God Motivation informs Christian living by way of calling for Incorporation, Limitation, and Extraction.
It calls for incorporation of those things into our life that are lacking or deficient. There are ways in which we should be more fully motivated by God Himself, items that we are simply lax in exercising. Such practices must be incorporated into our lives or increased in use so that we might live more fully for Him.
God Motivation furthermore requires a limitation of those things threatening to rule us. For though they might be acceptable practices, they are to be used in moderation to prevent them from having mastery over us. If they are not, we will begin to be motivated in life by them instead of by the Lord.
Finally, living with God Motivation will many times call for the extraction of items contrary to the will of God and opposed to right Christian practice. Such things fall into the "delete now" category. It is impossible to be God Motivated in the pursuit of things which God clearly lays out as sinful. There is no "his heart was in the right place" while engaged with things in the need-to-extract category.
Incorporation, limitation, and extraction. The one pursuing God Motivation will find the need for the implementation of these three "tions."
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Virtues Quick to Fly
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
(Proverbs 3:3 ESV)
Steadfast love and faithfulness are virtues quick to take flight. We must not let them run when we are most susceptible to forgetting them. Though we may at many points say that they are fine things to have with us, great substances to display and share with others, they must be exercised even when they are not our immediate consideration. Indeed, they must be bound to us now when they seem as noble virtues; they must be put upon us as between the head and shoulders, fastened with a lock that has no key. Quick to run from the heart to the mouth, they must be stopped at the neck. We would also do well to have them carved into our hearts, so that, when from our souls something contrary to them would desire to flow, they must pass the etched sign of "steadfast love and faithfulness," hearing their rebuke and being caught short before springing forth. Let them not be the quickly deserting virtues that our flesh longs for them them to be. Through the binding of them around our necks and the tattooing of them on our hearts, enemy vices face double the gates before any expression.
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
(Proverbs 3:3 ESV)
Steadfast love and faithfulness are virtues quick to take flight. We must not let them run when we are most susceptible to forgetting them. Though we may at many points say that they are fine things to have with us, great substances to display and share with others, they must be exercised even when they are not our immediate consideration. Indeed, they must be bound to us now when they seem as noble virtues; they must be put upon us as between the head and shoulders, fastened with a lock that has no key. Quick to run from the heart to the mouth, they must be stopped at the neck. We would also do well to have them carved into our hearts, so that, when from our souls something contrary to them would desire to flow, they must pass the etched sign of "steadfast love and faithfulness," hearing their rebuke and being caught short before springing forth. Let them not be the quickly deserting virtues that our flesh longs for them them to be. Through the binding of them around our necks and the tattooing of them on our hearts, enemy vices face double the gates before any expression.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
God Motivation Book
For any who still frequent this blog, I thought it good to inform you that the posts will likely from here forward be different in nature. After prayerful consideration and receiving counsel from others, it seemed best to focus most of the writing for God Motivation in book form. At times, I will likely include excerpts here from that work for any who might be interested. Although I know it's often cliche to say so, I would so much appreciate your prayers for this project, that God would do with me and it what would be most glorifying to Him. To help you to pray, here is a snippet from what I worked on earlier today:
--
...over time, as I have worked through some of the application of the subject, this statement came to mind. “God Motivation is accomplished when God becomes the ultimate Because to all of life's whys. In other words, if someone asks me why I am writing this book, I want my answer, in complete truth, to ultimately be, “God, that's why.” I want to write it because He is doing something to steer me, as if He were standing behind me with His hands upon my shoulders guiding me in a certain direction. I want to write it because He is doing something within me, urging my soul to put something together regarding this subject. I want to write it because as I look beyond me, I behold Him as One that I want to strain ahead toward, building and spreading understanding of Him with pen in hand. He is why I want to write this book...or to do anything at all.
--
Please pray that I would work through this project, to whatever end is in store for it, with God motivation.
--
...over time, as I have worked through some of the application of the subject, this statement came to mind. “God Motivation is accomplished when God becomes the ultimate Because to all of life's whys. In other words, if someone asks me why I am writing this book, I want my answer, in complete truth, to ultimately be, “God, that's why.” I want to write it because He is doing something to steer me, as if He were standing behind me with His hands upon my shoulders guiding me in a certain direction. I want to write it because He is doing something within me, urging my soul to put something together regarding this subject. I want to write it because as I look beyond me, I behold Him as One that I want to strain ahead toward, building and spreading understanding of Him with pen in hand. He is why I want to write this book...or to do anything at all.
--
Please pray that I would work through this project, to whatever end is in store for it, with God motivation.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
God Motivation and God's Sovereignty
The sovereignty of God is a touchy subject in many Christian circles. Most might be OK with the statement, "God is sovereign," but the way it gets defined varies greatly from person to person. To come right out and say it, I am a firm believer in God's sovereignty over all things at all times in all places. I don't believe this because I think it makes everything about God easy to accept or comfortable to live under. I believe it because I can't get away from what the Scriptures say concerning the subject. In my reading the other day, I was reminded of why I have continued in this way of thinking. In just two phrases directly next to one another, we read of the contrast between those outside of Christ and those within Him: They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:8b-9). Readers can respond to the Bible in three basic ways: with indignation, with redefinition, or with acceptance. One can say, "I'll not serve a God who operates in that way," or "You see what it really means is...(insert gymnastics theology here)," or "Somehow, although perhaps mysterious, this is how God operates." If one takes a moment to think through these verses, he/she will find that there is an order to them--READ CAREFULLY. 1.) There is a destiny given. 2.) There is a playing out of human history according to the destiny given. 3.) There is a purpose given to the destiny (at least for one side in this particular instance). Tell this to people, and the buts will fly:
"But what about man's free will?" What about it? There certainly seems to be a will of some kind in man, but is it one independent of God's sovereign work? I have heard it said by one who advocates the side of free will that the definition of a sovereign one is "independent ruler." Very well. But if One is truly sovereign (unlike rulers on earth that we would call sovereign), would that not mean that He is completely independent of human decision or will? Then comes the follow-up questions: Do we still evangelize? Yep. Does man really sin? Yep. Is man punished for sin? Yep. Is God sovereign over and in and through all of that? Yep. This has always made people uncomfortable. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?" (Romans 9:19-20). I always cringe when people boldly use the phrase "free will" in sermons, Sunday School discussions, prayers, etc. as if it is some kind of Biblical doctrine. If it were true, it would indeed solve some of the "problems" we face with God's sovereignty, but it would also create a much bigger problem in that it robs God of the praise and glory He intends by acting in sovereignty.
But don't God's sovereignty and free will co-equally exist? This to me is an odd question. If it could be shown that such was the case, I suppose it could be considered as a possibility, but by nature and without the biblical evidence for it, it sounds like another attempt to explain away the discomfort felt over God's sovereign reign over our existence.
But I chose to follow God. Fair enough. The Bible talks about choosing to follow the Lord, but it also talks about who did the original choosing. In other words, we can choose because He chose. We're just about an eternity too late if we think we are the original choosers of our destinies.
But I'm not a robot. Correct, and you're not a carrot either. To be fair, I know what people mean when they say this. Nobody wants to think that he/she is without personal will or volition of any kind, but again, this is not what it means to live under the reign of the sovereign God of the universe.
There is mystery in all of these things, but we must not try to solve them by becoming poor detectives. A good detective does not try to dismiss or redefine the facts of a case, but instead places himself humbly under them and continues to look into the matter; he is subject to the facts that exist. The other night, we got together with my sister and brother-in-law for New Year's Eve and played the DVD version of Clue. It was interesting for awhile, but after a couple of hours, I grew weary of the mystery and decided to go ahead and declare a conclusion to avoid the increasing irritation I was feeling. It cost me the game.
This all really comes down to how we study the Bible. Do we approach it with God motivation? In our study of it, are we motivated to know Him more in the way He has said He must be known? Are we motivated by Him as we study it in that we pray for His guidance to know the truth therein? Is He the One motivating us by drawing us and by directing us, before and behind, within and without?
Sovereign God, please find me in complete submission to Your sovereign reign. Help me to be motivated by You alone in my study of Your Word that I might be the most effective for You in this world. Keep me in a place of humility and faith to accept who You are without reserve and then trust that You know best. To the praise of Your excellencies revealed through Your Son, Amen.
--The above being perhaps one of the more controversial posts I have written, I might note here, some time later, that John Calvin in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" has proven immensely helpful in my thinking through the subject. Although he spends much time exploring the issue of free will (and preceding this, God's sovereignty), the reader might find the following snapshot helpful: Calvin on free will.
Part 7 should suffice if a brief statement is desired.
"But what about man's free will?" What about it? There certainly seems to be a will of some kind in man, but is it one independent of God's sovereign work? I have heard it said by one who advocates the side of free will that the definition of a sovereign one is "independent ruler." Very well. But if One is truly sovereign (unlike rulers on earth that we would call sovereign), would that not mean that He is completely independent of human decision or will? Then comes the follow-up questions: Do we still evangelize? Yep. Does man really sin? Yep. Is man punished for sin? Yep. Is God sovereign over and in and through all of that? Yep. This has always made people uncomfortable. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?" (Romans 9:19-20). I always cringe when people boldly use the phrase "free will" in sermons, Sunday School discussions, prayers, etc. as if it is some kind of Biblical doctrine. If it were true, it would indeed solve some of the "problems" we face with God's sovereignty, but it would also create a much bigger problem in that it robs God of the praise and glory He intends by acting in sovereignty.
But don't God's sovereignty and free will co-equally exist? This to me is an odd question. If it could be shown that such was the case, I suppose it could be considered as a possibility, but by nature and without the biblical evidence for it, it sounds like another attempt to explain away the discomfort felt over God's sovereign reign over our existence.
But I chose to follow God. Fair enough. The Bible talks about choosing to follow the Lord, but it also talks about who did the original choosing. In other words, we can choose because He chose. We're just about an eternity too late if we think we are the original choosers of our destinies.
But I'm not a robot. Correct, and you're not a carrot either. To be fair, I know what people mean when they say this. Nobody wants to think that he/she is without personal will or volition of any kind, but again, this is not what it means to live under the reign of the sovereign God of the universe.
There is mystery in all of these things, but we must not try to solve them by becoming poor detectives. A good detective does not try to dismiss or redefine the facts of a case, but instead places himself humbly under them and continues to look into the matter; he is subject to the facts that exist. The other night, we got together with my sister and brother-in-law for New Year's Eve and played the DVD version of Clue. It was interesting for awhile, but after a couple of hours, I grew weary of the mystery and decided to go ahead and declare a conclusion to avoid the increasing irritation I was feeling. It cost me the game.
This all really comes down to how we study the Bible. Do we approach it with God motivation? In our study of it, are we motivated to know Him more in the way He has said He must be known? Are we motivated by Him as we study it in that we pray for His guidance to know the truth therein? Is He the One motivating us by drawing us and by directing us, before and behind, within and without?
Sovereign God, please find me in complete submission to Your sovereign reign. Help me to be motivated by You alone in my study of Your Word that I might be the most effective for You in this world. Keep me in a place of humility and faith to accept who You are without reserve and then trust that You know best. To the praise of Your excellencies revealed through Your Son, Amen.
--The above being perhaps one of the more controversial posts I have written, I might note here, some time later, that John Calvin in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" has proven immensely helpful in my thinking through the subject. Although he spends much time exploring the issue of free will (and preceding this, God's sovereignty), the reader might find the following snapshot helpful: Calvin on free will.
Part 7 should suffice if a brief statement is desired.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
God Motivation and Parenting
Last night some friends of ours came over for a post-Christmas reunion since they were in town visiting family for the holidays. They were two of my buddies from high school, only now we all have growing families and can enjoy rich (though infrequent) times together with our wives and children. Concerning our kids, we led the way with our now 3 1/2 year old, were quickly overtaken by the Eastmans who managed two at a time (we've since tied with them), and will soon be joined by the Holmans who are only about a month away from entering full-fledged parenthood. Being soon to enter this phase of life, they asked over supper for advice about some of the ins and outs of parenting, specifically the topic of discipline. Following are some thoughts both from that conversation and considerations since then.
One thing that has become clearer and clearer to me over our short time of parenting is that we carry a great responsibility in showing our children what God looks like. Yes, we tell them about Him before they can even speak or comprehend, take them to church, and read them Bible stories, but this is not enough. There is a way in which children will find out about the character and nature of God through the conduct of their parents. First off, Christians in general are called to be "imitators of God" (Eph. 5:1), intimating that the way we live should do something to reflect Him to those observing us. For the Christian parent, children are at the top of this list of observers. But they are more than just onlookers; they are our little people that require a lot of hands-on interaction, direction, and discipline. An example (although indirect) of God-imitation before our children is given in Hebrews 12:10. [Our fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but [God] disciplines us for our good, that we might share in His holiness. Even without being God motivated in doing so, parents know to discipline their children in such a way that they hope will accomplish something good in their lives. This is a form of what God does, or to say it another way: He provides the example for how we are to give discipline. As Christians, we can go beyond just "what seems best to us" and instead look at God's design of working for our good and bringing us to increasing holiness. The question then becomes, "How can I discipline my children in such a way that they will have as clear a picture as possible of what their God looks like, that they might know His goodness toward them and be ready to walk in holiness before Him?" A roadblock that we would prefer our children not have to overcome later in life is the one of having to rethink in great measure what their heavenly Father looks like. Because of His grace, such obstacles can be overcome (and always must be overcome in some measure!), but this puts them one step farther away from living a life fully devoted to and undistracted from the King. It should be the aim of God motivated parents to prepare their kids to be God motivated children.
Where to start? Good parental discipline requires good doctrine. We must know well the God who has from the beginning been interacting with the children that He has created. We have thousands of years worth of records and a universal church that has been entrusted with them, seeking to abide by the instructions therein. We have been given the Holy Spirit as a Guide who is forever influencing our lives toward increasing God motivation. To say it plainly, we have been profoundly resourced. We will find when we probe these resources that we should exhibit a consistent wisely loving character, be extremely available with great compassion when our young ones humbly cry out to us, and be spanking our kids straight into the future God has designed for them...and much, much more, all the while fully entrusting them to the Father.
Perfect heavenly Father, please give us wisdom in raising those that You have placed in our care. Be our motivation in doing this that You might also become the same for them. In the name of Jesus who unites us to You, Amen.
One thing that has become clearer and clearer to me over our short time of parenting is that we carry a great responsibility in showing our children what God looks like. Yes, we tell them about Him before they can even speak or comprehend, take them to church, and read them Bible stories, but this is not enough. There is a way in which children will find out about the character and nature of God through the conduct of their parents. First off, Christians in general are called to be "imitators of God" (Eph. 5:1), intimating that the way we live should do something to reflect Him to those observing us. For the Christian parent, children are at the top of this list of observers. But they are more than just onlookers; they are our little people that require a lot of hands-on interaction, direction, and discipline. An example (although indirect) of God-imitation before our children is given in Hebrews 12:10. [Our fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but [God] disciplines us for our good, that we might share in His holiness. Even without being God motivated in doing so, parents know to discipline their children in such a way that they hope will accomplish something good in their lives. This is a form of what God does, or to say it another way: He provides the example for how we are to give discipline. As Christians, we can go beyond just "what seems best to us" and instead look at God's design of working for our good and bringing us to increasing holiness. The question then becomes, "How can I discipline my children in such a way that they will have as clear a picture as possible of what their God looks like, that they might know His goodness toward them and be ready to walk in holiness before Him?" A roadblock that we would prefer our children not have to overcome later in life is the one of having to rethink in great measure what their heavenly Father looks like. Because of His grace, such obstacles can be overcome (and always must be overcome in some measure!), but this puts them one step farther away from living a life fully devoted to and undistracted from the King. It should be the aim of God motivated parents to prepare their kids to be God motivated children.
Where to start? Good parental discipline requires good doctrine. We must know well the God who has from the beginning been interacting with the children that He has created. We have thousands of years worth of records and a universal church that has been entrusted with them, seeking to abide by the instructions therein. We have been given the Holy Spirit as a Guide who is forever influencing our lives toward increasing God motivation. To say it plainly, we have been profoundly resourced. We will find when we probe these resources that we should exhibit a consistent wisely loving character, be extremely available with great compassion when our young ones humbly cry out to us, and be spanking our kids straight into the future God has designed for them...and much, much more, all the while fully entrusting them to the Father.
Perfect heavenly Father, please give us wisdom in raising those that You have placed in our care. Be our motivation in doing this that You might also become the same for them. In the name of Jesus who unites us to You, Amen.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
God Motivation this Christmas
In order to be God motivated this Christmas, I'm going to need more than Away in a Manger. I think I struggle a little more each year with this season as we work through what to buy for people, whether or not to buy for certain people that may or may not expect a gift, and how we'll coordinate the travel to various family celebrations. Call me Scrooge. But one thing I really do want to do this Christmas is to look at it rightly, to look past the many distractions and be a God motivated observer of the holiday. Who is this Christ-child that we hear about even in the name of the day itself? After spending a little time reviewing the Nativity this week, I was reminded of a few things that got me more excited to celebrate the Savior. There were patterns of this Child's life that were set from his very first moments that greatly inspire my worship. In brief, here they are:
He was born into great controversy. Jesus didn't just choose to do and say things during His adult ministry that were politically incorrect, offensive to many, and challenging to all. From the get-go, His life was one that many people would have said should not have happened. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:18-19). Unwed pregnant teen girls are not all that much of a rarity today, but they were then. Joseph's kindness to Mary in this instance, even before the angel filled him in on what was going on, would not have been something that Mary would likely have found with most guys. In fact, the whole deal was so controversial (and just downright odd) that the public had no idea as Jesus was growing up that Joseph was only Jesus' adoptive dad (Luke 3:23). Jesus didn't have cute little onesies that said things like "100% Pure Virgin Born" or "Whose Yo Daddy? Mine's the Holy Spirit." They kept these things under their hats. But all fun aside, there was something awesome and dramatic about Jesus' entry into the world that set the stage for the amazing and controversial life that He lived. This is a manger Baby that I'm excited to worship this year.
His birth fulfilled ancient prophesy. Jesus wasn't the guy that people just decided to elect as the Messiah; his birth came about in a very specific way, controlled by divine activity. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (Matthew 1:22-23). Knowing this helps me to be God motivated in that I'm reminded of God's great power in bringing about circumstances from the very beginning of Jesus' life (a pattern that continued throughout His life) that set Him apart from and above all others. Immanuel, "God with us" was something new and remains fresh and unmatched, despite how liberal "scholars" try to undermine it. We've gotten pretty good around Christmas time of doing everything we can to get rid of all that Immanuel means; it does have a great element of danger I suppose. It would mean accepting the prophesies made about His birth and then having to wonder if all the other Scriptures relating to Jesus were ones that we also needed to pay attention to. "No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6) just doesn't fit very well into our increasingly pluralistic society. But just the same, knowing who Jesus was, the Messiah prophesied about, ignites my faith this Christmas and draws my attention back to Him.
Jesus was born in great humility and glory. These two characteristics seem very opposed to one another, but for me it says even more about the uniqueness of Jesus and the consistency of His Person. He was the Jesus who only traveled locally, and that on foot, who did not fight back when he faced crucifixion, but who also performed astounding miracles and arose in immortality after being put in the grave. But humility and glory characterized His life from the beginning also. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). That's the side of humility. But the glorious side looked like this: And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). This was followed by a multitude of angels celebrating the glory of Jesus' birth. This is the Jesus I am delighted to worship this year, the One who humbled himself to a pauper's birth and a criminal's cross, the One who was extolled by the heavenly host and is now victorious in heaven. This is the God who motivates me this Christmas.
Lord God, there is much to distract your church this Christmas from Your Son who was born to establish her existence. Please put Him at the center of our minds and hearts this season. May He be our motivation for celebration. In His name, Amen.
He was born into great controversy. Jesus didn't just choose to do and say things during His adult ministry that were politically incorrect, offensive to many, and challenging to all. From the get-go, His life was one that many people would have said should not have happened. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:18-19). Unwed pregnant teen girls are not all that much of a rarity today, but they were then. Joseph's kindness to Mary in this instance, even before the angel filled him in on what was going on, would not have been something that Mary would likely have found with most guys. In fact, the whole deal was so controversial (and just downright odd) that the public had no idea as Jesus was growing up that Joseph was only Jesus' adoptive dad (Luke 3:23). Jesus didn't have cute little onesies that said things like "100% Pure Virgin Born" or "Whose Yo Daddy? Mine's the Holy Spirit." They kept these things under their hats. But all fun aside, there was something awesome and dramatic about Jesus' entry into the world that set the stage for the amazing and controversial life that He lived. This is a manger Baby that I'm excited to worship this year.
His birth fulfilled ancient prophesy. Jesus wasn't the guy that people just decided to elect as the Messiah; his birth came about in a very specific way, controlled by divine activity. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (Matthew 1:22-23). Knowing this helps me to be God motivated in that I'm reminded of God's great power in bringing about circumstances from the very beginning of Jesus' life (a pattern that continued throughout His life) that set Him apart from and above all others. Immanuel, "God with us" was something new and remains fresh and unmatched, despite how liberal "scholars" try to undermine it. We've gotten pretty good around Christmas time of doing everything we can to get rid of all that Immanuel means; it does have a great element of danger I suppose. It would mean accepting the prophesies made about His birth and then having to wonder if all the other Scriptures relating to Jesus were ones that we also needed to pay attention to. "No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6) just doesn't fit very well into our increasingly pluralistic society. But just the same, knowing who Jesus was, the Messiah prophesied about, ignites my faith this Christmas and draws my attention back to Him.
Jesus was born in great humility and glory. These two characteristics seem very opposed to one another, but for me it says even more about the uniqueness of Jesus and the consistency of His Person. He was the Jesus who only traveled locally, and that on foot, who did not fight back when he faced crucifixion, but who also performed astounding miracles and arose in immortality after being put in the grave. But humility and glory characterized His life from the beginning also. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). That's the side of humility. But the glorious side looked like this: And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). This was followed by a multitude of angels celebrating the glory of Jesus' birth. This is the Jesus I am delighted to worship this year, the One who humbled himself to a pauper's birth and a criminal's cross, the One who was extolled by the heavenly host and is now victorious in heaven. This is the God who motivates me this Christmas.
Lord God, there is much to distract your church this Christmas from Your Son who was born to establish her existence. Please put Him at the center of our minds and hearts this season. May He be our motivation for celebration. In His name, Amen.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
God Motivation and the Need for Jesus
It's pretty silly for me to go to a steakhouse for dinner. I'm far more likely to get a burger or perhaps some pasta than I am a steak. The owners of such restaurants would probably be disappointed that I never choose the best thing that they have to offer, even though their list of choices does include a variety of entrees. Yes, the steak will cost me more, but I'm told that it's worth the price. It is true that the entire menu screams, "Get a steak" from the name of the restaurant on the front cover to the appetizers that compliment these choice cuts. But just the same, I guess I'm more comfortable with the burger. Call me a hopeless case...
There was a time when God felt a bit like the owner of a steakhouse (OK, maybe that's a stretch). But if we look at the "menu" that God has given to us, we're intended to see that the whole thing screams, "Jesus!" (Sorry, I will get past the hokey lines here momentarily). Recorded in John 5:39-40 are these words: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have eternal life. When I read this, I'm confronted with the fact that all too often many of us are not interested in having the only real main course that is being offered. The thought actually scares me a bit. Jesus was speaking to a group of people here who knew what religiosity looked like; they knew what the Bible had to say and for the most part really liked it. They even searched through it and would have likely admitted to the fact that a Messiah was a big part of what it was all about. But that was as far as they were willing to go--no steak in the belly. It is possible to enjoy many of the benefits of a steakhouse: the fellowship with others there, the nutrition that comes from the complimentary bread basket, the great aromas....without truly knowing just how great the place is and what it means to truly be a part of the association of steak-eaters.
When we know something of the Scriptures and yet don't really know Jesus, we miss all that is most important. We can take in all the communication that God has given us through His Word and never experience the communion with him that comes through knowing the One He sent. This is what Jesus was concerned about when it came to the religious people he was rubbing shoulders with. Would he have said the same things to us if we had run into Him this week? Let us ask ourselves some questions.
Why do I read (or neglect reading) my Bible? When I talk to Christians who seem to lack direction in life or say that they just aren't feeling close to God, one of the things that I tell them they need to be doing is reading their Bibles. How will they know the One they say that they want to be close to without absorbing what He has told them about Himself? We are not to read our Bibles simply to know what it says so that we can win debates or better grasp how to say the right Christian things at the right times; we are to read it with God motivation--to become closer to God Himself. And the way we can come near to God is by submitting to His Son Jesus as Lord.
What's wrong with just reading my Bible for the sake of reading it? Quite frankly, Jesus said that such activity wasn't enough. He gives the impression here that you can be quite the scholar and not get what you need the most. When Jesus said that the Scriptures bore witness about Him, he meant that the message of the Bible is essentially all about Him. After His resurrection, when He met up on a walk with some of His disciples (who were kept from recognizing Him), He went through all the Scriptures and showed how these were meant to direct their attention to the Messiah (Luke 24:27). Although this message is clear in so many ways, we show the hardness of our hearts in our lack of submission to the One we are told is our only hope.
What is at stake in our reading of the Bible in a certain way? Life. We can read the Scriptures and refuse the eternal life that Jesus says comes through Him. We can have a head full of priceless knowledge and still be lost forever...according to Jesus. We could even know Jesus in the sense of knowing information about Him but not know Him in the way He says we must know Him in order to have life. He tells us here that He Himself is the One who holds the life we can have if we come to Him. In Him is the life that we need. We must read the Bible with God motivation, or to say it even more specifically in this instance, with Jesus motivation. We read it with Him as our reason and aim.
The next time you read your Bible, what will be your reasons for doing so? Will you read it to know Jesus, to know Him in the intimate kind of knowing? This is the Christian way; this is the way of God motivation.
Dear Lord, be my Motivation in the reading of Your precious Word. Fill within me a longing for Jesus, the One all the Scriptures are meant to lead me toward. Guard me from religiosity that puts my aim on my independent personal growth instead of Your glory. In the great name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
There was a time when God felt a bit like the owner of a steakhouse (OK, maybe that's a stretch). But if we look at the "menu" that God has given to us, we're intended to see that the whole thing screams, "Jesus!" (Sorry, I will get past the hokey lines here momentarily). Recorded in John 5:39-40 are these words: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have eternal life. When I read this, I'm confronted with the fact that all too often many of us are not interested in having the only real main course that is being offered. The thought actually scares me a bit. Jesus was speaking to a group of people here who knew what religiosity looked like; they knew what the Bible had to say and for the most part really liked it. They even searched through it and would have likely admitted to the fact that a Messiah was a big part of what it was all about. But that was as far as they were willing to go--no steak in the belly. It is possible to enjoy many of the benefits of a steakhouse: the fellowship with others there, the nutrition that comes from the complimentary bread basket, the great aromas....without truly knowing just how great the place is and what it means to truly be a part of the association of steak-eaters.
When we know something of the Scriptures and yet don't really know Jesus, we miss all that is most important. We can take in all the communication that God has given us through His Word and never experience the communion with him that comes through knowing the One He sent. This is what Jesus was concerned about when it came to the religious people he was rubbing shoulders with. Would he have said the same things to us if we had run into Him this week? Let us ask ourselves some questions.
Why do I read (or neglect reading) my Bible? When I talk to Christians who seem to lack direction in life or say that they just aren't feeling close to God, one of the things that I tell them they need to be doing is reading their Bibles. How will they know the One they say that they want to be close to without absorbing what He has told them about Himself? We are not to read our Bibles simply to know what it says so that we can win debates or better grasp how to say the right Christian things at the right times; we are to read it with God motivation--to become closer to God Himself. And the way we can come near to God is by submitting to His Son Jesus as Lord.
What's wrong with just reading my Bible for the sake of reading it? Quite frankly, Jesus said that such activity wasn't enough. He gives the impression here that you can be quite the scholar and not get what you need the most. When Jesus said that the Scriptures bore witness about Him, he meant that the message of the Bible is essentially all about Him. After His resurrection, when He met up on a walk with some of His disciples (who were kept from recognizing Him), He went through all the Scriptures and showed how these were meant to direct their attention to the Messiah (Luke 24:27). Although this message is clear in so many ways, we show the hardness of our hearts in our lack of submission to the One we are told is our only hope.
What is at stake in our reading of the Bible in a certain way? Life. We can read the Scriptures and refuse the eternal life that Jesus says comes through Him. We can have a head full of priceless knowledge and still be lost forever...according to Jesus. We could even know Jesus in the sense of knowing information about Him but not know Him in the way He says we must know Him in order to have life. He tells us here that He Himself is the One who holds the life we can have if we come to Him. In Him is the life that we need. We must read the Bible with God motivation, or to say it even more specifically in this instance, with Jesus motivation. We read it with Him as our reason and aim.
The next time you read your Bible, what will be your reasons for doing so? Will you read it to know Jesus, to know Him in the intimate kind of knowing? This is the Christian way; this is the way of God motivation.
Dear Lord, be my Motivation in the reading of Your precious Word. Fill within me a longing for Jesus, the One all the Scriptures are meant to lead me toward. Guard me from religiosity that puts my aim on my independent personal growth instead of Your glory. In the great name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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