Follower of the Way

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you

James 4:5-10 (ESV) Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

God loves us very much. God desires for us to be saved and to be with Him in Heaven. When we think about God giving his Son to die for us we should be impressed by the great love of God for us. Christ died for each and every one of us.

John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:10-11 (ESV) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We should always recognize that everything is God's. We should always be grateful and thankful for every moment of life. James notes several attitudes and actions we should have in our life.

We should be those who are humble. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

We should submit ourselves to God.

We should resist the devil. It is important for us to feed on the Word of God. Each time Jesus was tempted by Satan his response was "it is written". We should also remember Joseph's response when Potiphar's wife attempt to cause Joseph to sin -- "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9b). Sin always hurts our relationship with God and many sins hurt our relationship with our fellow man. May we seek to know God's word and will by studying the Bible so that we can seek to live a life pleasing to him and be ready to answer "It is written".

We should draw near to God. When we are seeking God it is harder to fall into sin. If we have put our focus on His word and his will. If we value our relationship with God more than anything else. If God's will is number one in our life we will be growing closer to Him.

We should purify our hearts. When we are seeking after what is good and desiring to follow in the way of God we will seek to avoid things that will distract us from this goal. There are certain things in this world that do not help us in living a pure life. There will be things we will not do. There will be things we will not watch. There will be things we do not want to listen to. We are in the world and we need to be in the world so that we can share the good word with others. God is not calling us to live a life of seclusion. We do need to be thoughtful of what we partake of in the world. We need to think about how things can affect our soul and how our example could impact other's lives. We need to live our lives as a living sacrifice and seek daily to renew our mind in the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Be a Blessing and Pursue Peace - More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 3

1 Peter 3:8-11 (ESV) Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it."

Peter mentions some very important traits we want to have in our life in I Peter chapter 3 -- "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind."

How do we create unity in mind? Unity in Christ can only be found when those that love him seek to know his word and live by it. The unity of the Bible is unity that is built upon the word of God. The unity that Peter writes of is a unity that is both united in mind and purpose. To build that unity of mind we need to be those who study God's word and study it with each other that we may grow into the Unity of mind based on what God has provided in his word.

How do we show sympathy? Sympathy is truly caring about others. It causes us to feel the pain and joy for others. It causes us to want to take action.

How do we show brotherly love? In Christ we are family. We are God's children. We should treat each other with the love we would show to a brother or sister.

How do we have a tender heart? Are we concerned when we see needs? Are we disturbed by wrong? Do we rejoice when good things happen?

How do we show a humble mind? When we realize every blessing we have is from God how can we not but be humbled. Christ gave his life for us. All that we have is from God. With that perspective we realize we are insignificant and unworthy -- yet God has shown us mercy, provided us blessings, and provided a promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his promise. When I think about all God has done for me and how much he loves me it should help me to have a humble mind. When I think about my Savior's sacrifice it should cause me to have a humble mind. With a humble mind I will put others first.

As part of showing a humble mind we should be those who bless. We bless even we have been shown evil. Peter writes, "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling". The way of the world is to get even and to get someone back. That is not the way we should live. Instead of getting even Peter encourages us to BLESS.

When we are working to have "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind" we will be better able to bless others and to pursue peace.

More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 2 - We are to be Different from the World.

We are to be different from the world.  Peter mentions in chapter two of I Peter that we are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession".  We have been called out of this world to proclaim the good news. Because we are to be different Peter urges his readers to abstain from the "passions of the flesh". We need to be careful how we live in this world. Peter sums up how we should deal with others by saying, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

Christians should be the best citizens, best neighbors, best friends, best spouse, best parents. Our example could impact others. How we react to others could either be a help or a hindrance to them. Peter mentions that we should "live as people who are free, not using . . . freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." Why is our example so important? Peter wrote, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Some commentators have suggested that the reference to them glorifying God on the day of visitation could be a reference to those in the world coming to know the truth. Many a preacher has commented that we are the only Bible some people will ever read. Our example may cause someone to come to a knowledge of God and his will. We should never underestimate how God can use us in someone's life.

Because of the importance of our example Peter tells servants to be subject to their masters and even went as far to say to be subject to both the just and the unjust. The ultimate example of suffering unjustly is our savior -- Jesus Christ. Peter reminds how we should follow after the example of Christ and "follow in his steps."

Paul also encouraged his readers to have the mind of Christ and to be concerned with others. Below are three passages from the epistles that emphasize the importance of looking out for others.

Philippians 2:1-16 (ESV) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.   Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Romans 15:1-7 (ESV) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)   Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

He gave it ALL

Have you ever stopped to ponder what Jesus Christ gave up for you?  Jesus left the splendor and glory of Heaven.  He left the very presence of God to come to this sin sick world to die for you and me.  I can’t even begin to image the full extent of that sacrifice.  In Philippians chapter 2 Paul wrote that Christ “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant”.  Paul went on to write that Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.  If the very Son of God was willing to give up all the glory of Heaven to save you and me what should I be willing to do for my God and what should I be willing to do for my fellow man.

I have started with this thought to put in contrast both the great sacrifice and humility of Christ.  Christ deserves and could have demanded all those on Earth to give him homage.  Christ was and is Lord of all the Earth and yet he chose to come as a servant and seek to save us.  Christ sought to do what would save our souls instead of imposing himself on mankind.  How many times when I have been wronged do I demand my rights?  How many times when I feel like I deserve something do I demand it?  When I think about the fact that Christ was humble enough to put aside his rights, to save me, how little of a task is it for me to put others ahead of myself.

Paul used that example contrasting the sacrifice and obedience of Christ to demonstrate how I should be living and thinking as a Christian.  Paul told Christians to “have this mind among yourselves”.   The example of the mind of Christ that would leave Heaven and die for us on a cross is the same mind that Paul tells us will help us to look to the interest of others above our own, do nothing from selfish ambition, and in humility count others more significant than ourselves.  It is that same mind that will cause us to seek for peace and unity in truth with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paul went on to exhort the Philippian brethren to do all things without grumbling or disputing that they might shine as lights in the world.  If we make the choice to put others interests above our own and seek to put the Word of God at the forefront of our life we will live a different life.  The life of a Christian is one that will seek to create peace with men and will seek the good of those around him.  Can you imagine what this world would be like if everyone was seeking after the best interest of others?

There are a lot of unhappy people in this world and you may be one of them.  The first step in living the full life is to realize that unless you are living a life that is seeking to put the will of God first you are missing out.  There is no greater joy than knowing you are following after God’s will.  The peace, joy and hope you will have from this are the greatest thing you can experience on this earth.  This doesn’t mean life will be easy.  It means you can experience the contentment when you know you are attaining love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.  You may be persecuted for following the truth.  You may be ridiculed for being different.  Others may have a hard time comprehending why you are so different from the world – why you don’t return evil for evil.  Rejoice – your actions will confuse people because you will not act as one in and of this world.