Are We in Debt?

Romans Chapter 13 

Scripture: 

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:8-10) 

Observation: 

I've heard verse 8 used for many people as a mandate for Christians to not borrow money, under any circumstances.  The late George Mueller held fast to this teaching and no one can doubt the effectiveness of his ministry.  (His story is too long for me to go into here, but please take the time to read up on this powerful man of prayer!).  But I ask you, is this a case of interpretation for some for personal conviction, or is it one for all of us?  Just what is this verse actually saying? 

Well, before I start a debate about it, lets look at verse 7 for the clue for the context.  It says: "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."   It uses the word "owe" not as a financial choice to borrow or not to borrow (that is a given) rather, within the context it's not talking about collecting debt, but focusing instead on paying it, on time.  In fact, verse 8 goes on to tell us not to leave any debt outstanding except to love one another. 

Loving one another, should be viewed as a debt owed, as one that can never be fully paid off.  Radical thinking?  Yes!  But that's kinda the way God rolls.  Jesus tells us to go the extra mile, turn the cheek, to forgive seventy times seven, and to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's; using the every day functions of life to illustrate the kingdom of God to the unbelievers around us.   

Application: 

The lesson that I find for myself in these set of verses is echoed a few chapters earlier in Romans 12:17 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”  Even though love keeps no record of wrongs, the rest of the world really does.  And THAT is the reason we are commanded to owe no one anything but the continuing debt of love.  This radical way of living marks us as being different.  That willingness to love (and forgive) opens doors with people that might have otherwise stayed shut.   

Prayer: 

Lord, it is easy to make these connections here on paper, but so much harder to remember them in the heat of the moment when my temper is flaring and I am feeling taken advantage of.  Remind me ever that I was bought at a price, that I have laid down my rights and my service to you is through the people you've placed around me.  Amen. 

Things That Cannot Be Taken Away

Romans Chapter 8 

Scripture: 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39) 

Observation: 

I recently went to the memorial service of a man who had been a teacher.  One of the men who spoke for him (being a teacher as well) gave a pop quiz to the congregation.  "What is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you?" He asked.  His answer was "Education".  Other's might have answered with "Experiences"  "Things you've already given away"  or "Memories".  My first gut-reaction answer when I responded to the quiz was "Love".  You might have come up with something else if you'd been sitting in the pew with me.  But it got me thinking about what sorts of things CAN be taken from me.  My family, my comfort, my health, even my memories can be taken by Alzheimer's...  

Our text today is from Romans and Paul has just had a discourse on the struggle inside of us between our desire to do good, and the sinful nature that we must always battle while we live in the body.  He ends Chapter 8 with this promise - that nothing can separate us from the love of God.   

The Holy Spirit is so twined within me that even if I lose my family, my stuff, my mind, or my life, I am safely held in his hands.   

Can you not see the wonder in this?  The amazing tenacity of a God who created us and clutches us through all other losses we may suffer, so that we are never left abandoned and alone?  In a world where everything dies or is corrupted, he's created a way to hold on to us when we can no longer do any of the holding ourselves.  I've "been his" for over 30 years now and this single, powerful, truth has me in tears of thankfulness as I write these words.   

Application / Prayer: 

Father, I pray that you train me to see the world and it's value through your eyes instead of my own.  Help me to build faith in my children over any other good thing that can be taken way.  I praise you for you tenacious, stubborn love that will not let me go.  Amen.

Conscious of Sin

Romans Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.(Rom. 3:19-24 NIV) 

Observation: 

There is so much here in just the five verses I pulled from the chapter to talk about, that it's difficult to choose the right size bite for the time and space that we have.  Usually I use the "observation" section to give you an overview and orient you to the train of thought I'm on.  I've type and erased several paragraphs that all take on more than I can digest for you in the space we have.  So, instead of doing that I'm trying something new: I want to ponder three words from this section, put them in context, and leave you with somethings to chew on. 

The three words are "Conscious of Sin" 

The bible says that we can't be saved through the law, but it was given to us so that we would recognize sin when we saw it.  The King James Version says: " for by the law is the knowledge of sin".  The Amplified Bible unwraps the intent behind the knowledge of sin " For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]." 

Application: 

As promised here are some verses for you to chew on.  I urge you to read them and put them in context - test me!   

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; (John 16:7-9) 

I see a growing trend in our nation and in our churches to excuse, redefine, or otherwise minimize sin.  The problem is that when we purposely ignore our sin, we are in danger of being "given over to it" and the Holy Spirit no longer strives to convict us. The Message paraphrases it this way only  a few chapters back: 

"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!"  (Rom. 1:28-32) 

Now go one chapter forward to Romans 2:14-16 (The Message version) 

When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences. 

There is something important that happens inside of us when we acknowledge our sin for what it is.  When we take ownership of our actions and their consequences, then throw ourselves on God's mercy, it restores us and makes us clean.    Here is a list of verses to chew on while you think about it. 

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (Psalm 51:2-3) 

Prayer: 

Lord, I cling to your promise found in 1st John 1:9 that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  I pray that you give courage to those reading today and myself.  We need to look hard at the sins we have been hiding, justifying, or redefining.  I pray that you draw us into a closer relationship where we can trust you to care for and heal us. Amen 

The Crucible and The Temptation

Matthew Chapter 26

Scripture:

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?  ”he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.  Rise!  Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”  (Matthew 26:36-46)

Observation:

There are some interesting parallels here of redemption.  The fall of man happened in the Garden of Eden, by falling to temptation.  Here we see Jesus tempted to escape his fate, but yielding instead to God’s will over his own.

Jesus knew the end was near.  His response to the fight or flight instinct that his adrenal glands triggered was to do neither.  He didn’t run away from the crucible that was to come, nor did he fight it (or allow Peter to fight in his behalf).  Instead, he went down on his face in prayer.  Yes, asking to be spared, but submitting to God’s will every time and going back to prayer when he didn’t get the answer he wanted.  In fact, he prayed three times for the same thing; persistently pursuing God until he found peace.  He never pretended that it was an easy thing for him to do – no false platitudes or doubt.  Luke records that angels came to strengthen him in response to his prayer.  (Luke 22:43) 

I also find it interesting, that he took his best friends to stand watch with him, and to pray while he wrestled his will to the ground.  The temptation to sleep overcame them though.  And that’s where we get the immortal words “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  The implication of course, because of the example lived out by Jesus, is that our bodies need to be trained and disciplined along with our spirits in order to pass the test of the crucible.

Application:

A crucible is a container that can withstand very high temperatures, temperatures high enough to melt or otherwise alter it’s contents… I can’t help but think of our bodies as crucibles, the container that houses our spirits. 

A scripture is often misquoted.  People say “God won’t let you have more than you can handle” and I don’t think that’s true.  The scripture in question comes from 1st Corinthians 10:13 and it says: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  The scripture is talking about withstanding temptation (the temptation to run away or to fight back on our own power).  He provides a way of escape through the transmuting, the submission, of our will to his, as it is so clearly shown in this passage. 

It is in our human nature to seek comfort, safety, and security.  We are like children who equate God’s love for us by how “blessed” we are.  We pray earnestly for one another when any of those things are threatened, but what do we pray for?  Do we pray that they are able to conquer themselves and their base instincts to fight or run away; so that they are able to endure the crucible?  Or do we pray for their comfort, healing from pain, or release from their circumstances? 

Jesus didn’t escape the cross.  He escaped his fear, and endured.  Luke says that he sweated drops of blood – he was terrified in body for the ordeal to come.  He modeled for us, how to pick up our cross – die to ourselves – and follow his example.

So I ask you.  What are the things in your life that tempt you into fighting back or running away?

Prayer:

Father, I feel as though I may have poked tender spots with a sharp stick.  I don’t know what place the reader is in.  Maybe they’re  tempted by the heat of their circumstances to do whatever it takes to end the pain or fear.  I pray for them, that you would send your angels to comfort, to aid them in conquering themselves. 

Maybe the reader is close to someone going through a trial, and the only thing to do is sit beside them while they endure.  For them, Lord I pray that they resist the temptation to sleep, and actively engage in prayer, watching and waiting with them; witnessing the battle and providing the comfort of friendship.  Amen

Two Sons and One Question

Matthew Chapter 21

Scripture:

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’  29   “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  30   “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.  31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?  “The first,” they answered.  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.  (Mat. 21:28-31)

Observation:

The chief priests had stopped in at the court of the gentiles where he was preaching - in their fine garb and symbols of their authority- to challenge Jesus and to take some of his power away. They weren’t looking for honest answers to their question; they were trying to discredit him with the crowd by making it clear that he DIDN’T preach from their authority.  So Jesus brings up John, who the crowd they were all standing in revered as a prophet. He used the threat of rousing the crowd to riot in order to harness them.

THEN he tells this parable.

It's an appeal to them both, each brother are represented in the crowd after all. I believe that he doesn't want anyone to slip from the opportunity to repent.  So out of love he holds up the mirror to say “don’t you see what you are doing?”

He reminds them through the story - that they have a decision to make.  Will they cling to an outward form of godliness, telling God “yes” with their mouths but “no” with their life... or will they repent and do the work that the Father has given them to do? 

James says it eloquently in 2:18.  But to be clear, so that there is no confusion about being saved by faith and not by works, James was talking TO believers when he said “show me your faith by what you say and I’ll show you my faith by what I do” That discussion is not about salvation, but about the effectiveness of your ministry and testimony once you are saved; a kick in the pants to the scattered church of the day to get out into the vineyard and do the work. 

Our passage today should not be confused with a debate about faith and deeds.  It’s not about that at all.  He was chastising the chief priests for playing dress-up, in the robes of God’s office, without first having repented and been saved.  They craved, not the goodwill of the Father, but the respect and authority over men.

Application:

Which brother are you?  Have you repented and need the reminder to get to work in the Vineyard?  Or have you been playing at church without true repentance?

Prayer:

Lord, I am so grateful for your Holy Spirit which can separate truth from lies, even the lies we tell ourselves for comfort.  I pray that you divine our intentions and spur us into action.  Amen.

Signs

Scripture:

1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’  You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”  Jesus then left them and went away.

Observation:

This is the second time in Matthew that the Pharisees and Sadducees had come to Jesus asking for a sign.  He refers to the sign of Jonah… again.  The first time was only a few chapters back in Matthew 12:38-45.  Go read it.  I’ll wait. 

Back?  In this exchange, he’s not being cryptic with them, he’s simply telling them “The answer hasn’t changed”.  Jonah was a prophet and God had sent him on a journey to speak to the capitol city of the Assyrian nation, Nineveh.  Nimrod founded Nineveh after the fall of Babylon, a city characterized by people who (like their leader) had turned violently from God.  Jonah, knowing how wicked they were, didn’t want to go.  You can read that story in the book of Jonah. 

So what was it that Jesus was really saying to the Pharisees? A couple of things:  First of all, he’s chastising them for demanding a sign.  Chapter 12 says that Nineveh’s generation will rise up on judgment of them.  Why? Because they believed without signs and wonders, and repented on the strength of Jonah’s preaching alone.  Jesus told them clearly that he was even greater than Jonah or Elijah and still they demanded a sign, as though he were a trained monkey to perform on command!  Secondly, it was a prophesy of his death and resurrection.  Just as Jonah was three days in the belly of a whale, so would he be three days in the ground and then rise.

Application:

When I read this, I can’t help but think how many times I too have wished for proof or a miracle.  Granted, my motivations were different than those of the Pharisees, but I still desire to know that He is working in my life. 

In my inner ear I can hear Jesus speaking to Thomas (John 20:29) “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

It boils down to faith, doesn’t it? 

I get so much comfort from knowing that Jesus peeked through time and saw you and me, in our moments of crisis.  John 17:20-21, after he prayed for the disciples he also prays for us: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” 

Prayer:

Father God, I praise you for the Holy Spirit that bears testimony of your presence, the helper you sent who confirms your truth.  I pray for those who read this today who struggle with their faith.  I ask that you meet them where they are, and reveal yourself to them.  Amen.

Things Left Unsaid

Matthew Chapter 11

Scripture:

2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask Him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”  (Matthew 11:2-6)

Observation:

There is more to unpack in this chapter than I can write in a devotional.  So much is said clearly and directly in the passage that you can go a long time on just what is written.  But in preparation for the study today I was struck more (and for the first time) by the things that were not said.  In fact, they are SO pointedly not said, that I hear them whispering to each other between the lines.  Let me show you what I see, and you tell me if you hear the echoes of it too.

John the Baptist is in prison – taken by Herod the Great’s son, Herod Antipas.  He sends word through his disciples, to ask Jesus “if he is the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 

For the longest time I thought that John used the plural “we” as in the Jewish people as a whole.  (Referring to the belief that the Jews had concerning the messiah coming to deliver the nation from the oppression of the Romans, much the same way Moses delivered his people from the Egyptians)  This makes John sound like he’s second guessing his own ministry as outlined in the gospel of John 1:6-28.  (A different John than the one we are talking about today) His whole ministry was to prepare the way for Jesus as the messiah.  It seemed as though John forgot in the dark what he knew in the light. 

Yet, Jesus doesn’t rebuke him for this – instead he quotes scripture to him, saying in verse 4 of Matthew,  “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”  

Jesus is responding to John with reference to this quote taken from Isaiah 35:4-6  “4 Tell those who panic, “Be strong! Do not fear! Look, your God comes to avenge! With divine retribution he comes to deliver you.” 5 Then blind eyes will open, deaf ears will hear. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, the mute tongue will shout for joy; for water will flow in the desert, streams in the wilderness.”  And Isaiah 61:1 “The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners.” 

I went back and looked again at the question John asks, and this time focused on the word “we” as a personal we, instead of a plural or national one, and the word “expect”.  Could it be that John was expecting Jesus to set him free; to rescue him from Herod Antipas?  If so, it changes how I read this chapter and opens up an internal dialogue that I’d never seen before. 

Maybe he wasn’t doubting Jesus as the messiah, he simply waited in expectation of a rescue from prison.  And, when Jesus quoted the messianic verse without the rescue portion, that was his answer. 

In quoting the verse, Jesus claims that he is the messiah; the fulfillment of the messianic prophesies given so long ago, but John shouldn’t look for rescue from his literal prison.  God has given his sign of authority through the miracles performed, and Jesus’ mission was to rescue the world from their prison of sin. (I’m thinking that leading a raiding party to spring John from the clink might have ended Jesus three year ministry before it’s time.)

All of this subtext conversation is contained within references and missing quotes; needing to know the scripture, and what’s missing in the responding quote in order to decode the meaning.  I believe that Jesus knew that the crowd would misunderstand John’s question.  He spends verses 7 through 19 underscoring the importance of John’s ministry.

Application:

So what can we take away from this? Sometimes, the answer is no.  No, you will not be rescued from your situation.  When Jesus ascended into heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit as our comforter, to ensure that we would never be alone while we are in our dark places.  This same chapter goes on to tell us in verse 11 how the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater even than John; because of this marvelous gift. 

Also, I think it’s good to ask ourselves what our expectations of God are.  Are they realistic?  Do they line up with The Word? 

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for sending the comforter to us, to walk with us in our dark places.  Thank you also for the way your word unfolds to us through time, always yielding new things to learn.  I pray you speak to us in our tender spots and give us the courage to throw off the expectations of the world and conform our lives to you.  Amen.

Left-handed Rightness

Matthew Chapter 6

Scripture:

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  (Matt. 6:1-4)

Observation:

I am convicted by this.  Not because I shout it from rooftops when I give, but because this is the test of our religion.  (James 1:27) What we do, and who gets the honor when we do it is the question.  Instead of trumpets, we now have published lists of donors on websites, in brick, on plaques…

It’s inside us to want to horde, to control others with our resources.  It is in us to want the world look on us favorably for our generosity.  Why else would we publish those lists, create matching funds, have donor perks and such?  We crave recognition when we do righteous things.  It’s human.

Conversely, I think that it is also one of a million ways that we can thumb our nose at God.  “See?  I don’t have to follow your rules to be good.  I can still be moral on my own terms.” 

But peel back the wealth and look at the motives that guide your giving and you will see the true nature of your religion.

Application:

I love that there is a progression of maturity contained in this chapter.  First, it tells us to give, to value God’s assessment of our choices and decisions more than the world. (vs 1-4)  Then second, it talks about securing a dialogue of prayer, literally teaching us how to do it.  Third is a call to deepening that relationship through self-discipline.  In this case; it uses fasting as the example.  Fourth, after you have soaked up the good things that come from being in such a rich relationship, to store your treasures in heaven, where it’s safe from damage, reinvested in the right things so that we are looping at the beginning of the cycle, it becomes self-sustaining. 

Then last, when the priorities are right concerning our wealth, we aren’t to worry about stuff, not to carry the stress from it with us from day to day like stones in a pack.

I think all of us have to approach this lesson in order.  We have to start by being willing to give, and to do it for the right reasons; in secret, for the benefit of others, not for how it looks.  Have you checked your motives lately, asked who it is you are trying to please?

Maybe you are further down the road of maturity.  Maybe you ARE giving in secret, maybe you ARE actively doing things with your resources here on earth that further the kingdom – but you fret.  Maybe you need to focus on trust.  For you, this is an exercise of your faith that your Heavenly Father will supply your needs.

Wherever you are on this progression of maturity, it’s as much of a reflection of your relationship with God as it is with your relationship with man.  Giving ties both relationships together through your point of action.  To give freely and secretly requires trust that you believe in a God who provides for your needs.

Prayer:

Lord I pray as Jesus taught us, that you would give us this day our daily bread.  Help us trust you enough with what we have today, to do with it as you lead, knowing that you will give us what we need tomorrow.  I pray that we would learn through fasting, denying ourselves, how to serve you better.  Amen.

God with Us

Scripture:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” (Matt. 1:22-23)

Observation:

I can’t help when I read this verse to sit in Christmas mode, and it gets locked into a seasonal message.  So, pardon my dust a moment as I remodel this room in my mind, the walls need to push out, and I have to put the Christmas ornaments back into their box.

What does it really mean for God to “be with us”?  It’s one of the oldest and most common Christian greetings that we have: “the Lord be with you.” 

Off the top of my head I can trace through the bible many places where this phrase is used.  This is not an exhaustive list – check a concordance for a complete one.  But I can immediately reach for where he said he would be with Moses, he assured his successor, Joshua, that he’d be with him.  He called Mary “favored one” and “the Lord is with you” and in John 16:32 Jesus says “I am not alone, he who sent me is with me”.  Then Jesus tells us that he must go so that the Comforter can come to be with us.  Then later, after he’s died and risen again, before he leaves the earth in the ascension, he gives the great commission for ALL believers to make disciples, leaving us with the promise that he would be with us always, even unto the end of the age.

In all those examples that come to mind, each of those people were given a job to do.  Chosen; selected for a purpose in a place and time to accomplish the next step of His plan. 

And that includes us. 

Application:

I suppose the logical step from the last thought is to this one is: Is He with you?  Are you fulfilling the great commission?  He has a plan, he’s with you to move the story (his story) forward.  He’s not with you to make you feel safe or good. 

I confess that in my life I have had times when I’ve wanted a Christmas Box version of him “being with me”.  A talisman I can hold on to like a comfort toy, something that makes me feel safe.  But he’s not a stationary idea.  He is a living presence that calls us to move and to act, often in uncomfortable ways that forces us out of our comfort zones.  He might not be calling you to part the waters, bear his son, or deliver his people from sin; but he does call you to make disciples. 

So, are you reaching for opportunities to know your neighbor, and introduce them to the gospel?  Do you bear one another’s burdens, admonish, and encourage one another?  Are you training your children?  Have you ever held anyone accountable; restored anyone to the faith with gentleness?  All of these things fall under disciple making, and are the reason he is with us.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the courage to go out of my comfort zone.  I like feeling safe, I like feeling in control, and I like having my own way.  What you ask of me is hard.  In fact, what you ask is impossible for me to do out of my own goodness or strength.  It’s why I need you to be with me.  Amen.

Say What?

Scripture: James 1

19My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.   (James 1:19-22)

Observation:

The first chapter of James spanks me.  It tells me to do things that are opposite of what I know.  “Take joy in my suffering”?  What?  Let me clean my glasses, nope, I didn’t read it wrong, it really says that.  “The poor are to take pride in their high position and the rich in their humble one?”  Really?  No, I’m not kidding, it really does say that.  And when we fail at it, we can’t even blame God for setting the bar too high, for it also says “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  Say What?  We are all tempted, even Jesus was tempted!

That’s kind of the point James is trying to make. 

We can’t do this on our own.  The temptations are enough snare us if we allow ourselves to wallow or if we react without thinking first.

Luckily, James goes on and gives us a glimpse of the better way to handle ourselves.  He says we should be “Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.”

There is one phrase in there that makes me pause.  He says to “get rid of all Moral Filth”.  What does that mean? 

Does it mean the human desire to be “good enough”, moral, without being Godly?  Is that what he’s calling filthy?

When we are born again, it’s an experience where a supernatural God says “you were bought at a price and you are no longer your own” but have become “slaves to righteousness”.  That transformation changes our way of thinking; and takes our bodies, our time, our priorities, and our resources and offers them to Him to do with as He pleases.  We cry about the things that make Him sad, we rejoice over the things that make Him happy, and we become consumed with looking at life the way He does, and bringing that vision into our every day. 

And it’s a radical viewpoint.  It a view point that calls us to do those unnatural things I was talking about in the beginning of this devotion.  Things that we can’t do on our own resources.  It’s how we know that He’s alive – and living inside of us.

But that way of thinking is scary.  It makes us different.  It also costs a lot.  “Take up your cross and follow me” Jesus said.  “You must lose your life to find it” he said.  “The Pearl of Great Price”, where you abandon all the things you see, feel and love in this world in order to set your heart on the things you can’t see.  In fact, because the people you love can’t see it either, and they trust in the science of the things they can see and explain, you might lose them too. 

So, instead of risking all of that, we worship a god of the “good enough”.  “I have to keep my feet on the ground”  “I have responsibilities” We universally agree on what moral standards are good, and most of us will follow them, provided our particular circumstances don’t get in the way of it.  This passage calls that kind of living “Moral Filth.”

Application:

What is our take-away from this?  It’s a warning.  Watch yourself, test yourself against the word, accept it and let it be the standard that you adjust yourself to.  The last verse in this chapter says it eloquently: “Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that you examine my heart and reveal to me the places where I have allowed myself to be polluted.  Show me the compromises I’ve made that keep you from having power in my life.  Help me, Lord, to slow down my reactions.  I want to bring you honor!  Amen.