Good, One Less Thing

After coming through a natural disaster where homes may have been destroyed or the city infrastructure may have been shakened, often times, in the aftermath, you may hear someone say that “we should focus on what is important in life”? Usually meaning that we should focus on those things that money can’t buy like family, love, joy, and peace. If you are familiar with the iconic movie, “Forrest Gump”, you may remember my favorite line from the title character that also highlights this point. It was when Lieutenant Dan shared with Forrest that they were able to make millions from their shrimping business because a major storm virtually wiped out the competition. Forrest’s response was “good, that’s one less thing”. In that moment, Forrest realized what many of us forget. Not only is money not everything, but it is only one of several things that make up life. It should not be our sole pursuit, nor will it bring us what really matters in life. Jesus helps to put this truth in perspective in Matthew, chapter 6, verses 24 through 26 where he says: 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or drink; about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” 

“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Yes, money serves a purpose, and yes money is important. But it shouldn’t drive us. It shouldn’t be our primary pursuit. Jesus reminded us that we can’t serve both God and money. So we need to ask ourselves; is money our pursuit or is God? In a strange way, Forrest Gump also helps us to put things in perspective. For those of us who have been blessed with enough money so that food, clothes and shelter isn’t a daily concern, we realize that this provision is only “one less thing” - one less concern; that life is comprised of more than what money can buy. Though this is true, every believer should take heart in the rest of what Jesus said; “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” If we are able to truly put our faith and trust in God; if we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, Jesus explains that God will take care of the things that money can provide as well.

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I believe that we can all learn something from Forrest Gump. Because upon learning that he had been blessed with enough money that all of his physical needs were met, he responded by saying, “good, that is one less thing.” To mature believers, having enough money to take care of our physical needs is only “one less thing” to concern ourselves with. In fact, that shouldn’t even be a concern because Jesus explains that God will provide for us. But in truth, God will likely use money to meet our physical needs. However the provision of having our physical needs met is only one less thing because Jesus reminds us that life is more than that. So I would encourage you to pursue God, not money. Either one may serve as a source of security. But money is only an illusion of security, and God is true security. Dependence on God is the only way for a mature believer to live. Because when we have him, not only will he take care of our physical needs, but he will be the source for all of our other needs as well.

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Non-Persuasive

I heard a sermon recently where the preacher had those in his congregation stand who were CEOs, business owners, leaders and policy makers along with a list of those who possessed other powerful, influential, charismatic, and successful credentials. Many stood, proud of their accomplishments and the potential they had to influence others and to make meaningful changes in their community. Then the preacher said that he had good news and bad new for them. The good news was that God can use them too, implying that those who remained seated were the ones best positioned for God to use them in a mighty way for kingdom purposes. I found that message intriguing and true. The Bible teaches us that God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; that he chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. That is one reason why I believe Paul was used so mightily. Because by his own admission, he did not believe that he was talented or eloquent enough to persuade anyone on his own. In fact, he felt afraid, and in some ways inadequate when proclaiming Christ to a live audience. He said in First Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 2 though 5: 

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 

God uses the foolish and weak things of the world to glorify himself. I believe he does this so that there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it is the power of God, not man, doing the work. Paul said that he preached not with wise or persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that their faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. When we think we are inadequate; when we are called to step our of our comfort zone allowing God to shine in a way where he alone can receive the Glory, then we are in the perfect place to be used by him.

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Thankfully, being effective for the kingdom of God does not depend solely on our abilities. It is not our persuasive words that will lead others to Christ, soften a heart towards him, or affect change in the lives of others. God can use us in spite of our shortcomings. I might even argue that God will use us because of our shortcomings. Yes, he may give us the right words to say, he may prepare the atmosphere so that the hearts of those listening may be more susceptible to the message, and he may - through us - draw others to himself, but he is doing all of the work that matters. We are only open and obedient to him - vessels that he can use in his master plan. So I would encourage you to be open to whatever God calls you to do. He may allow the gifts he has given you to play a role in his plan, or he may choose to only use your hands, feet and mouth as he does all of the work. The point is that he can us any of us. We only need to be willing and obedient. Are you willing and obedient? If you are, I would challenge you not to concern yourself with your own abilities or shortcomings when doing the work of God. Enter into his work prayed up, in step with the Spirit, and dependent on him with the willingness to do his will for his glory.

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Be Perfect

Are you familiar with the saying, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? It is a phrase that is often used when a child shows behavioral similarities to their parent, usually the Father. And it is something every believer would love to have said of us in relation to our heavenly Father. But is it possible to be like God? As it so happens, Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent when he explained that taking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would make them like God. But to aspire to have the same power as God and to aspire to model his character are two different things. One is done out of envy and the other is done out of admiration. In any case, I would argue that in some ways it is possible to be like God. In Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48, Jesus even said that we are to be like God. He said: 

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

The goal of perfection sets the bar quite high. None of us are perfect but, according to Jesus, that is the goal. The context for this verse is when Jesus mentions in the Beattitudes that we are to love our enemies. He said in part, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven”. Consider how honoring it would be to God if we were to take on such a close likeness to him that we would be perfect like he is perfect; that we would pray for our enemies; that it would be said of us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As believers, it should be our goal to reflect the nature of our heavenly Father. Often times that would include actions that are counter culture; actions that take us out of our comfort zones; and actions that cost us something as we put others ahead of ourselves. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” If imitation is really the most sincere form of flattery then to truly honor God would mean that we are to strive for godly perfection.

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When you were a child, did you ever want to be like your father? Did you put your little feet in his big shoes? Did you mimic his mannerisms? Did you try to talk like he talked, walk like he walked and act like he acted? In the same way, we are to try to emulate our heavenly Father. We should desire to think like him and to feel like him. Our thoughts should agree with the word of God. And what breaks his heart should break ours. We should want to please him, to make him proud of us, to honor him, and to obey him. It should be our mission to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. I would challenge you to consider what adjustments you might need to make in your life to better align yourself with the perfection of our heavenly Father. What would godly perfection look like for you? The first step in knowing the answer to that question is to get to know the Father. Read his word, pray to him often, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how you can make this verse true in your life. In doing so, I can think of no better way to please the Father.

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The Carrot

In the parable of the prodigal son, the good son showed contempt for the mercy and forgiveness his father gave his unfaithful brother. The son who squandered his inheritance, using it to engage in all manner of sin and indulgences was welcomed back with open arms upon his humble return. All the while, the faithful son looked on, judging his brother and stewing in his anger as he considered why his father would show such love and attention toward someone so rebellious. It is human nature to pass judgment on those who we think are less righteous than ourselves, and to show contempt toward those who seem to be rewarded for their bad behavior even if in our heart we know that we are susceptible to that same sin. It is difficult to comprehend the extreme mercy of our God, but it is his desire, and his nature, to show incredible kindness, tolerance and patience toward mankind because he wants his kindness, not his judgment, to lead us to repentance. Paul says this in Romans, chapter 2, verses 3 and 4: 

“So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” 

It is God’s desire to use the carrot, not to stick to lead us to repentance; to use kindness, tolerance and patience, not the punishment, rebuke and condemnation that we would expect. Though we may want to strike the guilty with a stick to correct their sinful behavior, God wants to use the carrot to kindly lead them back to himself. And when he does; when he shows love to the rebellious, we witness firsthand someone avoiding what they deserve. We see that they are not being punished for their rebellion. Even if they repent and are broken and contrite before God, to us, a lack of consequence still may seem unjust. To us, it may seem like they are being rewarded for their bad behavior. But in reality, it is a merciful and forgiving God using his kindness to lead them to repentance. So I would challenge you to honor the methodology God chooses to use to lead us back in right relationship with him. Because when we, ourselves, fall and rebel, there is no question that we would want God to use the carrot over the stick in leading us back to him as well.

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Like the angry crowd who caught the woman in the act of adultery, we are so ready to throw our stones at those who sin. But God is different. Instead of a stone, Jesus gave the woman his hand. Instead of condemnation, Jesus showed mercy. If God, who is holy, all powerful and the one who created the laws and commands chooses to show mercy, shouldn’t we who are sinful, weak and who are just as guilty do the same? This portion of scripture doesn’t only show us the character of God, it is a lesson to us. God uses love over judgment to draw those who are rebellious back to him. So we should be likeminded?

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Wedding Clothes

We cannot comprehend the eternal impact of our earthly actions this side of heaven whether good or bad. We will never know what size of a ripple a small act of kindness will make in eternity. And we will never know how devastating a selfish act will have either, because the Bible only gives us a glimpse into what life after death will be like. We only understand the temporal; the here and now. But I would encourage you to keep your mind on your eternal destiny; to live primarily for what comes after this life. Yes, God wants us to enjoy life and to live it to the full, but we should never forget that this is not our home. God is calling us to the wedding banquet. He has invited us to prepare for what is to come. And those of us who accept his invitation must be dressed appropriately for the banquet or we will be denied. In a parable found in Matthew, chapter 22, Jesus says this in verses 11 through 14: 

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” 

Often times in the Bible, God refers to the church as his bride. And Christians make up the church. If you have accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus provided when he died for our sins and rose again, you are his bride. And no bride will go to her wedding without wearing the appropriate clothing. There is no way we can sneak into heaven, we must accept the invitation. If we haven’t before we die it’ll be too late. In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus mentions several who had been invited but, for one reason or another, they were unwilling to attend. Are you willing to attend or are the pleasures of life more important than your relationship with your betrothed? Will you be wearing the right clothes, or will you be thrown out into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? I challenge you today to take your Christian walk seriously. I challenge you to always have your mind on God from when you rise in the morning to when you go to bed at night. Loving life and loving God are not mutually exclusive. You can, and should, do both. And if you are able, you will not find yourself at the banquet wearing the wrong clothes.

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In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus highlights someone who tries to attend the banquet, but wasn’t wearing the right clothes. He was immediately found out and was immediately cast out. Are you wearing the right clothes? If you are the bride, then you are. John 2:29 says: “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” We are the bride and God is the bridegroom. There is no way to eternally remain in his presence if we do not accept the wedding clothes that God is giving us, so to speak. How ready are you? How willing are you to wait and listen for him, as it says in John, and to love him like a bride loves her future husband? I encourage you to correctly prioritize your life today. I encourage you to make God the most important factor guiding your future; to love him with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength so that when you find yourself in his presence after this life, you will attend his banquet in eager expectation and that God can easily see with a glance that you belong to him.

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