Category Archives: 2014

“Private” Sin, Public Disgrace

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It seems like every day we are bombarded with stories of icons that have fallen prey to the consequences of some sort of deviant behavior. Adultery, fraud, cheating, murder, etc. Take a look at this list from-

Tiger Woods
John Edwards
Elliot Spitzer
Bernie Madoff
Aaron Hernandez

There are many more, but you get the idea. Why does this shock us though? You see this played out in Scripture numerous times. Consider the story of David and Bathsheba. In case you have forgotten, here are the highlights –

David notices Bathsheba
David lusts after Bathsheba
David sleeps with Bathsheba
Bathsheba conceives a child
David attempts to cover up the indiscretion by bringing Uriah (Husband of Bathsheba) home from the war hoping he will sleep with his wife.
David tries the previous tactic again, this time using alcohol
David plans Uriah’s death
Uriah is killed

David is then confronted by his friend Nathan and reaches the following conclusion –
“I have sinned against the Lord.”

No kidding.

But I want to highlight what the Lord says through all of this-

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Did you catch that? “Private” sin leading to public disgrace.

How humiliating must this have been for David? How humbling must this have been for David. By the way, of course all of what the Lord promised came to fruition (For example, see 2 Samuel 16:22).

Now take a look at what Nathan says to David about the consequences of his actions.

“The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”

Two principles in play here –

1) Sin is never private

“You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel”

We may think we are fooling the world. We may think our sin is just a private and personal matter. If you are like me, then these excuses are familiar to you:

“It doesn’t impact anyone else.”
“What I do privately is my business.”
“Nobody will know.”

The fact is, this is false. Here is the truth-

Sin, although often times conducted privately, is very much a public issue impacting everyone.

Maybe you don’t believe me, but just think

– That lie you just told, it hindered trust between you and another person.
– The anger you harbor towards your boss? Certainly leads to resentment in the relationship
– The woman you lusted after at the gym today, no big deal right? Ask your wife how she feels about that

You see, our so-called private sin manifests itself publicly, and then we must face the consequences of our actions.

2) Our sin carries consequences, always-

“The Lord has taken away your sin, …. BUT….”

Whether you are a follower of Christ or not, you cannot escape this truth. Our sin carries consequences. Christ never promises to shield us from the earthly consequences of our sin. We still have to face the reality of a fallen world that we readily contribute to each day. The consequence may be large, or it could be small. It could be as grand as worldwide public disgrace, or as small as a painful talk with your wife or friend.
Either way, we will face the consequences.

What do we do then? What is the correct response when faced with our “private” sin?
Psalm 51 has the answer

Humble Ourselves

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

Confess

Have mercy on me, O God,
 according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion
 blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
 and cleanse me from my sin.

Praise God

Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

Tell Others

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

– B

A Change of Direction

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Greetings All-

It has been a while for me, and you may have noticed a few changes. Well, several changes. New layout, new blog host, new web address. The only thing that remains the same is the blog title.

But Seek First.

Based on Matthew 6:33 where Jesus says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The reason for this change is simple- I wanted this blog to answer one central question.

What does it look like for me to seek His kingdom first?

My previous blog will still exist, but the focus of that blog will be different. I have not yet fully determined the direction I want to go with it, but that’s not important. This is important.

Some exciting changes are coming and I look forward to sharing them with you all. This website is a work in progress, but I hope to get all of the nuances sorted out soon. One significant change is that I will be creating this site with the help of some dear friends. We all have a passion for writing, and will offer different perspectives on the central question.

Thanks for stopping by.

– B

My Word for 2014

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My church urged its members to consider a word that will mark their year. A word that they choose under careful consideration and prayer that will shape how they use their time, energy, and resources. Its kind of like the lens that their year will be viewed through.
As I was listening to the Pastor share the vision, I started writing some words down.

All of these words were good so I decided to evaluate them from there. I spent the next few days running them through my head, reviewing their definitions and context in Scripture. You know, doing all of the human things that I could to evaluate these words.

Sacrifice had been on my mind because I had been thinking a lot about the life I want to lead, a life of sacrifice. It was particularly fresh on my mind due to a part of a speech by President Reagan where he discusses the life of a soldier named Martin Treptow.

My Pledge
“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
These words spoke directly to my heart, but I wanted to be sure. Absolutely sure.
I set the following Friday (Jan 3rd) as decision day. My mind had settled on sacrifice but I knew in my heart that the issue was not fully settled. Mid week was New Years and I talked to a friend of mine who really challenged me on my word. We discussed the concept of sacrifice as something that is not always positive in nature. Sort of like you adopt a martyr mentality. But I knew that this was not what sacrifice looked like in my mind. I knew that God had a different view, but I was conflicted. I left that night asking for clarity on what exactlysacrifice would look like for me.
So then something happened.
I stumbled on Romans 12, and it became abundantly clear that the word my mind had settled on was in fact the word God had for me.
 Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1
This was it. This was perfect. Viewing sacrifice as an act of worship was exactly the vision that I needed for clarity. But there is more, the rest of Romans 12 goes on to discuss humble service, sincere love, devotion to others, and giving honor to all people.  This was blowing my mind due to the consistency with my stated goals for this year, namely finding a ministry to serve in, improving relationships with my family, and consciously investing in the people God places in my life.
So what does this look like day to day?
 
 
“offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”
 
 I am thankful for this clarity and confident that 2014 will be a tremendous year.
God Bless
– B

Jesus Christ: The Author of Freedom

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“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
July 4th, 1776
Independence Day. 
  For over 200 years, July 4th has been synonymous with freedom for Americans.  We wave our American Flags, launch fireworks, cook BBQ, and honor the sacrifice of those who fought and died for our freedom. Last month as I was celebrating this day, I sat down and asked myself a few questions-
What isfreedom? What principles definefreedom?
Freedom is defined as “Absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.”
When I think about the freedom I have as an American, I can’t help but consider the tremendous price that was paid to secure this freedom. As I think about it more, I consider the freedom I possess as a Christian. There are some principles of freedom that apply in both circumstances.
Freedom Is Not Free…it requires sacrifice
Have you ever stopped to really consider the statement “Freedom isn’t free”.
Its one of those statements that is so abused and overused that it is now cliché.  Its one of those feel good statements that we say on a holiday or when we hear that soldiers have died overseas.
If freedom isn’t free, then what is it?
Have you ever stopped and really considered the cost of freedom?  Sure, the cost of freedom can be measured by wars, money, and lives.  But I believe it can be summed up in one word: Everything. The cost for complete freedom is everything. Consider what it cost Christ to set us free? Everything.  
Freedom Only Lasts… as long as you are willing to fight for it-
As Christians, we know all too well the bondage of sin in our lives.  There is a misunderstanding that goes something like this: I am saved now, so I wont have to deal with sin.
False.
Notice what Paul says here-
4 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.   
Romans 7:14-20
I know this is a confusing passage, but this is what I gather from this- We battle against our sin nature on a daily basis. We know what is good and what is not. We seek to do good, but our sin nature prevents this sometimes. We are slaves to our sin nature. 
Freedom from our sin nature requires a daily battle. Freedom only lasts as long as we are willing to fight for it.
And perhaps the most important principle of freedom..
As Free Individuals…we are obligated to free others
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 1 Corinthians 9:19
We weren’t set free just to be complacent and do nothing. We were set free to free others by introducing them to Jesus Christ.
In closing I encourage you to consider your freedom.
And in light of your freedom, I encourage you to stand.
To fight.
To pursue those around you.
To give everything… so that they might be free.