Pam Padgett ... teacher
There are many worldly "causes" that may seem
worthwhile and even good to our flesh. We can sometimes be drawn to these causes and affected by them, even if not actively involved in them. But, being of the flesh, they are vain and fleeting. In the Bible we have examples of things that could easily stir up the flesh but were not pursued, while things of God and doing the will of God were of great importance.
While reading in Luke 2 it stood out to me that the reason Joseph and
Mary went to Bethlehem was because Caesar Augustus had decreed that all
in the world should be taxed. Taxation is something that frequently stirs people to take action in the world, but isn't mentioned as an issue here at all. God sending His Son to be the Savior of the world, born in the city of David as had been prophesied, is what was important and worthy of
praise ....
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days,
that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world
should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was
governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own
city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be
taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it
was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same
country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock
by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory
of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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Another example is that Claudius had commanded all Jews to leave Rome,
something the flesh would want to take up as a cause. But because of
this, Aquila and Priscilla were in Corinth when Paul came. And the accounts we have of Aquila and Priscilla have nothing to do with the Jews being required to leave Rome. Instead, we know they believed in Jesus and helped those in the
church. These things are important.
Acts
18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come
from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had
commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos,
born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came
to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being
fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the
Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly
in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took
him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in
Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto
whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
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Joan and I were recently talking about worldly causes. She was reminded
that when John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus didn't start a cause
in this regard. Instead, Jesus continued to do the work He was given by the Father to do ...
Matthew 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 13
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place
apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot
out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,
and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
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Recently I've been dealing with a fleshly cause I had taken up. Strangely it has to do with World War II which started
over 70 years ago, well before I was even born. There was an idol
in my heart, exalting the Allied forces as being noble because they fought
the Germans who had done such horrible things, such as the concentration
camps. I was exalting the Allies as good and noble in my heart. Jesus taught us ... there is none good but one, that is, God:(Matthew 19:17)
As God has been working with me to break down this idol, one of the
things that stood out to me is that this world is not our home. We
are strangers and pilgrim here. Although there are various causes that stir up our flesh, our focus should be to exalt and serve God, following the leading of the Holy Spirit instead of our flesh, knowing that God has prepared a better place for us.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not
having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things
declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been
mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country,
that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their
God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your
conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation.