For all that is in this world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. - 1 John 2:16
Seriously... How well do we each think of ourselves?
When considering how we dress, where we live, what we drive, things that we do, it's obvious that we like ourselves very much.
Yet Scripture calls us to self-assessment, and we are even to ask the Lord to show us anything we are unaware of.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24
Obviously, we consider we're doing fairly well, if not we would be in broken desperation to change. But for most, we live today as we lived yesterday, this year as last year. Sure, we'll say, "God make me more like Your Son," but until He does, we're satisfied when compared to others.
Me, my marriage, and mine (family), are faithful to what the Bible directs us to be. Honest, hardworking, acknowledging the Lord in what we say and do.
The proper word to use is wholesome; but God calls us to holiness.
"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:15-16
How are you doing? Where do you draw the line of SATISFACTION for yourself and those in your family... and what is that based on? Do we each want our self, our spouse, and our children to literally be like Christ in both thought and deed, or simply be kind and respectful?
Are we basing the longing of our hearts on holiness or wholesomeness, because the two are not the same. Wholesome is based on God's law, Holy is based on Christlikeness.
"But wisdom is proved right by her deeds." - Matthew 11:19
Repentance based upon LAW leads to wholesome.
Repentance based upon LOVE leads to holiness.
Every Christian will say that they are living a selfless "others focused" life.
We attend Church, we volunteer, we donate, we're friendly and ask others how they are doing. But where each person draws the line in their own life, where they say (or think) that's enough, this is the exact same point at where they cease in sanctification and stagnate in transformation.
Have you ever heard, "They (the unrepentant) don't care about what you know (the gospel) until they know that you care"?
But the fact is that they will not be drawn to Christ until they see Christ (Christlike behavior) in you. Pure selflessness, motivated by passionate love, operating in the stark contrast of a selfish, self-centered, fallen humanity.
"They think it strange when you don't do what they do with the abundance of God's provision." - 1 Peter 4:4
Those who see such altruism may ask, "Aren't you concerned with your family, your retirement, your pleasures?"
They declare, "You are being careless with your future, and not prudent with the fruits of your own labor!"
They slander you for being shortsighted or foolish, and their dissent strengthens as it becomes driven by how your selflessness illuminates their selfishness.
Most who claim to follow CHRIST never reach this point of contention with unbelievers, because we've drawn our line of being selfless in the realm of where they consider our behavior acceptable. They notice that being wholesome has its benefits. Hard working, honesty, temperance, and adherence to a Biblical moral standard all serve in avoiding costly mishaps and usually result in health, peace, and prosperity. Onlookers think to themselves, "That Bible stuff could help me have a happy marriage, well-grounded children, a nice home, and good standard of living too!" While others living in this world may find our wholesomeness merely annoying, as their life or family succumbs to the trappings of this world; drunkenness, infidelity, fighting, legal mishaps.
Jesus answered, " Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." - John 6:26-27
Each person will either find selfless love attractive or repulsive. "Why would anyone live like that, without prioritizing me, my, mine first and foremost?" Such a pervasive selflessness is repulsive because in comparison, selflessness makes selfishness much more apparent.
Yet, to those living by faith in God's love, the most attractive thing someone can do is to share HIS LOVE with those in need.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it." - Matthew 16:25
Pursuing righteousness through obedience to the law (don't lie, cheat, steal, be generous, be pure of thought and deed) leads to wholesome stagnation, where we constantly call to the Lord to be further transformed yet we remain the same this day as last, this year as last year, bewildered on what to do next.
Pursuing righteousness through Christ (denying self to sacrificially love others) leads to an ever-increasing transformation into His likeness; and the law takes care of itself... You cannot lie, cheat, or steal if you are loving others.
"Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
Why did Jesus tell seekers to, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."? - Matthew 11:28-30
What makes the people "weary and burdened" without follow (imitating) Christ, and how can His yoke (Christ becoming Master of your life) make life "easy and light"?
Living for SELF is a laborious task, as we work for and accumulate those things which take even more of our time and effort to maintain. The vast majority of our wealth is ABSORBED into our standard of living, and we wonder if I even have enough for me, my, and mine's happiness and sense of security.
Jesus told them this parable, "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." - Luke 12:16-19
This man's knowledge, skill, land, seed, and blessed harvest came from God.
He worked hard, invested wisely, grew wealth, and was abundantly blessed by God. What were his unrighteous actions? Did he not attend Church, give no tithes and offerings, or maybe because he had not taken a vow of poverty? Do we assume that his way of living and retirement planning is different than our pursuit of happiness?
Wholesomeness leads to a growing standard of living, but Holiness is God's STRATEGIC PLACEMENT.
"As the Lord has called each one of us, so let him walk." - 1 Corinthians 7:17
"Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called." - 1 Corinthians 7:20
"Children of Christ, let each one remain with God in the state in which he was called." - 1 Corinthians 7:24
The Apostle Paul was emphatic to those seeking to follow the Lord Jesus. Whether Jew or Gentile, circumcised or not, male or female, either slave or free...
God calls us exactly when and where He wants us.
Paul's only exception concerned singleness and marriage. If you were married when God called you, then remain married; likewise, if you were single at God's calling seek to remain single. Yet, it is not a sin to become married after becoming a Christ follower, although your loyalties will be DIVIDED.
"But he who is married cares about the things of the world, how he may please his wife."
"But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband."
- 1 Corinthians 7:33-34
Strategic Placement:
God calls us, the Holy Spirit quickens us, and we become spiritually born again.
Where and when this occurs is by our Lord's sovereign decree and was not dependent upon anything we had done to earn it. God's calling is sure and steadfast, our response is to be adulation and obedience (to loving others like our Savior showed us - John 13:34).
"He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace." - 2 Timothy 1:10
We must never misunderstand or doubt that His purpose is in transforming us into the image and likeness of His Son, for us to be restored to the way He had originally created the REFLECTIVE image bearers of Himself. That the way we are to raise and train our children is the exact same way we are to train ourselves... the way Jesus showed us (and commanded us) to FOLLOW (do likewise).
For this to be accomplished God first calls us at His appointed time, then proceeds to shower us with His amazing grace so we too can live in selfless love like Christ. But we mistake this abundant grace as a reward for our faithful service, our improved moral standard, and our acknowledgement of its Source. We testify, through our actions, that godliness was indeed a means to our financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5). As our knowledge of Scripture increased, so did our standard of living increase.
The great deceiver coerced us, through the desire of our flesh and the enticements of this fallen world, to prioritize me, my, and mine then consider the least of these My brethren. The promise of contentment in Christ was used like a carrot on a stick, for us to merely desire a little more before we say enough. And as we grew in the image and likeness of our worldly neighbors, our enemies began to rule over us.
Our mistake was in how we interpreted God's grace. Nowhere in Scripture are we instructed to embellish SELF as we do. But instead, Jesus was emphatic for His disciples to deny self, to live a life of repentance from selfishness, and become as sojourners in this introverted, self-loving world.
Why else would the God of love tell us to even hate family and hate self (Luke 14:26)? Because selfishness resides in the things labeled me, my, and mine. Christlikeness is not found in the NEPOTISTIC love of family as we grow and embellish the very self-esteem that the Lord calls all of us to deny and hate.
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:26
The prayer for God to provide us our daily bread has become trite (or spiritualized) as we have succumbed to the temptations of living for self, and the evil of calloused apathy towards the poor (which are always with us).
Our large homes are not for housing the homeless, orphans, or foster children. Our sporty vehicles are not for moving the others who need transportation. We live, dress, and do things, to project our image among those who live in this world. Our refrigerators are filled and closets are full with the abundances of God's blessings; while we work hard to pay our bills, save to take our vacations, and invest for an early and relaxed retirement.
Godliness was indeed beneficial to our gain, so we respond with thankfulness and apportion some of His bounty back into the learning and teaching of God's moral standards, which will help others to grow in health, wealth, and comfort (like us).
"But we were chosen in Him before the foundation of this world was laid, to be His holy and innocent and loving people." - Ephesians 1:4
Why did God have you gain knowledge, skills, or even wealth, before He called you? Had God just been patiently knocking and knocking on your door, waiting for you to finally respond?
Or shouldn't we understand that in His sovereignty, He decided, "This is where I want My servant."
Yet as we begin to learn and adhere to His law, as the sin and subsequent consequences are lessened, and as God's grace is poured out upon us... we have a choice of two ways. To either use our newfound enlightenment to move and better the lives of me, my, and mine while continuing the pursuit of God's law OR to grow in completely forsaking the trappings of this world for the sake of loving those around us who are in need, which fulfills God's law.
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
Outward, other's focused, love is always the KEY. Without this type of love that Jesus displayed for us, every action that we think brings us closer to God, actually impedes that (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
We sojourn with those who lead, those alongside, and those following. Each disciple is to grow, encourage, and bringing others into Christ's more excellent WAY of living. But we are to also examine those ahead of us, to look for the evidence of being on the proper path, and to make sure our journey.
"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith." - Hebrews 13:7
Is the result of their conduct (how they live according to God's Word) growing in security and comfort for their me, my, mine OR growing in security and comforting others (the least of these My brethren)?
Do seekers see the goal as being a strong marriage, healthy family, good friends, forming a nice Church; or do they witness God working through those who deny self for the love of those in need?
And if some are being individually outwardly generous (beyond self, family, friends) are they participating in and encouraging a corporate generosity, where individual gifts are combined to exponentially increase their outreach and effectiveness to those beyond the self of family and friends?
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Where we each draw the LINE within our own life, where we say, "that's enough", is precisely where sanctification ends, and Christlike transformation stagnates.
When we UNITE as a body to further His Kingdom, which He ushered in as the Christ, then there will be no lines, and His Love (received by faith) will reflect from us and GLORIFY the God of love.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son to be the propitiation for our selfishness. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us." - 1 John 4:7-12
"And they conquered him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." - Revelation 12:11
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