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)

What Have We Resolved in Our Heart?

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8).

We make hundreds, and maybe even thousands, of choices every day. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed, we’re making choices. Most of the things we choose may not ever seem to bear much consequence, but there are certainly choices we do make that bear a lot of consequence on the moment and into our future, even into eternity. As the apostle Paul put it: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Satan seeks to distract us from the things that matter most. And what matters most? Our relationship with our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Who we choose marry, who we choose to be friends with, the jobs we choose to make a living, the things we choose to entertain our thoughts … all of these things have a bearing on our relationship with Jesus, for better or worse.

Being a disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we’re supposed to have nothing to do with the world. But it does mean we need to be wise. In our thinking we need to hold in the highest esteem the relationship we have with our Savior (Matthew 10:34–39). Consider what the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:9–13).

I know a lot of people who know nothing about the Bible remember Matthew 7:1 — “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Part of the problem, honestly, is that a lot of so-called Christians are quite judgmental. Part of the problem, also, is that the world doesn’t seem to understand or appreciate context. Jesus went on to say:

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you (Matthew 7:2–6)

We need to resolve in our hearts — where it all really needs to begin in our service to the Lord — not to “pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Romans 14:13). We need to aim to conform ourselves to God’s way of thinking and behaving by loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43–48). How was Jesus among us? He didn’t act or speak condescendingly, but lovingly (Mark 10:17–23; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Timothy 2:1–6).

Indeed when we’re living right (or trying to live right) someone’s going to have a problem with us (2 Timothy 3:12). But we press on (Hebrews 5:12—6:1; Ephesians 4:11–16). We set our minds on things above where Christ is (Colossians 3:1–3).

If we’re going to resolve in our hearts to be more like Jesus, then we’re going to make the best effort to love others: “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 attitude among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5).

Resolving to be like Jesus means we’re going to pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1). Why?

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4–8).

“Do You Love Me More Than These?”

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, 

“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

— John 21:15 —

The question Jesus asks Peter has everything to do with priorities. Peter, Andrew, James and John worked as fishermen. The statement Peter makes here is more of a declaration that he was going back to what he knew before he met Jesus three years before.

Jesus is asking us the same question: Do we love Him more than these? We’re not talking about fish, but rather, self, money and family.

Paul warned Timothy, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self” (2 Tim. 3:1–2). Do we seriously believe we’re the first people ever to be so consumed with self? It’s expressed in different ways — selfies, “Have it your way!”, “I’ve gotta have my music!” TV commercials overwhelm us with the idea that we’re the center of the universe; that we’re the standard; that what we think and do is the most important thing. Social media (Facebook, Twitter) urges us to tell the entire world what we think because what we think should matter to everyone, right?

Paul spoke of the promotion of self-made worship (Col. 2:23). Again, we’re in the twenty-first century thinking first-century thoughts! We’re doing what mankind has almost always done: putting self first. Remember, Paul spoke of difficult days where the first thing listed was the love of self. How dangerous self-love is.

When we’re consumed by self, God’s desires don’t really matter so much to us — they might coincide, or they might not. But when we think we matter more than anything, then we’ll ignore what God’s word teaches (Titus 2:11–15). And so we worship the way we want, buying into one of the biggest lies Satan’s ever told us: that it doesn’t matter to God how we worship as long we’re going to the church of our choice!

Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24). “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).

Paul put it this way: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1–2). Self is the worst standard when it comes to worshipping our Creator — “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” (Rom. 1:25).

Right alongside the misplaced priority of self is the love of money (2 Tim. 3:2). Being moved by the Holy Spirit of God, the apostle Paul wrote, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Tim. 6:6–10). Later in the same context he then added: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:17–19). As Solomon put it: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it” (Prov. 15:16).

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24; also read Luke 12:13–21). So why do we try? Do we believe we’re the exception to the rule?

Finally, we can be guilty of putting our families above God: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Jesus didn’t say it would be difficult to be his disciple by putting self and family first, he said we cannot do it.

Do we love Jesus more than these?

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). 

If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Consumer Christianity

Our culture is all about the consumer. We hear and believe things like—“The consumer is always right.” And the real problem comes into focus when we find people applying the consumer mindset to God, His church, and salvation. For example, the notion that one church is as good as another, or that we’re all heading to heaven in different ways. The expression, “Go to the church of your choice” seems to summarize the religious person’s consumer mindset.

One writer put it this way—“Every church has the problem of Consumer Christians: people who attend, sing, listen, drop in some money, and go home.” The point is simple enough: Consumer Christians lack a genuine connection to the Lord (they don’t understand the relationship He seeks with us) and even the relationships they are supposed to be a part of with other disciples: “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” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Or, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).

These Consumer Christians among us have essentially left their first love (Revelation 2:4) if they ever had that love in the first place. And once they are dissatisfied—whether they find themselves disappointed in people or in God—they go shopping somewhere else to find what they’re looking for. “Self-made religion” is what the apostle Paul called it (Colossians 2:23). It existed in his day, and continues in ours.

When Paul wrote Timothy, he gave him the solemn charge to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:2–4).

With a consumer mindset, people look to God and the congregation of believers they are part of in a number of misdirected and dangerous ways.

Some will look to God as a harsh taskmaster that they really don’t want anything to do with; that He’s aloof and detached from real problems. He’s there, but He’s not attentive. They will look to the congregation as something they’re not a part of, speaking in terms of “What they do …” rather than, “What we’re doing.” The Consumer Christian doesn’t simply have high expectations, they have unrealistic and often subjective expectations they hold to firmly in their unfair condemnation of others without first considering themselves; that these high expectations (and rules) don’t apply to them, but do apply to everyone else.

We’re all going to fail one another at one time or another. We’re all going to disappoint one another, but when we eagerly show compassion and love to one another, we won’t hold it against anyone that they’ve failed us because we realize that we, too, fail others. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart … Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 1:22; 4:8).

Rather than being a Consumer Christian, we need to strive to be a Servant just like our Lord and Savior—“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). When we serve one another from a genuine heart of love we will “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16).

Instead of us asking what others could do for us, we need to ask what we could do to help others. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). “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” (Matthew 5:16).

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. … For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:12, 18).

Don’t be a Consumer Christian.

Pursue Love

If one member suffers, all suffer together; 

if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 

—1 Corinthians 12:26—

The word “love” is used 213 times in the New Testament (ESV). It’s used the most in the first letter of John (36 times) and in his gospel (26). The main point I want to underscore from this is that love is a very important concept from God to man—“For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16). And it’s not merely that God loved us, but that His kind intention is that we love one another.

The love God has for us is supposed to be shared by us toward one another:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 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. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:7–11).

Jesus taught the apostles—“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35). The thing is, we know this … there’s nothing new to us in reading this passage.

But why is loving our brother sometimes difficult? Maybe we’d point the finger to our difficult brother! In all seriousness, the issue is not one-sided—it never has been, nor will it ever be. Indeed, there are those who make it challenging to be loved, but our Lord doesn’t admonish us to only love those who love us back. The harder thing is loving those who don’t love us back (and our Savior knows this better than anyone).

Jesus taught that we’re to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). I would hope we never consider a brother or sister as an enemy, but even if we did, we’re supposed to love our enemies and therefore love our brethren! We’re to strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father and love everyone (Matthew 5:43–48).

John wrote: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:15–16).

Paul admonishes: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:1–5).

How do we go about pursuing love?

1. We need to hold in the highest esteem love as God does—“God is love” (1 John 4:8). “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love” (1 Corinthians 13:13–14:1). As Paul would conclude in his first letter to the Corinthians—“Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
2. Pray for one another (James 5:16). Selfishness is sinful (Philippians 2:3; James 3:13–18), but some pray selfishly. Our prayers should include others; we certainly want others praying for us, so we should pray for others. Jesus prayed for Peter (Luke 22:31–32). Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). Paul asked for prayers and we’re sure he received them (Ephesians 6:18–19).
3. Remember that Christ died for all of us—that His gift of love and forgiveness is for all the ungodly (Romans 5:6, 8; Ephesians 5:2; John 6:51; 1 John 2:2).
4. Be genuine in our love for others (Romans 12:9). We know the importance of really being loved; God has done this for us, we should be willing to do this for one another—“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Avoid Such People

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, 

says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.

—2 Corinthians 6:17—

Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the 

appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

—2 Timothy 3:5—

Following Jesus means that we’re living in this world, but our citizenship is not of this world: the apostle Paul said so, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Part of what this means is that we live here, but our thoughts and ways should not remain here—we’re looking to the eternal as we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 4:16—5:7; also read Isaiah 55:8–11).

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ [a contextual reference to baptism (Col. 2:12)], keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1–3).

The title of this brief article comes from the larger context of 2 Timothy 3:1–5:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Paul warns us about who our friends and acquaintances are—“Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupt good morals. Awake to soberness righteously, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God: I say this to move you to shame” (1 Cor. 15:33–34).

In a different context, the same apostle Paul urged Christ’s followers:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1).

How do we go about cleansing ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit?
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:20–27 WEB).

Also, our entertainment—what we read and watch—truly affects how we think and act. We believe differently because we will read and watch what we want and act as if it won’t influence us at all. We need to be discerning and then do what we know is right and pleasing to the Lord who made and saved us (Romans 12:1–2; Philippians 4:8–9), including avoiding such people who are not helping us get closer to God, but pushing us further away.

The Enormity of What God Has Done

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

It is very humbling to meditate upon the enormity of what God has done for all of us by approaching mankind as that which He created — “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5). As the psalmist so beautifully asks: “What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (v. 4). And what God has done for mankind is so unique that there’s only way the story can be told: in the light of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-5 / 2 Timothy 1:8-10).

“For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16). “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:9-10, 19). Without God’s love, there would be no love at all.

The purpose, though, for our humility in light of the gospel and what God has done for us through His Son on the cross is not simply to make us feel bad (though we, at times, should). God’s love is designed to elevate us — “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 5:9-11).

This “elevation” is not just to make us feel better about ourselves — although that might happen as a result of the relief which comes from our realization and acceptance that our sins have been completely forgiven in Christ — but to also help us be better in every station of life: whether at home (as parents and children), work (whether as an employee or employer), school, or even when we’re alone and no one but God knows what we’re up to. In Christ we find a fresh start, a new beginning, and an ultimate hope of heaven where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4 / Isaiah 25:8).

With a new year beginning today, we generally like to view things as “new.” The calendar has indeed changed, but really just from one day to another. So how can we see a change within ourselves? The real benefit today is that we, as Jesus’ followers, are coming together as His body to worship Him and to remind ourselves of His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) as we participate in the Lord’s Supper — “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Furthermore, we come together to pray to and worship in spirit and truth the God of the universe, and to encourage one another by stirring up love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). In other words, we look up and we look around in our time together in worship and spiritual refreshment; if you will, our time together is a kind of spiritual huddle — where we plan and then go out into the world to put into play God’s wonderful words of salvation.

Our adversary, the devil, wants us to miss out — and the more we miss worship and Bible studies, the weaker we become spiritually. As Paul said to the Corinthians about their abuses of the Lord’s Supper, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That at is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep [i.e., died spiritually]” (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).

God’s salvation is offered freely (Isaiah 55:1-7 / John 6:27). Take full advantage of this opportunity before it’s eternally too late (­2 Peter 3:8-13).

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.

Hit and Run

Personal responsibility is dead in America.

One clear sign of this truth: Hit and run accidents. Nearly every day I hear or read in the news that someone has either died or has been severely injured in an auto accident where the others involved have fled the scene.

Just this morning I read of a motorcyclist here in Hollywood that was hit by an Explorer Sport-Trac. The driver, described as a woman, got out and inspected, and then fled. The report stated that the man driving the motorcycle was graciously killed upon impact, because what happened next is gross — the bike and the man were on fire.

The woman, whose lone passenger was a child, got back into her vehicle and fled the scene. Furthermore, witnesses describe other vehicles simply driving by the entire scene as if that were normal — because no one wants to be involved.

I hope they catch this person. Who knows, it may have been the motorcyclist's fault, but now that doesn't really matter. [In Miami a woman who cannot show she even has a drivers' license, hit and severely injured an Ontario man. She's been caught and arrested.]

And I hope that every single one of us would have the courage, courtesy, and love to stop and remain on the scene.

"The roads of Zion are in mourning …" (Lamentations 1:4).

His Indescribable Gift

In the familiar passage concerning monetary contributions — i.e., "giving" — the apostle Paul concludes with the exultant cry: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

I realize the term "grace" seems to be overused, and maybe even abused. Reading that statement again, I must admit that one cannot really over-use such a wonderful term, but it is abused by many to cover everything. And grace does not cover everything: grace covers everything sought in the Lord:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11-15)

Grace instructs us to deny and look. We are instructed by God's grace to deny — ungodliness and worldly desires. Of course the world will not understand nor appreciate this, but those who are striving to think on things above (Colossians 3:2) will. 

The world seems to dwell on the sinister, and sometimes even applauds evil things. For example, how many popular shows are about "the dark side" of life? We are often entertained by these things. The contrast set before us in God's word is that we're to dwell on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good reputation (Philippians 4:8). These "things" don't come easy to our restless minds: It requires effort, and often it is also requires quiet. 

The desire may well be there, but finding the requisite "peace and quiet" may not be so easy. But if we will make the time to find a peaceful moment, and if we will use that quiet time for dwelling on God's immeasurable grace, we will find ourselves overwhelmed.

I don't believe we will ever understand or appreciate God's grace (Romans 5:6-8). We are all undesirable, and would be forsaken forever, if it weren't for God's grace.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. … 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 3:16, 36).

For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:32-36)

Storms-a-coming

Anticipation. The word can point to good or bad.

Earlier today the weather radar was showing a cold front moving across the southeast. As the day has progressed, so has the storm—it's now pretty close!

This is how life goes: there are all kinds of important dates and events that seem so far away, but then they finally arrive … and we may feel surprised, as if we had no real idea it was coming.

The biggest appointment of all is the day we pass from this temporal stage of life and slip into eternity. The Scriptures teach us, that "just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:27-28).

There will be a day of reckoning for everyone. "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. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others" (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

"For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:11-12).

Honestly, what causes fear in my own self-examination is what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46. His commendation and condemnation of the sheep and goats, respectively, was not about things that we sometimes concern ourselves with, but with the simple and yet challenging activity of helping others. In this context of Matthew 25:31-46 it's not about teaching, but about practice.

There is so much to do—"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:9-10). We may prefer the emphasis of the last phrase, but God's reality is that we are to do good to everyone. And He is the best example of all: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:17-18).

Do We Visualize God With A Smile Or A Frown?

Ecclesiastes 8:15  And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

Someone recently wrote that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”

After reading that statement, I had to read it again. I think sometimes we fail to appreciate what God has done for us in providing us so much joy. James reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). In other words, if it is good, then it has come from God. I would advise that just because people may classify something as good doesn’t necessarily make it good — consider Isaiah 5:20 as an example where people get things turned around by calling bad things good and good things bad.

Maybe we only see God as a taskmaster commanding us nothing but to fear him and literally shake in our boots. But the word he provided to us suggests a proper balance (Romans 11:22). Yes, he is God and there is no other (Isaiah 46:9; Romans 8:12-17; 1John 4:17-19), but he is loving and desires that all be saved from deserved wrath (Romans 2:3-11; 1Timothy 2:1-4; 2Peter 3:9).

Sometimes we don't associate happiness with God; again, we may only see him as a taskmaster handing out impossible commands. 

One test for ourselves might be this — Do we visualize God with a smile or a frown?

What Color Is God?

I know how racism can be ended! I realize not everyone is going to believe me; and that's all right with me. You don't have to believe me for it to be true—you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

I'll get to the answer in a moment … for now, though, I want to briefly address the truth about racism that many people ignore—IT IS TAUGHT AND LEARNED.

I've watched babies and toddlers of all kinds of races and backgrounds interact, and they don't act racist because they're not! They just see someone else with whom to engage and play with. So at some point racism is TAUGHT and LEARNED.

Unity across races can be achieved when we perceive that we're all the same. From the Bible's perspective we are united in that we have ALL been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We're also the same as we age because "ALL have sinned" coming short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Therefore, each one of us needs help—"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6 NASB).

Take my white skin off and you'll see bones, muscle, and blood. How stupid many of us are to judge someone because their skin is different! Talk about judging a book by its cover! Jesus taught, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24).

And by the way, when Paul wrote those words, he was addressing a group of people divided over race too—Jews and Gentiles (Romans 1:16-17; 2:10). There's actually an interesting passage in John 4:9 that tells us "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans"—which was shocking because in that specific context Jesus is talking to a Samaritan woman by the well. The word "dealings" is from the Greek word sugchraomai which means to use together. The point was that Jews didn't drink from the same well as Samaritans, and yet here was Jesus asking for water from a well from which Samaritans drank.

We can learn a lot from Jesus. And we should! Actually, Jesus is the answer to racism.

Years ago I was in Atlanta on the Metro heading to the airport. A group of young men boarded wearing t-shirts declaring that Jesus Was A Black Man. I laughed, of course, and they growled at me. I told them the truth—Jesus was not black, and He was not white either. He was a Jew. Nothing much else was said.

Racism is probably not going to disappear—certainly not by legislation—because people are teaching and learning it. Racism is sin! And each one of us must decide what we are going to do to contribute to racism's demise.