Christian life is not a DIY project…

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 4:22–5:2)

Therefore basically means ‘because of this, do this” and refers to the consequences based on an event or truth. In the NT, this word usually relates to a prior statement, and because of that truth, I should respond a certain way. 

If I apply that to the way I should respond without considering or being motivated by the “why” of it, my effort is sinful. I would be trying to act like a Christian without relying on the Holy Spirit but only my own desire to be a good person or impress others. God does not honor that because He is left out of it. The term for such behavior is hypocrisy.

Since only God knows the human heart, it is seldom easy to evaluate motivations, however the person doing life this way can make themselves obvious by what they say and do. Considering the above list, anyone lacking the motivation of God can fudge the truth, hurt people when they are angry, cheat on their finances (like take home stuff from the office), not apt to share, will put people down instead of building them up, grieve the Holy Spirit instead of being filled with His joy, express bitterness, even slander others, and show an unforgiving attitude.

This is quite a list, yet if read with honesty, it is easy to realize the importance of  putting off the old self. This is not about sins like robbing banks, adultery, lying or other actions that are obvious sins. It is about being nice on Sunday or at Bible study group and not so nice when Christian friends are not around, or when others I am with are doing the same things. 

The new self is like Jesus. It cannot sin. It does not steal, hold on to anger, be lazy, unselfish, or gossip. It does not give the devil an opportunity. Instead, it reflects the One who lives in me. I have no excuse. From this passage it is easy to see the importance of modeling His love as an example and reminder to those who find it far too easy to walk in the flesh and just work hard to be ‘nice’ people. 

Jesus, You are patient with our fumbling and false idea that this Christian life is like a DIY project. Colossians 2:6 says: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” I received You by saying YES to Your invitation. I must walk with You the same way by saying YES to all that You tell me and not try to save myself or be godly without You doing it by Your power rather than this useless glove trying to be good without Your hand in it. 

 

God heals the hopeless and uses the useless…

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. . . . And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 3:20–4:16)

Two stories. The first was about a woman with advanced MS. She could no longer walk, see, or do much of anything. A call to prayer went out. Those who joined in prayer replied to record their participation. More than 400 Christians responded. In a short time, the woman was in a prayer meeting in her wheelchair. She tells of hearing God speak to her from the corner of the room. He said, “Get up and walk.” As she stood, her family and friends tried to stop her but she said God told her. She walked. And could see. She was totally healed.

The other story was about a woman who had polio. Her pastor told her she was not welcome at church as people were afraid of getting it. He also said her life was useless. She protested that God uses useless people but he didn’t change his tune. Later, a new pastor came. He said the church had a Sunday School but no children. Would she like to be in charge of that? She said yes, starting it with her own two children. More came, and then she had a plan. She asked a local bus company for a bus and was given the use of two buses with drivers for one Sunday. The NT “far more abundantly” happened and in a couple years, it was 35 buses and 35 drivers, and no less than 5000 children each Sunday with this useless woman in leadership.  

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think… what do I do with these stories? Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love and be equipped by the gifted people who pray for me and trust me with whatever jobs the Lord gives me, not for my sake but to build up the body of Christ until we are united in faith and the fullness of our Lord and Savior. Trust Him for the little things but also for those wonderful surprises that bring Him great glory. 

Not everyone is healed nor does every idea for ministry become fruitful, yet the stress is not on bigger, better, and more, but on an attitude of humility, gentleness, patience, love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Jesus, I’m to focus on being godly and You take care of both that and doing far more abundantly with a life of obedience. I could not imagine the healing of diseases that have no cure, or supplying buses to a woman who was told she is useless. I am amazed at You, the One who can do more than I ask or can even imagine.

Amazingly Blessed

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, . . . . by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:1–22)

Read it again and again. The marvel of the gospel means that the OT Israelites chosen by God to reveal Him to the world, and those who believe in Jesus as their messiah are now one group — God's people. Back then, the people of God were identified by circumcision and law-keeping. Now we are identified by faith, a grace-gift from the God who loves us and sent His Son to take our punishment for sin and give us life.

I picture in my mind the people of God who trust Jesus and at that moment of faith, He comes to live in us. No matter what we look like or the color of our skin, or our age, or our culture, or our background, or what our sins looked like, His very presence in our hearts and lives puts us in His family. We are one.

I see it visually during communion when hundreds go forward to remember His death for us. I experience it in my prayer group when the four of us are filled with the Spirit and incredible harmony in our understanding. It happens when I meet a stranger and we talk about our relationship with God with mutual agreement of how He is working in our lives. And I am overwhelmed by it when I read these verses just after hearing the daily news filled with reports of the conflict and troubles in this world. No matter what, the family of God is united in Jesus Christ. The news can fill me with negative emotions, but thinking about who God’s family is and our togetherness in Him gives me great joy and peace. He takes care of us and our confidence is in Him, not in our own abilities. Such a wonder.

Again, how I love You, Jesus. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, yet no special day is needed to be thankful for You, the only One who blesses and keeps us in Your care because of Your great love. May each family member that You have blessed be truly thankful, for we have such an amazing Father who loves us and sent You to die and rise again so we can be with You forever. 

 

Complete salvation…

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 4:28–5:6)

Paul’s illustration comes from OT history, a story that is current today. The offspring of the slave woman are still persecuting the offspring of Abraham, the man who is called the father of faith. They are not members of the same family as those who have the faith of Abraham.

Faith removes the yoke of “I must do it myself” that carries the load of keeping all the laws in order to be right with God. Jesus Christ removes that yoke and sets me free by doing it for me. Being “in Christ” means this is how God sees me — sinless because I am hidden in His Son by faith because He loves me.

In the NT, many verses speak of what faith working through love looks like, but no one can take credit for that; it is the work of Christ who works in us like a hand in a glove. This is why Paul could say God's strength is perfected in weakness (gloves are useless without the hand) and that he was the chief of sinners, yet his life was one of amazing obedience.

These verses build me up. I know that without Him, I cannot do anything that warrants approval. Obviously not circumcision, but even the love He speaks of and demonstrates is beyond me. Everything I do apart from faith is not only useless, it is also sin. (Romans 14:23) The NT also says:

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:22)

Yes, I still sin, yet the wonder of faith in Christ, He also promises:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Therefore, God's salvation is utterly amazing and total. He takes care of every possible issue or argument that anyone might give or use as an excuse to say NO to the invitation of Jesus Christ to put their faith in Him.

Lord, doubts come. It is easier to walk by sight and give up hope when prayers go unanswered or even are not prayed. We humans want what we want right now. But You love us and take care of us and use even trials to transform our lives that we are more like You. Jesus, You are so easy to love with all my heart! Thank You for such a total salvation!

The Source of True Power

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

It has taken fifty years of being a conceited Christian to being able to recognize and be glad of my weaknesses, to even be accused of being “too humble” which makes me laugh. It seems almost all of my life others have expected me to excel and if I did, praised me. Of course my ego demanded the praise so the pressure to excel interfered with my ability to trust God. If I could do it, why ask for His help?

But then comes that “messenger of Satan” who often uses flattery to distract me from trusting God. The other option is “my way” or just don’t do anything. After many lessons, and re-reading this passage or having it come to mind while I attempted and failed, the purpose and benefit of weaknesses finally sunk in.

This is not just about Christian ministry. It is about everything. I’m making quilts and pray for wisdom, noting when things need another technique, or to not make an error (that seam ripper is not a favorite tool), and for the ability to use color and design wisely. Then the fun of having my bobbin thread not run out when expected, or two pieces to sew together turn out to be the exact right size without trimming them at all, or I have a scrap that fits without cutting off the excess. This might seem silly to a non-sewer, but admitting my needs to God changes efficiency and more. 

This confession of not being able has to be real and honest. God does not answer prayer designed to make me look good. He wants a genuine sense of being unable, weak, ignorant. But who likes feeling that way? Who can be content with always saying “duh” instead of patting their own back?

This is one of the “His ways are not our ways” truths even though many Christians fall for the DIY lie rather than see the benefits of being weak so the Lord can shine through. And He does. The lack of skill and confidence become the doorway to the power of Jesus Christ. 

So whether the cause of weakness is age-related, forgetfulness, distractions, being overcome by too much to do, bombardment of new responsibilities, or Paul’s list of insults, hardships, persecutions, or calamities, being unable is a friend, not an enemy.

Lord, the best part is that You never let me down to drown in my inability to deal with the challenges of life. You are faithful to grant what I need, always surprising me and often bringing tears of gratitude and certainly words of praise. Truly, You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You, I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong, in the strength of the Lord… 

Saved by and living by confession and repentance…

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. (2 Corinthians 7:8–13)

Everyone knows worldly grief. I got caught. Everyone knows. I feel shame and want to hide, or make excuses, or blame someone else, like Adam and Eve did after their sin.

Godly grief is different. While it too wants to clear myself, it also wants to change, to do it right. As a new Christian, I felt guilt about yelling at my children and  confessed it as sin. Trying harder didn’t work so I followed what has become a life-changing verse:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

The forgive part is often highlighted; the cleansed part too often become “try harder” but God showed me this amazing second thing He does when sin is confessed. A few weeks after bringing my selfishness at being annoyed at little ones to Him, I noticed that I was not doing it any longer! He cleansed it also!

A certain cult believes Jesus died to give us the right to earn our salvation. This belief system is not biblical. It only makes them try harder. For true Christians, this is a trap we can fall into. The book of Galatians was written to those who figured certain behaviors must be performed in order to keep the salvation and forgiveness they had. 

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Galatians 3:1–6)

Too easily human pride wants a part in salvation and boosts about what I do rather than what God has done. Someone said to me, “Isn’t (name) amazing!” And I replied, “God is amazing; He has made her what she is.” I was given a funny look and that person walked away. 

A few times I’ve confessed a sin that the Lord convicted me about and those who heard it refused it by trying to define it as okay. My sister heard, “Oh no, not you” and her confession was rejected.

Jesus, I’m sad that praising You is sometimes replaced by praising people that Your grace has changed or when genuine confession is replaced by refusal to call sin for what it is. How can we overcome it without acknowledging it? Or even enjoy the freedom of being forgiven and cleansed? I’m so thankful that You do not give up in Your work of being our Savior. You invite us just as we are, yet love us too much to leave is that way.

 

Unequally yoked NO, yet bold YES…

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1)

Yesterday we went to a neighborhood gathering involving wine, cheese and other nibbles, and visiting. I sat with several people and we talked about current events, both in our community, and in the world. Some of these folks are Christians, others not, but there was mostly harmony in opinions, particularly an upcoming referendum that would affect all of us. Here, the agreement was obvious. Christian or not, we did have the same views on most issues.

Is that being unequally yoked? Most say not. One definition is says unequally yoked means do not have a close, binding partnership with someone who has a fundamentally different faith, moral center, or worldview, or anything that would pull me away from faith in Christ. 

In other words, friendships with unbelievers is okay. Otherwise how could I speak to anyone about being reconciled to God? Unequally yoked  is more about marriage, business partnerships or relationships with those who live and promote ungodly lifestyles. We watched a drama last night where the police talked with a man guilty of incest and that man said, “Pardon me for not sharing your moral values.” Even thinking about his nonchalance over such sin makes me feel ill. He had no idea of how such thinking brings pain into many lives.

The only positive in realizing such darkness exists is that it increases my burden to pray and to be as totally dedicated to Christ as possible. I’ve already realized that even two who disagree on spiritual issues walk and talk differently and pull in different directions. Such a partnership cannot be effective in any endeavor. Even having food together requires the grace of God in ordinary conversation. Sometimes I just want to stay home rather than be challenged by the words and ideas of those who reject Jesus.

The NT speaks of a boldness from the Holy Spirit. Even though I’m not nearly so fearful of being rejected as I once was, I know that I need the Spirit to boldly speak  when unbelievers need to hear about Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. . . . And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. . . . And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:13-31)

When the Spirit gives boldness, it is often a surprise and always has a positive result. In other words, it cannot be mustered up, or faked, or a product of my own determination. It is one of those “only God” things for which I praise Him!

Lord Jesus, sometimes I want to hide and not be with unbelieving people. You are not like that, and I need to be more like You. Grant me the attitudes You desire, and a boldness that removes all that blocks me from faithfully sharing You with others, and not sliding into any agreements that would deny my faith in You.