A seldom seen picture of Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand
I’ve got a bone to pick with you God.
I’ve got a bone to discuss with you Mark but you go first.
Do you pray? Do you come to me when you need something, and come with a list of petitions to present? If you do so and you get what you want, then you say that your prayers have been answered. If it doesn’t happen, then do you patiently continue to pray, or assume that the answer is ‘no’ or ‘later’? But prayer can consist of more than petition. You can come and spend time with me even if you don’t ask for anything. This too is prayer. How will you know when it is answered? I will give you things you didn’t ask for, that you didn’t know you needed. I will reveal to you the mysteries of my Kingdom. I will transform you into my likeness.
Most games are zero-sum games in which an advantage for one side is a disadvantage for the other side in exact proportion. This is to say that it all adds up to nothing. Do you see theology as a zero-sum game? For there are different schools of theology that appear to be in conflict. If one side makes a point to gain the advantage, does it come as a cost to the other side? This implies a conflict, a winner, and a loser. It doesn’t have to be this way. Both sides may have different perspectives of a greater unified truth. You can learn from those who disagree with you. Theology is not a game, and it doesn’t add up to nothing.
You know that you are saved by grace through faith, and your conversion can occur in a moment of belief. You are not saved by works, but my word also teaches you that faith without works is dead. In like manner faith without knowledge is dead. You don’t have to pass a test to be saved, but when you have received salvation you should want to know more about the basis of your faith. I promised to send the Comforter who is the Spirit of Truth to teach you and lead you into all truth. This doesn’t happen in an instant. It takes time and curiosity on your part. But if you continue in my word you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
Do you think that you can predict the actions of other people? If you know someone really well, you may have a good guess as to how they would act in a given situation, but people are full of surprises. They may resent your overconfidence in predicting what they would do, especially if you are wrong. Have you heard believers pose the question, what would Jesus do? This is a good question since I have called you to follow me. How do you go about getting a good answer? This doesn’t need to be a mystery. If you inquire of me I will show you rather than leaving you to figure it out on your own.
When I presided over the last supper with my disciples I told them that whenever they should eat this bread or drink of this cup, to do it in remembrance of me. This has become a sacrament of the church that you refer to as communion or the Eucharist. It takes a variety of forms, but the common purpose behind them should be recognized as an observance of remembrance. You may not partake of this sacrament frequently, but you don’t need to limit your times of remembrance to it. Look for anything that puts you in remembrance of me and be eager to take part in these opportunities for they are beneficial for you. Do everything in remembrance of me.
Have you ever been corrected by someone who told you that you were better than that; you were not the sort of person to engage in that sin? This motivation may prompt you to better behavior, but beware of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. You should avoid sin, but this line of reasoning tells you to give up some sin in exchange for the greater sin of pride and conceit. Your adversary will always encourage you to make this trade, for pride is more subtle, deeply embedded, and damaging than other sins. If you do the right thing for the right reason, you will end up better off rather than worse.
You have an enormous amount of knowledge available to you. The vast majority of it you accept on authority rather than first-hand observation. This is a tremendous advantage in that you can learn about people you have not met, places you have not been, and subjects for which you did not do or duplicate the original investigation. This expands your knowledge nearly without limit, but it does raise an additional question. On whose authority? What is the quality of your sources? Be as wise as a serpent in considering the validity of the information you accept that changes your view of the world and the way you live.
Do you go to a church where you have to leave your mind at the door when you walk in? Perhaps you should find another church. Your walk of faith should provide you with a lifetime of intellectual engagement. In this case it isn’t a mere academic exercise. I invite you to engage in questions about things that really matter; the questions of eternal consequence of being and meaning and purpose. I have not left you alone to pursue these questions. I have given you my written word, and also the Spirit of Truth who will guide you into all truth. Love me with all your mind. Come and let us reason together.
Have you ever heard it said that you should not be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good? This is bad advice and it is most often given by believers. When you look at those who have succeeded in doing and teaching all that I have commanded you, advancing the principles of my Kingdom in earthly society, you will find that they were people of vision with a passion to see the matter through to completion. You don’t get this by looking down but by looking up. Heaven will be your home in due time. If you want to be effective for me now you need a conscious awareness of both realms.
