Everything!

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.                Proverbs 4:23 NIV

‘Everything’ is a very strong word, and overused at times but here it is used correctly. Whatever we do in life comes out of our heart. When we say and do good things, we are told we have a kind heart, but when we do and say hurtful things we are told that our heart is rotten to the core. In fact, these thoughts may not be said to our face, but they are felt.

We are told in Jeremiah 17:9 that “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” so what can we do about it? “Above all else” is another set of strong words but they tell us, and that includes me, that over and above anything I might think, say, or do, I must guard my heart. That means keeping a very close eye on my words and actions. By the time my inner thoughts have shown themselves outwardly it may be too late to correct the failing in the eyes of my children, grandchildren and friends who might just be looking for a good example.

If we don’t show a good example, then the people who count in our life will find someone else who acts as they say and think with truth and integrity. I like the old example of the three gates that our words must pass through before they emerge from our lips. Are my words, TRUE, are they NECESSARY, and are they KIND? If we can do that we will have set a guard on our heart. Lord, make us faithful to be the example our family and friends need!

Remember, Be An Example

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 NLT

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 NLT

They’re too young to understand. They have no experiences of life in the raw. They are not as mature as we were at that age. Have you uttered these words about the youth of today? You are not alone, but when you look under the brash and sometimes loud exterior, you will be surprised to find a sensitive and wise young man or woman.

Unfortunately, society has given our youth a bad name, and we have gone along with the flow of general opinion, but based on what? The word of a jaundiced commentator who is afraid of competition? The very few examples we see in the media of the bad eggs who do everything bad and nothing right? But look closer and you will find a generation of teens who are no different than the teens of your day and mine. Yes, some were bad, but the vast majority were good, with kind hearts who would only ever want to do good, whether or not they called themselves a Christian.

Timothy was a ‘wet behind the ears’ young Christian, but Paul saw the good in his heart, and stood up for him. It was a lot like he was given a good character reference for an important job. That still happens today, right? And it was no different with the respect Paul had for young Timothy. One of the translations puts it this way, “Let no one look down on you because you are young…” I think we can take a lesson here, and not be so hasty to write off our young generation just because they are doing something different than we did in our day.

There is plenty of room in the Kingdom of God, both for the older ones who remember how God moved in the past, and the younger ones who need to be encouraged to set the Godly example the following generation after them need to see and experience!

Influence

‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13 NIV

The South of Ireland held their referendum on abortion, and in a shock to many on either side of the argument, the swing to allowing abortion in many situations was agreed. The vote was 65:35 in favour of relaxing the current legislation. The real shock was the size of the majority.

Two comments struck me as I watched the aftermath unfold, and both were sadly accurate. One commenter said, “Just because the majority voted for it, doesn’t make it right”. In a democracy that can be shown to be true in many societies. The second opinion was this: “The influence of the church has been largely dismissed as a result of the recent child abuse scandals involving the priests and the associated cover up. How can the ordinary person believe what they say now on anything?”.

The ordinary Christian in the pew has a responsibility to be a witness to the Jesus they profess, but a much greater burden of responsibility lies with the leaders in all and any church of all and any denomination. The thought and fear expressed in the wake of the referendum result is this: Would the outcome have been different if the church had spoken its advice in truth, purity, sincerity and the integrity they always claimed? In this case, the change could have been massive and an opportunity was lost.

To a smaller degree, our church of members and leaders should be aware of the impact on other people’s lives if we are seen as hypocrites, or at best a poor reflection of the Saviour we claim. When we lose our ‘shine’ we automatically lose the witness that should and could attract the unbeliever to become a believer. Perhaps not on a massive scale as shown by the recent Irish referendum, but certainly on that friend or family member you would love to see become a believer, and even more so because your life and lifestyle made the difference. In the words of the old saying, “The kingdom was lost for want of a nail.” Let’s make sure our influence is not dismissed. Think what you like, people do notice.

Pecking Order

You are young, but don’t let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life. 1 Timothy 4:12

Life has a pecking order in many things, and we have to submit to it. Or do we? Society is making us think twice about the natural order of things, especially in the subject of equality. Apparently we are all equal, and the Bible supports this in the words of Galatians 3:28: “Now, in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus.”

One of the pecking orders we don’t get right sometimes, especially in the Church, is the value of our youth. Paul reminds us that we should not treat them as unimportant. In fact, they are to be an example! Hold it Paul, what about us grey haired, mature folks who have seen a bit of life?  We know better, and we should be respected and honoured, after all, if it were not for us, those youngsters would not have a church to go to. We sacrificed to get it here for them. We paid the pastor’s salary when they were in nappies. We should be recognised as the important ones! I ask you, how does that sound? Sounds proud and even arrogant to me, and Paul, inspired by God, must have known this. And yet he tells us that these same young people are to be our examples.

The reason may be that they have not had time to be tainted by the sins of jealousy, envy, pride, or arrogance. They may just be in a better place to be examples than those older, mature Christians who think they know it all. Jesus tells us to be like little children, and Paul says that our youth are important enough to be our examples, yes even to the older, wrinklies in the fellowship. (Note to self: Respect the example of the Godly youth in the church!)

Who?

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’

Mark 8:29

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Mark 14:60-62

I was drawn to these passages because they refer to the knowledge of Jesus in a way not seen in many lives. In the first case, Jesus asks Peter who he thinks He (Jesus) is, and in the second passage the high priest asks Jesus straight out if He is the Messiah. Faced with a direct question, Jesus answers that He is indeed the Messiah.

We can see that Jesus is humble because He doesn’t go about ‘shouting’ about His Godhead. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to say what he thinks. I see this as an example of God in human flesh, asking if Peter has noticed the real person. Did Peter see God in Jesus? The answer is an emphatic yes, but it clearly shows the humility of the creator of the universe. In a similar way, we know that human respect is not automatic. It is conferred on us by others who see it as a worthy trait in our lives. Peter saw it in Jesus. We can also see that Jesus only answers the high priest when He could not avoid the question. Another example of humility.

What about us? As Christians, do we tend to shout our salvation to all and sundry, and even those who don’t ask and are not interested? Are we proud of our humility? What about Jesus’ example? Can we learn from Him? Unless we have the liberty of the Holy Spirit in the preacher’s pulpit, does it do our reputation any good when pointing to ourselves as though we deserve some respect? I don’t think so. In fact it would possibly have the opposite effect from the one we intend. Would it not be better to allow others to confer the respect if it is due, and honour us with the title bearing the name ‘Christian’? There is a sound ring to the name when conferred by others. Otherwise, it can have a counterproductive and shallow ring. May we be found worthy of His Name.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Head of the House?

If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung round their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

As a dad and granda, these verses tug at my heart. There must have been times when I was short with my children, and didn’t give them their place to be heard. Did I ever make them feel unloved? I hope not, certainly, that was never my intention, but did I do it without needed and expected due care and attention? The Bible is clear. God loves a family man, but that comes with great responsibility. Jesus’ words make that obvious.

It goes further than my own, or your, children because Jesus refers to ‘those who believe in me’, as little ones in the faith. The same applies. Have I always been a steadying influence on those who would look to me as a Christian? Am I a good example in my talk, walk, and way of life? It seems that the weight of responsibility on men and dads is heavy. Are we up to the challenge? Am I up to the mark?

It is too easy to speak with loveless authority, to the point that we lose our influence and example. What else can we leave to our children and those younger in the faith who watch us? The house, car and money you leave in your will, are soon gone and spent, but your influence and example live on well after your passing. We only have this life to get it right, so let’s make every effort to live as that positive and Godly example while we have the chance. The alternative with its consequences to all those who follow after us, or watch us, do not bear thinking about. Let’s do our best to avoid that outcome… at ALL costs!

Whose Side?

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:39-41

Sometimes I think we are too quick to discount someone’s faith, or even a part of that faith, if it doesn’t sit well within our own understanding of Scriptural truth. We set aside many other Christians of different denominations who hold their beliefs sincerely, and live out that faith in better ways than we do ourselves, and yet we dismiss them as misled or just plain wrong. Now and again, when I hear someone I know, or have only heard of by reputation, saying something I don’t like or believe, I have to stop myself from saying, “..but the Bible says” as if I am the only one reading the Word and trying to live by its teaching. I am not that perfect person who knows all, and come to think of it that perfect person doesn’t exist this side of heaven. We must avoid the trap of being ‘elitist’ in nature, word, deed, or thought.

Our greatest example and perfect leader did not fall into that trap, so should we not be closely following our Lord and Saviour? Jesus was careful to separate actions ‘in His name’ (which have their reward), while pointing out if they do these things, they cannot ‘lightly speak evil of Me’. I am reminded that we show our faith as being genuine by the works we do as a result of our faith. We come to believe in Jesus through faith, but if it stops there, Scripture says we are ‘dead’. That should pull us up short when we try to compare other people’s faith as inferior to ours when they are the ones who put action to their words. Instead of comparing the faith of others, let’s get down to working for the Kingdom. What is your gift or talent that God has already given you to use for His work? You can only use it when you find out what it is.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

Loose Talk

Recently I posted a piece on ‘Loose Living’ and in the days after this, I have had cause to pull myself up on loose talk. Not coarse or bad language, but talking and responding in such a way that does not show the right ‘Christ-like’ spirit. If you use any of the social media platforms, the chances are that you will find yourself printing something you would never say to anyone face to face. We all know the verse, “When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29

In Scotland we live in a society and culture where a form of sarcasm is considered normal banter, even between Christians, but as others look on, is it the best way to behave? Mark 9:42 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

The thing that pulled me up short was the fact that on some social mediums, although a bit of light(?) sarcasm can pass between friends, there are other young in the faith folks who look on, and that way of talking can be a bad example and a stumbling block. Is that what we really want? The words of Jesus are a very strong warning against loose talk in any of its forms, and I don’t want to be remembered for that characteristic. Let good, wholesome, clean fun begin!

Another Special One

“Hearts footballer Craig Thomson has been placed on the sex offenders register after pleading guilty to two charges of indecent behaviour. The 20-year-old was also fined £4,000 for his lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour towards two girls, aged 12 and 14, over the internet. The 20-year-old footballer was kept on by the club despite admitting sexual offences against two young girls.”

It seems our game of football is in the news, and for the wrong reasons yet again. We have a backdrop of alcohol abuse, and sectarian chanting to cope with already, and as if that wasn't enough, we now have a row over a convicted paedophile who initially would not be sacked from his Scottish Premier Club, Hearts of Midlothian. The club management supported him fully and therefore endorsed his behaviour.

Two (could there be others?) under-age girls were groomed on the internet by Thomson and will now be coming to terms with their stupid internet encounters. They could have been much closer to other more damaging actions by him. The fans wanted the player sacked. The girls' parents wanted him sacked. The main sponsor withdrew and wanted him sacked. A leading children's charity wanted him sacked. Like the three 'wise monkeys' the club could not see anything wrong with keeping the player on their books, after all, 'he was a good footballer' they said.

What does it take for football clubs to take ownership for their problems, whether by their staff, or fans, and do something about it? The latest news is that Thomson has been suspended, well that is a start. They now need to apologise to the fans and parents, and try to distance themselves from their initial foolhardy support. If our so called 'beautiful game' is going to improve as a family sport in the UK, the clubs, players and fans will have to take some responsibility, and not just nod knowingly on the sidelines, which we are very good at already.

As Christians, shouldn't we take note of the lives of celebrities and 'stars' and shine a light on their indiscretions? After all, like it or not, they are role models to many young people in our society. We desperately need more good examples for our youth, and it seems that these are in short supply right now, especially in football.