Bev and I were watching a new crime drama (what’s with TV and crime dramas?) last Friday night. The story line was interesting involving a twist of time travel, as each character had an experience when they were able to see 6 months into the future for a few moments. We won’t be watching the program again, however. Our choice isn’t because of poor writing or acting. The show was godless. Morals were non-existent, lifestyles abhorrent to the Lord were celebrated. So, that program – like most in prime time – won’t be part of our viewing habits. Perhaps that strikes you as ‘old-fashioned’ or ‘rigid,’ or even – legalistic. I don’t want to become so comfortable with the sin of our time that I begin to think it is normal or even right! Dr. Gayle Beebe writes - “There is a cultural malaise that touches us all. … We have become completely accustomed to the normality of dysfunction. The constant stream of scandal, broken lives, and mayhem of every sort elicits barely a yawn from us. We have come to expect little else … This overall life dysfunction is so pervasive in our culture is it nearly impossible for us to have a clear vision of spiritual progress. Shining models of holiness are so rare today.” (Longing for God, 2009)
Many Believers want to enjoy the benefit of God's grace through Christ without becoming disciples. They refuse the disciplined life that leads to transformation! All Christians want to have the hope of Heaven at the end of this life, but many try to reserve the right to live now outside of the will of God. There is a diabolical lie that says that a devout life will be a dull, joyless, colorless life of religious duty and constant suffering. That was reflected in the message on a T-shirt I saw a couple of years ago that read -
"See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. - Have no fun!"
That lie is as old as Eden! Eve became convinced that she could only know happiness if she discarded the will of God. "You will be like God, knowing good and evil," the serpent whispered to her, goading her to throw away her perfect relationship with her Father Creator.
When a person turns to Jesus Christ and, in faith, accepts His offering of forgiveness through the Cross, that one is 'saved.’ He is literally rescued from the pending destruction that will come as result of being under the wrath of God! Following the rescue, there is a lot of living to be done; On the other side of that experience, there is transformation of character, called 'sanctification.' This makes us useful to God producing a life worthy of His high calling. Nothing invites others to follow Christ more than one whose life is full of the beauty of authentic holiness. In the hands of God, the holy person’s life become a work of art!
That disciple of Jesus who chooses to respond to God with obedience enjoys benefits, too.
• He lives with serenity, enjoys tremendous authority over sin and evil, and is spared the fruit of disobedience which is always bitter after the initial illusion of sweet satisfaction.
• He is transparent, knowing no need to hide any part of his life from the scrutiny of others.
• His worship is genuine, not needing to be forced past the guilt of his hidden deeds.
• He hears the voice of the Spirit more clearly, and thus, lives purposefully.
• His life lends light to the world where he walks, helping others to see their way out of confusion.
• His integrity grows for he is not 'this way today, and that way tomorrow,' for he is consistently God's man wherever he goes.
• He is trusted by the weak, sought out by the strong, and is a 'friend of sinners' without becoming a participant in their ways.
You may be thinking, "That's not possible for me. I am not perfect." Perfection arrives with eternity. Even the sanctified experience an ongoing insurgency of the sinful nature. There are moments of lapse when unholy thoughts, words, or actions break through. What then? The person who knows he belongs to God, repents, finds forgiveness, and makes no excuse for his sin. He accepts responsibility, makes restitution, and moves into a new day!
Getting saved is the work of Christ Jesus and we are recipients of undeserved favor. Sanctification is both God's work and ours! We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis in order to live a holy life. There are choices to be made - sometimes painful, sometimes difficult, sometimes provoking scorn from others - that allow the transformation to continue in us. True holiness (not its imitation - self-imposed piety!) is a thing of beauty. Invite the Lord to make you both safe and sound, won't you?
Here's a word from the Word. Think deeply and prayerfully about the application to your life today.
"But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation."
(1 Thessalonians 5:4-8, The Message) Amen!
_______________
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.
I wanna take Your Word
And shine it all around.
First help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well,
Help me to never seek a crown,
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord You're Beautiful
Green, Keith
© 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
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