This Means War

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

– Ephesians 6:12

If you’re into long-distance running, you’re probably familiar with The Wall — that barrier of mental and physical fatigue that successful athletes train for years to overcome. If successful, they’ll reach the finish line with power left to spare. Unprepared competitors will meanwhile drop out of the race in exhaustion and defeat.

As Christ-followers, we face our own barriers as we try to live the ways that God desires. While fighting to keep pace in a figurative marathon, we battle against our natural tendencies to do

what’s wrong (“sin”). We fail to follow Jesus’ example of loving our neighbors, helping the disadvantaged and honoring God. And we’re also tempted to return to the old me-first lifestyle. It’s a real struggle: the selfish stuff we know we shouldn’t do versus the ultimately world-changing things we can and should do. And as with any ongoing struggle, fatigue eventually ensues.

That’s when we need some energy. Something like a shot of espresso or a can or two of Red Bull — but something much more powerful and lasting.

In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote that he considered this exhausting struggle to be internal warfare pitting good against evil. And through his own energy and efforts, he knew he would certainly lose the battle. But Paul had a dynamic weapon that assured his ultimate victory. And it’s something that’s available to you and me right now.

It’s called the Holy Spirit, and it’s God’s power residing in every believer. It’s also that personal force that enables us to do or say the things we never could before, overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and generally do the impossible. In fact, the Bible says it’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion.

If you’re a Christ-follower, let the Holy Spirit empower you, make the most of your life and take you the entire distance. Be alert to his teachings and leadings, and understand that they can come from just about anywhere. It might be a Bible passage that reveals itself with new meaning. Or maybe it’s a spiritual truth from a discussion at your Gel Group. The Holy Spirit can also speak through a conversation with a friend or stranger, or even out of an odd circumstance in the workplace.

Do you have the power you need to make it across the finish line in this long-distance race called life? It’s closer than you think. And all you have to do is ask. 

Innocent as Charged

I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt.

-- Job 33:9

Maybe you’ve seen that popular bumper sticker. Its message reads something like this:

Christians aren’t perfect. They’re just forgiven.

OK, it might be trite. But the message is right on target. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you’ve got quite a future ahead of you. That’s because Jesus paid the price on the cross for your sins and mine. And God no longer holds what you did in your past against you.

News doesn’t get much better than that. And with your heart, mind and soul now open to God’s direction for your life, your positive influence in the community — and around the world, for that matter — could be immense. What’s to stop you?

It’s a safe bet that the devil will try. He’s been doing it for centuries. And he continues

to do it today with one of his favorite weapons. It’s a monster called GUILT.

Even though God has wiped the slate clean for all Christ-followers, the devil has a very long memory. He’s like a stern prosecutor who reads a list of your previous faults and failures to the jury. And he loves to remind the Judge (and you) when you’re at your weakest in court.

Is it any wonder that Satan is known as The Accuser?

Unfortunately, the devil’s old trick often succeeds. For example, just think about your own past. How often does it haunt you and block your potential? Do you constantly think about all of the would-have/could-have/should-have situations in your life? Maybe it was an angry word to a family member or friend — one that you never took back? Or what about that missed opportunity to right a wrong or make a positive difference in someone’s life?

It’s true that we can’t turn back the clock and have a do-over for our past failures. But what’s all-important is that God holds none of them against us. In fact, the Bible says that he remembers them no more. Jesus’ death and resurrection cleared the slate and paid the bill.

Don’t be surprised when the devil brings up your past to bring you down. But when he does, just remember that his words are hollow and worthless. Only God’s promises have real value to Christ-followers. So with that in mind, let’s live our lives on the one declares us not guilty. It’s through our faith in Jesus that we’re innocent as charged.

Point of Light

But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us
while we were still sinners.

-- Romans 5:8

It takes just a tiny point of reflected light from a telescope’s mirror to change our notions about the universe. But when there are barriers — such as the atmosphere in the case of astronomy — we can miss the big picture or be misled by a distorted image. 

This principle also applies to our spiritual lives. “I am the light of the world,” Jesus proclaimed in John 8:12. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

As Christ-followers, our lives are to always reflect Jesus’ love in action. But we too face barriers and distortions. The world teaches us to beat the competition, climb the corporate ladder and keep up with our neighbors (and then leave them in our dust). We need the biggest, the fastest and the shiniest. And most of all, it’s not bragging if we can back it all up.

But Christ has a different viewpoint: To be first, we must be last.

This bold perspective sheds a new light on things. And that’s just the point. How much better would this world be if his people were to adopt a servant’s attitude and put the interests of others before their own?

Jesus answered this question through his own example. First, he willingly surrendered the advantages he had as God’s only Son. He entered the world through the most humble of circumstances — a birth among farm animals in a filthy stable. When he grew older, he learned to make a common-man’s living as a carpenter. Of course, Jesus could have lived in splendor as the King of Kings. But instead, he chose a nomadic existence for teaching the Good News of salvation to his people.

That’s quite a life lesson. And it was one taught by the One with a humble servant’s heart. He’s the same One who came to serve rather than be served. And he’s the only One whose sacrifice for our sakes is counted worthy.

How can we mirror Christ’s life through our own lives? It all starts by accepting him as our personal Lord and Savior. And as Jesus told the respected religious leader one night many centuries ago, we must be born again.

The fact is that we are nothing without Jesus and can do even less by ourselves. But when we fully surrender our lives to God, it’s through this brilliant point of light that we find our life’s purpose.

Conflict of Interest

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

-- Matthew 6:24

What comes to mind when you hear the term conflict of interest? Maybe it’s a politician who sponsors legislation without revealing that he or she would gain financially from its passage. Or perhaps it’s a prosecutor who’s trying a case against a not so distant relative.

According to a paper published in the Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organizational Studies, such double-dealing extends well beyond

the Washington Beltway and the courtroom. In fact, conflicts of interest are all around us — from investment banks to accounting firms to the Pentagon to the media. And it’s a costly problem. For example, the consulting firm Marsh & McClennan once lost nearly $12 billion dollars in just a few days after New York’s attorney general announced his investigation into the firm’s alleged conflict of interests involving price fixing and collusion!

With so much at stake, what’s evident is the importance of using good judgment by eliminating even the appearance of impropriety in politics, the legal system and the business world. But how about conflicts of interest involving something that’s much more important: our spiritual life?

As Christ-followers, we’ve accepted God’s invitation to meet our needs in every facet of life. That covers deeply intimate issues involving our significance, happiness, value and self-worth. And let’s not forget our money and possessions. Deep down, too many of us depend on the size of our bank accounts, 401ks and stock portfolios for security. We struggle for years to build up our nest eggs. But even if we make it to the top by the world’s standards, this supposed victory turns out to be a worthless idol that gains us nothing once we leave this life.

We read in the Old Testament that King Solomon — once the richest and wisest man in the world — had his own problems with divided spiritual loyalties. Rather than depending strictly on God and following his word, Solomon decided to pursue a life of pleasure by accumulating hundreds of wives and concubines. His other futile ventures involved possessions, wisdom and achievements. And what did Solomon eventually learn from his time straying from God?

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

How about you? Are there conflicts when it comes to your relationships, money and possessions? The fact is that what we do with each paycheck and how we treat each other are tests of how well we use God’s blessings … and our own good judgment. Jesus reminds us that we will one day be rewarded with the opportunity to manage many things. But first, we must demonstrate that we’re faithful with just a few.

Radical Change

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

-- Romans 12:1

Early followers of Jesus were called Little Christs because their newfound faith had transformed their lives for all to see. This odd group of people from all walks of life — rich and poor, male and female, slave and free — were markedly different from the rest of society. They somehow had grown more caring and generous toward both neighbors and strangers alike, and they willingly sacrificed their time and

resources to ease sorrow and correct injustice. Ultimately, they had abandoned their old, selfish tendencies in favor of something much greater.

In a word, they were changed.

And that says a lot for their leader — an obscure rabbi from a distant corner of the Roman Empire who just happened to be God’s own Son. Few recognized that at the time. But because some did and led changed lives while following Jesus, millions in future generations would in turn help to change the world for the better.

Modern-day Christ-followers must too set aside their selfish deeds and desires in favor of following Jesus’ example. Like those first disciples transformed by the words of the Sermon on the Mount, we should recognize that Jesus the Leader was also Jesus the Follower. Christ spoke constantly with his Father (God) in prayer and always sought his guidance.

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,” explained Jesus, “because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

It’s a radical approach that’s just as life-changing today as it was 20 centuries ago. And it’s also an approach that calls for personal action, commitment and sacrifice. So whether you’ve followed Jesus for five years or 55, grasp every opportunity to become more like him, walk in his ways and see the world through his eyes. Then ask God to work through you with his Holy Spirit — that personal, loving Power who makes it possible to leave your old self behind and become a new creation.

It’s change that makes a difference. And eventually, through the trials of life and the whispers of his leadings, we’ll become the men and women our Creator always dreamed we could be.

Extra Innings

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

-- 1 Samuel 18:5

With Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game just behind us, it’s a great time to remember one of the all-time greats of America’s Pastime: Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig.

Nicknamed Iron Man, Gehrig was a outstanding player who combined power with average. When his career was cut short in 1939 by the fatal disease that would eventually carry his name, Gehrig had hit nearly 500 home runs, driven in almost 2,000 RBIs and racked up a .340 batting average. But despite these impressive numbers, the New York Yankees first baseman is perhaps best known for his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games.

In an era before modern sports medicine, Gehrig no doubt played

an inning or two while hurt, sick or even exhausted. But he carried on for the good of his team. And his dedication, selflessness and love of the game sustained him for 16 seasons while leading the Bronx Bombers to victory after victory. He succeeded in baseball because he had the strength and willpower to go the extra inning. Likewise, it’s in much the same way that God’s grace (undeserved kindness) sustains every Christ-follower throughout their extended journeys of faith.

A misconception among some Believers is that God only presents his grace to them the moment they give their lives to Jesus. After that — they reason — he steps back into the cosmos to watch in silence. But the Bible tells us that he remains by our side. Just as our walks of faith are marked by twists and hairpin turns along a rugged path, God continues his presence. And it’s a good thing. Because from time to time, we all need spiritual renewal as we grow in what it means to follow in Jesus’ steps. Even the apostles — the ones who had personally witnessed Christ’s life-changing miracles — asked the Lord to increase their faith. So we’re in good company.

The apostles were both physically and spiritually drained after abandoning their livelihoods and then following Jesus for three years, And when their Master was arrested, tried and crucified, they scattered in fear for their lives — just as he had predicted. But they soon experienced renewal the night Christ reappeared to them. John the Apostle described the remarkable scene this way:

In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples had met together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side, and when they saw the Lord the disciples were overjoyed. Jesus said to them again, “Yes, peace be with you! Just as the Father sent me, so I am now going to send you.”

These early Christ-followers could now continue with their world-changing mission. What’s more, they had renewed confidence. And not in themselves — but in God alone. It was through him that they had the faith and power to both accomplish and endure until the final out.

Like a beleaguered baseball team that relies on their talent and willpower to finally clinch the league championship, Christ-followers depend on a special Power to get them through those difficult extra innings of life. We know it to be God’s sustaining grace, made possible through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. And if you’ll bear with one final baseball analogy, it’s the power that guarantees that we’ll one day be safe at home.

Hooray for Hollywood

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 

-- 1 Chronicles 19:13 

The entertainment industry is one of the last places where anyone — especially Christ-followers — should seek guidance on righteous behavior. After all, Hollywood is well known for its moral relativism and feels-good-do-it lifestyle. Celebrity relationships are often shallow and short-lived, and they've long embraced political correctness to redefine marriage and the family. What's more, many in Hollywood mock Christ-followers and the Bible as being intellectually inferior, bigoted and behind the times. In Tinseltown, there's not much room at the inn for God and his people.

But maybe Hollywood can teach us something after all. If you've ever watched the Academy Awards, the Emmys or the Grammys, the winning actors and musicians often go to great lengths

in their acceptance speeches to thank others for their success. They'll cite their producers, agents and writers — even their family members — for helping to make it all possible. Rarely if ever does an entertainer take all the credit.

This is not to suggest that most Christ-followers hog the acclaim for their own blessings and achievements. But what's true is that even faithful, long-time Christians can fall into the trap of selfishness when it comes to prayer. Without thinking, prayer — what should be an intimate conversation with God —becomes a laundry list of personal wants and must-haves. The Father becomes little more than a cosmic genie. And we think our wishes should be his command. It's all about I, me and mine without giving thanks to the One who deserves all our praise.

Make no mistake: God does indeed want us to tell him about our legitimate needs and desires. We read in Luke's Gospel that the disciples once asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist had taught his disciples. Christ responded through what we call the Lord's Prayer that we should always ask God to provide us with our daily sustenance and protect us from temptation and the Evil One (the devil).

Elsewhere, the Bible teaches us to blend our prayers with thanksgiving, regardless of our circumstances. The Apostle Paul lived out this principle throughout his ministry. In fact, he spent years in prison chained to his guards while under the constant threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully. And instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used his circumstances to change the lives of fellow prisoners and jailers alike — and all while writing much of what we today call the New Testament.

So let's be fair and give credit where credit is due. The Hollywood elite are quick to share the credit with those who deserve it. But rather than thanking the producers, writers and agents during our next acceptance speech, let's instead remember the simple admonition found in Psalm 106:

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.