Jesus Can Save You to the Uttermost  

We were making tacos for dinner one day when I opened the package of shells to place them in the oven to be warmed up. Normally I have to carefully situate those hardened tortillas in two slightly overlapping rows in order to get them to fit in this particular pan. However, on this occasion I quickly noticed that those taco shells slid into place with room to spare. There was no doubt about it – they were smaller than they used to be. The price wasn’t less. There was no announcement on the package label that those shells had shrunk in size. Like so many products and services in our society today, we are now paying more and getting less.

Aren’t you thankful that the Lord doesn’t treat us that way? What if we suddenly discovered that the benefits of the salvation Jesus purchased for us had been reduced? What if this salvation quit covering certain sins? What if it only got us peace and hope, but no longer offered us joy and love? What if it only got us a few hundred years in heaven rather than an eternity there? Thankfully God doesn’t shortchange us or alter our blessings due to inflation or any other factors. Jesus paid the price for our receiving a full and complete salvation. And that price He paid through His sacrificial death on the cross is still sufficient to cover those needs. We still receive everything the Bible promises to those who put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Let’s be careful that we don’t shortchange ourselves when it comes to receiving the benefits of salvation. God’s Word declares that Jesus “is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). It also declares, “Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 5:23). God offers us more than a salvation that lets us narrowly avoid the fires of hell and lets us barely squeeze into heaven’s gates. He provides more than a way for us to continue partaking in the pleasures of sin while having an assurance that He’s going to overlook whatever we do since we said a prayer one time or got dunked in a baptismal pool. The salvation Jesus died to provide for us is a means for us to find both forgiveness and cleansing, to forsake sin and become a holy person, and to be an overcomer in this life who marches into heaven victoriously, not having to sneak in through a back door.

Don’t misunderstand. This has nothing to do with our goodness or our works. It has everything to do with the value of the blood Jesus shed for us and its power to save us completely. God is able to do more in our lives than some of us think or more than we’re willing to let Him do. After the Bible declares how God can sanctify us, or make us holy, completely, it adds, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:24). Do we believe that? God is faithful and able to do what He says He can do in people’s lives. And He can even do it in your life and mine. You can be delivered from sin. You can be holy in heart and conduct. You can be more like Jesus. You can be more than a conqueror through Christ.

God won’t ever shortchange us when it comes to salvation. Let’s not shortchange ourselves. Let Him save you to the uttermost.

 

Serve the King Who Reigns Eternally  

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles III, there has been much attention directed toward royalty, monarchs, and kingdoms over the past week. These subjects drew my attention to something Daniel saw in one of his prophetic visions. He saw a throne on which one sat who is described as the Ancient of Days. It was a picture of the eternal God. While Elizabeth has been honored as the longest reigning monarch in British history, she doesn’t come close to the longevity record held by God. He has always reigned on His throne and always will throughout eternity. Elizabeth’s seventy years is just a drop in the bucket compared to His reign. Daniel also saw one “like the Son of Man” being brought before the Ancient of Days. This title was one of Jesus’ favorite designations for Himself. It says, “to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).

Let’s keep several important truths in mind. First of all, the Lord is King whether or not we choose to acknowledge that fact. There are those who recognize His lordship over their lives and submit to His will for them. However, some people simply choose to ignore Him. Others have knowingly rejected Him as the ruler over their lives. Still others actively seek to oppose Him. Nevertheless, a day is coming when all will realize the truth. Every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess Him to be Lord. It’s much better to do that now rather than to wait until we stand before Him facing His judgment for our rebellion.

Secondly, as King, the Lord is still on the throne and is carrying out His sovereign purposes in the world. At times it seems like everything around us is spiraling out of control. Granted, there may be a great deal of chaos in this world as people choose their sinful ways over God’s wise guidance for their lives. However, no matter how bad things may degenerate, the Lord is still ruling and overruling to accomplish His will. He is still in control. He is fulfilling His promises and bringing all things toward the destination He has planned out. And if you’re following Him in faith, love, and obedience, He’s still taking care of you and is working all things out for your good.  

Additionally, we can be assured that while other kingdoms, rulers, and nations come and go, the Lord’s kingdom will endure. Eventually all other governments and kingdoms will fall, but not the one Christ has established. His kingdom is active in the hearts of His people right now as they let Him rule over their lives. And one day we will live and reign with Him forever in a new heaven and a new earth. So let’s not put too much trust in temporal earthly kingdoms. Let’s seek first the kingdom of God.

Finally, if the Lord is King, then we should serve Him. He deserves our love, loyalty, and undivided service. He’s not just a figurehead to be acknowledged. He’s our Lord to whom we should pledge ourselves to follow each day. We should be paying close attention to His words, promises, commands, and directions. We should be communicating with Him regularly so as to know His will for us. We should be busy fulfilling our mission and doing the work He has given us to do.

As one longtime monarch is laid to rest, let’s devote ourselves afresh to the eternal King who will never die. Submit to Him, trust Him, and serve Him.

 

Don’t Despise What Is Good  

When I first saw the image online advertising an upcoming movie, I thought it was a joke or a poor attempt at satire. However, I later discovered differently after seeing an article about the production and even watching the first trailer to be released. It was real. Normally, I wouldn’t have given a second glance at something promoting another awful, gory, slasher film, but it’s the violent villains portrayed in this movie who got my attention. It’s not the infamous Michael Myers or Freddie or Jason or any other such killers from past horror flicks. No, the evil duo terrorizing people in this film are Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. I’m not kidding. Apparently, the copyright protecting the use of those beloved children’s book characters recently expired, so someone has taken advantage of it to create this twisted story about their becoming wild, brutal killers.

From what I recall of their original stories, I can’t think of two fictional characters who better epitomize innocence, goodness, and kindness than Pooh and Piglet. Yet we live in a world where some people are intent on destroying anything virtuous or transforming what is good into something evil. Maybe you’ve noticed it in other movies or TV productions. Superheroes who have long been models of good character have been portrayed in recent times with darker, even immoral, sides. In the meantime, their counterpart villains are often given backstories which seem to try to depict them less as evildoers to be despised and more as victims of society who deserve our sympathy. Whether intentional or not, and I believe it often is on purpose, the lines between good and evil, right and wrong, moral and immoral continue to be blurred.

 However, this isn’t just occurring on movie and TV screens. We see it in real life too. Those people whom we’ve tended to look up to and respect are being vilified. Sometimes it’s historical individuals who have held a place of honor in our heritage. Other times it’s groups of people who by their careers or principles have typically been held in high esteem. Make no mistake, those individuals have their faults and those groups have their black sheep among them. But there are those who seem to make it their life’s work to dig up any dirt on such people in order to discredit them. Or when there’s any incident in the news concerning someone in that particular group, they are quick to portray it in a way as to shed a bad light on that person and those connected to them – whether it’s the police, the military, a political organization, or a religious group.   

In one of the descriptions the Bible gives of the last days, it describes people who will be “despisers of good” (II Timothy 3:3). While such individuals have always existed, I believe that description fits an increasing number of people in our world today, and even a growing attitude in our society as a whole. The Poohs and Piglets in the world are looked down on. Their goodness and innocence are despised. As individuals and society draw farther away from God and godly principles of living, they try to tear down anything that shines a revealing light on their own wayward conduct and immoral character. So they highlight the flaws of good people while discounting their positive attributes and contributions. Or they try to find a way to transform an innocent, sweet Pooh bear into some kind of monster that makes themselves not look so bad after all.

So watch out for those who are seeking to despise and destroy what’s good. Let’s cling to what’s good and abhor what’s evil. And be assured, Winnie the Pooh isn’t evil.

 

Don’t Try “Quiet Quitting” with God  

Maybe you’ve heard about the practice some people are calling “quiet quitting.” Its definition can vary depending on who’s describing it. Some people consider it to be the idea of keeping one’s work in proper perspective, not letting it consume your life, and maintaining balance with other important areas in life. Others describe it as simply doing the job you’re being paid to do while refusing to go above and beyond what’s required. Still others consider it to be doing the bare minimum or just enough to get by at work without losing one’s job. I’ll leave it to others to evaluate all the ins and outs of such a concept on this Labor Day weekend, but I will point out just a couple of factors to keep in mind. While work is important, we do need to guard against giving it such high priority that it hinders other vital parts of our lives, including family, our health, and our relationship with God. However, we also need to be sure that we practice a work ethic that isn’t just self-centered or an excuse for laziness. Our labor should be in line with what God says: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Regardless of what you might think about this trendy work concept, the main concern I’m addressing here is that some people seem to try to apply a similar principle to the Christian faith. They don’t allow a relationship with the Lord to become the all-consuming passion of their lives. They want to have God as part of their lives, but without it interfering with their other interests, activities, and their general lifestyle. Some people seek to have just enough of what God requires in order to squeeze into heaven’s gates one day. If that fits your idea of what it means to be a Christian, to be saved, or to follow Jesus, then you had better readjust your thinking. The Bible doesn’t leave any room for “quiet quitting” when it comes to serving the Lord.

God’s Word teaches that the Lord, and only the Lord, is our Master. It’s not acceptable to worship and serve Him while bowing down to other gods at the same time. We can’t serve two masters. He comes first, even over our own desires and plans. We are to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus indicated that we must love Him even more than our own families. We must be willing to forsake everything in order to follow Him. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

Additionally, Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is about loving God. However, it isn’t about loving Him a little or loving Him in the same measure we love ourselves and other things in our lives. No, we’re to love Him supremely and with our whole being. Jesus commanded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Notice the repeated emphasis of that word “all”. God wants all our heart, not just part of it. And He expects us to serve Him with all our strength, not with just enough to get by.

So, don’t fool yourself into thinking you can “quiet quit” God. He knows our heart. He sees what we’re doing or not doing. He deserves our complete love, loyalty, and service. Give Him your all. Give Him your best. Put Him first in your life.

 

Make Sure You’re Pursuing the Real Thing  

I read an interesting report recently about the diamond industry. It seems that more people are choosing to purchase the manmade versions of that precious stone rather than the natural ones. The manufacture of those imitation gems has progressed to the point where their appearance is virtually identical to the real thing. Additionally, they are less costly. Therefore, a person can get a significantly bigger stone for the same price if they opt for the type produced in a laboratory. As a result, many people aren’t just settling for these lookalike diamonds, but they actually prefer them over the genuine article.

Unfortunately, people are doing something similar when it comes to the Christian faith. They’re not only settling for something less than the real thing, but they even prefer those alternate versions. They’re forsaking God’s way while embracing inferior imitations concocted by man. Those variations can look very similar to the original. They may contain many of the same religious facets. They may even sparkle more spectacularly and be more pleasing to our senses than the one fashioned by God. However, that doesn’t make them real or more valuable. Flashy speakers, heart-touching stories, awe-inspiring performances, and the proclamation of popular half-truths and falsehoods are often covers for a faulty type of Christianity.

The Bible warns us about times when “they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4). People will turn to that which is false because they won’t want to hear the truth. While some will be deceived into going the wrong way, others will intentionally reject what’s real in favor of some fanciful alternative.     

Just like with manmade diamonds, another attractive aspect of these variations of the Christian faith is that they tend to be less costly. Their “truths” tend to go with the flow of popular thinking today rather than against it. Therefore, its adherents are less likely to face ridicule or get canceled by our culture for standing up for their beliefs. Jesus instructed His followers to count the cost before embarking on this journey of faith with Him. He indicated that it would be a costly venture. It would involve bearing a cross, hardships, self-sacrifice, and facing persecution. Many today are choosing a form of Christianity that reduces those risks. They seek to have religion without a real relationship with Christ. They want to receive His blessings without fulfilling the accompanying responsibilities. They want some kind of connection to Christ but without the commitment He calls His followers to make. They want to turn to Jesus without turning away from the ways of this fallen world. They seek forgiveness without repentance beforehand or a changed lifestyle afterwards. They want the precious gem of salvation without paying the price of forsaking sin.

Don’t misunderstand. We can’t purchase salvation. It’s a gift of God already bought through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, when we receive this free gift of grace, it does come with a price. It will cost you your old life. It will demand that you forsake all to follow Jesus. It will mean putting Him first in your life and loving Him above all else. Too many today aren’t willing to pay that price, thus pursuing these cheaper alternatives.

Let’s make sure we’re in possession of the real gem of Christian faith. Don’t forsake God’s Word for man’s ideas. Don’t trade in your real faith for a fantasy. Don’t reject what’s true and valuable for that which is false and cheap. Count the cost and choose to follow Jesus.

 

Create Conditions for Spiritual Growth  

For some of us, mowing lawns has become almost a full-time job this summer. No, we haven’t become professional landscapers. It’s simply that the weather conditions in our region have been very conducive for the healthy growth of whatever greenery may be adorning our yards. I’m not complaining, especially when we hear about the droughts in many parts of our country and the flooding in other areas. I’m thankful that we’re not having to deal with brown, sun-scorched lawns or having to clean up from damage caused by rising rivers. Instead, we’re experiencing the right combination of warm temperatures and frequent precipitation so as to promote abundant growth in our vegetation. It makes for some extra work, but it’s a good problem to have.

When conditions are favorable, growth tends to happen. The same holds true when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. How would you honestly assess your spiritual growth? Are you in a dry season in which it seems your soul is slowly withering? Or have other things been allowed to flood your life to the point that your walk with God has been drowned out? Or are you experiencing a healthy season in which you’re steadily growing closer to God and can see the fruit of Christlikeness bursting forth in your life in greater ways? Of course, the main factor in growing is that we need to be connected to our only source of spiritual life – Christ Himself. We need to possess the gift of eternal life which He came and sacrificed His life for us to receive. The Bible pictures us as branches connected to Jesus the Vine. We have to be trusting Him as our Savior and have His Spirit living in us in order to be alive spiritually. Where there is no life, there can be no growth.

If we do have life in Christ, how do we cultivate the right conditions for growth? First of all, we need the nutrients and water provided for us in God’s Word. “Desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). We should be spending time reading, studying, and listening to good expositions of the Bible. We ought to receive it, not as man’s word but as God’s Word. We should go beyond hearing and understanding it, but also allowing it to change us. Let God’s Word shed light on you, your soul, and the world around you. Feed on it. Obey it. Let it accomplish God’s purposes in you.

We also need the warmth of fellowship – both with the Lord and with others. Spend time in prayer, not just occasionally but on a regular basis. Look at it not just as a chance to ask God for what you need, but also as an opportunity to simply be in His presence, to worship Him, to praise Him, to thank Him for His blessings. Yes, cry out to God about your concerns and needs, but also listen to Him and enjoy His fellowship. We also need to be around other believers in order to help each other grow in our mutual faith. We’re not meant to exist on our own – we’re part of the Body of Christ.

Finally, we need to keep moving. “Exercise yourself toward godliness” (I Timothy 4:7). Such training not only includes the spiritual disciplines mentioned above, but also serving the Lord in some way. Shortly after that exhortation to exercise, it says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you” (I Timothy 4:14). Use both the natural talents and the spiritual gifts you’ve been given to minister to others.

Growth doesn’t just happen. We’ve got to pursue the right conditions for it. Try it and see what God does in your life.  

 

We Can Face Trials with Calm Assurance  

Recently I watched an old movie titled “Stars in My Crown”. Although it was billed as a western, the setting was actually more in line with the Old South. The story was about a preacher and the positive impact he had on a small town. At one point there was an outbreak of typhoid fever in the area. One of the main characters, a young boy, became infected to the point that there was uncertainty as to whether or not he would survive. Such a potentially sorrowful event might normally stir up some concern among viewers. However, I had no apprehensions about the fate of the young boy as I watched the story unfold. Why was that? Was it because I lack compassion? Was it due to the fact that I really hadn’t gotten emotionally involved in the film? Why would I not feel some measure of anxiety or concern about the possible demise of this likeable character? It was because I knew that somehow he was going to get through that ordeal. How did I know? Because that boy was the narrator of the story, looking back at and retelling those events from his childhood. Therefore, unless he was recounting these memories from heaven, he would have had to have lived in order to be able tell the tale.

 When we go through trials and challenges, we can have a similar attitude due to our faith in God and in His promises. We don’t have to get overly concerned or anxious about the outcome. We may not know all the details of exactly how those situations are going to play out, but we’re confident that somehow we will indeed make it through. Why? Because through faith we have certain assurances about the final outcome. Getting there may be tough. The experience might be filled with pain and grief. It may not happen as soon as we had hoped. However, we know that when all is said and done that we will end up in a good place.

For example, no matter what difficulties enter our lives as followers of Christ, we have the promise of Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” If we truly believe that, then we can relate to whatever comes into our lives in similar fashion to how I reacted to that boy’s illness in the movie. We don’t have to get too worked up about it, because we know that in some way God is going to work even this experience out for our good. Granted, the ordeal may not be easy or pleasant. Nevertheless, we can go through it with the calm assurance that God is working through it in a way that will result in our being benefited.

With that kind of faith, we can even face the valley of the shadow of death with some degree of confidence rather than fear. If the Lord sees fit to spare our lives and give us more time in this life, that will be great. It will give us more opportunity to live for Him and be a light in this dark world. However, if we don’t survive physically, we still win. We get to go be with the Lord, which Paul affirmed is even better (see Philippians 2:19-24).

As those who know the Lord and believe His promises, we have a great advantage over those who don’t. We know how the story ends. Through faith, we don’t have to let the trials of life overwhelm our spirits with fear and anxiety. We can rest in the knowledge that God is with us, He’ll see us through, and one way or another it’s all going to turn out well.