January
5
Completing the Bible readings for today leaves me with a
question: To what extent am I deceived—either by external influence or by my
own doing? We live in a culture that tends
to carry us along into gray areas. Too often I find myself taking the path of
least resistance--the path human nature dictates. This choice (or lack of choosing) results in
shallowness—which translates into sin. When I do not examine my beliefs, when I
stand for nothing, when I’m satisfied with going along with the crowd—my life
becomes superficial—a facade, actually worthless to God!
Looking back at today’s study, Noah obeyed God & followed
Him--not the crowd (who, incidentally, drowned). Shem & Japheth honored
& respected their father rather than just going along with what their brother
did and they were blessed by God. We see in Genesis 9, a foundational principle
for relationships. Verse 6 says we are all made in the image of God. What a
different culture this would be if we all just respected one other. Instead, we live in a culture that stresses
self and that promotes “all about me” attitudes. As believers, if we allow this deception to
permeate our thinking, we will lose our power as Christians.
In Matthew 5, Jesus presented the “Beatitudes” to His
disciples. Is this passage a “profile” of a believer: Poor in spirit, one who
mourns, meek, hungry & thirsty for what is right, merciful, pure in heart,
a peacemaker, persecuted for standing for what is right? If so, as a believer, do I fit that profile?
Do I have the depth of character required to mourn for the dilemma of sin that
permeates our culture? Is my heart pure? Do I extend mercy? Am I a peacemaker?
Following this passage, Jesus reassures us there is a
blessing in being a recipient of persecution because of Him. He goes on to
reassure us that in spite of being persecuted, we ARE “the salt of the earth”
and “light of the world”. We cannot fulfill these responsibilities if we take
on the demeanor of the world—if, we only pretend we are followers of Christ. The
world is growing darker by the day and people find themselves out of hope. As
believers, Jesus says we are to provide the preservative (salt prevents decay)
for our culture as well as illuminating the way to that which is truth
(reality).
In order for us to carry out these responsibilities, we must
be filled with the Holy Spirit—we must become people of depth. This comes by
spending time with God—time in prayer and time in His Word, being honest with
God and with myself. The section on “How can I rid myself of guilt”, takes us
beyond shallowness—beyond just worrying about what people think. (The Scribes
and Pharisees were notorious for putting themselves in the limelight so that
all could see how “religious” they were. Jesus said unless our righteousness exceeded
theirs—we would not even enter the kingdom of Heaven.) This article shows what
is involved in forgiveness in the depths of our being where others cannot
see—where we thoroughly address and examine the sin, make amends, and accept
forgiveness. The is such a good example of prayerfully dealing with issues on a
godly level as opposed to just brushing things aside and going on our way.
In light of this study today, I feel the need to challenge
myself to stop “surface living”, to stop pretending things are fine and look at
my life in depth from God’s perspective! How I long to love God with all my
heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength,
and to love others as I love myself (Mark 12:30-31). I want to be a person of depth, untainted by
this culture, unpretentious, and receptive to the Holy Spirit in the innermost
places of my heart.
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