Cull Those Complaints!

All people naturally have sinful tendencies and habits.  Even after we are spiritually born again life goes on in the confines of our body of flesh.  There are plenty of things we realise are sinful and displeasing to God, but there are other things which fly under our moral radar.  We are not even aware of how often we sin until God opens our eyes to see!

One thing I want to cull from my life is the tendency to complain.  Complaints may be exceedingly common and seemingly innocent, but the basis of complaining is a focus on self, a lack of acknowledgement of God's power and sovereignty, and vocal displeasure for all to hear.  It is one thing to pour out our complaints before God, but it is another thing to complain to others about our circumstances God has allowed.  Complaining is often a parade of selfishness.

Just last night I read of an occasion after God delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt in Numbers 11:1-3: "Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. ² Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. ³ So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them."  If there was ever a passage in scripture which vividly portrays God's displeasure and swift judgment for complaining, this is it.  God's people complained about all sorts of things:  lack of water, the food God supplied, that Moses took too much responsibility upon himself, that God led them through the wilderness, the threat of enemies, and on.

This passage does not tell us exactly what the people complained about, but it does say God was displeased when He heard their complaints.  Did you know complaining displeases God?  His anger burned against them and fire consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.  Moses interceded on behalf of the people when they cried out to him, and the fire was quenched.  The place was named "Taberah" or burning because God's fire had burned among them.  The lesson for me?  When I murmur against God or complain to others, God hears and it is displeasing to Him.  To this day by the grace of God I have not been consumed in flames because I am certainly guilty!  It is hard to complain without saying something, and therefore how wise it is for us to guard our hearts, minds, and mouths.  I imagine complaining is a habit in varying degrees for everyone, but it is one we ought to spare no effort to break.  Complaining is evidence something is very wrong in the heart.

David wrote in Psalm 142:1-2 how he directed his complaints not to men but to God:  "I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. ² I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble."  It is a good question to ask:  am I complaining to someone who can do anything about my problem?  Because God cares for us He invites us to cast our cares upon Him.  Pouring our complaints or venting our frustrations upon other people suggests we have not taken the matter sufficiently before God.  Once we have cast our cares upon Him, complaints will be replaced with praise for the One who loves and cares for us.

Like the Great Mountains

"Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast."

Psalm 36:6

It is insightful to meditate upon and consider similes in the Bible.  In this instance, the righteousness of God is compared to the "great mountains."  Mountains in the physical realm can open our understanding of the spiritual nature of God's righteousness.  Though righteousness and mountains are not the same thing, this verse teaches us there are similarities between them.  To better grasp the reality of God's righteousness, how could we describe great mountains?

• Mountains are immovable and endure.  Mountains are established, solid, and trying to shift them is out of the question.  While the earth is subject to erosion over time, the mountain remains.  Tunnels have been cut through them, roads have been carved into them and even diverted around them.  God's righteousness is established like a mountain and is not subject to erosion or change.  The winds of time and the erosion of morality cannot affect God's righteousness.
• Mountains are massive and lofty.  Mountains viewed at a distance do not look imposing, but the closer one approaches the higher they appear.  The summits of the earth's tallest mountains cannot be fully seen from their base.  In a similar way the righteousness of God is past finding out.  It is greater beyond estimation and infinitely exceeds our own (so-called) righteousness.  Try to build a mountain if you like, but whatever man builds nature in time wears and breaks down.  God's righteousness is great and beyond compare.
• Mountains can be inaccessible and impassable.  Whilst great mountains can be climbed at the risk of avalanches, falling rocks, altitude sickness, whiteouts, or falls, no man can begin to scale the heights of God's righteousness.  There is no way an ordinary man can rightly claim he has attained even a fraction of righteousness by his own efforts.  No one climbs a great mountain and says "That was easy!" but attaining the glorious heights of God's righteousness is absolutely impossible for us.  One might as well try to fly to the moon by flapping his wings and having arrived survive wearing only shorts and a t-shirt.
• Mountains are picturesque and recognisable.  Notable mountains are named and their images are found in puzzles, postcards, and movies.  God's righteousness is distinct from what passes as righteousness in men, being totally perfect without a single flaw.  The righteousness of God has been revealed in His law and by the life of Jesus Christ.  The goodness and righteousness of Jesus is beyond compare in this world.  Next to Jesus the best efforts of men to live righteously resemble a hollow pit.

What else can mountains teach us about the righteousness of God?  I am glad God's righteousness endures and is granted to all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  We can lay no claim to righteousness by our efforts, but by grace God's righteousness is imputed to all who believe - apart from the law.  Without righteousness no man can see the kingdom of God.  How great is our God and His righteousness!

Being Changed

There are times when we recognise a personal need to change, but this knowledge does not provide the ability to change.  On the strength of our resolve anyone can adapt their behaviour to various degrees, yet on the inside we remain the same people we always were.  This is one thing God can and will do in the lives of Christians:  He changes us from the inside.

Because we have been painting the bathroom, bottles of shampoo are not in their usual place.  The other day when I picked on up a bottle, I rapped my head on the fixed soap holder in the shower.  I instinctively said, "Ouch!" but I instantly discerned something was different inside me.  Years ago when I would hit my head or injured myself there would often be a flash of temper, an inner rage that surged energy into my limbs and widened my eyes.  During my life I have typically been able to "control" my temper, but it was a conscious act of the will.  When I hit my head and did not feel the familiar stirring of the flesh, and despite the discomfort of my head I rejoiced.  God opened my eyes to recognise this clear evidence He is indeed changing me.

These inner changes are a marvellous way God works in those who are born again through faith in Jesus.  The One who provides the awareness of our sinful flesh and the power of self-control also can change the way we think and feel.  He is able to transform us so we can rejoice despite pain because He has continued to shape the way we respond to problems.  He puts a love in our hearts for people years ago we would have avoided.  He opens our eyes to see our need for Him in more areas of our lives still, keeping us from pride and arrogance.  Our tendencies become more aligned with His righteous character.  Instead of reacting the way we always have or fighting to subdue the flesh, the power of the Spirit shines through with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Religion is something many people work at, but a relationship with the Almighty God through faith in Jesus means He begins to work inside us to make us new.  Jesus is able to heal, deliver, restore, save, strengthen, and help us because He is the living God.  There is no heart too hard or mind too stubborn He cannot change.  The God who brings all sin to light is able to overcome and stamp out the most habitual sins and transform us into His image.  God used a little thing like bumping my head to provide insight into the miraculous work He is doing in my life, and He also wants to work in your life in ways you cannot imagine for good.  Seeing this has caused me to pray for more changes, and I know in His time these prayers will be answered according to His Word because He is trustworthy.

Praise the LORD who changes us for good!

Restricted by Affections

"O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."

2 Corinthians 6:11-12

The apostle Paul had been instrumental in preaching the Gospel and instructing the church in Corinth.  He chose to support his own pastoral ministry by making tents so no one could accuse him of using the Gospel to enrich himself financially.  At times the choice to support himself backfired in one sense, for some viewed this tradesman as being without proper credentials to teach.  But Paul had authority from God and spoke the truth in love, even when it stung.  There were some in the Corinthian church who aligned themselves with other teachers to oppose Paul and claimed his attempts to deal with sin and promote unity was an overreach.  Like a teenage son or daughter eager to throw off the authority of parents they feel are too controlling, they resented Paul's involvement.

Paul responded to these murmurings and false accusations wisely.  He held forth a principle which is widely applicable to people in the church today.  He said, "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."  It is very easy to find fault with others, to blame others for our lack of satisfaction or status.  There are many people who desire to have a particular role in ministry - to be a pastor, worship, or study leader - and when this opportunity is not given they believe they are being held back from something they are called to and capable of.  Paul's leadership was solid and biblical, but some saw his involvement as meddlesome and controlling.  Paul asserted he was not restricting anyone, but the people were restricted by their own affections.

It is likely far easier to give Paul the benefit of the doubt than people we know personally.  It is possible to sin by scheming to manipulate or control others, but Paul's statement is instructive for all who feel they are being unfairly "restricted" by others:  to a degree we are being restricted by our own affections.  Consider this example:  a boy feels unfairly treated because his parents will not allow him to go to a party where there will be underage drinking.  He wants to be with his friends; he desires acceptance and seeks fun.  His parents have his good in mind, but he cannot see it because he is being kept from what he craves.  If he loved his parents and trusted them, he would be thankful they were looking out for his well-being instead of being resentful.  "You never let me have any fun!" he shouts.  His affections blind him to his parent's love and therefore remains restricted to his narrow, short-sighted view.  He is locked in a cage of bitterness for his trouble, and even when he physically leaves home he cannot escape it.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, and this is something as followers of Jesus we all must practically learn.  The purpose of this post is not to cast judgment on your feelings or situation, but to hold forth the everlasting truth of God's Word:  do you believe verse 12 has been or can be relevant to your life personally?  Is it possible you have not been restricted by God or others but instead have been restricted by your own affections?  No one likes to feel cramped and hemmed in, and it is natural for us to want to throw off restrictions and do as we like.  Yet at the same time the Bible is clear in whatever state we are to be content - whether married, unmarried, as a member of a "dysfunctional" family or church, regardless if the government is democratic or communistic, or if you have the role in church you desire.  Those Jesus has made free are free indeed, for where the Spirit of the LORD is there is freedom.  When we invite God to govern our affections and humble ourselves under His rule we discover true liberty.