Month: October 2009

“…his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols” Ac 17:16

When I look around today, I find a people wholly given to idolatry, and I’m disturbed that my heart is not stirred to the extent Paul’s was above. I’m not just talking about idolatry in the form of temples of various world religions that are becoming more and more prevalent in our nation, but I’m talking about a general spirit of idolatry where men and women are worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator (Rom 1:25). I’m talking about idolatry we may discover to exist in our own hearts!

In Paul’s day, the Athenians had their gods that were in essence super-humans. Though they were more powerful than men, they were subject to the same shortcomings–they fought among themselves, were susceptible to various lusts, were captive by pride, etc. We may not build temples to Zeus or Apollo today, but we do build arenas and stadiums where thousands flock to praise the super-human of their choice that can throw the ball harder, sing a higher note, or look better on stage than the other super-humans. As the people argued over which gods were greatest in Paul’s day, we find men doing the same today, and we call it team spirit! Now, I enjoy a good sport’s game just like the next guy, but are we maintaining a proper perspective?

I’ve been meditating on the Lord’s Prayer lately, and the phrase “thy kingdom come” has stuck with me. Perhaps some of you recite this prayer regularly, but do we say these words, not because they’re in the prayer, but because they are the cry of our hearts! Do we want to be with the Lord NOW, or do our lives declare, “Lord, wait a little longer.” How comfortable are we here? Is there anything we’d like to check off our list before our Lord returns? Do we want to see are kids grow up first, take that vacation we’ve been planning, or find out who wins the big game next week? The Scriptures tell us that no man, even the Son of man, knows the day nor the hour that the Lord will return (Mk 13:32). What will that day be like? I think it will be a day when we won’t have to be taught to pray “thy kingdom come” but a day when the saints of God can’t help but cry continually, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20) When the Israelites’ cry for deliverance came before the Lord, then He sent forth the deliverer! (Ex 3:9,10)

Jamie

Colossians 3:23-25

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

I like the word “heartily” in this passage. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart (1 Sam 16:7). In the past, I’ve considered the passage as an exhortation to do our very best in everything with the expected outcome being that our work would stand out as a step above what someone would do that was merely pleasing man and not the Lord; however, that may not always be the case.

More often than not, it seems that the one standing in the spotlight is one that’s only interested in soaking up the glory for himself. After all, he worked hard. He may have spent many sleepless nights in pursuit of his accomplishment. There’s no doubt that many unbelievers have set their sights on goals and given all they could to attain them. Just think about what Olympic athletes sacrifice! But, here’s the question–why did they sacrifice like they did? What did they hope to obtain? If it was the praise of men, then their pursuit was one of vanity. The fact is that many times it is the wicked that are exalted among us. The world may ignore the efforts of the righteous, but that’s okay…we aren’t instructed to labor for their recognition anyway.

Doing whatever we do “heartily, as to the Lord,” means that even if the boss doesn’t recognize our diligence and faithfulness, we continue to work hard anyway. It means that when our labor will never even be known by another living soul, we do our very best anyway. We labor honestly, diligently, and faithfully not because another human being is watching but because God Himself is paying attention! And, as our text reminds us, He’s going to reward both right AND wrong appropriately. Who cares if a worldling gets the spotlight? That will never compare to hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25:23) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God! (1 Co 10:31) He alone is worthy…

Jamie

Eph 4:11-16

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Aren’t you glad that the church is not an organization but is rather an organism? The analogy used in the verses above is that of a body. It has life! Even when a non-biological object is used to describe the church, such as a house in 1 Pe 2:5, the fact that there is life is still emphasized as we see this house is constructed of “living stones.” Living things can adapt. They can respond differently to circumstances depending associated factors. They grow. Isn’t life amazing! Cut a gash in a stone, and it will simply remain that way. Cut a gash in flesh, and it will begin to repair itself!

What a treasure we have in the body of Christ! Its design is unique and perfectly fitted for what is required of it. Why is that so? Because God made it that way! As our text begins above, “And He Himself gave…” God did it! He’s chosen each member, and set each one in its proper place. He hasn’t left this to chance. The body is His design. He is the Potter that has power over the clay, and He shapes it and fashions it according to His purpose. (Rom 9:20-21) Aren’t we thankful it’s that way? We don’t always understand it. Sometimes we, like Moses, are sure God’s picked the wrong man for the job (Ex 4:10-11), but can you imagine anyone else leading the Israelites out of Egypt? God knows what He’s doing. Our job is to do what He told Moses in Ex 4:12, “Now therefore, go, and I will….” In other words, “Obey Me, believe me, do what I said, and I’ll take care of the rest!”

And just look at what our text above tells us God is going to accomplish by this design that He has chosen for His church: “…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Eph 4:12,13) Wow! I’d say God’s got a pretty good plan, and we’d do best to not second guess Him! He’s designed the body for these purposes, and if He says it will work this way, then it will work! Don’t question. Don’t doubt. Just believe and obey. Look Who’s leading this work. The natural body’s controlled by the brain which is in the head, and the head of this spiritual body is none other than Christ Himself! Now therefore, go, and He will…

Jamie