Which Light?

"Who among you fears the LORD

and obeys the word of his servant?

Let the one who walks in the dark,

who has no light,

trust in the name of the LORD

and rely on their God.

But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

You will lie down in torment."

Isaiah 50:10-11

It's dark.  When it's dark, I'm desperate for light, any light, even if it's only a flashlight or a candle.  My eyes crave the light.

Similarly, when the world is dark, cruel and morally bankrupt, I look for any sign of goodness, of understanding, civility, kindness.  My eyes long to see something decent, some insight and discernment to light my way.  If its not the true Light I seek, however, I'll be sorry.

The Way.  It's a pretty exclusive lifestyle.  In fact, few find the secluded little gate hidden among the vines that opens the way to life.  Nearby is a well-traveled, smooth road that gets much more attention, is highlighted on the evening news and acclaimed as the best route to take.  Many choose its even surface, enjoying the camaraderie and comfort that comes from being part of the crowd, wondering why there's reason to go anywhere else.  There are warning signs, people calling out to the travelers, "Change your course now, before it's too late.  Danger is coming!  Hellfire awaits!"  Yet I look around and no one seems worried, the birds are singing and my comrades continue plodding along so I push the nagging message out of my head.  Surely such a popular, nice path can't be all that bad, I reassure myself (Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus said He is the only way to heaven, the only gateway to find eternal life, the sole source of truth, the lone route that leads to the everlasting destination that is free of pain and sorrow and lit by the glory of God (John 14:6, John 10:7, Revelation 21:4, 23).  Furthermore, if I want to find meaning and fulfillment in the here and now, I must fulfill my purpose to honor God in all I do as I live in relationship with Him, like a child to a Father (John 10:10, Isaiah 43:7).  And the only way to do so is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

Own Light.  Sometimes it's hard to follow Jesus.  I must give up my own destructive, harmful habits that are so familiar to me.  I must deny myself, seeking to live for God's purposes instead of my own (Matthew 16:24).  I must undergo lifelong transformation which is often a painful process as the cancer of sin is rooted out and replaced with that which reflects the true Light (Romans 12:2). 

Since this pilgrim life is so contrary to my own idea of what the rich, satisfying life should be, I am tempted to come up with my own philosophy of living, taking a bit of Biblical truth and sprinkling in pop-psychology and widely-held principles that sound good to my itching ears.  Then I hear a popular preacher spreading the same half-truths and I hungrily take it in, comforted by the thought that my ideas must be right (2 Timothy 4:3).  I feel relieved with this new god and religion that is more palatable and empowering to help me succeed in reaching my goals.  Gone are all those uncomfortable convictions that kept me up at night.  The problem is, I'm following the wrong light, even though it seems so good.

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

Torment.  There is no way to get around it.  No matter who I claim to follow, the fruit I produce tells the real story.  I reap what I sow (Galatians 6:7-8).  If I live according to what makes me happy, brings me contentment at least for the moment, gives me satisfaction and pleasure, I'll produce fruit in line with my flesh.  Lust will rule my heart, hostility will often rear its ugly head, jealousy will frequently seep in and ambition that only furthers my own dreams and aspirations will drive my days.  Not only will my life be filled with anguish, but I will be shocked to learn I am left out of God's kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21).

If I instead set aside my own desires and am sensitive to God's indwelling Spirit, going where He leads me, saying the words He gives me, cooperating with Him as He changes my heart so that the things I want line up more closely with His desires, I'll produce godly fruit.  Apart from any effort of my own I'll discover His love welling up inside, a joy that cannot be quenched, faithfulness toward God and His purposes, gentleness in my dealings with others (Galatians 5:22-23).  Once I get out of the way, God produces in me that which honors Him and lasts forever, making an eternal impact on the world around me (John 15:5).  Not only will my life be filled with treasures untold, but I will be grateful to realize I have an eternity in His presence to which I can look forward!

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

There are choices to make as I live in the darkness.  Since I crave light, I am tempted to create my own.  When I do, I miss out on the true Light of Jesus who serves as the only way to a rich, meaningful life that lasts forever and I set myself up for torment that extends into eternity.  When I wonder which light to follow, the choice that leads to life is the Light that is Jesus Christ.  May I dedicate my days to Him and Him alone!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can only have eyes for Jesus, the Light of the world.

When do I create my own light to follow, one that seems similar to the true Light?

How am I at risk of straying away from Jesus?  

Inflexibile

"The words of the wise are like goads,

their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--

given by one Shepherd.

Be warned, my son,

of anything in addition to them."

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12

God's Word, His standard, is firm.  Either I adjust my line of thinking, my values, my way of living to line up with His, or I stubbornly insist on my own, placing myself in opposition to God.  He will not transform to meet my beliefs or desires, or to change with the times.

God's Word is infallible and immutable; if I try to alter it to justify my actions or ease my conscience I'll find it impossible as His Word is firmly rooted in placed.  In addition, the wisdom found there will prod me on in my walk with Christ, teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) while separating what thoughts and attitudes belong and which don't (Hebrews 4:12).  Yes, the wisdom from God is quite inflexible.  What does this mean for me?

One Author.  Sheep generally respond only to their own shepherd's voice.  They also submit to his discipline, instinctively knowing he is there for their protection and has their best interests at heart.  Therefore, when he pulls out the goad, that pointy stick to prod them on, they respond not just because it's sharp point hurts their skin, but because they are under his authority.

Likewise, I am a sheep who is under the authority of my Shepherd (John 10:11-16).  He is the only One who created the standard for my life, and only through Jesus do I find forgiveness for my offenses against His criterion (Ephesians 1:7).  When I try to accept other teachings that sound good to me and ease my conscience, I am straying from my Shepherd's intention for my life, from His best for me.  This is quite an offense to my Creator and my Redeemer.  Therefore, any wisdom or beliefs that don't line up with His must be tossed away as rubbish.

The only beliefs I must pay attention to are the ones that come from my Shepherd.

Judge.  In this day and age of relativism, I am always hearing the phrase, "Don't judge."  While it's true I must refrain from questioning a godly activity, lifestyle or decision a brother or sister has embraced or made, it is vital that I judge the actions of others as a way of discerning what is godly and what is not (Matthew 7:3-6).  

The act of assessing that one's actions do not line up with scripture is a part of living in community with others (Galatians 6:1).  God may prompt me to gently restore a fellow believer who has strayed, or my judgement may lead me to share the Gospel with the lost as I observe the lifestyle that can only be kept by the unbeliever.  Either way, it is vital that I discern which behavior is as a result of keeping in step with God's Spirit, and which is because one is doing what comes naturally (Galatians 5:19-23), not so I can lord it over anyone.  Rather, so I can either tenderly bring a wanderer back or boldly reveal the Way of life to the lost.

The only judging I take part in is the discernment that reveals the need so I can point the offender to Christ.

Fruit.  There is an overload of information available at my fingertips.  When I am curious about something, I can search for the answers I need.  If I need more insight, I can look up word meanings or find the root of it's use.  When I want to understand another's beliefs, a plethora of background information is available to help me delve into their point of view.

As I study, I have noticed different responses within myself to different sources.  When I dive deep into God's Word I gain insight into how to apply certain passages to my own life and find peace as I adjust to God's best for me.  Other times I experience relief as I discover that destructive habits contrary to God's intentions were the source of some of the pain in my life.  There is much good that comes from studying the Bible.  

On the other hand, when I learn about Metaphysical Humanism or Buddhism or other worldviews that stray from God's wisdom, I feel a confusion and weariness as I try to comprehend such beliefs.  In addition, I often am overwhelmed when faced with such knowledge that is in stark contrast to God's.  The outcome of or response to my research indicates from where the knowledge comes.  

As I study, the fruit of my studies often reveals the source.

While the world tells me the times are changing and I need to adjust accordingly, God does not take this same approach.  Instead, His wisdom as found in the Bible is firmly set.  When I accept His Word as the one standard by which all mankind will be judged, I realize the deep need each of us has for a Savior who can deliver us from such condemnation and offer us forgiveness instead.  As I step into His grace, then, I must agree that His way is the only way so that I'll reject any other beliefs, be ready to judge that which does not come from His Spirit, and be sensitive to the fruit that comes from my studies as an indication of it's source.  When I do, I'm acknowledging how inflexible God's Word is, and adjust accordingly.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remain flexible in my beliefs, open to God's teaching throughout my life.

When do I refuse to let go of old beliefs that don't line up with God's?

How am I afraid to judge the actions of another, denying them the saving grace they need through Christ?

Love Warns

"We give thanks to you, O God;

we give thanks, for your name is near.

We recount your wondrous deeds.

'At the set time that I appoint

I will judge with equity.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,

it is I who keep steady its pillars."

Psalm 75:1-3

It is coming.  Whether I want it or not, judgement is coming.  Even if the world is not ready, the time will come when each must stand before the Lord and give an accounting of choices made, words uttered, lives lived (Romans 14:12).  

With such a sober inevitability as this, to be judged by a just Judge, it is time to warn others.  True love does not stand by and let people continue living as if there will be no consequences for their sin (1 Corinthians 13:6).  God's brand of love warns others of the judgment that is to come.  As Jesus demonstrated, love says, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." (Matthew 4:17 NLT)

Love does not stand by quietly, but love warns.

Promotion.  It's hard to be a writer and not be ambitious.  In order to get the word out about what I write, I must promote.  The world says to extol my own virtues and pump myself up, while God wants me to let Him do the lifting.  Only God can give success and without His favor, there will be no measure of achievement.  It's a lesson I am learning, slowly.

The world sends a message that is contrary to God's best for me.  It says that I must go after what I want if I am to reach my goals and live a meaningful life.  God meant it to be different than this.  He doesn't want me focused on me and what I want, but on Him and what He wants.  When it's all about my life, my goals, my purpose, I am naturally quite self-centered and will never feeling content with whatever level I reach.  Why?  Because nothing is ever enough.  

Only God can satisfy my deepest desires, and only He can bring fulfillment to my searching heart.  Even if I became the most popular writer in the world, it would not mean a thing apart from God.  He is the treasure I run after.

Love warns of the emptiness in running after selfish dreams that lead to self-promotion.  Only God can promote.

Placement.  I tend to want to put prideful, haughty people in their place, taking them down a few notches when they spout their arrogant words.  It bugs me when someone acts as if they are so good that they can tell everyone what to do, as if they know what is best for me or anyone else.  The trouble with my attempts at chastening another is that sometimes I am that prideful, haughty person.  It is true; only God can humble a man (Daniel 4:37).

It comes naturally to my flesh for my feathers to be ruffled.  When I try to take matters into my own hands and attempt to put someone in the place I think they need to be, I am forgetting that God is the only One who knows what it takes for each person to be humbled.  For some, it is an illness.  For others, it is the loss of a job or position of importance.  For a few, it is a broken marriage or other relationship.  Whatever it takes, God will do it in order to reconcile them to Himself.

Love warns of the reality that God is in the business of reconciliation, and sometimes that comes through the rude and harsh wake-up calls of life.

Justice.  It will be perfect and just.  There will be no question it is what is owed.  It may seem harsh or too strict, but only God is righteous.  Judgement is coming.

Nothing will get past God.  He will not look the other way when it comes to all the ways of man that offend Him.  Only the blood of Jesus will cover sins and provide a measure of protection against His righteous wrath.  God's love does not allow for man to come to the judgment seat unaware.  He wants all to be saved from the serious consequences of sin (1 Timothy 2:4).  How will they know the truth of what is to come if they are not told (1 Peter 4:5-6, 2 Timothy 4:1-5)?  

Love warns of the coming judgment, and that it is perfectly just and true with no means of escape save one:  Jesus Christ!

Our only hope is Jesus.  The world must be told.  If they are never warned, they will face the harsh reality of a judgement before the Just Judge that will bring eternal consequences to bear.  Love does not let any go forth unaware, but desires that everyone know the truth of the Gospel and be given a chance to repent so as to escape the death sentence all sin demands.  Love does not idly stand by and let people live a life of selfish ambition in ignorance of God's attempt at reconciliation or of their eternal demise.  Love warns!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop using love as an excuse to not address the sin problem in this world and instead discover the boldness of God's brand of love to warn others of what is to come.

How am I idly sitting by while people all around me are destined for eternal suffering?

When is my fear of offending someone keeping me from saving them from something much worse than hurt feelings?