Know My Father to Know Me

“¹See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1 (ESV)

As a child of God, I am different. I do not conform to the ways of this world that seems to be driven by societal norms. I do not seek to be insta-anything. I do not look to have what the “rich and famous” have. I do not do what I do for the recognition or notoriety of the world. I am here to serve God and to do His will. And that is what you may not know about me.

If you want to know who I am, look to my Father, who is my example. Look to Jesus and know Him to know me. He did not come to be liked by the world, He came to save the world. And that got Him killed, and that was the plan all along! He was not insta-anything, He did not have what the “rich and famous” had. He did not want recognition from the world. He was here to spread the gospel of His Father and to do His will.

Too often in this world, it is as though we are looking to be “like” someone. And usually that someone is from the societal norm that seems to have it all. I am not of that persuasion. I am content with who I am and what I have. Our newest car is a 2005. We are totally okay with having BLTs for dinner. We go shopping at the thrift shops. Our idea of a good night is relaxing at home streaming on the television.

Where the above is true, it is not that we are against what others have created for themselves and we do enjoy letting our hair down from time to time and going all out for some fun. But the difference is that we are not living to do so. We have a higher goal in mind and know that by following the example of our Father, we will reach that goal. By living a life of contentment, we are able to focus on that which will make a difference and that which is of the societal norm is not where we find ourselves longing to be.

If you really want to know me, get to know my Father in heaven. See the example that He gave and recognize that in me to see me in the light. Just because I do not look to be like everyone else, does not mean that I should be shunned by society. It is only because you don’t know my Father and therefor you do not recognize Him in me.

What is it that you are trying to be? Are you allowing society to drive who you are so that you will be known to all? What if you were to be like Christ and encourage everyone to get to know the Father to know you?

Compassion and Forgiveness

We are going to be persecuted in this world for those things that are not in line with what is considered socially acceptable. Take all of the challenges and persecution that is taking place in the Middle East at this point in history. Whether you are on the side of Israel or the side of Palestinians, there is persecution that comes with your decided views.

“³³And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” – Luke 23:33-34 (ESV)

Notice here Jesus’ approach to the persecution. He calls for God to “forgive them”, and why, “for they know not what they do”. Jesus was in a situation where He was being persecuted well beyond anything that I will be subjected, and His go to was to show compassion for those persecuting Him and ask that they be forgiven. He is not asking for one side to be right and the other side to be wrong, Jesus is simply asking for compassion and forgiveness for all involved.

I have to remember that people are going to be people and they are going to do what is in the mind, whether that is of their own volition or it is driven by the evil one. These are only people and have every opportunity, just as I did, to repent and accept Christ. My role is to bring the love of Christ to them and as I do so, I have to show compassion to them and forgive them.

I do not have any special powers and am certainly not Christ. But, I am one of His children and am tasked to bring His way to the world. I am to demonstrate and be the example of Christ in the world today. The example that Jesus set was one of compassion and forgiveness and it is my role to bring the same to others in this world.

I believe that we are sorely missing God in the world today and we need all of His children to take up the example of Jesus and spread it far and wide, yet not to forget those in our immediate vicinity. I have a duty to complete the work Christ set for me:

“¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus went through this world bringing His message to ALL, regardless of who they were or where they came from. He provided countless examples of compassion and forgiveness in His time here. He then challenged me to do as He did and bring His message to all and demonstrate that same compassion and forgiveness in the process.

What are your actions when things go sideways around you? Are you taking the process of condemning those who hold a different view? What if we used the example of Christ and showed compassion and forgiveness to all involved?

Heavenly Father, Example to Me

“¹³As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

— Psalm 103:13 (ESV)

I have to remember that it is from God that I draw my example from. Yes, I have my earthly father as noted above who shows compassion to his children and I should draw from there. But, as we look further back, I have to know that the compassion of the father came from the Father.

I recently wrote that we are to leave our father and that we only have our earthly father for a short while in this world. Remembering that and understanding it, I have to draw on my heavenly Father for the example of what right looks like.

I have mentioned before of my mission and values. One of, actually my first value, is it “Be the Example”. And the description of that value is to “Demonstrate what right looks like in any and all situations. Following the example provided by Christ Jesus.” This speaks volumes to me as I read this morning of the example that the LORD provides for us as our heavenly Father. He is our example and whatever we learn from others should be held to the example of Christ.

Where do you look for your example? Are you seeking guidance solely from those around you in this world? What if you were to seek to follow the example of our heavenly Father as His is the one copied by those before us and, He never leaves us?

Honor, To Go with You for Sharing

I am always intrigued when God brings me to something that He has taken me to at least once before. Like this morning, back to the Ten Commandments and the same one I studied just a few days ago. Only this time, I am seeing something different than before.

“¹⁶Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Deuteronomy 5:16 (ESV)

Yes, I am to honor my father and mother as commanded, but why. This morning I am able to see more of that why. I am to do so in the interest of long life and that I can take it with me and share with others. Yes, I am to share that with others as I move along into the place that God has me going.

I am sure that most have heard the saying, “do as I say, not as I do”. Well, the reason for that saying is that there is not a lot of doing and only a lot of saying. Everyone else is to follow the words except for those saying them. That does not seem to be the way of Christ and a good example of Him.

It is easy to say the words and scripture. It is something else to follow them in your daily life for all the world to see and embrace. I am to be the example of what right looks like and not just the speaker of what right looks like. I have to step away from saying the words and move toward the doing what is right. Honoring my father and mother is but one of those examples of what right looks like.

As was shared with me recently, fathers and mothers are not always deserving of honor based on their actions. And where I agree with that, God does not qualify this commandment by saying to honor them as long as they do things honorable. He does say to honor them so that you can live long and carry that honor forward. And that is the why behind the action. I can honor them by not celebrating them as the saying goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all”. I simply do not have to reference them, only love them in the way of Christ and work to carry forward that which is right and demonstrate the gospel to others.

My role is to carry the gospel forward and be the example of what right looks like in the process. As is also said, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. I have to imitate Christ in the way I walk and talk in this world. I have to honor my father and mother to carry that honor forward that others will do the same.

What is your approach to honor? Are you the one that speaks it and yet does not necessarily demonstrate it? What if you were the example of what right looks like and carried honor with you to live long and share forward?

Good Works are Coming, Be Ready

I never know when I am going to have the opportunity to witness to and influence someone. I may not even know in the moment or unless they indicate that to me later. Recently someone reached out to me, out of the blue, asking for my thoughts on a particular subject, I provided my thoughts and then she told me she appreciated the learning I had provided her. I asked what it was and she proceeded to tell me. Now it is something that I indicate all the time and have not been told of the impact it has on others until this time. I was taken aback in the moment as I was finally recognized for the impact even as I did not even know of the impact.

All of the above is to again say that we really do not know when we are going to have the opportunity to impact another, and sometimes the work we do that seems to go unnoticed actually has a profound impact. I have to be ready for those moments and stay with the works for Christ, round the clock.

“¹Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,” — Titus 3:1 (ESV)

Paul, speaking to Titus, indicates that we are to be at the ready at all times. The good works that are presented to us may come on quickly and if we are not ready, we may miss that which God has planned for us to complete. I have accepted Christ and been justified, now is the time for me to do the work and that will require for me to be seeking it out and ready for when it is presented.

I have to prepare. I know, if I don’t know what the work is, how can I prepare? I have to stick to the basics and that is to be aware and be the example of Christ at every turn. I have to live out the fruit of the Spirit in all that I do and that is where my preparation lies.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” — Galatians 5:22-26 (ESV)

Paul again indicates to be ready with the fruit of the Spirit. In doing so, we are able to “keep in step with the Spirit” and align ourselves with the work that God has for us. We will be ready to take on that which is presented and do so more as Christ would and be the example for others to see.

What is your approach to what is to come? Are you just working from moment to moment and waiting for the next thing to drop? What if you were to prepare, knowing the next work will be coming soon and when it does, you are ready to do the work of/for Christ?

Be the Example

Ever notice that in society, the prevailing theme is to be seen. And think about that which is thought to be of importance: silly dances, hacks to life, sensationalism, and the like. What has the world come to that all of that is what is important in the lives of people.

“⁷Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” — Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)

Now that is what I am talking about. Paul points out to Titus that is “good works” and “integrity, dignity, and sound speech” we should be concerning ourselves with. And, it is not “to be seen”, but rather to be the example of what right is. It is this example that sets us apart from the world and not the ability to be seen as the silly dancer or hack or somehow more sensational. I have to remember that the LORD has tasked me with bringing the gospel to the world and doing so as His example.

“¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” — Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

God has prepared me to complete the tasks He has for me, and it is my duty to follow through with that duty and do so as His example. He has provided for me the framework and the direction and the skills, and has instructed me to just do the work. I am to follow His lead and be an example to others, through my actions and not through the attention grabbing antics of the world. I am to be “zealous for good works”, not seeking for the world to know me, but they will know of my works and of God.

What are you seeking in this world? Are you looking to be seen as the silly dancer, life hacker, or sensationalist? What if you focused on being a zealot for good works as an example of Christ and simply spread the gospel as God has instructed and allowed the glory to be received by Him?

Received Mercy, Now Be The Example

This morning I was brought back to 1 Peter chapter 2 and the first passage where I have studied a number of times. I have notes in my bible attached to all verses with the exception of the verse on the receipt of mercy where my study is as of this morning. God is certainly great in all that He does and directing me in His Word is no exception.

“¹⁰Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” — 1 Peter 2:10 (ESV)

I know that I have been studying “mercy” for a few weeks now, it never gets old to read that God has given me mercy and putting to the fact that I do not deserve it. I was, am, and always will be a sinner. How can God love someone who does not reform from the one thing that separates me from Him? It is through His mercy and grace alone that it is possible.

To go along with the verse above declaring once again the mercy given by God, there are the verses that surround it declaring how we got here and what is expected of us going forward.

“⁹But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…¹¹Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹²Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” — 1 Peter 2:9 & 11-12 (ESV)

I am to be seen in the light of the example of the mercy that I have received. I am to turn from the flesh and turn to God and all that He has for me. I am to be above reproach so that when others see me they see something/someone different. Through my actions alone I am to bring the gospel to those around me. As noted in verse 12, the only thing that should be said against me is that I have done good. And if that is all anyone has to say, I will certainly take it.

I have been given mercy and Peter points out that I have to act like it. I have to take that mercy to heart and go forward as the example of what right looks like in the eyes of the LORD.

What actions are you displaying to those around you? Are you somehow ignoring the mercy and grace you have been given? What if you were to have received the mercy from the LORD and now serve as the example of Him in all that you do?