Manna in the Morning

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome about the kind of living that is required of Christians for day in and day out commitment. Part of what he said in Romans 12 was, “Rejoice in hope.” Someone has said that one of the main things our world is really short on is “hope.” But because of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ we have the hope that will carry us through any valley. Earthquakes may hit... tsunamis may barge in... death may rear its ugly head and life sometimes is very difficult... but we have much to hope about. This life may have its trials and troubles but God is greater. We may have to deal with burdens and difficulties but God is greater! It may look like evil is winning the day... but God is greater! Satan may win some battles but he will not win the war! Jesus conquered death and in doing so conquered Satan and his plans... so we can truly “rejoice in hope!” There is no reason to despair... God will have the victory and those who are His will share in it. So today make up your mind to “rejoice in hope!”

The death toll in Japan continues to rise and probably will for some time. The devastation is beyond our grasp. While the damage is being assessed the big question continues to be asked, “Why?” Why does a God that is reputed to be loving and just allow such disasters to occur in His world? As a part of the answer to that question one needs to read the first three chapters of the Bible to be reminded that the world that God created was good... in fact, very good, until sin entered. God granted man a free-will to choose good or evil. In choosing to sin the world in which we live became infected until God provided the cure through His Son, Jesus Christ. Before sin there was only harmony and beauty. After sin entered there was disharmony and ugliness. Evil and suffering are alien intrusions into God’s good world. The Bible says that even creation itself groans for that day when God will once again put all things right and evil will be eradicated. Between now and then Jesus said we will have tribulation and troubles. He followed that statement with, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) A good friend of mine prayed this prayer the Sunday after 9/11, “Bad things happen... but God is still good.” Our prayer is that the people of Japan will turn to God for the strength that He can provide to endure this present crises.

In Romans 12:9-13 Paul describes Everyday Living for those who follow Jesus. We are exhorted to love in a genuine manner and to recognize the difference between good and evil. Paul encourages us to be fervent in our approach to living for God and the last thing he says in verse 11 is “serving the Lord.” Now it may be that Paul was saying that our service to the Lord should be with a fervent spirit and not just a mediocre, ho-hum attitude. But I think this exhortation can also stand on its own. As followers of Christ we are to be devoted to the manner of serving Him. I am not referring to what we do on Sunday as the corporate church is gathered for Study and Worship. I am thinking that this is to be an everyday experience as we see ways that we can serve the Lord in our jobs... in our play... in our homes... and in our interpersonal contacts with others. It is important that we remember who our “boss” really is. I have on my desk at home a glass plaque that reads, “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter.” Each time I see that plaque I am reminded of the importance of serving Him wherever I am and whatever I am doing. When we come to the end of our journey it will, after all, be good to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Master.” So, your day is ahead of you...serve your Lord faithfully.

Have you ever considered what might make God sick? Immediately we may recall that God was heart-sick over the evil that was so prevalent in the days of Noah... so he sent the flood to destroy that evil generation. Maybe you also remember the letter that Jesus directed to the ancient church of Laodicea. To that church Jesus wrote, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:16) Obviously Jesus is not impressed with a tepid expression of one’s relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “be fervent in spirit.” (Romans 12:11b) Sadly many people look down on any form of enthusiasm unless it is for their sports team. When it comes to matters of faith too often the battle-cry is “Who cares?” But the very nature of our relationship to Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us should elicit from us a ready enthusiasm and a fervent spirit and attitude. There are many things in this world of ours that justifiably gets a “ho-hum” from us but our commitment to Christ and our service for Him should not be one of them.

In a real sense there is no room for complacency in the Christian Life. Paul comes at this with a negative in his principles for everyday Christian living when he wrote, “not lagging behind in diligence.” (Romans 12:11a) It’s been quipped that the problem with the modern church is that too many Christians who are merely sitting on the premises when they should be standing on the promises. To be diligent in our walk with Christ means that we will not become lazy in our Christian witness. It means that we will be alert as Peter says, “always ready to give an answer to the hope that is within us.” (I Peter 3:15) You see, there really is no place for mediocrity in the matter of following Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to follow Him and so we need to put forth the effort to “keep up.” We do that with a willingness to stay as close to Him as we can...any lagging behind makes us extremely vulnerable to the Devil and his attacks. So let’s wake up and get going today...pick up the pace, if needed. Jesus is out in front...let’s follow Him.

This week we have been challenged by the basic principles of daily Christian living that Paul put forth in Romans chapter 12. We have already noticed the important emphasis that Paul placed on genuine love to others as well as having clear and defined awareness of the difference between good and evil. Paul also tells that we are to “give preference to one another in honor.” (Romans 12:10b) Now that principle really goes against the grain of the attitude we see in our world. So many are out for #One... numero uno... the “I am the greatest” mentality. But when we look at the life of Jesus He demonstrated that superb quality of humility. Our world fosters the grab for power and prestige... Jesus shows us how to serve and care for others. Our world stresses privilege and status... the Bible teaches living for others even to the measure of sacrifice. The greatest example of genuine humility was when the Creator of the World and the Lord of the Universe one day took a towel and basin and knelt down to wash the feet of others! Let’s show honor to others in our living today.

We have been spending some time this week in the 12th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. In verse 10 Paul writes, “Be affectionate to one another in brotherly love.” What the Apostle is calling for us to do is to truly care for each other as Christians because we are members of the same family. Within the church we should never treat each other as strangers... we should never have our own little cliques or circles that tend to keep some people at a distance. The Church is not a collection of acquaintances... it is not even just a gathering of friends...it is not a club or company of mutual admirers. it is the family of God. It is a family where needs are met... burdens are shared... hearts are encouraged... spirits are lifted... and joy is shared because we are brothers and sisters... children of one Father... God. In another place Paul said, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” (I Cor. 12:25,26) So today, I urge you to love and care for each other... that fulfills the law of Christ.

William Barclay titles Romans 12:9-13, “The Christian Life in Everyday Action.” I like that because so many tend to compartmentalize their Christianity into a religious versus a secular dichotomy. God never intended for us to divide up our spirituality like that. The life we are called to live is to be a 24/7/365 “full time Christian life.” God deserves our best in every circumstance. So Barclay’s title is very appropriate for what Paul says: “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out.” (NLT) In this passage, Paul urges us to both love and hate. We are to love the good and hate the bad. Carlyle said, “What we need is to see the infinite beauty of holiness and the infinite damnability of sin.” Developing this kind of characteristic helps us be more like Christ.

The 12th chapter of Romans contains several short exhortations that the Christian is to be devoted to. Beginning with verse 9 Paul writes, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” When Paul says, “Love must be sincere” he is using an very interesting word. The word “sincere” has within it the idea of being unmixed or unadulterated. There is to be no hypocrisy, no play-acting and no ulterior motives but is to be pure and genuine in its expression. It may be surprising that such an exhortation should even have to be made to those who are followers of Christ. However, even among Christians there is the temptation to be less than genuine in our love for others. Paul is calling us to love as Jesus loved. Today will afford numerous opportunities for us to show love to others... let’s do it sincerely!

There is an old Gospel Song that is entitled, “Let’s Have a Little Talk With Jesus.” I thought about that song recently when I saw one of the billboards that have sprung up across the country that offer things that God might say to us. An anonymous donor hired an ad agency to “remind people of God, especially people who used to go to church and for some reason don’t go anymore.” Here are some of the messages:

“That ‘Love thy neighbor’ thing. I mean it.”

“Will the road you’re on get you to my place?”

“Have you read my number-one best seller? There will be a test.”

“Loved the wedding. Invite me to the marriage.”

“I don’t question your existence.”

“Keep using my name in vain, and I’ll make rush hour longer.”

“We need to talk,” God.

The best way to begin this day and everyday is to spend some time talking with God. And since, today is Friday... that means that Sunday is coming! Why not make plans now to be in Church and “have a little talk with Jesus”?