Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

As a Muslim, I remember many Christians witnessing to me and imploring me to be saved from my sins so that I could go to heaven and escape hell. Many of these well-intentioned folks cared about me and considered me a friend. They were waiting for the right time to question me about my beliefs and hoping I would be open to a discussion. I was always up for debate and spirited conversation, and even more eager to point out my differences with them than I was to hear about Jesus. I saw the Christian faith as weak and passive. It seemed the Jesus they served wanted to cut me a break, let me off the hook so to speak. He seemed to need my approval and crave my love and support for Him and His cause. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is as if the Gospel that was being presented to me was carefully packaged and focused on Man’s universal need and interest, not God’s claims upon man. The second issue was striking as well, they seemed to care more about their own personal feelings about me being eternally judged, not God’s broken heart over my sinful ways. I remember the debates we would have long hours into the afternoon and evening. It was quite thrilling to me, but troubling as well.

I was troubled by their personal fixation on escaping, deliverance, pardon, rapture, and all the other terminology focused on escaping hardship, tragedy, suffering, and ultimately damnation. It was a theology in which Jesus paid the price for everything, and all we needed to do was receive the insurance policy by reciting some words, and then move on with our lives. This would be as one person said, “the great escape for us.”

I saw many believers as self-deceived. The did not really want God, they just wanted to be free from pain and suffering. They were drawn to the scriptures that promised heaven, and ignored the ones that promised you would have to bear your cross and endure. Webster defines escapism this way: “habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality.” Self-deception is the greatest escapism around. We escape the truth by entertaining our own conclusions and claiming God approves. This is at best, a license to do your own thing, or at worse, sin.

I found out that many who claimed to have faith, had found a faith that was foreign to scripture. It was a faith based on getting to heaven and escaping hell. A self-centered approach to God that essentially created doctrines that people could run to and feel comforted by, rather than doctrines of accountability that led them to engage in the lives of others, bare their souls, and receive wounds from friends and enemies in the process. It was a deception, a heresy. It was religion that Satan easily tolerated. These believers would never engage him, encroach on his territory, or seek to be free from their lawless ways. The evil one wreaks havoc on the minds of the unfruitful. They are defeated from within by his deception. Christ engaged Satan before he started his public ministry, and we must do the same. (Matthew 4)

When I received salvation, at age 26, and was born again, I was thrilled to be pardoned and saved from His wrath. My experience with God was different than what I heard from many believers. I understood that He was a God who called me to engage the world around me. I did not spend a lot time focusing on my own personal salvation. I considered it done. My heart was certainly filled with gratitude, but I saw an eternal God who continued to engage with humanity and commanded me to do the same. Life was no longer about me, my dreams, ambitions, goals, and visions. Life was about the calling and His purposes for me. Well, I can tell you this, I have not been disappointed by the God the Great Engager. He made me into someone who engages.

Frankly, I am struck and irritated by the escapism that many Christians practice. I can’t tell you how many believers would rather listen to their favorite Christian artist, run to a conference for deliverance, listen to a sermon, or passively get fed by another’s milk, rather than pray, witness, or obey God in some area. He has called them to engage people. Faith that seeks to escape conflict, and hardship, is false. Faith that attempts to produce fruit without engagement in the lives of broken people, is no faith at all. Faith that thinks someone else’s anointing can free you is false. Christ came to the earth, took on human form, and died on the cross to reach us and bring lost souls into His eternal family. You will only be free to the degree you engage in the work. At any point and time during His journey, He could have called out to the Father and said, “Enough! They are not worth it; save me!” The Father would have responded in justice and destroyed the world that His Son created. Instead, Christ chose to be destroyed, so he could save the world, not Himself. He never disengaged from the calling, not once.

I believe to truly understand God’s plan for us, we must look at how he trained His disciples. He called them to be engaged in the world through love, service, and perseverance. When they understood salvation was a gift not to be earned or sold, and that all the elect would receive an inheritance, they responded by sharing a message that was too good to keep to themselves. They were commanded to “Go.” God’s intention is the same today as it was back then. He expects His people to move in their calling and to bear fruit. There is no fruit without engagement. There is no victory without engaging the enemy. He did not say, hide out, retreat, escape, wait and do nothing until I return.”  He called us to be witnesses in character and words. My friends we must be engaged in the world, not of it. We must be focused on the good we can do today. We must walk in the light while we have it and make the most of our time.
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I urge you to think about your own tendencies toward escapism. Empty talk, entertainment, fruitless hobbies, social media, drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, religiosity, dead works, and hollow relationships. Be engaged in all that God has called you to do. Do something every day to enhance your purpose and relationship with Him. Engagement will mature you. It is God who calls you toward it.

We would do well to remember these words of scripture:

Hebrews 10:36-39

36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 

37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;

38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

This was the faith that I discovered. There was no escapism involved or encouraged.

Isaiah 50: 11 ESV

“Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.”

1st Corinthians 14:33 ESV

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…”

One morning some time ago demonstrated to me unequivocally that we can know God’s will for us as we embark to fulfill different areas of our calling. The sound of worship music drifted through the air, as usual. (A practice my wife implemented long ago as we rest through the night.) This morning was familiar. I awoke to God’s peace, but the intensity was different. The precious Spirit was manifesting Himself in a palpable way. All my cares and concerns were melting away, and my eyes had not yet opened. I just rested in His presence. I was conscious, and acutely aware of the battles I was facing, but the peace was so abundant I silently marveled, daring not to move. The only way to describe it was ambiance. A living, pulsating ambiance. No words, but certainty followed. Instruction and insight illuminated my mind. A peace that passes all understanding continued to flood my spirit. I knew that I was on track. My journey and quest would continue. Slowly, my eyes opened to praise. “God is awesome,” rolled from my lips.” My day began. The illness from the previous few days… gone. And once again I began to confront the dark one and his realm in prayer. I reminded him that he may hinder, but he will never stop me.

The previous days were challenging in terms of direction and course of action. I was fasting, pouring over everything I could read, and listening to experts. Now I learned long ago that it was easy to chart a course when you follow the path of others, and to get deceived as well, but I also knew that there was wisdom to be gained from the experiences of others, so I was balancing this.

I was running out of patience. My research led to conflicting thoughts that even seemed to pacify me somewhat, because I could see that I had already produced more fruit than some of the people I studied. A strange contentment started to set in. Self-deception about my efforts was not far away. I have walked in it before and see it all the time. The problem is this, the fruit I settle for, may not be the fruit God is seeking. The fruit that man appraises often falls short when God assesses it. Finally, “Who knows what God wants anyway? How can I really know?” came to mind? This was the departure point for  me and most folks. The mysterious will of of God is now salient in my mind, erected in order to delay action. It even sounded righteous, and would allow me to sit down and rest from my efforts, but deep inside, I knew I was crafting a justification to go off course — or simply choose a new one.

I found myself in this state of mind the night before as I pondered the fact that I have a path to walk, and new work to embark on. A path and work that was established for me before the foundation of the world. Now there was no doubt that resources, health, and relational challenges had arisen from the moment I committed to it, but that comes with the territory. I started to relax, my eyes grew heavier, and as the news of the day droned on… the thoughts came.

“Here we go again into the nebulous.”

“You have done a lot, quite a bit actually.”

“You are putting too much pressure on yourself.”
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“I mean look where you came from. This course is too risky. This cannot be sustained.”

“You need more time. You push yourself and others too hard. You expect too much.”

The fog of indecision was setting in. It was accompanied by fatigue, headache, and flu-like issues. I arose, reluctantly, from the couch to brush my teeth and shower. I continued to ponder my fleshly counsel, aided by the enemy. “Just chill, man.” These words floated through my mind as I pondered my next vacation. Internal conflict persisted, and a steady knowing was present. I knew what I had to do; continue in the current course of action. My last words of the day were these, “I rebuke you Satan.” The next morning I experienced the peace I wrote about earlier.

Our current state of affairs within the Body of Christ is not good. So many motivations and reasons to give up creep into our minds that we can’t number them all. If we all learned to trust that godly motivation, such as a steadying joy from doing the will of God will surpass all earthly motivations, we would be wise indeed. Our temptation to delay action would easily be overcome. Our resolve often fails with our motivation and delay and procrastination become patterns. The problem is hours turn into days, days to months, months to years, and years to decades. I enjoy sermons, fellowship, sports, worship music, friends, and great food. The reality is that these things ebb and flow in terms of what I can get from them, because they come from creatures. As Christians, Satan would prefer that we live our lives in a way that seeks constant, secondary, motivational sources that make us feel better and give us temporary hope for the problems at hand, while he subtly blinds us to the real internal motivation that causes sustained action and renders his deceptive power obsolete. God alone is that motivation. No amount of preaching, music, friends, or fellowship  can make a person act decisively on this truth. When the rubber meets the road, you’ll know where you are. Reaching for that favorite praise song won’t do. If you reach for God, you will discover the new life within is sufficient for all things.

Our failure to understand just how much we rely on created derivatives should be astounding. A derivative is something derived from something else. I would submit to you that we are drowning in the words and works of others. Ministers, musicians, artists, elders, family members, and numerous people we respect, look up to, and admire. (This does not even touch upon our reliance on technology and science as the answer to all pressing needs and issues.) We are told to seek God and His face for answers, but oh the shortcuts we take.

As a result of all these derivatives, we are confused. Confusion,  more often than not, comes about because we live our lives in a state of disarray and we have too many options before us that we are constantly mulling over, or we dogmatically cling to thoughts and beliefs that we need to shed — holding to them no matter how foolish they are. Confusion is a choice. It is different than ignorance. Ignorance is when we don’t know something. The answer to that is to wait until you do, or simply act on what we do know. Confusion sets in often when we reject truth for something else. Remember, often, when God leads us to do something, it cannot be accomplished in our own strength or by or own light. Our natural tendency is to fear and rebel against this. The end state is that we now don’t know what to do.

We have been deceived by our own lights, or the lights of others, our own constructs, and our abundance of learning. We have a form of godliness, broad lexicons, disciplines, and endless debates on faith — but we also have limited impact. Powerlessness is normative. We have faith that is tailored demographically and packaged to appeal to different populations. When, in fact, the Gospel is universal, and universally effective as a prescription for all issues. We see new believers with a great deal of initial excitement, but soon after, that fire proves to give way to tormenting questions that plague many Christians to this day:

“Am I really saved?”

“How mad is God at me right now?”

“Will God judge me?”

“Was I deceived?”

“Will I ever get better?”

Dear saints, our lights won’t do. We have exchanged peace for restlessness. We have sought the counsel of man over the Almighty Counselor. Our lights, once trusted, are now fading. They deceived us. The good news is this. He is the “Light of the World.” Isn’t it time to get back to that light. All that you know, or thought you knew… if it is not sustaining you… now you know why. My friend let’s not complicate this. Jesus is looking for the faith of children. A faith that expects an answer to their questions. A faith that loves and trusts their Father. Ask, and knock, and seek — and share.

Isaiah 30:15 NIV

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 

2nd Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV

1.Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2.and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3.But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4.And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5.May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Isaiah highlights repentance, rest, quietness, and trust as indicators of the heart that God is looking for during trials. Notice the absence of words on the list? It is His word that we need in these times, not ours. Being still and silent in trial at times releases His Spirit and deliverance. The word of the Lord will speed ahead. We pray for it, and we believe it. In the second passage we see the Apostle Paul exhorting his flock. The picture painted of the saints in Second Thessalonians was one of forward movement. Trials had come, challenges were in the way, wicked men were trying to thwart them, and so Paul sent these words to strengthen their resolve. They heeded his instruction and marched on. 

Perseverance in faith was never optional with God. It is essential. He upholds it as a characteristic that we must acquire and grow in. God will always require endurance of will to be involved in our walk; consequently, this is the very thing the wicked one and his followers target. The prescription for overcoming is called “the steadfastness of Christ.” 

When is the last time you heard a sermon title including that phrase? One truth I’ve learned over the years is that God rewards steadfastness.The degree you grow in steadfastness, will be the degree you experience victories. Remember Daniel’s companions and the fiery furnace or David and Goliath? Those were quiet, steadfast victories. They were quick victories during their moments of crises, but the relationship they had with God took time to develop — years. They experienced the fruit of victory, because they did not have many lessons left to learn about God’s faithfulness; they trusted sooner than most. These victories were immortalized in scripture so that other believers would learn from their experiences with the Father. These men would never dare boast about anything other than what the Lord had done. Godly people never use their testimonies and struggles in a way that is commercialized and sold to the masses for profit. Such victories are told for the Glory of self not God — and often exaggerated. I call it testimonial commercialism.

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Here is my take on large swaths of modern day evangelicalism:

It sets people up to believe that material blessings, influence, right political party, and above all else followers (including church size) are evidence and criteria of success. Many testimonies are rife with these things. Man may be impressed; God is not. God knows Satan will always have more followers than Him. He also knows the majority of His people are carnal and follow after the flesh. The horrid reality of religious consumerism – a toxic blend of a self righteous, self-help, wealth creation approach to life through service to the saints — and the Christian stardom that follows — has all promised the same thing. “You will win at life, if you do things the way this ministry teaches you. Look at our results!” Everyone who adheres to this has ensured a continual fleecing of the sheep and perpetual codependency between self appointed hired hands and hoodwinked babes in Christ who drink this unhealthy milk.

The reality is that movements, and groups of believers compete with one another to sustain and maintain their place in modern Christendom. They testify as to what God is doing and this becomes the hook. This influx factor of information, much of it unprofitable, can at times prove to be impossible to sift through and the carnal and immature believers fall for this time and time again. Most of our victories over sin will be fought in the place of quiet, prayer, fasting, and other godly disciplines. We will win and be delivered, not for the sake of a personal testimony, but for the sake of moving forward in our calling and walking unhindered. Can we walk with less noise? Can we walk with less bling? Fewer buildings? Can we decrease and become less as He becomes more? Or will we become the, “clanging gong(s) and resounding cymbal(s)” spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:1? Will we always look to failed mobilization efforts as remedies to correct failing political systems that never sought to honor God in the first place? We have proven Christians can be seen and heard in the natural, but unless God is moved and hears us, revival will always elude us. Lots of noise, no tangible, godly results.

Let us tell people to trust God, His intentions, and plans for them. Let God show up in their lives in a wonderful, compelling, and powerful way. Let them experience quick and quiet victories that did not require mass mobilization, prayer chains, prayer requests, advertisements, and countless counseling sessions. Let them never believe that the remedy is found in anything in creation. It is only to be found in Christ. The church is one with the one another and the Godhead. Our support for one another should be without reservation, self-interest, or self-promotion.

May we all turn from testimonial commercialization. Victories can not be commercialized. They will never come from a book, internet click, or doctrine. Victory will come, when you have a personal relationship with Christ and you deepen that. Victory was granted because He alone was able to provide it. Have faith in that, and walk in victory today. Victory is a by-product of a mature relationship with Christ.

Psalm 28: 28-29

8.The Lord is the strength of his people;
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
 9. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Proverbs 14:26

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

The word integrity is a late Middle English word that primarily means intact. (Oxford Online Dictionary) Intact simply means something that is solid, stable, and not deficient in any way. In time, the word integrity was applied to moral values and virtues. Integrity is missing from people today and the people of God must walk in this. We must be solid — inside and out. We are God’s workmanship and constantly under construction. His plan is to make us into refuges for the retreating, lost, wayward, confused, cowardly, and defeated. To be a refuge, we cannot be like them. Are you up for the challenge?
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The Lord is our strength and our refuge. God wants us to be like him, and to grow into refuges for others. He does not want us to cower before storms and trials. He wants us to testify in the midst of them. We hear a lot of scriptures on weakness and dependence when trials hit, because most folks will never overcome them. The sentiment of the modern church is to coddle and quote scripture out of context — allowing people to feel comfortable in their marginal commitment to overcoming and standing firm when others waver, wander, and retreat as life’s vicissitudes continue to bombard them. We must be visible refuges in the storm. This is not optional. Retreating from challenges is not godly. Cowardice is not wise. It is not a virtue.

I remember in my mid twenties, a trial came my way. It was of my own doing, and I was spending a great deal of energy trying to avoid the issues that were heading my way. The Spirit of Truth spoke these words to me. (I’ll never forget.) “Have courage; Face it.” Conviction from these words sat upon me; it would not leave until I exercised the courage to face my issues. In time, I became confident in God’s ways. I am still beset by fears from time to time, but from that day forward — I was different.I knew there would always be expectations from God upon my life and courage was now a very real expectation, not a selective one. I had to grow in courage.

Growth is not for show or the purposes of testimony. Growth is necessary. Growth is called for, and growth will cost you your comfort. Peter exhorts us in 2nd Peter 3:18: “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Growth happens when we respond to the convicting power of the Spirit and exercise the courage to move forward. If we are consistent, the fruit of confidence will rest upon us. People will see it, and will be drawn to it as life’s crises emerge. We will become refuges. One last thing about growth — it almost always happens when you put others or a cause before yourself.

Now if you are a Christian that is resisting this message, that’s fine. Consequences are some of those inescapable things that will follow you like a shadow. Whispers and groanings from your conscience will also awaken you and inform you of the fruit that cowardice brings and what awaits you. If we sow in fear, we will reap the fruit of it. Maybe you have been deceived by well meaning folks that have told you to avoid hardship, risk, vulnerability, sacrifice, and persecution. If so, you have missed the point of being one of God’s elect. You have embraced a false dream of ease that will become a nightmare shortly. Your embrace of fear will not help anyone. Your embrace of courage will shelter many, including those you call family.

Those who fear the Lord have strong confidence and others will see us as a refuge. Specifically those retreating from the battle of life. Confidence does not happen overnight. We don’t become confident in the Lord overnight and others will not become confident in us so quickly either. We should always point people to our source of confidence. The scriptures testify about our children, but the broader meaning is directed toward anyone who depends on us. (Paul spoke of his spiritual children. It’s about anyone in any type of leadership folks. It applies to all of us.)The scriptures do not say that they find it somewhere else either. It clearly states that they will have a refuge in you, which means they will recognize you as reliable refuge. This does not mean kids or people will not rebel, or defy you at times in their lives. That will happen. It simply means they will know that you are a refuge. So whether you have children or not, this applies to anyone who depends on you.

The storms of life will come. God gave us an example and remedy in Christ. Christ — very God — became a man and lived in our midst as the catalyst to change everything. In order to continue changing the world, God immersed his people — the church — in the world. He did not remove us. That day will come. Until then — let us become refuges in the storm, as we draw our confidence from the ultimate refuge. Be blessed.

There are many examples of scripture that instruct saints to flee and remove themselves from danger. There are also numerous passages that instruct saints to stand their ground. Paul told Timothy to “flee youthful lust.” (BLB Timothy 2:22) Joseph was instructed to go to Egypt by an angel in a dream. (Matthew 2:13) Last of all, In acts 9:25, Paul was lowered in a basket through an opening in a wall so that he could escape the authorities seeking to imprison him or take his life. When we flee things that will hinder the purposes of God in our life, we are not acting cowardly; we choose obedience. At times we may want to stand, fight, and progress in a certain direction, overestimating our strength — to our own demise.

We live in a culture where we prize the ability to stand on our own, against all odds. Well, God does not call us to stand in our on strength, In fact He cautions us through the words of Paul, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!” (NIV 1 Cor 10:12) In Ephesians 6, we are told to be “strong in the Lord” and stand numerous times. Whether we stand or flee — it must be directed by the Lord. Some prefer standing others fleeing, the psychological trait of fight or flight is our DNA. God is greater than our preferences and will not be directed by it. If we stand or flee, let us do so to His glory.

Remember, God will always show you what you need to do, and the flesh will always resist the instructions. If He wants you to flee something, the flesh wants to stay. If he wants you to stand, more often than not the flesh will want you to flee. It is not as tricky as we imagine it to be. Know when, and you will be blessed. Be patient and wait on the instructions, don’t decide on your own.

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By Hakim Hazim and Charles Holmes

Defining Terms

Favor is not static. It is not derived from titles or positions. It is a dynamic, active response from the heart when one is pleased with the actions or attributes of another. When God is pleased, He bestows favor. When He is not, He withdraws it. Favor is primarily personal, and secondarily corporate — happening only when people choose to walk in unity and love. Titles do not bring favor. One day God will break the Western church’s mentality and it’s love for positions. He will replace, educated, entitled, hired hands with His favored ones. He will give them platforms destined to bring in revival. It will create a sibling rivalry within the church, the likes of which the world has never seen. Afterwards, we will see persecution, and then true revival.

Sibling rivalry is simply jealousy and competition between brothers and sisters. It is fueled by a desire to gain attention, reward, or favor from a parent, particularly in the sight of others. It exists within the Body of Christ, and brings no glory to God. God is loving, just, and, “no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34) Once we enter into a relationship with Him, favor is given in proportion to our obedience to His calling. Throughout scripture we see a spectrum of favor among God’s people. Man can be manipulated into giving favor and honor to the wrong person; God cannot and will not be manipulated. We should wholeheartedly support those who are walking in His favor. Leaders and followers are often manipulated, because they revel in the honor they receive from one another, and bestow it without divine authorization.

This article is not about the favor of God that produces salvation. It is about God’s prerogative in terms of His favor, the recipients of that favor, and the disposition their siblings have towards them — which is often a sinful, jealous response. This is not about dead works.  We are instructed to please God and seek His favor rather than seeking to please men and ourselves. Jesus said in John 5:44:

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”

How can we? We cannot.

Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:1-16

Being that all saints are God’s children, which makes us all siblings; let’s study the first two recorded siblings in human history. In the beginning, we find the brothers Cain and Abel, working in their specific callings; Cain, who was called to work the ground; and Abel, who was called to be the keeper of the sheep. In the course of time, they both wanted to honor the Lord by bringing Him an offering. Cain brought his offering from the fruit of the ground to the Lord, while Abel brought his offering from the first and fat portion of his flock. The Lord was displeased with Cain’s offering while He was pleased with Abel’s. At this juncture, sibling rivalry was in full effect. Abel was honored in the sight of everyone.

Cain was sullen and angry. He grew jealous of the favor obtained by Abel. Instead of humbling himself and repenting, he fumed. Cain was cut to the core. Despite the favor that Cain had in the past by being the first born; on that day, Abel gained more favor with God than he did. Cain was living in yesterday’s favor — which is never enough. Being first born was an ascribed, static status; it was something he had nothing to do with. The adjective, obedient, is an achieved dynamic status that must be actively maintained, and something he alone was responsible for. This transition point from privilege into obedience and service was meant to bring him into closer integration with God, but it became a point of departure — from which he would never return.

Cain decided to remove his source of discomfort — Abel. God, in His mercy, warned him of the sin that was crouching at the door of his heart; jealousy was ready to pounce. But sadly, he indulged in it; hate continued to fill him, so much so, that he ended up murdering his little brother, proving the words of James true:

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:16

Moses as an Example: Lost Favor, but No Sibling Rivalry with Joshua

Numbers 27:12-23

12.The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13.When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14.because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15.Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16“Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17.who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” 18.So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19.Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20.You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21.And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22.And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23.and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.

Moses was rebuked and weighed the very moment he disobeyed God. His future with the roaming nation of migrants was altered. He was removed from the promise, but not forgotten. After leading the chosen people for decades, his time had come to an end, because of a fleeting, angry outburst he chose to indulge in. Long ago, God had infused him with a holy vision, and Moses was faithful to God’s mission. The journey was long and arduous, and the people truly tried his patience. He wanted to finally be in the promised land. With all of the frustration building up, he stopped looking to God, and began focusing on the source of his frustration, the people. They were the ones keeping him from the land of promised to him. Moses chose the destination over the relationship, the calling over the Caller, the staff God had empowered, over the word of God. He chose a stream of angry words toward the people, and a defiant strike at the rock, over the peace of obedience. God was not pleased. This disobedience was public — so too was the rebuke. The whole thing reeked in the nostrils of the Almighty. Water did pour from the rock. The people did drink, but this happened because of God’s faithfulness, and in spite of Moses disobedience.

A teachable moment took place in the tension between Creator and creature. God was merciful, just, and jealous for His glory. He made things clear. No leader could presume to be exempt from discipline when God spoke. Moses understood this, even though he grieved over the lost favor. To Moses credit, he was only a momentary prodigal. Upon receiving and accepting God’s discipline, he asked for a replacement. Let me say that again, he humbly asked for a replacement, putting the people first. By asking God to choose a replacement and continue His purpose, he demonstrated the true heart of a godly leader.
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He realized that God’s purpose is never tied to anyone other than Himself. Walking in yesterday’s favor births a feeling of pride and privilege, which becomes a snare, which leads to a fall. (Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 ESV) Moses no longer had the favor to lead the people. Yesterday’s exploits, like yesterday’s manna — spoils. He learned this the hard way. God did give him new favor to prepare and present Joshua to the people. He embraced it. He humbled himself, readied the people for his departure, and encouraged Joshua without jealousy or sabotage. He did things the right way in supporting the newly favored one. Years ago, he taught Joshua a lesson about sibling rivalry, and that is noteworthy.

Joshua’s Earlier Bout with Jealousy

Numbers 11:26-30

26.Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27.And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28.And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29.But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord‘s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30.And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

Joshua was chosen to be a chief associate of Moses at that time. He prized the position and was thriving in it. His problem was, he wanted people to know his place, and for others to stay in theirs. He forgot for a moment that God is the one who puts people in their place. Moses gave him a corrective that remained with Joshua the remainder of his years.

Joshua realized that Moses simply wanted godliness to be reproduced in the people. Moses desired that all would become prophets. Joshua was humbled by the words of Moses. God was now at work in his heart. We need to study the patterns of favor. Sometimes people gain favor because the unfaithfulness of others cause their removal. Sometimes it is simply something God wants to do. Either way, it is His decision. One way to tell if your heart is right, is to look at how you offer support to those receiving favor, especially if you know it is God’s work. Do you find fault with the person? Do you compare yourself? Are you fixated on their deficiencies? Often people may know that God is doing something, they just don’t want to support it unless it involves them getting noticed. If you or people you know are like this, you are living in a place of myopia, self-pity, and envy — and that will be your/their home until repentance takes place. Joseph’s brothers caught the envy bug as well.

Joseph and Sibling Rivalry Run Amok. Genesis 37: 1-11

Joseph was the youngest of all his brothers, and the apple of his father’s eye. His father’s favor created a great deal of jealousy among his siblings. They refused to speak to him in any type of positive way. In addition to his earthly father’s favor, his Heavenly Father favored him. He received a prophetic dream that elevated him above his entire family. When Joseph shared this, his father rebuked him — while cautiously pondering it. While Jacob limited his response to a verbal one –Joseph’s brothers… well, it sent them over the edge into a seething hatred, and they had something sinister in mind. It would only be a matter of time before they developed a scheme to get rid of him.

The Plot: Genesis 37:18-28

18.They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19.They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20.Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21.But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22.And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23.So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24.And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25.Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26.Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27.Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28.Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Trials, Favor and Reconciliation: Genesis Chapters 39-50

Joseph became a slave, was falsely accused, made a prisoner, and forgotten about for a while. In time, the favor of God prevailed causing him to be elevated to a position second only to pharaoh. (Throughout the scriptures, and from our experiences in life, trials and persecution often precede favor. This is an axiom few dispute.) When God favors one over another for a particular task, He knows what he is doing. It is His Holy business, and He always takes great care in preparing His chosen ones for the tasks ahead. Joseph paid a heavy price, and put his heart on display throughout all of these tribulations. There was a law of cost involved in his promotion. Many, especially carnal and immature believers, want favor without trial. They deceive themselves into believing favor is nothing more than a birthright to be manifested through verbal professions of faith. Mature saints know better. They also know their favor is for the benefit of others. In the end, Joseph was the instrument of deliverance from famine for his family and a nation. He was also an agent of forgiveness and reconciliation. The trials produced fruit of the Spirit and the continuation of Abraham’s line. Centuries later, we see a similarly humble spirit elevated, through God’s selection and a prophetic promise.

Mary: Luke 1:28-80

In God’s drawing process, salvation is our entry point. After this, we are invited to a journey of increasing integration and intimacy. He wants us to put away our idols and draw near to His heart. As we do so, favor increases. It is purposefully given, not randomly or manipulatively obtained. Favor is directed to a specific end. Mary was a model for how God’s favor works and should b received. In Luke 1:28, when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, his greeting included this phrase.. “Greetings oh favored one, the Lord is with you!” He told her that God himself would be placed in her womb. She humbly embraced the miracle that would take place. Mary longed for God’s favor and blessing. She did not long to be recognized in the presence of others. His recognition was enough. No sibling rivalry, simply obedience. Mary’s heart…shined. She said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38

What God does or is doing, is not always initially evident to all. This is often the case. His instruction to us comes in many forms, and is always given to bring Him glory. Sometimes He simply leads us to the prayer closet, or He wants us to give someone an encouraging word, financial offering, or engage in some righteous act that no one knows about. God pours out favor as a response to a person’s calling and their obedience to it. Mary was called to give birth to and raise Jesus. She also walked with Him to the foot of the cross, watched Him die, and was blessed enough to see Him resurrected. Her trials were known to most. (God will often make our  trials publicly known to others, so that when favor is bestowed, people will know we were prepared.) The early saints never questioned Mary’s place after all that she had been through, and Joseph’s brothers never questioned his place after his triumph over their evil plot. God’s seal of approval was upon them.

Signs of Relational Favor With Man in God’s Providence

Mature believers know they cannot fulfill God’s purposes without favor. Favor works through divine health, energy, and resources –but especially in relationships. Relational favor works by the Lord moving on the hearts of people who are key components to our progress. People with resources, skill-sets, authority, and divine inspiration are drawn to us for reasons known only to God. These God ordained relationships help move us forward. Although they may take us down unfamiliar paths, if we really trust God, we will be at rest in regards to where we end up. Often these are the most blessed relationships, and they don’t have the stench of sibling rivalry. These relationships will prove supportive as we move out into our callings. Conversely, those who are caught up in sibling rivalry, will often respond harshly to our favor and with without love. The scriptures below describe their actions.

Galatians 5:15: “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

Proverbs 16:18: “A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.”

Moving forward, let us busy ourselves with the work of God. Let us support the work of God in the lives of our brothers and sisters. If we give in to petty emulation, jealousy, insecurity, and sabotaging — we may just find ourselves in yesterday’s favor. We have all undoubtedly experienced sibling rivalry with other Christians, and have at times partaken in it, even if only in thought. We are human and sinful, but we must be better. We should praise God, because He is raising up a new generation of people who truly understand family.

We must maintain the disposition of Abel, Moses, Joseph, Mary, and most importantly, Jesus. Refuse to become envious people. Shun selfish ambition. Be fueled by zeal for God. As God used these other saints, He may use you as His instrument to turn people you know from their devilish ways. Lastly, your favor can be maintained and increased. Like Jesus, we should, “grow in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52. Again, we are family. Let us honor one another and bring joy to our Father’s heart. We should forget yesterday’s favor and leave our successes behind us. If we don’t, yesterday’s favor will become today’s snare. We must keep obediently in step with the Spirit. Let us pray:

Father, all that we have is yours. What you have in mind for us is perfect. We were designed for your purposes, to bring you glory, and to demolish the works of Satan in this age. Now we ask that you root out the spirit of envy and sibling rivalry within us, your people, and pave the way for the leaders you are preparing at this very hour. Make us receptive to them. Holy Father, bring Glory to yourself. Bring repentance, love, and unity to your church. Give us protection from all of our adversaries. Bless us with the relationships, resources, and health necessary to fulfill your purposes. Keep us bold, loving, humble, and alert during the journeys ahead. Let the light of your Son shine within us through the fruit, gifts, and power of your Spirit. Let our days ahead be filled with testimonies of praise as you demonstrate your wondrous works among your people and this unbelieving world. Continue to integrate us into your purposes. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Colosians 1:17

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Isaiah 45:7

I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.

Pills of Kamagra viagra generika mastercard need to take before 4-5 hours of making sex. This the way how Kamagra tablets work to cipla sildenafil normalize sexual health of an ED patient. The cheap viagra for sale here findings have shown that effects of Kamagra have been reported very positive to almost 80% men with ED. Quite a lot of time was taken to finally conceptualize the medication and now it is available as tablets, jellies and the soft tablets. generic viagra australia We concluded the celebration of Christ’s birth yesterday. There are reflections I have gathered from trusted saints in regards to their journey with God and what they have gathered in the last year, and these were all very valuable and informative. When I spoke with my wife about her thoughts, she captured things this way, “When things are going really well, you tend to be busily focused on all the opportunities God gives you, and it’s easy to make Him less of a priority. He does not deserve that when He is so good to us.” (One of the many things I love about her is the fact that she does not have a pretentious faith.) Her response captured the ongoing narrative of scripture and serves as a warning to all who have been blessed. We prayed and talked a bit more and I continued to think about myself, the history of God’s people, and human nature itself. Let’s review.

God often finds people when they are in various types of crises or turmoil and they need to be rescued or saved. They choose to depend on Him initially. He responds by blessing and establishing them beyond what they could ever hope for. Next, they become busy with the blessings. The relationship then begins to sour, because they love the blessings and pay more attention to them than they do the Blesser. In fact, books, sermons and products are developed and sold based on the premise of how to be blessed by God, and the personal relationship and devotion is replaced by a laundry lists of requests from the Almighty. This becomes nothing more than the heresy of consumerism in the guise of faith.

God’s response is to warn, rebuke, love, discipline, and finally disrupt. He reminds us of Revelation 2:4, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”  If folks persist, disruptions will follow, causing a major shakeup in their lives and priorties… ultimately their focus. All of these interventions work for our good. God the sustainer and disruptour will secure the eternal destination of His people. He will bring us home to be with Him forever. Whether disrupting or sustaining, He will do it. Let us rejoice in this fact.

2nd Corinthians 3:17-18

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Not unnaturally, the US manufacturers spend large sums of money available for reaching the number one spot for certain keywords (order cheap viagra abacojet.com and porn for two) nasty people have been illicitly cracking open websites and inserting links using this criminal method. Massage with herbal oil is a proven method abacojet.com tadalafil 20mg tablets for enlargement of size and shape. Human click here for info viagra online brain research says that brilliant and important presentation draws in human personality and invigorates the purchasing conduct. When it comes to regain your lost sex power online purchase of cialis by the super fast action of Sildenafil citrate. While I sit here in Jaco, Costa Rica, with my beautiful wife, I am marveling at the beauty of this planet and all the creatures God has made. Tomorrow, December 16th, I’ll reach a milestone of 50 years old. It’s been quite a few years and my body tells the journey of the things acquired: body fat, receding hairline and the ear hair that needs constant trimming. It also has lost some things, chiefly, athletic gifts of youth, a little height, and resilience in terms of healing after injury. Alas, the most important things that remain are the relationships. Primarily my relationship with God, and secondly those he has brought into my life. I continue to marvel at how He continues to love me and bless my efforts in spite of my sins and numerous times I fail to bring Him Glory, and provide me with so many gracious loving people to support me.

Age should bring perspective. Age should make one value the limited time given to us. Today I know, more than ever, that God is amazing, and good, and available to all who sincerely call upon His name in repentance. Too many people are too proud to admit their faults before God and man and take hold of the grace that transforms us into better people. This grace is infused with new life and God transforms us through it, not for others, or simply so we feel more presentable or acceptable to Him. Our God transforms us for so that we become fundamentally sound and equipped vessels for His eternal purposes. Believe me, all of the elect, will delight in their God-given purpose. In this life, we get but small glimpses. I marvel at these and the grace that will continue to transform me and make me fit for His design. I will continue to marvel at the process of grace.

James 3:23 ESV

and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

John 15:13-15

Greater love has no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

James 4:4

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exist and that he rewards those who seek him.

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV 

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Dear friends… ” is a common way of starting a letter. Imagine for a moment the excitement that would fill your heart if you were included in a special group of people that God wrote a letter to starting with that phrase. As we ponder that possibility, let’s take a look at my journey to this insight. (Hopefully the possibility of becoming a friend of God will motivate you to grow deeper in your faith, just as it has motivated me.)

Years ago a friend, Dracy Jenkins — a partner in Freedom Squared — challenged me on my joy in the Lord. It was 2005. I was going through some stuff. I was working, recognized, accomplished in my field, but joy was not an evident trait in my walk at that time. The trials had caught up with me. The present and future seemed to be mired in struggle. Although I had been “born again” since 1993, I had not really experienced a revelation of sustaining joy. I had situational joy. As I determined in my heart  to correct this in prayer and fasting, I was more than blessed by what I discovered. The answer was found in the nearness of God, and the fact that He was calling not some, but all of His children to a place of joyful fellowship, even friendship.

The word derivative is important to our discussion. It simply means something that comes from something else, or is drawn from something else. It is not independent of a primary source or object. Let’s linger here for a moment and think about the things we derive strength, joy, and confidence from. As your list comes to mind, it becomes obvious that we are creatures in constant need of sources, material and spiritual, that create drives in us to look and move toward something rewarding in a futuristic sense. God designed us that way. He also lets us know what real lasting joy is, but we have to choose it, or persist in seeking the joys of this life and the pitfalls that come with such pursuits.

Using nitric oxide, it enhances smooth muscle relaxation which is directly related to our generic cialis pills physical and emotional wellbeing. To lessen the super viagra danger make sure you keep away from prostatitis. Erectile dysfunction is a problem men canadian generic cialis face in their advance age. This is because it can mark the fine line between buy cialis generic success and failure. You see the fleeting deception of idolatry snares believers when they elevate the momentary joys of this life to a level they were never meant to have in our hearts. Let me illustrate further and continue in the derivative narrative. It helps to think about the motivation as a dependent variable. Even though there are many types of joy, there is only one in terms of eternal, singular, primacy. That joy is found in a relationship alone, not in any event, creature, act, or blessing God can give. God is the source of immeasurable joy. Those who come to understand this enter into a level of relationship few will ever experience, a friendship with God.

God expects us to move from a carnal faith, to a servant faith, to a friendship faith. That’s His desire, but sadly it will be unfulfilled, because most believers are stuck in a perpetual carnal state of faith (focused on selfish desires). It is impossible to be focused on self and God simultaneously. God calls us to look to Him and when we do, He then directs us to meet the needs of others through our gifts and callings. Victory over self-absorption happens when we look at how God is and works. I, and all of us, are being called to higher levels of faithfulness.

We are all sons and daughters, but few will ever be entrusted with the matters of God’s heart. That is what true friendship is, when God shares with His children what He is doing and/or up to. In short, they enter into His confidence. This is what Jesus maintained at all times. The Father had supreme confidence in the Son’s obedience, and He entrusted him with the cross. Did you ever consider the fact that God may be entrusting you with your trials? This is what some miss in the Book of Job, God’s confidence in Job. God entrusted Job with those trials and demonstrated to Satan His flawless choice in Job as His representative in the earth. Job, though he struggled, did not forsake God, the ultimate source of his joy and worth. Tension existed during this time in his relationship with God, but Job and his faith remained as well. Is it any small wonder James tells us these words in James: 1:2-4

“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.”

The passage above illustrates a pattern of God drawing people though trials. This creates a steadfast faith in a person — Christ. During trials God reveals what is in our hearts. He strips away all idols, including our own self-seeking and offers us something better, more of Him.

Look at what Jesus did on the cross, and how he did it. You will see there was the joy of relationships set before Him. This was the motivation that carried Him forward, derived from His love of the Father, Spirit, and us. He joined God to man in a familial sense never known before, but after election, he allowed His children to decide the level and depth of that relationship. Further, He deemed the price of His own death to secure us as worth the cost. God knows the potential level of intimacy that every eternal relationship has. More baffling still, He chooses to call us his brothers and sisters at the beginning of our relationship journey. I rejoice in knowing the motivations of our God. The fact that love drives Him is more comforting than I could ever express in words. I just have to sigh and shake my head in awe of this. When I consider the rewards of heaven, I don’t think of making it there, streets of gold, or mansions. I think of future conversations and time I’ll spend with the Triune God and geting to know each one better.

David rightly stated, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” So what are we building on, and what are we striving for? Is it a place in the here and now primarily, in this wicked age? Is it the stuff in heaven? Is it an escape from hell? Is it reunification with dear loved ones we miss? Is it status up there? If so we miss the major point of salvation.That point is oneness, integration if you will. We can be integrated into the purposes of God in this life. We can please Him in the here and now. We can enter into His confidence through obedience. Remember: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” This a powerful, personal challenge to grab hold of what God has for us. It is independent of any title or position man can give. It is a hallowed, holy calling that He has for each of us beckoning for us to, “Come.”

Consider this passage in 1 Corinthians 3: 10 -15 ESV:

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

Like Cain and Abel, all of our work at the end of the day is an offering to God. The God who offered Himself, offers us the opportunity to enter into a place of intimacy Paul referred to as a longing of the heart this way in Philippians 3:10:

“I want to know Christ–yes, to know him the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

This was a place of friendship. I can call God my Father, Savior, Lord and many other things. But I cannot call Him my friend until He gives me that place. I can only hope to hear it one day. Only a foolish person would presume this. All the stuff that we could have done in life, means little if all or most of the work we did was consumed in the fire, and none or little pleased Him. Alas, we are all somewhere on the spectrum of friendship in God’s heart. Enemy, poor, fair, faithful, or joyful are good descriptors to start with.

God grant us keen insight into this revelation of obedience that leads to friendship. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

(Here is another excellent sermon from C.H. Spurgeon :http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/spurgeon/the_friend_of_god.htm)

Hebrews 9:15 ESV

“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

What incredible news for those who have come to faith in this priceless covenant. The basis for all of our activities under the sun lies within it, and forgiveness for the numerous transgressions afterwards sufficiently covers us as we move forward. We can never repay or earn this. We have been birthed into this new family. As men, we should now seek to live out what that means, following Christ as the ultimate example, and the other excellent examples of men of faith in the sacred scriptures. Brothers, anyone can say they are a Christian or “born again,” but God alone cuts a covenant with His elect and places life in them. It is life that sanctifies and transforms people into His image and likeness. Has God truly cut a covenant with you and if so, are you relying on it? If you can answer yes to both of those questions, then you should be growing in some of the following characteristics of a covenant man:

A covenant man knows that the source of all good things is the covenant God established with him through Christ. He has a rational, logical outlook on life based on this fact. He is ready to accept outcomes that are based on that covenant. Although he may receive support from secondary sources, he realizes that God is the author of all good things. He understands that all things fall into place when he seeks the kingdom first.

A covenant man sins. He is honest and direct about it with God and others. Like David, he can easily say, “I have sinned.” He does not whitewash his sins or try to explain them away. He understands that although he has sinned against others — primarily, it is God he has sinned against, and His creation are impacted by this. He seeks restoration via the covenant, and the shed blood of Christ, not works or by desperately seeking the approval of others after the fact. He will be contrite and ask forgiveness, but not grovel or beg.

A covenant man leads in his role. He is not caught up in trying to out perform the next man. He competes to improve. He understands his primal nature, his gifts, and the need to contribute and accomplish. However, he feels no need to trample others to get there. He excels in what he was designed to do. Keeping in mind his stage in life, ability, resources, and credibility, he seeks to leverage these things for the the glory of the kingdom.

A covenant man is wise. Although he is truthful (full of truth), he does not allow his adversaries to trap him in his words. When our Lord was asked gotcha questions by hypocrites who sought to use His statements against him, He refused to answer some of them simply because He knew their intentions. He turned the tables by using wisdom from the Spirit.

A covenant man is faithful to his wife. He knows that she is a gift, and that marriage reflects the best of all relationships. He is faithful wiith his heart, mind, and eyes. In her presence and absence, he praises her before others. His children are comforted knowing their mother is in his hands.

A covenant man is salient. He juts out among others, because of the light and life in him. He may not be the strongest, most handsome, or wealthiest, but he is above all else — reliable in counsel and deed.

A covenant man is no respecter of persons. When interacting, he is present in all the conversations he has with people. Whether in the presence of the high or low, a covenant man knows that there is one Judge who distinguishes correctly among men and their intentions. He respects all as God’s creation, and considers them worthy of his attention. No religious title, judge’s garment, political affiliation, corporate position, or media outlet causes him to become overly excited or anxious. Sober judgment marks him.

A covenant man is a defender, intercessor, and protector. His heart is with the weak and disadvantaged. He knows that the Lord is there too. James tells us that religion in its truest form looks to “orphans and widows.” Although he is aware of the sin that is sometimes generational has brought people to that state, those are not his primary concerns. A covenant man simply knows that if he can do something for those he encounters — he should. He does not focus on what he has already done; he simply does what he needs to do as led by the Spirit.

A covenant man has power. He understands that the power of new life resides in him. It is the ultimate source of wisdom, character, and motivation God has given him. Through this impartation of life, he is one with the Godhead. He has the power to offer solutions.

A covenant man is not alarmed, for long… (Matthew 24:6) He may be shook initially but remembers the words of Jesus, “See to it that you are not frightened…”

A covenant man is childlike. He enjoys playing with children on their level and becoming excited over the simple things in life. He approaches his Creator with childlike devotion, awe, and trust.

A covenant man knows self control, without it he understands he is a, “city without walls,” (Proverbs 25:28) open to every influence.
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A covenant man is diligent in his work. He knows short cuts and cheating scar the soul, and create appetites for ease and comfort.

A covenant man cares for his body. By understanding it is the temple of the Spirit, he appropriately dedicates time to exercise, rest, and eating well — while limiting or abstaining from substances that will harm it, whether legal or illegal. Paul spoke of how some individuals live. He said, “their god is their stomach.” Restraint in all appetites is necessary for him.

A convenant man constructs and destroys. He builds according to God’s design, and he destroys the things the enemy has constructed. He is familiar with this verse. 1st John 3:8: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the evil one.”

A covenant man is not trapped in guilt. Though he sins, he will not allow others to parade his shortcomings before him and disqualify him from his calling. He will persist in spite of failure and hold on to an empowering grace.

A covenant man is a transformative person — often and outsider. Christ was not accepted by the religious establishment of His day, the business leaders, or the political powers. He was content remaining outside of it, and he was never dependent on the perks that came with it.

A covenant man is a watchman. He sees what others do not, and looks for the threats, promises, and challenges the future brings. He is undaunted, because the joy of the future outweighs its trouble. He knows tomorrow will smile upon him.

A covenant man is defiantly humble. He knows that this is only a reasonable response to what was done for him. It is God’s work flowing out of him that changes him into a better person over the years. His heart melts when he has been entrusted with something by God or one of His creatures. He is humbled by grace and a defiant humility marks him.

A covenant man builds teams, he does not mobilize people in order to use them or extract their time, treasure, and talent. He is not a solo artist, but interdependent.

A covenant man corrects and praises others, while avoiding flattery. He is no con artist.  He gives credit where credit is due and does not steal other people’s ideas in order to appear more than he is or gain credit he did not earn. Everyone around him feels empowered, respected, and secure in their contributions.

A covenant man battles evil. He knows that Satan is a real adversary to be dealt with, and that people are prone to follow him. His approach to the enemy is always decisive. He refuses to use the term spiritual warfare; he will only accept spiritual conquest as the outcome of every battle. He strengthens the saints with testimonies of victory — while in the heat of battle — he assures them of the outcome.

A covenant man is stable. His focus is fixed, even when waves of anxiety and despair hit him. He realizes that emotions and bad reports are secondary issues. When he is tempted with being doubleminded because of these, he remembers that there is one ultimate reality and source he should look to — Christ the Son of God.

What a glorious covenant we have. If we only believed in it more. What would the world look like?

I pray that we will become better covenant men. I pray that some reading this will join me. Who will say I will?