My to-do list vs. God’s purposes?

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:36–43)

They heard but did not believe. A common response to what God says. So God did not reveal Himself to them because if He did, He would have to open their eyes and understand and be healed — but without really believing, without faith. 

For 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. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This is why the truth of who God is and who Jesus Christ is has been hidden from those who are without faith and from those who try to earn their salvation by doing whatever they think God wants them to do.

Faith is a gift. Gifts are undeserved, given unconditionally, not earned or paid for. Human pride doesn’t like even a hint of being unworthy. Human greed does not want something that demands their total surrender. The question is often why then do some get the gift and others don’t. Wrong question. Why does anyone get the gift? No one deserves it or earns it. Could it be for the glory of God?

He created humans in His image that we might display His glory. Sin messed up that desire and ability. Whether we realize the impossibility of glorifying God or not, sin wants glory for me. I feel bad that I cannot do it, but realize also that if I am going to fulfill that purpose, I need Him to live in me — because there is nothing much left in me that looks like God. 

Being selected to live in His kingdom is an utter marvel. Why me? Being chosen to be like Jesus is the most humbling realization of my life. Recognizing that I am here to reflect His glory could easily drive me into a dark cave so no one could see my failures. But God will not allow that. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

In the past two weeks, two friends told me they lived to glorify God. That is rare. I’ve read “The Purpose Driven Life” and am only just getting it. The NT says:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

How much of life is so ordinary, yet in these ordinary things, I am to glorify God, to be like Jesus, to show the world what He is like and how different He is from humans with all our selfishness and pointless activities.

 The writer of that book says that we live here on earth to learn how to live and be like Christ in eternity, and for that reason, I need a greater focus on that purpose than my to-do list, goals and plans. I feel like the OT prophet who said, “Woe is me, I am undone.”

Jesus, You know my to-do lists and plans. What does a ‘keep my house clean’ got to do with eternity except to remind me to keep my life clean? What do the names on my prayer list have to do with heaven except that I might support them in the same purpose of being like You today? And this may take more than the words I send upwards. Guide me today. The to-do list is on my desk. Does it match the one You have written for me, prepared beforehand that I should walk in it? 

Revealed Truth

Today I am rejoicing in how God reveals truth to His people and even to those who are not yet His people. One of those whose faith in Christ has not yet been expressed says profound things. One of them came out when I told her that I enjoyed being with her because she has such a good attitude. She said, “Well, not always, but if it’s bad, I just wait a minute and a better one comes along.” 

How delightful. The Holy Spirit works like that to put His thoughts into our heads and as Jesus said, we know His voice and when we obey it, we are blessed and a blessing to others.

Today’s reading described another way that the Spirit speaks. Peter fell into a trance and was given a message from God that told him to break Jewish tradition and not call anything forbidden that God had made clean. (See Acts 10)

At the same time, the Lord revealed to a Gentile man to “Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea” so he did, with his messengers arriving just after Peter had his vision. So Peter went with these men he normally would not associate with. . . .  

And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 

Of course the man was ready to hear about Jesus, and as Peter shared the gospel with him, “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” These Gentiles were baptized and Peter and those with him stayed for some days. 

The church questioned what Peter did, but when he related the story, “they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.’ ” (Acts 11:13–18)

This is God’s way. We get ideas or have instant responses to people and events that might seem right at first, but if we wait a minute, the Holy Spirit will give us His attitude and our response will fit God’s will. Generally, this is to be like Jesus and glorify Him in all we do:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

These verses now pop into my mind:

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:5)
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Psalm 38:15)
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; (Psalm 130:5)

PRAY: Lord, hearing how one person waits for a better attitude is such a lovely example. I am blessed by her ability to do just that — listen for a better option and acknowledging that it will come to her. Thank you for another delightful lesson from You about how You speak truth and how You use many ways to make it clear. I know Your Word is the final authority and am blessed to realize its ability to help me recognize truth when expressed in other forms.

Who or what motivates me?

 Exercise and prayer are on my to-do list but both require great determination. Exercise is hard and so is extended prayer. This morning, I’m challenged to think about both, first as what motivates me to consider them necessities, and second to rate them accordingly.

First, the Bible says: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) While eating and drinking are necessities, exercise and prayer (especially prayer), are high on the list. By this verse, do I do these things for His glory? What should that look like and what difference would it make? I’ve questions to answer.

Is God asking me to do either one? Prayer is a given. All the Bible says about exercise is that every athlete exercises self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable reward. (1 Corinthians 9:25). And while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8) While not commanded, exercise is not forbidden, however self-control in food and activities tends to aid control of ‘self’ in other areas. But exercise to have a fit body should not be an obsession  or be the sole goal of life.
 
Charnock challenges me to put the rule of God and His glory as my main motivation.  He points out that people will abstain from excess and other things that will ruin their health, not because God told them not to do it. It is merely being kind to their health, not respecting or observing the rights of God to say, “Thus saith the Lord.” 

Not only that, demons may be subservient to God but not on account of loving obedience to His will or sovereignty, totally unlike Jesus who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

Obedience is also to be sincere and to only God. 

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” (Matthew 4:10)
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge. (Acts 4:18–19)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

Also, I cannot pick and choose among His commands. This would be choosing what I want, and treating His authority as if He is only half sovereign. He is Lord of the world, and His laws are to be obeyed in every part of the world, not just in a particular climate or territory.

Obedience must be indisputable too, as illustrated by the centurion that had obedience from his soldiers who did what He ordered. 

For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:9)

It is even more fit for me to I obey promptly when God gives me an order. I may not understand some of them, but He is sovereign, and therefore it is without dispute that I am to obey Him for no other reason than: “Thus saith the Lord.”

And the last point that speaks greatly to my situation regarding prayer and exercise is that my obedience must be joyful, not dull, feeble, sour-tempered or sad. This would suggest that His commands are grievous, without the peace and pleasure He proclaims to be in them, and that He deserves no respect from me if I obey him only because I must, and not because I will or because I love Him. 

Obedience is submission, an act of the body, not just of the mind and heart. David wrote: “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” (Psalm 119:24) This should be true for me also.

PRAY: Lord God, as soon as I read this, I confessed to You my failure of attitude and right motive to do what You call me to do. Not always, but enough to reveal the selfishness of my heart and how that spoils the joy of doing what You ask. This may seem small to others, but I am aware already of a deep change of heart from listening to Your voice and agreeing that my attitude is not always what it should be. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your power to cleanse and change, to make a difference, and to bless me. Amen.

A Vital Truth

 

After years of reading through the Bible and the past two years of reading Stephen Charnock’s incredible book on the attributes of God, I’m noticing one spiritual truth that seldom is preached or taught. I’m also noticing that out of that omission comes many misguided notions about God and about ourselves and our responses (or not) to His Word.

What seems to be absent is clarity on the meaning and application of this passage:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:13–26, italics mine)

This is not a new teaching. The prophets spoke to God’s OT saints about their inability to please God because they were not filled with the Spirit, and were instead walking in the flesh.

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)
For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.” (Jeremiah 11:7–8)
But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive. (Jeremiah 13:17)

This distinction is connected to the “rules” in the NT that are intended to show the difference made when walking in the Spirit or not. One application concerns prayer:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:3–4)

God also told His people that they were set free from bondage in Egypt, but He had to give them “rules” because they were not living like they should. Isaiah defines sin as simply doing our own thing rather than obeying God. 

The NT picks up on that. We are set free from sin when we are born-again, then told to be Spirit-filled so we can obey Him. However, far too many do not realize how that works, or that  fleshy activity is really doing our own thing. It is only when selfish living deepens into grossly  immoral or illegal action that we call it sin, but seldom is “I will do it myself” called sin like it was called in the OT. For that reason, the NT is also filled with “rules” about how to live as a person set free from sin… we should know what it means to walk in the Spirit or at least know when we are not and confess it (see 1 John 1:9).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

The biblical truth that I should do all things for God and His glory. This includes giving thanks rooted in the excellency of the Giver rather than merely for His good gifts. If gratitude is more about answered prayer and personal comforts and desires, it is likely disguised idolatry. This is one example only. If the fruit of the Spirit is absent, something needs to be confessed.

PRAY: God grant me a heart to delight in You for who You are — so all my gratitude for Your gifts, all my decisions, words, actions and motivations are for Your glory — and I will not twist any of it to make myself the focus and dismiss or forget Your excellence. Amen.  

Eating to glorify God

Loving creativity has me on the Internet often looking for amazing ideas that others post in art, decor, quilts, and photography. With those searches, food menus and ideas for dieting also pop up. Many of them forbid certain foods saying they are not healthy. While this is true of what could be called ‘man-made junk’ it is not true of what is often called ‘real food’ because what might come from my garden is even held suspect by some ‘experts’ in the industry.

I never connected these no-no’s in food with false teachers until this morning when I read this:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1–5)

Actually, I have wondered about fish on Friday, and now wonder about no meat at all, or no dairy, or no whatever, and who gives that advice and where did those ideas come from. Allergies may be a factor, but doing some research is always a good idea.

For instance, the OT tells of Daniel being captured by Israel’s enemies and his refusal to eat the rich food and wine as the Babylonian king ate. His captors decided to test him with only vegetables and water for ten days. After that time, he was “better in appearance and fatter in flesh” than those who ate the king’s food. Some use this as reason to be vegetarians, however it seems more about the quality of the food than its type. A walk through a grocery store picking up only what would be available back then for Daniel would mean skipping canned, frozen and processed food, and eating fresh only.

Is that even possible? Here in the north, many fresh items are trucked from the south or not available. However, locally grown greenhouse veggies are becoming more available. I want to eat real food and also appreciate this promise from Jesus:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31–33)

The key to eating right has a spiritual component. Besides wanting to eat right, Jesus wants me to first seek how to live a righteous life. Then He will make sure that good food, created by Him, will always be available — and I will have enough clothing to wear. It is about making Him the priority of life and not worrying about the basics.

I know people who refuse to eat any vegetables. One calls them ‘rabbit food.’ Another will not eat anything that is ‘mushy’ but fills up on salty and sugary snacks. Obesity, diabetes, and other food-related problems are on the increase. While some think this stems from ignorance about food, or other reasons, who would point a finger at a failure to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness combined with the impetus to run our own lives? Or even connect this problem with a propensity to believe everything we hear that fits our ‘I wants’ — even diet plans that forbid much of the food we didn’t like anyway? Or didn’t want to prepare or cook? One commercial even tells me to take a pill instead of eating broccoli!

PRAY: Jesus, I can crave cookies and chips and all sorts of stuff that are not good for me. You care about my health and I am well aware that I need Your Spirit to enable me to pay attention to, and obey, what You say about all things, even food. So, whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, may I do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) You created me and You know what is best for me!

Delight in the Lord. . . .

 

Some years I’ve begun with a devotional guide that seemed promising but didn’t work for me. I have certain traits that are either addressed or encouraged by the author’s perspective. The one I picked for this year tends to encourage my tendency to be harsh about the sins of others instead of drawing me closer to Jesus. It required a lot of thought and rewriting to avoid that finger-pointing at others — instead of being convicted by the Holy Spirit and loving Jesus more and more. I don’t want to encourage any sinful attitudes.

So I switched today to “A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life” by John Piper. This book is not a calendar devotional but written in 120 chapters. This means reading parts of a chapter for 2-3 days and hopefully the Lord will use it to speak to my heart and deepen my relationship with Him.

Piper begins with saying, “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” This is a wonderful spark of light, so true and such a great way to begin a day. I can read a good book, eat a sumptuous meal, make a prize-winning quilt, entertain a group of guests, enjoy a concert, and be satisfied in a great many other activities, but glorify God as much as being satisfied with Him.

For one thing, He always does His part. He listens, guides, answers prayer. My part is to talk to Him, listen and do what He says, and glorify Him in all things — for He is the one who makes it happen. I cannot boast when I pray and He surprises me with His responses. He does it all: prompts the prayer and then does the work — and gives the joy.

It is so easy to boast, but pride in my part does nothing to give Him glory nor satisfies me the same as the glory of who He is and what He is doing. He wants me to do my part, and even in the most ordinary things, I can glorify Him. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) all for His glory, not mine.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

 The bread of life satisfies. No hunger. The water of life quenches thirst. No parched anything. He gives abundant life, even in trials that He uses for my good and His glory:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Only the Lord can bring good out of what seems not good. Knowing that and remaining joyful in trials gives Him glory. Think of it: the most evil deed of putting the sinless Christ to death produced the greatest good offered to humanity! What could be a greater satisfaction than knowing the One who died that I might escape the penalty and power of sin? There is no greater glory for Jesus than being totally delighted in Him in a deep, love-filled relationship.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I rejoice in You this day. Yes, there are black places, sorrows, and great challenges, but You are here with me, holding me close, and making me smile. You are my greatest joy!

Being like a child?

 

From a human perspective, it seems that following Jesus is a decision we make. However the Bible teaches that this is a decision that God the Father makes. He reveals Christ to those He will save, and Christ reveals the Father to those chosen ones and the Holy Spirit calls them into the fold. The process of hearing His call and responding is something we do, but it begins and happens because of what He has done.

The ‘self’ in me likes to take credit for whatever good things I do. This makes it easy to say, “I accepted Christ” when the reality is that Christ accepted me and called me. Does He call everyone? I don’t know the hearts and spiritual happenings in others, only what the Word of God says. First, it says these things about the work of God to reach out to me. . . .

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Matthew 11:25–27)

Do those verses give any answers? Do they suggest that those who think they know all things and think they are wise will not hear or pay attention to the call of God? Doing that requires being receptive — like a child. As Jesus said I must be like a child to enter His kingdom.

Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16–17)

It says ‘like a child’ but not ‘childish’ — meaning humble, trusting, curious, not self-centered and demanding. A child turns to others for help, is open about needs and does not assume he knows everything. A childlike person will respond to Jesus’ invitation, listen for His voice, and follow what He says.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Being a child is easy for some, but more difficult for those who are governed by pride and an enlarged sense of their own importance. Jesus is not talking about a self-indulgent, spoiled brat, but a little one who is surprised and thankful for every blessing. He does not mean one who is anxious to be the best and wants everything he or she sees, but one willing to please and even work hard. I look around, even look in the mirror and seldom see childlike people. Most have a personal agenda for all that they do and I must admit that selfishness can creep into my motivations. Childlike or not, the bottom line is this:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

PRAY: We all fall short, Lord Jesus. It is easy to pat myself on the back, or at least focus on what I want for my days, even what I want to think about, or to indulge in. I know that whatever I do ought to be for Your glory. That is a simple command, but far from simple in obeying it. Increasing numbers in my birthdays aside, I need to be more like a child.

 

Being like Jesus

 

This vacation is making me consider what it was like for Jesus to come from a perfect heaven into a world of sinners. How did He feel? What did He do?

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10–13)

I cannot imagine Jesus thinking this was so uncomfortable that He wanted to go back to heaven. Instead, he ate with them, spent time with them. He didn’t retreat into someplace more comfortable or avoid the company of those self-centered people. The Bible does not tell us much about their conversations other than the teaching that Jesus gave them and that a few responded to trust and follow Him.

We find ourselves with those who are more interested in the eating and drinking than any conversation about God or spiritual matters. However, I can imagine Jesus asking questions and listening to what people said rather than condemning them. Later He said:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (
Matthew 11:19)

That last line speaks to me. Being wise is not avoiding the challenging situation of being surrounded by me-first attitudes. Instead, wisdom would put first whatever those sinners want to talk about and give wise responses showing an understanding of their needs. I need His wisdom to think and act – like Him.

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve no idea what the day will present or interaction with others will involve, so ask You for wisdom and the fullness of Your Spirit that I might be like You as You involved Yourself with those who seemed only interested in doing their own thing.

The most discouraging part of becoming like Jesus…

Today’s reading is sad. The author describes her conversion and the joy of it, then asked someone how to get power over sin and was told that this was a life-long battle. She then became very disappointed and, again using the OT story of the Israelites as a bases, she wrote:

So ignorant was I of God’s ways that I in turn became a spy, bringing a bad report of the land to the Christians who came to me for counsel, telling them it was indeed a good land but adding the fatal “nevertheless” of unbelief, that the people who lived in the land were too strong for them, and the cities were walled and very great. Many a one did I thus turn back, causing them to wander with me in the wilderness for many years.

This author lived long before our time, and because her devotional is entitled, “God is Enough” I do hope she realized that such wandering is not abnormal. It is a stage of spiritual growth that some call “a period of spiritual crisis and struggle” and absolutely necessary to spiritual maturity. There is good reason for this stage.

The joy of salvation puts us in ‘honeymoon’ mode where we think we can do anything, conquer all our enemies and defeat sin. However, that stage cannot last. The NT says, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6) so we conquer sin’s power in the same way that we were delivered from its penalty — by trusting Jesus and not ourselves. In other words, we need to learn that much of this “I can do it” is without understanding that like salvation, we are helpless to live a victorious life without total reliance on Christ.

For some, this can be a long time of “wilderness wandering” because the smart, capable people have no desire to become helpless, not merely believing the theology of it, but fully knowing the reality of it. As Paul wrote, when he was weak, God’s strength happens. Many do not even realize they are relying on themselves and not Jesus.

Spiritual dependency is next. This part of spiritual growth involves surrender, willingness to give glory to God and not keep it for myself, and a total commitment to total obedience. The devotional author calls that complete consecration, yet errs to say that without this, no one can enter heaven.
The only way that can be corrected is looking at the whole picture. Those who are saved will be taken through a time of frustration and struggle to learn that Jesus is necessary for all of life, whatever I do, even the seemingly insignificant things:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Some stop growing at this point of yielding because the human way of thinking cannot make sense of it, or more likely, does not want to give up their own way and in great humility follow Jesus into great fruitfulness, yet even the OT says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8)

This is the way out of wandering in the wilderness. It cannot be done by a decision of the will, or by feelings or even reasoning. It is part of the saving work of Jesus and a matter of faith. Like salvation from sin, being rescued from its power can be trusted — or resisted. Yet even curing that resistance is a work of our Savior:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Many realize we need to see Him face-to-face to be fully cured of relying on self. We need this understanding because the advice given to this author is true, not an error, only incomplete. Yes, I will fight sin all of my life, not because I have no way to win but because sinlessness belongs only to Jesus and learning that He fights for me is part of the journey. The total victory happens when I leave here and go home.

PRAY: Jesus, I agree that You deliver sinners from the penalty of sin and that I will experience some degree of its power as I battle the forces of evil in this world. However, only when You take me home will I be delivered from sin’s presence and finally realize the truth that You indeed are enough!

Do I know what’s next?

Today I feel like Abraham must have felt when God called him to go — not knowing where and what awaited him there. God is asking me to change many things. Part of that was a deep desire to simplify my life, to be more efficient, to listen more closely to Him in areas where habit dictated action rather than the Holy Spirit. However, I know that whatever lies ahead, I am clueless yet eager to discover what will happen.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)

MacArthur begins today’s reading with: “The life of faith begins with a willingness to forsake everything that displeases God.” If that is applicable to me, then living by habit is His target rather than any gross sin. Yet I know that sin is sin, whether it is shaking my fist in His face or merely not asking Him how He wants me to spend every minute of each day.

Abraham is the biblical example of the living by faith. He was not perfect, sometimes taking matters into his own hands, but the Bible is clear; not only was this man the father of the Hebrew nation, by example he was the father of all who live by faith in God.

He (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well. (Romans 4:11)

The first-century Jews thought God selected this man because of his righteousness, but Abraham was a sinful man living in the idolatrous society in the Chaldean city of Ur. God’s call to him was like this: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1–3) and his response: “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” (Genesis 12:4)

He listened, trusted and obeyed. His pilgrimage of faith began when he separated himself from the pleasures of a pagan land to pursue God’s plan for his life.

There is a certain pleasure of being in control of life, doing things that are easy for me, keeping habits, living my days with a schedule of events and activities of my own choice. Most people would not consider any of that as sinful or pagan, but the closer God pulls me to Jesus, the more I see that He did not live that way. His prayer in Gethsemane was, “Not my will but thine be done” yet He prayed and lived that way all the time.

MacArthur says, “So it is with you if you’re a man or woman of true faith. You’ve forsaken sinful pleasures to follow Christ. And as your love for Christ increases, there’s a corresponding decrease in worldly desires.” Right now, I know that sinful desires include managing my own life without asking Him about all things. In a sense, this is practical atheism — living by my choices as if God did not exist.

God wants my focus on fulfilling His will for my life when I get up, whenever I eat and drink (see 1 Corinthians 10:31), and do daily chores (or not), finding out what He wants rather than simply living according to my to-do list without asking or listening for His input. He may not take me away from home, but I am already realizing that increased prayer will be part of it. I prayed three rather outrageous requests this week and He answered them. It wasn’t what I prayed that mattered, but He is showing me that I can pray for His will to be done with confidence in the outcome, no matter how impossible the request might seem. He wants me to always know the joy and assurance that come from following Him.

PRAY: Jesus, grant me the grace and spiritual courage to walk by faith today rather than by habit and in my own strength and thinking.

PONDER: How does this passage describe the way that I run my own life?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

 

 

The Testimony of a Righteous Life

 

Yesterday I fell into a self-pity that robbed me of joy. I could blame constant pain but that pain didn’t get to me for the prior two weeks. I could also blame fatigue or a few other externals, but know enough about the devil’s strategy to realize I stopped listening to God and being thankful and agreed with that “you poor thing” yap that was not from the Lord.

This seems a small way to put off the breastplate of righteousness and expose myself to Satan’s accusations. But I suffered the consequences and lost the blessing of the Holy Spirit — joy that includes peace, love for others and the remaining spiritual fruit listed in the NT:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

As soon as I confessed my self-focus the pain did not go away, but the joy came back. Today’s devotional reminded me that David’s sin (which seems much worse but was still an act of selfishness) also took away his joy. For this he prayed: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12) Confession didn’t remove the problem, but joy makes possible an ability to rise above problems. Such is the grace of God.

Another danger of disobedience is losing what I might gain as a reward in heaven. In speaking of getting cozy with false teachers, the NT says: “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.” (2 John 8) MacArthur believes rewards are various capacities for service in Heaven, meaning that great rewards mean great capacity to serve God. Neglecting righteousness and faithfulness in this life could affect what I will do for all eternity.

I don’t want sin and negligence to diminish my heavenly reward, whatever it might be, but failure to trust God and live for Him also affects my testimony and ability to glorify God here and now. As MacArthur says, if I am thinking or behaving unrighteously, I am violating my reason for existence. That sin might be what we call a big sin, but ‘little’ sins are just as damaging. Consider these:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11–12)

People who do not believe in Christ are spiritual blind to Him but they are not blind to the way Christians live and behave. I can easily give them an excuse to say, “If that is what it means to be a Christian, I’m not interested.” I seen this happen and do not want to be the cause of such excuses! As David prayed:

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:6)

Another bane of living for self and any kind of ‘me’ like running my own life is loss of a fruitful prayer connection with God. The Bible is clear on this:

Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3)

Having others see my sinful selfishness is bad enough, but being alienated from the listening ear of God and blocking all the joy and goodness He has for me is terrible. Not only do I suffer loss, I’m also saying with my actions or lack of actions that I do not love Him and that I am more important to me than He is. That is such a lousy testimony.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, of course I want my righteousness to testify to Your saving and sanctifying grace. This battle against the enemy sometimes throws me to the floor feeling I am such a total failure. Yet even in that, You are quick to forgive. All You want from me is the humility to admit that I cannot live for You in my own strength — for I have none. Thank You for rescuing me always, no matter how foolishly forgetful and selfish I can be.

PONDER: Reread and put a print-out on the wall of 2 Corinthians 5:21 as a reminder of God’s marvelous grace.