Finite NATION

finite
(adjective) fi·​nite  \ ˈfī-ˌnīt \  :  1. can be measured or given value
2. having a limited nature or existence

nation
(noun) na·​tion  /ˈnāSH(ə)n/  :  a large body of people united by 

common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a 

particular country or territory



"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." - Paul



Finite People

“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” - Jesus 

This Finite Nation I talk about is the church that Jesus Christ established. The kingdom of God does not have boundaries.  It's not India.  It's not America.  It's us, the followers of Jesus.  It's all of us, here and now, as well as those who have gone on before us and who will come after us. Our God is infinite, yet we are finite - mere humans striving to understand the mysteries of an all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent God. We're not only finite in the sense that we will never fully know and understand everything of this world, but we're also finite in the sense that we have a beginning, are on this earth for a limited time, and have a distinct purpose while we're here. We may be eternal, but we are not infinite. God, in His amazing wisdom, gave us a world that allows each individual free will and choice, setting up an infinite amount of possibilities and scenarios in this ever-changing complex world. We, of course, are limited by our location, abilities, opportunities, opposition, and personal drive. We must humbly look to our Creator for guidance and submit to our limitations.

My original intent with this blog was to create a platform where Christians can come and discuss controversial and complex topics - knowing that only God has the answers, and we can only strive to understand as best we can. Many in the church feel that they have a monopoly on Truth in all matters, and use this confidence to manipulate and abuse others. I'm not sure how any honest person can be so certain in their beliefs that they will refuse to even listen to any countering views. Not that our faith should waver or falter. Instead, our faith hangs onto the promises of God, His deep love, and the abundant life His Spirit creates. We are never asked to understand it all. In fact, Paul states this by quoting the Old Testament:

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
'Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?'
'Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?'
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen"

But this doesn't relieve or excuse us from searching for wisdom and Truth. In fact, it should be a life long pursuit, with the desire to strengthen your relationship with God and fellow humans.



A Great Mystery

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Paul

Paul talks a lot about a great mystery that has been revealed. This mystery all points to Jesus Christ - His life, death, resurrection, and reign. So, this may seem to contradict my main premise that we're finite in our knowledge and will never fully understand God's mystery. Well, you're right, sort of. I agree that Jesus simplifies and personifies all the spiritual complexity and mysteries of God the Creator. He is God in human form. The foundation of this whole thing (why we're here and who God is), in my opinion, is relationships. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God and with each other. God created us out of love, lost us to sin, and bought us back with His son's own blood. Why? So we can have a relationship with Him and live with Him for eternity.

Now, if relationships are the focus, instead of mere knowledge, then I am even further lacking and limited. I've never been too great at creating and maintaining close relationships. I suck at it, really. God, on the other hand, is perfect and tireless at relationships. He is constantly searching for us, and when we show His love, we can truly see the difference it makes in this world. Yet, when I look at our goal of restoring relationships, I feel incredibly finite.



A United Nation

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Paul

Though our lives are limited by our finite nature, we have an infinite God who desires a relationship with us and showed us a love that is truly radical and universal. As a nation, we have one leader, one king, one purpose. In a way, we've been limited in our focus, by God Himself. I care about politics, education, culture, and all the forces that influence our lives, yet there is only one thing that should supersede all these things - Jesus and His love! That self-sacrificing love that saved our souls, changed the world, and set us free is far more powerful than any other enterprise on this earth. Jesus told us to seek God's kingdom before all things, and those things will be added.

We are not a weak nation! The only things limiting us is our own weak flesh. As a movement, we are unstoppable, because we have God on our side! We have the power to truly change the world. Jesus told His disciples that with even just a little faith nothing is impossible, even moving mountains. Now, this requires pro-active, self-sacrificing, all-in commitment to give freely, serve tirelessly, and die willingly. It's not an easy journey. It's not a comfortable life. We must love to lose. But in those loses, we will find the true power of knowing, and being loved by, our Creator, through His son Jesus.



My Vision

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." - Paul

As I've discovered before, nothing can substitute for real experiences. Life is far better lived than talked about. Yet, an open and honest conversation can be such a profound and refreshing learning experience. As a teacher, I believe strongly in the power of collaboration and influence. I pray that I can give my students the skills to think thoughtfully and critically, work productively with diverse neighbors, and persist during opposition. We need each other for strength and support. I pray that if we can unite on one thing, it can be the self-sacrificing love of Jesus. For me, it's the only absolute that exist. Choosing to love like Jesus is always an available option and the right thing to do. The "right" thing to do, is the thing that will restore or strengthen the relationship. This can be freeing, but it can also be scary because relationships are hard. Conversation can be hard. Admitting that we don't know everything and you may indeed be wrong can be extremely hard. But the power of love and unity can far surmount any obstacle we may face along our way.

I want this blog to become a safe place to share ideas, ask questions, and unite in love. I hope we can tackle some tough topics and get some clarity on complex issues. None of us have all the answers, and I see no value in "being right" just for the sake of being right. With humble discussion, we can build a relationship with God, Jesus, and each other, and that's something to get right.  This is a journey - one much better with traveling companions.

What topics would you like to discuss?  What does it mean for you to be finite?  If you want to join me on this journey, please comment, follow, and share.

LOVE to LOSE

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Paul

Love to lose = love in a way that leads to your losing.


"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James

Love to lose = enjoy losing.



Jesus started a revolution of losers
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Jesus

Jesus was a loser.  An all-powerful, all-knowing, righteous God, who created everything, came down to this earth to live as a man.  Not only as a man, but a poor man.  Not only as a poor man, but a persecuted man.  Not only a persecuted man, but a man who was willing to die on the cross - not for His friends, but for His enemies.  He sacrificed Himself fully, giving His life for those who consistently opposed Him.  He was willing to lose because He loved us, and He called us to be losers like Him.

Jesus gathered up a group of people whose values stretched across the social spectrum, ranging from poor fishermen to rich politicians to religious zealots.  This movement He created is far greater than anything we've seen in human history, not in wealth or power, but in its ability to change hearts.  Not only has Christianity become a worldwide phenomenon, but I believe it has lifted up the standard of living wherever it is practiced faithfully.  This kingdom of God is far different and far more radical than any other organization, movement, philosophy, or religion that's come before or after. In fact, I believe Jesus didn't establish a religion at all but instead came to restore relationships - our relationship with our Creator and our relationship with each other.  This revolution has no official name, no symbol or flag, no sacred city, no hierarchy of power (Christ is our only head), no special places of worship, no designated diet, clothing, rituals, or festivals, and a simplicity of law that starts with loving God and loving others.  The story of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and the hope we have of eternal peace and joy is far more powerful than any idea man can come up with.  This radical, self-sacrificing love that Jesus shows us is the only thing that has truly lasted the test of time and has shown to be the only absolute we can count on.

Love is the answer, but what exactly is love?
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - Jesus

Love, in our modern world, has been represented in so many different ways, but I believe Jesus had a very clear concept in mind when He calls His followers to love each other.  He calls us to agape love; a self-sacrificing, all-encompassing, giving of ourselves.  Love is action.  Love is a willingness to give yourself to someone else.  To love is to lose.  In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he gives a list of what love is - patient, kind, not envious, not boastful or proud, honoring, selfless, slow to anger, forgiving, rejecting of evil, rejoicing in truth, always protecting, always trusting, always hopeful, and persevering.  Love never fails because love is the only correct way to respond to any situation.  It is not a passive "be nice to others", but a giving of our possessions, time, and life.  John, who was Jesus' closest disciple and friend, explains this best when he said, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."  Jesus made it very clear what love required of us and showed it by sacrificing himself on a cross.  This is why He warns us to count the cost before following Him - it won't only take your money and time, but your life.



Are we willing to lose?
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” - Jesus

All of this is much easier said than done.  So many of us, especially us Americans, struggle to allow others to take advantage of us or get ahead of us.  Modern psychology puts a lot of emphasis on putting up and keeping healthy boundaries.  If we are to lay our lives down for others, then what boundaries are acceptable?  If we are to love our enemies, then who is left to hate?  When someone steals our jacket, we are to give our shirts, as well.  When we are asked to go a mile, we are called to go two.  This is so hard to do.  I find myself defending myself and my own interests constantly.  Imagine the powerful testimony of giving more to those who steal from us.  The Truth will be the Truth with or without me arguing my points.  Do I put my relationships with others before my ability to win an argument?  We should be far more interested in serving others and showing love than being "right" or "defenders of Truth".  The Truth is love, and love calls us to place others above ourselves.

We see the first-century church selling their possessions to make sure none of them had need, yet today we worry about our budget and our own bottom line.  We can't serve two masters - either we serve God or we serve money.  As Americans, our capitalist, independent, self-serving attitudes are in direct conflict with our call to deny ourselves.  The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had followed all the commandments but was lacking one thing - the willingness to sell his possessions to serve others.  Yet, I see Christians concerned with being good stewards or saving money.  Was the first-century church good stewards of their money?  I would argue that in the eyes of God, and His call for agape love, they were.  They weren't worried about what they would wear or where their food would come from.  They had complete trust in God and shared His self-sacrificing love with each other.



Sin and forgiveness
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter.  First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Jesus

Sin is missing the mark.  The mark is the perfect love of Jesus.  Anything we do that doesn't show that kind of love is sin.  We're all sinners.  No one can say they've loved perfectly.  Everyone is guilty in front of God.  This realization equalizes us all, leaving us all in need of a savior and His grace.  Is there anyone not needing forgiveness?  Is there anyone Jesus didn't die for?  How can any of us act as judge, showing favoritism towards one group or individual?  Hasn't God shown us the true nature of forgiveness - the giving up of any claim of punishment and restoring a relationship with someone that doesn't deserve the outstretched hand?  Why do so many in the church still act like some are more deserving of love than others?  How did we forget the grace we've been shown?  Imagine a world where we all recognize our equality and choose to place others' interests above our own?  Imagine a world where we are all humble enough to realize that we don't have all the answers, but continue to show a self-sacrificing love.  This is the revolution I see Jesus establishing, and this is the revolution I hope to be a part of.  Part of being finite is understanding our weakness, our sin, and our undeniable need for forgiveness.

Are we willing to lose on Social Media?  Are we willing to lose in politics?  Are we willing to lose the argument?  Are we willing to lose our pride?  Are we willing to admit our weakness?  Are we willing to forgive?  Are we willing to deny ourselves and place others above us?  For me, my only hope is Jesus and HIS love.  Praise God He was willing to lose for me.  May I also love to lose.