‘Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do – and Not Do What I Want to Do?’

Over the years many passages of the Bible have intrigued me, but few have struck me more profoundly than Romans 7, in which the apostle Paul candidly confesses his personal struggles.

 

The verses that stand out most are Romans 7:15-17, in which he seems to complain, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.” 

 

There’s more to this sorrowful confession, but consider: These were the words of the apostle Paul. Not tempestuous, vindictive King Saul of Israel. Or Samson, who had a decided weakness for the ladies. Or King David, who was a murderer and adulterer despite being described as a man with “a heart after God.” Or even Judas Iscariot, whose greed and ambition caused him to become the greatest betrayer in history.

 

No, it was Paul, who became a new person with a new name after his dramatic, transforming encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He was a pillar of the early Church, the fellow God inspired to write nearly half of the New Testament. This man of God felt it important to devote nearly an entire chapter to the question, “Why do I do what I don’t want to do – and why don’t I do what I want to do?” 

 

Perhaps you’ve asked this question of yourself. You have a bad habit or a ‘besetting’ sin you’ve wrestled with for a long time. You’ve resolved to stop it. But then you do it again. Or there’s something you know you should be doing, and with the best of intentions determine to follow through on it. But you don’t.

 

What’s the deal? Why do we, like Paul, find ourselves doing what we don’t want to do – and not doing what we want to do?

 

It’s a complex question, but I think Paul addresses the solution in the preceding chapter of his letter to the believers in Rome. Paul assures them, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4). 

 

Verses later he adds, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). Other translations, instead of ‘count,’ use the words ‘consider’ or ‘reckon.’ We’re to regard ourselves as dead to sin – no longer enslaved to it – but alive to God in Christ.

 

Some other verses that relate to this truth and help us to gain a fuller understanding include:

“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

 

Looking at these passages together, it seems there’s a choice we must make. We have been given new spiritual life by being “born again,” meaning the Spirit of Christ now lives in us, giving us a new nature. However, for whatever reason, God does not remove our “sinful nature” (also translated “the flesh"). We can either choose to appropriate the life and power of Jesus Christ in us, or we can continue to operate according to our corrupted, sinful natures.

 

In my admittedly limited understanding of technology, it’s like having a corrupted, malfunctioning operating system on a computer and installing a new, perfectly functional operating system. But instead of removing the old system, it remains and we must consciously choose which to use – the one that works as intended, or the one that keeps messing up.

 

Sadly, many believers don’t seem to realize they have a choice. They excuse their sinful stumbling as “Well, I’m only human” or “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” But if we believe the Scriptures, we aren’t ‘only human.’ We’ve been given a new spiritual life. And we’re redefined not as ‘sinners saved by grace’ but as “saints in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 1:1 and many other places) who can still sin. A saint, by biblical definition, is one who has been sanctified or set apart by God.

 

This is just scratching the tip of a ton of theology, but the reality for Christ followers is that while we can and will still sin, we don’t have to sin. It’s no longer, to use another computer term, our “default setting.” As Paul wrote in the passage above, “it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”

 

This reminds me of a powerful statement from the Old Testament, in which Joshua was giving his final speech to the people of Israel. He admonished them, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Once we understand that God – through His Spirit that dwells within us – has given us the capacity for faithfully serving Him, we too must choose whether to serve Him, or to continue yielding to our old habits and sinful ways. At times the flesh will prevail resulting in sin, but through the power of Christ in us, we won’t be able to say, “The devil made me do it.” 

What If God’s Greatest Blessings Can’t Be Touched or Held?

“It’s a blessing.” “I’ve been blessed.” “Count your blessings.” How often have you heard people say things like that? I think we’d all agree blessings are good, but have you ever wondered what people really mean when they talk about being blessed?

 

American culture tends to equate blessings with material advantages – a really nice home; a successful, rewarding career; high-achieving, energetic children; a long, relatively pain-free life. After stirring victories, we often hear athletes talk about how they’ve been blessed. 

 

But should being blessed always be understood in terms of tangible “stuff” and achievements?

 

Years ago, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson authored a popular little book called The Prayer of Jabez. It was based on an obscure fellow named Jabez, mentioned only one time in the Bible. In the passage, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we’re told: 

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”

 

That’s it. Two verses about Jabez, nestled almost like an afterthought in the midst of a long genealogical parade of Judah’s descendants. The first time we hear about Jabez – and the last. Curious, isn’t it?

 

Actually, it’s easy to speed-read past Jabez, except the passage does give us a bit of insight about him: He was more honorable than his brothers, although it doesn’t explain in what ways. We’re told his mother bore him in pain and chose his name accordingly. Perhaps most important, he offered a simple prayer that God would “bless me indeed and enlarge my territory” (or “expand my borders,” as another translation states it). One other thing – God granted him what he requested.

 

It's interesting that the Bible doesn’t tell us what happened to Jabez. If we trust the Scriptures, we know God did bless him and enlarge his territory. But we don’t know in what ways, how the Lord did it, or what kinds of things Jabez did. What we do know is that he boldly asked God’s blessing – and received it. End of story.

 

What are we to take away from this mini-Bible lesson? After Wilkinson’s book came out, and especially after it had achieved best-seller status, critics accused him of promoting so-called “prosperity theology,” the “health and wealth gospel” perspective on God’s blessings. Given the materialistic context in which we’ve lived for many decades, that might not be surprising. 

 

However, that was never my impression – nor is it today. I first heard Wilkinson’s message about Jabez at a conference several years before it appeared in print. My sense then, as well as after I read the book, was the blessings Jabez sought were more in line with Jesus’ later command to “go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16).

 

The message on Jabez inspired me, as it did many thousands of others who heard or read it, to pray the same prayer, asking God to bless me indeed and enlarge my territory. Some may have interpreted those blessings in terms of “stuff,” but I never did. I didn’t pray for a luxury car or a mansion on a hill (although in the eyes of probably 90 percent of the world’s population, my home might still perceived as such).

 

What I did pray for was that the Lord would give me the privilege of being a fruitful laborer in His kingdom, through my journalistic training and passion for writing, as well as participating in His Great Commission to “go therefore and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19).

 

God’s response can only be described in the words of Ephesians 3:20: “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Knowing how I could have benefited earlier in my life if an older, more mature believer had come along to disciple/mentor me, I prayed that the Lord would lead me to one man in whom I could invest and grow spiritually together. Within three months, He had sent two men my way. And I’ve had the joy of meeting with dozens of other men in the years since.

 

In a number of different ways, God also has given me the opportunity to present biblical truths in writing to people all around the world. When I prayed for Him to “enlarge my territory,” it never occurred to me to make such an ambitious request.

 

Is it wrong to pray for material blessings? I don’t think so – as long as we ask with the right motives. I’ve known many people whom God has indeed blessed financially, but they’ve been beyond generous in supporting ministries and charitable causes they believe in, providing resources for those works to grow and influence countless lives for eternity.

 

Again and again in the Scriptures we read how God delights in blessing His children. In Psalm 84:11-12 we read, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk with uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You.” I understand this to mean that if it’s good for us and we need it, we can trust God to provide it.

Much more could be said. Volumes have been written about this, along with thousands of sermons preached. Jabez might have been barely known, even in the Bible. But he had the courage to pray, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’” Maybe, if our desire is to honor and glorify the Lord, it’s okay for us to pray that too. 

Want to Be Great at Something? Can You Spare 10,000 Hours?

Rules. Most of us don’t like them, except when we can use them to our advantage. I’m thinking of the cynic who defined the Golden Rule as “he who has the gold rules.” He had a point – doesn’t it seem the folks with lots of money are wielding the greatest influence these days? 

But getting back to rules, we see evidence at how much people abhor rules (or laws) almost every day. The persons who not only defy the highway speed limit, but also weave recklessly from lane to lane just to get a few feet ahead of the next driver. I observed several of those just the other day. (No, I wasn’t one of them.)

 

Kids are notorious for disliking rules. Tell them something reasonable, like ‘Don’t touch the stove,’ and that only makes the stove top touch even more enticing. Rules like, ‘You have to clean up your room before you watch TV’ or, “You can’t have dessert until you finish your dinner’ are sure to ignite their rebellious streak. No parent in the world ever said, “I’m going to raise a little rule-breaker,” but that’s what typically happens.

 

We might blame such behavior on childish innocence or naivete, but as we grow up, we maintain our propensity for breaking rules. Often, with experience we get more skilled at concealing our ‘un-ruley’ behavior.

 

My typing skills have progressed a long
way since the days of 'a-s-d-f-space.'

This thing about rules goes all the way back to the Old Testament, when God was giving the no-longer-enslaved Israelites literal marching orders. When the Lord presented the Ten Commandments to Moses, as recounted in Exodus 20, the Israelites initially welcomed them and promised to keep them. ‘Sure, Yahweh, whatever You say!’

However, they soon found the commandments – only 10 – much too restrictive. So, in very short order they succeeded in breaking every one of those divine rules. Not once or twice, but so many times they lost count. You could say the remainder of the Old Testament is the story of God’s chosen people’s insistence on enthusiastically breaking all of His rules. 

 

Then, after a prophetic silence of hundreds of years, Jesus Christ arrived to become the ultimate remedy for chronic rules-breaking. At one point, someone asked Jesus to identify the greatest commandment. Perhaps thinking about how 10 commandments had proved too burdensome for most folks, He boiled them down to two: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

 

Pretty simple, huh? Love God with everything we’ve got, and love others just the way we would want them to love and treat us. What’s so difficult about that? I suppose it gets back to our propensity for breaking rules – we can’t even consistently keep two of them.

 

Years ago, I discovered an interesting rule that God didn’t originate, at least not explicitly. In his book, Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell explored what he termed the “10-000-Hour Rule.” He cited neurologist Daniel Levitin who concluded after exhaustive research that, “The emerging picture…is that ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert – in anything.”

 

Levitin said this applied to any discipline: “Composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, and what have you, this number comes up again and again.” His studies showed that amount of time spent in practice and preparation didn’t guarantee success, but “no one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time.”

 

I’ve thought about this a lot. When I took personal typing as an elective class during my junior year of high school, I had no idea I’d spend my entire professional career with my fingers flying around a keyboard. I’ve far exceeded the 10,000-hour rule – to the point where if you were to ask me where a specific key is located, I couldn’t tell you. But thanks to countless hours of practice and muscle memory, my fingers know.

 

That’s why accomplished pianists devote so much time to practicing the scales, and outstanding basketball players spend so many hours practicing free throws. Aware of it or not, they were applying the 10,000-hour rule.

 

But how does that relate to things like the Ten Commandments and growing spiritually? I believe there’s a direct correlation.

 

More than 40 years ago, when I first became involved in parachurch ministry, I’d attend Bible studies and marvel when the “veterans” would spontaneously refer to relevant Scripture passages. ‘How do they do that?’ I wondered. 

 

Then I determined to read the Bible daily, even setting goals to read through the entire Word of God over the course of a year. At the same time, I resolved not only to read and study the Scriptures but also to memorize specific verses, meditate on them, strive to apply them, and endeavor to share them with others whenever opportunities presented themselves.

 

Now I understand how those godly business and professional leaders of years past could be so adept at knowing and teaching the Scriptures. Intentional or not, they’d been applying the 10,000-hour rule to their spiritual lives.

 

In effect, Deuteronomy 6:6-9 affirms this principle. Moses told the Israelites he was leading, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts…. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up…. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

 

If one were to practice this faithfully over the course of a lifetime, the 10,000-hour rule would be long surpassed – and spiritual maturity would be a very likely byproduct. Are you willing to put in the time?

Everyone’s a Potential Comeback Story

Comebacks. They are among the most inspiring, heart-tugging parts of the human experience. Someone who’d accomplished some things of note, then encountered major setbacks before overcoming those challenges to achieve greatness again.

 

Nowhere are comeback sagas more plentiful than in the world of sports. Tiger Woods’ victory in the Masters golf tournament in 2019 immediately comes to mind. After reaching the pinnacle of professional golf, he’d gone through adversity in many forms. Then, after years of struggle, Woods compiled a championship weekend to don his fifth green jacket.

 

Keith Byars about to throw a shoe
en route to the Illinois end zone.

My personal favorite comeback story – if you’ll indulge me for a moment – occurred on Oct. 13, 1984. On that date my alma mater, Ohio State, had fallen behind visiting Illinois 24-0 early in the second quarter. Since the Buckeyes had been upset by Purdue the previous Saturday, fans feared the worst. 

But the Scarlet and Gray staged a memorable comeback that included an amazing 67-yard touchdown run by running back Keith Byars, who lost a shoe on the way to the end zone. At game’s end, the scoreboard read: Ohio State 45, Illinois 38.

 

But we don’t have to be gifted athletes, or even avid spectators, to experience the thrills of a comeback. When we’ve messed up – really messed up – as we all have at one time or another, the God of mercy and grace stands firm, eager to restore and use us, sometimes in ways far beyond anything we could have imagined.

 

How do we know this? Because in the Bible we find story after story of people who, with God’s enabling power, were able to rise above shattered lives to be used by Him in wonderful, sometimes unlikely ways.

 

For Exhibit A, we can offer Joseph, the fair-haired son of Jacob. His father not only gave him a “richly ornamented robe” (Genesis 37:3) – known in other translations as the “coat of many colors” – but Joseph also boldly told his brothers of two dreams in which they would be bowing down before him. Not exactly the way to win the siblings’ popularity contest.

 

In a fit of jealousy, the brothers stripped Joseph of his robe and threw him into a cistern, then sold him to a passing caravan of merchants. Sold to Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official, Joseph was making the best of a bad situation when falsely accused of sexual assault by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. In essence, out of the Egyptian frying pan and into the Pharaoh’s fire.

 

However, that’s not the last we hear of Joseph. God providentially puts him into a position to become second-in-command in Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh. The one-time boastful brother becomes the instrument to save not only his family but also God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, during a time of severe famine. He was named “Comeback of the Year” by Hieroglyphics Monthly.

 

Then we have Moses, a Hebrew raised in the household of another pharaoh. He was enjoying a royal life until forced to flee the country after killing an Egyptian in defense of a fellow Israelite. For the next 40 the one-time Egyptian prince performed the humbling duties of a sheep herder.

 

God decided that was enough time to prepare Moses. One day while leading his flock on Mount Horeb, “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush” – a bush that to Moses’ surprise did not burn up. Having his attention, God commissioned him to lead a different flock, the people of Israel, after four centuries of slavery in Egypt. 

 

A truly humble leader – Moses asked, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) – God used him and his brother, Aaron, to accomplish the unthinkable.

 

There are numerous other examples in the Scriptures, including King David, the prophet Daniel, the apostles Peter and Paul, and others. In each case, the formula for making a “comeback” was simple: Humility; repentance; and determination to surrender to God’s will, no matter what it required.

 

Why should this matter to us? Because each of us is a potential comeback story. Perhaps you (or someone you know) grew up in a ‘Christian home’ where you attended church regularly, learned about Jesus Christ, read and studied the Bible, and yet have drifted away from the faith. After years of trying to make life work without God, it’s evident that isn’t working.

 

Is it possible to return? Read Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The Lord didn’t present the story of a father’s unconditional love for his wayward son for its entertainment value. It was to convey the eternal Father’s eagerness to welcome back those who have strayed for whatever reason.

 

Or perhaps at one time you were walking closely with the Lord, having a strong impact in the lives of others, but then became “burned out.” You took a spiritual “vacation” that has lasted a lot longer than you originally intended. Now you wonder whether God can ever use you again. 

 

I can think of no more encouraging Scripture passage than the words of King David after confessing his adulterous sin with Bathsheba. He 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. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 

For anyone in need of a spiritual comeback, the Lord is always ready with two words: “Come back.”

Lifting Up Fathers to Their Proper Uplifting Roles

Many of the members of our family on a rare time all together.

In the hierarchy of holidays, Father’s Day probably ranks far below Mother’s Day. Maybe because dad didn’t carry his offspring around for nine months before their first public appearance. And when college football players are shown on the sidelines, they’re inclined to shout, “Hi, Mom!” rather than “Hi, Dad!”

 

However, Father’s Day shouldn’t be overlooked or downplayed. Fathers play a vital role not only in their own families, but also in society overall. Studies have shown that intact families – with both mother and father present – not only provide children with a sense of safety and security, but also enhance their chances for success in their adult lives.

 

This isn’t to deny the sad reality that many fathers have blown it – abdicating responsibilities altogether; divorcing their families; abusing their children physically, mentally and/or emotionally; or neglecting their kids, not giving the time and attention they desperately need. 

 

Due to father-absence, many moms perform heroically as single parents, trying to raise their children alone while also working one or more jobs. But this was not God’s intent or design.

 

We see in the opening chapters of Genesis, the Lord created both man and woman “in His own image,” commanding that “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” He also instructed that they “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24). But never did God offer an escape clause that would free either father or mother from parenting responsibilities.

 

Consulting any concordance, we find hundreds of biblical references to fathers, not the least of which are those relating directly to God the Father. In fact, when asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray, Jesus Christ opened His model prayer with, “Our Father, who art in Heaven…” (Matthew 6:9).

 

Not only this, but Jesus claimed equal standing with God the Father, so in examining His life and teachings we can learn much about the character of God and the kind of character He expects from earthly fathers. 

 

Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), a statement that sent the religious leaders of the time into a murderous tizzy. He elaborated, “If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him" (John 14:7). Plain and simple, to know Jesus is to know God.

 

To both believer and detractors, Jesus stated, “Do not believe Me unless I do what my Father does. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father" (John 10:38).

 

What does this have to say for today’s fathers and grandfathers? For one thing, the life of Jesus provides a template for what godly fatherhood should look like. We could discuss the myriad character traits we see in Jesus throughout the gospel accounts. As 1 Peter 2:21 tells us, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”

 

But there’s more. Both the Old and New Testaments give us principles to living out the uplifting role of father – how we’re to guide, teach, discipline, correct, and just ‘hang out’ with our children.

 

For example, Deuteronomy 4:9 directs fathers, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9). We’re to be living examples.

 

Being an effective, godly father must start with a genuine, enduring relationship with God Himself: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

 

In today’s society many seem to have adopted a laissez-faire approach to parenting, letting children – even at a young age – follow their own course without interfering. Such a philosophy finds no support at all in the Scriptures. To the contrary, discipline, correction and instruction are integral parts of a father’s biblical ‘job description.’

 

It starts again with how we relate to our heavenly Father. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12). 

 

Similarly, Proverbs 22:6 directs us to, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Far too many parents, especially fathers, haven’t done this. Choosing to let the world – the ‘global village’ – to serve as primary teacher for our children is a recipe for calamity.

 

What assurances does God provide for those who make the concerted effort to step forward and lead their children as He commands? Here are just two examples: “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17). “[God] will turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…”(Malachi 4:6).

 

We’re living in times that can best be described as chaos and anarchy. Although it’s not the sole cause, the widespread failures of fathers to carry out their God-given duties, I believe, have been a substantial contributor.

 

The apostle Paul was thinking foremost in terms of spiritual parenting – making disciples as Jesus commanded – but the following exhortation applies to raising human children as well: 

“But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12).

For anyone struggling with how to be a good father, the Bible should be the first place to seek answers. 

Betrayal: The Game in Which No One Wins

Have you ever been betrayed – or at least felt like you had been? We’ve probably experienced this at one time or another, and perhaps even been guilty of it ourselves.

 

Betrayal comes in many forms. It might be a trusted friend reneging on a promise or revealing something shared in confidence. A colleague at work ‘throwing you under the bus’ when something goes awry, rather than shouldering the blame.

 

Even greater forms of betrayal might include parents divorcing, violating their unspoken commitment to provide a stable, safe home for their children. A spouse’s infidelity, shattering the vows of faithfulness made years before. A prominent religious leader, revered by many, entangled in terrible scandal. 

 

The realm of politics seems a particular hotbed for betrayal, with allegiances both forged and destroyed by expedience and personal ambition. But this is hardly new. A classic example: Roman dictator Julius Caesar and his back-stabbing buddy, Brutus. As William Shakespeare wrote, “Et tu, Brute?” 

 

Stained glass depiction of the apostle Peter
and a Roman centurion at Trinity Church,
St. Simons Island, Ga.

No matter who or how, the pain of being betrayed can be intense – and long-lasting. Partly because acts of betrayal usually are perpetrated by someone close. We could think of many examples, but none surpass that of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. 

Judas was one of Jesus’ 12 closest followers. He was highly trusted, given responsibility for the little band’s treasury. But apparently that wasn’t enough. After objecting to a woman lavishly anointing Jesus with very expensive perfume, Judas “went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’ So they counted out for him 30 silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over” (Matthew 26:6-16).

 

Can you imagine? Having been in immediate proximity with Jesus for the better part of three years, enjoying His friendship, watching Him and hearing His teachings, and yet being willing to betray Him for 30 silver coins? This heinous act led to Jesus’ crucifixion not long afterward. And overwhelmed with remorse, Judas took his own life by hanging. 

 

Thinking about Judas Iscariot, we might be quick to reason, ‘Well, I could never do something like that!’ Are you sure?

 

Because in the biblical accounts, Judas Iscariot wasn’t the only betrayer. In the garden of Gethsemane, after Jesus was arrested by Roman officials and the religious leaders, we read, "Then the disciples deserted Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).

 

There was more betrayal to come. Two of the disciples, John and Peter, decided to follow the procession to the mock trial at a distance. Peter, standing in a courtyard near enough to observe the proceedings, three times emphatically denied knowing Jesus or being one of His followers. After the third denial that he punctuated with expletives, “Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:69-75).

 

The good news is that later, after His resurrection, Jesus restored the repentant Peter by asking him to affirm – three times – his love for Him. The apostle never again betrayed his Lord, becoming a pillar of the early Church and being martyred for his bold and devoted service.

 

Imagine the strong, impulsive, proud Peter blubbering like a baby upon confronting his own cowardly betrayal? If this stalwart follower of Christ could turn his back on Him, what makes us think we couldn’t do the same?  

Years ago, poet Luci Shaw composed a brief poem called “Judas, Peter” that poignantly describes to this sobering reality:

"because we are all
betrayers, taking
silver and eating
body and blood and asking
(guilty) is it I and hearing
him say yes
it would be simple for us all
to rush out
and hang ourselves
but if we find grace
to cry and wait
after the voice of morning
has crowed in our ears
clearly enough
to break our hearts
he will be there
to ask us each again
do you love me?"

 

As 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” In one way or another, we’ve likely all betrayed the Lord, whether by what we said or did, or by what we chose not to say or do. 

 

However, as the poem reminds us, God’s grace is always greater than our betrayal – if we come to Him in repentance. This is why 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

 

Even better, while we might be tempted to betray our Savior and Lord, He has promised never to betray us. “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). 

Like It or Not, We’re at War – Dress Accordingly

Some weeks ago, I wrote about our common preoccupation with outward appearances. Statements such as “dress for success” and “clothes make the man” have reflected efforts to ensure making the best visual impressions. I pointed out, however, that such things are irrelevant in God’s point of view. As the apostle Paul wrote, “God does not judge by eternal appearance” (Galatians 2:6).

 

But there are times when clothing choices are designed not for visible impact but for something more practical – protection. For example, workers on construction sites wear hardhats. Firefighters wear special head gear, boots and outerwear. Soldiers in battle wear helmets and other protective equipment. And police officers are issued bulletproof vests to protect in the event of gunfire.

 

Whenever we’re engaged in pursuits that pose physical danger, it’s wise to wear protective clothes. But what about the spiritual danger we confront every day?

  

For followers of Jesus Christ, there’s a different form of attire intended to protect as we engage in the unseen spiritual war all around us. Ephesians 6:10-11 calls it “the full armor of God.” Whether we want to admit it or not – and often we don’t – we’re at war against a devious enemy and should be wary of his strategies.

 

Jesus Himself had to face opposition from Satan, and many times referred to the master of evil. The Lord described him this way in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy….” Jesus quickly offered the contrast when He added, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

 

Elsewhere in the New Testament, we find this warning: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Sounds like it would be wise not only to be aware, but also to safeguard ourselves from evil onslaughts.

 

In the early 1980s, several Christian denominations openly expressed a desire to remove the beloved hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” from their hymnbooks. Another hymn facing similar opposition was “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Detractors claimed the ‘militaristic overtones’ of these hymns were unacceptable for peaceful worship.

 

However, the Scriptures offer no such misgivings. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, the apostle Paul urged his protégé to “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.”

 

This is one reason Paul provided imagery of the aforementioned “full armor of God.” He wrote:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

 

The apostle proceeded to describe elements of this spiritual armor: “the belt of truth…breastplate of righteousness…the gospel of peace…shield of faith…helmet of salvation…sword of the Spirit (the word of God)” and prayer. 

 

Undergirding this admonition is a reminder that in ourselves – our own power – we’re unable to ward off evil advances. However, being “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” we can emerge victorious, not only surviving but also thriving as we persevere in our walk with the Lord.

 

Even though the United States was founded within a context of Judeo-Christian principles, people of faith are encountering opposition unprecedented in the history of our nation. Although written nearly 2,000 years ago, words from the opening chapter of the book of Romans aptly describe where we are today: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25).

 

And there’s no sign of things getting better. So, as we strive to remain faithful and strong in living for Christ, we’d be wise to conscientiously don the full armor of God as part of our daily “wardrobe.” 

An Equal Opportunity Savior and Redeemer

There’s much talk these days about equality and equity. In the minds of some, the two words are interchangeable. However, most people would agree they are different terms. Opinions vary, but here’s my take: Equality is the effort to offer equal access and opportunity. Equity, on the other hand, typically focuses more on equality of outcomes or results.

 

There’s the story of the college professor who announced a major exam well in advance. He administered the test two weeks later. Each student had the same opportunity to study. Some did so, diligently. Others barely studied their notes or cracked the textbook, if at all. They apparently felt they had more important things to do.

 

Predictably, when results from the exam were tabulated, the students who had studied and prepared for it scored well. Those who failed to prepare did poorly; some failed. That, the professor pointed out, was an example of equality. They all had equal opportunity – only some took advantage of it.

 

But he didn’t leave it at that. He then announced, in the name of ‘fairness,’ he was going to add all the exam scores together, divide that total by the number of students, and then assign everyone the average score. That, he said, demonstrated equity.

 

“Not fair!” complained the students who had worked hard and knew they deserved their A’s. Why should they be penalized because of those who chose not to study and prepare themselves for the exam?

 

Perhaps the best example of the difference between equality and equity is found in Jesus Christ. In fact, we might correctly call Him an “equal opportunity Savior and Redeemer.”

 

One of the best-known verses in the entire Bible is John 3:16, in which Jesus declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is an open opportunity, available to all who will believe – that is, place their faith and trust in Christ.

 

Elsewhere the apostle Peter stated, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Doesn’t this sound like equality?

 

However, the Bible does not teach equity – at least as it’s currently being perceived – regarding a saving, eternal relationship with Christ. For instance, we read in Matthew 7:21 that Jesus declared, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

 

Another passage asserts, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10,16). A response on our part is required. The gift of salvation and eternal life God offers must be received.

 

The Scriptures also teach equality as it relates to ethnic and cultural differences. In God’s point of view, all are equally valued and accepted.

 

Years ago, I was meeting with Rhon, a young African-American man, in a discipling relationship. One afternoon he looked at me and asked, “Bob, if Jesus were to stand in front of me, would he see me as a black man?” I responded with two verses that applied directly to his question.

 

In 1 Samuel 16:7, as the prophet Samuel was seeking to identify the successor to King Saul of Israel, God told him, “for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I assured Rhon that what Jesus would see foremost was a man whose heart was being drawn to Him.

 

The other passage related to differences of culture, ethnicity, and status. As the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” He doesn’t make the external distinctions that we typically make.

 

The truth that Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior and Redeemer is communicated in many other passages. One in particular tells of the apostle Peter coming to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah not just for the Jews but for all people. In Acts 10:34 we read, “Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.’”

This is the truly Good News that, “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). Male or female, black or white, rich or poor, corporate executive or janitor, all are equal in the sight of God.