Luke 14:25-33 – “Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it —   29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’  31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”  NKJV

There is a “cost” in following Jesus.  There is a “cost” in virtually everything we do in life, and we must be prepared to “pay the price” for our choices and “face the consequences” of our decisions and actions.   When Jesus presented this scenario of “counting the cost” of the man building the tower He was specifically addressing DISCIPLESHIP!  But we could apply that truth to every aspect of life.  It should, without question, be a clear warning and admonition for us to avoid “running” before we know where we are running or why and to never go off ‘half-cocked’ but to make a reasoned decision in our actions.

I had a person tell me once that God commanded him to “hate” his family in order to be a good Christian and Disciple.  He said, “That is my cross.”  He used the words of our Lord in this passage to justify his belief and estrangement from family.  The word “hate” here does not mean hate in the sense we normally use it but hate in the sense of “love, less”. 

The argument that the Bible teaches Socialism should be quickly dispelled in this passage as our Lord makes it incredibly clear here and elsewhere that He offers no “welfare program” or “easy believism”.  The idea or truth of “counting the cost” means recognizing and agreeing to the terms and conditions.  Following Christ may cost us much and in some cases, everything, in the natural but the prize is worth the cost.

Anyone seeking to follow Jesus for what they can get will not stick around long because they soon find that it is not all “what’s in it for me?”  In verse 33 Jesus makes an incredibly arresting declaration saying, “whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”  This can easily be understood as more than physically letting it go but emotionally releasing it.

God does not ask that you commit to a “vow of poverty” in order to follow Him and that you can never possess any of this world’s good but that they cannot possess you.  We cannot serve God and mammon and if you recall the dilemma of the rich young ruler who turned back because “he had many possessions” you get the picture.  It is one thing to possess something and quite another for it to possess you.

The conflict can be illustrated as I heard another describe.  Suppose you received word that you had been given a lavish property in Hawaii.  There was the provision of airfare, ground transportation, and all expenses were to be paid out of the trust and it would cost you nothing out of pocket.  You have options as to how to address this gift.  You could puff out your chest and brag about what you owned.  You could begin to daydream about the property and even make plans about how you will enjoy and use it. 

BUT until you board the plane and leave where you are you will Never actually possess it.  You cannot live where you are and there at the same time.  You have to take affirmative and definitive action.  That is the way some approach Christianity and Discipleship. They love the idea of eternal life, avoiding hell, and having Jesus at their beck and call, but they are not willing to leave the life they now live.  Their desires, lifestyles, and sinful habits are too precious to them.  Oh, they often have a token change and even join the church and attend with some regularity but want to retain ownership of everything else.  Jesus said, “NO!” 

Salvation is not and cannot be earned only received.  It is the Gift of God and not something we earn, purchase, or deserve.  It does not matter how philanthropic we may be, or how many good deeds we do it is BY GRACE through FAITH and the GIFT OF GOD in Christ Jesus.  If we are going to be Disciples of Christ we must first, “count the cost” and determine that no cost is too great to follow Him.

God bless you as you go through this beautiful day!

Ezekiel 33:1-6 – “Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.'”  NKJV

In today’s world of heightened danger from terrorism, hate, and crime, there is the encouragement for the public, “See something say something.”  That is something that is practiced in Israel and other parts of the world and has proven to be instrumental and valuable in protecting against an attack.  Yet, I have been told many times from a spiritual standpoint, “Well, it is none of my business” or “I don’t want to meddle.”  

How valid are those arguments when it comes to DANGER?  Would you consider it meddling to warn a parent or a child if the child was in danger of running into a busy street?  Would you consider it none of your business or meddling to warn residents if their house was on fire?  Would you consider it meddling to inform your neighbor if you saw someone break into their house and cart off their goods?   I suggest that we are quite selective in what we deem “meddling” or “none of our business” and tragically consider it good citizenship to sound a warning in the natural on many fronts but unacceptable in spiritual matters.

This passage suggests multiple responsibilities in times of danger.  If we see “danger” or the “sword” coming and sound the alarm of warning and it is heeded people are saved or better prepared to deal with the present danger.  However, if we sound the alarm and it is ignored then their blood is on their heads not our hands.  It is a grave matter, biblically, to ‘see danger’ and not ‘sound the alarm’.  That would be knowingly and deliberately allowing harm to come to others when we could have, at least, warned them of the impending danger.  God does not take that lightly nor should we. 

Although we often declare that our system or code of laws have their roots in the Bible, we might not realize just how true that is.  In Deuteronomy 22:8, if someone falls from your roof, and you failed to install a safety fence around the edge, you would be held liable for the death of that individual.  It may have been gross negligence on their part, but you had an obligation to ‘warn’ or take steps to prevent the danger. 

In Exodus 21:29-31, if a man owns an ox that is prone to harming people, the owner is held liable if he fails to ‘confine’ the ox and it harms or kills someone.  If the ox ‘harms’ someone the owner is fined, but if it ‘kills’ someone, the negligent owner was to be put to death.  You might say, “That is awfully severe,” and I agree it is, but it speaks to the seriousness God has with regard to “warning of danger” whether that danger is “eternal hell” or “physical danger”.  God holds us accountable for Sounding the Alarm! 

I believe that one of the assignments I have from God is to be a “Watchman on the Wall” and to sound the alarm of impending danger that I see.  Therefore, if I remain silent when I see danger, I have violated a commandment of God and could never justify or argue that I was not guilty of “he that knows to do good and does it not to him it is sin.”  If I See It and do not Say Something, sounding the alarm I become accountable before God for the harm that comes. 

However, if I do sound the alarm, then the responsibility shifts from me to those being warned.  In keeping with this reality, we must also understand that the messenger, as well as the message, may be rejected and we should always seek God for ways to make the message palatable, so it is understood, received, and heeded. 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say:

“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   NKJV

If this were the only place, we find the Promise that God will NEVER leave or forsake us it would be enough, but it is not an isolated promise, but repeated numerous times in Scripture.  It goes to the heart of God’s desire and purpose for our lives.  God did not inspire us to get in this race and begin this walk only to abandon us in the process.  Heaven forbid for that would be a picture of God totally foreign to the biblical view of His person, nature, and character.

In Deuteronomy 31:6, God spoke to Joshua as he was charged with leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land, “Be strong and very courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave your nor forsake you.”  NEVER!  Take it to the bank, God will not abandon you.  People may but God will NEVER do so. 

God repeats the promise in verse 8 and we read it again in Joshua 1:5. we find the same promise that God will never abandon us in 1 Kings 8:57, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 37:28, Psalm 94:14, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 42:16, and here in Hebrews. We are instructed that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let everything is established and we have more than two or three occasions in which God has promised to NEVER LEAVE nor FORSAKE us. 

I do not know what situation you are now facing or might face in the days to come.  I do not know what might be around the next corner of life.  I do not know the future, but I do know the one who controls the future and am 100% satisfied and confident that He is a Promise Keeper and if He said He WILL NOT leave or forsake us He WILL NOT leave or forsake us.  Therefore, take heart and comfort no matter what you face God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and HE WILL NOT FAIL.

If the vision He placed in your heart still seems to be light years away from fulfillment it is not a sign that He has abandoned, you.  It might be you have not launched out into the deep as you should.  It might mean that the time is not yet.  It could mean any number of things including the possibility that the devil is hindering, and you need to defeat him in prayer to allow the breakthrough to come. 

It does not mean that God has abandoned you.  If He put it in your heart, He will provide that which is needed to achieve the purpose and vision He gave.  Therefore, be patient, be faithful, and be confident – He is Still God!   If He said it, He will bring it to pass, that you can bank on.  

I encourage you to remember the account of Daniel 10 when the angel of the Lord appeared to Daniel in his time of prayer and said, “Do not fear, Daniel, for, from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia…”  There was a spiritual demonic hindrance and if you realize that God will do whatever it takes to fulfill His promise to NEVER LEAVE or FORSAKE you your heart will endure the trial and rise to victory.

God bless you as you go through this day!

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  NKJV

I had a person tell me, “It just happened and there was nothing I could do about it” in reference to a failure in their life.  If that statement is true, then the passage above is a lie.  The Word of God is not a lie.  We do get “caught” in faults, situations, and circumstances but they Do Not just happen.  We open the door and fail to look for and receive the “way of escape” God has provided.  It really doesn’t matter what the temptation is, there is a way out if we will stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit and not allow the devil to inundate us with justifications that seek to excuse our behavior. 

Will we tell God that it “just happened” and we were totally caught off guard without a way out?  I don’t think we’d dare attempt that justification or excuse because we know better. If we fail to heed the warning signs of the Spirit and the flesh, we open ourselves to failure on any and every front in our lives. 

I had a woman tell me once about her infidelity, “He said such good things and cared about me unlike my husband, and it just happened.”  NO, IT DID NOT!  You opened the door.  You entertained the flattery and began to enjoy the attention and allowed your guard to be lowered.  I have no doubt that God was continually giving you warning signs and offering you ways out, but you were enjoying the attention too much and the flesh was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. 

We do not just “Fall into Temptation” we walk into it.  If we allow the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life to override the pricks of the Holy Spirit we become subject to succumbing to temptation.  When we “fall” it was not totally unexpected, but we kept moving nearer and nearer to the edge and finally could no longer maintain our spiritual balance, and over the edge we went.  But never doubt there was a way out, a path of escape because that is God’s promise and God never lies.

I cannot emphasize the importance of the biblical directive of Paul in the next verse, “…flee idolatry” and the other biblical warnings to “resist the devil” and to “shun the very appearance of evil.”  We talk ourselves into failure because of circumstances, situations, disappointments, and sometimes simply through flattery. 

I have had preachers tell me, “Well, there is no harm in harmless flirting.”  Seriously?  Harmless flirting?  What is that? Remember it is the “little foxes that spoil the vine”.  If you continue to sow seeds to the flesh and ego, one day you will find the harvest comes in and you won’t like the result.  It is one thing to be friendly it is quite another to flirt which often subconsciously entertains something beyond the harmless. 

I have witnessed situations develop as a result of “harmless flirting” in a moment of weakness, disappointment, and even anger over a situation.  If that door had not been opened the opportunity would not have presented itself and the fall into temptation would not have been a possibility. 

God is faithful and He expects faithfulness from us.  The good news is, “if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father.”  Never, justify a failure or indirectly blame God for not warning you of the danger because He has promised to provide “a way of escape.” 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 –“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  NKJV

Compartmentalization is defined as “an unconscious psychological mechanism used to avoid cognitive dissonance, or the mental discomfort and anxiety caused by a person’s having conflicting values, cognitions, emotions, beliefs, etc. within themselves.”  

In Christianity, it gives rise and attempts to justify holding the view of one’s having a “spiritual life, church life, family life, business life, etc.”  I had a very well-respected man, a pillar of the church and community, tell me that his business life, family life, and spiritual life were all separated and that allowed him to function more perfectly in this present world.  I cannot accept that as biblically valid for we are what we believe and out of our belief system our lives are reflected in our various life engagements. 

If we compartmentalize our lives so that one does not overlap the other, we could be devious in business, disloyal in our relationships, and yet maintain the appearance of godliness in the church.  That dog won’t hunt, in my opinion.  We read in Proverbs 23:7 (Amp), “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior – one who manipulates] …”  Jesus informed us in Luke 12 that a person’s life DOES NOT consist of possessions.  His existence may consist of possessions but not his LIFE!  Life is the sum total of all we are in all areas of our existence. 

I believe compartmentalization is one of the major reasons so many are avid defenders of the idea of “separation of church and state.”  If we completely divest politics from our spiritual and moral makeup, we are able to stand behind and with politicians who are not godly, do not support godly principles, and demonstrate a character unbecoming to the faith.  If we completely divest politics from our spiritual and moral makeup, we are able to support legislation that gives us a benefit on one hand while running afoul of the basic principles of God’s word and morality. 

I do not want to make this devotional about politics, but every area of life is part of our Life and important.  What I believe politically, economically, socially, and relationally is directly connected and stems from what I believe spiritually.  If I value the Word of God and consider the Bible my guide for faith and practice, then I cannot and will not separate it from every compartment or area of my life.  WHAT I BELIEVE IS WHO I AM!

It would cause less angst in our hearts if we could compartmentalize our lives and feel no guilt or remorse for deviousness, often called shrewdness, in business.  However, our conscience will not allow us to have that disconnect Unless we allow our conscience to become “seared”.  

Compartmentalization allows Christians to become anesthetized to the wickedness and evil in society on various fronts.  I am amazed at how little sin troubles many who profess Christ today.  We are able to be inundated with profanity, lewdness, vileness and do not feel completely soiled needing a bath. 

Our spirits are not grieved when we are bombarded with godlessness, and we are able to allow it entrance through our eye or ear gates not realizing that it taints our spirits much more dramatically than we imagine.  I have had some tell me that I am being “holier than thou” or too “Puritan and Prudish” in my views because that’s just the way the world is, and we have to be in it.  Yes, but we are not to be OF IT!

You are not a cat and do not have nine lives distinct and separate from the other compartments of your being.  You are the sum total of the various aspects of your life and a reflection of what you believe. 

If we truly believe the Bible is the Word of God then I suggest that we need to come before our Lord and ask Him, as David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”  [Psalm 51:10-11]. 

In Proverbs 4:23 we find, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”  The word “issues” refers to the “outgoings and boundaries”.  Our hearts (what we believe) shapes our lives, who we are, and all we do.  How can we believe in an Omniscient God who wants us to seek first and foremost His kingdom and righteousness if we compartmentalize our lives including Him in some and excluding Him in other portions? 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him

Romans 11:33-36 – “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD?  Or who has become His counselor?”  35 ‘Or who has first given to Him, And it shall be repaid to him?”  36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”  NKJV

The incomprehensibility of God has caused some to be unwilling to embrace His reality and existence.  They want an ordered detailed explanation for everything and yet they will accept theories of Science and Evolutionist as realities when they are yet unproven.  I find that incomprehensible! 

When I look at any human being, the creatures upon earth, the atmosphere around our planet, and the order of the Universe I find it Impossible to believe it just happened.  I cannot explain the eternality of God and the devil has attempted to shipwreck my faith more than once on that front but then I consider my own body and my world and find it Impossible to believe anything but Divine Creation. 

I can relate to the declaration, “It is incomprehensible to believe in the existence of God but find it even more incomprehensible to not believe in His existence.”  I may not be able to explain everything with the proofs most require but I have experienced Salvation and know the transformation of my own life. 

I have experienced divine healing in my physical body.  I have witnessed lives completely transformed and a person who could only be described as a reprobate transformed into a wholesome, godly, honest, dependable, and honest person.  I had a medical doctor tell me that before Medical School he was an atheist. 

He said that in Medical School he found so many unexplainable things about the human body he became a guarded skeptic.  He said that after a few years performing delicate surgeries and seeing what he saw in the human body and how things interrelated he determined it was IMPOSSIBLE for that to have just happened or evolved and the design he witnessed demanded the existence of a designer.  He became a believer and has lived with a settled faith for decades.

I make no attempt to make the Incomprehensible Comprehensiblefor that would take intellect and experience greater than I possess.  I know that I was once lost in sin and on that faithful night at my sister’s home at the kitchen table all alone in Palestine, Texas the Lord Jesus forgave me of my sins and transformed my life.  I was changed and things happened in me and my life that I cannot explain but know they are real. 

I recently read that a man who has translated 17 books of the Bible for the Vatican has declared that the language of Genesis where the “Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters” is Starship and the “let us make man in our image” the Elohim refers to DNA cut from the Elohim.  He was arguing that we exist because of an experiment by extraterrestrial visitors from outer space. 

You may believe that if you choose but I believe, “In the beginning God…”  I believe John 3:16 and fully believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the Image and Likeness of the Eternal God and that Jesus, the Son of God who came, died, rose again, and has now ascended to heaven is or has made preparation for me to spend eternity with Him in heaven.  It may be Incomprehensible to the human mind and reason, but it is Incomprehensible to my heart and spirit to not believe in the existence of God.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day!

Song of Solomon 8:7 – “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.”  NKJV

Today, millions all over the world celebrate this holiday that focuses on Romantic Love.  The Bible is not silent on the matter of romantic love and the power of all kinds of love.  Romantic love will and has literally driven some mad and will cause people to do things they would never have thought possible to please the object of their affection.

I realize that Valentine’s Day was not originally a Christian Holiday and although its origin is associated with Saint Valentine its roots are largely rooted in the Greco-Roman pagan fertility festivals and a medieval notion that birds paired off to mate on February 14th each year.  The tradition of exchanging cards, candy or other tokens probably originated in England and France during the 14th and 15th centuries but became incredibly popular in the United States in the 20th century.  Whether you participate in this holiday and the traditions of Valentine’s Day is up to you and a decision you must make based on your personal convictions. 

However, on this occasion so much focus is on love and especially romantic love I want to address the power of LOVE!  Jesus said that the greatest demonstration of love was to lay down one’s life for their friends. (John 15:13) Paul addressed Love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, saying, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” NIV.  He goes on to say in verses 4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…”  NIV

Paul addressed marital love in Ephesians 5 telling the husbands to demonstrate the same love toward the wife as Christ does for His church.  It is to be a love that is exemplified in 1 Corinthians 13 and Proverbs 31.  We are advised or commanded in Colossians 3:14 to “put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”  Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”  Then in John 3:16 we have the picture of perfect and ultimate love.  In 1 John 3:16 we read, “This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (NIV) In 1 John 4:18 we are told of the power of love, “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (NIV)

So, on this day in which millions focus on love and celebrate love and all its qualities and benefits I encourage you to turn your heart first to the LORD, then to that one God has given you, then to your children, your family, and your friends.  Let us demonstrate the Love of God to all men.

My Valentine is in heaven now and has been for over ten months.  I miss her more than words can convey but one day I will see her again and see the Face of the One Who Died for me!  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO EVERYONE!

If you have your valentine with you in the flesh, hold them close and treasure them. My Valentine has gone to heaven and I’m lonely beyond words today. But ONE DAY… One Day I will see her again!

Blessings as you celebrate this beautiful day in Christ our Lord!

Luke 11:37-44 – “And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So, He went in and sat down to eat. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.  40 Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?  41 But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.  44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”  NKJV

Yes, Jesus does choose sides!  I love this story which depicts how our LORD views pomp, ceremony, and outward show.  It reveals how Jesus views our man-made traditions that are not consistent with the Heart and Spirit of His Word.  The Pharisee, not unlike many even in our modern times, was all about appearance.  His focus was dotting all the ceremonial I’s and crossing the T’s religiously and doctrinally.  He was far more interested in the visible than the invisible, the outward rather than the heart.

When Jesus accepted his invitation to break bread with him, he was shocked that Jesus did not participate in the ceremonial washing before eating.  Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach spiritual truth regarding the difference between the external (visible or ceremonial) and the internal (heart).  He addressed the fact that putting on a show, giving the appearance of righteousness, spiritual correctness, and piety, while the inside was full of wickedness and sin, was Wrong.  Jesus did not call him a hypocrite but addressed the incorrectness of his views and actions.

Jesus continued in addressing the religious correctness and outward show of tithing on Everything but failing with regard to justice, doing the right thing out of love for God.  He did not say he was wrong for doing the things he did with regard to giving saying, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”  He addressed the public show and took the most visible position and then called him a hypocrite!

Which side does Jesus choose?  The Inside!  He chooses the inside (heart) rather than the outside and if we remember in 1 Samuel 16:7, the LORD spoke to Samuel saying, “Do not look at his appearance, because I have refused him.  For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Oh, how guilty we are!  We are often impressed with the visible rather than the heart.  We are impressed with the oratorical ability, the fine dress, the fancy car, the accumulation of wealth, the size of the congregation but too often fail to take note of the condition of the heart. 

You can look like you are a devout believer.  You can look charitable.  You can look successful and may well be by man’s standards, but if in our hearts we are full of dead men’s bones we come short of God’s Glory.  Jesus is looking for hearts that are pure before Him and when He finds such hearts, He will develop hands that heal, help, and lift up.  Which side does Jesus choose?  He always chooses the INSIDE!

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” NKJV

I purposefully used the word Sectarianism rather than Denominationalism because most find it more distasteful.  There is an extremely large percentage of Christendom who identifies with one denomination or another and some are far more exclusive and separatist than others.  My question is, “If we are IN CHRIST, believers and partakers of His divine grace are we not members of THE BODY OF CHRIST?”  If we are members of Christ’s Body does not make us brothers and sisters in the faith? 

Sectarianism or Denominationalism is a reference to a group, often incredibly large, who unite under a common faith or doctrine.  Most organize and have a legal hierarchy with rules and regulations for participation and membership.  The tendency for most denominations is to separate themselves from others and emphasize their differences and exclusiveness.  I wonder how these squares with the prayer of Jesus in John 17, “that we all be one”.

 Knowing that I am on thin ice with many let me proceed to the passage listed in our text.  Paul addressed the Church at Corinth with a very strong rebuke.  He said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”  Wow!  How would you like to have a recognized and respected leader of the Church come into your congregation and make that assertion?  He went on to say, “I fed you with milk and not solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are not able…”  Paul, you are about to be run out of town on a rail.  He then said, “…for you are carnal.”  What?  I thought they came behind in no spiritual gift!  How is this church with the gifts being identified as CARNAL? 

    His explanation was, “…where there is envy, strife, divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?  For when one says, ‘I am of Paul’, and another “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”  Paul recognized that the separation and exclusivism the Corinthians were practicing, much like today’s Christian world, was evidence of carnality, not spirituality.  It was evidence of man’s preference, not God’s grace and presence.  It was a source of envy, strife, quarrels, and divisions rather than a unifying in Him.

    I do not mind you being a member of any denomination, nor do I believe God does.  However, I do have a problem and believe God does, with exclusivism to the point of relegating all other believers to second-class citizenship of the faith if they do not ascribe to your particular doctrinal tenets.  The apostle reminded the Corinthians that he and Apollos were simply the messengers through whom they had been introduced to Christ. 

In Christianity, there is planting, watering, and harvesting and we each have a work to do and should be diligent in the pursuit of that assignment.  I am reminded of the disciples coming to Jesus in Mark 9 saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 

They felt good about and maybe even a bit smug in their reporting to Jesus, after all, they were not of their particular brand.  Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side…”  Jesus’ clear message was not that there would not be false teachers, prophets, and preachers but that simply because someone was not of your particular brand does not exclude them from the Family of God and the Body of Christ. 

If we, as believers, spent less time being concerned with our brand, label, or tag than we are the Gospel of Christ and rejoiced when others of faith were laboring in the field of life seeking to reach others with the message of the Cross, we would see far more in the way of spiritual renewal than we now see.

God bless you as you go through this day in Him