DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

And [Hezekiah] did what was right in the sight of the LORD…. (2 Kings 18:3)

Paul warned the Roman Christians about the danger of being conformed to the world (Rom.12:2).  One translation renders it, “Do not let the world press you into its mold.”  By the world, we mean the organized system of evil which characterizes unbelievers under the dominion of Satan.  Each day we face this relentless pressure.  It isn’t hard to give in.  Most people do.  Yet, we are called to be radically different.   God’s children are living for another world—for eternity.  Hezekiah dared to be different.  His life as described in 2 Kings 18 is a challenge to us.

We are to dare to be DIFFERENT IN OUR ACTIONS (v.3).  This was so different from most of the kings of Judah.  Of Ahaz who preceded him it says, “he did evil in the sight of the LORD” (17:2), and of Manasseh who succeeded him, “he did evil in the sight of the LORD.”  Hezekiah dared to be different.  

There were two motivating factors that aided him that will also help us.  First, Hezekiah knew God was always watching.  The private sin on earth is a public scandal in heaven.  The good deeds men overlook are always documented by God.  2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."   Secondly, Hezekiah had a godly example in David.  King David wasn’t a perfect man, but he was “a man after God’s own heart.”  Hezekiah was challenged by that example.  Such can inspire us.

We are further to be DIFFERENT IN OUR ATTITUDES (v.4).  The attitude of most of the kings toward idolatry was to encourage it by tolerating it, and some actively embraced it by practicing it.  Not Hezekiah! He sought to eradicate it by attacking it!  The Jews had come to venerate the bronze serpent.  Hezekiah called it Nehushtan—the bronze thing.  Are we tolerant of evil?  Right attitudes are important.  Paul’s demand not to be conformed to the world is connected to a renewed mind that is transformed by the Word (Rom.12:2).  

Then, we are to be DIFFERENT IN OUR ASSURANCE (v.5-6).  The world seeks success and security in position, possessions, and pleasures.  If I get the right status I'll be successful.  If I get enough stuff I'll be secure.  If I get enough stimulation, I'll be satisfied.  That is instead the path to disappointment for there is nothing this world offers that is enduring.  God alone is worthy of our faith.  He gives the highest status, true riches, and everlasting joy to His obedient children.   A living faith produces works.  James tells us that “faith without works is dead.”  Hezekiah’s life was marked by connection, “he held fast to the LORD”; consistency, “he did not depart from following Him”; commitment, “kept His commandments.”  

Finally, we should be DIFFERENT IN OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS (v.7-8).  Several of the wicked kings experienced worldly success.  In the end, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”  True success is having all the resources we need here and all the rewards we can store up hereafter.  "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:17)  Hezekiah lived in victory.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  Dare to be different!

CONTACT WITHOUT CONTAMINATION

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  (Daniel 1:8)

Christians are to be in the world, yet not of the world.  The firefighter is in the fire, but not of the fire.  He cannot do his job without being close to the fire, but if he becomes of the fire it is life-threatening.  Believers are to have contact with our world, but not contamination from the world.  The story of Daniel and his three young friends in chapter one of his book provides insight.

We are presented with a complex and perplexing dilemma  (v.1-4)  How in this world can I be holy?  We live in a world filled with filth bent on polluting us.  Yet, God has deliberately placed us in this kind of environment—otherwise, we could not carry out our mission.  These four teenagers faced such a challenge to their faith.  They had to learn to be conversant with a pagan culture, but not corrupted by it.  Jesus has not called us to be isolated, but insulated, from the world.  We are not summoned to a monastery, but a ministry.  We are to be salt that seasons society and arrests the spread of corruption, but salt has to make contact before it can help preserve and season.  If it remains in the salt shaker it can’t do any good.  We are also to be the light of the world—and a flashlight at noonday won’t do much, but put it in the dark and it can show the way.  

This is not to minimize a clear and present danger (v.5-8).  It is the little compromise that opens the door to a major catastrophe.  How often Satan says, “That’s not so bad—people do much worse.”  Or, “Just this once—what could it hurt?”  Just a little wine—Satan whispered to Daniel—everybody else is doing it.  You don't have to be an oddball.  So it begins.  No one starts out with the goal of becoming an alcoholic, but you’ll never have to worry about that if you don't take the first drink.  Nobody intends to become a drug addict, and you won’t if you don’t smoke that first joint.  People don't become bankrupt from gambling without placing the first bet.  You won’t become  pregnant out of wedlock or contract an STD, if you don’t surrender your virginity.

We must make a committed and persistent decision (v.8-10).  They drew a line in the sand.  The old country song is so true, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”  That line you draw will have to be redrawn again and again.  Temptation functions like gravity.  It is constant and must be resisted.  The chief of the eunuchs was worried about losing his head—Daniel’s fate might be the same.  You don’t tell a tyrant, “No.”  But Daniel wasn’t worried about death for he had already died—died to self and to the world.

This brought a complete and powerful deliverance (v.11-20).  Daniel says, “Watch me and I’ll prove God is real!”  If God didn't come through, he was through!  Our world isn’t impressed with words—it waits to see the reality of our faith.  Miracles come to those expecting one.  Even the pagans had to take notice.  We can make a difference by being different.  Will we?

THE SMALL STUFF

(a guest article from Derrick McCarson, Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Candler, NC)

There is an ancient Indian legend of a king who loved chess. He challenged visitors to a game, and was usually victorious. One day a traveling sage visited the kingdom and was challenged to a game by the king. To entice him to play, the king offered to give the sage whatever reward he asked if he won. When the sage explained that his prize would involve rice, the king thought nothing of such a small reward.

To the king’s amazement he was swiftly defeated in just a matter of a few moves! To honor his word, the king ordered a bag his servants to go to the granary and locate the rice. But the sage, had something more in mind. He asked for one grain of rice to be placed on the first square of the chessboard, and then that it would be doubled on each following square until all 64 squares were filled.

The request seemed modest, and the king ordered a bag of rice to be brought. One grain was placed on the first square, two on the second, four on the third, eight on the fourth and so on. But it quickly became apparent that the terms of the request were impossible to meet. By the twenty-first square more than one million grains of rice would be required. By the thirty-first square the total would go over one billion—with more than half of the chessboard still left to go. By the end, the wise man had a lifetime supply of food at his disposal because he understood the power of exponential growth.

Small things have a big impact when they are added together. The Scriptures have a lot to say about the value of small things. Zechariah encouraged us not to “despise the day of small things” (4:10). Solomon warned us to be on the lookout for the “little foxes” which can rob us when we aren’t looking (Song 2:15). Proverbs 13:11 tells us that wealth which endures is gathered “little by little” over a lifetime. Jesus taught that as stewards of His kingdom resources we ought to be faithful in the “small things” (Luke 16:10). Christ even compared His ministry to a tiny mustard seed that grew into a towering tree (Mark 4:30-32). Remember one of Jesus’ most fantastic miracles began with just a little boy’s sack lunch of sardines and bread (John 6:9).    

When you think you don’t have much to offer, remember God has a special way of using routine faithfulness in the “small things” to accomplish great things! Too many of us get caught up in future, grandiose thinking.  “The Lord is going to give me a great ministry down the road.  Then I will matter to Him and to others.” The danger in being caught up in “someday I will do a great thing for God” is that we may miss the frequent and daily opportunities to serve Him which, by the way, may make an extraordinary impact for the Kingdom.

Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. There will always be more people willing to do “great” things for God than there are people willing to do the little things. The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants.

So where do we begin? Moses had a staff. David had a sling. Samson had a jawbone. Rahab had a string. Mary had some ointment. The widow had two mites. Paul had a pen. What do you have? Start small and give it to God. 

~Derrick McCarson, 2015

LIGHT YOUR WORLD

 

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world….  (Philippians 2:15)

A demonic darkness has descended upon America.  Daily, it seems, we hear of the most horrific crimes that are committed.  Dope, debauchery, drunkenness, devil worship—all this and more has enslaved millions.  The evil of sin is decimating our nation, destroying our families, and defiling our churches.  What are we to do?  Enough hand-wringing!  Our response is clear according to Scripture!  Paul admits to the reality of the darkness—it is “a crooked and perverse generation.”  So, let your light shine!

Paul speaks of THE LIGHT OF CONTENTMENT (Phil.2:14).  You must keep the wick of an oil lamp trimmed or it becomes hard and gives off more smoke than light.  A spirit of discontent hardens our heart and disputes smoke up the church with a foul odor and dim the light.  Contentment, on the other hand, is an attitude that brightens the room!  Don’t argue with Paul about, “If you knew what I was going through…if you knew how people have treated me…” because he was writing these words from a dark prison cell, suffering what he did not deserve!  Yet, the whole letter is brimful of joy and the Apostle exults, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  (4:11b)  Have you?

There is also THE LIGHT OF CONSECRATION (Phil.2:15a).  For an oil lamp to shine, you must keep the globe clean.  Consecration is about the cleansing of sin that comes from confession.  It is a regular need, for we all at some point or another succumb to temptation.  We can be wiped clean again through repentance.  God calls us to be blameless—where no one can point to a scandalous sin that contradicts our claims as the children of God.  We are to be harmless—and the word means, “for real,” so sinners cannot call us hypocrites.  If we are to bring others to the light, then we must be clean.

Next, we note THE LIGHT OF COMPASSION (Phil.2:15b-16).  An oil lamp requires fuel!  Compassion is the oil in the lamp of our testimony.  Paul had a burning heart to reach the lost.  Even in prison, his compassion brought a compulsion to win souls to Christ (read Phil.1:12-14).  People are sailing on the storm-tossed seas of sin—in the darkness of deception drawing ever closer to shipwreck on the rocks of God’s wrath.  Their only hope to make safe harbor is for the church to be a lighthouse and where there are those already sinking in sin—throw them the life-preserver of “the word of life.”

In conclusion, we need THE LIGHT OF COMMITMENT (Phil.2:16b-18).  You may have your wick trimmed, the globe clean, and oil in the lamp, but there is one more requirement—a flame to ignite it!  Commitment is the spark for our witness.  Paul had such a commitment to Christ and His commission for him that he saw himself as a sacrifice—a drink offering poured out on the altar.  He was running the race to win and laboring to receive an eternal reward.  God wants us to be productive—and reach our world.  Let us seek Paul’s passion and emulate his pattern lest our race and our labor be, “in vain” (v.16).  The darker the world, the more our light is needed—and effective!

IT’S ABOUT TIME!

 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.  (1 Corinthians 11:26)

“It’s about time!”  You’ve heard that—usually as an expression of exasperation or relief.  You may have also heard, “Time is money.”  It is more valuable than that.  If you lose money, there is the possibility of recovering it—or gaining more.  Every tick off the clock, however, is gone forever.  Are you squandering time, spending time—or investing it in that which has eternal significance?  Each opportunity to meet and share the Lord’s Supper is an important time on the calendar.  That family meal is about time.

It is A TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE (1 Cor.11:23-25).  The phrase, “in remembrance of Me,” is used twice.  When we take the time to take the bread, it is a reminder of Christ’s body—beaten, bruised and bloodied for us.  When we drink the cup, it is a memorial to His blood—the cleansing fountain that flows from Immanuel’s veins.  It is time to recall the greatest gift to meet our greatest need.  “It is finished!” (John 19:30) as to the work to be done on the cross, but we will never cease to worship Him for what He did.

It is A TIME FOR REFLECTION (1 Cor.11:27-32).  We prepare to partake of the Lord’s Supper with a season of self-examination.  A spiritual inventory is to be a regular feature of the believer’s life.  Where are you today in your walk with Christ?  How does it compare to this time last week, last month, or last year?  Are you making progress?  Questions we should consistently consider:

• Are there any sins to confess?
• Are there any relationships to mend?
• Are there any commitments to honor? 

The Lord’s Supper is a TIME FOR REDEDICATION (1 Cor.11:26)  There is not only the past dimension of remembrance—Jesus came and died for us—and the present aspect of reflection—Jesus is here by His Spirit and wants communion with us—there is, further, the promised season of return—Jesus is coming again and that challenges us to rededicate ourselves to live in light of eternity.  There will be a time when the Lord’s Supper will be superseded by the Lamb’s Supper (Rev.19:7-10).  There will be no need for the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper, for we will actually be in His visible presence in Heaven!  So we look to the future with anticipation—and that calls us to consecration.  Right now, I will redeem my time; I will rededicate myself to serving Him, so He will find me busy when He returns.

It’s about time!

THE CONSECRATION OF OUR SERVICE

 

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”   (Luke 2:49) 

 

There was a Divine mandate—something compelled Jesus—a pressure, a passion within to get to work for His Father.  He was not yet a teenager, yet keenly aware that this was a service He must do.  “I MUST be about My Father’s business” (emphasis added).  There was complete consecration to the service of the Lord.

 

Years ago, I worked for a company called, “Bolt and Nuts, Inc.”  I was employed by my neighbor who owned the company, John McDuffie—or Mac as he was called.  It was a family business and he would pass it down to his three children, Larry, Jo and John (my close friend).  Mr. “Mac” is now gone on to glory and the family fame and fortune is bound to the faithfulness of the children in carrying on the business.

 

Jesus knew that the Father’s business had been entrusted to Him as His Son.  This same business has now been handed over to His children—to you and to me.  Before He departed back to heaven, here was Christ’s command to the church: “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’”  (John 20:21).

 

We have the same business—we are dealers in hope—and are to manage the business as good stewards until Christ returns for an accounting.  When the books are opened, what will the ledger of our life reveal about the profitability of our labor?