Hell, no!

This month is Halloween month. So at Grace Place, we thought of having a series for that. It’s called, “So you’re dead… now what”. It talks about anything about the after life. It’s a very uncomfortable topic, but heck we know we’re all going to die. It’s better to know what’s next than not at all!

This week, we’re talking about Hell. As my wife said, it’s a good topic, no body wants to talk about it, so let’s bring it on. While preparing for my grace group tonight, these thoughts run through my mind.

- We’re all going to die. Oh, yeah, we are. Whatever life altering procedure you do, we’re all going to die.

- There are 2 major views of death. I came from a tradition that says when you die, you sleep (a.k.a the doctrine of “soul sleep”). I changed camp. Most evangelicals believe that when you die, you continue to exist and will either directly go to heaven or hell (a.k.a. the doctrine of “Immortality of the Soul”). I will have a few Adventists on my grace groups, and if this question will be raised, I’m just going to say, “You continue to believe what you know is true, I believe mine, and it’s alright. Because whether the soul sleeps or is awake when you die is not the real issue. The real issue is, what are you doing now that you’re alive so that you’ll know exactly where you’re going in the after life?

- Heaven is real.

- Hell is real. But we don’t want to talk about it. Because we want to live as if it doesn’t exist.

- You won’t see your buddies in hell. You won’t drink beers with them, won’t laugh with them, won’t party with them. In hell, you’re going to be all alone. All by yourself. Nobody to talk to. In utter darkness.

- God doesn’t want us to go to hell. In the first place, hell is created for Satan. But because of our sinfulness and God’s holiness, we’re going there. And if we do, that doesn’t mean God didn’t do anything to save you. He did EVERYTHING you can imagine when he sent Jesus on earth and die a criminal’s death. You just don’t want to do anything with Jesus today. You simply want to do what you want to do with your life. And God will let you. Go. To. Hell.

Eat your theology books!

We have a way to say this back in the province: “Isaksak mo yan sa baga mo!”

This is exactly what I want to tell some “Christians”, self-proclaimed theologians, self-proclaimed spiritual police who lives out of bashing other Christians that doesn’t believe the way they do.

Today was hell in Metro Manila. Flash floods raged. People are trapped on their roofs. Some pregnant women even gave birth while waiting to be rescued — while in their roof! Then a wise “theologian” posted this on his Facebook account:

Funny how people only come to God in times of disasters, and yet they don’t see anything wrong with that. Doesn’t matter anyway ‘coz we all gonna go to Heaven right? Nothing is farther from the truth.

Huh!?

People are suffering and all you can think of is your correctness? This angers me. I mean, really angered me. We’re Christians claiming to believe in Jesus and all we can think of is how correct we are? Did we even try to pray for those who are trapped on their roofs and calling to God for the first time in their lives? Did you do anything else? Like help those in need in your area? Or donate to Red Cross? Or Tweet about those who needs help?

It confirms what others have been telling — that Christians are good in talking and not doing. Where is compassion among God’s people? I thought we’re God’s hands and feet? Or do you want to define what “compassion” in Greek first?

Will people be thinking about Calvinism or even eternity in times like these?

Upon my dialogue with this guy, he said that being concern of their eternity is much important than the temporal. Well, duh! Tell that to the hungry people in Africa. Tell that to the people who are still in danger, on their roof top in Marikina. And tell that to Jesus, when he said:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’… “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘” Matt. 26:35-40

Just so that everyone knows, this guy does represent some bunch of “intellectuals” inside the church. Their job is to hunt heresies. But most of what they do is just behind their computer screens. They don’t actually do the hard work of reaching to people — giving them hope, providing for their felt needs and loving them physically not just virtually. BUT, they don’t represent the Church that Jesus Christ built. The Church that he built is relevant. It cares. NOT JUST for the people’s eternity, but also for the here and now. Jesus cared, and so we should. I pray that the Church will stay that way.

People who read this: evangelical Christians are not like this guy. We actually care.

If anyone will talk to me that way in person, I’m going to shove your theology books down your throat. That’s unchristian, but I don’t mind doing that.

“Judge not that you be not judged”. Really?

I’ve seen and heard people in all walks of life — rich, poor, educated, uneduated — use this very popular and probably the most misinterpreted scripture verse.  The magic verse is in Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not that you be not judged“.

 Let me elaborate.

The Bible should be read in “batch of texts”, not a stand alone quote then twist its meaning to suit your need. Each verse has what we call “context” and it should be understood based on the given context. So, to understand what we’re going to talk about, please read Matthew 7 before we proceed, it will be wonderful. 

Now, for the context. 

Jesus was preaching the popular “Sermon on the Mount”. And it looks like this particular portion of the sermon is directed towards the Pharisees (Jesus said “You hypocrite!” (v. 7), a language he often used specifically for the Pharisees). These guys are those who “judge” their fellowmen for their own benefit. They place additional rules not necessarily based on the Scriptures and create burdens for those who follow. In other words, they “judge” with no real good intention. 

Is Jesus really saying “Do not judge?” Or is he saying, do not judge because “…the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (v. 2)

Jesus is saying, if you judge, make sure you use the same standards of judgement, not your opinion, not your extra rules. Because if you are judged, you will also be judged according to the same standards. This is supported by another verse. Jesus said:

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

Here, he is saying, you can judge if your judgment is “righteous”, or godly. A godly judgment uses God’s word as the standard and not the popular cultural worldview:

- if you don’t pay your taxes, the Bible is clear: that’s cheating. No matter what the culture says about the way the taxes are paid and used, you need to pay your taxes.

- if you took stuff that’s not yours, the Bible is clear: that’s stealing. No matter what the circumstances are, your child maybe sick or hungry, but you cannot use that to justify your action if the Bible is our judge.

- if you have relationship with a married person, the Bible is clear: that’s adultery.  No matter what the circumstance is, the Bible says, any relationship outside marriage is adultery. 

- if you hate someone, the Bible is clear: that’s murder. Yes, Jesus said this!

Here’s my point: if a “judgment” is passed for the purpose of correction in love and concern and the basis used is the Bible and not on your personal opinion, feelings or bias, “passing judgment” is exactly what is needed. If the Bible is clear, is it wrong to “judge” sin as sin?

Most of the time, those who misuse this popular phrase uses it to justify their wrongdoing. They hide by pushing back the focus to the one that’s trying to lovingly help them.

The problem isn’t even with the judging. The problem lies on the reaction towards judgment. If the judgment is done in love and is Biblical, there will be two reactions: humble repentance OR arrogant disregard. Most who says “Do not judge…” belongs to the latter.

As I often say, quote Ophra instead, but don’t quote the Bible and misuse it.

Life beyond the “Good life”

Ricky Carandang will make you all think today:

I imagine today after Jun and Violet Lozada are arraigned for perjury, Jun will go back to his cell in Manila, while Violet returns to their quarters in La Salle Greenhills where she, Jun and their kids have been living for more than a year under the watchful eye of the nuns and the senate sergeant-at-arms.

I imagine at some point in the day both of them asking themselves as they must have asked themselves countless times over the past year, “Is this all worth it?” I imagine Violet asking herself what an uncertain future willl bring for her and her children.

I also imagine that later today, Mike Defensor and his wife and kids will touch down at the San Francisco International airport, check into their hotel and begin an enjoyable vacation. Also today, Ben Abalos will be holding court at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, enjoying a Ben’s Burjer while waiting for the rain to let up enough so he can enjoy a round of golf.

Romy Neri will go to work at SSS and have a quiet day, while Mike Arroyo will do whatever it is he wants to do.

At some point in the day I imagine they’d have some quiet time in the lull between activity to contemplate.

I imagine Defensor, Abalos, Neri,and Arroyo stopping momentarily during the day and thinking, “Life is good, isn’t it?”

Yes it is, guys. Aren’t you glad you’re in power?

I’m glad we can only live a maximum 100 years, 60 years on the average. I’m glad what we have now is not permanent. I’m glad that our life here is just a rehearsal of the real life for all eternity. I’m glad that the way we live our life now determines our eternal destination. I’m glad that life maybe unfair in this side of eternity, but God is the ultimate judge that will give justice for all. We do not know when, but heck I’m sure it will come. Aren’t you glad this is just temporary?
That goes the same for everyone: Jun Lozada, Neri, Abalos, Defensor and Arroyo. And for all of us.

“Gusto kong bumaet, pero di ko magawa”

While conceptualizing for a message I will deliver at Grace Place on May 17 for our “In the Grip of Grace” series, I reviewed a pinoy hip hop song “Gusto kong bumaet” by hip hop group Death Threat. I’m not the hip hop type, but because of it’s popularity, the song does ring in my head.

I’m amazed with the profoundness of the lyrics. These guys are theologians in their own rights. Read the partial lyrics below, then read Romans 7.

Gusto kong bumait pero hindi ko magawa
Kaya ngayo’y pumapatak ang aking mga luha
Nagsi-sisi
Tahimik ako’y nako-konsyensa
Sa mata ng ama
Ako’y isang itim na tupa
Ang kasalanan
Lagi ko ng iniiwasan
Pero di sya naalis
Ayaw nya kong lubayan
Bakit kaya ako laging sumasabit
Paulit-ulit
Nangu-ngulit
Parating nagiinit

O TUKSO LAYUAN MO AKO KAPAG NANDYAN KA AKO’Y
NAUUTO MO,TINURO MONG LAHAT NG BAWAL AY MASARAP
MALI TO KAYAT AKO NGAYO’Y HIRAP NA HIRAP.

Gusto kong bumaet pero di ko magawa.

Listen via Youtube. Full lyrics here.