Surrendering To Jesus - Almost All Is Not Good Enough!

Jesus…said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor…and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." —Mark 10:21 

“The rich young ruler had the controlling passion to be perfect. When he saw Jesus Christ, he wanted to be like Him. Our Lord never places anyone’s personal holiness above everything else when He calls a disciple. Jesus’ primary consideration is my absolute annihilation of my right to myself and my identification with Him, which means having a relationship with Him in which there are no other relationships. Luke 14:26 has nothing to do with salvation or sanctification but deals solely with unconditional identification with Jesus Christ. Very few of us truly know what is meant by the absolute “go” of unconditional identification with, and abandonment and surrender to, Jesus. “One thing you lack….” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing. “…sell whatever you have….” I must humble myself until I am merely a living person. I must essentially renounce possessions of all kinds, not for salvation (for only one thing saves a person and that is absolute reliance in faith upon Jesus Christ), but to follow Jesus.” - My Utmost For His Highest

Have you made room for God in your heart?  If your heart was a house, have you given God a room in which to abide, albeit a nice room, or have you given him the whole house.  Truth be told, each of us has at least a room or two that we have reserved for ourselves.  Like the little girl that put a “no boys allowed” sign on her bedroom door.  We put a “God not allowed” on some doors.  Rooms that hold things that we love and do not want to give up.  Perhaps the right to do what we think is right.  Or perhaps some behaviors that are clearly contrary to our new nature, but to which we are emotionally dependent upon and find comfort in.  Emotionally and relationally unhealthy things.  Things that usurp the sovereignty of God, that occupy places that belong to God.  Like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth and possessions, there are things in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the joy, peace and assurance that comes from total surrender to God.

We were talking to a family member some time ago.  They are struggling with an issue, one that was rooted in poor choices they made and we now under the strain from the consequences of those choices.  When Martie encouraged them to read the Psalms to find comfort, you could hear a change in the tone of voice.  There was a distance that had not been there earlier.  It was clear that they were not interested in a spiritual solution.  They wanted relief from the consequences. 

They quickly diverted the subject from themselves to other people.  Like the woman at the well trying to divert her conversation with Jesus because He was getting too close to the “thing” she was clinging to.  It broke my heart to see them turn away from God in the conversation. There are doors to rooms that we don’t want to give God entrance to.  Jesus said, “pick up your cross”, “give up everything that competes with your devotion to God”.  The Psalmist wrote “Trust God with your all” Paul said, “offer yourself as a living sacrifice.”  I say, “Let the doors in your heart swing wide.” The young man did not lack good deeds, he lacked faith in God and devotion to God.  Don’t make the same mistake.

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 

Is Being A Christian Working For You?

…come, follow Me. —Luke 18:22

"One of the greatest hindrances in coming to Jesus is the excuse of our own individual temperament. We make our temperament and our natural desires barriers to coming to Jesus. Yet the first thing we realize when we do come to Jesus is that He pays no attention whatsoever to our natural desires. There is actually only one thing you can dedicate to God, and that is your right to yourself (see Romans 12:1). If you will give God your right to yourself, He will make a holy experiment out of you— and His experiments always succeed. The one true mark of a saint of God is the inner creativity that flows from being totally surrendered to Jesus Christ. A saint realizes that it is God who engineers his circumstances; consequently, there are no complaints, only unrestrained surrender to Jesus. If you abandon everything to Jesus, and come when He says, “Come,” then He will continue to say, “Come,” through you. You will go out into the world reproducing the echo of Christ’s “Come.” That is the result in every soul who has abandoned all and come to Jesus." - My Utmost For His Highest 

Have you ever said or perhaps heard someone say, “That is just the way I am” or “That is how our family is” Romans 12:1-2 says that we are to offer ourselves to God and be transformed and not be conformed to this world anymore.  If we are satisfied with our lives when our lives are inconsistent with the expressed Word of God and life of Jesus it is because we have focused on our flesh – our old nature.  We are content with it or perhaps, worse, think it inescapable.  If I asked you, “Do you believe the Word of God is truth?”  My guess is that you would say yes.  Then I would say to you … “If you are a Christian then the Word is true for you.  God has given you the supernatural capacity to be and do.”  So what is the problem? The answer is surrender to our new life.  We have found comfort in the “old life”.  

“If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation – like a butterfly [my example] – old things have passed away and all things are becoming new!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Let me tell you that if you are not willing to seek after those things that will strengthen you in your new life then you will live your life with both feet firmly planted in your old nature, all the while wondering why being a Christian is not “working for you”.  There is a tension in all of us between fear and faith.  To let go and let God requires faith and surrender.  There that word is again.  

"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" - Matthew 16:24-26 

You must say no to your old nature and the way you do that is by saying yes to God. Paul wrote in Romans 7 that he does the things he does not want to do and does not do the things he wants and knows to live like that are consistent with his Faith.  Then he says that answer is Jesus.  Nothing has changed … the answer for you and me is the same as it was for Paul. It's more of Jesus and less of me.

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 

A Reminder Of Our Purpose

 I am certain that you have at least heard about the opening night of the Olympics in Paris. This is an excerpt from an article in The Independent, a British online newspaper.

"The Paris 2024 organizers have apologized to Catholics and other Christian groups angered after a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous The Last Supper painting during the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night. A kitsch tableau parodied the iconic painting, recreating the biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his apostles sharing a last meal before crucifixion. The sketch featured drag queens, a transgender model, a naked singer made up as the Greek god of wine Dionysus, and a child. The scene drew dismay from the Catholic Church, with the organizers explaining that the decision was motivated by a desire to achieve “community tolerance”. The Independent

In light of Romans chapter 1, you should not be shocked or surprised by that happening - dismayed perhaps. Mankind, since the Garden, continues to shake its fist in the face of God - unaware that what God has put in place from the foundation has not changed one iota. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the day when God, the Father says "It is time." That is the time when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess.  But then, the time for salvation will have passed - and the unrighteous will be eternally condemned.  

"Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11

We are not the judges - we are the witnesses. So, in the meanwhile - as the Church we must fulfill our purpose, stand for truth and let our light shine in a dark - sinful world. Continuing to hope that some might yet be saved. 

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 

Leveling Your Expectations

"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." -  1 Corinthians 2:14

As the world drifts farther and farther away from Biblical truth, the contrast between what Christians believe to be right and what the world embraces as right and proper becomes more apparent to Believers. Both sides, the lost and the saved, can live out what they believe to be truth and right. The lost are not tempted to live according to what God has declared to be right as they are enslaved to their sin nature. But Christians, who have been made alive toward the things of the Spirit of God, can be and are also tempted to live according to what the world has declared to be right. 

As Christians we have the capacity to understand spiritual truth - the things of the Spirit of God. The world does not. In fact, they see it as foolishness. Why would they want to do what is clearly contrary to their natural inclinations? Is it possible for the unsaved to be kind - yes. To be friendly - yes. To be a "good" person? Yes. But not good enough. Even the best good of man falls short of the goodness of God.

"So He [Jesus] said to him [the rich young ruler], “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God [the Father]" - Matthew 19:17

Those who have been born again cannot be good enough to enter the kingdom of God on our own. It is only by God's grace, mercy and faith in Jesus.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

We are going to heaven - not because of the good things we have done or the evil things we refuse to do but because of what Jesus has done in our stead. Nicodemus came to Jesus asking what the "secret" to having eternal life was. What did he need to do or be to "make it through the gate"?

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:14-17

Listen - the world is not going to get better on its own. Sad but true! Man's laws and declarations cannot change hearts - only faith in Jesus can do that.  That is not to say that there may not be a spiritual awakening or a revival at some point.  I know that many saints are praying for revival - the difference between a spiritual awakening, when God sovereignly pours out his Spirit and impacts a culture, and a revival, when the church comes back to life and restores its original condition. Whichever one happens there will never be heaven on earth - well not until Jesus comes back - but that is another story.

What to do in the meantime. Be the light that some might see and believe.

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 

Practicing Religion Or Living By Faith

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." -  James 1:27

I recently heard a preacher describe religion like this - "Religion is the stuff that I do to make God like me." That would be "impure" and "defiled" religion from God's perspective, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). Trying to be good on my own to make God happy and approving. But according to James what God wants is for us to serve others and have an undivided heart for God. 

Serving others. Jesus said, "No greater love has one man [person] than this, but to lay down his life for his friends [others]." - John 15:13 

An undivided heart. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 22:37- 40 

Paul wrote about right religion before God, "I beseech [urge] 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

John wrote about being unspotted by the world, "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." -  1 John 2:15-16

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 

Semper Fidelis - A Discipline of the Heart

"If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Timothy 2:12-13

Even when we are unfaithful - God is faithful to His promises. 

Mankind denies God so He sent His Son and we then deny Jesus. When we deny Jesus is the Christ then Jesus will deny us to the Father and the Father will deny us. And so, many people - might I say - most people are hell bound.

"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:33

As Christians our challenge is to "walk away" from our old nature and the constant temptation to embrace it in favor of submitting to God and His constant call to faithfulness.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself [his old nature], and take up his cross [as a living sacrifice], and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

The U.S. Marine Corps slogan is "Semper Fidelis" or Semper Fi (the abbreviated version) - Always Faithful. If you say Semper Fi to any Marine - active duty or veteran and you will get a look of acknowledgement. It stirs something in their heart. Reminds them not of who they were but of who they are. It defines their character. Once a Marine always a Marine.  Faithfulness is a discipline of the heart.  For Christians, it is once saved - always saved! Once a Christian, always a Christian. Our faith defines our character. 

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." - Romans 8:29

"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 12:2

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 

Avoiding Spiritual Apathy, Atrophy, and Impotence

…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… —Ephesians 6:18

“As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. Identification with God is the key to intercession… God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.” - My Utmost For His Highest

Do you see someone who has faults? I am not referring to the one you see when you look in a mirror. Sure you do. It is inescapable.  (Romans 3:23) “All have sinned” (Romans 3:10) “There are none righteous” That pretty much covers everyone.  So you are going to see the works of the flesh every day.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” - Galatians 5:19-21

That list just about covers it. Those things you see in others that upset you, make you to not want to be around them, to be angry about what they have done or are doing.  Perhaps what you should do is pray for them.  Most of us don’t for at least three reasons, I can think of.  One, we think they should be punished for their behavior and should not be allowed to get away with it, and maybe they seem to be. Two, we don’t think they are deserving of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness (ours too), and, in fact, they are not but then again neither are we.  Three, we have a pretty much non-existent prayer life and don’t pray for ourselves, unless we are in trouble, let alone people who are doing things we don’t like. 

But God did not say pray if you feel like. No, we are to pray because it is our responsibility and critical to the health and growth of our personal spiritual life.  For most of us we treat prayer as an option.  Sunday morning and perhaps at dinner time.  That’s it.  Prayer is not a spiritual gift that some are given, and others are not.  It is a responsibility for all Christians.  If becoming a Christian is the most significant thing that has happened in your life, and it should be, then communicating with the Father should be important to you as a child of God.  If it’s not, well “Houston we have a problem!”  Prayerlessness is a symptom of spiritual apathy and spiritual apathy always lead to spiritual atrophy which always leads to spiritual impotence.  You need to pray .. you can’t afford not to!

Here is a simple way … a friend, Michael, shared this with me years ago.  First make certain that your heart is clean - clear up any unconfessed sins with God. (1 John 1:9) Use your fingers and thumb as a guide.  Start with your thumb, it represents your family, index finger those who point you to Jesus  - Spiritual leaders. Middle finger, those in authority over you – government, work, etc. Ring finger, others – those you care about or maybe don’t care about.  Pinky finger – yourself – last and least.  Try it.  Why not make it a habit?

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 By Faith - The World Thinks You Are Crazy

…Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid… —Matthew 14:29-30

 “The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.” - My Utmost For His Highest 

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Faith can lead you to do crazy things, at least as far as the world is concerned. I know that all too well. God has challenged us to “walk on the water” on a number of occasions.

The first was when He told me to leave the Army with over 17 years of very successful service.  A good friend told me “the Army will not let you out” since I was a career officer with an obligation and a bright future.  I told him – “If God wants me out, I’ll be out” and 90 days later, I was on the street having exchanged my flight suit for a business suit. 

After God had called us to the mission field I happened to see an old boss – I told him what I was doing – he asked if I had retired from working as a civilian with the Air Force – I said no, I had left to serve God on the mission field – he looked at me in disbelief – I had abandoned everything that he held dear … money - security - possessions - comfort.

When we were leaving disaster relief work in Mississippi to open another chapter in our missional journey, as friend asked me what we were going to do – I replied – “We are going to Haiti” -  He drew up close to me, looked me square in the eyes and asked, “Are you crazy?” to which I replied – “It’s not my idea, it’s God’s!” 

On a more recent occasion, we realized that God was calling out of the boat once again to go on mission. I had been working with the Air Force once again as an IT Systems Engineer.  God called us to Texas.  A good friend of mine asked me to meet for coffee.  He told me that now was not the time to “get out of the boat”.  There were considerations that I was apparently ignoring.  Like the disciples could have told Peter … wait for the waves to calm if you are going to do it!  But when God says “GO!” you must go.  That is part of trusting God.  It’s as if people think – “If God called you – He must not have thought about all of the issues going on”. It is a telling of what they trust in.  Many Christians have a qualified trust in God.  If Peter had, he never would have climbed out of the boat.  If Martie and I had we never would have left worldly success to obey God’s call. 

Please ... do not think that I am boasting about our great faith .. I say our because Martie has been in agreement and has been willing on every turn in the course of our lives.  

 “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Perhaps it’s time for you to get your feet wet.  If it is – look to Jesus for the strength to do what He is asking you to do. then join Him on the water!

“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6

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 

Knowing Who God Is

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." - Ephesians 1:15-21

Are you familiar with the term "doesn't have a clue"? Sure you are. In fact, you may have said it about someone in the past. The people are oblivious to an important truth. That can be said of every human being that has not been saved by faith. There are two camps really. Those who deny that God exists and don't really care about what people say He said. When you are dead - that's it. The other camp are those that think there is some sort of being and hope that everyone has a free pass into whatever the "next" life is like after death. 

The reason both camps think that way is that they lack spiritual understanding. Thinking about it, there is a third camp - those who admit there is a God but deny Jesus. 

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

Jesus called himself a stumbling block. The religious did not understand that Jesus was and is the way. Mere religion is not, and will never be, enough.

"[Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... 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. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” - John 3:2-3, 5-7

It is only then - when we are born again do we understand who God is and who we are - and in light of that truth we are convicted of our sin, confess and repent. Born again into the family of God and sons and daughters of the Creator God. Don't expect the world to rejoice when you share the Good News. In their sin they will not want to hear it - even hate you for it. Unless the Spirit of God is at work in the heart of the hearer - then there will be rejoicing - in heaven and in the life of the one is born by the Spirit. Another child was lost but now they are found. 

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 World Is Not Falling Apart

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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 4:5-7

There is a verse in the song, "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns that says, "The World Is Not Falling Apart, it's falling into place." 

"So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go" 

I have been writing a good bit about the spiritual context of political and cultural tension in this county and around the world for that matter. About the moral decline that is so prevalent today. Blatant, even. What an opportunity for the Body of Christ to be a shining light. To not promote a message of hate but of love and hope that can only be found in Jesus. Elon Musk was accused by the governor of California of "bending his knee" with respect to Musk's decision to move his corporate headquarters from California to Texas. That suggestion is actually rooted in 1 Kings 19

"And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” .... Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed (bended) to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” - 1 Kings 19:14,19

Elijah had given up hope - his enemies seemed to be too strong. He felt like he was alone in the battle against evil. Impossible odds. Yet God told him that there were 7,000 that Elijah did not know about who had not bent their knees to Baal - the god of this world. The world is not falling apart although it may seem that way. It is falling into place. God is still, and will always be, on the Throne. Our God reigns. 

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." - Psalm 42:11

Don't be downcast - put your hope in 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 

Should We Apologize?

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:19-23

I have been watching, with some interest and dismay, the struggle by all political parties as they vie for primacy in the coming presidential election. It has been no holds barred as they wrestle for the favor of the American voters. Then the assassination attempt. Suddenly things got "real". Questions are being asked - have we gone too far with our vitriol - cruel and bitter criticism? Then a question on one of the news programs - "Do you think we should apologize?". There was not an immediate response. Apologize when I believe I am justified?

It was then that I was reminded of Galatians chapter 5. We live in a culture where the end justifies the means. Truth is relative not absolute. I am hoping that the people and politicians will rise to a higher standard of doing. But the works of the flesh are evident. I am expecting behavior that is out of reach for anyone that has not yielded their hearts to faith in Jesus so the fruit of the Spirit might be revealed.

Why should I be surprised at the depths that people will go to satisfy their desires? There are many who claim devotion to God as Christians and yet are deeply committed to the political means and methods I see on the news every day.

"How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:34-37

I am not promoting any party or candidate. I am merely suggesting that we need to "open the eyes of our hearts". To see the world with a spiritual perspective. To let the world see Jesus through your lives and perhaps marvel at the grace and mercy of God and the transformation of sinners into saints. I was refueling our truck when another truck pulled up on the other side of the pump. The truck had a "dummy" .50 caliber round in place of an antenna and a cross hanging on the rear view mirror. Do you see an inconsistency there?

Should we apologize? If we have sinned, we should first confess our sins (1 John 1:9) seeking forgiveness and then repent from them. Choosing a better way. 

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 

To Hear God, You Must Be Ready And Willing To Listen

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. —Matthew 10:27

 “Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Are you in the dark right now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? If so, then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will speak while in the wrong mood— darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. ... once you hear Him, He gives you the gift of humiliation, which brings a softness of heart— a gift that will always cause you to listen to God now.” - My Utmost For His Highest

It is a difficult thing at times ... hearing God speak.  As I get older, I have noticed that I don’t hear as well when there are competing noises around me.  I used to be able to single out a voice or sound amidst the din with no problem, not so much anymore.  That is the way it is with hearing God.  A lot of competing sounds and life events demanding our attention.  You can read about Jesus getting away to spend time, alone, with His Father.  I don’t know if I will ever appreciate that privilege to the depth it deserves while I walk this earth.  Just imagine being able to communicate with the creator of the universe.  Can you imagine having the private cell phone number of the president or some other significant world figure?  Why would they give you the time of day.  Why would they care to talk with you at all?  What could you have to say that would matter to them? And yet, Jesus has torn the veil and given us access to our Father in heaven.  God, the Father, loves us.  Loves us enough to send Jesus for us. And we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere.  

 “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for us.”  - 1 Peter 5:7

The really cool thing is that God does not just want to listen, He wants to, and does, speak to us. The question is, are you ready and willing to hear Him?  Sometimes He whispers and sometimes He shouts. But on every occasion, He loves and wants the eternal best for your life.  In the study, Experiencing God, Dr. Blackaby says that God speaks by the Spirit through His Word, Prayer, Circumstances, and other Believers. As I type, a song came to mind … “In The Garden” 

“I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. … He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.”  

I wonder what was going on in Charles Miles’ life when he penned the words to this song. He said, "It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire". He wrote at least 398 songs, and the music to at least 8 more.

Jesus asked the question (Luke 6:46) “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, but don’t do what I say?”  Take time to listen to God and then … obey what He tells you to do.  And in that way, you will discover the way you can be of the most use to the Master.

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 

Sin Is The Same In All Generations - So Is The Solution

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am ….I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master… —John 13:13, 16

“To have a master and teacher is not the same thing as being mastered and taught. Our Lord never takes measures to make me do what He wants. Sometimes I wish God would master and control me to make me do what He wants, but He will not. And at other times I wish He would leave me alone, and He does not. “You call Me Teacher and Lord…”— but is He? Teacher, Master, and Lord have little place in our vocabulary. We prefer the words Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer. The only word that truly describes the experience of being mastered is love, and we know little about love as God reveals it in His Word. Our Lord was not simply God’s servant— He was His Son. “…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience…” (Hebrews 5:8). He [Jesus]wants us in a relationship where He is so easily our Master and Teacher that we have no conscious awareness of it— a relationship where all we know is that we are His to obey.” - My Utmost For His Highest

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  There are probably not too many Millennials who would know that hymn.  John Stammis, the author, wrote over 100 hymns. I often wonder what the song writer had experienced that was the inspiration for the words he penned.  But then, the nature of man does not change from generation to generation, even if we want to believe that it has.  If you consider people in the context of their flesh, the cultural and generational accoutrements may morph over the years .. I am typing this on my computer not writing with a quill and ink.  As many as 100 people, virtually around the world, will have read these words by the end of the day using computers, laptops, tablets, and even phones … incredible.  But the spiritual nature of man has not changed from those who never heard of a computer or the internet and it won’t change in future generations.  In every generation, until Jesus returns, there will be sheep and goats.  Those who belong to the Creator God and those who belong to the god of this world.  And for us sheep, our challenge across the generations is to trust and obey.

[Jesus asked] “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” - Luke 6:46- 49

Our children would sing a song alluding to those verses.  “Don’t build your house on the sandy land”.  I used to think it had to do with salvation, but it actually has to do with obedience.  Think about it. The goats do not call Jesus Lord.  I once heard someone say, “If Jesus is not Lord OF all, then He is not Lord AT all.”  God demands everything if we want to follow Jesus.  No other gods, our whole heart, a living sacrifice, picking up our cross and going where He leads, living by faith, walking with the Spirit.  That has not changed since Jesus spoke the words during His ministry and will not change, ever.  We spend a lot of effort trying to figure out how to reach each generation ... how to attract them to the Light.  God has already implemented a “trans-generational” solution.  

“when I [Jesus] am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” - John 12:32 

Having trouble with obedience?  We all do to some extent.  Walk with the Lord in the light of His word ... what a glory He sheds on our way! I have a friend from California, George, who served with us in Mississippi. As we worked together, I would often say, "So, what do you think George?" His response was always the same. "Jesus saves!" You think I would have learned - but I never tired of hearing 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 

Jesus - Lord of Our Lips

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus, no spring yields both salt water and fresh." - James 3:8-12

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:45

I have known many people, men in particular, who identify with being a Christian but speak and behave as if they are not. In James and Luke, as well as other places in the Bible, the point is that what comes out of a person is a reflection of the source of who they are - lost or saved - carnal or spiritual. If you say Jesus is Lord and yet it is salt water that comes from your spring and not fresh, then the conclusion is that the well does not hold fresh water. There are some men and women today that say they identify as being a different gender. The thing is, in spite of surgeries they might undergo, their DNA - their chromosomes that they had when they were formed in their mother's wombs cannot be altered. They can say what they want. Behave as they like. Be affirmed by the culture. Protected by the laws of the land. But biologically it changes nothing.  And so, it is with many who identify as Christians. They can say what they want, but spiritually it changes nothing. If you immediately want to go to the idea that maybe they are Christians but are carnal - why would being carnal be, OK?

The product of salvation is repentance and faith. The proof of repentance is a changed life. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ" - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

When I would preach in churches in Haiti, I would often use the example of Mango trees. Mango trees grow everywhere along the roads. The fruit is free for the taking. There are also many sour orange trees in Haiti which are used to tenderize meat. I would say to the congregation, "If you tell me you are a mango tree and I come to you to pick a mango from your branches but only find sour oranges, I realize that you are not a mango tree at all - otherwise you would bear mangos. You are a sour orange tree" The same goes for spiritual fruit and carnal fruit. Read Galatians chapter 5.

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "The Change" that speaks to this question. 

"Well, I got myself this T-shirt that says what I believe. I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID 

I got the necklace and the keychain and almost everything a good Christian needs 

I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door and a welcome mat to greet you before you walk across my floor

I got a Jesus bumper sticker and the outline of a fish stuck on my car 

And even though this stuff's all well and good I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change? What about the difference? What about the grace? What about forgiveness? What about a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change" End of Song .....

Well - what about it Christian? The bottom line is that if Jesus is not Lord of our lips, then He is not Lord of our hearts. If He is not Lord of our hearts, then He is not Lord at all.

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 

So - You Don't Believe We're On The Eve Of Destruction?

"Make your ambition to a lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, so you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need" - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

"So far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men." - Romans 12:18

Every day I see so much strife in people's lives - people living in the power of their flesh and in their struggle for self-preservation.  They live in constant fear, and rather than loving God and loving others, their love for themselves dominates them and everything they do or aspire to do.  If people don't meet their expectations or don't dance to their tune, they are considered to be the enemy.  They seek consolation and relief from their fears and insecurities by accommodating their flesh and what it desires.  Turning to things that promise peace and consolation, but, in the end, only bring pain and destruction.

Our culture seems to be imploding.  Consuming itself.  Looking for answers to the problems that dominate us but unwilling to acknowledge the true source of those problems.  We criticize aberrant - wrong - hurtful behavior and encourage it at the same time.  We condemn men for making sexual advances to women and exploit women in the media and add sexual connotation even in television commercials about everyday products.  We wonder why there is a problem with violence in our country and the majority of the most popular television shows and movies are dominated with stark violence and death.  As I watch this going on I feel helpless to change it.  But that is because the source of the problem spiritual ... and most often misdiagnosed as a natural - relational problem. And being a spiritual problem, it can only be solved with a spiritual solution.  My wanting my children's behavior, for example, to be different will not make it so!  Only God can do that - He is in the "business" of changing hearts.  And their hearts can be changed, but only if they will submit to His call and yield their lives in faith to the Lord.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18

The solution is so simple, but the truth is, the majority of the world will reject the Truth. 

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator .. " - Romans 1:25

I am not making this up.  God has revealed the Truth to us through the Word of God, by His Spirit and through His Son and His sacrifice.  The world, our culture, rejects the idea that the problem has spiritual roots and a spiritual solution.  

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”  - 1 Corinthians 2:14

What a dilemma.  What to do? The answer is simple.  Don’t expect the world to get better … it is running pell-mell into darkness … headed for destruction …

There was a song written in the mid-60’s, a protest song, but I think it was prophetic.  It was written by PF Sloan, during the Vietnam war, and sung by Barry McGuire who later became a Christian. It speaks to the calamity that rages in this world but stops short of a solution.  Barry McGuire found the solution … you know the answer. My encouragement to you …. Be a light in this dark world … if people seem to be looking for answers ... point them to Jesus ... most will ignore you ... but that is between them and God.  Your obligation is to tell the world.  The Spirit will do the rest.

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 

Letting Your Circumstances Compromise Your Faith

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." - Mattew 12:34-35

As Christians the foundation of our spiritual understanding is the Word of God - inerrant in the original manuscripts and the infallible Truth. By the Word of God we understand how to live rightly by faith and love rightly by the power of God. So why is the "one" Body of Christ subdivided by so many variants or denominations? Estimations show there are more than 200 Christian denominations in the U.S. and a staggering 45,000 globally, that's according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. Groups of people divided by interpretation of the Word or differences in practice. Fortunately for most they can find agreement in Peter's answer to the question that Jesus asked the disciples. "Who do you say that I am?"

"Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock [the declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:16-18

A temptation that we all face is to abandon what we say is true and right when our circumstances change, either by our own doing or because of the actions of another person. We are unwilling to live with the consequences that are affecting us and seek relief. I knew a pastor in a particular denomination who had not always been part of that denomination. When I asked the "why" question he told me that he had divorced his first wife because of her infidelity. His denomination - through which he had earned a doctorate in theology - would not permit him to continue to be a pastor since he divorced. So, he found a denomination that would allow him to be a pastor. He was a good man and loved God. But his circumstances changed and correspondingly what he embraced as truth changed with them. The same truth that he had declared to be what he believed, embraced and promoted in ministry. We often embrace a "truth" so long as it does negatively affect us or what we do. 

So, to my point. Like that pastor, the temptation to accommodate circumstances and compromise truth is something that we face every day. It may be a big or small thing, but when we are conflicted, it tempts us to ask the question, "Did God really say?". What we believe to be truth, as Christians, is being challenged by what our culture has declared to be true and secular laws have been established that support those cultural norms. Some of which are in opposition to the Word of God. 

As an example, there is a difference between who we are genetically, created by God, and how we subsequently choose to live our lives. God says that He is not a respecter of persons. God loves mankind and sent Jesus to restore mankind to Himself. The Bible makes plain that there is no distinction between races or genders before God. But man has chosen to redefine gender to match life choices and what man declares as truth. What man cannot do is change the essence of gender - genetics, chromosomes - but I suspect he would if he could so he might continue on his quest to be like God. 

So be on your guard Christian - Satan is crouching at the door - roaming about looking for the weak one in the herd. Know what you believe and why you believe it. 

"take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:13-18

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 You Don't Get What You Want

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

Have you ever been upset because you did not get your way? I am thinking about raising children.  They want to do something and for whatever reason - hopefully a good one - you step in and make a decision that is counter to what they had planned.  What is at the root of the response by your child? It's respect for and submission to authority, or lack of it. Not always getting your way is a lesson that we all must learn to succeed in life. Children do not have the experience to properly make many decisions and so as parents, we help them. Although they may not consider it to be helpful at the time. Emotions and logic are very often at odds with each other. In the Christian context so are emotions and faith. 

"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." - 1 John 2:16

The "flesh" is all about emotions. If the flesh relied on logic, then nearly all of the problems caused by yielding to what the flesh wants would be avoided. Wouldn't that be nice? But that is not reality, is it? Emotions will cloud our spiritual vision and mute the voice of the Spirit. We will yield to our plans and devices to our emotions, what we want, resisting the Lord's direction. Why?

"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6

Getting what you want when you want it is the nature of fallen man. It started in the Garden. God has an eternal plan - man thinks he knows better. Choosing our own way has not gone well and that will not change. What is lacking is respect and submission to God's authority. Apart from spiritual conversion that will never happen. That is why God sent His Son. 

God will not tell you whether to tie your shoestrings in a single or double knot, but He has revealed His will and makes it plain through His Spirit the way we should go. It all gets down to a submitted heart and willingness to walk by faith and not by sight, or emotions.

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 Problems With Going To Church.

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." -  Hebrews 10:24-26

There are two problems - first is going for the wrong reason and second is not going for the wrong reason.  

The first problem.  I have had recent conversations, one on social media and the other in person. They both were alarming to me and reminded me of a spiritual truth.  In the first case, the person was talking to me about their spiritual angst and the feeling that they needed to draw closer to God.  When I asked to tell me about their conversion, when they became a Christian, they shared all of the churches they have attended and the many things they did while they were attending.  Good things.  

The second.  The guy was clearly on the edge of things.  He had been in prison, on drugs, divorced, homeless.  But with all of that, I sensed he had a good heart .. seeking God.  He attended church, but in the course of our conversation it was clear that he knew little about the Faith. He told me that a priest had prayed for him and told him that he “was good to go”.  He did not have to worry about his salvation.  I told him that salvation is personal, between the person and God.  No one can do it for another person.

Perhaps you know people like this.  People with good hearts.  People who do good things or, at least, want to do good things.  When Jesus met Nicodemus that night, Jesus told him ...

“you must be born again”   “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “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[b] 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.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.”  (John 3:3-9)  

Nicodemus didn’t understand.  He thought he was doing all of the right things.  But something was not right.  Just like for the two people that I talked with.  

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

The Jews thought they had it all figured out, but Jesus turned that upside down.  Gentiles - i.e., non-Jews - watch Christians and mimic what they do, but they don’t have the Spirit in them.  They have not been born again.  I know I tried that! They have a form of godliness but lack the spiritual power to understand the Truth and live the life.  They lack the capacity to understand spiritual truth without the Spirit of God sealed in their hearts.  I suspect there are thousands of people like that who attend church every Sunday. Maybe even in leadership roles.  Teaching information but are spiritual blind guides.  Struggling in their battle with sin.  Wondering why life is not different than it is.  

So, what to do when you discern the person you are talking to thinks they are saved by their works and are actually lost and bound for hell.  Point them to Jesus and the truth.  Speak the truth in love.  Even that burly guy that I was talking to yesterday has a fragile heart.  God has given you an opportunity to fulfill your purpose which is to proclaim the Gospel.  Not with a punch in the nose, but with a gentle touch.  Trusting that the Spirit of God is at work in their lives.  You do your part and let God do His.  And remember your part is not the saving, it is the telling and the loving. God does the rest.  For their good and for His glory.  

The second problem. I just read an article about church attendance that might explain why the Church is not having greater effect on the culture. The title of the article ""As few as 5 percent of Americans attend church weekly" The study was pre-COVID. This is an excerpt. 

“what you do is what you believe, no matter what you say.” If just 5 — or 6, or 7 — percent of Americans feel committed enough to darken the doors of their churches for even an hour a week, then we no longer need to worry about becoming a post-religion culture. We’re there. Secularization has won." - Lexington Herald-Leader, Pastor Paul Prather. 

See you at church!

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 Unintended Consequences Of Our Sins

"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6

Sometimes the Lord lays words on my heart that are a little too close to home.  Today is one of those days.  In the song “Even If” by Mercy Me, a verse goes “night after night, reminding the broken it'll be alright. But right now, oh right now I just can't” It’s one thing to tell someone else to have faith – to walk by that faith – to abandon the old nature and embrace the new.  The teller must also be the doer.  Everything that I write, first applies to me and then to others. 

So, the Lord lays a truth on my heart and, when it hits close to home – I question, in my mind, whether I should, can, or want to address it with you – you being anywhere from 80 to 130 readers.  But ….  I know I must – especially on these occasions. So let’s get to it!

You might be familiar with the idea of generational sin.  Not the idea that the following generations would be punished for their father’s sins, but that the consequences of those sins would reverberate through the generations.  The Bible says that we are each responsible for our own sins. As a parent, you don’t want to think that what you do or don’t do might impact your children in a negative way.  That your sins are not self-contained. The reality is …. our sins are not hidden from God and their consequences are not restricted to the one who commits them.

It’s one thing to be forgiven for my sins – it’s entirely a different thing to be relieved of the consequences of those sins.  The Bible does not promise that.  Sin forgiveness – yes – consequence avoidance – no!  The truth is that you will most likely be required to live with the consequences and so might those whom your sins affected.

Realizing the far-reaching effects of my sin brings on guilt feelings and nobody likes that.  It is hard for us to accept that choices – actions – sins – could have a negative consequence in the lives of those we love.  Before I continue, let me make it clear, I believe that each of us are responsible for our own sins – that each of us is born with our own sin nature.  We don’t need anyone to teach us to sin. – it comes naturally.  But – we don’t live in a glass bubble.  The consequences of what we do, both good and bad, ripple out from our lives.  If you toss a pebble into a pond – notice that the ripples are bigger the closer they are to where the pebble stuck the water.  Same goes for the effects of sin and those who are closest to you.

Martie and I lived on a lake for a time.  If I was fishing and a boat passed by  - the wake from that boat caused waves and they rocked my boat.  On weekends – there were so many boats on the water and so much wake produced that the water became choppy making it impossible to fish.  That is what it is like when an entire culture is given over to sin – that is what it is like in our culture today.  So many ripples – so many waves – so much turbulence – so many consequences felt through the generations.  

So ….. back to the point – which is not to make you feel guilty – but to give you insight into just how far reaching our personal sin can be.  How significant it is that we have a Savior who is our Hope – and how our trying to avoid the consequences of our sins is hopeless.  

We all have regrets.  We all wish that some things about our lives and our relationships were different.  Our lives are proof that the world without Jesus is broken.  Accepting the truth that you cannot sin in isolation should help you want to draw closer to the Lord – perhaps see the world differently.  Maybe have the same compassion for people that the Lord has.  What I have written may not convince you.  Maybe it will remind you that sin is a big deal and has consequences – unintended consequences.  It may not convict you – but perhaps it will make you think – remember – and repent. It did for me! 

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 Not So Bad Sins

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. —John 6:66

“When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must “walk in the light” of that vision (1 John 1:7). Don’t look at someone else and say, “Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?” You have to “walk in the light” of the vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge them— that is between God and them. “for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth.  … the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.” - My Utmost For His Highest

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”  -  James 2:10

There spiritual danger with the sin of not so bad. Have you ever heard someone say ... well that is not “so” bad, it’s only ….. you can fill in the blank.  What comes to my mind are movies ... the excuse that there is only one time there is profanity … there is only brief nudity.  Why do we say that? Because we want to justify our actions.  When we do, we are actually debating with the Spirit.  Trying to convince Him that we are not engaging in sin.  Unfortunately, that practice and acceptance has become so common in the American Christian culture that accepting sinful acts as entertainment in the television and movies we watch is commonplace.  Families struggle with the effects of premarital sex … drugs ... alcohol … yet they pay money to watch it played out on the screen or television and justify it by calling it entertainment.  They argue that it’s just a movie.  Think about this.  Companies spend billions of dollars on advertising every year.  The reason is that they want to influence your thinking and choices.  Do you really believe that they would spend all that money if it didn’t work?  Our culture “advertises” its values in the same way.  Behavior that you personally detest, you submit to in your mind by being a willing voyeur. And worse, you allow your children to do the same.

When you compare the natural life with the Word of God, the differences are glaring.  It’s just that we refuse to think about it.  And if we do, even though the Spirit in us says “No”, our flesh says “yes”, and our mind says, “It’s not so bad!”  There are many other examples, other than the visual media.  All of it is temptation.  

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” - 1 John 2:15- 17

Some of the most popular television shows are about crime and crime fighters.  Good overcoming evil.  That is not so bad, is it?  But with those story lines we must accommodate sex, violence, profanity, illicit relationships …. Many things that are contrary to who we are as Christians and things we would, hopefully, not participate in…. Well ... I think I will let you debate with the Holy Spirit whether that applies to you.  The bottom line ... we need to apply the same rigor in what we do and watch as we do in our judging what other people do and don’t do. 

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” - Matthew 7:3-5

It's a lot easier to see these issues in other peoples' lives.  But are you guilty of compromise?  Have you taught your children to do the same? Those who have ears let them hear ... those who have eyes, let them see.

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

Do You Really Love God For Nothing?

"Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” - Job 1:8-11

If you were asked the question "Why do you say that you love God?", what would your answer be? Put another way, what is your love and trust of God dependent upon? Is it the work of the Cross and the eternal life that it assures us that  ....

"if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

or it is the idea that God will meet all of your physical, emotional and financial needs on this side of heaven? That is what Satan suggested to God. In the absence of want and sorrow, Job had time for God. Of course, Job would love God then. But should Job experience want and sorrow, well that will be another story.  What was Job's response?

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” - Job 1:21

Our salvation and expressed love for God is not a guarantee that our life on earth will be easy. Living on this planet is a faith challenge. Every day we are challenged to trust in the flesh - in what the world has to offer - pursue the good life. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 was confident that he was doing right until Jesus told to sell everything, give it to the poor. The young man couldn't or wouldn't do it. His trust was in the comforts that life offered and not God.

Loving God for nothing means that you love God in spite of the circumstances of your life not because of them. When trouble comes your way, and it will, your attitude toward God does not change.

"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

If we have trouble trusting God - loving God - it is because our hearts are not submitted, devoted to God. Singing a song in church - listening to a sermon on Sunday is not enough. 

"For You [Father God] do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise." - Psalm 51:16-17

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