A Life Worthy

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

Well, I guess you’re not going to Heaven.

No offense–neither am I.

At least not in our own strength.

Jesus saw these people doing their utmost to follow the letter of the law.  They dotted every I, crossed every T, strained every gnat.  But it wasn’t enough. It never could be. And, they focused so hard on the minutiae that they missed the big picture–

God’s righteous.

Our wretchedness.

Beloved, are you still trying to do this on your own?  Still hoping that if you just work a little harder or read a little closer or pray a little harder that you will arrive?

You know it doesn’t work that way.

You need the righteousness of Christ.  And hey, good news!  He’s got enough to spare, and he’s willing to share if you’ll just ask him.

Enough righteousness to get you into Heaven.

Enough righteousness to get you through Tuesday.

So go ahead, ask him.  I’ll wait.

…

…

…

There, that’s better. You’re looking good, Beloved.

Happy Tuesday.

I’m taking a sick day.  I hope you’ll put up with a repeat from a couple of years back…

You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven  (Matthew 5:14).

This little light of mine, I’m gonna…

Sorry.

You know, sometimes I don’t want to let my light shine.  It just seems so little, so dull—I can’t imagine anyone glorifying God because of it.

I’m sure you never feel that way.  Just humor me.

I am writing this from atop Zanja Peak, a wannabe mountain a few miles from my home.  It’s 11:00 PM, and I’m in the middle of a night hike.  As I worked my way up here, I remembered something.  Nature gets dark at night.  Really dark.  So dark that if Mandibles of Death, the fluffy yet vicious golden retriever, weren’t with me, I might be a tad trepidatious.

I have a headlamp, and yes I do look silly wearing it.  That’s not the point.  The point is, at home the light looks pretty mild.  Wimpy, really. I sometimes have to double check to make sure it’s on.  Out here, in the ohsovery darkness, it’s a different story.  As I hike along, if I hear something go bump/slither/growl/snarl in the night, I click my trusty headlamp and the world is ablaze with light.  It’s so bright that my night vision is ruined for several minutes, which can be an adventure all its own, but that is also not the point.

This world is pretty dark, spiritually speaking. That little light of yours may not be much to you.  To a lost soul, it may seem like the very glory of God.

Which, in a way, it is.

Shine for him today, Beloved.

Happy Friday.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven(Matthew 5:10).

Did you ever read Foxe’s Book of Christian Martyrs?  It tells the stories of men and women who suffered death—in various gruesome forms—rather than deny the name of Christ.

Intense.

And humbling.

I have never been threatened with death for following Jesus. Chances are, neither have you.  Throughout history there has been persecution.  Even today, there are many in the world that risk imprisonment or worse for following Christ.  

But not here.

Not now.  

For better or for worse, we live in a society that allows us to worship God openly, without fear of reprisals.

For the moment, anyway.

I’d like to think that, if real persecution came, I would stand firm, braving whatever might come with a song of praise on my lips.

I’d like to think that.

But I just don’t know, do I? Frankly, I sometimes crumble in the face of the micropersecutions that do come my way.

The odd look.  The occasional raised eyebrow.  A little mocking because I don’t speak or act in the way that the world does.  It’s amazing how little it sometimes takes to send me packing.

Today, as we head out into our respective Wednesdays, let us act in such a way that we stand out for Christ.  If that results in persecution, let us embrace it and rejoice.

Stand out.

Stand up.

Stand firm, Beloved.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).

Your heart is not pure.

You will not see God.

Happy Monday.

Well, aren’t we glad that there’s more to the story than that.  Of course your heart is not pure; you know good and well what goes on in there.  I’m in the same boat, and so is everyone you know. And everyone you don’t.

Praise God that he doesn’t leave us in that boat.

God wants us to see him.  He wants us to have fellowship with him.  And he knows that’s not going to happen if we are left to ourselves.  So he cleanses us, he renews us, he gives us that pure heart that allows us to see him.

If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Before you go out into your Monday, do yourself a favor—get your heart right before God.  Confess what needs confessing, address what needs addressing, let him purify your heart.

Then get ready to see.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Father, grant me the hunger that only you can satisfy,

the thirst that only you can quench.

Create in me an emptiness that you alone can fill.

Sometimes I think I’m complete

but I’m not;

I’m just crowded.

Father of all desire

let me crave

You.