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.

Settling for the Ideal

Before crossing the Jordan river and entering the Promised Land, the Israelites obeyed the command of the LORD to war against the Midianites.  Numbers 32:1-5 reads, "Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, ² the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, ³ "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, ⁴ the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." ⁵ Therefore they said, "If we have found favour in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan."

The situation played out like this:  the Israelite tribes of Reuben and Gad had much cattle, and the region was ideal for cattle.  They therefore requested to inherit the land east of Jordan instead of the land westward of Jordan God had promised - sight unseen.  The men who made the request proved honourable in that they fought alongside their fellow tribes until all came into their inheritance of land, and they desired to keep the covenant of Law before God in unity with all Israel.  Yet because they could not imagine better land for their herds and flocks, they settled for what seemed ideal.  It makes me wonder how often God's people (myself included) have settled for what seemed best at the time rather than trusting God who knows best!  The tribes of Ruben and Gad were pleased to continue raising livestock as they had in the past rather than embarking on a new adventure with God at the controls.

I find it interesting the land east of Jordan is no longer part of modern-day Israel.  The pens and paddocks built by the children of Reuben and Gad and the cities they dwelt in are now part of Jordan.  The land they chose for themselves passed to others, but the land received by inheritance by those tribes willing to cross Jordan trusting God have been restored.  The decision of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to choose their own inheritance rather than trusting God's plan for their future is important to take to heart.  Perhaps in their situation I would have done the exact same thing, but the long-term results remain for all who live today to consider.  I am convinced God's eternal plans for me are far superior to my dreams, for God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).  The prophet Amos is a perfect example.  He explains God's plans trumped his experience in Amos 7:14-15:  "Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. ¹⁵ Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'"

I love this!  While Amos was faithful to the LORD and was responsible and content in his current job, God tapped him on the shoulder to do something radically different: to be a prophet!  The tribes of Reuben and Gad may have owned great herds of livestock, but God's plans for them was not limited by their past experience or possessions.  Because of our skills or current job we might limit God to using us in that arena, but God is not confined.  We are the ones guilty of limiting Him, imagining there could be nothing superior for our needs and crossing the Jordan in faith is really unnecessary.  Thank the LORD He is patient with us, even allowing people who settle to be blessed.  Is it worth the risk of missing out on God's plans for settling for our ideal situation?  Not a chance!

Need for Fellowship

As a person who tends to remain at one church for extended periods, I often wonder about the metrics people use to determine which church is ideal for them.  At the onset I am unsure if an ideal church actually exists since all individual members (including the seeker) are in various stages of maturity and growth.  And if we ask the question, "What is the best or ideal church for me?" if "me" is the central or primary point of emphasis clearly my ideals are skewed.  There are both practical and spiritual aspects to consider.  Is the meeting place reasonably close to my home?  Are the doctrines taught biblically sound?  What I find most concerning is though there are many Christians denominations and groups of all kinds, some can't seem to feel comfortable or fit anywhere and thus are not engaged in regular fellowship with other believers.  Maybe comfort isn't the best metric to use.

Over the years I've heard things I didn't expect, like:  "I could never go to a church where the pastor is younger than me" and "I'm only here for the air conditioning."  Upon hearing these things I probably just stood there like a stunned mullet, not exactly knowing what to say.  It's sad when we approach church as consumers, as customers who enter into an arrangement of goods and services rather than a gracious contributor.  It's also a tragedy when we use worldly gauges to determine the quality of a church, like how many people attend, how "dynamic" the worship team or preacher is, the comfort of the seats, or how active the church is in mission work.  Church is more than a building, amenities, or programs, but a group of people who love God and one another.  Hebrews 10:23-25 is an exhortation fit for the family of God:  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

The Christian walk is much more than showing up to meetings with other believers, but it is impossible for us to be in fellowship with one another unless we are with one another.  It's impossible on your own to obey the "one another" commands Jesus gave!  We are to consider others as more important than ourselves, knowing and believing through us God intends to reveal His love to regulars and visitors alike - and God has things He will use others to reveal to us.  A lot of people who are not signed up for a particular role during a service might feel obliged to miss church gatherings, yet I am convinced when this is a chronic practice it is to the detriment of all.  This mindset seems focused on self rather than considering the needs of others, since God has chosen us for one another.  Our exhortations to stir up love and good works are without force if we are rarely present and model these virtues ourselves.

Since each of us are part of the church, the Body of Christ, we are to walk in the love of God through obedience to Him.  Jesus won't leave or forsake us because His is faithful, and our faithfulness in fellowship is the outflow of faith in Him demonstrated through obedience.  In the end, meeting up for church gatherings to celebrate and worship God is not about you or your comfort:  it is about God!  It is misguided to use church attendance as a gauge of the spiritual health of others or ourselves, but that we love one another as Jesus loves us.  To obey is better than sacrifice, and fellowship will cost us.  The cost of drifting without regular fellowship with believers, however, is far more costly.  We need fellowship, and others need us - whether we preach from a pulpit, greet people at the door, or pray.