“My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:1-2, 4-8 NLT
“The Emperors New Clothes” is a rather humorous short story by Hans Christian Anderson. The plot of the story involves a very vain emperor who spent all his time acquiring and wearing new clothes.
One day two con men decided to cash in on the emperor’s vanity. The two con men came to the emperor and claimed that they had special looms that could weave beautiful fabric only seeable by those who are worthy of their position. In fact, they really hammed up the ruse by spending several days “weaving the fabric” for the emperor’s new clothes.
During this period of time the emperor sent some of his servants to see how it was going. Of course, they saw the looms moving rapidly with these two men “weaving” this miracle “fabric.” But alas, they could not see the fabric. However, fearful of losing their positions if they were deemed unworthy, they pretended to see this beautiful fabric and even gave the emperor rave reviews about how it was coming along.
When the time came that they were finished with the fabric, the two “tailors” brought in the emperor and carefully fitted the beautiful new clothes on him.
As you might’ve suspected, the emperor could not see the clothes either. But with everybody else giving rave reviews as to what they were seeing, the emperor was left with no choice but to join in about how beautiful the clothes were.
To celebrate his acquiring of these miraculous clothes, the emperor knighted the two “tailors” and ordered a parade which he would lead.
As the parade commenced, there were even servants “carrying” the beautiful train of the new clothes.
Having heard the story that only those who were worthy would be able to see the clothes, the people raved and cheered as the emperor walked past. That is, until a little boy screamed out the obvious: “The emperor is naked!”
Everyone, realizing they had been duped, began to laugh. The emperor did not laugh, but rather kept walking. He was too far in to turn back now.
Yes, we clearly see that the vanity of the emperor led to this embarrassing scene. And of course, we know that the other people in the story feigned seeing the fabric as they were fearful of losing their positions.
As preposterous as this story is, I can see definite parallels between this scenario and something that is going on in our society today.
You see, people are purveying some ridiculous notions that would have been summarily dismissed, rejected unceremoniously, only a few years ago.
Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about a man saying that he is now a woman and so competes in women’s sports.
Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about someone saying that opinions with which they disagree are somehow violence being perpetrated against them.
Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about putting feminine hygiene machines in boy’s bathrooms. And yes, what about allowing boys, who are now “girls,” to undress in girl’s locker rooms.
These are but a very few of the absurdities seen today in our society.
So, many of us see the absurdity in these are ridiculous notions, but are intimidated to say what is obvious. And just like those people in the emperor’s kingdom, we fear losing our position in society.
Additionally, the people who are promoting these absurd notions, do so out of their own vanity. That is, they believe that if they think something should be a certain way, then it is that certain way.
People now even talk about a certain person’s “truth.” That is to say that truth can be personal or private to an individual, that each person can determine what is their own truth. Therefore, if a person feels a certain way, then that is what is right for them; that is their truth.
“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
Proverbs 14:12 NLT
The Bible tells us that our own understanding falls far short of truth.
Indeed, we are told to not be conformed to the world’s notions concerning things, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Our way of thinking becomes changed, transformed, as we allow our thoughts to be informed by the word of God.
In our opening scripture we see the proverbial writer urging his child to not be impressed with his own way of being and doing. Rather, he should fear the Lord and seek His guidance. In doing so, he will find healing, body, soul, and spirit.
Child of God, I am not saying that we can, or even should, force our way of thinking on others. But make no mistake, when we conform to the world’s idea of truth, when we believe that individuals can have their own personal truth that is right for them, although diametrically opposed to the word of God, then we are in danger of not only looking ridiculous like the emperor and the people in our story, but looking that way before the throne of God.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
““Cursed is the one who does the work of the Lord negligently, And cursed is the one who restrains his sword from blood [in executing the judgment of the Lord].”
Jeremiah 48:10 AMP
The chances are pretty good that you have seen the sad digression of what was once a happy marriage, into what is at best, a marriage of convenience. Passion is long gone, having been replaced with a begrudging tolerance of what they feel they cannot escape.
As well, many of us have heard people in such situations express that they are just “going through the motions.”
Of course, we know that many marriages dissolve completely at the end of a slow roll toward indifference, after eventually evolving into resentment, or any number of negative emotions, toward one with whom was once shared real passion.
However, as awful is the dissolution of marriage through indifference and neglect, it is nothing compared to the tragic results of allowing our zeal for the Lord to be replaced with indifference. And even though the trappings of a relationship with the Lord remain, it is, well, just “going through the motions.”
In instructing Timothy, Paul warned concerning the trend of people’s behavior in the Last Days.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
Notice, with all the other evil behavior being described, Paul speaks of those who have a form of godliness (acting religious), but reject the call to righteousness (denying the power thereof). The people described here still practice religious observances; but their service to God, is simply a form devoid of a real function in determining who they really are.
God has always recognized when His people have lost their zeal for Him.
“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”
Isaiah 29:13 NLT
In the Lord’s messages to the churches in the book of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” we find Him warning one that had lost their first love (Ephesus). He also warned one that had become lukewarm (Laodicea). Still another church was warned that they had become dead (Sardis). In fact, these churches were warned with the same emphasis as those involved in open sin.
In our opening scripture we see the Lord warning that doing work for Him in a careless, haphazard, negligent manner, brings a curse. In this particular reference, he is addressing the nations He has charged with executing His judgment; but the principle applies to whatever we do for the Lord.
Child of God, let us not gamble with the possibility of losing anything ranging from the Lord’s favor, all the way to losing our eternal reward.
Now, most of us can tell when someone is going through the motions in relationships. How then can we suppose that the Lord doesn’t see when what is done for Him is out of begrudging obligation?
If you have found yourself in such a place, repent and ask the Lord to restore your passion for Him. Then do your part by setting your heart and mind on that which is eternal.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
““You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NLT
A story my father liked to tell involved two very different men coming to the banks of “chilly Jordan” (death).
One man had been very prosperous in life and had attained great riches. He had lived a life of pleasure and power. Even now as he faced death, he held tightly to his great riches. As he stepped into the waters of death, going deeper and deeper, he came to a place where he could no longer hold his head out of the water. Now those riches that had proffered him ease in this life, became like an anchor, holding him under. He could not cross over into eternal life. His end was destruction.
Now, there was another man who had lived his life for the Lord. He had picked up his cross and was even now carrying it faithfully. Wherever he went, the cross was with him acting as a burden as he tried to navigate the challenges of his life. He experienced many rejections because of the load he would not lay down. Now, he too has come to the banks of chilly Jordan. He begins to walk into the water, still dragging the cross with him, refusing to let it go. But, when he got to where he could no longer keep his head out of the water, suddenly, the cross that had been a burden, now begin to float on top of the water. Now he was no longer dragging the cross. Rather, it had become a life-raft on which he clung as he floated over into eternal life.
I remember hearing this story when I was very young; and I knew—even then—that I did not want to be like that man who clung to his riches and was destroyed.
Of course, this story brings to mind the inescapable choice Jesus presented to His disciples.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
In no uncertain terms, the Lord made it clear that the only thing we should cling to, is our cross. Failure to do so, causes us to forfeit eternal life.
Jacob had spent years wandering from one place to another. At one point, God called him to go back to Bethel, back to the place where he and the Lord had exchanged vows.
However, there was one problem with going back to Bethel. The people had adopted heathen ways and had entered into idolatry. So, before going back to the place where they would find rest, they had to divest of all their worldly ways.
“Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.” So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem.”
Genesis 35:1-4 NLT
In our opening scripture we again see Jesus presenting a clear and inevitable choice.
Many people follow their own way, clinging to their own stuff. Therefore, the road they can access leads to destruction.
But those who are willing to divest and go alone to follow the Lord, will be able to access the narrow way that leads to eternal life.
Child of God, eternity is a long time to forfeit just to hold onto some temporal stuff now.
The narrow way that leads to eternal life reminds me of a natural attraction in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, called “Fat Man’s Squeeze.” Here, the walking path comes to two very large rock formations between which is a narrow way to walk. Now, I imagine the name tells you everything you need to know about whether or not it’s a path you could access.
Whereas the trail that comes to “Fat Man’s Squeeze” can be avoided with an alternate path going the same way, the narrow path on the road to following Jesus, has no detour.
Let’s lay aside anything that keeps us from being able to fit into the narrow way of following our Lord. Clinging to the things of this world, costs dearly.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!