Coffee With The Lord

Interested in adventure books? I especially like books about climbing expeditions. I remember reading INTO THIN AIR by Jon Krackauer… Loved it! Well today in my “Coffee with the Lord” post I’m recommending another book of the same basic genre. If you’ve read and enjoyed Krackauer’s book and you’re a disciple of Jesus, you’ll REALLY enjoy this one! It’s entitled THE SUMMIT and was written by Eric Alexander, a world class climber, who is noted for having climbed Mt. Everest and having guided his blind friend, Eric Weihenmayer, to summit it. The book is FILLED with discipleship (and leadership) lessons learned in the process.
Alexander makes a big point in THE SUMMIT of the risks involved in mountain climbing in general and especially what are called “the Eight-Thousanders” (mountains taller than 8,000 meters). A moment of presumption, a thoughtless error, an overlooked detail, or a precaution neglected can mean death! Imagine the responsibility of guiding a blind person on such a climb!
All of this came to mind as I read Apostle Paul’s words this morning in Ephesians 5:15-21…
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil! Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit! Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and make melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
The same care and vigilance a world-class climber needs to use… we need to use in our discipleship – our walk with the Lord! That doesn’t mean it should be a somber, dour experience… It does mean we approach our daily walk with the Lord seriously aware of the temptations, the potential pitfalls, the Spiritual errors we can make, and most of all, our “adversary” (Satan). But it is also a journey with enriching fellowship, uplifting experiences, joy, laughter, and gratitude! (Read Eric Alexander’s book! It’s available on Kindle.)

Had a new job working with some very dangerous stuff… the guy orienting me to my responsibilities warned me about some safety issues and pretty much scared me “half-to-death” … he cared!
Had a loving dad… I remember the day he sat me down and we had a talk about some “guy issues” (some things to watch out for – some things to avoid – moral pitfalls) … he pretty much put “the fear of the Lord” in me… grateful to this day!
Read a passage of Scripture this morning where the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, does pretty much the same thing… Contemporary Christians do well to read it carefully and reflect on its message. (Believe me, it was a healthy reminder for me this morning!) It’s not a negative message, delivered by someone to mess up your freedom in Christ… It’s a positive message, sent by a loving God, warning us of pitfalls, designed to bring moral freedom and maximum effectiveness to our Christian life…
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children! And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light!” (Ephesians 5:1–8 ESV)
Thanks God! As a Christian living in a spiritually confused and morally corrupt culture… I needed that reminder – that warning! I’m a “child of God” and I want to live like it!

Authentic Christianity – the real thing – is not only a PERSONAL relationship with the Lord, it is also a RELATIONAL thing with others! Community counts! That’s one of the reasons that Jesus warned in the “Sermon on the Mount”, “If you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses!” (Matthew 6:14-15). Apostle John reinforced this by saying, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20-21)

Thought about that as I read the following passage from Ephesians this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”…

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:25–32 ESV)

Look at the relational stuff in that passage! Lying is a relational sin! Anger with another person can give the Devil a foothold in your life! Stealing is a relational sin! A positive work ethic and a generous spirit go together! Our mouths should produce uplifting, grace-giving stuff to others (and if they don’t God’s Spirit that seals us for “the day of redemption” can be grieved)! And finally, I need to watch my attitude to others and get rid of anything and everything that is damaging to positive, Christ-honoring relationships! Instead, kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness need to flow like a river and be just as graciously extended to others as the abundant grace that I received from the Lord.”

Tall order, I know! But I want to live that way! My Christianity must be more than personal … It involves my relationship to YOU! I never want to forget that!!