The Double-Minded Man

Whilst studying in preparation for the sermon last week, I was reminded of an interaction from years ago.  I was working at a church in El Cajon and often people would come to the office seeking assistance of some kind.  "Walk-ins" were common:  people asking for money, homeless people looking for food or clothes, petrol for their cars, and even a medical emergency.  I believe God did a miracle when we prayed for an older man who was overdosing on methamphetamine and instantly set him in his right mind.

One man came into the office who had recently been released from prison.  He looked to be a tough character, covered in tattoos - and was inked on his neck and face.  I was asked to speak with him.  during our conversation he confided he had an addiction to alcohol which he saw as deadly.  "If I don't quit drinking, I'm going to die.  I'm desperate to do anything to be clean and sober."  I told him of a local ministry I knew that specialised in people like him who wanted to be free of drugs and alcohol, to have a stable job, and affordable housing.  I warned him it was not for everyone, as it required a full one-year commitment.  He was enthusiastic:  "That's exactly what I need.  Sign me up."

He was without transport so I offered to provide him a ride to the ministry office on the other side of town.  A pastor greeted us and explained concerning the program in greater detail.  Nodding in agreement to the rigid structure and requirements, the man sparked up a cigarette.  "And by the way," the pastor said, "just so you know there is no smoking permitted during the program."  The man literally staggered back a step in disbelief.  "What?"  he asked incredulously.  "I don't know...I don't think I can commit to that."  As the pastor tried to reason with him, the man began chain smoking the rest of his cigarettes, clearly disturbed by this development he was unprepared for.

I found the situation tragic and sad:  there stood a man in desperate need of help to kick alcohol, but his dependence on cigarettes seemed an insurmountable obstacle.  He knew alcohol would be the death of him, yet he was unprepared to make a necessary sacrifice for a new life because it seemed unreasonable and impossible.  I don't believe this man's situation or response is different than us in our relationship with God.  There are aspects of our life and behaviour we realise are sinful and want to see our problems dealt with, but at the same time the accomplishment of this work can require sacrifices in other areas we are not always willing to make.  So being undecided and in two minds we can settle for what will destroy us.  It's a confronting example to be sure, but one at some level we can all identify with.

James 1:8 tells us a "double-minded man" is "unstable in all his ways."  It was good the man had come to grips with his need to deal severely with his alcoholism, but because he was double-minded, unwilling to sacrifice what the ministry required to aid his restoration, instability marked every aspect of his life.  This is why commitment and willpower is insufficient to live in victory, for we need to be born again through faith in Christ so we are given new hearts and renewed minds which are in agreement with God.  James went on to write in James 4:8:  "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."  If we will be free and forgiven we cannot approach God on our terms, but we must submit to His righteous demands.  When there is agreement between God and a humble, repentant, and contrite sinner, God graciously restores according to His promise.  Then our feet will be firmly planted on the Rock of Salvation who is Christ, and He is a foundation for new life enjoyed for eternity.

There Is No Encore

Have you ever been at a restaurant and were inspired to order an appetising dish being placed before another patron?  None of the descriptions in the menu seemed as appealing as the hot meal being served to someone else before your eyes.  You thought to yourself, "I'll have whatever he is having.  That looks amazing."

Ordering a meal based upon appearance is one thing, but this desire to "have what someone else is having" can lead to us want for ourselves the exact experience as another person.  If we are the ones who have had the amazing experience, we want others to partake in it as well.  I remember taking kids in the youth group to a theme park which had numerous roller coasters, and it was great fun seeing them enjoy the thrill for the first time and sprint back to the queue to ride again!  As much fun as coasters can be, the first time can never be replicated for yourself or anyone else.  The first time for another person may be the last time they ever submit to boarding a ride because they didn't enjoy it at all.  When it comes to spiritual matters, do not set your heart on having an experience like anyone else because God has intimate knowledge of you and His plans for you - not limited by the experiences or outcomes of others.

I came across a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis which speaks to this point:

"It would be rash to say that there is any prayer which God never grants.  But the strongest candidate is the prayer we might express in the single word encore.  And how should the Infinite repeat Himself?  All space and time are too little for Him to utter Himself in them once." (Martindale, Wayne, and Jerry Root. The Quotable Lewis. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2005. page 247)

How many Christians can seek a particular gifting, experience, or outcome of another because it personally appeals to them and ultimately become disillusioned when their desire eludes them!  It is like we wish life or our spiritual pilgrimage was like a restaurant, that if we agree to pay the price on the menu for what we find most appealing we should receive exactly as we ordered, with certain ingredients omitted or exchanged for our personal preference.  Approaching desired outcomes in a formulaic fashion disregards the sovereignty of God and the greatness of the plan He is unfolding which exceeds our vision and expectations.  Often passages from the Bible are employed in this way, suggesting if we will do our part God will do His - in a predictable, timely, and expected manner.  This is simply not the case.

After thrilling experiences we can shout, "Again, again!" but with God there is no encore; He does not stutter.  Just like He never creates two people exactly alike - even those we call "identical" - He never operates in exactly the same way.  Since every person is created unique, why should we expect our circumstances, outcomes, or experiences to be the same as someone else?  God does not repeat Himself, for He makes all things new.

God and Boundaries

Heaven is God's throne and the earth His footstool.  He has the power to raise up kings and depose them, to overthrow nations and establish them.  God brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand and gave them land in Canaan by lot.  It is interesting to me God made Israel a great nation with clearly defined borders.  God could have given His people all the land on the planet, but He didn't.  He established boundaries for His people, something we ought to consider in our own lives too.  We should be content with our station and all God has graciously provided instead of always seeking to expand.  Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Not only did God provide boundaries for the land of the nation Israel, but He provided them His Law.  God's Law was to govern people's actions, words, duties, and the worship of God.  Left to their own devices and driven unchecked by the lust and wickedness of people hearts, they would become as the godless and wicked nations before them.  God instituted government, a priesthood, and morality upheld by Law which set bounds on what is good or evil.  These statutes were good but had their limitations:  law cannot make a man righteous or provide salvation, for it can only condemn.  Jesus Christ, who established a New Covenant in His blood is the end of the Law for righteousness for all who believe (Romans 10:4).  We have liberty in Christ, but this liberty also has boundaries.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 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."  He continued on this theme in 1 Corinthians 10:23:  "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."  We should not do things merely because we can or they are considered "legal."  Those activities which prove not to be a help, anything which brings us under its power, and does not build us up in holy faith should be off-limits for us - just like we trespass when we go beyond our property line.  It is no longer the Law of Moses which provides these boundaries, but the fear of God, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and love.  Love is the "bond of perfection" which is to govern and guide our words and deeds.

God is infinite, yet He has wisely given us limits.  Instead of seeking to always expand our circle of influence, let us be content to bless and love those with whom He has united us.  Paul learned in whatever state he was to be content (Philippians 4:11), and having food and clothes we ought to be pleased.  The exhortation in Hebrews 13:5 also comes with a reminder of how blessed we are in Christ alone:  "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Let us be content with our homes (whether owning or renting), land, job, marriage, and family.  We have a Saviour Jesus who will never leave or forsake us, and in Him is everlasting love, acceptance, and life.  Should times of increase come, let us not set our hearts on more but rest in the One who gives us all things.

The Influencers

It was probably around 9pm when I answered an unexpected knock at the door whilst still living at my parent's home.  The open door revealed a boy in his late teens wearing a laminated badge on a lanyard.  He carried a folder, and beside him was a large box filled with candy and other items to sell.  He went into his spiel before I could say anything, something to the effect of:  "Would you be willing to buy some items to keep teens like me out of gangs and off the streets?"  The irony of the situation was not lost on me:  a teenager was selling stuff door-to-door late at night to keep teens off the streets!  It seemed to me this industrious young man was not at risk of being drawn into a gang or homelessness.  He appeared ambitious and driven to excel, one who was a positive influence on others rather than being dragged down himself.

People have the ability to influence others in powerful ways, for good or evil.  When high-energy kids join together in activities, their combined power seems to multiply exponentially.  I have recently heard people who effectively market or blog on social media as "influencers."  There is a direct correlation between their attractive appearance or persona which drives interest and sales.  In the church - especially when I was a youth pastor - it was a common desire of parents to find godly influences for their children, whether at church groups or peers.  I once had an awkward encounter after moving to Australia where a man in another state asked over the phone if I would have a chat with his teen son.  "He won't listen to me," he said as a tragic matter-of-fact.  "Sometimes it takes someone other than a parent.  Maybe he will listen to you."

I am convinced as a dad who resided with his son, the man with whom I spoke had more opportunity to positively influence his kids than a stranger ever could.  That discussion had an impact on me as I gave the situation thought:  instead of hoping others will be a "good" influence on our kids, what if our aim was shifted to see them come to actually know Jesus as LORD, having sanctified appetites and holy desires?  Here is a question:  how are Christians able to stay holy and pure in a world defiled with sin?  It isn't because of outward influences, but because the life of Jesus Christ is within them.  When a woman is engaged to a man she loves and is intent on marrying, she will not look twice at other men.  All the rude cat-calls, requests for her number, or unwanted gifts will not shift her affections from her beloved.  Now if her relationship with her fiancee is going through a rocky patch, the draw towards other people and different relationships gains strength.  Though the romantic aspect is not the same, a similar dynamic is a work in the life of a Christian.  When our relationship with Jesus is neglected or suffers, we become dull to God's voice and numb to godly influences.  Youth groups and involvement in church activities are not antidotes to wayward hearts.

Are you easily influenced by this world or one who influences others to live godly as you follow Jesus in this world?  No amount of "good influences" will change the heart or mind of a person, but as children of God through faith in Jesus we can be an example of the parent, spouse, neighbour, employee, employer, and friend God has called and empowered us to be.  If all we want is for young people to stay out of trouble and off the streets our desires fall woefully short of the calling to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God as His faithful servants (Romans 12).  Romans 12 concludes with this Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  This is our birthright as those born again by the power of the Holy Spirit:  because Jesus lives in us you and I are the influencers and are never at the mercy of evil.  It's good to surround kids with good influences, but they need a change of heart.  We need more than influence from Jesus to be saved from ourselves and sin.  We must be born again and abide in Christ to be transformed into the influencers He has called us to be.