Touch Nothing Unclean

 Jesus chose you to belong to Him and be a light in the world rather than just live like the world.  It is awesome to realize that before the foundation of the world, (Ephesians 1:4) He chose you and already had a masterful plan for your life.  However, in the midst of this great calling, Jesus makes it clear that "the world" is the opposite of His truth and that you will experience some of the same consequences He faced in coming to the earth. 

 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)  We need to understand the absolute polar extremes of following Jesus and of living like the world. 

This complete difference between the Kingdom of God and the sin-fallen world causes godly believers to make practical choices.  For the past 30 years I have given a chapel talk to our students entitled, "Don't Drink Dirty Milk," and of course, to make a point I pour dirt into a glass of milk and tempt them to drink it.  The point is that Halloween may seem like fun, and there is candy to be had, but it is foundationally a celebration of Satan: fear, death, demons, evil, anything to arouse the dark side and scare people.  We challenge our kids to choose a godly alternative and avoid the world's way of participating in glorifying the Evil One.

However, the warning from 2 Corinthians 6 is much stronger and more comprehensive than just Halloween. "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  For you are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they shall be My people."  Therefore, "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord.  "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."  "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.   

Notice how God always has our best interests in mind even in this warning, wanting us to experience His intimate fatherly love rather than the fleeting and deceiving pleasures that the world offers.  God's Word clearly calls each of us to keep ourselves clean from the ways of the world and let the love of the Father fill you and guide all that you watch, think, or participate in.  Even though it may look inviting, touch nothing unclean.  

Despise the Shame

What do you see? 

Jesus, according to Hebrews 12:2, was so focused on completing God's will (even unto death) that he "despised the shame" of all the ridicule, beating, torture and pain of death on the cross.  There is both a principle of life and an example that challenges every Christian.  So, let's look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, to learn this lesson.

Whenever we set our heart to obey God or to do something for the Lord, there will always be obstacles and challenges designed to distract and prevent us from moving forward.  We have to learn to despise the shame, in other words, think nothing of the cost compared to the glory of God that comes from obedience.  

Consider the comments of Paul, who also went through beatings, shipwrecks, false accusations and imprisonment, saying on one hand to count the cost and then on the other hand declaring, "the cost is nothing" compared to the glory of God to be revealed.  The point is that there is always a cost, but we have to keep our focus on the prize and not let the cost deter us from accomplishing the God-given task.  Because our flesh may get discouraged by circumstances and quit, God warns us in Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." 

Therefore, be encouraged.  God, who is always faithful, will give you both the will and the power to do what He asks. Choose to ignore and think nothing of the effort or abuse that you may have to endure so that you press on to receive the prize.  Faith and patience (same Greek word for endurance) inherit the promises.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to be side-tracted by the shame or cost.  You will succeed.    

How Big is Your God?

Perception is everything.

In the parable of the talents, the attitude of the one who received the one talent says it all.  "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed."  Because of his perception of the character of his master, he was afraid and hid his talent instead of thankfully using it and being productive with his gift.

A student who blatantly talks during class and ignores the rules is convinced that teachers are against him and always picking on him.  As a result, he refuses to take correction and continues to be his own worst enemy by getting in trouble and causing others around him to resent his interference.  A homeless person feels that his loss of family, home, and job is due to someone else being cruel to him and his "bad luck."  The criminal thinks the system is unfair and wonders why he is being punished when the other guy who did worse got away with it.  In other words, we haven't changed since the days of Adam and Eve, who conveniently found someone else to blame: "It was the fault of the woman that You God gave me."  "It was the serpent who deceived me."  In each of these examples, the perception or mind set of the individual creates an excuse that justifies his wrong choices.  

Scripture points out that our natural mind is darkened, so naturally verses like Romans 12 clearly instruct us to be renewed in our mind so that we are not like the world in our thinking.  How big is your God?  Does He cause you to walk in favor with God and man?  Do you enjoy His fresh mercy every morning and are you able to declare His faithfulness every night?  Do you in your heart know that He is making all things work for good in your life?  All these "renewed" thoughts come from receiving the Word of God with meekness rather than depending on our own thoughts and feelings.  Fallen nature always thinks our way is right. 

Jesus told several people "be it done to you according to your faith."  Therefore, letting the Word of God "dwell in you richly" makes all the difference in the outcome.  Likewise, in John 15:7, Jesus states that our prayer will be answered and we will be fruitful, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you."  How we perceive God and how we allow the Word of God to be our truth is foundational to having right attitudes and correct actions.  

Simply start each day choosing to let your thoughts and ways be renewed by His revealed truth of who He is and what He has done.  As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  Our perception of God and His goodness will allow us to glorify Him in what we do and to enjoy His glorious provision.  

  

 

Revealing Jehovah Nissi

Jesus' victory over the enemy ensures the promise 

that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you 

today."

It is always enlightening to see where and how God 

reveals His names.  In Exodus 17, we 

find the famous battle between Israel and Amalek 

where Israel triumphs as long as Moses lifts up the 

rod of God's authority.  As you recall, Aaron and Hur 

were called upon to help hold Moses' hands up and 

God overcame and destroyed the enemy.  The 

conclusion finds Moses realizing this truth about 

God, "And Moses built an altar and called its name, 

Jehovah Nissi (The-Lord-is-My-Banner); for he said,

"Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war 

with Amalek from generation to generation."  

Amalek was a staunch enemy of Israel and the name 

itself means "one who takes away."  Consider that 

Jesus told us that Satan comes to "steal, kill, and 

destroy," or in short, take away the abundant life He 

has given.  Therefore, the promise that the Lord will 

have war with Amalek from generation to generation 

suggests He is able and willing to give the same 

overcoming victory to all people throughout the 

generations.  We simply need to lift up our rod of 

authority, the Word of God, the blood of Jesus, and 

the name of Jesus, and He will overcome and 

destroy the enemy.  

Let's also consider the meaning of "The Lord is My 

Banner."  In the rafters of Ball Arena there hangs a 

triumphal banner, "Denner Nuggets 2023 NBA 

Champions."  The banner is the trophy or 

acknowledgment of their successful overcoming of 

all challengers to become the National Basketball 

Association's champions.  In like manner, the cross 

declares "It is finished," and proclaims Jesus' victory 

over all the powers of darkness for all generations 

to come.  Jehovah Nissi, His banner, declares He 

reigns and triumphs over all.  Therefore, this 

overcoming triumph now is released to all who 

believe in His victory as 2 Corinthians 2:14 states, 

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in 

triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the 

fragrance of His knowledge in every place."  

May God continue to show Himself mighty and ever 

present as a consuming fire over all our enemies 

as we lift the banner of Jesus' cross and triumph, 

Jehovah Nissi.   

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