When you read through the opening pages of the Bible, you find that perfection gets derailed through very subtle deception. Adam and Eve were in perfect harmony with God and with each other. A singular command was given to follow. They joyfully did so until a question was raised in their mind through Satan. “Did God really say” leads to a distortion of God’s intentions and the breakdown of the relationship. And sin enters into the world, and death through sin.
Fast forward to a scene in the Temple during Jesus’ time. It is found in Luke 18:
““Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
Luke 18:10-14 NIV
Notice the focus for both men was their own condition. The Pharisee felt sorry that other men were not as “righteous’ and faithful as he was. The tax collector was broken before the Lord, feeling the weight of his sin, and cried out for mercy. Jesus said that the tax collector was justified before God and not the Pharisee.
Here is the subtle deception. When we “feel” like we are in good standing with the Lord, it should move us to join in the same mission as Jesus. Remember that Luke also told us that the “Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10). So Jesus left the perfect surroundings of heaven in order to wade into the muck and mire of lost humanity in order to seek out people and redeem them. True compassion does not just feel sorry for people because of their messes. It moves among them in order to lead them out of their circumstance and into a solid relationship with Jesus. If we simply feel good about ourselves and sorry for them without seeking to help them, we are in essence no different than the Pharisee standing in the Temple.
Subtle deception derailed Adam and Eve (and all of us through them) from the perfect relationship they were experiencing with God. And subtle deception can derail us today from the perfect work God created for us to do in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 2:8-10).
So let’s show true compassion today. Have that cup of coffee with someone who you know who is asking questions about faith in the midst of their addiction or broken marriage or rebellion. Meet with that new believer who does not have a clue how to make hard choices to honor Jesus. Patiently coach someone who struggles to develop simple spiritual disciplines. Let’s give of ourselves to them the way Christ gave of Himself to us.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Taking Lightly What God Takes Seriously
Knowing that what I am about to write is counter-cultural, I suggest to you that it is one of the strongest tools in our arsenal both to protect ourselves and to give a witness to others. I am also painfully aware that many that name themselves as followers of Jesus Christ seemingly take this matter lightly while God takes it very seriously. It is the matter of sexual purity.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, God says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
God’s calling for us as believers is to be holy, living our lives differently than the world around us. Notice the verbs: AVOID (to abstain from or distance ourselves from) sexual immorality; LEARN TO CONTROL or POSSESS our own bodies (this could mean focusing on our own spouse); not WRONG or STEP OVER A LINE with brothers and sisters; we are not CALLED to impurity; and REJECTION is against God. God takes these things so seriously that He will be “an avenger” against anyone who commits such sins. WOW.
Playing around with pornography is not a harmless endeavor. It objectifies people; violates your marriage commitment; and lures the user into deeper sin. God speaks in the Bible about not denying relations in marriage except for prayer so we don’t set ourselves up for temptation. (1 Cor. 7:5) Flirting with the opposite sex, especially a married person, is crossing the line of proper treatment of someone else’s spouse. In essence it is like trying to steal the intimacy and emotional energies that belong to another.
That is why the writer to the Hebrews also exhorted, Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4
The wording reflects any aberration of God’s design for sexuality. Our culture flagrantly celebrates sexual freedoms on all levels and chastises as judgmental anyone who suggests limits. This contributes to broken marriages and broken people. Our counter-cultural expression of purity and the celebration of monogamy and the wonders of married life sends a strong message about the glory of God and His designs for life that way it is meant to be.
Let’s send a message that helps others avoid the pain and us to experience God’s glory in wholesome and pure relationships.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, God says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
God’s calling for us as believers is to be holy, living our lives differently than the world around us. Notice the verbs: AVOID (to abstain from or distance ourselves from) sexual immorality; LEARN TO CONTROL or POSSESS our own bodies (this could mean focusing on our own spouse); not WRONG or STEP OVER A LINE with brothers and sisters; we are not CALLED to impurity; and REJECTION is against God. God takes these things so seriously that He will be “an avenger” against anyone who commits such sins. WOW.
Playing around with pornography is not a harmless endeavor. It objectifies people; violates your marriage commitment; and lures the user into deeper sin. God speaks in the Bible about not denying relations in marriage except for prayer so we don’t set ourselves up for temptation. (1 Cor. 7:5) Flirting with the opposite sex, especially a married person, is crossing the line of proper treatment of someone else’s spouse. In essence it is like trying to steal the intimacy and emotional energies that belong to another.
The wording reflects any aberration of God’s design for sexuality. Our culture flagrantly celebrates sexual freedoms on all levels and chastises as judgmental anyone who suggests limits. This contributes to broken marriages and broken people. Our counter-cultural expression of purity and the celebration of monogamy and the wonders of married life sends a strong message about the glory of God and His designs for life that way it is meant to be.
Let’s send a message that helps others avoid the pain and us to experience God’s glory in wholesome and pure relationships.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Don’t Give Up
I’ve always loved picking up details in stories even though I don’t do well with all the details in getting a task done. One is an exploration toward completeness. The other is the drudgery of completing. My mind is drawn to the one and allergic to the other.
So I picked up an encouraging detail in a well known story I read recently. Jesus is questioning the disciples, getting the latest polling on who people thought He was. Elijah and John the Baptist, both reincarnated, led the polls. Then Jesus polled them: “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter immediately blurts out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Here is the detail. Blessed are you Simon, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father who is in Heaven. No human being showed you this Peter. You may not even know how you came to the conclusion. But you are right. You are Peter and I will use you to fish for men and build my church. Wait? Isn’t this Peter, the one who will tell Jesus along the road to Jerusalem that he would never let happen to Jesus what He is telling them will happen? Isn’t this Peter, who will get so scared from the accusations of a teenage girl that he will deny Jesus three times? Isn’t this Peter who doesn’t know what to do after the resurrection and returns to fishing?
Yes. It is. But Jesus sees Peter as He knows he can and will be, not as he is. We focus on where we are and get discouraged. We want to give up. But Peter, when filled and directed by the Holy Spirit will be a totally different man. And that is what we have to remember when we feel like giving up. The Lord is not giving up on us. He does and will reveal Himself. And it won’t be in the same way always.
To Elijah, who was distraught and lonely, He spoke with a still, small voice. (I Kings 19). To Paul on the road to Damascus, He spoke in bright light, with a voice that he alone heard. Others heard sound but not what or who it was. (Acts 9). To Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, He sent an angel with a message. (Matthew 1; Luke 1-2). Through the years I have heard numerous testimonies of people who told me that the Lord spoke to them as if He were right beside them yet there was no audible voice.
So don’t be discouraged today or quit. The Lord sees you the way He created you to be. And He will continue to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him. Patiently seek Him. You will find Him when you seek Him wholeheartedly. (Jeremiah 29:13)
So I picked up an encouraging detail in a well known story I read recently. Jesus is questioning the disciples, getting the latest polling on who people thought He was. Elijah and John the Baptist, both reincarnated, led the polls. Then Jesus polled them: “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter immediately blurts out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Here is the detail. Blessed are you Simon, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father who is in Heaven. No human being showed you this Peter. You may not even know how you came to the conclusion. But you are right. You are Peter and I will use you to fish for men and build my church. Wait? Isn’t this Peter, the one who will tell Jesus along the road to Jerusalem that he would never let happen to Jesus what He is telling them will happen? Isn’t this Peter, who will get so scared from the accusations of a teenage girl that he will deny Jesus three times? Isn’t this Peter who doesn’t know what to do after the resurrection and returns to fishing?
Yes. It is. But Jesus sees Peter as He knows he can and will be, not as he is. We focus on where we are and get discouraged. We want to give up. But Peter, when filled and directed by the Holy Spirit will be a totally different man. And that is what we have to remember when we feel like giving up. The Lord is not giving up on us. He does and will reveal Himself. And it won’t be in the same way always.
To Elijah, who was distraught and lonely, He spoke with a still, small voice. (I Kings 19). To Paul on the road to Damascus, He spoke in bright light, with a voice that he alone heard. Others heard sound but not what or who it was. (Acts 9). To Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, He sent an angel with a message. (Matthew 1; Luke 1-2). Through the years I have heard numerous testimonies of people who told me that the Lord spoke to them as if He were right beside them yet there was no audible voice.
So don’t be discouraged today or quit. The Lord sees you the way He created you to be. And He will continue to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him. Patiently seek Him. You will find Him when you seek Him wholeheartedly. (Jeremiah 29:13)
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