#40things

Whose is the most important Counsel we will ever accept? God’s of course! Trying to bumble through life without consulting the word of God or listening to His voice through prayer will doom you to an unproductive life without any serious kind of fulfilment. Our own thoughts and will are worthless compared to the incredible plans our Father has for us- to try and go off on our own is foolish, and will never lead to contentment. 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

To not accept advice in general is arrogant, and about as far from God’s humble servant as I could be. It is important for me to pray hard for increased gifts of discernment so that I can work out when when God is working through others to help me, and when my peers are being guided by satan. All in all though, the bible is very clear about what happens when we stand alone.

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.  Psalm 1:1-5

As I have been doing this challenge over Lent, it is incredible how much God has guided me and spoken through my studies. It seems like every day, the answer to my questions is found in the pages of the bible that best describe my sin. Today’s is especially resonant, I feel God with his hands on my shoulders, wanting to shake me into sense. He is imploring me to stop my greatest sin- it is a lack of regard for God’s intentions, it is idolatry, it is a lack of trust in God, it is desecration of His creation. The root of it can be found at every item on this list so far, so therefore I have entirely failed this challenge, Hopefully looking back on this will be helpful at a later date though. At least God is still with me, giving me things to think about and directions to follow. I just wish I could listen.

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 

Oh guilt, what can I say about guilt? It is definitely the devils biggest hold on me, and something that has exacerbated the darkest times in my life. Guilt drives me away from God’s love, and makes me distrustful in the redemption God has promised. I have to make a huge effort today, and always, to have FAITH in that promise, TRUST His grace and make an effort to love myself and forgive myself as He eternally loves and forgives me.

Romans is a wonderful resource for those of us like me who struggle with immense guilt, both in our relationship with God, and the rest of our lives. Paul is reminding us of God’s promise that no matter what mistakes we make, God will pick us back up and offer us forgiveness. None of us come up to God’s standards ANYWAY, we all fall short of God’s glory, yet none of us are exempt from His grace. 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:13

God should always be the most important thing in our lives, and our top consideration, so why should we hold onto damaging guilt when we have already been assured of His forgiveness? We have been told that we should always forgive as we have been forgiven, so why do we find it so hard to apply this to ourselves?

If there is one thing that Jesus was passionate about making clear to us, it’s that nobody is beyond salvation. He was with the lowest of the low, the thieves, prostitutes and tax collectors, and he told them that their repentance is their salvation. Why would I think that I am any worse than these people? Why do I beat myself up over the things I’ve done, when I believe that Jesus washes me clean? People who had an outwardly good appearance but who were all show and no faith angered Jesus, and he spent more time on those who needed salvation that the people who hung out at temples already. 

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

He loved me when I was living in sin, and He loves me now that I try my best to resist sin. Nothing can separate me from that love. It is okay to understand the wrong that I’ve done and feel bad over it, without that I would never truly be able to repent, but once repentance is done and I’m trying my best, that feeling bad becomes toxic. Guilt becomes shame, and shame poisons the heart. 

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

The deep realisation that what we’ve done is the force driving the nails into our Saviour’s hands is what I like to think of as Godly sorrow. It is the key to true repentance and the only way to turn our back on sin. But holding onto to guilt because of other people, situations that have been ruined or possessions broken or lost, this is all worldly sorrow. We have not moved on, we have not understood that God is still there, rooting for us. 

We cannot get over the fact that we are human beings, sexually driven, unworthy, essentially sinful human beings. God knows this and He STILL loves us. He knows when we’re going to fall and fail, He knows our thoughts and hearts, and He knows everything we try to hide from him. I don’t think there is any reason to be ashamed of ourselves for having impure thoughts. Sin is at our hearts and in our heads, and sometimes these thoughts do come to us from the devil, no matter how close to God we are. Whether they are sexually or morally impure, it is the next thought we have that defines us- and that should be moving on from the thoughts, repenting, talking with Jesus, asking Him to help us. The bible tells us that we DO have a choice, and that we are never alone in our failings.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

The first part of resisting these though is understanding why repentance is necessary, and realising that if we do not control them, our thoughts become our actions. Our bodies are temples of the Lord! Putting our desires of the flesh above our duty to the Lord is not only idolatry, it is disrespectful. Jesus died for these bodies, he laid down his life for them; it is right to treat them with respect and use them in holiness. Our walk with Jesus is supposed to be taking us further and further from these earthly things, and embodying the Holy Spirit within us.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 

We must also keep in mind the holiness of marriage, and what that means for us as Christians. Marriage is supposed to be an inseparable union, where love is embodied and the joy of that union is worship to God. Sex is a beautiful thing that has been made for us by God, and reserved to this union by God. In marriage we are becoming one flesh, and that is very, very sacred.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4 

This is a difficult one, because in serving God I feel I should give of myself a thousand times to serve others, before thinking of myself. Jesus never turned anyone away, He always made time for those around him who were in need. Trying to find a passage in the bible (with my limited knowledge) that references spreading yourself too thin is very hard. I’ll try and separate it into reasons why one might want to give up over commitment.

Not enough time for God If we are constantly taking on responsibilities, doing work for others and making great plans, we may not be truly spending enough time sat down with our Lord, in communication and worship. Of course, if you are spending all this time in serving others and spreading His Word, then effectively you are walking closer in the footsteps of Jesus, but we should still be careful of where the majority of our intentions are. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 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. Colossians 3:17 

Wasting our time in unimportant matters Today I ask myself, when I’m rushed off my feet having said yes to this person and that person, why am I doing this? Am I needed here? Is this helping me grow emotionally or spiritually? In these modern times the devil works in crafty ways. Is it possible that I am being distracted from God and misdirected in unnatural ways? My time on earth is very small, I should make sure that I am spending each one in a life that is pleasing in His sight. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Not taking care of ourselves. I usually like to think that by serving others on this earth we are doing God’s work, and that the more we serve and the better example we give, then perhaps others will serve us in our time of need. I feel the bible makes it clear that this is the case. But perhaps sometimes we must sit down and remember our own worth. It is important to take a moment of self care now and then to be still in prayer and quiet in soul. I must never forget that I am His beloved as He is mine. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I do not believe that Jesus would want us to compare ourselves to others. To do so is to disregard the sacred nature of our existence. We are all loved by God, we are all individual people who He has his own plans for. When we look around at other people and compare what we have, we are disregarding the fact we have already been given the greatest gift of all. It doesn’t matter if she has nicer shoes or a thinner body, or if he has a better job and more money, or if they are more clever and successful than me, I am subject to God’s plans just the same as all of them, and He has something wonderful in store for me. 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

To look over at our friend and compare what they have to what you don’t is coveting at its roots. It’s not some arbitrary rule, there is a reason God does not want us to covet, and that is because it does not lead to our fulfilment, happiness or peace. All it leads to is bitterness and longing for that which is not God.

“You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour's.” Exodus 20:17

And to compare ourselves in favour is to lose our idea of how to be humble. To do so is the opposite of the above, to forget that he, she and they are God’s children the same as you are, and He doesn’t love you any more for what you do or how clever you are. Grace is not earned, it is freely given. 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

I must also remember never to compare my own journey with Jesus to anyone else’s, in a positive or negative light. The bible teaches us that as long as we are serving God, it doesn’t matter what stage we are at. Romans 14 describes to us in detail that the importance of our faith is in that everything we do is because of it, not in every single thing we choose to do. 

The only people I should compare myself to are myself, and Jesus. Am I a better person than I was yesterday? Have I been kinder, loved more, drawn closer to God? And how much am I like Jesus? The answer to that of course is not very much at all, but as long as I strive to be more and more like Him every day, then I know I will be on the right path.

Following in Christ to me means indiscriminate, radical love. I feel I should enter into every situation with love in mind, an open heart and ready to give and serve. But being able to help others is not the same as trying to please them all the time. As a Christian, I sometimes have to say things people do not like. Radical acceptance does not mean that we do not have to go through life, seeing sin everywhere and turning a blind eye. Jesus spent time with sinners; he loved them, comforted them, healed them, but he also guided them away from their sin. It is not my responsibility to judge people for their choices, but it is mine to steer them away from evil.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1

We should do it gently and kindly, but resolute in our convictions. An even more severe way to think of people pleasing is idolatry. If we are consistently putting other people’s requests, demands and interests before those of Lord, we are saddening His heart. Even if we are doing so in good intention, we are placing them before God, and that must be corrected.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10

This is a very important thing to remember. When I am asked to do something that is against God and I do it, who am I serving? When I keep quiet about my faith to avoid an argument, who am I serving? When I let sin slide quietly past in my loved ones, who am I serving?

I honestly have no idea what is meant by giving up retirement today. Is it giving up giving up on things? Is it giving up our relationship with God? Perhaps it’s asking us to trust our retirement to God instead of spending all our energy on saving for when we have to finish work. All I have to say on this is thus

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11