RUBBISH DISPOSAL

RUBBISH DISPOSAL

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (NIVUK)

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Recycling is fashionable. Rather than burning rubbish (increasing our greenhouse gasses), or burying it in landfill sites (where it may not degrade for hundreds of years), we are encouraged to recycle it. Many people do that with their moral rubbish too - they think that it will be better next time around (2 Peter 2:22). But it never is. Moral filth is a bigger problem than plastic or toxic waste. All that unwanted clutter of our society is external to us human beings; we can physically move it to another place, bury or burn it. But the foul impurity of our hearts is part of us. It pollutes us from the inside, controlling our desires (Luke 6:45). And yet it is often hidden from others. We can even hide it from ourselves – imagining ourselves to be morally better than we are (Luke 18:10-14). This internal pollution provides an ideal swamp to nourish temptation and draw us away from social and spiritual disciplines. Dealing with this internal pollutant will be painful because it validates wrong desires which have been an integral part of our life-habits (Romans 7:18). To make this change we need a greater motivation than satisfying our own, or societies', standards. Indeed, it is impossible unless we see how horribly offensive our sin is to God, slandering the sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 10:29), and want to let it go because we want to embrace the Lord (Psalm 51:10). That motivation comes from God's Word which explains His love for us, His hatred of our sin, and His anger when we love sin and ignore Him. We need a 'sin-disposal service': and in Christ Jesus that is what we can have. When Jesus died on the cross, He chose to take all our filth onto Himself, and to deal with its power as He was punished for our sin. So when we confess our sin, we can be completely forgiven (1 John 1:9). Confession is simply admitting our sin to Jesus, who has paid to take it away - never to be seen again (Micah 7:19, Psalm 103:12). The opposite is to accept that our sin is normal and natural. But that would disagree with God who does not want us to swallow Satan's poisonous lies - which leads to separation from God. Instead, God wants us to accept His truth (in the Bible). As we read it, seeds of truth are planted in our hearts. However, these do not grow up automatically to change our lives; we need to agree with them and make room for them to grow, by weeding out the moral filth. If we do not, the rubbish will choke the truth, engulfing us and those around us. Humility is not often seen in the workplace. The pressure to reach targets encourages arrogance and pride, which become part of our moral filth. So it is counter-cultural to accept what God says, humbly. Others may ridicule you for 'blind faith', or call your trust in Jesus 'a crutch for weaklings'. Endure that kind of talk kindly, because they are wrong. To accept that God always speaks the truth is wise as well as brave. Wise because salvation only comes through God's Word, which also gives us bravery to live wisely. So get rid of the rubbish, including pride (don't recycle filth); and accept God's Word with the humility of someone who is determined to do what He says!

Father God. Thank You for reminding me that sinfulness clings to me very easily. Forgive me for treasuring what you call 'moral filth' and allowing it to determine what is normal in my life. Help me to reject its claim over my life by taking it to Jesus, who died so that I can be fully forgiven. And help me today, to be humble enough to accept that I should do what You say, at work and at home. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

QUICK TO LISTEN

QUICK TO LISTEN

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (NIVUK)

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We tend to think that temptation is an inner urge to do the wrong thing. That is a part of the tempter's work, but not all of it. The impulse to lash out in anger is an issue for many Christians. It can even become so much a part of their lifestyle that they no longer need tempting: anger becomes a habitual response to things going wrong. It becomes an unthought part of their character (Matthew 15:10-20) - but demonstrates what is in their heart. They may start by copying someone who gets their own way by such bullying, or they may have learned that they can win by making others lose an argument. They do not use logic and truth in the context of respect and love - they are verbal bullies who want to grab pole position as others are intimidated by their bad temper. Someone said that we have two ears and one mouth, so we should be twice as quick to listen as to speak. James would agree. It is difficult to be verbally abusive if you are listening properly! Sensitive listening is a good antidote to angry speaking; because anger has no interest in the other person, it is just a way of justifying self. But more importantly, anger cannot build righteousness into our life: and we are fooling ourselves if we think that we are doing God's will through our anger. Worse still, unresolved anger gives a foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27), allowing him to manipulate us to anger more easily next time. The problem stems from failing to listen to God, and by that we mean - absorbing His Word until it becomes the construction blocks of daily living. It may well be that the Lord gives us inner nudges by His Spirit but we need to check out that our convictions are fully consistent with His Word, otherwise we may confuse our emotions with God's speaking. Satan's activity is much like the clever malicious corruption of electronic data; everything looks good and normal until the system starts becoming destructive, by which time it is too late. Regularly reading the Scriptures will alert us early. It can be difficult to work with angry people, especially if they are forcing wrong objectives or corrupt business methods onto you. But think, these people are going to be lonely and feel isolated (all angry people lose friends). More than their idea of success, they need somebody to care about them. The first step is to be interested in them and listen to them. Not only are you defusing tension (Proverbs 15:1), you are starting to act like Jesus - who showed His interest in the socially isolated tax collectors and prostitutes. When you think about it, the angry response is a cover for an empty loveless heart, frustrated ambitions and lonely, friendless life. So rather than be intimidated by them, seek to win them for Jesus. And at the same time, make sure you stop becoming like them!

Dear Lord. Thank You for Your gentleness towards me, even when I was angry, lonely and lost. Forgive me for my angry outbursts and habits of self-protective hostility towards others. Help me to show Your gracious character towards others so that they too may know that You care for them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

Revelation 22:12-13

'Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.' (NIVUK)

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'Soon' is a wonderful word when you are expecting a loved one, a new baby or a gift to arrive. But it is a terrible word for those who fear an earthquake or separation from loved ones. Both joyful and dread-filled anticipation should mark believers and unbelievers as the return of Jesus Christ is declared to be 'soon'. Those who love Him will rejoice in His welcome (John 3:29), and those who despise Him will weep when He comes (Revelation 1:7). But, alas, most people have little expectation of the Second Coming. Many believers do not think Jesus will come in their lifetime and live without the priority of getting ready for Him (Romans 13:11). Unbelievers do not believe Christ's return will ever happen (2 Peter 3:3-4). That is why Revelation is 'bookended' by Jesus saying, "I am coming soon" (Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). Unless the church has confidence that Jesus will return to reward and judge, believers will not stand firm in the heat of persecution or the divine foreshock of judgement on this sinful world. John is commanded to remember all he has seen in the visions, especially the glorious marriage procession of the Lamb and His Bride, the church (Revelation 21:1-5). All the persecutions, the plagues heralded by trumpets and the bowls of wrath are a thing of the past - as John was allowed to see God's Holy City without any blemish or people who love to sin (Revelation 21:22-27). The reward - spoken about by Old Testament prophets in Isaiah 62:11 and Jeremiah 32:19, and by Jesus (Luke 6:35), Paul (Colossians 3:24), and John (2 John 1:8) - is being accepted by the Lord of the universe and receiving His accolade for faithful, loving obedience (Luke 19:17). Jesus has the right to reward people according to what they have done (Ephesians 6:8). It is not a subtle call to get people to exhaust themselves in good works to earn their salvation – good works can never save us … we are only saved as we believe the gospel and receive God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it is a call not to throw away our confidence in Jesus (Hebrews 10:35). In times of stress and personal pain, it is easy to throw away what is precious. But the preciousness of Jesus is beyond doubt. Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolise Jesus who is the Creator at the beginning and the Judge at the end of this world's history. If we stand firm to the end we will be saved – even if everybody else is against us (Matthew 10:22; 1 Corinthians 15:2). Most of us have enough difficulty doing all we should each day and relating well with others alongside us. We can be excited by good things and kind comments, and depressed by bad events and malicious talking. If we only look at the ground, we will see mud or dust; but if we look up we will see a little of the glory of a God whose creation is so much bigger than us. In the same way, believers without an eternal horizon will only live with worldly objectives and not for the Lord (Hebrews 12:1-3). When the pressure builds, how will you stand unless you are confident that the One who has called you is faithful and He will reward you (1 Thessalonians 5:24)?

God of eternity. Thank You for the eternal horizon set by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have lived as though this world and my little circle of life-activities is my reason for existence. Help me to see the Lord Jesus waiting to end this world's woeful corruption and bring in His Holy City. May I be motivated to faithful obedience, despite many pressures, by the reminder that He is coming soon. In His Name. Amen.