27 April 2008

The Works Of The Flesh

(Kent Heaton)

The duality of man lends itself to a battle between his fleshly side and his spiritual side. As man was formed from the dust of the ground he would bear the image of the Creator (Genesis 1:26). In the Garden of Eden, Satan challenged the flesh with the longing for the forbidden fruit and its appeal to greater wisdom (Genesis 3). Man’s rebellion was the shot heard round the universe of time that plunged humanity into the abyss of sin. Through the redemption of the seed promise (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:16) in Jesus Christ man found a way to harness the unruly spirit of the flesh. Yet the battle continues.

Paul exhorted the churches of Galatia to “walk in the Spirit” so not to “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). He describes the war between the flesh as it lusts against the Spirit and how contrary they are to one another (Galatians 5:17). The challenge for people of God is to remember they are not lead by the fleshly desires of carnality but rather the higher plane of Spirit led lives. Living in the Spirit means to walk in the Spirit as the fleshly lusts are crucified with “its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24,25).

The New American Standard Version uses the phrase “deeds of the flesh.” The works of the flesh speak to a manner of life or ones conduct or deeds. These are continual sins or habitual transgressions that prohibit one from being a part of the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). From sensual sins to transgressions against God and offenses toward man and self; Paul declares the blueprint of folly that has led the majority of humanity into moral putridity. Written across the headlines of newspapers and flaunted hour upon hour through the altar of moral decadence in television, movies and computer screens the deeds of the flesh slowly rot the spiritual mind of God’s people.

From the graves of prophets long gone echo the mantra of our modern age: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them” (Malachi 2:17). "Arise, go up against a nation which is at ease, which lives securely, declares the Lord. It has no gates or bars; they dwell alone” (Jeremiah 49:31).

The deeds of the flesh war against the spiritual heart of God’s people. We must stand for holiness, truth and righteousness to withstand the flood of passions and lusts that war against the soul. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Corinthians 10:3,4). The mighty towers of lusts must be pulled down from our lives. The works of the flesh must be crucified, killed, destroyed – removed from our lives – “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).

The deeds of the flesh must be refreshed by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Through the grace of God’s love, we can conquer the flesh.

Not Just a Book

(Jamey Hinds)

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12, 13).

The preacher wrote, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). His testimony is true. The real problem is that too many people—even those who claim to be followers of the Bible—do not treat the Bible as anything more than just another book among many other books.

We call it “The Good Book,” but do we mean by this that it should rule every aspect of our lives? Do we recognize the authority of God through it? Do we only see it as good because there’s good information there?

Do we make choices about the movies and tv shows we’re going to watch with or without the Bible as our guide? What about the music we download and listen to? Do we choose occupations with or without the Bible as our help? Do we choose recreation with or without the Bible? Do we choose a spouse with or without the guidelines of the Bible?

The apostle Paul wrote, “learn . . . not to think beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6). But do we think—and therefore act—as if this God-breathed statement is true? To a young man named Timothy, the same apostle Paul wrote, “You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

The word of God thoroughly prepares us for every good work; this means that without the word of God—and its intrinsic authority from God—we cannot be equipped for every good work. God’s word provides for us the boundaries to work within to give Him all the glory and honor His divine nature deserves. “We walk by faith and not by sight” (1 Corinthians 5:7). “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Soul redeeming faith does not come by reading the newspaper, a magazine, or any other media—it comes by the word of God  (Hebrews 11:1, 6; James 1:18, 21-22).

The word of God is unique. The word of God is our lifeline to the One who created us, sustains us, saves us from our sins, and gives us purpose (1 Corinthians 2:12, 16; Colossians 3:15-17).

The word of God is the most important collection of writings known to mankind—more important than this great country’s Bill of Rights, or even our constitution. The word of God, implanted in an honest and good heart, will redeem a soul from the eternal condemnation of hell and cause us to “obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (I Thessalonians 5:9-10). “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6; see also Psalm 19:7-11).

Drowning In Debt

(Andy Diestelkamp)

For the last several months there has been a great deal of angst over adjustable rate home mortgages (ARMs), people's inability to make their house payments, and thus the potential for many defaulting on such loans. In addition, the overall indebtedness of households is increasing. Quite frankly, many families are facing financial crisis and are blissfully unaware of it. They don't allow themselves to think about it or they think that somebody will do something to fix their problem.

It has long been observed that financial matters create some of the greatest stresses in marriage. The amazing power of compound interest that is lauded by investors as a means to make your money grow under sober-minded stewardship can also quickly drown the undisciplined consumer in a virtual ocean of debt. Debt is often a very sensitive subject that most do not want to discuss with others.

It is no surprise to the student of Scripture to find that God has much to say regarding money and, therefore, about debt. While debt has become a way of life in our materialistic culture, the spiritually minded would do well to beware.

Debt can simply refer to what is owed by agreement as the result of services performed or goods received. It is an obligation to be met. In such agreements one side assumes risk while the other meets the obligation and is indebted to the other until the obligation is met. We see this in all aspects of commerce from the relationships of employer/employee to producer/consumer. As such, debt is not inherently evil.

Problems of debt come when the obligations are not met. "The wicked borrows and does not repay" (Psalm 37:21). The teaching is not that borrowers are wicked, but that those who do not honor their debts are wicked. I fear we have raised up a generation that would find those words harsh.

To fail to pay back what we owe is to default not only on a loan but on our word, on an oath, a promise. In Leviticus 19:11-13 we find false swearing and dealing grouped with lying and stealing. It is all considered to be fraud. In most agreements taking an oath is sufficient to give the lender confidence (Hebrews 6:16). When we, who claim to be children of God, go back on our word, we profane the name of our God. God is our witness whether or not we utter those words in our purchase agreements.

The Pharisees and other like-minded, loophole-seeking legalists taught that oaths invoking the name of the Lord had to be kept, but others did not (Matthew 5:33-37). It is interesting to see how Jesus took the things by which they swore and connected them all to God. Whether you swear, affirm, or promise in a court of law or sign a piece of paper, shake hands, or have a gentlemen's agreement, God is involved as a witness; and the One whose name we wear is blasphemed if our "yes" is "no" or our "no" is "yes."

As we read Jesus' scathing rebukes of the lawyers of His day, we see that He has no patience for any kind of commitment-making that essentially diminishes a man's word to "nothing." We are fools if we think that we can go back on our obligations simply by the way we technically phrase our words (Matthew 23:16-22).

However, the problems of debt are not limited to the extreme of defaulting. The psalmist's antithesis to the wicked that does not repay is not a borrower who repays, "but the righteous shows mercy and gives" (Psalm 37:21). The righteous are not merely those who repay what they owe; the righteous are merciful givers. The truth is that many of us are not in a position to be the kind of givers we should be because much of what we have is not really ours but is borrowed. Debt can hinder our ability to be generous, hospitable, and sacrificial.

Proverbs tells us that the borrower is servant to the lender (22:7). When I borrow more than I can repay, then I am effectively a slave to the lender. In some cultures this led to the literal selling of oneself and one's own into servitude for life. Just because our culture legislates grace and does not permit slavery does not mean that we are free from our obligation to repay our debts. Shall we continue in debt that grace may abound? No!

While many have not actually defaulted on their debts, they find their financial situation deteriorating, not because of crisis or calamity, but because of a lack of self-control. These begin to feel like they are slaves to the banks, credit card companies, and stores because--for all practical purposes--they are. The feeling of mounting financial debt is not pleasant, nor should it be. Like profane Esau, many are selling their futures and their souls for the convenience of fast food: the immediate gratification of wants masquerading as needs.

We need to count the cost of our decisions (Luke 14:25-33). As a rule, diligence in planning leads to abundance whereas hasty expenditures and borrowing leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5,6). Fulfilling our material fantasies by accumulating treasures of things and experiences without careful consideration about how (or whether) we will ever pay the cost is a sure way to death (physically and spiritually).

The fact that borrowing is not inherently wrong and may be, in some cases, necessary has been used by many as a diving board into the depths of debt. The liberty to borrow does not justify all borrowing. Just because something is lawful does not mean that it is helpful (1 Corinthians 6:12,13). Anything over which we do not exercise proper self-control has the power to enslave us, and we are not to be brought under the power of any.

Undisciplined borrowing is a fast path to enslavement, and the burden of debt will distract us from our full service to Christ. It is not in keeping with the spirit of Christ for one who has been bought by Him to intentionally enslave himself to another master. It is better for us to be free from the slavery of debt (1 Corinthians 7:21-23).

The person who finds himself drowning in debt ought to desire to be made free but not by dishonorable means. Onesimus was not free to leave Philemon simply because he no longer wanted to be enslaved or because he had become a Christian (Philemon 10-19). While grace and love might compel some to forgive debts, the debtor is in no position to demand grace.

Debt as a lifestyle is dangerous because life is uncertain. "You do not know what will happen tomorrow" (James 4:13-17). Many live for today without any realistic plan (budget) for how they will pay tomorrow. Many "plans" are not well thought out and assume the status quo (or imagine improving circumstances). Many "plans" only take into consideration what we want and not the Lord's will. This is not only arrogant; it is selfish, carnal, and poor stewardship.

We who claim to live of the spirit need to walk by the spirit. The spiritual qualities of peace, patience, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25) must be applied to the material things with which we have been entrusted if we are to be entrusted with true riches (Luke 16:10-12). Rather than desiring to be rich (or to live that lifestyle), we need to find contentment in our relationship with Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:6-10; Philippians 4:11-13) who has paid the debt we could not pay.