To-do list for old timers (and newcomers too)

Bette Midler once said regarding her body, “After fifty, it’s just maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.” Those in that age bracket will agree. However, I try not to focus on the state of my body since this is too easy the topic of conversation for us seniors. It tends to fill my head with a ‘me’ focus that is not healthy for my spiritual life.

At the end of 2 Peter, this disciple writes about focus as God’s people wait for the end of life and the return of Jesus Christ. He puts the focus on my spiritual state and gives me some practical assignments . . .

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him . . . You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . . . . (2 Peter 3:14–18)

Be found by Him without spot or blemish. This isn’t about freckles or pimples but about sin. No one is sinless in this life, but keeping short accounts is possible. That is, God wants me to confess and forsake any sinful and selfish attitudes and actions as soon as I realize they are present. The benefits include continual fellowship with God and His people, having a child-like humility and attitude toward life, and a good night’s sleep!

Be at peace. No worrying. How is that even possible? For me, it means trusting the Lord with everything, and to do that, I must believe in His love and power. He is sovereign over this world and all that is in it. If not, I’d be in a stew about everything because nearly everything seems to be coming unraveled. Trusting the Lord means being able to take my burdens to Him and leave them in His care. I cannot do that without firmly believing He hears me and will answer my prayers. His answers may not be what I expect, but trust isn’t concerned about my thoughts and opinions, only about His loving wisdom.

Count patience as salvation. Peter also said that I’m to consider patience as a huge factor in salvation. Impatience is me trying to run things my way — and that is the essence of sin. Patience is evidence of faith, of knowing God is taking care of things and being okay with that. It is not an anxious ‘wait and see’ but a settled and peaceful yielding to His will.

Don’t get carried away. Spiritual maintenance includes standing firm on what I believe, not carried away by the teaching of those who have no regard for the basic principles of faith. The foundations of trust and obey, of knowing and believing, are the firm places. I don’t need to study error to know it — I only need to study truth.

Grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Last but not least I am to grow by studying Him, spending time with Him. Listening. Following His leading. Seeking His face. Reviewing and remembering His words. Doing whatever is necessary to deepen my relationship with this man who is God — who saved me for all eternity!

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Jesus, this is simple stuff for this old-timer, basic for those who are new to the faith, yet powerful. Doing the will of God is not as challenging as wanting to do the will of God. I must want to abandon the habits and old sinful ways and dictates of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Keep me close as I desire to stay close. I love You and want to bring You glory in this life and in the life to come!

Today’s thankful list . . .

- having basics to keep me growing and in God’s will.

- faith is practical!

- a good workout at the gym.

- motion detector light switches.

- time for a much-needed nap this afternoon.

- chicken tacos and salt-free chips.

Behavior — only the tip of the iceberg

A speaker reminded me yesterday that actions come from a person’s value system, and value systems come from what is believed. For centuries, people believed that truth came from God and even if they didn’t want to believe, at least His ways were acknowledged as true. However, in today’s world, much of society has decided that God is dead. Without Him, there are no objective principles and truth is a matter for everyone to decide for themselves. The outcome is an increasing decline in such things as morality and the value of human life.

This is not new. For instance, this decline happened in Israel from 1375-1050 BC. The people kept turning from faith in God to trusting idols. Even though some of their kings did their best, for the most part: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6) and mayhem ruled.

This is the importance of faith in Jesus Christ. Only He can change us from people who trust me, myself, and I to people who can selflessly love God and love their neighbors.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:1–5)

Believing in Jesus Christ produces love for God and obedience to Him. His commands make life easier and in fact help us to overcome the power of the world. The world offers no freedom from guilt, no selflessness, no ability to be godly, and no hope for eternity. While ‘eat, drink and be merry’ is the mantra for many, the ‘tomorrow we die’ part is still a reality. The world says ‘when you are dead, you are dead’ but that is not what God says. His truth says that there are no dead Christians. Those who reject Him are cast away from His presence to suffer eternal torment — a horrible death indeed. How values and then behavior would change if everyone believed this truth!

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have 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.” (1 John 5:9–13)

The truth from God is being able to say yes to the question Jesus asked: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35) which produces a value system that hates sin, loves God, loves His creation, loves people, and knows where you will live forever and ever. Of course, that changes everything else!

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Jesus Christ, Lord of all, You have shown me that I am a sinner, helpless and undone. You have made it clear that all I can do is commit my soul and all my hope of salvation and eternal life to You. Only You have the power and the authority to be merciful and grant eternal life. Without You, I have nothing. With You, I am forgiven, made new, and have the certainty of living with You forever. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!