5 | Are We Acting or Just Acting

STAR TREK

Growing up, I had a collection of friends who loved to watch the science fiction television series “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry (now known as the “Original Series”).  The series premiered in September 1966 and ran for three seasons.  The reruns of the series in the 1970’s led to a Star Trek cult following which greatly exceeded the original popularity.  A daily dose of Star Trek adventures fed this sci-fi fascination.  Parroting snippets from various episodes, my friends would compete for the top spot in our impromptu Star Trek fan club.  

Similar to the obsession with the leading roles in popular movies, we worshipped James T Kirk and Spock.  Consistent with a cult following, it was a dream to attend a Star Trek convention, dressed in full attire complete with phaser and communicator, hoping for the opportunity to meet our idols.  Several years later when Spock died in the motion picture “Star Trek:  The Wrath of Khan”, a part of all of us perished.  Even while investing in our college education, the grip on our imaginations had not relented.  It is somewhat embarrassing to admit how long this obsession persisted.  Confession: I still watch the reruns and quote lines from the memorable moments.

But in the end, Star Trek was a fictional departure from reality.  The characters were all actors – there was no James T. Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, or Starship Enterprise.  According to available information, the series was modeled after classical mythological storytelling.  It was nothing more than a very compelling adventure which capitalized on our young imaginations in an amazingly effective way. 

the final FRONTIER

It was a spring Sunday morning in 1975 when my parents encouraged me to attend our Methodist church senior high Sunday school class.  A copy of a book was neatly positioned on every other chair – apparently the textbook for the class.  The bright orange letters against a black background captured my attention.  

The Table of Contents, populated with foreign theological terms, offered little additional insight into the course objectives.  This was my introduction to the second coming of Jesus Christ and what it meant to be a Christian.  Fascinated with the end times narrative, I began reading everything available from authors like Hal Lindsey who wrote several books including “The Late Great Planet Earth” and “There’s a New World Coming.”  With spiritual naivety regarding a true relationship with Jesus Christ, I was on board with the rhetoric.  I had my tee shirt which read, “Get Right or Get Left”.  I became an evangelist for the return of Christ’s timeline based on very little real prophetic understanding but a whole lot of emotion and energy.   But what was lurking in the back of my mind was the question, “Do I really believe this narrative?  How do I know for sure?”  “Who really is this Jesus whose return I am anticipating?”  There were many questions of great importance which needed to be answered.  But the emotion and excitement of the movement abated not.  I definitely was opposed to missing out on the pretribulation Rapture of the Church.   I talked with my Christian friends, my pastor Reverend Bill, and a lady at the local Christian bookstore – I talked with anyone who would dialogue on the subject.  I acquired more books, tracked down more preachers teaching on the subject.  I consumed whatever I could find.  My parents were appropriately concerned about my new passion – something or someone had gotten a hold of me in a unique way.  Despite my very narrow focus on the details of Jesus’ return, over the next few years God used several people to impact my pursuit of a true relationship with Him.  Through Godly mentoring, I asked the Lord Jesus Christ to change my life.  I spent more time studying the scriptures, attended Campus Crusade for Christ meetings, was involved with the door-to-door evangelism, and discovered the joy of growing in my walk with Christ.  And so, began my journey to know the one called Jesus.

Acting or acting

The metaphor we are studying from the Sermon on the Mount was proceeded by a bountiful harvest of truth relevant to living in a manner pleasing to God.  The hearers of this great sermon were privileged to be a part of Jesus’ teaching ministry; however, the impact of His “words” had different outcomes as Jesus makes clear.  The Greek word (poieo) used to describe the response to Jesus’ teaching carries the idea of putting the words into practice.  It is translated as “acts on them” in the NASB.  The NIV uses the phrase, “puts them into practice”.  There is one group who hears what Jesus has shared and under conviction senses a need to act, to change course, to put into practice in daily living.  Others, having heard the same message, remain unaffected, and therefore choose not to act – there life journey remains unaltered.  The balance of the metaphor supports the clear articulation of these antithetical outcomes.   

But as I reflected on my own spiritual journey, it became apparent that there was a third possible outcome which was more subtle and insidious.  It involved a different definition of the English word “Act”.  Just prior to our passage of study in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus gives a very sobering story about men claiming to be His followers.

It appears these men were doing mighty acts for God – prophesying, demon exorcism, and other miracles in the name of Jesus.  But the Lord dismisses their appeal for acceptance into His kingdom declaring that He did not know who they were.   He reveals the motive for their actions, making it clear that their hearts were not pure.  They were putting on a display of behavior that was not authentic.  They were Acting as if in a play where they assumed a character role that was not their true self.  They were counterfeit followers, blind to their own motives, and were driven by sinful hearts.  They were practicing “lawlessness.”   

convergence

As my theological understanding expanded, there emerged a spiritual dilemma which would be a struggle in my walk with Christ for the next many years.  The dilemma would be best characterized by the potential convergence of my Star Trek experiences with my Christian beliefs.  My knowledge of God’s plan of salvation continued to grow. My understanding of the God-Man Jesus Christ and His works leading to my justification were established. I acknowledged the presence of the Holy Spirit as my spiritual mentor was vital to a true walk with God.  I was moved by the archeological evidence, the apologists defense of the validity of the Christian faith, and the moving sermons by the great men of God through the ages which testified to the reality of the Biblical narrative.  Intellectually, it all made sense. And yet, I struggled in my faith, seemingly unwilling to release my confidence in the world and in myself.  If I believed Jesus was God come in the flesh, then why was I so drawn to worldly thinking?  Why was I so in love with this life which the Apostle John makes clear cannot coexist with a love for the Father (1 Jn. 2:15-17)?  It seemed I knew a lot about God, but I didn’t know the God I knew a lot about.  It was then that I reflected on my Star Trek experiences, wondering if I was just pretending in my Christian faith.  Did the experiences of faith in Jesus Christ mirror the basis for my science fiction allurement?  I was memorizing the lines of scripture, getting to know the leading biblical characters, and reading about the “episodes” of amazing events which escaped human explanation.  I was forced to consider the possibility that I was treating the life of Jesus Christ as nothing more than a mythological story consistent with the likes of Captain James T Kirk of the Star Ship Enterprise.  Did I really believe the biblical account?  Was Christ who He claimed to be or was I merely caught up in an emotional moment which had no basis in reality?  Was the argument of many in the scientific community valid in dismissing the claims of Christianity as a complete violation of natural law and simply a psychological “crutch”?  Honestly, I wondered if I was just playing the Christian game, speaking the “Christianese”, and seeking some sense of comfort in my external presentation. 

This fifth lesson challenges us to consider our outward actions as they relate to the condition of our heart.  Being able to evaluate those who chose to “Not Act” is straight forward.  They have decided to reject Jesus’ teaching, choosing to follow another message.   But what of those who do choose to Act? What is the motive of the heart? Is there a profession of religious devotion to God on the outside, in our behavior or actions and yet an apparent hollowness regarding any true possession of faith? I examined my own life wondering why God seemed so distant. I wondered why my intellectual understanding didn’t seem to translate to a true commitment to God. I understood the concept of faith, yet did I really trust God as the sovereign God of the Universe?

The revealing thing is that God understands the motives our hearts (1 Chronicles 28:9) – there is no hiding from God even as those who claimed to loyal followers based on outward works were exposed as practicing lawlessness and unknowing by our Lord.  Judas was one of the inner twelve but in the end, he acted in a way that revealed the true condition of his heart. 

I wrestled with this conundrum, longing to know Him, to have authentic faith. I didn’t want to be one of those who Jesus never knew. I didn’t want to play games with God. I had to come before God, calling upon Him to reveal the state of my heart – that it was a pure pursuit of His glory.  He desired my heart, out of which flowed a true love for His name. I have heard the message; the gospel of my salvation and I know I cannot turn away.  He is the truth, provides the only hope, and has extended amazing grace that I might be imputed with the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). 

If the life-house is to be built, it must start from faith of the heart – a spiritual act.  This is where we want to be – God transforming us into his likeness.  Walking with God is a lifelong journey discovering what it means to invest our time, listen well, learn of His amazing love, obey and submit to his Word, and pursue Him with all our heart.  As I continue to contemplate the relationship God desires for us, driven by a conviction of the heart where faith is alive and growing, I realize that it is indeed an “All-In” relationship.  God desires for us to seek Him with all our heart and to bring Him glory in all we do.  He is our Father, and we are His children if we possess such an all-encompassing relationship.  Jesus is about to tell us about the storms of life which He assures us will come.  The question to us from the Master is, “Are we preparing for the storm?”  Are we acting on His words or are we just acting?