How strongly are we committed to the truth and God’s way of life?  We may sometimes have that feeling of quitting, having doubt or a lack of faith, and that kind of thinking could even bring us to the point of giving up.  We have to be careful that we don’t think that way. 

In the 13th chapter of Matthew, Christ talks about the parable of the sower.  In verse 19 He states, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

We must be diligent in understanding the truth, and we do that by studying God’s Word and asking God for His wisdom and understanding.  Satan the devil is very eager to draw us away from God’s truth, and He loves it when we stumble. 

Instead, we are to be joyful when we hear God’s Word (verse 20).  The key is that we remain joyful and enthusiastic about God’s way of life, lest we drift away, due to various trials in our lives.  Verse 21 states, “… yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” 

Christ also describes a category of people who do know the truth but are still attached to the world in some way:  “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (verse 22).  We cannot serve God and mammon  (Matthew 6:24).  Being caught up in the world is a huge distraction from God’s way of life, and therefore, it is impossible to bear fruit.  In verse 23 Christ states: “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

We must also come to the realization that we, as converted Christians, were predestined to be called, and we were chosen for this life, to know God’s truth and His law.  God has called us out of this world to a potential better life that is to come in the near future.  With this understanding that we have, we must act on it, and we will be blessed far more than we can ever imagine.

In the first book of Samuel, the epic story of two kings is told. God carefully chose both of these men to rule over His people.

Saul was the first king, and his credentials for office were very impressive, as we find in 1 Samuel 9:1-2:

“There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish… a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”

At the beginning, Saul was humble and obedient to God, but the rest of Saul’s story is one of haughty disobedience and self-will. David was chosen to replace him.

Samuel was sent to the family of Jesse to anoint a new king from among his sons. God instructed Samuel: “…‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him [speaking of Eliab]. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).

David was the last of the sons of Jesse to be presented to Samuel, and even of David, we find this description: “…Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance” (1 Samuel 16:12, NASB). Other accounts speak of David’s musical ability, his leadership and his ability as a warrior, but these attributes and skills were not the most important in God’s view. Rather, we read God’s testimony about David, as follows:

“…‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22). David’s obedience to God was his most important quality.

Likewise, we see that Samuel was a faithful and obedient priest—he replaced the disobedient house of Eli. God spoke this of Samuel: “‘Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever’” (1 Samuel 2:35).

After giving His commandments to Israel, God appeals longingly to His people:

“‘Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!’” (Deuteronomy 5:29).

That appeal from God has stood in every generation, and it is now our own challenge! Is God looking upon us, because we have a poor and contrite spirit and tremble at His word? (Compare Isaiah 66:2). Is God finding in us “such a heart”?

“Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” These words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 5:11-12, stand in stark contrast to the following warning: “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).

Humanly speaking, we love it when we are well spoken of, and we don’t like it when people hate us, exclude us, revile us and “cast out” our names “as evil” (compare Luke 6:22). But if we shrink back from standing up boldly for the truth, so that we can be accepted by others, then Christ will have no pleasure in us. If we deny Him–through our words or our conduct–for fear that others may ridicule or even persecute us, then Christ will deny us (Matthew 10:33).

Don’t be surprised when you are the victim of malicious lies. Paul was, as he said in Romans 3:8: “… And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’?–as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.”

As a true Christian, you can expect to be lied about. And you can expect that some may believe those lies. This might include misrepresentations from some of your friends or relatives. It might include business associates or even members of your church. Paul spoke about “evil reports” which were circulated about him, and that he was even accused of being a “deceiver” (2 Corinthians 6:8).

But, without perhaps realizing it, a person who lies about you and who may call you a deceiver has himself become a tool in Satan’s hands–that evil being who is the arch-deceiver and the accuser of the brethren, accusing them day and night (Revelation 12:9-10). It is therefore no surprise when his ministers, perhaps claiming to be servants of Christ, accuse true Christians (2 Corinthians 11:15). They act in this way so that they–or their self-invented “cause”–may appear “righteous” in the eyes of man; but their “end will be according to their works” (same verse).

Sometimes I wonder whether such evil workers of iniquity have “no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). I ask myself, don’t they know that they will have to answer to God, in His due time? Do they even care? And then I have to remind myself: Don’t be surprised! It’s prophesied to happen. Christ said: “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… but all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me” (John 15:20-21).

I have been lied about many times–as I am sure that you have been. And it is never easy to hear vicious rumors about yourself–knowing them to be absolute falsehoods and misrepresentations; KNOWING that these “evil things” have been “invented” by evil minds (compare Romans 1:30). Still, we ARE told NOT to hate such evil workers of iniquities–even though we surely are to HATE with all our being WHAT they are doing–but to “give place” to the wrath of God. We are to “bless those who persecute” us (Romans 12:14), always remembering the truthful saying of God: “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

I’m not saying that this is easy. I’m sometimes surprised how difficult it may be. Especially when malicious and vicious lies are being spread about us which are totally untrue–and when others believe those lies, even though they should know better. No, it is not easy to bless in such situations, rather than to curse (Romans 12:14), but this is what we are commanded to do. And we are to even rejoice in persecutions, knowing that God blesses us in such situations. Peter tells us: “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

And so, we know that God will bring to light, in His due time, the true motives of everyone, and we are confident that God will praise the wrongfully accused (compare 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Don’t be surprised when persecution comes. But be certain that you are found in the role of the wrongfully accused–and never in the role of the wrongful accuser. After all, it IS a serious and “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

A few weeks ago in the UK we had council elections where all the candidates were putting themselves forward for political office.   A week later, the Prime Minister announced that he would be leaving office on June 27th.   He was elected almost 10 years ago with high expectations, as usually happens with any change of leader, but now his place will be taken by another who will last only so long.   The same is true for all those councilors elected in the May local elections.   They have a short shelf life in their political office.  

Likewise, football managers rarely last more than a few short years and managers in industry move around.   Wherever you look, the shelf life in these highly paid jobs is but for a moment.   And yet, so many strive for them.   The perceived glamour of celebrity and position allied to wealth is a heady mix for so many who never give their Creator a passing thought.   It’s all for now, and the future will take care of itself.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, much is written that we should take note of.   “… Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.   What profit has a man from his labor In which he toils under the sun?   One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4).  

We have been called to have a full time career in Christianity that will last until our dying breath.  There must be no shelf life for true Christians in this mortal life as we grow and overcome and press towards the Kingdom of God. As Christians called by God, our shelf life is to be eternity, not just a fleeting few years.

Ecclesiastes has this admonition right at the end of the book, in chapter 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man.”

Dr. Jack Kevorkian was recently released from prison, where he served eight years for giving a fatal injection to a 52 year old man who had Lou Gehrig’s disease.  What he did was wrong in the eyes of God (see Q&A below), and the judicial system in the USA agrees, hence the jail time.

The interesting aspect of this whole ordeal is that Kevorkian went into the penal system a rebellious and defiant man of 71 years of age and came out as a 79 year old who was still just as brash, gruff and combative as ever.

While his time in the penitentiary did manage to keep him off the streets, it did little to make the man, known as Dr. Death, penitent.  Of course, this is nothing new. Most do not come out of correctional facilities “corrected.” If anything, some going in come out “better” criminals.

What does it take then to rehabilitate a person from his errant ways?

It takes a conviction that what we are doing is wrong, and then a conversion to become a “new” person.  The only way that this can truly be accomplished is by the power of God working in our lives and giving us the recognition of who and what we are, and then, who and what we can become.  The heart is naturally contrary to the way of God (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:18-20), but with the power of the Holy Spirit, it can be transformed (Psalms 51:10; Ezekiel 11:19).

Some today have been given this insight to see themselves as God sees them.  The question now is, what does He see?  Is it the same attitudes and actions that were present at the beginning of their rehabilitation or is it a “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24)?

We are admonished by Christ in Matthew 5:14-16, that we–as the light of the world–are to let our light shine. We are not to put our lamp under a basket or stool, as it were, but up on the table, where everyone can see and benefit from it. Light has interesting features. It illuminates, thereby driving out the darkness. It doesn’t make any noise and is therefore not intrusive. It allows us to do things which we could not do, once the sun has set. In order to continue a task, we merely turn on the lamps in the room in which we are working.   

As we have seen, we are supposed to let our light shine. Just exactly what did Christ have in mind when He said that? We have heard of the expression, actions speak louder than words, and–sadly–do as I say, but don’t do as I do. The power of a good example is a force to contend with, and it influences what people think about us. We let our light shine by the way we act. We are to walk in the light. Christ also said that men do their evil deeds under the cover of darkness, and Satan and the demons are associated with darkness. 2 Peter 2:4 tells us: “For… God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…”  Men, following the lead of Satan and his demons, tend to do their dirty deeds under the cover of darkness.

Walking in the light means walking according to the commands and statutes of God, being in submissive obedience to His laws. We of course could never achieve this goal without the help of God’s Spirit in us, which is guiding us and assisting us to make right and correct choices in our lives. The closer we are to God in utilizing the tools He has described for us–prayer, Bible study, fasting and mediation–the more our light will shine as a powerful witness to this dying world.

Is our light shinning forth as a tribute to ourselves? Not at all! The reason why we must let our light shine is clearly spelled out in Matthew 5:16: “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The whole purpose is to give glory to God; it is not for the purpose of self aggrandizement. So let us walk in the light, and let us be children of light by our good example–all to the glory of our Great God.

In a recent heart wrenching tragedy covered on the local and national news reports, a two year old child was swept away from his mother’s grasp in a flash flood.  This event took place, not in the backcountry of the Colorado mountains, but in the greater city of Denver, on a downtown bike path, and on what started out as a sunny spring day.

As reports stated, the grandfather called to warn his daughter of the impending dangers of the storm and the possibility of flooding.  The daughter continued on her walk and sought shelter from the storm under a nearby bridge.

A fire department official stated, “The mother put the toddler in his stroller to protect him from hail, but torrential rain pushed the stream over its banks. The flood knocked the woman down and tore the stroller, with the boy inside, from her hands…”

It would be inappropriate to second guess and theorize what the young mother should or shouldn’t have done in those circumstances.  In that instant, she tried to safeguard her child as best she could, but the circumstances around her quickly got beyond her ability to control them.

For the most part, we all have “sunny and clear skies” in our spiritual walk.  Nothing should stop us from growing closer to God on a daily basis through prayer and study.  There are always enough hours in the day to devote some time to God. 

But when our adversary strikes us, it’s never with our foreknowledge and according to our schedule.  His attacks, much like a surging and flooding river, can quickly overcome us and draw us down into his waters.  And when we are caught up in those currents, tragedy usually follows. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We can AND MUST anticipate Satan’s attacks.  This preparation is accomplished by rooting our knowledge in the voices of God’s prophets and the examples they left for us in God’s Word, the Bible.  If we do, our spiritual house will be much like the example of which Christ told us in Luke 6:48: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”

Where does the credit belong and to whom will it be given?

In wars won and wars lost, who is honored and who is blamed? Is it the generals or the soldiers—the leaders or the citizens? In endeavors great and small, there is responsibility and accountability along with either rewards or punishment.

Currently at issue in America’s corporate world is the stunning financial disparity between workers and “bosses”—the CEO’s, presidents and other board members. Often, the complaint is that those most closely associated with the hands-on, day-to-day activities receive the least pay and rarely even the proper credit or a genuine “thank you!”

Carried to other settings and magnified into your own particular circumstances, where do you stand? Do you receive the credit you desire and actually deserve? And more importantly, do you give credit to those who have earned it?

The Way of Christian living sorts these questions out! Here is what Jesus told His disciples:

“…Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’” (Mark 10:42-45).

Jesus often emphasized this approach, and we find this very direct example in Luke 14:11: “‘For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’” (Also, compare Luke 18:9-14).

One way in which we can humble ourselves is to make certain that our focus is on Jesus Christ. For if we seek to please Him, to follow His perfect example and to love one another as He instructed, then our lives will reflect the kind of serving humility that exalts and GIVES credit: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

Here is the answer to the opening question: The credit belongs to Jesus Christ and it has already been given to Him! Note what is recorded in Philippians 2:9-11:

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

We need to very carefully learn from Jesus Christ the kind of true and selfless humility that pleases God. If we do, then this promise awaits us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

We will soon be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost and reflect on the tremendous gift that God has bestowed on us–the priceless guarantee and down payment of eternal life–His very own Holy Spirit.

As it is true with everything in life, we are called upon to choose–even as it relates to God’s Spirit of Life. God only gives us His Spirit after we repent of our sins and believe in Christ’s sacrifice; after we choose to be baptized by one of God’s true ministers, and after the ministry lays hands upon us. Before baptism, God expects of us to show Him through the choice of our obedience that we really want to receive His priceless gift (Acts 5:32). After baptism, we must continue to choose to obey, lest we drift away and lose what has been given to us (Hebrews 2:1; 3:12-19).

Life requires of us to make choices–continuously. Every choice that we make either brings us closer to God’s Kingdom–or makes us drift farther away from it. Sometimes, it may seem difficult, if not impossible, to prioritize correctly our many challenges–especially, if a Godly choice would not harmonize with our human desires and values. We can make right and wrong choices: We can choose to seek God and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33)–or to concentrate more on the physical things of this life (Matthew 6:19). We can choose to serve God–or “mammon” (Matthew 6:24). We can choose to love God the Father and Jesus Christ more than everything and everyone else–including our own lives–or to love our mates, children, families, friends or business associates more than God (Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26).

But even though God allows us to choose, He does not want us to choose poorly. In fact, He commands us to choose wisely–for our own good. He tells us in Deuteronomy 30:19-20: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” And God promises blessings to everyone who chooses what pleases Him (Isaiah 56:4-5).

We might think, in a given situation, that choosing against God’s instructions is the right thing to do–but God would never command us to do or not to do something, if there was a better way or even an acceptable alternative. To really believe that God knows best, and to follow His directives–no matter what–is the only sure road to lasting success. There are no shortcuts–and there are no better alternatives to God’s commandments. God instructs us to “keep His statutes and His commandments… that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days” (Deuteronomy 4:40). We also read Moses’ words to ancient Israel: “And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, and to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us” (Deuteronomy 6:24-25).

The gate and way which leads to Life is narrow and difficult, and only few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Many actually think that good is evil, and that evil is good (Isaiah 5:20). They do not choose the fear of God (Proverbs 1:29), but that in which God does not delight (Isaiah 65:12). However, those who find the truth must also obey and practice it (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus Christ, in the human flesh, refused the evil and chose the good (Isaiah 7:15-16). So did David (Psalm 119:30)–and so must we.

To choose the right and to reject the wrong may require temporary sacrifices and suffering. Moses chose “to suffer affliction with the people of God” (Hebrews 11:25), in order to obey God, “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (same verse).

With God the Father’s and Jesus Christ’s Spirit within us, we have the guarantee that we CAN choose wisely and obey our Maker in everything (compare Philippians 4:13).

And so, we do have the choice! It has always been our choice–and it always will be. Knowing this–let us choose LIFE, so that we and our children may live–FOREVER!

Recently a Sky News report stated that “More details are emerging about Cho Seung-Hui, the student who shot dead 32 people at Virginia Tech university in America.” In a letter found in his dormitory he criticizes what he calls the rich kids on campus and goes on to say, “you caused me to do this.” It also complained about “debauchery” and “deceitful charlatans.”

In an editorial, dated September 10, 2004 (Update #160), I wrote about an attitude which often surfaces, denying personal responsibility by saying, “It’s Not My Fault.” Again, this “no fault” approach reared its very ugly head when a mass murderer blamed his innocent victims for his terrible and insane crimes.

In his letter, the mentally disturbed perpetrator of this dreadful crime complained about “debauchery” and “deceitful charlatans.” It appears very likely that he was influenced by demonic forces, if not possessed. And even though the mass murderer was the child of immigrants from South Korea, he seemed to have been fully integrated into Western society. However, the terrible and inexcusable madness of the crime prompted me to think about the issue of immigration in general.

When students from a different culture move to a new country which has different ideals, beliefs, concepts and way of life, it can be a serious problem. The same applies when immigrants pursue residency in a new country which, again, may have a totally alien way of life to that which they have been accustomed to all of their previous life. Some may integrate and accept the old premise of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Others may find it hard, if not impossible, to assimilate into their new surroundings and hold on to their old way of life and its values, which are sacrosanct to them–and that is when real problems can emerge.

Debate can rage about allowing immigrants–especially those from Third World countries–into a different “Christian” country, but what example do they find when they enter the UK, USA, Canada and many other western nations? They are confronted with easily accessible pornography, licentious life styles, blasphemy and foul language as the norm, entertainment of the worst kind, loutish and threatening behavior to older and more vulnerable people (and to many others), lying, stealing and cheating – and so much more. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh which are evident, on a daily basis, in our towns and cities up and down the land. Those from cultures that are much more “conservative” have a hard time coming to terms with such “liberality.”

We can be very quick to jump on the accusatory bandwagon, but, without excusing any wrong behavior whatsoever, including the senseless killing of innocent people, we do nothing to assist people’s “righteous indignation” when our “Christian” nations provide a backdrop and environment with inherently wrong values in society “as the norm” in the first place.

As we have said so many times over the years–and it is certainly not over-emphasized by repetition–only the righteous rule of Jesus Christ at His return, together with the banishment of Satan, will provide the right environment for correct behavior – behavior that will ensure that the terrible demonically-inspired events at Virginia Tech University will not be repeated, nor the godless life style of liberal nations. But until that day, unfortunately, we will see more of the same.