One Third?

The chart above shows a breakdown of all the religions in the world. This chart often bothers me. Okay, not this exact chart, but a similar chart that resides in my mind. There have been times that I have traveled to China (work related) and have often found myself sitting in a taxi sometimes traveling to or through Shanghai, Beijing, or Tianjin. As I look out of the taxi's window through China’s haze of smog, I am most greatly struck with China’s unmatched massive population (although, I think India is a close second). People are everywhere: walking, driving cars, riding bikes, etc. I have also met various individuals in China and have made good lasting friendships. These friendships have mitigated my original thoughts created by China’s massive population, and have built in them a foundation laid with family values, kindness, and love.

These two thoughts (population and friendship) rightly tug at my Christian beliefs and can propagate faithlessness in God. Jesus said in John 14:26, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” How can the god of the bible be JUST when over one billion people in China do not profess Jesus’ name? People that are just as loving/unloving as Americans. I find this to be the greatest obstacle to believing in the claims of Jesus.

I have recently listened again to the 1997, Top Five Questions from University of Iowa Students by William Lane Craig with Ravi Zacharias. This is an 89 minute broadcast that I have heard more than a couple of times. I am very drawn to what William Lane Craig says in the last few minutes of the broadcast (1:25:40 to the end). He first points to a strange possibility that relates to one of his favorite topics, middle knowledge, but he then speaks of specific evidence given to each person and the responsibility of their choices which they make regarding this specific evidence. I like William Lane Craig’s latter remark, but I still struggle with the loose ends, and there will always be loose ends.

It seems to me that faith must always be greater than the answers. I can hear the answers and feel better, but given time, I will be right back where I started, doubting the evidence and asking difficult questions.

Concerning the one billion plus non-proclaiming Christians in China: I find I must have faith that God’s thoughts are far above ours and that his loving kindness and grace will always far exceed ours; that God's grace will even cover over those not introduced to the bible. And I will continually hope that his grace will cover the sin of all.

Therefore it is hope in the character of Jesus (who he was on earth) that gives me hope while traveling in a taxi somewhere half way around the world.

Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned (A)through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will (B)reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

When is it enough?

This is a question that has been asked at many different times in many different ways by many different cultures with many different expected answers, and has been answered in many different ways. I find it interesting how often this question is asked and how often the “right” answer is understood, but not followed.

I will give a few examples:

Do I make enough?
Do I have enough?

These are questions where the answers may be understood as yes, but we continually desire more and then work to fulfill our desires. Now I realize I am not selling anything new here, and therefore will move on (I’ve said enough).

I remember, back when my wife and I lived in Tulsa, a man that occasionally knocked on our door. He would first ask for money, to which we would ask if there were other ways that we could help. He was quick with his answer and I found myself in the car driving him to Burger King for a Whopper, fries, and a Coke (no water for him as he was schizophrenic and worried about the government control over water). He would stop by in the winter for a new coat and then again for another Whopper run. This went on for about nine months before my wife and I moved to the Chicago area. My wife and I were confronted with a reasonable question: How much is enough?

When does one tell a needy person, no more? Is there a limit? Do we gauge how capable he or she is, and then decide? Do we create weekly evaluations and give based on their performance?

I suggest we GIVE. I suggest we give until we feel we are being taken advantage of, and then continue to give. I suggest we give more than a Whopper, fries and a Coke. I suggest we give until we are no longer capable of giving. I suggest we give until we realize that they are our brothers and sisters whom we love and to whom we freely give.

Although this is contrary to my first inclination, to capitalism, and to society in general and specific, this is how I ought to be in order to understand true love.

I am nowhere close to where I want to be. I find that when I take a small step in the “right” direction, I am immediately confronted with the larger steps in the “right” direction that were not taken. But I will not give up the pursuit of this reachable ideal.