The Stealth Test

When trials or struggles happen in the life of a Christian, we recall to mind how God uses our circumstances to test us.  We see this in the Old Testament when the children of Israel did not completely drive out their enemies from the land.  Because they were not faithful to obey God in this matter, God chose to allow enemies to remain.  He said in Judges 2:21-22, "I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²² so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not."  God uses opposition, pain, and enemies to put us to the test, to see if we will trust and obey God or not.

Tests are not limited to hard times, however.  Other portions of the Bible make it clear tests from God can occur when all seems to be going smoothly.  One such example is seen in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah.  God had wrought His wonders in the land by destroying the Assyrian arm, healed him from a deadly disease, and extended his life 15 years.  Emissaries came with letters from the king of Babylon and a present for King Hezekiah.  They came to inquire about the wonder done in the land, for no one had withstood the Assyrian onslaught.  Hezekiah was quick to spread threatening letters before the LORD in fervent prayer, but when he received a friendly letter from the King of Babylon no divine guidance was sought.  King Hezekiah was pleased with the audience of ambassadors and proceeded to show them all the treasures of his kingdom without concern.

The men sent to congratulate King Hezekiah with a gift were a test from God, even as bloodthirsty enemies who sought to destroy Israel in Joshua's day.  Hezekiah passed the humility test when he was helpless, but when faced with the stealth test of fame and recognition he failed.  2 Chronicles 32:31 contrasted Hezekiah's dealings with the ambassadors of Babylon with all notable good accomplished during his reign:  "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  Both in times of hardship and plenty God tests the hearts of men, and pride renders us senseless to recognise these tests.  It is only through a posture of humility and reliance upon God in faith where we find grace to walk in the way which pleases God.

What test are you more apt to pass:  a test comprised of hardship or flattery, one of warfare or ease?  Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we endure and stand strong in the LORD and the power of His might.  

When You’re Not “The Man”

There’s something inside every person which wants to be noticed, even recognised by others as exceptional.  I remember laughing to myself during a scene in Tom Cruise’s “Minority Report” where a man paid to have a virtual experience with people shouting the affirmation, “You’re the man!” despite his denials of false humility.  Dropping coin for compliments is not manly to be sure, yet he was willing to pay a price to be called “the man” even for a few fleeting moments.  Deep inside I’m sure the man knew he wasn’t “the man,” nor would he ever be.  His conscience could never agree fully with assessment, as much as he coveted the title.

No matter what a man’s accomplishments or successes, he will always be simply a man.  All men are born and die, leaving only a fading memory which is forgotten and lost over time.  It is common for people to assume we can find lasting satisfaction and significance through our efforts or career advancement.  But no matter how high we climb or soar, we are never able to measure up to the desperate longing of our souls for fulfillment.  Pride comes before a fall, and any aspirations in thinking we are something leads to the grave with everyone else.

There is only one person who can be aptly termed “the Man”:  the God-man Jesus Christ.  After He was born of a virgin, lived a life free from sin, did many signs and miracles, and preached the Kingdom of God, He was betrayed by a follower and crucified as He predicted.  Before He was led to the cross He was scourged by the Romans and presented by Pilate before the mad crowd.  John 19:5 says, “Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"  There He was, not the man any person aspires to be.  He was a mess of blood and the object of scorn and ridicule, despised and rejected by His own.  Jesus did not protest or say a word, because what Pilate said was true.  He was the Man sent to seek and to save the lost, the true Messiah, the One who would three days later rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and will someday return to rule in righteousness.  Jesus is indeed “the Man” and wise men will view Him as such.  He humbled Himself more than any other man and so God has exalted Him above all.

No man ought to think more highly of himself than he ought, and in recognising Jesus Christ as “the Man” we can be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the men and women God created us to be.  It is only by faith in Jesus Christ we discover the purpose and significance we thirst for.  Seeking fulfillment in this life through earthly pursuits is the equivalent of a dog vainly spinning in circles trying to bite his own tail, a donkey carrying a heavy burden that never is able to sink his teeth into the carrot being dangled before him.  Praise God Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no lasting satisfaction apart from Him.  Everything else is vanity and grasping for the wind.

All For God

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

What does it mean to do something for the glory of God?  Jesus said if any man desire to come after Him, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him.  Self-denial compelled by love for God's sake, even in a decision so trivial as what we choose to eat and drink, brings honour to our worthy Saviour.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can be intentional in doing anything in obedience to the LORD in denial of our own desires or for the benefit of others.  We know when to do or not do something is our natural inclination, and when we choose God's way in any matter He is free to work in and through us.

Isn't it amazing we can bring glory to our God in the simplest of choices?  Whatever we do can be an offering of praise and love unto the LORD.  Even the satisfaction of temporal necessities can be divinely converted into eternal gain and glory for God.  No longer are we to be governed by the opinions of men, a desire to please others or measure up to an arbitrary standard, or pressured by guilt to conform:  we who have been transformed by the indwelling Spirit are quickened to will and do God's good pleasure.  The children of Israel fasted for months at a time, but God revealed it was for them and not for God because when they chose to eat and drink it was not unto Him (Zech. 7:5-6).

Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, "Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."  Paul lived for the glory of God, and his labours for God were governed by God's love and grace.  He did not seek His own profit but the profit of many.  In the smallest decisions of our lives, even in the matter of what we choose to eat or drink, do we seek to give God glory?  How amazing is that?  What opportunities God has provided us in this life to honour and glorify Him!  If we eat and drink unto ourselves, which is a very small thing in the scope of eternity, how can we say we live for God's glory in the "big" things?  Those who are faithful over a little will also be faithful over much (Luke 19:17).

Fruit Unto God

The scenery of life changes, but the core issues remain the same:  will I live for myself or for God?  Who am I going to rely upon?  Whose approval do I value and seek?  What is my motivation for serving God and others?  The answer we give with our mouths is not always reflected in our hearts and minds.  I thank God for the Bible which illuminates our hearts and the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and guides into all truth.

As we serve God, there is a very real possibility we might do so for selfish reasons.  Our motive may not be selfish at the beginning, but we can fall into a works-based trap that we ought to see a measurable return on our investment.  We consider our sacrifices and efforts as great and feel we have not been adequately recognised by God or men.  When our focus drifts to what is not we discover selfish expectations tucked away in the recesses of our hearts.  I remember vividly as a young teen when a man helping with the youth group at church angrily stormed out of a Sunday night meeting because he wasn't "seeing any fruit" from his efforts.  I never saw him again and would not know his face if I saw him today.  But his anger and frustration has always stuck with me.

I believe there is no shortage of servants of the Most High God who tangle with anger and frustration, people who struggle to cope with their dashed expectations.  They are embarrassed by the lack of "fruit" from their efforts.  People come and go from church.  Youth leave the ministry people have poured their heart and soul into for another group with more kids their age, better facilities, or more fun activities.  And maybe, just maybe, they leave because they are sick of the preaching!  Like Jacob we can say, "All these things are against me!" or finally realise we ought to serve God for God's sake, not so we can bask in the fruit of our labour as if we have done anything.  When we understand the church is the Body of Christ and He is faithful to build His church we are freed from the burden of our failed expectations.  Our wildest dreams are pathetic and feeble compared to the plans God has for every one of His beloved children.

It is good for us to recognise disappointment and frustration in our hearts immediately and realign our eyes and purpose with Jesus Christ.  Remember the joy of God calling you to serve Him in the church?  For those who serve in a foreign field, remember how you wondered how God would bring such desires to fruition?  You wondered how God would establish you in a foreign land and now in the field new questions crop up:  how can we reach the community?  What am I supposed to be doing?  Why does it feel I am spinning my wheels and being bogged down in the mire of administration?  Where are other faithful labourers?  All these questions and concerns are answered by the presence of the Almighty God.  We labour because He labours; we serve because He serves; we sacrifice because He gave all.  Anger or frustration concerning the lack of fruit in the lives of people we are serving likely reveals we ourselves have ceased to abide in the Vine Jesus Christ and have begun to look to our own works for validation instead of God's love and grace.

People are constant in our labours as Christians, but it is Christ who must remain central.  When ministry becomes about people or ourselves we begin to serve a master other than Jesus, and this master cannot deliver on a single promise or meet one of our needs.  Let us heed the words of Paul when he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit."  We quench the Spirit of God when we cease to rejoice, pray, or thank God in everything.  This will cut us off from fellowship with God and hamstring our ability to run the race with endurance God has set before each one of us.  When we labour and run our race for God's sake He will see we reach the end and finish strong by His grace.  It is through abiding in Christ's love we will bring fruit unto God.  We ought to rejoice that God causes fruit to spring from our barren hearts and repent when we are frustrated or bitter there isn't more.  The fruit is for God, after all!