Christian Unity

Colossians 3:11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

God calls his church to unity. The church is one body of Christ with one purpose, and that purpose is to be a reflection Jesus Christ.

We all have different DNA. We are all individuals that God has made in a unique way. We are sort of like snowflakes, no two people are the same.

We all have different talents. I am a graphic artists. Others are skilled at music or building or administration, etc.

 As Christians, we all have different gifts. The Bible says that when we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we receive his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to each and every believer in order to be used to build and build up God’s church; that is his people.

So, while God has a unique purpose for each, we are still one. This is because Jesus Christ is all, and in all. In order to realize this we must first come to understand three things about Jesus. We must understand who he is, what he did and where he lives.

Who He is.

The man Jesus who walked this earth 2,000 years ago was not merely a man, though he was fully man. Jesus was the Son of God. This means that he is God himself. He is Yahweh. He is the great I AM that spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He is the same God of the Old Testament who walks among his people in the New Testament. He is the son of His heavenly Father (distinct), yet every bit of the same God as was his Father (one). As God, the Bible says that Jesus created all things. This includes you and I. He also sustains all of creation. At his word, all of creation would cease to exist. So he made all and sustains all.

Understand what He did.

Jesus was punished by his heavenly Father while dying for your sins and for mine. Then Jesus defeated death by being raised from the dead. He saves all who believe upon him and when he returns will raise them from the dead as well. Jesus saves all who believe.

Understand where He lives.

He dwells in everyone who believes. As stated earlier, Jesus works in his people by the working of the Holy Spirit. This is what the Bible refers to as being born again. Jesus is in all who believe.

But Christ is one. 
It is the same Christ who created each of us, who sustains each of us, who saves us and who works in us. His church is being made into his image, the one who is all and in all.  Therefore as the people of God there no distinction of race, gender, class, or otherwise.
 There is only Christian.

Christian Maturity

As immature Christians we see God as a means to an end. He is there to bless us and is there to help us in our need. This is a great truth, but by its self tends to be self focused much like a child is toward a parent.

Hopefully we come to realize that God is concerned about our personal transformation and our prayers shift from simply "God help me" to "God change me".

When we enter maturity in Christ, our focus shifts to God and other people. We become consumed with impacting the world around us for God's glory; not just family, not just friends, not just those who are like us, but love without walls. This is where God wants to take us; all the while he continues to transform us as we recognize our great blessing whatever our circumstances. This is the life of Christ.

Are You Spiritually Inauthentic: Five Warning Signs

The following was adapted from John Ortberg’s “Surprised by Change: The Goal of Spiritual Life”. It’s based on the idea that Christians can often look to superficial distinctions between themselves and non-believers instead of real transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. The religious people did it in Jesus’ day so we would be wise to at least consider the possibility that we may have fallen into the same trap. Ortberg uses Jesus’ rebuke of these religious folk in Matthew 23 as the basis of his five warning signs.

Pseudo-Transformation Warning Signs

1.    Am I spiritually “inauthentic”?

Matthew 23:25-28

²⁵ “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. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷ “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. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Inauthenticity involves a preoccupation with appearing to be spiritual. We try to say the right things and do the right things in front of others. Yet we hide our sin and work harder at making people think we’re a loving person than we actually do at loving them.

 “The meaning of true authenticity is this: that my exterior truly reflects my interior.”

- David Augsburger

Question: What are some things that keep you from being truly authentic?

2.    Am I becoming judgmental or exclusive or proud?

Matthew 23:6

⁶ They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

Pride is a potential problem for anyone who takes spiritual growth seriously. As soon as we start to pursue virtue, we begin to wonder why others aren’t as virtuous as we are.

Question: Do you tend to rate people in comparison to yourself? When and where does this tend to happen most frequently for you?

3.    Am I becoming more approachable, or less?

Matthew 23:7

(They love) ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

Question: Do you ever feel that you’re too busy or too important for someone?

Question: Which of the three previous questions hits home with you the most?

4.    Am I growing weary of pursuing spiritual growth?

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

The pursuit of righteousness is always an exhausting pursuit when it seeks a distorted goal.

Question: Have you been weary and burdened by trying to live up to a certain standard? Who’s standard is it? There’s GOOD NEWS! Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

5.    Am I measuring my spiritual life in superficial ways?

Matthew 23:24

²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

“Suppose someone were to ask you, ‘How is your spiritual life going these days?’ Quick – what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? For many years I thought about this only in terms of a few special activities. If someone asked me how my spiritual life was going, my first thought would be how I was doing at having a quiet time – praying and reading the Bible each day. If I had prayed and read the Bible for several consecutive prior days, I was likely to say that my spiritual life was going well. If not, I was likely to feel guilty and downcast. So prayer and Bible study became the gauge of my spiritual condition. As long as I did those two things I could go through the day confident of God’s approval.”

Question: How do you tend to measure your spiritual life? What is your response to the questions discussing above?

“I suspect that if someone had asked the apostle Paul or the apostle John about his spiritual life, his first question would have been, ‘Am I growing in love for God and people?’ The real issue is what kind of people we are becoming.”

“Practices such as reading Scripture and praying are important – not because they prove how spiritual we are – but because God can use them to lead us into life.”

True Values

What are your values? The question may seem simple, however, often what many people (even companies and organizations) list as values are actually “aspired” values. They are either what the person desires to be or would like to think of as possessing. The truth is though, that our actual values are what we are and not what we desire to be. If I say I value family but never spend quality time with them then I’m lying. Likewise, if I say that I value honesty, yet I find myself constantly telling little white lies, then I do not value honesty.

We would do well to take the time to evaluate our day to day activities and take note of our actions. Where do our finances go? What do our spending habits say about us? What does our use of time say about us? If people were to be truly honest (see above) with themselves, some may find that they actually value entertainment, money or status more than the (aspired) values they claim to possess.

Now, maybe you’ve been a professing Christian for several years now, or like me you made a profession as a child (read my testimony here). In other words, what you are saying is that you value Jesus Christ. After all, that is what it means to be a Christian. It is not a profession that makes a believer a believer.

Once somebody has been truly convinced of who Jesus Christ is (the Son of God) then that changes everything (by the power of God). Really getting it; that He is Lord and Savior will make Him become your Treasure. How can it not? Imagine suddenly realizing that this world is not what you thought it was (remember the Matrix). How can that not change an individual? Besides this, when somebody truly believes, it is a working of God. It’s basically a miracle. It’s what the Bible calls becoming a new creation or being born again. God changes the heart. Though not perfect, the desires of the individual have been changed and he or she now has their heart set toward God.

So now it’s time for self evaluation. Do you value Jesus Christ? Do you read His Word seeking to know Him and His will? Do you spend quality time with His in prayer and worship? Do you desire to obey His commandments? Are you actively involved in His church? If you’re honest with yourself, you just might find that you value the things of this world more than the Savior. Truth be known, some may even find that they have never really been born again and are destined for eternal judgment because their sin still stand in the way of them and God.

However, if that’s you and you’ll be honest with yourself there still is good news. Turn in repentance and you will be saved. He has been waiting for this moment your whole life. God has not forsaken you.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

(Matthew 13:44-46)

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(Matthew 6:19-21)

- Scott Hescht

Stand Up and Stand Out

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Part IX
Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7

(Commentary by Guy Glass and Scott Hescht)

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Scott: Have you noticed what is happening with the current generation? I can sense the skepticism sometimes without words even being spoken. I see young people who were scarcely taught about the Lord, at least in any true theological sense, enter college and come out on the other side transformed into skeptics. It is sad because I experienced this first hand while in my undergrad. Students think that they are being educated in reality, and thus are outgrowing a childish belief system. They are taught to question everything, yet what I have found in my experience is that they aren't questioning the very ideas they are being taught. While our culture is ever so steadily moving toward a secular worldview, Christians must not stand on the sidelines hoping that something will change.

Christianity was never meant to be a religion simply of blind faith like some type of fairy tale. Sometimes I think that not only do the skeptics not realize this, but many of the 80% of Americans who claim the Christian faith. Our God has become vague in the eyes of a growing majority of biblically and theologically uneducated Christians. Meanwhile God is being lumped in with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny because there are not enough believers in the world who are standing out as salt and light. The Apostle Peter, on the other hand, knew of a God who was rooted in reality and truth when he said, "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). And as Peter exhorts in his earlier letter, Christians must always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Being salt should not be an option. Salt preserves. It also adds flavor to that which it comes in contact with. People not only should see Christ in our words, but in our lives as well.

Guy: In the text, Jesus says we are salt and light. This is a Christian's purpose for existing. The salt that does not preserve and add flavor is not good for anything else. People don't light the lamp and then hide it away. There would be no reason for lighting the lamp at all. Paul tells the Corinthian Church, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). If you are a Christian, you are a new creation with a new purpose. If you are not fulfilling this new purpose, then like the salt, you have no real and lasting reason for existing. The writer of Hebrews tells us to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and press on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). The problem is that the majority of those who profess faith in Christ never move on to maturity. They remain stuck with an elementary understanding of the Bible and are therefore not able to distinguish between right doctrine and false doctrine nor are they prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in them.

When you disregard the Word of God and esteem the Bible lightly, you err in several ways. First of all, you are saying to God that, despite the Bible being God's revelation of Himself to you, you are not interested enough in Him to get to know Him more intimately through the means that He has provided. Secondly, you remain stagnate and infantile in your walk because your are not benefiting from the Scriptures which, "are given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Thirdly, this lack of guidance prevents you from being salt and light because you remain incomplete and ill equipped for the good work of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Every Christian exists to be a beacon of light that shines out across the pitch dark sea of the world, illuminating the raging waves and warning the lost seafarers of the jagged rocks that threaten to destroy them. The light house provides hope and is a symbol of life and safety and well being. When Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world. Now he says, "You are the light of the world." Jesus is at the right hand of power on high and the Christians are His body, His presence on Earth in a sense. We, as salt and light, must be saturated with knowledge of the Scriptures. When we are pricked, we are to bleed the Bible. If we will be faithfully devoted to loving and learning Jesus Christ through our devotion to His Word, we will be able and ready and desirous to shine our light and our love into the lives of everyone around us, preserving life, adding flavor and lighting the way to the cross of Christ where salvation is found.

Are You Hungry?

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Part IV

Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

(Commentary by Guy Glass and Scott Hescht)

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Scott: Understand that the Sermon on the Mount is just that; a sermon. Though it may seem at first glance to be a collection of various wise proverbs and commandments, it is much more that, centering around a central idea as does any other speech given by an intelligent man or woman purposefully conveying a message. What is this message? As one reads through the Sermon on the Mount, it becomes clear that Jesus is calling those who would follow Him to a higher standard.

Barack Obama recognized this in referring to Christ’s teaching as “radical”; and the truth is, they are radical in comparison to the social norm. Not much has changed in the nature of man. There is a part of mankind that recognizes some good, but screams, “Now wait a minute!” when challenged to love like Jesus loved. Some read the Sermon on the Mount and eventually walk away disappointed much like the rich young ruler did when Jesus beckoned him to a higher calling (Mark 10:17-22). There was a part of the young man who wanted to follow the Messiah, but in seeking his own righteousness he came up short.

Before judging the poor lad for walking away, we must first look at ourselves. Do you seek after righteousness? If the answer is yes then ask yourself from where this righteousness comes? If it is found in an attempt to follow the rules without the Author of them, then you too will sadly be disappointed and eventually find yourself unable to do so, walking away as did the rich young man. Even in an attempt to layout the Sermon on the Mount before us as a blue print to satisfaction, we will be empty. This too is self righteousness, and truth be know, there is no such thing as self righteousness. We will waste away in our own futile attempts to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.

So is the Sermon on the Mount a wash, or on the other hand, is it an attempt to show us the impossibility of following the Son of God? Absolutely not. Remember that those whom Jesus spoke to were those to whom the Kingdom of God had come. They are those who were the poor in spirit and had placed their faith in the living Christ; Jesus the Righteous One. They knew they lacked and that is exactly why they sought the mercy of the living God. It is His righteousness that they hungered for. Those who hunger for His righteousness will be satisfied.

Therefore the Sermon on the Mount is not an outline to righteousness. It is the fruit of an individual living in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This most famous sermon can be summed up as “The life in Christ”. Those who are “born again” in His righteousness will be satisfied. Not only does His grace cover where we have fallen short, but He gives us a new heart that desires righteousness. These commands of his become less radical and more of an outflow of our love for God and our love for people through the power of Jesus Christ. He makes the impossible possible. So hunger and you will be fed. Thirst and you will be refreshed. He makes all things new; and all things He will set right. In Him alone we are satisfied.

To the self righteous, this sermon will indeed be out of the realm of possibility. Many will be turned away. Others will be turned off. To those who have placed their trust in the Righteous One, they will receive His teaching and high calling of love for God and other people with joy and thanksgiving.

Envy

In his book Charity and Its Fruits, Jonathan Edwards contrasts the spirit of envy with that of Christian love (or charity).

It is pride that is the great root and source of envy. It is because of the pride of men's hearts that they have such a burning desire to be distinguished, and to be superior to all others in honour and prosperity, and which makes them so uneasy and dissatisfied in seeing others above them. (Edwards, 121)

The great King Solomon wisely stated that all work done in envy is vanity. It is meaningless and a "striving after wind". (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

Edwards says that this spirit of envy stands in direct contrast to the spirit of Christian love. He explains that whenever the Christian "perceives its (envious) emotions rising within him on any occasion, or toward any person, so far as he is influenced by a Christian spirit, he will be alarmed by it, and will fight against it, and will not allow its exercise for a moment." (Edwards, 115)

The key for the Christian as the Apostle Paul puts it is to learn that in whatever situation they are in to be content. (Philippians 4:11)

Envy unfortunately is a sinful mind-set that is not only found in the world's system, but also in that of the church. This is nothing new. Even Paul exclaimed that many in his day preached Christ from envy and rivalry (Philippians 1:15). Christian lay people as well as vocational ministers must continually have an attitude of humility as they search their hearts for this deadly attitude. Why it is not spoken against more often in the church is a travesty.

In measure, envy may be second only to pride as it is the root of various other sins. It was the envious heart of Satan that could not stand God's blessing on mankind, thus he sought to uproot it. Indeed his heart was and still is that mankind should fall. For one to allow room for any sort of envy into his or her life is to share in the heart of Satan. The heart of Christian love however, wishes not to step on anyone's toes, but would rather in humble servanthood wash that person's feet.

Edwards, Jonathan. Charity and Its Fruits. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1852.

- Scott Hescht

Worldly Chrisian?

What does the Bible say about the Christian's position in the world? Should we have lost friends? Should we listen to secular music or watch secular TV or read secular books? Should we steer clear of the world altogether or attempt to integrate Christian culture in to the world's culture?

The problem with many extreme views is that they are often developed as a reaction opposing another extreme. The separatist (totally separated from the world) and synthetic (blending with the world) approaches to the Christian life are a perfect example of this problem. Both ideas, when taken in context, are Biblical. However, when taken to the extreme they can become quite destructive to our spiritual lives. The Bible does call for us to be in the world. In fact, that has to happen in order for the great commission to take place. Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, not to stand still. Many sit in the church building waiting for the lost to come in out of sheer curiosity. No wonder the world is growing more secular. However, others spend their time integrating with the world attempting to prove to the lost that Christians can "have fun too!". They may have good intentions but often find themselves in compromising positions stumbling under the foot of the world's temptations. No wonder the world claims that Christians are hypocrites.

While praying for His disciples in John 17, Jesus acknowledged that they have been sent into the world but also exclaimed that they were not were not of the world. The disciples proved just that as the early church went in to the worlds and quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire. We read about these Christians reaching out to the lost, but as Paul's letters suggest, they stood by their convictions and condemned any compromise in holiness.

The problem with many Christians today is the lack of wisdom in decision making. They're either too black and white, shutting out any opportunities for witness, or they compromise because they have failed to guard their hearts in Christ. In summary, we as Christians must purposely go into the world as ambassadors for our Lord while seeking purity in all things knowing that if you walk in slippery places, you are sure to fall (2 Corinthians 5:20). This takes wisdom and that can only come when we truly and humbly seek the face of God in our daily choices and actions.

- Scott Hescht

Why You Do What You Do?

No Root, No Fruit

Have you ever wondered why you do what you do?

One former Navy pilot tells how he was living a wilder life than he knew he should live. He decided his problem was that he was being led astray by his friends in flight training. So he arranged to finish his work in the program early and be transferred to another field nearby. Yet, it wasn't long, he said, before he was back in the same old bars, with the same girls, just with different friends. One night out-on-the-town he wondered, "Why do I do this?" And he realized, "Because I like to."

Before a person becomes a Christian—I mean a real Christian, not just someone who says he is—his "want-to" is broken. He is not interested in God. He is bored by church and by reading his Bible. He cannot "make" himself "want to" do right and he cannot "make" himself "want not" to do wrong. When a person is born again, God repairs his "want-to." Even though he still feels the pull of temptation, he will have a new set of desires. He will love God and want to talk to God in prayer and see what God has to say to him in His Word, the Bible. He wants to be around other people who love God; church attendance becomes meaningful. There is a new desire to obey God.

Why do we do what we do? The answer is simple: we do what we do because of what we are. It's like fruit trees. Apple trees bear apples, pear trees produce pears, peach trees grow peaches. The fruit is the natural result of the nature of the tree. I suppose you could tie apples to a peach tree, but that would not make it an apple tree. In the same way, adding religious activities to one's schedule doesn't make one a Christian. Just as the fruit of the tree naturally flows from the nature of the tree, even so the attitudes, words, and actions of our lives reveal the true nature of ourselves.

Jesus said, "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit…. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them" (Matt. 7:17, 20).(copied--author unknown)

Spiritual Anorexia

--- from David Stone's "Morning Manna"

In a sense man's greatest need is to see his need. Until a person realizes he has a need he isn't going to do what he should. People don't get saved until they first realize they are a sinner in need of a Savior. But even God's people have problems in this area. Far too often we suppose that all is well between us and God when it isn't. At other times we know that something is amiss, but we don't take any steps to correct it.

We could talk about numerous things in this regards, but the one thing that stands out the most in my mind is people's attitude toward the Word of God. Based on their actions it's obvious that they don't see any great need for it. They seem to think that daily Bible reading and study is only for preachers and teachers. For them, all they need is a weekly portion spoon fed to them by someone else.

If that's your case, let me ask you some questions. Don't you ever long for God to communicate with you in a vivid meaningful way? Don't you ever feel that, although you have all the major doctrines pretty well nailed down in your mind, something is still missing? Don't you ever wonder why you can't stay fresh and excited about your duties as a Christian? Have you lost the wonder of worship?

I'm simply trying to help you see that you have needs. I think every true Christian can identify with the things I've just mentioned. I would guess that we have all felt that way during some period of our life. So what's the solution? I'm sure, at least I hope, that you already know where I'm going. The answer for all those questions is the Word of God. Just as God designed us so that we need our daily bread physically, we need His word daily. You can't neglect God's Word without paying a price. You can't neglect it without serious consequences anymore than you can refuse to eat without suffering physically.

God's Word provides peace for your problems, comfort in your calamities, strength in your struggles, hope when you are helpless, direction in your despair, faith to face your fears and much, much more!

Don't miss out on the wonderful feast God has prepared for you. Make sure you spend quality time everyday feeding on His wonderful Word. You'll be glad you did and it will show. Job said,"I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food".( Job 23:12). We all should do the same!

He is Worth It!

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
- Matthew 5:11-12

Boston Commons is the oldest public park in the United States, a 50-acre refuge famous for its swan boats, its suspension bridge (the shortest in the world), and for being the setting of the children's story, Make Way for Ducklings. So it's surprising to learn that in 1651, the Reverend Obadiah Holmes was tied to a post in this park and whipped for preaching Baptist doctrine in Puritan New England. The blood overflowed his shoes.

In our age of religious freedom and pluralistic beliefs, we're apt to forget about the long line of martyrs who have spilled their blood for the sake of the cross, even in America.

When we're faithful to Christ, we too will suffer some level of rejection, ridicule, or disdain. All who are godly will be persecuted. But the sufferings of this life cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed. So when you encounter someone who disdains you for your faith, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.


"In truth, as the strokes fell upon me, I had such a manifestation of God's presence as the like thereof I never had nor felt, nor can with fleshy tongue express."
- Obadiah Holmes

--from Turning Point--

Is It Worth it?

"…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:18b

Recommended Reading Matthew 6:1-5

One day the great Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo happened to overhear a group of people admiring his Pietà, a statue of Christ on His mother's knees after His death on the cross. One man attributed the work to another sculptor, much to the chagrin of Michelangelo, who took particular pride in the Pietà. Returning to the sculpture after dark that evening, Michelangelo carved his name on it so that no similar mistake would occur in the future.

Sometimes it's hard not to want the recognition and admiration of those around us. Whether our gift is preaching or teaching, writing or singing, evangelism or leading, we must keep a Godly perspective and motivation in everything we do. During His earthly ministry, Jesus certainly knew how to keep himself from becoming entangled in the praises of men; He gave all the credit to His Father, for He knew His reward was waiting on the other side of the cross.

If we fall into the trap of working or performing for the rewards of men, we are bound to miss out on our rewards in heaven. Is it worth losing eternal praise from God himself to have but a moment of earthly glory?

He who merits praise he never receives is better off than he who receives praise he never merits.
Unknown
(from Turning Point)

Giant Despair

Giant Despair

Jim Elliff

"Great thoughts of your sin alone will lead you to despair," said the beloved 19th Century London pastor, Charles Spurgeon. He ought to know. He had excruciating bouts with depression. "I know the borders of despair and the horrible brink of that gulf of darkness into which my feet have almost gone."

But read the quote again:

"Great thoughts of your sin alone will lead you to despair, but great thoughts of Christ will pilot you into a haven of peace. The weight of my sin presses down on me like a giant's foot would crush a worm, but oh, it is but a grain of dust to Him because He has borne that sin on the cross."

Despair, melancholy, depression, sadness, sorrow, regret—we all know something about this giant who goes by many names. And some face him to a degree almost beyond toleration. Often (but not always) the heaviness of sin is at the root of such despair.

We are no match for such a giant as the relentless memory of foolish disobedience.

As believers who still sin, we know this:

• Our sin is an awful crime against the One who loves us the most.
• Our sin makes us feel worthless and defeated.
• Our sin may create tension, distrust, and alienation to some degree with others, even if it does so merely because of our mental preoccupation with it.
• Continual meditation on our sin may debilitate us way beyond the actual sin itself. We can give sin a second life by letting it destroy all our joy and godly ambition. Even after repentance, we allow the back side of the hurricane of sin to blow prevailing winds of despair over us.
• Sometimes we wallow in the memory of our sin as a way to try to pay for it ourselves.

It is that last issue that is the most unappreciated by God because it implies there is something inadequate in Christ's work on the cross, as if He did not pay for sins en toto.

As a true believer, what should you do if Giant Despair is bludgeoning you with former sins?

Be sure you have repented of that sin. Repentance is hating what you once loved, and rejecting what you once craved. It is a change of mind that effects behavior. The believer lives in the world of repentance. "The sorrow which comes from God," said the apostle Paul, "produces repentance, without regret, leading to salvation [deliverance]; but the sorrow of the world leads to death." (2 Cor. 7:10)

Act on the necessary correctives—especially asking forgiveness or making restitution to the person(s) you have sinned against. Generally our admission of our sin should be as wide as the sphere of the sin itself. If it is between you and one other, go to that person, admit your sin, and ask for forgiveness. If it is between you and a group, go to the group. If it is between you and God, go to God alone.

Have "great thoughts of Christ." This is what Spurgeon learned-and practiced! Christ has already taken the punishment of that sin for you. Have enough sorrow to be sick of the sin, but not so much sorrow as to make nothing of what Christ has done on the cross. When you are convinced enough to despise it, then sorrow has done its work. Throw off nagging thoughts and go on.

Christian, God does not appreciate us acting as though Christ did not die. Your sin demands a fresh application of faith, a resting on this solid truth. Believe what He told you about the effect of Christ's death for your sins. Have "great thoughts of Christ." In Christ, you are as forgiven as you can be!

Your sin "is but a grain of dust to Him because He has borne that sin on the cross."

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . ." (Isa. 53:4)

I Have Learned...

This really hits home. Please take the time to read slowly and reflect upon each statement. These are "principles for Christian living" taken mostly from the 'wisdom' literature of the Bible - Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

God bless!

--- unknown source ---

I'VE LEARNED that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved...
The rest is up to them.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I'VE LEARNED that just because someone doesn't love you
the way you want to, doesn't mean they don't love you
with all they have.

I'VE LEARNED that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.

I'VE LEARNED that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.

I'VE LEARNED that maturity has more to do with what types
of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them,
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I'VE LEARNED that our background and circumstances may
have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for
who we become.

I'VE LEARNED That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I'VE LEARNED That two people can look at the exact
same thing and see something totally different.

I'VE LEARNED That no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I'VE LEARNED That even when you think you have no more
to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength
to help.

I'VE LEARNED That credentials on the wall do not make you
a decent human being.

I'VE LEARNED That it's hard to determine where to draw the
line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings,
and standing up for what you believe.

I'VE LEARNED That it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.

I'VE LEARNED That sometimes when I'm angry I have the
right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I'VE LEARNED That either you control your attitude,
or it controls you.

I'VE LEARNED That it's not WHAT you have in your life
but WHO you have in your life that counts.

I'VE LEARNED That you can get by on charm for about
fifteen minutes. After that, you had better know something.

I'VE LEARNED That it's taking me a long time to become
the person I want to be.

I'VE LEARNED That you can keep going long after
you think you can't.

I'VE LEARNED That learning to forgive takes practice

My God

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Recommended Reading John 20:26-28

Often today we hear people make reference to "their" God: "Well, my God would never want me to be unhappy!" "My God would never send someone to hell!" "My God would never say there is only one way to get to heaven!" Contrast these statements with the words of a small child: "My daddy promised to take me to the zoo, and he always keeps his promises!"

What's the difference? The child is speaking about a father whom she knows personally, with whom she has had past experiences, whom she has learned to trust. On the other hand, individuals who refer to "my God" are usually creating God in their own image. And while they're usually referring to the God of the Bible, they are usually wrong in what they so confidently assert. Paul used the phrase "my God" in Philippians 4:19 on the basis of years of knowing Him and His promises. He told the Philippians that God would supply all their needs because he knew God to be a loving Father who would bless the Philippians' sacrificial spirit in giving. God invites you to call Him your own as you learn to trust Him for your every need.

If you refer to God as your God, make sure you know Him for who He really is.

What in humans gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of himself.
J. I. Packer ----from Turning Point