Are You Too Busy For God?

Everyone sooner or later faces challenges in time management and setting priorities if you have an agenda, bucket list, or a to-do list; here's some pertinent teaching:

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might..."  (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
We always find time to do the things we want to do as a rule, but we must learn to be flexible and adjust to God's timetable and plan--things don't always go according to agenda because life is unpredictable and our autopilot may be beckoning us.  God's providence has a reason and time for every purpose under the sun.

In today's rat-race and the dog-eat-dog world, we seem to attribute business as a virtue per se, regardless of the purpose.  If you don't know why you're so busy, your life may be unmanageable and you need to make priorities.  They say that time is of the essence.  Tempis fugit, (time flies) the Latin expression goes, and when we're having fun we don't know where the time goes.  The funny thing about our life is that it is like a vapor that vanishes and is soon over.  Ernest Hemingway said, "Time is the thing we have least of;" that is true because we are just stewards of the time God gives us (all things belong ultimately to God).  The abler we are, the more God assigns to be a steward of.

The point is to be faithful in what God gives you and not to compare yourself with others--their lifestyle is none of your business and not for you to judge--he is accountable to his God.  What's the point in being busy when you don't have a purpose in living--that is just being a workaholic and being busy for its own sake.  Sometimes God wants us to slow down and just enjoy life and Him in meditation.  Life can get hectic, but if we don't watch it the devil will make us so busy we crowd God out of our lives.  We should never be too busy for the Lord's work, just as Jesus never considered an interruption an inconvenience.  Some people do have time on their hands and God is trying to teach them to redeem the time and live one day at a time:  "This is the day that the LORD has made, let us be glad and live today"  (Psalm 118:24).  There are many things we can do to the time allotted to each of us, and we all have 168 hours per week to invest in God.

Work can be done to the glory of God--there is no special status to spiritual matters that qualify them to be of more inherent worthiness to invest in.  Praying is no more "spiritual" than washing dishes to the glory of God!  Work makes us realize the image of God in us and we see God at work through us--we have many given opportunities to work as unto the Lord.  There are several things we can do to time:  invest it, as in prayer because prayer saves time and the busier we are the more we need prayer;  we can just spend time or be doing something to keep busy; we can waste time by doing nonproductive activities that don't glorify God; sometimes we can even be known to kill time because we have downtime and don't know what to do with the extra time available.

But remember, the most important pertinent admonition from Scripture is to "redeem the time because the days are evil." Find ways to bring glory to God in what you do.   Being busy is not a virtue in itself unless it is to the glory of God; however, we should distinguish between being busy and staying busy. Workaholics are not virtuous because they are busier than most people, in the sense that they always have an excuse not to do the Lord's work.   I can always find something to do and never get bored, but I am not ever too busy to drop everything and answer God's call.  Stay busy, but don't get too busy your priorities are wrong--like crowding out family matters because work becomes your identity or number one priority.

When God's work is Job One, then everything falls into place.  Our work doesn't define us, but how we do it and our attitude does.  The thing we have to beware of is being slothful, lazy, or lethargic  (one of the "seven deadly sins").  Christ promises us a more "abundant life" and as a blessing, we are given more opportunity to serve Him.  In accountability, God doesn't want the leftovers of our time, but the prominent place and everything revolving around Him and to His glory. Lost opportunities can never be retrieved, like a spoken word or spent arrow, and we are accountable for them likewise as sins of omission.  The book of Haggai shows us that as soon as the Jews put God first in building the temple, God blessed them for getting their priorities straightened out.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Are We Faithful to Our Church?

The issue we must face sooner or later in our walk is, "Are we to remain faithful to our church, as opposed to our Lord and our personal faith?"  Here's a case in point:  After many years and many ties to a church,  one finds out that he doesn't agree with the church dogma and it is a compromise on his faith to cooperate, where he doesn't feel he can grow in Christ according to his faith, even though he may have the opportunity to serve in that church--what is most important?

To cite an example:  My grandmother, God bless her soul, stayed faithful to one church for most of her 96 years, seeing the coming and going of countless pastors, programs, and opportunities.  I don't know whether she knew it or not, but the church had become quite liberal, theologically speaking, and I don't think she realized it (she may have felt she was just too old to start over in another church and thought maybe she could influence them more than they her).

In my own walk, I am glad I'm not where I was when I was young and knew nothing of doctrine.  It seems like I was at a different stage at each church and God had a purpose for me being there, but then called me out to move on in a spiritual promotion, as I matured. Thank God I'm still not going to the Lutheran church of my youth where I would probably be a somebody by now, but the church would be nowhere.

The issue is whether one should be in a church where he can serve, or where one can grow.  One deserves accolades for faithfulness, but not if he disregards principle or his faith to do it--his primary concern should be to grow in the Lord, his priority in service.   I believe that, if you seek to grow, the serving will come naturally, and we shouldn't tend to promote ourselves or to presume on God that he has to put us into service--He will call us in is timing. 

In the early church, there was no alternate church to go to if one disagreed, for example; one had to stick it out through thick and thin.   We recall the carnal Corinthians who split into factions, and Paul labeled that a fruit of the flesh.  Sectarianism ("I am of Paul, I am of Peter, I am of Apollos, etc.) is a sin and not in God's original design for the local church.  The Bible does teach the local body's autonomy and independence from other churches, and the individual responsibility of the believer for his own faith--he cannot say that the church told him so, and pass the buck, so to speak.

It is good to downplay denomination quarrels and not be so dogmatic about doctrines that divide--we should seek unity and not division--avoiding the Bible-club mentality.  We all need to under authority and be accountable so that we don't go off on our own tangent and get flakey. The key to doing this is to remain in fellowship with other believers and know the basic doctrines of the Scriptures as a grounding in the truth to stabilize ourselves.

We don't want to leave a fellowship for petty differences or for minor doctrines (don't major on the minors), but leave room for some disagreement--we can disagree, without being disagreeable; just don't be divisive, argumentative, or quarrelsome in the body and known as a trouble maker--keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as Eph. 4:3 exhorts.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Are We All A Success?

Modern-day psychology will tell you that self-esteem is vital and the measuring rod to go by and not to worry what people say--it's all subjective and what your own personal goals are, not what society or God says that matters.  I got news:  no one is a success at everything and we are all bound to fail at something, or we just haven't tried enough or been around the block.  Admit it:  you've probably blown it or failed at least once, but that doesn't make you a failure.  Some kids can be failures in high school and be late bloomers and succeed late in life or finally find their niche or calling and talent.  You have no right to call someone a general failure in life, but you could say they are failures at marriage, or raising kids or a business.

Look at Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, who is a success on the gridiron, but a lousy dad.   But maybe they are a spiritual success in being prayer warriors, for instance, that can be a great servant for God.  To whom much is given, much is required;  we don't know what God expects of people--look at the widow who was successful at giving her mite!

Case in point, to get personal:  I was an exceptional success in high school and was considered one of the most likely to succeed (which I am trying to define) and my class would label me a failure now because I live a Veterans Home and have not even achieved the American dream.  But I believe I am in the will of God and all things will work out for the good (Rom. 8:28).  The Bema (Judgment Seat of Christ) will determine my level of success and worthiness and the amount of so-called reward.  You can be a success in the eyes of the world, achieving fame, fortune, and power, but fail and get no reward from God--it's all wood, hay, and stubble.

 If you fail at something, don't label yourself as a failure but that you just experimented at something that wasn't right for you.  You really haven't lived until you failed and if you've never failed, you've probably haven't aimed high enough.  They say in the Air Force to Aim High and that is a good code to live by because if you aim to be president and only become governor you can't be considered a failure, but that you just set your goals too high and should be more realistic.

Let's get specific:  We have to be realistic, like a son who is only 5 foot 3 and wants to be a football player would be discouraged and counseled into something more relative to his abilities and talents and limits.  'Nothing is too hard for [God]!"  "I can do all things [in His will] through Christ who strengthens me."  The key is not to think that you are superman and can succeed at anything, but that you find that which you can succeed and have been called to do and God will bless you.   I do not believe in prosperity theology that being a Christian means you will make a lot of money as a fringe benefit.  But God will bless your endeavors you do in His name and that He has called you to do in His will.    If you do succeed in the eyes of the world, don't let it go to your head but stay humble and give the glory to God.   We are only the vessels of honor used for His glory.

And so success is both subjective and objective. (Objectivity is true regardless of personal opinion or feeling).    Like passing a driving test you can say that you objectively failed.   But how can you say a preacher failed in his sermon without it being just subjective if the people heard him gladly and he got results--what is the criteria?  There are elements of both viewpoints.   A soldier can fail at the firing range but succeed in bivouac or CQ duty or not do so good in basic training but excel at Advanced Individual Training for his specialty at a higher level.  We can't just label people as complete failures, though some may be. In sum:   No one for whom Christ died is a complete failure, or is worthless, but is a vessel of honor for God--Let God be God and do the judging.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Orthodoxy And Orthopraxy

This means "right belief" and "right conduct" and they are both vital to a growing faith. The faith you have is the faith you show. If we are just satisfied with being theologically correct without applying it we miss the boat. Theology by itself is necessary for a sound Christian life, but it is not sufficient. It can lead us cold: Would you debate the Trinity to ease depression? Doctrine can make us grow in our apprehension of God and His Word, but the aim is to fulfill the Law by loving God and our neighbor. It can leave us cold, even if it impeccably correct. Romans 2:6 says: "God will repay everyone based on their works."

At the Bema (Judgment Seat or Tribunal of Christ for purpose of reward; cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15) we will not be interrogated as to our school of theology or our so-called philosophy, but our works will be evaluated by fire. In my Bible study, I realize I will be under stricter judgment and must practice what I preach to be effective, but God is looking for faithfulness and He will provide the increase.

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent" (1 Cor. 1:19). There is such a thing as spiritual pride in thinking we have cornered the market on truth or have a monopoly on orthodox doctrine. No one is infallible in the body of Christ except Jesus, the head of the body, who is the cornerstone. We all need each other but the wise and bright are not a cut above the other believers who may be simple-minded or common folk. "Not many noble" are called says, Paul. It is too easy for a brilliant expositor to "wow" his flock with his scholarship and blow them away, taking the eyes off of Jesus. Jesus was known for keeping it simple so that the common people heard him gladly.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is an example of a saintly woman who had a simple faith and applied it to the utmost in helping the untouchables. We are not called to debate theology but to catch people and make followers or learners (disciples) of Christ. It can be fun to debate doctrine but this is not the true goal of genuine fellowship: we should strive for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). Psa. 133:1 says that it is "pleasant" when brothers "dwell together in unity."

In Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17 he prays that we will be one as he and the Father are one. It quenches the Spirit to quarrel and we should agree and find common ground and that is what fellowship is: two fellows in the same ship. To sum up: it is paramount that we get our heart in the right place and apply what we know, rather than have theoretical knowledge.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Are There Disobedient Christians?

To answer the question ahead of myself for your benefit, it depends on what you mean by disobedient. The Navigators call the obedient Christian one who prays, witnesses, reads the Word, and fellowships or worships regularly, regardless of where else he may fall short: smoking, drinking, Sabbath-breaking, or what have you. Read on to draw your own conclusions.

The big question: "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17).

"But as for Israel, He says, "ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE" (Rom. 10:21). "The wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6). '...the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all" (Rom. 11:32).
Unbelievers are called disobedient but disobeying God after salvation doesn't make you a son of disobedience, but persistence in disobedience proves one isn't a child of God. "For I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). "Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience" (Rom. 11:30). We are talking about being obedient to the faith and to the gospel.

A caveat in Scripture: "They stumble because they were disobedient to the Word, as they were destined to do" [This is called reprobation: cf. Jude 4 and 1 Thess. 5:9] (1 Pet. 2:7).
A pertinent promise: "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" (Isa. 1:19).
A word to the wise: "For your obedience has become known to all..." (Rom. 16:19).
A challenge to those who stumble: "Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" (Gal. 5:7). The right attitude: "The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey" (Josh. 24:24). Priorities: "Obey those who rule over you..." (Heb. 13:17). "...For we must obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29).

Intrinsic motivation: "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed" (Rom. 6:17).
Warning: "If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed' (2 Thess. 3:14).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who is obedient believes, and only he who believes is obedient." These two are linked together as in Hebrews 3:17-18: "And to whom did he swear that would not enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? And so we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief." John 3:36 says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." These two are distinguished but not separated--they go hand in hand and are complementary or two sides of the same coin. Did not Abraham believe God and obey to leave Ur, and Noah obey to build the ark? "Faith without works is dead," and one must obey the gospel to be saved; to obey the gospel ("in flaming fire inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus," according to 2 Thess. 1:8). is to repent and accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior or trust in him for salvation (believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ) and submit to His Lordship or ownership of your life.

You can disobey God and not lose your salvation. Salvation is not contingent or probational, but permanent and once for all ("He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him", says Heb. 5:9 "He who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out," says John 6:37). Contrary to what Romanists teach, there is a continuity in the state of grace after salvation and the permanency of our relationship and position in Christ doesn't change, though our experiential life in Christ does fluctuate. We cannot be unborn as a child of God. Jonah disobeyed God by going in the opposite direction. Moses disobeyed God and struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it (and consequently was not allowed to enter the Promised Land). The Bible doesn't gloss over King David's faults and mistakes and gross sins but shows us that even the best of us can fail on occasion--look at Solomon! As they say, "To err is human," and "Nobody is perfect." There is no such thing as sinless perfection or "entire sanctification." We are all works in progress and even Paul said he did not claim to have been there yet (at perfection referred to in Phil. 3:13, "...I do not claim to have laid claim of it yet...").


The Christian doesn't obey God out of some fear that he will lose his salvation but from gratitude. He does it because he wants to not because he has to. When you feel you have to, it is legalism. God says he will give us the heart to obey him. "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules" (Ezek. 36:27).

Many priests became obedient to the faith and got saved in Acts 6:7, and Paul talks about the obedience of faith. We obey God in the Spirit and not according to the Law. The Law kills but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:6). We become obedient from the heart because the true circumcision is in the heart (Rom. 2:29). "...so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit" (Rom. 7:6). As Christians we learn to walk in the Spirit: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law" (Gal. 5:18). "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to those who obey him," says Acts 5:32).

There is a great reward and there are many perks to being obedient: answered prayer, prosperity, success, family blessings, abundant life and the bearing of fruit. In Job they questioned whether it was profitable to obey God, but found out it was--God restored him twice his former worth. Psalm 19:11 says that "in keeping them [the law] there is great reward." 1 Sam. 15:22 sums it up as an exhortation: "To obey is better than sacrifice...." Jesus also said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). In God's economy, there are paradoxes: poverty comes before riches and trial before success. Even Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb. 5:8). "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits" (Psa. 103:2). God was angry at the people in Malachi who said that it was "vain to serve God" (Mal. 3:14). Isaiah 48:10 announces, "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go." Other passages that are food for thought are Psalm 1:3 and Joshua 1:8.

Israel had good intentions, but poor follow-through as they promised to obey the Law in Exodus 24:7 instead of asking for mercy, and ended up in disobedience. Jesus saw the disciples sleeping in the garden and said "the spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak"--recognizing human weakness, and not necessarily sin itself--in all its ugly colors. We all fall short of our ideals and standards, but that doesn't make us hypocrites (they pretend or make a show to impress their faith). Jesus talked in a parable of two brothers and asked which one obeyed. The one that finally decided to obey not the one who had good intentions. As they say, "The road to hell is carved with good intentions." sincerity counts but it is not everything: there are many sincere people who are lost. God is looking for "sincere," and "unfeigned faith" and not necessarily perfect faith (1 Tim. 1:5). "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.," (cf. Mark 9:24).    Soli Deo Gloria!