Coffee With The Lord

Every day we hear of some famous or important person whose reputation is ruined because it is discovered their “public persona” – their “image” – does not match their private life.

My Bible reading this morning included a passage that emphasized, if I expect to maintain any kind of a valid witness as a Christian there are two aspects of my life that are important: The personal dimension, and my life in public. Peter wrote to scattered Christians all over the ancient Roman empire who had faced persecution for their faith. This is what he urged them to do…
“Dear Christian friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans (i.e. those who are NOT Christ followers) that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (from 1 Peter 2:11–12 NIV)

There are many things that “war against our soul.” Many of them are not necessarily sinful but they distract from, diminish, and leach away spiritual vitality. Others are marginal activities or outright “sinful desires” and should not be entertained by a devoted follower of Jesus. They should be viewed as enemies and Peter says “they war against the soul.” They are a part of our personal lives! But if care is not exercised the results of neglect will be seen in our public lives. We know what they are… the Bible identifies many of them and the Holy Spirit convicts us of others!

But out public testimony is also important! Peter stresses that our lives should be so blameless that even if we are false accused, there is absolutely no evidence to support the accusation. We live honorable lives, filled with good deeds, that causes even our accusers to be silenced and some to even eventually come to faith in Christ because of our blameless behavior!

So my prayer today? Oh Lord help me on both counts… A personal life that is painstakingly pure, and a public lifestyle and witness that is blameless… And all for the glory of God regardless of the temptations or trials I am facing every day!

The passage in my Bible reading today prompted this warning: “Beware of the ‘bully pulpit!’” Now I’m very aware of the related adage: “The power of the bully pulpit!’” The fact is, both are true! People can be moved deeply and influenced powerfully by a persuasive, emotional act of polished oratory. They can be moved so profoundly that they will overlook the hypocritical character of the speech giver and ignore flaws in his/her logic. At no time of the year is this more evident than during an election cycle. Often the sad fact is, what does a political speech have to do with reality? Answer? Very often NOTHING!!! There is a word that could be used to describe it…. “Palaver!” Lies and empty promises wrapped in entertaining rhetoric!

Christians need to especially careful! I read an account in the Bible this morning that illustrates the power of the “bully pulpit” AND the risks… The Bible records…

“On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last… But the word of God increased and multiplied!” (Acts 12:21–24 ESV)

Harod’s speech was powerful! It was what the crowd wanted to hear! It fed his exalted ego! But God was not pleased with it – and God held this secular leader accountable for it!

On the other hand, those who preached the truth… Those who proclaimed the gospel of Christ were being persecuted… God judged the one message severely, the other He honored! “But the word of God increased and multiplied!” Believe me when I say, I know which message I’m going to believe and put stock in!

It seems like a newborn infant is created with a desire – a longing – for the very thing that will be most nourishing and result in healthy growth – mother’s milk.  If that is absent, great attempts are made to create or encourage the development of that desire!  As the child develops, it is a tragedy to see the desire for “junk food” replace what will really nourish and satisfy healthy development.  In fact, to some degree at least, a child’s natural appetite as he/she matures can be suppressed and replaced by that which does not adequately nourish.  That is unfortunate!

From a spiritual standpoint, I’m convinced “new birth” (i.e. spiritual rebirth – John 3:1-8), brings with it innate spiritual desires and longings for what will truly satisfy and bring healthy maturation.  Spiritual “babies” who have been truly “born again” naturally desire “pure Spiritual milk” for the developing spiritual dimensions of their lives.  It’s a tragedy when they are fed other things – or feed on spiritual “junk food” and end up being malnourished and prey to deception, temptation and sin!

Here’s what Peter urged Christians in the first century to do (and it’s incredibly important advice for all of us who have been “born again” today!)…

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed (or since) you have tasted that the Lord is good!”  (from 1 Peter 2:1–3 ESV)

Hey, as a “child of God,” we never outgrow the need for spiritual milk!  I know I have been “reborn” with spiritual desires and longings that can only be satisfied with the real stuff!  With God’s help I’m going to avoid the things don’t nourish and instead rob me of a healthy appetite and spiritual maturation!  Help me Lord to know the difference!