Stand
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Since the Fall of man there has never been a time in our history where mankind was more evil than they had been previously. From the time Adam and Eve committed the first act of betrayal against God, sin has reigned in the life of every individual conceived. Our world is in the same state today as it was in the Garden of Eden as sin entered the scene.
Time and accessibility have run a parallel course of progression as technology has ventured beyond the imagination of previous generations. The instant access we have to a plethora of resources is an incredible reality. With all the beneficial materials that we have at our disposal, it should not surprise us that there are inversely a great deal of evil of which we are made aware, as well. Due to the nature of today’s media, we are more than likely faced with a variety of issues that some people in previous days did not encounter (although they existed in some form or fashion).
The sin in our world is on display to the masses, yet those who are fallen are numb to many of them due to their sin nature. This is not shocking. Ephesians 2:1-3 states, ” And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Sinners sin. It’s in their nature, and they can’t help but act out the rebellion within them.
Our enemy, Satan, is at-large in this world, and he is looking to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
The world is a bleak and hopeless place…without Jesus!
Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). He came as light, and through His Spirit, He bestows that same light unto His followers that they may go forth and combat the dark cloud of sin that envelops the world. The darkness cannot withstand Him.
Before He ascended into heaven He told His disciples that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He called them (and subsequently us) to be witnesses! However, His witnesses would not merely go about this business in their own strength; they would receive power through the Holy Spirit to do whatever He would lead them to. This is how we push back the darkness – by His Spirit! Without it, we are power-less to accomplish this great task.
Sin marches on with Satan at the helm, but with an inevitable defeat awaiting it. That said, our enemy will wage war until the end of time when he is finally trampled by our Victorious King. Knowing this, we must, as Ephesians 6 above commands, STAND FIRM. We must be equipped for battle daily to offend the darkness and defend against the attacks of the devil. We cannot just sit around and wait for the return of our King, nor can we merely discuss the problems that are so prevalent in the world today. As 1 Corinthians 4:20 states, “the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
The Spirit within us empowers us to fight for the faith with boldness. However, we are not to feel entitled to tear down other people on account of their sin. Jesus said this in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” If we don’t display the love of Christ for the world to see, how will they truly see Him in all of His glory and splendor. Your evangelistic approach cannot begin with condemnation, but with grace. Use Isaiah 6 as an example. In his vision, Isaiah first encounters the Lord in all His glory and is then forced to recognize his wickedness. When people truly see God, they will have no choice but to face their sin. Begin with grace, for that’s what captured your heart.
In a fallen world, we must stand firm for the gospel message. We cannot compromise, even though the world will tell us we are intolerable. The truth we proclaim is our salvation and firm foundation, and to back down for the sake of “peace” with the world would be a tragedy.
The gospel is offensive to sinners, for it exposes their evil heart and need for a Savior. It also is life to those who take hold of it, and that is our goal – to preach the gospel so that those dead in sin might be raised to life in Christ.
We stand on a spiritual battlefield, with life and death in the balance. If you have chosen life, share it so that others might experience the same freedom that you have found in Jesus and be rid of the curse of sin.
Go forth and make disciples.
-Sean
Rest for Our Souls
[4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
[8] For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not the result of works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Faith. It is the reliance upon someone or something to bring about a particular result that has yet to be proven. In terms of “cause-and-effect”, faith is the effect of any cause deemed worthy by an individual to warrant trust. Faith, therefore, is reactant.
There are many practical displays of faith in our day-to-day, even if those actions are “second nature” and go unlabeled as such. Let’s take you for instance…yes, you reading this post. As you’re reading this, it’s likely you are seated on a chair that has been entrusted with the task of keeping you from a painful fall onto your posterior. You have placed your complete trust (and weight) in this particular object. Without thinking about it, you have relied upon this piece of furniture to relieve you from the consequence of gravity – a great fall.
The same goes with our faith. When I place the fullness of my faith in Jesus and truly sink into and rest on His grace, I am saved from the inevitable consequence of sin – a spiritual death at the end of the sinner’s perpetual fall (infinitely worse than a bruised rear end, I might add). To say “yes” to Christ is to fully embrace Him and to go “all in”, without reservation. What this means is (to reference the example of the chair) I do not withhold some of my “weight” from the comforts of His grace, for this displays a lack of faith in the Savior. Genuine faith in Christ is an “all or nothing” matter. You either put all of your trust in Jesus, or you don’t rely upon Him at all. You either believe that He saves completely, or that He isn’t worth resting your existence upon.
Like a cozy chair, Christ is waiting for people to take a load off and fall into Him with complete abandonment. As He said to the crowds during His earthly ministry, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). Now, don’t misunderstand this passage or what I’m saying. Christ offers eternal relief for our souls when we come to Him for salvation, but following Him is not intended to be easy. You will still exist in a fallen world, and be faced with many troubles; BUT, you will have the assurance of your faith – an eternity secured by Christ’s work at Calvary. THAT is worth total surrender. HE is worth trusting.
Our faith overcomes the world. It has nothing to do with us. And everything to do with the God who bestows such faith to us in the first place. The faith of the Christ-follower is overcoming because it rests upon the Overcomer.
Christian – remember the promise of God through Christ that has won you over, from death to life. He graces you with faith. Be reminded that He initiated it all, and that you simply reacted to His lovingkindness. And although you will fail at times to trust Him, take heart; for He remains faithful in our shortcomings.
Doubters – there is a Savior waiting with arms open wide, ready to receive you and relieve you from an eternity separated from Himself. There is rest for your soul…but only IN CHRIST.
Grace and peace,
Sean
Dwell
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
Let’s break this down a bit…
- The imperative – “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
- The result – “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
The result comes about by our submission to the imperative. To put it a bit differently, when we allow “the word of Christ” (the good news, or “gospel”) to live and thrive within us, it will positively affect the way we relate to God and others.
But how are we to gauge whether or not our lives reflect the gospel in this manner? Answer the following questions truthfully, and see if it doesn’t give you an idea.
- How do I view the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? Are you elated by the love of the Father, expressed by the death and resurrection of the Son, revealed by the Holy Spirit? If you greatly value this divine notion of grace and mercy, and if you are fulfilled by this truth alone, it is likely you have a biblically informed and energized view of the Magnificent Three in One.
- How do I view my sin? Are you genuinely humbled by the fact that God, in Christ, has covered over your transgressions (past, present, and future)? Are you deeply remorseful and repentant when you sin against God in your day-to-day experiences? If you see sin as a terrible offense against God, and that drives you to hate it as He hates it, I would submit that you are allowing the Scriptures to be the lens through which you see.
- When life brings about joy or sorrow, what comes out of you? The gospel should be an all-encompassing force in our lives, reaching into every part of it and transforming us. Regardless of circumstance, the hope we find in Christ should resound above our triumphant shouts and mournful groans. We should know the Word, and the Word should overflow out of us for others to tangibly experience (verbally and non-verbally).
Christ-follower, if you find your answers to these questions to be unsatisfactory, ask God to forgive you where you have not allowed the gospel to inform and shape you. In our flesh, we are prone to wander away from the Savior if we do not keep a careful watch over our souls.
The gospel is our lifeline. The One whom it reveals must be our King. This must change everything.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” and may that result in love for God and your fellow man.
-Sean
Our Treasure
[44]“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)
Question: do you treasure Jesus above anything?
That’s what I’ve kept asking myself over the past several weeks. And it’s been quite the gut-check as I evaluate the way that I spend my time and energy. Based upon the verses above (and a number of other passages), I would say that Jesus requires exclusive dedication from us. It seems that these parables are meant to describe to us the type of buy-out that He expects from His followers. Apparently, the Savior is hinting in these illustrations that following Him is worth the loss of everything or, at very least, the diminishment of anything that challenges His lordship.
The apostle Paul seems to have gotten it, as is evidenced in Philippians 3:7-8 where he states, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8).
Now, I pose the same question to you that I have been wrestling with for close to a month – DO YOU TREASURE JESUS ABOVE ANYTHING?
If the answer is “no”, you may want to spend some time trying to rediscover the “joy of [your] salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Remember what you have been rescued from (sin and death) and to (eternal life in Christ). The grace that He extends is far more costly than we can fathom, so we must not allow our wandering hearts to carry us to a place of forgetfulness and apathy.
The Gospel message must penetrate every facet of our lives because it means EVERYTHING for the Christ-follower. It must affect change. A life transformed by Christ should be noticeable (in word and deed), and it is through this display that we reveal our affections for Him.
Ask yourself this question daily. Be honest. When you allow something to hijack the throne of your heart, ask God to forgive you and grant you endurance and strength to withstand the desires of your flesh to flee from the God of your salvation.
Cherish Him. He is worthy of our greatest affection and devotion.
-Sean
Challenges and Tests
The Great Barrier Reef stretches some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question by a traveler. “I notice that they lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful,” the traveler observed. “Why is this?”
The guide gave his educated answer, “The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms and surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested, it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces.”
Then he added this telling note: “That’s the way it is with every living organism.”
“Consider if pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
-Corey
Pain and Suffering
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.12 So death is at work in us, but life in you…16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 17-18)
Life is messy. It’s difficult and taxing seemingly more than it is wonderful and stress-free, wouldn’t you agree? At least that’s been my experience thus far. Granted, I haven’t had many terribly tragic events arise like some have, but I do know what it is to struggle in various ways.
Most of us who have lived long enough have witnessed or experienced firsthand tribulations that bring about suffering, whether spiritual, physical, mental or any combination of the three. There are those who cannot find employment, and are hard-pressed to feed their families. Some have to bury their young children. Others must toil through life-threatening diseases, and sometimes lose the ensuing battle.
Bottom line – life brings about hurt in some form or fashion, with varying severity. And most times, it doesn’t make sense.
Questions like “Why would God allow something so devastating to happen?” naturally enter in and can lead us down a winding path of bitterness. When these types of questions go unanswered (and many times they will) our faith in God grows weak because we cannot wrap our finite minds around the outcome we’ve grown so hostile toward.
This is the sad truth of the matter. We doubt what we cannot define, rather than genuinely trust that God is in control and that He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28-30). So often we fail to find anything “good” that offends our well-being and prosperity. After all, a good God would only give me that which I, in my fleeting passions, deem beneficial to my existence, right??? (In case you miss the sarcasm or don’t do well with rhetorical questions, the answer is, emphatically, NO!)
So what are we to do? Well, for starters, recognize that they are inevitable. Jesus stated in John 16:33 that “in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” Or as the writer of Hebrews encourages, “run the race with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). To be succinct, buckle up (because hard times ARE coming) and keep your eyes on Jesus (because He will give you strength to keep going). We live in a fallen world that is prone to disastrous affairs; but take heart, God is a victorious Warrior who wants to impart His strength to us so that we may be prepared for battle.
After you settle into this reality, remember to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). This follows suit with the previous reference in Hebrews, as it encourages steadfast endurance. Difficulties in life can be a drag on our psyches, leading us to shut down rather than press on. How can one endure under the most trying circumstances? Fix your gaze on God and His eternal Kingdom. When we look past the here-and-now and see our current situations in the light of eternity, the bigness of the moment tends to fade a bit. That doesn’t mean we can’t hurt or emote our frustrations, but it does mean we are given the strength to rebound and turn our sadness to glorious joy, for we know that God is sovereign and over all things.
The world wants to deal us wounding blows and demoralize us with pain and suffering, but we who cling to the Lord can leverage these things for His glory and our good by the overcoming power of Christ in us. Reference the passage above. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). If we press into God and walk with Him, He will prepare us for the struggle and give us a strengthened trust in Him through the process. With every agonizing blow the world hurls at us, God is with us. He may not remove the pain, but His grace will sustain you through it.
I have seen some overwhelming tragedies befall families – the kind that leaves any and all within proximity speechless – and was able to witness the power of Jesus Christ on display as they endured the hardship. The situation didn’t get easier, but God, in their weakness, showed Himself stronger than any force the world might wield.
The same thing can happen for you. We all have our heartaches and pains. Many of us, right this instant, are dealing with real problems that have a tendency of deflating our will to keep going. Do not be dismayed, for there is a God in the heavens who loves and cares for you more deeply than you could ever imagine, who wishes to reveal Himself to you in a life-changing way. Trust Him in times of struggle and doubt, and He will give you unexplainable peace in the fiercest of storms.
We may never find the clarity we seek as we pose questions to God about our current sufferings. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe the best thing for us is not to be so entranced with the “why” of our crises, but rather be more concerned with giving God glory in the wreckage. I believe if we approach our pain with this mindset, we will find our faith in God stronger and will be more willing to trust that much more.
Suffering happens. Turn it for good.
-Sean
Spiritual GPS
How could a GPS or a smartphone app have helped you get back on track?
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.
For the Lord will ransom Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stonger than they.
they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord–
the grain, the new wine and the oil,
and they will sorrow no more.
Ready. Set. Fight.
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
(Matthew 4:1-11)
There is so much to learn from Jesus’ time in His own personal wilderness, a parallel to Israel’s wandering in the Old Testament. He was tested in an undoubtedly weak state (due to his lengthy fast), and was able to withstand the temptations of the devil.
Because of the Holy Spirit within each saint, we are able to stand strong in the face of vigorous adversity and overcome any obstacle put before us. All of us face trials. In John 16, Jesus clearly states that tribulation is a given. He could’ve ended His statement there, deflating the apostles even further after foretelling His imminent death. However, he gives them hope – “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
James actually encourages his readers to “count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2).
Testing is good. Those of us who have gone through any education system should understand this. Just as scholastic testing assesses how well one understands the material and can apply it, spiritual testing exposes the effect of our faith. Tests bring about results, and those results are always earned based upon the degree of preparation.
With that said, let’s backtrack to Matthew 4 to evaluate Jesus as He was faced with opposition. What can we learn from Him that can prepare us to thrive under spiritual pressure?
#1: Follow the leader (wherever He goes).
As we discussed earlier, trials cannot be avoided. God ordains them, and we must merely obediently follow Him into the pressure cooker. His goal is not for us to fail (although many times it is necessary), but to grow to trust Him and follow Him more closely from then on.
#2: Know the leader (before, during, and after the struggle).
Jesus was fasting before he was confronted with the temptations that are recorded. Biblical fasting is a twofold process – (1) an emptying of something carnal, AND (2) a filling of spiritual nourishment. During His time in the wilderness, Jesus (who we must remember is the Son of God and of Man) was feasting on the Scriptures, as is evidenced in His interactions with Satan. He knew the Father well, and this empowered Him further to defend Himself, even during a time of physical weakness.
We must cling to God. To know Him is to cherish Him, and to cherish Him is to ward off anything that could prove detrimental to our relationship with Him. Spiritual battles never end in a draw. If you know Him and trust Him, He will win the battle for you.
#3: Fight.
Notice that Jesus fought off the enemy with Scripture. Because He knew the Father and was empowered by His divine Word, He was able to defeat Satan. Jesus didn’t run. He didn’t hide. He was ready to face His opposition head-on.
Satan is a powerful enemy. He knows our weaknesses, and has a battle plan in place to destroy us. In our own strength, we are unable to come out victorious against our foe. BUT God equips us for the fight when we press into Him.
Ephesians 6:10-11 reads, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” It goes on to describe in detail the spiritual armor that God has for us, and how each piece is advantageous in the battle.
God knows the enemy’s tricks and wishes to equip us with the tools to stand strong as we journey through life’s hardships. Our God is a Mighty Warrior, who is eternally victorious. Stand with Him, and He will prepare you for the fight…and the victory!
……..
When we trust Him and know Him intimately, we are prepared for the trials that come our way. The fight is coming. Be ready for it ahead of time.
-Sean
The Importance of Marriage
Many of us have experienced weddings. Friends and family of a happy couple get dressed up and file into a church for a ceremony. A minister escorts a nervous groom to the front of a chapel, followed by his buddies. Bridesmaids glide one-by-one down an aisle, building anticipation for the main attraction. Cue the dramatic pause – possibly accompanied by music to build the expectation – and, suddenly, the doors open swiftly to introduce the bride in all her beauty to those gathered, who now are either holding back tears or grabbing for the tissues (unless they are heartless!).
Isn’t that such a cool moment to behold?
By now you may already be asking yourself what this imagery has to do with anything. The answer: EVERYTHING.
[31] “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33)
This section of Ephesians 5 should change the way we think during any wedding ceremony (I know it has for me.)! The reason being that its significance is more than meets the eye.
You see, this gathering, which many have become so accustomed to, is meant to portray physically what will one day happen spiritually – that is, the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) to His Bride (the redeemed). On this day, those who are in Christ, through faith, will be united together with Him forever.
From the time God gave mankind the gift of marriage, He meant for it to model the relationship between Christ and the Church.
[22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:22-27)
The apostle Paul puts marriage in spiritual terms to instruct husbands and wives more fully. If Paul were in marital counseling and were giving advice, I imagine he would begin by asking the following questions to prompt a biblical understanding of marital responsibilities: (1) How does Christ respond to His Church? AND (2) How is the Church to respond to Christ? These questions are crucial because they should shape the way married people interact with one another, assuming they are in Christ.
What God has revealed to me over the years has led me to believe that there might be no greater portrayal of the Gospel message than the relationship between husbands and wives. When marriage becomes less about temporal pleasures and more about the emulation of Love that went to the cross to die on behalf of the undeserving, then we are able to display the work of God in our lives beautifully, in a way that only this particular union can.
It saddens my heart when I see marriages failing to live out this divine purpose. This holy establishment was set forth by God to be a demonstration of His unconditional, unending, faithful love – a love that was willing to die for His beloved. God has eternally pledged Himself to those of us in Christ, which is the precedent by which our own marital covenants derive. When so many Christian marriages end in separation or even continue in mediocrity, it tells me that we have not grasped the fullness of our vows to one another at the altar. Successful, Christ-centered unions are not the norms nowadays. What a shame this is, because this covenantal relationship has the potential to be one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.
Marriages, and subsequently weddings, are meant to proclaim the Good News until the day the Church is finally united to its Bridegroom. And we will live happily ever after.
Tell this story to the world. And if you’re married, leverage that relationship for the proclamation of the Gospel!
-Sean
The Forgetful Heart
[4] Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
This passage is a familiar one for many who have been exposed to the Bible for a good amount of their lives. The Hebrew term for this particular section of Scripture is “The Shema”, which to this day is a daily prayer of devotion for practicing Jews. It is named thusly for its opening word, which is correctly translated as “hear”. Further translated, the command is meant to produce obedience through what is audibly heard.
Although many times this particular passage is taught with the intention of instilling within us the importance of being trained up in the knowledge of Scripture, I believe there is more than meets the eye through this instruction.
Read it again. What is constant?
Throughout these verses, you find that Moses was beckoning the people to REMEMBER the words of God. He longs for each person to internalize God’s commandments (verse 6). I believe the psalmist similarly understood the importance of allowing Scripture to root itself in one’s heart when he declared, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11, NIV). It’s hard to remove something when it’s hidden, right? When we are consumed with God’s Word and allow it to fill us, it will be so deeply ingrained in us that it cannot easily be removed. It becomes a part of our very essence….something that cannot be forgotten.
Moses encourages Israel to constantly surround themselves with the Scriptures. He instructs the people to keep the law ever before them. “Talk about it. Write about it. Hang it in your homes. Do whatever it takes to keep from forgetting what God has spoken.”
Why do you think he was so insistent? I submit that he, based on personal experience, understood that the sinner’s heart is innately prone to forget God in the hustle and bustle of life.
Flip back a couple of chapters to Deuteronomy 4 and you will find Moses demanding obedience from the people in response to the words that God gave him. While speaking to them he warns, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life” (verse 9, emphasis added).
Let’s not overlook the fact that he is speaking to people who had, with their very eyes, seen God miraculously rescue them from the land of Egypt and lead them through the wilderness. Even with physical evidence of God’s faithfulness they were spiritual nomads, wandering from the God who lovingly intervened in their lives time and time again.
If the Israelites, who could physically sense God’s presence in their midst, needed reminders, it should go without saying that we desperately need to be reminded of what God’s Word says to us as well. We are commanded to “love the LORD [our] God with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul and all [our] might” (6:5). How can we express our love if we allow ourselves to forget who He is and what He has done for us (especially through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ)?
We need daily reminders of the gospel. It’s good for our souls to be reminded of the depth of our sin and the glorious rescue mission of Jesus Christ, who ransomed us from the death we had earned by substituting Himself in our place. THAT is something that is worth remembering!
We’re a forgetful people, so we must train ourselves to daily experience the Word of God in order to cling to the Savior and put aside our fleshly tendency to run away from Him. The grace He has for us is too costly to neglect, and we must constantly put ourselves in a position to think upon His goodness towards us.
Talk about it. Write it down. Do whatever it takes to remind yourself of the beautiful gospel message, for it is our everything.
-Sean
immanuelodessa.wordpress.com 
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