Is A President's Library Better Than A King's?

Recently George W. Bush’s Presidential Library opened in Dallas, Texas.  Built on the grounds of Southern Methodist University, this beautiful edifice welcomed the public to tour the years of presidential challenges, decisions, and accomplishments.   

It’s been said that a Presidential Library is a place for scholars and members of the public to come, study, and judge that particular president’s place in history.  Anyone can examine the papers of a president and “get to know the man and his thought process.”   

These buildings are full of memos, letters, speeches, drafts of legislation, and exhibits revealing the particular president’s ideas, struggles, and executive decisions.  People can, and have, come to these places of historical information and studied for years in order to understand how these men affected history… and that got me thinking. 

Is a Presidential Library better than the Library of a King? 

There is a place where the thoughts, speeches, legislation, and actions of the world’s greatest King are recorded; a place where scholars and everyday people can come to study; a place where you and I can determine how that King affected history and even affects our lives today.   

That place?  The Bible.  In fact, the word “bible” means “library.”  In fact, if you look up the Spanish word for “library” you’ll find, “la biblioteca.”   

In this “place of books,” The Bible, every one of us can discover the thoughts, letters, songs, laws, and histories of The God of the Universe… The King of all kings.   

The Bible is not some old dusty book.  It is THE place to go to find out about the person of God Himself.  We can go there and study who God is and what He’s like.  This assembly of memos, letters, personal observations, and personal disappointments of God gives each of us a reference point for our own actions and beliefs about this wondrous King.  

“… you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”  2 Timothy 3:15–16  

“The teaching of Your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.”  Psalm 119:130 (NLT)  

If we can get so excited about a Presidential Library opening to give us access to the writings of a man, why are we not excited about spending time in the King’s Library?  Aren’t the words of God more significant for us than even the words of a president who is, after all, just a human being? 

I’ve been thinking that I should approach the Bible as a wondrous, treasure trove of information about how God loves me, what He wants from me, and how I can serve Him.  We can go to the King’s Library and make it our life’s work to study, obey, and teach all that the King’s Library reveals.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”    2 Timothy 2:15  

“For Ezra (and Len) had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances…”    Ezra 7:10  

So take a tour today.  Meet Moses, Job, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Paul, and many other contributors to God’s Library… And maybe if we faithfully visit the King’s Library we’ll get to know God better...and get a cool tee-shirt that says, “I’ve spent time with the King today!”

 

Think about it….

Who Are You Wearing?

We’ve all read of the lavish costume balls of the Renaissance with dignitaries showing up in elaborate masks and even more elaborate suits and dresses.  It seems to be a common desire for man to cover himself with some costume to hide one’s true identity.  Even our fictional superheroes wear costumes.

Putting on a disguising outfit seems to be deep in the psyche of mankind.  When we’re kids, it’s liberating to play “dress up.” It’s a blast for folks to not know exactly who we are.  I remember working for a company where part of my job was dressing up in a cow costume and going to public events.  No one knew who I was so I could act zany and feel totally free.  It was great!     

On the “Red Carpet” during the Academy Awards one of the most common questions commentators asked the beautiful people was, “Who are you wearing?”  And we get a list of wonderful costume designers whose entire profession is making people look good by covering any faults and flaws in beautiful costumes. 

On the judgment day of our deaths we’ll be walking down the “Red Carpet” towards the throne of God and we’ll hear someone yell, “Who are you wearing?” And only one answer will give us entrance into the heaven waiting just beyond God’s righteous judgment. 

If we answer, “What?” or “I’m wearing all my good works and well-meaning efforts” or “Who do you think you are asking a personal question like that?” we’ll never get past the critical eye of the biggest judge of all; a totally Holy God who will not permit sin of any kind – no flaw whatsoever – into His paradise of eternal life. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking – it’s what we’re all going to be thinking.  “How is a sinner like me going to stand before God Himself on His Judgment Day?  When we realize that even the tiniest sin is terrible in a perfect God’s eyes and that like a rock on the tracks, the smallest sin can totally de-rail us on our trip into God’s eternal presence. 

Our sin, even in its smallest version, even a little “white lie” will earn us the spiritual death sentence of hell.  Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 clearly tell us that every one of us is a sinner and that the punishment for being that sinner is spiritual death. 

So, what are we to do?  It’s time to do what superman does… go into a closet and change into a costume!  A wonderful costume, by a fabulous designer, specifically made to cover up the sin of our rebellious tendencies and flaws and cover us with the wonderful, beautiful, even miraculous garment of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus!

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26–28 (ESV)

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:24 (NASB95)

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. …  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.  Romans 13:12, 14 (NASB95)

What a fantastic covering!!  When we stand before the God of the Universe, and He looks at us, all He’s going to see is the covering of His beloved and cherished Son.  It’s not that we fool God – no one can do that.  But He understands that the precious blood of His Son, Jesus has covered us and given us new robes – robes made by the Holy, Sinless Christ when He willingly died for each of us.

So, our challenge is not to wait until we’re walking on that final “Red Carpet,” heading toward God’s loving embrace because of our “Christ costume,” but to wear Christ in my everyday life… putting on Christ every day! 

When people see me going through my daily life can they see Christ who’s covering me?  In blessings and battles am I showing Christ?  When I’m going about my daily life as a Christ-follower, do I wear Him as a miraculous covering of all my sin? 

And when observed by folks who are not believers in Christ, does my demeanor bring them to a point of asking me, “Who are you wearing?” 

Help me Father, to live like that.  And help me confidently answer, “I’m proudly wearing Christ!” 

How ‘bout you?  Who are you wearing? 

Think about it….