Meditations on the The Matrix

There's a thrill that accompanies the observation of super-human powers. The instinct to worship is fanned into flame by fairy tales of flying men with lightning-fast reflexes.

"If only it were true--if only we had a Neo to follow who could rescue us from bondage into . . . " into what?

We rejoice to see "good" defeat evil with a combination of flare and fury that resembles our abilities enough to fuel day-dreams of achieving such greatness ourselves. But we are sick and twisted fools. Jesus Christ spoke and stilled the storm, commanded and cast out demons. Jesus Christ willed and walked on water.

He didn't need to know kung fu, or how to fly, or how to load a gun (though if He'd wanted to He could've learned without a computer program).

The real hero understood greatness and glory. He didn't come to destroy life to save. He came to sacrifice His own life to save. The Son of God cannot be contained by the tiny longings of men or be compared to the god-men they've invented. Jesus Christ is the infinite source of awe-inspiring power, the ultimate object worthy of complete and child-like and radical devotion.

But men pretend to be bored by Him, and make another movie filled with the glorification of sinful autonomy, faithless sex and dressed-up moral rebellion. They pretend to be bored by the sandaled Jew who talked a lot. They deliberately and desperately try and try to forget that the real God-man didn't stay dead either. And his resurrection was not the illogical result of a weak and human crush-kiss, but the outworking of the eternal plan of the infinite Father who loves his son with the infinite love that the natural man can only weep and wish to taste.

They fear this peaceful man, because there IS a fight between good and evil. And they know, deep down they know, that unlike their self-portraits that they've pasted into fairy-tales, they are the evil ones. And everyone knows the bad guys lose. Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. There will be no contest. He needs no guns--he speaks and it comes to pass.

There is no fear in love though. and there IS a real world--an escape from the darkness into the glorious freedom of the children of God, not into the gloomy dungeons of man-made misery.

Long before someone dreamed-up Neo, the God who is love sent us a savior. Those who have met him know what is real. Those who have not have a choice. But there are no secrets--only the mystery of a God revealed. You can take the red pill, or the blue pill, but there is no uncertainty. This is sure: then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Jesus says "I am the Truth". Forget the red pill. Christ's crimson blood flows for you.

Life under the Son

"Of course, we do not use the word cool to describe true greatness. It is a small word. That's the point. It's cheap. And it's what millions of young people live for" (John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life).

The writer of Ecclesiastes speaks of "life under the sun"--that is, a world without God. Now whether or not this book has come to us from the hand of king Solomon -- a man blessed with extraordinary wisdom -- or some other prudent character, is not really that important. The indisputable fact remains that the author has demonstrated, in frightfully clear terms, the end result of life without God: meaninglessness.

There's a lot one could say about this. We could examine the relevancy of the the author's experiences to our current lifestyles. We could launch into a chilling description of the sinner's true state of godlessness. We could beg and plead with our fellow Christians to throw off their preocuppation with self and live a life worthy of their calling, to recoil from living a life under the sun without life in the Son.

But what good would it do? Honestly, assuming my experiences are at least relatively close to the norm, how far can such discussion go? Passion fades. Resolve deteriorates. Vision clouds.
When we allow our pleasure to supercede our purpose, how can anything truly great, noble, or good move us?

When we allow our perspective to morph into a Christ-less, self-centered vision, joy cannot last. Without the life of Christ in the soul of man, our world is reduced to a land of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential; a land of incompletion and imperfection; a land of agravating almosts and disappointing endings. If disappointment is slow in coming, we need only wait a little longer. It's coming. Only the infinite God can fully satisfy.

There's so much more to say. But the writer of ecclesiastes gives a good summary of the correct response to such a potentially meaningless lifestyle: fear God, and keep his commands; remember your creator in the days of your youth.
Such a life cannot be invoked by passionate pleading or clever rhetoric. Only the life of Christ in the soul can produce a life in Christ. And for that, you must go to the cross.

A Return

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
~John 14:27

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33


"But I am so weak!" Granted. But turn your eyes upward. Do you not find yourself simultaneaously bending your gaze inward through the lens of scripture and finding there a precious savior, mighty and able--yes, willing--to save? Are you not accustomed to communing with the master rebuilder who has made his home in your heart? Have you not found faithful thus far he who has promised to work a change in you?

Is your answer to all these questions 'no'? Jordan, you are blind! You have been lifted from the foaming waters, and still you thrash and fight and fear and tremble, like one doomed to destruction! Oh, tune your ear to the voice of Christ! He has spoken salvation; he is speaking peace.


Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
~2 Thessalonians 3:16

I Do Believe

I may be wrong, but my behavior seems ridiculously illogical. Consider if you will my predicament:

#1. I want to be happy. Beneath sundry motives and emotions sits this fundamental desire. I long for joy and contentment.

#2. I know where to find what I’m looking for. I know where true happiness lies. David knew also: “You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
I believe with all my heart that ultimate satisfaction awaits me in God’s presence; that communion with Him constitutes joy in its purest form. I am wholly convinced that—my purpose being to glorify and enjoy God—no other occupation can possibly produce more intense contentment.

#3. Here is my problem: I cannot bring myself to strive after that which I most desire. I know what I want and I know how to get it – but I can’t. I find myself attracted to so many inferior comforts, motivated by so many illegitimate desires, and allured by so many trivial experiences.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15).

It’s not just active sin that keeps me from my father’s presence. It’s a kind of lethargy. I know that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us…” (2 Peter 1:3), but I move so slowly towards fuller knowledge of Christ. Here I have His words, His self revelation; here I have His faithful servants around me, constantly testifying to the power and wonder of his love. What a wretched man I am! What a stupid creature I must be! How intense the shadows of my unregenerate heart must have been that they linger still despite this radiant light of Christ and His gospel. And how great must be the love of this God, who bears with such wondrous patience the prayerlessness and lovelessness of His own children, who look up to the cross—the ultimate sacrifice, the symbol of the most intense sorrow ever experienced: the severing of the infinite bond of love between the Father and Son—and respond with such inappropriate apathy, which renders the divine gift a mere accessory to life.
So there’s something wrong with my heart still. But the situation is not desperate; the God who loved me enough to endure hell on my behalf, well aware of the depravity of my soul and the completely inappropriate response I would offer, loves me enough to bear my weakness with patience and gently bring me nearer and nearer to His presence. “Praise be to God, through Christ Jesus our Lord!”
And so my lack of love serves to highlight his unconditional faithfulness all the more, and calls for even more praise—indeed it compels me once again to “make every effort to add to [my] faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, love.” For my Lord promises, “if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11). "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).

So I encourage you, fellow believer—if you believe his promises, don’t just rest in them. Act on them. Seek Him.

certain things don't mix

“What, reader, is the habitual and supreme bent of your mind? Is it that which is spiritual, or that which is carnal?...You have your mind either set upon the things of the flesh, or upon the things of the Spirit.” – Octavius Winslow

I have gotten to know many Christian youth during my three years of college, at three different Christian schools, and many of the thousands of conversations I have had and many of the observations I have made, raise various questions in my mind about how we Christian youth are living our lives.

During my second year at school there was one piece of a conversation that has stayed in the back of my mind. I was just relaxing with a bunch of friends talking about random things, when one guy said something that caught my attention. He was someone who sang and played the guitar for a lot of the worship times during school events; he did the same for his church, and he professed his Christianity. So when he mentioned that his favorite movie was Wedding Crashers, I was slightly surprised (although I’m not really surprised to hear that type of thing coming from Christians, which is sad).

Now I had never seen this movie (still haven’t and never will), but from what I had heard it was nothing but trash. Since that time I have looked the movie up online and have found that it received its R rating for: Sexuality, Nudity, Sexual and Crude Humor, and Language. So here was a young Christian man announcing that he “loved” this junk, not only in the presence of females but in the presence of nonbelievers. Then, what was even worse, is that other Christian guys there agreed enthusiastically with him!

How is that movie edifying? How does it not pollute your mind? What type of witness are we being? “Well my favorite book to read is the Holy Scriptures and my favorite thing to watch is Wedding Crashers.” Oh yeah, now I see what a powerful example that is; can’t believe I missed it the first time.

I also have a good amount of friends from both highschool and college who put the artist Eminem as one of their favorites. Here’s a guy who has profanity and the F word all throughout his songs, yet these young Christian men hold him up us one of their favorite. I don’t care how great the guy is, or that he is a genius in the area of rap, the guy is singing filth into your ear. There are, of course, more extreme examples; I’m sure there are Christians out there who say Marylin Manson is their favorite.

Not only is that a horrible witness, but it is nothing but hurtful to your personal walk. We are called to live lives that are pure, holy, and pleasing to God. For some bizarre reason I do not see God being too pleased with you claiming Wedding Crashers or Eminem as your favorites. It’s when I hear things like this that I question how serious the Christian youth of today are about their faith.

I do not want anyone to think that I’m sitting up here on my high horse pointing fingers at them and judging. I am extremely far from being a perfect Christian example. I have enjoyed watching movies that I regretted having seen afterwards. This has been an exhortation to me just as much as to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I, however, can not say it better than Octavius Winslow.

“Be exhorted to walk in the Spirit. Be not satisfied with having the question decided in your favor, or with just barely knowing that you have crossed the line that separates the regenerate from the unregenerate, death from life. Remain not where you are; go forward. Be not content with a low standard. Compare not your church with other churches, nor yourself with other Christians; nor measure yourself by yourself. Rather, fix your eye upon Christ; copy His example, imbibe His mind, and place yourself under the government of His Spirit. Strive to go forward!”

This post is in no way limited to media: what we watch or listen to. I hope we all take the exhortation here and apply it to every aspect of our lives. Claiming Christ in name is not enough, you must also claim Him in your actions, in the fruit that you bear. As a Christian you are taking up life with the highest standard, the standard of Christ. We are called to live as Christ did; a perfect life. While this is impossible, it is still the goal, and one we are to strive for.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” – Romans 8:5

A Tale of Two Psalms

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul . . ." You know the rest. The encouraging and beautiful words of Psalm 23 comprise one of the most widely known, oft-quoted parts of Scripture. People all over, it seems, have memorized it, claimed it as their favorite Bible verse , quoted it in movies, and had it tattooed on themselves. (Nike even featured it in a basketball shoe commercial a few years ago). It seems strange that many of these people--athletes, actors, shoe companies to name a few--are glad to identify themselves with the "inspirational" thoughts of David's song--the Lord will provide rest and comfort, in the face of death there is no fear, etc.--yet cringe at the suggestion that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the absolute truth. Why do so many feel free to pour upon themselves the blessings of the 23rd Psalm (and similar "well-loved" parts of the Bible) yet ultimately consider them the same as many other (secular) "great quotes" or "inspirational literature" and ignore the spiritual reality of the book and God that it comes from.

The irony deepens when one looks at the chapter right before Psalm 23 (Psalm 22 for any math-challenged people out there). If everyone who superficially loved Psalm 23 examined Psalm 22, they would observe some of the clearest Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus, specifically the events of the crucifixion.

The opening words "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22.1) are spoken by Jesus from the cross (Matthew 27.46, Mark 15.34).

Psalm 22.7-8 say "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" The fulfillment of this verse is found in Matthew 27.39-43: "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads . . . The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders mocked him . . . 'He trusts in God. Let God rescue him.'"

In verse 16 of the Psalm, King David writes that "a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and feet" fulfilled through the nails of the crucifixion and finally in verse 18 the Psalm states "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing" as happened to Jesus (Matthew 27.35).

The clarity of the prophecies fulfilled nearly a thousand years later by Christ is both astounding and encouraging. Both psalms are intense and beautiful and both, obviously, are scripture. Yet it is intriguing that Psalm 23 maintains its place as "favorite psalm of all time" (even by those who reject the gospel and have nothing to do with Jesus) a chapter away from another psalm of David that is far less known and loved but that points squarely to Jesus Christ.

Break your mirrors.

“We do not dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Cor. 10.12).

Sometimes I worry about us. With our conscience as our guide and the mirror as our model, I think perhaps we have come to a dreadful conclusion. Most of us, I would guess, aren’t naïve enough to presume that we’re fine. But I fear that at times we are foolish enough to believe that it is fine that we’re not fine. We rest on God’s promises of forgiveness and patience but close our ears to His exhortations to faith and perseverance. Are we content with our sinful autonomy? Do we refuse to consider our rebellious state? “If you love me, you will do what I command” is often hastily pushed aside in favor of softer, friendlier passages. “If he has made us, if he has redeemed us, if he has preserved us in being, it is but His due that we should be His servants”(Charles Spurgeon. A Good Start. 64). Yet we, God’s very children, continue to say secretly “‘well, I do not want to be a servant.’ You cannot help it my friend; you cannot help it. You must be a servant of somebody. ‘Then I will serve myself,’ says one. Pardon me, brave sir, if I whisper in your ear that if you serve yourself you will serve a fool. The man who is the servant of himself—listen to this sentence—the man who is the servant of himself is the slave of a slave; and I cannot imagine a more degrading position for a man to be in than to be the slave of a slave. You will assuredly serve somebody. You will wear fetters, too, if you serve the master that most men choose” (Spurgeon 67).

These words of Spurgeon are addressed to unbelievers—but are they also true of us? Are we God’s at heart because of Christ yet continuing to live as slaves to ourselves? “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Rom. 6.16)? “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer” (Rom 6.1)? Let s stop making ourselves and each other the standard of righteousness. Consider instead the example of Christ and the lives of those spoken of by the writer of Hebrews:

“Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Heb. 11. 35-40).

Something better for us! But look at our lives in comparison. What would Hebrews 11 read were it written of us? Is this world unworthy of us? No? Then let us strive for perfection! Let us seek to submit ourselves daily to the Lordship of Christ. Let us do something to move away from where we are towards the life of faith modeled for us in Scripture.

Hebrews 12:4 says “in your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

This is the kind of devotion we should desire. But if we are our own role models, how will we ever achieve it?

How will we achieve it? How is sin made less and less attractive? Where do we find the power to live like we should—to think and feel like we should? I think we need to pray with Paul that our eyes will be opened to the greatness of the true God; the real riches of His love. I think we begin to escape our self-induced enslavement when we start to see our God as the master he really is; as the master who is worth serving.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1.17-21).

Here is our role model; here is our standard, the glorious Son of God. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12.2,3).