This post by Chuck Swindoll is really good! … I can tell you about some of the times I wish I’d have heeded it!
And then this morning from my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” this wonderful spiritual advice from Apostle Paul on a similar subject…
How we “behave” in a polarized culture where voices are strident, accusations abound, and minor differences become major disagreements (even over minor difference of opinion with fellow Christians)!
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies! You know they breed quarrels. Ant the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting opponents with gentleness.” (From 2 Timothy 2:23-25a ESV)
This morning I think I hear Apostle Paul saying, “Com-on! Listen up, ya-all! Lower your voice!”
REPURPOSING A GARBAGE CAN… Can you imagine it? It’s a vivid scene to be sure (depending on what was in the can AND the cleansing capability and determination of the person tackling the task – cleansing and repurposing the can […like my wife, Sharon, cleans for example – believe me, there’s “clean” and then there’s “Sharon clean!])
First off, you’ve got to get rid of the big, obvious garbage on the outside and inside of the can… then you examine more closely and tackle the next level garbage… then you get something to wipe out and scrape off the “crud” along the sides and bottom of the can… and finally out comes the detergent disinfectant with the scouring pads… The goal? Clean! – REALLY CLEAN!!
Got the picture? I imagined to process based upon what I read in my Bible this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” – 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay – some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefor, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy – useful to the master of the house ready for every good work!”
In this case we’re not talking about “Sharon clean” – It’s a cooperative effort – The searchlight of the Holy Spirit and the cooperative willingness of the one desiring and yielding to the cleansing! “Search me O God, and know my heart – try me and know my thoughts – and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
And the result of the process? “If we confess our sins [cooperate with the “cleanser”) He is faithful and jus to forgive us our sins and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (1 John 1:9) … “a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy – useful to the master of the house ready for every good work!”
So this is what I wrote in the margin of my Bible this morning: “Oh Lord, I want to be a vessel of honor! I open myself up to your searching eyes and seek your divine cleansing from all that defiles! Help me! I want “clean hands and a pure heart!” (Psalm 24:3-5)
After yesterday’s post and my reading further in Proverbs 8 (verses 12-21) I sat down and prayerfully crafted the following 7 principles. No claim is made for their perfection – they do flow however out of my commitment to Christ, to Scripture, to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and love for the Church and fellow Christians. Hope they are a blessing!!
HAVING AND EXHIBITING GODLY “WISDOM”…
Trusting what the Bible teaches (both O.T. and N.T. rightly interpreted regarding life-issues)
The transformative work of the Gospel within both mind and heart (cp. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Colossians 2:2-3)
The example and teaching of Christ regarding life issues
Godly counsel (from those whose lives exhibit a righteous lifestyle and their ability to make wise decisions)
The inner prompting, guidance and witness of the Holy Spirit
A personal life-commitment and determination to do what is pleasing to God
The collaborative example of the Church regarding wise choices in keeping with these principles.
Godly “Wisdom” embraces what accords with these principles and repudiates and rejects what is contradictory to them.
Coffee With The Lord 