Important to walk in the spirit, not the flesh

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 7:25–8:8)

Flesh is a term for our old nature. It is intellect/mind, emotions/feelings, and volition/will and makes up our human soul. Without Christ, it is our life, decisions, preferences and choices because the spirit is dead. However, when in Jesus Christ by faith, the Holy Spirit becomes the connection to God and the source of new life. That old nature is no longer needed as before, only to heed what the Lord says through our new nature — the spirit made alive by Him.

Our issue is knowing the difference. The Holy Spirit produces fruit: 

But 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)

If this fruit is missing, then I know I’m not filled with the Spirit. But what about commands and actions? How do I know if my ideas are from Him or that old nature?

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. (Galatians 5:19–21)

These are obvious and usually identify someone who is not a Christian at all. Yet what about those actions that are not so obvious? I’ve learned two things, both being gifts from the Lord:
Know His voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

 Read His Word. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

He makes things plain also when I refuse to rely on my own ideas, or become overwhelmed by negative emotions such as rage, worry, and others, or when I have strong I wants and say things like “I must have this now” rather than hearing it from the Lord. 

Jesus, I get stirred up by those with “I problems” yet realize how easily I can listen to myself instead of You. Keep me in the Word and keep working on my ears. I’m so thankful that You love me and refuse to give me those ‘I wants’ that will do me harm. Bless Your Holy Name! 
 

 

Remember…

So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants. (Esther 9:23–28)

Haman wanted all Jews destroyed, particularly Mordecai who had gained favor with the king. Esther exposed this man’s treachery, and the king came up with plan B and allowed the Jews to defend themselves on the two days they would be attacked. And they did. Haman was hanged and these two days became special and to be celebrated. 

This happened centuries ago yet Jewish people celebrate Purim today as a joyous festival on 14th of Adar (March 2–3, this year). They celebrate the survival of their ancestry with reading the Book of Esther, giving to charity, exchanging food gifts, and eating special food.

The story from the OT is an exciting read. I’m also intrigued that the two days of Purim have not been forgotten. This event shows how God takes care of His people in surprising ways, not only the Jews against the anti-Semitism of those days, but His people from every tribe and culture. 

It also stresses the importance of remembering the way God works in history by not  explicitly mentioning God. He works behind the scenes and in natural events. Some families play “I spy God” to remind them that He is always near, always involved in their  lives and that a major aspect of faith is believing what He says even though we cannot see Him.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

The Bible says “Faith comes by hearing” and this also is not necessarily audible. His Spirit speaks to our spirit and when we ‘hear’ God, we know it is Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

That voice is to be remembered. He tells me to remember the Sabbath, remember His covenants and commandments, remember His power and promises, and how I was a slave to sin but am now His servant, remembering His goodness and that He gives me all I need. My prayer is the same as this psalm:

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:3–8)

 

God, be merciful. . . .

  

Someone I know belongs to a cult that does not recognize Jesus as God the Son. He recently said, “Jesus has done it all. All we need to do is believe.” While that sounds hopeful that he understands the gospel, Jesus also said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23)

This person says many right words, yet his focus is on the future. He looks forward to a new earth where all is made well. A little voice inside of me says, “But what about now? What about the promise of a new life and an intimate relationship with the Lord that changes life each day?”

Piper writes about the seriousness of being authentic. He points to the parable of the sower to show that making a decision for Christ may start out with some form of commitment, but living for Christ does not necessarily follow. My friend does not fit this category. He has been faithful to his beliefs for decades.

However, that particular cult holds the idea that Jesus died to give them the right to earn their salvation. They have a strange list of what that means. Not only that, if anyone decides to leave them, they are shunned and lose any hope. In other words, salvation is about adhering to their belief system and if someone says otherwise, they cannot belong or be saved.

The gospel is clear to those who DO have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He says of them:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Much of the NT has words about knowledge of eternal life:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:13–15)

With this person, there is no talk of answered prayer, only of personal and organizational accomplishments. While he said Jesus has done it all, nothing specific is shared, only his focus on the future with no more problems. 

I cannot judge or hope to know what all this means for him, but I do know what it says to me; don’t take my own profession of faith as reality without the consequences the Bible says will go with it. Some basics: Know Jesus is God in the flesh. He is Lord and gives me the Spirit so I can obey Him. I trust Him alone for eternal life; nothing I do can earn or deserve it. My attitude to sin has changed; I fight it — instead of always giving in to it. New life is from Jesus and God uses all things to transform me to be like Him. 

For all this, the Bible also says: 

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13–14)
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. . . . (Matthew 7:15–20)

PRAY: Jesus, You described a religious Pharisee who prayed boasting in what he had done. The prayer of a tax collector was, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” When talking with my friend, I need to remember that no one has anything to boast about. I also need to do the same when looking in a mirror.

Voting with God’s will in mind…

 

We have a civic election coming up in our city so I spent time finding the names of candidates  running for council for our section of the city wanting more information about them as well as the people who are running for mayor and other positions. Lots of names, lots of rhetoric. Voting is difficult for several reasons. I do not know any of the people running for office, hardly anything about their track record, personality or character, nor the reason why they want to be in office.

I do know one thing: God makes it clear that He is sovereign and that He “executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.” (Psalm 75:7) Whoever wins in elections or loses is ultimately up to God. He has a plan for our city that no one really knows, except that His will is done. That means, at least in my thinking, that civic leaders should be people who want to do right, to be righteous in their decisions and actions, and wise and responsible. Maybe some of those listed on the ballot will be, yet maybe none will qualify and only push their personal agendas. Knowing who is who is not likely — unless the Lord speaks to me.

I’ve had specifics given by the Holy Spirit in other ways, like when to get out of the grocery store, or seeing a book that seems to say “buy me” and turns out to be a very wise purchase. In a recent prayer gathering, we were told to pray with another person that God puts on our heart. Immediately a name came to mind and I found her and we had a short discussion and prayed. It was a precious prompt from the Lord.

I could pour over the list of candidates, look at their photos, read their promises and use my own impressions on who to vote for, but this time I will ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

This means faith. I might let doubt into my head if a candidate’s photo reveals a negative expression, or their background appears to have a bias, or some other information unsettles me. But I know the voice of God. Arguments with Him never turn out well. So for this election, I’m taking Him with me to the polling station and asking for clarity about who gets my vote that fits with His will.

PRAY: Lord, I know that “God told me…” is not always considered a reliable way to make choices, yet You have said “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) May You open my ears to be a good listener and do what You say without doubt or any concerns. You know who You want to be raised up — and I trust You.

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.

 

Pay attention

 

READ Jeremiah 22–26

When I read this prophet, I’d like to apply some of the passages to the nations of the world that are oppressing others, killing the innocent and have no regard for human life. However, Jeremiah is talking to God’s people, those He made a covenant with that they would live to glorify Him. They failed and He told Jeremiah:

“Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David, you, and your servants, and your people who enter these gates. Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people. But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation. (22:1–5)

If His people would not repent, He would “make you a desert, an uninhabited city . . . prepare destroyers against you . . . cut down your choicest cedars and cast them into the fire . . . and every man will say to his neighbor, ‘Why has the Lord dealt thus with this great city?’ And they will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and worshiped other gods and served them.’ ” (22:6–9)

Yet in the middle of this, He promised hope by pointing to the Messiah: “Behold, the days are coming when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ ” (23:5–6)

They still did not listen. Both prophets and priests were ungodly, filling the people with vain hope of visions from their own minds, not from the Lord. None listened to Him, yet had they spoken for Him, the people would have turned away from evil. The Lord was against them for their lies and lack of consideration for the danger of disobedience and how their perversion of His words would harm His people. (23:31–36)

Not everyone was rotten. Some He would bring home from exile, build them up and “give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” (24:5–7)

Those who refused to listen He would “make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.” (24:8–10)

God is opposed to those who will not listen, who refuse to give up their sin, who worship idols. In those days, He sent an enemy to their “land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. Moreover, I will banish from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the grinding of the millstones and the light of the lamp. This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” (25:8–11)

This was not an isolated uproar. It would “resound to the ends of the earth” because the Lord will “enter into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked he will put to the sword . . . with disaster is going forth from nation to nation . . . from the farthest parts of the earth!” (25:31–32)

The result? The priests, prophets and all the people wanted to kill Jeremiah! He responded by repeating what God told him to say; to mend their ways and obey Him. He added, “Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.” (26:12–15)

Eventually, the officials and all the people decided this prophet did not deserve the sentence of death because “he spoke in the name of the Lord our God” and they were in danger of bringing great disaster upon themselves.

Practical application: listen to God’s truth and do what He says. The great changes needed in this world begin with revival in the lives of God’s people — that means me. Yet test the many voices out there that speak for God. Not all of them do.