As a younger boy or girl, who hasn't stood holding a screen door wide open unaware of the significance of our action. Then hearing the voice of a parent saying, "Either IN or OUT!!"
We stand on the threshold gazing out at God's creation; beauty, adventure, and the unknown. We glance back, inward, and see the comforts and security of what mankind has made; inside are meals, comforts, and family. The choice seems innocuous, either way is "good", isn't it? We'll just do both, inside now and outside later.
But indecisiveness says a lot about a person's priorities, character, and commitment.
Where our heart leads us depends on the motivation.
In Scripture we see a dichotomy develop within the same action based on conflicting motives. Always love, never hate, constantly pray, these seem like "no-brainers". Yet Jesus spoke such statements as "Love not certain things", "Hate but do not sin", "You pray for the wrong things".
What distinguishes between correctly doing the no-brainers and failing at the basics?
Paul tells a very dedicated disciple (Timothy) to, "Make every effort to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Obviously, we can be in God's word and consider ourselves working for the Kingdom... yet be unapproved.
Do we consider the words that Jesus spoke on the Mount as literal? They boggle the mind with such apparent contradictions.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that morn, blessed are the meek...
Blessed are those who hunger, thirst, and are persecuted for righteousness...
Blessed are you when insulted, persecuted, and slandered because of Me.
Jesus also proclaimed adults are like children, the wise have become fools, the weak are actually strong, the poor are rich, and the humble will be exalted.
These declarations by the Lord of Lords are stark in contrast, and they present a standard of living in direct opposition to how humanity perceives success or even acceptability.
So, we stand at the threshold and gaze outward to where our Lord journeyed, then we glance back inward to see the comforts that mankind has built.
We hear His call to "come", and although the outside appears beautiful and exciting, we also perceive obvious risks. Inside seems the safest and most secure place for me, my, and mine.
We justify that God understands, He gave me these things, i'm simply being blessed.
What dictates approved / unapproved before the Giver of all things?
This life presents many maladies, our efforts take a toll, and we often wonder, "Is this God's will for me?" Are we on the narrow path, the one less traveled? From a distance we look like our neighbors, we all have homes and families, we all like to have and do nice things. Under closer inspection, we hopefully all avoid common calamities such as divorce, substance abuse, or illegal activities. So, what determines each of our eternal destinies?
Look around, Churches fill our communities. So many with such varying styles of preaching and worship, most adorned with crosses, all speaking of Jesus the Savior.
"Some speaking in the tongues of men or angels, some proclaiming prophecy and clarifying mysteries, some conveying knowledge and building strong faith, some generously meeting the needs of many who struggle... yet they gain little to nothing without the proper motive." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
"Churches who consider themselves prosperous and secure, patient and enduring, showing love, faith and service... yet are rebuked by Christ." - Revelation 1:4-18
What we see as the obvious Jesus declares as the mirage, the deception propagated by an unaware blindness. He beckons to those with "eyes to see and ears to hear".
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." - Romans 8:14-17
Basically, everything we purse and the good we think we've achieved is merely an illusion leading us further and further in the direction which seems correct. But Jesus directs His followers to repent, turn and walk in a way opposite of what seems logical, rational, and even necessary for survival.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God." - Hebrews 11:6
IN
When we view this world through an inward perspective...
"What does this mean to me?"
"Is this the best move for my family?"
"How will this action impact what is mine (home, investments, friends)?"
Even within our expression of faith...
"Do i like the pastor's sermons, the music, the condition of the building, or the interior decor?"
"Are there too few or too many people in this church, too old or too young?"
"Do we observe communion or make alter calls often enough?"
"Is the thermostat set at too cold or too hot, are we standing or sitting too long."
This is our natural state of self-fulfillment and self-preservation. Since we obviously cannot be mindful of everyone... I will prioritize what is me, my, mine.
OUT
"Therefore I (Jesus) tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For the gentiles strive after all these things, and you heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." - Matthew 6:25, 31-33
If we are not to worry about our life's necessities, then what should occupy our thoughts and concerns? Where should our focus be?
If we accept His words as literal, is Jesus either setting us up for what we see as an obvious failure or is He calling us into an inconceivable walk of faith?
Attempting to do both, live in and out, accounts for the diversity displayed within Christianity. The multitude of denominations and disparity within each.
We are to, "Walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), and to, "Trust in the LORD with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Understanding begins with realizing that this world (all mankind) operates in direct opposition to our Creator and Sustainer. All have been called to turn and repent.
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
How is Christ a "stumbling block"?
How could anyone trip because of Love Incarnate?
We think of what we had in Egypt, we look back to our lifestyle in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Things of this world were enjoyable and seemed to make life more tolerable.
Or perhaps, we continue to live in our foreign country but thinking we're on a sojourn, rationalizing that we are actually seeking first His Kingdom spiritually.
The trappings of this world entice, the flesh desires, the enemy of our soul tempts and rationalizes with us.
"You deserve...", "Just do it...", "You got this...", "God wants you happy", and these things will help you be happy.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow." - Proverbs 14:12-13
Live by faith, not by sight... But where is this faith found, how can we receive it?
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
Scripture, God's inspired message to humanity, contains His promises, displays His faithfulness, and explains our hopelessness without Him.
Scripture testifies of an amazing, pure and Holy Love which culminates in the greatest expression ever seen by man or angel... Jesus the Christ.
Scripture provides the Law which is intended to drive us out of living inward, because it shows us the futility and vanity of living for self.
We see a dichotomy throughout Scripture and experience it within our own lives.
Anger that is acceptable or not.
"Be angry, yet do not sin." - Ephesians 4:26
Prayer that is acceptable or not.
"Whatever you ask from the Father, He will give it to you in My name." - John 16:23
Actions that are acceptable or not.
"For what i want to do i do not do, but what i hate i do." - Romans 7:15
We rationalize that if we were perfect then all of our anger and actions would be righteous, and all of our prayers would be answered just as Jesus "Truly, truly..." declared they would be (John 16:23).
But what distinguishes between good or bad anger, what makes prayer efficacious or useless, and what actions did Paul struggle with?
Why did God empower the Apostles to raise the dead and heal others, but not themselves?
Was every prayer of Jesus answered by the Father? "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me." - Matthew 26:39a
Only by the quantifier... "Nevertheless not as I will, but as You will." - Matthew 26:39b
If our anger, if our prayers, or if our actions are directed inward and motivated for SELF, then they are unjust, unanswered, and unrighteous before Holy God.
"And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." - James 4:3
The dichotomy is that we are either pouring into our lives (me, my, mine) with God's resources,
OR
We are pouring ourselves out to others in need, increasingly aligning ourselves to the Greatest Command by obedience to the Newest Command.
This lessening of self (IN) is sanctification which produces transformation to Christlikeness (OUT).
"Even if i am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, i am glad and rejoice with you all." - Philippians 2:17
IN or OUT???
In our daily lives we see the promiscuous, the intoxicated or inebriated, the morally and socially defiant, the impoverished, the isolated or abandoned. The needy surround us and the "Poor will always be with us" (Matthew 26:11).
We build our privacy fences, move to nicer neighborhoods, or retreat to the rural expanse. We divert our gaze or sigh in disapproval. We think to ourselves, "There but for the grace of God go I."
We are sincerely grateful to not be counted among the degenerate.
We love those in our family, in our church, and in our circle of friends.
We dedicate and sacrifice to these people and we invite others to join in our group and do likewise.
But is such a lifestyle considered being like Christ?
Is our constant focus on what's best for me, my, and mine why we stumble over Holy Love incarnate? How can i become any more like Christ without it threatening what i hold dearest in my heart... my family and the standard of living which i worked so hard for.
When Jesus clearly explained this dichotomy and presented the choice, "Many turned away and followed Him no more." - John 6:66
Jesus attempts to engage our understanding through parable upon parable concerning this inward/outward dichotomy.
The religiously astute worshiper thanked God for himself not being like the overt sinners which he observed daily, while the one who was well aware of his sinfulness stood ashamed and cried out to the Lord for His mercy.
Jesus explained, "I tell you that this man (which acknowledged his sin) rather than the other (who thought more highly of himself) went home justified before God." - Luke 18:9-14
The exalted humbled and humbled exalted.
While we look for front row seats or try to be more at the head of the line, we are naturally prioritizing me, my, and mine in a highly competitive existence. Our home, vehicles, clothes, and personal appearance consume much of our time and efforts. We strive and achieve a standard of living that we feel is acceptable when compared to our peers. And we thank God that we are not like the deaf, blind, and lost sinners... "There but for the grace of God go I."
We do acknowledge our sinful nature but consider it under restraint. That is, until realizing the extent of our human depravity which still remains alive and well (self love).
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." - 1 John 1:8
When you or i sin today it will have emanated from self.
Love of self will account for our every transgression against the God of Holy selfless love.
Whether anger or lust, apathy or envy, laziness or obsession, prioritizing self over a need of another will be our stumble of the moment over Love incarnate.
So, are we choosing to be IN, OUT, or BOTH (which Christ called, "Lukewarm")?
And should we be surprised or confused that "In Christ" translates into being in the most outward expression of Love ever to be displayed?
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