We… uh, I… am guilty of letting good things crowd out of my life the main thing. Like Martha, I can get so busy doing “good things” that I miss the main thing that Mary sought. What was it that Mary sought and received? Sitting at the feet of the one she loved… Jesus. Consider the Scripture…
Matthew 22:35 A lawyer, asked (Jesus) a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
The main thing for all believers is to love God. Loving God is followed by loving others. All God’s commands are built upon these main things. The outworking of these results in something we don’t necessarily expect… trials. In fact… trials ARE God’s will for those who are His(Do not be deceived about God’s will for suffering). The good thing is that God has a purpose in our trials which will result in a final outcome. Thus James 1:2-4, 12.
When we’re tested, God is bringing about steadfastness (maturity) that conforms us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). This steadfastness is the work God does in us that is called sanctification… which results in holiness… without which no one will see God. God makes sure that all of His true children will persevere under… in… and through trials. Then… at the consummation in Glory… God will reward His faithful ones (All believers) with a crown of life. The reason He does this is because they have proved their love for Him (James 1:12).
Therefore… for us today… as we deal with all manner of difficulty, we should turn our eyes toward heaven. Realizing what God is doing NOW to prepare us for THEN. Thus we do not rejoice in what is happening TO us… but what God is in the process of doing IN us and what the ultimate result will be: Eternity in heaven with Him… made to be just like His Son Jesus… wearing the crown of life.
Ron, as always, I just love these sermons. In fact, I think I have been to church.
Pam should remember when Al was baptized at Huffman. She was a little girl and she and Beth were so worried about Harper “ducking” him in the water since Al was so very tall. We all grew up with Harper Shannon at West End Baptist.
Suppose a man has major problems, and can’t pay his bills, We are told to cast our burdens on the Lord, and not worry about stuff like that. But we are also told to not tempt God. Isn’t a carefree approach like that a sort of “testing” or “tempting” of God? Are we just saying, “God, I can’t handle this, but I just know you will take care of it for me?”
Thank you for your comment Bill. Given the situation you suggest, without being overly simplistic in my answer, how people get into situations matters. To answer your question about could it be testing God? Well… yes and/or no. I know that I ask God to deliver me from my stupidity and foolishness… and he has. He has also taught me important lessons in the midst of those. As it is written in 1 Peter 5… “Cast ALL you anxieties upon Him because He cares for you.”
It is interesting to me that Peter is the one who wrote this. Peter… the one who denied Jesus and cursed him. Peter… the one who realized the stupidity of his actions, and wept bitterly over them. Peter… the one who AFTER this monumental failure was commanded by Jesus (The one he denied and cursed) to take care of those purchased with His life (“Feed my sheep”). Personally, I’m glad that God forgives me of my mistakes and doesn’t cast me away after them. I am glad that he disciplines me for my good when I fail so that I can share in His holiness (Hebrews 12). If God didn’t bail us out… all of us… none of us would be usable by God.
I guess I’m saying that… at least for me… I am completely responsible for all my actions. I also know I am what I am by God’s grace (1 Cor 15:10). I am then thankful to God for His grace, mercy, and deliverance. I pray that I don’t test God or flippantly rely upon Him and therefore live foolishly. Does that make sense?