03/06/2021
In following the course of our faith in Jesus Christ have we lost our life? I am not talking about martyrs who lose their physical lives, but every believer who will have lost his sinful nature... those things of the world that entice us away from God, or make us lukewarm in His mouth. Jesus is very specific about our need to do this... and about our speaking, and living out our lives as new creatures. How tight are we holding onto our old, and often pleasurable, life in the world? How do we judge the old from the new?
“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:38-39 ESV
So what is it in our old lives that must be put to death in us? Well, we know the commandments and that those are sin, and those sins must die to us, but there is a further gauge by which we can judge the things that fall in the unknown area outside the black or white nature of the commandments... if something cause us to doubt our adherence to faith it is sin to us. If our hearts are vexed, and we feel guilt in our souls regarding something we have done, or are about to do, then it is sin for us. Paul spoke about judging our lives and the lives of others in Romans 14, and he begins by saying that we shouldn’t pass judgement on one another, especially on those that are weaker in faith than we are...
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”
Romans 14:1-3 ESV
We are not our brother’s master, only God is His master, just as He is our Master. So who are we to judge or lord over him? Paul is opening the door of faith in Christ for the Gentiles by removing the idea that disobeying the food laws is an absolute sin...
“Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:4 ESV
Paul, in this way is saying that food is not a tenet of faith, but that it can certainly be a stumbling block to it. He is leaving it up to our own personal discernment to determine what food is a sin to us without causing conflict, or damaging the faith of another...
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.”
Romans 14:17-20 ESV
When we are caused to doubt our own faith because of a certain food, then it has become a sin for us to eat it... not because it is unclean, but because it damages our faith, and relationship with God.
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
Romans 14:23 ESV
So in this way we see how to not only judge what is sin for ourselves, but how not to apply what we believe has been revealed to us regarding our sinfulness in the less obvious areas of faith in others who are walking with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit towards their own understanding, and righteousness.
If you have ever had a loved one who has suffered from Alzheimer’s, or some other form of progressive dementia, then you understand that arguing with them about what they should or shouldn’t remember is not only counterproductive, but causes them to become frustrated and angry. As a matter of fact trying to convince them in any way that their reasoning is incorrect has the same effect. Our knowing the truth should be enough for us, just as loving them when they don’t see the world as we know and remember it should also be enough. One day we will not have them to hold, or to show our love to, and on that day, all those times of argument and frustration will haunt us... what matters most is that we love them for who we remember them to be, and know that the Lord will give them back to us in heaven. So, in this place, and at this time, we are meant to love and understand them. Even in their disability they are rightfully in their Master’s hands.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
So, this is how we judge ourselves in regard to sin, and how we deal with others who haven’t received the same revelation in their faith lives. We adhere to the Word of God, the commandments, and we listen to our own heart and soul as the Holy Spirit deals with us regarding our personal sinfulness. We should also treat others in such a way that will not become a stumbling block to them as the Lord works in their lives of faith. In contemplating this, is our soul convicting us by causing us to doubt our behavior in either of these areas today?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the very personal walk of faith that each of us has embarked upon. Thank you for your Son Jesus who leads us by His example and teaches us how best to make our journey. We also thank you for your Holy Spirit that tweaks our heart and soul, showing us new and amazing things concerning our faith, and you, as we make this pilgrimage. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who doesn’t herd us together into your pasture, but who shepherds us individually into the greenest pastures of faith, and causes us each of us to lie with you beside the smooth still waters, content in your peace and joy. Mighty are you Father who can straighten any road, and level any mountain to give us safe and easy passage, but greater yet are you who helps us to traverse rough roads, and to summit tall mountains so that our faith will grow strong, and resolute by walking with our Savior Jesus Christ, and listening to your Holy Spirit. Hear our prayers Father as we confess our sins as they are revealed to us, and give us patience as we watch those who are just now traveling the roads we have already traveled, and who you are revealing the new and wonderful lessons of faith to. Give us your mercy and grace as we sit with the babes of faith, resisting our desire to argue pointlessly with them, and never let us become an obstacle in their path of faith as you work in each of their lives. Let the blood of Christ wash us clean of all sin, and prepare us for your judgement. Find us pleasing in your sight, and worthy of your eternal love and presence at the completion of our precious journey of faith.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Philippians 2:12-16 ESV
Rich Forbes