Nothing is more attractive to a hurting world seeking truth, purpose, and comfort than a Christian who lives to model Jesus Christ, not primarily in actions, but in character. Get the character or heart right toward Christ and actions always follow. There is something irresistible about a believer exuding the spiritual qualities found in Jesus. They are magnetic, encouraging, and open up many opportunities to proclaim Him.
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Ministries
Proverbs 1:2-7 – To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth —
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied: “No Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian.” Gordon Maxwell replied, “You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language.” Again the Hindu responded, “No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you and not become a Christian.”
In today’s scripture, we find the most damaging weapon in the world. It isn’t found in the militaries of the world’s superpowers. Nor is it contained in a nuclear missile hidden in a secret silo somewhere. The most damaging weapon lies in our mouth. It is that little piece of cartilage called the “tongue.”
I have been reading a book titled, The Last Enemy by Michael Wittmer. It isn’t very long but is sure is a thought-provoker. No, it isn’t a war novel or some non-fiction history book about soldiers and battle. Oh, it is about an enemy and battle. And it does stimulate thinking, even a re-thinking about how one is living life. Allow me to share what I mean. He titles chapter one “Shock” and opens with “You are going to die. Take a moment to let that sink in. You are going to die. One morning the sun will rise and you won’t see it.” Wittmer got my attention. I hope he did yours. Do we realize that today may very well be our last day on earth?
We will be faced with it from the moment we wake up till our heads are laid upon a pillow late at night. It will come in all forms. Here are just a few; lustful looks, ungodly speech, impulsive reactions of anger in tense moments, impatience with trying people, even family members, coveting eyes, and evil thoughts. The “it” I am referring to is temptation to sin. There will not be a moment this side of heaven free from temptation. It never rests, takes a vacation, or cuts us slack. It also will never just roll over in its intensity to draw us to commit sin. And when it comes to temptation, it only applies to the Christian. Unbelievers are dead in sin and are immune to temptation. All they do is sin, but not the believer.
We live in dangerous and scary times and that includes dangerous spiritual times. For the Christian, I am not referring primarily to persecution and the threat of being martyred. Granted, that is real and happening in our world today, but not in our neighborhoods or churches today – yet. We face a serious spiritual threat described by the Apostle Paul in a letter to a young pastor named Timothy (2 Timothy 3:1-5a). Pay attention to Paul’s list of the signs of end times. The first sign of end times is what causes Christians the greatest problem in their lives robbing them of the joy of walking with Jesus. It is the sin of selfishness; a focus on me, my, and mine. Paul calls it “people being lovers of self.” Then notice another characteristic in the middle of Paul’s list – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”