Exceptions

For the past month or so, God has really been challenging me to be honest in my beliefs about Him. It started innocently enough: catching up on over a year’s worth of Francis Chan sermon podcasts. (Two months down, at least 15 months more to go!) He has a talent for pointing out the obvious, yet ignored, parts of Scripture so that even one sermon will inspire me to confession and repentance, even while I’m cracking up at his jokes.

The underlying theme for me seems to have been how God used very inclusive terms throughout the Bible. When He does or says something, He doesn’t go half way. He doesn’t stop short of His goal. Even — or especially — when it comes to our salvation, He doesn’t make exceptions: nothing short of holiness will do. Thanks to Jesus’ embodiment of this trait, holiness is actually possible for us!

I, on the other hand, assume exceptions when applying biblical principles to my life. For example,

• “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20.3)…except for the ones that make me feel secure
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3.5)…except when things start getting dangerous
• “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 3.1)…except when I’m deeply disappointed
• “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5.18)…except when things don’t go my way
• “Count it all joy” (James 1.2)…except when I’ve sustained a great loss

I’ve read through a few different translations of the Bible, and so far none of my exceptions have shown up in any of those versions. As life in Christ has accelerated in just the last 4 weeks, more is at stake and more boldness is required. I catch my exceptions popping up more often as God-living-in-me points them out with clarity and conviction.

Few people would describe me as a half-hearted follower of Christ. Hopefully that statistic represents the truth, but I also know I can easily default to holding back when I’m tired, overwhelmed, fearful, or a host of any other emotions, including positive ones. I constantly want to ignore directions I feel God has given me earlier when something more comfortable comes along. It’s so easy to look at a challenge He is placing before me and turn away out of fear He’s going to leave me hanging if I go for it.

What is true of His commands are also true of His heart toward us.

• “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1.5)
• “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31.3)
• “Nothing is impossible for God.” (Luke 1.37)

Oddly enough, sometimes these are as hard to take at face value as His commands. This past weekend, the truth of this odd struggle hit home. It was in the middle of one of those worship times that are so full of God’s presence it’s almost unreal…except it’s more real than anything you’ve ever known. The leader introduced “Your Love Never Fails” by Jesus Culture. Since it’s actually two years old, some of our group already knew it. I didn’t, so I just listened and soaked in the truth of the lyrics. I was totally enjoying it until I heard the bridge,

You make all things work together for my good.

Heaven was rudely interrupted as I realized, I have issues with that line! I know exactly where in the Bible it came from, but I never considered how I should be living accordingly. In my mind, I’ve applied that verse to other people, even to my own situations, but I never claimed that as a personal truth. It was always “all things work together for the good,” but I somehow thought I was exempt from that elite group of “those who love Him.” For all the confidence I try to show about my relationship with Him, I wonder how much of that is really false bravado? I have no doubt He has redeemed me, but do I really believe He desires good for me? And how many of us really feel the same way? Part of it, I’m sure, is how we define “good,” and we need to distinguish between “good” and “the way I want it.” Still, the more I get to know the Body of Christ and the local church, the more I think we are still junior highers at heart: trying to look like we fit in, but really afraid of what others think of us. We’ve only learned how to hide it better.

It’s hard to believe someone so holy, so wholly-other, could also be so faithful to someone so sinful. Everything in the Bible points to such a God. The battle — one I consider worth choosing — is a fight for faithfulness. When doubts about the inclusive nature of His commands arise, one sure response is to rest in the inclusive nature of His heart for me. He held nothing back to be with us; for that reason alone, He has to be worth giving everything I have, no exceptions.

…because I love you… Isaiah 43.4