Above the Sun: Details matter in spiritual warfare

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 12, 2020

            I saw a meme on social media the other day that really made me think. It said, “You can’t follow all the Bible’s rules, so just trust Jesus.”

            I believe both statements are true, but together they send a message that can easily be misunderstood in the absence of good definitions of what “can’t follow” means, and what “just trust Jesus” means. When I read a statement like that, my first thought is that it means since we are not perfect, God lets us off the hook from even trying.

            While it is true that none of us is perfect, we can perfectly follow God’s will. He knows we make mistakes. That is what grace is for. But intentional willful sin is very different from unintentional sin. It’s a matter of the heart. Paul tells us in Romans 6 that it is not proper for us to go on sinning so that grace can make up for our shortcomings. He says Christians should not chose to live in sin any longer.

            The devil and his army of demons know without a doubt that Jesus is the son of God and that good overcomes evil. But Satan and those who follow him choose to not follow God’s rules even though they trust that those rules are correct. People are like that, too. There are many who know in their mind that Jesus is the son of God, and that He is our only hope. The problem is they have made a choice to follow the devil’s ways instead of God’s ways.  That is not the same thing as trying to follow God’s will, knowing you cannot be perfect, but trusting Jesus to save you in the end.

            We are not saved because of the good works we do, even though we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). No matter how many good things we do, and no matter how many of God’s rules we obey, we are sure to miss something. We are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, no, we are not capable of saving ourselves. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can forgive us of our sins and continually wash them away for those who are walking in His light (1 John 1:7). Baptism is the point at which our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) and we clothe ourselves in Jesus (Galatians 3:26-27). It is because of God’s grace that He has provided a way for us to be saved. Simply having knowledge that Jesus is our only hope does no good unless we choose to obey His commands (James 1:22, 2:14, 24, 26). Obeying His commands is how Jesus knows we love Him (John 14:15, 21, 23, 24).

            There’s an old saying: “The devil is in the detail.” It means there’s more to something than meets the eye. In spiritual warfare, we must remember this so as not to fall victim to the devil’s schemes.

            There’s an even older saying: “God is in the detail” which means whatever you do should be done thoroughly.  Those who wear the name Christian are Christ followers, and every word and deed that comes from us should be something that can be done in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

            Life as a Christian who strives to trust and obey is challenging. But when we learn to put God first in our lives, even when we fail, we have the assurance that God’s grace will carry us through. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Choose Joy

by Barrett Vanlandingham

January 5, 2020

            Now that the holidays are past, it’s time to get on with it.  Life, I mean, and all the things that are part of our daily routine must become the norm again, only this time, it’s a brand-new year.

            2020 has a nice ring to it, and provides us with a clean slate. We get to choose how we will be feeling about things this time next year. A new year doesn’t erase consequences of bad decisions from the previous year, but it does provide a new space to adjust the direction we’re headed in a variety of ways: emotionally, financially, spiritually, and so on.

            I dialed up Janet, our church secretary, for some ideas on good topics to write about. Without hesitation, she said, “I think Joy would be a good one. So here we go!

            Next to Love, Joy is the second quality listed in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is not the same as happiness. We can have joy even if we are sad. Joy does not appear and disappear with every fleeting emotion. Joy is not circumstantial. It sticks around whether things are going good or bad for you at the moment. Joy is that feeling of peace and contentment you have when you turn your life over to God and trust Him to provide everything you need, just like when Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

            This verse is part of a famous message Jesus gave known as the Sermon on the Mount. He covered a variety of topics on how to get the most out of this life, spiritually, as we prepare for Judgment Day. Here, Jesus connects the spiritual with the physical, telling the people to not worry about things like food and clothing, but to set Godly priorities and just watch how everything falls into place in just the right way. When we learn to do this, we will have a joyful life.

            Anyone who has lived very much life knows that facing trouble is just a part of life in a broken world. The apostles faced trouble, hardship, and even death, as did many other Christians in the first century and beyond. It even happens today.

            Most of you reading this article have experienced disappointment with Christian friends or family members who have turned their back on God. Maybe you have been that person. These are not happy times. But we can still be joyful, knowing that God is very creative in dealing with His children and disciplining them in ways that will get their attention, and bring them back to Him. We’ve all seen it happen. God’s timing is perfect. Ours is not.

            We can take joy in knowing that God is in control of even our next breath. He also gives us free will. We can choose to make God our priority and live a joyful life, or we can choose to butt heads with him and suffer consequences now and later. Either way, in the end, every person who has not bowed to God and confessed that Jesus is Lord will do exactly that (Philippians 2:10 and Romans 14:11).

            When Jesus died on the cross, He was not happy about it. But He was joyful because He knew He was accomplishing what He set out to do, save those who believe in Him and obey. We can all take joy in knowing that.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: A new life can be a wonderful life!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 29, 2019

            There’s just something special about new things, and the countdown is on for New Year’s Eve celebrations everywhere. Each year, we all have high hopes for what is to come in the New Year. That’s why we don’t call it Unknown Year, or Have No Idea What’s Going to Happen Year, or Let’s Hope I Don’t Fail Again Year!  It’s our chance to turn things around, make things right, or just start over. It’s the New Year, and we look forward to successfully overcoming our challenges, and meeting our goals, or even setting some goals!

            The Bible speaks with optimism about new things. In Revelation 21, John wrote these words about what Jesus revealed to him in a vision concerning our eternal reward after the old universe passes away: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1).  “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new” (Rev. 21:5).  What a beautiful thought from Jesus Himself, the One who left His own home, conquering sin and death to give hope to those who believe in Him (John 1:12)! Considering the fact that Jesus made our physical universe and everything in it to His specifications, and then said it was “very good,” I cannot even imagine what it will be like to experience eternal life in a new place, a spiritual place that Jesus would describe as new!   

            The apostle Paul also frequently used the term new to describe the life of committed Christians. In writing to the church in Corinth he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

            To the church in Rome and Galatia, Paul explained how we get in or into Christ. He also explained what being in Christ allows those who are clothed in Him to do because of their new status (Galatians 3:26-27). “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4).

            What a beautiful reflection we get to be a part of! The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is acted out in our immersion (baptism). Paul says believers who are baptized have the opportunity to live a brand new life, one that they were unable to live before. In Acts 2:38, Peter explains that those who turn to God and are baptized receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 explains that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 explains the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

            The Bible references in this article can help you experience a new life in the New Year. God bless you in your spiritual journey, and have a great week!

Above the Sun: The Spirit gives and we should too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 22, 2019

                       

             It is exciting to think of the smiles, laughter, happiness, and joy that will most certainly fill the hearts of those celebrating this special holiday we call Christmas. Just three days away!

          Yes, I still enjoy receiving a gift. But those of us who are, let’s say, a little more mature in years than we used to be, know that there is just a real satisfaction in giving. We appreciate being able to give, and we remember what it was like to receive a gift when we really needed it. It is only natural to want to forward those blessings to others. After all, we are made in the image of God. He gave his son so that we might have eternal life. His Holy Spirit gives to every Christian everyday. So, it should be no surprise when we find more joy in giving than receiving, since Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

          Jesus not only gave his life so we could have life, he also gave up his home for a time so he could show us how to live. These are two great gifts that motivate us to think of ways to serve others like Jesus did.

          Just think about the gifts that are made available to all humans through the work of God’s Holy Spirit. Luke says we “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” when we are baptized (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit guides us, comforts us, acts as an advocate for us, interceding for us when we just don’t know what to pray.  The Holy Spirit can work in partnership with Christians to keep us in check when we stray, and can also help others to see the error of their ways so that they will long and search for a better life that only a God-focused life can provide. That spells opportunity for the sinner and for the Christian looking for opportunities to reach lost souls for Christ.

          In Galatians 5, we read about the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful, gentleness, and self-control. These are qualities of God that he gives to us by his Spirit. As Christians with free will, we can choose whether to accept or reject these blessings. We can also choose whether to bless the lives of others by passing these gifts on to other people. The Christian who strives to walk in the footsteps of Jesus understands why giving to others is a much greater blessing than receiving.

          I hope each of you has a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Above the Sun: Awaiting that Day is a thrill of its own

by Barrett Vanlandingham

December 15, 2019

                       

            Just TEN days until Christmas! What an exciting time for kids of all ages, as they eagerly wait and dream about what Santa might be putting under their tree.

            When I think of what Jesus meant when he told an adult audience that they need to become like little children in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:2-4), I can’t help but think of how excited kids become as Christmas draws nearer. Simply put, they trust that Christmas is going to be the best day of the year! That trust results in uncontainable excitement over what is to come.

            The apostle Paul describes the sharp contrast between those who set their minds on earthly things, living as enemies of the cross, instead of staying focused on the amazing gifts offered by God, and trusting that because of His son, Jesus, we have hope.

            “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

            It is a huge challenge, isn’t it, to eagerly await the return of Jesus? While it looms in the back of our minds, I expect for most of us the word “eagerly” probably doesn’t describe how we feel about Judgment Day. But it should! Committed followers of Jesus should look forward to the second coming the way a child looks at the coming of Christmas Day and all those presents surely coming their way! Our excitement is not based on whether we feel we have successfully avoided the naughty list and made it onto the nice list. Our eagerness is based on Jesus’ power to save those who put their trust in Him and obey His will (James 1:24-26).

            ”For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).

          Grace, and therefore salvation, has been offered, but as with any offer, we can choose to accept the offer or reject it. When there is a prize-winning ticket about to be drawn, people become eager. They make sure they have their tickets in hand, and make sure they are where they need to be in order to hear their number called, just like a child awaiting Christmas.

          Are you where you need to be spiritually, eagerly awaiting that final day when God calls us home? What a gift! Have a great week!