Lawful, But Not Helpful

If you are like me, you may sometimes try to do things the easy way, rather than putting in your best efforts. I realize that it is alright to do it the easy way, but it may not yield the best results. Or I may be doing it the easy way to satisfy some selfish desire, rather than doing it for some greater good. Christians can get lulled into doing life the same way. We get practiced at saying the right things when all the while we are letting things into our lives that pull us away from God rather than nearer to Him. These things may not be wrong for us until we let them have a bigger place in our lives than they should and they push God further down our priority list.

I Corinthians 6:12 says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Even though you may want to do something that seems okay, ask yourself if this action will be helpful to growing nearer to God. Be on guard against behavior that pulls you away from God. Ask God to draw you nearer to Him.

Good Samaritan

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest wa going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.'”

As God’s children, we are to be like Him in showing mercy toward others. Mercy is an active word that indicates action, so we should demonstrate mercy by our actions of love and compassion. The Bible says that God is rich in mercy. He demonstrated this truth by sending His own sin to die in our place. We could never have done enough to be declared righteous before a holy God. Instead, God forgives us and cleanses us from sin through the shed blood of His Son. Therefore, those of us who receive such great mercy should extend God’s mercy through our actions toward others.

Baby, It’s Cold Inside

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.

Enduring Qaulity

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.

Understanding Someone

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.