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Faith is the Evidence

All Your Days

7/29/2021

Back in June my family was hit, "smack dab" in the face, with the news that the doctors treating one of my granddaughters were unable to do anything more for her. You can imagine how devastating that news was for all of us. My granddaughter, nineteen years old and one of a set of twins, is a believer in Christ and she has struggled with cancer for years. She has been an inspiration to not only us in the family but to countless others here in the United States and internationally. People have been praying and continue to pray for and believe that she will be healed. However, we also submit to God’s will for her. We know that He has been with her and will continue to be with her whether in this life or in eternity.

This morning I read a devotion which started with, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” Psalms 139:16 NKJV

Then it hit me!

What a comforting and peaceful reminder that is that before you were even born God already knew everything about your life. The things that you would do, your successes, your failures, the times that you obeyed His word, the times that you disobeyed His word and sinned, every day, every minute, every second, everything.

How incredible is that thought? Though circumstances and their timing don’t always make sense, we can trust that God has a master plan for each of us, and His plan for us is much is much greater than our own.

Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 NKJV “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

This is a testament to the holy power and omniscience of God. Never doubt the significance and impact of any life no matter how short or how long. God has ordained all of our days for His purpose.

Think about it. Before you were born, God already knew the number of days you would live on this earth. No death is a surprise to God. No death out of the control of His will. Though none of us know in advance how long we will live, we do know that the Lord is with us from the moment of conception until our last breath. For those of us who have put our trust in Him as Savior He will be with us for all eternity.

Though life and death are a mystery to us, they aren't to God. Our part is to serve and live for Him today and every day, so whether we meet the Lord today, tomorrow or in 50 years, we will be ready when that time comes.

Censorious People Are Jealous People

7/27/2021

Photo credit: Max Anders

I recently preached a sermon and published a blog post on censoriousness, which is having or showing a tendency to criticize someone or something severely (Censoriousness What Is It? The Sin of Censoriousness). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His followers to not be censorious and He does not want his followers to be hypocrites either.

Here’s the way that the Message Bible puts it.

Matthew 7:1‭-‬5 MSG “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Jesus was saying, “Look at the ridiculous role you are playing. With a glaring flaw in your own life that everyone else can see, you nitpick at the small problems in the lives of others.”

Hypocritical and judgmental Christians are jealous.

Jealous people are always censorious, and it is manifested in disdain and anger. That's a problem for Christians because Christians aren’t supposed to be jealous or angry, so They put on a mask to try to cover their sin of censoriousness. They cover their hypocritical censoriousness with a mask of self-righteousness. The self-righteous hypocrite justifies their anger by claiming to serve as a reflection of God’s attitude toward sin because after all God hates sin.

Judgmental people are jealous people in disguise. If their jealousy manifests itself as indignation and anger, which masquerades as righteous anger, the questions are: Jealous of what? Jealous of whom?

Judgmental people are usually jealous of the people they judge. The harsher the judgment, the more jealous they are. What happens is that they judge the people who are doing what they wish they could do and get away with.

They defend their indignation by enthusiastically praising Christian values and virtues. They remind everyone of how much God hates sin. They resent the freedom of their non-Christian friends and acquaintances. They envy their carefree pursuit of pleasure. They resent them because they want to do what they were doing, and their Christianity prohibited me from doing it. So, they judge them. They secretly look forward to the day they would reap what they were sowing while wishing they could sow right along with them.

Judgmental people secretly revel in the calamity sin creates in the lives of sinners. It vindicates them. It makes their sacrifice, obedience, and faithfulness worth it. However, let me let you in on something, the proper new covenant response to sin is not jealousy. It’s not anger. It’s not even righteous anger. Salvation while providing forgiveness of sin does not eradicate sin.

The ability to sin is not erased at the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit can help us resist temptation; however, all Christians will continue to sin. Since we are equally guilty of sin, we must not judge others nor condemn others.

Romans 3:10‭-‬12 NIV As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Many Christians are quick to judge others based on outward appearance and behaviors. The right thing to do is to never condemn others. Condemning others will result in the other person feeling attacked, belittled, and rejected. As believers, we should ever cause another person to feel rejected or cause them pain. Rude stares, impolite gestures, and judgmental tones and statements are not to be practiced by Christians. Christians are to be kind, compassionate, and caring to all people whether they are Christians or not.

Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Rather than condemning others because of sin, it is important that Christians respond without judgment. Try to imagine yourself in another person’s shoes before you even consider condemning them. God could have condemned us all to hell, but He chose to love us and redeem us through His Son’s death on the cross.

It can be easy for Christians to condemn others based on outward appearances, such as if the individual has a tattoo, smokes, drinks alcohol, or is a homosexual. A Christian cannot condemn others based on these factors. Simply because these sins are more externally noticed does not mean they are “worse” sins than other sins. All sin is sin, and all sin is equal in God’s eyes.

James 2:10‭-‬11 NIV For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Jesus Came to Save (The following is from Why Do We Condemn When Jesus Came to Save? by Vivian Bricker for the complete post click this LINK)

There are dangerous risks in condemning other Christians and unbelievers. If a Christian condemns an unbeliever or judges them, it could result in the unbeliever becoming disenchanted with the idea of Jesus and completely turning away from the faith. As believers, we are to reflect Christ to the world.

If we condemn and judge others, it will present Christ as condemning, judgmental, and hateful to others. We should never misrepresent our Savior and Lord. Jesus never condemned other people as He showed them love, forgiveness, and kindness. Christians need to do the same today.

If Christians condemn other Christians, it can cause friction to erupt among the body of believers. Within the family of God, there should not be any hate, disrespect, or judgment brought upon another believer.

Christians can help other people if they are struggling with a sin, but a Christian should never condemn a person for a sin. Jesus freely offers forgiveness, and He does not hold grudges. Ephesians 4:32 reads, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Therefore, Christians should not condemn others, but love others. This does not mean you accept every sin. However, it does mean we should never condemn another individual. We should reflect Christ to others, which means since Christ did not condemn others, neither should we.

Each Christian struggles with their own sin and we should not condemn other Christians or other people because of sin in their life. We all fall short of God’s glory, which means we are in no place to condemn others.

Instead of cultivating a judgmental attitude, Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and produce the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Condemnation is not needed in a Christian’s life nor is hate, pride, or discord. Jesus did not condemn others, therefore, Christians should not either.

Censoriousness What Is It?

7/24/2021

In my preparation for a recent sermon, I learned a new word “censoriousness”. Censoriousness is having or showing a tendency to criticize someone or something severely. In other words, being censorious is to nit-pick, find fault, and to make others conform into what we think they should be, or measuring others by ourselves. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that we should not commit the sin of censoriousness.

Matthew 7:1 NIV “Do not judge, or you too will be judged".

Jesus was aware of human nature and our propensity to measure everyone else by ourselves. We want to force others to fit exactly into the box that we create for them and ourselves. So, Jesus gives us clear and stern instructions: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”! Don’t commit the sin of censoriousness.

Here’s the way that the Message Bible puts it, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment”.

Jesus clearly avoided taking a position that would cause anyone to say, “Christ is the end of the law; now I can do whatever I please.”  When Jesus said, “Do not judge,” He was not taking the position of some non-Christians and even some Christians that “Christ is the end of the law; now I can do whatever I please.”

He said earlier in His Sermon “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets”,

Matthew 5:17‭-‬18 NIV “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

The Law is good. All the duties, all the responsibilities, and all the demands of the law remain (I am talking about the Ten Commandments and the moral laws that deal with our relationship with God and people, and not the food or clothing laws of the Mosaic Law).

1 Timothy 1:8‭-‬11 NIV We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Jesus would never advocate anarchy. He knows human nature well enough to know that authority, government, and a judicial system are necessary. So, Jesus was not saying that we should do away with the due process of law. He was also not saying that we can’t or shouldn’t make moral judgements. Jesus Himself made moral judgements. He called the Pharisees whitewashed tombs, and He announced that if they did not repent, they would surely perish.

Matthew 23:27‭-‬28‭, ‬33 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. ‬33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

Because of our hesitancy to make moral judgements, we tend to drift into an indiscriminate moral neutrality. The correct position is that we should judge morally but also be prepared to be judged morally.

There is a promise to those who are Censorious

Matthew 7:2 NKJV For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

This promise reflects the law of reciprocity, a law that states that we always get back what we give out.

Galatians 6:7‭-‬8 NIV Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

You reap what you sow. Sow dishonesty reap dishonesty, Sow stealing reap stealing, sow nit-picking, fault finding, and cutting other people down to our size, reap sin nit-picking, fault finding, and being cut down to someone else's size. On the other hand, the opposite is also true: sow truth, reap truth, sow faithfulness reap faithfulness, sow love reap love.

Censoriousness reveals the following things about us.

our sins,
our jealousies,
our ignorance,
our inability to deal with our own problems,
and our lovelessness.

So each time we judge somebody, we are saying to all who have ears to hear, “This is the kind of unloving person I am.”

Romans 2:1‭-‬3 NIV You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

God, who can judge is He perfect. He judges censoriousness because.

Nit-picking, fault finding, and cutting other people down to our size, hinders God’s work;
When we are censorious, we are assuming God’s position as judge;
It destroys what God has given, which is a person’s character and influence.
It is showing contempt toward the grace of God, which is extended to those we would destroy by nit-picking, fault finding, and cutting them down to our size.

Why are in no position to be censorious

Not one of us is without sin; not one of us is free of glaring defects in our own life.

Matthew 7:3‭-‬4 NIV “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?
If there is anything that Jesus does not want his followers to be, it is hypocrites. Jesus was saying, “Look at the ridiculous role you are playing. With a glaring flaw in your own life that everyone else can see, you nitpick at the small problems in the lives of others.”

The right answer

We have our hands full in correcting the problems in our own lives without nit-picking or being overly critical in our judgment toward others. We could spend our time quite constructively if we concentrated on our own faults, leaving the faults of others to the goodness and grace of God.

Matthew 7:5 NIV 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.

First, we should recognize nit-picking, fault finding, and cutting other people down to our size as sin. It is a sin, just as stealing or lying or immorality is a sin. In God’s eyes, being critical and hurtful toward others is a serious sin because it doesn’t show the love that Jesus says is the second greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:34‭-‬40 NIV Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Second, we should confess our tendency to judge as a sin. Only through confession will we ever rid our lives of the deadly sin of nit-picking, fault finding, and cutting other people down to our size.

1 John 1:9 NIV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

Third, we must quit doing it. It is not enough to own up to the sin and ask God to forgive us. We must also claim the grace of God that will enable us to stop.

One day while walking in Florence, Italy, Michelangelo came across a piece of discarded marble. He had it brought to his studio. Someone else had started to work on the marble but had cast it aside as useless. Michelangelo said, “There is an angel imprisoned in this piece of marble, and it is my task to bring out that angel.” This is exactly what we are supposed to do. We are to see the good in people and by the grace of God bring it to the surface.

Three good filters through which we should pass every word that comes from our mouth are: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

The Law Has Been Fulfilled

7/22/2021

While delivering His famous “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus made the following statement.

Matthew 5:17-19 (NKJV)17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

What did He mean?

Some people think that since He came to, and did, fulfill “The Law” that “The Law” no longer applies to Christians.

If that is the case, then let me ask a few questions.

● Is it all right to worship other gods because Jesus kept the First Commandment?

● Is it all right to have religious images as part of our worship because Jesus kept the Second Commandment?

● Is it permissible to take God’s name in vain because Jesus kept the Third Commandment?

● Can one break the Sabbath—the Fourth Commandment—because Jesus kept it?

● Because Jesus honored His parents—the Fifth Commandment—are believers permitted to dishonor their parents?

● Since Jesus did not murder, commit sexual sins, steal, lie or covet anything that belonged to others, are Christians free of any obligation to keep the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and 10th Commandments?

We know the answers to these questions is a resounding No!.

Yes, these things still apply to us today. Yet Jesus said that He came to fulfill “The Law” and His last words on the cross were “It is finished”, meaning all that He came to do while on earth was complete and, we can assume that included fulfilling “The Law”.

John 19:30 (HCSB)30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Let me clear up the confusion.

What Law are we talking about?

The first thing we need to do is to determine when Jesus referred to “The Law” what He was talking about. Was it the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:1-17?

1. You shall have no other gods before Me

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image

3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

5. Honor your father and your mother

6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal

9. You shall not bear false witness

10. You shall not covet

The “Sermon on the Mount” comprises the entire fifth chapter of Matthew and in it Jesus refers to the Law but only two of them are from the Ten Commandments.

Matthew 5:21 (HCSB) “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

Matthew 5:27 (HCSB) “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.

The other topics Jesus covered—divorce, oaths, revenge, and hatred—are taken from other places elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 24:1 (HCSB) “If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something improper about her, he may write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
Numbers 30:2 (HCSB) When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to put himself under an obligation, he must not break his word; he must do whatever he has promised.

Deuteronomy 19:21 (HCSB) You must not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Leviticus 19:18 (HCSB) Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.

When He said,“The Law” and the Prophets that would indicate that He was talking about more than the Ten Commandments, and the first five books, of what we now know as the Bible. In another place He includes even more.

Luke 24:44 (HCSB) Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

How Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?

Remember the Scripture at the beginning of the post says that Jesus didn’t come to abolish but to fulfill “The Law” which we have now determined to be the Hebrew Scriptures or Torah. Jesus loved and obeyed “The Law”. He fulfilled all the prophecies about Himself as the Messiah, He fulfilled the demands of the Mosaic law as codified in The Pentateuch, which called for perfect obedience.

The Greek word pleroo is translated “fulfill” in Matthew 5:17. Strong’s defines pleroo.

“to make replete, i.e. (literal) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figurative) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc. : - accomplish, × after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.”

To fulfill can mean to complete or accomplish, but it can also mean to fill to the full. Taken in context, when Jesus said that He did not come to abolish but to fulfill, His intent is clear. Jesus came to fulfill the true meaning and purpose of what the Law was all about.

He was speaking of the spirit of the law, the heart and essence of the law itself. The “spirit of the law” is often contrasted to the “letter of the law.” In that context, the spirit of the law has to do with the deeper meaning or reason for the law, whereas the letter of the law refers to exact wording, applied, without regard for any deeper meaning.

Jesus simplified what others had complicated when he made love central to the law.
This passage is often called “the Great Commandment” because with it, Jesus succinctly sums up the entire Old Testament Law. And Jesus perfectly demonstrated this commandment when He gave up His life for us.

In so doing, Jesus reduced the 613 laws of the scribes to the law of love for God and your neighbor.

In doing this, he kept the real meaning of the law, which was reverence for God and respect for others. In this sense Jesus offered the law as a reliable guide for successful living.

Matthew 22:36‭-‬40 NIV “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ““‘ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The question now is, how did Christ fulfill the law?

1. Jesus fulfilled the law in his own person.

Jesus dramatized in his own life what it means to revere God. That reverence did not consist in laboriously following rules and regulations. It expressed in mercy; its pattern was not legalism but love.

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

2. Jesus fulfilled the law by giving it internal meaning.

Prior to the coming of Christ, the law related primarily to the externals of life. It concerned itself chiefly with conduct. Jesus took us to a deeper meaning of the law than simply the external actions of people.

Hebrews 10:15‭-‬16 NIV The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

3. Jesus fulfilled the law by giving it a positive application.

Jesus made the law constructive. For years, the dominant theme of the law was “Thou shalt not.” Don’t do this. Don’t do that. By the time the rabbis had superimposed their own meaning on the laws, there were so many things a person was not allowed to do that little time was left for positive thinking. Jesus changed this dramatically. He turned our attention, not so much to what we are not to do, as to what we are to do. Jesus defined goodness, not so much in terms of abstaining from vices, as in obtaining virtues.

Matthew 5:43‭-‬48 NIV “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Finished

The following is from the book “Irresistible” by Andy Stanley.

“According to Jesus, nothing in the law would “disappear” until everything was “accomplished.” Once it was accomplished, however, the law would begin to disappear. Which is exactly what happened.

For the next forty years, religious Israel would wrestle with the internal tension created by The Way. The harder they tried to stamp it out, the faster it grew. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the apostle Paul and others, Jews throughout the Roman world began abandoning strict adherence to the rules of the local synagogue to follow the resurrected teacher from Nazareth.

Then, on August 6 in the year AD 70, the transition ended abruptly. It was on that day that the four-year conflict between Jewish rebels and Rome came to a bloody and violent end. The Jewish temple was looted, burned, and razed. The destruction of the temple signaled the end of ancient Judaism. While the words of the covenant were preserved, Israel’s ability to live in accordance with those words vanished in a day.

Judaism, as prescribed by Moses at Mount Sinai, ceased to exist. To use Jesus’ term, it “disappeared.”

As Jesus predicted.

God’s covenant with Israel was no longer needed. It had been fulfilled and replaced with a better covenant.

A new covenant.

New Testament scholars have long debated the significance of Jesus’ famous last words from the cross: “It is finished.”6 As His disheartened followers would soon discover, Jesus wasn’t finished. But something was. In His final moments, He was announcing to those gathered that the covenant He came to fulfill was at last fulfilled. And through the shedding of His blood, a new covenant, a better covenant, a broader covenant was being established between God and all who would choose to participate.”

Compassion Costs Something

7/20/2021

What is Compassion?

Compassion - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

The word ‘compassion’ comes from two Latin words, ‘suffer’ and ‘with’. To show compassion means to suffer with someone, to enter into a person’s situation and become involved in that person’s suffering. Compassion is not a theoretical attitude, but a practical involvement. It involves doing, not just thinking or saying. ‘A compassionate response to suffering requires that one be moved by the suffering of the other, act to remove the immediate effects of the suffering, and respond at length to correct the structures which may have given rise to the suffering itself.’ (New Dictionary of Christian Ethics, ed. D. J. Atkinson & D. F. Field [Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press], p. 244).

There are two aspects of compassion. They are emotion and action. The emotion of compassion expresses a desire to relieve a person’s suffering. But that emotion must lead to action. Compassion is an act of will - a decision to become actively involved in alleviating that person’s suffering.

Real Compassion Costs Us Something

Compassion costs, but too often in our culture, we want drive-by compassion. We’re willing to do something if it’s easy for us if it’s not too inconvenient.

Compassion not only requires action, but it also pays a price and sacrifices something. In Luke 10, Jesus tells a compelling story about a man from Samaria who went out of his way to help a Jewish man. In their culture at that time, these two men would most likely have hated each other. But when the Samaritan found the Jewish man beaten up by the side of the road, he put bandages on him, took him to a hotel, and paid two days’ worth of his wages to the hotel owner to let the man stay there and to take care of him.

Luke 10:30‭-‬35 NIV In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (emphasis mine)

Who would do something like that? Who would spend two days’ worth of their own money to take care of a total stranger?

Jesus’ Compassion

Jesus’ whole life demonstrated compassion. He left His home having no place to lay His head.

Matthew 8:20 NIV Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He became the friend of the outcast.

Matthew 11:19 NIV The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

He had compassion for all the people who flocked to see, hear, and be healed of physical, mental, and emotional sickness and demonic possession.

Matthew 9:35-36 NIV Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Even when He tried to get away to be by Himself after the execution of John the Baptist, the crowds followed Him. Seeing their desperation He had compassion on them, healed their sick and then fed them.

Matthew 14:13-21 NIV When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

He even disregarded His own safety when in His compassion He touched lepers and didn't forbid them from coming near him.

Mark 1:40-42 NIV A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Compassion for Sinners

Jesus’ compassion was not confined to cases of physical need or suffering. Matthew was working as a tax collector and hated by his fellow Jews. At a dinner party at his house where he invited Jesus along with others identified as sinners.

Matthew 9:9-11 NIV As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus’ response to the Pharisees was one of compassion.

Matthew 9:12-13 NIV On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Then there’s the time the Pharisees brought a woman caught in an adulterous act to Jesus to see how he would react. He responded with compassion not judgement.

John 8:9-11 NIV At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus’ Statement Of Compassion

Luke 4:16-21 NIV He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus brought hope, where people had abandoned hope. He declared forgiveness, where people were tormented by guilt. He brought inner release, where people were oppressed by evil spirits. He brought healing, where there was sickness. He fed the hungry, where there was hunger. Compassion is concerned for people’s spiritual and social problems.

As followers of Jesus, we should care more. Jesus challenges us to be compassionate and merciful, as he was.

Why? Because true compassion demands action. To say you care but not act is not to care at all. Seeing others in need should move us from deep within. And when we feel that compassion, in the name of Jesus we should act.

1 John 4:7-12 NIV Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

In Liking Jesus, a timely and life-changing book, New York Times bestselling author and pastor of Life Church Craig Groeschel helps put Christ first again in today’s maxed out, selfie-centered world. It’s time to refresh and rediscover what it means to be “like Jesus” and find true authenticity, a healthy self-image, and compassion for others in an age when we relate to each other so differently than ever before. Groeschel taps into some of the most leading-edge studies on the effects of social media on our emotions and friendships. He offers real-life examples of how we struggle with screens and likes, how these things mask our struggles with who we really are, and how we can reclaim a Christ-centered life.

Love God for the Right Reasons

7/19/2021

God wants us to love Him because of who He is, not what He can give us. We often confuse our love of God’s promises with love of Him. We see Him as the divine blessing machine, ready to dole out happiness on our terms. The popularity of "prosperity theology" reveals how easy it is for believers to twist love of God into the pursuit of earthly happiness. We all struggle to love God above everything else, even His blessings.

It’s not just greed that gets in the way of loving God. It’s also a limited understanding of who God is. C.S. Lewis once said, “God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

Loving God means obeying Him.

God wants us to love Him more than we love His promises. Our motivation for obedience to God should be love.

Jesus calls us to obey.

John 14:15‭, ‬21 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Psalms 19:7‭-‬11 NLT The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. (emphasis mine)

• Obedience is an act of worship.

Exodus 34:13‭-‬14 NIV Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

• God rewards obedience.

Genesis 22:17‭-‬18 NIV I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

• Obedience to God proves our love.

1 John 5:3 NIV In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

• Obedience to God demonstrates faith.

James 2:17 NIVIn the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
• Obedience is better than sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:22 NIV But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Obedience Brings Reward (Blessing)

First of all, God’s pleasure at obedience is documented over and over in Scripture.

Psalm 91:14‭-‬15 AMPC Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 58:13‭-‬14 AMPC If you turn away your foot from [traveling unduly on] the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a [spiritual] delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and honor Him and it, not going your own way or seeking or finding your own pleasure or speaking with your own [idle] words, Then will you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage [promised for you] of Jacob your father; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. [Gen. 27:28, 29; 28:13-15.]

However God does not reward hypocritical obedience.

Matthew 15:7‭-‬9 AMPC You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said: These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men. [Isa. 29:13.]

The Pharisees were obedient to the letter of the law in some respects, but they nullified other parts of the law by their own traditions. They were rebuked because whatever show of obedience they had was motivated by self-righteousness, not love for God. Those who were promised rewards for obedience were rebuked many times because their obedience was not from the heart.

Matthew 23:15‭, ‬23‭, ‬25‭, ‬27‭, ‬29 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.

On the other hand there is reward and blessing in obedience.

Psalms 1:1‭-‬4 NIV Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

When we obey we have better experiences and better experiences
produce rewards such as material provision, relational benefits, and mental and emotional health. Those are God’s rewards for people who obey and follow His instruction.

God Does Not Define Reward as We Do.

When we think of God rewarding us for obeying Him, we usually think of tangible, material things, but God has eternity in mind. In fact the Bible and history are filled with examples of people who obeyed the Lord at great cost to themselves. Godly men and women often did not appear to reap any earthly rewards for their obedience, yet many are listed in the Hall of Faith as people whose rewards are in heaven.

Hebrews 11:39‭-‬40 NIV These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Obedience to the Word includes obedience to the gospel, and that carries great reward. When we accept God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, we are pronounced righteous in His sight

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3‭-‬4 NIV For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

As part of that salvation, we are promised an eternity in glory with Him.

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

None of salvation’s benefits are a reward for our performance. Forgiveness and heaven are gifts granted to us because of God’s great love.

Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

However, Jesus does promise many different kinds of rewards in heaven for every deed done in His name on earth.

Mark 9:41 NIV Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

James 1:12 NIV Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1 Corinthians 9:24‭-‬27 NIV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Whatever struggles we face on earth in order to obey God’s Word will be overly compensated in eternity with rewards we cannot even imagine.

Romans 8:18 NIV I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Do something for God without expecting any reward or blessing in return.

How to Balance Love and Conviction with Non-Christian Friends and Family

7/17/2021

Editor's Note: This post is the original an article written for Crosswalk.com by Kathy Howard with scripture text added by me. For the original article click this LINK

Interacting with non-Christian friends and family members has always been a balancing act. We long to share Jesus with them, but we don’t want to push them away. We work to maintain a good relationship AND tell them about the eternal life God offers. It’s always been difficult. But recently, our fast-changing culture has dramatically intensified the challenge.

These days, simply talking with non-Christian friends and family members can be as tricky as navigating a minefield. Every topic is more controversial. Every issue is more polarized. An “us against them” attitude blankets our country. One wrong step and BOOM. The conversation blows up. Somebody walks away. And the relationship itself may be irreparably harmed.

I believe Christians can maintain healthy relationships with those we love without compromising our faith. And we can also take advantage of the opportunities God gives to share Jesus with them. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Our two primary goals are to protect our relationships and, most importantly, lead the non-Christians in our lives towards a saving relationship with Jesus.

So, how do we reach those goals? How do we navigate the minefield of these “unequal” relationships? It would require more words and wisdom than I have to cover all the specific scenarios. Should Christian parents of a gay son attend his wedding? How do we respond to a friend who’s had an abortion? What is the best thing to say to a family member who has joined a Christian cult?

I certainly don’t have all the answers. In fact, as we move further into a post-Christian culture, new questions pop up all the time. But thankfully, God has given us timeless, spiritual principles in His Word. Principles, that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can apply to any and every situation we might encounter. The following principles are not an exhaustive list, but they will be a good start in finding that gracious balance between love and conviction.

5 Biblical Don’ts

1. Don’t isolate yourself from them.

Christians often strike the wrong balance with the world. We tend to either isolate ourselves from non-Christians to spiritually protect ourselves or we compromise our Christian values and become more like them. Jesus calls us to the opposite: To go out into the world, but not become like the world. We must stay connected to our non-Christian friends and family members. If we limit or eliminate our time with them, there will be no opportunity for us to influence them for Christ.

John 17:15‭-‬19 NKJV I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

2. Don’t argue over religious or cultural issues.

No one wins this kind of argument. Even if we get in a bunch of truth zingers, we won’t change their mind. In fact, our biblical mindset seems silly and foolish to them because they don’t have the spiritual capacity to understand the truth on which it’s founded. Only the Holy Spirit can give them that understanding. We’ll only manage to build a wall between us and them. Instead, work to keep the peace. The possibility of influencing them for Christ is much higher if we maintain a relationship with them.

I Corinthians 2:14 NKJV 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.

3. Don’t support or encourage ungodly behavior

Sometimes Christians condone and show support for sinful behavior in a misguided attempt to appear tolerant and build relationships. But we can be gracious and loving without compromising biblical values. For instance, we can foster a loving relationship with an LGBTQ niece without carrying a banner in a pride parade.

Ephesians 5:6‭-‬11 NKJV Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

4. Don’t judge their behavior

At first read, this may sound contradictory to the point above. Here’s the clarification: No compromise for the Christian. No judgment of the non-Christian. God calls His people to holiness, and He calls the world to Jesus. It is not our responsibility to judge the behavior of the world; God will judge them. Non-Christians will act like non-Christians. Their thinking, attitudes, and actions will reflect the world’s. We cannot expect them to share our values or our behavior. That won’t be possible without them first having a saving relationship with Jesus (See also “Should Christians Judge the World?” and “To Judge or Not to Judge.”).

I Corinthians 5:12‭-‬13 NKJV For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

5. Don’t discuss controversial, temporal things.

Some topics, like politics, are more explosive than others. Work to keep casual conversations on safe ground. Talking about hot-button issues is not worth risking the relationship. Save your conversation capital for something that matters for eternity.

II Timothy 2:23‭-‬26 NKJV But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

5 Biblical Do’s

1. Do listen more than you talk

Arguments build walls. Listening breaks them down. If they initiate a conversation on a certain issue that can’t be avoided, ask them why they feel that way. Then listen. Don’t try to change their minds. Don’t tell them they’re wrong. Eventually, respectful listening will open their ears. When they realize we genuinely care about them, they just may ask what we think and why.

James 1:19‭-‬20 NKJV So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

2. Do speak with grace

We should always be prepared to speak to specific topics lovingly, respectfully, and biblically when asked outright. Honest, grace-filled conversations within the context of relationship can spark interest in Jesus. When asked about hot button topics, we should answer biblically and truthfully, but these conversations are best had in person, not via text or social media.

Colossians 4:5‭-‬6 NKJV Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

3. Do live a fruit-filled life

A person whose life demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit attracts attention. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control are rare qualities today. This kind of counter-cultural character will draw people to us and causes them to wonder what we have that they don’t.

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

4. Do model a godly lifestyle

Richard Manning, author of the much-loved “The Ragamuffin Gospel,” famously said: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.” Hypocrisy may just be the biggest deterrent in people coming to Jesus for salvation. But, the opposite is also true. When Christians refuse to conform to the world, the world notices. A Christ-like life points people to Jesus and causes them to glorify God. So let’s live what we preach!

I Peter 2:11‭-‬12 NKJV Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

5. Do keep the Gospel primary

The following question is a good guideline for every potential conversation, interaction, reaction, and facial expression. “Will this help or hurt the cause of the Gospel in this person’s life?” If it will reduce the possibility of them hearing and receiving the Gospel, then we shouldn’t say it or do it. Let’s remember their greatest need. They need Jesus!

I Peter 3:15 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

No matter how well we navigate these dos and don’ts, we’ll still step on a few landmines. There will still be some relationship explosions. The more people hate or resist Jesus, the more they will hate or resist us, His followers.

John 15:18‭-‬21 NKJV “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

But we are only responsible for our words and actions, not the reaction of the other person. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18‭-‬19 NKJV If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Let’s ground our lives on biblical principles and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Then leave the rest up to God.

Psalm 49 The Difference Between Life With God And Life Without Him

7/16/2021

Psalms 49:1‭-‬20 NIV Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 49 points out the stark contrast between life without God, and life with God.

Life without God

Those who live without God tend to end up trusting in either wealth (v.6a) or themselves.

Psalms 49:6‭, ‬13 NIV those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

This trust is characterized by a search for status. The wealthy may ‘boast of their great riches’ and use money to impress others with their possessions.

Psalms 49:16 NIV Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

They may even name lands after themselves.

Psalms 49:11 NIV Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.

They enjoy the praise of others, and they count themselves blessed.

Psalms 49:18 NIV Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper--

They may try to use their wealth to ‘buy off’ their own death. Yet no amount of money is ever enough.

Psalms 49:7‭-‬8 NIV No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--

In the end, it is all futile as wealth gets left to others. So don’t be impressed with those who get rich and pile up fame and fortune. They can’t take it with them.
What is this all worth if we decay in the grave?

Psalms 49:10‭, ‬14‭, ‬16‭-‬17 NIV For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

Life with God

By contrast, if you live a life with God there is no need to search for status. This is because your status is determined not by your success in accumulating wealth, but in knowing to whom you belong and how precious you are to him.

Your ransom has been paid and you have been redeemed – your future is secure.

Psalms 49:7‭, ‬15 NIV No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

A life with God means you will live on forever.

Psalms 49:5‭, ‬9 NIV Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— so that they should live on forever and not see decay.

Fear is a natural human emotion. But, with God you can face your fears with confidence because you are able to have complete trust in God for this life and the life to come.

The writer of Psalm 49 was confident in this, even though he did not know how it was possible.

Psalms 49:15 NIV But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

What the psalmist didn't know at the time was answered in Jesus' resurrection.

Our prayer is Lord, thank you for the power of your resurrection, which now lives in me. Thank you that you will snatch me from the clutch of death and take me to yourself.

Have You Ever Wondered Why Living Life as A Christian Today Is So Tuff?

7/15/2021

Suffering because you are a follower of Christ started with the disciples who walked with Him while He was on the earth. After His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, living their lives as followers of the risen Christ was not without struggle. You would think that the message of forgiveness would be well received, yet frequently the disciples met hostility and rejection.

First, they were kicked out of the Temple, then they were arrested, and many were martyred.

Paul, describes his experiences this way:

2 Corinthians 11:24‭-‬26 NIV Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.

Throughout history, this reality has been played out repeatedly in the lives of Christian people. Those who give themselves to the Christian life often find themselves on the receiving end of hostility, judgment, or even downright rejection. Because of this, many choose to walk away from the Christian faith. Let me emphasize that salvation is permanent so you can never walk away from salvation, but you can walk away from the Christian faith, or lifestyle.

Peter warned believers to not be surprised at this.

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

The Question is Why?

Here’s why. The Christian life is antithetical to worldly living.

The world operates in a way that is against God’s principles and design. The world struggles with things such as systemic racism, injustice, violence, and oppression. The Christian life exposes these ways and systems of the fallen world. It exposes the emptiness of worldly power and the insufficiency of worldly glory. This caused the early disciples to be called troublemakers.

Acts 17:5‭-‬7 NIV But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

The mere statement “Jesus is Lord” directly opposed the Roman creed that “Caesar is Lord.” Following the risen Lord, therefore, contradicted the rule of the Roman empire.
Today, the gospel upsets the very economic, political, and military systems, which prevalent throughout much of the world.

Remember, Christ was rejected by the world because the kingdom he proclaimed ran contrary to the kingdom of worldly power.

John 18:36 NIV Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Because believers identify themselves with Christ they will naturally experience negativity and rejection.

John 15:18‭-‬21 NIV “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

The Christian life, rooted in love and grace, is diametrically opposed to a worldly system based on rewards and punishments. Many sayings and slogans, common today, preach an ethic of deserved and merit.

We say things like: “You get what you deserve” or “What goes around comes around.” In a world based on getting what you deserve, selfless love to everyone seems complete nonsense.

The world says you should always try to be “number 1”. Jesus said, “the last shall be first”.

Matthew 19:28‭-‬30 NIV Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

This is in complete opposition to the way that the world thinks.

The Christian life is out of step with the world is because Christians are called to minister to the poor and the vulnerable.

Matthew 25:35‭-‬40 NIV For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We are called to enter the suffering of humanity if we want to show the love and presence of Jesus. The life of a Christian involves a certain amount of suffering because we humble ourselves to bless the vulnerable with love and grace. We walk with those who live on the receiving end of hurt, rejection, violence, and oppression.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus constantly surrounded himself with the poor and the vulnerable. Christ dwells with the hurting, the pushed aside, and the forgotten.

The Christian Life Is United With The Suffering Christ

Ultimately, Christian suffering occurs because we follow the one who suffered on the cross.

Romans 8:14‭-‬17 NIV For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Jesus didn’t live in the halls of power or prestige. Jesus ate with outcasts and sinners. He spoke with women and invited them into his company of followers. He touched the untouchables, He walked with those who were at the bottom of the spiritual, social, and religious ladder. He declared the blessings of God to the sinful and the down-and-out.

Because of this Jesus was called a drunkard, a glutton and He was eventually crucified for it.

Matthew 11:19 NIV The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Jesus’ life and His ministry is called “The Way of the Cross”. The Church uses this to describe the suffering of Christians.

Matthew 16:24‭-‬25 NIV Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Let me be perfectly clear, Christians don’t seek suffering for the sake of suffering. Glorifying suffering is simply to swap one way of seeking power and influence for another. The power of the cross is seen in vulnerability, self-emptying, and sacrifice.

Christ’s power is revealed in weakness and his salvation is revealed through offering self and surrender.

Make Wise Investments

7/12/2021

Editor's Note: Today I read an article written by Dr. Charles Stanley that is a great follow-up to my sermon, "The Good Life". My emphasis in the sermon was that a popular American pastime is the effort to get something for nothing. The effort to get something for nothing leads to all sorts of unusual behavior, some of which is pathetic, humorous, or tragic. To live the good life that God desires for you it's necessary to make wise investments. The things we live for determine the direction of our lives.

Matthew 6:19‭-‬23 NIV “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

The wisest investment is the one you make in the things of heaven. When you invest in heavenly things the return on investment (ROI) is beyond measure.

Matthew 6:33 NIV But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I am sharing Dr. Stanley's article in this post. The article, "Let God's Word shape your thinking, attitudes, emotions, words, and actions" is unedited however I have included the full scriptures that Dr. Stanly only referenced in the article. (For the original article click this LINK)

Let God’s Word shape your thinking, attitudes, emotions, words, and actions.

By Charles F. Stanley

I have a beautiful Japanese maple tree in my front yard that provides a home for birds in the spring, refreshing shade in the summer, and gorgeous foliage in the fall. It’s an amazing creation of God. It’s also a wonderful example of what He desires to do in the lives of Christians. He wants us to be firmly rooted in Him, to demonstrate to the world the beauty of a life transformed by Christ, and to be fruitful in our characters and in every good work He’s prepared for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In other words, God’s goal is that we be spiritually successful.

But sometimes we’re too busy pursuing our own personal advancement to notice we may be climbing the world’s ladder of success rather than God’s. His ladder has different rungs or principles that lead us step by step into eternity. Of course, I’m not saying it wrong to have wealth or prominence. There are many biblical examples of prosperous, influential servants of God—Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, and Daniel are just a few. But God’s ladder must come first.

It’s hard for us to accurately evaluate spiritual success because earthly evidence is easier to see. From a human perspective, Jesus could have seemed like a failure. He didn’t change the culture for the better by erasing poverty, slavery, and injustice. He ended his life with only a handful of followers and many enemies. But in His Father’s eyes, Jesus’ ministry was a complete success because He fully obeyed the will of His Father, even to the point of death on a cross for sinners. His exultation didn’t come until He returned to heaven, and the same will be true of us as well.

You don’t have to feel like a failure simply because you aren’t measuring up to the culture’s standards of prosperity. Christians live according to divine truths, not the world’s expectations. If you want to live a truly successful life, read Psalm 1—it explains God’s path to a fruitful life.

Psalms 1:1‭-‬6 NIV Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

First the psalmist gives a warning. “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psalm 1:1). The imagery is of increasing toleration and comfort with sin. The downward slide begins by listening to ungodly ideas and counsel. Then it progresses to participating in sinful practices, and it culminates with becoming like the ungodly by adopting their irreverent attitudes toward God and His Word.

Now, you can certainly have unbelieving friends and acquaintances. In fact, that gives you an important opportunity to be a witness for Christ. But we must always guard against following their ways, because bad company has a corrupting influence on us.

1 Corinthians 15:33‭-‬34 NIV Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

Many people are on this ungodly path today, and externally they may appear very successful. But ultimately, without Christ all their achievements will be blown away like chaff when they stand before God (Psalm 1:4).

Next, the Lord calls His people to a higher path.“But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Genuine success is determined by our attitude toward Scripture. God tells us not to boast in our wisdom, might, or riches, but in understanding and knowing Him.

Jeremiah 9:23‭-‬24 NIV This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

And one of the best ways to know the Lord is through His Word.

Can you honestly say that the Bible is a delight to you, or is it more of a Christian duty? Do you take great pleasure and satisfaction in Scripture? If you don’t desire the Word as much as you’d like, there is a solution. Ask the Lord to teach you to delight in it. Then start reading and meditating on a passage.

Meditation isn’t some mystical experience. It simply means to think deeply about what you’ve read. Don’t just skim a passage so you can check it off your list, but ask questions as you read. What do these verses say about God and His character, ways, purposes, and desires? Is there a command to obey, a warning to heed, or a promise to believe? Then, consider how you can apply what you’ve learned. Let God’s Word shape your thinking, attitudes, emotions, words, and actions. Remember that the more familiar you become with Scripture, the greater your enjoyment and satisfaction in it will be.

Finally, the result of staying on God’s path is a fruitful life (Psalm 1:3). “He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” The picture is that of a stable life that stands firm in times of adversity, because it’s deeply rooted in biblical truth and continually sustained by Christ.

We all want productive, prosperous lives, but we must make certain we’re pursuing the right kind. Material prosperity can be useful, yet we’ll lose it all when we die. But if our delight is in following God and His Word, we’ll have eternal treasure waiting for us in heaven.

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