Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Ephesians

The Buck Stops Here

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This morning I was reading about the Church in Costa Rica. The good news is that the Costa Rican people seem to be highly effective at evangelizing the lost. The bad news is that people are leaving the Church and even abandoning their faith at an equal rate as those who are being won to Christ. The problem is perceived to be that they (and I recognize this is a sweeping generalization and that many ministries are doing a great work there) lack the resources and training to nurture and disciple the new converts. Many of those coming to Christ in Costa Rica are like the seed that falls on shallow and rocky ground (Matthew 13:20-21). When the heat comes, they wither and fade away.

I could not help but find a parallel to the Church in North America today. We have great outreach programs to bring people into our churches, and great activities to keep them engaged once they come in. However, we (as a whole) do little to deepen the roots of their faith. My observation is that most church going people are content to listen to the sermon on Sunday morning and expect all growth to come from that. I have to tell you, if that’s how you think it works, you are sadly mistaken. The morning sermon should be the catalyst to spur us into further study, and application of that study, throughout the week. Listening to someone speak for thirty minutes will not change your life. However, applying what you have heard can definitely set you on a whole new course.

It is the responsibility of the pastor and church leaders to instruct the congregations in the ways of the Word. Beyond that, it is the responsibility of each of us to take that teaching into the world, to turn the words into actions. This is the call for each of us who would follow Christ. Jesus didn’t say that if we wished to follow Him then we need only listen to Him speak. No, if we legitimately love him, we will do the things He told us to do (John 14:12-17). When situations arise, such as the state of the Church in Costa Rica, we tend to try and find fault with the Church leaders. While certainly the leaders must shoulder some of this burden, the truth is that it is up to each individual to decide what they will do with Jesus Christ.

As I have stated in previous articles, Christianity is not a spectator sport. If you are simply a fan of Christianity, you are at the wrong game! Followers of Christ are not merely fans, they are engaged; they are in the midst of things, mixing it up. We are called to action, to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). This is our mission and to those of us who have accepted it, there is nothing more exciting in life. Don’t come to Christianity expecting a peaceful life full of happiness and treasure. That’s not what’s in the program. Come to Christ because you love Him so much that you are willing to suffer and die for Him; come to Him with empty hands and with the gratitude of knowing what He has done for you. If you come for any other reason or with any other expectation, you will be disappointed and you will fall away.

God won’t accept an offering that is not fully devoted to Him (Genesis 4:3-5; Isaiah 58:5-8). He doesn’t want your leftovers or your afterthoughts. He came to die for your heart and your soul and He demands every last ounce of your being. As long as we have breath, it is our duty and our honor to breathe for Him. As we inhale His grace, we exhale His love and mercy to those around us. If we fall away from our allegiance to Jesus, we need look no further than ourselves when placing blame. Yes, we need strong leaders who will challenge the people to repent and devote themselves to Christ, and yes we need to supply resources that will encourage and help others grow in their walk. But at the end of the day, the buck stops with each of us, and it is we who must decide what we will do with the call of Christ.

Has your walk stagnated and drifted off course? Do you truly love and wish to follow Jesus? Nothing in this world can stop you from serving Him today. If you will humble yourself and seek only to do His will, you will find favor in the eyes of God. Each day, even this day, we must choose whether or not we will obey and trust the Creator of the universe and the Savior of our souls. No one else can do this for us; only we can decide. I don’t want to live a life of lip service devotion and dwell in mediocrity. I want to serve with all that is within me until this life is taken from me. I want to live in service and surrender to my king. Take responsibility for your own choices today and leave the rest to Jesus. If you’re determined to give everything to Him, I encourage you to leave a comment below and boldly state that you are ready and you are willing. Join me in pursuing Christ with all that you have; the journey leads to a life that is life beyond imagination.

Love Is… Forgiveness

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Recently we’ve been looking at the various attributes that make up the concept of living in love, deconstructing what it looks like to demonstrate Christ-like love to others. We previously looked at kindness and patience, and today I’d like to discuss one of the most difficult attributes: forgiveness. In addition to being the foundation for our salvation, Scripture is replete with references commanding us to be a forgiving. In I Corinthians 13:5, it says that love keeps no record of wrongs. In other words, love is forgiving; it does not hold past offenses against another. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to forgive one another, just as Christ forgave us. If we want to live lives that look like Jesus, we must be forgiving people. Why then is it so difficult to do so, and what would it look like if we would truly model Christ’s forgiveness in our own lives?

To ask forgiveness of someone else means we must admit that we are sorry for behaving in the way we did towards them. If we are prideful, we will resent the insinuation that we are in the wrong. Pride often leads to anger, and anger to bitterness. Once we reach this stage, forgiveness can indeed be very hard to achieve. You don’t feel like humbling yourself and the other party now wants nothing to do with you. That’s why it is vital to heed the instruction in Ephesians 4:26 to not let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t let the day end with anger in your heart or it will fester all night, robbing you of sleep and depriving you of joy when you awaken. If you have wronged someone, seek forgiveness immediately. It is uncomfortable to do so, but it is far more difficult later. By remaining conscious of your words and actions, you can begin by asking forgiveness for small things. This will be easier and it will begin to develop the habit of forgiveness in your life. If you feel anger, make sure it doesn’t set up shop in your heart. Dispense of it immediately; nothing soothes anger quicker than forgiving someone of their trespass, even if they deliberately hurt you and refuse to apologize. You have no control over the actions of others, but you have full charge over your own reaction. Choosing to forgive disperses tension and anger, and allows you live a less stressful life.

If we are the ones who have been offended and now seek the forgiveness of someone else, we probably are hurt and retain some resentment against them until they apologize. Sometimes someone forgives us and we accept ever so gently by telling ourselves (or the other person!) that we forgive them, but we’ll never forget. That’s not forgiveness; that’s merely glossing over the problem and allowing it to be a problem in the future. When someone asks our forgiveness, we are to accept it and move on. We can no longer harbor animosity toward them; it is up to us to open our clenched fists and lay our hurt down at the feet of Jesus. He will take it from us, allowing us to move on unencumbered by the burden of malice. Always accept forgiveness from someone; doing so will benefit you both and allow your relationship to grow.

Anger is the opposite of love; therefore you cannot live in love and be angry at the same time. Ask God to take away your anger so you can begin living in love. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative in forgiving someone even if they don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve to be forgiven either, but Christ did it anyway. When someone asks you to forgive them, have the grace to do so. Jesus said we were to repeatedly forgive others (Matthew 18:21-22). Remember Christ placed no limits on His forgiveness, so neither should we. Begin by asking for forgiveness in the small things until you’ve developed the proper habit and spirit. Nothing reflects Christ more vividly than a forgiving heart. Asking for forgiveness demonstrates humility and gentleness. Giving forgiveness shows mercy and consideration. Taken together you can easily see how love is indeed forgiveness. A heart that practices forgiveness is a heart that Jesus can use to change the world. Forgive others as Christ forgave you; confess your shortcomings to those you have hurt. Live in love.

Love is… Patience

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Last week we looked at I Corinthians 13:4 in our discussion of kindness as it relates to love (See “Love is… Kindness”). The beginning of that verse says that “love is patient”. I must confess that I am not a patient person. Perhaps that’s why I jumped over the first part of the verse to get to the next! A lack of patience is one of my glaring weaknesses. Sure, I’ve gotten better over the years putting a more pleasant outward face on it, but inwardly I still struggle greatly with showing patience to those around me. My personality type is not known for patience, but I refuse to accept that and use it as an excuse. If I am going to love as Christ loves, then I must learn to increase my patience. Some of you are way ahead of me in this area while others, I’m sure, can relate to my pain.

One of the keys to being patient is learning to be a good listener. Instead of immediately flying off the handle when someone upsets us, we need to learn to pause and listen to what the other person is saying. Ask constructive questions to find out why the person acted (or didn’t act) in the way they did. Too often, I fail to seek to understand why someone failed to accomplish what they told me they were going to do. When someone is two minutes late for a meeting, I start pacing and checking my watch in an agitated fashion. It can be little things that really are of no consequence in the grand scheme of life, yet it is easy to lose our patience. One of the great truths in life is that people are going to let you down. The key is to seek out the circumstances and respond in a positive manner.

Even when we may be justified for losing our patience, it is still up to us to decide how we will respond. When we react with angry or spiteful words, we are damaging our relationship with the other person. It is far more desirable to listen to what they have to say and then respond with words that will not harm your rapport. Remember Paul’s admonishment in Ephesians 4:2, 3. In these verses Paul exhorts us to be patient with one another and to diligently keep unity (or peace). Harsh words show a lack of patience and lead to anything but peace or unity in our relationships.

As a volunteer financial counselor and life coach, I have endured more than my share of disappointment with the actions of those who come seeking assistance. It is far easier to simply lose patience and throw my hands up than it is to recognize that each person I encounter is a highly valued and loved creation of God who is free to make their own choices based on the circumstances of their own life and experience. We cannot control the choices of others or how they behave, but we can control our response to them. No matter how many times they disappoint us or act in ways which we do not approve, if our love for them is genuine, we will patiently accept what has happened and move on. It’s okay to let them know how their actions made you feel, just make certain you conclude it by affirming them and telling them you just want to put it behind you so it does not hinder your relationship. Showing patience is difficult because the returns on your investment may never come. Love, however, never fails; so neither must our patience wane.

Jesus shows infinite patience with a creation that continuously rejects Him, curses Him and laughs in His face. Through it all He loves us beyond measure. This is how I know patience is an important part of what it means to love. My heart’s desire is to live my life in a way that reflects the love of Jesus to everyone I meet. If I am to demonstrate His love then I must learn to be patient with anyone, regardless of my own feelings or frustrations. I want to love as Jesus loves, so I will choose to be patient. Love is patient, and love is kind. Love is Jesus.

Love is… Kindness

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Knowing that love is the central attribute of God, and recognizing that we wish to pattern our lives after the model of Christ, I thought it important to take some time diving a little deeper into what love looks like when demonstrated in our own lives. Today I want to look at the topic of kindness. In I Corinthians chapter 13, the famous “love” chapter, Paul states in verse 4 that love is kind. Therefore, if we want to demonstrate love to one another, we must learn to speak and act with kindness.

It only takes a moment to smile at someone and engage them in eye contact. Simply taking the time to recognize another person attributes value to them. We are communicating that we esteem them worthy of our time, and that small piece of encouragement alone can turn around someone’s day. Haven’t you had that happen to you? You can be having a miserable day, only to get stuck in a long line at the checkout counter, when a complete stranger disarms you with a smile. It’s hard to remain mired in pity when confronted with kindness. It’s an interesting dichotomy how easy it is to feel all alone in a world of nearly seven billion people, but having someone favor us with a smile reminds us that we are not alone, that we are all in this together.

The words we speak are vitally important to how well we reflect kindness. Words can heal and words can destroy. They are powerful and must be carefully chosen. Ephesians 4:29 says that “No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need.” We are all in need of being built up. Life has a way of beating us down, so having someone speak encouraging words into our situation is extremely refreshing and gives us the strength to persist in our journey. Since you know how much it means when someone speaks kindly to you, why not practice this towards others as well?

We all need to develop the habit of recognizing opportunities for kindness. I have started to begin my morning by praying that God would reveal the occasions where I can act kindly throughout my day; I ask him to light them up like neon signs, because I can be self-absorbed and easily miss things that aren’t staring me in the face. When you get the chance, make sure that you take it. Respond in kindness; buy a cup of coffee for someone, compliment someone’s new outfit, hold the elevator, open the door or assist in carrying something heavy. There are multitudes of ways you can show kindness to another every single day. Pray for recognition of these opportunities and for a heart of kindness that will compel you to respond to them.

One great suggestion I once read was to keep a log of every unkind word you speak or deed you perform for an entire day or week. If you will diligently record the ways you act unkindly, you will not only be mortified, but you will be determined to change. Here’s the hard part: once you have your list, go back and apologize to everyone to whom you were unkind. This will develop an attitude of humility, and I assure you the experience will leave you wanting to make certain you never have to go through it again. As you become painfully aware at the unkind choices you make, kindness will begin to develop as a habit in your life. Demonstrating your new habit to others will soon become second nature.

Ask God to reveal opportunities for kindness to you throughout your day, and also for the courage to take action when you see them. Guard your tongue against spiteful or damaging words and discipline yourself to speak only words of encouragement. Pray for God’s help with this, because it cannot be done in our own strength. Consider keeping a journal of unkind words you speak and follow up with an apology; it will be a life-altering experience. As kindness becomes a new habit for us, we will grow in love. To grow in love is to grow in Christ. And this is the goal, is it not? Begin practicing today and others will see the love of Christ reflected in you.

Living in Faith, or Living in Fear?

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Fear is the enemy of hope and the opposite of faith. When confronted with decision points in our life, we will generally side with one or the other. We will either choose to cautiously back away in fear or boldly charge forward in faith. Fear can be a good thing; it can keep us from touching a hot stove or falling off a cliff. Faith can be misplaced at times, as in expecting to sprout wings on your way down the side of the aforementioned cliff! But for the purposes of our discussion, I am talking about the fear that paralyzes you from moving forward or taking a chance you know you should take. The faith I want to discuss is the God-given strength to face down your uncertainty and doubt and move forward down the path He is leading you.

On the track “Fear” (from his album, ‘Explore Dream Discover’), Daron Earlewine calls fear the most insidious four letter word. It’s the most damaging curse word of all. Fear will keep you from living the life for which you were created. It will cause you to hide your talents from the world so that no one will see; it will keep you up at night just thinking of facing the new day without the courage to change. Fear will rob you of opportunities to serve and love others, and it will make you pass up opportunities to tell someone about Jesus. Certainly this is not the life of power and freedom we see exhibited in Jesus Christ. We were not meant to live as timid beings on this earth. Yet fear can be so paralyzing that we cannot imagine ever rising up from beneath it. We know we shouldn’t feel this way and determine to overcome it, only to find ourselves frozen again.

Fortunately, faith is the cure for the common fear. As the agents of God’s mission we have been called and empowered to boldly go into all the earth serving others, reflecting God’s love and telling them the good news of Jesus Christ. This power is available free of charge to all who follow Christ; it’s part of the package, a bonus if you will. Not only do we have the privilege of serving the King of the universe, not only do we get to spend eternity basking in His presence, but we receive the power to overcome fear as well! Faith is an action verb, not a passive one. As we read in James 2:20, faith without action is useless. If you are like me, you’ve spent far too long convinced that faith was passive, just something you believed. Faith is so much more than a simple belief; that is just the seed.

As our faith grows we will find it becomes progressively more active; the more active our faith, the less confining our fear. Similar to the effects of compound interest on money, little steps of faith each day snowball into a dynamic and rich faith that laughs in the face of fear. One who has fully devoted their life to Christ – and has a life that actually reflects that commitment – knows no fear. When you come to the realization that the worst thing that could happen to you in this world results in giving you everything you’ve ever wanted in the presence of Jesus, fear becomes irrelevant.

Are you living a life of fear or faith? Fear stops you from walking in the way of Jesus; faith propels you toward Him. Fear limits your effectiveness in the Kingdom of God; faith magnifies and multiplies your gifts as you employ them in the service of others. Fear is of the devil and should find no place in the heart of a disciple; faith is a gift from God and should permeate every inch of our being. We were created to do good works for Christ (Ephesians 2:10), and to accomplish that purpose we must boldly move forward regardless of the risk. Jesus did not flinch when the road before Him became difficult and dangerous. Instead, He trampled fear beneath His feet and pressed on because of His faith in the Father. We are called to do the same. Release your fear and take bold steps of faith; plant your feet firmly in the footsteps of Jesus. Place your faith in the one who knows no fear.