Walking With Jesus

The Loss of Meaning

“’Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘completely meaningless!’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT)

Solomon, purported to have been the wisest man who ever lived besides Jesus, was essentially a spoiled son of king David who delved into every conceivable avenue of life to find meaning, but found none. He concluded in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”

John Stonestreet of the Colson Center wrote: “We are in a culture-wide crisis of meaning. More than 1 in 3 American teenagers, for example, say they feel ‘persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness,’ an increase of 40% since just 2009. Our dominant philosophies tell us that each person is responsible for creating his or her own meaning out of an otherwise meaningless life. In essence, philosophy classes around the world are taking a page out of wikiHow’s playbook… and it’s not working. Because we are more than a series of self-edits. As the intentional handiwork of a Creator, we have a foundation to discover the meaning our culture has lost.”

How would you define “meaning?” Have you discovered meaning in your life? To me meaning and value are inextricably interwoven. To have one is to have the other, and they’re both found in a positive and fruitful walk with Jesus. I believe that’s why America and much of our world is drowning in an ocean of meaninglessness.

It starts small, or so we think. We skip our devotional time; then a small group meeting; then a worship service. It’s a few days at first, then a month, until we can’t remember the last time we sensed God’s presence. What’s happening? We’re losing the anchor of our soul, the meaning of our existence, the purpose of our being.

Having meaning gives us value as a person, a sense of self-worth, a sense of purpose or validation for our taking up space on the planet. Whether we realize it or not, Jesus is the One who gives us all of those things.

Spotted lanternflies free vines at Waltz by U.S. Department of Agriculture is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Jesus said to His disciples and, by extension, to us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” There are those who will scoff at these words as “religious jargon,” but to me they’re words of life. I know Jesus’ words are true because I understand that He is Truth incarnate. He’s God in human form and, as such, is incapable of speaking anything but that which is true.

We now have generations of people, not only in America, but across the world who haven’t found meaning for their lives because they’re looking in all the wrong places. Solomon wasn’t only smart, he was rich. He was also a king, which meant he had access to anything and everything money could buy. Yet, at the conclusion of his rampage of wildness, he concluded the only place to find meaning, purpose, and wisdom is in submission to the authority and purpose of Jesus.

Most people who are lost today, thus whose lives have no meaning, didn’t lose anything – you can’t lose what you never had. And yes, of course, there are those who swear they find meaning in their work, whether that’s medicine, sports, law enforcement, social work, or some other “serving” vocation, and I don’t question that that’s true. But to me, meaning is something you can’t outlive. It’s something that gives you purpose, validation, meaning, and value not only in this life, but the next. And the only One who can accomplish that in anyone’s life is Jesus. If you’re missing Him, you’re missing everything,

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When Pain Isn’t Good

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT)

Pain comes in many “packages” and is useful for many reasons, not the least of which is to enable us to see Jesus more clearly. When we or someone we love is injured, ill, or dies, the pain we feel is healthy and can be good, in the sense that it enables us to process their loss and/or ours. In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis writes: “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

You’ve likely heard the expression, “No Pain. No gain!” that’s used largely in the context of physical training when we’re pushing ourselves beyond the boundaries of our physical comfort to experience the pain of progress. But the metaphor can lose its value if we’re causing ourselves or someone else emotional or relational pain for the purpose of their or our “growth.”

For example, when we’re children it’s not unusual for our family or friends to say to us – “grow up!” – in the context of our childish behavior. And on some levels, while it may seem to encourage us in that direction, it can also seem cruel and devoid of empathy.

It’s the same principle when we “push” someone who isn’t feeling well to eat or exercise or ________. Our intentions may be good, but we sometimes overstep our bounds when we interject our desires onto them. I’ve battled depression most of my adult life and when I’m “down” and don’t even understand why myself, the last thing I need is someone who doesn’t know me or “thinks” they have a right to speak into my life to tell me, “Just get over yourself!” It’s not helpful.

I love it when my wife will just take me in her arms and ask me: “Honey, is there anything I can do for you?” And I can say to her: “Just hold me.” It’s as if I can draw strength from her love for me that gives me strength to push through my pain. That’s what I believe the Lord wants us to do for each other.

John Stonestreet wrote in a recent BreakPoint article: “Pain is never the point of God’s plans, any more than it is the purpose of physical exercise. Never pushing ourselves to the point that it hurts means never improving our health. On the other hand, seeking pain is more likely to do harm than to aid our well-being.” In some ways pain is the “reward” for the love we give to others. We’re not nearly as likely to be hurt by someone we don’t care about.

Stonestreet continues: “In and of itself, pain is not good, but it is meaningful. Pain indicates that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Without pain, we’d never know. In the same way, breaking bad habits of the past requires pushing beyond our comfort levels, through the pain, and onward on the path to full restoration.”

We tend to believe that pain is never good, failing to realize it can be the catalyst for much needed change, not only physically, but spiritually. Until we feel the pain of remorse or regret for hurting God or others by our sinful words or actions, we may not find the path of healing and help we so desperately need.

The worst pain I can imagine is being in hell and having to live with the full knowledge that in this life on earth I was duped by the evil one to believe that God’s ways weren’t best. That I could have been forgiven and given new life, but I rejected them because I believed a lie from the depths of hell. That’s useless pain that has no point but torment and anguish of heart, mind, and soul.

Please, I’m begging you, if you find yourself continually pushing aside the things of God in favor of the “thrills” of sin, face the “pain” of transformation before it’s eternally too late. If you’re not walking with Jesus, but not sure what to do about it, click the link below and find out right now what it means to be forgiven and walking with Jesus in newness of life. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed

Is Jesus Coming Soon?

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (James 5:7-9 NLT)

Why is waiting so hard? Does it depend on that for which you wait? If I’m having a kidney stone attack and I’m on my way to the ER, the ride and wait seem endless. Or, if I’m waiting to be reunited with my beautiful bride when I’m away. Different “pain,” but similar anticipation.

There are those who seem to think that because Jesus hasn’t come in two thousand years, maybe He’s not coming at all. Does it seem strange to you that we, in the 21^st century are using the same words James and others used in the 1^st century? It depends on how you understand it.

On some levels Jesus’ “coming” has already occurred in the person of His Holy Spirit. Notice James uses the word “near – for the coming of the Lord is near.” But, yes, of course, He is coming again to gather those who have pledged their allegiance to Him by faith. He said in John 14:3: “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.”

“All Things New” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

Our longing for His coming, while it seems to intensify the more deeply we love Him, the closer we sense and learn to depend upon His ever-presence. Yet, we’re also comforted in His “absence” by His Holy Spirit. It’s exciting to think about what it will be like to actually see Him, touch Him, and share all eternity with Him. But at this point, since we’ve not experienced His presence in that way, we really can’t comprehend what we’re missing.

It’s a little bit like waiting to get your driver’s license. It’s fun to ride in the car; to take trips; to be able to go places with your friends, but it’s quite a different dynamic when you’re the one behind the wheel. We can think about it, but it’s not the same as being the driver.

Similarly, based on the day to day things we do with the Lord, we sense His presence and long for His still, small voice to speak to us, but the older we get and the closer we get to leaving this earth, the more our longing to be with Him grows, as well it should. But rather than fret because He hasn’t come yet, we should rejoice, because every second He delays is a second we can encourage someone who doesn’t know Him to open their heart to Him.

Perhaps we miss the reality of His coming everyday for those who pass from this life to the next. It’s not simply a matter of Jesus’ second coming for us as believers, it’s a matter of His coming every second for those who may not be prepared to meet Him. Worldwide roughly 4 people every second go into eternity, the majority having never come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Yes, I can’t wait for Him to come in all His glory, but in the meantime, I want to be about my Father’s business of leading as many as I possibly can to a saving knowledge of my soon coming King! How about you?

Blessings, Ed 😊

No Atheists in Hell

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9a NLT)

There are several verses in the Bible, especially in the New Testament, that outline many of the things we can’t continue to do if we expect to go to heaven. So much so we often get so focused on what we shouldn’t be doing, we forfeit the development of those things we should be doing.

It’s interesting to me that the word “atheist” isn’t found in Scripture, yet, an argument could be made that virtually every sin we commit is founded on unbelief. So, you may be wondering, if atheists don’t go to hell, where do they go when they die? They go to hell. Whoa, wait a minute. The title of this article says there are no atheists in hell. Yes, that’s correct.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” What does that mean?

It means every atheist, every unbeliever, everyone, even if they know who Jesus is, that He’s God in human form, but deny His deity and thus refuse to yield their life and allegiance to Him, will, by their own choice, go to hell.

However, at the split second that it will take to close our eyes in death and open them in eternity, everyone – believer and unbeliever – will see everything with perfect clarity. There will be no doubt or unbelief in heaven or hell – only full knowledge that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be. For those in heaven, an eternity of peace, joy, celebration, and reward. But for those in hell, it will be knowledge that will haunt and torment them for all eternity.

Even on earth, we’re not saved by what we do or don’t know. We’re saved by faith in the only One who died in our place and took the punishment we deserved for our sin. Many people know that yet aren’t saved. And there are those, according to Romans 1, that may not know all the details of who Jesus is and what He did on their behalf, but God has made Himself known to them, as Paul writes in verse 20: “Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Everyone in hell will be just as knowledgeable regarding the things of God as those in heaven but won’t have responded to God by faith and obedience. That’s the “hell” that many face even in this life when they’ve been told about Jesus, but they’ve never acted upon what they know to be true about Him.

James writes in 2:19: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” Why do you think Satan is working so hard to keep people distracted? He knows exactly what awaits him and, because he is pure evil, wants to take as many people with him to hell as he can.

Please don’t let him take you or your loved ones! Pray earnestly and take every opportunity to share the life and hope of Jesus with anyone who will listen.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Is God Safe?

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT)

In C. S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” there is a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when the children learn that Aslan is a lion, “the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver…. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Of all the ways we tend to think of God – loving, kind, caring, compassionate – and on and on, we rarely stop to consider that He is strong, powerful, mighty, indestructible, unconquerable. Yet, when we’re in a difficult circumstance, who do you want to come to your aid? A little wimpy god who MIGHT be able to help against the devil? Or “a roaring lion” – as Peter describes him?

We seem so quick to dismiss fear in reference to God as simply “reverence,” which it can mean. But it can also be translated: “terror, exceedingly dreadful, awesome or terrifying.” My dad was never mean to me and rarely spoke to me in an angry voice, but I knew from an early age that if push came to shove, he could clean my clock and never break a sweat.

God is anything but “safe” if you’re walking in blatant disregard to His commands. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 11:28: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” To view our heavenly Father as the proverbial white-haired old gentleman casually passing His time sitting in His holy rocker thinking loving thoughts of you, is to think wrongly of Him.

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9: “He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.”

It’s also wrong to believe that God is so loving that He will keep us safe from harm of any kind. I love how John Stonestreet of the Colson Center puts it: “Though we love the idea that God is not ‘safe,’ we often live as if our safety or comfort marks the boundaries of our relationship with Him. Catechized by bad theology, captivated by our culture’s enablement of self-centeredness, or weary of an angry and fractious age, many Christians cannot conceive that God’s will for our lives could involve anything unpleasant or uncomfortable. When it does and our expectations collapse, we wonder if God cares, having conflated God’s faithfulness with a painless, placid life of blessing and provision. We are quick to assume that pain or discomfort means that God’s will has been thwarted, or that His love and protection have been withdrawn. It’s difficult to accept that, rather than a sign of God’s absence, the presence of pain could be a sign of His sovereign care.”

In my pain, whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise, I’ve learned that God is a very present help in my time of need. Pain is never, an indication that God is punishing us or has deserted us; rather, it’s an opportunity for us to see Him in ways and on levels of comfort and care we’ve never experienced Him before.

It’s in that setting that God’s “safety” is highlighted and appreciated in ways that can’t be realized when we’re nestled in our false little cocoons of safety and security from all the ills of the world. We who have yielded our lives and allegiance to Jesus are certainly secure in His loving care, but that doesn’t mean we’re protected from the inevitable effects of living in a world of sin. He is our Rock and shelter in the storms of life, not from them.

Is God safe? Absolutely yes if you’re His child. But there will be hell to pay if you’re not! But don’t misunderstand, it’s not because He’s a bully just waiting to punish those who disobey Him, it’s because He sacrificed the life of His only Son to secure our salvation. To dismiss Jesus is to dismiss His Father’s sacrificial love offering for our sin.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Forsaking the Fake

“One day Saul said to David, ‘I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.’ For Saul thought, ‘I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.’” (1 Samuel 18:17 NLT)

Have you ever wondered why video games and the futuristic sci-fi movies have such a following? In my era it was basically Super Man, who pretended to be Clark Kent, lowly news reporter. But when the need demanded, Clark would hide for a few seconds, then emerge as Super Man to save the day.

There’s a part of all of us men that wants to be “Super Man” for our family and friends. Why is that? I believe it’s largely because we feel inadequate in the face of all the demands life makes on us. Who is ever ready to be a husband? Father? Spiritual leader?

Too many men seek solace in things that have little or no inherent meaning, trying to make life count for something. Brant Hansen, radio host and author says: “a big reason men in our culture are so aimless or stuck in meaninglessness is because they’re doing meaningless things, such as seeking pleasure instead of something greater or transcendent.”

He gives men six decisions they need to make to set themselves apart and be a blessing to their families and communities: “Forsake the Fake and Relish the Real. Protect the Vulnerable. Be Ambitious about the Right Things. Make Women and Children Feel Safe, Not Threatened. Choose Today Who You Will Become Tomorrow. Take Responsibility for Your Own Spiritual Life.”

As I perused that list it occurred to me that no one in all of history has more fully encapsulated those attributes in a single life than Jesus. Who was ever more manly than the Son of Man, God’s only Son, the Lord Jesus! How can we follow His example? How can we most effectively “forsake the fake” and become the “real” man God created us to become? What is the “track” on which to run the race of life as an authentic man of God? What is the pathway that once found, will lead us out of our aimless life of meaninglessness?

I’m convinced that to the extent we can emulate Jesus’ life, by allowing His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we’ll find meaning, purpose, value, ministry, hope, and wholeness in our lives. And by so doing, we’ll not only help ourselves as individual men, but enhance the value and meaning of every person’s life in our spheres of influence.

How is such a focused life ever realized? It begins at the foot of the Cross of Christ. When the tears clear enough for you to actually begin to absorb what you’re seeing and experiencing, ask yourself what put the only perfect, sinless Man who ever lived on that Cross?

It was for you, my friend! But why? To allow you to find the one place on this earth where you can forsake the fake and see yourself as you’re seen by God: fallen, but forgiven; filled with value, purpose, meaning, God-given ambition; filled with God’s Spirit who will inform, equip, guide, and enable you to become the man you were created to become.

Will you trust Him to do in, through, and on your behalf what you’re literally unable to do for yourself? Ask Him to forgive, fill, and empower you to be all He created you to become, not so you can impress your family and friends, but so you can be real! So you can finally understand why you were born, and live the life you were meant to live.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Guise of Control

“For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Peter 2:19b NLT)

Every person is controlled by something or someone. We don’t govern even our own life. What does govern can vary from person to person, but ultimately, one day God will bring everything under His control (Philippians 3:21). But don’t we have free will to choose our own destiny and direction? Yes and no.

Yes, God has given us a will that enables us to make choices, but ultimately the rulership of our lives will boil down to one of two sources – our sin nature or God; this world or the next; Satan or the Holy Spirit. Once we give ownership and rulership of our lives over to one of them, it’s for all intent and purpose, out of our hands. But how do we determine who it is? Therein lies the proverbial “rub,” but there are indicators, which when recognized, can give us clarity as to who’s really in charge.

For example, let’s say for sake of illustration that you’ve decided you “need” a new car. The car you have is only four years old and only has a little over 60K miles. It’s been well maintained, so it still looks and runs very well. So, what’s the hurry to get a new one? Three of your friends at work got a new car, so, suddenly, your car just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Okay, yes, it’s your decision, and no, it’s not necessarily wrong to buy a new car, but what’s really behind this desire? Or another way to think of it, who’s controlling or motivating this decision? Of course, there are many factors to consider, but if you’re a Jesus follower, shouldn’t Jesus have a say as to whether or not it’s time to buy another vehicle? And shouldn’t His say be preeminent?

This is just one of a thousand kinds of decisions we make in a given day, that when tallied together give us a view of who’s really in control. How we use our time and money are two of the factors that weigh the most in terms of who or what is ruling our lives. But another weighty matter is who do you want to rule you? Are you content with letting your selfish, world-centered nature rule your decisions? Or would you rather have the Holy Spirit govern what you do, say, and think?

Realistically, there are aspects of our sinful nature that once given full sway are literally impossible for us to regain control without assistance. For example, sin can manifest itself in many crippling ways. Sex, money, drugs, alcohol, anger, lust, lying, gossiping, pride, envy, jealousy, crime – the list is long, but treacherous. People who are caught in addictive behaviors will often say: “It’s not a big deal. I can stop anytime I want to. I just don’t want to!”

As I understand it, one of the primary ways to identify who’s in control is to ask yourself and five of your closest friends, if you have any left: “Do I have ________, or does it have me?” You can fill in any of the things above or one that isn’t mentioned with which you wrestle.

Paul wrote in Romans 7:22-25: “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.”

We often want to stop there and believe our conscience is clear to keep living in subjection to our sinful nature – that over which apart from the Holy Spirit’s rule and reign in our life we have no power to control. But just two verses later Paul writes: “And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

We will be imprisoned by our self-focused sinful nature unless and until we yield our life and allegiance to the only One who can free us from self and Satan – the Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Your Race of Faith?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

Outside magazine ran an article on the best running tips of all time, based on forty years of articles. Among the suggestions: (1) Strengthen your whole body; don’t just focus on your legs. (2) Run more hills; it’s good for your hips. (3) Find a routine, then stick to it—maybe even down to wearing the same clothing. (4) Take recovery days seriously.

What are the implications for those of us who are running our race of faith? It’s no accident the first Commandment is: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). In summary – love God with every aspect of our being. Why is that so vital?

Have you ever done something “half-heartedly?” How’d that work out for you? How happy do you think your husband or wife would be if on Valentine’s Day you gave them a card that said: “I love you with most of my heart!” Or your boss gives you an assignment and you bring it back with: “Here’s my report, but my heart wasn’t in it.”

Yet, truth be told, many professing Christ followers are not loving and serving with their whole heart, soul, and mind. But why is that? Most have forgotten why they entered the race of faith to begin with. Admittedly, most of us become believers in Jesus, not for what we can do for Him, but for what He has done and can do for us.

Who wouldn’t sign up for forgiveness of all sin, peace, wholeness, and a place in heaven when we die? I’m convinced the only reason more people don’t come to Christ is because all of that seems too good to be true. But here’s the deal – it IS all true – it’s just not the whole picture.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24: “If any one of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.” That’s a primary reason the Lord gave us the Church, to help us know how to give all of us to all of Him.

Joseph M. Stowell wrote: “We run for Him—for Christ’s glory and for the honor of His name. We run for the advancement of His kingdom.” Jesus followers struggle for the same reason many would be “runners” wash out before their first race. Why? They wrongly believe it’s a one person sport. Yes, surely, in the race it’s often you against all the other runners, but that’s not how you train.

Training for being an effective “runner” for Jesus has many similarities to learning to run in a literal race. For serious runners they’ll have trainers; a nutritionist/dietitian; medical staff; a coach, who not only helps them train, but who guides them in their choice of clothing, including shoes specifically for their feet, type of track, etc.

In our initial zeal for Jesus, we think we can pray a prayer of confession and repentance and head to the “track,” not realizing we’re not in a sprint, we’re in a marathon. And it’s not a race we run alone, but with many other Jesus followers who can help us “train.” Which begs the question: Who’s training and running with you? Are you part of a dynamic, growing church where people are being saved, discipled, and guided into small groups who can challenge and help you grow as a child of God?

You won’t survive your race of faith without help from other believers who have been “running” longer than you. Find at least one other person you trust to “run” with you, someone who loves Jesus and you and is willing to pour into you what others have poured into them

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Church Person or Jesus Person?

“For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NLT)

There is a common expression that I’ve heard used in various settings that says: “Fake it ‘til you make it!” In some arenas of life that may be appropriate; however, it’s never acceptable for a child of God. To “fake” a relationship with Jesus is, on some levels, like pretending to be someone’s friend.

Across the years I’ve witnessed firsthand people who have no real feelings for another person, yet they pretend to care because of something they want from them (me). It saddens me to see that, but not nearly so much as when I see it in the church. Even pastors or leaders in the church who go through the proverbial motions of ministry, not because they’re called or even that they love Jesus. To them it’s a “vocation” or “a job.”

Similarly, many who attend and serve in churches do so out of an allegiance or sense of obligation to the pastor or to the church, not necessarily to Jesus. Yet, on the other hand, there are increasing numbers of people, especially since Covid, whose attitude seems to be: “I love Jesus, but I have no use for the church.”

Where are you on this subject? Are you a “church person” or a “Jesus person?” I resonate with Matt Chandler’s words when he said: “If you’re a church person and not a Jesus person, my heart hurts for you. It’s like being engaged and never getting married. It’s miserable.”

Perhaps you’re wrestling with the difference between the two. To me the prime difference is motivation. Why do you attend or not attend church? But I believe it’s broader than that. In my mind the difference rests in the focal point of a person’s affection. Is it the “church,” meaning the people of the local fellowship to which they belong and/or serve, or is it Jesus?

And the logical question then becomes: “Can’t you love and serve both?” And, yes, of course you can, but the original question is still valid. Where does your primary affection lie? Do you love and serve your church fellowship primarily based on your love for and devotion to Jesus, or to the church? Does your heart beat with desire to magnify Jesus and make much of Him in every area and dimension of your life? Or is your focus more on what’s going to make you look good and feel good about yourself?

Part of the answer lies in who you are as a person, in the sense that, where does the “real you” shine? Because I served many years bi-vocationally, working a secular job as well as serving a church, I’m reminded of conversations I’ve had with folks over the years. Their conversation is often flavored with profanity and lewdness until they find out, usually because someone else would tell them, that I was also a pastor.

Then it’s “Oh, pastor, I attend such and such church and I’m a deacon or ________. God bless you, brother, for your service.” Therein lies the difference between the two. Transparency, authenticity, genuineness of character and life.

Who we are is revealed not only in the words we speak, but the life that backs those words. If Jesus is the Lord and motivation behind the person I am, it’s not only going to show itself in the words I speak, but the attitude of my heart – WHY I speak those words, and to what end? Am I seeking in everything I do and say to magnify Jesus or me?

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Does Holiness Mean?

“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.” (1 Peter 1:2 NLT)

Holiness as described in Scripture may be among the most misunderstood and misused teachings in the Christian Faith. On some levels we dismiss it as unattainable and, equally destructive, we use it to try to “whip believers into spiritual shape.” While some see it as a goal to pursue, others see it as the height of spiritual achievement which they have reached.

1 Peter gives us balance and insight that is much needed in our pursuit of Christlikeness and holiness of heart, mind, soul, and body. Notice in the verse above that we are chosen and made holy by God alone. We were chosen in Christ before the beginning of time and the Holy Spirit made us holy the moment we received forgiveness and new life in Christ.

The word that’s translated “knew” in the verse above can also be translated “foreknowledge” and is the Greek word “prog’ no sis.” Does that word look familiar? That’s why we go to see the doctor, so they can give us an accurate “prognosis” for whatever sickness or symptoms we have. Sin is our sickness, and the only reliable cure for our prognosis is forgiveness and new life in Jesus.

To be holy means to be set apart for sacred use. We have no holiness of our own, only what is given to us by God. Notice in the verse Peter sets out the progression of our holiness: we’re foreknown and chosen by God – the Holy Spirit makes us holy (sets us apart for His use) – then, or as Peter writes, “as a result” we “have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Why is this so vital to understand? Because in our haste to get it right, we too often get it wrong. We want to be holy by our good behavior. We tend to believe we’re made holy by the people we hang with, the books we read or don’t read, the places we go or don’t go, the food we eat or don’t eat, the clothes we wear, even the way we style our hair. But what do all of those things have in common?

They’re all external – outward – but the holiness God designed, and desires is internal – it’s spiritual. Submission to God’s agenda by our obedience is the willing response of a forgiven heart. We don’t obey God to become holy, we obey God because we are holy. Holiness isn’t a lifestyle that results in inward purity, it’s inward purity that demonstrates and illustrates God’s activity in and through us by the “set apart” lifestyle we live.

That’s why the writer of the Hebrew letter said in 12:14: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” “Strive” in this verse can also be translated “pursue.” In much the same way as we strive for or pursue our wife or husband, not to gain their love and affection, but because we want to grow in our love and affection for them. Our goal isn’t to gain something we don’t have, but to grow in something we already enjoy.

Holiness isn’t a lifestyle that results in anyone making much of us, rather, it is God’s working in and through us resulting in us and others making much of Him. He’s the subject of our holiness, not us. That’s why it’s so important that we understand what it means.

Blessings, Ed 😊