Browsing Tag

Righteousness

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

When your Choice is not My Choice

Posted on May 25, 2023

Hebrews 11 says that Noah, by his obedient actions, condemned the world around him. Is it true that I can, simply by doing my best to be faithful and live a sanctified life, be a damning presence in the lives of those who are choosing a sinful lifestyle?

The answer is “yes,” in every decision I make that is between two opposite or radically different propositions. By approving one proposition I naturally imply that the opposite decision is not the one I prefer. In cases of morality and spirituality, I often imply, by my life choices, that the lifestyle of another, is damnable. This is particularly true if I ever attempt to verbally convince another person to forsake the spiritual path that he/she is on and to live as I have chosen to live. And yet, if I enjoy the prospect of heaven, then by the very nature of Christianity, I can and will tell others about the salvation for which I am so thankful. And inherent in the word “saved” is the concept of something awful (hell) from which I have been rescued—saved. I imply, that without change and submission, my neighbor is condemned. (That’s what makes evangelism so unpleasant in our minds, which have been conditioned by tolerance.) 

Because of my choice, I do “condemn” the world.

Being told that one is doing life wrong, is not generally accepted well in our haughty, and pluralistic society. Being asked to change is threatening to personal autonomy. We live in a world in which the concept of becoming slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:16) is just not even palatable. And yet, that’s clearly the choice I must make according to the Word of God. 

And there we land. Does the Word of God—the Bible—have authority over my life? It will tell each of us that we’ve made choices that are damnable. It convicts and I choose to humble myself to its power or to walk in my own pride and selfishness. 

But when I choose my own way, let me tell you, I will be necessarily be condemned in that world of selfishness/self-righteousness, by those who have bowed their knees to Jesus. 

Noah did not choose to condemn. He chose to obey. And in that righteousness—in those righteous deeds—he condemned the world. 

When people say, “Don’t judge me!”, they often, in fact mean, “Don’t condemn me by your very walk with Christ.” 

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Living…On Purpose!

Posted on April 4, 2022

 

“I didn’t mean to do it.”…The words I’ve said so often

When picking up broken pieces. Harsh words I tried to soften. 

But when I’m introspective and with my heart I’m true. 

The question begs an answer, “What DID I mean to do?” 

 

I have to mean to live for him. “On purpose” in every detail;

For if I fail to plan my walk, I really plan to fail.

Purposeful living is life with a map, instead of a wandering trail

It’s a definite destination, and a place to avoid, as well.

 

If I’m to keep away from sin; impulsive times of weakness; 

I have to keep close to the Book—prepare, instead, for meekness. 

If I’m to guard the worst of me, to practice self-control, 

I have to feed the best of me, the manna of the soul. 

 

If I’m to stop the talk that harms and spreads a dark despair

I have to start the talk that heals; the talk of fervent prayer.

If I can bear a burden instead of causing grief.

If I can offer words that heal and offer sweet relief…

 

That will not be an accident; a careless happenstance.

Heroic deeds are purposeful, and always start with plans. 

Plans to set aside the time to get into the Word.

Lists of those who need the truth and maybe haven’t heard. 

 

Jotted lists of those in need of comfort, meals or prayers.

And circled on my calendar the dates I plan to share—

A meal, a card, a visit, or a luncheon for the grieving

A Bible study session with a heart not yet believing. 

 

A facebook group where sisters pray; a house with an open door;

A meal on the table for someone who’s tired, a trip to the grocery store…

A text to encourage an elder, who can hardly stand under the strain…

Coffee with a mom who’s single again; the victim of betrayal and pain.

 

What did you mean to do today? Exactly what was the plan? 

Was the day you just spent purposeful? Did you firmly take your stand?

Did you cross off something on a list that’s focused for his glory?

Did you tell someone off or did you, as planned, tell someone the old, old story?

 

Did you wonder today at His greatness or wander in purpose-less “fun”?

Did you bask in pursuits of the world or bask in the warmth of His Son? 

Did you handle aright the word today? Did you marvel at some truth anew? 

Are you planning to fail by failing to plan? Or is God’s purpose living in you? 

c colley

                                               

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Digging Deep: There’s Reward in Doing the Right Thing! ( Isaiah 58:8)

Posted on March 25, 2020

We’re doing a lot of things better in our country during this strange Corona spring. There’s no late-night clubbing because the bars are closed. More moms are home with their children, which has always been God’s ideal.  We’re not driven by sports and entertainment to the extreme degree that’s typical. Casinos are closed, too. There’s more prayer and less revel. We’re checking on our elderly family members more frequently, pulling together in communities and  finding ways to connect with church family. Innovation may be at an all time high in our country.

For those of us in Christ, there are some very sad realities. (I mean besides the obvious reality of sickness and death that’s spreading so quickly in some parts of our country. Of course, we feel that sorrow.) Our fellowship is necessarily hampered and we long to talk face-to-face. Big events that encourage us, like lectureships and Lads-to-Leaders are not happening. Life feels weird without daily interaction, in person, with each other. I, for one, had no idea of the power our assemblies wield over my psyche–my mood.

I realize I’m saying things that have been said in our livestream services and our social media interaction over and over, so I won’t belabor them here. I want to give a requested list of good things–rewards that occur when we continue to seek him; when we determine to turn permanently from things that are against the will of our Father –things that are counter to the lifestyle He wants us to enjoy. That’s right: enjoy. If there’s one thing that faithful people are learning through the pandemic, it’s that we enjoy the life we have together in Him. When it’s suddenly void of just that one aspect– personal fellowship–we miss it like crazy!

So here’s the list, given to Judah, of rewards  for being righteous from Isaiah 58. (It’s the answer to the first part of number four in our study this month, if you’re digging. See if you can find these.)

  1. Light will spring forth.
  2. Health will spring forth.
  3. Righteousness will go before you.
  4. God will answer your cries.
  5. Your darkness will be as noonday.
  6. The Lord will guide you continually.
  7. The Lord will satisfy you in drought.
  8. The Lord will make fat your bones.
  9. You will be like a well-watered garden.
  10. You will be a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
  11. Some will build up old wasted places.
  12. You will raise up foundations of many generations.
  13. You will be part of the repairing of the breach.
  14. You will be part of restoring paths to dwell in.
  15. You will delight in the Lord.
  16. You will ride on high places of the earth.
  17. You will feed with the heritage of Jacob.

Every one of these could be a complete sermon, if we were preachers. Since we’re not, let’s meditate and make them lessons–goals–for our development during this dark time. Let’s emerge from this spring more righteous and more rewarded than we found ourselves as the year began. We can ride this out to His glory!