07/13/2024
In reading Pastor E.M. Bounds this morning I had to think to myself that the two questions he asked of the church and its congregants were of great importance today... "Are our leading laymen examples of holiness? Does business integrity and honesty run parallel with religious activity and Christian observance?"
Whether we find employment in the world or in our church, do you conduct your business and self as the Lord would have you behave? Do the things of faith you espouse in prayer translate into how you interact with those around you? So often we find that Christians behave one way when interacting with other Christians, and quite differently in the world. I have known some men and women who I have felt were incredible people of faith, yet, when I visited the business they owned or had dealings with them in the workplace I found a lack of Christian morality and behavior. It makes them feel like the church at Laodicea... Distasteful.
“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:16 ESV
Friends, I am not perfect in this regard either. It is hard to deal with those of the world and still treat them as Christ would have us do. But, this is our challenge. It would be easier to withdraw from the world into a life of faith alone, but that isn't our directive. God tells us something different. I am going to quote you a passage from Psalms this morning...
“Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.”
Psalms 96:2-4 ESV
So how do we have dealings with the fallen world, and still maintain our spirituality? How do we go into the world, deal in business against those who have no moral boundaries, or compete in school with those to whom cheating is acceptable? How do we rub against the world all day long and not get it on us?
I struggled with these questions for a long time. It seemed that no matter where I went in business or who I interfaced with in life, there was always a challenge of faith, or a conflict between what was happening and what I believed to be right... We are truly creatures of faith in a faithless, fallen, world. But as we navigate this existence we need to remember who we are and gain strength from the Word of God.
“Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.”
Proverbs 11:20 ESV
Let’s resolve ourselves to be a delight to the Lord each and every day. Let’s begin our mornings in prayer and carry on praying throughout the day. Prayer is our conduit through a spiritually dangerous world. It shields us and provides us with the boundaries within which we can live. If we can stand before God with the decisions we have made and not doubt their holiness, then all is well. But, if we are embarrassed to go to God in prayer... Then it is time to change direction.
I have heard people quote man’s law in justification of business dealings, but as a Christian we live by a higher law. It might be lawful to take someone's property by imminent domain, but is it always right? Not all applications of worldly law are sanctioned by God. And sometimes the Godly thing will have negative worldly consequences.
I have listened in church as scripture was twisted to support an ungodly decision, but each of us must live, or die, by our own discernment. An incredible control of scripture is very different from a deep understanding of it. Satan is not averse to using God's words in a twisted argument against the very faith we espouse. Once again, we must use our prayer and interaction with the Holy Spirit as our guide and conduit.
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:19 ESV
We must choose... And choose correctly. The world will go away, and our worldly treasures will vanish, but our souls will live forever if we believe, and behave as we should. The questions put before us this morning go to the heart of our faith; they are not academic but have worldly and spiritual ramifications. To answer them correctly takes courage and faith... It takes prayer and a foundation in the Word of God.
Today as we pray let's ask God to provide us with safe passage through our business and personal world's. Let's ask Him to be our conduit through the evil that surrounds us and to provide us with the boundaries by which we will make righteous judgements. Then let's thank Him for His provision.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who not only redeems us and saves us through our belief in Him, but who teaches us how to follow Him as we make our way through the world. Thank you for strengthening us in prayer so that we can be of singular behavior in our faith, and not practice our beliefs one way within Christian settings, and another when we are navigating the world. Help us to follow Jesus and behave as He does. Help us to pass through the shadow of the valley of death, (the dead and dying world), and know that you are with us there… and that in this knowledge we will fear no evil. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Holy are you who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Merciful are you who sent your Son Jesus to save us from death and sin, and your Holy Spirit to give us an understanding of your Word, and steadfastness in unceasing prayer, so that we would be singular in purpose, belief, and faith. You are full of Grace Father, and your grace flows steadily over us through Jesus. We hear your voice above the din, come to know your will, and remain obedient to you in it. We do this wherever we find ourselves, because no matter where we are you are there with us, and there should be no change in us as we love you the same regardless of the divine, or worldly, circumstances we find ourselves in. We praise you Lord, and give you all the glory for every moment we spend in your presence. We whisper your name in prayer, and shout it from every mountaintop in this fallen world. We sing your praises and bellow out your name to assure the sinful of the world that there is hope for them, because you are always there with us, and your ear always hears every thought and subtle murmuring of our hearts. We preach and teach the gospel to not only the church, but in every corner of the world, because it is just as true for the sinner as it is for the saint. Your love and redemption is unchanging Abba, regardless of the day, and where we find ourselves. You are our rock, and your Word our strong tower. Let us dwell in it, and with you forevermore. Call us your children, and announce to all of creation that we are worthy of eternity through the blood and resurrection of Jesus. And even unto their last breaths call out to the sinners “Come!” for it is your will that none should perish, but that all should believe.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
May all the world and those within it come believe and to praise God, and to do so for all eternity! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
Amen
Rich Forbes