Who I Was Is Not Who I Am

 “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am” ― John Newton

My heart resonates with John Newtons words. In case you are not certain - that is the same John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace and was the captain of a slave ship - buying and selling human beings before he met Jesus.

Well, I was thinking about my life - my life before I became a Christian - that day that I prayed in surrender by faith in Jesus one Sunday in  September 1976 and the path my life has been on since then. Oh - I was a pretty "good" and polite guy - as far as the people knew - but I had my demons - like everyone else. I was lost in my sin at the core. Another point of interest - my wife was kneeling at my side as we both prayed and were both born again that same night. God is good - all the time!

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus -  Romans 3:21-24

My children and others who have known me since my rebirth cannot believe that I could be anything other than what I am today. But my heart resonates with John Newton as I must echo his words

[Today - still] I am not what I ought to be, [most certainly] I am not what I want to be, [clearly] I am not what I hope to be in another world - [in heaven] ; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am - [to which I say - Thank You Jesus]

There is a song by Charity Gayle - Thank You Jesus For The Blood - these are the first 2 verses and chorus

VERSE 1

I was a wretch, I remember who I was  I was lost, I was blind, I was running out of time.

Sin separated, the breach was far too wide But from the far side of the chasm, You had me in Your sight

VERSE 2

So You made a way, across the great divide [You] Left behind, Heaven's throne, to build it here inside

There at the cross You paid the debt I owed Broke my chains, Freed my soul and for the first time I had Hope 

CHORUS

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied  Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white

Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life Brought me from the darkness into glorious light

Can you sing that song or at least say the words and mean it?  Oh - I hope and pray so!

Can you echo the words of John Newton? Oh - I hope and pray so!

Or how about these words

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind but now I see!

And if not - perhaps you are reading this because God wants you to know that He loves you and He has a bigger and better plan for your life. And it all starts by surrendering your heart and life to Jesus.

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:8-13

Does that seems too simple - too easy? Well .... 

God chose the lowly [simple] things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:28-31

If you are a Christian and John Newton's words or mine resonate with you - leave a brief note to let me know they do. 

Or if you were not a Christian but confessed and believed in Jesus as you read this then let me know that as well so I might rejoice with you and welcome you to the family of God my brother or sister. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Repenting Is More Than Being Sorry

Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. —James 2:10

 “The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same. The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity. If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. “I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (Romans 7:9). The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— “…sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Understanding sin in the context of a holy God.  Until a person comes to the point of conversion .. coming under conviction by the Holy Spirit and having a sudden awareness of who they are and who God is, they will never experience a sense of guilt before God and their need for salvation. Many people are more sorry they got caught than the fact that they did something wrong.  They doing something wrong is an attempt to satisfy some need they have. Physical or emotional. Sin is an act of desperation.  Man trying to be his own god.  It all started in the garden.  

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  -  Genesis 3:4-5  

The Law brings an awareness of what is necessary to “be like God”, and it is impossible for sinful man, by himself, to be like God.  Recall that Adam and Eve were already created in God’s image and likeness.  (Genesis 1:26)  But they wanted more than that.  They wanted to be equal to God. They wanted to decide what is right and what is wrong. (Sound a bit like our culture?) 

So what about today .. for you and me. Does becoming a Christian make you sin-proof?  No.  But it does make you Hell-proof.  Sins can be both internal and external.  Jesus taught that.  We tend to focus on the external and try to manage those sins .. to keep them under control.  Not good enough!  If you compare what you do plus what you think to the holiness of God, you will quickly realize that you are not so “holy” as you hoped.  If most of your sinning goes on – on the inside, you may fool people around you, but not God, who sees the heart.  

The Law and our sin is a constant reminder that we need a Savior because we cannot be holy on our own.  We need a little – well more correctly – a lot of help.  God does not want you to live a life of guilt because you struggle with sin and the flesh .. He wants you to confess and repent.  But repentance is more than trying harder or being sorry .. it is trusting more … it is submitting more … it is “faithing” more. I don’t expect to be perfect in the flesh … but I also know that I cannot and should not ever be satisfied with my sinful nature.  

Some people say “That is just the way that I am!” in response to some attitude or action that does not glorify God and is hurtful to other people.  As if they can blame their sin on heredity … well they can, but then again, they can’t.  Adam and Eve may have started it, but we are each responsible for our own sin. So we need to own it, confess it, and repent of it.  Today would be a good day to get started.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

“If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.” - Matthew 16:24 

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember an occasions when Martie and I got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs in Haiti.  Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was exquisite.  We like routine.  Mainly because we know what to expect.  There is no uncertainty in routine.  Each day is like every other day.  Each day, week, month and year like the other. Routine.  People find comfort in that.  Being around people who look like you, believe like you, talk like you, do what you do … it is a comfortable place to be.  Watching a news report about a war in a different land or the ravages of a natural disaster allows you to be comfortable in your routine.  You may not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper  or the start of your favorite program.  We like to be comfortable and we don’t like giving that comfort up.  

If you are a Christian – born again by faith in Jesus – even then you are most likely looking for the comfort found in a routine existence.  Going to church – sitting in the same seat or pew – talking to the same people – listening to the same sermons – routine.  We love it – crave it even.  But, like Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more interested in your character, than in your comfort.”   And how does God develop godly character in you? Not through routine.  God calls out of the routine for this world into the uncertain world of faith.  Not knowing what will happen tomorrow – next week, month or year.  But we live in confidence, by faith, knowing that God does.  

I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. It is from the C.S. Lewis book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Aslan is a type of Jesus. 

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” 

God is not “safe” but He is good.  He has our best in mind.  He will disrupt your routine, if you allow it. That is correct – He won’t make you abandon what is comfortable – but He will invite you to leave it behind for something much better.  What you see as “dangerous” depends upon the maturity of your walk of faith.  For a child, putting their toes in the water may seem like a great accomplishment.  For an adult, jumping off of the high-dive is a challenge. Both require stepping into the unknown – the uncertain – the “anything but routine”  Jesus said “If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.”  

Are you a Jesus follower or Jesus watcher?  It is one thing to marvel at the person jump off of the high-dive and quite another to grip the end of the board with your toes right before you take that leap of faith. 

As a first step, the Bible tells us to abandon our affection for the things of this world and the comfort we find in them.  To turn to God, the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He may tell you to leave your “nets” and follow Him.  There is a song that comes to mind. Knowing You Jesus – Graham Kendrick 

“All I once held dear, Built my life upon.  All the world reveres and wars to own.  All I once thought gain, I have counted loss.  Spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You're my all, You're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know You more. To be found in You and known as Yours. To possess by faith what I could not earn. All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the power of Your risen life. And to know You in Your sufferings. To become like You in Your death, my Lord. So with You to live and never die”

As a Christian, God calls you to leave what is comfortable – what is routine for something greater – something eternal.  So come on – go ahead and put your toes in the water - then jump in.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Not Everyone Listens

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”  For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand  with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’- Acts 27:23-27

As you know we all have a "charge" from the Lord to go and share the Good News. There are a number of admonitions in the New Testament that tell us that the Gospel seed will not always fall on fertile soil. In fact, in the parable about the seed (Matthew 13) there were three places where the seed did not grow, yielding a crop - that being salvation. I am careful to not "fill in the blanks" as I wrote about the other day - but math would tell me that it is three times more likely that my sharing the Gospel will fall on deaf ears 3 out of 4 times.  

The point is - our responsibility is to tell - just like Paul did in Rome. In his case he always spoke to the Jews first and it was the Jews that were spiritually blind and deaf. Remember Jesus' words - Matthew 13:15-16

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Oh that the people would see and hear. It is especially sorrowful when those people are related to you. They are part of your family. About that, Jesus also said - 

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” - Luke 12:51-53

There was unity when no one believed or everyone believed. I don't tell you this to discourage you, but that you might understand that your testimony to you family is actually your heavenly obligation to the world - including your family. How they respond is between them and the Lord. No matter you will love them. I can tell you that my mom witnessed to me for 7 years and Martie 5 years, from the time we started dating. So don't give up but remember what your role is. You can't save anyone - no matter who much you want to.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

When Bad Things Happen Stop Trying And Start Trusting

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” - 1 Peter 4:12

“Wanting to make sure that my adversary gives me all my rights is a natural thing. But Jesus says that it is a matter of inescapable and eternal importance to me that I pay my adversary what I owe him. From our Lord’s standpoint it doesn’t matter whether I am cheated or not, but what does matter is that I don’t cheat someone else. Am I insisting on having my own rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint?” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Ever ask, "Why is this happening to me?" Why are they treating me this way? Hidden behind those questions is the underlying belief that “I didn’t deserve it!”  Here is the deal … bad things will happen to “good” people … even to someone as good as you are.  Did you deserve what did or said to you? Perhaps or perhaps not.  Whichever the case, the issue is how we respond to what has happened. For most of us, our response is to hunker down in our foxhole and fire back with “righteous indignation” and perhaps the sorrow if the offender holds a close place in our heart. If they through a stone - then we throw a boulder.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Matthew 5:38-48

Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Wow! How hard is that?  It’s not humanly possible.  Not that we don't try or at least pretend. The things is, you will never respond the way Jesus told you to if you try to do it on your own.  The response to others in 1 Peter and Matthew 5 are not derived from the human will but by faith in Jesus and the power of the Spirit in you.  Stop trying to live the Christian life in obedience to the Word of God through human determination .. by your ow will power or "won't" power. It just does not work.   

What God tells us to do is not humanly possible.  It is not a natural response but a spiritual one. You can't live the Christian life on your own. So stop TRYING and start TRUSTING.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Cost Of The Ministry God Has Given You

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  - Acts 20:24

I have mentioned this before - God has a plan and a purpose for every Christian. A specific plan and purpose. A plan and purpose of spiritual significance. He is really not interested in your material wealth, earthly success, or notoriety among men - the mortal side of your existence. What He is interested in is showing the world Jesus through the lives of His adopted sons and daughters - you and me - the immortal side of our existence.

Serving God in the immortal may well cost you something on the mortal side.  We like to think that becoming a Christian will somehow make our natural lives easier - pain free even. But that is not Biblical.

And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead. - Matthew 8:21-22

Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. - Luke 9:61-62

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:26

Following God must be the priority in our lives - even to the point of abandoning our earthly affections. Understanding that when we are born again by the Spirit - our primary perspective and priorities must be in the context of our new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

In other words - our affections must change. Think about the greatest commandment.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” - Luke 10:25-28

So if you are loving God with your "ALL" that means you are not to love the things of this world more than God. It also means that your spiritual affection will be challenged by the desires of your old nature. But the word of God is clear.

Someone said the other day that our priorities should be - God - Family - Work - Ministry - Self. I think that ministry must be moved up after God and before Family - how I love my family is part of the ministry that God has given me. Starting with my wife first. Everything that follows God must be born out of my love for Him.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Resisting The Spirit

 If you…remember that your brother has something against you… —Matthew 5:23

“This verse says, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you….” It is not saying, “If you search and find something because of your unbalanced sensitivity,” but, “If you…remember….” In other words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the Spirit of God— “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). Never object to the intense sensitivity of the Spirit of God in you when He is instructing you down to the smallest detail.  Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus. The process of reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the Word of God.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Has the Spirit of God ever spoken about something to you that was contrary to what you wanted to do? The Spirit's voice is not audible. It is more of a realization or impression. You know that you know but you don't know why you know. You know?  If you are born again and therefore have been sealed by the Spirit, I am certain He has.  Why does He need to speak to us? Because we tend to follow the ways of the flesh.  The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is to say we are living or doing in a way that is contrary to the nature of God and our new nature.  Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ... 

It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment - John 16:7-8

That conviction is actually a good thing - even though it makes us uncomfortable. It should actually. The question is, “How do you respond when He speaks?”  Do you say “yes Lord”? Or do you “turn the music up to drown out His voice” because you don’t want to do the very thing He is saying – do? 

The Bible calls that quenching the Spirit or putting the fire out.  Oh Saint, this life we live in the flesh we live by faith.  

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

God will always prompt you to obedience.  By His Spirit, He will challenge you to deal with those things that hinder your unfettered relationship with Him.  You cannot offer anything that is acceptable to God if you do not have “clean hands and a clean heart”.  

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? ​​Or who may stand in His holy place? ​​He who has clean hands and a pure heart, ​​Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, ​​Nor sworn deceitfully. ​​He shall receive blessing from the LORD, ​​And righteousness from the God of his salvation. - Psalm 24:3-5

If you choose to ignore the prompting of the Spirit you are doing nothing more than practicing vain religion.  Praising God with your lips while your heart is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8) You might as well be watching TV for all of the spiritual good that is being derived!  We are a stubborn lot.  Holding on to attitudes and habits that are clearly contrary to who we are in Christ. Listen, you are not alone in this struggle.  But God has given you the power to overcome, and the means to live in victory. You must yield your life to the leading of the Spirit and then pick up your cross daily.  That requires faith and that comes from God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

When the Spirit Speaks

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. - Isaiah 30:21

“As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him— to give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Martie and I are taking a class at the church we are attending to qualify us as teachers for a connection group - think Sunday school class.  There is a spectrum of Christian maturity among those taking the class. So when the instructor mentioned the the Spirit speaks, I asked him to clarify what that looks like. Not for me, but there are a number of younger Christians who might hear the words but not really understand what the Spirit speaking sounds like. I caught him off guard with the question - not intentionally - and he didn't really answer it. So I thought I would write about it. Jesus said ....

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. - John 14:26

I would like to say He speaks with a voice - but He doesn't - really. Do you remember Elijah in the cave?

And he [the Lord] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah? - 1 Kings 19:11-13

In my experience, when the Spirit has spoken, it is more of an impression than an audible voice. Let me give you a recent example. A few weeks ago I broke a tooth, at the gum line, and had to have the root extracted and then a bridge made. I told the dental assistant that I have been in 2 wars, flown helicopters, and done some other dangerous things - but none of that compares to my sitting in that dentist chair.  

When I broke the tooth I went to see a local dentist for an evaluation but I had the sense that  I should contact a friend of ours, a dentist named Ben, in Montgomery, Alabama to see if he would do the work. I had not talked to him in several years. That required us to make a 10 hour drive from Houston to do it, but I "felt" it was the right thing to do. He agreed immediately. As some of you know, we have been making wooden napkin holders to gift to widows and widowers as a way to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus and their faith in the Father. I happened to have a test piece with a cross and the word "Faithful" engraved on it. I "felt" that I should take it to Montgomery and give it to Ben. When I arrived at the office and sat down in the "CHAIR" I set the plaque on the work table for Ben to see. When he did he got excited - grabbed the plaque and said that he would be right back.

You see - Ben had started a men's Bible study group and he had told them that he was asking God to give him a sign that what he was doing was the right thing. And God had me give him the sign - a physical sign. Ben took a picture of it and sent it to all of the men in the study. Would God prompt me by His Spirit to drive to Montgomery to hand Ben a piece of wood? Uh - absolutely. Could I have decided that driving all that way to do something that I could do in Houston was too much trouble - Absolutely.  But I felt going was right without knowing the significance of our making the trip. Later, I told the dental assistant that my primary reason for coming to Montgomery was not to get my tooth fixed - God had sent me to encourage Ben. God is good!

One more example. I was on staff with Promise Keepers for a time in the mid '90s.  I attended the PK Pastor’s conference in 1995 in Atlanta.  There were about 40,000 ministers in the Georgia Dome attending the conference. As we all prayed in silence, with eyes closed, I was wondering how God would show himself in this glorious event. Perhaps the roof would open and God’s Shekinah Glory would once again appear. Well, I peeked. I confess it!  But as I looked up, I saw a single dove flying in circles above the crowd.  I closed my eyes, opened them again and the dove was gone.  So I thought – get a grip Charley, you were seeing things.  After the Amen … a man standing next to me said “Hey did you see that Dove flying over the crowd?”  Ever since, Doves have been following me around.  I won’t go into details … but it is not just my imagination running away with me!  And I thank God each time for the reminder to me that He is with me.  

You know that God has sealed you with His Spirit.  He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. Rather than hope that the Spirit will speak to you - expect to hear from Him - watch for Him - it won't in be great and strong wind that tears the mountains and breaks in pieces the rocks or an earthquake. It won't be a fire by night or a cloud by day but, instead it will be the sound of a low whisper or an impression.

And when it happens, like Samuel, just say "Yes Lord, your servant is listening." 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Making A Sacrifice From The Heart ... Just Like Jesus

When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me… —Galatians 1:15-16

"The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. […] Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. […] The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

When I typed this devotion it was 22 degrees in Pasadena, Texas, and pretty chilly in the room I was sitting in.  I had pulled my red hooded Carhartt work jacket from the closet.  Why am I telling you this?  Because it has to do with the point of this devotion. About 17 years ago, I was standing in a parking lot of a church in Waveland - Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, doing pretty much what I am doing now. Not typing a devotion, but serving the people affected by a disaster, in the freezing cold, however without my red coat. 

Oh, it was cold … colder than I thought it would be on the Gulf Coast.  I had not dressed for the weather … because I didn’t bring a coat.  But I wasn’t thinking about being cold, but about getting the volunteers to the work that they had come to do.  That’s when a young man walked up to me.  He asked me if I had a coat, I told him no.  Then he did something that has been with me since that day, he took his coat off, a red Carhartt work coat and gave it to me.  He said, “here you can have this one.”  Well, I am a great giver … but like most givers, I struggle with receiving. But, this time, ….. I did accept the coat.  I recognized the sacrifice he was making … I saw Jesus … I saw something holy that was taking place … an expression of sacrifice … 

“No greater love has one man than this, then that he lay down his life for his friends.”  -  John 15:13

A sacrifice costs the one sacrificing something that is dear to them.  In that moment, I was reminded of Matthew 22 and the parable of the sheep and the goats … “Lord when did we see you …?” It is a coat … not a sacrifice on the cross … but that is not the point … it’s the heart that made the sacrifice that makes the coat significant.  I remember with a smile on my face - I suppose to diffuse the humbling feeling I was experiencing, I said, "You know the Bible says that if a man asks for your cloak give him your shirt also (Luke 6:29)" To which he replied with a smile - "No, I need my shirt!".

This coat hung in a closet for the four years we served in Haiti.  But even then, each time I saw it there, my heart was rended (sp)  and I was taken back to that parking lot.  I was reminded of what is important in life.  I am sure that the young man had no idea what the gesture would mean to me years later.  And likewise my friend, you  have no idea what your kindness toward others, your sacrifice from the heart will mean to them.  That is not the motive for our doing and serving … our motive … our motivation … our reason … is the love of God that we bear in our hearts that has found a way to express itself and bring glory to the Father. 

Allow God to reveal His Son through your life. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Be Careful About Filling In The Blanks

Ex cathedra is a Latin phrase meaning "from the chair," referring to authoritative teachings made by the Pope on matters of faith or morals, which are considered infallible. This concept is rooted in the belief that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is protected from error in his role as the leader of the Catholic Church.

However, this post is not about the Pope - but something similar - it is about something that I have noticed over the years - and has regained my attention again very recently. When you read the Bible - and I hope you do - there are some things that are not definitive or clear - leaving questions. Sometimes the reason is that I am not as well versed in the entire Bible as I should be. Other times it is because the Bible is silent on the matter. I hope I don't stir a hornets nest - but I do want to stir your thinking. 

For example let's look at these verses.

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in [this mortal] body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from [this mortal] body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Now let's look at what is made plain.

1. We will have a body in heaven. God has made provision for it and promised it by sealing us with His Spirit.

2. When we die a natural - physical death we will be present with the Lord.

And Jesus said to him (the thief on the cross) , 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise' - Luke 23:43

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it -  Ecclesiastes 12:7.

OK that is clear right? If we have been born again by the Spirit we will be in heaven with the Lord when we die a natural death.

 Read on.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Let's look at what is made plain.

1. If we die before Jesus return - we will rise to meet Him in the air before those Christians who are alive at the time.

Wait - what?  Aren't we already with the Lord? Aren't those verses at odds with each other? No - but the fact of the matter is that we don't fully understand what will happen.  That is why Paul wrote

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10

In other words, we don't fully understand now, but there will come a time when we will.

Since we don't understand completely we should not use our imaginations to fill in the blanks but trust what has been revealed in part. If you have doubts about what you hear then like the Jewish Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) - search the scriptures to see what God has revealed. A danger is that when someone who is recognized as a spiritual authority is "filling in the blanks" you may not know it and accept it as Truth when in fact it is conjecture. Remember Ex Cathedra? 

OK - One More example - Do you remember the song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"?

I was standing by my window, On one cold and cloudy day When I saw that hearse come rolling For to carry my mother away

Will the circle be unbroken By and by, lord, by and by There's a better home a-waiting In the sky, lord, in the sky

No where in that song does is say that the family unit will be restored in Heaven - but that is the suggestion, implication and hope. I have even heard it preached with authority. But what did Jesus say about marriage in heaven - in other words the preservation of the family unit that we enjoyed on earth in heaven?

Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” Jesus answered and said to them [the Sadducees], “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. - Matthew 22:28-30

The angels are not married - although we will not be angels - rather sons and daughters of  God, our relationship with each other will be like the angels relationship with each other. Marriage on earth is a reflection of God's intended relationship with His creation - mankind. When people expect the natural to persist in heaven it is a reflection of their love for others - not a bad thing, but something that exists only in this natural life - be careful that you not follow after Lot's wife who looked back at Sodom with longing when God was leading them to a better place.  Be careful that you are not speaking what you would like it to be - when what you would like it to be is nothing more than wishful thinking on your part.

I do not mean to minimize the emotion and the feeling of great loss when people we love pass from this life. But our hope must be in Jesus and our confidence must be that all who are in Christ will share in the joy of being in the presence of God and all who call Jesus Lord one day - that is in the Bible.

Satan asked Adam and Eve - "Did God Really Say?" when God really did. Just be careful when someone says "God really said" when He really didn't.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Problem With An Uneven Yoke

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Cor 6:11-18

When I think of an uneven yoke the picture comes to mind of an ox and a donkey yoked together to a plow. I am not a farmer, nor are you if I were to guess. But ... I think both of us could come to the same conclusion - that partnership between the ox and the donkey was not going to work. Have you ever been in a three legged race. Where two runners have their opposite legs tied together and then they must run a race against another team. It works if both runners are about the same height and are somewhat coordinated. Otherwise the race will not go well for them. It's the same idea as the ox and the donkey.  

Well, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about spiritual yoking. Where one person is a Christian and the other person is not. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" Jesus was called a friend of sinners and confronted by the Jewish faith leaders about it - 

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. - Matthew 9:10-13

So what is the difference between being yoked and associating with unbelievers? Well, on the one hand - the Christians in Corinth were embracing the practices and preferences of those who were lost. On the other - Jesus was introducing the lost to the grace and mercy of God without embracing their practices and preferences. The difference was the motive for the association. Recognizing the sins of others but not participating in that sin. In the first letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote - 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” - 1 Corinthians 15:33

Have you ever heard the justification of some action "All my friends are doing it." To which the parent replied - "If your friends jumped off of the bridge would you jump to?" That was a rhetorical question of course - but it probably didn't change the child's desire to be accepted by their peers. Which meant to do what they do and think what they think. By the way, that pressure does not get better with age. King Solomon wrote - 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. - Proverbs 4:23-27

Listen - the temptation to yield to others who you can see rather than the Spirit of God who you cannot see can be very strong.  I will leave you with two more verses that you can "chew or meditate on".

Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. - James 1:14-15

It is far too easy to yield to the idea that something is OK when it is not as you work out your salvation in a world headed for hell. That is the temptation of the devil - "Did God really say?" 

to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.- James 4:17

How will you know? The Spirit will tell you unless you have hardened your heart to His voice.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. - Isaiah 30:21

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Losing Your Witness

‘Jesus says, in effect, “Don’t worry about whether or not you are being treated justly.” Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?” If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust.’ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

When you read those words, does it seem right to you?  I mean shouldn’t you be shown kindness?  Shouldn’t people that treat you poorly be dealt with – divinely?  Wouldn’t that make you feel better?  What did Jesus have to say about it?

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.  And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. - Luke 6:27-31  

If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.  But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.' - John 15:24-25  

Most of us will agree that concept is good .. but when you are being treated poorly how do you feel .. what is it that you must control?  I sometimes say, tongue in cheek, ‘I don’t want to lose my witness’ .. what I am really saying is I don’t want to act on what I am feeling and wanting to do.  You know what?  It’s too late at that point.  I have already missed it (the mark).

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. - 1 John 3:15  

We love Him because He first loved us.  If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. - 1 John 4:19-21  

You see it is the attitude of your heart .. it’s the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).  You don’t have to act on your sin to sin.  Thinking that so long as you didn’t do what you were thinking has stopped short of sin is not right thinking.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.'  (28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. - Matthew 5:27-28  

Remember David on the roof?  He had already sinned before Bathsheba ever entered his house.  Pretty high standard isn’t it.  It cannot be achieved through determination .. will power .. or won’t power … but only by the power of God in us.  Are there things in your life that you have been accommodating? Pretending that they didn’t matter .. Get your heart right … do not sin … James says that sin begins in our heart when we are tempted (James 1:12-15).. that is where it must end … It is only when we are spending time in the Word and with the Lord will we be able to stand against the temptation, but … that is another devotion for another day …

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Spirit Of God Is In You

 "Abide in Me…" —John 15:4

“In the matter of determination. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus— I have to do it myself. I have to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). “Abide in Me”— in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. .... You say, “Yes, Lord, just a minute— I still have this to do. Yes, I will abide as soon as this is finished, or as soon as this week is over. It will be all right, Lord. I will abide then.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  - Ephesians 1:13-14

The Holy Spirit enlivens your new self toward God.  You put your faith in Jesus and God puts His Spirit in you.  The very same Shekinah Glory that led the Children of Israel in the desert … the very same that resided in the Holy of Holies in the temple.  Now you are the temple … and that Spirit leads you, or will if you will follow.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” -  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think about how amazing that is.  Now think about the reverence that you show with respect to that amazing fact of your new life in Christ.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was some physical – visible change when you accepted Jesus .. .when you were born again by the Spirit?  

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” - John 3: 4-8

Nicodemus didn’t understand because even though he was a teacher of the precepts of God, he only had a natural understanding of the facts he was teaching.  Be careful that you don’t make the same mistake.  The Spirit of God will give you understanding but only if you seek it.  If you rely on yourself and your culture you will miss it and struggle in your Christian life.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

God With Us Is The God Who Saves Us

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

As I listened to a sermon recently, and it was if pieces to a puzzle were being fitted into place. It was not something that I did not know, but something that I did not see - until that moment. Of course, the verse in Isaiah is a prophecy about Jesus or should I say Immanuel - meaning God with us. Not God, the Father, that no man has seen. (John 1:18) It was His Son that the Father sent that the world has seen. (John 3:16) 

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1:30-33

His name is Immanuel and His name is Jesus - Yeshua - God who is our salvation - Jesus - God with us Who is our salvation. The two names go together like a hand in a glove. Do you see the puzzle pieces fitting together? Perhaps that is old news to you. To me is was old - but newly refreshed news. But like the TV commercial says, "Wait - there's more!" 

Jesus returned to the Father after His resurrection.

"And I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans." - John 14:16-18

Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again of the Spirit. Something that could not and would not happen until Jesus had ascended and the Spirit had descended.  The Spirit is in every one who confesses the name of Jesus. The Spirit of God is the seal of God's promise of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14) and the means by which we are connected to God the Father by faith in God the Son. 

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." - John 14:25-26

So we celebrate God the Father sending His Son (John 3:16) so that we might be saved from the penalty of sin and adopted as children of God. To be adopted means that Someone who is not your father has adopted you as His own. 

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." - 1 John 3:1-3

Now that is something to celebrate!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Not Called To Do Everything But Called To Do Something

For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. - 1 Corinthians 1:17

Paul said he was to be all thing to all men (1 Corinthians 9:22), but that did not mean that he was to do everything that came to mind but to be aware of what God had called him to be and do. He was called to preach the Gospel. There were other things that he could do but should not do because that was not in his God-given swim lane.

So - do you know what your purpose is? We each have one you know. I think each of us has a primary purpose in the body of Christ. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. .... But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. - 1 Corinthians 12:7,18-20

What that means is our new life in Christ is more than being saved - born again. As if that were not enough! That is only the beginning. We each have a place in the Body and corporately we are a testimony to the world. Witness to God's love and provision for eternal life by faith in His Son. 

So don't be content with being a Christian in name only - but find your place and purpose to fulfill your calling. 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

For many the question is not are they staying in their swim lane - the question is - "Are they swimming?" There are many that never get their feet wet - they just watch from the bleachers. Just because you are not a preacher or a missionary does not mean that you don't have a purpose in God's plan. 

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ....For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,14-18

So my encouragement to you is to jump in - the water's fine!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Living Way Different

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship - Acts 19:23-27

The WAY is what the Christian faith was called before people who professed Jesus as Messiah were called Christians in Antioch. Recall Jesus words.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. - John 14:5-6

So what were the men upset about? They were going to lose money because people were no longer worshipping false gods and that was the source of their livelihood.

So what does it mean to live according to the Way? To follow Jesus. It is contrary to the consensus of the culture you live in.   There is so much that the world says is right that God says is wrong. 

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [what the world loves]. - Matthew 6:24

Don't believe the lie that you can do both. No - you must abandon one to embrace the other.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. -  Matthew 16:24

So what does it mean to deny yourself? That is to deny your old nature. Those things in your life that are contrary to the Word of God. Are there things in your life that you know are contrary to your new life in Christ that linger? Things that you are comfortable with? We are to take up our cross. So what is the Cross that we are to carry? Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 12?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:1-2

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia

For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:19-20

That is an intentional or deliberate act. It is something that you think through and then die to your old nature. It is not something that you can do on your own.  Only by the power of God in you. By faith and submission to the Spirit of God. You live in the Way by the spiritual power you received on the day you were born again. It is the only way you can do it. It is not a "one and done", but something that you do everyday - maybe every hour or minute or second. Be alert! Your old nature is waiting for the opportunity to rule - to reassert itself. 

As a Christian you are to live Way different.

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,  that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ [is] confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Spirit In Us

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons [and daughters]. And because you are sons [and daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son [or daughter], and if a son [or daughter], then an heir of God through Christ. - Galatians 4:4-7

I have written about the Spirit in the life of every Christian in the past but having recently re-read Galatians I was reminded, once again, of the significance of the Spirit in us. It is all too easy to forget about His presence in me. But before I get into that, I want to explain why I added [ ] brackets with a reference to daughters. In the previous chapter Paul made it plain that there is no distinction between men and women in the kingdom.  Jesus made that clear during His ministry before the crucifixion as well.  If you were to read chapter 4 without reading chapter 3 first, you might get the idea that adoption was "men only". Not true.

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 3:28

Ok, let's move on.  Unless there is something wrong, you can't feel your heart, or other organs inside of you, but that does not mean that they are not there. In a similar way, when we are born again by the Spirit, we are inhabited by the Spirit. But there is no physical sense of His presence.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. - John 3:5-6

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

You can't feel the Spirit in you but you can see the manifestation of the Spirit through you. The fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5. The conviction of sin also comes from the Spirit. 

In Him [Jesus] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." - John 14:26

God sent the Spirit because we need help in our new spiritual life. 

These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” - 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

It is not possible for us to know God apart from the presence of the Spirit in us. God's wisdom and truth is hidden from sinful man.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

It is tempting to think that you are capable of living the Christian life on your own - but you cannot. You may try harder if you are having problems. But trying harder will never be enough. 

This Book of the Law [the Word of God] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:8-9

It is the Word that provides Truth, the Spirit that provides understanding, prayer and obedience to the Spirit's leading that girds our relationship with the Father. And with respect to prayer ....

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. - Romans 8:26

Pretty simple Huh? 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Why We Do What We Do

But when he [God the Father] who had set me apart before I [Paul] was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles -  Galatians 1:15-16

So Paul was set apart by God before he was born. Does that mean that Paul did not have a choice? No - In my thinking it means that God is omniscient - He sees from the beginning to the end. He knew what Paul would do before Paul was Paul or Saul. That when God revealed Jesus to Paul - Paul surrendered by faith. 

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:29

In other words - those whom God knew would believe in Jesus as the Christ would then be conformed to the image of Christ - becoming one with Jesus and the Father.

I [Jesus] do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. - John 17:20-23

Jesus said - "If you have seen me then you have seen the Father". The same could be said about Christians. I might say, "If you have seen me then you have seen Jesus." That is what it means to be conformed to the image of Jesus. What!!!!  You say that you could not tell people that - because??? Well because I don't always look like Jesus - in fact - very often I look more like the world I was saved out of. 

That is why Paul exhorted the Roman Christians and Christians since - 

I beseech [beg] you therefore, brethren [men and women], by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:1-3

What is His good and acceptable and perfect will? That you be conformed to the image of His Son. How do you do that? Surrender - surrendering your will and your ways to God. Submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Easy peasy - right? Uh - no it's not. It is a battle. So that begs the question - Are you up to the fight? I pray so.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Being only Half Right

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - James 1:27

Martie and I have recently initiated a new outreach in Pathfinder Mission. We call it the James 1:27 initiative. We are encouraging Christians to be intentional about visiting widows "in their affliction". That is a good thing - a great thing really. But as I reread the verse the other day something got my attention - it was the word "AND". You see I have been quoting James 1:27 is if it ended with affliction. But is doesn't.

Visiting widows and orphans is a noble thing, certainly. But if it is done apart from your heart being right with God it is merely good works lacking the spiritual power that God intended. Keeping oneself unstained from the world is another way of saying that there is no sin in the heart of the person doing the visiting. It might have been better - that is more obvious on the first reading if the verse went like this

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to keep oneself unstained from the world and to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.  

Putting the cart behind the horse instead of in front of it. Remembering this is the book of James, he does speak about works being an evidence of faith or being unstained from the world. Faith without works is dead. On the other hand, works without faith is also "spiritually" dead.

Do you remember the encounter Jesus had with the Rich Young Ruler?  The man did good works - meeting the mandate of the second greatest commandment, but stumbled when Jesus challenged him to meet the mandate of the first greatest commandment. You see Money was the god of his heart. He was stained from the world and "When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:16-22)

We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ - Galatians 2:16

My point, before we attempt to do anything for God, by His Spirit, our prayer, every day, should be the same that David prayed

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. - Psalm 51:10-12

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Praying With Expectation

  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-7

When you pray - do you pray with expectation? What expectation? Well - that God is listening. He is not taking orders at a drive through. He is the creator God and our Father by adoption. Have you ever asked your parents for something - hoping that they would say yes. Or maybe you got no response as if they were not even listening to you.  Frustrating? Yes - especially if the request was not frivolous. When Jesus prayed in the Garden before His crucifixion asked that that cup be removed from Him - but He added "not my will but your (the Father's) will be done. Are you willing to defer to what God deems to be best, even if it means that you don't get what you want?  Are you ready to be like Jesus or do you  think you are more deserving than Jesus? 

I am certain you have heard the saying, "The heart wants what the heart wants" as if we have no choice in the matter. This is what the Bible says about the heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:9

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Matthew 12:34

What is in our hearts comes out in our prayers - or our hearts are revealed by our lack of prayer.  We say we love God with all of our being but never talk to Him. Oh we don't mind if others talk to Him for us, but we don't make the effort.  Well, until we need or want something.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  - James 5:13-16

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Serving God's Purpose In Your Generation

When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep - Acts 13:36

Do you have any idea what God's purpose is for you in your generation? I can tell you it is more than waiting for or living in retirement.  Our goal in this new life - I say "new" because of what the Word says about you and me.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

We have a new purpose that God expects us to fulfill before we head for heaven. You know I have found it easy to read the Bible - even memorize verses - but where the trouble comes is the application of what I read and memorize. It's like I am spiritual in my thinking but natural in my living. My natural life often takes precedence over the spiritual - but isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

That seems to be THE verse to be quoted. I have heard it every Sunday for the past month. We should find comfort in knowing the God has our back! But He also has a purpose for us. We are children of God - part of His kingdom and His reality. He has plans for us in that context. He really is not concerned about our having a condo in Florida or a bass boat or a "fat" 401K - a nice house and car. He is concerned about a world that is hell bound. Or perhaps you think - "I get it, but I have time to focus on those things - later." 

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27

Unless Jesus returns for the Church first, you and I are going to take our final breath - have our last heartbeat. God doesn't tell us how - when - or where, just that it will happen. My question is "What are you going to do in the meantime?" The right answer is pursue God's purpose. You don't know what that is? That is not reason enough to decide you will wait until God speaks to you personally. Whatever it is - you will not know it if you are standing still. Opportunities come your way every day. You purpose is not likely to be like Moses purpose - or one of the Apostles. God can use you for amazing things. 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away - James 4:13-14

Being a Christian is not an earthly attribute - it is a heavenly reality - that has eternal purpose - and not just for you. 

If anyone desires to come after Jesus, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Jesus. - Matthew 16:24

And where is Jesus going? It doesn't matter but you can bet it is going to be good!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Faith is a Noun - Love and Trust are Verbs

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. .... Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ....  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. - James 2: 14-17, 26

I sit here in my little office in my comfortable home with no perspective. Even today, I do not face the hardships that so many others face today. I wonder if I should order something on Amazon or get in my car and go to the grocery store or order take out. And yet there are millions on this planet who wonder if they will eat at all today. I turn the tap on and remember that I need to change the water filter while so many walk miles with plastic containers to draw water for the day from a community well.

I am reminded of Matthew 25 - the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. The Goats being insensitive to the struggles that are all around them, living their lives as if there was no needs but their own. The Sheep responding to the "man in the ditch" out of compassion for others. Willing to lay their own needs aside to tend to the needs of others. 

We are people of the Faith and that faith is made visible by the way we live and the way we love. Demonstrated to a world without hope.

Lord, give us eyes to see and hearts that are ready to demonstrate the love of God to a world in desperate need.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Cup Comes Before The Crown

“I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble [tribulation]. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

Jesus was referring to Peace, the fruit of the Spirit - which we have in our hearts in spite of our circumstances, not because of them. Have you ever had a difficult day and when you got home you just to relax in the quiet? Well maybe not if you have small children. :) That aside, it is that feeling, by faith not a quiet room, that we can have even in the midst of the turmoil of life. A pastor said that the Christian life is not like a cruise ship, it is like a battle ship. The title to this post and that last phrase were both borrowed from the sermon we heard last Sunday. 

Sometimes you can see trouble coming your way and can prepare for it. Other times trouble comes upon you like an ambush. Suddenly - seemingly out of nowhere. Either way - there can be peace in the midst of the storm. Do you recall Jesus and the disciples in the storm?

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” - Matthew 8:24-25

Notice the difference between Jesus' and the disciples' response to the same event. He was sleeping and they were panicked. You would have thought that they would have taken the hint that he was SLEEPING! Helloooo! But they didn't. They were focused on the trouble at hand. A storm that surpassed their boating skills. His was a spiritual response - theirs was a natural response. Fear of impending doom. They just knew they were going to drown! Ever been there? Remember the Battleship analogy?  There is a saying in the military - "You fight the way you train."

When you encounter trouble - that is not the time when you decide you need to read your Bible or pray more.  Those should be daily disciplines of spiritual preparation for the eventuality of TROUBLE coming your way. The Apostle James wrote - 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. - James 1:2-3

Perseverance - persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness. It is a supernatural response to what happens to us in our natural lives. Someone once said there is no TESTimony without a TEST. While we were serving in Jacmel, Haiti I would pass by a building supply store which was not named Lowes, Home Depot or Ace but Perseverance. A reminder to me that what we were doing was difficult but we could persevere.  Another store was Mesi Jezi - Thank You Jesus - great names for stores don't you think. 

As we face the trials of this life, our faith is strengthened so long as we keep a spiritual focus. Last verse to put a bow on it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. - Proverbs 3:5-8

Remember, the cup of adversity comes before the crown of life. So don't be surprised and don't doubt.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Ten Percent Rule

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well. - Luke 17:11-19

There is a rule - that I made up :) which I call the 10 percent rule.  Consider the verse you just read. Notice that only one, a Samaritan, out of ten lepers came back to thank Jesus or only 10 percent was thankful for what Jesus did. Jesus asked, "Where are the other nine?" The others - well - I imagine they were thankful, but I suspect they were thankful they weren't lepers anymore and could get back to their lives before the leprosy.  Maybe relieved would be a better way to describe it.

Wherever He went, Jesus was always drawing a crowd of people who needed healing of some sort. How did they spell relief? J-E-S-U-S. They would hang out with Jesus so long as they got some physical benefit. Over the years Martie and I have helped hundreds of people facing physical needs - most related to catastrophic loss from hurricanes.  We would get them back in their homes or meet some other need and then would never hear from them again. Were they thankful - yes - but most were like the nine. Mostly relieved. We would meet some like the one from time to time, but not many. About ten percent.

The thing is - the reason we helped them was not to receive expressions of gratitude. It was because we were prompted by the Spirit to help - to cross the road to help the man in the ditch if you will.  That was a story told by Jesus to make a point. There was never any indication that the man who was helped sought the Samaritan out to thank him later. The point was the showing of mercy. Jesus asked ....

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, Go and do likewise. - Luke 10:36-37

Another example is the parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’- Matthew 25:34-40

You see - the point is one of showing mercy. And why? Because of the mercy that was shown to us. If we are one with the Father and with Jesus then our hearts will compel us to show the love of God and mercy to a world that desperately needs to see Jesus. We should not be disappointed when the 90 percent are not grateful - that is not why we did what we did. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Understanding The Source Of Love

A new command I [Jesus] give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34-35

This past Sunday the teacher in the Encouragers class we attend asked a question about love. If someone you didn't know approached you and they had piercings all over their face, ears, lips and inside their mouth - as well as sporting body tattoos, would you have a hard time loving them. That question got me to thinking about what love meant. The New testament is replete with admonitions to love others. But I think that all too often we forget that the Bible is a spiritual book. We are never encouraged to do anything biblically without the presence and power of the Spirit of God.

All too often we think of love as an emotion that we conjure up in our hearts that God says we are then express to the world. Natural love has no spiritual power. It is conditional and selfish meaning its expression requires that a benefit be gained by the one expressing it. It is not selfless.

Let's consider the root of the love that Jesus was referring to.  God created mankind and God loved His creation. But mankind turned away from him and sought its own way. But God's love was undeterred. In fact ...

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

God was willing to sacrifice His firstborn to restore mankind. We are able to love the way God loves only because ... 

He first loved us. -  1 John 4:19

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments were

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind [and strength]. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:38-39

Jesus was not referring to the natural love conjured by man apart from God, but spiritual - unconditional love - love that comes from God and is then expressed back to God and to others. But love like that can only happen by those who have been born again by the Spirit. Jesus went on to say - 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13

The love that Jesus showed us was sacrificial. Where we place others before ourselves - not requiring that we derive some benefit from our expression love to others - a natural man's Quid Pro Quo kind of love. We love because God first loved us! We can love others the same way because of the love we have for the Father. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome -  Romans 12 [I am certain that you know Paul did not label the sentences he wrote]

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:1-2

He also wrote to the church in Corinth

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ...  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:2-8,13

The love Paul wrote about was AGAPE - spiritual love - a capacity given to those who have been born again by the Spirit. So let's go back to our pierced and tattooed friend. How can I love him? - In the same way that God loves me - and am able because God loves me. Remember

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -  Romans 5:8

Jesus, when he confronted those who judged others by what they saw, said 

Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. - Matthew 23:26

And Jesus said we are to love others in the same way the He loved us. We are not asked to condone sin - but we are commanded to love others in spite of their sin and point them to Jesus. Our inclination is to profile people. But that person just might be a believer or a seeker or perhaps he is lost like most of the rest of the world. Most of whom don't have piercings and don't have tattoos, but they are people are bound for an eternity in hell nonetheless. Does that concern you? If you love God and love others it should.

So be careful that you are not hasty to jump to conclusions or miss an opportunity to show someone Jesus. 

"The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song." - The Love Of God, Frederick M. Lehman - Public Domain

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone