FAT SECTION IN HEAVEN?

FAT SECTION IN HEAVEN?

                I once upon a time was in a cult.  They used the name “Jesus”  often.  But after awhile, I began to seriously wonder about them.  When they had weight scales at discipleship meetings, the warning signals began to get deafeningly loud!  I strained to remember Jesus adding rule #11, “thou shalt not be fat.”  Really!  Where is GRACE in all this?  (there were a lot of issues; this one is only illustrative) 

                The point of this diet-diatribe is not obesity.  But, seriously, in some cultures and times fatness has been seen as a sign of success and health!  (think Samoan or German?!)  And, for crying out loud, they do make caskets in XL.  Feasting can be seen as gluttony or as good times.  Sure, the Beijing Olympics Stadium architects had to broaden the seat sizes for non-Chinese guests, but …

                My point is this -- being patient with shortcomings and failings.  I am reminded of David’s comments in Ps.103,

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Do we recognize that “we are dust”?!  Are we patient with others, and even oneself? With their shortcomings and even failures?  Maybe it is somebody’s speech? (I work in a paper mill!) maybe it is their dress-code? (drooping pants laws?! Come on, now!) 

I am reminded of our Savior’s prayer on the Cross – “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.”  (Lk.23:34) Contrast that with the attitude of the Twelve – “Lord, do you want us to bring down fire?!”  (Lk.9:54)  Jesus rebuked, “… you do not know what of spirit you are…” (forgotten they were of the Holy Spirit? Or, following the spirit of this age?! Or both? Hmm?)  Jesus looked out over the crowd, later to reject him, and sighed, with compassion, “…they are like sheep without a shepherd…” (Mt.9:36)

In striving for holiness, do not become a Pharisee!  In a word, “judgmental”.  I remember a deep conversation I once had with a struggling saint.  She confessed that her greatest sin was “judging others”.  Before me was a person sold out for Jesus.  She took seriously God’s charge for his people to be sanctified and holy.  And, she had difficulty dealing with other believers who had a divided allegiance.  And, she was right.  We ARE called upward.  Wallowing in weakness for years is NOT good.  But, neither is a merciless ministry.

From a personal vantage, one must lie – you have to lie to others and keep them at arm’s length, and you have to lie to yourself!  That is how penitents distort into Pharisees – they lie to themselves and others.  The truth is this -- I am “like other men”!  (Lk.18:11)  I just need to admit it to myself, and others.  I am a sinner.  The first step in the 12-step process is what?!

Another time we will grapple with the balance between excellence and acceptance.  Neither Troy nor Athens was balanced.  The Stoics and Epicureans both were eccentric.  Ascetics and Antinomians need to work out their differences, for sure.  An “accountability group/partner” is not so somebody can have the dirt on others.  It is because "we are but dust". But, for now, loosen up a little bit?! Your belt and your bias.