Stirring Up Ants

Not everything we do is completely thought through, is it?  Sometimes we do something just to see what will happen or "just because."  When I was a kid visiting my cousin's house in Ramona, large red ants were common.  At my house we only had small black ants, so the red ants were a novelty.  I remember pouring some silty dust on top of their nests and watching them scramble through the surface at a frantic pace.  More and more ants were agitated and mobilised to attack this phantom threat.  Pretty soon I would have to move back from the nest as thousands of ants emerged, jaws and antennae wagging.  I can't explain exactly why summoning those ants to the surface was fun, but it was an amusing pastime.  Perhaps there was a sense of toying with danger, imagining what those insects might be thinking, or maybe just "Let's see what happens when I try to fill the holes of this nest."

During our discipleship course we were speaking about how the mind of a Christian is a battleground which we must be prepared to fight.  Because we are in a spiritual battle, God has provided spiritual armour through the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  We must guard our heart with the breastplate of righteousness and our minds with the helmet of salvation.  The shield of faith is able to stop and extinguish those fiery darts he throws at us.  Our minds are always active like those nests of ants, and most of the activity is taking place underground.  While we were talking during the discipleship course, the picture came into my mind of Satan thinking to himself, "I wonder what happens if I do this?" and fires an immoral thought, a care or worry into our minds - like a child dropping dust on a nest of ants.  When he is able to influence our thoughts, our actions follow suit.  He plants the seed of a wicked thought, and when combined with desire in us it brings forth sin.  I think he enjoys seeing us scramble around in fear and worry as he watches at a safe distance, amused by our confusion.  This can become such a common event we assume this is how life is and don't recognise the spiritual attack.

Happy is the man whose God is the LORD, who discerns Satan's tactics and refuses to be distracted from labouring for the LORD when he drops a bit of sand down the hole.  Through faith in Christ we are enabled to take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  Our minds can often become a frenzied jumble of thoughts like ants because Satan is pestering us.  Instead of being preoccupied with Satan and his attacks, we are to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus as we continue to follow Him faithfully in obedience.  Lambs familiar with the voice of the Good Shepherd will not be tricked to follow strangers.  No matter how much dust Satan kicks in our direction, we can be strong in the LORD and the power of His might.  We can stand in our armour and pray without ceasing, fixing our minds of Christ rather than the distractions, worries, and cares of this life.

Agree to Plea

"When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

Luke 12:58-59

It cannot be emphasised enough the importance of studying the Bible in context.  Reading through a passage in its entirety aids greatly in understanding the meaning behind this statement of Jesus.  Themes woven through this chapter are God's coming judgement, the need of men to prepare and watchful, and to recognise the signs of the times.  With this in mind, the point Jesus made has profound application for everyone.

Jesus painted a picture with which we can all identify.  If a man received a subpoena to be judged in a court of law, his innocence or guilt would impact his feelings about going.  If  he is sure of his innocence or is going merely as a witness he could go to court without much trepidation.  But had he received counsel his case was a lost cause and he would be deemed liable and likely fined and imprisoned for years, he would desperately seek to settle out of court.  He would do his best to avoid steep penalties by accepting a plea bargain.  Jesus encouraged all to make every effort along the way to settle before facing judgment in court because the judge would be bound by the law to impose the most harsh, strict measures as a punishment.  There would be no leniency or reduction of punishment at that point.  The only chance a guilty man has to avoid further prosecution is to settle out of court.

All men stand condemned and guilty of breaking God's law.  All are deserving of death, and God has given every sinner an opportunity through the Gospel to "settle out of court," so to speak.  The previous passage Jesus talked about how men noticed weather patterns and planned their days accordingly, yet it was entirely hypocritical for them to ignore the eternal implications of their guilt before God.  If we see wisdom in arranging a schedule or planning a holiday, how much more important is it to consider and prepare when our eternal future is at stake?  Jesus came to this world as a sacrifice for sin so our fine could be paid and our permanent record of sin expunged.  Won't you make every effort along the way to settle accounts with God and men so we might be deemed righteous before the Judge of all the earth?  There is no bargaining with God, but we can plead.  If we take the plea of the Gospel God will plead our case against all our accusers.

All who repent and trust in Christ can echo the words of David in Psalm 35:1-3:  "Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. ² Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. ³ Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Our Eternal Hope

Our family has enjoyed hosting my parents who are visiting from the United States.  It had been a couple years since we have been able to visit in person, and it is a privilege and blessing for which we are most grateful.  We've had great conversations and have had fun praying, working, and driving around town.  Just being together is a treasure money cannot buy.

My dad made a great observation over a pair of wire strippers.  The tool was marketed to do it all:  crimp, cut, and strip wire insulation.  Problem was, the claims of the packaging did not match the ability of the tool itself.  In my hand I held a waste of twenty dollars.  "The thing is useless, absolutely hopeless," I said in disgust as I placed the tool back into the plastic to return it.  My dad said something to the effect of, "Isn't it great that God chooses to use us even though we can't accomplish anything good?"  A fair question.  Yep, that is great indeed!

Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing, and it rings true for all today.  I don't know about you, but when I buy tools I am not lured by the cheaper cost of no-name, generic tools.  I am looking for quality construction, durability, and reliability.  I am also not interested in buying tools or appliances with soiled or ripped packaging, and am especially wary if the item for sale has been used and sloppily resealed and sold as new.  As I placed those hopeless wire strippers on the receipt, I had to admit the truth:  in my flesh I am just as useless and hopeless - without the benefit of neat and clean packaging.  Yet in God's hand sinners forgiven by God's grace are His chosen tools to build His kingdom.  The blood of Jesus purchased our redemption, and when we fail God doesn't demand a refund.  He holds us close and will never let go.

A quality tool designed for the job at hand is important, and because of the vast range of quality between brands and styles we might actually boast in a tool.  But boasting in people or accomplishments is as empty as the false advertising on those wire strippers.  Isn't it wonderful that we are utterly hopeless, yet we have eternal hope through Jesus?  When it comes to life as a Christian the only one in whom we can rightly boast in is Jesus Christ our Saviour.  He is the One worthy of praise.  Psalm 34:1-3 says, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. ³ Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."

Jesus Bound

Heaven is more than a hell-avoidance plan:  it is the privilege of praising, serving, and abiding in the presence of the living God forever.  If your idea of heaven does not involve God at the centre and is more centred around you, something is tragically wrong with that picture.  People talk about being "heaven bound," but only those whose hearts are bound to Christ in faith and obedience will actually go there.

If the only reason why you desire to go to heaven when your body goes the way of the earth is to avoid hell, it is likely you are not particularly interested in spending quality time with Jesus today.  And this begs the question:  if it does not please you to invest minutes, hours, days, and years to cultivate a healthy relationship with Jesus, what makes you think you would want to spend forever with Him?  Choosing heaven over hell never saved a person.  That is not the point.  The point is, do you want a life purchased and redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus or not?

When our eyes are opened to see the goodness of God and we humble ourselves before Him in repentance and worship, fellowship with Christ by the Holy Spirit becomes a privilege, not a chore.  This divine relationship is to impact all our other relationships, thoughts, words, deeds, and choices.  A biblical, godly perspective provided by the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out.  Too many people are content with the adaptation of behaviour rather than spiritual transformation from within through a life submitted to God.  Their lives become segmented, with time set apart for church, praying, Bible reading - along with hobbies, work, play, television, social media, and internet - but their relationship with Christ is not a chain which connects everything together as one life lived for God's glory.

How about taking intentional steps to do more than include God in various activities of your life when it is convenient, but dedicate all aspects of your life for Him to control?  To tweak a quote from Paris Reidhead, "Why not love and serve God every step of the way whether we go to hell or not because He is worthy?"  And He is worthy.  The path of discipleship is not passive but active in seeking, communicating, and obeying God.  We abide in God's love when we keep the commandments of Jesus Christ, and He is at the moment preparing a place for us where He desires we abide with Him forever.  If we plan to spend eternity with God, shouldn't we start abiding in Him now?  Obedience is costly, but disobedience and selfishness always comes at an infinitely greater price.