Reluctant Retiree

Sometimes life can feel like an uphill climb. We start out on level ground and things are going smoothly. Then a small problem comes our way and the ground before us begins to slope gradually upward. We are able to negotiate the rise until another bigger problem comes upon us. Suddenly the ground rises to a more steep rise. With considerable effort we are able to make the steeper climb. Not much later a much bigger trouble assaults us and the climb is steep and arduous. We need rest but cannot find it in the middle of our efforts to climb to the summit of our troubles. All of a sudden several more problems pile on our backs like a backpack full of heavy stones. Now we are finding it difficult to move at all, let alone try to climb out of the troubles.

This is the type of situation that Paul described in Galatians 6:2 when he writes: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” When we get to the point where we have the loaded backpack and are climbing a steep road, it is so good to have the help of good friends. Their assistance makes it possible for us to move forward and eventually summit the mountain of problems. Since this help is so beneficial to us, shouldn’t we also become burden bearers for others who need help.

Jesus set the example for us. We cannot bear the weight of our sin, so Jesus came and carried the full load up the mountain to the cross. At the cross He lifted sin away from us forever and gave us the grace of redemption and salvation. If we choose to keep sin’s burden upon our backs, Jesus will not take it away. But if we give sin’s burden over to Jesus, we are freed from it.

The weather has turned cold in our area and we will likely not experience 50 degrees weather again until at least March. So we turn up the thermostat and bundle up in warm clothes. All this in an effort to feel like it is Spring. Of course, in the Summer we adjust by doing the opposite, shedding clothing layers and turning down the thermostat. All these efforts are needed so that we can keep our bodies at a desired temperature.

We also have internal thermostats that measure our emotional, social, and spiritual temperatures. Our passions are said to be set aflame by desires. Interpersonal relationships run hot and cold. And our walk with God can vary by many degrees. We try to regulate these thermostats by self-control but generally do not succeed for long.

In the book of Revelation Jesus speaks to a church that has become lukewarm in their faith when He says, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”

Jesus is warning us all that He does not accept a lukewarm faith. If we are cold by denying Jesus, or lukewarm by failing to follow Him, we are blind to the truth, walking in darkness, and dressed in filthy rags. Only by believing in Jesus and following Him in obedience can we put on clothes of His righteousness, have our eyes opened to the truth, and be purified by His Spirit. We choose the spiritual temperature of our lives. We can remain cold to Jesus and suffer the consequences of our sins. Or we can allow Jesus to set our hearts aflame with love and grace.

Don’t you just hate it when you open a container and the contents do not match the packaging? How about when you order something online and eagerly await its delivery, but what you receive is far less desirable than what you thought you ordered. Despite truth in advertising laws and agreed upon ethics, the differences between what we think we are getting and what we actually receive seem to be growing.

People can also deceive us by saying good words but acting entirely differently. Some people preach peace, but turn into raging lunatics when confronted with poor customer service or a dangerous driver on the highway. Politicians promise to protect our interests while doing all they can to promote themselves. Religious leaders can make a mockery of their ministry and their faith by engaging in less than spiritual activities.

We all wear labels. Some are not justified by our actions, but are generated by other people out of jealousy and envy. But some labels we earn by our conduct, good or bad. Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” So our conduct determines what labels we wear. Our label may list good qualities like kind, generous, helpful, loving, and honorable. But our label may use harsher words such as selfish, liar, rude, angry, and hurtful. Our words impact what our label says only in as much as they match our conduct.

Seek to have positive words describe who you are by following the One who is pure and upright in every way. Let Jesus change your label to read, “Beloved Child of God”!

I am such an introvert that whenever we need to call a business or a doctor’s office, I ask my wife to make the call. I don’t really want to talk to strangers about something I want or need. My wife, on the other hand, usually doesn’t mind talking to strangers and making our requests known.

I don’t have the same problem when speaking to God and making requests in prayer. It is an awesome act of grace that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. We are encouraged to come boldly before His throne and make our requests known. I am amazed that He has given me access to the throne of Almighty God.

But it actually gets even better. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” The writer of Hebrews is clear that he is speaking about Jesus. He writes that Jesus is always speaking to the Father on behalf of all those who have trusted Jesus. Not only do we get to come before His throne to make our requests, but Jesus is already standing there advocating for us. He knows our needs better than we do ourselves. He is pleading our case based on His righteousness. That, my friends, is amazing grace.

It is common, in some parts of the world, for storekeepers to have various pricing levels based upon the storekeeper’s preferences. For instance, the lowest price is given to family members. The next lowest price is given to people of close association. The more remote the association between storekeepers and customers, the higher the price.

While this type of business partiality may be acceptable or rejected, showing partiality in general is a form of bias and prejudice. Prejudice is a destructive social force and harmful to all. However, it cannot be stopped simply by prohibiting it or even through education. It is a deeper and stronger force than that.

James 2:9-10 says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Clearly God abhors bias and prejudice.

But this still doesn’t tell us how we can love our neighbor as ourselves. I John 2:5 gives us the answer: “but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought also to walk in the same way in which he walked.” God’s love is made complete and perfect in us as we seek to walk in His ways. He actually works in us and through us to show His love to others. He removes the selfishness and gives us the power to give sacrificially to others, as He did for us. We can then forsake the prejudices that have kept us back from fully loving others.