Accepting God’s rebukes

This morning I was upset at my spouse for using something in the pantry that I’d planned to use for Christmas dinner. It didn’t take the Lord long to remind me that He could feel like that every time I forget to do what He plans. But I know His patience. Sigh. I often do not have it.

He tells me this; that I need to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before me.” To do this, I must keep looking to Him who is the founder and perfecter of my faith. He endured the cross, considered the shame worthless, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. He endure all hostility for the joy set before Him and did it so I would not grow weary or fainthearted. My struggle against sin has never made me shed blood. (Hebrews 12:1–4)

It was a kind rebuke. I know He loves me and wants me to be like Him. I also know that rebuke is another evidence that I belong to Him and am a child of God. He patiently endures the sins of those who are not, but treats me as a good father treats his child and disciplines me for my good, that I may share his holiness. What is a mere staple from the pantry compared to having the patience and kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

A little spanking is nothing compared to what any sin deserves. As I prayed, He reminded me that I am in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. His rebukes enable me to offer acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for my God is a consuming fire and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. His love and care never change. (Hebrews 13:8)

At that, I went upstairs to make my usual drink, either lemon/honey or herbal tea, and thought how much good this has done to my body. Then I read this:

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:9)

I almost laughed. God’s grace is my health and energy. While He might use whatever I eat or drink to make me healthy, my heart is stronger because of God’s unconditional care and kindness. 

And He wants me to pass that along. He adds: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16) This is another reminder: The love of God is like the love of Jesus — it involves sacrifice, giving up what I’d like to keep for myself and sharing it with others — like that item in the pantry and much more.

PRAY: Oh Lord, the God of peace who brought You from the dead, and made You the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of Your eternal covenant, I must rely on You to equip me with everything good that I may do Your will. Work in me whatever is pleasing in Your sight, and may You be glorified forever and ever. Amen.

 

Judging — in front of a mirror. . . .

 

Christians have a saying about judging others. It goes something like this: Don’t point fingers at others without remembering that three other fingers are pointing back at you. It comes from this passage:

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:1–4)

I’ve said it. I’ve thought it. I’ve sometimes noticed it is true — for others, but not often for myself. Our small group study is going to look at Romans 2 tonight and in preparing for it, I note the first four questions asked are about the above passage. God is telling me to give this much more consideration than usual.

For instance, think about the people or actions those people do that annoy me. God suggests that I do the same things? Actually, that makes sense. How would I even be aware of these annoying things if I didn’t recognize them when I look in the mirror? And if I made a list, would it take up far many pages than I’d like to admit? Another thought: if I’m seeing my sin in others, this could be part of the reason Jesus isn’t focusing on my sin (that’s the Holy Spirit’s job) because He is not guilty of the same sin!

In the past year, I have met some Christians who talk (and laugh) more about their mistakes than their accomplishments. They hardly speak of successes and when they do, credit is never taken. Instead, they thank others and God for whatever worked out goodness in their own lives often the mistakes. These people are wonderful to be around. No judging in their conversations. If they have any bad habits, I don’t see them which is a relief because if I did, this passage from Romans says I only see it because I do the same things. It is good to associate with those who are humble.

This reminds me of yesterday’s post about a person who has lied to herself. I’ve wondered if this is a constant issue, or is God telling me that I’m frustrated because I am also slow or reluctant to admit my own mistakes? I know when I err in minor chores or in sewing a quilt, I often say, “Oh, you dummy” and yet that is about as far as it goes. My new friends would say that about their mistakes and then laugh. They have learned from God what Paul learned after he asked God to remove a problem . . . .  

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 12:9–10)

I tend to keep wanting the problem removed instead of glorying in the weakness it displays. I might even point my finger at someone with a stronger problem so mine doesn’t get noticed. This is why God says not to assume that I will escape God's correction (a form of judgment) for in His rich kindness and forbearance and patience He intends to lead me to repentance. He wants all my finger pointing done in front of a mirror. 

PRAY: Father, I feel the sting of being so proud of me without realizing how that produces behaviors that are nothing to be proud about. I can make excuses, even call myself a dummy, but that kind of talk is not the same as repentance. You now remind me that my own father  disciplined me for a short time, but always for my good, and You do the same that I may share Your holiness. Yes, for now it seems painful rather than pleasant, but You promise that this means later it will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness when I have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10–11) For this I am thankful.

Correction Requires Pruning

 

Our next door neighbor loves pruning bushes. They have two near their front door that she has expertly shaped. We have the same bushes but never pruned them. As they started to get gangly, she offered to do it. In a brief time, they begin to fill in and look wonderful. Cutting back actually promoted growth. This is what Jesus was talking about in these verses:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1–2)

He goes on to describe the importance of a branch abiding in the vine, however these words tie to what Paul wrote to Timothy about pruning and correction as getting rid of what is not necessary so spiritual growth increases.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

In context, this terminology declares that the Word of God makes me stronger by getting rid of that which is unproductive by hindering spiritual growth and the production of spiritual fruit. It is about removing imperfections and promoting godliness.

Job knew this. He said, “The righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger” (Job 17:9) another way of saying that pruning out the dead and useless things in life make God’s people cleaner and stronger.

The NT reinforces this in several ways:

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:5–10)

A few weeks ago, I ‘pruned’ my closet. I put out everything that did not fit, was uncomfortable, or was mostly polyester (which makes me feel tired). Now I can pick anything to wear and know it will feel and look good. Pruning made a dramatic difference.

This also happens with other parts of life. I pruned our pantry. Amazing transformation. Hard-copy photos are getting the same treatment. Also, computer files. Life is more efficient. It’s easy to see that having sinful, selfish junk removed will make a difference, but not just that — what about stuff that isn’t necessarily bad or evil, it just uses valuable time, effort, or money that could all go to better causes.

I read once that time management issues are usually taken care of by eliminating timewasters. This can be things like: the telephone, social media, television, reading when there is work to do, self-pity and worry, being disorganized, lack of discipline, trying to do too much at once, unable to say “NO,” lack of focus, too much stuff/clutter, inefficient, procrastination, unfinished tasks, unnecessary tasks, not asking for help, and unable to prioritize.

The average Christian would likely not call these things sinful, yet the Bible does tell us to “number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12) and to “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)

PRAY: Jesus, I am convicted by these thoughts. I can waste time and procrastinate, partly because I just don’t feel like doing something, and it is usually something that eventually must be done anyway. Wasting time can also indicate a lack of confidence in You, for You have promised to give me all that I need to do all that You want me to do. I thank You for taking Your pruning shears after me and reminding me to stop wasting the valuable time You have given me. Strengthen me according to Your Word.

PONDER: How does the love of Christ surpass knowledge, that I may be filled with all the fullness of God? Isn’t it because He is able to do far more abundantly than all that I ask or think, according to the power at work within me? Should not everything I do be done to glorify Him? FOCUS! (Ephesians 3:19–21)