? Now is the time to throw them a lifeline, because the window of opportunity will close with no warning. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Be Compelled by Christ’s Love

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 31, 2019 (original version, May 12, 2005)

          “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

          The phrase “compelled by love” is one that can be misunderstood. We often admire people who seem to be continually stirred into action by “their” great love for Christ or the vast amounts of spiritual discipline they possess. In reality, Paul says the motivating factor for our obedience is Christ’s love for us, not the other way around.

          Most people would be grateful if someone chose to die or even risked their life so others could live. This is demonstrated each year at Veteran’s Day assemblies, and at other events where those who have served in the military are given well-deserved standing ovations. We honor them because we understand just how important their mission was in order for us to live freely. This kind of honor and respect is often missing from our society in regards to how we show our thanks to Jesus for his sacrifice.

          I think the reason some choose to reject God’s commands is because the extent of Christ’s love for us is not understood. While the commercialization of cross symbols has at least kept the image in the forefront of Christian culture, its true meaning has diminished in the minds of the majority.

          Christ’s work here is worth our putting in the effort to understand its importance for us. The story of Jesus is found in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The study we put into God’s word not only increases our knowledge, the Bible says it is where our faith begins (Romans 10:17). It is this process that helps us understand the extent of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us. Just the thought of the cross should make us sick to our stomach, put a lump in our throat, and bring tears of sorrow and joy to our eyes.

          There are many more ways in which our Savior showed His love even before the cross. Luke 9:57-58 reminds us that Christ gave up the comforts of heaven. John 1 reminds us of His separation from His Father. John 17:1-5 tells us that Jesus sacrificed glory and took on human form. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us he made himself nothing. Revelation 5:1-14 tells of the universal worship directed at Jesus in heaven that includes angels and others creatures.

          It is difficult to imagine Jesus leaving all of that behind, especially since He knew from before the beginning of time the amount of emotional and physical pain He would endure in order to get the message across that HE LOVES US. There are a lot of reasons we could be compelled to have a loving attitude, but none better than Christ’s love for us.  Have a great week.

Above the Sun: The name of Jesus fills our heart

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 17, 2019 (original version, January 13, 2005)

          There are just some names, that when we hear them, we feel a certain way. That is why no one gives their sweet baby girl the name “Jezebel.” That is why no one names their baby boy “Lucifer.” Names are important, and they not only help identify us, but names are great conversation ice-breakers, and they can actually cause others to have an opinion before even getting to know us.

          Jesus is the most important name that comes to my mind. Any Christian will tell you the same. We have many reasons to wear His name. Just look what He has done for us: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

           That statement cuts deeply into the hearts of believers just like it did in the first century when Peter preached at a Jewish festival called Pentecost (Acts 2:37). The writer Luke says about 3000 believed in Jesus and were baptized that day. They began meeting together, learning more about Jesus, and taking care of anyone who had need. Luke says God then “added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). Christ’s church had been established.

          At age nine, from the first time I understood the story of Christ being tortured and killed so that I could go to heaven someday, I knew my life would never be the same. Just the thought of Jesus’ blood cleansing my sins every second of every day (1 John 1:7) still gives me peace, joy, confidence, and fills my heart with thankfulness to live according to His will. I see people everyday whose lives have been changed for the better because of Him.

          The fact that Jesus left His heavenly home for us is incomprehensible. Think about it. He traded His home for a life as we know it. For Him, that meant: 1) putting on flesh that deteriorates, 2) being limited by time and space, 3) dealing with aches and pains, 4) answering questions of doubters, people He created, 5) being whipped and crucified by those He loved.  All of this, even though he knew he could have escaped His earthly pain at any time during His visit, to go back home to heaven. But He chose to stay here to fulfill His plan to save us.

          I cannot think of anyone about whom there has been more books, poems, stories, and songs written. Jesus Christ is everything to me. He’s my only Hope. He’s my Hero. He’s my Deliverer. He’s my Inspiration. He’s the Reason I get up in the morning. He’s the Reason I look forward to tomorrow, no matter what it brings.

The Name I love to hear is Jesus.

          He’s our King! Have a great week!