A few weeks ago I was talking with a college student who had a few questions about theology and a certain theological stance that is held by a few of his friends. This college student said that his friend didn’t believe that God would wait around for humanity to return to God. His friend said, “I can’t believe in a God who is sitting in a box in heaven hoping that humans would choose him.” For this student, God doesn’t need humans, so why would God sit around infatuated with the idea of His created beings potentially choosing Him as a prom date. 

This student is missing two keys in a theology of salvation. First, God isn’t sitting in a box waiting for someone to find the way on his own – God sent Jesus on a rescue mission to seek and save humanity (Luke 19:10). Jesus did not sit on the edge of Heave hoping that people would get their act together. Philippians 2:7 says, “Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity…” Jesus came down to Earth so bring people into the presence of God. Now the Holy Spirit is actively pursuing humanity so that they might experience the grace of Jesus. God is not sitting passively. He is actively purusing humanity. 

Secondly, God is hoping that humanity will choose salvation. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God hopes that we will choose him but it isn’t not for his sake but for ours. God doesn’t need humanity, humanity needs God! And God, who is love perfected, is waving the banner and sounding the alarm for the sake of humanity – not to boost His ego. 

That is unconditional love. That is compassion. Jesus gave it all to restore the dust that we are. 

He hopes we submit to him for our benefit not for His. God doesn’t need me – He knows that I need Him, and He desires that I will remember that everyday. 

Live It: 

• Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus? 
• What emotions well up inside of you when you realize Jesus pursues you because you need Him, not because He needs you?

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There is a deep desire to be the best at whatever we do. Second place is unacceptable. Contentment, as it seems, only comes when we are on top of the world. 

 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus is a self-serving request. “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10:37). The implications may be lost to us in our modern culture but Jesus knew exactly what James and John were asking of Jesus. Those seated closest to the leader were the most important people in the room. James and John were asking to prominence, power, and to be exalted above the other disciples. They were asking to be first among the people. 

 An arrogant desire to be lifted above people does not sit well with Jesus. I believe that many people who ask for power and leadership have self-serving motives. Jesus explained in Mark 10:42 that godless people seek power to lord over people. Power hungry people don’t spiritually feed others. 

 Jesus told James and John, “But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)

 Do you lead an organization? Are you on a team? Do you lead your family? You are called to be a humble servant of the people around you, regardless of the context that you are in. Being the best in your field isn’t as important as sharing the Gospel of Jesus through the words that you use and the way that you serve others.

Those who lift themselves above others often pull others down to make sure they stand above the crowd. Instead, build others up so that you may all stand before Jesus as faithful servants of Jesus. 

God himself stepped down from the perfection of Heaven and entered the mess of humanity. Was Jesus concerned with prestige and recognition? No. Jesus used His influence and position to reconcile people to God. 

Live It: 

• Who can you serve today? 
• How will you serve that person? 

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You were made on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose. Part of that purpose includes the work that God has prepared for you to do.

Contrary to popular belief and desire, work was present in the Garden of Eden before sin entered into the world. You read that correctly, work was present in the perfection of Eden. God created the concept of work and has prepared His people to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Work is a part of God’s plan for your life.

 In Ephesians 6:6 Paul is addressing how slaves should interact with their masters. Christian slaves faced a dilemma because of their status in a home. Why would you go above and beyond if you are not compensated for your extra time or efforts? Apparently the slaves in Ephesus who accepted Christ were completing the bare minimum amount of work that was asked of them. Paul explained that Christians should work diligently as slaves of Christ.

• He is your master.
• He directs your work.
• He has richly gifted you.

Work must be done “from your heart” and not for the purposes of pleasing people but for honoring God. In our culture it is easy to get caught up in working only when people are watching, which is a sinful attitude towards work. Did you catch the word “attitude” there? This concept cuts to the core of your heart, not your to-do list.

• Do you work only to be seen?
• Do you work to be accepted by others?
• Do you work to be appreciated with words and money?

Receiving compliments and compensation is not sinful – working with a self-serving attitude is.

The term “work” applies beyond the to-do list at your job to the way you serve your family, care for your house, minister to your neighbors, and serve in the local church. It encompasses every task and opportunity that God puts in front of you.

The Bible does not advocate overworking – especially when your working on your to-do list keeps you from serving others and sharing the Gospel – but reminds us that God is always watching us and has invited us to partake in life-giving, soul-restoring work of sharing the Gospel with others and serving them the way that Jesus would serve. 

The more tasks that you commit to accomplish the less of your heart you can put into it. 

Let Colossians 3:23 be an encouragement for your workday: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,” (Colossians 3:23).

 Live It:

• Do you only work hard when others are watching?

• Do you need to put your heart into a specific task that God has given you to complete? If so, what task?

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Society claims that the best way to gain wisdom is through trial and error. The thought goes that if you are young and dumb then you are on your way to be old and wise one day. While learning from your mistakes is a way to gain experiential wisdom it isn’t the best way to increase wisdom. Observational wisdom, as in learning from other people’s mistakes, is another great way to gain wisdom. 

However, there is a third and more powerful way to gain wisdom. Spiritual wisdom completes experiential and observational wisdom. God gives wisdom that is applicable to all areas of life. Experiential and observational wisdom have their limitations. Spiritual wisdom gives insight for both this life and the life to come. It connects spirit, mind, and soul to God’s will and purpose of your life. 

The book of Psalms begins with an invitation to walk in wisdom. Take a look at how a wise person is portrayed as a person who is planted firmly in the word of God. You will never know the will of God if you are not in the Word of God. 

Psalms 1:1-6

1How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!

2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

4 The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

Live It: 

• Are you “walking in the advice of the wicked” or delighting “in the Lord’s instruction”?
• What area of life do you need wisdom? 
• Pray for wisdom in that area of life.

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During biblical times the open water was seen as a place of chaos. A day on the sea could quickly turn into your last day on earth. Raging storms, strong winds, and high waves would quickly move into the area and bring utter chaos. The Jewish people thought that the sea was untamable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. Stepping into a boat meant that you were stepping into a potentially chaotic situation.

Jesus and the disciples rowed into such a storm in Mark 4:35-41. That morning and afternoon was full of teaching and instruction. Jesus taught a large crowd using parables of sowing seeds. As evening came Jesus instructed the disciples to jump into a boat and sail to the other side of the sea. During their voyage a strong storm threatened to sink their boat. The winds were raging. The waves were swelling over the boat.

The darkness of the night mixed with the power of the storm turned a peaceful boat ride into a chaotic voyage. I imagine that once the storm hit this small boat it was all hands on deck. The disciples would have grabbed a paddle and began paddling into the waves to keep the boat afloat.

 But where was Jesus? Was He helping out? Not at all. Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. The chaos that threatened the disciples was no threat to Jesus. The disciples, overwhelmed by the wind and waves, woke Jesus up and cried out, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” (Mark 4:38) Jesus woke up, told the wind and waves to be still and the wind and waves obeyed. Jesus is not thrown off by chaos.

Life can be just as unpredictable.

• Circumstances change.
• Finances fluctuate.
• Situations arise.
• Relationships end.

Chaos threatens to overtake our life, our joy, and our hope.

 Jesus calmed the seas to show that He controls creation and that He can order the chaos in our lives. There is nothing left to fear when we are in the presence of the Savior. Jesus is our calm in the chaos. He will not abandon you in your time of need. Jesus may not remove you from the situation but He will strengthen your faith and hope. Jesus is our constant in the chaos.

 Live It:

• What chaotic situation is threatening your hope and joy?

• How can you 1) remember the Jesus is sovereign over the chaos and 2) rely on Jesus to provide spiritually, mentally, and physically during the chaos?

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Through Adam’s disobedience humanity has struggled with sin and disobedience to God’s Law. Do you think it is fair that Adam’s sinful choice has corrupted humanity? Didn’t Adam think through the ramifications of his actions? Didn’t he weigh the consequences of his decision? Why wasn’t he satisfied with the millions of other trees that God has provided for him? 

 To be honest, I’ve had these thoughts before. I’ve wondered how Adam could have been so selfish and short-sighted. But almost instantly, God begins to remind me that I would have made the same decision that Adam did. I am short-sighted, selfish, and set in my ways. Given the option between a million good things I complain about the one thing that is off limits. 

We would all choose the path that Adam chose. How do I know? Each day we have a chance to choose the things of Christ but we rarely walk in righteousness. It is evident that we need Jesus. He is our only hope. He is our redeemer. He is our righteousness. 

 Adam approached the tree of life with selfish ambitions.

Jesus approached the tree of death with a selfless mission.

 Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection brings freedom from our selfish ambitions and sinful tendencies. Jesus is a greater Adam – He defeated sin and secured our freedom from sin.

Adam ushered in sin but Jesus ushers in salvation. In our need His power is displayed. We are unable to undo our unrighteousness. Adam’s selfish ambitions brought death but Jesus’ selfless mission brings life. 

Live It: 

• Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you in righteousness? 
• Is your hope to overcome sin placed in Jesus’ sacrifice or your will power? 

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