Monthly Archive for February, 2010

Incorrect Views of God

by Jonas Harley | February 22, 2010

A.W. Tozer once stated, “What comes to our minds when we first think about God is the most important thing about us.” He also went on to say, “Low views of God destroy the gospel for all who hold them.”  

Another has said, “One of the greatest obstacles to a meaningful relationship with God is a false concept of what God is like.” 

Believe it or not, but there are many Christians who hold an incorrect and unbiblical view of God and it is impacting the way they live their life. Here is a brief list of some common ways Christians incorrectly view God (note: many unbelievers hold these views too, but that is expected because they are unsaved). 

1. Santa Claus – Have you ever “treated” God as if you could sit on His lap and rattle off your list of wants? You very quickly can develop a mindset of entitlement and expect God to give you whatever you ask when you want it. It is very easy to fall into this type of living because of your pride and failure to biblically understand who God is.  

2. Rabbit’s Foot – Many Christians view God as a good luck charm that they have to rub in order to earn God’s favor. For example, you may think, “I didn’t read my Bible today, so I guess God will have to punish me with a bad grade on my test.” This incorrect view really reveals a life that is full of fear and self-dependency. 

3. Aladdin’s Lamp – This is like treating God like a genie. You “rub” the lamp and wait for Him to appear to grant you 3 wishes. In other words, when you want something special to take place you send up a quick prayer that is self-centered. For example, “God, if you allow me to score a goal in my game today I will definitely serve you with my whole heart.” You only need Him when there is a wish to be granted. 

4. Jack in the Box – This is where you attempt to control God by turning the crank the right away and then God will appear. For example, you “turn” God’s crank by reading your Bible, attending church, and being good and in return you think that will make you some spiritual faithful servant of the Lord, but in reality you are very dependent on your own works to be accepted by God. This is done out of duty rather than pursuing a relationship.  

5. Old Friend – In this view God becomes “old news” and not exciting anymore. God is now distant. Did you ever have a childhood friend that you did everything with and now several years (or decades) later you hardly have contact with that friend? Are you doing that with God? You use to be on fire for God, you use to be right with God, you use to be a faithful servant, but now your relationship with God is “old news” and just kind of causal and laid back. 

6. Man Upstairs – This is where you make God seem remote and disinterested. God’s doesn’t care He’s just the man upstairs. For example, you may say or think, “God is probably with someone else and doesn’t have time for me.” OR “God is probably busy using someone else and He doesn’t really need me.”  

7. Scrooge – Very often you tend to view God as a boss who is very hard to please, very demanding with no love. For example, it’s easy to think, “God seems hard to please. He gives me all these commandments and they are hard to follow.” You view God as having a stern look with no rewards and He does not want you delighting in Him. 

8. Crutch – This is where you “add” God to your life to areas only where you need Him. God starts to become your buddy or pal. For example, everyone wants to be accepted and well liked so people will do almost anything they can to become a well-rounded, likeable, qualified person so they will add God or “faith” to their life (or resume) to be able to relate with others better. How tragic! God is not your “crutch” He must be your life and all! 

9. State Trooper – Here you tend to look at God has a “getcha god” who is always looking for something wrong and is not willing to forgive. He is only concerned about the sins you commit. He never honors or blesses the righteous things you do. You view God as non-relational and just there for punishment. 

The Bible, God’s Word to man, is where you must gain a correct and biblical view of God. Then you must live your life reflecting Him so others can receive a right view of God.   

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Are you a Faithful Servant? (Part 2)

by Jonas Harley | February 16, 2010

Here are the other 3 features that Timothy models as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ from Philippians 2:19-24. . .

4) A Faithful Servant is Trustworthy (v.22a) – When studying other New Testament passages about Timothy you find that he verified (“proved”) his faithfulness. In other words, he came through on the task. He was tried and tested. Timothy did not just say he was a servant, but proved it in his action. Are you a trustworthy servant?

5) A Faithful Servant is Sacrificial (v.22b) – Timothy served side by side with Paul in advancing the gospel throughout the world. Timothy’s profile of a faithful servant reveals that he was willing to cancel any personal plans that he may have had for his life because he loved serving Jesus Christ.

In game 5 (part 2) of the 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays a loyal Phillies fan by the name of Dan Clark from Marlton, NJ tailgated in a lot behind center field in sub-40 degree weather with his 32-inch, high-def TV next to his white F-150 with 80-100 other fans anxiously waiting for the Phillies to win their long-awaited World Series title.

The reason he and others made time and the decision to bear the elements was because they were willing to sacrifice whatever it took to see their beloved Phillies win the title in person. Do you have this kind of sacrifice when it comes to being a faithful servant of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to leave your comfort zone? Are you willing to lay aside any personal dreams? A faithful servant of Jesus Christ terminates anything that gets in the way of advancing the gospel.           

6) A Faithful Servant is Available (v.23) – Finally, in this verse Paul again states that he will soon dispatch Timothy to Philippi. Timothy was available to do anything to serve God at anytime. Are you joyfully available and willing to serve God in any place at any moment? 

Timothy is a great model of what it means to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. The encouraging thing about this profile is that Timothy was a real person with a real sin nature and he was used greatly by God because he had the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). That means you can too if you are willing to submit yourself to God’s service.

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Are you a Faithful Servant? (Part 1)

by Jonas Harley | February 9, 2010

A conductor was once rehearsing with a large orchestra and hundreds of singers. The piccolo player felt that amid the thunder of the organ, the roll of the drums, and the music of the other instruments that he didn’t need to play, so he stopped. But the great conductor threw up his arms and shouted, “Where is the piccolo?”

Sometimes in the Christian life it seems like that. You look around at your church and it seems that everyone has a role, and in some cases, a large role and you begin to compare yourself to them and think that you aren’t important and stop serving and then God shouts, “Where is the faithful servant?”

Take a moment and turn to Philippians 2:19-24. In this passage you will find a crystal clear example of what it means to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ from a man named Timothy.

Here is a brief overview of the context. Paul expresses his desire to personally visit the Philippians (v.19), but he is unable to do so because he was under house arrest in Rome. Therefore, Paul reintroduces Timothy (see Acts 16:1-4) and informs them that Timothy would be his representative. Timothy was always ready to go and willing to serve anywhere. For that reason, Paul often sent him on missions (see 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11; 1 Thess. 3:6). A faithful servant is always prepared to serve. Are you ready and willing to go and serve God and others?

After Paul presents Timothy he informs the Philippians of Timothy’s solid character and conduct (v.20-24). Timothy models 6 features of a faithful servant.

1) A Faithful Servant is Humble (v.20a) - Paul states that Timothy is equal-souled, of kindred spirit, of one mind, the same heartbeat. Timothy esteemed others better than himself. He consistently had a low view of his own opinion and rights. Simply put, he put others first! The reason Paul and Timothy were likeminded was because they both had the humble mind of Christ (look at verse 5). The more you are likeminded with Christ and Scripture, the more you will have friends that are of the same heartbeat and mindset. Because of our selfish and proud nature it is very hard for us to be humble and put others first, but God commands and always honors humility (James 4:6-10).  

2) A Faithful Servant is Caring (v.20b) – Timothy sincerely cared about the spiritual condition of others, in this case, the Philippians. His care was not fake or manufactured. God always uses those who have an interest in others.

A man went by the White House to see Abraham Lincoln shortly after his inauguration. The President’s young son told the visitor that the President was absent, but that he could probably be found at the railway station. The gentleman explained that he would not even know the President if he should see him. The boy answered, “If you go the railway station and look out for a tall, homely man who is helping someone, you will know that is my father.”

God always uses those who have an interest in others. How can you increase your commitment to actively care for others that you do now?

3) A Faithful Servant is Focused (v.21) – Timothy had a single minded goal, which was to remain loyal to Christ. Timothy did not spend time pursuing his own interest and desires. A faithful servant never chases his own interests. Are you exclusively dialed in on the things which are Jesus Christ’s?  

Stay tuned for Part 2 on how to be faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

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Is there grass on your path?

by Jonas Harley | February 6, 2010

When I saw this picture I was reminded of this awesome short story about my personal prayer life and walk with God.

Early African converts learned the importance of spending time in daily prayer. Each Christian would find a solitary place in the thicket where he could share his heart in privacy with the Heavenly Father. As time passed the pathway to their prayer place in the thicket would become worn. If a Christian neglected his prayer life others would soon notice by the fresh greenery growing on their pathway. A gentle rebuke and reminder was often used among them by tactfully saying, “Brother, there is grass growing on your path.”

No doubt, one of the most neglected privileges and powers of Christians today is prayer. When grass has grown over the paths of Christians, their lives become paltry [unimportant] and powerless; families become dysfunctional and divided; churches become insignificant and impotent; and the nation becomes profane and perverted.

Now its my turn to ask you, “Is there grass growing on your path?”

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