Category Archives: Daily Life

The Language of Obedience

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Puppies 014Do you see obedience to Christ as a “have to” or a “want to?” Jesus says a remarkable thing to his disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching” (John 14:23a).

Clean language, pure thoughts, selfless emotions, kindness; each are a testimony of our love for the One who died in our place. Doing what Jesus commands, in both our private and public worlds, is our constant opportunity to express love to him.

Obedience communicates love because it is the demonstration of surrender. Obeying him says, “Jesus, you are my Lord and Lord of this moment. Therefore, I choose what you choose.” And the seal of that confession is the doing.

So, when he calls for patience we show it. We when he prompts our hearts to mercy or simple faith, we give it. Worship, prayer, considering others better than ourselves; all proclaim his prominence in our hearts, for in those moments he is our Lord, and he knows of our love because we have shown him in our surrender.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (Jesus, from John 15: 13,14)

Have you told Jesus you love him today? Now is always your chance.  And you know, actions speak louder than words.

Jesus, Lord Over Sin

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“He said to them. ‘Go!” (Mat. 8:28-34)

Evil cannot stand in the presence of Jesus. His holiness and authority require it depart, for he will not be moved.

The things that possess us, and the “sin that so easily entangles,” are obvious in the presence of the Lord. His light exposes the darkness within us every time. That’s why we feel too ashamed to pray at times. But the joy of the Lord is to show us mercy and free us from the chains of our self-enslavement.

The only limit to the power of the Christ is our own will. He will not do in us what we will not allow. If we plead for him to go or refuse to let him deal with the sin that possesses us, he will honor our choice. But if we seek him, he will drive it away.

What is Jesus’ presence exposing in your life? What cries out in you at the very thought of him? He has the power to release you, but you must draw near to him and ask.

The power to overcome sin is in Jesus the Lord.  Our desire and will are not enough.  ”There is no one who is righteous,” only Jesus.  Our need is not to become strong enough to beat our temptation.  Our need is to grow deeper in love and in nearness to Christ, and his Spirit will, by our welcoming, overtake our own and fill us with his holiness and righteousness.

Nothing can stand against the light of God.  ”But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (Mat. 6:32)

Live a Life…

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In Ephesians, Paul encourages Christians to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians. 4:1).” It is interesting to note that he does not say to “live a Christian life” worthy of the calling you have received. His point, I believe, is that all aspects of my life (my entire life) are to be lived with a Christian worldview.

That’s obvious, you say? The truth is that we often live two lives: a spiritual life as a Christian – at church or with Christian friends, and a secular life – at work, for example, or in our political and social lives. In other words, there are times when we consciously separate our Christian foundation from the things we may espouse in secular culture; indeed, allowing the world to heavily influence our thoughts rather than allowing the Spirit of God to guide all of our thoughts and actions.

In many ways, this may be the biggest struggle we face as Christians because the world has done a good job of convincing us that our “religion” has no place in the “real” world; that the “separation of church and state” precludes us from placing a Christian worldview on everything in our lives. Which, I believe, misses the point entirely.

One need not be an outspoken activist, creating a stir or distraction, to live a life that reflects the Christ – to be a light on the hill. Ultimately, the influence of the Christ in our individual lives is to see people differently, to treat people differently, to see and react to the world differently because “Christ’s love compels us (2 Cor. 5:14)” to do so.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

If the only parts of our lives that are “Christian” are those that are seen by other Christians, what impact can we have?

The Greatest Commands?

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It is humbling to know that the entirety of the Law is wrapped up in two commands from God: to love the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Later, Jesus would say that we should love our neighbor as He loved us – raising the stakes, if you will.

At the same time, keeping the Father’s commands is how we demonstrate our love for Him (John 14). And His commands, you see, are fully wrapped up in loving Him and loving each other.

Sadly, in many cases we are guilty of actually scorning those that God asks us to love – no, not those outside the kingdom, but those IN the kingdom! Often, this scorn is over issues elevated to an importance that does not exist in the Scripture.

Scorn for a brother or sister in Christ…!

Can we really afford to treat each other in ways we KNOW are sinful over issues that remain in constant and irreconcilable debate? Is that the goal of New Testament Christianity?

If we learn absolutely nothing else from our journey through the Old Testament, it should be clear that the only thing that is important to the Creator is the dedication of our hearts to Him – and Him alone. That, of course, is not just a verbal exercise, but is exemplified in a genuine and sincere service to the King and His kingdom.

Remember, even Jesus himself admitted that the hypocritical Pharisees knew the Law (Matthew 23:1). It was the condition of their hearts that earned the Lord’s disdain.

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.”

Colossians 4:3