For people who prefer to think of themselves as intelligent, competent, and self-reliant (which is just about all of us), the following words of Jesus likely come as a shock: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mk.10:15). No one likes to be considered childish, and yet there it is, a statement of absolute disqualification from even becoming a Christian unless we share similarity to a child. Of course, there are many aspects of childishness the Bible calls us to renounce (e.g. 1Cor.14:20). Yet, when it comes to “entering the kingdom” there has to be that kid-like dependence, trust, and submission. This insight may help us understand the struggles we face when we are attempting to persuade our accomplished, self-made and self-assured friends to put their trust in Christ. It may even help us rethink our own testimony, if our “conversion story” sounds more like a season of “figuring it all out” or “advancing our lives to the next level” instead of, as Paul put it, counting whatever we had gained as loss (Phil.3:4-9). A sense of helplessness and utter need for salvation is at the heart of what it means to truly repent and put our faith in Christ. As humbling as that may feel, Jesus was clear that it is a necessary prerequisite for joining God’s people in the kingdom.
A Crushing Kind of Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world. He loved the world. He loved you, he loved me! Think about that for longer than just a passing moment. Yes, he loves me. How did he love me?
I have a son. He is 6. As a parent I am confident that I would do most anything for that child. I love him unconditionally. He is in my care. How could I even fathom putting him purposefully in harms way? That is exactly what God the Father did. He loved me so much that he personally came down to earth and went through a brutal, humiliating, excruciating death. For me! For you! He did not have to do that at all. We should all perish. But in his perfect love, his crushing love, he chose us over his own comfort. That kind of love can only be described as a crushing kind of love. Why crushing? It is the only word I can think of that even comes slightly close to what that kind of love actually means. Think about it. No really… THINK about it.
When you think long and hard about the sacrifice he made it will crush your heart. When you really ponder who he is and what he did you will instantly slam your body and face firmly on the floor laying prostrate in thanksgiving and worship. That is what I mean by crushing. There is no other way I can describe it. It crushes who we are in light of who he is. It crushes our motives and selfishness and brings forth a desire after his will. It crushes everything we once thought was important and demands our full and utter devotion to the One True God.
Believing in the Son is the first step towards fully accepting that love of grace and mercy. Fully understanding that love is the beginning of a life in which is no longer our own. It is a life that we gratefully and willfully hand over to God as his servant. “Use me, use me!” should be our daily cry. “Shake me out, clean out my sin, make me a tool worthy to be used!” Our deepest desire, that stems from that crushing love, should be that of servanthood. We should long to hear “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Imagine getting to the beema seat of God and hearing him say “Well, you made it, but really by the skin of your teeth.” You will suffer loss. I don’t know about you, but I am a people pleaser. I like it when I do a job well done. I like being praised for the things I do right. God instilled in us that desire. He wants us to please him like we please others. He wants us to desire after his heart. What are you going to do about it? No really, what are you going to do about it?
The Ultimate Fruit Test! See how you measure up to what the Bible says about being a Follower of Jesus Christ.
Answer the following questions and look up the associated verses to determine if you are a follower of Jesus or just a really big fan.
Who You Are
Audit #1: Is your character in keeping with the Fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23
Audit #2: Do you Walk by the Spirit? Galatians 5:16-26
Audit #3: Do you Actively “Make Disciples”? Matthew 28:19
Audit #4: Do you Love God with all that you are? Matthew 22:38-38
God’s Law
Audit #5: Do You Crave the Word of God? 1 Peter 2:2-3. Romans 7:22, John 8:47, Matthew 5:6
Audit #6: Do You Keep His Commands? Exodus 20
Audit #7: Is God’s Law Written on Your Heart? Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:6-13
Audit #8: Do You Grow in Wisdom or just Knowledge? James 1:15
Understanding Love
Audit #9: Do You Love Others? 1 John 4:7-12
Audit #10: Do You Love your Enemy? Matthew 5:43-48, 1 Corinthians 4:12
Audit #11: Do You Have a Love Affair with the World? 1 John 2:15-17, John 15:19
Audit #12: Are you politically correct when it comes to Jesus and your friends, family and coworkers? Matthew 10:32-33, 2 Corinthians 5:20
Tests and Discipline
Audit #13: Do you Have Chronic Sin? 1 John 3:6-10
Audit #14: Do You Get Disciplined by God? Hebrews 12:3-11
Audit #15: Do You Get Tested by God? James 1:2-3, 1 Peter 4:12-14
Audit #16: Are you instantly convicted when you sin? John 16:7-11
Audit #17: Do you get persecuted for your faith? 2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:18, 1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 Peter 3:14, Matthew 5:10
Audit #18: Are you hated by some people because of your faith? 1 John 3:13, Luke 6:22,
A Changed Life
Audit #19: Do You See a Changed Life? Ezekiel 36:25-26
Audit #20: Is Your Spiritual Life Different from Last Year? Are you growing? Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:18
Audit #21: Do You Find Assurance or Conviction When You Read the Entire Book of 1 John?
Audit #22: Christian: Would a stranger or even a close friend or family member who is not a follower of Christ convict you of being a follower? 1 John 5:19, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Corinthians 1:21-23
Fruit Audit – Do you grow in knowlege or wisdom?
All over the Bible it tells us to ask for “wisdom.” You might be interested to know that the way Jews understood the meaning of the word “wisdom” is not how we use the word today. “Chokmah” is the Hebrew and “sophia” is the Greek word that is translated “wisdom.” The people of Israel all knew that when learning from the Bible or anyone teaching on things of Yahweh, then fully understood and appreciated it’s deeper meaning. Wisdom is the practical application of God’s will. So while you may be a knowledge seeker or someone who is the consummate student, always learning and taking classes, even on things of God, I encourage you to take a deeper look at your motives.
When you study, is it to gain greater understanding and greater knowledge? While knowledge and understanding of the Bible is a crucial part of the Christian walk, the more important factor is it’s practical life application. Do you pray for wisdom to understand the things of God or do you pray for wisdom to act on His will; to do what he wants and not what you want? Think of it this way: we are all selfish, self-absorbed, egotistical, self-centered humans. Right? That is really the top thing you are an expert on… you. So, when you fall in love and commit to another person, what happens? It becomes all about them and what they want (at least during the honeymoon stage). That is kind of how it is with God only it is permanent. Once you are His, fully and unconditionally His, your understanding of the word “wisdom” will come to life. Your prayer life will change. Your motives for your life will change. YOU will change.
This is another beautiful fruit that you will bring forth when Yahweh makes you His… A-men and Halleluyah!
For more on this topic check out these posts:
Wisdom
The Power to Do God’s Will
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
Fruit Audit – Are you Allergic to Sin?
To sum things up from the post on being a lawbreaker, remember at the beginning I stated “I used to be such a lawbreaker.” The important phrase in that sentence is “used to be”. OK, no, I am not perfect, however, now that I am a child of God, the Holy Spirit literally dwells inside me. Every time I mess up or break a law, aka sin, my heart instantly tugs at me. I am instantly convicted by the Holy Spirit. Did you know that convicting us of sin is one of his jobs? He came to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgement. John 16:7-11 It is a pure wonder and something that takes some getting used to. The best way I can describe it is I now am allergic to sin. If you have allergies this will make sense. Sure, I can play with a cat, but I will pay instantly if I touch my eye and I will pay in the long run with itchy skin if I play with the cat for a while. This does not mean I don’t ever touch a cat. I just know what will happen and it is very uncomfortable. There is no controlling the reaction I have. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. He convicts me on the spot every time, and like playing with a cat, his conviction is very uncomfortable. It is wild, and awe-inspiring, and now I FULLY understand why he is called our Helper.
If you want to see more on this topic check out this post:
God’s Law is Written on My Heart
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
Fruit Audit – Are you a Lawbreaker?
I used to be such a lawbreaker. I’m not talking about the big laws, but I was the typical entitled American. You know the kind. I generally obeyed traffic laws but pushed the limits by driving just under 80, not using signals, rolling through stop signs, making left turns over double yellow lines, parking in questionable spots because I was late, and any other area I could manage to justify, like running red lights in the middle of the night because no one was around. Or how about those people who don’t fully claim all their tips or cash payments to the IRS? Who’s going to know, right? What about that time you lied to your friend and used your kid being “sick” as an excuse for not doing something. Or you lied to your spouse about how much you actually spent on your new wardrobe. How about when you take home office supplies from your work? No one will care and they have so much and besides it is the least they can give you for all the crap you put up with.
I mean, really… We are a nation of self-justified and entitled people. No wonder other countries can’t stand us. Do you think God is going to say, “Oh it’s ok, that is just how they were raised.” I don’t think so. In fact, if you take a quick look at the very short list of 10 commandments he has asked us to keep, I am pretty sure you have broken all of them. Haven’t murdered anyone lately? Jesus said if you hate someone it’s the same thing. Haven’t committed adultery? If you are a man, have you looked at any porn in the last few days, or hours? If you are a woman, have you checked out a hot guy and wished your man looked like that? It’s the same thing in Jesus’ mind.
“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” – 1 John 2:3-6
If you are interested in digging deeper into each commandment to see how you add up, here they are:
(To see the full text as it was written read Exodus 20.)
- God is the only God. (simple… or not if you think God is basically the same god for every religion.)
- You shall not worship idols (Like worshiping a TV show or celebrity, or food, or money, or your career, you get the idea.)
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Like saying OMG or saying “my God” for no reason.)
- Take one day a week to rest. Fully. No work at all. (Does anyone really do this command anymore? It is not a joke and is not antiquated.)
- Honor your father and mother. (You may no longer be living with your parents and have kids of your own but think about it, do you honor your mom and dad or do you “know better” than they do and often put them “in their place.”)
- You shall not murder. (Not a murderer? Think again. Check out Matthew 5:21-22)
- You shall not commit adultery. (Even looking at someone with lust is considered adultery from Jesus’ standpoint. Check out Matthew 5:28)
- You shall not steal. (I don’t know of a single person who can honestly say they have never stolen anything.)
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (This, like the 10th commandment is not talking about the person who lives next to you. God means anyone you know or even somewhat know. Think in terms of the person you like the least. Stop hating on them and spreading rumors and gossip. Basically, stop lying!)
- You shall not covet anything that is your neighbors. (ie. his or her spouse, his or her job, his or her house, his or her car, his or her garden, his or her kids, his or her clothing, his or her hair, seriously the grass is not greener so stop coveting!)
If you want to see more on this topic check out this post:
God’s Commands
FRUIT AUDIT – Does your life reflect the first and greatest commandment by God?
Do You Love God the Most?
When you look at your daily spending, your daily activities, and your daily interactions, it may become clear who your god is? Take an honest assessment of your day. While most of us spend the majority of our day working, which God calls us to do, are you the type of person who makes your career your life and keeps church and state separate so to speak or you the type of person who tries to bring God into your career? Are you the type of person who spends 10 minutes in God’s word in the morning and then spends 2 hours on Facebook during the day and another 2 hours watching TV at the end of your day and then cap it all off by another 5 minutes in prayer before bed time? Just sayin’. Be real and be honest and figure out who your god is. I hope it is the one true God that you love with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength!
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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. This is the great and first commandment.” – Matthew 22:36-38
Here is a more in depth audit on how you feel about God:
Are you a Politically Correct Christian?
Who do you Love?
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
FRUIT AUDIT – Do you “make disciples” actively or do you leave it to the “professionals”?
Jesus calls us to “make disciples.” Do you make disciples actively or do you leave it to the “professionals”?
I often found myself saying others are better at this than me and that is their gift, not mine. If you read the Bible thoroughly you will find that way of thinking is false. Jesus never said “only if you feel like it” or “only if you feel called to” or “only if you are good at it.” Quite the contrary. The Bible is full of stories, examples, and commands to people who were self-professing babbling idiots, but those are precisely who God used time and time again. His glory shines brighter through those who are less able to do what he wants you to do.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19
For further thoughts on this topic check out this post:
Do You Share Jesus?
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
FRUIT AUDIT – Do you Walk by the Spirit? What does that mean exactly?
Do you walk by the Spirit?
Based on yesterday’s highly pulled quote from the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23 on the Fruit of the Spirit, you may want to take a look at the context of the above verses and dig a bit deeper. What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”? Think back to a day when you rushed out of the house and did not have time to start your day in the Word or in prayer. Think about how your day went. Now think about those days where you spent a good amount of time praying and hearing what God has to say to you through his Word. Can you tell a difference in your day? For me, when I make a purposeful time at the beginning of my day it is like surrounding myself with a layer of Holy Spirit Protection or God Force Field as my son likes to call it. My attitude is different and my will power to do God’s will and not my own is greater because I am walking by the Spirit.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5:16-26
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
FRUIT AUDIT – The Fruit of the Spirit
Do have character in keeping with the Fruit of the Spirit?
This is a tricky one. Often people think this is what Jesus is talking about when he refers to “fruit.” The word for fruit in Greek is”karpos” and has a broader meaning than that just found in Galatians to describe the Fruit of the Spirit in how we are to act. It also has the meaning of praise and worship to God as well as things that profit and bring glory to God. The Strong’s definition of karpos is “that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result. A work, act, or deed. An advantage, profit, or utility. That which praises, and which are presented to God as a thank offering.” So while the Fruit of the Spirit is indeed a great place to start, it is just that, a place to start. A fun way to see how you measure up to the Fruit of the Spirit is to put your name in front of each fruit. For me it would read: Jen is loving, Jen is joyful, Jen is peaceful, Jen is patient, Jen is kind, Jen shows goodness, Jen is faithful, Jen is gentle, Jen has self-control. Try putting your name in there and see if it is true. Check back tomorrow to discover another fruit that Jesus wants us to bear!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23, ESV
FRUIT AUDIT PREVIOUS POSTS:
Introduction: Have Your Ever Taken a Fruit Audit?
Holy. Just. Love. 