I have now been a Christian for almost sixty years. I have often contemplated how different my life would look today had I not entrusted my life to Jesus when I was a teen. Let me be straight with you. Left to myself I am a self-righteous, judgmental, selfish, lustful man. Apart from Christ I’d be far more irritable and obnoxious than I presently am—and likely addicted to porn. I confess this because some seem to think that pastors (even retired pastors) live on a different spiritual plain than others. I promise, we don’t. Your temptations are mine—and mine are yours. I’ve heard it said, “In Christ, I’m not what I want to be. But thank God—in Christ, I’m not what I would have been!” For me, no words could be truer!
With that in mind, let me share some of what I’ve learned through the years and am still learning today. The first lesson I’ve learned (and often need to be reminded of) is the most important. Everything that follows flows from it. Anchor your life to God’s word—all of it!
In this life, that’s easier said than done. Rooting your beliefs and life choices in the soil of Scripture requires faith strong enough to stand against popular opinion, peer pressure, and your own immediate desires. No one exercises such faith perfectly. Even so, in God’s strength—and by God grace—we can grow in our commitment to the truth. In fact, we will grow if we saturate our hearts with Scripture, remain teachable, and practice submission to God’s loving discipline.
With that in mind, let me share some specific choices I’ve made as a Christ-follower that God has blessed. You will find nothing I say here new or profound. Nonetheless, here are some decisions I’ve made at various points in my Christian life that have born the fruit of God’s blessing.
First, if you are a genuine believer, marry a genuine believer. I don’t mean marry someone who says they’re a believer! I mean marry someone whose faith reveals itself in the way they speak, think, and live! When choosing a spouse, remember that biblical love is more than infatuation. Infatuation doesn’t last. But commitment does! Marry someone with whom you can share the most intimate of bonds—a spiritual bond rooted in mutual faith in Jesus. Of course, there will be struggles. In light of residual sin, that’s part of marriage. But here’s the good news. For believing couples, struggles become occasions for growth. For 47 years and counting, I am blessed to have a believing wife. And it’s all because of a choice I made when I was young. Marry a believer.
Second, generously honor God in your giving. Tithing (10%) is a good starting point. I know that the New Testament doesn’t command believers to give a specific percentage of their income back to God. Even so, remember that the New Testament principle for giving isn’t “Hey, since I’m not under law I don’t have to tithe. It all belongs to me!” In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. In the New Testament tithing disappears not because “it all belongs to me” but because “it all belongs to God”! That’s why tithing should be the beginning point for giving, not the end. Personally, I can’t tell you how much God has blessed Nancy and me as we’ve committed to giving at least a tithe of our income to our local church. When finances have been tight, we’ve seen we’ve seen God provide in amazing ways. This has deepened our faith. We have never gone without or suffered real loss. We rejoice in God’s goodness and provision.
Third, as a Christian you will be blessed if you serve Jesus by serving his Church. Jesus loves the Church which is his Body. We need to love it too by committing to a local Bible-believing community of believers. When you participate in—and submit to—a local church you benefit from the encouragement, love, struggles, and spiritual gifts of others. Believers, we need each other. Spiritual a maturity comes only when we serve and learn together how to bear with one another and to forgive each other like God forgives us in Christ.
Fourth, do the hard things God calls you to do. Face it! If you’re a genuine believer, God will call you to do things you don’t necessarily want to do. He will call you to walk away from unhealthy relationships. He will call you to sacrifice time and money in service to his kingdom. God will call you to serve Him in ways you’re not capable of serving—not in and of yourself. He will call you to persevere in ministry or circumstances that threaten to overwhelm you. Whatever the case may be, obey Him. Do what God calls you to do and you will see Him move in you—move through you—in ways you never dreamed. This is the way of growth. This is the way of joy! Resist the urge to make comfort your life goal! Don’t settle for mediocrity! Obedient living is fruitful—and joyful--living!
Finally, believe in God’s grace! I mean, REALLY believe in God’s grace. I’ve struggled with this. Even after 58 years, I still struggle today. I sometimes find myself striving to “prove myself” to God. What a joke. It’s so foolish. So faithless. So unnecessary. The Bible is clear. From before the foundation of the world God chose me to be His own. He called me by name and drew me to Jesus. He has never let me go—even when I’ve tried walking away. He will never let me go. …He who began a good work in you (in me) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Believer, never forget, you are saved by God’s grace alone! You are kept by His grace alone. And, on the day of Christ Jesus, you will be found blameless by grace alone. Rest in Christ. You need not prove yourself to God and neither do I.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways” (Romans 11:33)!