Getting Things Off Your Chest

Do not be like the horse or the mule, 

which have no understanding 

but must be controlled by bit and bridle 

or they will not come to you. 

—Psalm 32:9

This verse is among a trio of verses in which David reflected on God’s instruction and counsel. The horse and mule are used to illustrate the wicked individual who stubbornly refuses to listen. For all the good in horses and mules, they are beasts that have no desire to work or to transport a rider. To be useful, they must be controlled by bit and bridle.

Can you see how this is an accurate description of those in rebellion to God? We exist in a world in which many people simply want to do things their own way by throwing off all restraints. The result is the removal of any sense of right and wrong. As this philosophy of life is played out, people are hurt and lives are destroyed. Like the horse and mule the only way to control someone with such an unrestrained lifestyle is imprisonment, a type of bit and bridle for humans.

In contrast David began this Psalm:

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, 

whose sins are covered. (v. 1)

He told how his body had wasted away because of the ever-present guilt of sin in his life. He described feeling the heavy hand of God at all times. Even his physical strength was sapped from his body. His description sounds like the symptoms of severe depression.

Have you ever felt the pressure of sin like David? Sin is oppressive; it ruins lives. Oh sure, we recognize the effects of the big sins: capital crimes, repulsive sexual immorality, bold rebellious sins. Yet other sins are more private and do not seem to be as serious because no one else knows. So we believe that we can just move on and it will all fade into the past.

In reality, sin, even private sin, weighs us down. We feel guilt. It is as if we have lost control. In truth sin has its own bit and bridle. It will literally take control of you and rule your life.

Our society believes in “getting things off your chest.” That is, at least in part, the function of much of the counseling that goes on today. Undoubtedly, that seems to help. It does feel better to be able to talk to someone, to share your burdens. But let me ask you a very serious question. Be completely honest.

What good does it really do? Does it really help?
Perhaps you answered, “Yes.”

Why, then, is it only temporary? Why is there another counseling session to be scheduled? Why does the weight of the burden return?

When there is sin in one’s life, the hand of God is the source of that heavy burden. There is no man that can take that off your chest. Listen to David’s words:

Then I acknowledged my sin to you 

and did not cover up my iniquity. 

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” – 

and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (v. 5)

When sin has control of your life you will feel its effect. You may discover times when sin causes you to feel depressed. That weight is the hand of God.

The only real and lasting solution is to throw yourself at the feet of God with an open heart confessing your sin. He will forgive your sins and remove his heavy hand. What a relief it is to get things off your chest by going to God in prayer.

Mark Stinnett

July 28, 2024

Your Object of Faith

Now Faith is...
concerning things expected...reality,
concerning things not seen...confidence.
(Personal rewording of Hebrews 11:1)

We look to the future. Yet even scientific discoveries, statistical analysis, and historical research leave many questions unanswered. There are problems needing resolution. There are deep needs that yearn for fulfillment. We often feel a void of uncertainty.

What is it that offers hope? What is it that offers the possibility, or better yet, a true expectation of filling the void or solving the problem? What is it that provides the confidence that tomorrow’s uncertainties will be manageable?

What is that unseen force, power, or being that gives you strength of confidence and a real expectation that with it, you can face tomorrow; you can overcome life’s uncertainties, your needs will be met?

Do you expect financial success to provide?
A higher paying job, a more lucrative investment, a bigger or better deal?

Do you expect career to provide?
A step up on the career ladder, more authority at work, your own business, career success?

Do you expect physical strength or beauty to provide?
A quest for health and a longer life, pursuit of strength that cannot be overcome, pursuit of beauty to charm and sway the hearts of men?

Do you expect knowledge to provide?
A greater knowledge and a deeper wisdom to outthink and outwit and outlast life’s competitors?

Do you expect the relationship of family, friends, or associates to provide?
The acceptance and tolerance of friends and family; a relationship with someone of importance, someone of wealth, someone of power?

Men have pursued these and other things to provide confidence and hope to meet the challenges of life’s uncertainties.
And yet...
If financial success is that which provides hope and confidence...wealth is your god.
If position or fame is that which provides hope and confidence...success or power is your god.
If physical strength or beauty is that which provides hope and confidence...your body is your god.
If knowledge and wisdom are that which provide hope and confidence...intellect is your god.

To what or to whom do you turn when conflicts arise in your life? When uncertainties and needs arise, who or what first comes to your mind? Who or what stands foremost in your mind as the reality that can bring about needed changes to solve your problems and fill your needs?

Or, do you, perhaps, simply trust in yourself??

The object in which you place your faith, that which, though perhaps unseen, stands as the reality in your life on which you depend for answers… that is your god/God!

I am the Lord your God...

You shall have no other gods before Me.

--Exodus 20:2-3

Mark Stinnett

July 21, 2024

A Crown of Humility

Not in our century and not in our country, a man once rose up from an evening meal, removed his outer cloak and wrapped a towel around his waist. He filled a basin with water and one by one washed the feet of each guest, drying their feet with the towel. Oddly, this man was also a guest. No, he was more than a guest. The other guests were his closest followers, and he was their teacher.

Had an onlooker peeked inside, he would not have gasped at the obvious reversal of roles. He would have seen an ordinary-looking man washing the feet of ordinary-looking guests according to the custom of the day. Yet, the disciples knew that the foot-washer, Jesus, was no ordinary man. They had witnessed His miracles, had listened to His teachings, had been given authority by Him. Even so, not everything about Jesus fit their expectations.

They called him Lord and Teacher. Yet He washed their feet. There were twelve men who had supper with Jesus, twelve pairs of feet…

… Judas, Thaddeus, Simon,

… James the Lesser, Bartholomew,

… Matthew, Thomas, Philip,

… John, James, Andrew, Peter.

One would betray him; 

     one would openly deny him; 

          all would run away.

_____________________

Do not misunderstand. Jesus was not downtrodden, worn out, or depressed. He had not been beaten by the enemy. He had not been demoted. He was not a broken shell of a man who was now resigning himself to his pitiful lot in life as a house servant.

He was the Messiah, the anointed one, Son of David: the coming King. He was Deity in the flesh. And without removing his identity and without removing his role, He clothed himself with humility and became a servant.

Did anyone in that room understand what had happened?

Was anyone moved by this act of humility?

Was anyone just a little embarrassed?

Divine Royalty stooped to the ground to perform the task of an insignificant servant.

He calls his disciples today to follow in his footsteps, to humble themselves as servants.

_____________________

No one is asked to remove his/her role in life as husband/father, wife/mother, elder, deacon, preacher, CEO, president, director, foreman, owner, employer, student, teacher, laborer, or any other role. However, the call IS to stoop down and, without removing your role, clothe yourself with humility, and imitate the Master.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

--Philippians 2:4-8

Our King crowned Himself with humility. What is your response to our Teacher, our Master?

Mark Stinnett

July 14, 2024

Always Saved? ("Yes" and "No")

The book of 1 John assures Christians of their salvation in Christ. However, some have taught that a Christian is always saved and can never lose their salvation. Turning to the book of 1 John, let’s answer an important question: Is a Christian always saved?

“Absolutely, Yes!”

John wrote his first letter to Christians who must have lacked confidence in their salvation. He offered convincing truths to build their confidence. Consider the following statements in John’s letter:

If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses from all sin.

--1 John 1:7

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

--1 John 2:1

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.

--1 John 2:25

Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

--1 John 2:28

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.

--1 John 3:18-21

By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

--1 John 4:17

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

--1 John 5:13

Christians were being deceived about their salvation (2:26). John wanted to bolster their confidence by ensuring them that they would not lose their salvation. We are encouraged that God has not and will not abandon his children. The children of God have confidence that God will never change his mind or makes new requirements for salvation. He will honor all his promises regarding salvation.

So, in that respect we can confidently say, “Absolutely Yes!” Once a person has been saved, he/she has confidence in God’s promises. They will never lose their salvation.

“Absolutely Not!”

Some say that a Christian cannot fall from God’s grace. John also gives us insight into this claim in his brief letter. Remember that John was addressing those who were already saved (2:12-14). In the first chapter He reminded them of their fellowship with God through Christ. Then in the very next chapter he boldly stated:

I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father….(2:1)

John’s intent was for Christians to avoid sin. Yet in the same verse he acknowledged that a Christian might sin, but that there is a remedy for sin for the Christian: confession of one’s sins. However, if anyone refuses to confess his sins, or if he returns to a life of sin, then he walks in darkness and has no fellowship with God.

John takes it a step farther saying that anyone who hates (rejects) his brother walks in darkness. The one who hates his brother is “of the evil one” (3:7-10). So, the Christian who hates his brother has returned to a path of darkness. He no longer walks in the light and consequently forfeits his fellowship with God.

For that reason, we must answer, “Absolutely Not!” Salvation is conditional. A Christian must not adopt a casual attitude toward sin and return to his former way of life. In doing so, he will no longer have fellowship with God and will forfeit his salvation. It is important to see that, in this case, God has not abandoned his child. Rather, the child has abandoned his Father.

Conclusion

John’s letter was written to bolster the confidence of Christians. Our confidence is rooted in our salvation through Jesus. However, confidence in one’s salvation is not a license to sin.

Because of our changed nature sin is no longer our way of life. For that reason, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from sin. And yet, the blood of Jesus does not cleanse those who are opposed to God. It does not cleans those who return to their old life in spiritual darkness.

God will keep his promises. The question is whether YOU will faithfully hold to Christ and His promises.

Mark Stinnett

July 7, 2024

Removing the Blinders

Balak was a king of ancient Moab. He was terrified of the Israelite nation as they made their way to the Land of Canaan after deliverance from slavery in Egypt. So, he sent for a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites. With wisdom Balaam consulted God. 

(Read about it in Numbers 22-24.)

God refused to allow Balaam to curse the Israelites so Balaam sent word back to King Balak to that effect. Not satisfied with his response, King Balak offered great wealth to Balaam if he would curse the Israelites. Balaam told the king’s messengers that he had already received an answer from God, but if they would stay overnight he would consult God once again. This time God told Balaam to go to King Balak! But He told him to do only what he was instructed. Balaam joyfully left with the king’s messengers. Then, God became angry with Balaam.

It might seem odd that God would first refuse to allow Balaam to go, then give Balaam permission to go, and then become angry when Balaam went. 

This oddity is answered in the text...

As Balaam was on his way to King Balak an angel of God, with sword drawn, blocked the road. Three times Balaam’s donkey turned away, and three times Balaam became angry at the donkey’s stubbornness. Finally, God opened the mouth of the donkey and a brief conversation followed between man and beast! Only then were Balaam’s eyes opened. Only then did he see the angel and realize that he was in the wrong. The angel then repeated God’s message to Balaam: Go to King Balak, but do only what God tells you to do.

The fact that God repeated this part of His instruction suggests that Balaam’s motives were impure. It appears that Balaam was more excited about the permission to go than the instruction to do only what God told him. God appears to have been angry with Balaam for only half-listening to what He had said.

Parents have to deal with this kind of thing. Their teen asks permission to attend a party with friends. Initially the parents refuse, but later, after repeated pleading on the part of the teen, give in. As soon as permission is granted the teen bolts to the phone to tell her friends the good news. The parents then regret having given permission.

They gave permission to attend the party, but not permission to engage in questionable activities. They realize that their teen had only half-listened, hearing the permission to go but giving little thought further instruction. At that point the parents recognize the need for a serious conversation with their teen regarding her moral behavior, responsibility, respect, good character, and curfew.

Balaam undoubtedly found God’s permission very gratifying. However, the promise of wealth became a distraction. His desire to satisfy himself had blinded him to God’s own desire for His people. God had to ‘remove the blinders’ from Balaam so that he could see the will of God.

The distractions of this life and all its thrills may blind Christians to the will of God. Wealth, entertainment and success in our own little corner of the world are tantalizing offers. These things, and even Christian liberties can become blinders of selfishness, pride, and stubbornness that are sure to mask the will of God. Only when these blinders are removed will we see clearly so that we can carry out the will of God in our lives.

Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

—Romans 12:1-2

Mark Stinnett

June 30, 2024