"The Lies That Bind"

 

“The Lies That Bind”

 

Several years ago Karen read me a devotional by Beth Moore on the theme of how we see ourselves. If our perception is that we’re stupid, ugly or worthless Moore’s question was, “Who told you that?” If God through His Word didn’t then it’s a lie! But even with this assurance we sometimes believe the negatives so they become the lies that bind us. Can we escape this rut? Paul has God’s answer: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25, emphasis added).

In 1985 Robert McGee, President of Rapha Ministries, first published The Search for Significance. His thesis is stated on the book’s cover: “We can build our self-worth on our ability to please others, or on the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.” He develops his contention with five biblical principles, each of which demolishes one of the devil’s lies that bind us. They are (emphasis added in each case)…

I am deeply loved. Our enemy tells us we’re unworthy of God’s love because of our failure to measure up to His standards. But Scripture says, “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

I am completely forgiven. Satan says we can never be forgiven because our sin is too great. But John tells us that “…the blood of Jesus, (God’s) Son, purifies us from ALL sin.” (1 John 1:7).

I am fully pleasing. The evil one mockingly declares that we can never satisfy God’s expectations of us. But listen to Paul’s words: “If you serve Christ with (an) attitude (of goodness and peace and joy) you will please God.” (Romans 14:18. NLT).

I am totally accepted. Our accuser tries to make us think God will never receive us as His child due to our past shortcomings. Contrast this falsehood with God’s truth “…by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV).

I am complete in Christ, When our archenemy tries to belittle us we can clobber him by saying, “…(I am) complete in (Christ)….” (Colossians 2:10, NKJV).

Solomon raises the question, “Does not wisdom call out?” (Proverbs 8:1). It calls out to me to listen to God “…who cannot lie….” (Titus 1:2, NKJV) rather than Satan of whom Jesus said that “there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44). Whose voice will get my attention? How about yours?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Supporting Cast"

 

“The Supporting Cast”

 

During my college days I lived in the same off-campus house for three years with six other guys. (See “The 710 Church” for more on this home-away-from-home.) After graduation my brother Dave took my place for his last three years. One year while he was there he and his housemates adopted a verse from 1 Chronicles 26:18 (KJV): “At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.” Their intention wasn’t to play fast and loose with Scripture but add a lighter touch to their lives together.

For the past year or so my variation of Bible journaling has been to give each chapter a title. Not long ago I came to 1 Chronicles 26, which deals with the gatekeepers and guards at the temple and managing its treasury. I read the above verse from the NIV which made it much clearer: “As for the court to the west, there were four (guards) at the road and two at the court itself.” So there were security personnel to keep watch so the priests and other Levites could carry out their God-ordained ministries safely.

At the end of movies and TV shows there are credits listed citing the actors who had minor roles and those who worked on the production but they’re presented so fast we couldn’t read them even if we wanted to. So most remain anonymous. But without their participation and expertise those featured on camera couldn’t do their thing. So the “supporting cast” is indispensable.

From Day 1 Christ’s church has had a “supporting cast”. In Acts 2 people were crowded into Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Pentecost, a celebration of the completion of the wheat harvest. On that day the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, Peter preached and 3000 were converted and baptized. As far as I can tell none are mentioned by name but they served as the leaders’ “supporting cast” as they learned, prayed and ministered to others with the result that “…the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).

Today I know from my own pastoral experience that little would be accomplished without the “supporting cast”—those who care for the facilities, oversee financial matters, visit the sick and lonely and attend to the children to name just a few. How does this all function? Listen to the Apostle Paul: “Under (Christ’s) direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16, NLT, emphasis added). So let’s thank God for each one who is part of His “supporting cast”.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"First and Last"

 

“First and Last”

 

One of the original American League franchises was the Washington Senators. The team played in our Nation’s Capital for 60 years (1901-1960) before moving west and being renamed the Minnesota Twins in 1961. During that time the DC boys finished in last place nine times, seventh in 15 seasons and only broke into the first division 18 times. This record of futility led columnist Charley Dryden to observe, “Washington: first in war, first in peace and last in the American League,” To be fair, they did manage to win three pennants and a World Series (1924) during their six decades in town but for the most part they were in the also-ran category.

Dryden’s quip got me to thinking about the firsts and lasts in Scripture. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for first have the idea of primary in place, time and rank. But the languages have different nuances for last. The Hebrew term comes from a root for procrastinate with the resulting meaning of follow behind (see Numbers 2:31) but the Greek is more explicit and carries the thought of final, end or uttermost (see 1 Peter 1:20). Interestingly both are combined when Christ describes Himself as “I am the First and the Last.” (Revelation 1:17)—in other words, “I am the Eternal One”, a claim He repeats in Revelation 22:13. And Paul says that because of who He is “…He is first in everything.” (Colossians 1:18. NLT).

Some significant “firsts’ and “lasts” in the New Testament include (emphasis added in each case):

“…Seek first (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (i.e. life’s necessities) will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance….” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26).

“There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1).

But there were (and still are) those who seek to promote themselves to higher positions. Jesus’ friend and apostle wrote of the “church boss” Diotrephes “…who loves to be first….” (3 John 9). In concluding His parable of the two pray-ers in the temple Jesus said. “…The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (Luke 18:14, NLT). So let’s put God first and let Him take it from there. Remember, He has the last word!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Looking Under the Hood"

 

“Looking Under the Hood”

 

(The title and idea for this article is borrowed from No Guts, No Glory by Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, a ministry to persecuted believers around the world.)

 

A friend in New Hampshire once made a reservation for a rental truck. When he went to pick it up he was given the key but got no response when he tried to start it. An employee popped the hood and soon discovered the reason for the difficulty: there was no engine! The vehicle looked fine on the outside but was worthless for its purpose because of what wasn’t under the hood. Many years ago I had a car with what a mechanic called an “exceptional body” but I had all kinds of problems with it because its appearance belied its true condition.

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint Saul’s replacement as king of Israel the eldest of Jesse’s sons stood before him and God’s servant was sure he was the chosen one because he “looked the part”. But He told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things (people) look at. They look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, emphasis added). Paraphrased God said, “I’ve looked under the hood of his life and found him lacking.” So He sees what we can’t. It wasn’t until David, the youngest, showed up that God revealed His choice.

Jesus could see into the hearts and minds of people when He walked the earth. Early in His public ministry when He was challenged after cleansing the temple and performing miracles we’re told He “…would not entrust himself to the (people), for he knew all (people).” (John 2:24, emphasis added). Later, just before His death and resurrection He said of the teachers of the law and Pharisees, “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of (dead people’s) bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28, emphasis added).

We allow people to see what we want them to in our lives but what’s under our (my) hood that’s hidden from view? Others may not see it but God does (“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”—Hebrews 4:13, emphasis added). That’s incentive for a spiritual tune-up—will I allow God to do it?

 

Grace and blessings!

Jim McMillan