The Plumbline

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:10) Paul instructs to 'set our sights', 'think about the things of heaven', and 'put to death sinful deeds', all representing a 'putting off' and 'putting on' type of action. We 'put off' one set of actions while 'putting on' another. Maybe this is where we go so wrong in trying to make lasting change in our lives. We go about the work of 'putting off' but neglect the important work of 'putting on' something God desires in its place. We eat less chocolate, but we don't eat more kale. We stop biting our nails, but don't address the underlying anxiety that causes the nail biting. We cancel subscriptions to streaming services that have distracted us so much, yet we spend no more time in his Word or in Christian fellowship than we did before. It is indeed good to make the change but change without 're...

Most people would say that God's commands are a set of rules we need to keep in mind as we go throughout our lives. They are a set of 'guidelines' we are to 'adhere to' the best we can in order to somehow 'make our way to God'. There is 'no making one's way to God' - he already made his way to us! We 'keep' the commands of God not because we 'have to', but because they are what actually gives us a new way of living. I will never forget your commands, because through them you gave me new life. (Proverbs 119:93) Let's look at it this way - BC (Before Christ) we likely 'colored outside the lines' a bit with our lives. Then AC (After Christ) was given control of our lives, we have likely observed some change in our priorities, actions, and even our attitude. Yes, his presence begins this work, but it is more than we just keep his commands. We actually delight in keeping them - we see them as a way of making better choices....

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20) The one set free from a lifetime of torment and torture was not always so 'grateful' and 'trusting' toward Jesus. When Jesus first sees the man who was demon-possessed, he asked Jesus to leave him alone - to not change anything in his life. He actually saw Jesus as 'interfering' with his lifestyle. Tortured though he was, the evil spirit within him didn't want to leave him. Jesus wasn't put off by the demons asking to stay. "Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him...