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