Here, in the Present

Watching The Cult Next Door interview with Seth Forrestier, I was reminded of the overwhelming negativity associated with the Armstrong Churches of God. The focus of their message was on warning people about the wrath of God - the rapidly approaching consequences of their sins. It was a message of fear, and anything positive was saved for The World Tomorrow - NOT the here and now. This present life was just preparation and training for the future, and you'd better get your nose to the grindstone and get it done! The god of Armstrongism was a pissed-off fellow, and he was just itching to zap the hell out of all of those wretched folks on earth! And, since there wasn't anything in this life worthy of our resources, we were supposed to send all of our "excess" money to further the proclamation of their dreary message.

Looking back on it now, it seems impossible that I ever embraced such a theology. At the time, it all seemed like a reasonable, almost insignificant, sacrifice. In my twisted way of thinking, I felt that the end justified the means. There would be glorious joy and peace in the future, and every sorrow of the present time would be forgotten. Every trial and tribulation of the present was just preparing me for a glorious future. After all, hadn't Paul written to the Romans that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

Then, however, I was disfellowshipped for dating someone outside of the Church, and Gehenna fire yawned before me. I was outside of the true Church - that glorious future had been cut off from me! Fortunately for me, however, I almost immediately began thinking for myself again and started down the long road of emerging from the delusion that had been the focus of a self-imposed narrow and dark existence.

I learned, finally, that Christianity wasn't just about the future. I learned that there was joy to be had in this life, and that my faith could be a source of peace and comfort in this present life. I learned too that God wanted me to be saved and was looking forward to an eternity with me and my loved ones (John 3:16, Romans 8:35-39, and I Timothy 2:3-4). Moreover, God broke through my delusion and revealed to me that worry, fear, and hopelessness was NOT the state of mind he wanted for "His" people.

In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Christ had told his followers not to fret and worry over the things which we need to sustain this life, and he had assured them that God knew that they needed those things and was able to provide all of that for them (Matthew 6:25-34). Sure, our focus was to be on God's reign in our own lives, and in the lives of all of humanity someday; but there was clearly joy/peace to be had in THIS life as well!

Likewise, Paul wrote to the saints at Philippi: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9, NLT) In other words, this stuff that he had been teaching them wasn't just for the future - it was for the here and now!

Paul had also told Timothy to "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (II Timothy 1:6-7, NLT) From Paul's perspective, God had given Timothy that gift to USE - NOT just in the future, but in the present too! Likewise, John wrote: "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So, we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (I John 4:16-18, NLT) Did you catch that? John said that we (Christians) should be living in and experiencing that love NOW - in the present!

Indeed, even the Hebrew Bible (what we refer to as the Old Testament) espouses this same philosophy. After surveying a life of great accomplishments, Solomon wrote: "So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him." (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, NLT) A little later, in the same book, we read: "So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT)

Now, this post is about enjoying and experiencing life in the present, but it should NOT be interpreted as disparaging the future. God has promised a glorious future for "His" people, and that too can (and should be) a source of joy and comfort in the present. Nevertheless, as Christians, we must understand that God does NOT view this present life as a waste of time - or only as preparation for the next life. There is much to do and enjoy in the present! Moreover, while we do not want to be a part of this world's evil, we must never forget that God created us and the flora and fauna which surround us, and "He" pronounced all of it to be VERY GOOD. (Genesis 1:31) Enjoy!