Growth Purpose

Denied

Soon after her daughter could walk, a friend of mine taught her little girl to say “charge it” when she handed the credit card to the cashier. It was adorably cute, but also dangerous, because the little girl hadn’t been taught how that little card allowed the purchase to be completed. She didn’t realize the debt that was incurred when that purchase was made. I think everyone recognized that at some point another lesson would need to follow, otherwise, she could get into some unfortunate purchase patterns later in life.

Another lesson that wasn’t taught was what to do when you hand the card to the cashier and hear the dreaded words, “I’m sorry, but that card has been denied.” These words are especially concerning when you know that there’s credit there to be spent. You quickly search your brain for explanations as to why what you know you have received would be deny at the moment of importance.

Unfortunately, Christians often live in such a way that they regularly deny the credit that they have received. As Walter Raleigh says, “We profess that we know God, but by works we deny Him; for beatitude doth not consist in the knowledge of divine things, but in a divine life, for the devils know them better than man.” (The Works of Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt., v. II). In other words, we are tempted to think that what we know about Christ is evidence of our relationship with Him. However, the Bible clearly states that how our faith is demonstrated by our works (James 2:14-26). This isn’t to say that our faith is the result of our works, but they are the natural outcome of it. When our lives don’t conform to the faith that we profess. we are denying the righteousness that’s been credited to us in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

Just like we all shake our heads when we see a billionaire who is stingy with his money, so the angels in heaven might shake their heads when they see us , who have been credited all of Christ’s righteousness, live as if we have none. May instead we do the things that He has called us to do, knowing that because of the richness of His grace and His sacrifice on the Cross, our account has already been paid in full.

 

Now it’s your turn – How do you stay strong to do the things that God has called you to do? 

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Purpose

Burn the Nets

We’ve probably all heard the old tale of how monkeys are caught. Some glittering object is put into a trap and the monkey grabs it. The trap is made in such a way that all the monkey has to do is let go of the glittery possession and they can escape, but they don’t. They would rather hold on to the thing that will end up being the impetus for their demise.

I have no idea if this works in actuality. A quick Google search wasn’t definitive. However, the reason it has probably gained such traction is that we all struggle with letting go. We are prone to cling to things – whether it’s an old relationship, a favorite toy, or our high school yearbooks. We hold on to what we have, afraid that what we might get in return won’t be worth it.

Peter seems to have had this problem. He leaves the fishing business in order to follow Jesus (Mt. 4:18-22), but upon Jesus’ crucifixion he goes right back to the boats (Jn. 21:1-3). He had said he left everything to follow Him, but it was in word only. When things got tough he went back to what was known, what was comfortable. He went back to the past, because he was afraid of what the future would hold.

And to me, it seems the problem is that the nets were waiting for his return. He still hung on to his old life, even when he was living in the new. He hadn’t abandoned his old self; he had just set it aside for a bit.

What he needed to do was to burn the nets; to incinerate any trappings of his former life. To trust in the One that he declared  was the Messiah – resting in the assurance that just as he had taken care of Peter’s past, so He would the future.

Looking back, it’s easy for us to see this, because we know the end of the story. We know that Jesus would go to Peter, prepare a meal, and would mend the fences that were broken by Peter’s denial. Much in the same way we know that at the end of our lives everything we’ve let go of won’t compare to the glory that God’s prepared. But Peter didn’t have that perspective. He just knew that he was alone, and that he had abandoned the One who loved him the most. So his shame and confusion prompted him to return.

But he wouldn’t have had that option…if only he had burned the nets.

 

Please share your thoughts…how have you let go of the past in order to prepare for the future God has called you to?

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