WEEKLY FOCUS ARCHIVE

Transformation

August 10, 2005

The idea of a supernatural creator ought to bring us to the hopeful conclusion that we were created for a purpose. Yet, our culture is caught in an enormous struggle over the idea of an absolute being and the demands that such a being might have upon us. This is evident in the culture wars over prayer in schools, supreme justice ideology, abortion rights, sexual mores, and homosexuality. In the quest for modern man’s “freedom” of all that would hint of exclusivity we seem to be enslaved, as a culture, by our lust for pushing past boundaries of any kind.

But what about boundaries? Is it not reasonable to suggest that a supernatural creator like the one revealed in scripture would have our good in mind even as He put guidelines in place? Moreover, does it not make sense that One who creates with such beauty, diversity, and intentionality, as is seen in the world around us, would also be constructing a beautiful and life giving structure of morality? Is it not reasonable to assume that a loving God would offer His creation a loving blueprint in order that we might live a more fulfilling life? Yes, it is reasonable. That is to say, it makes perfect sense. If we thought rationally about the alternative (that a loving God would give us no guidelines or prohibitions and no directions for our journey) we would see just how intellectually fragile our view of morality has become as post-modern beings. The scripture encourages us, “come, let us reason together”.

One issue our culture is wrestling with in plain view for everyone, even our children to see, is homosexuality. Essentially, our culture wants to maintain either that God does not exist and therefore no moral restraints of any sort exist or if He exists, His directives on loving relationships cannot be reduced to the ranting of bible thumping bigots. If we maintain that God does not exist then we find ourselves in a very precarious intellectual position. That is to say, we at once state exclusively and absolutely that God does not exist. But such a statement is untenable intellectually if one maintains there is no such thing as absolute truth. If God does not exist we are void of a beginning point from a logical basis. If we are void of a beginning point we are also without a foundation from which any absolute certainty can arise. To make an absolute statement is indeed a moral action because it negates anything contrary and casts it aside as a falsity. To make an absolute statement one must have a benchmark, a reference for an ultimate absolute . Thus, as a culture is makes little sense to absolutely refuse any morality that calls homosexuality into question on the basis that no absolutes exist. Where is the absolute moral backing for such a stance?

The more common approach is, of course, that God is loving and would not want us as humans to be narrow in our approach to who we love and how we love them. The problems with this view are many. I am reminded of Darwin’s right hand man and spokesman, Mr. Huxley, who when asked about the lack of evidence to support the Evolutionary theories of Darwin had an utterly honest and stunning response for the rabid determination and commitment to the theories despite the lack of evidence, “…I suppose its because the idea of a creator imposes upon our sexual mores” (paraphrase). It is not unloving to suggest that a loving creator would give us clear and fulfilling guidelines for our sexuality. We are sexual beings and our sexuality is a gift from God. Expressed properly, our sexuality is one of life’s greatest gifts. Abused, it becomes an enslavement that breaks our hearts, distorts our emotions, wrecks our bodies, and torments our souls. Someone wise once suggested that God gave us the gift of one spouse, but had he given us 100 we would have taken 101. We break through the boundaries because of our struggle with sin, not because the boundaries are not there. The loving God of scripture does not say, “Do what you want”. Actually, you can read that in the Satanic Verses “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law”. The loving God of scripture actually, time and time again, warns us of the dangers of life apart from Him, and yet, shows up right where people come to an end in their brokenness, and there offers them grace and love and forgiveness. He does not show up like some of us bible thumping fundamentalists saying, “See, I told you that you would get what you deserve!” Rather, he reasons with us, doctors us, and offers us His grace which transforms us into His image.

Transformation. Here is the great truth in the story of creation and boundaries. Here we find the life giving energy, purpose and focus that comes from embracing God’s plan. The God of the universe, rather than place us here and leave us to our own devices, actually has given us a map for the journey. It’s when we get off His road map that trouble sets in. Take as an example the story of the Prodigal Son, told in fact, by Jesus Himself. You see, the loving Son of God Himself actually told stories where the message was clear, “There is absolute truth and when you turn from it, life gets ugly”. And again, the story of the Lost Sheep. In that one Jesus speaks of God’s love reaching out to the wayward, insignificant, little problem black-sheep that gets separated from the 99 others. The little wooly rebel broke the boundaries and found himself in trouble. And God went after him! If we will take time to read His word and take it at face value, we will find the value of God given boundaries and the boundless measure of His grace. We view boundaries negatively, but scripture views them positively. And, moreover, those who walk in His ways find that these boundaries are the means to a life of significance, purpose and joy. Read the Psalms and discover how those who walk after His statutes view life! Read Proverbs and find the rewards of listening to His instruction. And read the story of the woman caught in adultery in John chapter 8 where Jesus shows us and confronts the religious teachers in their lack of mercy and grace, confronts the woman in her sexual boundary breaking, and yet, offers life and the power to move on and “sin no more”.

Transformation. We come to God when we realize we break boundaries due to our lack of understanding and our lack of love for Him. He offers us life and brings us back into the safety of His playground. Kids are not safe playing out in the street. Playgrounds have fences so kids do not run out and get hurt and so that misery cannot get in easily. As God’s kids, we are given so much to play with in this life. Why do we crave the danger beyond the fence? Why choose more than one woman when He offers us the vast playground of sexual fulfillment in the woman He has joined us to? Why throw ourselves on the jagged fence of same sex relationships when God has designed us (emotionally, psychologically, and indeed, physically) to be perfectly fit heterosexually? He has called us to know Him and enjoy Him forever. As we go His way we find joy unspeakable. God’s boundaries are our greatest pleasure. The allure to break out of the boundaries is what started this whole mess, literally, in the beginning. Go back and read the story of Adam and Eve and you will find how God offered them so much and gave boundaries for only one thing. Remember the 100/101 rule? Rules were not made to be broken. Lives are broken when rules are ignored. Transformation is offered in the person of Christ. The boundary of our sin which kept us from God was broken through on the cross by the Son of God. God is the master of all boundaries! He is good. Try life His way. It has been said that the Gospel has not been tried and found wanting, but rather, it has been found hard and left untried. Try it.

Bruce Smith (Rev.)
Director of Development, Teaching Pastor
bruce@uptownchurch.net

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