HEBREWS 12:5-6 – And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
THEME OF THE DAY. THREE REMINDERS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. I think there are a few things about the Christian life we need to be reminded of on a regular basis. At least I do. Why? We are a forgetful people. Without spiritual reminders of the reality of living the Christian life, we become easy prey for the devil, the world, and the flesh. Forgetfulness has slain many Christians on the spiritual battlefields of life. So, by way of encouraging reminders, here are three things about living for the Lord Jesus that need to be kept in the forefront of our thinking.
First, following Jesus Christ is never going to be easy. Ever. There is a reason why Jesus said, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24) and that reason is a lot of people aren’t willing to pay the cost to follow the Lord. Profession doesn’t make a person a Christian. Profession, practice, and perseverance validates one is a Christian. Vacations occur from our jobs and regular routines and are enjoyable, but there are no vacations in the Christian life. Time off does not occur. We don’t get to take “spiritual breathers” from the race, the war, or the spiritual conflicts we face. The Apostle Paul exhorted a young pastor named Timothy with these words, “Endure suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). When a person enlists in the armed forces, it becomes life, a 24/7 experience. It is the same for the believer in Jesus Christ. And should we think otherwise, allow these wise words of King Solomon speak to our hearts, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:10-11). Slack off from the spiritual disciplines of the Word, prayer, church and obedience and “spiritual poverty” will overcome our souls and shipwreck our faith. But don’t be discouraged at the difficulty in the Christian life or grow weary. Jesus travels with us and His joy will be our strength on the journey (Nehemiah 8:10; Matthew 28:18-20).
Second, God loves us too much to leave us unchanged. This means that “the good work begun in us, making us like Jesus” will continue each day of our lives (Philippians 1:6). And it will hurt. A lot. Purging always does, but God’s commitment to us demands He does not leave us in our states of ugly pride, selfishness, and worldliness. He will bring correction, discipline, and suffering to do the good work in us that He started. So don’t rebel when life is hard, the pain is real, and we hurt. It is our loving Heavenly Father doing what He promised – changing us into the image of His Son. And this change takes great power because, even as born again believers, we don’t warm up too much to change, especially when it hurts and takes us out of our comfort zones.
A final reminder about the Christian life is God will not allow us to grow satisfied in this world with the things and people of this world. Yes, He gives us all things to enjoy, but He gives us nothing or no one to become idols (1 Timothy 6:17). Now, before you send me an email saying, “What a minute, Jim. I don’t have idols. I am not living in idolatry”, let this definition of an idol settle into our thinking . . . “An idol is anything or anyone that holds a higher place of affection in our lives than God, and gets more of our time and effort in enjoying it or the person than the Lord.” We might want to go slowly in denying we face the temptation toward idolatry.
Reminders. God has given us many examples in His Word of the importance of them and our need to use them. May He help us remember the difficulties in the Christian life, His constant work of making us like His Son, and His commitment to prevent us from practicing idolatry.
PRAYER: “Father, please help me to see that Your love for me is strong and that You won’t leave me unchanged.”
QUOTE: “The Christian life is a disciplined life which means we are always being corrected or developed.”