The Nature of Sin

There has been this thought in my mind for as long as I can remember that Sin- at it's essence- is selfishness- self gratification- even self preservation. That is - preservation not just of the physical self, but the ego as well. I am beginning to wonder and maybe even change my view. Many a man has come to Christ out of a sense of self preservation. When I think of my own committment to Christ- at the heart of it was a longing for a better life- for Self to be in a better position or condition. Oh it had nothing to do with a fear of hell for me- in many ways I felt like I was living in hell already and was looking for a way out. So then- I can see how concern for self ( selfishness in a sense) can certainly lead a man to Christ. Committment to Christ at it's essence is a committment to self preservation and happiness. So then what is all this business in Matthew 16 about denying self and taking up my cross to follow Jesus? And a little farther on Jesus tells me the man who seeks to save his life will lose it, but the man who loses his life for My sake will find Life? I still believe self is at the heart of sin, but maybe not self preservation. Maybe sin at it's essence is more about self reliance and a lack of trust in God's Character. What I mean to say is, maybe a pursuit of happiness for self's sake is not a bad thing- but the problem comes when I begin to believe or act as if I believe I know better than God how to have the Joy I long for and He promises- or I begin to doubt His Love for me- or that He has my best interest in His Heart. Like those in the Garden- I listen to His great enemy and I choose to go my own way in the pursuit of happiness. I separate myself from God- I separate myself from my only source of Real Life and Joy thinking I know a better way- wanting to establish my own sovereignty over my life. In the end maybe sin is mostly about a lack of trust in God's Love for me and His Sovereignty- Some how thinking I can do better by following my own way. Holiness on the other hand is about truly trusting God as I make my way through this world and in this world. Jesus seems to be constantly challenging us to go against our common sense or at least what makes sense in this world and trust Him for our lives- our happiness- all our fulfillment. Go sell all you have, give to the poor and follow Me. If a man wants your coat- give him your shirt as well. Turn the other cheek. Love your enemies. Tough words in this world. Words that demand me to take a stand one way or the other- Am I with Him or will I go my own way? He will not settle for a little religion. Lord Jesus, Almighty God, Holy Sprit- Three in One, Pour Your great Heart into my weak heart today and everyday for the courage toTrust You with my Life. Help me to have the courage to take hold of the Life that is Real Life when everything around me screams noooooo! Make me Pure in Heart Wholly devoted to You. Help me to see Your Faithfulness- Give me eyes to see Your goodness and Love for me. Give me ears to hear Your call to me and a Heart to obey. Amen

Listening

My wife gave me a hard poke in the leg and a glare that said it all. "You have gone over the edge again Charles- in your passion to make your point- you have been hard and condemning". Mind you now, this was in Sunday School - and I later told her I thought I had been reserved as I had really only said about a third of what was on my mind. Thank you Lord for small mercies like hard pokes in the leg!

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Sometimes I do a good job listening- hearing what others have to say. Sometimes I genuinely want to understand someone else's thoughts and feelings- but I have a long way to go with this.

Proverbs 18:2 "A fool (me) does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions"

One of Jesus most common sayings after offering up difficult teaching was, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear".

Lord God, give me ears to hear and a heart intent on listening.

As a teacher I make my living with words- I can be pretty good at helping others understand difficult concepts by guiding them with my words. There is a great sense of satisfaction when someone gets something I have been trying to get across. Words are a way of life for me. Add to that- that there are certain things I am passionate about or I have pondered over and reached a conclusion about and watch out- I can easily become overbearing and hard with my words, scarcely listening at all. Now I realize there are times when strong words need to be delivered with Passion, but like so many things in Christian life there are few hard fast rules- except maybe becoming aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and listening for His lead in it all. Maybe that is what listening to others will teach me in my day by day face to face interactions- the habit of quieting down and intentionally listening for God's lead- To become that way in my prayers. Father forgive me. Move in me to become a good listener. Move in me to serve others- to become truly empathetic by listening- and really hearing their hearts. Help me to know when my words are more about defending my position than really offering help in Love. Amen

God Teaches in the Strangest Ways

As we pulled into the gas station to ask directions, my wife Julie noticed a guy pumping gas and prompted me- "Ask him- he looks like he might know his way around." About the same time I noticed another fellow half shuffling-half limping across the parking lot- an average looking guy in somewhat tattered clothes and physically struggling as he made his way.

I will call him lesser man.

As I turned my attention to the guy pumping gas I began to take notice that he was well dressed and obviously affluent- based on the shiny new black BMW he was filling with gas. Beyond the appearance of wealth, this guy was also above average height and quite fit- I would guess a former athlete based on his build. Then there was his hair- it was...... well in a word........ perfect- Styled and profiled like he was maybe about to meet a lady friend. It was all topped off with the dark tan of someone who most likely was able to spend a fair amount of time on the golf course.

This was a guy who at least looked like he had it all together.

I will call him perfect man.

Honestly, I am not really sure where it came from, but immediately something rose up in me to say- "You can't ask perfect man- go ask the guy you saw stumbling across the parking lot". It was almost like a sense of fear....... or intimidation........or something ........ I am not sure what- but it grabbed my attention. I could not believe I was having such a goofy reaction to the prospect of asking some guy for directions. Now mind you- all this happened in a matter of seconds, but I have pondered it now for a couple of days- asking God to show me what it was all about.

Could it have been about Pride?

Pride is a strange sort of thing- especially when attacked by our enemy- the Evil One. It is as if he knows- that somewhere deep inside me there is this sense of inadequacy- maybe insecurity- that says- Charles, you don't measure up- you don't have what it takes- you're not a real man- not like that guy- not like perfect man.

You know you better hide it too.

Don't let anybody know you really don't have it all together-

Especially not perfect man-

Asking him for anything will expose you for the weakling you really are.

Oh I don't mind going to lesser man-

He is more like me- and deep inside me something says-

You know you have it more together than lesser man-

You don't need his approval- he is no threat-

In fact it will make him feel better that he can help someone of my stature.

Lies, Lies, Lies- Get away from me with your Lies!

Truth- I don't have it all together- but neither does perfect man.

But that is okay- It is okay-No- It is better than okay-

It is a good thing to let go of my pride- the facade of my own perfection.

Truth- There is no real lesser man than me- I am clearly a man in deep need-

In deep need of my Saviour

Truth- There is one Perfect Man- and He takes me right where I am. He offers me Life and Freedom from my own pride that would isolate and destroy me.

Jesus, my lord Jesus, Please continually come to life in me. Speak words of Truth to me. Moment by moment help me to see my own worth and value in You. Help me to see all men from the standpoint of their worth and adequacy in You. Help me to live out of my adequacy in You. Free me from the lies that would steal the life You have won for me. All Praise be to You Lord Jesus for what You are doing in me- for Your life and Love and Power in me. Amen

Some Thoughts on Holiness

Holiness.........Set Apart for God- for His Purposes. Holiness is not so much about do this and don't do that as it is about the reality that I am not made for this world. I am a stranger here- this is not my home. The more I look to this world for my happiness the more frustrated I am destined to become. God's call to me for Holiness is out of His Love for me. God's call to Holiness is a call to Wholeness- To Life in Him Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches- remain in Me- Apart from Me you can do nothing. Remain in Me and you will bear much fruit" Holiness is abiding in Christ. It is not following a set of rules. Following rules can not bring life. Jesus offers Life- Full, Whole, Complete Life. 1 Peter 1:13-19 Excerpts Prepare your minds for action.... Set your Hope fully on the Grace given as Jesus is revealed...... As He who called you is Holy, be Holy in all you do......... Be Holy because I am Holy....... Live your Lives as strangers here in reverent fear....... For you know your redemption did not come from the things this world considers precious, but from the Precious Blood of Christ...... A Lamb without blemish or defect (Set apart fully for God's Purpose of Love and Redemption) Living in this world-I need to be reminded of what is real. Holiness is a call to that- what is real- to what is true. Holiness is about a focus on what has substance. Holiness is not achieved by following a set of rules. Holiness is seen in a Life consumed with Christ. Holiness is not as much about separation from as separation to. Set your Hope fully on Grace in Christ. I think this might be the key to personal Holiness- That is- setting aside all my efforts to separate from the the World and begin to focus on separating myself unto God- Fixing my eyes on the Holy One- Jesus Himself. Don't you just love Jesus- The way He Lived- His Compassion- His Strength- His Courage- His Goodness. Perfect Holiness- Perfect Love. In the end- Holiness means being like Jesus. Father God, move in me today to be Holy- to be like Jesus more and more- to do the things He did- To live out His Life in my world. Make me Holy. Amen

Satisfaction

What Satisfies You? Really........... Deeply............ From the top of your head to the tips of your toes? Is there anything that fills you to the point of Wholeness? What about a good meal ? A cool drink on a hot day? Going downhill on a bicycle really fast? Holding the one you love close? The sense of a job well done? The smiles of your children on Christmas morning? Making the game winning shot? An aced test? The richness of your favorite music as you lie on a sandy beach? John 4:13-14 Jesus answered,"Everyone who drinks this world's water- even it's best water- will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again. Indeed the water I give you will become a Spring of Water- Welling up to Eternal Life." Outrageous- can it really be true? Can this Jesus really surpass even the finest moments in this life? Can He bring me a sense of wholeness that never ends. Will He give me the good thing that can never be too much of a good thing? Oh, yes- I believe He can and He will and He does........ If I will just entrust my life to Him. Lose myself in Him. Delight in Him. Dissappear into His life- His Purposes- His Ways. John 14:6 Jesus said, "Iam the way, the Truth and the Life." Jesus- my Lord Jesus, my Friend Jesus- Rise up in me- Consume me- Be my one great worthy magnificent obsession- Fill me with Yourself- Your Character- Your Heart of Love for the Father- Your Heart of Love for people. Today and everyday. Amen

Indecision and God's Leading

Just now- Today- and over these last few days I am at a point of indecision. I have done everything I know to do to resolve the situation- to help me make a good, sound, smart decision and yet things are no clearer. There is angst. There is a sense of unsettledness about my spirit. Should I do this or that- and if I do this will I miss on the possibility of that. I would love to have a burning bush to command me. I would love to hear the voice of God clearly say, "Charles you should........" but it has not come and the angst continues. If only I could know how this or that would turn out- If only I had more information. Phillipians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the Peace of God which transcends understanding will gaurd your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I can not look for the Peace in the granting of the request- but from Trusting in the Goodness and Love and Power of the Grantor.

This morning God has led me to the answer to end my angst. Prayer Oswald Chambers- May 26- "Pray without Ceasing." God always answers prayer. But I have prayed and yet still there is no clear- "Do this Charles"- answer. Ah, but there has been something. Something I can only describe as the rumbling of the Holy Spirit through my mind and heart - A sensation like hearing or feeling a hard wind blow. One of my favorite verses comes to mind-a message from God Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The rumblings of the Holy Spirit tell me God is with me. Phillipians 4:5 "The Lord is near" I hear Him say, " Seek Me Charles and stop worrying about how this or that will turn out. Trust Me Charles- Delight in Me Charles and see where I lead you. Be thankful in all things- Even in where you are right now- it is no mistake. Let go of your regrets over past decisions. Desire Me above all the rest and be Thankful - Rejoice in all things- Knowing- really knowing- I am with you and am working all this for your heart to become even more united to My Own Heart. Father in Heaven, I will trust You- I will seek You as my great desire- above all the other things that want a hold on me- Lead me in Your way for me- show me what You want me to do and show me in such a clear way that I can not even begin to deceive myself - nor can the enemy deceive me- to go any other way. Bring on me the Peace that transcends understanding- Grow me in my trusting You. All praise be to You my Lord Jesus, my Heavenly Father, Spirit of the Living God for how all of this will turn out. Thy Kingdom come- Thy Will be done. Amen

The Beauty of Heaven

Three Funerals in 7 days A middle ageish white lady who loved life, Jesus and people- mature and strong in her faith. An African- American older lady who was no nonsense in dealing with people and fought powerfully as a church mother to hold an enemy at bay who wanted to steal the life of her church. A crusty old sailor who served his country, loved his family and came to Jesus late in his life.

Three people who may have never crossed paths and certainly did not run in the same circles- yet are all enjoying the presence of God this very moment- TOGETHER!

It is an amazing and beautiful thing to me that this can be so. Oh, I knew it to be so in an abstract sort of way before.........but this week- the great blessing for me of this week is to see it in such a real and personal way. Galatians 3:26-28 "You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were Baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, Slave nor Free, Male nor Female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus". We spend so much time in this world running around trying to find people like us- people we can be comfortable with- I put up so many walls that keep others out of my life.............

And yet in Heaven- this place I so look forward to- I will know and be known intimately by those I now call strangers.

It will be such beautiful thing to get to that place where truly only one thing matters- our Love for Christ that makes all the walls fall and the lesser things fade into nothingness. So Lynn, Faye and Bill enjoy each other now- say hello to my Daddy- to my Mamma- give them a hug for me- tell them I Love 'em- I have not forgotten them and I will see you all "in a little while". Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Welcome these who have come on to be with You. Hold them, heal them, wipe away their tears and bring them into Yourself and one another in such a way that Your Glory is put forth for all Creation to see. Amen