Are we of one heart and mind concerning Jesus, or do we argue about his teaching, and what He commands us to do in His gospel? As we look about the Christian world today do we see a robust house... a nation of believers who speaks with one voice, and worships in accord with one another? Or, do we see a house divided... set against itself, and that twists God’s Word to make its own points seem true?
We can sin in so many ways, but none as easily, and completely as by the sins of our flesh. These sins are so natural to us, and fit closely with similar inclinations that we have received as gifts from God. It is in this way that we can find ourselves fooled by Satan, and caught up in them. The desire to make love to your spouse is a close cousin to your sinful desire to commit adultery. The need to protect your family isn’t too far removed from such things as jealousy, fits of anger, or even murder. We walk a fine line when it comes to our flesh, and that line is no broader than the width of our faith.
How do we recognize things we have never known? We know love when we see it, because we have felt it, and have watched it in action. We know good things when we see them too because we taste them, feel them, and witness the mercy and grace that they exude, but how is it that we have come to recognize evil? Where did our understanding of evil come from? I would like to think we know it because we have seen it in the world, being perpetuated by the unrighteous, but scripture tells us it comes from our heart... it wells up from within us.
We must be careful in doing those things we think that God would have us do. So often we go about the job of accomplishing what we think is God’s will for us when it is actually our own contrived desire, and not His at all. Be cautious friends so that before it is time for us to take action we have thoroughly sought out, and understood, what it is that He expects of us... His will.
We desire to be men and women of faith, but are we actually focused on our wealth and means instead? Do we open our eyes in the morning and call out to a servant “Bring me my coffee and bread”? Do we sit down with a newspaper and begin our day by studying the world, and how we will increase our earthly treasure? O brothers and sisters, if we were more like the poor who open their eyes and say “Thank you Father for this day”, and “Lord, how might I serve you better?” In considering this, do we find that we worship mammon over God, or at very least do we pursue our wealth on an even plane with God?
Are we looked down on, or ridiculed for the devout manner in which we pursue our faith? Do we live in an area of the world where those of another faith seek to harm us, or destroy our homes and places of worship? Well, receiving death threats, and being persecuted for our faith, is nothing new. As we face such hardships we must strengthen ourselves by remembering how Jesus endured greater suffering than this for us.
How do we judge the success of our lives? If we are like the secular people who surround us then it would be by the money we have accumulated, the size of our homes, and perhaps the number of children we have, or the power we wield over those who we employee. Do we as Christians covet what those who live only in the world call wealth? Are we working long hours to live a few short years in luxury, only to lose it all in the moment of our death?
There is so much beauty in this world, and God made it this way to be pleasant for our physical habitation, and to provide us sustenance, but when sin entered it through man it became tainted by him. The dominion he had been given over the creatures of the earth turned from caring for them into such things as widespread slaughter for pelts, deforestation, and reckless over-fishing for monetary gain. Suddenly men were loving the world as mammon, and not as God Intended... by seeing Him glorified in it... He who made it for them.
Fearing for our lives, this is an appropriate topic for discussion in this time of pandemic. Although it is good to do the things that will lessen our probability of catching the virus, like wearing a mask, washing our hands, and maintaining a good social distance from one another, it is even more appropriate that we not panic in the face of it. This is a terrible virus, but what is more horrific is losing our hope, and giving in to fear as our illness runs its course. God is with us, and for us, but our fear can work against us to thwart our faith.
God gives us what we need through Jesus Christ, and we are thankful for it. We read in scripture of Jesus providing for those around Him, and yet He didn’t do any of this for His own benefit, or glory, but for Gods. Why then are we giving? Do we give only to receive, for our own glory, or out of an abundance of love and faith... Christ-like.
A newlywed told all those around him that he was happy, and fully content with his beautiful new bride, but in his quiet times he thought incessantly of an old girlfriend. If we are not careful we can fall into a similar trap in our faith... we say we have given ourselves to Jesus, and yet when we close our eyes, or dream at night, we can be consumed with the thoughts of worldly pleasures we once enjoyed, or desired. In this way we are untrue to both Jesus, and the world.
I was listening to a business video yesterday, and the CEO who was speaking quoted a scripture that has been on my mind all day and night. This verse speaks of not growing weary in doing good, and at first I felt that growing tired of doing good things was nearly impossible, but as I considered the idea further it dawned on me that even the good we do in life can tire us after much repetition, or labor.
We are facing a resurgence of the pandemic, a setback in the delivery of a vaccine, and more bad news being pumped into our homes each day; is this shaking you? Are you allowing a feeling of hopelessness to overtake you just as the sun is about to rise? Don’t let this last ditch effort to rattle you, by bringing fear and discouragement, destroy your faith.
When we are facing hardship or correction in our lives do we keep Jesus foremost in our minds? Oh, we praise Him, and glorify Him, when all is peaceful, and right with us, but what about those times when we endure God’s discipline, learn lessons that involve great suffering, or confront the twisted roads of life?