Toeing The Line In The Sand - Hebrews 12:14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. - Hebrews 12:14

    It is true that God’s way for us precludes any notion of intentionally being contentious with others, and this includes the sworn enemies of the faithful. It is also true that we must not seek conflict or belligerent combat with such people. In fact, the Book of Titus is distinct in its message to us - “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” - Titus 3:1-2. To be clear: we are to pay heed as Paul speaks tersely and convincingly: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” - Romans 12:18. But what are we to do when it is no longer possible to live in peace with our antagonists?
    For the answer to this we must return to Hebrews 12 again: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.” - Hebrews 12:15-16.  Based upon this passage we are instructed to “see to it,” to make sure . . . as far as it is possible for us, to avoid engaging in hostilities simply for the sake of hostility. For a season we may be charged with correcting the actions or words of another. But we are to do so in a Christian manner. “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.” Ephesians 4:29.
    Nowhere in the Bible and in context are we ever instructed or commanded to break into open warfare for the simple sake of war. We are told in our titular passage that without holiness . . . “no one will see the Lord.” And holiness is not defined by a pugnacious attitude. “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.
    Our previous lives (before God) were based upon hard worldly positions. Any affront was to be dealt with swiftly and without prejudice. Meaning that along with our primary target, collateral damage would not only be possible but almost guaranteed. Certainly, any sound- minded individual can see the error in this worldly way of thinking. We often confuse a victory of the Word of God with our own personal victory. The two are not the same. “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”- Romans 8:6.
    So how then are we to conduct ourselves in holiness when confronted by the world, the flesh, and the devil? To begin with, we must seek to control our mouths when engaging with the opposition. Yes, the world hates the very notion of filtering our words or ‘reeling it in.’ But that is the way of the world. God’s way is different as we see from the Book of James. “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” - James 3:8-12. No matter how our opponents speak to us we cannot respond in kind. We must speak to them in a way that will allow them to soften their approach to us even if they choose not to. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” - Colossians 4:6.  It has been said that the shrill histrionics displayed in the opponent’s tantrum is evidence that they recognize the error in their way of thinking; that is why they react so belligerently. Let us be sure that we aren’t reacting that way. We must remember that we are constantly to be speaking  in a way that draws them to us rather than pitting them against us.  “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.” - Ephesians 4:31-32.
    Our words must be heard as a godly way to edify others, not get them to toe the line in the sand.

When God Says ‘No’ - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

 
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

    As we read the passage we see that despite Paul’s insistent prayers, God said “No” to his supplications for relief. How often have we prayed, seeking what we felt was an unanswered need ? How many homes, job promotions, passing grades, successful medical procedures? How many ‘yeses’ have we diligently sought, only to be denied? How does God’s answer ‘no’ impact our view of life?
    For many, the collapse of a need, want, or dream spells an immediate darkening in our moods and our lives. The sunshine of hope then turns into a storm cloud of despondency. We just need to know that despite our dreams and plans, God has a better answer. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” - Proverbs 19:21
Many of us experience great emotional loss through what we feel are the untimely deaths of those whom we love. ‘How could God do such a thing to me?’ Those who object strongest to such a seemingly untimely event see God only as a sugar bowl whose prime directive in our lives should be to sweeten them. So soon we forget the words of Job. “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” - Job 2:10.
    Many an ostensibly reverent man and woman have succumbed to the human grief that most often accompanies great physical or emotional loss. But nowhere in the Bible will we see a God who divinely promises to feather our beds in this lifetime. He has never once assured us that our every wish will be His command. In fact, Jesus tells us what our lives will be like if we follow Him. “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” - Matthew 16:24. Even the greatest saints have experienced tribulation in their lives.
    My dear sister passed from this world when she was only 51 years old. She was a good woman and prayed to Jesus Christ every day of her life. Yet the cancer came and brought death with it. There was no instant heavenly cure. There was only sickness and death. God said ‘No’ to my prayers. And while she may have experienced her trauma as a result of her actions we cannot know for certain that this was the case. People who’ve never smoked get cancer and die from it. Sometimes, no matter the intensity or the need or desire behind the prayer . . . God just says ‘No.’
    So why do some basically decent and good human beings suffer by the will of God? Jesus answers this question best. “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:4-5.
    Jesus was simply stating that just because a person suffers egregious loss or a prayer is not answered in the affirmative, that still doesn’t mean God wishes evil upon us. And how often in our lives have we been blessed by God? Can we even count them?
    Sometimes God uses our tribulations to make us stronger. No matter how many problems we face, God remains a force with us if we remain faithful. Sometimes His answer is ‘yes,’ sometimes it is ‘No.’ thou we cannot see them or understand them they are still for our own good. Even in our greatest tribulations, God works for the best. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28. We cannot know His reasons; we can only know His decision.

The Choice - Joshua 24:15

 

 “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

    As a Confessional Presbyterian, I avoid the cable channel TBN like spoiled meat. I know that is a harsh criticism of a religious channel that caters to thousands of  ‘professing Christians,’ but it is a critique that is well deserved. Preachers such as Joel Osteen, Crefalo Dollar, Jan Crouch, Joyce Meyer, Andy Stanley, T.D. Jakes, Pat Robertson, and a host of other fire-breathing ‘health & wealth preachers.’
    Not to be one-sided about my dismay over TBN, they also feature more dignified ministers and authors of the faith such as Eric Metaxas, Mike Huckabee, and Robert Jeffress. My overall disquiet comes not so much from the objectionable preachers but their confused and often downright false Christian doctrines. “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions . . .” - 1 Timothy 6:3-4.
    The issues at hand involve the false teaching the a woman can be a preacher, the crazed Pentecostal ravings that claim new revelation, the belief that God wants us to be wealthy and healthy in spite of His given providence. Their preaching is tantamount to the ‘snake oil salesmen’ of the 19th Century. The fact that they bilk thousands of lost souls out of the savings is reprehensible. We are even warned of their scams and bunko games. “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” - Colossians 2:8.
    How can one tell if a pastor or preacher is running a shell game? The Bible is clear beyond a shadow of doubt. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” - 1 John 4:1. There have been many a preacher who seemed possessed by the devil himself (Kenneth Copeland) while others presented false healings on stage (Benny Hinn). Sadly, these and other such vaudevillian ministers are presented by the modern media as representatives of true and correct Christians today. They are even portrayed as ‘Bible thumpers.’ These false teachers may be many things but they are certainly not men or women preaching the Word of God, the Way, the Truth, and the Light.
    How do these purveyors of lies manage to accomplish their nefarious goals? Many people are charmed by their satanic message; it’s what they want to hear, rather than the Holy Word of God. “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 4:3-4. People like being placated by happy thoughts and promises of health and prosperity. Open up your Bibles and I can assure you that you will not find such worldly promises from God. God only shares His truth with us. We must put away our wish lists and know the truth as Christ has presented it to us - “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” - Mark 8:34. Doesn’t sound like a picnic to me
    Joshua knew the heart of the Israelites. He had seen it displayed often enough during the forty years in the wilderness. That is why he offered them the choice - “choose this day whom you will serve.” That is the choice we are offered and it is the only choice.
   

You Haven’t Seen Anything Yet - Ezekiel 8:13

He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.” - Ezekiel 8:13

    The old adage, “I’ve seen it all now,” should never be heard coming from a Christian’s lips. Despite the horrendous nature of our fallen world, we must remember: it could always be worse. No matter how diabolic the world becomes, no matter the persecution, no matter the viciousness of unbelief - it could always be worse! Perhaps the more proper remark should be, “You haven’t seen anything yet!” We need to always remember the words of St. Peter: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8.
    Similarly, among the unbelievers, we hear their groanings declaring ridiculous adages like, “Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell; spiritualism is for those who have already been there.” We must take stock of our lives. No one who is alive today has ever been to hell! But if they keep on believing in adages like the above, they soon will be. Everyone has had their share of worldly problems - everyone. As I said, If they think their lives are full of tribulation now - they haven’t seen anything yet.
    None of us are promised a life of luxury, prosperity, or health while we live. God isn’t concerned about where or how we live; He’s concerned about the state of our souls. Faith in God should be our greatest underlying interest no matter what we face. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” - Philippians 4:11-12. This is the power of faith in God.
    We have to stop our darkened fears and feelings of depression and give them to God. “. . . do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7.             To think that somehow we have been dealt a ‘bad hand’ by God indicates wrong thinking on our part. It only follows to believe our troubles are aimed directly at us as though we are somehow a target of dark providence. Continued belief in this erroneous thought should bring us to our knees before the Almighty, seeking His forgiveness and His great blessing. To do otherwise will surely bring God’s judgment. It has before and it will again. “And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.” Numbers 11:1.     
    All that our complaints, grousings, and misery will ever add up to is a spiritual depression that envelopes us in ‘the dark night of the soul.’ And there are no pills to treat such depression. The great 20th Century preacher, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said (and I paraphrase) the cause of spiritual depression is our lack of faith in God. Yet when we are approached on the subject we tend to virulently refusal to even consider changing our minds. “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” - Romans 1:28.
    We don’t have to suffer from such despondency; we do have a clear choice - “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” - Galatians 6:7-8. This is the only Spirit! That matters - the Spirit of God.
    No matter what tragedies or tribulations we face, let us remember that it could always be worse. To those who suffer from afflictions in spite of their faith in God, let us remember His ultimate plan for us. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28. No matter how bad things seem to be . . . it could always be worse. And the grace that prevents it from being worse comes from the love, the providence, and the Spirit of the one true God.

A Hellish Distraction - Matthew 6:21

  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

    We can all tell what the important things in life are for people we know and meet. How many times have we heard someone say, “His heart is in his (fill in the blank).” And that blank word may be music, art, writing, or in any of an untold number of endeavors or other vocations; sometimes it can even be people. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21 describe the issue in no uncertain terms. To rephrase it we could say, “You can tell what is important to someone by seeing what they hold dear." "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” - Proverbs 4:23.
    How often have we been with someone who is an avid NASCAR or football or music fanatic? How often have we wondered if they just couldn’t talk about something else for a change? From their logo-inscribed caps, mugs, tee shirts, and other paraphernalia, they seem to ooze with their preoccupations. One look and we know what they hold dear.
    It’s not that these diversions and distractions are evil in themselves What makes them sinful is the human predilection toward making them our ‘all in all’ that becomes a slippery slope towards idolatry. And that is what becomes dangerous to our hearts: when we allow such idolatry to distract us from our real purposes here as children of God. “Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man? Answer: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.” - Westminster Larger Catechism (1648). We are to worship the one true God of the Holy Scriptures and it is sinful if we do not. This is no hidden command that needs to be revealed through divination or prophecy. This is the command of God. “You shall have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:3.
    The distraction from what we know is our duty is a fruit of the Satanic itch: to make anything but the proper worship of God our chief and highest end.  Satan litters the road ahead of us with his tricks and trinkets to draw us off. With the pretty and the desirable, he fools us into believing we may take any road, even the road to perdition. Anything to distract us from the proper worship of God. “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 11:3.
    For many or most, I would contend, the path to those things we desire most, those things we consider to be the greatest importance in our lives do not matter much. When we consider how significant things like hobbies and ‘free time’ are to most people it’s a wonder that our considerations about our souls and God get any play time at all. We pontificate about what we hold to be of value in our lives, all the time completely ignoring the gravity of attending to our spiritual needs. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33.
    We must remember that inevitably we will listen to one of two masters: Jesus or the devil. There’s no third alternative. It’s Christ or Satan. Period! Our Sundays (and any other day) can be spent in meditation and the things of God or we can spend them at the beach or a sporting event. It doesn’t matter if we fail to discern the difference; God knows the difference and God will judge. “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” - Matthew 16:27.
    At that time how many of us will cry out, “have we been judged because we were distracted from Your glory?” Yes, a hellish distraction has brought God’s perfect judgment down upon those whose hearts have no thoughts about their eternal souls.

If You Love Me - John 14:15

 

 

 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” - John 14:15

    The greatest mischaracterization of Jesus Christ is the erroneous belief that He is all love and nothing but love. Such a belief reduces Christ to a one-dimensional being who is happy to overlook any sin, loves you ‘just the way you are,’ and would never punish anyone by sending them to hell. This is a god of their own design made in direct violation of the second and third Commandments - “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” - Exodus 20:3-4.  Again, the ‘Jesus’ prayed to by most unbelievers is a figment of their imagination or a downright designer god made in the image of their desires. Either way, he is not the Jesus of the Bible. He is a fantasy figure of their own making, based upon the attributes they find most appealing. After all, if he is not the Jesus of the Bible then who is he and where did they get their beliefs?
    Mind you, this imaginary Jesus will never be the subject of their worship or praise. He is only thought about in their pagan prayers when they are left without recourse or when they are without hope. They toss out their anchors, hoping they’ll grab in the winds of expectation only to find that in the end, they have no real hope. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” - Matthew 7:21-23.
    Oftentimes, these unbelievers will try to shame Bible-believing Christians by claiming that Jesus loves everyone and doesn’t judge anyone in stark contrast to what Scripture says. This is one of the oldest tactics ever devised by the Accuser - ‘make every attempt to turn their own weapons against them.’ Sadly for these unbelievers, the ploy will never work against a true Christian who has a handle on the Bible and what it says in its context. It’s actually just a pathetic bid to use our faith in God against us. For we know what our sovereign Lord expects from us. True love of God and neighbor is exhibited in our thought, words, and deeds - “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” - 2 John 1:6. Notice, we are called to walk ‘according to  His commandments,’ not just the ones we prefer or find easiest to comply with.
    Just because we acknowledge the schemes of the devil we shouldn’t assume he and his minions will change them anytime too soon. We need to remember the wiles of the devil- he knows Scripture and exactly how to twist it to serve his malevolent purposes. Because we live in a fallen world, he never lacks the stooges to charge us with failure to live up to our calling. As Christians, we will always be called to face off with subversives who contort the Word of God in their feeble attempts to make us back away from our faith. They will make every effort to become the stumbling blocks in our walk with God. Let us always remember the warning Christ gave. “. . . but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” - Matthew 18:6.
    As we pursue our faith, we keep in mind the truth of love as described in God’s holy Word - “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13. Standing firm in the faith, we will never be subject to the chicanery of unbelief.

Blessings Through Humility - 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

    Humility commonly gets a bad rap. Too often it is incorrectly defined as weak, indecisive,
uncertain, and powerless. Humility is much greater than those paltry descriptions. True humility brings with it rewards that cannot be imagined, let alone be obtained, by any other method. “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” - Proverbs 22:4. But we must not misconstrue what ‘riches’ means. We are not promised prosperity by the proverb or anywhere else in the Bible. Its meaning manifests itself in a more spiritually reverent life.
    Imagine the honor we would show our parents if we were humble toward them. We would respect humanity showing no strife, or anger, or violence. We would never engage in adultery or sexual sin. We would respect what belongs to our neighbor, never stealing what is rightfully theirs. We would never suffer the consequences of untruthfulness. And we would never show envy or jealousy. We would truly be living according to the second greatest commandment - “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3. Would this not be treating others as we want to be treated? Can we even imagine a world where all mankind displayed such humility?
    We know that we live in a fallen world simply by introspection in our own lives, dealing with other humans, watching the news, or simply considering the history of this world. Paul speaks to us in Galatians - “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:19-21. To each of the fallen behaviors that Paul lists, all could be avoided by practicing humility because these are all sins of pride and true humility conquers pride!
    We are fooling no one, least of all, God, when we imply that we have no moral compass for our worldly behavior. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8. God truly loves a humble heart. There is almost no better definition of a Godless person than one who is ruled by his pride.“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” - Proverbs 16:5. God abhors pride in the strongest sense.
    The world we live in demands that we respond to every slight with a slap, every slap with a punch, and every punch with a kick but is that really how we are to show wisdom, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness? We know how Christ told us to respond to insult. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:38-39.
    Humility is the pathway to peace and tranquility. We show our knowledge and understanding through our humility And without it, all we will ever experience is hostility, friction, and discord. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” - Proverbs 11:2.
    The blessings associated with humility will only come to us if we are indeed truly humble and never while we are consumed with our worldly pride.