HARVEST BLOG
Speak the truth in love!
WHAT IS MY DESIRE?
As human beings, the natural tendency is to value, desire, focus on, and rejoice in the wrong things. And as Christians, more often than not, our tendency is to be distracted with the wrong things when it comes to our spiritual life and experiences. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that we must fix our eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith. The word “fix” comes from the Greek word “aphorao” which means “to consider attentively”. It means to look away from other things so that you and I can focus all our attention on one object. And this one object is Jesus!
We are all running the race of our life. Each day we are getting closer to the finish line. Our goal must be Jesus! Our desire must be Jesus! The object of our affection must be Jesus! Therefore, we must keep our eyes on Him and seek to obey His words. In Philippians 1:23-24, Paul writes, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” Paul was willing to live for the sake of those who needed him on earth, but he desired to be with Jesus. He desired death. For Paul to live like this, his focus was placed firmly on Jesus – his faith had to be in Jesus! His desire to know and be with Jesus had to be genuine and unwavering to the point that death was more desirable to him than life. Because death meant for Paul that he would go to glory! It meant for him the immediate passage into the very presence of Jesus, his Lord, Savior and King. And the Lord Jesus was his greatest desire, love and focus. Paul wanted to be wherever Jesus is!
So, let us ask ourselves – like Paul, do we desire to be with Jesus above everything else? Do we desire to be more like Jesus – to love like Jesus and to live like Jesus? Or are we more focused on acquiring more earthly possessions, or attaining greater recognition and power? This is a question, you and I will have to answer for ourselves.
So, what is our desire?
“As you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming, that day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells”(2 Peter 3:12-13).
James 1: 12
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
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IS JESUS A PART OF MY LIFE? IS JESUS MY LIFE?
When Christ Jesus becomes the source and flow of everything we do, then Christ is our life. We seek to honor Him in every area of our life. Even the parts that force us to come outside our comfort zones. We will strive to please Him. We will seek to allow Him to transform us as we yield our will and ways to His. Jesus will no longer be “a part” of our life. Jesus will become our life.
In Romans 8, Paul starts by telling us that we can now live a life through the Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. Or we can live a life through our flesh (Romans 8:1-4). And Paul makes it clear in verses 5-8 that “those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
He goes on to say that: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
Now, you and I may say, how do I know if I’m pleasing God? Some people may say, “I pray,” “I read my Bible,” “I go to church,” I don’t commit sexual sins.”
But the challenge is not so much in what we do. But what we don’t do. Our relationship with God is personal. But we have a responsibility to others also. That is, we are to love God with everything. But we are also to love our neighbors as ourselves. And that’s where most of us fall (Matthew 22: 35-40).
So, let us ask ourselves: how can I honor Jesus in the way I love and support my spouse, children, and family?
- As a husband and father, are you taking your spiritual leadership seriously? (Ephesians 5)
- As parents, are you training your children in the fear of God? (Proverbs 22:6)
- As a wife and mother, are you doing what you are called to do to benefit your household? (Proverbs 31)
How can I honor Jesus in the way I treat my job and coworkers? How can I honor Jesus in the way I complete the simplest of tasks when no one is looking? (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Luke 19:17). How can I honor Jesus in the way I run my company or treat my staff? (James 5:4). How can I honor Jesus in the way I treat my body as a single or married woman or man? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). How can I honor Jesus in the way I treat the things and people of God? (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 4:20). How can I honor Jesus in the way I treat the poor, widow, orphan, and bound? (Matthew 25:31-40). How can I honor Jesus in my academics, the study of the word, and at school? (2 Timothy 2:15).
And as we begin to break down these areas of our lives in tiny bits, what are we really seeing? Is Jesus a part of my life? Or has Jesus become my life by the way I love and honor Him and also love and treat others?
IS JESUS LORD OF ALL?
Another question we should ask ourselves is this: “Is Jesus Lord of all, or Lord of a part?” In Thessalonians 5:23, we read: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We see here that Paul mentions that a person is made up of “spirit, soul, and body.” We all have an outward part that is public and visible. We also have an inward part that is private and invisible. The challenge is not generally with the outer areas of our lives. The challenge rests in the wrestling of our inner parts (Romans 7:23-24). But if we are to live entirely for Christ Jesus, then we have to submit completely to the Lordship of Christ in both the inner (unseen) and outer (seen) areas of our lives (Romans 8). Jesus wants to be Lord over our emotions, feelings, minds, thoughts, actions, aspirations, desires, plans, dreams, will, heart, body and spirit. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that “the Lord will keep us in perfect peace, whose mind stays on Him because we trust in Him.”
Jesus reiterated the greatest of all the commandments in St Matthew 22:37-38, “Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
But if we are honest, most of our struggles start in our minds. What we think about. What we allow to penetrate our minds. What we dwell on mentally. What we desire physically. We often do not think on the lovely, pure, and just (Philippians 4:8). We usually do not guard our hearts as we should, which allows us to get caught up in sinful, lustful, and unholy conduct. It starts inwardly but manifests itself outwardly through how we live and make daily decisions (Proverbs 23:7).
What you and I think about will affect us. What we secretly desire will affect us (James 1:14). Whatever area of our flesh that you and I haven’t crucified and surrendered to Christ will remain active (Romans 8:13-14).
So it’s not just about talking, preaching, or singing about Christ. We have to go further than mere talk about crucifying the flesh, and we have to take radical and specific steps to crucify the flesh daily (James 1:19-25; Galatians 5:24). Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “Keep (guard) our heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Let’s not take our private, unseen life for granted. That’s the part of us that’s most dangerous to our walk with Jesus.
IS JESUS IN CHARGE OF THE SEEN AND UNSEEN AREAS OF MY LIFE?
Now, sexual sin is just one of many sins that may exist within the life of believers. But it seems as though, ever so often, significant emphasis is placed on sexual sins, and not enough time spent addressing other sins that may exist in our lives.
Usually, there are other sins at work within our lives. And some are not as readily seen as others. We may be dealing with sins such as bitterness, envy, favoritism, prejudice, unforgiveness, pride, anger, idolatry, love of money, disobedience, dishonoring parents, laziness, division, strife, hatred, fear, unbelief, among other things (Matthew 5:22-28; Galatians 5:19-21; Mark 7:20-23; Colossians 3:5-6; Revelation 21:8).
And we cover them and choose not to confront these areas of our lives. Sometimes, we don’t know how to deal with them. Sometimes we fear the stigma or effect that addressing them will bring to our lives. At other times, we can’t seem to face the guilt or regret that others will encounter with the knowledge of our confession.
And so, we instead focus our minds on the things that we may be doing that we believe are working. We don’t want to think about the things that aren’t working. We don’t want to ponder on what is going what in our lives. But entertaining, holding to, or becoming a part of things, people, or situations that contradicts the word of God causes more harm. Our sin can hinder us from God’s face and can separate us from Him (Isaiah 59:2-4). It causes relational problems with our Lord and Savior. And it will cause issues with those around us.
The Greek word used in Romans 14:8 for “Lord” is (Kyriō). And it’s saying that Christ Jesus wants to be Lord (God, King, Supreme Controller, and Ruler) of both the seen and unseen areas of our lives. The Bible tells us that people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). What’s inside of us matters to God. The parts of us that aren’t readily seen matter to God, and He wants to be Lord of all the areas of our lives.
He is coming back for a clean church (holy) both inwardly and outwardly (Ephesians 5:27). A mature and fruitful church (Colossians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 25:21-23).
So let us ask ourselves: Is the hurt from a bad relationship, divorce, or heartbreak worth my relationship with Jesus? Is the anger and hate I believe is justified worth my eternal soul? How about the time I spend neglecting my family and God to earn an extra dollar? Will it be worth it in the end?
Is there anything or anyone more important to me than the God I love and serve? Am I ready to meet my Savior if He calls me home? When I strip away the façade and get real, where are my priorities aligned, really? Where does Jesus rank in my life?
Is Jesus a part of my life? Or is Jesus my life?
Is Jesus Lord of the seen and unseen areas of my life?
Is Jesus really Lord of my whole life?
” To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).
WHAT WOULD YOUR EULOGY SAY?
If you were to die, what would your eulogy read? Death isn’t something many people contemplate. But the Bible teaches us that men are appointed to die, but judgment comes after (Hebrews 9:2). Yet, hope remains for those who die in Christ Jesus. As Jesus said to Martha in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
I recently attended the funeral of a well-accomplished businessman. He had built an impressive portfolio, and wealth-wise, he had acquired a significant amount of money. His family would not be in want after he was gone. He was well-liked by many other business people in the corporate world. So you can imagine, people had many good things they wanted to say about him. And as the tributes poured out from all over the world, three things were consistent throughout.
Firstly, he made some smart business choices that would afford his family some sense of security after he was gone. He lived not only for himself, but he stored up for his future generations (Proverbs 13:22). Secondly, he was someone who worked across cultures and settings. He could bridge the divide. They described him as being someone who “got the job done.” He was not complacent. He did what was needed and did it well. He started small but built up from there (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Zechariah 4:10). Thirdly, everyone said how much he loved evangelizing to others. It didn’t matter if the person was a business owner, a stranger on the road, or a staff. Every opportunity he got, he took time to share the word of God (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Timothy 2:15; Act 2).
Paul puts it this way in 2 Timothy 4:7-8. At the end of his life, he said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
For this week, if you have the time, sit down and write your eulogy. See how you would be remembered. And in the process, ask God what He thinks of your life?
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:12-17).
GENUINE REPENTANCE REQUIRES US TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO CORRECT OUR SINS, EVEN IF THOSE ACTIONS WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR US PERSONALLY!
In Luke 3: 10-14, we see John the Baptist, speaking to the people about repentance and being baptized. And when they asked what they were to do, he gave them tangible and concrete things that would evidence their repentance. And that’s what you and I have to ask ourselves today. Where is the evidence or fruit of our repentance?
APPLICATION
The challenge of their disappointment with the state of the temple, compared to how it was in its former years. The challenge they faced from people who wanted to frustrate and hinder them from rebuilding the temple. The challenge they encountered when they started to rebuild the temple, but got pre-occupied with their own lives and taking care of their families, neglecting the house of God for a while.
But one significant challenge that they faced was their unrepentant sins. Working for God was good. Having the desire to serve in the temple was good. Focusing on the things of God was good. Choosing to do what God said about rebuilding was good – these people were making the sacrifice. They were doing the hard work. They were doing all they could do to further the work of God. They worked through the frustration. They worked through the turmoil. They worked through their fears and worries!
Yet, with everything they were doing, God was still displeased because of their unrepentant sins. A question we have to ask ourselves today – Is there something in my life or your life that even with all the work we do for God, with all the commitment we have made to God, God may still be saying, something is still not right, we need to repent?
In this chapter of scripture, what had happened was that the Israelites had married foreign women while living in exile. Some of these people who intermarried were leaders. But, God had given them specific instructions from the time of Moses, what to do when they entered a foreign land. How they were to live and why they were to keep themselves separated from the people around them (Exodus 34; Deuteronomy 7).
And so we read in Ezra 9: 10-12, Ezra says: “But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices, they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance’.”
So the people knew what God required of them. But, somehow, they decided to do what they wanted to do based on their circumstances. And this is how we are at times. We justify our actions (while they are contrary to the word of God). Ezra petitioned God on behalf of the Israelite remnant. But he also recognized that God is holy. With this sin, they could not stand in the presence of a holy God ( Ezra 9:15).
The people recognized where they had gone wrong. They were sorrowful for what they had done. They were making confessions and prayers (personally and corporately) to God and repenting of what they had done. But, there still needed to be action taken to remedy the sin! And for them, the action they needed to take was to put away their wives and children. This action was personal! This action was hard. This was not something that came easily for any of them to do. A few people said, “no, we are opposing this”. But, it was something that needed to be done at that time. As they could not rebuild God’s temple while living disobediently to the commands of God.
Scholars say that from the entire remnant that returned to Jerusalem, only 111 men had intermarried. And this worked out to be about 0.4% of the people who returned from exile. Seems pretty small? But it was significant enough to need remedying. For us, this article is not advocating putting away our spouses or children. No! This is to let us understand that sin affects our effectiveness.
For us, we must understand that any amount of sin (no matter how small) is still significant to God and can affect our relationship with Him. It can affect the effectiveness of the work we do for God and the productivity of our churches.
So, genuine repentance will require us to take the necessary actions to correct our sins, even if those actions will be difficult for us personally. Will we do it?
“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:1-3).
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes. But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
