Monthly Archives: September 2019

When Hearts Grow Cold

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2 John 1:5-6 (NASB)
5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

Matthew 24:12(NASB)
12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

2 John is a letter to a noble Christian woman and her children, encouraging them in the faith. John reminds her of the commandment that Jesus gave to us – to love one another.

Yet Jesus in his own words in the Gospel of Matthew tells us that our love will grow cold as we drift away from His commandments.

I was thinking recently about the impact that social media has had on our generation. There are those that believe that the technology itself has caused us to be less kind, less loving of others. We offer our opinions about various issues on-line, but then rather than having a civil discussion about the merits of the topic, we often take aim at the person. The impersonal medium of communication is blamed – but it is not that – it is our cold hearts.

A person’s heart is no different today than it was when Matthew wrote the words of our Lord. When we stop loving others as we are commanded by Jesus, our hearts grow cold. It is not the technology that changes us – it is the condition of our hearts when we fail to love others as He has loved us.

Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart is not full of the love for others that You have taught us. I confess that I too easily withhold love for others based upon their thoughts and ideas. Yet, your teaching tells me to love them as Jesus does, even if I disagree with them. I know I have a long way to go. I pray that the Holy Spirit will fill my heart with love for others. I pray this in the name of Jesus, who loved me first when I was not worthy of His love. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Imperfect Human Sight

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2 Corinthians 5:5 (NASB)
5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight—

The truth of the life beyond life is a matter of faith not of sight. For our human senses and observation of the universe is imprecise. Understanding the world around us from human terms even requires faith. As a child our sight tells us that as someone walks away from us they become smaller. Yet we learn that this is not true. The earth looks flat to us, yet we know that this is not the case. Our sight deceives us when we use it alone to discern the world around us. Insight, or faith in other important facts corrects our imperfect human sight.

I have a friend, one who attends church regularly, who told me that he was a scientist and just wasn’t sure that Christianity could be believed. Yet the science that he holds fast to, requires much faith. He, like many assert that if it cannot be “proven” scientifically, then it cannot be believed. Yet, the very basic postulates that all science is built upon cannot be proven, but have to be assumed.

The fact that our senses can deceive us – that we must accept on faith, even the universe around us – I find to be a beautiful plan orchestrated by an Almighty and Holy God. He wants us to love Him, not because our physical senses tell us so, but because the faith that He gives to us convicts us. We walk by faith – and when we do, He reveals Himself to us in mighty ways.

Father, we praise You for the universe that You have created. We thank You for the faith that You have given us to walk by, for the revelation of scripture that gives us an understanding Your plan. I pray that You would open the eyes of those with faith that cannot see You. I pray for my friend that he would come to a saving faith in You. I ask this in Jesus name and it is in His precious name I fervently pray. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Divine Goodness

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Deuteronomy 10:12 (MSG)
12 So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you,

In the book, “The Problem of Pain” by C.S. Lewis and the chapter on Divine Goodness, Lewis makes the following statement. “To be God – to be like God and to share in His goodness in creaturely response – to be miserable – these are the only three alternatives.”

God is perfect and without needs, even from His creation. Even so, He demands our worship and obedience, yet neither of these acts adds to or diminishes His glory. He has always loved us perfectly – nothing we do can add to or subtract from that love.

So, our response to that love by worship and obedience brings us closer to Him. It changes us, it doesn’t change God. To become like His Son Jesus is our purpose. To share in His glory and goodness, that is why we were created.

If we think about it in those terms, it only causes us to prostrate ourself before Him with love. Love that grows each day as we become more like Him.

Heavenly Father, Your divine goodness is perfect. You have created us to share in Your goodness. I pray that my worship will draw me closer to You each day. As I repent and turn away from the sin in my life, I pray that I will be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Help me to follow the road that You have set out for me. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

The Author and Perfecter of Faith

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Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We were not eyewitnesses to the incarnation. I wonder sometimes what that might have been like. The apostles were with Jesus during His ministry and then after He ascended, they were given a visible anointing of the Holy Spirit. The apostles saw and were convicted. The author of Hebrews tells us that we are given a faith created by Jesus and this faith we now have is just as powerful as the faith of the witnesses that were with Jesus.

This good news transcends time, for throughout eternity it has always been God’s plan. We should marvel at the free gift of salvation through faith that God created. For without faith, we doubt or completely reject the very existence of God.

Faith reveals the beauty of the general revelation of His creation and opens our eyes to the special revelation of the Scriptures. Without faith we are lost. Even understanding the resurrection of Jesus is not enough without faith. With faith we can live for His glory and enjoy Him forever.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance of Your promises – that we can be convicted of things which we cannot see. Thank You for the way you have revealed Yourself to us. It is a marvelous plan that brings us close to You in a way that is indescribable. I look forward each day as You sanctify us into your image. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God.