Experience Freedom

What can you afford to lose? What, if you lost it, would you not be upset about? What is the cost of it? What if you lost everything you own? How would you feel? How would you react? Would you be devastated?

Not many of us think about losing things. At least, not until something is lost. We don’t ponder what we would do if we were to lose something very expensive. We don’t want to think about the possibility of losing everything we own.

Losing something expensive can be tough. It is especially tough if we put things ahead of God. Changing our mindset about things is not easy. The world we live in puts values on every physical possession we have. Status comes with those possessions. Where we stand in the pecking order of this world is defined by what we have. Perhaps that is why so many people go in debt to buy expensive things.

It wasn’t until I had made a couple of mission trips to Romania that I finally understood how rich, materially, I was. Those trips also caused me to realize the possessions I had were not important. There were a handful of times I forgot to close my garage door when I went to work, or I forgot to lock the front door after having guests and never worried about it. If someone had stopped by and stole my big screen television, oh well. I would do without. It was no longer important to me. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but I had decided that God would work in my life with or without it. It is a different mindset than we have grown accustomed to in our culture. It is a freeing mindset.

Paul states that whatever he gained he considered a loss for Christ. He goes on to say that everything is a loss for Christ. His point is that knowing Jesus is worth everything. Anything that gets in the way of knowing Jesus is a loss for us, keeping us from knowing Him better. Our righteousness comes from God. We have none of our own. It is only through our faith that we gain any righteousness and what we gain is from God.

I pray we all change our mindset. I pray we decide none of our possessions are more important than God. I pray each one of us chooses to know Jesus and accept our righteousness from Him. Choose Jesus over possessions. Change your mindset. Accept righteousness from God. Hold on to your faith. Experience freedom.

Philippians 3:7-9 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

World vs Soul

What are you willing to sacrifice to climb the ladder of success? Are you willing to put family members to the side for the possibility of a promotion? Are you willing to give up your soul?

If we have been in the corporate world for several years, we have seen someone who has sacrificed a lot to climb the corporate ladder. We have seen families grow apart due to the number of hours per week spent apart. We have seen Dads or Moms who have missed their children’s events.

Many of these same people are sacrificing their souls. They are ignoring God and His plan. They have put the almighty dollar ahead of their eternal life. Have we become one of those people? It can creep up on us without our noticing it. It starts with putting in a few extra hours at work to complete a project. We see larger paychecks. We become addicted to the adrenaline rush of meeting a deadline. Or we become addicted to the comradery of working on a tough problem and the joy of completing it. It’s a slippery slope.

How do we overcome the addiction? As with any addition, we must first acknowledge it. We must become disciplined in spending time with God, including spending time with other Christians, typically on Sunday mornings. We must get our priorities straight.

Jesus poses a straightforward, yet dire question. It is one we likely don’t ask ourselves often enough. We get caught up in this world. We fail to step back to think about the larger picture of our lives. Our desire to succeed in this world overrides our concern for our souls.

Jesus desires us to spend eternity with Him. He knows the results of putting this world ahead of Him. He knows the destruction and torment that awaits us when we choose the world over Him. Our priority needs to be following Him rather than the world.

I pray we all choose Jesus over the world. I pray we take time to think about the larger picture of our lives. I pray each one of us will take up our cross and follow Jesus. Recognize your addiction. Discipline yourself to resist it. Choose Jesus. Follow His plan. Save your soul.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Honor Through Obedience

Today’s passage is lengthy, yet well worth the read. The lesson Jesus is teaching is one we should take to heart today. How many times do we put tradition above the commands of God? The better question is, how many times do we put our personal preferences above the commands of God? 

Are we giving lip service to God, while continuing to be self-serving? Do we put our pet projects above the command from Jesus to seek and save the lost? There is a lot of good work being done by a lot of people. Yet, sometimes, the good works get in the way of the best work.

Our first action is to honor God, not just with words, but with obedience. The greatest honor we can give anyone in a leadership role is to obey their commands. God is no different. Obeying Him is the first thing we must do to be a disciple of Jesus. In other words, obedience is the first cost to count when deciding to be a disciple.

There are many subordinate commands to the honor and obey command. We can list off several of them. Go, baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach what Jesus taught. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Love one another. Be humble. Accept God’s plan for our lives.

The list can grow lengthy. Yet, none of the list of things we can do are worth the paper and ink required to write them down, if we don’t first honor God and do all of those works in love. I sometimes imagine Jesus is sitting on His throne shaking His head and repeating over and over what we see in today’s passage.

I pray we all honor God first. I pray we commit ourselves to obedience of God’s commands. I pray each one of us puts God above tradition and perform all works in love. Put God first. Obey God’s commands. Do all works in love. Honor God in obedience rather than with lip service.

Matthew 15:2-9 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

their teachings are merely human rules.’”

Hard Truth

What is your reaction when you are told a truth you don’t want to hear? Do you grumble and complain about the speaker? Do you attempt to deny the truth you’ve just been told? Do you attempt to twist it to fit your preferences?

I dare say most of us don’t like to hear unpleasant truths. In fact, we have come to a point in our culture where people twist the truth to be whatever it is they want it to be. We accept “personal truths.” Those truths are most often merely wants or desires or preferences.

Despite what most would prefer, truth is not a want, preference, or desire of our own. This is especially true of the truths of God’s Word. His truth is fact we can deny only at our own peril. God’s truth has been revealed in His Word and will be proven at the end of days.

Our choice is to believe His truth and live or deny His truth and die. It is an either-or proposition. This is not a physical living or dying, but a spiritual living or dying choice. Unfortunately, far too many have chosen to deny a spiritual life exists. They have chosen to explain it away with science. This is not to say science doesn’t have its place. Yet, science does not explain the spirit nor how we obtain an eternal life with God.

Jesus clearly puts his disciples on notice in today’s passage. He lets them know in no uncertain terms that our life on earth means nothing when compared to eternal life with Him. Yet we prefer this life over eternal life. If we don’t think so, all we have to do is ask ourselves how much we think about God, how much we allow Him to guide our every moment and answer honestly to find it is true. It is a hard truth we don’t want to face.

I pray we all accept the hard truth Jesus is teaching. I pray we strive to allow God to take more control of our lives. I pray we choose to follow Jesus’ teaching and obtain eternal life with Him. Accept the hard truth. Follow Jesus’ teaching. Allow God to guide your every moment.

John 6:61-64a Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

Find Your Life

What are you willing to give up to save your life? What are you willing to give up to save the life of a family member? Are you willing to give everything up? Are you willing to give up your house, vehicle, all your possessions? Are you willing to give up your negative attitude, bad behavior, your preferences?

Most of us never think about what we would be willing to do to save our lives or the lives of our family. We don’t want to think about it. We prefer to avoid the horror of thinking about it. We don’t want to consider the possibility of a loved one’s life being put in danger.

The truth of the matter is our lives are in danger. Perhaps not in the way we might think. Our eternal lives are in danger. To be a disciple of Jesus, we must love Him above any other. We must give up our life in order to find our life.

On the face of it, we believe this to be harsh. Yet, it is not nearly as harsh as we might think. To give up our life means to give up our selfishness, negative attitude, bad behavior, gossiping, and basically acting like the rest of the world who don’t know Jesus. It means becoming someone who stands out as different. That’s where the rub is, isn’t it? We don’t want to be different. We want to fit in the crowd. Unfortunately, the crowd isn’t on the straight and narrow path.

Many of us think our belief in Jesus and attending church on Sunday is enough. Yet, that only puts us in the same boat as the five foolish virgins who didn’t bring enough oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13). They were not prepared when the bridegroom came. Perhaps they didn’t want to carry the additional oil. Perhaps they thought the bridegroom would be along shortly. They weren’t prepared for the long haul.

It is true that Jesus will accept us as we are. Yet, He will not allow us to stay as we are. He expects us to change. He expects us to give up ourselves—our preferences, our negative attitudes, our bad behaviors, our selfishness, our plan for our lives.

I pray we all decide to give ourselves up to be Jesus’ disciple. I pray we are willing to change. I pray each one of us will decide to stand apart from the crowd in order to save our lives. Choose Jesus over the world. Be willing to change. Be willing to follow Him. Find your life.

Matthew 10:37-39 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

Singly Focused

Are you in need of being restored? Would you like to be encouraged? Are you seeking to live in peace? Is there someone you want to be on the same page with? Are there others in your life who needs your encouragement and restoration?

All of us need to be restored in one way or another. We all need encouragement from others. We all have people in our lives with whom we need to be in agreement, we need to be on the same page. This is especially true of our spouses.

Restoration can be challenging and difficult at times. We may be estranged from our parents or siblings and seeking to restart a relationship. We may be struggling in our marriage and seeking to reinvigorate it. Perhaps we made a big mistake at work and are trying to prove it was a one-time occurrence.

We all need encouragement at various times in our lives. We particularly need positive reinforcement during our school years. Encouragement when starting a new job or a new position makes it easier. There are times when we are going through a particularly tough time encouragement can be what keeps us going.

Being of one mind is an especially tough task to achieve. We have our own opinions. We have our own beliefs. Sometimes we don’t recognize the difference between the two. Many times, we are unwilling to compromise. We take the “my way or the highway” mindset. We can’t be of one mind because we don’t want to be of one mind—unless the other person is willing to change. Certainly, don’t ask us to change.

Paul’s instructions to the church in Corinth applies to us today. Restoration is needed today, perhaps more than any other time in the past several decades. Encouragement needs to replace all the negativity we see in today’s culture. Being of one mind, singly focused on Jesus, is needed at all times, but possibly more now than in decades as well. Focus on Jesus—His teaching, His example—can change our culture for the positive in a very dramatic way. Forget the differences of opinion. Focus on the fact that Jesus is Lord and Savior of all. Focus on His mission to seek and save the lost. Focus on seeing people as Jesus sees them—a child of God.

I pray we all seek restoration with God and one another. I pray we accept and give encouragement. I pray each one of us seeks to be of one mind, fully focused on Jesus. Be restored. Be encouraged. Be of one mind. Maintain your focus on Jesus.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Bond of Peace

How is your patience? How well do you bear with the faults of others? Are you willing to be gentle with others? Will you humble yourself? Are you willing to do all this in love for one another? Would you like others to be this way toward you?

I venture to guess that everyone would like to have others be patience with them, especially when learning something new. I suspect we all would like others to forgive our faults, especially when we are doing our best to overcome our shortcomings.

I would bet we all want others to be gentle and tactful when correcting our wrongful behavior. I imagine we all want to be loved and want that love demonstrated openly. Have you thought you might experience all this from others, if you first demonstrate all these things to others?

As I’ve observed people, I have seen and heard complaints about how everyone else is acting while they are 0acting in much the same manner. As my grandmother used to say, “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” In other words, they are all doing the same thing and complaining about what each other are doing, yet not doing anything to correct themselves.

How do we even start making corrections? Our first step is to train ourselves to think of others before ourselves. When we want the last cupcake, we need to remind ourselves that someone else may want it and ask. When we are speeding down the road because we are running late, we need to ask ourselves if there is a possibility of someone pulling out in front of us. When we want to spank the kid in the store for yelling like a crazed maniac, we might ask ourselves if he is the child of a single mother who is tending to an infant.

We all desire others to be gentle, patient, and bear with us in love. Others desire we be gentle, patient, and bear with them in love. As we act better toward others, we build peace and unity. As we build unity, we can work together to combat the evil in this world.

I pray we all strive to be gentle, patient, and forbearing. I pray we strive for unity and peace. I pray each one of us will take the first step by thinking of others. Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Be forbearing. Do everything in love. Strive for unity. Strive for peace.

Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Sharing With Others

How well do you share? Are you willing to share food? Do you share clothing? Will you allow someone else to use tools? Do you lend your vehicle to others? What are you unwilling to share? What is it you refuse to give up?

If we grew up with siblings, there is a good chance we were taught to share. It is a lesson we teach our children. So, what happens as we get older? Why do we stop sharing? Many of us become selfish, refusing to share with others.

What does it mean to share? It means to give up part of what we have to someone else. For those items that are disposable or perishable, it means we give them away. We do not expect to get them back. For instance, we give food and drink to others. For other items that are reusable, it means we allow someone else to use them for a period of time or we may give them away as well. For example, we may loan someone a shirt, a drill, or our car.

It is particularly important to share with someone who needs it. As we grow into adulthood, we start recognizing people in need. We see those who are less fortunate. We may even say it is sad to see people in such a state. Yet, if we do nothing to help when we are able, we demonstrate a lack of faith and love for one another (James 2:14-17).

Sharing can mean sharing our time, listening to someone in pain. But it also may mean giving up our possessions. This is where we find ourselves being selfish. Oh, we may be willing to provide someone a cup of coffee, but don’t ask us to give up our favorite shirt. We may be willing to provide a meal, but don’t ask us to give away a piece of furniture.

Folks, we are called to give to those in need. If we were to take a good hard look at how much we’ve been blessed with compared to most of the rest of the world, we would be ashamed of ourselves for being so selfish, hording whatever we can acquire. Here is a key point we should remember; we cannot out give God. It may seem contrary based on human thought, but God gives more to us when we are willing to share with others.

I pray we all share with one another. I pray we bear one another’s burdens. I pray each one of us gives up our selfish attitude in order to become more like Jesus. Be joyful. Be hopeful. Be patient. Be faithful. Share with one another. Be hospitable. Be more like Jesus.

Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Unified In Love

Do you like it when you are chosen? Doesn’t it feel good to be wanted? Do you consider yourself to be holy? Do you feel as though you are loved? What makes you feel loved? Do you share your love in the same way?

Most of us like it when we are chosen to be on a team. No one wants to be the last one chosen. Yet, even if we are the last one chosen and our team wins, we win. It no longer matters we were chosen last.

Most of us don’t consider ourselves holy. After all, we know all our faults, even if we don’t like to admit them. We work at self-improvement. We yearn to be better. Our internal thoughts fight against us—and God.

Many of us feel loved in one way or another. We may receive an affectionate love from our spouses. We may experience a friendship love from our close friends. Being part of a team or organization may provide us with a brotherly or sisterly love, much as soldiers experience when in battle.

Paul tells the church in Colossae they are chosen by God, they are holy, and they are dearly loved by God. Because of this, he instructs them in their behavior. He tells them to take care of one another and to be mindful of one another. In effect, he is telling them to put other followers ahead of themselves.

Paul understands human nature. He knows we all will make mistakes along the way. He knows we will offend one another at some point. His instruction is to forgive in the same way God forgives each one of us. This is all to be done out of love for one another.

What is the purpose of love? It binds us all together. We are unified in love. Our unity is a demonstration of God’s holiness, love, and plan of salvation. Our unity shows the lost the wondrous works of God. It is an active demonstration and can be the genesis for the lost person to seek to be part of God’s kingdom, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I pray we all realize we have been chosen by God. I pray we know we are loved by God. I pray each one of us chose to love and be unified to demonstrate God’s love for each of us. You are chosen. You are holy. You are dearly loved. Take on the virtues of God. Love one another. Be unified in Christ.

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

One Mind

Have you ever been in lockstep with someone else? Have you and another been so in tune with one another you can finish each other’s sentences? Have you ever been able to anticipate what your boss is going to ask and able to have the answer ready?

We all have moments when we are of one mind with someone else. Perhaps it is with a spouse. Perhaps a sibling. It might have been a close friend. We might have experienced knowing our boss well enough to anticipate a key question and prepare to provide the answer or perhaps give the answer before the question is asked.

Moments such as these don’t typically last. They come and they go. It takes time and experience with another person to get to this level of cohesion. It can feel very rewarding to be in step with someone else, to be in sync. There is a rhythm that makes us feel good. Life seems to be humming right along and all is well with the world.

Since we cannot physically walk along with God, it is called being of one mind with Him in our Bibles. When we think as He thinks, speak as He speaks, and act as He would have us act. Being of one mind with God is also very rewarding. We experience a rhythm that is better than any rhythm we can experience with another person.

There is another benefit that comes from being of one mind with God. We become unified as the Body of Christ. We become one with one another, as well as one with God. Being unified as one Body increases our ability to do God’s work. It moves us along the path God has planned for us. We are effective in bringing others into the kingdom of God.

I pray we become of one mind with God. I pray we become a close-knit Body of Christ. I pray each one of us chooses to know more about God and grow closer to Him. Be of one mind with God. Be of one mind with fellow Christians. Be more effective in bringing others to Christ. Seek unity in Christ.

John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”