Lenten Journey, Day 7
Lenten Journey, Day 6
Lenten Journey, Day Five
Lenten Devotional, Day Four
Lenten Journey, Day 3
Lenten Journey, Day 2
Lenten Journey, Day 1
Psalm 6, Tune by Nathan Clark George
Democrats, Life, and Worldview
Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would have threatened doctors with prison time if they failed to save an infant who was still alive after an attempted abortion. In fact, all the major voices of the party blocked this bill. It wasn’t too long ago where such bills would have garnered unanimous support from both parties.
At this stage, what we have before us is the intellectual slippery slope of a worldview. Francis Schaeffer once observed that while we pray for the end of abortion, we should also pray for this “godless worldview” to be rolled back with all its results across all of life.” The Christian faith provides a unified answer for the whole of life. We are not seeing a sudden change in public opinion, we are witnessing a view of the world connecting its dots. In sum, we are seeing the fulfillment of Romans 1 when God gives them over to their reprobate minds.
Another clear example of this came from a recent Instagram live stream video where Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez raised the question as to whether we should have children. After all, climate change is a moral issue, she argued. And who would want to bear children in such a dangerous world? Therefore, to ask the question “Should we have children?” is a question younger couples need to contemplate in light of our impending doom.
Again, we are witnessing the connection of worldview dots; we are seeing ideological consistency in action.
The Christian Church has clear proposals in response: a) human life has intrinsic value, and b) children are a blessing from the Lord.
Yet, in a world that despises biblical authority and God’s Lordship, all these clear proposals are questioned. In the end, such questions deserve a resounding answer from the Christian Church by living positive lives in God’s sight, by loving our children with undying fervor, by cherishing life in all its goodness and expressing immense gratitude to the God who doesn’t despise the weak but pours grace upon grace.
Identity and Transfiguration
What is fundamental to our human identity? Where do we find worth? In the Garden, our forefathers were content to find worth in communion with God. But after the Fall, their sense of worth was inextricably tied to their identity. In other words, if they could connect themselves to some accomplishment, a certain way of being, the possession of an object (car, clothes, companionship) then they would be complete. But if that is where you find your sense of self-worth, if that is where your identity lies, what will happen when you lose those things? Do you suddenly lose who you are?
Perhaps you will blame everyone around you; you will seek to do whatever it takes, whether immoral or absurd to get it back. You will soon be talking like Gollum: “We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious!”
The Gospel promises in the Transfiguration that you can stop trying to find self-worth in the old world; the world where righteousness is nothing more than filthy rags. The Gospel teaches that your self-worth and identity is in the Second Adam. He is the One true possession you will never lose. Your identity and self-worth is secured in him.
As the Apostle Paul says, “Our adequacy is from God.” When we look at the Transfigured Lord, don’t look away. Keep looking. Keep listening. Keep learning. He will teach you to crush your dependence on the “precious” things of this world, and to turn your affections and love to Christ alone. Hear his voice today! Hear it as you taste and see that the Transfigured Lord is good.