Category: Christian Living

A Truthful Response

Tim KingLeave a comment

The passion week of Christ found in chapters 10-16 of the Gospel of Mark is an amazing portion of Scripture that challenges believer and unbeliever alike. It has been said countless times, the cross demands and answer. Truly it does. If you are a thinking person that is willing to consider the cross at all, you are faced with a decision as to who Jesus Christ is and what the cross is going to mean in your life.

That decision made, as believers we see throughout all of the passion week, so much for us to learn about growing in Christ-likeness. If we truly consider ourselves to be Christian, then we must see, in all of Christ’s trial, mocking, and crucifixion, in all of those horrific events, that Jesus demonstrates to us some of the highest callings and examples by which we can grow in Christ-likeness.

The Example of Christ – Humble Silence
How did Christ respond to the religious leaders relentless evil attacks and hateful accusations? He didn’t. He remained silent in obedience to His father, and because their accusations were not worthy of a response.

How did Christ respond to Pilate when asked why he was silent to these accusations? He didn’t. Once again He remained silent.

How do we then respond to others when we are ridiculed or mocked? When we are falsely accused or criticized for something? Simple…we don’t respond. We don’t need to respond to false accusations. Our testimony of silence is enough. Simply let the Holy Spirit work in their lives through your silence and good works.

In Mattthew 5:16 we read the following:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Jesus knew His death on the cross, His crucifixion, had to happen in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven. Jesus’ silence, throughout the whole process, spoke volumes. From trial to death, Christ did not respond to the attacks…to the reviling of those around Him. Rather He sat, stood, and hung in humble silence, not responding to those that would mock, scorn, revile, and kill Him.

Following Christ’s example, we don’t need to respond to false accusations or mocking. We don’t need to acknowledge the foolishness of this world when we are wrongly judged and reviled. How we respond, how we live before others, how we sit-stand-and die to self, in obedience to Him, is done in Christ-likeness to honor our heavenly Father, and to point others to the cross of Jesus Christ.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

But what about when we are called out by this world for who we really are. What do we do when we are mocked or ridiculed as one of those “Christians”, or one of those “Born Again” weirdos.

Again…we look to the example of our Lord Jesus. We respond just like Christ did! He gave a truthful response when asked about who He was.

The Example of Christ – A Truthful Response

Jesus was asked by Pilate in Mark 15:2 “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

So how do you answer the question… “Who are you?”
Or what if someone says to you “Tell me a bit about yourself…”
What if they ask you flat out… “Are you a Christian?”

How will you reply?

Do you dread that question?

Do you shy away or try to redirect the question?

Do you change the subject out of fear?

Or will you answer like Christ, speaking the truth, and profess to others… “It is as you say.”

In Matthew 10 Jesus was teaching the twelve apostles exactly what it meant to be one of His disciples.

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” MAtthew 10:32-33

Telling the truth to others that we are a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ, that He is our Lord and Savior, is exactly what we do. Like Christ, we give a truthful response. Without hesitation. Without fear. With boldness and confidence in the truth of who Christ says we are.

You have been adopted into God’s Family

“4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:4-6

You are chosen and called by God

Peter tells us that as believers we are “9 …a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit

As believers we have been given a gift and promise from God that can never be changed. We are His forever. Ephesians 1:13 tells us

“13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…” Ephesians 1:13

As a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, we will long to grow in His likeness. It is who we are, and what we do. Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews telling us how we are to live our lives. How we are to run the race of our faith, specifically in the light of the truth that Jesus endured the cross.

“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, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Additionally Romans 12:1-2 calls us to a life of transformation to Christ-likeness.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Jesus proved the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when He willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father went to the cross on your behalf. In the same manner, we prove the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when we willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father give a truthful answer as we lay down our lives and take up His cross.

Have you confessed Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the risen Savior, as your Christ? Do you believe that He was tried, mocked, and crucified that you might have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life?

If the answer is yes, than He is most worthy and deserving of a truthful response from us when people ask us who we really are!

Persistence in Prayer

Tim KingLeave a comment

Perhaps one of the clearest examples of persistent prayer given to us given to us in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Luke. In the midst of teaching the disciples, Jesus uses a parable to instruct them on the importance of persistent prayer and God’s care for us. In Luke chapter 8, Christ tells the parable of the “Persistent Widow”.

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?””  Luke 18:1-8 NKJV

In this parable, Christ not only speaks to the disciples about the need for persistence in prayer, he also affirms God’s care for His people who persist in prayer and cry out to Him “day and night”. But there is another truth found in this parable that may be overlooked. Verse 8 concludes with a compelling, and perhaps rhetorical, question to the disciples. It is also directed at us.

Jesus draws a direct connection between the persistent prayer of His people…and their faith. He asks “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”  If Christ Jesus, our High Priest, were to return today, would we be a people that trust Him completely and remain persistent, steadfast and constant in praying without ceasing? Would our prayer life demonstrate a wholehearted, fervent, and persistent faith in Him?

“…persistence in our prayer life is a direct reflection of our faith in God…”

It is a truth born out in the lives of believers that persistence in our prayer life is a direct reflection of our faith in God who hears and answers our prayers. When the Son of Man comes, when Christ returns, will he really find His people, His church, you and I, a people whose faith is in God and that pray with persistence? Will we be a people that demonstrate a faith in God alone and that continue steadfastly in prayers like the early church in Acts 2:41-42 and that pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)?

As we persist in our prayers and do not strive to answer our own prayers in our own time, our own way, and in our own will, then we truly demonstrate our complete faith and trust in God to hear our prayers.

Plea, Praise & Promise

Tim KingLeave a comment

Ths Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 concluded this amazing psalm with a passionate reminder to himself and a emboldened series of declarations to God regarding the truth and power of God’s Holy Word.

“169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.” Psalm 119:169-176 NKJV

The psalmist lays bare the desires and condition of his heart as he uses words such as “cry“, “plea“, “praise“, “chosen“, “long for” and “sing“. He concludes this longest psalm with a simple but poignant petition to God, admitting his own lostness and desperate need to be found by his Lord. At the end of the psalm he writes “I do not forget your commandments.” Despite going astray and being in need of a shepherd to come and find him, he remembered the commandments of God.

Fast-forward centuries to the days of Christ and the apostle Paul. We read the words of Paul in Ephesians 6 telling us of the spiritual battle that all true believers are engaged in each and every day of their life here on earth. In that text, Paul writes that we are to “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…” The term “fastened“, is sometimes translated “gird” or “girded“. The Greek word implies that the belt is an equipping of the Word of God, to be fastened securely, and an ever-present necessity to engage in spiritual battle.

When the psalmist wrote in verse 176 that he would “not forget” God’s commandments, he was conveying the importance of internalizing and personally applying the Word of God. Much like the psalmist, in the midst of our trials, our lostness at times, Paul commends us to endure all of the the battles that God permits to happen in our lives, with the belt of truth “fastened” firmly in our heart and the Word of God not forgotten, but remembered, desired and applied.

Gird…not a common word today. The image and purpose of a belt is most powerful. A belt does not have any gaps. It is drawn tightly and securely. It fully surrounds the body, holding fast those things that might otherwise fall down or fall off. It serves as a foundation form which other weapons and defenses can be placed and used. As we are girded with the belt of truth, we encompass ourselves with the entire truth of God. There is no part of our life that is not surrounded by the truth of God. Nothing is beyond the equipping of His truth. The truth is not only preparatory for battle, it is also foundational and assuring to us as we can have confidence in the faithfulness of God to work in and through His truth in our lives as we abide in Him and live for Him.

Gird yourself with His truth. Do not forget His truth. Cry out to Him knowing that His truth, His commandments, are good. Choose His truth. Praise Him for His truth. When you wander, as you abide, do so with the belt of His truth securely fastened and petition Him for His shepherding care.

In Christ

“So I prayed …”

Tim KingLeave a comment

The book of Nehemiah is a powerful, historical book filled with examples of biblical leadership, standing firm in God against opposition, as well as personal and community revival found in God’s Word.

One of the more powerful themes that runs throughout the whole book though, is the priority and persistence of prayer in the life of Nehemiah. As we read the story of Nehemiah, we of read prayers for success, prayers for wisdom, and prayers for judgment. Sometimes his season of prayer goes on for months. Other times we see him pray in-the-moment prayers that are silent, but powerful, petitions to the God of heaven for that specific situation and need.

As believers there are things that we may be burndened to pray about for decades. At other times, there are those things that happen unexpectedly that require our immediate attention, but that would be well served by that in-the-moment prayer to our heavenly Father.

James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Nehemiah, who found himself standing before the earthly king, took a moment to silently pray to the God of heaven. The prayer was not an afterthought, but an instinctive response that came from a lifetime of practice and a firm understanding of who God is. It also came from a deep-seated desire to see God’s will done in every moment and every decision of his life.

May we, like Nehemiah, develop that instinctive response to go to God in prayer in every moment of our days. Then, when that moment of crisis from something unexpected arrives, or that moment of need when we find ourselves in a state of desperation, or that precious moment where we get to share the Gospel truth of Jesus with someone else, we will respond as Nehemiah did… “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”

Blessings in Christ…

Real Living: By Faith in the Son of God – Who Loved Me – Died for Me – and Now Lives In Me

Tim KingLeave a comment

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 1:20

It should be no surprise when a passage like the one above penetrates our hearts and challenges us to live our lives in the reality of it’s truth.

We must no longer live as though we are in charge! We must live by faith. A faith that is rooted and which is resolute in the firm knowledge that Christ loves us, lives in us, and is the “…author and finisher” (Hebrews 12:2) of that faith by which we now live.

If our faith is based on our flesh at all, it will surely fail. Everyday we need to start anew, reminding ourselves of our desperate need for Him. Reminding ourselves of His love for us and that He abides in us.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28

That is the way I want to live. I want to “…serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear“.

I want to wait on the Lord so that He will be my Master and I will hear and obey His voice.

I want to wait on Him because I know the those that “…wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

And when I live that way… “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me“.

Why do I have 9 arms?

Tim KingLeave a comment
Photo by J. Epperson

The nine armed sea star is a crazy looking critter. I recently had the delight of finding one while searching for sea shells with my son. I had never seen anything quite like it before. Unlike five armed sea stars (or star fish as I used to call them), it has nine arms that are used for feeding, digging, and moving around. Why nine arms and not five is beyond me. What I do know is that God, in his perfect design, chose to create them that way. This little critter obviously does not sit there and ask “Why do I have 9 arms?” It just lives and does what it was designed and intended to do and be.

As humans we are all created in God’s image and God has made us each as unique individuals. As believers we also know that we each have a unique role and purpose in this world and we need to be doing what He has called and purposed us to do. The way we understand His will and purpose for our life is to draw close to him, to dig in and study His word and pray.

Romans 12:1-2 gives us a crystal clear insight into how we go about knowing His will for our lives.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

As we determine to be transformed by God, and not be conformed to this world, we are able to “prove” or know what God’s perfect will is. Let’s start asking God what he wants us to know about himself and get busy living our lives for Him!

“I coulda been a contender…”

Tim KingLeave a comment

That was one of the famous lines from the movie “On the Waterfront” starring Marlon Brando. Sometimes we may find ourselves looking back at a season or struggle and perhaps think that we could have been a contender; that perhaps we could have been more or done more. Today is a new day…today is the day we can choose to be a contender. But what are you going to contend for?

Contending…it is a strange word, not used very often, but powerful in it’s meaning. Often associated with sporting events, the word brings to mind the image of a prolonged battle or struggle. In the letter of Jude in the Bible, Jude has a change of focus with regards to the content of the letter and changes from a focus on the topic of his shared salvation with the readers, to a plea, an exhortation for their contending for the faith that they share.

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3

What does it mean to contend earnestly for the faith? The Greek word for “contend earnestly” is the word epagónizomai from which we get the word agonize. We are to agonize earnestly, contend with all we have, for the faith. Jude was not writing about contending with boxing gloves either. Jude is writing because there were enemies in the church and the best thing that they could do is to contend earnestly for the faith…for the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. What is amazing about Jude’s instructions is that he does not encourage them to do what we might expect…to fight. Rather he is going to give several instructions to them which are still just as applicable today as we battle false teachers, persecution, and attacks on the truth of the gospel.

In Jude 1:20-21 it says: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.“

The original Greek language only has one imperative in this sentence and it is found in the command to “keep yourselves in the love of God”. Jude provides three ways that they and we are to keep ourselves in the love of God.

First, we are to be “building yourselves up on your most holy faith”. That “most holy faith” is the Word of God…the collection of truths that make up the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is most holy because it is from a most holy God. This verse looks back at verse three and reinforces that that this is what we are to be contending for…this most holy faith that has been given to them. We are to be building ourselves up…to be growing and maturing in our understanding and knowledge of the those most holy teachings…that most holy faith.

The second way by which we remain in the love of God is by “praying in the Holy Spirit”. If we are not praying constantly as individuals, our small groups, and in our churches, how are we to be keeping in the love of God? As spirit filled believers we should long to pray and to be close to our Lord. In Ephesians 6 Paul writes regarding the armor of God. He says there “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

The third way that Jude gives by which we continue in God’s love is to be ” looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” That is our hope and our longing. It is both our temporal desire to be close to our Lord, but it is also our eternal desire to spend an eternity in the glorious presence of our Savior. Keeping that eternal perspective, looking forward expectantly and anxiously for the ultimate act of mercy from Jesus Christ, our eternal salvation being realized in the presence of Christ himself, that truth helps us to continue in God’s love. That truth gives us assurance of the hope that is in us to get through those difficult times in our lives. How powerful is the hope of our salvation…the truth of a future outpouring of the mercy of Jesus Christ on those that are His children.

Are you contending earnestly for the faith? Are you contending daily to keep yourself in the love of God by by digging into His word, by praying in the Holy Spirit to the one true God that hears and answers, and are you looking expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life? These are the ways we keep ourselves, they way we abide in the love of God, and by doing so it is how we can endure the trials and persecution of this world as we await His glorious return.

Be a contender for the faith! Agonize to abide in the love of God.

TK

Life Darkening Shades

Tim KingLeave a comment

Room darkening shades are designed specifically for the purpose of eliminating as much outside light as possible so that a room can be as dark as possible. Sometimes those kinds of shades are used to create darkness that is needed for sleeping. Sometimes they are used so that the lighting in a room can be controlled specifically for video purposes. Whatever the need, there are lots of different kinds of room darkening shades and a boatload of reasons for using them.

Sin is like a room darkening shade…only it is at work in our spiritual lives. Sin in our lives will work to make our lives darker and darker and if not addressed will darken the true light in our lives. Sin comes in different styles and patterns. It can be decorative, like pride, or functional, like hatred. Sometimes we open the shades of sin in our life and let the light in, other times we pull the shade tight and let the darkness reign. But we control the shades.

Jesus Christ will return one day. As believers we look forward to that day with great anticipation. Peter asked a somewhat rhetorical but pressing question in his second letter saying this “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” (2 Peter 3:14) To be found by Him at peace, found without spot and blameless, we need to be addressing the darkness of sin in our lives. But first we have to expose that sin in our lives with light…true spiritual light.

Jesus said to his disciples “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus is the only true spiritual light in this world. Peter also wrote in 2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Jesus is that light that shines in a dark place and the light cannot be extinguished by the life darkening shades of sin. In Psalm 119:15 it says “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Jesus is the light of the world and God’s Word is a light to our life guiding us and revealing to our how we are to live in the light.

Today, if you are wresting with sin in your life, sin of any type, come to Jesus and confess your sin. He is faithful and just to forgive those sins. (1 John 1:9) Let His light shine brightly in your life and let His Holy Word do a mighty work in your life. Tear down those life darkening shades of sin and let His light of righteousness flood your life.