Sometimes Slaves – March 27, 2009

Sometimes Slaves

Judges 1:33

Jim Stephens

03-27-09

 

Scripture:

 

The tribe of Naphtali also failed to drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Instead, the Canaanites dominated the land where they lived. Nevertheless, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath were sometimes forced to work as slaves for the people of Naphtali. (Judges 1:33 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Some of the tribes failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land and instead lived among them.  Sometimes the Israelites prevailed for a season and put the Canaanites to work for them.  Sometimes the pagans prevailed and the Israelites served them.

 

It wasn’t supposed to be this way!  The Israelites were supposed to stay faithful to God and he was going to give them complete victory.

 

If I allow my heart to be divided, If I just settle for allowing my spirit to live among the selfish desires and mixed motives of my old nature – if I don’t grieve over the sinfulness in me, repent, confess, and forsake my sin – sometimes my new nature will have the upper hand and sometimes the flesh will get the upper hand.

 

It’s obviously bad when addictive behavior enslaves a Christ-follower to alcohol, or when passion becomes lust and puts a brother or sister in bondage to sexual sin.  But how easily we find ways to excuse pride and ego that leads to popularity and prominence, or drivenness and ambition to succeed at the cost of relationships and integrity.

 

We can, for a season, make some of our old nature characteristics work for us, but they’ll catch us off guard and rise up against us sooner or later.  We need some help down here, Father!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I know there are areas of my life where I’ve merely settled for living among the Canaanites of my old nature.  I resolve to keep my heart pure and drive out the enemies of my soul.  I can’t do it without your power and your encouragement.  Be the victorious Captain of my soul’s battles!  Amen.

My Own Judgment – November 9, 2008

My Own Judgment

1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Jim Stephens

11-09-08

 

Scripture:

 

3 What about me?  Have I been faithful?  Well, it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks.  I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that isn’t what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

True to human nature, the church in Corinth had developed something of a celebrity culture.  Paul dealt with that in chapter three.  Judging and comparing are time and energy wasters and seldom, if ever, serve to reach the lost, grow the believers, and advance God’s kingdom.

 

Paul kept a clear conscience, but he knew that even that wasn’t the final authority on whether a person is faithful, or right, or effective.  God is the only one who sees the whole picture and he is the only one who can judge rightly and decide fairly.

 

So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. (1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT)

 

Application:

 

I am an introspective person who spends a lot more time and energy than necessary judging myself.  When I was a kid, I never felt I pleased or measured up to my father’s expectations.  It’s hard to ever think I measure up to my heavenly Father’s expectations, either.

 

Paul didn’t trust his own judgment about his own performance or the performance of others.  I purpose to learn from Paul and leave the faithfulness quotient and the performance evaluation to God.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I know you love me with perfect love.  I don’t know all that means, but I do know that your every judgment of me is in love and through your grace.  I trust you to make the right judgment and to correct or praise me accordingly.  Amen.