A Lenten Reflection
Loving that which is worthwhile
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the world's concerns, in the world's habits, in the world's delights and outrages. Our culture is geared towards keeping us buying the newest neat gadget, going to the latest hot spot, getting outraged over the latest political scandal, and afraid of the next menace.
We're fed so many messages over what we should value, what we should mock, what is cool and what is trash. Advertisers tell us, through commercials, billboards, they even attempt to tell us what to make for dinner in the grocery stores these days. Media is a constant spin, trading one story for a fad for an outrage for an impending doom and then back to a new story. The cycle never stops.
And unless we say, "No," and make the decision to stop giving those messages any weight or importance, they'll just keep sinking in. Changing how we think, how we feel, how we believe.
That is why the Apostle John warned us not to love the world. "Do not love the world or the things in the world." (1 John 2:15) He wasn't warning us not to love the natural world God created, or to enjoy the good things in life that God gives us, but rather, to beware the dangers of a fallen culture and the fallen nature of mankind. To stay away from that which is sinful or tawdry, meaningless or cruel. We are to walk as Children of God, not children of this world.
The Apostle Paul tells us what it is better for a Christian to think and ponder upon; " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
What we think about is what we will come to believe in, and what we believe in is what we worship. Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of virtue reflect aspects of the nature of God; they draw us nearer unto Him.
When we think upon the things of this world....the latest scandal, the newest gossip, the nastiest political brawl, the most sex driven show, book or movie....we go further from the nature of God and deeper into our own fallen natures.
And God takes offense.
He wants you and I to be more than that. He wants us to seek after Him, not after useless and dangerous garbage.
"How long will you love what is worthless?" God asks in Psalm 4:2.
Jesus died to redeem us, to save us from our carnal and worldly natures, because we could not save ourselves. Do not cheapen His gift of mercy and grace by chasing after those things He died to save you from.
Are you loving what is worth loving....or seeking after that which is worthless?
On towards the Cross,
-Beth Haynes Butler
Loving that which is worthwhile
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the world's concerns, in the world's habits, in the world's delights and outrages. Our culture is geared towards keeping us buying the newest neat gadget, going to the latest hot spot, getting outraged over the latest political scandal, and afraid of the next menace.
We're fed so many messages over what we should value, what we should mock, what is cool and what is trash. Advertisers tell us, through commercials, billboards, they even attempt to tell us what to make for dinner in the grocery stores these days. Media is a constant spin, trading one story for a fad for an outrage for an impending doom and then back to a new story. The cycle never stops.
And unless we say, "No," and make the decision to stop giving those messages any weight or importance, they'll just keep sinking in. Changing how we think, how we feel, how we believe.
That is why the Apostle John warned us not to love the world. "Do not love the world or the things in the world." (1 John 2:15) He wasn't warning us not to love the natural world God created, or to enjoy the good things in life that God gives us, but rather, to beware the dangers of a fallen culture and the fallen nature of mankind. To stay away from that which is sinful or tawdry, meaningless or cruel. We are to walk as Children of God, not children of this world.
The Apostle Paul tells us what it is better for a Christian to think and ponder upon; " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
What we think about is what we will come to believe in, and what we believe in is what we worship. Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of virtue reflect aspects of the nature of God; they draw us nearer unto Him.
When we think upon the things of this world....the latest scandal, the newest gossip, the nastiest political brawl, the most sex driven show, book or movie....we go further from the nature of God and deeper into our own fallen natures.
And God takes offense.
He wants you and I to be more than that. He wants us to seek after Him, not after useless and dangerous garbage.
"How long will you love what is worthless?" God asks in Psalm 4:2.
Jesus died to redeem us, to save us from our carnal and worldly natures, because we could not save ourselves. Do not cheapen His gift of mercy and grace by chasing after those things He died to save you from.
Are you loving what is worth loving....or seeking after that which is worthless?
On towards the Cross,
-Beth Haynes Butler
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