Idols of the heart

"You shall have no other gods before me." - Ex. 20:3

"Sin is fundamentally idolatrous." Isn't that so true? We're reading parts of Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands for Biblical Counseling by Paul David Tripp and it is soooo good.

I was listening to a song by Paul Alan called "One Thing". I can't make out exactly what he's singing about, sounds like waiting on answers from God, but the lyrics also imply that we're all reaching for something...and that emptiness is good, the thirst is good, because it needs to be for God and God alone.

It's easy to migrate worship of the Creator into worship of a created thing. Questions you can ask yourself are:

1) What is ruling my heart in this situation?

2) What do I become anxious over or fearful over?

3) Do I desire or want something that God does not want or desire?

When desires become demands, the "thing/person" gains position of prominence. We are unhappy without it, can disobey God to have it/keep it, or if you don't get it, you will disobey God.

Here are some other good barometers for understanding where your "treasure" and "worship" lies:

1) how you spend your time

2) what you sacrifice to do certain things with certain people

3) what you spend your money on

4) what you have frustration over, in the sense that you want/need something God hasn't given to you

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." - 1 Cor. 10:14

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:21

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." - Col. 3:5

So how do we battle these idols?* It's so subtle, something seemingly innocent, then creeps up and becomes 1st in our hearts.

a) Pray daily

b) Ask yourself hard questions, invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart

c) Write down how your particular idol is worshipped

d) Acknowledge it for what it is - sin of idolatry

e) Ask God for forgiveness

f) Study God's character and replace that idol worship with worship of God

*adapted materials from GCC DC1 class

We probably all struggle with this, especially when "self" is placed over God - that's SIN!

I pray that God will help us see the idolatry, to search our hearts against, to bind our wandering hearts back to Him.

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God." - Ezekiel 36:25-28

Grace and peace to you.

The cross affects every category of our existence

Just a quick post today. I wanted to share a particularly well written and concise piece on the cross. This is a direct excerpt from Ch. 6 of Worldliness:

"For Paul, the cross was the singular, decisive, existence-altering reality of his life. No category of Paul's existence remained untouched by Christ's atoning death on his behalf.

The cross reinterpreted his past, revealing his sinfulness and the futility of his efforts to earn God's approval.

The cross also defined his present. Now, for Paul, "to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). Knowing Christ, pleasing Christ, serving Christ, glorifying Christ - Christ became the very meaning and purpose of Paul's life.

And of course, the cross determined his future - if living is Christ, then "to die is gain" (1:21). All of Paul's hopes and joys lay in Christ, and death simply brought these to their fullest realization.

As a result, the cross was the crucial factor defining Paul's relationship with the world. On the one hand, the world was crucified to him. It held no sway over Paul, nor was he dependent upon it for anything. He didn't crave its approval, embrace its values, or covet its rewards. On the other hand, Paul had been crucified to the world. At his conversion, he was "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20); in his union with Christ, his sins had been forgiven and his sinful nature crucified. Life in this world would never be the same.

How are you and I to view our existence in this world? Through the prism of Christ's saving work on the cross. The cross transforms all the categories of our lives. It answers the central questions of the human predicament.

The cross tells me who I am. Apart from grace, I'm a sinner separated from God and subject to wrath, but through the cross I've been forgiven, adopted into God's family, and transformed by the Holy Spirit to know, love, and glorify God.

The cross interprets the world I inhabit. God made this world good, and although sin severly corrupted it, the cross demonstrates God's commitment to remove sin from his creation and his power to restore it to himself.

The cross transforms my view of people. Although made in the image of God, because of sin they are guilty, corrupt, and liable to punishment before a holy God. However, the gospel offers men and women hope, because on the cross Christ paid for the sins of all who would ever be forgiven.

The cross gives my life purpose. Through the cross I've been purchased by God and restored to his original purposes for me. I now can know him and glorify him in this world, reflecting his character and laboring to see his reign expressed throughout creation.

What part does the cross play in your life? Does it tower over all the other realities of your earthly existence? Does it define who you are and how you live?

When we see our lives in light of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, everything will be different. We won't be enamored by a fallen world that opposes God; it is for such a world that our Savior died. Nor will we ignore the world, untouched by its God-glorifying potential or unmoved by its needs. Rather, we'll take our place in this world, enjoying God's gifts, fulfilling God's purposes, and giving our lives to see the gospel proclaimed, sinners saved, and God glorified."

I pray that you'll be encouraged and challenged to live such a cross-centered life.

Grace and peace to you.

Our heart condition

It's been a while since I've been able to blog, haven't really had much time to sit down and type up my thoughts so I'm happy to be back! Been reading and reflecting a lot though, these past three weeks have gone by quickly...

I'm reading a book on Worldliness, put together by C.J. Mahaney. It has me thinking about how much we allow the world to influence us, rather than the other way around. On pg. 20, it mentions Demas, someone who was burning bright with the love of Christ for a while, and then suddenly faded from fellowship and turned his back on Christ. It's tragic, and could happen to anyone of us.

"A love for the world begins in the soul. It's subtle, not always immediately obvious to others, and often undetected by the people who are slowly succumbing to its lies.
It begins with a dull conscience and a listless soul. Sin does not grieve him like it once did. Passion for the Savior begins to cool. Affections grow dim. Excitement lessens for participating in the local church. Eagerness to evangelize starts to wane. Growth in godliness slows to a crawl."

So, please ask yourself this...are you drifting?

"The greater our difference from the world, the more true our testimony for Christ - and the more potent our witness against sin."

Pastor Rick Holland reminded us of the frightening realities of hell on Sunday - a place of ETERNAL torment, where you have no relationships, friends or people to talk to, where it is totally dark, and you know that God is out there, but you cannot enjoy or feel His presence (Luke 16). How horrible is that? Many of us have loved ones that are on their way there...

HOW ARE YOU LIVING YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS LIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THAT HONORS GOD, THAT DRAWS UNBELIEVERS TO CHRIST? Or are you indistinguishable from the world?

In the choices that we make day to day, how should we then live? Scripture commands us to be holy:

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" - 1 Pet. 1:14-15

To walk in a manner that is worthy:

"so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." - Col. 1:10

In obedience to His word:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me." John 14:15, 21

Yes, I'll be the first to admit that it's very hard. We are all sinners. However, be honest with yourself, search your hearts (deceitful and misleading, and wretched as it is), confess your sins, and surrender it all to God. The book continues: "We must run to the cross where God's holiness and mercy intersect decisively. We find grace. Grace that forgives. Grace that empowers us to change. Grace that leads us to desire and pursue obedience."

Most of us have a healthy mind and volition, but we must train it to align with Truth and what Scripture teaches. Submit to God's authority and Lordship, yield to Him when He leads you and asks you to give things up that seem "pleasurable" or "exciting" or "desirable" for the moment, for things that are beneficial, honorable, and pure. God's best is always for our own good.

My dear friends, we are to be NEW creatures, set apart from the world because of the precious sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf:

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." - Col. 3:2,3

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Gal. 5:24

God, I pray for more opportunities to shine your light in this fallen world, that I would not succomb to the lies, to continue to pursue You and glory for Your name alone.

Grace and peace to you.

More loving

I've been thinking about some things...why we sometimes make it more difficult than it has to be. A large part of it has to do with our unwillingness to surrender to God, to trust Him completely. There are people around me that keep making foolish decisions, ignore counsel, when they KNOW what is right and deliberately refuse. People insist on "settling" into what is comfortable and convenient when they KNOW much better is available. So naive...so sad. And I would posit that it is never "God's will" to be subject to church discipline, to alienate yourself from a church community, to be excited to rush into/planning to sin...

I do not presume to know or understand many things. God is in control and will hold us all to account on how we lived our lives. People can be irrational and sin is always extremely deceitful. Our hearts betray us all the time...and without God's grace and a constant "fight" against selfish sinful desires, I fear we openly sign up for Satan's service, inviting God's "spanking" more than we should.

And when you really begin to scrutinize the way you choose to live, SO MUCH is defined by what you value, and the people who are around you, shaping you...if your closest friends are passionate about Jesus and the Word and loving God's people, you'll start to be that way. On the other hand, if your closest friends prioritize gym, work, and significant other ABOVE spiritual growth...you'll do the same.

At the end of the day, if Jesus isn't at the center, if it's not going to be a spiritual connection we have with each other, then it's not really worth it. Without the Word informing us about how we are to live and relate to one another, we cannot claim to be "GOOD" for each other or that we truly "LOVE" each other because the world knows nothing about that, because only God defines what those are.

We need knowledge of God's Word to even be able to distinguish what is true and what is fraud. Love isn't about feelings...not about physical attraction...not about compatibility. Rather, it's about sacrifice, it's about putting the other above your own selfish needs, it's seeking what's God's best for that person, devotion/commitment to their ultimate good...which includes hating the sin in their life.

And if you're unable to do that for one another, and they're unable to do that for you, is that loving at all?

I pray that God will open up our eyes. First find the sin in your own life. Confess and repent. Then go and help get the sin out of your brother's/sister's life. And really, shame on you if you're the one causing them to stumble.

Live in a way so that when you have to give account, you can say for certain it was done with faithfulness, with love, and that you had their good, God's best in mind.

Grace and peace to you.

Serve the Lord with gladness

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" - Ephesians 6:5-6

This past Sunday was a "full day" event. Our dear Pastor Kurt was leaving for a senior pastorship position in Hickory, North Carolina just as I was becoming a member at Grace. It was a day of bittersweet moments, as I symbolically signaled my "leaving" MBCP and "cleaving" to my new church family and community.

And yet, as I sat and reflected on all that has happened these past few months, I see evidence of God's grace everywhere...how appropriate is that? :)

So as I learn and am eager to grow even more, I'm borrowing a "Kurtism", especially as an encouragement to remind myself with when I feel overwhelmed by the weight of the sin that surrounds us, the deceitfulness and real wickedness that defines our human condition; to serve my Lord faithfully, because I love Him, and to do so with gladness.

Everything I have, including my health, my family, my friends, food, shelter, clothing, the ability to walk, see, hear, feel, and smell (haha) is given to me anew every single day...by God's grace. I am blessed.

Should I feel the least bit of self-pity or despair, shame on me, for I have once again forgotten the goodness of my Savior's love and sacrifice, that I AM NOT MY OWN, but a slave to Christ --> not only is this my duty (Luke 17:10), but it is my honor and privilege and it should be my JOY to serve.

Lord, please forgive me when I slip into "me-mode" and focus on me. Please increase my faith. Show me how I can live and serve you in whatever you place in my path... difficult people, difficult situations...with love, excellence, humility and gladness. :)

Grace and peace to you.

Rejection

I've been thinking about something recently. Why is it that we often hold such a high view of what other people think of us?

It's always the people we care most about, the ones we make ourselves transparent and vulnerable to, the ones we respect and love, that can really crush our spirits, and send us down a path of despair...and I'm guilty of this "fear of man" as much as you are.

But when you get to the root of it, rejection can be a good thing. I mean, it hurts and can sting really bad, but here's what I've learned:
1) God wants our sole and undivided attention and devotion
2) these people are or are dangerously close to becoming your idols
3) the way you feel/react is much more important
4) these people aren't worthy of that power over you

So what can we do to set proper boundaries, to acknowledge this for what it truly is?

I believe we have to first confess it as sin, that our fear of man and the desire to be needed and cared for by those people has superceded our fear of God. Second, we need to be vigilant and guard our hearts. And lastly, we need to be a lot more flexible and allow for opportunities to be let down without being so disappointed, sad or frustrated.

I know it's hard...but His grace is sufficient for you.

We all live within a community and we're relational by design. Nobody likes being rejected. Nobody wants to be told that they're not likable or pleasant to be around. But hurt doesn't always equal harm, and we have to be discerning about what is good and what is bad, judging our hearts, and our perspectives.

And believe it or not, even when you feel the most lonely, there's always someone around who is more than willing to listen, to relate, to love, and accept you AS YOU ARE. I know it's kinda cheesy, but Jesus loves you and is the only one who is worthy of that "high regard".

Grace and peace to you.

Starve the flesh, feed the Spirit

What does it really mean to die to self, fight sin and fleshly desires? There is a battle that wages inside of us everyday...

Romans 8:12-14 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Pastor John MacArthur's commentary explains putting to death the deeds of the body, how the apostle Paul destroys FALSE views of how believers are made holy:

1) that in a crisis-moment we are immediately made perfect;
2) that we must "let God" take over while we remain idle;
3) that some turning-point decision will propel us to a higher level of holiness

Rather, the apostle says the Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins, a process never completed in this life.

The means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture like Rom. 13:14 - "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make NO provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."

In addition, we are to be led by the Spirit (vs. 14) not through subjective, mental impressions or promptings or "signs" to provide direction in making life's decisions. Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads us sometimes through circumstances (Acts 16:7) but PRIMARILY through: 1) illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds, and 2) sanctification, divinely enables us to obey Scripture - Gal. 5:16,17 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."

So the takeaway I get from this is that we're commanded to WORK with the Spirit, to cooperate, and actively participate in this process of obedience and fighting the flesh.

Beloved, I know what it likes to feel the onslaught of Satan's attacks, the struggles we face everyday, the constant requirement to be aware and deliberate about seeking holiness.

We don't have to be taught how to be selfish. We don't have to be taught how to be disobedient. We don't have to be taught how to sin. All of this is natural...default. We cannot be ignorant, idle, or lukewarm about our relationship with Christ.

I'm a thinker. I'm analytical. I'm always interested in progress, perseverance, and living purposefully. Let's be wise with the choices laid before us. Read and meditate on Scripture! Let's press on towards love and good deeds, holiness, all with greater humility, self-control, and Spirit filled living...all for God's glory!

Grace and peace to you.