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. 

How We Think

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that 

are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

—Colossians 3:1–3—

What we think about matters because what we think about is what we become. Our thinking directly affects our actions (Titus 1:15–16). We may not believe this, but the truth is evident—when we dwell on earthly, sensual, demonic things then we will eventually become this and nothing more. But when we dwell on things above, where Christ is, our minds will be lift us into higher realms of thought, reason, and action (James 3:13–18).

Too many will expend more effort dwelling on eating than thinking. As Christians—disciples, learners of Christ—we shouldn’t be this way. And we know it. But are we pursuing righteousness? (1 Tim. 6:11;  2 Tim. 2:22–23).

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). We know that faith comes out of hearing—but what is the source of our hearing? Hearing by means of the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17; also read Heb. 11:1–6). Jesus is the source of truth (John 8:31–32).

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (Eph. 4:17–21).

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:3–4; and read 2 Thess. 2:9–12).

The challenge before us all is thinking through God’s word because His word is truth (John 17:17). We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)—are we reading it as we should? It’s not merely about gaining knowledge because knowledge puffs us up (1 Cor. 8:1). We “have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Col. 3:10).

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22–24).

We might ask someone: “Where’s your head at?!” We’re asking about their focus, their concentration. So—spiritually—Where’s our head at? Where’s our focus? “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things (Php. 4:6–8).

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:4–6).

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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12–13).

Again, it matters what we meditate on, what we think about. Our thinking directly affects our doing. We cannot be doers of the word if we don’t know the word (James 1:21–22).

The Way of Man

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, 

that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. 

—Jeremiah 10:23—

No one really wants to be ignorant. We like knowing things. Whether we’re talking about knowing scores or the news, we like knowing things. We don’t want to be thought of as being dumb or stupid. Some will insist that “Ignorance is bliss!” but who really wants to be ignorant?

One of the problems with knowledge, though, is that if it’s not tempered by discernment (being able to tell the difference between right and wrong), then knowledge alone only puffs us up (1 Corinthians 8:1), and makes us full of ourselves: just knowing things doesn’t necessarily become for us wisdom.

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may test and approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11). Bible knowledge is imperative to us as followers of Jesus. We need to know what He said and taught, and how He conducted Himself among sinful people.

To me, one of the most important characteristics of our Lord when He lived among mankind was His compassion. There’s one particular story that comes to mind where Jesus was angry with religious leaders because of their arrogant lack of compassion:

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored (Mark 3:1–5).

The apostle Paul points out that the world around us is full of people who walk in the futility of their minds, and that we’re not to live the way they do:

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! (Ephesians 4:17–20)

Here’s the thing: twenty-first century mankind is (morally) no different from 1st century mankind! As the apostle Paul put it:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:18–22).

We want to believe that we control our destinies, but we don’t; despite having smartphones and all our modern conveniences. Losing electricity for a few days humbles us mightily (as it should). And, as the prophet Jeremiah cried out: “the way of man is not in himself … it is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

We desperately need humility (James 4:6–10). As God proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “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).

Maybe we believe that ignorance of God’s word is somehow going to help us, but how? We’re all going to stand before our Creator in judgment (Hebrews 9:27 / Romans 14:11–12 / 2 Corinthians 5:10 / Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). If we want heaven, then we need to know what pleases God. Read His word (Romans 10:17 / 1 Corinthians 2:6–16).

When Does Neglecting the Bible Become Sinful?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing 

through the word of Christ.

—Romans 10:17—

WE KNOW THAT WE NEED to read God’s word for ourselves. It’s one thing to hear it being proclaimed (preached) but it’s quite another to read it for ourselves with our own understanding and effort. But, what happens when we don’t read God’s word for ourselves the way we know we should? The “big” question is this: Is it a sin to not read the Bible?

I’d suggest that reading for the sake of reading is not what we’re striving for—it’s not merely the activity, although the doing of the thing is obviously important. But it’s the purpose of our reading: what are we trying to gain from it? The apostle Paul wrote that “When you read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). Reading is designed to help our understanding—to be filled with God’s word is to be filled with His Holy Spirit:

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so 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 3:16–19)

Can we see the benefit of reading God’s word for ourselves? And if we are spiritually insecure—believing somehow that the reading of God’s word for ourselves isn’t going to help us—then we need to ask of God for wisdom (James 1:5–8; see 1 Kings 3:9–12; Proverbs 2:3–6). God’s generosity is unwavering.

Neglecting Bible reading can lead us straight into sin because our desire is not after eternal things (Colossians 3:1–4). There are only two options laid out by our Creator in eternity: heaven and hell (Matthew 7:13–14). We cannot accidentally serve God; by His grace we must learn what it is He seeks in us and then zealously do it (Ephesians 5:7–10; John 4:23–24; Titus 2:11–14).

The writer of Hebrews admonishes:

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:2–3; also see Matthew 22:5).

Neglect is sinful, because neglect means we’re not taking these warnings from God seriously. But we can repent of it. “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may test and 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).

David wrote that the word of God is more to be “desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. … Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:10–11, 14).

What we allow to occupy our mind affects our thinking and our conduct. This is why God wants us to be mind-full of His word, to meditate upon it always (Psalm 1:2; 77:12; 104:34; 119:15, 97).

Reading isn’t intended to be “busy work,” but a connection to the very mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:9–12), and therefore to God Himself. “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16; see John 15:15). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105; also read 2 Peter 1:16–21). Are we growing? If we’re not, then what alternative is there?

It’s Not Just That We Hear, But How We Hear

Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, 

more will be given, and from the one who has not, 

even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

—Luke 8:18—

God seeks our loving obedience, but He’s not a taskmaster who simply barks out orders demanding that we’re then expected to mindlessly follow. If anything, Christianity is a thinking person’s religion because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17; and also read Romans 1:5 / 16:26 concerning the obedience of faith).

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:19–22).

As Jesus said, when asked about his family wanting his attention:

“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48–50).

Jesus Is Not a Manageable Deity

Babies are cute. No one would ever deny that. And the earth-shattering, mind-blowing truth is that God, the One who created everything, became human—the Creator willingly became a part of his creation—in the form of a defenseless (and probably cute) baby. For how little is written in the New Testament about Jesus being a baby, there’s so much that people believe.

The New Testament’s focus is not on the birth of Jesus, but on his purpose for being born: his death on the cross. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13–14).

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. . . . Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14–15, 17).

“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” (Colossians 1:21–22). “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6 NASB).

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16 / 1 Timothy 6:15). “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).

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11).

I pray our fascination with the baby Jesus doesn’t remain infantile (see 1Corinthians 3:1–4 / Ephesians 4:11–16). I pray our faith grows through our love for him and his word (John 15:4, 7–8 / Romans 10:17 / Colossians 3:16).

Rooting for Opposing Sides?

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one 

and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and 

despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon. 

—Matthew 6:24—

Ashley and I recently went to a hockey game. The Florida Panthers were playing the Boston Bruins in Sunrise. By the way, the Panthers shutout the Bruins 5–0 (this detail is not really pertinent to the story, but it’s a nice thing to share). It was a great game for Panthers fans! The odd thing was that the fan sitting behind us was rooting for both teams!

I’m not kidding! He’d get all worked up when the Panthers had a great play, and then when the Bruins had a great play, he’d get just as excited. So, all he did through the course of the game was excitedly yell at everything. It was confusing.

I’d think it rare to find people like that: who root for opposing teams at the same time. I’ve known people like him with other sports. I knew a man in North Florida who said he liked both Florida State and Florida?! He added that he liked all the “Florida” teams, including . . . UM. Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Here’s the thing—in sports it may seem simply weird that someone would be rooting for both teams to win (and lose?) simultaneously. Maybe they believe this way they go from the game (whatever game) winners. Again, I don’t understand it so I’m not sure what the reason would be to do something—crazy—like this.

Spiritually, and here’s our point, we can’t do this at all. As the passage above states: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). With God, it’s either/or. For example, there were those who accused Jesus of being on the same side as Satan as he performed miracles. In his defense, Jesus said, “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:26). His conclusion was this: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15–17).

God seeks our soul’s eternal salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9 / Titus 3:4–7). And he’s done everything he can to secure it for us through his one and only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ (John 3:16–21 / Romans 8:31–39 / Titus 2:11–14 / Jude 24–25).

Some of what this means is that we can’t be duplicitous—a fancy word which means we can’t love two different masters. We can’t head in two opposing directions at the same time. If we’re heading toward heaven, then we’re heading away from hell, and vice versa. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8–10).

Remember (and live by) Joshua’s words to Israel: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Or, remember the challenging words of Elijah: “How long will you falter between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Consider what Jesus said to the church in Laodicea: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16). Again, Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. . . . For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Romans 6:17–19).

When we’re alone, or in traffic, or at work, or at home—whose side are we on? We can’t be heading in opposing directions at the same time. What are we meditating on to get closer to heaven? What are we doing to show we’re on God’s side? (see Titus 1:15–16)