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Andrew Elisabeth Jenny Melody Gabriel Jeremy
Meditations
Posted By Andrew on April 26, 2011
My brother just sent me a link to a website that had this article on it. The more I read it, the more it seemed familiar, and eventually I remembered writing it some years ago as the notes for a Bible study discussion. I hadn’t seen it in a long time, but I think the message is still relevant, so I’m sharing it here in hopes that someone will find it helpful.
I Am Living Under the Law…
If I feel condemned and worry whether I am performing well enough to satisfy God.
This shows I do not yet understand that Jesus is my righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). God said, “[Jesus] is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” and it is only Jesus Who pleases Him. My own works never please God, but when He sees His Son in me, He is well pleased. The less of me and the more of Jesus that He sees, the more pleased He is. Trying to please God by my works is a frustrating impossibility because one failure totally condemns me (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). True faith is the starting point if I want God to be pleased with me. (Romans 4:3; Hebrews 11:6)
If I think it is more difficult to be a Christian than not, and I think the world has more fun than I do.
This reveals that I am mostly concerned with externals and am missing the glorious freedom and joy of surrendering my life to God (1 Peter 1:8). Serving God may have difficulties, but it is infinitely better than the alternative (Galatians 4:9). A total surrender to God actually makes life easier because I no longer have to make my own life come out right. God will make all things work together for good and give me true rest. (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 4:9,10)
If I cannot accept God’s forgiveness for my sin, and still carry condemnation.
It is an insult to God to think that I must somehow earn my forgiveness when it is freely offered to the repentant sinner through the sacrifice of Jesus. Only my pride and unbelief tell me I must do something to earn God’s pardon for sin instead of humbly accepting it as an unmerited gift that I can never really repay. (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1)
If I am constantly defeated by the same sin.
A pattern of failure reveals that I trust my own strength because I am never defeated when I fully trust God for victory. Each defeat proves I did not trust God’s power, but when I humbly admit my weakness, it allows God’s power to supply my lack. (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
If I determine to try harder when the Spirit convicts me of a need in my life.
If I merely try harder, I still think I can sanctify myself by improving my performance. I do not yet understand that Jesus is my sanctification. I also show that my standard of holiness is much lower than God’s because I can attain to mine by sheer will-power. The new covenant’s standard is impossibly high for the flesh. It takes Jesus in me. (1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 3:3)
If I check my spiritual growth by comparing myself to other people instead of to Jesus Christ.
This reveals that I still think it is good enough just to reach a level of performance that makes me an average Christian. Looking to Jesus makes me despair of my own fleshly efforts. (Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Romans 8:29)
If I think sin is always something I do, and I’m only guilty of sin if I do certain actions.
The new standard introduced in the Sermon on the Mount and lived out by Jesus deals with the root of the problem instead of the fruit of the problem. The main issue now is the condition of the heart. I can be guilty of gross sin even without any outward action. (Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 5:27,28; Matthew 12:33-35)
If I am more concerned with people’s opinion of me than I am about the truth.
For example, if I tolerate rebellion in my heart as long as I yield outward obedience, I show that I am still more concerned with my performance than the real condition of my sinful heart. Admitting the truth will set me free. (Matthew 23:27)
If I teach and demand of others things not found in the Bible.
This reveals a performance-oriented mentality that does not accept God’s standard of inward holiness and claims that righteousness really depends on keeping certain man-made rules. Eventually those rules will actually replace God’s standard, and people will be considered righteous as long as they just conform outwardly to these rules. (Matthew 15:9; 2 Peter 1:3; Revelation 22:18)
If I cannot accept believers who are different from myself.
This shows that my confidence is still in how I look and how I perform, and so I cannot accept someone who looks or acts differently. (John 7:24; Acts 10:34, 35)
If I serve God because I want to avoid hell.
This shows that I just want to perform well enough to be accepted, instead of focusing on an inner relationship based on unconditional love for God. If I truly recognize God’s holiness, I will serve Him just because He is worthy, and then the rewards He offers are simply side benefits, not the main focus. My motive will be my love for the Lamb and not my fear of the fire. (Job 13:15a; Revelation 4:11)
If I constantly lack assurance of salvation.
My salvation is insecure if I judge myself by my performance instead of by the witness of God’s Spirit, because each failure on my part casts doubt on my salvation. When my trust is in Christ and the sufficiency of His sacrifice, I no longer depend on myself for assurance. This does not mean that I can continue in sin because my salvation is in Christ. In fact, when my focus is relationship with Him instead of performance for Him, I am more repentant than ever about any sin that grieves Him, and I am quick to repent. My sorrow is that I grieved God instead of just being sorry about the consequences of my sin. (1 John 3:9, 20, 24)
If I am kept from sin only because “the Bible says I shouldn’t do it.”
I am only trying to get by, instead of having a relationship with Jesus that makes me desire to please Him above all else. As I grow in grace and become more like Jesus, I will hate sin and desire holiness, not because I fear punishment, but because I have the mind of Christ and personal convictions against sin. The law of the Spirit in my heart can keep me farther from sin than all those laws that have been a burden to my flesh. (1 Peter 1:15, 16; Ephesians 4:20-24; Hebrews 12:14)
If I read the first thirteen points and decide that my works (or lack of them) do not matter, and therefore I can gratify my flesh.
My works are really a matter of life and death, for I shall be judged by them, but they must be the genuine fruit of a transformed heart, and not my own pathetic efforts at righteousness. (Revelation 20:12; Isaiah 64:6)
I am living above the law in grace when I truly understand and experience that a transformed heart naturally produces good works, but good works never produce a transformed heart.
It’s the Girls’ Turn
Posted By Andrew on February 22, 2011
Before long, Jenny will be ten years old and her parents will be approaching middle age. Aarggh! What happened? A few weeks ago we were innocent little kids getting married, and suddenly we find ourselves the parents of four fast-growing children. If Jenny leaves home at the typical age, we may already have used up half of the years available to us to prepare her for life. In addition to feeling rather old, we also feel very sobered at the magnitude of the responsibility that we parents have. I want to see both of these girls grow up to be passionate about the two greatest commandments in the Bible—to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves. That gives real purpose to every day, every mealtime conversation, every family devotions, every interaction with them.
Winter seemed to start early this season, and one of the things Jen enjoyed during the cold weather was working on puzzles. A keen eye for details and a fierce determination to succeed made short work of every puzzle she tackled.
Few things make Mello happier than playing with Jeremy, and the delight is reciprocated. Their personalities are very similar, and they have a mysterious bond that is quite special. She can make him giggle with just one mischievous look, and they love to spend time together in a jolly little world of their own.
Busy Boys
Posted By Andrew on February 21, 2011
The quality of these photos leaves much to be desired since they are captured frames from a video, but it gives you a glimpse at our busy boys’ activities anyway.
Since the above picture was taken, Gabe’s 24/7 obsession has switched from space travel to hunting, but he was a budding astronaut when this was taken. He lived, breathed, ate, and slept rockets, satellites, lunar landings, and space shuttles.
Between trips to the moon, Gabe found time to help Mommy in the kitchen.
Now Gabe spends every day hunting deer, elephants, and ants with an airsoft gun. The little plastic BB’s it shoots are generally harmless, but just being able to pull a trigger and hear a tiny plink is the ultimate expression of manhood for him just now. We trust that as he grows older he’ll set his sights on higher things, but for the moment this keeps him creatively occupied during all his free time.
At nine months, Jeremy is still one of the most jovial babies you could possibly find. He also loves to eat, and he was plowing through an amazing pile of rice in the video from which this frame was taken.
When Jeremy is not busy eating, he comes out to the shop and helps me with real man’s work, climbing the ladder and all. (Try to overlook the pacifier. . .)
Jeremy, seven months
Posted By Andrew on December 30, 2010
Here’s Wishing You a Wonderful 2011
Posted By Andrew on December 29, 2010
The year that is about to end has been a wonderful one. God has blessed us more than we can possibly tell, and we hope your experience has been the same. We pray God’s blessings and His peace for all our family and friends during this season, and trust your walk with Him will be rich and meaningful. May 2011 be the best year yet!