Who

Who

By David Brenneman 

I got up today as I normally would for a typical work day, got ready, made my coffee.  Read my Bible reading and various verses of the day on various apps.  Reading through what Facebook decides to let me see of the hundred or so people it says that I am connected with.  

It dawned on me to consider who it is that I lift up when I write something not in a blog type format.  Who do others lift up?  We all do in some way.  We make attempts at selling people on ideas or products.  

What's interesting this morning was thinking on that and being in Psalms 49.  It speaks to the folly of trusting in riches.  Of wealth and possessions.  I constantly laugh to myself when driving up State Route 83.  A business owner put a sign on the corner of his or her business property that speaks to storage units and vehicles available.  The other side of the property is a cemetery.  Almost looks like it's a gimmick to want to be buried there, giving you the idea of taking it with you!

Who do you promote in your life?  Is your life not supposed to be an example of Christ Jesus in you only?  

Me, personally, I cannot really in any good conscience promote the idea of putting companies high on a pedestal.  Putting a name out there to point to it, yeah, I have done that. I don't know if it's just that I have observed enough of this world to realize the foolishness of it or what.  All man made things, businesses, ideas, thoughts, etc. are flawed. The only thing that mankind had a hand in that isn't is the Word of God, the Bible.  It says of itself that it is God-breathed. It is inspired by God, profitable for everyone and in every way.  Nothing and nobody else can claim that. 

Who do you lift up and promote?  Do you put companies or other people in the same sentence as Jesus for the same reasons? Do you put Jesus's name above all other names?  

Jesus said He would give His glory to no other.  Isaiah 42:8 NASB "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to idols.". 

We easily boast in many man made things and other people. Yet it's foolishness to do so.  Nothing lasts. If things did, we would not have an overabundance of landfills. If we had perfect this or that in businesses we would need so many in this world. There would be no competition possible. 

Vanity of Vanity all is Vanity as the writer of Ecclesiastes says.  

My further reading today was in Romans 1. Paul talks to many things in the book of Romans.  It's a very interesting and intense book.  After his introduction he starts right in speaking to unbelief and its consequences.   

I see posts promoting all kinds of things, both from those on my friends list and sponsored ones from Facebook.  It's often shocking to see people promote a love for Jesus AND this or that.  

It was a personal conviction that I extremely limit what's on the shirts that I wear, even my hats are unbranded.  My life is supposed to be of the light of Jesus Christ in me.  Living life in such a way that people see the works of God and glorify God because of them.  Fulfilling the work that I have been called to be doing. Not getting caught up in the world.  That's a portion of why Colossians 3:23-25 means so much to me.  "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality."

Add this thought to that: "I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB. 

And "All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB.  

Publicly and privately.  God's will is our sanctification. God's will is to be working in His Harvest. God's Will is "and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 NASB. God's Will is "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever." 1 John 2:15-17 NASB. 

Gives a whole different perspective on what's really important in life doesn't it? 

What or who have we put either on the same level of importance as Jesus is to be in our lives?  Where does our excitement go? What gets our attention? Who gets our attention?  Are we honest with ourselves as to who is getting promoted in our speech love and conduct? 

Paul, in writing to Timothy said "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12 NASB. 

When we stand before Jesus and the deeds we have done in the body are tested by fire...what will remain?  

Just some food for thought for today.