Normally I shun 'label' words for people. These label words are often used as a hammer or as justifications for unflattering generalizations. A person (or people group) can't be defined by a word but yesterday the word 'sluggard' came up at the lunch rap and it got me thinking about identities.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise... How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?" - Proverbs 6:6, 9 KJV
"As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him." - Proverbs 10:26 KJV
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." - Proverbs 13:4 KJV
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." - Proverbs 20:4 KJV
"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason." - Proverbs 26:16 KJV
I had always thought of a sluggard as a lazy person but yesterday it was defined as an 'unmotivated person' and that triggered many thoughts.
Christian spiritual warfare defines two invisible forces, God's kingdom and the power of darkness, they are at odds and human identities come from one of these two places. The dark force wants people to be trapped and never reach the light. God wants people to choose His Son and be free if they choose to take the gift given to them. That gift brings in a new identity with different characteristics.
In reality, we are not what we do or don't do. We are who God says we are. The sluggard finds no motivation. Circumstances don't seem to change their mindset. That is not who we are as children of God. That identity is a trap.
I have often wondered in my own life why some things come easily and why others are so hard. There are some things I can knock out in an hour and others I just want to put off almost indefinitely. There are many reasons involved and I'm not sure if comprehending all the 'why's is really necessary.
I do know that my identity is linked to my motivation and a healthy identity overflowing with motivation is possible if I am thinking with God.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain..." - 1 Corinthians 15:10a KJV
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
The cross refocuses my life. I can do what I need to do. I can start and I can finish. I can abandon what is not needed and neatly tie up the loose ends honourably. I can endure. I can cast down negative Godless labels others put on me or I'm tempted to put on myself. I am free because love is flowing in me and constraining my movement. The weight is removed and the depression that has formed because of oppression will disappear in time as I continue to be transformed into the image of the One who has overcome the grave.
The great commision to seek and save that which is lost and the great commandment to love provide endless motivation.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14 ESV
Yes. Wake up you who are asleep and take on the identity that God has for you. That person shines brightly. They are sitting at God's right hand of approval in Jesus Christ.
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Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Friday, March 2, 2018
Monday, June 27, 2016
The 'Weeping Teeth' Passages
How many people are trained by fear to produce moral behavior instead of growing in grace? Fear is a powerful motivator. The most powerful... but not the most productive.
"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" - Luke 6:37 ESV
Many say that if you hold a grudge you will go to Hell based on this verse others believe in a karma type system that insists that if a person acts a certain way then the forces of the universe set in motion a series of events to make sure a person gets a taste of their own medicine.
Then there are the 'weeping teeth' passages. I like to call them that anyway...
"When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 8:10-12 KJV
"So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 22:10-13 KJV
"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 24:48-51 KJV
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:" - Matthew 25:30-31 KJV
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:1-13 ESV
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
Some look at these verses and say, 'See! God casts his servants into outer darkness if they do not do the right things.' but the point is missed entirely. These aren't salvation passages so much as damnation passages.
Behavior isn't the issue when it comes to salvation. Knowing Jesus is the issue. Knowing Jesus gives us a white garment. Knowing Jesus fills our lamps with oil. Knowing Jesus is the difference between 'doing many wonderful works' in God's name and being a wonderful work that God has produced.
God never uses a fear that has torment to motivate change... never ever. If we have never experienced forgiveness then we can't forgive and forgiveness is cut off from us. If we try to dress ourselves for the feast then we have a deep problem because we haven't made a true transaction with God.
Forgiving isn't how we get forgiveness. Seeking oil isn't how we get oil for our lanterns. Not lusting... not lying... being diligent... these things don't impress God. Our righteousness is filthy to God. Rags used to contain a mess are just dirty rags.
"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." - John 7:37-39 ESV
All of the 'weeping teeth' passages were given to people who could not yet experience the Spirit because He had not been given yet. They would. Jesus didn't lose anyone.
So if anyone tries to scare you into being better and claims that God is behind it don't believe them. If you use that tactic on yourself knock it off. It isn't the Gospel. No one has ever been transformed by fear. True change has only ever come by awe and love.
Turn to Jesus and you will turn away from everything else also. It might take time for the ugly things to drop away but they will.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," - Titus 2:11-13 ESV
Grace will change us into the new person God has made us to be. Our effort only gets in the way.
This morning I see Jesus and my lamp is suddenly filled with oil. Just like the water was turned to wine. Just like the oil that is produced in the olive tree's olives.
"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:12, 14 ESV
I see the righteousness He has given me and I put the armor on as if it is a wedding garment. It all comes from God. It is free of charge.
--
"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" - Luke 6:37 ESV
Many say that if you hold a grudge you will go to Hell based on this verse others believe in a karma type system that insists that if a person acts a certain way then the forces of the universe set in motion a series of events to make sure a person gets a taste of their own medicine.
Then there are the 'weeping teeth' passages. I like to call them that anyway...
"When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 8:10-12 KJV
"So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 22:10-13 KJV
"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 24:48-51 KJV
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:" - Matthew 25:30-31 KJV
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:1-13 ESV
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
Some look at these verses and say, 'See! God casts his servants into outer darkness if they do not do the right things.' but the point is missed entirely. These aren't salvation passages so much as damnation passages.
Behavior isn't the issue when it comes to salvation. Knowing Jesus is the issue. Knowing Jesus gives us a white garment. Knowing Jesus fills our lamps with oil. Knowing Jesus is the difference between 'doing many wonderful works' in God's name and being a wonderful work that God has produced.
God never uses a fear that has torment to motivate change... never ever. If we have never experienced forgiveness then we can't forgive and forgiveness is cut off from us. If we try to dress ourselves for the feast then we have a deep problem because we haven't made a true transaction with God.
Forgiving isn't how we get forgiveness. Seeking oil isn't how we get oil for our lanterns. Not lusting... not lying... being diligent... these things don't impress God. Our righteousness is filthy to God. Rags used to contain a mess are just dirty rags.
"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." - John 7:37-39 ESV
All of the 'weeping teeth' passages were given to people who could not yet experience the Spirit because He had not been given yet. They would. Jesus didn't lose anyone.
So if anyone tries to scare you into being better and claims that God is behind it don't believe them. If you use that tactic on yourself knock it off. It isn't the Gospel. No one has ever been transformed by fear. True change has only ever come by awe and love.
Turn to Jesus and you will turn away from everything else also. It might take time for the ugly things to drop away but they will.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," - Titus 2:11-13 ESV
Grace will change us into the new person God has made us to be. Our effort only gets in the way.
This morning I see Jesus and my lamp is suddenly filled with oil. Just like the water was turned to wine. Just like the oil that is produced in the olive tree's olives.
"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:12, 14 ESV
I see the righteousness He has given me and I put the armor on as if it is a wedding garment. It all comes from God. It is free of charge.
--
Monday, March 23, 2015
Motives Transformed By The Cross
"The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." - Romans 14:22-23 ESV
Ever condemn yourself later for doing the 'right' thing?
The moral man will say, 'No, Do right and you will never regret it!' but that is very naive. It is just the lesser of two evils and there can be great regret attached to doing the right thing when you discover later you were deceived about what was right.
Faith is different. Faith glorifies God. Biblical faith proceeds from God and is mirrored in us.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
When faith comes from co-crucifixion. Our mind may be darkened in time so that we regret actions that may seem to be linked with hardship but God is pleased by our faith.
The faith of the Son of God mirrors His life and attributes. Kindness and mercy are there. Grace is there. Love for people is there. Confidence in God's will was the hallmark of Jesus' life. Jesus' life of faith brought Him to the greatest hardship any man has ever faced... the cross. But, The cross was not the end. It was the beginning.
Our cross is our beginning also. Our cross is His cross. His death is what we must bear. The consequences for our decision right and wrong were born there. Good but faithless decisions that lacked all kinds of information and perspective and bad ones done in rebellion and full disregard for others. All of it was put on that cross by God.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him... Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." - Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-3 ESV
It's Monday and we don't have to go to work or any other place because it's the right thing to do. Our motives can be transformed once again. We can go by faith on a faith adventure. God can steer us in any direction He wants to when we are moving in an un-condemned momentum.
---
Ever condemn yourself later for doing the 'right' thing?
The moral man will say, 'No, Do right and you will never regret it!' but that is very naive. It is just the lesser of two evils and there can be great regret attached to doing the right thing when you discover later you were deceived about what was right.
Faith is different. Faith glorifies God. Biblical faith proceeds from God and is mirrored in us.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
When faith comes from co-crucifixion. Our mind may be darkened in time so that we regret actions that may seem to be linked with hardship but God is pleased by our faith.
The faith of the Son of God mirrors His life and attributes. Kindness and mercy are there. Grace is there. Love for people is there. Confidence in God's will was the hallmark of Jesus' life. Jesus' life of faith brought Him to the greatest hardship any man has ever faced... the cross. But, The cross was not the end. It was the beginning.
Our cross is our beginning also. Our cross is His cross. His death is what we must bear. The consequences for our decision right and wrong were born there. Good but faithless decisions that lacked all kinds of information and perspective and bad ones done in rebellion and full disregard for others. All of it was put on that cross by God.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him... Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." - Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-3 ESV
It's Monday and we don't have to go to work or any other place because it's the right thing to do. Our motives can be transformed once again. We can go by faith on a faith adventure. God can steer us in any direction He wants to when we are moving in an un-condemned momentum.
---
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
God's Thoughts Not Our Emotions
We are used to believing based on how we feel 'but doing the work of God' is basing our actions on how God thinks. That is where the freedom is going to be found.
"Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent... Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.' " - John 6:26-29, 35-40 ESV
A full belly gives us nice emotions but Jesus says, 'Look at me the sent One. How do I think?' He is the embodiment of grace and truth. He is the doorway out of the trap and into the freedom. He loses nothing. He loses no one. Even heading to the cross and a brutal necessary death He says this because He believed the One sending Him was faithful.
Go ahead and weight the options. Your emotions will point you in the direction of where you can be fed. Jesus goes to cross not a breakfast table.
That is why fasting is good for us at times. It is not to punish our self in denial. It is to free us to think clearly because we have already established that we will deny our belly for a little while. Now we can make some decisions with God that deny our belly also.
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." - 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 ESV
Liberty is saying 'YES' to God. But our old man is double minded if our belly is in charge.
The food isn't the problem. Food is good. God gives us food. Our old self dependent nature with it's politics and complexity is the problem.
Faith is simple. Listen and buy in. Watch what God is doing and do it with Him. Seek and find. Knock and the door will be opened. Fall backwards into God's arms. Fear will be conquered and courage will be born in faith.
--
"Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent... Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.' " - John 6:26-29, 35-40 ESV
A full belly gives us nice emotions but Jesus says, 'Look at me the sent One. How do I think?' He is the embodiment of grace and truth. He is the doorway out of the trap and into the freedom. He loses nothing. He loses no one. Even heading to the cross and a brutal necessary death He says this because He believed the One sending Him was faithful.
Go ahead and weight the options. Your emotions will point you in the direction of where you can be fed. Jesus goes to cross not a breakfast table.
That is why fasting is good for us at times. It is not to punish our self in denial. It is to free us to think clearly because we have already established that we will deny our belly for a little while. Now we can make some decisions with God that deny our belly also.
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." - 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 ESV
Liberty is saying 'YES' to God. But our old man is double minded if our belly is in charge.
The food isn't the problem. Food is good. God gives us food. Our old self dependent nature with it's politics and complexity is the problem.
Faith is simple. Listen and buy in. Watch what God is doing and do it with Him. Seek and find. Knock and the door will be opened. Fall backwards into God's arms. Fear will be conquered and courage will be born in faith.
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