Love God 5

Ephesians 4:22-24

In today’s society with our modern ways of communicating and staying in contact with one another it is easier to get in touch with people who live far away. Recently I was contacted through e-mail by someone I knew when I was a child. She reminisced on our childhood and the old neighborhood and suggested that we might get together some time.

I hesitate getting in touch with all the many people I knew so many years ago. The biggest reason is that I am not the same person I was forty years ago. Not only have my life and circumstances changed, but I have changed. I do not think and act as I did so long ago.

The letter to the believers in Ephesus makes a comment about spiritual growth. What are we to do with our old self? What is wrong with the old self? What is the goal of the new self?

Whether our beliefs in God came later in life or they have been with us since childhood, the odds are that we are not who we used to be. When we do not have a deep connection with God, or we have no faith at all, we are easily tempted by the corruption of our humanity – a tendency to be selfish, to sin, to act deceitfully. But when we take on a new faith, when we progress in our spiritual growth, we can put away our old habits and behaviors.

Through an acceptance of Christ and a movement forward in our faith we grow to be better people. As Ephesians 4:24 points out, we are to grow in the likeness of God. We should grow to be more holy in our thinking and in the things we do.

2 Peter 1 talks about the progression of spiritual growth for believers. We are to begin with faith and then add goodness to that. Once we have mastered our faith and goodness we can add knowledge and self-control. To continue growing toward that more perfect self, that spirituality that is like God in true righteousness and holiness, we must now add perseverance and godliness.

Godliness is that new self that we need to have. Godliness is that holiness, that God-likeness, that we must exhibit in our life and our ability to love.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be made new, more God-like, in your attitudes?

Love God 2

1 Peter 1:14-15

In one of my teaching assignments part of my duties was to escort a classroom full of children down a long hallway, down a staircase, down a second hall, all the way to the cafeteria at lunch. It was the rule of the school that students should be quiet as they went to lunch so as not to disturb other classes.

I explained to my students that if they made noise no one would say this student or that student was noisy. They would say that Mr. Emerson’s class was noisy. I explained that in this they represented me, and since I am obedient to the rules they must also be obedient to the rules.

In the same way when we claim the title of “Christian” we are telling everyone that we represent the Son of God. As representatives of Christ we must behave in ways that give honor to the Lord. If we will grow in faith we must be faithful in our beliefs and add to our qualities of being Christian.

Peter has some instructions to faithful believers. What are we to do? What behavior should we live out? Why?

If we are to be obedient to God we must suppress our desires and tendencies to get caught up in the sinfulness of the world. We must avoid and suppress our sinful desires. We no longer live in ignorance. We have been shown the way of living out faith by Christ himself.

But more than simply being obedient to God, more than just having faith, more than just adding goodness to our faith, we must aspire to be holy in our behaviors. We are to add godliness to our faith, goodness and knowledge. We are to be holy in the same way that God is holy.

It is a difficult challenge. It is a high ideal to work toward, but we are children of God and we are challenged to be as holy as God.

And we are not called to be holy now and then. We are not called to be holy in private. We are called to be holy in all that we do.

If we are able to add holiness to our faith we will be one more step closer to being the great Christians we are called to be.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to be holy?

Love God 1

Philippians 2:12-13

We are working more and more at having our children, now growing into young adults, to become more self-sufficient and productive in their daily lives. Whenever we leave the house and there are things to be done we leave a “to do” list for our kids, a list of those tasks that we expect them to accomplish while we are away, something to be done without our involvement or nagging.

What a delight it is to come home and find that our kids have checked through their lists and accomplished things.

The same is true of each one of us in our faith. God has given us commandments in the Bible. Christ came to earth and taught us lessons and provided us with an example to follow. Now it is up to us to build our Christian life, to move through our journey of faith, on our own.

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi addresses the need for the believers to grow in their faith. What does he say about their obedience in faith? What should they do about heir own salvation? How is this work accomplished?

If we are Christians then we have accepted the life, teaching and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our salvation is sure. We are promised everlasting life in the kingdom of God.

But we can’t stop there. Just because Jesus is not present with us in bodily form to push us deeper in our faith, just because the early leaders of the church are no longer with us, we can’t stop with the secure knowledge of our salvation.

We have the faith. Now we must add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness. (2 Peter 1:5-6) When we build on these qualities we grow closer and closer to being the perfect children of god we are called to be.

We can take courage that it is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, who works within us to help us grow in holiness and goodness. Through the working of God we can move toward being great Christians with stronger and more effective faith.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you remember that God is working in you to grow your faith?

Burnt Offering 5

Hebrews 10:12-14

When one of our neighbors finished off his basement and turned that large, empty space with concrete walls and exposed rafters into a very nice family room, laundry room and office space many of his friends and neighbors stopped by to see the finished work. He enjoyed giving little tours of the new space, but as he went around the rooms he pointed out all of his mistakes, all the tiny flaws in his work. I always wondered why anyone would do that. Why point out what is wrong and take away what is good?

The author of Hebrews continues with his commentary on ritual offerings. Who is “this priest” mentioned in verse 12? What has he done? Who is being made holy?

Jesus has become our high priest. The sacrifices that had to be repeated over and over again are no longer necessary because Jesus, in his perfection and in his sacrifice, has eliminated the need for them. The sacrifices made to remove sin are no longer needed because Jesus has made all who accept him to be perfect.

We are perfect when we are saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are made clean and whole when we confess Jesus as our Savior and when we live according to God’s laws and Christ’s teachings.

True, we cannot remain perfect as mortals. As human beings we have a tendency toward sin, and even when we are purified we will again fall into sinful behavior.

But there is no need to focus on our flaws. We should recall these words from Hebrews. “He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” We are the ones who were made perfect and we are the ones who are being made holy.

We do that by confessing Christ as Savior and by living – or at least trying to live – a holy life. Through our obedience to God we are sustaining our perfection and developing holy lives.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be made more holy?

Appearances 4

Acts 5:1-5

Several years back one of our members brought in a “Ma and Pa Kettle” film so we could use a clip from it. In the brief scene the collection plate is passed in church and the Kettle children flick the bottom of the plate to make the sound of a coin dropping. But at the end of the pew the plate is empty. They made a show of giving but gave nothing.

This account from the early church is during a time when the faithful shared their possessions and means with one another. What did Ananias and Sapphira do? What was Peter’s comment? Who was sinned against?

Ananias and his wife have indeed presented a gift. They did give something. The offering plate was not empty. Looking at the words of Peter – “wasn’t the money at your disposal” – shows us that it was entirely up to the two of them what amount was presented. Yet a sin was committed.

The sin was not in the amount of the gift. The sin was not that God was cheated out of money due to him. The money was at the disposal of Ananaias and Sapphira and they could do with it what they pleased. What then is the sin?

The sin must be that Ananias and Sapphira were being false in the appearance of their giving. It must be that their contribution was intended to be seen as a very generous donation, a donation of all the money, when in fact it was only a partial gift.

The sin is that Ananias and Sapphira were trying to lie to God and to the faithful brothers and sisters in their community of believers. Their insides were not as clean as the outside. They were not being sincere and true in their faith.

Sometimes believers in our own faith community can be just as insincere. There can be times when we “perform” at church or in worship or in the community so that others might be impressed with how holy we are, when in fact our intentions are not true and Godly.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there a part of your faith life that should be more sincere?

Appearances 3

1 Corinthians 4:5

“Just wait ‘til your father comes home!” That is an old expression that many are familiar with. Mothers exasperated with the behavior of their children or upset about an event that took place during the day would remind the children that when the father returned then the whole matter would find resolution.

It isn’t so much that a mother is unable to deal with the children, and the expression could just as easily apply to waiting for the mother to return. The idea is that when both parents are together then the family is whole and any issues can be dealt with together.

In 1 Corinthians Paul offers us some advice on waiting for our heavenly Father. What should we not do? What will God do?

Our frustration with false appearances can be great. We may feel very exasperated with people we encounter who give a good presentation of holy and righteous living, when in fact they are not as holy and Godly as they should be.

But we are not to be the ones who judge them. It is not up to us to ferret out all those who are not living the way they should or whose hearts are not where their behavior would indicate.

It is the work of God to reveal the true and faithful. But this is also a warning to us. We should examine our own intentions, our own inner being, to see if we are truly faithful and merciful. Or are we simply presenting a façade of goodness when inside we are thinking and feeling the wrong things?

All will be made clear when we stand before our Lord. All will come to light in the presence of God.

We may be able to put on a good show, to act holy, to dress holy, to go through the motions of holy living. But God knows our hearts and He knows our true nature and intentions. We should examine ourselves to be certain we are not neglecting the justice and love of God, no matter what our behavior says.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there anything hidden in your own darkness that you need to bring to light and change?

Appearances 2

Luke 11:43

I find it very disturbing at times when I realize how much many of the church leaders in our denomination behave like the Pharisees Jesus criticized. Our annual conference is coming soon – a weeklong gathering of pastors and leaders to hash out the business of the church. And there are so many who will flaunt the fact that they are clergy, in the way they act, in the way they dress, in the way they speak to others.

As part of the six woes Jesus points out to the Pharisees and leaders at dinner, there is a problem with their social behavior. What do they do wrong? Is it the behavior or the attitude, or both, which is wrong?

There is a bit of prestige and privilege in being a member of the clergy. Spiritual needs and our relationship with God are a high priority, which is why most clergy are given preferential treatment in hospitals, being permitted access to areas normally off limits.

There are other benefits in other areas of society as well, but they are primarily there to help the clergy person do his or her job. It is not a series of rewards. Yet, so many religious leaders let their position go to their heads and they act arrogant.

But those who are not in the clergy can do the same. Christian laity can also lord it over people that they “know God.” They are forgiven. They are good people. Their attitudes can be very aloof and judgmental.

But we are not here to be lifted up over other people. In fact, we are called to serve one another. In John 13 Jesus washes the disciples’ feet to show how we should act.

In John 13:14 Jesus says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

DAILY CHALLENGE: Which “seat” in God’s kingdom will you occupy?

Appearances 1

Luke 11:37-42

I recall many years ago when I took part in a religious convention in Nashville, Tennessee. There were thousands of us, all leaders from various churches around the country, gathered together for three days to learn how to do ministry better. On the last day I noticed, as we all hurried to get inside the building (it was getting late and it was cold outside) we were walking right past a homeless person sleeping on the sidewalk in below-freezing weather.

We all looked good. We all were at the right place to be better Christians. But we passed up an opportunity for any of us – all of us – to help a homeless person.

Jesus has been invited to a Pharisee’s home. What causes Jesus to make his comments? What criticism is Jesus presenting? What should these religious leaders do?

As Christians there is often a “uniform” we put on. We might tote a large Bible, wear a cross lapel pin, have a “fish” (Ichthus) magnet on our car, or wear a t-shirt with a Bible passage printed on it. We may walk proudly into our place of worship. We may shop only at Bible bookstores. We may have a bumper-sticker that reads “My boss is a Galilean carpenter.”

All of these may give the appearance that we are holy people. But often times we fall into the routine of the Pharisee. We look good on the outside, but inside we are no better than anyone else.

By presenting us with the “woes” Jesus lists in Luke 11, we are also indirectly presented with the positives of how we should act. As verse 41 points out, we need to give from the inside. We need to be willing to give of our heart and soul, and not superficial, safe, risk-free offerings.

We should continue to be dedicated to our Lord – tote the Bible, attend church – but we also need to be certain we do not overlook justice and mercy among our fellow human beings. We must show the love of God that comes from our heart, and not make a show of pretend love.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you make your inside as clean as your outside?