Human Nature

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate.” ESV Genesis 3:6

Just the other day a preacher used a sports analogy unfamiliar to me, but it rang true in my mind. Think through it with me for a moment. When two football teams face off on the field and one player jumps into action prematurely and makes contact with an opposing player before the ball is snapped, what is the cry from the opposing team and the referee? ‘Off sides!’ of course. Then what happens next? Well, a penalty is assessed to the individual perpetrator right? I mean it wasn’t the whole team’s fault was it? Of course you know better, the entire team is penalized because of the infraction of one player. It hardly seems fair, but that’s the way it is.

In much the same way, mankind still bears penalty scars on its human nature resulting from the sins of Adam and Eve. Careful before you disagree—think for a minute. Is childbearing not still painful (Genesis 3:16)? Is work not still accomplished by the sweat of your brow (Genesis 3:19)? And who among us has been required to teach our children to do evil? Of course we don’t deliberately teach our kids to do evil. Instead we spend a great deal of time teaching them how to share, to be polite, to honor their elders and the like. To be ‘good’ takes effort. Evil, it seems, comes natural.

I was playing tennis the other day—should I say learning to play tennis—when a ball I hit managed to find itself outside the boundary line. Well, it was actually way outside the line; over the fence and bouncing down the road! Anyway, at that same moment a group of youngsters walked by who saw the ball, knew where it came from and heard and saw my instructor asking them to toss it back. But instead of tossing it back, a young girl picked it up, glanced our direction and continued on down the road. I guess the newfound ball was a “delight to her eyes” so she took it. But when I slipped out the side gate, walked in their direction and barked a couple of firm requests the ball was returned fairly quickly along with this comment as I turned away: “Hey! You owe me a quarter.” Human nature...

You owe me. How often have we taken this stance towards God? God, I’ve done what you asked; you owe me. God, I haven’t been as evil as my neighbor; you owe me. God, I’ve lived a good life; you owe me. God, I go to church; you owe me. Don’t believe it. God doesn’t ‘owe you’ or any other sinful person anything except perhaps his holy wrath.

However, God graciously welcomes, even adopts as family members, those who, through faith, repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. You are not welcomed into God’s fellowship on the basis of your human nature, of what you’ve done, or the misguided notion of God owing you something. No, only through the finished work of Christ; only through His nature are we reconciled to God.

Ken Askew

Genuine Confession

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” ESV Psalm 51:4

Every now and then a man sees a woman (sometimes it’s the other way around) and it’s love at first sight. Well, infatuation at first sight might be a more accurate statement. And when infatuation and opportunity meet, well, the results are not always pretty. Such is the sordid story of David and Bathsheba.

This time of year, as was the custom, David should have been on the battlefield directing his troops, but he had elected to stay behind in Jerusalem and lounge around the house. But leisure time would prove to be most unfortunate for David.

Late one afternoon as he walked out on his roof; maybe just to stretch and take a look around—admire his home place perhaps—she caught his eye. Scriptures tell us (2 Samuel 11) that from his rooftop, David could see Bathsheba bathing. I imagine that he could see very clearly, because we are also told that she “was very beautiful.”

Curiosity got the best of him, and after asking around a bit David figured out that Bathsheba was married. But he also learned that her husband Uriah was on the battlefield with Joab and that Bathsheba was home; all alone I suppose. So David sent for her and had her brought to his house. Unfortunately, infatuation and opportunity met, Bathsheba became pregnant, and David scrambled to arrange a failed cover up; going so far as sending Bathsheba’s husband Uriah to the front lines where he was certain to die.

By now you’ve got to believe that David was wishing he’d kept his eyes to himself; wishing that opportunity and infatuation had not crossed paths, but as bad as the situation was, it was about to get worse. David thought the whole thing was a private affair until the Lord sent Nathan to rebuke him. And when David’s sins became known, the full weight and shame of his transgressions began to bear down on him. As the saying goes, ‘his secret had gone public.’

To his credit, David recognizes and confesses immediately that he has sinned against God. But think for a moment of all the lives affected by David’s actions; Uriah, an unborn child, Bathsheba, David’s own household, the office of King, the other soldiers who fought alongside Uriah, the nation, the list goes on and on. Yet David confesses that he has sinned against God and God only. Why do you suppose he does this? David realized that ultimately it was God’s law that he had broken, that it was God who could justly condemn him and consume him with his wrath and that it was God alone who could graciously forgive him. If you’ll read Psalm 51 in its entirety, you’ll see a picture of genuine confession and remorse before God.

Perhaps not in the same way, but has infatuation with someone or something crossed paths with opportunity in your life? If so, don’t wait on a prophet to come calling. Confess your sins before God today and ask for his gracious forgiveness.

Ken Askew

The War Has Been Won

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” ESV Colossians 3:5-6

How many times have you heard the phrase, ‘lost the battle but won the war?’ Like me, you’ve heard it many times I am sure. Oddly enough, this phrase came to mind as I studied this text last week and thought about the ongoing struggle between good and evil.

Paul begins his letter to the Colossians by greeting the “saints and faithful brothers in Christ...” in chapter one, verse two. Admittedly, Paul is sometimes difficult to understand, but this is plain enough. He’s writing to Christians in Colossae; Christians mind you.

But if these folks are Christians, why does he have to tell them to “put to death” this list of sins and remind them that God’s wrath is stoked by their very presence? It sounds more like something you’d be writing to a bunch of non-believers doesn’t it? I mean, Christians don’t struggle with sin do they?

Well, a couple of things come to mind. Regretfully, Christians are not without sin and Christians have not yet been removed from the presence of sin. So the answer is yes, Christians do struggle with sin. Why, some people are so keenly aware of sin in the lives of Christians that they refuse to go to church on account of the hypocrites in attendance! But that’s another story...

In one sense, I suppose it’s like those skirmishes that continue to flare up after a peace treaty is signed but before everyone gets the news. Those battles are no less real just because the war has been won. No, people are still injured and people still die. So, in the same manner, Christians must do battle against sin, a very real battle, even though the war has already been decided.

Now, hear me on this; victory is certain. The war against sin and evil has been won. Christ won the war when he defeated even death and rose from the grave after having been crucified. But a casual look around will prove that sin and evil are most certainly still in our presence. And, in some sense, the battle between good and evil still rages each and every day even in the lives of Christians.

The good news for Christians is that the war has been won. And since they have been freed from the controlling dominion of sin, the daily battles can be won too. Sin is still present all around us and the temptation to sin will be with us until Christ removes us from its very presence, but sin can be defeated day by day. The war has been won.

-Ken Askew

Wisdom and Discretion

“My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” ESV Proverbs 3:21-24

Our Sunday school class just finished up a couple of related studies. In the first one, we studied the book of James and explored the idea of thinking biblically in everyday situations. In the second, we took a refresher course in the exercise of basic spiritual disciplines like prayer, personal bible study and spending time worshipping God. While each study was enjoyable and thoroughly biblical, I wonder whether either study will make a difference in anyone’s life?

Two, maybe three years ago now, our former pastor put some thought into the foundational pillars that he envisioned would help guide us as a church and keep us on track in our Christian faith for years to come. Those five pillars are God’s word, worship, prayer, ministry and missions. Each of these pillars can be put into action individually and as group. Each pillar is biblically based and I heartily agree that they make a fine, even essential, foundation to build on. I wonder though, will they make a difference in anyone’s life?

The answer lies in how and if these truths are applied. If they are ignored or twisted to apply in some kind of self-centered, what’s in it for me fashion, then they won’t make any difference; that’s same as attitude of society in general. But if they are taken to heart and applied in a God-centered, how can I serve Him fashion, then they produce the two things in us that our verse warns us not to lose sight of—wisdom and discretion.

But I wonder still, if wisdom and discretion are fruits of applying these biblical principles in a God-centered way, how does the fruit look and taste? I see at least three things in our verse that give us clues.

First, wisdom and discretion create an inner peace that surpasses all understanding. And that inner peace creates an outward glow that shines brighter to the world than fine jewels and gold. Secondly, wisdom and discretion allow us to walk along this stony path of life with a sure foot. Like a mountain goat scaling the face of a ragged cliff, we can face each day confidently and negotiate the loose stones of temptation along the way that would cause us to stumble before God. Finally, if wisdom and discretion are yours, the rigors of the day will not rob you of your faith in the almighty LORD and your sleep will be sweet.

Wisdom and discretion—beautiful, sweet fruits worthy of cultivating in every life.

Ken Askew