Not Too Difficult?

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. (Deut 30:11)

A remarkable statement, given that Moses had just finished reading the entire Book of the Law to the people of Israel. I would have been daunted by it; I’m sure they were too. And today we know how it turned out – they failed miserably. Why did Moses think they could do it? Verse 14 contains the answer, "The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart that you may obey it." Their hearts were stirred by the reading of the Law, but they soon grew cold again. We have a profound advantage over the Israelites – Jesus Christ has given each of us a new heart, fresh and clean. And he has taken up permanent residence there.

It took thirty chapters for Moses to lay out all the provisions of the Law for the people, but in verse 19 he summarized it for them quite simply, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blesses and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Jesus is Life. Jesus is the Bread of Heaven that nourishes my soul. I choose Jesus.

Plowing Straight Ahead

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62)

Anyone who looks backwards while he is plowing will plow a very crooked furrow. We can’t serve God effectively if we keep looking back at the life we left behind to follow him. If I am going to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ I need to be “all in.” Complete commitment requires singleness of purpose. Lord, forgive me for the many distractions I entertain along the way. I am “all in” for your cause. I will keep my eyes on you. Lead and I will follow. Amen.

True Friends

A man of many companions comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Pro 18:24)

Companions are people who are just along for the ride. There is no commitment. As soon as it’s not fun anymore they are gone. If these are the only kind of relationships we cultivate, when hard times come we are going to be in trouble. A true friend is committed. True friends love each other and will stand by each other in hard times. I must make it my business to cultivate true friendships with other men. In our society the male culture is a companion culture. This is not good. I must work to overcome the desire to stay safe and distant, uncommitted to those around me. The best way to make a friend is to be one. I must demonstrate my commitment. And the truest friend of all is Jesus. Lord Jesus, help me to be like you: to love others selflessly and to be faithful to them when hard times come.

Being in the Fight

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Rev 12:11)

I don’t tend to think about the spiritual warfare that is always going on around us. I feel as though I am far from the front lines, but no one is. To win in battle you first need weapons, which we have: the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. But you also need to be willing to wade into the fight despite the risk of death. Lord, help me to be that committed to you and to your calling on my life.

Dead in All the Wrong Ways

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Rev 3:1b)

This hits uncomfortably close to home. For the past couple of years I feel like I have been going through the motions. No outward sign of any overt sin, but inwardly a poor attitude and little commitment. This One on One with God study has really helped me refocus on living for the Lord. I want to be dead to sin and alive to Christ! (Rom 6:11)

As in the Beginning

Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love. (Rev 2:4)

It seems inevitable that our initial ardor will cool somewhat over time. We see this almost universally in new believers. It is also our common experience in other human relationships and interests. Are we being asked to overcome this universal tendency? I’m not so sure. I think what we need to recover is not the emotional high we first experienced when we came to know Christ, but the depth of our commitment. True Biblical love is not an emotion but an act of the will to honor and serve another. In that sense, too, we have often forsaken our first love. We have let the cares of life and its distractions draw our focus and commitment away from God. Let us in that sense return to our first love. With passion, yes, but more importantly with devotion and single-mindedness of purpose, let us recommit ourselves to God our Savior, who loves us with an everlasting love.