God Points Us to His Hidden Treasure

The latest obsession of my three-year-old grandson is with pirates. He likes to dress up in his pirate costume, say “Arrgh”, and otherwise act the role. So when I was at his house recently, he and I played as if we were finding hidden treasure. One of us would hide the valuable cache of fake jewels and coins, then the other person would have to look for it. Whenever my grandson hid the treasure for me to find, I have to admit that it wasn’t a very difficult search. He would often linger in the vicinity where he had concealed the precious loot, often glancing in its direction. On top of that, the “clues” he provided me virtually told me exactly where the treasure was located. I tried to pretend I was having a hard time finding it, but he made the search quite easy.

It reminds me of Jesus’ description of the kingdom of heaven as a hidden treasure which a man found (Matthew 13:44). Certainly the good news of the salvation God has provided us, the fact that we can have a right relationship with Him, and all the blessings that comprise God’s gift of eternal life is a precious possession which we should treasure. In a subsequent parable Jesus compared it to a pearl of great price for which a man sold everything he had in order to be able to purchase it. Experiencing the truths of the gospel in our lives and knowing Jesus as our Savior and Lord is truly a valued gift we shouldn’t ever take for granted.

However, let’s not get the wrong idea about this hidden treasure. God isn’t trying to conceal it from us. The one who is attempting to keep us from discovering this precious jewel is Satan. He blinds our eyes to the truth. He deceives us into trying to find our treasure in the cheap counterfeits this world offers us. And all too often we are our own worst enemies, refusing to accept the truth and to receive the real riches, while gravitating toward those imitations which inevitably fail to satisfy and lead to disappointment.

In the meantime, God has done and is still doing everything He can to point us in the right direction. He speaks to us through creation, clearly directing anyone with an open mind to the truth that there must be an intelligent, wise, and powerful Creator behind it all. He has given us a reliable written revelation of Himself and of His actions throughout history. The Bible tells us who God is, what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, and how we can find this great treasure through repentance and faith. Jesus Himself is the greatest indicator of where our treasure lies. He is the one way to God and to eternal life. Jesus is the “X” that marks the spot on the map. Through His life, death, and glorious resurrection, He is standing right there, pointing us to the location of what we’re seeking. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). God isn’t hiding this precious treasure from us – He’s doing all He can to show us exactly where to find it. As the old hymn asks, “What more can He say than to you He hath said?”

The problem isn’t that the treasure is well-hidden. The problem is that too many of us are unwilling to receive it. The good news of Christ is right there waiting for us. God has put up neon signs all around it saying, “This is it!” Let’s accept God’s wonderful gift. It’s a treasure we can’t afford to miss out on.   

 

The Holy Spirit Can Reveal Our Spiritual Leaks

Recently we had a technician from a leak detection company come to check out the water lines on our church property. We hadn’t noticed any visible signs of such a problem – no wet spots in the building and no geysers spewing into the air out in the yard. However, based on the unusual increase in usage reflected on our water bill, we felt confident that there was a problem somewhere. The meter showed that water was still being used even when no one was in the building. There was definitely a leak somewhere. It was simply a matter of finding it.

Sometimes we may experience indications that things aren’t quite right in our relationship with the Lord. It’s not obvious. It may not be noticeable to anyone else. However, we sense that for some reason our connection with the Lord just isn’t as strong as it should be. It’s not that we’re aware of having committed some blatant sin that cut off our fellowship with God. We just know that our spiritual fervor seems to have decreased and the Lord seems to be more distant than in the past. We seem to have sprung a leak in our endeavor to be a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus.

We do well to examine our own hearts and lives at such times to try to diagnose the problem. Sometimes we know the source of the leak, we’ve just been trying to ignore it. However, other times we might have no idea where the issue lies. We often need to pray as David did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).  We’re not capable of discovering some problems on our own. Our eyes are blind or we just don’t want to see what’s there. That’s why we need to call in an expert. The technician we engaged to find our water leak came with equipment and expertise we didn’t possess. And the Spirit of the Lord searches our hearts in ways beyond our own abilities. He knows us better than we know ourselves. If we’ll listen to His expert guidance, He can reveal truths to us, even about ourselves, that we wouldn’t have recognized otherwise.

There can be numerous causes of such spiritual leaks. It may be a little area of disobedience to God that we’ve failed to confess and repent of. We’ve allowed it to continue over time until it’s grown into more of a problem. Or it may be that we’ve allowed ourselves to get too entangled with some of the affairs of this world until, like tree roots wrapping around a water line, they’ve interrupted our connection with the Lord. Or maybe we’ve just grown complacent in our pursuit of a closer walk with God. Think about one of those helium-filled balloons we often purchase to celebrate birthdays or other special occasions. Over time wrinkles start to appear in the once smooth surface of the balloon. It doesn’t fly quite as high as it did to begin with. The gas inside may be slowly leaking or is growing stagnant and less effective as time goes by. Similarly, we’ve got to keep a fresh flow of the Spirit in us to keep us from stagnating. We also have that tendency to leak, so we have to keep a supply of spiritual life flowing into us through constantly pursuing a closer walk with the Lord.

If you sense any leaks in your relationship with the Lord today, don’t ignore it. Ask the divine expert to search your heart. And let’s be open to whatever He shows us.  

 

Watch Out for Deceptive Imitations of the Real Thing

Do any of you remember an old TV show called “The Real McCoys”? I vaguely recall watching some of the reruns of that program when I was a youngster. I couldn’t have told you much about it other than the main character was a crotchety grandpa played by the wonderful actor Walter Brennan. While searching out classic TV shows recently I came upon this series and decided to watch the very first episode. Parts of it are definitely dated, but it also seemed to promote some of the good values which are missing in much of today’s TV programming. I may have to check out more episodes in the future.

The title of this series is apparently derived from an old saying. The phrase “the real McCoy” was sometimes used to describe something genuine or authentic. There seems to be some dispute as to its origin. There are differing claims that it began as a variation from an old Scottish name, as a description of the true creations of a certain inventor, or even from the name of a boxer. However it got started, it came to be a way to designate something as the real thing.

It's important that we make sure we’re following “the real McCoy” when it comes to the gospel. Even in the early days of the church, there were already other gospels being proclaimed. Paul warned the Galatians about “a different gospel, which is not another” and about those who wanted “to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). He went on to declare that anyone who preached any other gospel should be accursed.

There are still imitations, perversions, and alternate gospels around today. They may claim to be good news, but they’re not the good news of the Bible. Any “gospel” that doesn’t proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God who came to earth in the flesh in order to die on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins is not the genuine article. Any “gospel” that doesn’t hold true to the biblical declaration that Jesus is the only way to God is a perversion. Any good news that suggests those of other faiths are in as right a relationship with God as those who follow Christ is not the true gospel. The good news isn’t that God loves everybody so much that our sins don’t matter and we’re all going to heaven. The authentic good news is that God loves us so much that He’s made a way through Jesus and the cross for us to be forgiven and to be delivered from our sinful ways, if we’ll repent and receive His grace. We also need to beware of any “gospel” that doesn’t submit to the authoritative teachings of what God has revealed in His written Word. And if Paul’s words hold true, I’d stay clear of those accursed folks who dare to promote such false gospels.

Likewise, we need to be certain that our faith is genuine. The real thing is more than adherence to a religion – it’s a relationship with Christ. The real Christian faith is not about trying to be good enough, but recognizing that our only goodness is found in Jesus. However, true faith does result in a changed heart and life. Too many people claim to have faith in Jesus but aren’t seeking to do His will, obey His Word, and live a holy life. Real faith doesn’t just believe in Jesus, but subsequently allows His Spirit to work in us and change us to make us more like Him.

Don’t fall prey to imitation gospels or settle for something less than genuine faith. Make sure you’re experiencing “the real McCoy”.

 

Trying to Outrun a Hurricane

Last week I referred to a recent trip I had taken. I was actually in Arkansas as Hurricane Ida hit the gulf coast. I had planned to head home on Monday morning, but decided to move up my departure time by several hours in order to try to stay ahead of the rains and winds from that storm as it progressed further inland. Thankfully I only encountered a few sprinkles in northern Mississippi. After I arrived home, I checked the weather radar to find that part of my travel route was then inundated with rain.

In another sense today it sometimes feels like we’re trying to outrun a hurricane. We’re living in a time when ungodliness is abounding and God’s Word is being ignored or rejected. The consequences of our poor choices, if not God’s judgment, seem to be bearing down on our world. We’re facing various “storms” as we follow our own course in life rather than God’s way.

It reminds me of Jonah and his situation. First of all, this prophet refused to obey God and thought he could run away from His presence. Some people today seem to think they can choose to disobey God and not face the consequences. They try to avoid Him, run away from Him, and think they can somehow outrun His judgment. However, sooner or later, in this life or afterwards, they’re going to find themselves having to give an account of their actions before God.

 Other people are similar to Jonah while he was on the boat. He was sleeping in the lower quarters of that vessel while a violent divinely-sent storm was blowing. In the midst of all the upheavals our world is experiencing these days, a surprising number of people are sleeping right through it. They may be aware that our world is being rocked by some of what is going on, but they’re blind as to the cause and complacent about doing what needs to be done about it. They’re unwilling to face the reality of their own disobedience to God or of our world’s ungodliness. Too many are snoozing spiritually when they should be taking urgent action.

Others are like the crew on Jonah’s boat. They were crying out to their various gods, throwing cargo overboard, and busily doing whatever they could to try to save their vessel from sinking. Many today are trying to tackle our storms strictly by means of their own efforts. Some are relying on their gods of science or politics to solve the problems. Others are willing to look to virtually any source for answers, except to the God of the Bible.

We can’t outrun the consequences of our sin. An ungodly society can’t avoid the condemnation of a holy God. We’ve got to get to the place where Jonah ended up – not necessarily in the belly of a fish, but wherever we need to get to that finally causes us to humble ourselves in submission to God. It was only after Jonah found himself in the fish’s belly that he “remembered the Lord” and lifted up a prayer of surrender to His will (see Jonah 2).

Likewise, we need to let the storms in our lives today bring us to the place where we’re willing to turn to God, acknowledge His Word, and do what He says. We can’t outrun the storms. They’re only going to get worse unless we turn away from our disobedience and start following the Lord.

I may have avoided a hurricane, but we can’t escape the consequences of disobeying God. While others may be facing these storms by running away, sleeping, or fighting in their own strength, let’s humble ourselves before God and commit to doing His will.

 

Let’s Get Ready for that Inevitable Final Trip

I took a trip last weekend to visit and preach at one of our sister churches in another state. However, I didn’t just hop in the car and go. Beforehand I had made numerous preparations for my excursion. I had made a reservation at a hotel so that I was sure of having a place to stay while I was there. I made arrangements to get a rental car to use for the long drive. I had packed my suitcase, trying to make sure I had everything I would need while I was away. And I had prayerfully prepared the message that I would be sharing with the church on Sunday morning. Such preparations are reasonable when you know you’re going to be taking a trip.

Yet why is it that many people refuse to make adequate preparation for another kind of trip they know they’re going to have to make at some point? I’m referring to the journey we’ll take when we leave this life and pass into the next. No, I’m not talking about the kind of preparations you might hear about on a TV commercial – purchasing life insurance, procuring a burial plot, or making the other arrangements in relation to your funeral. I’m talking about making sure we’re ready for what comes after death, as far as our soul’s destination and what we will face in eternity.

Some people simply refuse to think about it altogether. They know it’s coming, but they don’t want to face the reality of the end of their physical lives here on earth. Others come to terms with the fact that their time is coming – they don’t avoid the subject – but they don’t make reasonable preparation for that event. Some people just consider it an inevitable but mysterious trip which they can’t know anything about nor can get ready for. Others make a few faint efforts to prepare, but then simply hope for the best without any real assurances about their destination or their future condition.

   The Bible declares that we can have greater confidence than that regarding what awaits us when this life is over. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” I John 5:11-13). If we are trusting Jesus as our Savior, we have life. And we don’t have to guess about what awaits us after death or simply hope for the best. We can know that our hearts are right with God and that we will enjoy the blessedness of His presence for eternity.

Furthermore, Jesus suggested that we can be making preparations for our eternal destinies by what we focus on here in this life. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Unless Jesus returns first, we’re all going to take this trip. Have you made your reservation through faith in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross as the sacrifice for your sins? Are you packing your bags by seeking to do God’s will and focusing on matters which have eternal value? It only makes good sense to get ready for what’s coming. Don’t leave it up to chance or merely wishful thinking. Know where you’re going and be storing up your treasures there.

 

Let Losses Inspire You to Keep Running

Since the first of this year, I’ve had to say goodbye to several longtime friends who have left this life and gone to be with the Lord. The latest of those departures took place just last week. I’m not referring to relatives – that can be a whole other level of loss and grief. These were brothers in Christ, in some cases colleagues in ministry, with whom I’ve journeyed over many miles along the pathway of life. And some of those miles were challenging ones. I never served in the military, but I understand there can be a special bond between soldiers who fought together during times of war. I feel similarly about some of these particular men due to certain circumstances in which we found ourselves. We fought side-by-side as we faced some rather difficult conflicts and challenges along the way. We prayed together, agonized together, counseled one another, and supported each other as we sought to follow what we believed to be God’s will. In a sense I feel like I’ve lost my “band of brothers” with whom I shared some unique experiences over the years.

Whenever we encounter such losses, especially when we feel like we’re increasingly having to go it alone, it can be tempting in our grief to get discouraged or not to stay the course. However, I would suggest that the moving on of these departed loved ones to their eternal home should provide us with even more incentive to remain faithful to the pathway God has called us to follow.

I’m reminded of the various individuals mentioned in the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews. They are commended for their faith and the manner in which it caused them to face certain challenges in their lives. As the next chapter opens, it refers back to those heroes of faith by saying, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). In other words, the lives and testimonies of those faithful ones who are no longer with us should inspire us to follow their example. As they ran their race well until they reached the finish line, so should we. I don’t know that this is suggesting they are “witnesses” in the sense of watching what we’re doing, but their example is a witness to how we should be continuing to follow in the pathway they’ve laid out for us.

 Let’s honor those who have run the race with us by continuing to run it ourselves. The torch or baton has been passed along to you and me now. Let’s be willing to keep fighting the battles. Let’s be faithful to stand up for what’s right. Let’s stay true to God’s Word. Let’s keep the faith and finish our course. Our company of fellow-soldiers may seem like it’s growing smaller. However, our Commander who is as mighty and capable as ever is still leading the way.  And He can fight effectively whether the numbers of His followers are few or many. Additionally, there may be new recruits who are looking to you to lead the way now. Your example could end up inspiring them to be good soldiers for Christ.

Losses are going to come, especially as we get older. The ranks may seem to be diminishing. Nevertheless, let’s use that fact as an incentive to honor the memory of those who served with us by fulfilling our mission and being faithful to our God.   

 

Watch Out for Mispronunciations of God’s Word

Maybe you’ve seen the TV commercial where a little girl repeatedly mispronounces the name “Pinnacle” as “piccanel”. Some of our kids made a few of those types of blunders too, such as referring to spaghetti as “pasgetti” or to a blanket as a “lambert”. It can be cute when a young child twists words in those ways. However, I have to admit that those commercials have become a little annoying, especially when you realize the girl is now old enough to know better and that the initial cute slip-up has become merely a staged ad campaign.

It’s a much more serious matter to mispronounce what God says. And it’s being done regularly and loudly in our day. I’m not talking about people disagreeing with God’s Word, but those who take what God has spoken and twist it or declare that He’s actually saying something different from what He clearly states. Ashamedly, many of us are joining right in with the erroneous pronouncements, either because we don’t know any better, we prefer the alternate versions, or we’re afraid to face the possible consequences of daring to stand by the obvious teaching of God’s Word. Here are a few prominent examples.

Acts 4:12 declares in reference to Jesus - “Nor is their salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Bible doesn’t speak of adherents to other religions as “brothers” or “sisters” who serve the same God we worship. They are considered spiritually lost apart from Christ. They are condemned as worshipers of false gods and as idol worshipers. Jesus declared that He is the only way to God, yet many today are suggesting that His declaration didn’t mean what it sounded like. Somehow they mispronounce “I am the way” to “I am one of many ways.”

Furthermore, God’s Word declares that He made humanity in two genders, male and female, a truth which Jesus Himself affirmed – “But in the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). It’s a severe twisting of a truth which is based on God’s Word, biology, and unbiased common sense to suggest that there are more than two genders. Nevertheless, many are turning away from reality and embracing such notions, even crediting God for creating people in those ways.

That particular mispronunciation of God’s Word likely stems from another one – the idea that homosexual behavior is not condemned by God. In describing an ungodly society, God’s Word states, “God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, turned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful” (Romans 1:26-27). Yet we’re being told today that this clear statement condemning this practice doesn’t really mean what it says.

Let’s not forget one more example, one which I’m sure I’ll encounter this week – the idea that love can’t accompany disagreement or correction. God’s Word says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6). However, if we love people enough to tell them the truth or to correct them, we’re accused of hating people. God says that we can and should speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15).

  If people don’t like what God says, they should just admit it. But they shouldn’t mispronounce what He clearly says about certain subjects and claim that their view is in harmony with Him and His Word. A child’s little honest mistake of mispronunciation is amusing, but an adult’s intentional misrepresentation of God’s Word isn’t. More of us need the honesty and courage to pronounce His Word correctly.