Reluctant Retiree

Today, the wind chill temperature is -28 degrees. We have chosen to remain inside and warm. Have you noticed that some people have become seemingly just as cold hearted as our weather? They seem to care very little about others and do very little to help people around them. It is sad to see a heart so cold and missing out on sharing love. They may have been deeply hurt by someone they cared about and this pain has caused them to close off their heart.

Matthew 24:10-12 says, “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” In this prophesy of the end times, Jesus links increasing lawlessness to decreasing love. Don’t let your hearts grow cold by allowing lawlessness into your life. Let compassion grow within you as you discover how much God loves you. His love is steadfast, abundant and eternal. Follow Him and put aside lawless deeds, allowing your heart to respond to His love with a growing love from within you.

One of my pet peeves is somebody coming after my work is done and changing everything about what I had done. If the changes are for the better, I am happy for their efforts. But many times the changes add no value but are simply a matter of style or preference on their part. It is a way for them to exhibit control over the work.

I Corinthians 3:11-13 says, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” Spend your time and efforts on good deeds that will last forever, rather than the works that quickly expire when tested. If we spend our time satisfying our own desires rather than doing the good works that God has designed for us, we are essentially wasting our time and efforts, because these works will not endure the test of time.

If I walk into an art gallery or museum I will be amazed at the art, but often have difficulty understanding what the artist is trying to say through the chosen medium. Without knowing their motivations, it is difficult to understand their intended statement. I can often feel the same way in a conversation with a recently introduced companion. I may think that I understand the spoken words, but I may also not understand the intentions and meanings behind the words.

I Corinthians 2:12-13 says, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given to us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” Our spirit is the part of us that holds our intentions and motivations, along with our personality. God has given His Spirit to those who trust in Him, so that we can begin to understand His intentions and motivations more, thereby knowing Him better. The Holy Spirit reveals the Father to us with groanings too deep for words.

There have been many times in my life when I couldn’t wait to take a shower and clean off. Sometimes it is because I had completed some messy job and before I could relax on the sofa I needed to clean up. Other times it has been because I worked hard and was sweaty. I can’t stand the smell of my own sweat.

Most of us have access to water and the facilities to clean the outside of our bodies. We do not, however, have the physical means to clean the inside. Furthermore, we are incapable in ourselves to purify our thoughts and motives or cleanse ourselves from the sins that we have committed.

I Corinthians 1:2 says, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.” In this simple greeting, Paul gives us at least two encouragements. First, if we call upon the name of Jesus we are part of a huge body of believers called saints. Secondly, Jesus sanctifies us through faith by His sacrifice on the cross, making us holy and blameless before the Father. What we could not do in and of ourselves, that is make ourselves pure and holy, God did by giving His Son on the cross and accounting all our sins onto Jesus Christ. When we trust Him for this salvation and sanctification, He purifies our hearts and cleanses us from our sins.

We receive all kinds of advice, from instagram influencers to Dr. Phil. While some of this advice may be helpful, much of comes from the inflated egos of those seeking some sort of acclaim. Of course, we can go to the source of all wisdom, God, and find the truth and wisdom that will truly serve us well.

Philippians 1:9-11 says, “And it is my prayer that your love your abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” The Christian life is one of growing in wisdom so that our actions become pure and blameless, honoring God and bearing good fruit in our lives and for those around us. God’s Word provides us with the wisdom to live each day in righteousness.