Why am I living righteously?

 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.(Luk 14:25-27)

Why do people think that God will not let you live the live you want to? To be able to choose your own life and to do with it what you want, live how you want, enjoy what you want is something that you can do. God even says so in His own word. I know, I know,  you are thinking “Wait…live how you want?” That is a Bible message? If that is the case why am I living this pure, clean and righteous life?

You see, the thing most people don’t see in the above passage is that you do have a choice. It is like this. Imagine you were going for an interview and the C.E.O. was doing the interview so you knew that it was a pretty big deal. He says “Look, I want you to work for me, I want you to be dedicated to the mission of my company. I just want you to know before you start what it is that you will need to do in order work for me. After I explain it to you, you will get to choose if you want to work here or not.”

You choose. If you want to work there or if you don’t but if you choose to, you know what is expected. Sounds fair to me. However, which of us would decide not to work there and then go back 30 years later and expect to collect the retirement benefits?

Well, we have a lot of people who have made the choice to NOT follow and work with Jesus (some make a show of it and show up once in a while) but they still want to collect the retirement plan benefits. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?

When Jesus says “If you don’t….you cannot”, you would think people would pay attention to that but many people are like “what? That was in the contract? I never saw that paragraph!”

Balancing God’s grace with these verses (and the context) may not seem an easy thing to do but I don’t think Jesus has any problem with it. We need to take words like this seriously, as we consider the commitment that we made to follow Jesus. It is likely that no one fully understood the commitment that they made to follow Jesus (In all likelihood, not even the disciples understood the extent of their commitment) but we do know and can have confidence that the reward is worth it. If you aren’t loving Jesus above all others in your life, it is time to quit Jesus or change your life.

P.S. “Don’t quit Jesus, that is not the best option”

the virtue of Uriah

Having set the contrast between David and Uriah in the last blog, I would like to expand on Uriah’s virtue. You see it so clearly in his response to David. Explaining why he did not go home to be with his wife (and cover up David’s sin) Uriah says:

“The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.” (2Sa 11:11)

Uriah was called back to inform David of what the battle was like in the expectation that once back in Jerusalem, he would take advantage of his own bed being so close by. However, what Uriah shows is that while he was involved in battle, that it was inappropriate for him to be involved in civilian affairs.  Much like what Paul told Timothy:

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2Ti 2:3-4)

What Uriah did was something that I think is a bit unusual for us today. (Which doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be usual, just that it isn’t.) He was willing to continue sharing in the sufferings that his fellow soldiers and commanders were enduring. While we may not have blamed Uriah from taking David up on his offer, Uriah’s adamant reply indicates that he saw things differently.  The question is “Do we?”

In the spiritual battle that we are engaged in, do we insist on our own luxury and comfort or are we willing to forego “our rights” in order to help others? In the book of Acts chapter 4, the early Christians sold properties and houses in order to help those fellow Christians who had needs. In that way none of them was needy.  Those that sold were saying the same thing as Uriah was “if others must dwell without comfort, I will to”

A side note on the helping of others. We get into trouble when we think of peoples wants as their needs. I have no doubt that the issues were temporary ecomonic one, still the ‘needs’ were what were met not the wants. If a family is hungery and you can feed them, then do so but you might draw the line at their new leased car, Air Jordan shoes, mobile game device and the like. If a person does not have cable, cell phone, and a good looking car, they will not die! 

We should be less attached to the comforts of this world and more attached to the world which is to come. Many of us have a great deal more than we need. (Emphasize that last word: NEED) It is not wrong that we have more and many of the Bibles characters were wealthy. We certainly don’t want to improvrish ourselves to the point of being in need of others help too but if we were to downsize our lifestyle and help our fellow Christians in their needs, I suspect we would find more peace.

We should take care of our needs and those of our family, we should be willing to help support those who have needs in their lives starting with our fellow Christians first and we should help suppor those who preach the Gospel (not necessarily those who stand on TV and plead for money for their own ministries. Find those who are actually doing it…plenty around).

Virtue. David vs. Uriah

In adding virtue to our faith, it helps to see the examples of those who have acted with virtue. Virtue, as I understand it, is a deep seated characteristic. The willingness to do what is necessary, what is right, doing whatever your task is and accomplishing it well. When we find examples of virtue, we need to point them out. Our sermon Sunday dealt with David and Uriah. Both men of virtue but in this one case, David’s virtue failed him and it serves for us a great example. Read 2 Sam 11 and 12 for a better understanding of this account.

Virtue Lost:

David was at home during a time when the kings would go to battle. Why David choose to stay home is not clear, nor is it certain that anything was wrong in his choice but the events following might have led David to declare “If only I had gone to battle.”

Have you ever been in a small town or maybe a college campus when a major holiday comes. It is deserted, empty, lonely. A person who does not have a lot to do can become restless in boredom and I suppose for David, with his armies gone and many officials as well, may have felt a bit restless too. It was on one such occasion that David got up off his couch (an indication of ease) and took a walk on the roof.  While that is not a problem, he may have declared later “If only I had not gone outside”

While walking, he noticed a woman bathing. Much is written to place the blame here on Bathsheba. The Bible is silent on that account and I think it is wise to be so too. What is noted in the text though, was that she was beautiful to behold. Such a statement, undoubtedly true, is to me an indication that David didn’t turn away. He continued to gaze in her direction and her beauty intoxicated him. Again, he may have declared “Why didn’t I turn away?” as would have been proper to do.

From there it just got worse. When he inquired about her, he found she was married. (“Why didn’t I leave it at that?”) He sent for her and brought her to the place, one thing led to another and they slept together. That she got pregnant should not be a surprise and is probably further reason why verse four tells us that she was completing the purification from her uncleanness. This is a likely reason for her bathing and lends more credence to the idea that she was not attempting to trap David. (see Leviticus 15).

When she notified him that she was pregnant, David sent for Uriah in clear attempt to cover this indiscretion.

A man with Virtue:

David called for Uriah to come and share out the battle was going. Can you hear that conversation? “How’s it going?” “How’s the weather?” “Go home and be with your wife!” David even sent a present with Uriah. (Chocolate covered strawberries, perhaps?)

But Uriah did not go home as expected, he stayed in the king’s court and when David was told of this, he made inquiry. Uriah’s response is really simple: “How can I?”  His reasoning was that if the Ark of God and Israel and Judah are not in their homes, and the officers are camping in an open field that he did not deserve to be at home with his wife.  It is not likely that his words were intended to be a rebuke to David who stayed in his home but the impact of this statement serves the same purpose.

David, as you know, had Uriah killed, married Bathsheba and probably breathed a sigh of relief thinking that the whole incident was over.

Of course, God called him out on it and in a brief blog, I will just note that David repented for his sin. God, did forgive him but the consequences of the sin continued for David for the rest of his life.

Virtue restored:

David’s confession of “I have sinned” is just the way we should confess our sin when we come to our senses (or God brings us to our senses). Repentance and starting over is the road back to virtue. Doing what it is that God wants us to do, a determination to do what is right regardless of the cost.

Uriah shows us a great example of concern for his fellow soldiers and in doing so shows his virtue. I will comment on this in the next blog.

 

 

God gives the increase

What makes a seed grow? From my school days I know that there are a few things needed. Good soil, sunshine, water, and protection from predators (No, not the ones with clocking devices and ugly faces running through the forest chasing or being chased by Arnold Schwarzenegger…these predators are squirrels and cute things like them). But WHAT makes the seed grow? Does it matter?

Mar 4:26-29  And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,  (27)  and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.  (28)  For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  (29)  But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

In this parable, some truth is seen regarding the farmer. He doesn’t know how the seed grows, but when it is ready to be harvested, he doesn’t sit around wondering about it, he goes out and harvests. It is not a question that needs to be answered because it is a moot point. If you plant the seed in the appropriated soil, water it, let sun get to it, and protect it, it will grow. How? who cares?

It may be tempting to focus on the harvesting as if that is the big deal and….it is. In fact, the work done up to that point is important. Leave a step out and the crop can fail. However, without the seed, without that one small speck to plant into the ground, there will not be a harvest.

In many of the parables of Jesus, the seed is the word of God. Other things can impact how that word is received and if it will grow but until the seed is spread across the soil, you don’t know what will happen or if any thing will happen.One thing is for sure, we are not the cause of the growth. We might plant, we may water but God gives the increase.

1Co 3:5-7  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?  (6)  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  (7)  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Keeping count on conversions is not the thing to do. We ought to keep count on how much seed is spread. Of course, it needs to be the right kind of seed. There are those who go out and spread the seed of their denomination but not of the Bible. They talk about Jesus but they don’t follow Jesus’ teachings. They say they preach the Gospel but they preach a message the scriptures didn’t authorize.  Some do it with deliberateness, others do it because that is how they were taught (They, themselves, forgetting (or never knowing) that the first rule of Bible study is to study the Bible not the church literature or commentaries)

Our job is to spread the message that Jesus proclaimed. In the Gospels, Jesus send out his disciples with a commission. (See Mt 28) and in Acts, we see those disciples fulfilling that mission. In the epistles, we see the Apostles informing the saved of more things they need to know to be Holy but the saving message had already been preached to them.

Go. Plant. Water. But never for a moment think that you gave the increase or caused the seed to grow. That is God’s job and He does it well.

 

 

 

The Profit in Faith….

Jas 2:14  What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

Just a quick note to say that this verse was on my screen today. The thought occurred to me that in James’ question, which is really to ask if there is any value in a faith that does not have works, that we might also ask that question: What profit is there in faith?

Much in every way, because it is by faith that we are saved. But we tend to look not at the things which are not seen but at the things which are seen. We focus on the reality around us and become near sighted to the point of blindness, we wander around with doubts and fears, we look at the winds and storms of life and think…It is not worth it.

 Rom 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Notice that word “worthy”. Is it worth it? the problems we have are not worth the comparison.  Is it worth the pain of child birth to bring in a new child into this world? The pain is not worth comparing to the joy of a new child. Is it worth giving up what the world sees as profitable? The sacrifice is not worth the reward of Heaven. Was it worth it for Jesus to set aside his throne and his power and his life to die a horrible death on the cross? The loss is not worth comparing to the honor he has and the salvation we have?

What is the profit in Faith? Lots and lots….May your faith be a living one so that you receive that profit.

Adding virtue

We continued our study on the characteristics that Peter outlined in 2 Peter 1 which will help us be fruitful servants of God. Today’s lessons looked at the characteristic of virtue. I must admit, it was an very interesting lesson to put together. In some ways, there were things that I thought of as profound, but all in all, it still brings us back to our Savior.

We started off by looking at the words for Virtue in both the Greek and Hebrew. What is interesting is that those words are sometimes translated differently in different passages. While most versions use “virtue” for the Greek word “Arete”, the NASV uses ‘moral excellence” which is a good translation as well. In the OT a lot of words are used for the Hebrew word “Cahyil” among which are Army, wealth, valor, and strength.

As you look through the Bible I narrowed the concept of virtue to be found in four words: Excellence, Worthiness, Ability, Strength. I am not suggesting that only these words will do but it helps to see some concrete examples of virtue, starting with Jesus.

It makes sense we would see virtue in Christ and Revelation chapter 5 uses 3 of those 4 words and the 4th (Excellence) I see in the praising of His excellence by those who witness him take the scroll. But Why did Christ receive this honor and if, as I am suggesting, why is He virtuous?

He is virtuous because of His mindset described in Philippians 2. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves, further, while he was here, he depended on God. He knew where the boundaries were and didn’t cross them. Temptations did not attract him because he knew what God’s will was and was comitted to doing God’s will. Now, HE is able to do for US what God did for Him.

He is able to save us.

We then looked at two examples for virtue from Ruth and the worthy woman in Proverbs 31. Both of whom show a great deal of virtuous living. The thing is, neither were doing “Grand” things but simple ordinary things, just doing what they needed to do but they did it well.

So in trying to define virtue, I have previously used this as a definition:

1. Doing what is right, no matter what the cost to ourselves. This particular definition can be seen in Bible Characters such as Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, Daniel and the Lion’s den, Jesus, The Apostles with the Jewish leaders and everyone listed in Hebrews 11.

However, I must say that after this lesson, another definition emerged:

Doing what is asked of you, what is needed, what is necessary without bringing attention to yourself. It is done regardless of what others do, of any reward you might receive or recognition you might get. It is also not tied to what we do not have, but only what we do have, so everyone can be virtuous.

The key thing seems to be a willingness to do what is asked of you by the one who has the authority to ask it, whether it is God, Parents, or Bosses and then to humble yourself to do it. God is the one who will exalt you, even if no one ever appreciates you.

Hopefully each of us will strive to add the virtue that we see exemplified by Christ and others.

The sermons are here for the a.m. and here for the p.m.

Single Awareness Day is NOT Sad!

Before I was married, if I didn’t have someone I was dating, which was more common than not, it was not a time to recognize Valentine’s day but rather Single Awareness Day. A clever little statement hiding within the acronym of that phrase. S.A.D.  As in, so sad, to bad, you are a loooooooooooooser!

It is so unfortunate that so many singles either 1)feel that way or 2) are made to feel that way and in addition, become so obsessed with the ‘finding of’ that perfect mate that they do not stop to think about what they are seeking for. This is not to say that some people (a good number, in fact) are going to be content to be single or able to maintain purity if they stay single, but before we push, encourage, or jump off of the single band wagon into a marital relationship, let’s consider a few things from a Christian perspective.

1. Do you really need to be married? Every one has a cell phone and yes, they make life convenient  but what about the many billions of people who existed, lived, and died before there was a phone of any kind? In other words, does marriage in and of itself, make a person more valuable. (this is not the same as asking if a person can be more effective or a better person but just the inherent value). The answer is “No”, marriage is not a command of God (Thou Shalt get married) and Jesus died to save single people too.

2. Have you considered serving God without getting married? Paul indicates in 1 cor 7 that you can be more careful and concerned with the things of the Lord when you are single than when you are not. I am not talking about taking vows of celibacy here and never getting married, but while you are waiting, have you ever thought of planning a trip to a foreign mission field in preaching the Gospel?

3. Is your emphasis on marriage so strong, you throw out the check list you made of the perfect mate? True, what interests the 12-year-old child may give way to a more mature view of things for a 22 or 32-year-old (at least I would hope so) but do you play around with the dating game without any consideration of how strong emotions can be and the attachment which can be formed?

4. Remember, marriage is to be permanent decision. God forms it, we are not to break it. (Ability does not equal permission) You cannot get out of the marriage covenant without sin being committed. Regardless of the intent of getting married, I don’t know anyone who said “I will be divorced in 5 years”.  Remember, the permanence was from the beginning. Don’t need to go to the Gospels for that, just look at God’s law from the beginning.

Some steps that might help you out.

If someone (parents, other Christian friends) are putting pressure on you to marry, then kindly remind them that while it may be strange to the world to not be married, it is not a commandment of God.

Don’t wallow in your singleness, rejoice in your ability to serve God more. Being able to stay out late and not meet the needs of a spouse (these are not a burden but they are what is needed) allows you to stay up late with a friend who needs a helping hand or move in a buddy for a few days that turn into months. It allows you to pick up and go to another country or to drive to a country church to preach for 8 Christians whose preacher is on vacation or who don’t have one. It allows you to spend money in the service of others that you would not be able to do if your spouse and you were planning a family or budget with kids. I am not even scratching the surface of things that, as a single person you can do (or do more easily) without a spouse.

Know what a good mate needs to be like in character. While many will argue over whether the mate needs to be a Christian or not, nothing can be proved by the examples. both Christians and Non Christians change for worse or better. So look further and deeper than just “do they go to church” and “read the Bible”.  Get to know their character, their family connections, the beliefs and practices about money, kids and plans for the future.

If you meet someone who is content in their singleness and serving God, that person can make an ideal candidate for marriage. But by being such a person yourself, you make it easier to recognize another one when you meet them.

Rejoice if you are single and if you find yourself lamenting that fact, first pray and then go get busy serving the Lord.

 

Removing wickedness from your sight

Psa 101:1-4 A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises. (2) I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. (3) I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. (4) A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

Oh, if it were only true that I did not know wickedness.  I think that this is a lament that most of us (most=99.44%) can make.  I don’t know when David wrote this Psalm, at what point in life, but I know that he didn’t live up to it when you take his whole life into consideration. Yet, he was a man of God, not because of his imperfections, but because he repented and turned from wickedness when he did sin.

One thing that is for sure, if you look at these verses of the psalm you may come away with the idea that in seeking God, it is necessary to turn from evil. When Israel met the Lord on Mt. Sinai, they spent 3 days in preparation and purifying themselves. What kind of evil David has in his mind is not specified and it may just be wickedness in general, Gossip and pride are mentioned later on, but this phrasing makes an interesting lesson too easy to pass up.

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes. As in, perhaps, just to pull something out at random…mmmm, uh…Television?

I just finished watching a commercial for a new movie coming out, or I think it just did come out. “This means War”. (I say finish watching because I didn’t have the remote in hand to turn the channel) You know, I feel too old sometimes when I begin to question whether I am just becoming too strict on things like this, or if it simply is the Devil trying to goad me back to a time where I didn’t really care so much. (Which is not to say that I shouldn’t have cared but I was young and well “It won’t affect me” seems to be a common statement even today. Ah, youth….I believed (past tense) that statement too! )

Now I notice things that shouldn’t be there to be noticed in the first place. This movie has sexual tension and themes written all over it and just from the commercials; it is going to appeal to the baser desires. The question you need to ask yourself is what is it that you will be subjecting yourself to?  Is it good? Is it edifying?

Now for anyone under 30 who reads this, I will give you a disclaimer here. If this movie had come out, when I was in your age range or younger even, sure, I would want to see it. I would have gone to see it. However, I do not offer myself as a standard, I wouldn’t go if I had developed the sense of understanding that I have now. Still, if you are going to use a standard of any kind, ask yourself if Jesus would go to that movie? Read the reviews and then ask yourself, if you walked in on  your friend with their boyfriend/girlfriend doing the same things in that movie (in real life—not fiction) would you pull up a chair and pop some popcorn? (ugh. Just asking that question makes it seem not clean!)

I know I mentioned Television and wandered off into movie land but even on TV, the question needs to be asked. My opinion is that the commercials are worse than the shows. You have to watch with a remote in your hand. Maybe it is time to put the remote down, after you turn the TV off.

God wants all to be saved

1Ti 2:1-4  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  (2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  (3)  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,  (4)  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This passage of encouragement to Timothy has a lot to say to us too.  Let’s look at a few simple things you can learn from this set of verses.

1. Prayer works. Paul makes several statements in other letters about prayer, in all of them, there is not an expression of doubt to the effectiveness of prayer. He even teaches us in 2 cor 12 that sometimes, the answer is ‘No”.

Of course, it helps to know what you are to pray for. I know in our country we have a large and well respected history of protest and demonstrations but how many in their demonstrating spend time in prayer for the leaders that they are protesting against? In addition, for what would you pray? Paul tells Timothy to pray that we have peaceful and quiet lives, lives that are godly and dignified.

I think that we often forget that our purpose in life is to promote the Kingdom of God. If we have quiet and peaceful lives, it makes it easy for us shine as servants of God and to spread the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation.

2. Even though you may feel that it is distasteful, it is a pleasing thing to God. Not because God likes or wants leaders that are bad ones or wicked, or dicitorial but because we show our dependance on the One who is able to take care of us.

3. God wants everyone to be saved.  This very clear statement which echoes throughout Scripture shows that God is not a capricious, vindictive God. He wants everyone to be saved. The fact that everyone will not be saved is not because of any desire on God’s part. One passage that we may overlook in regards to this idea comes from Matthew 25 in verse 34, the Lord welcomes the saints into Kingdom that was “prepared” for them. Yet in verse 41, the cursed ones are sent into a place “prepared for the devil and his angels”.

Two places, one prepared for the saints, the other for Satan. There is NO PLACE prepared for the lost. God didn’t make one for them. He wants all to be saved.

Lesson: Pray for our lives so that we can spread the Gospel and Live our lives so that we don’t become lost.

Flee and Pursue

2Ti 2:22  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

In this passage Paul has given Timothy a lot to work on. Presenting himself as a servant approved and not giving into the irreverant and idle chatter of those who need to be silenced. In telling Timothy what NOT to do though, he tells him what he SHOULD do. So often we tell people NO NO NO but do not share with them what IS acceptable as an alternative. Paul does not fail to encourage Timothy in this way.

Flee. Run away, Get out of Dodge, “Feet do your stuff”, move move move. The one thing that we should do when it comes to youthful lusts (which do not only present themselves to our youth) is to leave. Just as Joseph did with Potiphar’s wife. He left his coat in her hands and fled from her presence.

Far to often, we try to get close to sin, figure out that magical line where we can say “this far and no further”, “up to this point, I have not sinned” and we get really defensive when someone suggests that we need to remove ourselves from the situation or environment. Just try to suggest to people that Desperate Housewives or Grey’s Anatomy are not appropriate shows for Christians and you will quite possibly get lots of reasons why that is a ‘blanket’ statement. (And we ALL know that blanket statements are wrong.)

No, youthful lusts are not just for the youth. The point is that by the time we mature, we should be past those desires that they youth find so enthralling. (side note: Thrall is an ancient word meaning slave. To be enthralled is to be enslaved by something even though that meaning is not commonly given to the word today).

Pursue. The positive thing that we are to do. Chase, run after, Seek, track down and just basically not give up the hunt in trying to obtain 4 things: Righteousness, faith, love, and peace.  Excellent qualities and if sought after in the sense of pursuit, will not just make you a better Christian, will limit the time you have to be concerned with those things you are fleeing.

You might think of this illustration too. If you are Fleeing, it is because you are being chased and there is danger. If you are chasing something it is because it has value and there is value. So while you chase, don’t forget to flee. Because if your feet are not pursuing something, neither are they fleeing anything.