Cleaning up our Act

Cleaning up our Act

We all know that we do things, say things and create things we have no business even thinking about.  At times, we allow these impure and evil thoughts to show in our actions.  When this happens, we need to think about “cleaning up our act.”  I can find myself trying to clean things up that have happened in my past.  Trying to wipe up something after it has been spilled, if you know what I mean.  I realize that I needed to be much more careful, more mindful of things said or done, in order to avoid the sadness and misery that followed.  It would make more sense to simply avoid the heartache by changing the way I approach things, or “cleaning up my act.” 

God has a few cleaning solutions that we can apply regularly in order to avoid the stinky mess of our mistakes.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”   Ephesians 5:1-2(NASB) The Apostle Paul was preaching to the church in Ephesus about their actions, or lack of, when dealing with their salvation.  He was encouraging them to clean up their act.  He even goes as far as telling them how it may help the smell.

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Ephesians 5:3-5(NASB)

It’s easy to think we do not act in a manner that would be offensive, or that would cause someone to misjudge.  But it is God who ultimately does the judging, not our fellow man.  We need to act in a manner that is pleasing to God, and not to our boss, not our circle of friends and not our neighbors.  We need to make sure we are acting in a fashion that is acceptable to our God, every day, all day.  We need to be mindful of our speech, our actions and our thoughts 24/7. 

When we read God’s Word, His instructions on how we should “clean up our act,” we may want to make sure we are using His cleaning solution to do the scrubbing. 

“in the world, not of the world”

Be Still

Be Still!

We often heard this from our parents, or said these words to our children.  It can be very difficult to get them to listen, or just be quiet or still, so that we can get a point across.  These words come out of our mouths when we just want a little peace to come to our world, a small dose of tranquility in a very stressful and demanding world.  God often tells His devoted followers to do this, to be still.  He wanted to show them just how much He loves them, and He wanted to get their attention when doing it. 

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.’” Exodus 14:13(NKJV)

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you,”  2 Chronicles 20:17(NKJV)

“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” Psalm 4:4(NKJV)

Psalm 46 is a great verse to remember.  It is one of my favorites, and one that speaks to me when I’m not feeling God’s presence.  This is the one that says it all, that tells me just who God is, and how He wants me to “be still.”  God wants to get our attention.

“Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10(NKJV)

In this hectic pace of just trying to get from one day to the next, it can be very difficult, very demanding and very “unworldly” to slow down, or to “be still.”  We often will hurry to the next meeting, the next game or the next big event, struggling to find the time for our God.  We will often see someone “being still” and remark about how they are simply wasting their time.  We may want to take another look, and follow their lead.  When we just can’t “be still” long enough to breathe, or to even pay more attention to those needing it, we are moving way too fast for our God.  We need to slow down long enough to listen, and in order to hear, we need to “be still.” 

I can hear my Holy Father telling me to “be still.” 

“in the world, not of the world”

Are you talking to me?

Are you talking to ME?

How many times do we hear something said about us that we can hardly believe we are hearing it.  The words are so harmful, so damaging that we are shocked at the speaker.  We are amazed that such words could flow from the mouth of someone we thought of as a fairly nice person.  It just goes to show you that when in a crowd, speak very softly, or be prepared to stand by your comments.  God just wants us all to get along with one another.  It would please Him if we were more hospitable to one another.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.   And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32(NKJV)

It seems that this message appears over and over in the Bible.  I could quote other passages that say basically the same thing, but I think you know that by now.  We all want to get along with one another, we all want peace over the hatred that we see in the world.  We all want to live in harmony with one another.  I can’t think of anyone that would argue these points.  Then why are we still fighting.  Why are we still hateful to one another, not loving our neighbor or caring for the sick, even watching out for the “least of these.”  Why do we continue to spew the “corrupt word” and not the “tenderhearted” words of encouragement?  It seems that we need a few lessons in decency and respect for our fellow man.

Just think about Paul’s words to the Ephesians, encouraging them be mindful of their language.  He instructs them to use only positive, encouraging language, and not the oppressive, condemning language that does nothing to build up. 

I know you were not talking to ME!

“in the world, not of the world”

Being Happy for Others

Being Happy for Others

It seems very difficult to do.  It can be a struggle to feel great about someone’s happiness, or feel rewarded when someone else is reaping the benefits, and the praise to go along with their newfound happiness.  There are those who can’t get beyond their own lives and reach into the lives of others to experience the happiness or excitement simply because they see no benefit.  God has another way of looking at things, and I think it may be time we took a good hard look at those around us.  We need to make sure we are celebrating life because it is a gift.  We need to make sure we are celebrating with others because it pleases our God. 

When the Apostle Paul was speaking to the church in Rome, He emphasized this type of behavior.  “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” Romans 12:15-16(NASB)

The opportunity to share in a joyous occasion that happens in the lives of the ones we love will not come along on a predetermined schedule.  Even the tragic events where we need to “weep with those who weep” seem to be more numerous and happen when we least expect it.  The key to this lies in our response to these events.  If we are following the example of our Lord and Savior, we will be ready to celebrate, cry, help, support and fill in where we are needed.  God gave us the ability to love one another.  This only leads to the respect and consideration of those we are close to, and allows us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”  We also are told not to think we are smarter, and know what’s best for those close to us because with that, we tend to look down on others.  We begin to think everyone is making a mistake because we know what is right, we know how things should be.  We become “haughty” and begin to alienate others because of it. 

The biggest challenge in our lives can come when it is time to celebrate the happiness and success of those we love most.  We feel we have the best plan for their happiness, for what is right for their lives because we want what’s best for them.  We never think about how they feel, or how they have approached the situation.  We need to think about what God would do in the situation.

Maybe it’s time we take the advice of Paul to the church in Rome, and “rejoice with those who rejoice.” 

“in the world, not of the world”

Having the right kind of attitude…

As we move through life, our attitudes, outlooks and opinions seem to pull us in many different directions.  Some of these directions are setting us on the right path, while others are doing just the opposite.  We tend to lose control of our attitudes, outlooks and opinions at times, creating havoc and stress in our lives.  It seems that we can get lost in these demanding times, creating a sense of urgency where there is none, or steering us onto a self-seeking path that focuses the attention on us as opposed to our God.  This is where we lose our “peace of mind.” 

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18(NKJV)  God’s Word is so full of “peaceful” advice that we can find it just by opening up our Bible.  Jesus Christ was sent here to emphasize this peace that we can all have a part of, but there is a catch to it.  We have to follow God’s advice on adjusting our attitudes, outlooks and opinions, then we can be called “peacemakers.”  “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9(NKJV)

We can live a life of envy and selfish ambitions, but where does that get us in the long run.  We all know that these attitudes will cause us to self-destruct eventually, leaving us empty and alone.  In order to create a different set of opinions and attitudes, we have to change.  We have to become “a new creation in Christ.”  We have to realize that there is more than what we can see, more than what we can touch.  We have to understand that God has a plan, and that it’s on His timeline, His calendar and His schedule, not ours.  We have to change our outlook to be more like Jesus, more like God’s intentions for our lives, not ours.  We have to alter our opinions to mirror God’s, not ours.

Now I know personally that making these changes can be extremely difficult.  Attitudes and opinions are not formed overnight, and will not change overnight.  It takes time and a serious amount of determination and effort.  But the effort is definitely worth it, just look at what the reward could be, eternal life!  You can’t get any better than that!

Changing attitudes and opinions can happen, but it starts with you.     

 

“in the world, not of the world”

All for one, and one for all

This phrase was made famous by the characters calling themselves The Three Musketeers.  They were made famous by the author Alexander Dumas in 1844.  This particular phrase was also used by Switzerland in the late 1860’s to energize its citizens in response to tragic flooding in the Alps.  The government was trying to spark a sense of unity, neighbor helping neighbor, in order to create a caring and sympathetic response to the flooding.  They only needed to look as far as their Bibles in order to energize their people. 

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-6(NKJV)

The Apostle Paul was attempting to spark this same sense of unity, the same feeling of mutual respect and understanding and the same care and concern for neighbor.  He proclaimed that there is “one body and one Spirit.”  We need to think about the words of Paul when we are dealing with those who remain “difficult.”  We often will come across those who refuse to believe we are all from the same Holy Father.  They will convince themselves and others that they may just be a little better off than most.  These same individuals will surround themselves with those of the same mindset.  Before you know it, we now have several different definitions relating to “all for one, and one for all.”  It would look more like “some for a few, and the others are on their own.”  The Bible teaches us that this is not the way God sees it. 

I’m not sure about you, but the way I see it, there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”  This Father is above all things, yet He resides in us.  If this is so, then we all are of the same lineage.  This means that we should be more than willing to be “bearing with one another in love.”  Why can’t we manage to see things the same way when we all “were called in one hope.”  We all need to see the way God sees, the way our Spirit directs us to see.  “All for one, and one for all.” 

 

“in the world, not of the world”

Where are all the “Good Guys”

 It seems these days that it becomes more difficult to label someone the “good guy.”  The same can be said for the fairer sex, or “good woman.”   One trip to the box office will let you in on a little secret society seems to be adopting.  It’s not always bad to be bad.  Making this more confusing and detrimental is the fact that we are just fine with the idea of tolerating bad, as long as it stays away from our house, or keeps its distance from our lives.   We no longer want to take up arms for the sake of “good” because we are convinced that someone else will take care if it for us.  This can be the story of our lives, particularly in the age of allowing or requesting things be done for us, as opposed to being the “good guy” and doing it ourselves. 

A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of preaching the “good” message and convincing others that their way of thinking needs to be tweaked a little.  He defines the ideal “good guy” in a statement taken from “Of God and Men.  Here he is talking about those involved in the ministry, or even the minister himself.  “They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation.”  A.W. Tozer, Of God and Men, 11-13. 

Our churches all need to be addressing this issue of leadership, particularly leadership by example.  Yet it is in the churches that we are seeing conflict and strife.  Our church leaders are, at times, are not worthy of the name “good guy” because they have done nothing to earn it.  Early in their careers, these “good guys” begin to notice that no one is appreciative of their effort to remain “good.”  They begin to alter their message based on the make-up of their audience.  They will attempt to deliver a very generic, watered-down version of Christianity in order to avoid conflict maintain a proper flow of tithing.  This is no way to build a sustainable, durable presence in a world that is in desperate need of it. 

 As followers of Christ, we need to take on this challenge of being the “good guy.”  We need to be ready to adopt the Christian lifestyle, doing all things good in a bad world.  This is a very tall order, but one that God’s army should be ready and willing to carry out.  We just need to be the “good guys” so that others will want to imitate us.  Paul instructs the churches to do this in his letters.  “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1(NKJV)  In Hebrews, God’s Word tells us to imitate others.  “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Hebrews 6:12(NKJV)  If we know God is good, and God is with us constantly, never leaving us, we should have no problem demonstrating these “good” attributes.  We should be doing this without even thinking about because it has become a part of who we are. 

 We should be finding it very easy to be the “good guy” in a world that wants no part of what we have to offer. 

 

"in the world, not of the world"

 

“in the world, not of the world”