Jesus
This present world
“for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” 2 Timothy 4:10
There comes a point when we must choose where our affections and attention will be focused, because there are two worlds that vie for our attention. And by their very nature, they are mutually exclusive. Those who try to divide their heart between the two will find themselves to be most frustrated.
This present world is loud and sparkly and offers enjoyment for all. “Come and play”, it cries. “There are no rules here. You are free to do whatever makes you happy.” The problem is that all its promises are empty and it fails to deliver the happiness it guarantees. And the world will never tell you that its pleasures are temporary and the payment that is required at the end of your days is your very soul. But for many people, even at that price, this present world is too enticing to tear themselves away from.
Our lives are conducted at such a feverish pace that we do not live in the awareness that these few years we have on earth are quickly passing, with the end of each day bringing us that much closer to our final destination. And before we know it, this present world will be past and all that will remain is eternity. If all you are living for now is this present world, there will be no place for you in heaven and eternity becomes a most unpleasant future for you.
But those who are Christ’s have a different world in view – an eternal dwelling with our eternal Saviour.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Phil 3:20
We live here in this present world only for so brief a moment. My friends, let us not become attached to the things this world offers, but let us look beyond this present world to our future, and eternal, dwelling. With only one glance upon the face of Jesus Christ, we will forget that there was ever anything else but Him.
Repentance
Now I lay me down to die
At Your altar, here I cry
As Your holy word is spoken
All undone, my heart is broken
Sensing now Your holy gaze
Searching all my thoughts and ways
Unable to give my defense
As You expose each vile offense
Painfully, now it is clear
The sins that I once held so dear
Each one a thorn that pierced Your brow
How hideous they appear now
And crushed beneath the guilt, I hear
A sound so sweetly in my ear
“There is One who yet abides
Christ, Who for your sins has died”
Looking up, through tears I see
The Saviour, on the cross for me
Bowing then with all contrition
Bringing to Him my petition
“Though my heart is black with sin
I hear I may be born again
If I repent and then confess
I may receive Your righteousness
With all my heart I long for this
I pray I might receive this gift.”
Heaven hears, new life begins
Completely new and clean within
Another heart now set ablaze
Another voice to sing His praise
Hearts transformed and lives made new
A work that only Christ can do
And so the kingdom does advance
One by one, with repentance
The answered unprayer
Since the first time I read it, I have been fascinated by the story of Abraham interceding before the Lord for the city of Sodom. It is amazing to me that God was willing to refrain from the judgment He intended to bring upon the city because of one man’s request.
I have recently read the story again and was newly amazed at a detail I had never noticed before. Genesis 19:27-28 says:
“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. “
Abraham awakes to find that the Lord has indeed brought judgment to the cities. What heartache he must have experienced at that moment, knowing that his nephew lived in that city. But verse 29 tells us that “it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.”
God answered the prayer that Abraham had not prayed. He saw beyond Abraham’s words to the desire of his heart, which was for the safety of his nephew, Lot. This brings me great comfort as I pray for those I love, so often fumbling for the right words in prayer. But God knows the very longings of my heart and He hears them, many times, even more loudly than my words.
I don’t have to say it just right. He knows.
Fairness that hinders
Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Cor 9:12
In the context of this verse the apostle Paul is commenting on his right, as a minister of the gospel, to receive financial assistance from those he ministers to. But rather than see the spread of the gospel hindered among them, he preferred rather to endure the hardship of going without. What wisdom from God!
Just a few chapters earlier Paul had counseled the Corinthians on their unwise and ungodly practice of bringing lawsuits against one another before the unbelieving world. “Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7). How we cringe at the very suggestion of such a thing.
There is something in our human nature that leads us to feel as though we are entitled to certain things. One of those things is fairness. If someone crosses us or treats us poorly we want them to know about. We probably want other people to know about it as well. And we want it to be made right. So we broadcast our offense because we feel entitled to something better. It’s only fair. Thus we reason with ourselves and justify our actions and attitudes.
And the gospel of Christ is hindered because we insist on our “rights”.
My heart aches over the times I have hindered the gospel of Christ because I felt entitled to dwell on petty offenses. What small thinking this is. Let us consider Christ, who of all people was treated most unfairly. Yet he endured the shame of it all. Why? For the joy that was set before Him.
There is for us also a joy that awaits. It is the joy of hearing the very voice of our own Lord Jesus saying “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” For this brief little moment called life there will be the pain of suffering silently, but oh what bliss to know that we have not hindered the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Threatened by Jesus
“And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.” Mark 11:18
Jesus has just cleansed the temple, driving out the money changers and bringing accusation against those who had turned God’s house into a den of thieves. To grasp the significance of this event, picture Jesus ordering a group of hardened-hearted business men away from their profitable occupation. He was certainly outnumbered, but he physically upset their work area, rebuked them publicly and ordered them out. And they went! His actions proclaimed loudly “Not in My house!” This authority is what drew the admiration of the people and the hatred of the religious establishment.
I wonder if the scribes and chief priests had received some financial benefit from the marketplace they had allowed in the temple. People do get angry when you touch their wallet.
Maybe they just didn’t like this “new guy” coming in and making all kind of changes and gaining a following. He wasn’t even part of their group. Any maybe just the fact that He never even wanted to be part of their group infuriated them.
I suppose these things are possible, but they are speculation. The verse tells us that they feared Him because of the reaction of the people to His teaching. And while they may have disregarded some of His teachings, surely they remembered these (to list just a few):
He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” Mark 7:9
He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” Mark 7:9
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Mathew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Mathew 23:27-28
His teaching threatened their position, their authority and their respectability. They had much to lose and they were not willing to let that happen. So they resorted to murder.
The presence of Jesus is still a threat to many. He threatens their belief in the sufficiency of their own goodness. He threatens their desire to create their own standard of right and wrong and live by their own rules. He threatens their trust in themselves as the master of their own destiny.
Really there are only two possible responses. You will either look upon Him with amazement, seeing Him as the only Savior to deliver you from your sins, or you will harden your heart against Him. But one thing is certain – you will not meet Jesus Christ and be unchanged.
Selfish Ambition and Vain Conceit
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
My study of Philippians today included this verse. Of particular interest to me was that the word “Do” was not in the original Greek, but was supplied by the translators. Several commentaries agreed that in keeping with the context of the verses before and after, it would probably be more accurate to have supplied the word “Think”. This certainly increases the intensity of the verse, extending it beyond our actions and into our thought life.
The following passage is from the Albert Barnes commentary. See if you can read through it without seeing yourself. I couldn’t.
The idea seems to be that of mere self-esteem; a mere desire to honor ourselves, to attract attention, to win praise, to make ourselves uppermost, or foremost, or the main object. The command here solemnly forbids our doing anything with such an aim – no matter whether it be in intellectual attainments, in physical strength, in skill in music, in eloquence or song, in dress, furniture, or religion. Self is not to be foremost; selfishness is not to be the motive. Probably there is no command of the Bible which would have a wider sweep than this, or would touch on more points of human conduct, if fairly applied. Who is there who passes a single day without, in some respect, desiring to display himself? What minister of the gospel preaches, who never has any wish to exhibit his talents, eloquence, or learning? How few make a gesture, but with some wish to display the grace or power with which it is done! Who, in conversation, is always free from a desire to show his wit, or his power in argumentation, or his skill in repartee? Who plays at the piano without the desire of commendation? Who thunders in the senate, or goes to the field of battle; who builds a house, or purchases an article of apparel; who writes a book, or performs a deed of benevolence, altogether uninfluenced by this desire? If all could be taken out of human conduct which is performed merely from “strife,” or from “vain-glory,” how small a portion would be left!
The idea seems to be that of mere self-esteem; a mere desire to honor ourselves, to attract attention, to win praise, to make ourselves uppermost, or foremost, or the main object. The command here solemnly forbids our doing anything with such an aim – no matter whether it be in intellectual attainments, in physical strength, in skill in music, in eloquence or song, in dress, furniture, or religion. Self is not to be foremost; selfishness is not to be the motive. Probably there is no command of the Bible which would have a wider sweep than this, or would touch on more points of human conduct, if fairly applied. Who is there who passes a single day without, in some respect, desiring to display himself? What minister of the gospel preaches, who never has any wish to exhibit his talents, eloquence, or learning? How few make a gesture, but with some wish to display the grace or power with which it is done! Who, in conversation, is always free from a desire to show his wit, or his power in argumentation, or his skill in repartee? Who plays at the piano without the desire of commendation? Who thunders in the senate, or goes to the field of battle; who builds a house, or purchases an article of apparel; who writes a book, or performs a deed of benevolence, altogether uninfluenced by this desire? If all could be taken out of human conduct which is performed merely from “strife,” or from “vain-glory,” how small a portion would be left!
No Light – No Hope
In darkened lands, where no light dwells
Where no voice yet the gospel tells
A people lost and with no hope
No light, so they in darkness grope
My heart so long in ignorance
Or should we call it avoidance?
So easy, life, when all concerns
On that for which my own heart yearns
But God says “Daughter, you must see
The multitudes that know not me
And if your heart breaks not at this
Then has your faith not gone amiss?”
So now a heart that sees, that knows
Is this not the heart that goes?
Or do I stay and yet deny
That I have ever heard the cry
Of people lost and with no hope
No light, so they in darkness grope
And now for your listening pleasure – the Holy Word of God
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
I remember when I was a new believer, knowing almost nothing about Christianity. I couldn’t wait until Sunday to hear the Word of God preached. Frequently I was fighting back tears during the service as the Word pierced my heart. But God was changing my heart and transforming my whole life in these moments when His Word penetrated my heart. It was a glorious time.
I wish I could say that I have maintained such a teachable heart throughout the course of my walk with Christ, but that hasn’t always been the case. I learned how to sit through a message and close my heart from being impacted, all the while nodding my head in agreement with the pastor and saying my fair share of AMENs. How very religious of me…….
But in the mercy of God He send those “wake up” moments where He allows you to see yourself clearly. It isn’t pretty. I had one such moment a few weeks ago.
We had a visiting preacher who shared a very strong message on the lack of compassion in the church from Matthew 25 and also from the story of the good Samaritan. Because this was a subject that the Lord had already been dealing with me about, as I heard the message I was cut to the heart by the Word of God. So much so that I could have wept out loud. I was incapable of issuing forth a single AMEN.
As I sat there wordlessly, reeling from the impact of the message, all around me I heard the excited AMENs from the congregation. And I became angry. I wanted to stand up and shout “DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU?” But really, I was angry at myself for allowing my own heart to become calloused and hardened and for all the times I hadn’t realized he was talking about me. I had become like those in the book of Ezekiel:
As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, “Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. Ezekiel 33:30-32
As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, “Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. Ezekiel 33:30-32
Oh what danger there is in taking the Word of God lightly and not esteeming every speaking or preaching of it as the Word of God to ME. While I may not entertain myself with TV and movies like the world does, is it any more holy to entertain myself with the preaching of the Word of God?
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29
Yes, indeed it is.
Progress and joy
As Paul shares with the Philippian church the reason he feels that it is necessary for him to continue living, he gives two reasons: for your progress and joy of faith. (Phil 1:25)
One of the things that is heartbreaking to see is the number of believers who seem to have a shallow faith. They remind me of the hearer who received the seed sown on stony places who has no root and stumbles when tribulation or persecution arises (Matthew 13:20-21).
In prosperous countries such as America, there seems to be little willingness to endure hardship for Christ. But as the apostle Paul talks about their advancing and progressing in the faith, he goes on to talk about suffering. What a tremendous thing he says about suffering in verse 29 – that it has been granted to us for Christ’s sake. To get the full impact of the verse, you must know that the word granted means to show ones’ self gracious, kind and benevolent. Hear this – it is a gift of grace directly from the hand of God to suffer for Christ. These are hard words, not likely to be embraced by those with a shallow faith. But Paul wants to help the Philippians as they begin to experience persecution for the name of Jesus, and assure them that they need not be ashamed of the suffering they are undergoing.
Another critical component of faith that Paul wanted to help the Philippians with was joy. What a strange combination – suffering and joy. But the apostle Paul’s experience was that these two seemingly contradictory things are perfectly suited to dwell together. Remember when he was in the Philippian jail after having been beaten? His heart was so full of joy that he was singing!! Those who live in nations where it is dangerous to be a Christian and where the church is underground can probably attest to this fact. There is a special grace during persecution and suffering, and Paul wants the Philippians to experience this as well.
In America we have been spared the persecution that Christians in many other parts of the world endure on a daily basis. For now. But if the day should come when it will really cost us something to stand for Christ, are our hearts prepared? Let us meditate on these words of the Saviour:
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
He is my Delight 