Let All That We Are Praise The Lord!

 

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17 NLT) Charles Finney, in Power From On High, writes that Christians find their highest enjoyment and truest pleasure in pleasing God and seeking good of others. He argues that enjoyment is not about what you seek but what you experience as a result of choices that are wise. [1] Like love is the fruit of moving towards other in self-sacrifice, true enjoyment comes not from entertainment but by making wise choices that bear fruit in your life that you enjoy. Most entertainment that people seek out is empty and vain. Charles Finney goes further to argue that seeking amusements unless they are rooted in God’s leading and purposes, is sin. Running after amusements can be the same as running after money as the promise of joy always eludes you as you pursue it. Short thrills and sensory seeking just lead to trying and seeking out greater thrills. The short “high” of enjoyment just leads to desiring more and can be a means of escape of reality and lead to bondage just the same as any other addiction. Paul notes that godliness with contentment is greater than any wealth as we can’t take anything with us when we leave. Rather, he suggests being rich in good works and generous to those in need so we sore up treasures in heaven (1 Timothy 6:6,17-19). When we are involved in good works and generousity, there is an unexplainable richness of soul. We bubble up with joy. In 1 Timothy 4:1-4, Paul warns that in the last times, people will turn away from true faith and instead, follow deceptive spirits and teachings that are demonic. They will make their religion about rules of not eating certain foods, not being married and other denials (like not allowing any entertainment or dancing for example). He says, “Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.” With wholesome entertainment, there is time for self-denial and avoiding certain foods or pleasures, but it is not to be what our lives are about. Our lives are to be lived in thanksgiving and celebration of the Lord and all He gives to us. We were created to enjoy life together and find enjoyment in life. At the same time as not making our lives about rules of self-denial, we are to “run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.” ( 2 Timothy 2:22). Things that would be dishonoring to God and opposing of the gospel are not entertainment, they are sin. Much we see on TV these days is full of taking the Lord’s name in vain and finding our worth in how we look, how much money we have, how famous we are, or other lusts of the flesh and pride of life. There is no time that these are good, nourishing or cause us to flourish. Walking in the world’s ways will never bring us joy or freedom. Ultimately, what is good will connect us with God and draw us closer to Him. Sin is anything that separates us from God. Denials of distractions, detractions, and even good things can be good when they strengthen our relationship with the Lord and help us to refocus. In the same way, the opposite, feasting or celebrations can be good when they strengthen our relationship with the Lord and help us to refocus. Paul warns Timothy that in the last times that many fall away from their relationship with the Lord. They proclaim to follow Jesus but reject the true gospel. Because of having the superficial form but not the formation of the gospel, they will be ungrateful, disobedient, proud, scoffing at God and in love with themselves and their money. They will lack self-control and self-denial, be reckless, pride filled and love pleasure over God. Ultimately, he summarizes that they will reject the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives that would transform them, making them godly and setting them free from bondage, for a do it themselves Christianity. He says they will have shame over their sin and guilt but then are manipulated from those who claim to have the answer through following teachings and practices that lack power. He notes that such folks have a depraved mind and a counterfeit faith. (2 Timothy 3:1-9) Scripture is inspired and useful to teach what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It has power to teach us to do what is right and good works. (2 Timothy 3:16). Yet, Scripture by itself does not transform lives. We know this from the Pharisees and Lawyers who studied the law and missed Jesus all together. It is the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word that corrects us and teaches us, transforming us and equipping us for every good work. Coming back to my initial topic, we need to consider the intent of our hearts and be led by the Holy Spirit to determine if something is good or not. When we exercise self-control, it is to honor God. And when we celebrate, it is to honor God. All things should bring us back to our relationship to Christ. Psalm 103:22 declares, “Let all that I am praise the Lord.” Paul tells Titus in Titus 1:15, “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciousness are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” Paul warns in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 of a time coming in the last times where people follow their own desires rather than the genuine gospel. They go wherever they hear what validates them and makes them feel good, rejecting the truth while chasing myths. They will covet and be led by want and craving rather than by the Spirit—giving and serving out of an overflow. I have heard someone suggest that there is a “higher perspective” of the Bible. They are choosing to live according to their own ways and call it higher and superior to God’s ways. They twist the gospel to gain their own desires. They see biblical ways as keeping them from their destiny or happiness and what they don’t realize is that they have totally lost their way and their wants, cravings and desires are guiding them. Sometimes avoidance of hardship, sacrifice and difficulty also cause people to lose their way. We see this in the gospel with those who deserted Jesus and those who deserted Paul when he went to prison. They turned and ran from the purposes of God when it became difficult and they risked suffering personal loss. Paul reminds us that, in following the gospel, we will be persecuted, suffer difficulty and be called on sacrifice for the good of others. We cannot expect that following Jesus is all about our comfortability and personal gain. Rather, it is about His Kingdom coming forth in its fullness. All that we do, should align with His purposes. Sometimes, we can act like difficulty is such a surprise and, rather than embrace it as an opportunity to glorify God and give thanks for Him in it for this, to be resentful for suffering. But what we do in difficult times also determines our destiny. Do we keep our eyes on Him and allow it to draw us closer to God? Or, do we fall away from lack of trust, focusing on self rather than God? I was reading in Revival Today that Bob Jones would teach his students, ““Your character is what God knows you to be; your reputation is what men think you are; and the test of your character is what it takes to stop you.” [2] Stopping has to do with what we refuse to surrender. Where do we get stuck when the Kingdom of God unearths our own kingdom? Like Paul, John the Baptist and all the disciples who followed Jesus, they were unstoppable because the Kingdom of God was first in their hearts. They surrendered their own kingdom pride, power, reputation, wealth, status, and even relationships---all, for the Kingdom of God to come forth in greater measure out of their love and passion for Christ and in fulfillment of their purpose. Finney writes, “One should not ask whether the longing should be gratified, but whether it should not be displaced by a longing for the glory of God and His kingdom.”[3] God desires to bring us to a flourishing finish. And, as His main goal is to bring forth His Kingdom, we flourish when we are in line with His Kingdom purposes. We need to surrender all that does not line up with His will. Lord, align us with Your purposes for this hour. Help us to focused and intentional in serving you. Displace everything that is not your will with Kingdom priorities. Let our lives please You and bring You glory. 1. Finney, Charles. Power from on High: What It Is and How to Obtain It (p. 60). CLC Publications. Kindle Edition. 2. Goetsch, John; Birt, Nathan. Revival Today: 365 Challenging Devotions from Revival History (p. 339). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition. 3. Finney, Charles. Power from on High: What It Is and How to Obtain It (p. 57). CLC Publications. Kindle Edition.