Be the Right Kind of Christian

“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).

Jesus is not seeking followers for the sake of numbers—His interest is in seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus seeks followers who will diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:46–50).

Hypocrisy is a real problem; and it’s a problem that every single one of us has participated in at one time or another: no one is exempt from “playing the part.” But we know better, and therefore, we should strive to be better (Luke 13:24).

James reminds us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:22–25).

But it’s not just about being busy doing things, it’s about doing the right things in the right way—“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be sharers with them, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is well-pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:6–10 LEB).

God’s word equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). In other words, God’s word provides for us the authority for doing what pleases Him, just as His Son pleased Him: “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

This principle of discerning what pleases God and being zealous doers of His revealed will (Titus 2:14) is not only discovered in the New Testament; we find examples of this mindset in the Old Testament as well. For example, Moses taught Israel: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).

Pray for the right kind of desire, the very mindset of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3–5). But don’t limit your effort to praying alone; read God’s word for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15) so that you can be the right kind of Christian who knows God’s will for himself, and does it.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:22–25).

“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Growth Requires Effort

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

(1 Corinthians 3:5–7)

Growth, whether individual or congregational, comes with effort. It doesn’t come accidentally, but purposefully. Ultimately, God gives the increase, but we must work at planting and watering—every part doing its share (Eph. 4:15–16 NKJV).

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).

So, what can we do to help in the effort of growth? First of all, we must decide that growth is not optional but vital—and the word “vital” is important because it means living, active, energetic.
“… Harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Our attention spans have been conditioned by thirty-second commercials. Our sense of reality has been flattened by thirty-page abridgements” (Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, pp. 11–12, 1980).

A primary contribution to growth (individually and congregationally) is time, which requires patience and therefore dependence upon the Lord—“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7–8).

Waiting doesn’t mean we’re sitting and doing nothing at all but waiting—it means we’re working the ground, sowing the seed, and watering until the Lord gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:5–7).

I believe the most important contributing factor to growth is prayer. Paul requested prayers—“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints: and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:18–19 NKJV).

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col. 4:2–4 NKJV).

But prayer should not be the only thing we do in the effort of growing personally and as a group. We need to study, since we are Jesus’ disciples (students), God’s word to know what it is that we need to ask for (1 John 5:14–15) and to discern what is pleasing to God (Eph. 5:10). Not just study about God’s word, from commentaries or other study helps, but actually read His word (Rom. 10:8–10).

We can’t teach what we don’t know (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14–17; Psalm 1:1–2; Prov. 15:28). It’s not about simply knowing things (1 Cor. 8:1), but knowing things so that we can do those things which please our God and Father (Heb. 12:28–29).

So, if we focus ourselves with prayer and study, the natural growth will come to us personally and, therefore, we will begin seeing that truly “the fields are white for harvest” ( John 4:34–38).

Christianity is not a sprint; and it should not be a start/stop life of service. We need to see our obedience of faith as a long walk in heaven’s direction. Remember: time, patience, and dependence.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1–2 NASB).

Seeking Forgiveness, We Must Forgive

The principle is easy for us to understand: What goes around, comes around. Paul said it this way: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7–8).

The thing is, we all want God’s forgiveness. Maybe more than that—we expect His forgiveness. It’s us after all. But God makes it clear in His Word that if we do not show mercy—if we do not forgive, doing so from the heart—then we will not be shown mercy, and we will not be forgiven (Luke 6:37; James 2:12–13; Matthew 18:35).

God is impartial (Romans 2:6, 11; James 2:1). And we are to be like Him (Matthew 5:48). It’s not that we cannot comprehend this characteristic, or that we don’t appreciate this characteristic; it’s that we struggle with it because it truly is a divine trait. “And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:17–19; also see 2 Peter 1:3–4).

“Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:4–6).

If we call ourselves Christians—followers of Jesus, Christ-likes, if you will—then we must challenge ourselves to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Genuine, lasting, beneficial growth doesn’t come easily, and hardly ever comes quickly.

For example, after the Lord taught about how to deal with a brother who has sinned against us (Matthew 18:15–20) the apostle Peter then asked, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)

From this point, Jesus taught a parable about an unforgiving servant who owed the king a mind-blowing amount of money which would be impossible to repay (10,000 talents comes to 200,000 years’ worth of work). The king compassionately forgave him the debt! (Matthew 18:27) The servant’s reaction? He sought someone who owed him a significant debt—obviously nowhere near the amount he was forgiven by the king (about 3 months’ worth of work)—and had his fellow-servant jailed.

What the forgiven servant did was then reported to the king; and the king’s full anger came down upon him: “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (vv. 32–33). Jesus concluded as plainly as could be stated: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (v. 35).

“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” (Ephesians 4:1–3).

Forgiveness is an essential aspect of this. Again, if we want to be forgiven by God, then we must forgive from the heart our brother’s and sister’s sins against us. This isn’t set up as an option—it is a commandment, and God’s commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:2–3).

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:14–15).

To Obey, or Not to Obey

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

To obey, or not to obey — this is the question. It’s really not a difficult question, but for some people (maybe for many people) it is a question they genuinely wrestle with because they do not want to obey. One’s will, or motivation to obey, has nearly everything to do with whether or not we obey.
I’m not referring in a limited way to obedience to God’s will, although that will really be our focus; the point I want to assert is that obedience to mankind’s will — authority that God has established (according to the passage above) — is also a matter of submission to God’s will.

The best example of submission is Jesus: when He was twelve years old, He had stayed behind in Jerusalem while his parents were traveling home. When they discovered He was not with their party, they went back to Jerusalem, finding Him in the temple.

When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:48-51)

We might suppose that if anyone had the divine right to disobey their parents, Jesus would have since He is God among us; but He didn’t because He is God among us.

It is not merely American idealism that goes against authority. But we are living in a time when people generally do not seem interested in what the rules are — unless, of course, we’re talking about something insipid like a game of football.

It’s not that everything is falling apart, but the things that are falling apart seem possible because people are not willing to submit themselves — and when everyone does what is right in their own eyes, we’re repeating history (e.g., Judges 17:6; 21:25; also see Micah 2).

I remember being in high school and some of my friends adored the concept of anarchy. At least they thought they adored it until someone (who shall remain unidentified) sucker-punched one of them to make the point that anarchy was pointless. If there are no rules, then there are no rules.

The natural order all around us is governed to the rules of its creator without debate. We have been given free will, and many of us simply don’t want to submit ourselves to the rules of our creator. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

God is not trying to keep us down. His desire is our salvation, and therefore our elevation (2 Peter 3:15). “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11)

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

If the Son of God willingly humbled Himself to His heavenly Father and to His earthly father, then why won’t we? (cf. Hebrews 12:1-11)

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1 John 2:4-6)

"Lead Me in the Way Everlasting"

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

Are we open with God? The question is not: Are we open to Him, but are we open with Him? The writer of Hebrews 4:12–13 clearly suggest that we are open to Him — and there’s nothing we can do to hide our thoughts or intentions from Him (also see Psalm 139:7–12).

Being open with God is something for which we should strive. It may not be an easy thing to accomplish, but if we desire heaven, then we are going to open our hearts, minds, and motives to Him. But how can we do this, and do this well? By examining ourselves in the light of 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). One of the opportunities we have in examining ourselves is in our participation in the Lord’s Supper, when it should be a time of personal reflection and honest appraisal with the intention of:

• understanding where we have sinned against God,
• why we desperately need the sacrifice of His Son, 
• and a thankfulness determined to please Him in our lives — “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). 

It’s not that God is wanting to merely “put us in our place” — although the truth is, our deserved place is far below Him as His thoughts are ways are far superior to ours (Isaiah 55:8–9; Matthew 5:43–48). Through His Word, God is striving to elevate us through right-thinking, and therefore, right living —

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14).

It’s not just about knowing God’s will, but performing it to His standards (Acts 26:19–20; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great (Luke 6:46–49).

God seeks what is ultimately best for us (Hebrews 12:3–11). This doesn’t mean that He’s like a genie seeking to grant every wish; rather, that He is our Creator and Savior and knows what is best for us with the fullest intention being our soul’s salvation from sin! “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10; see 1 Timothy 2:1–5).

Being open with God — expressing ourselves in absolute dependence upon Him in prayer in bad times and good times — is to our eternal benefit (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

Caring Enough to Confront (Matthew 18:15-17)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15–17).

The hardest commands are more likely the ones we understand completely but really struggle in accomplishing. I believe that what Jesus says here in this passage is one of those difficult commands because it’s a lot easier to talk about someone than to talk to someone, especially when we feel that we’ve been wronged.

I’ve learned the hard way that talking to someone is, in the long run, the better thing to do … always. There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing.

Many of the problems we endure are self-made: whether we think someone said something negatively about us, or we think they don’t like us — a lot of times these issues are in our own minds. Maybe we misunderstood what someone said, or we took umbrage because of a perceived tone in what they said: “I don’t like the way he said that to me!” Sometimes our immaturity manifests itself in these things.

Again, and always, there’s never a wrong time to do the right thing. And the converse is equally true: There’s never a right time to do the wrong thing.

The key sometimes to walking “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” (Eph. 4:1–2) is doing what the Lord commanded in Matthew 18:15 — “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.”

By the way, what Jesus said here not a divine suggestion: it is the Lord’s command with how we’re to work together. The point is in gaining one’s brother!

I’m not sure exactly what’s at the heart of our not wanting to talk to one another: maybe it’s pride (where we want to hang onto things to the point we feel justified in our bitterness), or maybe it’s simple foolishness (we just don’t know any better, and don’t want to know or do any better) . We might actually defend ourselves by saying that we don’t want to get hurt; well, apparently, we’re already hurting: and misery loves company. Maybe it’s cowardice (Rev. 21:8).

Again, in my experience, after all is said and done, peace comes by confronting ones fears and talking to someone: the ideal situation would be to do a face-to-face, but sometimes calling and talking will work — it’s a lot more effective than texting or emailing because so much is missed or even read between the lines; when we are able to hear how someone is explaining themselves or talking to us, it leaves a lot less room for dangerous ideas.

In Luke 17:3–4, Jesus said: “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:3–4).

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 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 (Eph. 4:25–27, 29–32).

In nearly every relationship we have in life under the sun, we’re going to find those moments where we test one another. We should realize that it’s not just that we have to be patient with others, but that others are being patient with us. As the apostle Peter put it: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:8–9).

God is calling us to love — “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:10, 15).

If we truly love our brethren, when they sin against (or we feel they have) then we will be honest enough and kind enough to confront them privately — Jesus said it, that settles it.

Remembering

September 11, 2016, marks the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11.

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met” (David Levithan, an American young-adult fiction author and editor).

As an American, 9/11 still strikes me. I don’t have a great memory about a lot of things, but I remember well where I was when the first tower was hit and how the news was reporting this very unusual event, trying to decipher what it might mean: Was it an accident? Did this happen on purpose? If it happened on purpose, then why did it happen? How many people were on the plane?

And then, as all this was being discussed, the second plane hit the second tower of the World Trade Center — and then the world knew for certain this was not an accident, but a horrible crime.

For a while, a very short while, people from all walks of American life cried, and even cried out to God for help — the mantra being, “God bless America!” I remember seeing those three words everywhere — billboards along the highways, liquor stores, movie marquees, church signs, etc. It seemed possible that our country was going to make changes about itself.

Well, here we are fifteen years later and it is more than obvious that the good and needed tough changes our country seemed determined to make are distant memories with most citizens. Life has gone on; everything is back to the normalcy that immorality and chaos brings with it. And, as a country, we are generally satisfied with how things currently are.

Politically, many see we’re in trouble when the candidates — not just from the Democratic and Republican sides, but even with the Independents — are presented as the cream of the crop: This is a really bad crop!

As an American, I’m not happy, but I continue to remain thankful that I live in this country because of the remaining freedoms I enjoy. Maybe it’s the half glass full ideal, but again, I’m thankful there’s the proverbial glass and that it is half full.

Now, as a disciple of Christ — a Christian — I assess things differently.

The apostle would remind Christians that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20–21). Or, as the Lord Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

As Christians we would do ourselves an immense service by remembering that “the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales” (Isaiah 40:15). This is God’s perspective, and therefore, it should be ours also. “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:6–9).

We need to remember to read God’s word more often and more diligently — looking to apply it to ourselves first. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer” (Proverbs 15:28).

We need to remember to practice what we preach. We all preach by how we choose to live (Joshua 24:15; Matthew 10:32–33). And if we don’t live it, then we really don’t believe it. “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). The apostle Peter admonishes us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:15–16).

We need to remember that judgment is awaiting us all — “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:32–34).

God Allows Choice

Our time and culture’s manifested depths into sin are not new. Thankfully, we’re not yet at the point the world was at in Noah’s day when God had enough:

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” … Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:3, 5–8).

The thing is, mankind has been given the allowance by God who created us to be able to choose evil. I know a lot of people will criticize freewill, but then they would not know what to offer in its place. One of the reasons why bad things happen is because there are over 7 billion people on the face of the earth making decisions — and sometimes those decisions, those choices, are often going to go against others’ decisions. God did not create us as robots who cannot do but exactly what they have been programmed to do.

God allows choices because He is going to judge everything in the end — “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2Co 5:10). “You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (Ecc 11:9 NIV).

Furthermore, God will judge everyone in righteousness, and therefore, His judgments will be true (Acts 17:30–31).

God gave mankind rules by which to live, and they are not burdensome (1Jn 5:2–3; Psa 19:7–14). And He also gave us the ability to choose whether or not to comply with His rules. And again, this choice has been afforded to everyone.

Going back to the very beginning of everything, God gave Adam and Eve the ability to choose, and because of what they chose — and despite Eve being deceived by Satan, mankind’s adversary (Gen 3 and 1Ti 2:11–15) — we bear the consequences but not the guilt of their sin (Rom 5:12).

We must have a God-given, fixed standard so that we may know why we need forgiveness so much. God’s law is not to pat us on the back and tell us what fine fellows we are. God’s law is given to provide a proper shape for our repentance. In moments like this, we are aghast, but our “repentance” is formless and void. We need the shape of God’s holy Word so that we know how shapeless we have become. (Doug Wilson).

The apostle Paul, carried along by the Holy Spirit of God (2Pe 1:21), put it this way:

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted (1Ti 1:8–11).

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2Co 9:15; and see Jn 3:16; Eph 2:8–10; 2Co 2:14).

Are We Willing to Yield?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

We all acknowledge that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I used to not really understand nor appreciate this maxim, but I do now more than ever. And I will add that change for the sake of change is hardly ever a benefit. And so we wrestle hard and fast against change of nearly any kind. Truthfully, when stores change their layout, I am unhappy and may not return.

I will admit that as a man (a male) I really have a problem with change, but I wasn’t always this way. Maybe it’s a sign of aging as we rage against the inevitable. Or maybe it’s because I am stubborn, selfish, and scared.

The spirit of Christ is not about change — the gospel message is the same today as it has been when the apostle Peter preached on Pentecost day: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ ” (Acts 2:38–39).

One reason why I make this point is because our current culture — much like all cultures before us — want to have it their way, not God’s way. And so, as morality seems to change there is a shift in people’s thinking that God’s will has also changed. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:8–9).

As a result of being conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29) we are no longer to walk like those of the world (Ephesians 4:17). “That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:22–24). As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re to think and therefore behave differently. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18–19).

But sometimes change is necessary when it comes to expedients, when it comes to things that do not really matter, or a matters of opinion. We want to serve others; and so, as Christians, we are to be about others. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1–2).

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5).

What can we do to help others? If we can, then we should.

Choose To Be The Difference

Weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).

When I first read about what happened in Orlando very early Sunday morning, I was angered and saddened.

Part of the reason why I was feeling angry was because I felt I knew what was coming in the media hailstorm—and not just in the mainline media, but especially from social media. I knew nothing about the victims except that they were victims.

Later Sunday morning I read that the death-toll had gone up to 50 with 50+ injured. And then it was reported that it had happened at a gay bar. And what startled me so much was that some's reactions changed because they had heard these victims of such horrific and unexpected violence were gay.

Weep with those who weep.

More than offering sympathy, can we not find empathy in our hearts toward those who were murdered?

I am reminded of the Lord healing a man with a withered hand; and He did so on a Sabbath day! Incredulous!

Jesus went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him (Matthew 12:9-14).

The Pharisees had no compassion. Are we any better than they?

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20)

When In Doubt, Don’t Quit

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; 

but some were doubtful.”

—Matthew 28:17—

We would like to believe that if it had been us who had witnessed the Lord’s horrific crucifixion, burial, and resurrection that we would have never doubted. This is the result of the hubris of thinking more of ourselves than we should. We would have been just like the apostles who witnessed it all, but still there were some who were doubtful. And this was moments before Jesus’ ascension.

Is doubt sinful? Is doubt the result of an unbelieving heart? What should we do when we doubt?

First of all, the word of God admonishes us to be merciful to those who are doubting: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 20–22).

Jesus showed compassion toward those who doubted: with the apostles when He walked on water (Matthew 14:31); and in teaching them about expectations and faith when He cursed the fig tree which falsely showed it had figs (Matthew 21:21 / Mark 11:23).

Sometimes we fail to appreciate or hold in compassion those who  may be doubting. If we were honest with ourselves we would quickly acknowledge that we, too, have had moments of doubt. Doubt can actually help us assimilate for ourselves the truth as we ask questions with the view to understanding.

Doubt which merely asks questions, but doesn’t seek answers—or summarily rejects the answers offered—is destructive. We know those who have doubted even God’s existence who have left their first love, but not because of doubt alone, but because they did not ask, seek, and knock with the desire for it to be given, found, or opened (Matthew 7:7–11). These are the ones who feel that asking alone is enough; but they don’t want to stay for the answers. They’re the ones who ask difficult questions, but then want simple answers.

Sometimes doubt appears because we don’t understand something. Can we imagine experiencing what the apostles had as they witnessed the brutality of Jesus’ crucifixion and His burial? As all people before, Jesus died and was buried. The expectation of Jesus’ resurrection of the dead should have been there—not because it had happened before in this way—but because Jesus had told them it would happen (e.g., Mark 8:31 / 9:9–10, 30–32 / 10:33–34).

So, what should we do when we doubt?

• Don’t quit. We’re not told that all the apostles doubted; we’re told that some did. But none of them quit following the Lord. I would suggest that doubt wasn’t immediately removed, but took time and an effort from themselves to grow in their belief. Make the time to read 2 Corinthians 4:16—5:9 and Isaiah 40:28–31.
• Pray for faith. A father was in dire need of his son to be healed from being demon-possessed. The father explained to Jesus that the spirit “has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22–24). The apostles also asked for an increase in faith (Luke 17:5). If we lack anything, then we should ask for it (James 1:4–8).
• Have faith. When the disciples watched the fig tree wither, they were marveling. Matthew writes that Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:21–22). 
• Spend more time in God’s word. “So faith comes of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). “Your word is a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105 / and read Psalm 19:7–11).

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9).

The Past Is Passed

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13–14).

Too often people have assumed that Paul is referring to one’s past failures. But in the larger context of the chapter, Paul is actually addressing the past’s successes.

For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless (Philippians 3:3–6).

Paul’s point in mentioning these things — even his zeal for God as revealed by his persecution of the church — is that “whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (verses 7–8).

The word “rubbish,” by the way, means more than just trash. The Greek word is only found here in the New Testament, but it is used in other ancient sources as dung — “The vulgar term stresses the force of the renunciation he has made for Christ’s sake” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged, p. 1052).

OUR TROPHIES ARE TRASH

And so the real point — and maybe even the difficult point to accept — is that our trophies, our successes, when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ, are not merely to be thrown away, but are as revolting to us as dung.

KNOWING THE LORD

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord” ( Jeremiah 9:23–24).

Do we delight in knowing God? Is He nothing more than an afterthought, or acquaintance? The relationship God is seeking with us is likened to a father/son relationship (Romans 8:12–17; Hebrews 2:10–13). But beyond this relationship, God likens His relationship with the church as a husband and wife (Ephesians 5:25–33; Revelation 21:2, 9).

Again, the past — with its inherent successes and failures — is passed. “Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Satan sometimes traps us in the past. We dwell on things that, in the grand scheme, do not matter to our soul’s salvation.

Letting go of past failings is difficult enough, but it is especially challenging to release our minds from dwelling on our past successes. But if we value Christ and an eternal home in Heaven, then we will cling to Him as Paul did — “not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:9–11).

Handling Disappointment

But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice (Philippians 1:18 NLT).

For us to experience disappointment we must first have an expectation. Sometimes our expectations are unclear, maybe even to ourselves. This realization may not help us feel a lot better, but we should at least consider the possibility of our unclear expectations being the reason why we are disappointed. Furthermore, it may also be that we are disappointed because of unrealistic expectations — more often about what we expect of or from others than ourselves.

The apostle Paul reminds us to “not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). Paul probably understood disappointment and even discouragement — especially when it came from brethren — more than almost anyone, except maybe the Lord himself.

Paul also mentions “danger from false brothers” (2 Cor. 11:26). It’s one thing to have to undergo hardship because of those who do not love the Lord, but it’s quite another level of disappointment — and possibly despair — when hardship comes from false brothers.

It’s hard to imagine that there were brothers who wanted to make Paul’s imprisonment worse, but there were. Paul briefly addresses his situation, and brings up a rather idealistic turn:

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:14–18).

Writing to his preaching protege, Timothy, the apostle Paul reminded him of the reasons why he suffered, and that Timothy’s expectation should very well be the same:

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra — which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:10–13)

Timothy’s imprisonment can be inferred from the writer of Hebrews as he delivered the good news of Timothy’s release — “You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon” (Heb. 13:23). We know nothing about the details surrounding his being detained: whether it was to visit Paul (cf. 2 Tim. 4:11, 21) or for something else.

Getting back on point … We are going to suffer disappointment. Whether it comes from a coworker, neighbor, or friend; and, yes, it will feel worse when it comes from a brother or sister in Christ because we obviously expect better things from them.

So what can we do?

• We can begin by looking for spiritual stability and friendship with the Lord: He is the anchor of our souls (Heb. 6:13–20) and remains the same (Heb. 13:8–9).
• Prayer works (Luke 18:1 / Rom. 12:12 / 1 Thess. 5:17).
• We also need to remember that we, too, disappoint others — and we should give them the benefit of the doubt when we are disappointed by them because of God’s love for us all (Ecc. 7:21–22 / 1 Cor. 13:7 / 1 John 2:1–2, 4:19 / Rom. 3:23).
• We need to remember that God will judge, it’s not our place to exact revenge (Rom. 12:14, 17–21 / Heb. 10:30–31).
• Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:13–14).

Just Because It’s Green Doesn’t Mean It’s Grass

Driving through my neighborhood recently, I noticed a number of lawns being watered despite a recent rain. What really caught my attention was one lawn that was, from a distance, green and being watered, but when I drove closer I saw that the green wasn’t grass, but weeds — and then the thought came to mind: Just because it’s green, doesn’t mean it’s grass.

No one likes a hypocrite, because we know they’re deceptive pretenders. And, yes, we’ve all played the part. Back in the first-century day the term hypocrite was applied to actors because of the interchangeable faces they would literally use to convey the different characters they pretended to be in their tragedies and plays. We sometimes say of a hypocrite that they’re “two-faced,” and this is where that notion comes.

We know that Jesus was no deceiver (1 Pet. 2:22). Jesus never play-acted, He never pretended to be or feel something different than what he was conveying to others. His love was genuine (Rom. 12:9). Now this doesn’t mean He got along with hypocrites, but that He was merciful to them :
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. (Matt. 22:15–22)

In the following chapter of Matthew (ch. 23), we read a lengthy diatribe from the Lord against the scribes and Pharisees — in the scathing rebuke, Jesus calls them hypocrites 6 times (vv. 13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29).

In what we call the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught, “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19–20).

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. (Matthew 23:25–32)

It’s safe to conclude that the Lord did not enjoy dealing with hypocrites and their hypocrisy — “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:1–3).

One of the dangers of hypocrisy is that anyone can be guilty of it, including an apostle! Paul accused Peter of such (Gal. 2:11–14). Later, Peter writes, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Pet. 2:1-3).

Do we want to be in heaven? Then don’t be a hypocrite — “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). God knows our hearts, and is not impressed by appearances (1 Sam. 16:7 / 1 John 3:19–24 / John 7:24).

And, yes, congregations are indeed filled with hypocrites, from the pulpit through to the pew: the fact is we’re all going to spend time with hypocrites — whether for the short term in life under the sun, or for eternity in hell.

The Blatant Hypocrisy Of Knowing The Right Thing To Do, But Refusing To Do It

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name (Acts 22:16).

Shocking. Stunning. Stupefying. These words come to mind when thinking about people who know the right thing to do, who refuse to do it themselves, but then tell other people that they need to do it! I’m not sure this phenomenon can be explained satisfactorily. And I’m not sure how what they are saying is coming across to those who see the blatant hypocrisy.

The rather benign example is that of a fat doctor telling his patients how important it is to lose weight. The doctor might even defend himself by saying you can be fat and super-healthy … just like him, but since you’re not him, you’re in desperate need to lose weight. Another fine example is that of a lazy coworker who tells you how important it is to show up to work early and leave late; but he never does it himself!? Okay, then—crazy much?

What is much worse—because of the eternal consequences of hellfire and brimstone—is that there are people who know what they need to do to have eternal life (e.g., hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully) but who simply refuse to do it while simultaneously telling people that if they don’t they’re going to hell.

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (James 1:21–25).

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19–20).

PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH

Jesus said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice” (Matthew 23:2–3). This blatant hypocrisy of not practicing what we preach is not modern: it is the plague of mankind.

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. … But if you … boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:13, 17–24).

Virtue is imperative to our lives as Christians—in other words, living the life we say we believe we should is far more effective than listening to (or having to endure listening to) hundreds of sermons. So then, if we don’t live it, then we really don’t believe it!

Again Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. … For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:47–48).

Did Jesus Ever Sneeze?

I realize that the title will cause some to be a bit hesitant to read any further, but I am not trying to be ridiculous.

My point in asking if Jesus ever sneezed is to emphasize what the Scriptures do about Him: that He was "being found in appearance as a man" (Philippians 2:8). On earth Jesus didn't enjoy such divine protection from physical suffering. As a matter of biblical record, He suffered much (e.g., the cross).

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:23–25).

Remember that God became flesh; that's actually the meaning of the name Immanuel—"God with us" (Matthew 1:23). And the reason why He became flesh was to save us from ourselves by becoming what we were supposed to be from the beginning when God saw that everything He had created was very good (Genesis 1:31).

And the only way for us to overcome these frail bodies is by walking by faith, and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). I don't believe faith is blind—faith is directed by God's word (Romans 10:17; 14:23).

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:1–3).

"The End of the Matter"

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

Many people say they believe God exists and that there will even be a day of judgment, a day of reckoning, but that God will save most despite how they chose to live. This doesn’t even make sense, but the devil has successfully convinced people it is true — “When [the devil] lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Jesus made it clear that “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” (Matthew 7:21). As James put it: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Notice the deception is to oneself — “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7–9).

In a different letter, the apostle Paul urged Titus to “insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. … And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:8, 14).

The Bible does not teach that when a person is forgiven of all their sins (Acts 2:38) that they can go back to living in them!

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:1–7)

The process begins and ends with God’s grace. We should never try to deny His grace because without Him and what He did through His Son and Holy Spirit we would have no hope at all (see Romans 5:6–11; 8:23–32;  1 Corinthians 2:9–16).

For some, the problem is that we act as if once saved, always saved. We might not go so far as to think that we cannot sin, but we might act as if our sins “in Christ” don’t have the same dreadful consequences of death (Romans 6:23). We rely on ourselves to earn eternal salvation through checks and balances — as if that were even possible. We come to Bible studies and worship, but our heart is elsewhere. What’s the difference between what we are doing and what Jesus accused the Pharisees of doing: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me’ ” (Mark 7:6; see Ezekiel 33:30–33).

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:15–16).

If we believe God exists, and that He judges everything, then we should live like it.

God Is Not A Man

Many have reacted to Peyton Manning's declaration after winning Super Bowl 50 that he was going to drink a lot and then offer a pray of thanksgiving to "the man upstairs," not God, but "the man upstairs." I realize he intends the same thing, but God is not a man (Numbers 23:19). All-in-all, a huge irony.

Who is always in trouble? Who argues and fights? Who has cuts and bruises? Whose eyes are red? Everyone who stays up late, having just one more drink. Don't even look at that colorful stuff bubbling up in the glass! It goes down so easily, but later it bites like a poisonous snake. You will see weird things, and your mind will play tricks on you. You will feel tossed about like someone trying to sleep on a ship in a storm. You will be bruised all over, without even remembering how it all happened. And you will lie awake asking, "When will morning come, so I can drink some more?" (Proverbs 23:29-35 CEV)

To me the bottom line is that Manning said the wrong thing at the wrong time. And the combination of saying he's planning to drink a lot and then praying to his god in thanksgiving for winning a big game is just stupid—yes, it's the American way, which seems to me to say we need to change that too: as if God is really interested in the games we play.

To Do Great Things …

Microsoft’s has recently been running a series of commercials advertising their updated larger tablet, the Surface Pro. I don’t really pay attention to commercials—thankfully I can usually fast-forward through them. But watching more playoff football lately, I have seen their commercial too many times: and I finally paid a little attention to what they said: “To do great things, sometimes you gotta break the rules.”

What? One initial thought I had was: “What great things have they done by breaking the rules?” Another was: “What great things have they done at all?” Maybe I kid, maybe not.

I guess if you don’t think about it, then what they’re saying makes perfect sense … Actually, it makes no sense at all. I presume Microsoft is trying to seem “hip,” but it seems to me that they are missing the target completely.

The main point to me is that if we really want to do great things — like making it to heaven forever — then we won’t accomplish that by breaking the rules, but rather, by keeping them:

• 1 John 2:3–6  By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
• 1 John 3:22, 24  … Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. … The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
• 1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

Jesus taught that there’s a vast difference between those who do what He commands and those who don’t:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall (Matthew 7:24–27).

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does (James 1:21–25).

God wants us to know His will and do His will. As the Lord said to His apostles: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. … You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 14:15; 15:14).

To do great things, sometimes you gotta keep the rules!

Hillary Clinton and the FBI

I'm not sure what to think about the recent announcement that the FBI is intending to indict Hillary Clinton. My initial reaction was: "Right. It's not going to happen."

Also, I must say that it's disconcerting that CNN doesn't even have a reference to Hillary Clinton and the FBI … at all. Fox News has it as a headline. Clinton herself is being quoted as not concerned at all about the FBI's probe or even the threat of an indictment.

She's probably right not to be concerned. Her husband was the first president since Andrew Johnson to be impeached. Rather than infamy, Bill Clinton seems to have enjoyed "famy." It's almost as if he didn't lose one night's sleep over the entire issue.

I am more cynical today about politics and politicians than ever before. And I sincerely believe that as a spiritually vapid nation that we're getting what we deserve—whether we're talking about Hillary Clinton in office, or Donald Trump.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13).