Sanctified or Compromised?

Sanctify. Sanctified. Sanctification. I seem to be coming across some form of that word a lot lately in my reading. God uses it to explain to us how our lives, hearts, and minds should be changing, conforming, and reflecting the life of Christ.

The most simple definition to explain the word sanctify is "set apart".

Several days ago my son broke the remote to his television while it was stuck on an input mode that didn't allow him to use his tv. Without hitting the proper button on the remote the tv was useless, except for in that specific input mode. Last night, Nathan joined me in the laundry room gleaming, announcing that he had fixed his remote. He proceeded to show me how the broken spring that used to hold the battery in, had been replaced with a paperclip, and when held just right, twisted in a certain way, and taped down, accomplished the purpose... and waa-lahh, the remote now controls the tv again. His frustration though, is that he has to occasionally fiddle with the twisted paperclip to keep his remote working.

You see, while my son used his smart thinking and compromising skills, and came up with a great temporary fix until the remote can be replaced, it technically isn't the purpose that paperclip was created for. Remotes were made to control the tv with individual parts precisely designed to allow it proper functioning. The paperclip was made... well, to clip together paper. These items are sanctified! They are set apart with a purpose in mind at the time they were created and designed.

There are some things that are made for a purpose, and shouldn't be used for anything other than their purpose or they can ultimately be damaged and destroyed. Beds are for sleeping, not trampoline improvising, or they break down. Knives are for cutting, not screwdrivers, or the tips are ruined and dulled. Your teeth are made to chew food, not open tight bottle caps, or you'll eventually be making a trip to the dentist. You get the idea.

Our lives, too, have a specific purpose, and shouldn't be used for anything else but that purpose. They were not only individually and uniquely created, but they were paid for, in full, by the King of Kings. Your life is set apart, sanctified, to be used for one purpose, and one purpose alone... to bring glory to God.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.
(1 Peter 2:9)

You are chosen! As a follower of Christ you are royalty! This makes you one of those in highest order within God's kingdom! Families of royalty expect certain behaviors from the bearers of the crown. There are peculiar traits, attitudes, and examples to be set and followed. Surely the Crown of Life is no exception! As joint heirs with Christ we have a purpose to live up to and fulfill. Live for Christ because of who you are in Christ!

When this is compromised, we become like the broken down bed, a dull knife, or a damaged tooth... and we're then useless in accomplishing the very thing we were made to do! Only YOU are able to fulfill the purpose for which YOU were created... no rigging or manipulating can temporarily fill in for you as the paperclip did with the remote.

What areas in your life are not glorifying to God? Perhaps you've allowed yourself to be temporarily rigged so you appear as though you're properly functioning among the crowd. Or are you set apart as your unique purpose designed you to be? Don't compromise your position in Christ! Sanctify your life, set it apart... because YOU are a chosen vessel to bring God glory!

Pruning Dead Branches

This morning as I was watering the houseplants I noticed one that seemed to need a little more attention. I took it to the sink and wiped down the planter, adding water to the soil.

I lifted a couple small branches and absent-mindedly removed a few dead pieces here and there that I hadn't noticed were there until I started moving the plant around, making sure it was getting enough water.

As I put the plant back in its spot I realized it looked altogether different. It didn't look bad before, in fact, it looked great. But once the earlier unnoticed dead branches were gone, it looked greener, fresher... healthier. The pruning made such a difference! I didn't pull and cut the dead sections of the plant off as a way to destroy the plant. Rather it was to clean it up and refresh it, allowing it to bloom fuller, growing into a healthier, hardier plant.

God does this very thing for us. As we draw closer to him, allowing Him to inspect us and nurture us through His word, He prunes away our ugly dead branches that hold us back from growing into a spiritually healthy and hardy Christian that will produce more good for His glory.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(John 15:1-8)

What dead branches do we have that need cut off? Our lives, the things we do, and how we handle things may look wonderful to those outside looking in... but if we shuffle things around a little bit, to reveal the deepest darkest undergrowth, what dead branches are lingering that can be pruned?

Cutting things off and out of our lives hurts. So who would want to go through the pain of cutting things out and making changes? Perhaps that's the true source of the saying "no pain, no gain". When we let go of our will and stubbornness and allow the Lord to move our branches around a bit, revealing the dead branches we've allowed to remain intact, we become a healthier reflection of Christ. We grow into a stronger fruit bearing disciple that is bringing God more glory through our lives.

Whether it be an attitude adjustment, a quirk, a habit, or a lack of motivation... whatever it may be, if it's not bearing fruit for God's kingdom, let Him have it, you'll be healthier and more vibrant without it!

Love In Many Languages

Láska. Kærlighed. Liefde. Armastus. Rakkaus. Amour. Szeretet. Sayang. Ai. Love.

Isn't it amazing how many ways to verbally say LOVE?

There are a number of ways to show love as well. In fact, top psychologists claim that there are five love languages, or rather, five primary ways that people express and interpret love.

These five "primary love languages" are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. I can see how those five can be very much effective. Everyone receives some sort of satisfaction from feeling loved and being shown they are loved. Some need to be shown more love than others, to feel secure, needed, and appreciated. Others find it brings them more joy to share love than receive acts, words, or affirmations of love.

While these area experts may have a point in their analysis of love, I must argue that there is one language of love that was left out of the top five. It was, and is, the most important language of love ever demonstrated. It was an example and such a pure demonstration for us to literally model ourselves after.

It was the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

He ate with sinners, told parables to lend understanding, was humble in his works, compassionate to the suffering, patient through trials and judgement, and loyal to His Father's will. He served others without hesitation, never putting self first.

How many times are we guilty of serving with ulterior motives. While some of those motives may not necessarily be labeled as bad, are they truly done with a servant's heart as the example Christ so faithfully demonstrated? Sometimes just making it through the day itself seems like an achievement! But, can you imagine the joy God receives when it goes beyond that?

We have so many chances to show love to those around us!

Allow it to start right there within those walls you call your home. If we can't show love and a servant's heart to our own family members, how can we expect the love of the Lord to shine to others? When we prioritize our time and attention to the members of our family we are showing God an act of love! He has blessed us with those directly in our lives, and it's doubtful any of them would mind you experimenting your practice of love on them!

While working, cleaning, listening, teaching, supporting and giving to each other at home, we must remember to allow it to be done out of love... not obligation, guilt, habit, or duty... but truly sharing love from within. Simple things such as a hug goodnight, a meal at the table, a new coat, washed underwear, a ride to practice... are those moments being done out of habit and have-to's, or are you using those chances to demonstrate your love? It is possible for habit to become sincere and loving... and it all begins with a desire to strive toward displaying the love of Christ.

Next ask yourself what you are good at! What talent has our Creator blessed you with? You do have one... at least one! Some aren't even aware of their talent(s)! Start with things you succeed in, are good at, or things you enjoy! Do you make crafts? Build? Organize? Enjoy children? Sing? Write? Garden? Cook? Explore yourself and determine what you do and/or enjoy that can be turned into a blessing for someone else!

You've knitted a hundred scarves for your own collection... is there someone else that could appreciate the next one? You grow amazing roses in your garden... can one of those blooms brighten the day of a neighbor down the street that you've never seen smile? Your family calls you an organizing nut... is there a function coming up that could sure use help to draw more people in to hear God's word? You love to play instruments... is there a retirement home in your local area that could use some entertainment because visitors are slim to none and loneliness is creeping in? You're good with words... are you allowing God to use them to minister to others that come your way? You love seeing children smile... is there a children's ward you could visit at your local hospital with a sad child whose parents are overworked to pay medical bills and can't seem to make frequent visits for themselves?

There are so many ways to reach out to others with our own God given talents. Ways that don't require an overdose of funds... just a love that demonstrates Christ. Some tasks are small and simple, others take time, planning, and extra thought... but there is no limit on ways it can be expressed.

Learning to love in its purest sense can be a challenge, especially when our flesh and feelings are tested and try jumping in to obscure our view. However, when selfish gratifications and motivations are put on the back burner, and we seek to demonstrate the most perfect language of love... that of Christ... glory goes where glory is due.