We laugh at a jingle about hypocritical religious people: “We don’t smoke and we don’t chew, and we don’t run with the girls who do.” No wonder many people think Christianity is a life of ‘don’ts’ and no one has any fun!
Nevertheless, being kept from evil is
important. Jesus prayed that for His followers. He knows that a life of sin is
destructive and deserving of God’s wrath. Like parents who want the best for
their children, He also wants the best for His lambs.
Jesus also prayed that His people be
set apart for Him. Holiness is not merely about staying away from evil, but
about knowing the truth and being set free by it. He said…
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31–32)
Truth has the power to make me holy.
Sin began with a lie that God does not want the best for us, and because that
lie was believed, the human race plunged headlong into ruin. We still struggle
with this lie. Even those who know and believe in the goodness of God stray
because they are duped into thinking that God’s way is not the best way. This is
why every Christian needs to read, study, think about and obey God’s Word. Without
it, we are prone to fall for deception.
His truth is my lifeblood, my daily
medicine for my soul’s ailments. I cannot be holy nor do the will of God apart
from truth. For me, the Bible is God’s tool to produce piety and zeal for Him. It
is His way of purifying my thoughts, words and actions. I’m thankful to have it
on my desk, bookshelf, even on my computer. Truth is never out of reach. I can read
it in private, hear it read in public, and remember it when unable to read or
listen.
God tells me to fill my heart and
mind full of His teachings. He has taught me to pick it up with a prayer that I
will hear Him speak and the expectation that He will say what I need to hear.
Even as I read, I become aware of the state of my heart. When I am prone to
obey I know it, but when I’m dangerously close to disobedience, the Word of God
also makes me aware of my condition. It keeps me alert to lies that hover
nearby, ready to turn me aside.
Sometimes I hear Christians say, “I
know the Bible says… but I’m not sure where to find it” or they speak revealing
that the liar has diverted them from truth. Those are sad times because I know
what happens in my life when I neglect or forget the Word instead of being
devoted to it.
I’m thankful Jesus prays for us,
caring that we are godly people. May that prayer be answered so we always know truth
and find great joy as He sets us free by His Word, the Word of truth and power.
2 comments:
Okay... where's the part about having fun?
Interesting question. I just read a quote from C. S. Lewis who may have had the same question put to him... he said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Until I experienced the joy that God alone gives, I thought fun was fun. Now I am not only deeply happy, but totally satisfied. I have fun playing with children, riding my bike, eating chocolate and so on, but deeper than any fun from those pleasures is the joy of knowing the Lord and walking with Him. It is a joy that has nothing to do with circumstances and cannot be spoiled when life goes sideways. Sorry, I can't describe it in any other terms. Sort of like the postcard that says, "wish you were here."
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