Senses to Discern

Little children put pretty much everything that comes to hand into their mouths, and as we mature as children of God we ought to learn to discern what is spiritually healthy and good for us and what is not.  Anyone can be infected with pinworms in their intestines, but it is young children who are most susceptible because they often put contaminated food or fingers in their mouth.  Age alone does not equal spiritual maturity, for Hebrews 5:12-14 says:  "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Over time children in the ancient world were weaned from breastmilk to solid food, and it is important to point out the milk from a mother is not sterile.  From what I have read it is actually a living substance that contains all the necessary nutrients and microbes that promote the health and development of infants, strengthen their immune system and provide a healthy gut.  A time comes when the physical needs of babies and toddlers are met with solid food as they grow up.  Those who are born again by faith in Jesus are to acquire their spiritual nutrition from the word of God that is profitable for babes and those of "full age" alike.  As a baby hungers for milk from his mother or a person hard at work looks forward to a healthy lunch, so Christians are to satisfy their spiritual hunger by God's word they feed upon and put into practice.

It is important God's word provides the acceptable standard for what we will choose to receive.  Just because a book is written by a pastor or a worship song is sung by a well-known Christian artist, it does not follow it is guaranteed to be biblically sound.  As we grow older we learn to put the food we plan to eat to simple tests like how it looks, if it smells off or if there is something moving in it that should not be.  Sometimes we are not quite sure if the milk is fine or if leftovers are safe to eat, and in most cases it is good to be cautious to avoid what will make us sick or not agree with us.  Recently I bought an album by a Christian band that I have enjoyed very much, however there is a line I refuse to receive.  Just because lyrics rhyme or are catchy does not mean they are all true and accurate according to scripture.

As followers of Jesus, we must be discerning of what we read, sing or assume must be true lest we fall into error.  It is good when we recognise rotten doctrines and heresies before we drink them down, and by reason of use determine wholesome scripture interpretation in fellowship with other Christians.  Better than microbes, we have the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts and guides us into all truth.  He convicts of sin, of righteousness and judgment, helping us to walk in love and grace towards all.  We will never mature beyond our need for guidance, direction and wisdom from God's word, for they are the words of life that promote spiritual growth, health and fruitfulness.

Jesus Makes Things New

"Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

Revelation 21:5

Since we live under the constraints of time on earth, new things can only be temporarily so.  Once we receive or use a thing, it is no longer new.  The moment a "new" car is driven off the lot, it becomes "pre-owned" and typically loses thousands of dollars of value.  The smell of a new car dissipates over time, and what is new always grows old.  A new thing may become old to us before very long when it does not meet our expectations.  A new job can quickly become monotonous and dull.  A new haircut or hair colour may never look as good as it did on the first day.

Jesus says to us in Revelation 21:5 that He makes all things new.  Hebrews 10:20 tells us Jesus Christ has made a new and living way for us to approach God in relationship by what He accomplished through His atoning death on Calvary, and we can boldly draw near to Him with a clean conscience by faith in Jesus.  Our thoughts of heaven and present spiritual realities can be difficult to grasp because our perspective can be hampered by our experience on earth where things quickly grow old.  We cannot imagine something that is new that remains new.  Our excitement ought never wane over the new heavens and new earth God will fashion, the new and living way God has made for us to approach Him in holiness by faith, and concerning what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says truly:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  Because we are new creations by faith in Jesus, the "same old same old" is miraculously new without ever growing old.

Just yesterday I considered the passage in Ephesians 2:14-17:  "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near."  Jesus came to seek and save the lost, Jews and Gentiles alike, creating in Himself one new man from the two--joining us together as one in the Body of Christ the church.  We might see the church as an ancient institution, but the reality is the church is as new as His mercies which are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).  The new body of believers and the new heart He has given us by His grace is a delight and not a drudgery.

This newness of life for the Christian was foreshadowed in God's promise to His people in Ezekiel 36:26-27:  "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."  Because we live in a body of flesh influenced by all sorts of things that are not God, it is possible for what God makes new to feel old.  This can happen when we look for satisfaction in experiences, accomplishments or acquiring things when it is found in God alone.  The remarkable thing is when we realise everything under the sun is meaningless, it draws us to God to discover the satisfaction, purpose and rest in our LORD Jesus.  Once what is passing away is put in the proper place and perspective as God's gracious gift, and we discover gratitude and joy before God in even little things.  Our God who makes us and all things new by the Gospel sanctifies a whole new way of life that is fulfilling, satisfying and delightful in His presence.

Somebody God Loves

"So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."\

1 Samuel 16:6-7

When the prophet Samuel saw the eldest son of Jesse, based on his height and regal bearing he assumed Eliab was God's choice to be king over Israel.  God corrected Samuel's error of judgment, for the LORD God does not see as man does.  People can labour to carefully craft an attractive image to impress others that is not indicative of the corruption, deceit and pride tucked away in their own hearts.  Thankfully God sees the character and knows the thoughts of a person, and in His wisdom refuses those who walk in pride--even people who make the impression of being worthy of royalty.

The other day I had the opportunity to see judging by appearances play out firsthand.  I was taking care of some janitorial duties at church when a couple of women in business attire strode in to provide information about a local business with a new location in the area.  They asked if there was anyone they could speak about on the matter, and as I leaned on the mop handle I told them that would be me.  I listened to their brief spiel, received pamphlets from them, and told them my name upon request.  I must not have met their expectation of a person with an administrative and pastoral role in the fellowship, for they later sent an email to our administrator that said something like, "We dropped by today but there was no one there to speak to."  It sounds like they were a bit the prophet Samuel, for I was judged by my appearance to be a nobody.  The difference between them and Samuel is they were correct! :)

As I was judged by my appearance, I too can do the same.  Therefore I must be on my guard to not assume anything demeaning about those who venture into the church building, attend a service, in the shops or on the street.  I ought to see everyone as someone God loves and extend His love to them.  Though I do not share the office of John the Baptist as a prophet, I agree with his sentiment shared with his disciples concerning Jesus Christ:  "He must increase, but I must decrease."  I do not need to be someone of note to point people to Jesus.  But this will likely not happen if I do not say or do anything intentionally towards that end.  Disciples of Jesus are not made in isolation or silence but by joining together with others in loving fellowship by God's grace.  This requires more than "being available" but being proactive to live a life in pursuit of Jesus, encouraging and exhorting others to join with us to glorify and serve Him in obedience.

Questions we could consider in light of God's revelation to Samuel are:  when the LORD God looks upon my heart, what does He see?  Does He see someone who wants the preeminence?  Does He see someone who shies away from embracing the role He has called me to in the body of Christ?  Is there anything within us that would cause God to refuse to anoint us?  Am I someone who places more stock in our own appearance or the appearance of others that blinds us to God's perspective and insight?  Am I seeing people as God sees them or as a man sees?  Why?  The resurrected Jesus was thought by Mary at first to be the gardener, but when He said her name she saw Him for Who He was.  The Pharisees knew the disciples were unlearned Galileans, yet when they were bold in their witness for Jesus they realised they had been with Him.  Though we be nobodies in this world, by our love, words and deeds may everyone we encounter realise the Spirit of Christ is in us.

Doing Good To All

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10

Doing good to others is a mark of spiritual rebirth in those who are born again by faith in Jesus.  Our salvation or forgiveness is not earned by doing good works, but doing good to all as we have opportunity is a result of God's work in us.  Weariness can occur whether we are sowing or reaping, and Paul reminded the believers in the Galatian church doing good is always in season.

Paul directed the church to do good especially to those of the "household of faith" in Jesus.  This was not to discriminate but to be discerning.  They were to do good especially to their brethren, not exclusively.  As the LORD extended the Gospel of grace to all, so believers were to do good to all.  I suspect Paul emphasised doing good to those of the household of faith because they were or most apt to be neglected.  As opportunities arose they were to do good beyond their local fellowship, for the body of Christ is global and spans all cultures, ethnicities and Christian denominations.

One natural tendency that should not be carried into our walk with Jesus is keeping tabs of the good we have done others.  Everything good we have given we have first received from God, and thus it is for  and through Jesus by faith we do good.  If our flesh ever begrudges someone and says something like, "After all I have done for them..." this exposes our failure to walk in God's grace--to freely give as we have freely received.  This shows our deeds have been out of a sense of dutiful obligation, to gain face, to impress others, to repay good done us, or in the hope of receiving future benefits.  All we have given, the time we have invested, the effort expended, the personal sacrifices we have made ought to be done to all as if Jesus Himself is the recipient, simply returning to Him thankfully what is rightfully His.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we do not become so entranced we are blinded to opportunities to do good to all.  The opposite is the case!  Considering Who Jesus is and all the good He has done us, He inspires us more to do good than the prevalence of needs we can see around us.  He opens our hearts to desire to do good we never could have imagined in practical ways to our family, friends, co-workers and even our enemies.  As God leads us on this pilgrimage of life, He places opportunities on our path to do good to all--especially to those who are of the household of faith.  As the LORD has been good to us, let us do good to others by freely and gladly offering to go the first mile.  God enables us to keep on going for additional miles and learn to pay the distance we have traveled no mind, for He is with us every step.