Daily Bible Devotionals

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  Colossians 4:5-6 (NKJV)

I love to fish, although I haven’t done it in years.  One summer, my brother and I went fishing every day despite the heat waves and thunderstorms.  I even got my picture in the paper when a news reporter noticed my devotion to the art of angling.

My favorite place to fish was my Uncle Alpha’s lake.  (They named him “Alpha” because he was the first child.)  One day, I was sitting on the edge of the dock, cooling my feet in the water, when my brother yelled, “Pick up your feet!”    I looked down, just in time to spy a huge loggerhead turtle swimming up to bite off my big toe!!  That’s when I realized you must stay alert when you’re fishing because some things may be fishing for you!

This concept of alertness transfers to evangelism.  After all, evangelism is fishing for men.  Paul says we should “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.”  In addition to being knowledgeable of the gospel, we should be wise with it.  

We are called to be gracious to the unbeliever.  Paul directs us to intentionally season our conversations with salt.  What does he mean?  As another Bible translation put it: “…always be gracious and interesting so that you will know how to respond to any particular individual.”  There is a reason why bartenders set out bowls of pretzels: salt makes people thirsty.  If you give away pretzels, you sell more beer!

We “salt” our conversation so people will want to hear more about Jesus.  How does that play out, practically?  

For starters: listen, listen, listen!  We live in an age of information overload, and people seldom get to tell their stories.  Next, turn down the preaching and turn up the caring.  Show genuine concern for people.   People don’t care what you know ‘till they know that you care.  Try communicating on a pedestrian level.  That means dropping the “Christian-ese.” (church language) Otherwise, we may appear to be so “Heavenly-minded” that we are no “Earthly good.”

Avoid taking a secular approach, which abandons the gospel for the sake of cultural “relevance.”  Share the whole gospel, even the aspects that seem uncomfortable.  In trying to erase the differences between the Church and the world, many have become so worldly-minded that they’re no Heavenly good.   There is no such thing as a “decision for Jesus” that excludes committing to a Bible-centered life.

“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord!” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (HCSB)

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.  For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.  This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.  Stand, therefore, with truth around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.  In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.” Ephesians 6:10-17 (HCSB)

In the final statements of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul elicits imagery from Israel’s dark past.  He recalls a time when Satan’s tactics were effective against the nation of Israel, which had fallen into national sin by abandoning the truth of God’s Word.  This is especially relevant to modern believers in light of recent pew surveys.  Research has uncovered that 57% of so-called “Evangelical” believers do not believe Jesus is the only way to salvation.  That assumption can only be reached by being ignorant of the Bible.  Isaiah’s warning to pre-dispersion Israel mirrors Paul’s exhortation.

“We all growl like bears and moan like doves.  We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.  For our transgressions have multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us.  For our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgression and deception against the Lord, turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart.  Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off.  For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.  Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil is plundered.” Isaiah 59:11-15a (HCSB)

Isaiah’s last sentence is relevant today because the absolute truth of God’s Word has been scuttled in so many so-called “churches” and is exchanged for a seemingly more convenient message.  When people abandon evil (repent from their sin) only to embrace a false gospel and benign operational theology, which rejects the absolute truth of the Bible, they are twice deceived!!  

Isaiah continues: “The Lord saw that there was no justice, and He was offended.  He saw that there was no man – He was amazed that there was no one interceding, so His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness supported Him.  He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation in His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and He wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak.” Isaiah 59:15b-17 (HCSB)

In Jesus, we are called to be those men and women who conduct spiritual battle, interceding and evangelizing, standing in the gap, and connecting people to the truth of the Gospel.  And our only weapon for which to wage the offensive is the very thing the world (and many in the church-at-large) has rejected: The sword of God’s Word!

“Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.”  Colossians 3:5-7 (HCSB)

When I was young, my parents used to frequent a Chinese restaurant.  Behind the cash register at this establishment were several ornate boxes containing what I thought were “action figures,” posed amidst a constant stream of incense smoke.  I recall asking the Chinese cashier about the dolls; she told me they were her family gods.

For years, that experience formed my opinion of idolatry.  In my mind, an idol was a carving or picture of people to whom you prayed and burned incense.  I figured the idol would bless the worshipper in return for the worship.  It all seemed silly to me.  I was thankful I didn’t grow up in a culture that worshipped idols.

Fast-forward several years.

I was in my mid 20’s and deep into the music business.  I remember standing at a department store merchandise counter.  I had an armful of clothes that I figured would look really cool on stage.  The cashier zipped my credit card and discretely informed me that my card had been declined.  When I called the card company, I was astonished at how much debt I had accumulated in such a short amount of time.  That’s when I realized I myself was an idolater!

Yes, I had gotten into debt because of my idolatry.  Here’s what I mean: I had bought into a lifestyle, or “image,” which I pursued beyond Godly accountability.  I wasn’t satisfied with God’s provision, so I sold myself into the bondage of credit card companies, all to acquire an “image.”  I had bestowed power and worship to the “image” to provide success and protect my lifestyle…power and worship that belonged to God!  

Whenever I felt God was inadequately showing up for me, I simply trusted the “image” to grant me what God had denied.  And that’s how I got into credit trouble as a young man!

Paul tells us that God’s wrath comes because of our idolatry.  Maybe you have never worshipped carved stone and wooden idols.  Nevertheless, the Bible says we ALL once walked in idolatrous ways.  In some ways, perhaps, we still occasionally flirt with those former idols.  But there is HOPE for all who choose to turn from their idolatry and walk with the Lord by placing their faith and trust in Jesus.  However, when we reject His ways, we open ourselves up to His certain “rod of correction” and wrath of punishment.

“If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?  Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”?  All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men.  Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.”  Colossians 2:20-23 (HCSB)

Paul begins (what we know as) this second chapter by encouraging the Colossians to pass on his letter to the Church at Laodicea.  Interestingly, the congregation at Laodicea has become synonymous with “lukewarm-ness.”

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish that you were cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,  I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.”  Revelation 3:15-16 (HCSB)

From Paul’s previous letters, we know that there were groups of false apostles whom Paul called “Judaizers.”  At least one of these groups came from the heart of James’ Jerusalem congregation.  The Judaizers were traveling about, telling Gentiles they had to convert to Judaism before they could accept Jesus.  Some theologians speculate that the Judaizers were, themselves, Gentiles who had converted to Judaism.  This made their testimony all the more powerful among other Gentiles and undoubtedly prompted Paul to underscore that he was “born a Jew” in Philippians 3.

By nature, most people would rather seek a compromise than take a stand.  It is the underlying reason for the emergence of the “Tea Party” movement in American politics.  Taking a stand means declaring absolutes and possibly polarizing people.  Our “post-modern” culture rejects the notion of absolutes, so “not offending” has become the goal.  

The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, was willing to go to the extreme for his convictions.  His convictions went beyond some personal preference or natural bent towards extremism.  Paul believed in God, and his foundation for belief was the Bible, matched with a personal saving relationship with Jesus.  

The problem with the congregation at Laodicea was that they tried balancing Paul’s “extremism” with that of the Judaizers.   Their compromise garnered them Jesus-themed paganism, which wasn’t true religion at all.  It overlooked certain sins, which God would never allow, and emphasized disciplines God never commanded.

Any religion worth hanging your eternal “hat” on had better be true!  And if it’s true, then it should be able to be defended.  If it can be defended, it must come from a list of absolutes.  And if those absolutes come from anywhere other than God’s Word, they may have a reputation of wisdom.  Still, they deny the power of God’s Spirit, given to all true believers, to enable them to discern the Bible’s truth, resist temptation, and build His Kingdom.  That’s precisely why we read His Word every day.  So we can know it, live it, and share it!

“God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of His mystery, which is Christ [Messiah] in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ [Messiah].  I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.” Colossians 1:27-29 (HCSB)

I urge you to read this chapter.  If for no other reason, it lays out the deity of Jesus.

At the moment they become a follower of Jesus, every believer receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is God’s Spirit that teaches us and even intercedes to God on our behalf.   The Bible says there are times when the Spirit will express itself in great power.   These would be times when a work is accomplished, and there is no doubt that only God’s Spirit has achieved it.

Paul is speaking of such a time in today’s passage.  Paul notes that God is accomplishing His will through Paul, as he is strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Wouldn’t you like the Spirit to work through you as it did for Paul?  Here are some things we can learn from Paul’s testimony:  

First, God is looking for faithful believers to labor at His mission.  Are you willing to step out in faith?  Does your fear of the World keep you from possessing what is only offered to God’s faithful servants?

Second, Paul proclaimed the whole Gospel.  When you share your faith, do you withhold the essential elements of true conversion yet make people feel uncomfortable?  It is unhealthy when a person values a relationship more than they value the other person in the relationship.  Often, people withhold sharing the truth of God’s standard, mankind’s sin, and the consequence of Hell for all who refuse Jesus’ atonement.  They do this simply because they value the personal relationship with the non-believer more than they care about the non-believer’s salvation.  Such a relationship is selfish because it puts the believer’s personal social comfort ahead of the spiritual necessities of the non-believing friend.  

Paul presented the Gospel as it is.  The whole Gospel.  He told of the great love of Messiah, and he warned of the reality of Hell.  He knew very well that the message of Jesus was the cornerstone of salvation to some and a “rock of offense” to others.  Paul didn’t “market” Jesus; he “preached” Him.

Lastly, after faithfully heeding God’s call and proclaiming the complete Gospel, the Spirit worked in power and strength.  Thus, Paul saw his efforts bear fruit worthy of his suffering because he was confident God’s Spirit would bring success, according to His perfect wisdom, purpose, plan, and promise.

“I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  I have learned the secret of being content – whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.” Philippians 4:12-14 (HCSB)

Can you imagine yourself in a state of contentment?  What would make you happy?    

For me, I’m at a beach house.  I have no mortgage, no debt.  I have enough money to cover any reasonable whim.  I’m thin, tan, and there’s a south swell coming in.  Let’s go surfing!

It’s easy to be content when we’re living our dreams.

What if, instead, we were forced to endure a nightmare?  What if, while lying on my dream beach, a tsunami came and swept away the coastline?  I survived but lost the use of my legs, my family, and everything else.  Now, I’m alone, bankrupt, and physically incapacitated.

Is it possible to contently praise the Lord when our conditions are displeasing?  Paul says, “Yes!”

It is a great mystery, but true contentment is not about maintaining a positive environment.  It is also more than maintaining a positive attitude.  Contentment, or “joy,” is a gift from the Lord that transcends your particular situation and attaches itself to God’s never-changing character and promises.

Paul says he “learned it.” He endured both abundance & hardships, and God proved faithful through both!  God was faithful to deliver Paul from prison, and He was faithful when Paul was thrown into prison.  God is always faithful.  And there is peace in knowing that.  

Here is another thing we know: Whenever Paul suffered, people believed in Jesus!  They would ask, “Why else would Paul volunteer to suffer unless he KNEW Jesus was Messiah?”  Paul’s message is different from the “prosperity” gospel of today.  Paul’s approach sounds more like a “disparity” gospel!  Yet, Paul was an effective evangelist, nonetheless.

If Paul learned contentment by experiencing God’s faithfulness, he perpetuated contentment by continuing to heed God’s call.  The secret to contentment is to trust and obey the Lord through all circumstances.  We must learn to trust He will never leave or forsake us, even if following Him leads us through hard times or even martyrdom.

It is good to entrust Jesus with our “souls.” But how well do we trust Him with our lives?

“Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Messiah and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Messiah – the righteousness from God based on faith.”   Philippians 3:8b-9 (HCSB)

To be “known” is a basic human need. To be “found out” is a basic human fear.  

While some strive to project an image of perfection, I don’t think any sane person actually believes they are perfect. It reminds me of the proud man who stated, “I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.” Now, that’s denial!

Much of the anxiety in our culture is based on being “known” without being “found out.”  Here’s how it works. We are all insecure, so we buy into an image of how we should look, dress, or act. This image is always slightly bigger than life. It is the “us” we want to be. By the way, we get the image(s) from three sources: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil.  

If the image is cast well, it is never fully attainable; it is ever elusive, always barely out of reach. So, our whole lives are focused on obtaining the impossible. Even if we could obtain the image, we couldn’t sustain it for long. It is constantly morphing. The moment you finally get in fashion, the trends change!!

This is a hurdle for the contemporary church. “Contempo” means “With the times.”  The moment a congregation gets “with the times,” the times have already moved on. We must base our ministry on something more solid than a passing social, musical, or style trend. We must build on the solid foundation of Scripture, which never changes.

Deep inside, we know the image is a lie, but we continue to strive for it. This is because we are so afraid of being rejected that we hide in the World under the mask of the image. We simply want to be accepted and valued. That is also why, when people find God’s unconditional love actually determines their worth, they quickly start abandoning their Worldly image pursuits.  

Having excelled in non-Messianic Judaism, Paul made it his goal to be known ONLY as a follower of Jesus. He had once tried to live up to the image of a Perushim (a Pharisee). Compared to others, he was outwardly righteous, but inwardly, he was not at peace. Paul counted that former “image” of righteousness as rubbish because it was rooted in lies and fueled by vanity.

In short, we should be “known” as people who were formerly in need of salvation, and we should be “found out” to now be righteous by faith in Messiah, Jesus alone.

“For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me.”  Philippians 1:29-30 (HCSB)

“Hey, Paul! How are we supposed to convince sinners with THAT kind of theology? Struggling? Suffering? Dude, you don’t understand this post-modern culture…?”

Paul’s statement certainly raises some questions and concerns about what we should expect from following Jesus. The “problem of pain” is, perhaps, the Church’s greatest dilemma, moving ahead. We live in a culture of luxury. Ours is an “i-centered” world, complete with iTunes, iMessage…iChurch. The point is that our world seems to revolve around how we feel.  

You can tell our narcissism by the complaints we have about church services. “The music was off today.”  “The preaching went long.”  “The parking lot is too crowded.”    

News flash:  God connects more deeply with us through hardship than abundance. Consider the September 11th tragedy of 2001. Remember how quickly our national focus changed to “God, save us!”? Recall how soon folks abandoned the Lord once the immediate hardship seemed to diminish.

Some within the Church believe that Christians never have problems as long as they are friendly people and live according to the “golden rule.”  When such people observe your pain, they say it must be the result of your sin. Any difficulty in their life they attribute to the sins of others. This theology is negligent of Paul’s teaching. It is heresy because Paul exhorted that suffering is a GIFT from the Lord. It is part of His grace to us!

Alongside the gift of salvation, through faith in Messiah, we also receive the gift of living “in Him.”  Consider the lives of Jesus and Paul. Who wants to be beaten, stoned, shipwrecked…crucified? Yet, they considered it all joy in light of the hope set before them.

Hardship is inevitable and also a privilege for believers. How so? It builds faith.

“Blessed is a man who endures trials because when he passes the test, he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him.”  James 1:12 (HCSB)

We trust God, initially, because of the observable testimony of faithful believers. When we read the Bible, we learn of God’s holiness and His faithful interaction with mankind. This leads us to trust His leading in our lives. He leads us through hardships, where we learn the REALITY of His faithfulness instead of abstractly believing in the THEORY of it. Thus, our faith and boldness builds. Observable faithfulness attracts unbelievers. And the whole process starts again.

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”  Ephesians 5:15-21 (HCSB)

We live in an age where many professing believers spend very little time reading the Bible.  To be honest, most followers of the Messiah would admit they should spend more time studying God’s Word.  When asked why they spend so little time searching the Scriptures, the average believer answers that they simply don’t have the time or feel inadequate to comprehend the text.  Believers generally prefer to have the Bible filtered and dispensed through a preacher/pastor than to read it for themselves.

Today, God’s message to us through Paul’s letter is that we should be wise, careful, and understanding of the Lord’s will.  The Lord’s will comes in two varieties: Revealed and Unrevealed.

For instance, an example of God’s unrevealed “will” would be something like…how the antichrist will rise to power in the world.  While theologians may have varied opinions about end-times scenarios, we will not know precisely how God will accomplish His will until He reveals it in His time, according to His great wisdom.  Until then, the best we can do is to speculate.

As for God’s revealed will, that’s easy.  It is the Bible.  Everything we need to know about God, having a right relationship with Him, and living a blessed and fulfilled life is contained in the pages of Scripture.

Before one comes to know Jesus in a saving way, they are unwise.  They may have been successful and wise in the ways of the World, but in God’s eyes, they were foolish.  For instance, I used to live to party.  I loved the fashion of partying, party people, and mostly the music.  It all glorified my Worldly lifestyle.

But by God’s grace, I was saved, filled with the Spirit, and began reading the Bible.  Through the Bible, God began revealing how I should honor Him with my life.  The Psalmist correctly said, “He put a new song in my mouth.”  My song changed because the object of my worship had changed.          

Beyond that, when I began applying God’s instruction to my life, He began replacing my desires for “self” with the desire to serve others.

“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.  Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.” Ephesians 4:11-14 (HCSB)

God desires that we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of His Son, Jesus.  His will is that we would each grow into mature believers with a stature that would measure up to the fullness of the Messiah.  In short, it is time for us to move beyond being consumers of ministry and begin contributing to it.

When you heard the gospel (those who have heard and believed it), you probably learned that God has a wonderful plan for your life.  That is true.  A while back, Rick Warren sold a few books aimed at helping people discover their “purpose” in life.

God’s desire for every individual is that they enter into a saving relationship with Him.  Beyond that, He desires that each of us grow in faithful maturity.  To aid us in that endeavor, He has gifted us with the Holy Spirit, Who teaches us and reveals the truth of God’s Word and “impels” us with the desire from within to obey it.

When we choose Him, He chooses and gifts us individually to serve His “body,” the greater body of the Messiah.  Some believers He endows with the ability to start ministries.  Others may prophesy, evangelize, pastor, or teach.  The list continues…

So, in which way has He called you to minister?  No matter what your occupation is, your preoccupation should be to draw nearer to God and to be used to draw others near to Him.

We read the Bible with the intent to know and obey the Lord.  In doing so, we seek to become more faithful and mature.  And we understand that while there are many opinions and “versions” of the gospel, there is only one TRUE gospel.  Therefore, pray that the Lord would reveal His truth to you so that you could not only expose the lies within false teaching, but you would also lead others in the way of truth.

“The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above.  By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah.  This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power.” Ephesians 3:3-7 (HCSB)

Suppose some ethnic gang hassles your neighborhood.  They extort money and terrorize your family, and it gets really bad.  This gang’s corruption has even infiltrated the government.  There’s nobody to call for help.

Now, suppose this gang’s terror has been going on for several generations.  A prejudice of hatred has grown among your community against every one of this gang’s ethnicities.  Your only hope is that you’ve been taught to believe that God would, someday, send a Deliverer Who would stop the terror.  Your whole life’s plea to God is like generations past, crying out, “Save us from those people!”

Finally, in His perfect timing, God responded to those prayers.  He sent the promised Deliverer.  You’re thinking, “Now, those people are going to get crushed!” But, instead of destroying and publicly humiliating all the members of that gang’s ethnic community, your Deliverer has other plans.  He decided to atone for their sins and offer them grace and forgiveness if they would repent and receive His atonement by faith.

How would that make you feel?  I bet your answer is close to what many Jews felt when they learned that Messiah came first to atone for sin and offer salvation to all people before He returned to judge and punish the world’s sin.  

Jesus identified that the REAL problem in the world was not primarily its different people groups; the problem was how sin had affected those cultures.  He understood that sin had infected BOTH the Jew and Gentile cultures.  Thus, Jesus did not elevate any people group above another regarding their need for atonement or its accessibility to anyone who seeks it.  He came to wipe the slate clean for all, so to speak, and give everyone a choice for a new start.  This was so that all ethnicities could glorify Him together by God’s grace and the Spirit’s enabling.

I can relate to how the Jewish leaders felt when Jesus spoke of a “good Samaritan” and commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I can also identify with the prejudice Paul faced when he asserted that the mystery of the “prophets” in the Tanakh (Old Testament) was: All of us Jews need atonement, and Gentiles can receive it, too!

“So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.  The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord.  You also are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (HCSB)

I love going to church!  Every week, folks of varied ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds come to worship the Lord together.  I love it when people who would otherwise never mingle come together in close community simply to seek God.  Most of us know Jesus in a saving way, and I pray the rest will know His salvation soon!

I didn’t grow up in a culture that readily embraced unity, even for the sake of the Gospel.  I grew up in the Southern U.S., towards the end of an era of horrible racial division.  I recall an instance when I was a fifth-grader in Mississippi.  On the way to school, my school bus pulled to the side of the road.  The door opened, and a member of the Ku Klux Klan, in full robe and hood, boarded our bus and passed out “hate literature.” You see, we were “white” kids being bussed to schools in “black” neighborhoods.  That enraged an unsavory element in the backwoods culture.

The disgusting irony of the KKK is how they use the “cross” as their central icon, albeit a burning one.  The argument that Jesus loves all people, regardless of race, to the point where He would die for them is lost on racists.  Their actions and values are by no means “Christian.”  

From reading the Bible, we understand that Jesus would never endorse the agenda of a group like the Klan!  The same goes for the actions of the Nazis, medieval Crusaders, and Spanish Inquisition.  While each of these “hate groups” claimed to speak on behalf of God, their agendas simply couldn’t jive with the life and teachings of Jesus.

That’s not to say Jesus won’t judge sin.  I am simply saying that sin is not specific to any people group.  Everyone, regardless of ethnic or social standing, is born into sin and needs atonement.  Jesus makes His gracious plea of atonement, by His grace through our faith, to all men, regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic status.

I chose this passage today because the church continues to grow.  We are expanding in terms of numbers by grace and knowledge of God’s Word.   I believe God is building our group, human stone upon stone.  The cornerstone of our group is the Cornerstone of our faith: Messiah Himself.  We are diverse but unified in the knowledge that Jesus is the only way to salvation for all who believe.  Regardless of our sin origin, we share a common destination, and each of us has become an altogether new creation by His grace.  We read the Word, and we sing His praises.  It is evident He has brought us together because His Spirit abides within and among us!

“For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.  So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”  Galatians 6:6b-9 (HCSB)

I have spent my whole adult life in and around the Christian music business.  When I was 22 years old, I got my first record deal.  I clearly remember the day I signed that record contract.  I recall sitting across the desk from the record executive, ink still wet on the contract from my signature.  He leaned back in his chair and spouted two incredibly poignant pearls of wisdom.  The first was, “Most people fail in this business because they quit too soon,” and the second was, “Don’t quit your day gig.”

Those two statements conveyed a multitude of wisdom.   On the one hand, he wanted me to know I was in a “slow growth” industry, where investment would take considerable time to pay dividends.  But, on the other hand, he encouraged me that MY pay-off was worth the wait, and HIS pay-off depended on my wise investment and patience!

The “Christian” music business can be a tricky industry.  There are multi-car pileups at the intersection of Faith and Commerce!  Some people see the “platform” as an opportunity to vainly project their image in hopes of exploiting the marketplace.  When you view yourself as a product, everyone else becomes a consumer.  That scenario doesn’t foster great personal relationships.  Eventually, an artist’s “shelf life” ends.  Those who sow their gifts in vanity reap an empty harvest.

Other artists approach the business from the standpoint of ministering to others.  Sure, they produce products for the marketplace, but the greater desire is for the music to encourage people to draw closer to God.  The well-intended artists view their time on the “shelf” as the Lord’s calling and recognize it is God’s prerogative to eventually call them elsewhere.  Yet, they never tire of doing good, no matter how high or low profile the ministry opportunity may be.  

However, wherever we are called to serve the Lord, we should each diligently sow the gospel seed in whatever mission field the Lord leads us to.  Then, we must patiently wait for God to provide growth.  When we focus less on our personal pay-off and more on the quality of fruit that develops in the lives of others, we will be less inclined to sell out or quit when times get hard.

“For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14 (HCSB)

Beginning on Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Eve, an elderly man handed out $20 bills to strangers.  He became known as the “Secret Santa.”  Over the next 30 years, “Secret Santa” gave away almost 2 million dollars.  

A few years ago, his identity was revealed.  In a twist of tragic irony, the “Secret Santa” who had helped so many was himself in need of benevolence.  He needed a kidney transplant and didn’t have enough money to pay for it.

For the cynics, this story is confirmation of how idiotic philanthropy is.  They say giving money without personal accountability or getting a tax deduction is terrible stewardship.  Skeptics would say people should only work their way out of poverty.  They would even say benevolence should only be left to professionals.

The cynics will no doubt fail to recognize how people worldwide rallied to pay for “Secret Santa’s” operation.  So much money poured in that a fund has been set up to spend the excess.  As a result, “Secret Santa” will end up giving more out of poverty than when he was rich!

“When that year was over, they (Egyptians) came the next year and said to him (Joseph), ‘We cannot hide from our lord that the money is gone and that all our livestock belongs to our lord.  There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.  Why should we die here in front of you – both us and our land?’”  Genesis 47:18-19a (HCSB)

As in the days of Joseph’s leadership in Egypt, people in America are selling themselves into bondage.  They are enslaved to credit card and mortgage companies.  America’s insatiable desire for “self” has driven it into slavery…even government shutdowns at the Federal level!  The average American household maintains over $12,000 in credit card debt.  Most of us can’t afford to give to the poor, even if we wanted to.

It reminds me of today’s passage.  Compared to the World economy, most of America’s “impoverished” still possess considerable disposable wealth.  God has blessed us with spiritual and financial wealth, not to waste it all on ourselves but to invest it in His Kingdom.  When we use our freedom to satisfy ourselves, we become slaves to our desires.  But if we love our neighbors as ourselves, the Lord (Who sees what is done in secret) will bless the faithful.

“But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods.  But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces?  Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?  You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.  I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.” Galatians 4:8-10 (HCSB)

In recent years, the United States has legalized same-sex marriage.  Because these daily email devotionals go out to several foreign countries, some of you have asked for my opinion concerning this issue.

Personally, it doesn’t much matter what I think.  It’s what the Bible says that matters, and I hope you are continually weighing my observations, insights, and opinions by God’s Word, as you should with anyone else.  My ministry goal is to encourage people to read the Bible one chapter daily.  You build your faith by raising your Biblical literacy.  If you have limited time and are trying to decide between reading the day’s Bible chapter or reading my devotional, please read the Bible!

That being said, I do have Bible-based opinions on gay marriage.  First, the Bible is clear that all sex outside of heterosexual marriage is a sin.  (Hebrews 13:4)  The Bible is clear that marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman.  (Genesis 2:21-24, Matthew 19:4-6) Furthermore, the Bible is very clear as to God’s feelings about homosexual behavior. (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9)

The Bible is also clear that homosexuality is just as forgivable as all other sins: sins like pride, adultery, idol-worshipping, murder, or lying.  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)  God promises strength for victory over sin.  (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Pertaining to today’s passage, it does not shock me that same-sex couples want to be married.  Apart from heeding the direction of God’s Spirit, which is given to all true believers, the non-believer does not have the correct motive or desire to abstain from worldly pursuits.

To me, three great tragedies surround the legalization of gay marriage.  The first is focused on believers in Jesus who refuse to take a stand for fear of offending the gay community.  To them, I would say: Now you have offended God.

The second tragedy is focused on the “pseudo-Christian” pastors who perform gay marriage services.  There is a reckoning forthcoming.

And thirdly, perhaps most tragically, those professing to be Christians living the gay lifestyle have been sold a false gospel.  It is heresy to claim to have been set free from the elemental forces of our sin nature, accept the Grace of Jesus, claim to be called by His name, yet purposely and continuously live in defiance of the commands, precepts, statutes, and requirements that God established for His followers.

“The Law, then, was our guardian until Christ [Messiah], so that we could be justified by faith.  But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ [Messiah] Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ [Messiah] have put on Christ [Messiah] like a garment.  There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ [Messiah] Jesus.  And if you belong to Christ [Messiah], then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.”  Galatians 3:24-29 (HCSB)

This particular passage has been somewhat controversial among believers, especially Messianic (Jewish) believers.  Some theologians have suggested that Paul declared that Jews who believe Jesus is Messiah are no longer Jews.  Others have suggested that Paul, with his mention of the universal inclusion of all believers into God’s promise to Abraham, was declaring that Gentile believers have now become Jews, thus reassigning Judaism to “Christians.”  Neither assumption is valid, nor are those assumptions remotely close to Paul’s intended message.  To understand the essence of Paul’s comments, one must consider the types of people that Paul is addressing in his letter to the Galatians.

First, there were non-Messianic Jews who were taught they must follow the legalistic “religion” that Judaism had become.  This religious form had (and still has in many respects) so re-interpreted the Torah that a faithful relationship with God had been diminished to a performance-based list of impossible rules.

Secondly, there were Torah-observant Messianic Jews who believed that salvation came by way of faith, apart from works.  While they departed from the man-made aspects of rabbinic Judaism, they did not depart from observing the Torah.  This group would have included all of the apostles, as well as the true Jewish believers.  

Third, there was the legalistic “circumcision sect.”  Paul says they were a faction of James’ congregation.  They called themselves believers and claimed greater apostolic authority than Paul because of their ultra-religious adherence to the man-made rules.  Paul mocked them as “Judaizers,” denying they were believers at all because anything other than salvation by grace through faith falls short of true salvation.

Lastly, there was a divided group of confused Gentile Galatians!  Some were following Paul’s preaching, while others were being swayed by the impressive, albeit unbiblical, disciplined lifestyles of the “Judaizers.”  While the devoutness of the modern Orthodox Jew is impressive, all of that discipline, apart from Jesus’ grace, is in vain.

Paul’s message to the Galatians was simple: as it pertains to salvation, God does not elevate any people group, economic condition, or gender above another.  All believers are heirs to God’s promise to Abraham, who was himself considered righteous by faith in God alone, apart from the works of the Torah.  That being said, being a “Jew” means being part of a distinct ethnic people group.  To this day, there are Jewish and Gentile believers, often separate in culture and forms of worship, yet ONE in Messiah’s grip and grace.

“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.”  Galatians 2:20b-21 (HCSB)

I grew up in (what is known as) the “Bible Belt.”  In the Southern US, a larger-than-average percentage of the population goes to church, hence the name “Bible Belt.”  Without going into all the cultural nuances of living in the South, let me describe my church experience there.

Growing up, I remember a lot of preaching about God’s grace.  I recall that most sermons pleaded with people to accept Jesus and His free gift of eternal life.  I recall hearing how there was no “good work” a person could do to be saved.  And, hey, there’s nothing wrong with those messages!  They communicate the freedom of the gospel.  Maybe that’s why Jesus is so popular down South.

Sadly, once a person crossed the “line of faith,” they were often inundated with a myriad of rules.  It was as if one entered a room of religious bondage through the door of grace.  Whether it was an issue of social standing, education, dress code, or Bible translation, it was challenging for new believers to live up to the standards of some churches.

Coming to Jesus was easy, but keeping up your Christian image was almost impossible.  As a result, many people walked away from the church, twice confused.  They had undergone a religious experience, but under the legalistic burden of others, they could never be sure their faith was the real thing.  They definitely couldn’t be honest about their growth process for fear of being exposed as a sinner.

Paul had an issue with that type of church.  Just to set the record straight, a follower of Jesus is redeemed by faith in Him alone, apart from the works of the law.  As one preacher said, “The mark of a Christian is not their perfection, but rather their direction.” Another added, “We are not saved by faith and works.  We are saved by faith that works.”

We are neither saved nor kept by the good things we do for God.  We are saved because of Him, set apart for Him, and redeemed and kept by Him.  His children should indeed desire to do good works, but their motivation is out of thankfulness and obedience and not to earn or keep their salvation, which is impossible for mankind.  

If we could earn our salvation, then we don’t need a Savior.  Therefore, Messiah would have died for nothing.

Let’s be thankful that Jesus’ death meant death to sin and that His resurrection is life to all who, by faith, believe.

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present age, according to the will of our God and Father.  To whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)

I love home improvement shows, although cooking shows are becoming my favorites.  Many people’s favorite home improvement show is Extreme Makeover-Home Edition.  The only problem is that every episode makes me cry!  The show’s producers search out families who have suffered significant loss yet are determined to be survivors.  Every time the show ends, my wife and I say, “Man!  I wish someone would come over and overhaul our place!!” But in reality, that’s already happened.

Paul reminded the Galatians that Jesus gave Himself to “rescue us from this present age.”  To be rescued, people first have to acknowledge they need rescuing.  I have never seen the Extreme Makeover crew go into someone’s shack, propose to level it completely and rebuild them a mansion, and the people respond, “No thanks.  We’re good.”

That never happens!!  When they just see the show’s host at the door, people break down before he says a word and start wailing and thanking God!  Why?  Because they know that hope is on their doorstep.  But One greater than a TV host stands at the door of your heart.

“Listen!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (HCSB)

And what “dinner” is Jesus speaking?  Is it not the Passover dinner, which remembers the “passing-over” of our sin, atoned for by the Messiah’s death on the cross?  And wasn’t that atonement approved by the Father and evidenced by virtue of Jesus’ resurrection?

Paul says, “according to the will of our God and Father,” Jesus has become our ultimate Korban Chatat (sin offering).  That means the wrath and judgment of God have forever passed over all who receive His atonement.

Do you have the “grace and peace” that comes from God through a saving relationship with His Son, Jesus?  It is God’s will that your relationship is restored to Him.

“Today, if you hear His voice: do not harden your hearts…” Psalm 95:7b-8a (HCSB)

Does your life need an “extreme makeover?”  Can you hear Him knocking at your heart’s door?  Then, surrender your resistance, open the door, and let Jesus in.

“Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.  Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9a (HCSB)

I must confess, I hate the gym.  I simply like eating chocolate donuts more than loading iron ones onto the ends of steel bars and pushing them off my chest.  

What motivates people to pump iron?  Are these people ever satisfied with their bodies?  I’ve never heard of anyone walking into a gym, catching their reflection in that mirrored wall (which happens to be in all gyms), and calling their friend on the cell phone, “Dude… I just went to the gym.  Guess what?  I’m done.  I have the perfect body!!”

Spiritually, we all have sin issues to work out.  Nobody is perfect.  True, in a saving sense, we are perfect in God’s eyes through the atoning work of the Messiah.  But who are we kidding?  We still sin and personally undergo God’s discipline as a result.  The Bible says Satan continually accuses us before God while Jesus intercedes for us.

“Then I heard a loud voice in Heaven say: ‘the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah has now come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night.’” Revelation 12:10 (HCSB)

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1 (HCSB)

If we didn’t sin, how could Satan accuse us?  Honestly, we give Satan plenty of ammo to accuse us with!

Paul allows us insight into his personal struggles.  The Bible doesn’t list Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”  Perhaps the omission was intentional so we could insert our individual “thorns in the flesh.”  Thus, Paul’s struggle becomes everyone’s struggle.  Whatever it was, Paul’s struggle must have been significant because he said it came by way of a messenger of Satan, and Paul prayed three times that God would take his “thorn” away.

God’s response to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” God’s exhortation is the same for us since we have not suffered any temptation other than what is common to man.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There are things about God (and us) we cannot learn until suffering exposes them.  “No pain, no gain,” they say at the gym.  Of ourselves, we learn exactly how much we can bear.  Of Him, we learn to trust He will “spot” us, strengthening us by pushing our limits while bearing up the weight we lack the strength to lift.

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Messiah.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light.  So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.  Their destiny will be according to their works.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (HCSB)

A while ago, my wife and I led music for a ministry event in San Diego.  The resort where we stayed also housed the “spiritual wellness” clinic/spa of new-age self-proclaimed “guru” Deepak Chopra.  Watching the hotel TV channel, I learned more about Mr. Chopra’s methods for helping people reach “spiritual enlightenment.”

In one treatment, an attendant lays several colored stones on your body and strikes tonal chimes with a mallet while you listen to soft music.  The whole process looked hokey to me, but a spa attendant told me the spa is booked solid, and some appointments are years in advance.  People pay hundreds of dollars for these treatments, hoping the whole experience gets them closer to God.

It’s sad what lengths people would go to NOT to believe the truth of the Bible.  They would rather invent religion than humble themselves to acknowledge the irrefutable evidence of Jesus’ empty tomb.

I believe the worst type of false religion is the kind that masquerades as “Truth.”  Some people think of Satan as the grotesque red monster with a pitchfork.  I tend to believe he looks more like the smooth-talking false preacher.  You know, the preachers who tell you whatever you want to hear so they can exploit you?  

These preachers tell the congregation, “Don’t be bothered by sin and the coming judgment!  God just wants to give you whatever you desire.  God would never ask you to do anything uncomfortable, and He would never require anything self-sacrificing of you.”

Paul tells us Satan (and his agents) pose as ‘angels of light” and “servants of righteousness.”  Satan does not care if we are murderers or churchgoers.  He only wants to keep non-believers from believing and believers from being effective witnesses.

We study the Bible to become expert “agents of the truth.”  We should aspire to be living examples of Jesus, that our words & works would expose the wolves among the flock of Messiah.

“Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness, as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.  Through the proof of this service, they will glorify God for your generosity in sharing with them and with others.  And in their prayers for you they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”  2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (HCSB)

I have spent my whole adult life in ministry.  From personal evangelism to touring as a Christian musician, from working as a minister on a church staff, and even as an assistant Messianic congregational leader, I have learned a few things about ministry!

In ministry, I have observed that there are basically two kinds of Kingdom builders: “Senders” and “the Sent.”  The “Church-at-large” needs people willing to heed God’s call by going directly to those who need the Gospel.  It also needs people who are willing to fund that ministry.  Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand how these two types of believers need each other.

In today’s passage, Paul describes that special relationship between the messenger and the benefactor.  Paul likens the benefactor to a field hand, a lowly job the rich aren’t generally accustomed to.  By doing this, Paul cuts to a source of pride that can often distance the Sender from the Sent: The worker/master relationship.  In general, people with money have more power, so they tend to look down on the worker.  Paul reminds the Sender of the same relationship they have between themselves and God.  

Just as the farm owner provides seed for his field workers to sow, so God provides wealth for the rich to invest in His Kingdom.  If the sower doesn’t invest his allotted seed wisely, the landowner may decrease or eliminate his future portion.  Similarly, God blesses us with abundance so that we will invest it in His kingdom.

In our present economy, it is hard for us to consider ourselves wealthy, but the average American is in the top 10% of the world’s wealthiest compared to the rest of the world.

So, how well are you investing in God’s Kingdom?  Sure, our Kingdom investment ministers to the physical and financial needs.  But, perhaps, the greatest service our investments provide the “ministers” is in the encouragement they receive by knowing that other believers are willingly supporting (co-laboring alongside) them.  It encourages them to continue ministering in otherwise discouraging spiritual conditions!

The Sender receives the blessing of knowing God’s work is being completed, in part because of their investment.  Also, the minister remembers the benefactor in his prayers before the Lord, Who was, of course, the source of the benefactor’s wealth!  See how it comes full circle?

“For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,  since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (HCSB)

The Biblical directive for believers to be “in the world, but not of it” is impossible to accomplish…apart from the direction and power of the Holy Spirit. We are, after all, only human.  

If we were fighting against the flesh using fleshly weapons, we would be doomed from the beginning. Just as a kingdom divided could never stand, so the flesh cannot overcome itself. All flesh is sinful, so all purely fleshly means of warfare and rescue always fall short of God’s standard. The flesh seeks compromise, whereas the Lord demands obedience and diligent adherence.

Far superior to fleshly weapons are Godly ones. Perhaps we should review the “armor of God” in Ephesians 6. They are the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Sandals of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Interestingly, the only offensive weapon listed is God’s Word, as revealed by His Spirit. The ministry of the Spirit is to reveal God’s Word, but the power of the Spirit is the Word itself.

I recall counseling a friend who was going through a season of moral compromise. My friend told me he wanted to honor God but that his flesh was just too weak to fight off temptation. I asked how often he read God’s Word. He said he didn’t think reading the Bible was very important.  

I believe daily Bible reading is more than necessary; it is essential! We are in a constant state of spiritual battle. The enemy comes at us all day, every day. It even attacks us in our sleep!!

“Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.” Proverbs 20:18 (NASB)

How can we enter the spiritual battlefield without seeking and adhering to the Lord’s advice? Merely reading the Bible will not produce victorious living. Application does. It is what you do with the Word revealed that makes the difference. For that, we need God’s Spirit to reveal the truth, direct us on how to apply it, and empower us to employ it, standing strong through to the end!

“For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality – at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may also become available for your need, that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 (HCSB)

It has been said that you can determine an “optimist” from a “pessimist” by handing them half a glass of water.  The pessimist says the glass is half-empty, and the optimist says it is half-full.

From the believer’s perspective, people view life in terms of “scarcity” or “abundance.”  

Those with a “scarcity” mindset never have enough.  They may become wealthy, but they only see what’s lacking.  Their decisions are based on what they DON’T have, so they generally aren’t hopeful.  They don’t feel they can afford to be.  

People living with an “abundant” mindset make decisions differently.  They view everything as a blessing from a gracious God with limitless resources.  They can give up their possessions and time more freely because they trust that God has the ability and character to ultimately accomplish good for His children.  It frees them to trust even through difficult seasons of life.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b (NKJV)

In today’s chapter, Paul distinguishes between the Macedonian believers and those at Corinth.

The Macedonian believers didn’t have much wealth, but they had great faith!  They gave over and above what they could afford.  Was that foolish?  Paul didn’t think so.  He said…

“During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (HCSB)

The Corinthians, on the other hand, lacked nothing yet had to be exhorted to give!  Though incredibly blessed, their joy was incomplete because their giving was reluctant.

Do you view life from the standpoint of “scarcity” or “abundance”?  Do you make your decisions from your seat pocket or your shirt pocket?  From your wallet or your heart?

“I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (CSB)

Growing up, I remember a poster hanging on my friend’s bedroom wall. It was an enlarged portrait of the Peanuts comic strip character, Charlie Brown. He had a defeated look on his face, and the caption read, “Good Grief.” When people think of grief, we generally relate it to sadness and loss…not happy feelings. But in today’s passage, Paul is saying there is a kind of grief that is actually good and Godly.  

Occasionally, I am asked to minister at funerals, so I have seen grief. But we don’t have to experience the death of a loved one to experience grief. Grief comes whenever we suffer loss. Sometimes, the worst loss is the kind that we bring about ourselves.

When I share the gospel, I usually begin with one foundational truth: God is perfect, and His standard is perfection. I’ll follow that truth with another sobering fact: Nobody else is perfect! It doesn’t take long to do the math on this equation. Mankind is in big trouble unless some overwhelming external force intervenes!

I have seen people react to this information in several ways. They display denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Those symptoms are known by psychologists as “the five stages of grief.”

What does “grief” have to do with the gospel?  

People who have believed (as truth) the World’s lies, the flesh, and the Devil have incurred GREAT loss. Even though they may not be conscious of that loss, there is presiding anxiety in the World because of it. The gospel exposes that loss. Essentially, the unredeemed person must realize his life has been built on a faulty foundation. Thus, everything his life built upon that foundation must be demolished. The proper foundation (Messiah Jesus) must be laid, and the new believer’s life must be rebuilt upon that firm foundation.

When grief has run its course, it leads to acceptance…moving beyond your grief towards a hopeful future. Are you yet to follow Jesus? What is holding you back? Abundant (even eternal) life awaits your decision.  

Though your sin would cost your soul, your debt was paid in full. His grace comes without toll to make the broken whole. God loves you and wants you to receive forgiveness and enter into a saving relationship with Him through a personal relationship with Messiah Jesus. Do it today!