Poisonous Root

"Make sure there is no man or woman,

clan or tribe among you today

whose heart turns away from the LORD our God

to go and worship the gods of those nations;

make sure there is no root among you that produces

such bitter poison.

When such a person hears the words of this oath

and they invoke a blessing on themselves,

thinking, 'I will be safe,

even though I persist in going my own way,'

they will bring disaster on the watered land

as well as the dry."

It seems harsh.  The heart of God is relationship, so when sin damages a bond between members of the body of Christ, I am to lovingly pursue reconciliation.  The process laid out in Matthew 18:15-20 requires community involvement.  There is always the risk that my thinking is selfish so if I seek the godly counsel of others and they agree, I avoid the risk of pursuing my own agenda.  There is also the risk that I form a mob to come against my brother or sister so my heart must be bent on reconciliation, not retribution or revenge. 

If all the required steps have been taken and still there is no agreement, then the offending child of God must be treated as an outsider, removed from the fellowship of His people.  Why would God require such action when He is a God who goes after the lost sheep?

The answer is found in today's passage.  While God is merciful and gracious, He is also holy.  His concern is for the sanctity of His people and He knows how easy it is for us to go astray.  We, like sheep, tend to wander, especially if those around us are compromising  (Isaiah 53:6).  Consequently, God warned His people in today's passage of the prideful heart that thinks he's safe even in his disobedience and defiance.  This line of thinking pollutes the holiness of God's people and puts the whole Body at risk of turning away from the Lord and His ways.

What poisonous root do I tolerate in my life?

Sin

A mistake.

A misstep.

A blunder.

An error.

It's easy to minimize sin, labeling it as something other than what it is: defiance toward holy God and His holy ways.  I often do this when I don't want to face the facts.  Sin is destructive and dangerous.  When I allow an area of sin to remain in my life, I am putting my own desires above God's.  I am placing my own pleasure higher than God's plan for my life.  I am making a mockery of the sacrifice Jesus became on the cross.

When I downplay the sin of which God has convicted my heart, it is as if I am spitting in the face of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He bore the wrath of His Father, an unimaginable nightmare of the worst kind, to conquer sin for His people.  Why should I then invite it in, growing comfortable with the very thing that requires death as a punishment?

If I am to remove such a poisonous root in my own life, I must be careful to not tolerate sin.  When God opens my eyes to my tendency to gossip, for example, and I sense His gentle nudge as I begin to share with a friend a tasty morsel disguised as a prayer update, I would be wise to stop the flow of words immediately.  

Or if God reveals my issue with fudging the truth to avoid conflict and I'm on the verge of using the destructive tactic once again, I would be wise to instead speak the truth in love, pointing all involved in the disagreement to the common ground of the Gospel (Ephesians 4:15).

Or for the time when God makes clear my inclination to indulge in worldly entertainment that dishonors His holy name and desensitizes my heart, I would be wise to take every step necessary to avoid such temptations.

I am at risk of cultivating a poisonous root that could infect the Body of Christ when I become comfortable with sin in my life.

Self-Sufficiency

When my daughters were young, my goal for them was that they would become self-sufficient and independent.  I envisioned them going out into the world and earning success in whatever field they pursued.  As they grew, however, my relationship with God matured and I learned more about Him and His ways.  

Soon I discovered that He doesn't want me to rely on my own strength at all, nor does He care for me to go after selfish pursuits.  Instead, His desire is for me to be dependent upon Him for all my needs and to pursue righteousness and His kingdom. Boy, did I have it backwards (Matthew 6:33, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)!

I live in a world that preaches self-sufficiency.  I am bombarded with messages that tell me to overcome, that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and that I can pull myself up by my own bootstraps.  Basically, I'm told that I have what it takes inside of me to reach the stars.

In reality, there is nothing good within me and relying on myself is kind of like the blind leading the blind.  If I really want to succeed in life, then, I will need to seek God with all of my heart, waiting on Him and His provision (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Isaiah 40:31). He holds the key to unlock the blueprint for my life, so I will never find a sense of purpose until I come into a relationship with Him, letting Him take the lead.

That means I will need to diligently turn away from my own desire to be the master of my own destiny and turn toward my true Master. I will need to fight the urge to make things happen and instead wait on His perfect timing. I will need to stop looking for escape routes and solutions and start fixing my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I am at risk of cultivating a poisonous root that could infect the Body of Christ when I rely on my own strength and understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Sense

I ignored the advice offered by several godly people because it didn't make sense to me.  After a couple of years, a friend spoke the same wisdom but this time I paid attention because she also provided additional enlightenment.  I never recognized the value of the advice until it made sense to me.

I struggle with obeying without understanding.  If something doesn't make sense to me, I tend to balk.  This is a problem when it comes to my relationship with God.  I'm kind of like the African impala who has an innate ability to jump great heights, but only if it can see where his feet will land.  If I only do what makes sense to me, I miss out on many of the blessings that come with obeying a God whose ways are unfathomable (Isaiah 55:8-9).

It takes faith to blindly go where God is leading.  In fact, I would even say this is the definition of faith; stepping forward without knowing where the path will lead me. Hebrews 11:1 gives a great description of faith.  "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" (NLT).

To boldly follow God's lead when He calls me to take a risk means I must believe He knows what He's doing even when I can't see a foot in front of me.  Other times He may inspire me to go beyond my own natural abilities, volunteering for a job that is outside my normal parameters. Then there are the times when He sends a hailstorm of trials and tribulations, challenging me to trust Him to guide me through the onslaught.

I am at risk of cultivating a poisonous root that could infect the Body of Christ when I limit my faith to only what I understand.

Poison is deadly and ruthless, infecting all who come in contact.  When I become comfortable with sin, take on an attitude of self-sufficiency and rely on my own common sense, I am allowing a poisonous root to take hold in my heart.  When I do so, I am placing the Body of Christ at risk.  Therefore, it is in my own best interest as well as that of my brothers and sisters that I guard against such corruption.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my heart open to God, allowing Him to examine every nook and cranny.

When do I stubbornly refuse to turn away from sin?

How am I relying on my own common sense instead of trusting in God's higher ways?



Originally published on February 12, 2014

God's Wonderful Grace

"So just as sin ruled over all people

and brought them to death,

now God's wonderful grace rules instead,

giving us right standing with God

and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 4:21 NLT

What is it that burdens you?  Guilt over past failures and reckless living?  Bondage to harmful habits?  Imperfections that plague you?  Frustration over your inability to do the right thing?  Physical infirmities?  Selfishness?  Addictions to drugs, alcohol, food, work, exercise or anything else?  Lust?  Do you feel you can never be free, that your particular brand of sin or the horrible consequences of living in a broken world is what defines you?  A diabetic, a divorcee, an adulterer, a liar, a failure, an addict, a sinner?

Let me introduce you to grace: God's wonderful grace that sets you free from such heavy loads (Matthew 11:28-30).  How can you be a recipient of such a gift?  By turning away from all these futile ways of living that leave us empty and turning toward the Savior, the One who took our sin upon Himself, dying on the cross in order to satisfy the justice of a righteous and holy God (Romans 3:21-28).  As He gave His life, the penalty for our sin was paid and those who believe are made right with God.  No longer does our sin condemn us (Romans 8:1-4, John 3:18).  We live as those who are free.  And when Jesus sets one free, he is free indeed (John 8:34-36)!

Don't wait another day.  Find the liberty that is found in God's wonderful grace.  In the quiet of your heart submit your life to Him through repentance and faith in Jesus and discover how to approach the One who loves you perfectly as a flawless child, and receive all the grace and mercy you could ever need (Hebrews 4:16)!

In Christ you are a new creation, and in His grace you are free of the old you (2 Corinthians 5:17).  It's time to begin your life anew; your life in the wonderful grace of God!  

Salvation that is in Vain

"Oh grant us help against the foe,

for vain is the salvation of man!"

Psalm 108:12 ESV

Humans are all around me and seem like the obvious choice to turn to for help.  I can see them, and many claim to possess the answers I need.  There are reasons, however, why this choice to turn to man is foolish.  Looking to a mere mortal for help is a worthless practice.

Busted.  Man has been found out.  The fallibility of humankind is evident.  No matter how much anyone claims to have all the answers, we, as a people, are busted and can't be trusted.  Humans have this problem that makes our line of thinking faulty, that skews our perspective, thus leaving any answers we come up with as filled with errors.  The issue common to every man, woman and child who ever lived?  Sin (Romans 3:23, Ecclesiastes 7:20).

My sin nature makes it impossible for me, or any other human, to give reliable advice 100% of the time.  The help I give or receive from others is always tainted by this fleshly imperfection.  While we may mean well, we just can't be trusted to know the best way to handle every situation, the escape route from trouble, or the purpose for pain.  As the psalmist wisely pointed out, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust man." (Psalm 118:8)

Even though man may have good intentions, it is foolish to turn to people for help.  When I don't know what to do, only God holds the road map for my life (James 1:5-7, Jeremiah 29:11).  When I feel everything is going wrong, only God sees the big picture and can show me how He's at work in my heart through the trouble (Psalm 46:1).  When I'm in despair, only God can give me hope for my future (Jeremiah 29:11).

God is perfect and 100% trustworthy, making Him my go-to Source for help.

Limited.  Man is created.  Everything I have is given to me from the Lord.  There is nothing I am, no feat I have achieved, no goal reached that is not enabled by Him, the Source of all good things.  I only have what I've been allowed to possess.

Since people are limited in what can be done, how much can be understood, and in point-of-view, help from man will reflect our finite nature (Psalm 146:3-4).  Due to the fact that my life is temporary, that I am only here for a season, any assistance I give or receive from others will be based on our limited scope that only takes the here and now into account.  While I may think myself wise, my wisdom is considered as foolish in the heavenlies (1 Corinthians 3:19).  Even though a powerful position may promise certain advantages in gaining assistance, it is limited at best and won't be able to deliver.

God is eternal, constant, and all powerful, making Him my unlimited Source for help.

No Authority.  I may feel secure if I have the assurance from a seat of power.  It may seem I'm immune from trouble if the leader give his promise of help.  If I call to the movers and shakers of my community in an appeal for help, I may feel on solid footing.  Unfortunately, any assistance they can give is in vain in the face of a sovereign God.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, standing silent regarding His accuser's claims, Pilate tried to understand why this prisoner would not defend Himself, frustrated that Jesus didn't seem to recognize his authority to condemn or grant pardon.  Jesus finally said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were give to you from above." (John 19:11a)

No matter how things seem, man just doesn't have the authority to help in the way I need.  Only God can grant freedom from the punishment I deserve through faith in Christ.  Only God can empower me to live as I was meant to live in relationship with Him.  Only God can propel me forward through the valley of the shadow of death as I walk with Him.  Man has no ability to do such wonders for me.

God is righteous and holy, making Him my only salvation.

It's easy to turn to man for help.  I am constantly bombarded with claims of relief, support or assistance that comes from man. Turning to people for salvation, however, is a practice that is in vain.   It is only God who is able to give trustworthy, consistent help.  He is my only hope and His salvation is not in vain!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to deliver me from trouble.

When do I look for help in what I see, instead of in the unseen?

How am I drawn to the temporary fix of man?

   

Fatherly Compassion

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:10-14

A good father is sensitive to the relationship he shares with his child.  It is his desire to train and discipline, but always with the intention of preserving the bond.  Too hard and the connection will be broken under the strain.  Too soft and the respect weakens.  God shows such fatherly compassion to me as His child.

Sin.  I could be a big disappointment to God.  After all, He made me for relationship with Him yet I fail to live life the way He created me to live (Romans 3:23).  I often go my own way, stubbornly refusing His advances and willfully attempt life on my own, under my terms with the goal of pleasing myself.  

Still, His love preserved the bond between He and I by designing a plan for redemption (Titus 2:14).  Out of His love for me and a desire to protect the Father/child relationship, He offered His own Son as a sacrifice to atone for my sins (Romans 5:8).  Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, my sins have been forgiven, removed from me as if I were Jesus, the One without sin (John 3:16-17, Isaiah 1:18).

Therefore, when my Father looks upon me, the wrath is gone, the disappointment doesn't exist, there is no disgust in my choices.  Instead, all that remains is love, and it is the greatest of all powers (1 Corinthians 13:13)!

God shows His fatherly compassion by loving me enough to give His own Son in order to preserve our relationship.

Comfort.  The news was difficult.  To hear he would never drive again, that his freedom had been snatched away, a piece of his identity destroyed was the worst news of his hard life.  How could he bear the thought of never getting out on his motorcycle to enjoy the scenery along the open road?  There was nothing the daughter could say to her dad to give him comfort.  Instead, she relied upon the Father of compassion to do the consoling (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

No one can comfort like our Father can.  He knows exactly what each of us needs to hear, and He has His ways of giving just what each of His children need in order to encourage, uplift, and give a hopeful outlook.  

When all seems lost, His supernatural compassion soothes my aching heart, binding up my wounds and setting the hurts to healing.  When the pain is so great, He mysteriously brings relief and shows me a glimpse of His heart for me.  When I feel I cannot carry on, He strengthens my resolve and gives me a fresh outlook on life.  

God shows His fatherly compassion by comforting me in ways only possible for Him as my Father.

Sanctification.  He loves me too much to leave me as I am.  It is God's desire as my Father to grow me in grace, to purify me for His purposes, to lead me through a life-long process that chisels away more and more of me to make way for more and more of Him.  It is His desire that I resemble His Son when the process is complete (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2).

Therefore, as a daughter of a compassionate Father such as this, I can expect to be molded through difficult experiences, shaped into Christ-likeness through the hard things I endure in faith, formed into the Jesus model by every life-moment (Romans 8:29).  Nothing is wasted in God's kingdom, for He uses it all to transform me into the woman I'm meant to be.

God shows His fatherly compassion by walking me through the life-long sanctification process that ends at the glory of His Son.

Many of us do not know what good fathering looks like, but as we grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father, we learn what it means to have a good Father.  He preserves my relationship through His plan of redemption, comforting me as only He can, and takes me through a life-long process of sanctification.  In these ways, I experience fatherly compassion at its best!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough as my Father to let Him comfort me when things are hard.

When do I attempt to live my own life instead of cooperating with the sanctification process my Father loves me enough to walk me through?

How do I live as if my sin defines me instead of living as the one who has been set free? 

Laugh in the Face of Fear!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Alzheimer's and dementia threatens to develop.  Cancer looms.  Heart disease strikes all around.  Strokes render loved ones helpless.  Governments topple.  Wars break out.  Terrorists attack.  Unrest continues.  Anger provokes violence.  Injustice rises.  

There is much to fear in this world.  Because of who God is, however, I can laugh in it's face!

Light.  The darkness pressed in around me, palpable in it's completeness.  My eyes strained to pick up some kind of image, but none was to be seen.  The blackness in the cave was absolute, and I had rarely felt such fear.  What if we can't find our way back out?  Will we be doomed to die down here under the earth?  Then the tour guide ended my panic with the flick of a switch and light again flooded the cavern.

Light in the darkness brings comfort and security, especially when you're almost a mile under the earth in a deep cave.  While I rejoiced when the light turned back on during that tour, the beam of a few 100-watt bulbs cannot compare to the Light that comes from the Lord.  

When my life seems filled with evil and gloom, Jesus delivers hope for something better.  When everything is swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and I don't know what to do, Jesus stands firm in the storm, giving strong guidance and grounding me in truth.  When the unknown lurks like a terrifying monster in my future, Jesus is already there, completely aware and in control of all that is to come.

While it is easy to fear all that I face, I need not be afraid for Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:4-5).

Salvation.  She couldn't help herself.  The bottom of the pool was suddenly out of her reach and she realized she was in over her head.  She began to panic as her feet no longer felt the hard, welcoming surface.  Suddenly, a strong arm reached in, pulling her back to the shallows.  The girl was saved by an alert swimmer.

In the same way that this youngster could not save herself, I am incapable of getting myself out of the deadly bind to which my sin has fated me.  I am doomed to die as punishment for all the ways I've failed (Romans 6:23).  Suddenly, a Lifesaver reaches in and plucks me from my destiny of death, giving me a chance at life eternal.  Jesus died so that I could live (John 3:16).

Even more, Jesus rescues me from a shallow existence devoid of meaning and purpose (John 10:10).  I'm told I am nothing more than an accident, a mistake who happened to land here in this place and time.  Then Jesus enlightens me to the truth: I was made on purpose for a purpose by a God of purpose (Ephesians 2:10).  Significance is born.

As if that weren't enough, He did more.  My flesh desires nothing more than to live for me, meet my own needs and desires, and run after what will please myself.  Then Jesus gives me a power I never knew before and a transformation takes place.  As I'm molded into a new creature, the old things fade away as new desires form.  Sin is no longer the ruler of my life as a new King takes His throne (Romans 6:14).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus rescues me from such a dismal certainty.

Stronghold.  I could see no way out.  There was danger all around yet no path on which to escape.  I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy.  As I realized by fate in this cyber war, I accepted death as the soldiers descended upon me.  My turn was up as I let someone else play the game. 

While life is not like a video game, there are situations when I may feel just as hopeless.  The Enemy of my soul is out to get me, giving me grief every time I turn around.  Yet Jesus has given me the upper hand at the mention of His name.  I am not without defense, being outfitted with a mighty Sword as I wield the weapon of God's Word boldly, dealing deadly blows as I submit to the Truth (Ephesians 6:17).

Other times the evil all around me seems to close in like a deadly wave of attacks.  It looks like the darkness is winning, ready to overtake all the good and overwhelm what is left of the noble and virtuous.  But Jesus has overcome, claiming victory in the battle of good versus evil (John 16:33).

Then comes temptation, rising up when I least expect it, crushing any pretense I have of self-control.  But Jesus offers a way out, and I gratefully escape from the heavy pull of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus has conquered every danger in my life, standing as a stronghold that cannot be penetrated.

Yes, danger is lurking around every corner, giving me many reasons to fear as I live this life.  But Jesus offers relief from such distress, shedding Light, offering salvation, and serving as a stronghold of victory.  Because of Jesus, I can laugh in the face of fear! 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept all that He is offering me through Jesus Christ.

When do I attempt to give myself a meaningful life when Jesus has already died to deliver such bounty?

How am I walking in darkness because the Light seems out of my reach?  

  

Calvary's Triumph

Today's devotion is an excerpt from "52 Days of Grace," a daily devotional based on the book of Romans.  It is my hope this book will be a useful tool in helping you grow closer to God as you walk with Him.

Calvary’s Triumph

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
  ruin and misery mark their ways,
  and the way of peace they do not know.”
 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.  Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Romans 3:15-20

A few years ago I made a list on a poster of some of the laws found in the Old Testament.   I was  attempting to illustrate to a class of elementary and middle school students the futility of trying to earn my righteousness by following the rules God gave us to outline His high standards for living.  As we went down the list, we talked about whether or not we had completely obeyed that law 100% of the time, which is His expectation for us.  If we were honest with ourselves, we admitted we were utter failures in living our lives to God’s standard.  How hopeless we felt!   How powerless against our flesh and inability to do the right thing.

 

If that was the end of the story, we would all be without hope indeed.  But that is not the end, in fact that is only the beginning.  The law only exists to show us where we need a Savior to bridge the gap between our imperfection and God’s perfection, between our wretchedness and God’s holiness, between our inadequacy and God’s sufficiency.   And Jesus is that Savior! 

Preacher Larry McGuill spoke to the importance of putting our trust in Jesus, not in our own efforts of following the law.   He said, “It is the rightful heritage of every believer, even the newest in the family of faith, to be absolutely certain that eternal life is his present possession.  To look to self is to tremble.  To look to Calvary’s finished work is triumph.”

We can stand as victors in the battle Christ waged against sin on our behalf.   As recipients of this unspeakable gift of salvation, we are called to live as conquerors.  We are not called to try to be perfect in an effort to impress God and others with our righteousness.  Instead, we are called to submit ourselves to our Father’s will, knowing He has already accepted us as His children, made perfect by the blood of His Son.   The battle against the power of sin is already won!

Following the Law is Futile, Following the Savior offers Freedom

Have I trusted in Jesus as my Savior from the punishment of death my sins deserve?

As one who is saved by the blood of Jesus, have a made Him Lord of my life?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus to take my punishment for my sins so I can enjoy a relationship with You, a holy God.  As one who claims to follow You, I desire to walk more closely with You, seeking to please You in all my ways.  I ask for help in following Jesus in my daily walk.

I pray these things in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

To learn how to order a copy of "52 Days of Grace" for yourself, follow this link.  This daily devotional is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback.

Understand Your Badness

Today's reading comes from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.

Understand Your Badness

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.   But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.   For God does not show favoritism.”  (Romans 2:5-11)

We live in a world where who we know is more important than what we know.   Even a poorly qualified kid with a bad attitude and poor work ethic can get his foot in the door of virtually any corporation or organization with the right connections.   It is an attempt to fool Human Resources into thinking this individual would be an asset to their company, and the youngster may even believe that himself.

God is showing us in this passage how different His economy is to the world’s.  He judges us solely on our heart: our intentions, our attitudes or the direction we turn our face.  He knows whether we are seeking our own selfish desires or His.  He reads our hearts and identifies whether we follow Him or follow evil.  He takes a look at our attitudes and discerns if we have truly accepted the Truth or if we are following a lie.  We can’t bluff our way past God.

It is easy to read this passage and think, I’m not following evil.  Maybe I’m not fully committed to Jesus, but I’m not evil.  The scriptures tell us differently.  Either we are for Him, or against Him. (Matthew 12:30)  Either He is master, or something or someone else is. (Matthew 6:24) 

Consider the words of C.S. Lewis, author and 20^th Century Christian intellectual, “When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him.  When a man is getting worse, he understands his own badness less and less.”  Each time we rely on our own judgment of ourselves and our behavior instead of God’s, we are following evil. 

For example, when I justify the nasty tone when speaking to my husband with the thought that he deserved that because of how he hurt me this morning, I am setting my own standards and thus claiming to be my own god.  If instead I turn over those feelings of hurt to Jesus and ask Him to show me where I am wrong, I am submitting to His lordship.  He will accordingly give me His perspective which sheds light on my own faulty line of reasoning.  It is not about being perfect, but about wanting to please my Father more than I want to protect my own feelings.  It is about submitting myself to God and letting Him defend me instead of thinking I have to protect myself.  This attitude shows how much I trust God.

God isn’t impressed with our connections or credentials; we can’t fool Him.  He is pleased with a heart that is fully committed to Him and a willingness to see our sin for what it is.  There is no way to sugar-coat disobedience and rebellion in God’s Kingdom. 

My heart reveals my motives for which

God will hold me accountable.

How are you guilty of sugar-coating your sin, calling it a “mistake,” a “blunder” or an “oversight”?

Are you honest with God, or do you try to bluff your way through prayer, pretending to be something you’re not?

Do you believe that God can handle the truth about you, and that He will never forsake you because of the blood of Christ?  There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Heavenly Father,

I see Your goodness and I know Your standards, yet I try to pretend I’m something I’m not when I’m spending time with You. Thank You for the abundance of Your grace.   I ask Your help in dropping the pretenses and being honest and authentic in my relationship with You.  I know You love me with a love that will never end.  Help me to accept Your unconditional love.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

For more information on ordering your own copy of 52 Days of Grace, click on the image of the book below:

The Profile of a Pharisee

"While the Israelites were in the wilderness,

a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. . .

Then the LORD said to Moses,

'The man must die.

The whole assembly must stone him

outside the camp.'"

Numbers 15:32,35

His hand was useless, hanging limply by his side, unable to perform even the simplest of tasks.  Suddenly, Jesus was there.  "Stand up in front of everyone."  The man looked around.  Is He talking to me? the man wondered.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees were lurking in the shadows, watching Jesus intently, hoping He would heal the man so they could nail Him for working on the Sabbath.  Jesus, however, knew their thoughts and intentions.

"Which would be lawful; to do good or evil, to save life or to kill?"  No one knew what to say, but anger burned within the heart of the Healer as He surveyed their stubborn hearts.  "Stretch out your hand,"  Jesus said, and then He restored the man's hand to normal.  It was then that the Pharisees knew they must kill Jesus, and they plotted how they could do such a thing.  (Paraphrased from Mark 3:1-6)

Reading this Gospel account of the healing of a broken man, it's hard to understand why the Pharisees would be so zealous when it came to enforcing the Sabbath law.  In the context of the Old Testament passage found in today's reading, however, it's easy to see why they might have become so obsessed with this pursuit.  In their effort to protect people from the righteous wrath of God, the law grew to be more important than people.

I must be careful to avoid this same pitfall and myself become like the Pharisees in the way I think.  In an effort to uphold God's standard, I could end up missing the point.

Sin

The debate over homosexuality rages as followers of Jesus struggle to know how to handle such an affront to God's holiness.  While God is pretty clear about how He views this practice, believers don't agree on where to stand when it comes to the Gay community. (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Take a hard stand and ban practicing homosexuals from church as a way to honor God and His righteousness?  Let them worship side-by-side with others in an effort to show God's grace?  Welcome them wholeheartedly, even to the point of placing them in positions of leadership so as to demonstrate our shared sinful nature and how God can use anyone to accomplish His will?

While I'm not here to debate the issue of homosexuality in the Church, I do think this dilemma brings up a good point.  It is easy to get to the place where I am quick to condemn sin but slow to extend grace and let the truth of the Gospel convict another.

When Jesus was faced with a similar problem in the Jewish Temple, He handled it in a way that surprised everyone.  The Jewish leaders brought in a woman who was caught committing adultery, according to the Law.  As she stood before the group, these leaders said to Jesus, "Teacher, here is a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.  According to the Law of Moses, she must be stoned.  What do you say?"

Instead of responding, Jesus bent down and wrote in the dirt at their feet.  The men looked at each other, perplexed.  "Did you hear us?  What shall we do?  The Law is clear on this point!"  Slowly, Jesus stood up.  "Whoever is without sin can throw the first stone."  Then, He squatted down and again wrote in the dusty soil.

These pompous men lowered their heads.  The fight left their bodies and slowly, one by one, they dropped their stones and left, knowing that not one of them was completely innocent.  When all the accusers had left, Jesus stood and faced the woman.  "What, no one condemned you to death?"

"No one, sir."

"Then neither do I.  Go and leave your life of sin."

(paraphrased from John 8:3-11)

God did not send His precious Son down into this broken, darkened world to find us guilty.  Rather, He came to save us from the death penalty our sins earned. (John 3:17)  Therefore, I should likewise be in the business of loving people enough to share the Truth of the gospel in love, leaving the job of convicting to God.  The salvation of each individual person is what I must find important, not the kind of sin by which they are enslaved.

When I am quick to condemn sin but slow to extend grace, I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

Revenge

The Pharisee invited Jesus to dine in his home.  As He reclined at His host's table, a woman approached Jesus from behind, weeping deeply.  Jesus had changed her life as she listened to His teachings, encouraging her to turn from her sinful ways and walk on the path of life.  Her gratitude was deeply felt and she looked for a way to honor Him for what He had done in her heart.

She bent and, through the tears, kissed His feet, wiping them with her hair.  Then, she produced an alabaster jar of perfume with which she proceeded to anoint His feet.  Meanwhile, Simon, the host, looked on in disgust.  If this man whom I showed kindness to by inviting Him to my table really was a prophet, He would know what kind of a woman it was who made such a shameful display, he thought, clucking his tongue.

Knowing his thoughts, Jesus addressed His host.  "Simon, suppose there were two men who owed a certain lender some money.  One owed a year-and-a-half worth of wages, while the other owed about a months' worth.  Since neither had the means with which to pay him back, the lender forgave both the debts.  Who do you think would love him more?"

"Probably the one whose debt was larger,"  Simon replied.

"Exactly, "  Jesus replied. "Ever since I came to your home, this woman has washed my feet with her tears and liberally covered them with kisses while anointing me with perfume.  You, however, did not even extend the courtesy to wash my feet, give me a kiss of greeting or anoint my head with oil.  Her great love shows how her sins have been forgiven.  Whoever has been forgiven little, loves little."  (Paraphrased from Luke 7:36-50)

Simon was quick to want God's wrath to fall on this "sinful woman," believing in his heart that she was deserving of punishment.  He did not, however, understand the darkness of his own heart and thus his own need for forgiveness.  

There is no doubt that I live in a dark world where sin runs rampant and God and His ways are consistently trampled upon.  It is easy, then, for me to develop a callousness against those who are caught up in the trap of the devil, believing the lies that sound so good to their sin nature and who are living to please themselves. (2 Timothy 2:25-26) Instead, I must understand the heart of God and His desire for each of His children to turn from their wicked ways and be saved.  He is never slow to deliver judgement, but rather merciful.  (2 Peter 3:8-9)

When I am quick to call for God to unleash His fury against a sinful world, I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

Control

Jesus delivered the man who had been living in darkness since birth.  Once he could see, the Pharisees questioned him.  "How is it that you've been healed from your blindness?"

"The man they call Jesus put mud on my eyes and asked me to wash in the Pool of Siloam.  Once I did, I could see."

The Pharisees began to argue among each other, some claiming He could not be from God since He healed on the Sabbath, others acknowledging the miracle He performed.  They asked the former blind man what he thought.

"He must be a prophet."

These leaders questioned the parents and the man, trying to prove Jesus' guilt.  All they could conclude, however, was that a man once blind, now could see.  Still, they were determined to convict Jesus in some way.  When they later encountered Jesus, He told them they were the ones were truly suffered from blindness.  (paraphrased from John 9)

These Pharisees were convinced that they stood on the side of God, believing it was their job to convict those who opposed them.  Unfortunately, they had it backwards.  It was they who were guilty and completely oblivious to this fact.

I easily fall into the same trap, leading a crusade against what I judge as wrong yet completely blind to the ways I am fighting against God.  Instead of pointing the finger at others, then, I would be wise to pay more attention to the three fingers pointing back at me.  When I focus on submitting to God's leading in my life, I will be less likely to notice the sins of others.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs me to not depend on my own understanding or way of thinking, but to completely submit to God's will in every area of my life.  This means that when I come up against a godly teaching that doesn't make sense to me, I must go against my own thinking and embrace what God is showing me.  When I do this, He'll make it clear where to go from there.  If I don't, however, I'll end up going out on my own, against God.

When I am quick to follow my own lead, essentially rejecting God's,  I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

When I read about the Pharisees in the New Testament, it is clear how they oppose God and His ways.  I could never imagine acting in such a way, I tend to think.  In reality, however, I am always at risk of reverting to their way of thinking.  Therefore, I must value sinners above the need to condemn the sin, forgive liberally while resisting the urge to enact revenge on a dark world, and submit to God's leadership instead of insisting on doing what seems right to me.  In these ways, I'll guard against the tendency to live like a Pharisee.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can be sensitive to my sinful ways, thus realizing my need for God's mercy.

How do I focus more on the sins of others instead of my own?

When do I desire to take the lead against the sin around me instead of submitting to God's authority?