Watching the Watchman

The scriptures speak of the necessity of watchfulness in the life of a believer.  Jesus bid His followers to watch for His coming.  We are told many times to be watchful in our prayers, knowing what the will of the LORD is.  Those who are born again have been made spiritually alive, and we ought to remain alert and watchful, not spiritually drowsy and dull.  Good watchmen do more than watch:  they are called to effectively communicate with others.  A watchman on the wall guarding the city is not useful if he does not sound the alarm to warn inhabitants of enemies before their arrival.  A shepherd is careful to observe and know the state of his flocks, and Christians are to watch out for the good of others compelled by the love of Jesus.

Watching is good, but the way we watch and communicate is important too.  It seems there are some watchmen whose concerns are so great they feel their knowledge of facts exclude them from following the order laid forth in scripture.  This often becomes a way of dealing with issues among Christians or with a church.  Personal offenses become public on social media with open letters.  To what end?  What does it accomplish but fuel the fires of gossip and confusion, seeking to sow division and uncertainty?  Is it because we doubt the warning of Moses and the ability of God to deal with sinners who do so secretly:  "Be sure your sin will find you out?"  Pointing out the flaws of others is simple, and it is natural to focus on flaws rather than Jesus who unites us.

In the New Testament, the primary emphasis is not placed on us watching others or warning of all the deceptions in the world.  Our focus is to first deal with the log in our own eye rather than focusing on the speck in someone else's eye.  We are to take heed to ourselves.  More than having the facts on our side, we must to share them motivated with love and seasoned with grace in accordance to God's scriptural order.  The internet has given exponential rise to gossip in countless forms which Christians do well to avoid.  Even if we do not contribute to a thread or discussion, what we read can wrongly skew our view of others or cause suspicion to grow.  Much damage has been done by zealous watchmen who have neglected to examine their methods as carefully as the doctrine and deeds of those whom they criticise.

We are to watch, and let us so examine ourselves how, why, and who we watch.  Our eyes ought to be on Christ, and we should examine ourselves according to His example and holiness.  We are called to take heed, be watchful of ourselves.  The following verses are by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully it conveys the strong emphasis we ought to have in self confrontation through scriptural examination.  Notice how each individual is to watch and take heed to himself as his primary focus - not others.  Feel free to look up and read these passages in context:

• 1 Timothy 4:16 - "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." 
• Hebrews 3:12-13 - "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
• Galatians 5:13-16 - "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
• 1 Corinthians 3:10 - "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it."
• Acts 20:28 - "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
• 1 Corinthians 10:12 - "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

Here are some exhortations from Jesus that we take heed to ourselves, not others:

• Matthew 18:10 - "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."
• Luke 17:3-4 - "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
• Mark 13:5 - "And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you."
• Mark 13:32-33 - "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is."
• Luke 11:35 -  "Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness."
• Luke 21:8 - "And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them."

If you are a Christian, you are called to watch.  I exhort you in the name of Jesus to be watchful in your prayers.  I must watch and pray that I do not enter temptation, and you must watch and pray so you do not fall into temptation.  We should be more vigilant in taking heed and watching our own conduct and motives than labouring to uncover and expose the errors of others.  A day may come when God leads us to warn others of potential pitfalls and dangers even as I do now.  But take heed, watch yourself that you do so in a way pleasing to the LORD.  By His grace He has opened our eyes to see and ears to hear.  Let us use them wisely!

Righteous By Faith in Christ

I read a news story I found most illuminating.  Fox News reported a woman in New Hampshire received more than she expected when she visited Burger King.  After driving through to pick up the food she ordered, she realised she had mistakenly been given money intended for a bank deposit.  The article read, "...the couple briefly considered keeping the money, which they certainly could have used. But he says he and his wife are Jehovah's Witnesses, and that "Jehovah sees everything."  I found this mildly amusing and tragic at the same time.

It is true "Jehovah sees everything," but it appears the fear of retribution or punishment for stealing was more a deterrent than loving to do what is righteous and pleases God.  It is sad many people who "fear" God in a worldly sense know nothing of His love, grace, and forgiveness.  God saw this couple briefly considered keeping the money, and the fact they even needed to have a discussion over the dishonest temptation to steal the money condemns of the condition of their hearts.  You see, God cares not only about our external behaviour, but the thoughts and motives of our hearts.  If it is only the fear of being caught and punished which keeps me from criminal activity, the monstrous power and influence of sin remains on the loose-  though concealed before men in my heart.  God sees the heart, and only by spiritual regeneration, forgiveness, and salvation through faith in Christ can sin within us be put to death.

We cannot earn God's favour through external adherence to the law.  The Law of God only condemns, but has provided life and salvation through Jesus Christ, God-made-flesh.  It is only through faith in Jesus we can be reconciled to the Father, adopted as children of God, and made righteous even as Christ is.  Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7-11, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

God's Goals and Ours

Some people love the journey, and others are focused more on the destination.  I'm more a destination guy.  The knowledge I will ultimately arrive at my intended destination makes even a long journey tolerable.  As I was cycling for exercise today up and down hills, it occurred to me my goal was not a particular destination on the map, but for the purpose of attaining goals of personal fitness.  I was able to enjoy the journey, knowing I was working towards my goals whether I ever arrive there or not.

We make goals and plans, and often they are desires of our hearts given us by God.  We can be so focused on the destination - like setting foot in a mission field - that we face discouragement when the lack of financial support seems to hold us back.  Some people have in their hearts to plant a church, but for some their goal is never realised.  But such efforts are never wasted.  What the Christian must understand is God is faithful to redeem that time to accomplish His purposes.  Our goals are not God's goals.  We look at the surface, but God looks at the heart.  He uses apparent obstructions, setbacks, and delays to prepare and strengthen us so we will be ready for the next chapter in our lives and ministry.

Considering my own life, I remember clearly when God led me and my family to seek His will for us in Australia.  It was confirmed again and again God was leading us to Australia to serve Him.  My realisation of God's will for our future did not mean it happened instantly.  Years passed, and our goal seemed no closer to culmination.  In those formative years our faith was stretched and our resolve strengthened as we sought the LORD.  God was working in my heart, in the hearts of my wife, children, relatives, and even in hearts of the people where God would establish us.  My goal was to serve God in Australia, but I needed preparation I never thought I did.  God is wise to lengthen our journey and leave our goals unrealised until we have brought to a place of surrender and trust we could never have otherwise.

Isaiah 55:6-9 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. ⁹ "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."  God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and so are His plans for us.  He has plans far more important than our goals to accomplish in us through His sanctifying works along the way.  Without the journey, we could never be prepared to arrive, thrive, and endure at our destination.  Trust the LORD, and praise Him for His goodness and mercy towards us!

Not Cast Away

Last night I watched an interesting foreign film called "Castaway on the Moon," a Korean twist on the movie "Castaway" starring Tom Hanks.  The basic plot is after a failed suicide attempt, a floundering businessman ends up on a island in the middle of a metropolitan area.  Unable to swim or successfully call for help, he begins to embrace his simple lifestyle of foraging for food and supplies.  No longer wanting off the island, he wrote "Hello" on a sandy beach.  Unknown to him, his message caught the eye of a solitary woman who lived in the city.  After watching and photographing the "alien" man for a while, the woman decided to contact this man with a simple message in a bottle:  "Hello."  Over the next months they would trade messages back and forth, writing on the beach or sending messages in a bottle.

The discovery of someone who cared enough to write personal messages in a bottle for him to find caused the man to grow increasingly curious.  He wrote on the beach, "Who are you?"  This is a natural response.  When I see the order of the universe and the beauty of this world, when I consider the message of the Bible as a letter introducing all people to the living God who created all and loves us, I am brought to the same point as the solitary man on the beach:  "Who are you?"  God wants to be known, and He has revealed Himself to man in the person of Jesus Christ.  God the Father is an eternal, holy, and unapproachable Spirit who consumes all sin as fire does dry chaff.  By His grace He revealed Himself in the fashion of a man so we might see His love practically demonstrated and love Him back.

Knowing God is a prime purpose in our lives as human beings.  It is only through knowing God we can begin a new life of discovery, comfort, joy, and wisdom.  David knew this.  More critical than serving God is knowing Him.  It is only through knowing God we discover how to please God.  His words are recorded in 1 Chronicles 28:9:  "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."  Did you see the first phrase?  "Know the God of your father."  We can know God because He has made Himself known by His grace.  Once we know God intimately through receiving the Gospel by faith, we can serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind.  All who seek Him will be found by Him, when we seek Him with our whole hearts.  Forsake Him and there will be severe consequences.

God has not left us marooned on some rock without any means to communicate with Him.  God has made a way through faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit who teaches, comforts, and helps us.  There is no great distance for us to span, for the Holy Spirit dwells inside each person who has confessed their sins, repented, and trusted in Jesus as LORD and Saviour.  Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us so where He is we can be also forever.  Jesus will not reject any who seek Him, for He said in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."  How wondrous this is, that we can know God!  Do you want to know Him?  How far will you go to know Him just a little more today?