The Heart of the Matter

To properly address an illness, we must go beyond seeking to alleviate symptoms.  The symptoms are not the cause--though they might be the reason we seek medical attention!  Fever, chills, and sore throat are indicators of a streptococcal infection lozenges and pain-relieving medication cannot cure.  It is also important antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are taken even after the fever breaks and pain is relieved to ensure the underlying infection is eradicated.

It has been a common error in Christians circles to view behaviour or symptoms as the problem rather than addressing the issues of the heart, a chief source of the problem.  We kick ourselves for obvious failings but neglect our need to have our hearts transformed and our minds renewed.  It is necessary we realise a drift into sin began with a drift from God.  The depth of our sin can take us for surprise like a woman who went to the doctor and complained of acute indigestion only to discover she was 9 months pregnant and in labour!  It takes prolonged pain and discomfort for us to seek the care of a doctor, and often it is the same which drives us to God seeking forgiveness and salvation.

After God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, their dealings with Him provide insight into our own wanderings.  See what Psalm 106:23-28 says concerning the sin of God's people:  "Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.²⁴ Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His word, ²⁵ But complained in their tents, and did not heed the voice of the LORD. ²⁶ Therefore He raised up His hand in an oath against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness, ²⁷ To overthrow their descendants among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. ²⁸ They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices made to the dead."  We would all agree idolatry and fornication are sinful, but the problem did not start there:  the problem began when they did not believe God's word (verse 24).  Unbelief led to despising the good land (verse 24), complaining, a refusal to listen to God, and disobedience (verse 25).  This corruption within exhibited itself in idolatry and fornication.

We are called, as followers of Jesus, to align our hearts and lives with the truth of God's Word.  If we will not hear or believe His Word, then we deny the lamp God has provided for our feet.  The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth in agreement with the scriptures, and Christ's words provide a sound foundation to build our lives upon.  God provides examples in the Bible for our good that we might learn from the failures of others and choose to walk in the way that pleases God.  If we aim for behaviour modification we are no better than Pharisees condemned by Christ, but God looks upon the heart.  When we are born again through faith in Jesus we are given a new heart and Spirit, and He convicts us of sin.  Having symptoms of sin exposed, by God's grace we can go to the heart of the matter. 

Friends Sharpen

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

When I worked in mechanical insulation, knives were tools I used daily.  One of the first things you learn after pulling those Dexter Russell or Old Hickory knives from the package is the factory edge is not sufficient.  Knowing the intended use of a knife guided workers in how it should be sharpened:  a fine edge on stainless for cutting rubber was accomplished with a dry stone, and using a double-cut file high-carbon blades could be made serrated.  With a little practice, knives new and old were easily made serviceable by sharpening.

King Solomon compared the sharpening of iron using iron to how interactions with others sharpens  friends.  When swords or daggers were blunted, passing blades on one another corrected blunted edges so both were improved.  Sharpening a blade with a stone uses it up, and over time files become dull and useless.  This is where sharpening of friendship is far superior to modern ways of sharpening knives, because at the same time both people are made sharper.

To sharpen a dull edge it is necessary for exposed metal to be removed.  This is the outworking of friendship, of people rubbing shoulders and spending time together.  The people we surround ourselves with shall have an impact on us and sharpen us for future interactions.  A knife can be a useful tool to do work or for self-defense, but it can also be wielded as a deadly weapon.  Making friends with experienced workers would allow efficient and safe working practices to develop, but hanging with hardened criminals could sharpen us to do evil.  Bad company corrupts whilst good company edifies.

No matter who you are or your life experiences, through faith in Christ we bring great potential for positive sharpening to relationships.  The implication of sharpening is there is something in me that needs to change and flaws of character which need correction:  there is the rust of self-focus to be removed, ignorant judgments to be ground away, ignorance which must be scraped off like burs to expose a new perspective by the help of friends.  We would like to imagine we can do this ourselves through devotion and discipline, but nothing compares to personal fellowship and discipleship.  Both young and old receive the sharpening benefits of friendship.

A dull blade requires more force to be effective and thus the risk of injury is increased.  Better to spend a few minutes sharpening before starting to cut material than to make rough cuts.  We have all been around people who could be described as "rough," either for their abrasive manner or cutting remarks.  Our tendency is perhaps to avoid that person but remember Proverbs 17:17:  "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  We can be friendly towards people who do not consider us a friend, and sharpening of both parties can occur.  Our positive influence will affect them, and the LORD can use their roughness to hone us to our sharpest so we are fit for His use too.

Mile After Mile

Yesterday I spend time considering the implication of what going the extra mile meant when Jesus said in Matthew 5:38-41, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two."

Jesus began with a quote from the Law of Moses, but Jesus told his followers not to make demands concerning their rights.  If their eye was gouged out, they had the right under Law to demand the person guilty was made to lose their eye in the same fashion.  This was intended to limit punishment inflicted by the court for crimes.  At the same time would this push for retribution cause the blinded person to regain their lost eyesight?  No:  it blinded another person as well.  The tendency to make others pay is naturally in us all, but Jesus commanded His followers to commit ultimate justice into His hands even when it came at a personal cost.

A slap to the face in Jesus' culture was a personal insult, and Christ's followers were not to respond in kind.  It is the role of government, courts, and judges to uphold God's righteous standards and bring about justice, but we are not called to lash out to even the score.  Since we are to trust God to provide for all our needs, even when sued for the clothes we are wearing.  Verse 41 mentions being compelled to go one mile, and Romans were permitted to force a Jew to carry a load for a mile.  France is quoted by David Guzik in the Enduring Word Commentary on this point:  "The Jews fiercely resented such impositions, and Jesus’ choice of this example deliberately dissociates him from militant nationalists. Rather than resisting, or even resenting, the disciple should volunteer for a further mile.”  I like how this is put because it hones in on the point Jesus made over and over:  following Him requires a change of heart.  The bar is set far higher than compliance with commands, but faith in God and love towards God and others.

Verse 41 had me thinking.  Being "compelled" (pressed into service) to go one mile suggested it was not a personal preference.  How challenging that in faith in God and love of others moves us to gladly volunteer for more of the same.  It is one thing when a man compels us, but I am convinced sometimes God compels us too.  He leads us to do things which naturally we recoil from doing, and when we have done our duty we are seemingly just as far from the finish as ever.  I have realised I am more likely to put a good face to it when I believe God is the one compelling me to go the first mile than when it is another person, and He wants to see this change in me.  If God's love is truly in me, then my love for others ought to rival my love for God--not as an opponent but a compliment--love that is patient, kind, without envy, boasting, pride, rudeness, self-seeking, and keeps no record of wrongs.

God's love for us is enduring, active, and stretches on for eternity.  As we abide in Jesus and His love we are greatly helped to go mile after mile by the power of the Holy Spirit.  God's Word is a light to our feet and a light unto our path so we can remain upright and balanced during our earthly pilgrimage.  God sustained the Hebrews for 40 years in the wilderness with His presence, and their shoes did not wear out.  Having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace we are enabled to joyfully walk in love as our lives testify of His grace, mercy, and power.

One Thing We Need

"For three things the earth is perturbed, yes, for four it cannot bear up: ²² for a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food, ²³ a hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress."

Proverbs 30:21-23

King Solomon said the earth is perturbed when a servant rules, and there is certainly trouble when the unqualified are in charge.  When I worked in a trade I quickly learned not all apprentices I trained handled authority well.  Some imagined additional responsibility was license to delegate their duties to others and cease from profitable labour.  They were unreasonably harsh towards others with less seniority as if they were somehow beneath them.  Let us not think only apprentices are to whom this verse applies, for as God's servants we can try to impose our will on Him.

In Luke 10 Martha invited Jesus into her home, and she and Mary sat as His feet and heard His word.  She was an attentive hostess and sought to serve Jesus well.  Luke 10:40 says, "But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."  Martha served Jesus as her LORD, yet she spoke to Him as His lord!  She questioned if Jesus cared about her having to serve alone while her sister was idle, so she demanded Jesus tell Mary to help.  Like Martha, our lives can be filled with contradictions:  desiring to serve but demanding our conditions are met; calling Jesus Master but telling Him what to do.

Instead of agreeing with Martha or caving to her demands, Jesus responded with a gentle rebuke--not of Mary but of Martha.  Luke 10:41-42 reads, "And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Martha was distracted, worried, and troubled by many things and in doing so missed the one necessary thing:  to sit at Jesus feet and hear His word.  She imagined she was doing the serving, but Jesus came as a Servant of all.  While Martha hurriedly washed up Jesus taught how eternal souls could be washed clean of sin.  She worked to put snacks on the table when He came as the Living Bread from heaven who gives eternal life to all who receive Him by faith.

Jesus alone has the words of life, and it follows we ought to drop whatever we think is important to hear Him first.  To Martha it looked like Mary wasn't pulling her weight, but she had chosen the one thing that was needed without the distraction of multi-tasking.  Is there time set aside each day where you are doing nothing but seeking to hear from the LORD?  There is nothing wrong with praying while laying in bed, surfing, jogging, or golfing, but what a fruitful time God provides when we drop everything to sit as His feet to receive from Him what will not be taken away.  As servants of God let us not make demands of Him or be encumbered with much serving so we miss what we need:  to hear the Word of God.