“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Col. 3:12,13
Devotional Thought For The Day
Everyone recognizes the importance of performance. Nothing gets done unless people are performing their tasks and fulfilling their obligations. We also recognize the benefits of good planning and evaluation, measuring movement toward the accomplishing of objectives and goals. Trained this way, we may come to think that it is always the outcome of our performance, whether or not we attain our goals, that is of critical importance, the only thing that really matters.
In regard to business, sports, and other goals and objectives that pertain to the things of this world, all of this is probably helpful – although many have noted that the process and the experience may be more important than “winning.” Most of the Olympic competitors will argue this, that mere participation in the Olympics is of far greater value than winning a medal. It is much the same when it comes to our lives as Christians, and particularly to our life of sanctification – our growth in conforming our behavior to what is truly good and beneficial, doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong, sinful.
If we were to judge solely on the basis of performance, as some are inclined to do, then sanctification is a very dismal thing. The Scripture assures us that perfection is the goal and objective – “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” [Matt. 5:48] Scripture also assures us that no one can reach this objective, at least not in this life, for “there is not a just man upon the earth that doeth good and sinneth not.” [Eccl. 7:20] Grading on a curve, setting performance goals by percentages doesn’t help either, for “if a man keeps the whole law and yet offends in one point, he is guilty of all” [James 2:10], and “the wages of sin is death.” [Rom. 6:23] So if sanctification is judged on the basis of performance, the accomplishment of the goal that Scripture sets – which seems reasonable, then we are all miserable failures. The only options we have are to begin tweaking the standard and deluding ourselves, or to give up the process entirely.
The other option is the one presented to us in Holy Scripture. This option does not negate the process of striving to grow in sanctification, but includes continuous honesty and repentance as an integral part of the process. The process is strengthened, encouraged, and empowered by the assurance of God’s continuous forgiveness and mercy – already accomplished for us once and for all in the atoning sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [Heb. 7:27; 9:26; 10:10,14] We participate in the striving but it is the love and the power of God which accomplishes and attains movement toward the goal – and the full obtaining of the goal is promised and guaranteed to us in heaven. Energy is not wasted in delusion, and we need not succumb to a sense of futility – we are continually moving in an upward direction even though we recognize our many failures, in fact, precisely because we acknowledge our failures and live in God’s gracious love and forgiveness.
This way of life also enables us to fulfill the instructions [of love, goodness, and decency] to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient toward others, bearing with one another and forgiving one another just as the Lord has forgiven and is forgiving us each day. Those operating on the premise of performance cannot do this – they must condemn and reject others, for all sin and fall short of the glory of God. So this matter is of critical importance – whether we are focused primarily on performance, or on the grace and mercy of God and the process, His work of sanctifying us by His grace and love. It determines whether we are Christians or hypocritical legalists – deluded, judgmental, and ultimately isolated and alone. What we are we also bring into the church, and influence others one way or the other. So let us take great care and consideration in understanding the will of God – what He sent His Son to accomplish.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be wise and mindful of what is real and true, so that we remain repentant, humble, and joyful in Your gracious forgiveness and salvation. In this way, continue to strengthen us in love and sanctification, that others around us may be upheld and lifted up by our compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. Preserve us from hypocrisy and unbelief, and malicious judgment toward others. Preserve us also from the malice and hypocrisy of others who have invaded the church, but do not truly know You and Your love. Bless us in the process of sanctification until You bring us to the goal, in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.