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Thursday, January 20, 2005
Yesterday, I threw out a pretty big "IF" in the study of Matthew 6 we've been going through:
"IF" you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then "all these things will be added unto you."
That's a very big "IF."
Seeking first His Kingdom? That means, when making any decision that is causing you to feel some anxiety...you throw out there, "What will give God and His Kingdom the most glory?"
Seeking first His Righteousness? That means, when making any decision that is causing you to feel some anxiety...you throw out there, "What will please God the most and give Him the most glory?
And, to be honest, I think that was the motivation behind all the "What Would Jesus Do?" stuff. That little youth group in Indiana wanted to focus on that in their decision making. The only problem with that way of thinking is that most teenagers were a little fuzzy in the "gray areas" about What, exactly, Jesus Would Do.
For example, God's will is pretty clear on some things. Lying. Gossip. Drunkenness. Pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships. Witchcraft. Idolatry. Carousing. Inventing evil. There's plenty of lists in which we don't have to worry what will give God the most glory and what will be of most benefit to the Kingdom. In fact, those lists that appear in Romans and Corinthians and Galatians and other places are pretty thorough...and if we take sin seriously, well, there's plenty of times we KNOW What Jesus Would Do.
The problem is not with the black and white...again...it's the gray that gives us trouble. Things like, what college to go to (or not to go to) or what girl to date (or not date) or what sport to drop (or take up) or what clothes to wear (or not to wear) or what movies/music to see/listen to (or avoid), etc. I could go on.
At that point you really have to be a student of Him. Get to know Him at intimate levels.
Ecclesiastes 5 fills us in: (From The Message)
"Watch your step when you enter God's house. Enter to learn. That's far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice. Doing more harm than good.
Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don't be too quick to tell God what you think He wants to hear.
God's in charge, not you--the less you speak, the better.
Over work makes for restless sleep.
Over-talk shows you up as a fool.
When you tell God you'll do something, do it--now.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.
Don'tlet your mouth make a total sinner of you.
When called to account, you won't get by with 'Sorry, I didn't mean it.'
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?
But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk
There's always this rock foundation: Fear God!"
Notice that the first thing is that it's assumed you'll be "going to the Temple." I mean, you're told to watch your step when you're going. The modern day way to get to apply this is to make sure you're involved in a good church (on a very consistent basis) that teaches straight from Scripture.
Sure, you go there and learn about God. And another bonus is that there are usually, in any congregation, there are opportunities to learn from other people. Usually, they're in large group and small group settings where you can read the Word, ask questions of people who are in all walks of their spiritual life. This is another good way to get to know God.
There's another thing. You've got to understand that the Bible is more than just a book, or even a collection of wisdom letters. It's the very breath of God. It's able to do amazing things in our lives...and no other piece of literature can claim to do that. And the ultimate outcome should be love, for our God and other people. It's not a list of do's and dont's or even a guide to decision making.
It's a book that wants you to get to know the author.
But, like verse 2 says, "Listen." You have to go to the Temple, and when you get there, observe God. Find out what makes Him tick. Don't talk so much. Don't spout off all the stuff you've learned. But "listen."
And, at the end of the section this morning: Fear God.
Understand that there is emptiness outside of understanding the God is God and we're not Him. It's the foundation of everything. Psalm 1 is a good comparative chapter.
So, to seek God first in the gray areas, you need to be developing your relationship with God by being in the Word. Approach it to learn not necessarily facts, but the way you might approach a diary to learn what kind of person the writer is. Kind of like the way you know your parents...how they don't have to necessarily speak to all the decisions you have to make. You just know them well enough to know how they'd want you to respond. It's kinda the same way with God.
A good congregation can help, and you should take advantage of every opportunity that you can to get to know Him and how He thinks. To see the world through God's glasses. Maybe that's a sermon or special class. Sometimes it's CD's. Sometimes it's internet teachings. Sometimes it's small groups. But you need to be around God's people to sharpen others and be sharpened by others.
So, in the gray areas of decision making, there's no magic formula to get an answer. But in order to know WWJD, you have to know Him. Have that relationship with Him...
...and, if we're honest, that's the key...
...so...
...how's your relationship with your Father at the moment? What steps can you take to "deepen" it today?
Brent 4:17 AM
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