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Hebrews 13 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Hebrews 13:1-25 and James 1:1-27.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

H.A.L.T. Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired.

I’ve known for some time now that these are dangerous times. Whenever I’m hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, I’m far more susceptible to temptation and triggers. James highlights one of these. Anger. I know that simply being angry is not a sin (cf. Ephesians 4:26). But at the same time, being angry can very easily lead to sin.

My anger does not produce God’s righteousness in me. When I’m responding out of anger, I’m not likely responding with God’s righteousness. When I’m acting in anger, I’m not likely acting with God’s righteousness. Oh, I know there is a holy anger. I’ve heard all about “righteous indignation” (by the way, can you find me the verse that mentions that?). There is a time to be angry. However, I need to be really, really careful. I have a tendency to think that anytime I’m angry is justifiable, but I’m probably biased. I’m guessing that even in response to sin, if I’m simply acting out of my anger, I’m probably not going to pursue God’s righteousness.

Therefore, today I need to check my motives. Am I just angry? Is that why I’m acting the way I’m acting? If so, I need to back up and slow down. What can I do to deal with my anger quickly and not give the devil any opportunity in my life?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking the following link: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24.

In today’s reading we find one of the references to the famous “holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16:20). It is a favorite passage of those who like to argue over the need for biblical authorization. They believe they can claim folks who believe in the need for authority don’t practice it because the holy kiss is not practiced today. My response to that is simply, I believe the holy kiss authorized. I believe this passage authorizes it. I simply don’t believe this passage binds it as the only form of greeting, especially since this letter itself contains a greeting that is not a holy kiss (see 1 Corinthians 16:19-21).

However, with the events of the past couple of weeks, this passage and the other references (Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; I Thessalonians 5:26) have been weighing heavily on my mind. I think these references are apropos for consideration when we think about sexual boundaries in our relationships with others, especially with our brothers and sisters.

I know there is disagreement about what this “holy kiss” is. One of my friends believes we can’t practice it because we don’t know what it is. That is, in his mind the holy kiss was a special form of a kiss, a kind-of secret handshake if you will, among Christians that hasn’t been passed on to us. I guess that could be right. But I think the point is actually more mundane and yet more profound than that.

A kiss was a common form of greeting in that culture, just as it is in some cultures even today. Note what Spiros Zodhiates says about “worship” and how it impacts our understanding of this kiss: “The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal rank was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Spiro Zodhiates, AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN, 1993, p 1233-34; Strong’s Number 4352). The “kiss” of worship was to be offered only to God. However, there was a kiss offered to each other. It was that kiss of common greeting, perhaps on each cheek, perhaps full on the mouth. 

Why does Paul make reference to a “holy” kiss? I believe it is because this greeting can very easily become unholy. Can’t you image the number of men who might get just a bit too much pleasure out of kissing some of the women? I think that would have been the case in Bible times as it is today. A kiss was a common form of greeting. I have not doubt that men in the world with eyes full of adultery looked for opportunities to embrace and kiss the objects of their lust. However, in the church, while this greeting was practiced, it was not to be about lust. It was to be about respect and holiness. 

Let’s fast forward to American culture. We rarely kiss in greeting, though I have known some who do. However, we often hug. I remember once after a very pretty mid-20s sister responded to the invitation with confession to the congregation and wishing to be restored to fellowship. One of the brothers said to me later, “I sure hope I didn’t enjoy that hug too much.” That is a problem. 

We need to greet one another with a holy hug. We need to greet one another with a holy handshake. Yes, even that can be taken in the wrong direction when those who wish to take from others make the handshake an opportunity to caress the person’s hand or even rub their back. Those actions are not in themselves wrong, but can be opportunities for improper thoughts and lust.

Here is the point. Paul established a boundary. Greet with a kiss, but keep it holy. We need to do the same. All of our contact with others needs to be governed by this desire for holiness and uprightness. Do not use any of our interactions as an opportunity to lust. Keep it holy.

***Question: How do you keep your relationships with others holy?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Ephesians 5:1-6:24.

I’m reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (Yes, that is an affiliate link. I’m liking it so much, I hope you’ll buy it too). So, Ephesians 5:22-33 really hit me again today based on what I’ve been getting out of the book. Sadly, because of our modern culture of “falling in love” we have the idea that marriage was given to us to make us happy. Thomas offers a different theory. Certainly, when pursued properly great joy will come from our marriages, but perhaps marriage wasn’t given to us to make us happy, it was given to us to make us holy. 

Consider the connection Paul makes between our marriages and the church’s relationship with Jesus Christ. In marriage, we truly learn how to be like Jesus. It is through marriage that we learn to love the unlovable. It is in marriage that we learn how to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. It is in marriage that we learn how to sacrifice ourselves for another. It is in marriage that we learn how to respect another. It is in marriage that we learn how to give thanks to God for someone even though they’ve let us down again and again and again. 

I certainly know there are biblical reasons for divorce. But in general, the issue of staying together in marriage is not for the kids good, it is not to keep up appearances, it is because when we work to make our marriage work, we are becoming more and more like Jesus. 

The fact is our marriages should grow to be a reflection of Jesus and His church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the world could look at Christians who were married and say, “Wow, I want what you’ve got in marriage,” and then we could respond with, “Well, let me tell you about Jesus and His bride”?

Put connubial bliss on the backburner and start abandoning your life to Jesus in your marriage. When you do, watch as your marriage causes you to be more like Jesus at home and everywhere. But you have to let it do this. If you maintain a stubborn rebellion, you might stick out a semblance of a marriage for years, but it won’t help you at all. Let marriage be your key to holiness. Grow to be like Jesus.

Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

Jesus said, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If they you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26).

Man, I need to hear that today. It is amazing the number of things that can cause me to worry. Further, it is amazing the crazymaking that goes on in my head when I start to worry. If Marita is a few minutes late getting home, I suddenly picture her on the side of the road dead. I begin to get physically agitated wondering how I’ll raise the kids by myself. Ryan had a bike accident recently right after we had finally paid off all our medical debt and by the end of the emergency room visit, I was convinced that by the end of the year, our family would be homeless because of the pressing debts. An elder expresses frustration with me and suddenly I’m convinced my days as a preacher are numbered.

It is so easy for me to worry. But Jesus points out, my anxiety and worry won’t do me a bit of good. I can’t add any length to my life by worrying. In fact, I think there is probably good evidence that worry and anxiety will shorten my life. So, Jesus says, “Quit worrying.”

Of course, someone will point out that one day my wife really may get in a car wreck. I may really end up homeless one day. I may really have to quit preaching one day. All those things are true. But they aren’t true today. Why mess up today by worrying about some possible, yet unknown future. Today, I simply need to submit to Jesus and let Him lead me. Just do what He says. Seek His kingom, that is, his rule in my life. Instead of worrying what may happen somewhere down the road based on today’s decisions, I need to simply do what is right and what seeks God’s kingdom today. As some of my friends say, I just need to do the next right thing.

As Jesus says, “Don’t worry, be holy.”

***Question: What do you do to help overcome anxiety and worry?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is I Thessalonians 3:1-4:18.

I Thessalonians 4:3-8 says:

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Sex is a great thing. Sexuality is a natural desire. Sexual immorality is an abomination. There is no greater way to have intimacy than to commit your life totally to another person, getting to know them emotionally, mentally, spiritually and then celebrating that union physically. There is not greater cheat or destructive force than to take that great celebration and waste it on just a few moments of physical pleasure with someone to whom there is no commitment or union. Therefore, abstain from, avoid, flee sexual immorality. 

But do not stop there. It is not enough to simply say, “Well, I won’t have sex unless I’m married.” We have to know how to control our bodies or possess our own vessel as some translations say. We need to present our bodies in a way that befits holiness and honor. We must not present our bodies in a way that says, “Look at me, I’m sexual.” We must not present our bodies in a way that says, “Look at me, I’m aroused.” We must not present our bodies in a way that says, “Look at me, I want to arouse you.” We must shine forth holiness in the way we dress these bodies, in the way we walk with these bodies, in the places we go with these bodies, in the way we allow our bodies to interact with other people and their bodies. 

But do not stop there. It is not enough to simply say, “I’m going to present myself in a modest way.” We must not live in the passion of our lusts. We must work on our minds as well. We may follow the strictest of rules about bodily modesty, but if our minds are filled with lust and thoughts of sexual immorality for those around us, we are still not living in holiness. Men, we need especially think about this as we walk through the mall and the Victoria’s Secret store. We need especially think about this as we pass the magazine rack at the grocery store. We need especially think about this when we are firing up our computers and heading to the internet.

Then I notice the reasons why. First, so we won’t transgress against our brother. I think this is an interesting statement and perhaps I’m missing the point. However, since I see the issue being discussed as mostly a male problem, I think what Paul is saying is when I look at a woman to whom I’m not married to lust after her, if I present myself in a way to purposefully arouse a woman to whom I’m not married, or if I even pursue a sexual encounter with a woman to whom I’m not married, I’m not only transgressing against me and against her, I’m also transgressing against her husband or future husband.

Additionally, I should avoid these fleshly sins and attitudes because God has called me to holiness. He hasn’t called us into a special club in which we can mentally trade wives because we are all becoming spiritually intimate and vulnerable with each other in Christ. We may greet each other with hugs and even kisses, but they are to be holy hugs and kisses. They are not to be attempts to satisfy fleshly lusts. God has called us to holiness, not to cop a feel in the name of Christian greeting and relationships.

Finally, Paul says if we disregard this, we aren’t disregarding him, we aren’t merely disregarding the men and women against whom we are perpetrating our sins, we are also disregarding God. No matter how far down the path of lust, immodesty, and immorality we have traveled, we need to get back to God’s call of holiness. He will work with us if we will surrender to Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?