Coffee With The Lord

“Paradigm” or “Paradigmatic” – Big words! A paradigm is a typical example or pattern of something; a model. If something (or someone) is paradigmatic it serves as a typical example or model of something.

ENOCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS PARADIGMATIC FOR DISCIPLESHIP! … The Bible says, “Enoch WALKED with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (I just read it this morning in Genesis 5:24!)

Discipleship consistently in Scripture is described as a WALK! It’s not a sprint – you can’t jump into a high powered spiritual vehicle and speed to “Christ-likeness’ – You can’t board a heavenly trans-cosmic airline and shortcut the challenges to get to Heaven. In discipleship it’s one step with God after another – a day-by-day journey – even moment-by-moment and event after event! Sometimes it may seem tedious and a bit boring. Other times it’s exciting and challenging. Even when the word “run” is used in the Bible in the context of discipleship, the exhortation is “run with patience.” (Hebrews 12:1) It is Paul’s favorite word for the Christian life in Ephesians (2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15).

Enoch “walked with God” for over 300 years… before there was a Bible or other spiritual resources, before there were regular “church services,” before there were “pastors.” One day as he “walked with God” he was no more on earth – “the Lord took him!” Even the idea of being “caught away” into heaven to be with the Lord is a part of Enoch’s account!

Gotta tell you… I’ve decided to “walk with God!” Today, tomorrow – this year and the ones that follow – wherever He leads, whatever it takes! And I’ll look forward to the day I’m caught away to be with the Lord (as was Enoch) … Yup, ENOCH IS “PARADIGMATIC” FOR CHRISTIANS!

SUSTAINED INTEGRITY… It’s a big deal!

Some people exercise integrity intermittently … when others are watching, periodically, when things are going well, or when it’s convenient or easy. It’s quite another thing to exhibit “sustained integrity!”

Job exhibited “SUSTAINED INTEGRITY!” The Lord’s confidence in Job’s faith and character is again confirmed. First Satan destroyed everything precious to Job – his possessions and even killed his children (check out Job 1:6-22). Now, however, Satan is permitted to attack him physically with pain. And he maintained his integrity even in the face of his wife’s frustrated advice!

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lordsaid to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? HE STILL HOLDS FAST HIS INTEGRITY, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.’ Then Satan answered the Lordand said, ‘Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ IN ALL THIS JOB DID NOT SIN WITH HIS LIPS!” (From Job 2:1–10 ESV)

With the Lord’s help and empowerment, I want to be like Job – exhibiting SUSTAINED INTEGRITY!

It’s a popular argument… “The only reason people serve the Lord is because of the benefits and blessings they receive! Take those away and they’ll quit serving God in a minute!”

It’s an old argument – as old as the conversation and accusation Satan had with God Himself about ancient Job (Job 1:8-11)…

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

That argument “didn’t hold water” then – and it hasn’t “held water” since then, and it doesn’t “hold water” today! The case studies that rebut that argument abound!

I have had the privilege of ministry all over the world… I can tell you that some of the most devoted followers of the Lord serve Him REGARDLESS! Regardless of their annual income – they’re “dirt poor!” Regardless of gains – many have suffered loss! Regardless of popularity – they’re persecuted!” Regardless of unjust accusation – they’re often ridiculed! Regardless of the benefits – they’re viewed as having little or none! Regardless of health – many of them suffer pain! The fact is, with devotion, love, and faith they serve the Lord REGARDLESS! They are the noble “children of Job” and the Lord is proud to point out their faithfulness. They REFUTE the stupid arguments of “the Enemy!” They are those “Who are faithful unto death and receive a crown of life!” (Revelation 2:10) They are the ones who know “NOTHING can separate them from God’s love!” (Romans 8:35-39) They are the noble heirs of the faith of those in Hebrews 11 (especially verses 29-40)!

And as I stand on the cusp of 2023, I want to follow their noble example in all that life brings… all that Satan throws at God’s people… Don’t you?