Sometimes I see ads for a free game claiming to be "the most addictive game" on the internet. I wonder how that could be seen as a positive thing. Perhaps it is because people don't see a problem with addiction or actually invite addiction to things they enjoy. Paul says in 1 Cor. 6:12, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." Paul decided he would not be brought under the power of any outside influence of the world. He would only allow himself to be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Addiction could be defined as making a need out of the unnecessary. It is a passion which has become an controlling obsession. Alcohol is not required for life to be sustained, but many people cannot think of facing a day without it. Drugs, Ipods, cell phones, energy drinks, television shows, social networking sites, the internet, and countless other things can become addictions people crave to cultivate. We love our addictions, and love to hate them too. As long as we see addiction as a healthy choice, we won't recognize the padded chains that bind us. When Christians habitually give themselves over to the power of anything rather than God, we cross the line of idolatry and transgress. A good thing in itself can become a bad thing, and a bad thing embraced can foul the best of men.
Are you under the power of any but Christ? Only He can break the heavy yoke of addiction from our shoulders. Jesus says in Luke 4:18-19, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; [19] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Willpower is nothing before the power of sin and Satan. After Christ has shattered your chains and crushed the head of the enemy of your soul underfoot, let us choose to live in the liberty and freedom Christ has given.
31 May 2010
29 May 2010
Put on Christ
"Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel. [22] And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."
Ezra 6:21-22
There is no debate that our world is one in severe moral decay. Some would say that man is basically good: according to God's law man is completely wicked. Nothing wholesome or pure comes from a man's heart in his natural condition, being born into the sin of Adam and reaching new depths every day in willful depravity. We need not think long before we can recall something horrible done by other people. Our own conscience smites us for our faults and we cannot claim perfection for a single day.
Last "Bible Night" (our weekly more in-depth family Bible discussion) we discussed the purpose of God's Law. The Law of God was given so every mouth may be stopped and the whole world be found guilty before God. The 10 Commandments are like a mirror which reveals our sinful condition, for if we break the Law in one point we are guilty of all. I posed the question: "Now that Jesus has fulfilled the Law, are we supposed to try to keep the 10 Commandments?" "Of course," is the response I would have given at the age of 10 or even 20. The correct answer is "No." I received some quizzical looks from my sons. I explained that the Commandments are good, revealing God's perfect righteousness. But we are only made guilty because of the Law. Just because we are incapable of keeping God's Law does not make it invalid. It is because Christ has ushered in the New Covenant of His blood that has freed us from that Old Covenant of the Law.
I always thought growing up that once we are filled with the Holy Spirit it makes sense we should try to keep God's Law through the Holy Spirit's power. But this falls woefully short of God's will for His followers. How many times did Jesus say, "It is written...but I say to you..." just in the Beatitudes? Six times in Matthew chapter 5 alone! Galatians 3:23-26 explains better than I could: "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. [24] Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. [26] For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." The Law has no power to make us pure or help us become children of God. The Law can only condemn a man. It is faith in Christ which justifies. The Law functions as a schoolmaster or tutor to lead us by the hand to Jesus. Once we have Christ, we are released from the authority and penalty of the Law. The time of the Law is over: the age of grace has begun!
Those who are not born again remain under the Law and the penalty of it: death. But when we confess our sins and trust in Christ as Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit who now guides, teaches, and helps us to do God's will and glorify God. We have eternal life in heaven freely given by God's grace. Instead of words written upon tablets of stone, He has given us His law written upon our hearts. Jesus always did the will of the Father, and it was because He was filled with the Holy Spirit - not because words were written down that Jesus tried hard to follow. God moved the hearts of the children of the captivity in Babylon to return, build the temple, keep the Passover feast, and separate themselves from the filth of the nations.
One danger of the time in which we live is we would use grace as a cloak for our sins. Some might cite the fact we are no longer under the authority of the Law to do what is unholy. We now have freedom in Christ not just to do what we want, but to live in a way that pleases God and brings Him glory. I believe why the church is anemic and powerless over the clinging, pervasive filth of this world today is we have not separated ourselves from it. We are in the world but too often we live just like the world. We are disappointed by our sins rather than being disgusted by them. We trample the blood of Jesus through legalism: many are more conscious about discerning the Lord's Body in the act of receiving Communion and disregard His sacrifice when outside the confines of a church building and away from other professing Christians.
If you do not battle with purity of heart and mind, you are losing the fight without knowing it. Because we live in a body of flesh and in a world of filth there will always be conflict with our regenerated hearts. We wage war against the lusts of the flesh through the power of the Spirit, not by following a list of "do's and don'ts." The result of trusting in God and separating yourself from the filth of the world is found in the Ezra 5 passage: great joy from God, and strength to do His work. This separation does not mean isolation. How can people hear about God and His truth unless we show them through a consecrated life of love for God and man? As the Word says, Proverbs 18:1 says, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment." Instead of starting your own "perfect" commune or church to change the world according to your ideals, live a changed life through the power of the Holy Spirit right where you are. Jesus revealed a love foreign to the world which could not be discovered by the Law. Allow God to make you a model of His grace and love for His glory. God not only cleanses the inside of the cup, but the outside as well! Put away the filth of the world by putting on Jesus Christ and allowing Him to live His life through you!
27 May 2010
Donation or Offering?
As a kid my new clothes were often someone else's old ones, and I was always excited to have them. Sometimes we would receive a bag of gently used clothing from a church friend or a cardboard box would be shipped from my cousin up north. Some of my favorite clothes did not come from a store, but from the kindness and generosity of friends. My brother, sister, and I always enjoyed searching for new treasures to wear.
Our family recently sold our old car and bought a much newer, hopefully much more reliable vehicle. Before we sold it Laura and I talked about the potential of donating it to a charitable organization. I started thinking about the distinction between an "offering" and a "donation." Our new car made the old one expendable. At our fellowship the ushers pass bags to "receive tithes and offerings." Tithe literally means "10 percent" and an offering is to be the best of the first-fruits which are most treasured. A donation is a "gift" of convenience, but an offering is a gift of faith. A donation can be second-hand or simply given instead of throwing it away! Donations can be left over scraps, while offerings to God are to be the choicest selections.
A few years ago God challenged me with how I give. For my birthday I was given three identical Aerobies by different people, a throwing ring similar to a Frisbee. The main differences are it flies very far without much effort and can be tuned by bending up or down. Though the Aerobies were identical, they were not the same: one of them had been stored in such a way it was permanently warped right from the package. While we were playing with them, one of my friends was especially enamored with the throwing discs. I decided I would give one away: but which one would I give? The one that was "second" quality, or one of the perfect ones? Following the Golden Rule, I believe I made the right decision!
It is to our shame if we donate to God rather than offer our best to Him. I'm forced to ask myself: do I only give when it is convenient or easy? Or do I give God my first and best? God doesn't need our donations, nor will he accept them. But He does delight in our offerings! What a gracious God we serve, a God who deserves only our first and best! God is more worthy than our greatest offerings. He's gracious to receive anything from us.
Our family recently sold our old car and bought a much newer, hopefully much more reliable vehicle. Before we sold it Laura and I talked about the potential of donating it to a charitable organization. I started thinking about the distinction between an "offering" and a "donation." Our new car made the old one expendable. At our fellowship the ushers pass bags to "receive tithes and offerings." Tithe literally means "10 percent" and an offering is to be the best of the first-fruits which are most treasured. A donation is a "gift" of convenience, but an offering is a gift of faith. A donation can be second-hand or simply given instead of throwing it away! Donations can be left over scraps, while offerings to God are to be the choicest selections.
A few years ago God challenged me with how I give. For my birthday I was given three identical Aerobies by different people, a throwing ring similar to a Frisbee. The main differences are it flies very far without much effort and can be tuned by bending up or down. Though the Aerobies were identical, they were not the same: one of them had been stored in such a way it was permanently warped right from the package. While we were playing with them, one of my friends was especially enamored with the throwing discs. I decided I would give one away: but which one would I give? The one that was "second" quality, or one of the perfect ones? Following the Golden Rule, I believe I made the right decision!
It is to our shame if we donate to God rather than offer our best to Him. I'm forced to ask myself: do I only give when it is convenient or easy? Or do I give God my first and best? God doesn't need our donations, nor will he accept them. But He does delight in our offerings! What a gracious God we serve, a God who deserves only our first and best! God is more worthy than our greatest offerings. He's gracious to receive anything from us.
24 May 2010
Essential Fundamentals
When I was a kid, baseball was my favorite sport to play. As much as I loved tracking down fly balls during practice, I could never seem to get my fill of hitting. No matter how much I wanted to hit, however, at some point fatigue placed a limit on quality swings. After a while the hands would become sore and blistered, and the bat began to feel heavier and heavier. My dad always cautioned me about fatigue leading to bad habits. Compensation for pain and soreness leads to a complete breakdown of fundamentals. This is true not only in baseball but in the spiritual realm as well.
I ran cross country in high school and was blessed to have good coaching. People may not think there is much "form" to swinging a bat or running, but there certainly is! Though everyone may have distinct running styles, there are basic fundamentals common to every good runner: pace, the degree of the bend of the arms, the posture of the back, arm swing, breathing, footing, length of stride, and more. The more a runner is fatigued the more he must focus on the basics of breathing and technique. There is no prize for wasted motion, and a runner falls off the pace quickly when mechanics break down.
Waiting on the LORD is hard work. Paul described his Christian experience in terms of a race set before Him. He ran with certainty, choosing to waste no motion. As I wait on the LORD to direct me in ministry, I have certainly experienced a difficult season. It is challenging to maintain focus on Jesus when we are battle-weary and surrounded with distractions. But it is when we are fatigued we must focus on the fundamentals of our faith! When I was tired during my run today, my thoughts were on my form: leaning forward slightly on the uphill terrain, bending my arms at 90 degrees, and exaggerating my arm swing a little help me climb without losing pace.
A verse which helps me is Hebrews 12:2: "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I'm never to be the focus of my life, but I should examine how I run the race God has set before me. We talk about "getting back to basics," but it's important I never forsake the fundamentals of faith. Trust in Christ is absolutely essential as I rest in Him by His grace, being led by the Holy Spirit in all things. When we are hurting and struggling to hold on, we must look to Jesus! He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. I shouldn't have to or need to look to anything but Him, for He is my LORD, Savior, and King. Heaven itself pales in the glory of His face.
Have you begun to focus on your shoes or gym shorts instead of the fundamentals of running? Is all your spiritual food found in sermons and commentaries when Christ is to be our Source? Has fatigue and battle wounds drawn you to seeking peace and comfort apart from Christ? God has fresh manna for all daily to be gleaned from His Word. He has granted us the Spirit given without measure. Keep the main focus your main focus. God provides the strength and breath: let us use it for His glory.
I ran cross country in high school and was blessed to have good coaching. People may not think there is much "form" to swinging a bat or running, but there certainly is! Though everyone may have distinct running styles, there are basic fundamentals common to every good runner: pace, the degree of the bend of the arms, the posture of the back, arm swing, breathing, footing, length of stride, and more. The more a runner is fatigued the more he must focus on the basics of breathing and technique. There is no prize for wasted motion, and a runner falls off the pace quickly when mechanics break down.
Waiting on the LORD is hard work. Paul described his Christian experience in terms of a race set before Him. He ran with certainty, choosing to waste no motion. As I wait on the LORD to direct me in ministry, I have certainly experienced a difficult season. It is challenging to maintain focus on Jesus when we are battle-weary and surrounded with distractions. But it is when we are fatigued we must focus on the fundamentals of our faith! When I was tired during my run today, my thoughts were on my form: leaning forward slightly on the uphill terrain, bending my arms at 90 degrees, and exaggerating my arm swing a little help me climb without losing pace.
A verse which helps me is Hebrews 12:2: "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I'm never to be the focus of my life, but I should examine how I run the race God has set before me. We talk about "getting back to basics," but it's important I never forsake the fundamentals of faith. Trust in Christ is absolutely essential as I rest in Him by His grace, being led by the Holy Spirit in all things. When we are hurting and struggling to hold on, we must look to Jesus! He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. I shouldn't have to or need to look to anything but Him, for He is my LORD, Savior, and King. Heaven itself pales in the glory of His face.
Have you begun to focus on your shoes or gym shorts instead of the fundamentals of running? Is all your spiritual food found in sermons and commentaries when Christ is to be our Source? Has fatigue and battle wounds drawn you to seeking peace and comfort apart from Christ? God has fresh manna for all daily to be gleaned from His Word. He has granted us the Spirit given without measure. Keep the main focus your main focus. God provides the strength and breath: let us use it for His glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)