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Dear One,
During a recent
flight to Tulsa to visit my Mom and Dad, I couldn’t resist flipping
through the pages of Skymall Magazine. It’s a catalog provided by the
airlines that features “a broad selection of premium gifts and unique
products from catalog companies and specialty retailers.” It has a
little bit of everything – from an inflatable palm tree to a jewel
encrusted water bowl for your pampered pet.
Within the pages of
that catalog I found Successories. Perhaps you’re familiar with
their products - motivational and inspirational prints, calendars,
books, etc. Typically I like looking at their pictures. They are always
beautifully photographed. Sometimes the captions are “inspiring” but
more often than not I find them full of words that guarantee excellence,
leadership or achievement through “high intentions, teamwork and
sincere efforts.”
And
you know what? They’re absolutely correct. In this world, hard
work and determined efforts often achieve great results regarding
personal goals, job satisfaction, and financial security. These are key
components in the “economics” of this world. Author Brian Tracy
writes, “In order to get whatever you desire, however you define it,
you must pay the price in full. You must sow before you reap. And you
may have to work a long time before you harvest the crop. This is the
law of Cause and Effect."
He’s right - those
are the laws of this world. And in my opinion, there is nothing wrong
with working hard at your job or taking deliberate measures to achieve a
personal goal. After all, we do live in this world. But there
does seem to be a catch. We also know that we are not of this
world [John 17:16; Col. 2:20]. Such a fine line! And, one that
should probably be avoided all together. But unfortunately, many
attempt to walk it every day.
It’s at this place
– this very fine line - where most Christians experience frustration.
They try to apply the principles of this world – the law of Cause and
Effect, the concept of teamwork, the law of Sowing and Reaping – to
the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s insidious, it’s subliminal, and
it’s the most “rational” thing in the world to do.
First of all, many
apply the team concept to their relationship with Christ. That’s
right. As the Successories’ teamwork print reads, “Teamwork
is the ability to work together toward a common vision.” In this
world, working as a team makes sense and can be quite beneficial. But as
a post-cross, resurrected Christ believer, there is no team effort in a
work that was completed over 2,000 years ago. It is finished! Jesus
Christ has done it all on our behalf.
[Gal. 3:26-28; Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:13, 14]
Secondly, the law of
Cause and Effect is often applied through prayer, giving and in personal
relationships. That’s right. We think that if we do [i.e., pray, give
financially, good behavior towards others], then our doing will cause
the effect we want – to move God, to gain blessings, to receive
God’s favor, etc. And the fact is that as a post-cross, indwelt by the
Spirit of God believer, there is nothing that we can cause to happen
that will override, nullify, or affect the God of this universe.
[Col. 1:16-20; Eph. 3:14-21; Rom. 8:26-28]
Lastly, there’s the
law of Sowing and Reaping. It’s another law of this world and it was a
predominant principle in the Old Testament and Gospels [pre-cross].* Yet
we still apply this law to our relationship with Christ. We believe that
when we sow works and best efforts, God is obligated to provide a great
harvest on our behalf. Rings true, doesn’t it? We think we should be
able to reap the results of our efforts [i.e., I will do this for God
and He will give me that; I will not do that and He will reward me with
this]. Again, the fact is that as a post-cross, justified and redeemed
believer, there is nothing that you or I can sow or reap that hasn’t
already been given to us in Christ. [Rom. 10:4, 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:9, 3:7; Phil. 1:6]
Now, dear friend,
I’ve said all of that to say this. If you have to do something – if
you just can’t stand not doing something, then do this . . . ENJOY
LIFE. Start by embracing the Freedom and Life that you have as a
post-cross, Jesus loving, Paul-instructed believer. For goodness sakes,
you are free! [Gal. 5:1;
Rom. 5:15, 6:23, 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:17]
Go play and have fun,
or work hard at whatever you are doing knowing all the while that you
are free. Free from worrying if you’ve sown enough, caused enough or
been enough of a team player with Jesus. Enjoy the freedom of knowing
that you can’t “win, harvest or effect” anything more or less from
Jesus than you already have. You are grace-fully secure. You are
mercy-fully right with Him. You are His.
Isn’t that a
wonderful word picture? Jesus and Freedom! I don't think that even
Successories could come close to expressing the kind of
motivation and inspiration that the cross of Christ provides. There's joy,
comfort and peace of mind in His place of rest. And it's there, my
dear friend, where real Life can be enjoyed!
I love you,
Marcy
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