Training Up A Next Generation

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word."  -Psalm 119:9

My children roll their eyes at me most days. I think they see me as "overly religious", preachy, and maybe even somewhat hypocritical (as they see my own shortcomings too) ...though I don't set out to be any of those; as if I'm not just as prone to the same temptations and pitfalls of sin in this life. 


In fact, Christian, I would submit that it is of the utmost importance that we let our children know that piousness is of little significance ...compared to an attitude of humility, empathy, and understanding. Recognizing, and / or admitting, our own failures doesn't negate the significance of Godly truth.


Yet all the empathy in the world isn't an excuse not to train our children in the way they should go. I often text my two teen-age boys Scripture bites, just as I will this one, and other nuggets of Godly wisdom. I don't know how much they soak it up, ...but I know that, someday soon, they'll hold their mom and I accountable for how they're brought up. I refuse to fail on the side of laziness, or fear of "looking hoaky". I agree with Joshua... "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." How will they (especially our children) hear ....unless there is a preacher?

a few tweet refs to read

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-service.html

http://www.simplychurch.com/2011/03/what-about-elders-and-deacons.html

http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/14/to-hell-with-hell

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Blessings,
Steve Terrell

blog: www.reclaimchristianity.com

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

-John 3:30

You Are Good O' Lord

"You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." -Psalm 119:68

What does it mean to be good ...to do good? You or I don't need to reference a dictionary to get the meaning of "good". I believe the real question may be ...."who" is good? If being good consists of moral excellence, or righteousness, then in all honesty, I am only marginal; even by our own human standards. If doing good is an outward representation of those same qualities ....then I am hit and miss there as well. Don't get me wrong... I ain't a bad guy! Just ask anyone besides my wife!!

Lately, in life, it seems that I have either (a)been under attack by the evil one (yes, I do believe that he prowls around, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour) or (b)being tested to prove my own resolve and / or endurance. In either case... I am a work in progress ...to put it in a self-defending sort of way. But does this qualify me as all good ...or all bad, for that matter?? Again, depends on whose standard of "good". By the way... if I got to quantify "good" ....it would go something like this...

good (adj.) - depending on how Steve feels, and / or acts, on any given day. - fluctuates with... Steve."

But the psalmist said, of the Lord, "you are good and do good." So if the Creator created, then only He can quantify, and qualify, what is truly "good". This means, also, that nothing He does is bad! Now I have your attention don't I? We don't say it out loud ....but some really "bad things" occur, that I sure know "I" didn't cause, or even allow. What about the folks in Japan this week?? Did the earthquake / tsunami occur because they are bad? Would it not have occurred if they were good, or did good?

The sovereign God decides "good", and by His own standard ..."none is righteous, no, not one;" (Romans 3:10). Either we quantify "good" on God's qualification or we follow our own quantification, and qualification, of good ...or we follow another human's definition and example. If that is you.... how is that "really" working for you?

Whether we define "good" as we go ...and most certainly if we define "good" by God's standard ...then we have a serious problem in the realm of "good". Refer to Romans 3:9-18. But if we read on, in vv. 21-22 we see God's response to our own lack of "good-ness". 

 Be good! Do good! But be wise enough to know that we fall short.. even at our best!! Follow God's standard of good. It will do more than merely give us a right perspective in this life! It will sustain us for eternity.

Reconciled ...Now Your Move

It has been duly noted that Jesus' death on the cross isn't the be all, end all for the purposes of redemption (being bought) ....that had Christ not risen from the dead this story, this path, of redemption would be incomplete. And of course it would! Christ, Himself, said... 'destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19 ESV).

Jesus' death was adequate to pay the debt of our own sin. His resurrection completed a promise to reconcile us unto Himself. "He" was finished! "He" did all that needed to be done ...for us. Yet I believe God bestowed just a little sovereignty to you and I ....the choice to believe, and therefore, be changed.

So, what does it mean to be "reconciled"? We balance our checkbooks ...making debits balance back any credits ...in order to "reconcile" any possible differences. Jesus' death and resurrection, together, paid the cost due us ...and pinned the promise of glory ..not due us.

How should this change us?

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. -2 Corinthians 5:14-15

If we "identify" with Christ, we are claiming death to our old selves. We have to! Anything else just doesn't reconcile, doesn't balance out, doesn't add up. This doesn't mean we are without sin, but it means that we turn from sin, change our "minds" about sin (repentance) and choose to actively "follow" Christ ...instead of our old, worldly, nature.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -2 Corinthians 5:16-21 ESV

What a gift! Who does that?? Only Christ... the sinless, unjustly murdered by sinful man, risen to go and prepare a place for us ...Lord Jesus! Yes, keep "eating", as it nourishes these "human" bodies ....but whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory o God! (1 Cor. 10:31) Present your bodies as a "living" sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord... (Rom. 12:1).

Let these words sink into your heart and mind..... 'For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God'.

The Life of a Christ-follower is a marathon... not a sprint

"And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." -Matthew 13:57 (ESV)

I'm not so sure Jesus' words, here, were necessarily intended to be attributed to us, but most anyone can relate with what He meant, and it certainly seems to fit the mold for most of us. He had been sharing, in form of "parables", with crowds of people, and with His own disciples present. Verse 55 seems to point to people, which He had been teaching at synagogues in His own home town, asking the question..."hey, isn't this that carpenter's son? Where in the world did he get this kind of knowledge??" These were people, maybe relatives included, who knew Jesus as a carpenter's son, Joseph's son, Mary's son. People probably knew of his upbringing, his humble lifestyle, and meager beginnings.


There seemed to be a built-in "doubt" ....and it would appear to be because they "knew who he was"; at least they thought they did. You can imagine what they likely though.... "yeah, Joseph's boy. Didn't they kinda' run out of town about 30 years ago or so? He doesn't come from any special family, not educated really. I don't know about him."


Though this may be a truth, generally, in "life", and this may be good general advice for all ...I think this reality of Jesus' ministry teaches a very important lesson to His followers.. Christians. Sometimes doubters and nay-sayers come from those closest to you. Sometimes ...within your very own household. 


(a) Don't be derailed by doubters! Don't let this surprise you. It is difficult for people, even thos of best intentions, to overlook a past, a history, they may know of you, or of your family. It makes it difficult to swallow that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, God can have done an amazing transformation of a life. Yet that is precisely one of His specialties, for which He is glorified! Don't be derailed by doubters. And if people in Jesus' own hometown would doubt Him ...in spite of His "obvious" knowledge of God's word, and for those that saw His miracles ...then why should you or I be surprised by the fact that people will have doubts about the change that has been established in us?


(b) Don't be bitter toward doubters! It is important to remember that Jesus' provision of salvation was, and is, for ALL! Being dejected doesn't provide a free pass, or any sort of excuse, for bitterness. Be prepared for this! If these are un-believers ....they are the very people you are trying to reach with the good news of Christ. If they are believers ...then it may be only time, patience, and perseverance that make the truth you carry believable, or hear-able. Stick to it, be salt and light, speak truth, and live truth day by day by day. Don't push your agenda. Rather, allow the Holy Spirit to open doors, and close doors, as He sees fit ...all to fulfill the Lord's purposes ...not your own. He must increase, while we must decrease. The Christ-follower's life is a marathon ...not a race. Stay around people long enough and they're likely to see the best, and the least, of you. If you let this knock you down ....then our example, our witness is deeply cut. When your example is positive, and truth, salt, and light are evident .....let these things simply speak for themselves. Use words when necessary. When your example is shaky, faulty, or poor, display an genuinely repentant heart. No doubt..... some will hang their hats on your failures. Keep on keepin' on. The Lord's work in your life will be developed, and displayed, over the long-haul. Remember, we are a people of no reputation. Our walk with Christ is not for our glamor, but for His glory.