Is There Enough Light To Convict You Of Being A Christian?

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:13-16

As born again Believers, we have the “light of God” – the Holy Spirit in us. That light and His transforming power should be evident to everyone we meet.  Not only by what we say or don’t say, but by what we do and don’t do.  Jesus charged the disciples – which includes us – to let our light shine in the world.  We are to be witnesses so that God will be glorified.  Jesus said (John 13:35) “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Years ago we sang a song at fellowships – “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”.  I think there are two main reasons why there is a lack of light in a Christian’s life. 

First. The Christian is not pursuing their faith and they are still spiritual infants and are indistinguishable from those who are still lost in the world. 

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

2 Corinthians 5:17 says “old things are passing away and all things are becoming new”  That is true for the heart that is devoted to God.  But Spiritual transformation does not happen when your heart remains devoted to the things of this world.  You growth is stunted – your light is hidden – your witness non-existent.  

Second.  The Christian is afraid of being rejected by the culture they live in – afraid of the social and/or financial loss they might incur if they let their light shine and make what they believe to be Truth – Biblical Truth – known.  Jesus told the disciples, 

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 10:34-39  

Most of us have a herd instinct.  We want to be around other people.  We want to be accepted by those people.  For a Christian – that can mean that they must not make their beliefs evident – they must be silent – even when what is acceptable to the “herd” is clearly contrary to the declaration of God.  They only way to overcome that is by having a strong faith – a heart for God. (see #1) 

I am not sharing these things try to “guilt” you into something. I want you to understand your new nature and life – how we are to live.  Dr. Francis Schaeffer wrote a book some years back “How Should We Then Live” which addresses this very thing.  How should Christians live in the context of the world around them.  I don’t want you think, after reading this, that you will just have to try harder.  On the contrary. What I hope for is that you will decide to “faith” harder.  Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and Joshua 1:8-10.  

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

Don't Build Your House On The Sandy Land

…add to your faith virtue… —2 Peter 1:5

Add means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves— God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must “work out” our “own salvation” which God has worked in us (Philippians 2:12). Add means that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning— to instruct yourself in the way you must go. Be determined to act immediately in faith on what God says to you when He speaks, and never reconsider or change your initial decisions. We have to get into the habit of carefully listening to God about everything, forming the habit of finding out what He says and heeding it. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

 Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. -  Luke 6:46-49

Jesus was talking directly to his disciples but there was a large crowd of people listening as well.  It is one thing to Hear the Truth and quite another to Obey the Truth.  About 8 children recited the entire 12th chapter of Romans in church one Sunday.  Impressive and challenging, but what good did it do the congregation to hear that if they were not willing to do what it said.  Chapter 12 pretty much lays out how we are to live as Christians.  

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22

It is a recurring theme.  Why must we be reminded? Well, it must be that our tendency is to Not do what the Word says.  Obedience is not something that suddenly happens on its own. It is a spiritual discipline and we must decide to obey.

So my friends “Don't build your house on the sandy-land, Don't build it too near the shore, Well, it may look kind of nice But you'll have to build it twice, Oh, you'll have to build your house once more. You better build your house upon the rock, Make a good foundation on a solid spot. And though the storms may come and go, The peace of God you will know. Rock of ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in Thee.” Karen Lafferty (b. 1948) Words and Music © 1981 Maranatha!

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

Life Is But A Vapor

 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. - Psalm 78-39

When I was a freshman in college [ before I met Jesus on the road] - no we were not using lanterns for light! - I wrote a paper in sociology 101 about the tension of the free enterprise systems and social reform in our country.  In their extremes they are juxtaposed to each other.  There is a tension - not unhealthy one. Really it is sort of symbiotic. Without revenue - money -  the social programs cannot be funded. Without social programs the country would not be able to provide workers to support the free enterprise system. I realize that is a simplistic description of what is going on in our country. But there is a balance that must be maintained for our system to work. It is not perfect, but seems to be better than most in the world.  

Having said that - as Christians - we are not socialist - per se - but we are to be more people oriented that money oriented. If we are affluent we have a responsibility toward those who are less affluent. Two verse segments come to mind. Matthew 25 - the sheep and the goats. They sheep and the goats asked King Jesus the same question - "Lord when did we see you?" To the Sheep he answered "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." and to the Goats the King will say, "Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

The sheep were focused on others and the goats were focused on themselves.  The other verses in Luke 12:16-21

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

So what does this have to do with life being a vapor. "A wind passes and does not come again". We have one shot at this mortal life. We can live like sheep or goats. Any guess which one the rich man was.  Affluence can be a good or bad thing. It depends upon the affluent persons attitude and understanding why they are affluent. A hint, it is not merely for their benefit or so they can live in a bigger house or go on another cruise.  Neither of those thing are in and of themselves evil - but what will Jesus say to you when you ask Him the question - Lord when did we see you?

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

Peaceful Living

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:18-21

Have you ever been at odds with someone, Christian or not. Is it possible to be hospitable toward people that have a mean spirit toward you? You may have sought to be reconciled, but they would have none of it. So what to do? Well, as my dad would say, let's look at the Bible and see what it says about it. You see - if you rely on your flesh - you feelings - then you will be tempted to respond in kind. An eye for and eye. What did Jesus say. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. - Matthew 5:38-41

When your old nature cries out for justice - your spirit says show them grace and mercy. They don't deserve it - that is what unmerited favor means. Oh you might feel provoked and might even be able to respond forcefully, but don't. Stay your hand. Don't harbor a grudge - if you do you will have lost the battle - given in to the temptation to sin. What? Well think about it. What is sin - to disobey the will of God. And what might that be? Well, re-read the previous verses. The Bible is not a book of suggestions.

 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. Our pastor - with regard to 2 Tim 3 said the Bible gives us spiritual wisdom and understanding:  to know what’s [right],  to know what’s [not right],  to know how to [get right], to know how to [stay right]. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? - Matthew 5:43-46

So there is no room for unforgiveness in the heart of a Christian. People may harbor negative attitudes toward you but we don't have the liberty to respond in kind. Oh - our flesh may cry out for reciprocity - vindication even, but God has made it clear that one bad turn does not deserve or justify another.  And not doing something in response but harboring the desire to do it in you heart it is still sin.

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. -  1 John 3:13-15

That doesn't give us much wiggle room does it?

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

Balancing Priorities – Deciding What Is Most Important

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He [Jesus] said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. - Matthew 22:36-38

What is the most important and urgent thing in anyone's life? Charles Hummel wrote a book “Tyranny of the Urgent”  The idea behind the book is that we often let what seems urgent be the deciding factor with respect to what we do.  What is “important” is juxtaposed with what is “urgent”.  (OK hang with me here!) There are 4 possible combinations of life situations that we will encounter  – Urgent/Important – Urgent/Not Important – Not Urgent Important – Not Urgent/Not Important.  You can put any aspect of your life, every choice, every decision under one of those headings.

So what does that have to do with our faith?  Emotions are tied to urgency.  Something happens and our emotions – Spidey senses – tell us that this must be acted upon immediately, it's urgent.  The key is knowing what is important and keeping life in perspective with respect to that knowing.  So, Christian, what is important to you?  The text-book (Bible) answer is God, others (world, culture, family), and lastly you. (Matthew 22: 37-39, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 9:35) There are many other references, but those are sufficient for my point.  Take a moment and look them up. Then pray about them.

So what is important is determined first by our relationship with God and our willingness to trust and obey – and not by our feelings/emotions.  The difficulty starts with the tension between the old life and the new life – that we live in a physical world but have a new spiritual reality that is supposed to be our primary perspective – the filter by which we determine what is important and what is urgent.  

In the context of Hummel’s book – Our relationship with God is the determinant with respect to deciding what is important and what is urgent.  For some Christians – it’s OK to agree that we should not love the world or the things of this world (1 John 2:15) but what about retirement – the children’s college – my new car – my job.  Where do they fall into the mix?  

What my point is, friend, is that all of that falls into its proper place when God is in His proper place.  A classic question is “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?” If you do – God will always be first – and if you don’t – God will often be left in the dust in favor of what is urgent – what your flesh tells you is important.  We are faced with these decisions every day.  But – if we are not spiritually minded – we are bound to choose poorly.  If the Chief End Of Man is indeed to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever” then God must be first and must be the One who determines what is important and what is urgent.  

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16

You are going to be challenged today with this dilemma – what to respond to and how to respond.  If you are a Christian – your choice is clear but requires faith and obedience to respond correctly.  Keep the things of life in their proper place … don’t let your emotions rule your heart .. that place belongs to 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

Foxhole Religion

The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. —Job 42:10

I pray, “Lord, I will purify my heart if You will answer my prayer— I will walk rightly before You if You will help me.” But I cannot make myself right with God; I cannot make my life perfect. I can only be right with God if I accept the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift. I must leave myself completely alone in His hands, and then I can begin to pour my life out in the priestly work of intercession. “The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends.” As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now, and pray for those with whom you come in contact now. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Foxhole religion. If you were ever in the military in a war you know what that is.  It’s when you are afraid .. in mortal danger ..  and you make a promise to God. “God if you will spare me I promise to be good.” We find ourselves in a jam and we are looking for a way out.  A prayer of the flesh – devoid of any spiritual context – and what happens when you are spared?  The prayer fades in your memory.  So often we treat prayer like a 911 call.  “I have an emergency and need to be rescued! Lord save me!” or perhaps “Lord restore what I have lost!”  Why? Because my trust and confidence was in that which was lost or in danger of being lost - health - wealth - whatever and not in the One to Whom I am praying. In one breath someone will tell me they don't want to hear about "my God" and then in another - when they face a hardship they ask me to pray for them. They are not interested in God but in finding a way to make the trouble go away.

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - James 4:2-3

The New Testament is replete with admonitions to distance yourself from the world and the things of the world .. to trust God .. to not worry .. but we do anyway.  What the Bible says to do .. you cannot do apart from Christ in you.  “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” God is very often not our first thought – He is our afterthought?   Sound harsh?  Listen – it is a problem that every Christian must contend with.  Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God – the Father – with all of your being.  That does not leave much room for anything else.  But – out of that love will flow everything else.  Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world. God is interested in our spiritual success and obedience not in our earthly affluence.  Too many have compromised their faith because of the things of this world.  Like the song of the sirens, you will be lured into the rocks resulting in spiritual impotence.  Be careful my friend.  Wanting to not be like that will not make it so … that will happen when you commit your heart to God and pursue Him.  

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 God Asks You To Leave Your Comfort Zone

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember 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 remain in the comfort of 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 us out of the routine of 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. 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.” (Matthew 16:24)  

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.  Henry Blackaby called it a Crisis of Belief in Experiencing God. So come on – go ahead and put your toes in the water.

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