9-21-15<\/p>\n
I once worked for a youth-ministry resource company, as \u201cDirector of Product Development.\u201d Actually it was as editor, sometime conference speaker, and seldom directing the development of new products, despite the title; unless books are called Products, which I suppose they are. <\/p>\n
Anyhoo, an excellent editor and I oversaw the publication of about 50 books a year. Now that I look back, even between the two of us, that was a book every week, which we did, yes, \u201cdevelop,\u201d from brainstorming sessions, to proposals, to outlining, to many author conferences, to helping design and work on cover art; along the way contributing gems of wisdom about people who might write introductions and endorsements, suggesting promotion and ad copy; ultimately to develop comebacks for a Christian bookstore in, say, Pittsburgh, that objected to the way a kid looked on a back-cover photo.<\/p>\n
But, a book every two weeks, as we, Solomon-like, divided the chores. No wonder we went crazy. Holy crazy, of course; sanctified bonkerdom. Biennial conventions, various office duties, and office picnics broke the monotony if not the workload.<\/p>\n
But it was a wonderful company, a for-profit \u201cministry,\u201d and thousands of pastors and youth workers \u2013 and by extension multiple thousands of kids \u2013 relied on our books, conferences, and products.<\/p>\n
While I was at the company, the owner died in a horrible auto accident \u2013 one of those deaths when you automatically say, \u201cToo young, too young.\u201d He was<\/span> too young, and it still would have been a tragic loss if had been 108. His widow picked up the reins. Soon into said reign she inaugurated a monthly book review group. It was voluntary in the office; Christian books were assigned; and she led a free-flow discussion.<\/p>\n In one of the sessions, talk turned to being secure about going to Heaven, as it does sometimes among members of old-line churches and even among skeptics. Our leader announced that she was pretty sure she was going to Heaven, because she and her husband \u201chad given so much money to charities through the years.\u201d <\/p>\n I paused. One way to put my reaction.<\/p>\n We all live in a land that was founded and settled by Christians, in a society that largely was designed and informed by Protestant theology. It is not against the law for anyone to dissent from these situations and their implications. But to be ignorant of them \u2013 especially as the owner and life-worker in jobs devoted to sharing the gospel among churches \u2013 is astonishing.<\/p>\n It is very common in America for average citizens to be ignorant of dogma that onetime permeated Western societies, however. It is common for people these days to be quite unaware of doctrines and traditions of the churches they attend \u2013 if those churches, many of them, \u201cindependent,\u201d even hold to such things. <\/p>\n And the surprise I evinced that afternoon might have been unwarranted, because I had developed doubts that any shade of orthodoxy inhabited any corners of that office. And these are days when popes question traditional doctrine, and pastors gut the gospel and newly interpret \u2013 or couldn\u2019t be bothered to \u2013 the Bible.<\/p>\n But the logic of revealed truth, if there is anything to the Bible, and Christ\u2019s ministry, includes the fact that we cannot buy our way into Heaven. We cannot fool God with promises, bribe God with good deeds, or impress Him (that is, unto Salvation) with good works. If so, rich people writing checks would elbow themselves into Glory\u2026 and we know what Jesus said about the rich getting into Heaven. Indeed, if salvation were that easy, Jesus\u2019 incarnation, birth, ministry, miracles, teaching, persecution, torture, condemnation, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, would all be worthless shams. Hoaxes. A cruel trick on the Christ, first of all; and then us. All in vain.<\/p>\n All through humankind\u2019s history, people have been susceptible to \u201cnatural\u201d curiosity about, say, reincarnation. Superstitions about karma. And false hopes that good deeds now and again will be sufficient to please a Holy God. Wouldn\u2019t it be nice? And easy? The bad news is that it\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n The good news is that there is a satisfactory substitute available to all. With our sinful inclinations, we cannot do it on our own, anyway \u2013 but God has provided the substitutionary and atoning death of His Son to pay the price of sin. Simple. Easy. Not cheap. But free.<\/p>\n Next, how do we live that new life with changed hearts? Jesus said to take up our crosses and follow Him. Yes, we should be Christ-followers. At the same time, as we are pilgrims and strangers in this world, we proceed forth, \u201cstepping out in faith.\u201d Alone? No, we know that Christ is there, leading from behind (as current phraseology goes)!<\/p>\n Over, under, above, below, however, the best we can ask for, and hope for, and have<\/span>, is Jesus holding our hands. He will guide us day and night. He, working through the Holy Spirit, will correct us when we are mistaken.<\/p>\n That is, sometimes we follow; sometimes He is behind us; and sometimes it is best to hold His hand\u2026 the security of knowing that He is with<\/span> us. At our sides; what a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the Everlasting Arms.<\/p>\n If we happen to slip into error or heresy\u2026 well, think of it this way: if you are persuaded to buy your way into Heaven through offerings or donations, if Jesus is holding your hand, it will be hard to reach for loose change or a checkbook. You will find yourself being reminded that charity is from a pure heart, and giving is the result of Salvation, not the price of a ticket to Heaven.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n The great gospel song by Albert E Brumley, \u201cJesus, Hold My Hand,\u201d is a virtual sermon in song. It is a song I have sung solo in churches more than any other. Here is a heartfelt and, um, enthusiastic version by Jerry Lee Lewis.<\/p>\n