Radical Change: Do We Need It?

Radical Change. That’s Jesus. That’s the message of the New Testament.

Not narrow, controlling, or harsh, but radical.

In Jesus’ day, the religious rulers transformed God’s Law into 613 explicit rules to follow but when Jesus arrives, He simply says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40) God’s Law had been framed as an endless list of external rules that no one could possibly satisfy but Jesus liberates His followers by teaching an internal change of heart. Radical.

Likewise, the New Testament’s teaching on submission is also misunderstood as harsh and controlling, but listen to what it says in the context of the society in which it was taught:

• Slaves, obey your masters (yawn, they were already doing this) but wait, Paul adds something new, “Masters, treat your slaves with respect and fear, and do not threaten them.” Radical.
• Wives, obey your husbands (Was this new? No.) but Paul adds second part, “husbands, love your wives,” and in case they didn’t know what that meant, he paints a detailed picture for them of Jesus dying on the Cross. Women’s status is suddenly elevated to the highest possible level: of deserving self-sacrificial love. Radical.

In Bible times, if a child was born handicapped, or a girl when the father wanted a boy, or unwanted for any reason, the child would be abandoned on the city wall to die from exposure. When the Christian church was ‘born,’ Christians began taking in the unwanted children and raising them themselves. Radical.

Today, Jesus message is just as radical, and just as misunderstood. “If you love me, you will obey my commands.” (John 14:15) This verse is often interpreted as a command to obey, but that is not what it is saying. Rather, the phrase is a statement of fact; obedience is the natural outcome of a heart sold out to Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we want to obey Him; we choose to obey Him. And what are His commands? He has already told us, “Love God and your neighbor.” Again, what does that look like? Self-sacrifice. Radical.

When we consider the past five weeks of testimony on the horror of Gosnell’s abortion clinic trial where pre-born and just-born children are slaughtered, stuffed in freezers, and society ignores their cry (along with the cry of millions of others here in the US, China, India and around the world), Christians are rightly outraged and are sounding the warning cry. However, while radical change is needed, change can only come from within the Spirit-empowered church. As for the rest of the world, they don’t need radical – they need rescue.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them…” (Romans 1:18-19)

But thank God for Jesus’ promise, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:4)

But wait, “How…can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

Just as in Bible times, society will never be transformed from the outside-in but rather by hearts transformed inside-out by the message of the Cross, joined together in unity as the Spirit-led Church of God, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to a dark, fallen world. Radical Change, my friends, is up to us.

• Do you and/or your church regularly support Christ-honoring pregnancy centers? If not, why not?
• Does your church boldly teach on the sanctity of human life?
• How is God stirring your heart to bring radical change to your church?
• For a list of suggested books, including John Ensor’s Innocent Blood, click here.

Shadia Hrichi

Shadia Hrichi is a pro-life Speaker, Author of “Nameless No More: A Journey of Healing After Abortion,” and is currently writing a  post-abortion bible study. She serves on the Board of Directors for RealOptions Pregnancy Centers, holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Criminal Justice, and is  pursuing a MA of Biblical Studies at Western Seminary. For more information, please visit www.beautifulvoice.org. If you are involved in pro-life ministry or interested in future updates, please sign up for my Quarterly Newsletter. To subscribe to this blog or Shadia’s FaceBook Fan Page, see top right.

Did you like this post? You may also like Why the Silence?,  “Heaven’s Tears” and Orphan Dreams.

Why the Silence?

The mainstream media’s silence of the Gosnell “House of Horrors” abortion clinic trial is almost deafening. But should this surprise us? “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” John 3:19-20

We should not be shocked at the world’s inability to shine light into the darkness. The world in its current form is passing away; it is dark, corrupted, and decaying (1 John 2:17, 1 Cor 7:31). Only Jesus, who is the true Light, can bring Light into the world, and He has entrusted that Light to His Church.

While our bewilderment over the silence is justified, it is misdirected. It is not the media from which we should expect an outcry, but rather, it is the Church. The Word of God does not merely teach the Church to avoid evil behavior, but also to expose it. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:11, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Italics mine).

Like you, my heart breaks for the countless children lost to abortion every day and the men and women who have been victimized by the lies (I am one of them). The Gosnell case simply epitomizes the depravity. While the Church, by and large, remains silent, or at best, makes mention of it one Sunday each year, Christ-centered pregnancy centers have stood on the front-lines fighting back the darkness, scraping by on the donations of a handful of faithful supporters, day after day and year after year. Church: we can do better!

When was the last time your church spoke out against the tragedy of abortion? Would you be willing to be the one who breaks the silence? Here are some things you can do:

• Ask your church leaders if they are financially supporting your local pregnancy resource center (PRC) as part of their community outreach/missions, and if not, why not?
• Share this link of a powerful and timely sermon on abortion presented by Pastor Chip Ingram
• Invite your local PRC to speak at your church, small group, or special event
• Support your local pregnancy center financially and/or as a volunteer
• Have your small group participate in your PRC’s annual Walk for Life

When Jesus returned to Heaven after rising from the dead, He left behind two things to finish His work: His Spirit and His followers. “You are the light of the world…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” (Matthew 5:14, 4:16)

What other ideas would you suggest for shedding more light onto the mission of your local PRC? Together, we can break the silence.

Shadia Hrichi

Shadia Hrichi is a pro-life Speaker, Author of “Nameless No More: A Journey of Healing After Abortion,” and is currently writing a  post-abortion bible study. She serves on the Board of Directors for RealOptions Pregnancy Centers, holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Criminal Justice, and is  pursuing a MA of Biblical Studies at Western Seminary. For more information, please visit www.beautifulvoice.org. If you are involved in pro-life ministry or interested in future updates, please sign up for my Quarterly Newsletter. To subscribe to this blog or Shadia’s FaceBook Fan Page, see top right.

If you liked this post, you may also like Radical Change: Do We Need It?,  “Heaven’s Tears” or Orphan Dreams.

God’s Punch List

It never fails. No matter what the construction project, no job is ever finished until the completion of the Punch List: a list of mistakes and imperfections that must be corrected, which do not conform to the architect’s vision. Historically (before the invention of iPads), at job sites where it’s easy for paper to get lost, the punch list would fastened, sometimes even copied, onto a wooden post. As each item was completed, a nail would be used to “punch” a hole next to it. Only after every item on the punch list was corrected could the contractor truly declare, “It is finished.”

Like an architect envisioning a glorious city, when God created mankind, He envisioned a “holy nation” and a “kingdom of priests”  (Exodus 19:6). But because He did not intend to force it on anyone, He granted us free will. In doing so, He knew from the start the job would be messy. Every prideful thought, selfish act, and imperfection of mankind (anything unholy) reveals that we have failed to conform to the Master Architect’s vision and unless that is corrected, His stamp of approval must be withheld. Knowing all of this, before time began, God the Son volunteered to come to earth as a humble Carpenter and satisfy the Punch List (2 Timothy 1:9). Knowing we could never attain holiness on our own, Jesus allowed for all of our sin to be put on Himself. Only after being stretched across two wooden beams where three nails were violently pounded into His flesh, could Jesus cry out, “It is finished.”

On our own, none of us can satisfy the Punch List stacked against us; we are all inherently selfish and deeply flawed human beings. But God in His great mercy sees us as He first envisioned us and came to earth to complete the job, to transform us into who we were meant to be and to open the gates of Heaven where one day we will truly be a “holy nation” and a “kingdom of priests.” Dear friend, you were never expected to complete the Punch List because God knew you couldn’t; but Jesus could, and thankfully, He did.

Father in Heaven, thank you for seeing me not as I am but as who you envisioned me to be before you created me. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins and completing the task I could never complete. As I surrender myself to you, please fill me with power through your Holy Spirit to live a life worthy of the calling I have received (Ephesians 4:1).

No one will spend eternity suffering punishment for their sin; however, many will suffer anguish for realizing they rejected the One who did. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, why not visit an Easter service at a local church to find out more?

Shadia Hrichi

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If you liked this message, you may also like The Walking Dead, The Hope of the Passover, or Would a Good God Send People to Hell?

The Walking Dead

The walking dead. What comes to mind when you hear this phrase? I think of creepy zombies, moaning and marching with outstretched arms and drooping hands. We may be inclined to consign the images to low budget movies but actually, the scene is quite biblical (minus the moaning). It did happen – and not once, but twice!

The first occurrence is found in the book of John where Jesus is preaching in Jerusalem about eternal life. He promises that those who follow Him hear His voice and receive eternal life (John 10:25-29) yet despite His miracles, many refused to believe.

A few days later, Jesus learns his dear friend Lazarus is ill; yet Jesus delays in going to him, assuring his disciples, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Even though Lazarus’ hometown is a mere two miles away, Jesus does not arrive until a full four days after his friend is buried. By the time Jesus does arrive, Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, are deeply hurt that Jesus did not come sooner.

But Jesus had His reasons. Speaking to Martha, He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

How about you; do you believe Him?

Upon reaching the tomb, “…Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out of the tomb with a cloth around his face, his body wrapped with strips of linen. Jesus ordered the people, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” (John 11:43-44)

What happened? Did Jesus touch him? Clap His hands? Snap His fingers? No. Lazarus rose because he heard Jesus’ voice. Lazarus’ relationship with Jesus extended beyond the grave. This is eternal life.

While you and I are alive in our physical bodies, we can be either spiritually alive or spiritually dead. I, too, was once among the walking dead. But when God opened my ears to hear His voice, the grave clothes fell off! I was alive! One day, my physical body with breath its last but I praise God who saved me, for I know my spirit will enjoy everlasting life. This is what we celebrate every Easter: Jesus’ victory over death through the Cross, offering anyone who hears His voice the hope of Heaven.

How about you? Do you hear His voice?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life…an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (John 5:24-25)

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)

This Easter, churches everywhere will be celebrating Jesus’ victory over the grave. Why not visit one to find out how you can have eternal life, the hope of Heaven?

Shadia Hrichi

If you’ve enjoyed this message, I’d love your comments. To Share, click below; to receive this blog via FaceBook or email, see top right.

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

Recently my friend asked me to make some labels for her using my handy label-maker machine. Her family kept confusing the coffee containers and masking tape just didn’t cut it. She asked for the following labels: Decaf, Half-Caf, Regular, and Espresso. This is what I gave her: Lie to Me, Half-Truths, He is Risen, and Eternal Life. She loved them! And no one ever mistook one coffee for another again.

We all have our personal tastes, even when it comes to Christianity. For some, refusing the truth seems preferable; others might pick and choose parts they like and discard ones they find less appetizing. Even among those who receive the Savior, many quickly settle back into to a regular life. But for a fortunate few, nothing less than Eternal Life will do. These are the ones who take Jesus at His word when He assured us, “I am the resurrection and the Life.” (John 11:25) Why settle for a regular life when Jesus promises so much more? “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

Eternal Life does not begin when we enter Heaven; Eternal Life begins when Jesus enters us.

“Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Shadia Hrichi

If you’ve enjoyed this message, I’d love your comments. To receive this blog via FaceBook or email, see top right.

We Expected Flowers; God Chose the Thorns

Have you ever received a gift you didn’t expect?

My best friend loves to cook and her kitchen is filled with every gadget known to man. While I like to bake, at one time my tools were limited to silverware, a few metal spatulas and a set of knives. It wasn’t a matter of finances; I simply didn’t know I was missing anything. One year, my friend bought me a rubber spatula and an egg separator. I looked at the rubber spatula and quickly pictured it as the perfect tool for spreading frosting! As for the egg separator; I had no clue and the look on my face prompted my dear friend to explain.

Thursday is Valentine’s Day. That special time of year we expect our special someone to show his or her love with chocolate, flowers, or maybe even diamonds! Why? Because someone at one time or another decided they served as symbols of love and the association has stuck ever since.

But not all symbols are obvious. What if I told you there is Someone who chooses to express His great love for you, not with flowers, but with thorns? Why thorns? The answer goes back to the Garden of Eden. Something happened when mankind rebelled against God, “the ground is cursed because of you…It will grow thorns and thistles for you…” (Genesis 3:17-18) Even worse, the relationship between God and man was severed and mankind was banished from the Garden altogether.

But because of God’s boundless love for us, God set in motion a plan to restore that relationship even before time began. Yet His gift did not reflect our preconceived ideas of what love should look like. It wasn’t a brightly-wrapped package tied with a pretty red bow. We expected flowers and diamonds and when we didn’t get it, we reciprocated with betrayal, blood and thorns. “They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.” (Matthew 27:28-29) However, thank God that His gift of love does not conform to what our sinful nature seeks, but rather to what He knows our hearts need the most: His love and forgiveness. Jesus came to save us and “…redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…” (Galatians 3:13)

We expected flowers, but He gave us thorns, and I for one, am eternally grateful.

 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

(You may also like The Imperishable Gift, Lift Your Eyes,  Would a Good God Send People to Hell?)

Shadia Hrichi

If you’ve enjoyed this message, I’d love your comments. To Share, click below; to receive this blog via FaceBook or email, see top right.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

One afternoon at the park, I watched in amusement as a dog repeatedly chased a frisky squirrel up a tree. Over and over again, the squirrel climbed down just far enough to tease the dog, only to scramble back up, never coming close enough to risk being caught. Poor dog—what torment! And yet, he never surrendered the hope of catching that squirrel. Who could blame him? The world is filled with tempting treats promising to bring us joy and happiness.

And yet, just like that squirrel, they elude us every time. We chase the dreams, climb the corporate ladder, and exhaust ourselves trying in vain to grasp the next big thing. We can even overexert ourselves in ministry (remember Martha in Luke 10:38-41?). But in the end, joy eludes us. Why? We’re barking up the wrong tree! Jesus tells us that only one thing is required: spending time with Him (Martha’s sister Mary got it). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

In doing so, He helps us to put all things in perspective. Instead of chasing dreams, we meet the Dream-Giver; instead of climbing the corporate ladder; we are promised to reign with Christ forever; instead of longing for the next big thing, we meet the Creator of all things. The world is bursting with trees filled with empty promises but there is only one tree that truly delivers: the one fashioned into a Cross. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27)

Shadia Hrichi

If you’ve enjoyed this message, I’d love your comments. To Share, click below; to receive this blog via FaceBook or email, see top right.