Discouragement

 Discouragement is real. And when we’re going through discouraging times, pep talks aren’t as welcome—but we need them anyway.

Sometimes we experience feelings of discouragement simply because our current circumstances are not ideal. Sometimes it’s because of real danger. Consider as an example, Queen Esther.

Esther was encouraged by her uncle Mordecai after he had received a report from her that she was afraid to go before the king unannounced—

Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”

So they told Mordecai Esther’s words. And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

For Esther, the danger did not vanish because of Mordecai’s encouragement, but she clearly grew in confidence enough to approach the king (see 4:16). And we know how that story developed. To this day, Jews recognize Esther’s courage as they celebrate Purim.

Another example is Elijah when he fled from Jezebel’s threats. His story amazes me because Elijah was valiant when dealing with the priests of Baal and King Ahab in 1 Kings 18. But then Queen Jezebel threatens Elihaj’s life, and he takes her threats to heart so much so that he is scared and he flees.

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:1–4)

God doesn’t allow Elijah to quit. God miraculously provided food for him (vv. 5–8). And then God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” (vv. 9, 13).

God then explains to Elijah what He wants for him to do. And He concludes, “Yet I have reserved 7,000 in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (v. 18)

Elijah was unaware of the 7,000 faithful and this caused him to be discouraged. But God revealed to him that they were there and they were faithful just like Elijah—he was not alone, and God needed him to continue.

When we’re going through difficult days (Ecclesiastes 12:1–8), we need to remind ourselves of the continuing love and express promises of God. We need not focus unduly on ourselves, but on Christ

Looking unto Jesus, the pioneer and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:2–3)

Today we don’t necessarily expect to get from God the revelations like Elijah did. But we need to know, to be reassured in our minds, that God seeks our success in Him:

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–11)

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14)

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 

Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 12:16

Comparing the narratives we find in the book of Judges with our day and time, we come to discover there is nothing new. People still rage against God’s will—we know better, but we sometimes struggle mightily to think or do better.

It’s laughable how full of ourselves we can be. We may think we’re the exception to the rules of man—that we will never die, never stumble, never fall. This is being wise in our own sight. And yes, Christians can sometimes be the worst bunch.

We’ve probably all known some Christian (at least in name) who is so full of himself that he acts like he can do no wrong. And when he is presented with what he’s done wrong, he simply explodes on those who have had the audacity to confront him. In my own 41 years of preaching I can attest to the hubris of some who strongly believe they can do no wrong, and yet their lives show otherwise. “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16)

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16)

The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. … But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:20, 22)

Pride Month

Rainbow tinted profile pictures, rainbow light displays, the pride flag on nearly every staff—reminders about what month we’re in greet us at every turn. Pride Month has grown from a recessed community recognition to an international celebration. 

We can no longer ignore what’s going on “out there” in the world, because now the world is barging into the community of believers, demanding full acceptance (or else). Followers of Jesus must reckon with the LGBTQIA+ community — the agendas and the people. Especially the people. But we need to remind ourselves of what the apostle Peter wrote to the first century Christians who lived in a world generally annoyed and angered by them:

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:14-15).

Sometimes what we feel about this celebration of sin looks like “righteous indignation” and maybe zeal. But as truth takes hit after hit after hit, we need to draw some hard lines in the proverbial sand, stand up for what’s righteous, and speak for the truth. Yet, in a society fueled by outrage about nearly everything, I want to propose that while indignation may have its place, our first response should very likely be a broken (and therefore compassionate) heart.

Remembering My Sinfulness

Allow me to ask: What’s the worst sin in the Bible? 

There’s only one sin that Jesus said was unpardonable, unforgivable — the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:22-32). This is the section just before Jesus’ statement about us being judged for every idle word we may say (vv. 33-37).

Outside of this sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit I would believe it right to say that any sin will destroy our perfect relationship with God, separating (even eternally) from God. 

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Daniel serves well as a cautionary story — he was captured as a teen, and he lived almost his entire earthly life in Babylon; nearly 70 years in captivity. One day while he was reading and thinking about the prophecies of Jeremiah, he realized that the time of exile was nearly done. He knew why his people had been punished by Babylon in the first place, and in his prayer, he said: “Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the LORD our God by following his instructions that he set before us through his servants the prophets.” (Dan 9:9-10)

We might wonder what sin Daniel was guilty of because there’s nothing in the biblical record that tells us, but he, like all of us, certainly was a sinner (Rom 3:10, 23; Gal 3:22). My point is that in his prayer he includes himself by saying “we” and “us.”

If we have any integrity, Pride Month could probably be called “Self-Righteousness” month for us all. Like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable (Lk 18:9-14), we are prone to thank God that we’re not like “them,” as if we’re a better class of sinner.

This month we all need to remember that every sin, including self-righteousness, is only forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God and our mediator (John 14:6; Rom 6:1-7; Gal 3:26-29, 1 Tim 2:5). As Isaiah reminds us all: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

It might seem easy to condemn others this month, but if we’re looking in the mirror of God’s word (James 1:19-25), then we will see our own hideousness. We all need to see the ugliness of our own sins and busy ourselves working on ourselves (Philippians 2:12-13).

We All Need Jesus' Compassion

The one big thing it seems the Pharisees lacked was compassion. In Mark 3:1-6 we have an example of just how hard-hearted they were against others who were not them. In this case, there was a man with a withered hand: 

Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. (vv. 4-5)

In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells them a parable — and we’re informed by the Holy Spirit that “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” (v. 9) He could well be telling that parable to us all.

I often think of Jesus walking among us, among mankind. I realize we may feel that things in the 21st century are much worse than they were in the 1st, but we’d be wrong with that assessment. Mankind is chock full of sinners (Rom 3:23). Our sins today are like all the sins of yesterday. And they are despicable.

And yet Jesus didn’t walk around sneering at people and mocking them. That’s essentially what the Pharisees seemed to do:

But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues . . . But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. . . . But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. (Matt 23:5-6, 11-13)

Do we weep over our own sins? We may feel justified being angry about the sins of others — again, it being Pride Month — but are we moved to tears?

Sin destroys lives — think about the first sin of Adam against all of mankind (Gen 3; Rom 5). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

We should be moved to pray for others — “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:43-45)

We also need to pray to God to help us when we’re talking to others. “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). “Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride” (1 Cor 13:4).

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:5-6)

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:14-15)

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

We are not judges, we are sinners — “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom 5:6)

Stuck Going Through the Motions

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 

Titus 2:11–14

Going through the motions is only going to get us so far.

But for many of us, going through the motions is what we know, what we’re comfortable with. The problem is that we may not feel invested.

There’s a big difference the bacon and eggs—not just because of the different animals they come from, but how they come. Pigs give their lives. God doesn’t just want us to go through the motions—he wants our hearts and minds.

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:35–38)

What Jesus said then applies to us today.

When we sing, we can get caught going through the motions. It’s not about “sounding nice,” it’s about the most important instrument we all have—the heart.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

Singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord is going to manifest itself to others. Just think about it.

And when we pray together—we can definitely get caught going through the motions by not even paying attention. It’s about focusing on what is being said. I realize this can be challenging because with our eyes closed our minds may wander. So put in the effort to focus.

And when we consider the word of God together in a sermon—participate as much as you can by thinking through the things being presented. Many of my sermons are full of scripture reading. I do this on purpose because I want all of us to be presented with God’s way of thinking: his words, his mind.

Zeal means we really want to please our Lord and Savior in doing the things He has commanded us—not with a complaining heart, or a divided heart—distracted by thinking about all the things we feel we might be missing out on. If God showed us the zeal we show Him, where would we be?

Even in our giving, Paul urges us—

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

When Our Love Grows Weak

People are the worst.

There’s really no need ever for us to debate this because it’s true. I know there are times that it may seem worse than others, but it is always true that people are the worst. You don’t even have to wait for the headlines—people advertise against themselves and their disgusting thinking and activities on their own as they seek “likes” on TikTok and Instagram reels. There doesn’t seem to really be a depth to which people will go and then stop. They dig down into morally murky depths just a little further (if not a lot further).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12–13)

But in all this I am reminded of God’s longsuffering toward us all. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. . . . And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:9, 15). And every single day I am thankful God is longsuffering toward me. All this to say that we’re all sinful to the Lord: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5; also read Isaiah 64:6) 

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:44–45, 48)

The Daily Battle to Trust

 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7–8

For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

2 Peter 2:19

Many people trust their feelings above all else. Or they may trust their bank account. Or their health. But we know that all these are temporal and can change in the blink of an eye.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. . . . For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 5:4–5)

God wants us to trust Him, and to trust Him completely (Psalm 33:21; Proverbs 3:5). “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:36–37)

Ultimately, the benefit is our if we trust God who commands, and obey Him:

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:7–10)

Again, it’s not a matter of merely keeping commands, although God’s commands are not burdensome nor grievous (1 John 5:2–3). God’s commands are for us to be transformed for the better (Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:22–24). God’s commands bring us eternal life and, furthermore, profit us in the here and now, preparing us for eternity (1 Timothy 4:7–8; Ecclesiastes 12:13–14; Romans 8:18).

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7–11)

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalm 119:160)

Do we really trust God? Whether we actually do or not, it will show in how we choose to live (1 Timothy 5:24–25). “The one who conducts himself in integrity will live securely, but the one who behaves perversely will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9 NET)

Satan is never going to give up on us—he’s always coming after us. This is why we are to be watchful in everything (Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8). This can be exhausting if we try to do this on our own. We need help, we need divine intervention:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. . . . And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26, 28)

One very important way that we show trust in God is in praying to Him: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Do we believe God will help us through difficult times? Do we believe that God will not forget us? For some, the answers to these questions may change daily. 

Even Jesus is said to put His trust in God (Hebrews 2:13).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14)

They Have Not All Obeyed

 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  

—Romans 10:16—

Most people don’t seem to understand the call of obedience by God. Denominational concepts of “faith only,” though nowhere found in the NT, are maintained as the truth. The idea seems that the gospel is a message only. Yet, as we see above—and I would encourage reading the entire context of Romans 10—Paul asserts that “they have not all obeyed the gospel.” How would one know? For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” (Romans 10:16b)

Inherent with the preaching, or declaration of the gospel message is a call from God for obedience to its demands (see 2 Thessalonians 2:14). And maybe here is where some of the misunderstanding comes from—we’re not preaching the demands of the gospel as we should. Maybe we’re too preoccupied with a therapeutic gospel.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) “He learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8–9)

The Big Picture

If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:24–26)

Solomon begins his existential treatise with the question: “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3) He answers the question with an answer that may surprise us with its stark, blunt reality:

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. . . . I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 1:8–11, 14).

One of the reasons why I believe the book of Ecclesiastes is the near-perfect place to start a Bible study with someone who may know little-to-nothing about God’s word is that it dares to ask the questions that almost everyone will ask at some moment in their lives. There will be for almost everyone something that happens that serves as a catalyst for the deep, hard questions of life. Maybe the unexpected death of someone who is close them. Maybe a world event that scares them. Something happens, and we — from that moment — begin questioning almost everything.

Again, the book of Ecclesiastes as a whole observes the tragedies and injustices of life and doesn’t pretend not to see them. As a matter of fact, Solomon stares at the injustices:

Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. . . . If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them (Ecclesiastes 3:16–17; 5:8).

Solomon does not merely wax eloquent about all the things “under the sun” — whether good or bad — that he sees. He comes to a conclusion:

The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here is right and truthful. Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd. So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body. Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human. For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:10–14).

Jesus asked: What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? The word “forfeit” is a word found six times in the New Testament Greek. Three times we find the word used in quoting Jesus as we have here in Matthew 16:26 and the parallel synoptic passages of Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25. The other three times this Greek word is used are all in Paul’s letters: 1 Corinthians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 7:9 and Philippians 3:8 where we find the word translated “suffer loss.” The idea is complete loss, not just a misplacement with the potential to find what we’ve lost. Forfeiture of our soul means complete loss of our souls. What shall a man give in return for his soul?

What do any of us have that we could offer in exchange to God in return for our soul? God’s grace provides everything:

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. . . . 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, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:1–2, 6–7).

We should stop and think about the big picture; to consider and praise God for His immeasurable grace:

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. . . . What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? . . . As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:28, 31–32, 36–37).

Suffering: A Sign of God's Favor

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him,
but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29).

You may want to reread the title because it’s baffling. We don’t really think of suffering as ever being a good or beneficial thing. Suffering is suffering. Suffering is bad. Pain is bad, right? And yet we read from the apostle Paul about his own suffering and, specifically, that he was able to ask and get a direct answer from God:

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).

The writer of Hebrews makes a similar assessment about suffering:

Consider [Jesus] who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:3–7, quoting Proverbs 3:11)

I believe we’re generally stuck in our thinking about suffering, like Job’s three friends who essentially believed that when we suffer it’s our fault—that only bad things happen to bad people. Job proves otherwise (Job 1:1, 8), as does Jesus, God’s Son. So, we’re adding to suffering unnecessarily by assigning a different motive than what God has assigned.

In his commentary on Philippians 1:29, Ralph P. Martin writes: “There is no accident in [the Philippians’] suffering, nor is it a mark of divine punishment as though God were angry with them. On the contrary, it is a sign of His favour … Not only does suffering for Christ’s sake fulfil the purpose of God for His people in the world, it comes as a gift of His grace” (p. 89). Let’s briefly consider a few passages:

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21–22).

We sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain (1 Thessalonians 3:2–5).

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

See again that Paul tells us that desiring to live godly is going to elicit persecution! As a Christian living in twenty-first century America, I struggle with these biblical revelations about suffering and glory. I’d simply rather not suffer. There’s the popular sentiment expressed by people who like exercising: “No pain, no gain.” I much prefer the sentiment expressed by people who don’t like exercising: “No pain, no pain.”

By the direction of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul reminds us that:

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16–18).

Growing in Christ is going to necessitate pain in suffering. Again, the word God has given us makes it very clear that there is no glory without suffering. And suffering isn’t punishment from God, but as we read from Philippians 1:29, “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

Asking the Wrong Questions

Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?” But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

(Matthew 15:12–14)

When it comes to the most important things in life—spiritual things (2 Corinthians 4:18)—too many ask the wrong questions. Rather than asking what makes a certain practice right (i.e., pleasing to God, see Ephesians 5:10), most are going to ask: “What’s wrong with doing _____?” It’s as if that—since they’re the ones doing the questionable things and being asked to show from the Bible where they’re getting their authority for doing those questionable things—they can’t be really questioned. Paul said, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). 

Essentially, their motives are wrong, and so they ask the wrong questions. And the reason why their motives are wrong is because their heart is wrong—seeking to establish their own righteousness, they are unwilling to submit to God’s (Romans 10:3). For example:

Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25–29).

The truth has nothing to hide and if we’re sincerely wanting to please God now—glorifying Him, and seeking the eternal reward of being in His presence forever—then we must boldly ask of ourselves and others about the Scriptural reasons why we do what we do, and the way we do it: because it matters to God what and how we do His commands (1 John 5:2–3). Jesus said, “But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24).

Currently there are many religiously-minded people who are doing things the way they want to do them without biblical foundations. They didn’t read from God’s word what they are practicing. Some have basically defended themselves—what they’re doing and how they’re doing it—by saying that they can’t be wrong because they’re the ones doing these things from sincere hearts. “These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion” (Colossians 2:23). I am reminded of Uzzah and the ark of God (1 Chronicles 13:5–14). Uzzah was sincerely wrong.

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace (Leviticus 10:1–3).

“Unauthorized fire … which he had not commanded them.” If we are open to God’s word—reading and understanding it—then we are going to find out first what it is that He wants before offering what we think or hope is pleasing (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 2:1–10).

Again, too many are asking the wrong questions, concerned about the wrong things, and ignoring the source of the problem, which is a heart set on their own gain (Ezekiel 33:31). “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” (James 1:21–22).

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us (1 John 3:18–24).

If we want to please God as true worshipers, then we must first go to His word to find what it is that He wants us to be, think, and do. “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).

The Benefit and Service of Showing Up

I was glad when they said to me, 

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 

—David, Psalm 122:1—

Sunday! For a lot of people reading that word, they already knew they were going to be here today—it’s their developed habit, their pattern for living, their joy, and nothing short of illness or natural disaster is going to hold them back from being here with their spiritual family. Yes, there are a few who are reading these words who know they won’t be coming to worship on Sunday—there are clearly valid reasons for them to not attend worship on a given week, and we compassionately understand that God’s love for us does not waver when we’re sick or on maybe on the road or otherwise unable.

The truth is that there are a host of those who are between these two categories. They are the ones who plan to worship on Sunday, but they won’t actually gather together with others to do it. Here’s the thing: they have every intention of going. As the weekend begins, they have every intention of showing up for worship, to be encouraged and to be an encouragement. By Saturday evening they still intend to go. If we call them up, they’ll say, with all honestly, that they’re planning to be there, of seeing us come Sunday morning.

But one of the big problems is that they won’t have done much to prepare for it—to make the time to stop from their distracting activities, to remind the family to make sure they’ve got something to wear, to get to bed at a reasonable hour, to set an alarm. By the time Sunday morning rolls around and study or worship begins, they will be nowhere to be seen.

It’s these to whom we want to speak the truth in love—the many who genuinely intend to get to worship every week, but who consistently fail to show.

Some might call it a “ministry of presence”—of simply gathering with  others of like precious faith in worship to our heavenly Father on Sunday (2 Peter 1:1). This may seem like such a little thing, an almost inconsequential thing, but it matters immensely and affects us eternally. It matters that much! It’s genuinely a service, a ministry (Ephesians 4:12–16) as every part does its share. It’s a clear way of Christians serving one another in love (Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 10:24–25).

When we come together, it shouldn’t be a mere exercise of doing things that carry no actual meaning—a mere going through the motions. Our fellowship together is because of the direct connection we have with our heavenly Father: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; also read 4:7–8).

Are we committed to serving God and one another? It shows by whether or not we show up. It’s easy enough to intend to do this, but it takes loving effort and diligence in doing it. Remember what Jesus said about the wise and fool?

“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).

How else do we fulfill “one another” commands unless we’re together? (Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) Every congregation (including ours) needs more commitment from those who see their presence as a wonderful contribution and a superior benefit to themselves and their spiritual family. It’s not about having to, but wanting to be here and be a part.

What Do We Lack?

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21–22)

The story of the rich young ruler astounds me nearly every time that I hear it or read it because this man doesn’t seem far off from the mindset of God. Quite honestly, in my own estimation of things, this man is better than me because I’m confident the Lord would say I lack more than “one thing.”

One thing.

This man had been keeping the commands of God from his youth (Mark 10:20). And Jesus does not argue with him, doesn’t hastily correct him, on this. Jesus doesn’t say, “That’s what you think!”

His going away grieving is amazing, too, isn’t it? He’s been told that he lacks one thing, but he goes away grieving. This “one thing” was big. Obviously it was big enough to keep him from following Jesus. He went away … 

If we examine ourselves as we should (2 Cor 13:5), what would we come away with? Maybe we fear self-examination, and so we don’t do it — we hope to ignore our sins long enough that they will go away on their own, or maybe even improve without us having to deal with them at all.

Or maybe we succeed in being dishonest with ourselves, and our self-examination never leads to correction. We believe we’re all right as we are, that there’s no room for improvement. This is delusional (James 1:22, 26;  1 Cor 3:18; 6:9;  Gal 6:3, 7;  2 Tim 3:12–13;  1 John 1:8).

In Greek mythology we meet a man who seems invincible. His name is Achilles. The myth is that he was dipped into the river Styx by his mother. He was immersed, except for where she was holding him: his heel. And so today, we talk about a weakness as someone’s Achilles heel.

Everyone doesn’t suffer from the same weaknesses. Some struggle with alcoholism, while others don’t ever find themselves tempted to take one drink. Some are consumed by sex, money or power. Paul urged the Corinthians, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). As an illustration of this, we will consider Matthew 26:30–35:

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

We remember how tragically this ended for Peter. Thankfully, he was not consumed by self-destruction, nor his desire to repent and make things right with the Lord (see John 21:15–19). I’d suggest that in this story we find Peter’s “Achilles heel” to be over-confidence (pride) in himself.
The point of all this is for us to honestly examine ourselves in light of God’s will. If we lack knowledge of his word, then we need to step up on that immediately and prayerfully (2 Tim 2:15; 3:14—4:5;  James 1:5–8;  2 Pet 1:5–11).

It’s not just that “we know better,” but that we “do better.” James urges us to be doers of the word (James 1:22). But it’s not just about being busy, but being active in a growing faith for the edification of ourselves and our spiritual family (Eph 4:11–16;  Heb 10:24–25).

We need also to remind ourselves that we cannot serve God and mammon (Matt 6:24; also see James 4:4). Mammon could very well be wealth or money, as more recent English translations have it. But some have suggested the word mammon means anything that could serve as an idol and replace God. God wants us to serve him completely (Matt 22:34–40;  Rom 8:5–11;  Col 3:1–11).

What do we lack? Are we willing to see the spiritual obstacles for what they are, or will we continue to ignore them? Judgment is coming for us all (Heb 9:27). We can be ready on God’s terms by knowing his will, and doing it (Php 2:12–13).

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 (2 Cor 5:10).

Being Wrong Isn't the Worst Thing

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of 

the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, 

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 

(Romans 3:22–24)

The first word of the gospel, as the apostle Peter proclaimed it on the Day of Pentecost two millennia ago, is repent. This single word distills the gospel message into one word:

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36–38).

Being wrong is not the worst thing, but willfully remaining wrong is. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:24–27).

There’s much involved with repentance: “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:9–11).

Repentance is what the first century world needed, and it’s what the twenty-first century world needs. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31).

Ignorance cannot be a proper defense against God’s perfect judgment. Paul said: “In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16–17). To the Christians in Rome, Paul wrote: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18–20).

Ignorance is removed with knowledge. But it’s not merely knowing God’s will that changes us (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1) — because if we don’t use the knowledge, it’s useless to us. “Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. … Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:7, 11). The Lord of glory spoke of two different kinds of people: those who hear and do, and those who hear but refuse to change (Luke 6:46–49). James reminds us all: “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” (James 1:21–22).

We could summarize the point by contrasting King Saul and King David, likewise the apostles Judas and Peter. Saul and Judas did not repent (again, consider 2 Corinthians 7:10–11). But David and Peter were of the sort who, when they were confronted with their sin, admitted it and sought God’s forgiveness immediately. The point is not that David and Peter were perfect keepers of God’s laws, but again, they repented.

Jesus said, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1–5; see Matthew 4:17; 11:20–24; Luke 15:7, 10). Oh, that we would have a heart like David and like Peter. We’re all sinners (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22). The problem is when we’re content to stay in our sin (cf. 2 Peter 2:20–22; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

The Word of God Is Living

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—

Most of us have probably heard and read Hebrews 4:12 many, many times. We often look to words that are written down in some old book as definitely not living and active, let alone sharper than any two-edged sword. Their ancient words written in languages that are no longer changing because they’re no longer being used. But these words—claiming to be from the One who created us all—are life! To neglect (or make light of) these words adversely affects us now, but especially in our eternal lives.

“Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Are we giving diligence to the study and meditation of God’s word? Are we occasional and haphazard in our studies, or diligent and focused? Is our “diligence” only when we come together with other Christians, or are we—on our own—reading God’s word and thinking about how these words of life apply to us and daily lives?

Even Satan knows the inherent power of God’s word for saving souls—as the Lord explained the parable of the sower who sowed seed everywhere, we read: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:11–12).

One of the things the word of God provides us is a look into the past to help navigate life now. We’ve all heard variations of the following statement: “Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.” God’s word gives us an interactive series of history lessons teaching us about how our God dealt with sin: “Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24–25).

Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples . . . Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall (1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 11–12).

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Are we willing to learn God’s lessons? How can we actually believe (because what we truly believe shows in how we’re living) that ignorance of God’s words and ways is, at all, beneficial? So then why do we maintain ignorance? Why are we not putting the time and effort into our knowledge of God’s mind as revealed to mankind through his holy apostles and prophets? (read 2 Peter 1:16–21; 3:14–18).

“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. . . . If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day (John 5:22–24; 12:47–48).

Get into the word of God, and allow it to get into you! It’s living and active . . . discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

What Standard Should We Use?

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the 

Son of God, growing into a mature man with a stature 

measured by Christ’s fullness.

—Ephesians 4:13—

THE apostle Paul warned that we should not compare ourselves with others: “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12). The standard that we are to use that will actually help us attain eternal life is Christ Himself. He is what God the Father desires us to become.

Like Jesus, we are to love our enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).

Or, as the apostle Paul put it: “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. … 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” (Romans 5:6–8, 10).

The growth God seeks in us requires a desire to please God and not ourselves (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 5:8–10). As always, our best example of this is Christ “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to hold, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me’” (Romans 15:2–3). “Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God; even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:32–33).

James offers that we pray for wisdom (James 1:5–8). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Ephesians 1:7–9).

The apostle Paul summarizes succinctly what I’m trying to get at in this article — “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

Again, our standard should be Jesus himself! And the more time we spend in reading about him and what he did (and why he did it) in the gospel accounts — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — the more we’re going to understand and appreciate everything about who he was here on earth. This doesn’t mean that the act of reading is going to accomplish it, but it’s a definite starting point. As Paul urged Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The only way for the word of God to get into us is by our getting into it. We make the time for what we deem valuable. If we’re really wanting to go to heaven, then we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

It’s not about just gaining knowledge, because knowing puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). It’s about gaining love, the love of Christ: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17–19). “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Guilty

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant 

released him and forgave him the debt. 

—Matthew 18:27—

JESUS wants us to come to him: “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). We may, however, feel completely unworthy to come near him because of our wretchedness, our sin which we cannot cleanse ourselves from no matter how hard we try.

Guilt is a powerful feeling. And, quite honestly, guilt has its proper place—feeling guilty sometimes is good when we’re guilty and unwilling to change. But if we allow our guilt to consume us—by not recognizing its inherent power and how our adversary, the devil, can use it against us—then we may become useless in service to God and his perfect intentions for us through Jesus Christ. “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 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. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:8–11).

Forms of the English word “guilt” are found most in the book of Leviticus; and this isn’t completely surprising since Leviticus is about God’s holiness and his demand (and expectation) for those who follow him to be holy. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14–16).

The apostle Peter, through the direction of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20–21), quotes a phrase found in Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, and 20:7. Respectively, God is addressing Israel in these passages about dietary restrictions (and why they were to strictly follow them), general commands they were to follow (concerning treatment of their parents, idolatry, and how to properly offer to God peace offerings), and child sacrifice (as the Gentiles in Canaan had been practicing).

Guilt makes us feel uncomfortable. And maybe we don’t enjoy that feeling, although there are some who probably do because it’s how they feel almost all the time (and this isn’t good). But, again, guilt has its proper place: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Good grief is when the thief is sorry he’s a thief; bad grief is the thief sorry he got caught. It’s the essential difference between how the apostle Peter dealt with his grief (John 21:15–19) and how the apostle Judas dealt with his (Matthew 27:3–10; Acts 1:18–19). I am convinced that if the apostle Judas had had godly grief then he, too, would, like the apostle Peter, found forgiveness with Jesus. Again, because godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8–10). Why do we make God to be a liar if we say haven’t sinned? Because God says we all have: “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard” (Colossians 1:21–23).

God “will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:8–9).

Are we struggling with guilt? Then we should often remind ourselves of 1 John 3:19–22:

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.