Category Archives: Christian Life

FOUNDATION STONES – 15

Christian Life, ,

EMBRACE SUFFERING

Hebrews 12:7 NIV
[7] “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”

Really! Who wants this stone in the foundation of life? We want lives free from hardship, not lives that are invaded by problems and difficulties!

We do everything possible to make life easy and try to dodge things that are unpleasant or difficult. When we do wrong, we try to cover it up. We complain about the consequences. We blame God or the devil for what we have done. We shrug off responsibilities. We cultivate a “victim mentality” to protect ourselves from having to come clean. We run, dodge, hide, or whatever it takes to escape from our own stupidity.

God’s way of shaping us for life in His eternal kingdom is not to shield us from hardships but to use them to chip away everything that does not look like Jesus. He is determined to restore the image of His Son in us. He wants a family of sons and daughters exactly like Jesus. To do that, He must follow the blueprint and remove through discipline, suffering, and the ministry of His Spirit and the Word, every thing foreign to His model.

Romans 8:29 NLT
[29] “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Cushy and comfortable lives free from tests and trials never make people of sterling character. As a good Father, God knows that “overindulgence”, as Dr Phil said, “is the worst form of child abuse.”

What we think is punishment, is really discipline. Punishment focuses on what what we did wrong. Discipline fixes wrongdoing and guides us on the right way.

As a good Father, God works, in our hardships, to teach us the two great requisites of sons and daughters… submission and obedience. Don’t think that Jesus was excluded from the training. He was not exempt from the suffering that produces a true son. Unlike us, He never sinned, but He had to learn to be a son just as we do.

Hebrews 2:10 NIV
[10] “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.”

Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV
[7] “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. [8] Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered [9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…”

Do you get the picture? Jesus had to learn submission and obedience, not by trial and error as we do, but by submitting to and obeying the Father perfectly and always. If we are to be replicas of Jesus as God planned, we must also learn submission and obedience through suffering. There is no other way.

God requires holiness, utter separation from sin. Jesus made us holy through His own blood but we must confirm in us what He has made us to be. Since our greatest battle is to live by the Spirit and not to give in to our sinful desires, God allows us to face and fight this war through His grace so that we are fitted to live in His eternal kingdom. There is no place for rebels in His heaven.

Revelation 22:14-15 NLT
[14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. [15] Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.”

The Apostle Paul, to whom God gave the responsibility to suffer with Jesus as a model for us, shows us how to respond to the hardships God allows in our lives.

Paul was in danger of becoming proud because of the out-of-body revelations God gave him. So…

2 Corinthians 12:5, 7 NLT
[5] “That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses…
[7]…I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”

What was the nature of Paul’s suffering? A thorn in his flesh, the fiery darts of Satan, poking him in the places where his flesh could respond in anger and retaliation! O, how Paul realised, in his battle to overcome his fleshly reactions, how weak he was.

Romans 7:15, 18 NLT
[15] “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…
[18] And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”

So, in desperation Paul wanted to escape the discipline.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT
[8] “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Paul had to take a new path. Instead of resisting the troubles as enemies, he had to embrace them as friends! Instead of trying to dodge the fiery darts, he had to receive and hug them as precious gifts! If he allowed the arrows to pierce his soul, he would have become bitter. To accept and rejoice in his suffering was the only way to neutralise the poison the enemy desired to inject into his soul.

“So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. [10] That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Insults, hardships, persecutions, troubles…fiery arrows from every direction…designed to make him angry, resentful, vengeful if he gave in to his fleshly desires!

Paul assured us that overwhelming victory is ours if we treat our hardships as precious gifts from the Lord to train us to be holy.

FOUNDATION STONES – 14

Christian Life, ,

THE LAW OF THE HARVEST

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
[16] “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we FIX OUR EYES not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Another important stone in our foundation, whatever our age, is what I call “the long look”. No one sets out on a journey without a destination in view and a plan of the route by which to reach that goal.

Yes, some people wander aimlessly through life with no idea where they are going or how to get there. Some foolish people choose a path that they know will lead to destruction and loss, but they follow it anyway. They are so bent on enjoying the pleasures of sin that they refuse to take the long look. They try to dodge as much responsibility, hardship, or suffering as possible and hope that everything in their lives will turn out well in the end.

There is, built into God’s rule in His world, a law that determines where we will end depending on our choices. It’s called “the law of the harvest”. Like the law of gravity, it’s useless trying to defy the way God works. Our harvest, our destination if you like, depends on what we sow or where we plan to end. Everything that happens in between depends on the direction we choose.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV
[7] “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Let’s look at it like this. If we want a harvest of wheat, planting the seeds of “weeds” will not produce wheat. If we want a destiny of eternal bliss, planting the seeds of careless living, gratifying only our sinful desires, will never take us to the Father’s house.

It takes careful planning of our destination and route and faithfully following that plan, despite obstacles and setbacks, to reach our destination. It takes planting the right seeds of choices and behaviour to reap the harvest we desire. Only fools do the same thing and expect a different outcome.

So, what stone must we include in our foundation that will guarantee our desired destination?

Paul gives us sound counsel.

When we take the long look, we refuse to allow any distractions or disruptions to blur our vision of our eternal future. At all times, despite the tests and trials along the way, we keep in mind that these struggles are temporary. However bad these may seem at the moment, they are nothing compared with what lies ahead for those who persevere to the end.

We have God’s infallible promise…

Revelation 21:4 NIV
[4]”He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, +or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

With a future free of struggle, sorrow, or trial, we can fix our eyes on what is to come. We can be sure that we will pass safely through every dark valley. Our Shepherd has promised to be with us to the end.

Let’s put this stone securely in place and stand on its promise. We have a secure destiny no matter what adversities we face on our way to the Father.

FOUNDATION STONES – 13

Christian Life, ,

RETURN TO THE PATH

Psalm 23:3 KJV
[3] “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Today, I’m using the King James Version of this wonderful foundation stone to try to capture its real meaning. The Hebrew word “shub” has the root meaning of “return”, often translated “repent” or “restore”. This word is used in many contexts in Scripture. However, in David’s psalm, he celebrates the Good Shepherd’s work in his inner being, constantly bringing him back from the treacherous wilderness of sin to thinking, choosing, and doing life God’s way.

The meaning of repent, in Hebrew thought, is to return to the path. The children of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness helps us to understand this journey through life. We are all born into an unknown way. The path ahead is marked by signposts that help us to keep on track. When we wander from the path, we are lost and in danger of dying without God’s protection and provision of food and water. To repent means to return to the way of life God has shown us in His Word.

The signposts that show us the way are God’s instructions that teach us how to live. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to guide us through every dark valley and over every obstacle until we reach our heavenly destination.

Sin, essentially unbelief that results in disobedience, is a dangerous wilderness full of poisonous creatures that are intent on devouring us. Unless we stay on the path, we will perish in our unbelief, our choice to disregard God’s instructions and go our own way.

When we wander away from the path, when we trespass into dangerous places, the Shepherd will rescue us and to lead us back to safety. As God’s children, we have His promise that He will finish what He started. He will protect us from sin and its consequences but…there is a condition.

Only as we submit to Jesus as Lord and subject our will to His will can He keep us safe and on the way to His eternal presence. If we deviate from His way, we must “shub”, return to His path by changing our minds about Him, us, and our relationship with Him. Yes, we call Jesus “Lord” but even this confession means nothing without willing submission to Him in all things.

We must build this “stone” into our foundation if we want the solid rock of His instructions under our feet. His promise to restore our souls, like the “reset” key on our computer, will quickly put us back into fellowship with Him and on the way to His home in glory of we choose to walk in humble submission to His will. He will restore when we return, a very necessary reassurance to keep us following Jesus all the way to glory.

1 John 1:6-9 NIV
[6] “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. [8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So, life is full of foolish wandering but, He will restore, patiently and whenever we “return”, forsaking our way for His until we reach the destination He promises.

FOUNDATION STONES – 12

Christian Life,

GUIDE YOUR CHILDREN

Proverbs 22:6 NIV
[6] “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Now here’s wise counsel for young parents who have been entrusted with a precious gift but without the maker’s manual! This is not about telling your children about the Lord and His ways so that, when they grow up, they will be good Christians! This is about guiding your children along the way they were created to go, and they will continue on that way when they are adults.

The King James Version translates…

Proverbs 22:6 KJV
[6]”Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Every child is born wrapped in irresistible cuteness but also with enormous potential for good or evil. Left to himself, his natural bent towards evil will eventually destroy him. Frustrated by misguided parents, he will rebel either against too many or too few boundaries.

Discipline correctly applied will help a child along the path of functional living…

Proverbs 29:15 NLT
[15] “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.”

…but, too much or too harsh discipline will frustrate a child.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV
[4] “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

So, what’s the answer?

As much as the Bible is a guidebook for everyday adult living, it also provides wise counsel for parents who desire to raise their children in God’s ways.

To apply correct guidance to a child who is unknown at birth, takes time to learn, to know, and to understand one’s offspring. He/she is a mix of our ancestors. What their genes and yours produce is a unique new person, full of potential but vulnerable to the influences that will shape and direct that potential.

Solomon’s wise instruction takes into account the specific bent of each child, not only towards good or evil but also towards the direction that child will take in life.

Foolish parents try to mould their children into the predetermined life they want for their son or daughter. Instead of studying the child as he/ she grows up, recognising likes and dislikes, desires and aspirations, they try to force their child to follow the path of their choice.

Yes, parents do influence their children through participating in parental activities and even careers but…the final choice must never be forced on them.

This consideration is pivotal for a child’s mental and emotional wellbeing as he/she moves along the path towards responsible adulthood. Put it this way, a son who enjoys playing cricket should never be forced to play rugby because his father was an international rugby star! That’s an exaggerated example but, in everyday terms, a child should be given every opportunity to cultivate what he loves and does well within the boundaries of faith in Jesus and good character.

We live in a society which is continually dispensing with boundaries. So-called freedom is measured by throwing off the restrictions put on people from the outside. The fewer the laws, the greater their freedom, so they think.

Trouble is that this kind of “freedom” encroaches on the freedom of others. So, for example, people who think they are free to throw noisy, all-night parties disregard the freedom of neighbours who have the right to a peaceful night’s sleep.

So, parental guidance and discipline includes both the broader, all encompassing boundaries of good morals and ethics, godly behaviour, consideration, and good manners as well as the boundaries of their choice of career path they will follow.

True freedom is inward…freedom from guilt, fear, and shame…through self-discipline and self-control. These are the boundaries in which a child will flourish when he/she moves through childhood into the adult world of work and career.

God creates each person unique and suited to their part in the bigger scheme of His kingdom. Each has a niche to fill that no one else can fill. If wise parents understand this principle, they will study their child, understand his/her unique traits, and guide their child along the path God has prepared for them.

To understand this process and carry it out will produce a happy and fulfilled adult rather than a frustrated and rebellious child who will kick over the traces as soon as he/she is out of the home.

Solomon’s proverbs also provide the nuts and bolts of this training process. Across the book, he gives counsel to parents to shape the way they carry out their mandate to accompany and guide their child towards the place God has prepared for them to occupy.

So, we do well to put this instruction book to good use. Not only does God hold our children accountable for their contribution to this world, but parents also for the part they play in helping their children achieve His purpose.

FOUNDATION STONES – 11

Christian Life, ,

TAKE THE LONG LOOK

Hebrews 9:27 NIV
[27] “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”

Here is a stone we may not like but it is one that we must include in our selection of foundation stones.

Why?

A tightrope walker crossing a chasm must be conscious of the danger of losing his balance. So also, every child of God, walking the tightrope of truth (who is Jesus), must be aware of the chasm of eternal judgment that we are crossing. If we forget about the danger of falling from faith in Him, we will forget the consequences of unbelief and disobedience.

The fear of falling should never be the motive for remaining faithful to Jesus but rather the signpost that guides us to a glorious future and a reminder of the grace and mercy of God that allows us to cross the chasm.

Whenever I read this warning note in Hebrews, I rest in the next statement which forms the whole truth.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV
[28] “… so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Yes, judgment is real because our God is holy, righteous and just. He must deal with all people, obedient or disobedient, to be true to Himself. Yes, hell is real, the place of eternal punishment for those who refuse to obey the gospel. Yes, God will also punish those who have persecuted His people. We know that His holy character demands retribution for all wrongdoing.

To the Thessalonian believers who were suffering for their faith, Paul wrote,

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV
[6] “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you [7] and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. [8] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might [10] on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

How important it is for us, then, who have chosen to walk the tightrope of obedience to Jesus, that we stay on course by keeping in mind the dire consequences of falling. How thankful we are that we are safe and secure because of the one who died for us and lives in us by His Spirit to guide us safely to our destination. What a motivation to warn others of the cisrquences of unbelief!

This stone, together with all the stones in the foundation that is strong enough to hold our lives as we build on them, will be a steadying influence as we navigate through a dangerous world to our heavenly home. We need both the promises and warnings to provide hope and security that we will safely arrive at our destination.