Playing With Fire

    “If a man does not repent, God will whet His sword; He has bent and readied His bow” Psalm 7:12

     There is a preacher I know who is now well into his eighties. He is one of the godliest men I have ever known and I have as much respect for him as any man. I was surprised to hear that this veteran soldier of Christ approached one of his brethren, a friend of his for several decades, to essentially “come clean” over an incident that had taken place nearly fifty years prior. As it turned out this older preacher had wronged the other Christian in secret and had never allowed the light of day to shine upon his actions all those years ago. He finally came to the conclusion that he could never rest assured of his salvation until he repented of the action not just to God, but to the man he had wronged. Indeed, he did not believe that he really had repented unto God until he sought to make things right with his friend.

     Does it seem strange to you that my friend would be worrying himself over something that had taken place fifty years prior? Does it seem odd that he would approach that man and apologize to him over something that man could barely even remember? I believe that my friend made the right choice. There is no statute of limitations on our sins. The mere passing of time does not lessen the significance or a sin nor does it erase the stain it leaves on our soul. When a person becomes a Christian by submitting to Christ in humble faith and contacting His precious blood in the waters of baptism (Romans 6), the sins of the past are washed clean (Acts 22:16). Part of that process is repenting of those past sins (Luke 13:3, 5).

    However, repentance remains incredibly important in the life of the Christian. The sad truth is that though the faithful Christian sins far less, he still sins. To continue to be washed clean by the blood of Christ he must be willing to continue to repent of his sins (1 John 1:8-9; Acts 8:22). 

     Let us not play with the fire of sin. When we see it in our lives let us join voice with David. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”  (Psalm 51:1)     

Properly Placed Treasure

     “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Psalm 4:7

      I can remember a time when I thought that if I could just manage to acquire a small fortune my life would be as happy and fulfilling as it could be. I think that a great many people who claim Christ as Lord feel much the same way. Obviously we should all know that wealth does not lead to happiness or fulfillment. A simple perusal of the magazine stand as we pick up our groceries shows us that movie stars, music stars, and sports stars are not immune to disastrous lives because of their great wealth.

     Sure, it’s nice not to have to live one paycheck to the next. I can only imagine that it’s nice to pay one’s monthly bills and still have so much money left over that you don’t even know what to do with it. But wealth is just a thing among a world of things. When a person puts all of their trust in things, whether they have a lot of things or a little, a truly fulfilling life is far from them. 

     Perhaps someone says, “I know some people who put all of their time and effort into acquiring more stuff and they seem to be awfully happy.” I have no doubt that there are some who are quite fulfilled with that type of life. But which shoes would you rather fill before God: the shoes of a wealthy man with all of his millions who forsook the health of his soul, or the shoes of a man who lived from one paycheck to the next but lived faithfully to the Lord? I know my answer.

     So we come to our title. Where are you storing your treasure? The parable of Luke 12:13-21 shows us a man who continues to exist in our world today. He was a man who spent all of his time acquiring money and things. His soul was required of him and his wealth could do nothing to save him. God called him a fool. Verse 21 says, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

     So where is your treasure? Put it in heaven and understand exactly how David could say what he did in Psalm 4:7. Only then will you know the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). 

The Owner Of Salvation

     “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be upon your people!”

Psalm 3:8

     What do you desire more than anything else in this world? Is your greatest desire for the type of wealth that will permit you to retire early and never have to work again? Perhaps your greatest desire is for the type of notoriety that makes your name recognizable all across the world. Possibly your greatest desire is to excel at your chosen field above all your contemporaries? Maybe your strongest desire is simply to marry and enjoy the remainder of your life surrounded by family and friends?

     How strongly do you desire the salvation of your soul? In Psalm 3 David was writing during the time of his flight from Absalom. What a terrible tragedy when one’s own child actively seeks his life! With enemies surrounding him and with friends few and far between, David did what he always seemed to do—He placed all of his hope and trust in the One who had saved him so many times before. Psalm 3 reaches its crescendo in the final verse. No matter how bad it became for David he knew that God always possessed the power to rescue him from his trouble.

     I ask you to consider whether God has saved you from the worst enemy confronting man today—sin (Romans 6:23). While salvation belongs to the Lord, we are the recipients of it. The invitation of the Lord has been offered for all (Matthew 11:28-30). There is no one living who finds themselves outside the scope of Matthew 11:28-30. Are you a thief? You can be saved.  Are you an adulterer? You can enjoy salvation. Are you a liar? You can receive forgiveness. How can I say this? I can say it because salvation belongs to the Lord and His greatest desire is to save man’s soul (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

     However, the owner of a thing has the right to stipulate how it can be used. Our heavenly Father is no different. Because salvation belongs to Him He gets to determine what man must do and be like to receive it (Romans 10:17; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 4:1). 

     Salvation belongs to the Lord. If we would be saved we must belong to Him as well. Read the verses listed above and let the Lord tell you how.

A Warning To The Wise

     “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:10-12

     When you think of the Christ, what comes to mind? Most followers of Christ think of His love and compassion, His sinless life and example, His great sacrifice for the sins of the world. Why wouldn’t Christians bring these things to mind upon hearing the wonderful name of the Savior? These characteristics of His provided the foundation for His actions and for our hope. How appropriately the Baptizer spoke of Him in John 1:29 when he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”

     “The Lamb of God.” What a tremendous image as one considers the types and figures of the Passover lamb meeting their fullest meaning in the Person of the Christ! Of course, the “Lamb of God” is certainly not the only designation for the Christ to be found in Scripture. Another designation, found in Revelation 5:5, is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” That image depicts the Son as powerful and conquering. It is that image of the Son described for us in Psalm 2.

     The Jesus of great might and strength, a powerful conqueror of all those who oppose Him, is frankly a Jesus the vast majority of us are not as comfortable with. While we thrill to speak of His love and compassion, we often find ourselves less inclined to speak of His justice and wrath. Generally speaking this Jesus is not received nearly so well by the masses and can cost a teacher a willing crowd in short order should this Jesus become too demanding and unyielding. “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” isn’t as soft on the ears as is “the Lamb of God.” He is the same Person, however. To accept one is necessarily to accept the other. To reject one is necessarily to reject the other. 

     The only escape from the conquering and vengeful Son is refuge in Him. For those who reject Him, vengeance (2 Thessalonians 1:5-9). For those who accept Him, eternal life (Matthew 11:28-30). So, which Son do you intend to meet?

Folly In High Places

     “Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” Psalm 2:1-3

     “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I’m not sure who first said those words but I do know that when humans are handed the reigns of authority, particularly authority to govern and punish a large group of people, things do seem to tend in the direction of corruption rather than righteousness. In that respect things have changed little from the time of the psalmist to our day and age.

     It would do us all well to keep in mind that setting oneself against the stated will of God is the very height of corruption. Thus, when the rulers and lawmakers of our day, many of whom delight in speaking of their “faith” and how God and His will shapes their decisions, institute laws and dictates that are contradictory or opposed to the revealed will of God they are in essence saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

     As an example of what I am speaking of consider the laws concerning the marriage of homosexuals. By the time my children graduate high school, I would not be in the least surprised were the “lawful marriage” of those who have chosen the path of homosexuality accepted in most, if not all, states. Many praise lawmakers who fight for these marriages as forward thinking, open-minded, and even godly. Sadly, godly is one thing they are certainly not for God’s will in the matter is quite clear (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

     Our duty to those who rule over us is clear from Scripture (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15). It is God’s will that His children be in subjection to governing authorities for the principle of government was created and established by God Himself (John 19:10-11). However, when any human ruler, whether it be a single person or a body of people, steps across the line and begins to rage against the revealed will of God, you and I have a duty in that instance as well. It is a duty best explained by Peter in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”

Planted and Fruitful

     “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.” Psalm 1:3

     My grandfather had several small ponds on his farm. I recall one in particular that never went dry in all of the years he owned that property. That pond weathered several droughts without any difficulty. I remember more than once looking out over those dusty fields, my grandfather praying desperately for rain, and our eyes constantly being drawn to that small circle of bright green in the back left corner of his field. Often it was like an oasis in the desert. While everything else withered away, the plants and trees on the banks of that small pond flourished because their water source, their source of life, never went dry.

     A Christian can enjoy a life every bit as abundant and vigorous, yet they too must remain at the side of their life source. We face days when the heat of trial and difficulty hammers down upon us. We face days when we begin to wilt under strain and stress much like a plant under harsh conditions. I think of Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

     Paul never despaired because he was never forsaken. His feet, mind, and soul were planted firmly at the side of his Savior. Because of that he was able to receive exactly what he needed to survive, even thrive, under whatever condition he happened to be facing.

     Nothing is different for the faithful child of God today. Neither our source of life or daily guidance is to be found in the opinions of men. We are not forced to rely upon our own devices as we traverse a treacherous and often perilous spiritual landscape. Rather, the One who died for us is also blessing us (Ephesians 1:3). Those who cling to Him and find their delight in His Word (Psalm 1:2) find themselves planted on the banks of a stream overflowing with pure, refreshing spiritual water. They find that regardless of the situation, they possess the precise spiritual fruit they need to overcome. It’s all due to their faithfulness to He who is always faithful. So, where are you planted?

Where Do You Belong?

     “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

     Everyone wants to feel as though they are accepted somewhere. One’s life would be sad indeed if they never felt as though they were part of anything, as though they never belonged. Yet the first verse of the first psalm warns us that there is a group we would do very well not to become too comfortable with—habitual sinners. 

     Sadly, wicked people are everywhere. We go to school with them, work with them, shop with them, fill our gas tanks with them, eat at restaurants with them, watch them on television, see them in movies, and hear them on the radio. It has been like this almost from the very beginning. God is not going to take His people out of the world in which they live (John 17:15). Rather, He asks His people to work hard at leading wickedness to righteousness, leading lost souls to the One who can make them saved souls (Matthew 28:18-20). Yet it is not only righteousness attempting to influence wickedness. The roles have often been reversed to the detriment of those who were once faithful.

     Someone said that the progression of Psalm 1:1 is that of thinking, behaving, and belonging. Let me encourage you never to take the first step on to the road leading away from God and toward Satan. Let me encourage you never to seek acceptance, to seek belonging, from those whose actions alienate them from God. Simply put, the child of God does not belong with the wicked.

     Instead, he finds his focus and His delight in the law of God. Not only that, he finds that his mind is too filled with meditations of heaven to allow entry to base, worthless thoughts that can prevent his ultimate goal.

     So, where do you belong? Jesus answers, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). What a wonderful answer it is!