Faith and the Trust Fall

I once watched the speaker at a post-evangelical megachurch deliver his Easter weekend message. Broadly, it wasn’t bad, centering on an appropriate Easter theme as he spoke about the concept of faith in Jesus. At the conclusion of the sermon, he climbed a ladder, perhaps twenty or more feet in the air, and, wearing a tethered harness, fell backward off the ladder, gently lowered back to the stage, as an illustration of faith. As I reflected on this rather dramatic illustration and the entire talk, I was somewhat troubled. I thought back to an experience earlier in my business career.

The company for which I worked for many years hired an outside firm to conduct a rather elaborate company-wide training, team building, and motivational series of events. Always a bit of a skeptic and cynic, I nevertheless played along, as I was a low-level manager at the time, and so had to participate without too much outward protest. One event was an off-site event for groups of employees, conducted over a few days for groups of several dozen people. At that event, I was introduced to the trust fall, sort of a highlight of the meetings. A trust fall is designed to be a team-building group exercise game in which a person deliberately falls backward, relying on a group of a few people standing behind to catch him or her. We were all encouraged to take a turn as the person falling. At the end of the day, I thought the whole thing a waste of likely six-figure money, and it didn’t motivate me or any of my peers or subordinates to trust each other. But again, I plead guilty to being a skeptical cynic.

Back to the megachurch. There was encouragement in the sermon to have faith in Jesus, but there was little of the concept of turning away from sin and embracing Christ as Savior and Lord. Likely the word “sin” wasn’t mentioned, or the necessity of Christ dying as the necessary sacrifice for the sin of sinners. In short, as I reflected on it, it almost came across as faith defined in some manner as “take a chance on Jesus.” A trust fall. Biblical faith – saving faith, and sustaining faith for life – is something profoundly different than that.

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” When the Gospel of Christ, contained and recorded in the Bible, is internalized by the human mind and heart and applied by the Spirit, saving faith is the result. Paul further says we are saved by grace through faith which is “the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9), a gift from God that is the result of embracing the message about Christ and His salvation. We hear the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the only solution to our alienation from God. The Word produces faith within us and regenerates us. We hear the message of the Gospel, we believe it, we acknowledge sin and turn to Christ as Savior and Lord, and the Spirit makes us a new creation in Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).” How this gift of God mixes with the human response is a mystery that maybe cannot be totally understood, but salvation is far more than deciding to take the proverbial leap of faith.

Faith is the Spirit-given conviction that the Gospel is true, that the resurrection is a fact, and then acting on that conviction. Saving faith does not simply originate within a person. It doesn’t just sound good or inspiring or reassuring or affirming and so make us want to jump on the bandwagon or trust our teammates or join a club. It is the gift of Jesus Christ and of the Spirit. It is Christ who is both the source and object of faith.

Often, we hear people say that “their faith” has sustained them in a time of difficulty. I would be so bold as to suggest that such an attitude can in fact be a feel-good deception. In Luke 7:50, it is recorded of Jesus, “Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”” She did not here merely show faith in faith. She had come to Jesus. Beginning in verse 44, the account tells us, “Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” The object of her faith – was Jesus.

It is Jesus – the real Jesus Christ of Scripture – God the Son Who atoned for my sin on the cross and has conquered sin and death – that has saved me and will save all who will but end their rebellion against God and embrace Him as Savior and Lord. It is He – the object of true faith – Who saves and sustains.

Common Sense

On a recent Sunday morning, the streets were snow packed after overnight snow. As I drove our small all-wheel drive SUV cautiously at the speed of traffic, in the right lane on a major street, a car from behind in the left lane sped around me, swerved in front of me as he passed the vehicle in the left lane ahead of me, and veered back into the left lane as he sped on. I was glad the car didn’t spin out on the slick street. The previous Wednesday evening, a few blocks from this area on the same street, a car whipped around me to my right and drove through a corner gas station rather than slowing and using the turn lane in order to proceed up the street to our right. Both drivers obviously showed a lack of common sense.

I scan the Denver newspaper every day, and usually catch a local newscast as well. Lack of common sense is a constant unstated theme. The left-leaning paper campaigned for decriminalization of marijuana for a couple of years before it happened in Colorado. Since recreational pot has become legal under state law, the paper fawns all over the burgeoning pot industry, regularly championing recreational marijuana as well as celebrating alcohol consumption – promoting local microbreweries and drinking establishments, for example. The lifestyle pages regularly celebrate and promote drinking. Funny thing, though. Almost every day one finds reports of crime, traffic accidents, middle-of-the-night shootings, etc., very often committed by intoxicated persons, often crimes against other intoxicated persons. What I’ve missed are the stories of how marijuana or alcohol consumption makes one a better citizen, a better spouse, a better parent, a better employee, a better driver. (I’ll allow that, conceivably, there may be a medicinal purpose for substances found in marijuana. Further, I’ll concede the obvious that the great majority of social drinkers are neither alcoholics nor criminals.)

Perhaps I’m prejudiced. My paternal grandfather was an alcoholic back when an alcoholic was referred to as the town drunk. I only met him a couple of times, as the family broke up before my birth. Growing up, I remember the alcoholic couple across the street, coming home occasionally – actually, more than occasionally – drunk. Falling out of the car drunk. Laying in the driveway or lawn, drunk. Falling off the front step, drunk.

The current push for transgenderism is rooted in part in a lack of common sense. Great compassion is due to many on this unfortunate path, usually victims of things like bad parenting or childhood abuse, deceived by media, deceived by friends, deceived by medical professionals, ultimately “victims” of their fallen nature. Gender-neutral parenting – raising children in a manner which allows kids to explore different gender roles regardless of the sex the child was assigned at birth – has apparently grown in popularity, with parents somehow hoping to remove perceived societal pressure from their kids when it comes to gender roles. A human being is of course male or female from the moment of conception. This is fixed as the embryonic baby grows, his or her hormonal system confirming it throughout development before birth. Imagining that one’s sex can be changed is, ultimately, a violation of common sense. Pumping one’s body full of hormones and being surgically altered cannot change what became a reality at conception, and will never make a person truly fulfilled. It flies in the face of common sense.

I saw a story on local news a couple of weeks ago. A group of mostly female students at a local university was staging a protest, demanding that administrators “do something” about sexual assault. I wondered why the protesters didn’t themselves do something. Perhaps they could commit to remaining sober, to not attend parties or socialize in bars with intoxicated individuals, to returning to their dorm rooms or apartments by, say, midnight, and to recruit other students to do the same. Just a guess, but it seems likely that most college sexual assaults happen at night and involve intoxicated individuals. Common sense might cause one to take responsibility and consider avoiding such situations.

Lack of good judgement, prudence, and sensibleness is not a recent development. It has plagued human experience since the beginning of time; it is not a phenomenon confined to any particular generation, any one social class, culture, or nation. American pundit Will Rogers observed three generations ago, “Common sense ain’t common.” But it almost seems that in American society today we are seeing a growing loss of common sense. Family breakup and the decline of adherence to traditional marriage, addictions, alcohol and drug use, a victim mentality, an entitlement mentality – the list goes on – only accelerate this decline in personal responsibility and common sense.

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote,

^“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”

^“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

(Romans 1:18-23; 28-32)

Ultimately, for the Christian, one who has come to faith in Christ and the gospel, common sense in life in large measure derives from biblical wisdom, observing God’s mandates to us, seeing life from God’s perspective, and responding accordingly. The Bible’s book of Proverbs is known as a book of wisdom and gives us a detailed explanation of the value of gaining wisdom. In Proverbs 2, we read

“My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.

When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you, . . .”

(Proverbs 2:1-11)

Living wisely is to be a priority in life for the Christian. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that ^“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 similarly tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The appreciation of the fact that the sovereign and providential God is present in our lives, and then living accordingly, is the basis of true wisdom. A life of worship, awe, and submission to God both brings wisdom and expresses that we possess a measure of wisdom.

Ultimately, the primary way we gain godly wisdom is by learning God’s Word and putting into practice what we know from Scripture. When we begin to understand the written Word of God and include the knowledge of the Lord in every aspect of life, we make decisions and react to circumstances based on His approval. We live with the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is involved in even our mundane daily affairs, which results in living a life that pleases Him and brings us true joy and fulfillment. Without God’s wisdom, we may be educated, we may become successful, we may attain a measure of happiness, but it is the wisdom derived from Scripture that enables us to live the life God wants for us and to live in anticipation of eternity. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16 that we should “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The challenge is not merely to gain academic knowledge, but allowing the Word to “dwell” in us, being cautioned and instructed by Scripture and by the Spirit who speaks to us through the Word, growing in relationship with God, putting the wisdom of the Word into practice. In no small measure, we will then develop and show wisdom even beyond –

common sense.

The Methodist Bishop

Recently on a local television newscast I saw a story that featured an interview with the first openly homosexual bishop of the United Methodist Church. She told the reporter that in her view the group’s pending split over LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church was the result of a principle listed in the foundation of the denomination’s values when it was formed in 1972, which stated that the church considers the practice of homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching. “At that point, we turned from a very grace-filled understanding of human sexuality to one of condemnation for a group of people,” she noted, and admitted that she was biased on the topic, as she has been married to her female partner for many years. However, she said many pastors she works with throughout Colorado are traditional, and represent a significant portion of the denomination that believes homosexual marriage is prohibited in the faith and hold “very closely to a more literal reading of scripture, ” while noting that she and other liberals “look at it through church tradition, reason and human experience. And, our traditionalists look toward the Bible first and only.” She said the split, if approved by vote later in 2020, was sad, but could also help Christians reach more people with the love of God. “We can free one another to live in to the ministries we think God calls us to. It is a huge moment in the life of our denomination.” “What will emerge from this separation is a strengthening of a commitment to extend God’s love to all people, and that to me is where I find hope.”

I recall at the time briefly wondering just what I might say to her in a conversation on the topic. She seemed like a pleasant person. She is certainly better educated than I am, and likely my superior in intellect. I soon forgot the news spot.

I recalled the report about the bishop when I was perusing a magazine recently. In the publication “The Week” for January 17, 2020, in a short piece headlined “Irreconcilable:” was a report that

“The United Methodist Church announced plans last week to split into two branches, in a schism over same-sex marriage. The country’s second-largest Protestant denomination, with roughly 9 million members, expects to let a “traditionalist” wing break off and take $25 million. The remaining United Methodist Church would allow gay marriages and LGBTQ clergy for the first time, but any local church could vote to defect with the traditionalists (and take its buildings with it). The announcement heads off contentious sanctions that were set to take effect against pastors who officiated at gay weddings: a one-year suspension without pay for a first offense and removal from the clergy for the second. The Nashville-based church’s large following in Africa has fiercely opposed liberal reform. Church leaders will vote on finalizing the split at their worldwide conference in May.”

I hope this denomination does indeed split. But I think it needs to split over issues even more fundamental than the aforementioned. Over what issues should this denomination split? Issues such as the questions of – Who is Jesus Christ? Why did He come? What is the Christian Gospel? Do individuals need to be “saved,” and if so what does salvation entail, and how does one obtain it? How has God spoken or revealed Himself to us; what is the Bible, and is it inspired, authoritative, primary, and sufficient? It is in the answers to these questions that we find the basis of all true Christian unity, and that require division when there is disagreement. It is only on the basis of the answers to these questions that the issue raised by this bishop can be addressed.

I am, frankly, highly unlikely to ever converse with this woman or any other Methodist bishop. But, hypothetically, what would I say to her? In all probability she is not a regenerate, born-again believer. I would attempt to kindly share with her the Gospel, perhaps from Romans 3, perhaps from Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, perhaps from John 3, though understanding that she probably does not recognize the authority of those passages. I would share with her that Jesus Christ was the virgin born Son of God and God the Son who died on the cross to atone for human sin and rose triumphantly from the grave, that human sin and rebellion against God requires punishment and separation from God, and Christ has provided the only solution for that sin. Turning from sin and turning to Christ as Savior and Lord in faith is the only hope any of us have. I might further invite her to examine the teachings of early Methodist John Wesley, to consider the lyrics of some of the great hymns written by his brother Charles Wesley.

While I will never meet this bishop, I do meet people who are rebels against God and are part of the fallen human race. People who are sometimes less than honest, sometimes less than truthful, thieves, materialists, proud, self-sufficient, individuals caught up in unwholesome compulsions or aberrant sexual behavior, but mostly people who are unbelieving or spiritually dull but really nice people. And regardless of their particular situation in life, regardless of their religion or morality or individual failings or virtues, people who need to turn to Christ in faith and repentance as their only hope. People who need to become convinced that the Gospel is true, and call out to God with utmost sincerity, repentance, and faith,

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the cross for my sin, and You raised Him to life. I trust Jesus as my Savior and Lord and want to follow Him from this day forward.”