Power at Work

I thought of a wonderful analogy this summer which relates to my gardening. Every year it seems I start out keeping the weeds down pretty good, but over time I get distracted. Weeds get ahead of me-- to the point where I give up and they take over. This can be rather discouraging.

But THIS year has been different! Hubby bought me a wonderful little tiller. It fits right in between the rows, enabling me to keep the worst of the weeds cleaned up. THIS year my garden looks very tidy… and it has been a pleasure to work there...thanks to the power of this little machine.

I liken the power of this little tiller to the power of God at work in His children. As my tiller helps me deal with weeds in my garden, so God’s power helps his children deal with the sin in their lives. Many try to battle sin in their own strength and, inevitably… because their focus is on self instead of Christ… they become discouraged…

Many give up trying to overcome the temptation to sin because it becomes too overwhelming for them. But... as we seek God through obedience, He will display His power at work within us, and so free us from the grip of sin. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13).

Just as I would love to be 100% free of all weeds in my garden, so do those belonging to Christ desire to be 100% free of sin in their lives. Unfortunately, that is not possible this side of glory. As we obey God’s teaching however, we will experience God's power at work within us, sanctifying us and making us more like our Savior.. "Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:8). As God sanctifies us we will increasingly display the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, "..the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). 

 

Praise God for His power at work within us!

Decisions, Decisions

I’ve been thinking on the importance of making decisions based on what is pleasing to God. Two men from scripture come to mind in this. In Genesis we read of how Lot had a decision to make- to take the land on the right or the left (Genesis 13:1-9).

In verses 10-13 we read, “And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:10-13).

Lot based his decision on immediate gratification. The scripture says ‘he saw’ the valley was well- watered and chose it. He obviously did not consider all the factors involved in that choice-- certainly not the consequences of settling in an area where the scripture tells us the men were,“wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” Lot’s impulsive decision landed him in a very dangerous place, suffering dire consequences. He ended up living in the wicked city of Sodom, to which God sent two angels. They came to Lot and said, “we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life” (Genesis 19:13-17).

The story of Lot demonstrates the importance of making wise decisions based on the teaching of scripture. Certainly Lot could not have foreseen the disastrous results of his decision, but he should have known better than to surround himself with men who “were great sinners against the LORD.” “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Moses was another man from scripture who was confronted with a difficult decision. He was raised in prosperity and could have had great riches throughout his life. He chose, however, to give that all up. In Hebrews 11:24-26 we read, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Notice the two words at the beginning of the sentence. “By faith.” If we are Christians, we must make our decisions by faith. Moses did this. He chose a life of trials and difficulties-- over temporary comforts-- in faith, believing eternity would produce a far greater reward.

If we are Christians, we, must make decisions in light of eternity-- considering all factors and what is best for us and our loved ones. We should ask ourselves if this decision will please or displease God. Will it bless my loved ones (friends or family members), or will it hurt them? We should never make a decision impulsively based on immediate gratification. Consider first the long term consequences of that decision.

All people suffer consequences of choices and decisions that displease God, however big or little those decisions may be. As Christians, however, we could save ourselves much grief if we would seek God’s wisdom through His word to direct our decision making. In the Psalms we are told, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:104-105). We are also told to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Had Lot sought God’s wisdom and turned away from evil, he would not have suffered such consequences. Sufficient are our trials in life without adding to them through unwise choices and decisions. However, we can be assured that “.. if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,” (2 Peter 2:7-8).

Submission- the Key to Harmony

I’ve been thinking on the importance of understanding and practicing submission. “Submission is the key to unity and harmony in human relationships.”

Submission should start within the home and move outward from there. God gives clear “submission guidelines” for each member of a family. “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged,” (Colossians 3:18-21). If wives would determine to submit to God through submission to their husbands... husbands determine to submit to God by loving their wives... children be trained to submit to God by obeying their parents... and fathers (as well as mothers) submit to God by not provoking their children, then families would live together in much better harmony.

In order to understand the broader concept of submission, we must, first and foremost, submit ourselves to God. James 4:6-7 tells us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In other words, when we act in humble obedience to God’s word… choosing submission to Him... Satan’s temptations can have no power over us.

Not only must we be subject to the law, but we must also be subject to one another as employees and employers. “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him” (Ephesians 6:5-9). We can replace the word “bondservants” with “employees” and “masters” with “employers” in order to apply it to today. Scripture is telling us to be in submission to one another (in and out of the workplace) by living according to God’s will, in order to please Him in all that we do. Romans 12:10 reads “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Not only must we be submissive toward those in authority over us, but God tells us (through His word) that we must also be, “submitting to one another out-- of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Submission to one another must always be in the context of scripture’s teaching, however. If someone sees us acting in disobedience to scripture’s teaching and corrects us, we are to acknowledge that wrong and repent of it. If, however, someone suggests we must obey them... when their commands are clearly against the teaching of scripture... then we must choose to “obey God rather than men,” (Acts 5:29). If, first and foremost, our desire is to be submissive to God, then obedience to scripture’s teaching must be top priority.

Jesus is our perfect example. In humble obedience to the Father, He was able to place the interests of others ahead of His own. Philippians 2:1-4; “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 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.”

Jesus demonstrated perfect submission to His Heavenly Father by doing what was pleasing to him, “Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him,” (John 8:28-29). If we are true disciples of Christ, we must follow the example our Lord set for us just before His crucifixion. “And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” (Luke 22:41-42).

Bind Leading the Blind

Luke 6:39-40 reads, “He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

If one is physically blind, he cannot keep another blind person from falling into a ditch. In this same way, one who is spiritually blind cannot keep others from “falling into a ditch,” along the path of righteousness.

(In truth, we are all spiritually blind-- but some have partial sight.) “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known,” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Because all are born dead, in trespasses and sins, we are all born blind (spiritually speaking). If God, by His Spirit, makes us alive, we then begin to see. We will never fully see and understand scripture’s teaching...and will not attain perfection while in these earthly bodies...but we will see enough to follow the path of righteousness.

Each of us is at a different point on that pathway. The more spiritually mature are walking closer to God than others, with a better understanding of His word. As we seek God through His word, and are sanctified by Him, our blinded eyes see more and more clearly. We become increasingly mature in the faith and grow closer to God, by the work of His Spirit in us. (The more we seek God through His word, the more mature we become in the faith as he sanctifies us). It is God (alone) who can make our blind eyes see. Psalm 146:7 reads, “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” (God enables us to see more clearly (by the work of His Spirit)- as we live in obedience to His teaching.)

Psalm 119:104-105 reads, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s word, and His word alone, can open our eyes to see more clearly. None of us will have 20/20 spiritual vision until we reach glory, (when we are fully sanctified), but we must strive for it by reading God’s word (and praying for a right understanding). (We do so in order to understand scripture’s teaching progressively, by His Spirit.) Proverbs 4:18-19 reads, “..the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (As disciples of Christ- we will not be fully trained until we are fully glorified one day- in heaven. Only then will our path shine as bright as full day.)

As, in obedience to God through the teaching of His word, we will grow in wisdom and understanding as men and women of God. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Paul is telling Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

It is important to seek scriptural teaching from those whose eyes have been opened more fully to the truths of God’s word and whose teaching lines up with God’s commands—most importantly the great command to, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

If others’ teaching is not in line with God’s commands they are spiritually blind, and we should not sit under their teaching. As scripture warns, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”

May God reveal to us... more and more... the truth of His word...and may we be conformed... more and more... into the image of Christ.

Compassion versus Condemnation

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Luke 6:37). To understand this verse correctly, we must look at it in the broader context of scripture’s teaching. This verse does not mean we won’t be judged for our actions if we don’t judge others. Scripture is clear that everyone will be judged one day. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reads, “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,” “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Every person will be judged one day. Many will be condemned, but, praise God, the good news is that, “those who are found to be in Christ will not come under condemnation” (Romans 8:1)

This verse instructs us to judge other’s actions (not hearts) as God will judge us—according to the teaching of scripture. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you,” (Matthew 7:1-2). If we judge others harshly, we can expect to be judged harshly. If we show compassion and forgiveness as God shows to His children, we can expect to be judged with compassion and forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 admonishes, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

If we know Christ’s forgiveness ourselves, we should want others to receive His forgiveness, as well, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him,” (John 3:17). Compassion, rather than condemnation, will better draw others to Christ. Scripture teaches that God’s kindness leads men to repentance, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)? 

 

We are all sinners in need of grace and strength to keep us from falling. Galatians 6:1 reads,“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1), “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Matthew 22:37-39 sums up the law by which we will all be judged, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

To Know God is to Know Fear- and Have No Fear

Everyone...young and old alike... experiences fear at times... Some fears are actually GOOD.. The best kind of fear is a fear of God. This fear will turn us from evil. “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil,” (Proverbs 8:13). Just as we should fear doing things which could put us in physical danger, we should fear doing things which could put us in spiritual danger (consequences suffered from sinful behavior). This demonstrates “fear of God.”

We are generally able to manage our fears when in dangerous circumstances within our control. In difficult circumstances beyond our control, however, we can “have no fear” only as we trust in God.

1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” If we are in Christ, and trusting fully in Him for all of our needs, we will not fear anything. However, because we still have a sin nature within us, we still continue to experience fear-- even if we are in Christ. No one can be fully perfected in love and completely free from fear until they are fully sanctified-- when they die and go to heaven. However, as we grow in faith, and as God sanctifies us through the years, we will experience increasingly less fear. This is because, as we trust Christ more and more, we learn there is no need to fear!

In obedience to God’s Word, we must fight our fears by looking to Christ. Hebrews 12:1-2 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In other words, we must not allow our fears… or any other kind of burden… to get the best of us. Hebrews tells us to put aside those cares and 1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us to cast all our cares on Jesus- because He cares for us. When we allow fear to reign in our hearts, we are demonstrating that we don’t believe God can or will help us. We are showing distrust in the God who created us and provides for our every need..

The following is a quote by George Mueller, “The last important point for the strengthening of our faith is that we let God work for us and do not work a deliverance of our own. When a trial of faith comes, we are naturally inclined to distrust God and to trust in ourselves, in our friends, or in circumstances. We would rather work a deliverance of our own than simply look to God and wait for His help. But if we do not patiently wait for God's help or if we work a deliverance of our own, then at the next trial of our faith we will have the same problem. We will again be inclined to try and deliver ourselves. With every fresh trial, our faith will decrease. On the contrary, if we stand firm in order to see the salvation of God, trusting in Him alone, our faith will be increased. Every time we see the hand of God stretched out on our behalf in the hour of trial, our faith would be increased even more. God will prove His willingness to help and deliver at the perfect time.”

God is the only One we should trust 100%. He is the One... the only One… on whom we can depend for the peace and faith we need in times of fear. As we seek, by His grace, to live in obedience to His word we can expect His blessing and His peace. A peace which is beyond all understanding.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us we are to, “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When tempted to give in to fear and anxiety, we must pray to God, asking for His help. We also should thank Him for the things surrounding our circumstances, because this is part of obeying Him.. If we do these things, we are told, we will experience the supernatural peace of God. If we do not give thanks, we are disobedient and cannot expect to experience His peace. I have turned to these verses many times and recall them to mind when tempted to give into unnecessary fear. Proverbs 15:33 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom..”

I also bring to mind the following verse when unwelcome thoughts come into my mind and threaten to bring me down, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” This verse is found in Philippians 4:8. It follows the ones that tell us not to be anxious about anything, but pray about everything- with thanksgiving..

Things don’t always work out the way we might have hoped. We must trust that God knows best and is working through all things for the good of those who love Him (that “good” being to make us more and more like Christ-Romans 8:28-29). Let us refrain from giving into anxiety over those things beyond our control-- and let us have no fear. May we draw near to God, through His word and in obedience, so that we can experience His peace in troublesome times. And may we all exercise a healthy fear of the Lord-- for (as Proverbs 19:23 tells us) “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”

Love Your Enemies- Imitate Good

Jesus teaches us a very important lesson in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...” “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matthew 5:43-48).

We cannot be perfect as long as we live with a nature to sin (which will be for as long as we live on this earth) but we still must “be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1).

Whenever anyone (Matthew 10:36) acts as an enemy toward us (for whatever reason), we need to respond in a way that is uncharacteristic of the world. The world’s way is to retaliate. Jesus’ way to respond, however, is to demonstrate love to those who mistreat us-- regardless of what that mistreatment may be. Jesus demonstrated love to those who both verbally and physically assaulted Him- even put Him to death. How can we justify an unforgiving spirit for far less offense than this? In Ephesians 4:30-32 Paul admonishes us with the following words, “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.”

If we are not willing to forgive others their trespasses against us, we certainly cannot expect God to forgive our many trespasses against Him. In fact, it is made clear in Matthew 5:16 that “.. if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Jesus’ response to hate and mistreatment is the ultimate example of forgiving those who sin against us.

In Matthew 27:27-31 we read of the unjust manner Jesus was treated, “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” Yet in Matthew 27:12-14 scripture reads, “But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you? But he gave no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” He did not try to justify himself as we may do in situations of our own, nor did he lash out as we are tempted to do. Jesus’ perfect example is a forgiving spirit, as evidenced by his prayer to the Father for his persecutors, “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34). We must not behave like those who treat us badly, but rather like Christ- who does good. John 1:11 reads, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

 

We can “imitate good” by looking to Christ- (who alone is good)-- through obedience to the teaching of His word. May we intentionally look to Him when tempted to “imitate evil”. May we find grace to imitate good- by loving our enemies and doing good to those who mistreat us.