Tomorrow is the anniversary of 9/11 (2001).
I can’t believe it’s one year short of two decades since those cowardly attacks on our homeland. Anyone under 20 wasn’t even born yet, and it just seems like yesterday to me. Now that makes me feel old.
I remember hearing the Twin Towers referred to as “ground zero” many times after the attacks and I got to thinking about the word “zero.” It often carries a negative connotation (see: Beetle Bailey comic strip), but sometimes it depends on how you ask the question.
I posted “What are the odds” on August 25th. For example, If I ask, “What are the odds you’ll go to heaven when you die?” The right answer will be 100% or zero depending on your relationship with Jesus Christ. There’s no 50/50 or 99/1. It’s an all or nothing proposition. If you know Jesus, the odds are zero that you’ll go to hell, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1; see blog entry “Good News Monday”)
God’s plan…
is not a “zero-sum” game (somebody wins, somebody loses). Actually it’s not a game at all, it’s life and death serious. Life is filled with zero-sum situations. A company has only so many positions to fill. Somebody wins somebody loses. Sports championships have only one winner…and one (or many) losers. But God is not like that. It’s like a barker at the circus, “Everybody plays. Everybody wins.” With God’s approach, everybody can play and everybody can win. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis added)
Jesus was probably the best storyteller of all time and His stories always had eternal significance. He told a story (parable) about a man who was preparing for a journey and called three of his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents, to another two and another one according to their abilities. The 5-talent guy and the 2-talent guy went and doubled their master’s value. The 1-talent guy blew it. Both the five and two guys were rewarded the same “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matt. 25:14-29)
Notice the 5-talent guy now had 10 talents, 250% more than the 2-talent guy (now 4 talents), but their reward and praise from their master was identical. Why? Because they performed faithfully according to their (individual) abilities. God didn’t hold 2-talent guy accountable to accomplish 5-talent guy’s assignment when he didn’t have the same abilities. We are all gifted uniquely. We’re not part of a zero-sum game. I don’t have to lose so you can win. We both win if we’re trustworthy with God’s riches.
So what’s the point of all this?
Allow a couple examples first. When Peter asked Jesus “Lord, and what about this man [John]?” Jesus’ reply was to get Peter to focus on himself not anyone else, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” (John 21:21,22) And the prophet Micah makes it clear to the Israelites, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8; emphasis added)
In God’s economy we can all be winners as long as we do it His way. Unfortunately there will be losers because not everyone wants or will do it His way. Too bad. Don’t discard this as mere ramblings, it’s THE TRUTH.
Our focus…
needs to be on ourselves and what God has called us to do. If we’re committed to that calling and faithful in its execution, we can expect to hear, “well done” when we meet Jesus face to face. If we’re not eagerly looking for His return, some self-examination is in order. Paul told the Corinthian church, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (II Cor. 13:5) and to the Philippians he wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20)
Make sure you’re ready. The time is short. Hope to see you there.