So Many Causes, Only So Much Money to Give

Have you ever gone to your mailbox with anticipation, perhaps expecting a letter or card from a family member or friend (increasingly rare these days), a check you’ve been waiting on (also not as common as it used to be), a package, or your favorite magazine? You open the mailbox and…no letter, no check, no package, no magazine. Instead, all you find – besides the usual junk mail – are several envelopes from a variety of charitable organizations. 

 

There’s a letter from a veterans’ organization, asking for a donation. A couple from Christian ministries you support occasionally, asking for another gift. Some organization that’s dedicated to fighting a dreaded disease is asking for your help. An international organization that assists impoverished families has a heartfelt plea. And there are a couple of other “asks” from charitable causes you’ve never heard of; they probably got your name from another organization you support that sold their mailing list.

 

How do you handle all that mail, besides throwing them into the pile you’re saving for recycling? It’s not all “junk mail,” because many of the causes are worthwhile, but you can’t support everyone, right? 

 

Some folks don’t do much charitable giving at all, so this isn’t a great problem for them. If they don’t give anything, ministries and non-profits won’t be asking them for more. But for those of us who believe that as followers of Christ one of our responsibilities is give to charity a portion of what the Lord has given to us, it can pose some difficult decisions.

 

The Scriptures state that some people have the spiritual gift of giving – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously…” (Romans 12:8). I believe that refers to individuals God lavishly entrusts with money and material resources they eagerly pass on to others. As one philanthropist told me, “The Lord shovels it in and I shovel it out – and He has a bigger shovel.”

 

However, even if our spiritual gift isn’t giving, we’re still commanded to give as God enables and directs. Proverbs 3:9-10 exhorts us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

 

Jesus explained it this way: “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). 

 

So, for the obedient believer giving isn’t an option. The question is where or to whom to give, and how much. The Bible teaches a primary recipient should be the local church. If we are benefiting from being part of a local congregation and believe God is accomplishing His work through it, we should certainly support its staff, activities and programs. However, there are other causes that deserve to be considered. How do we determine who receives our contributions – and who doesn’t?

 

There’s no single answer to that question. Each of us has certain causes and ministries that capture our interest. We should trust God to guide our decisions, particularly since He’s the one who provided us with the resources. He might lay a special need on your heart that doesn’t resonate with someone else. We do have an obligation to give wisely, knowing our contributions are, to borrow a phrase from the Salvation Army – one of myriad worthy causes – “doing the most good.”

 

Whenever I’m faced with charitable giving decisions, I’ve found great encouragement from the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

 

This tells me, first of all, that when we give to meet a specific need as the Lord impresses us to give, we can trust He’ll be faithful to meet needs that we have. That our giving, done wisely, won’t result in not having enough for our own needs.

 

Second, if we’re giving “grudgingly,” as another translation expresses it, we’re not doing so with the right spirit and motives. We might be feeling pressured, giving out of a sense of obligation, or because other people we know are doing it. As the passage closes, “God loves a cheerful giver” – literally, a hilarious giver. That’s not someone who’s very reluctant to let loose of their money.

 

This doesn’t fully answer the question of where we should direct our charitable gifts, but it does address the “how” – cheerfully and not under compulsion, and “why” – because God commands us to do so through His Word. Unsolicited requests for donations will continue coming through the mail, just we can’t always block spam arriving in our email inbox, but at least we don’t have to feel guilty about not responding to each one we receive. 

Most of all, we must never forget “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), because as we give cheerfully and willingly, we’ll receive the joy and satisfaction of knowing God is using us to be of help to others in need. 

Considering How You Would Want to Be Treated

We see it all too often: People berating a customer service associate or cashier. Students displaying disrespect to their teachers. Faceless individuals typing insults or mercilessly bullying others on social media. Protesters shouting epithets, sometimes engaging in acts of physical violence.  

TV commentators showing little patience or respect, shouting down each other’s statements and opinions. Athletes spitting on each other. In some cities, looters breaking into stores and carrying out goods of all kinds. Hostile politicians grandstanding to demonstrate opposition to the speaker.

 

The list could go on. Depending on who they happen to agree with, observers either applaud such actions or condemn them. A couple lines from the 1966 Vietnam-era protest song by Buffalo Springfield, “For What It’s Worth,” summarized what we’re still seeing 60 years later:

“There’s battle lines being drawn

Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong…

A thousand people in the street

Singing songs and a-carrying signs

Mostly say hooray for our side….”

 

Sound familiar? Why has our society come to this? What has spawned this age when incivility has become the norm; acrimony is viewed as acceptable, even commendable behavior; and common manners and decorum have been cast into the dumpster?

 

In a time when people across the political spectrum build arguments based on their own interpretations of “the rule of law,” it seems we’ve forgotten – or dismissed – a far greater rule. It’s what we commonly know as “the Golden Rule”: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31).

 

Jesus Christ addressed this in a variety of ways. Matthew 22:36-40 records an occasion when the Pharisees, religious leaders who prided themselves on external rules-keeping, asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Perhaps they presumed He would select a particular favorite from the Ten Commandments.

 

His response wasn’t what they expected. “Jesus replied: ‘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.”

 

The first is foundational for everything, but let’s focus on the second. Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” were another way of saying, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ as the King James Version translates it. The phrase is repeated elsewhere in the New Testament, including Romans 13:8-9, Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8. 

 

Unfortunately, the prevailing mindset these days seems very different, more like, “do to others before they can do it to you.” Do whatever you feel like doing; worry about the consequences later.

 

What does it actually mean to “do to others as you would have them do to you”? Maybe the best way to answer that is to look at the last part and ask, “How do you want others to treat you?”

 

Would you want people to politely hear and respect your opinions, even if they don’t agree with them? Whether in your home, at work or another setting, would you want someone to genuinely listen to what you had to say? If you were a teacher and had spent hours preparing the lesson for the day, would you want your students to be attentive and desiring to learn? 

 

Looking at it another way, if you were a sales associate in a department store, would you want someone angrily accosting you about some grievance, even if you had nothing to do with it? If you were a law enforcement officer, would you want folks throwing objects at you simply because you’d been assigned to that area to maintain order? If you owned a retail business, would you want people breaking windows and stealing everything within reach?

 

This brings to mind the adage attributed to native Americans about walking a mile in the moccasins of another individual. Doing to others as we would have them do to us involves putting ourselves in their place, trying to understand their needs and feelings, and responding appropriately.

 

Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) illustrates this perfectly. A man, a Jew, had been robbed and beaten, left for dead. Two upright religious leaders, a priest and a Levite, saw the man but moved to the other side of the road, acting as if they hadn’t noticed them. Obviously, they never considered what if they had suffered the same plight.

 

Then a Samaritan came along and even though Jews and Samaritans weren’t exactly bosom buddies in those days, he attended to the wounded man, took him to an inn nearby and promised to pay all expenses for his care. Whether he knew the commandment or not, the Samaritan literally did for another what he would have wanted someone to do for himself.

 

Years ago, people wore WWJD bracelets representing the question, “What would Jesus do?” Maybe we need to start wearing bracelets that read, DUOAYWHTDUY – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It could help to usher in a new season of civility and compassion.

The Value of Reminding Ourselves Not to Forget

Are you a list maker? Some of us are prolific at making lists – to-do or “honey do” lists; shopping lists; daily activity lists; Christmas giving lists. But why do we devote time and effort to making lists? It’s simple: To not forget. 

Years ago, I participated in a time management course. (That’s actually a misnomer, since we really can’t “manage” time – we can only decide how to use it.) One of the main ideas of the course was to keep a comprehensive daily list of everything we either needed to do or wanted to do. Rather than maintaining separate lists for work and home, we were advised to list everything together to avoid scheduling conflicts.

 

We were even told to prioritize each one, giving some an “A” priority, meaning failure to get them done would reflect upon us negatively, or a “B” priority, meaning if that thing didn’t get done it wasn’t the end of the world. We could always move it to another day’s to-do list.

 

One of the key points concerned why we make lists in the first place: A lot of mental energy is spent simply trying to remember stuff we don’t want to forget. If you write things down, all you have to remember is to look at the list where you wrote it down.

 

While it’s helpful to use tools to boost our recall, another way of remembering is to periodically review important moments and events in our lives. This is especially true for a healthy and growing spiritual life. 

 

The Scriptures provide us with reviews of what God has done throughout history for His people. For instance, before turning over the leadership of the Israelites to Joshua, Moses recited a lengthy song of remembrance of things both good and bad. 

 

First, he reminded the people of Israel about the Lord’s unchanging character. “I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does not wrong, upright and just is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).

 

After recalling how the Israelites “acted corruptly toward Him…a warped and corrupt generation…,” Moses admonished them, “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:5-7).

 

Immediately following Moses’ death, Joshua also underscored the importance of remembrance. To the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, who had chosen not to establish their homes on the other side of the Jordan, he said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land’” (Joshua 1:13).

 

But perhaps the best examples of written reminders are the Psalms, in which King David and other psalmists repeatedly looked back on all God had done through the many generations of the people of Israel, both to praise Him for what He had done and also to refresh their memories so they could find courage to face their present circumstances. 

 

David wrote, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High…. For You have upheld my right and my cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously” (Psalm 9:1-4).

 

There were times when the king of Israel surveyed his problems and struggles and honestly questioned where God was, if He was paying attention at all. Just as we sometimes do. For instance, David began Psalm 10 with the lament, “Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?” However, later in the same psalm – almost as if searching his own memory – he stated, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry…” (Psalm 10:17).

 

The Bible offers countless other examples of how God has faithfully blessed His people and answered their prayers. These become permanent reminders we can cling to during our own times of need, pain and distress. This helps to counter our tendency to adopt a “what have You done for me lately” mentality.

 

Things are going well; we’re inclined to just take good times for granted, as if that’s what we deserve. Then a crisis emerges and we shift to panic mode. ‘Lord, where are You? I need help! Why is this happening?’ How quickly we’ve forgotten how He’s worked in our lives in the past.

 

Recently, I viewed the sermon by Joel Kovacs, pastor of 514 Church in Columbus, Ohio, speaking about the importance of praise. He said, “When we praise God, we’re putting our minds on something else [than our problems]. Praise not only puts God on the throne, but it also takes away anything that should not be on the throne…. Praise doesn’t change our circumstances. It changes our posture, which changes our perceptions. Praise doesn’t take away suffering, but it dethrones it.”

 

Reading the Scriptures and being reminded of what the Lord has done; joining fellow believers in choruses of praise during a worship service; or humming a praise song to ourselves while mowing the lawn or sweeping the floor. All are ways of remembering – reminding ourselves of who God is, what He has done, and His promises to continue being and doing the same.

 

He assured Joshua, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5), and thousands of years later the writer of Hebrews reiterated that promise: “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5).

 

I don’t know if you need this reminder, but I definitely do. Every day.

Working Out What’s Been Worked In

Did you watch any of the Winter Olympics? Even though I know absolutely nothing about figure skating, skiing, ski jumping, bobsledding or speed skating – I’ve never done any of them – it was enjoyable to watch some of the events. Especially the ones in which USA athletes were expected to do well.

 

The one thing each of them had in common was the “USA” proudly emblazoned on their uniforms. They not only were from the United States but also had devoted countless hours over many years to earn the right to represent their country.

 

As the Games went on, ads and commercials started popping up offering replicas of the uniforms and other memorabilia so fans could show their pride in the team’s accomplishments. Those are fun, but there’s a truism about buying copies of team uniforms and jerseys: They show who you’re passionately rooting for, but don’t make you an official part of the team.

 

Years ago, I bought an Ohio State football jersey that I still have. I’ve rooted for the Buckeyes for many years. But even though I often wear OSU attire, I’ve never gotten a call asking me to suit up for the Scarlet and Gray. (Good thing!)

 

In a far more profound sense, this principle applies to being a member of God’s “team.” As has been wisely observed many times, going to church doesn’t make one a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you a car. 

 

There are numerous external indicators that followers of Jesus Christ might display, attending church on a regular basis being just one of them. Others may range from reading the Bible; attending a Bible study; going on a mission trip; being able to recite some Scripture verses; even wearing Christian-oriented T-shirts or jewelry. But as we’ve all learned, outward appearances can mislead.

 

In His interactions with the Pharisees, who were about as religious and pious as anyone you’d ever meet, Jesus spoke about this in particularly stern terms: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” 

 

But Jesus wasn’t done with His rebuke. He added, “Woe to you…! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:25-28).

 

To put it into today’s vernacular, the Lord was saying in effect, “You guys like to wear the team jerseys, but you don’t even qualify to serve as waterboys on the real team!”

 

There’s an interesting verse in the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi that applies here. He exhorted believers to “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). At first glance, one might think it concerns working to attain one’s salvation. However, that’s not at all what it means. Rather, it’s about striving to work out what God has already worked into us.

 

Many Scripture passages make clear it’s impossible to earn our salvation. Theologians sometimes use the Latin terms “sola gratia” (grace alone) and “sola fide” (faith alone) to explain this. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

 

In a letter to Titus, one of Paul’s spiritual sons, the apostle also asserted, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

 

Then what is “working out your salvation” all about? If we’re not working to gain our salvation, what’s this mean? It helps to consider some of the things we receive from God when we become “born again,” as Jesus said to Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees. 

 

We could present a long list, but Galatians 5:22-23 gives some traits that every disciple of Jesus Christ should exhibit in increasing measure: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” Each of these is a quality that the Lord demonstrated in abundance during His earthly ministry. As Christ followers, we should exhibit each as well – through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

As you look at the world around you, do you see evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? I don’t see much of it. If anything, it’s clear there’s a tremendous shortage of each. Why? Because non-believers – and they’re in the majority, sadly – haven’t allowed God to work them in. So how can we expect them to work them out?

 

Jesus emphasized that His followers aren’t to judge others, “For with the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). However, He did not forbid them from being “fruit inspectors.”

 

Judas Iscariot was perhaps the best example of all. Like the other disciples, Judas had spent the better part of three years with Jesus, 24/7. He heard His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and observed His example of how to live. And yet at the very end, Judas’s greed and quest for power were his undoing. For years he had worn the ‘team jersey.’ He had looked the part. But ultimately, he betrayed the Lord – for 30 pieces of silver. 

 

Studying the Scriptures we see no evidence of love, joy, peace, etc. on display in Judas’s life. And certainly not in his death, hanging himself from a tree in remorse – but not repentance.

 

That’s a cautionary tale for us all. Are we genuinely on Jesus’ team, or do we just enjoy wearing the team jersey when it’s convenient and doesn’t interfere with how we want to live our lives the rest of the time?

Your View Can Make All the Difference

Who doesn’t like a room with a view? When traveling and staying in a hotel, it’s ideal to be assigned a room with a spectacular view of the city you happen to be in. I’ve enjoyed this on a couple of occasions, but most of the time my rooms have had windows that looked out upon boring rooftops, a highway – or even a wall. The best thing to do with views like that is to keep the curtains closed.

In the world of work, one of the indicators of status within a company or firm is having a corner office, one with windows that provide a grand vista to inspire productivity, as well as a brief diversion to reduce the stress of responsibilities and deadlines.

 

Then there are those folks fortunate enough to have hilltop homes that present exciting panoramas of natural beauty, even glorious sunrises or sunsets. Views like those can have a powerful impact on our moods and overall perspectives on life.

 

But we don’t have to travel, earn picturesque work surroundings, or afford picture-perfect homes to possess a very specific view, our own window to the world. Because whether we’re aware of it or not, we all have a worldview that shapes our thinking, attitudes and actions. The difference is that unlike a hotel room, we choose the view; it’s not chosen for us.

 

Worldviews can be shaped by countless factors: family environments, education, vocation, economics, ethnicity, traditions, political leanings, religious and spiritual beliefs – or the lack of them. They can be influenced parents, teachers, professors, people we associate with, books we read, news media and social media. Regardless of how they’re formed, worldviews serve as the lens or filter through which we perceive and understand the world around us.

 

If you’re at the gym, a restaurant, church or even at the mall and hear people engaged in conversation, it’s likely you can soon get a sense of what their worldview is. It’s not a question of whether we have a worldview – it’s a matter of what it is and how it affects how we approach life every day.

 

Sadly, many churches, pastors and even some Christian colleges and universities have allowed social and cultural shifts to impact their beliefs about God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and how we relate to the world around us. John G. West’s book, Stockholm Syndrome Christianity, offers surprising, even shocking insights about this.

 

So, as followers of Christ, what does this mean for us? There’s a temptation to let what we see in the news, opinions of commentators, posts we read on social media, and the perspectives of folks we spend time with to become our worldview-shapers. But I’m convinced the Bible – as the Lord guides us to understand it through the Holy Spirit – should be the primary factor for developing and maintaining a worldview through which we can honor and serve Him.

 

To prepare Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, God gave him these instructions: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). 

 

Granted, at the time Joshua did not have the Bible as we have it today – 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. All he had were the writings of Moses, now referred to by theologians as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Even in those holy writings, however, Joshua had a clear understanding of God’s purpose and plans, His character, and His expectations for the people who were made “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). The Lord had provided everything Joshua needed to serve as the new leader of the headstrong, often rebellious Israelites.

 

Exhorting his young protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul also emphasized the importance and centrality of the Scriptures both for everyday life and for the life to come. He stated, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

Timothy also didn’t have the entire Bible as we have it today, but he had the Old Testament, what Jews call the Torah, along with Paul’s God-inspired correspondence.

 

If the Scriptures were so valuable to Christ followers centuries ago, and God’s people thousands of years ago, shouldn’t they be equally prized by us today? I’m reminded of the famous quote by C.S. Lewis, a one-time atheist who eventually found faith in God irresistible and indispensable. He said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

 

In essence Lewis was saying that his “worldview” was founded upon Christianity as revealed in the Scriptures, helping him to interpret practical aspects of life as well as spiritual realities, being able to see God and His hand in everything he encountered.

 

We have an important question to ask ourselves: What has defined – and continues to define – our worldview? Do God and His Word have any role in that? Do we make it a practice to read, study, meditate on and memorize the Scriptures, or do we possess what one contemporary Christian song calls “a dusty Bible,” neglected and even forgotten on a shelf somewhere?

 

If our worldview is shaped by what we see on the evening news, what some agnostic professor taught us years ago, the latest bestseller, or “The View,” maybe it’s time to reassess what we truly believe and why we believe it. Our only certain source for seeing the world as God sees it is the Bible. As King David observed, drawing from a storehouse of experience, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

What Does (Or Will) Your ‘Second Half’ Look Like?

For many sports fans, whether their favorite is American football, basketball or soccer, each contest comes in two parts – a first half and a second half. In many cases the second half is most important, because that is when strategic adjustments are made based on what has happened in the first half.

 

It’s not unusual for one team to go into the locker room at halftime with a substantial lead, only to see that lead evaporate because of changes the opponent has made for the second half. And the team that is trailing at halftime can come out for the second half hopeful that adjustments they’ve made will work in their favor.

 

In a similar way, life often has two halves. For lots of folks, especially men, the first half of their lives is primarily about success. Establishing a career, climbing the corporate ladder, increasing the income, gaining recognition and a solid reputation in whatever vocation they choose. Status, prestige, affluence, power. These all can be intoxicating motivators for one’s early and middle adult years.

 

However, there often comes a time when the goals and targets we’ve set have either been achieved or lose their luster. Some start to relate to the refrain from the old Peggy Lee song, “Is that all there is?” I’ve heard many executives and entrepreneurs speak about “climbing the ladder of success, only to discover it was leaning against the wrong wall.”

 

What happens then? Many a wise person has recognized that success is fleeting. King Solomon of Israel, who wrote all or part of several books in the Bible, was acclaimed for his wisdom as well as the grandeur of his kingdom and the vast wealth he had accumulated. Yet, nearing the end of his life, he cynically concluded much of what he had accomplished was futile.

 

Solomon wrote, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

 

Tell us how you really feel, King Sol! Just verses later he added, “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun is grievous to me…. I hated all the things I had done under the sun because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19).

 

Thanks for the encouraging words, right? Well, if success isn’t all it’s supposed to be, what are we to do? This is where our ‘second half’ comes in. Rather than continuing the quest for success in whatever work God has entrusted us to perform, we can shift our focus to significance.

 

Reading Solomon’s dire musings in Ecclesiastes, it’s clear he was reflecting on the temporary nature of life. Outstanding careers and grand enterprises are built and then come to an end. This year’s star player will soon be replaced by someone else. Great companies of decades ago either disappear entirely, are absorbed by other corporations, or undergo major restructuring, often bearing little resemblance to what they once were. 

 

Unlike success, significance is something that endures long after our earthly lives have ended. This is one reason the term “legacy” has gained popularity. In fact, for years I worked for a non-profit called Leaders Legacy in which our goal was to touch lives for Jesus Christ through a unique strategy of leadership development, mentoring, coaching and team building. Ironically, Leaders Legacy no longer exists as an entity, but its impact is continuing through the lives of men, women and families it touched.

 

Okay, if success isn’t the be-all-end-all, then how do we achieve significance in the second half of our lives? This isn’t easy to answer because it’s not one-size-fits-all. But it involves using the gifts, talents and experience God has given us and passing those along to people He brings into our lives. For one person this might mean volunteering in an area of interest. It might mean mentoring someone, a younger adult or child. In serving as a spiritual mentor or disciple-maker, the age of the person doesn’t matter – what does matter is their desire to grow in their faith and understanding of how to live it out practically.

 

Once their children have grown, many people shift into the role of nurturing grandparents, again investing their wisdom and experience into the next generation. Some folks, having gone as far as they could in their careers or upon retiring, decide to pursue an avocation or passion they never had time to cultivate, something that can influence others in a positive way. This could range from coaching a youth sports team to working in a local food bank to teaching a continuing education class.

 

The apostle Paul understood this idea, what some people term “paying it forward.” Writing to his protégé Timothy, the apostle exhorted, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). That single verse represents four generations of believers, and I’m certain the spiritual genealogy of many people today traces  back to Paul and Timothy.

 

Years ago, a good friend, among many individuals who made meaningful investments into my own life spiritually, showed me an Old Testament verse that refers to benefits gained – including significance – that come from giving out of our lives to others. In Isaiah 43:4 God declares, “Since you are precious and honored in My sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life” (Isaiah 43:4).

Imagine you’re a football team that has just returned to the field from halftime, trailing by a few points. You’ve assessed what happened in the first half. The question you must answer now is, “What will your second half look like?” 

Should We Live According to ‘You Only Live Once’?

There’s no doubt about it. Social media keeps us on our toes. It seems every day there’s some new acronym being introduced, designed to save frequent users from the inconvenience of having to type messages out in full. Perish the thought that denizens of social media would be forced to do that!

 

For instance, we have LOL (laughing out loud); BTW (by the way); TMI (too much information); PDA (public display of affection); and FOMO (fear of missing out). That’s just the tip of the cyberspace iceberg. Admittedly, there are many I haven’t even heard of, but I’m not worried about keeping up to date.

 

One I find especially interesting is YOLO – you only live once. This seems to be social media’s version of the saying, “Grab all the gusto while you can.” After all, our days on this earth are numbered and pass more quickly than we’d like. Therefore, if (and “if” is a crucial word) we only live once, why not toss caution to the wind and try anything and everything we can? Finish your bucket list early.

 

Many people seem to live according to this credo. They change jobs like some folks change clothes. They jump from one relationship to another, in search of the elusive ‘Mr. or Miss Right.’ They treat life as one continuous party, shirking responsibility and insisting all that matters is having a “good time.”

 

I think of young athletes who turn professional and become instant millionaires, lacking the wisdom and experience needed to manage their riches. Acting according to YOLO, they determine to live it up, failing to realize their pro careers won’t last forever and there will be lots of living remaining afterward. The wealth which could have enabled them to live comfortable lives that most of us can only dream of has been squandered. The you-only-live-once approach to life has left some of them bankrupt, devoid of purpose and direction, and in some tragic cases, suicidal.

 

The problem with YOLO is – if we believe the Bible – it’s not true that we only live once. Hebrews 9:27-28 makes this clear: “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” 

 

Contrary to what some skeptics might believe, our final moments on earth aren’t final. Everyone will stand before the Lord and be judged, some to receive glorious eternal life, others to face eternal condemnation. Our days on earth determine the quality of our existence beyond this life.

 

Another verse states it this way: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We’ll have only two options: To receive what we deserve, punishment for our sins, or to accept the atoning sacrifice for sin that Jesus made on our behalf.

 

As Jesus said in John 5:28-29, “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out – those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

 

For followers of Jesus, those who have received Him (John 1:12) and His once-and-for-all payment for our sins, this life is merely an appetizer. The Bible doesn’t provide specific details of what life will be like on ‘the other side of eternity.’ That’s because our finite, earthbound minds couldn’t begin to comprehend what God has in store for us. We do have assurances like what 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us: “‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”

 

It’s like a parent having a very special surprise for a child, something much greater than anything he or she could ever imagine. Infinitely so. Kind of like comparing the school playground to Walt Disney World.

 

That doesn’t mean we should become so heavenly minded we’re no earthly good. God offers us each day as a gift, not only for us to enjoy but also to serve and honor Him. Instead of adopting a YOLO attitude, we’re to live in the temporal world always with an eye toward eternity. As Colossians exhorts, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Jesus explained it this way: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). In other words, when we die we can’t take whatever we have with us – but we can send it on ahead. 

Love: Who to Believe, Hallmark or the Bible?

Isn’t love grand? It’s so grand we designate a special holiday for it – Valentine’s Day. (It’s tomorrow, in case you’ve forgotten or need to make some last-minute plans.) We have many symbols for this annual celebration of love: red and pink hearts; cherubic-looking Cupids armed with amorous arrows; beautiful floral bouquets; brightly colored boxes of candy; heartwarming images of couples holding each other close, gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes.

 

Hurray for love! Or as the French say, “Vive l’amour!” But how does one find love, true love? As the old country song lamented, many folks seem to be “looking for love in all the wrong places.”

 

If we believe the ‘love gospel’ according to Hallmark, a good place to start is with a “meet cute.” A seemingly random encounter with an attractive stranger, ranging from a memorable glance or inadvertent touch to something more momentous, like spilling a drink on the other person or knocking important papers out of someone’s hands. In any event, they meet. 

 

The chance connection is soon repeated, bringing two people together whether they like it or not. Typically, they’re as different as country mouse and city mouse, but that’s no obstacle for true love, is it? Hallmark doesn’t think so. There’s conflict, but then there’s liking one another, followed by a lot of liking, and finally, falling head over heels in love – amazingly all within the span of a week or so!

 

Heartwarming scenario, right? But isn’t there – shouldn’t there – be more to love than surging hormones, emotions and physical attraction? As Proverbs 31:30 wisely observes, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Animal magnetism is short-lived.

 

Even a casual search through the Scriptures shows Hallmark’s version of love has little in common with the biblical one. One’s all about “me”: What he/she does for me, makes me feel, gives me what I need. In the Bible, however, love is much more about giving than receiving. A verse many of us have heard again and again, John 3:16, makes this clear: “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.” 

 

And this wasn’t for just a “cameo appearance,” as the movie folks would call it. He came not only to teach, perform miracles, and serve as a righteous example, but also to perform the ultimate act of love. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

 

Why would Jesus ‘take the rap’ for us? He did nothing wrong; we’ve done many things wrong, so much that Romans 3:10 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one…no one who seeks God.”  And Romans 3:23 adds, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In other words, not one of us is deserving of God’s love, forgiveness and redemption – ultimately, the promise of life after death and acceptance as members of the Lord’s eternal family. 

 

Nevertheless, in explaining what love is like from His perspective, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He made this statement within the context of teaching how we’re to love others:

“As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Now remain in My love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love…. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:9-12).

 

This doesn’t sound like the warm, gushy, sentimental type of love that’s promoted on Valentine’s Day, does it? No, it’s about selflessness and sacrifice.

 

Another passage that powerfully describes what God’s love looks like is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, a passage often used as part of wedding ceremonies. It says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud…not rude…not self-seeking…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….”

 

Wow! Some of us have a difficult enough time demonstrating the Hallmark kind of love. The others-oriented, humble kind of love presented in the Scriptures doesn’t seem difficult – it seems impossible.

 

From a human perspective, this is true. But the good news, for those of us who have committed our lives to Christ, is we don’t have to muster up the biblical form of love on our own. God never expects us that of us. Earlier in His explanation about love, Jesus made this clear. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 

In talking about “fruit,” the Lord wasn’t referring to peaches or apples. Galatians 5:22-23 details what it calls “the fruit of the Spirit,” and the very first of these cited is…love.

So, as we celebrate another Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing wrong with physical expressions of love for our spouse or partner. But we should use this day as a reminder of what God says about love. “By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).  

Advancing – and Growing – Through Adversity

There’s a common misconception being presented from some pulpits across our land that once you commit your life to Jesus Christ, it’s smooth sailing from there. After all, aren’t you a “King’s kid”? 

 

Yes, receiving Christ as Savior and Lord – being “born again” as He termed it in John 3:3 – means we become children of God. But that doesn’t mean never having to face hardships, struggles or pain. The Son of God, Jesus had “nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20); He endured extreme opposition; and suffered terrible scourging, then was crucified. If our Lord suffered, why should we be exempt?

 

In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul says part of our ‘job description’ as followers of Christ involves adversity. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Philippians 1:29).

 

Then Paul declares, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). “Sharing in His sufferings”? Bold, powerful words, right?

 

The apostle wasn’t writing from a beach resort – he was in prison, fully aware that his time on earth was nearing a close. And yet Paul didn’t complain about his circumstances. If anything, he rejoiced because of them: “…what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:12-13).

 

Even as a prisoner of Rome, Paul used every opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His message wasn’t falling on deaf ears; even his jailers were hearing and responding to the Gospel. While boldly declaring, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” he also told believers in Philippi with confidence, “I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:21,25).

 

Everyone who has participated in an exercise regimen has heard the mantra, “No pain, no gain.” To get stronger, faster, lose weight, recover from an injury, or just get in better shape, it’s going to require strain, aches and soreness. Considering how the Lord often works in our lives – especially in the hard times – we could state this a bit differently: “God doesn’t waste pain.”

 

Looking back over my life, moments I’ve grown the most spiritually have often been while experiencing adversity: major challenges at work; struggling when there was too much month and not enough money left; going through open-heart surgery; working through serious family crises. 

 

Every time I felt like giving up, crying out to God, “I can’t do this!” I’d sense Him responding, “I know, My child, but if you’ll trust Me, I will do it through you.”

 

Years ago, I had the privilege of helping a good friend write a book titled, “Advancing Through Adversity.” Mike was an entrepreneur who had worked hard to build a successful business in the tech industry. He’d committed his company to the Lord and trusted Him to guide his decisions. Still he encountered setbacks that seemed overwhelming.

 

Working through formidable problems wasn’t fun, but ultimately Mike was able to look back and see not only how God had worked to resolve those issues but also how those times served to strengthen and refine his faith. In the process, he became a much more effective witness for Christ as his employees and peers in the industry observed how he coped with one kind of adversity after another.

 

The Bible underscores the value and importance of adversity in our spiritual journey. For instance, Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

 

Later in his same letter to Christ followers in Rome, the apostle Paul made a statement most of us have heard many times: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). This might not seem the case as we’re going through hard times, and it’s sometimes tossed out carelessly as a casual platitude. Even so, it’s true, a promise from God – even though we might only recognize it in hindsight.

 

Another apostle, James, affirmed Paul’s perspective when he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

No one wants adversity. The Scriptures don’t tell us to seek it out or pray for it. But when it comes, as it inevitably does, we have the Lord’s assurance that He knows what we’re facing and will indeed use it for our good in transforming us “into the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

Telling How He Has Had Mercy on You

Another annual award show was staged on Sunday, the Grammys. (Not to be confused with the Grandmas.) In case you missed it, the show was as much about political posturing and taking “fashion” to the extreme as it was recognizing achievements of singers and musicians. I saw only highlights of it, but it was clearly a celebration for self-indulgence.

 

There was one exception: Jason Bradley DeFord, known by his fans as Jelly Roll, received three prestigious awards. His honors included Best Contemporary Country Album for his album, Beautifully Broken; Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake for "Hard Fought Hallelujah," and Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey for "Amen."

 

The difference was that instead inserting social commentary in accepting his last award, the 41-year-old singer expressed heartfelt gratitude to the ones who had literally changed his life. After winning the Grammy for his album, he credited Jesus and his wife, Alisa DeFord, in a brief acceptance speech. 

 

“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I’m listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord,” Jelly Roll started. "Second of all, I would have never changed my life without You. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you (Alisa) and Jesus. I thank you for that,” he said.

 

“There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.”

 

Then, holding up a small Bible, Jelly Roll continued, “There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a 6-by-8-foot cell. And I believed that those two things could change my life. I believed that music had the power to change my life. And God had the power to change my life.

"I want to tell y'all right now, Jesus is for everybody," he added. "Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him. I love You, Lord.!"

  

Other artists had received ovations after spouting political commentary that reinforced the prejudices of many in the audience. However, when Jelly Roll concluded there was a comparative smattering of applause. For some, their refusal to applaud signaled disdain for what he had to say. But perhaps for others, the magnitude of his mini-testimony was reverberating in their minds and hearts.

 

For all who saw his speech – it's on YouTube or the social medium of your choice – it was an unforgettable, live-and-in-person example of Jesus’ command to “…be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Even to the so-called A-list of musical entertainment.

 

Jesus told His followers – including us – that as we go about our lives, wherever we are, we’re to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). Jelly Roll did that, giving credit where it was due – to his faithful wife, and especially to his Savior and Lord. In the process, he shined the light of Christ and sprinkled the salt of the Gospel.

 

In another of the gospels we read about Jesus casting demons out of a man who had been possessed by evil for many years. After this miracle, the former demoniac asked the Lord if he could go with Him. Instead, the Lord instructed him to, “‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed” (Mark 5:19).

 

This is what He’s calling each of us to do: Tell others how much Jesus has done for us. We might not have spent years in prison for various crimes. We might not have the fame and talent of a Jelly Roll. And we might not have needed to have demons exorcised from our bodies. Our testimonies might be as simple as that of the man who was healed of blindness. When questioned by the Pharisees about what had happened, he responded simply: “…I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25).

It doesn’t matter. All around us are people who don’t know Jesus Christ, how He atoned for our sins on the cross, and how He came to offer what nothing else on earth can provide: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). They don’t know there’s a vast difference between religion and having a relationship with God through Christ. They simply don’t know what they don’t know. It’s our job to tell them if they’re willing to listen. Are we willing to do our job? 

Ever Leave Some Things Unfinished?

To paraphrase a familiar adage, “the road to failure is paved with good intentions.” Whenever we set lofty goals or start major projects, we’re usually filled with good intentions. We make plans, envision how we’ll carry them out, and imagine the final result. But have you ever started a project, became sidetracked, and somehow never got around to finishing it? 

It might be accurate to say that anyone who’s never started something without finishing it clearly hasn’t attempted to do very much. Whether it’s constructing a birdhouse, creating a painting or sculpture, renovating a house, doing some knitting or crocheting, making household repairs, or writing a book, there are times when the good intentions we had at the outset are forgotten or discarded. Maybe it’s being distracted, discouraged, or simply having determined it wasn’t worth the effort.

 

I’ve had the privilege of writing, co-authoring and editing more than 20 books, but I’ve also started a few that never got finished. Maybe I’ll get back to a couple of them, I keep telling myself, but one or two that started off as ‘good ideas’ turned out to be not good enough.

 

Have you ever driven down a highway and noticed a building that appears only half-finished? Judging from the state of incompletion and the weeds surrounding it, it seems someone either ran out of money, initiative, or both. 

 

Jesus Christ referred to this while talking with His disciples about the cost of following Him. He was explaining the sacrifices that might be necessary – “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be My disciple…” (Luke 14:26). Then He switched to a metaphor:

 

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:29-30).

 

Sadly, there have been many who seemed to have responded to Jesus’ offer of salvation and redemption with great enthusiasm, only to take a detour at some point down the road. That’s a topic for another day.

 

Thankfully, the God we worship and serve has no problem with finishing things. We see this emphasized throughout the Scriptures, starting with the very first chapter: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good…. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work” (Genesis 1:31-2:2). 

 

When Jesus was completing His three-year ministry, going to the cross to become the once-and-for-all atoning sacrifice for our sins, His last words were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). He wasn’t thinking about his final breath, because three days later He was resurrected from the dead. Jesus was saying the work He had come to do was completed. As Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Just as the Bible’s first book shows God finishing His work of creation, its final book does so as well. Showing the apostle John in a vision that one day there will be a new heaven and a new earth to replace the first heaven and earth, the Lord instructed him, “‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true…. It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…’”(Revelation 21:5-6).

 

But there’s another important aspect about God’s unfailing commitment to finishing what He’s started. It pertains to you and me, directly and personally. Writing to encourage believers in ancient Philippi, the apostle Paul made this assertion: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

 

Once you have responded to the Lord’s loving offer of mercy and grace, so that we won’t receive what we do deserve and will receive what we don’t deserve, it’s like He puts a sign on our backs reading, “Under Construction.” Because what theologians term “justification” – the act of being saved – is just the start of our spiritual journey. For the remainder of our days, we’ll be experiencing “sanctification,” the day-to-day process of being transformed into the image of Christ.

 

There are days, I know, when it doesn’t seem like anything’s happening. It might even feel like for every two steps we take forward, we take 3-4 steps back. But from God’s perspective we’re right on schedule. Like a master painter laboring day after day to create an unforgettable work of art, the Lord’s busily removing all our rough edges and adding polish where needed, “carrying it on to completion.”

 

One of my favorite verses in the Bible fills me with amazement every time I read it. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when [Jesus] appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). In other words, if you’re reading this, the Lord’s promise to you is, “I’m not finished with you yet.”

Do People Know You as Being ‘Without Wax’?

“Are You Sincere?” Vocalists have been asking this in song since 1958. Crooner Andy Williams was the first to record the tune, but many others have covered it over the years since, including The Platters, Bobby Vinton, Elvis Presley and Charley Pride – names oldsters like me recognize.

 

It’s an appropriate question for each of us, in a much broader sense: Are you – am I – sincere? To answer this, it might help to clarify what it means to be sincere. Dictionaries offer various definitions – free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings; not dishonest or hypocritical; honest, not lying.

 

An AI overview explains, “A sincere person is genuine, honest, and real…words, actions, and feelings are true and not pretending or deceitful, building trust and showing integrity through authenticity and transparency. They match inner beliefs with outer expressions, making them straightforward and reliable.”

 

Based on these descriptions, how many sincere people do you know? Do they describe you?

 

One reason for considering this is because sincerity is a quality the Bible says followers of Jesus Christ should exhibit. Writing to the church in ancient Philippi, the apostle Paul said he was praying “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:9-11).

 

Paul packs a lot in that single sentence, but a word that stands out is “pure.” He uses it later in the same letter, urging his readers to, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’…” (Philippians 2:15).

 

Another word he could have used is sincere, which we get from the Latin “sine cera,” literally meaning “without wax.” But what’s that got to do with being pure? 

 

This term was used in the ancient world, referring to a practice by which sculptors filled cracks in marble with wax. It was also used to correct pottery flaws, which then were covered over to conceal the repairs. A piece of sculpture or hand-crafted container labeled “sine cera” had no added wax; it retained its original, flawless integrity. 

 

Reading the Scriptures we often find words such as pure and sincere associated with those who profess faith in Jesus Christ. He’s the example for our own character and behavior. As Hebrews 7:26 describes Him, “Such a high priest meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). If ever there were someone who walked the earth “without wax,” it was Jesus.

 

We find biblical admonitions to be pure and sincere in many contexts. Writing to believers in Corinth, a cosmopolitan city known for its pagan practices, the apostle Paul cited his credentials for teaching God’s truth. “…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way…in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love…” (2 Corinthians 6:6).

 

Warning his protégé Timothy to stand up against false teachings, Paul stated, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). And addressing believers who had been enslaved, the apostle admonished them to demonstrate Christlike character despite their circumstances: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ” (Ephesians 6:5).

 

Another apostle, James, described what the outward expression of one’s inner faith should look like: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). Being “pure and faultless” included acts of mercy and compassion, coupled with avoiding ungodly influences that surrounded them.

 

Yet another apostle, Peter, referred to these qualities for, “God’s elect, strangers in the world…. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy’….” These weren’t to be virtues confined to private piety but rather shown in how they interacted with others: “Now that you have purified your souls by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart…” (1 Peter 1:1,15,22).

 

The weight of these passages and others like it should challenge us in our own faith. Am I sincere in how I conduct myself each day, exhibiting purity of heart, spirit and behavior? Am I “without wax”?