To Whom Shall We Go

 John 6:68
Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

This verse reminds me of the old gospel song, “Where can I go but to the Lord.” We live in a mixed-up sinful world. A world looking for answers to the meaning of life. What is my purpose of existence? The world is full of seekers who desire love and happiness, but many are going to the wrong place to find it. Some seek it in the pleasures of sin, others in their work, and others in relationships. We are all born to this earth, but our journeys in life are not the same. The faithfulness of the Father calls all of us to Himself. He sent His Son to make it possible for all who desire to find their purpose in life. Like the disciples, we look all around us and see that the only answer to a fulfilled life is to give ourselves to Jesus. He not only has the words of life, but He is the Word of life. In Him all things are created and in Him all things exist. When we get to the end of our human resources, when life becomes overwhelmed with the cares of life, we have but one place to go. He is the answer to all of life’s problems, and in Him, we can rest assured that all will be well. Love and happiness on earth is found in Christ, and He alone can fill and meet our every need.

Getting Old

 Titus 2:2
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

If God allows us to live beyond 3 scores and 10 years, we no doubt will feel the effects of getting old. The body starts to slow down, our balance is not as sure, and our mind is not as sharp as it once was. We do all we can to maintain our youthfulness, but our bodies are not made to last forever. With aging, comes the inability to do the work effectively that we once were able to do. But growing old does mean we lay down our armor and cease from labor. There is no magic year when we wake up and we become aged men or women. But we come to realize as we work that there are some things we are no longer able to do. As we start to feel the effects of aging, we need to start to refocus on things we can do. Titus admonishes those who are getting older to stay alert, keep the faith, keep loving people, and to be patient with others. Teach the younger generation to stay true to the word by teaching sound doctrine. No doubt, to keep true to the teaching of Jesus. In a culture and time when women were expected to be keepers of the home, they were admonished to focus their attention on the children, show the younger women how to love their children and love their husbands. The principles of God’s word still hold today, regardless of the reshaping of our culture. It is God’s desire that we make choices that will keep the structure of the family in harmony with God’s word. What that will look like should be approached with much prayer and understanding of God’s will to keep that structure in place. The point given to us by Titus is to keep doing what is good and reaching out to others who need help, no matter how old we get. We can always pray for others and show kindness by our words of wisdom. Getting old is part of God’s plan, and that plan is to keep on loving and doing good things.

The Things of Others

 Philip 2:4
 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

We all have our own things to do. Some of those things are vital to our survival and well-being. But the things that Paul is referring to are those things that bring us pleasure and ease of life. The attraction of the things of this world has a way of taking our eyes off the things that are more important to keep us faithful to Christ. Jesus said not to worry about the things of tomorrow, for the Father is sufficient to provide for things today. Instead, we have to consider the needs of others, and be more concerned that the things of others are attended to. We have to look out for each other as the body of Christ. There are those in our community of believers that need a helping hand. It is good to remember them in prayer, but the community of the local church should put action to their prayers and reach out to help those who are suffering emotionally, financially, and socially.  We are admonished to “Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor, preferring one another” (Roman 10:12).  God’s word not only teaches us to reach out to others who do not know Christ, but we also demonstrate Christian grace to others who are part of the family of God. The world looks at the church and needs to see that they are united in love. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have loved one to another.” (John 13:35). The trademark of a healthy church is seen in the way they treat each other. Yes, we should not neglect our own health and well-being in all ways, but in doing so, let us not forget the things of others.

Live at Peace with Others

 Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Conflict is a natural occurrence that takes place when there are differences of opinions. Some of these differences are strong enough to create strife and division. Paul and Barnabas had differences of opinion, causing them to go their separate ways. It is possible to live peaceably with all men, even in the midst of strong differences. It becomes more challenging to live at peace with all men when there has been a betrayal of trust or if personal hurt has occurred. We cannot allow bitterness and malice to control relationships, even when conflict involves personal matters.  Conflicts can cause a strain in a relationship that may not be overcome quickly, it may even scar a relationship that may never heal completely. But fellowship need not be broken. History has recorded centuries of division and discord. Wars have been fought and many have died for what they believed in. I don’t claim to understand the nature of wars, the just and unjust, but if it is possible, God desires that we live at peace with one another. Especially among those who are followers of Christ. We are exhorted to “Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor, preferring one another.” (Roman 12:10). It is possible to love without compromising principles or condoning evil. Preferring others is not to agree with them, but it is to allow them to have their own opinions or ideas without dissimilation. We are never going to see eye to eye on every issue, but we can agree to disagree and live at peace with one another.

Speaking With Grace

 Col 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Think before you speak. The words you speak can be hurtful or helpful. They can come across as harsh or gentle. We are admonished to speak with wisdom to those who are non-believers. How and what you say will impact their willingness to listen to what God’s word has to say. There are times when one must speak with authority and firmness, but it should never be done with malice and hate. Speaking with grace is allowing the Holy Spirit to take control and let Him speak through you. Being a follower of Christ is to consider how Jesus would speak. When speaking to the religious leaders that were using their “spirituality” to hide their wicked heart, He uncovered their sin with righteous indignation. His speech was revealing and convicting. Their hearts were exposed to their uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness for power. Yet to the woman who was caught in adultery, He spoke with divine grace, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” We are given the opportunity every day to show the grace of God to a messed up world lost in sin. We must always bear in mind that we may be the vessel God chooses to use to reach someone who is hurting and needs to hear us speak with love and grace.

A New Commandment

 John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Making His way to the last supper, Jesus had a basin of water ready. He took the basin and went to each of his disciples and started to wash their feet. The Master and Lord of all, the Creator of man, was on His hands and knees at the feet of His followers washing their feet. Peter was horrified that someone as honorable and great as Jesus would stoop down to be a servant and do what the work of the lower class of people in society normally did. I can imagine Peter’s thinking, “Hold on Jesus, this is beneath your dignity, you are the Messiah, the Son of God, I should be washing your feet.” Jesus, who loved His disciples, rebuked Peter, and explained to Peter why it was important that He wash their feet. The washing of feet is not given as a commandment from Jesus, it was done to demonstrate what it looks like to serve and love others. The commandment that Jesus gave was that the disciples were to have a servant’s heart, and love one another. Jesus demonstrated His love for them by washing their feet. To love as Jesus loved is an act of the will, and not a feeling or emotion. Showing love is not always preceded by a feeling and a desire to act. It is motivated by the knowledge that it is the right thing to do. It is the Love of Christ that controls our actions and the things we do. His love that dwells in our heart sets in motion how to act and love in a way that pleases Him. Real love that comes from God is not pretentious, or done grudgingly, it is made possible because the Holy Spirit dwells in our heart, and His Spirit compels us to love.

Words in Action

  1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Actions do speak louder than words. Words can be very effective when used to lift or encourage someone who is going through difficult times. Words do have meaning and are a very powerful way to communicate God’s love to others. But sometimes words can be hollow or insincere. Jesus tells a story of a person who was robbed and left for dead when certain religious men came by, and seemingly felt sorry for the man, but did nothing to help him. But it was the good Samaritan that didn’t speak words of platitude, he put action to his words and provided help for the injured man. John gives us an example of Jesus who not only spoke words of love and kindness, but was willing to die for us. The God of creation laid down His life that we may have deliverance from sin, so it provided a way to connect us back to our creator. Love is hypocritical when one has the means and ability to help, but is not willing to give when the need arises. Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not possible by doing good deeds. Laying down your life for someone else is admirable, but done in the absence of God’s love in the heart, the sacrifice is earthly and without heavenly reward. Work without love is dead, our deeds must be done in truth. We are not able to help or give our means for every cause that crosses our pathway, but God is faithful to show us His good will and pleasure. Let us not shut up our hearts of compassion, but let us open our hearts by putting words to action, to help our brothers in need.

Rooted and Grounded

 Eph 3:17
 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. 

Like a tree planted close to the river banks, our spiritual roots go deep into the ground of God’s love. Because Christ lives in our hearts, His abiding presence is what allows us to live a life that is surrounded by His love and grace. The dwelling presence of Christ is not made possible by adhering to church sacraments, or intellectually agreeing with the teaching and doctrine of the church. The church plays a vital role in the building up of our faith, but it is our faith and belief in Christ that we have been saved from sin and made right before God. This firm belief is the ground on which we grow and become established in God’s love. Love is the ground that we begin to truly grow healthy in being what God wants us to be. Our roots take up what is good, giving us the strength and power to live each day in Christ. Living a Christian life goes beyond the formality of conforming to a religion. Our religion holds us to Bible doctrine, but it is not the ground on which we are rooted to be like Jesus. To be like Jesus requires that we be saturated in His love and allow the roots of our life to take up His love and be manifest in the way we live our lives.

Forgiveness for All

 John 8:11
Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.

The power of forgiveness by Jesus is found in the words, “neither do I condemn you.” Who can forgive sin but God. God hates sin and does not tolerate it. The Scribe and Pharisee were not incorrect.  The law was clear what happens to those who violate His commandments. I find it curious that they did not also bring the man who was also found in the very act. God in the OT punishment for adultery was for both the man and the women. It was a serious break of the law to violate one’s marriage vows. The deity of Jesus gave Him the power to overrule the law, for He is the giver of the law. As God in the OT often showed mercy, Jesus who knew the heart of this woman, spoke words of mercy. The laws of our land do not arrest or punish those who commit adultery, but God’s word is not mocked, whatever man sows, that shall he reap. Every man will answer to the deeds done in the flesh when they meet God face to face at the judgment. But as long as we live, there is forgiveness for all who will come to Jesus and ask. He reaches out with tender love and care, and there is no sin that His blood will not cover. It is not God’s plan that man continue in sin, Jesus told the lady to go and sin no more. “He who is born of God will no longer live in sin.” (1 John 5:18). The example of Jesus given to us here, should help us to see that there is hope for all who stubble in sin, and like Christ, we should also show love and compassion.

Learning to Forgive

Mat 18:27
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Jesus, desiring to show his disciples what forgiveness looks like, told the story of the king that forgave his servant, but the servant would not forgive the person who owed him money. The king, hearing about this, could not tolerate the injustice and changed his mind, and required his servant to pay it all. The moral of the story is, If you want forgiveness, you also must be willing to forgive others who did you wrong. Forgiveness is a willful choice that is made because the love of God constrains us to forgive. We realize that we are sinners and in need of forgiveness. Jesus, who died for you and me, paid the ultimate price and forgave us saving us from eternal damnation. When we feel that we have been betrayed or wrongfully accused by someone, it comes with real pain and disappointment. Forgiveness does not always come easy and sometimes over time, the pain eases up, but never goes away. David Branon writes in Our Daily Bread, “Forgiveness at its fullest can be realized when both parties move toward healing and reconciliation. And while it doesn’t remove the effects of harm done or the need to be discerning in how to address painful or unhealthy relationships, it can lead to restored ones—testifying to God’s love and power. Let’s look for ways to “extend forgiveness” for His honor.” We forgive because He has forgiven us, and He is our great example of how to live each day of our lives.

Worship Him

 Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Worship is demonstrated in our willingness to bow our hearts to him in praise and adoration. He loves to hear our lips praise Him and give HIm glory. He is so good and is worthy of our worship. But worship goes beyond the uplifting of our voices and hands to Him. We worship Him in true holiness when we live our lives in harmony with His word. The way we live says more about our worship than the words that come from our lips. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Words are meaningless if they don’t come from the heart of love. A true love for God and others. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” The golden rule, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” is the heart of true worship.From a heart that loves God will come the uplifting voices of praise to Him. It is good to praise Him morning, day and night with our voices. He loves the worship of his people when they come together collectively to worship HIm. Let our voices be heard, but more importantly, let our lives worship Him in the beauty of living holy and blameless in Him.

Obey God, Not Men

 Act 5:29
…We ought to obey God rather than men.
The laws of our land are slowly shifting away from the moral laws of God. Christians in America are facing challenges that they never had to deal with in the past. A nation that once honored the Bible and the Ten Commandment has turned its back on God and what is morally right. The laws of marriage between same genders is not only accepted, but it is to be celebrated. Anyone who speaks against such lifestyles is condemned as a bigot and hate monger. We are living in the days of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah, every man doing that which seems right in their own eyes, refusing to obey God, and the moral law He has given to man. The world is attempting to silence the church and the teachings of Jesus. They only take from the word what is pleasing to them and fits their ideology and philosophy of life. God is love, and we as Christians need to love others by showing God’s love to others and sharing God’s grace. But it is an injustice to others and their eternal soul not to preach the whole counsel of God. Paul obeyed God when he penned the words to abstain the appearance of evil, putting off sin and all that is unholy. We have a message of deliverance from sin, and a lifestyle that loves and gives. Let us continue to share Christ to others, and to obey God rather than men.

Put On

 Col 3:12,14
 Put on therefore…mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Putting something on is an intentional action. It is a knowing act of choice. It is not governed by feeling or intimidation. We may put on a front to impress or deceive, and this also is done by choice. We often “Put on” because it is the right thing to do, and not necessarily the most expedient or convenient thing to do. Showing kindness and giving mercy is done with purpose. Patience and longsuffering is normally not an innate response when confronted with trials and difficult situations. We make a deliberate decision to be what God wants us to be. With the choice of doing what is good and kind, asking the Holy Spirit to empower you and work through you to be more like Jesus. Putting on is not acting or pretending, it is choosing to imitate what Christ would do. “What would Jesus Do?” is still a good question to ask before we act or react.

Show Kindness

 Ruth 2:20

 …Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead…

Showing kindness is one of God’s many attributes of who He is. As children of God, it is only natural that we do the same. Boaz saw a widow and daughter in need of extra help, and made sure that they were taken care of. In his case, such kindness led to a close relationship with Ruth the Moabite. There are many applications that can be derived from this story, but it is evident that kindness is a sure take away. Moabites were enemies of the Israelites. Jesus teaches us to love your enemies. One of the core values of being a Christian is to love others, not just those who befriend you, but even those who despise you for what you believe. It was through this kindness shown by Boaz that Christ was born. God chose kindness to bring salvation. We live in a needing world, and many people are in need of love and respect. May you and I be the agent of kindness that brings more love in the world we live in.

Love Bears All Things

1 Corinth 13:7 (AMP)
Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
“All things” Hard to wrap our minds around the concept that in all things we are to love, believe, hope, and endure. The Amplified Bible adds commentary to “all things”. Life happens and both good things and bad things happen, regardless of the circumstances or situation, love is to bear it and believe that God has something good in store. We hold on believing that “all things will work together for good to them that love and trust God in faith. He desires to make us into His image. Things come into our lives to allow Christ to live through us, and this is "good". The temptation is to doubt God’s love and His power to work it out. The human tendency is to give up and withdraw into depression or even blame God for “all things”.  The love that God puts in our heart when Jesus comes into our lives is super natural, a stranger to human love. This love is the Holy Spirit that comes into our lives and gives us the power to manifest the fruits of God’s love in our circumstances. Love, without it, we will miss the mark.

Put On Love

Col 3:14

…In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Discord can happen between anyone who does not see things in the same way. Often conflict and division happens because of miscommunication or  someone’s actions that are perceived to be wrong or inappropriate. It is not always easy to just overlook things like this and act like everything is ok. Conflict in itself is not wrong, but allowing resentment and harvesting ill will toward others is not conducive to maintaining a close walk with God and seeking to be like Jesus. Paul recognized that we are human and our emotions can get the best of us. Putting on love is done with intentionality, in some cases it is an act of our will in spite of the circumstances. Love will seek resolution and unity. It will even work to love those who are our enemies and seek to destroy us. When love is put on between all involved it will be the perfect bond to keep us together in Christ.

Show Real Love

 Romans 12:9, 10
  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good...Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another,
Don’t pretend to love or try to act like you care when you really don’t. It is hypocritical to say you love someone, then treat them unkindly. Stay away from anything that is bad, hold tightly to everything that is good. Put others before your wants and needs, show others what love is really about by being kind, go the extra mile to show your love. Be an extension of Christ and let love reign in every part of your life.

Love Others

 Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

If you love God, you will want to keep His commandments. If you love others, you are going to treat them with respect and kindness, forsaking your own wants and preferring one another. On this, hangs all of God’s law. How is this possible? We are born in sin, and the carnal nature rules our flesh. Sin has dominion and the focus is taking care of number one, “me”. All is made possible through Christ. We who have given their lives to Him have been grafted onto the Vine. Through Christ, we can do all things. There is nothing impossible to Him who believes and looks to Him for love and grace. True and selfless love comes from God. There are those who may give for humanitarian reasons, but a Christian gives to show the love of Christ. This is what it means to live in Christ, and Christ in me.

In My Old Age

 Titus 2:2

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience

How ironic that on my 62nd birthday this scripture was highlighted in verse of the day in Gateway. I often don’t read the scripture of the day, but did today. I don't know if I am considered to be an “aged man”, but I am no longer a young man in my prime. With age comes experience, and with experience hopefully some wisdom. Learning from successes and failures, we learn that it is often best to wait and see how God is moving, staying steadfast in our faith that God is in control. He orders the steps of a good man and keeps him in the way of righteousness. The influence of our life trickles down to our children and grandchildren. The impact we make may never be known in our lifetime, but let it be said of me that my faith was sound, and that I demonstrated love and patience towards others.

Brotherly Love

Hebrews 13:1.2  Let brotherly love continue…Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Showing love is a continuous act of kindness. The measure of our love is not determine by how many good deeds we have done, but by the spirit in which we show it. Love is an attribute that never stops flowing, and yes, it is manifested in our words and deeds, but its true essence is born in the heart and makes its way out through actions and reactions. Showing love goes beyond the circle of our family and close friends, it crosses the boundaries of those who are close to us and reaches to everyone we come into contact. May our love reach beyond our comfort zone and entertain even those we don’t know.