Coffee With The Lord

Temptation to sin and compromise Christian values are everywhere! Friends who claim to be “Christ-followers” really living their lives fundamentally no different than the pagan culture around them. Religious groups claiming to be “Christian” tolerating (even approving) things the Scriptures clearly teach as sin. And this week I read a statistical study that revealed fewer and fewer people are abandoning the Church and their personal Christian faith!

If you’re seeking to be a “devoted, obedient follower of Jesus” (a “disciple” – an authentic “Christian”) the challenge is getting greater every day… every year!

What to do? My Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” prompted me to jot a few key principles in the margin of my Bible under the title: “Walking with the Lord in a Pagan Culture”… Here are the principles…

1. Be careful about your lifestyle

2. Exhibit godly wisdom

3. Be discerning in your use of time and activities

4. Live a Spirit-empowered life

5. Worship the Lord continually

6. Give thanks to God always and for everything

7. Humbly submit first of all to Christ, and then to others

Where did I get that, you ask? Here it is right out of the Bible…

“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, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making 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, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV)

As wickedness and apostacy increase, as the Bible prophesies, I’ve got to tell you I want passages like this to be my moral and spiritual compass before the Lord returns!

What it means to be a “disciple” – a “follower of Jesus!”

“And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?’”  (Luke 9:23–25 ESV)

We just finished celebrating “Father’s Day”… I tell you, the person who has had a strong, godly, loving father is incredibly blessed!…  One who loves unconditionally, forgives generously, parents wisely, disciples continually and worships authentically!!  I had a dad like that and I am grateful to this day for His example and investment in my life!

My Bible reading today – the day after “Father’s Day” – emphasized the example of my “Heavenly Father” and His incredible self-giving, sacrificial love!  It’s a brief passage but oh so profound…

“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.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Here is what immediately came to mind today when I read those verses…

“God SO LOVED the world that He gave His only son…” (John 3:16)

Oh, I want to emulate the self-giving, self-sacrificing, overflowing love of my Heavenly Father!  As a parent it will impact and influence my children, grandchildren (and others) more than all the strong-armed, threatening techniques in the world!  Discipline is necessary but it even works best when it oozes love!  Truth and convictions must be shared and taught but they communicate most powerfully when they are motivated by the love of God, love for God, and love for others.

God did not hold back… He sent heaven’s best – our Savior – on our behalf!  Jesus loved us and gave Himself up for us!  What an example!

Oh, let me tell you… I want to “imitate God” on this score!  I want every day of my life to “walk in love!”  Do I have help in this regard… You bet I do, His Spirit is at work within me producing godly love… In fact, “The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE…” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Hey, it’s the day after “Father’s Day” and I’m working on imitating my Heavenly Father!