The Bible Should Inspire, Not Depress, You
My congregation and I are in the midst of a tremendously powerful series titled, Commitment, Responsibility, and Accountability To the Local Church. The Holy Spirit’s been heavy-handed with us and it’s been wonderful for one particular reason – the congregation has responded appropriately en masse.
There are always two ways to respond to righteous correction: reject it or embrace it.
In the case of North Christian Church, we’ve been using the Bible to learn about the function of a local church and how we measure up (past and present). While I’m proud (ala Romans 15:17) of my congregation’s progress to date, I’ve had to be honest with them and point out where we fall short. There have been sobering messages for both men and women – some might even call them “difficult”.
For the men, the call to action has been:
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
– 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
The primary examples we’ve been studying have to do with a man’s role in his families (both at home and at church). In the home, his primary expression of said strength and love is taking the lead, spiritually. This strength ought to carry over to the local church, where the women and children of God’s family need protecting.
For the women, the call to action has been:
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
– 1 Peter 3:1-4
The familial theme has carried over to our women’s studies, where women (of equal value to a family) are commanded to submit to the authorities in their lives, beginning with their husbands, for in doing so they are serving the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Contrary to modern viewpoint, women are most beautiful when they serve the Lord with a heart of gratitude.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
– Proverbs 31:30-31
Likewise, men are most beautiful when they serve the Lord with thankfulness filling their hearts.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
– Colossians 3:16-17
With a clear line of sight on what is beautiful in each one of us, you’d think that everyone, by default, would be inspired. But that isn’t always the case. It’s easy to compare oneself to the biblical ideal (or even to others who may be good illustrations of it) and to come away depressed. This is precisely what our enemies would like to see!
The value of an ideal isn’t to focus on your failures; rather, it’s to focus on God’s sanctifying grace. It’s much less about past failures than future successes and much less about what others think than what the Lord thinks.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
– Galatians 1:10
The Bible is the most inspiring book ever written. Its Author is none other than God (the writers were merely instruments – 2 Timothy 3:16). He didn’t give us this book to cripple us with despair. May it never be! God’s Word is for our sanctification, where fruit bearing brings glory to Him. He’d be failing Himself if the outcome of our faith was persistent depression and an abiding lack of peace. My friend, that’s the lot of the lost in this world, not those of us who have been redeemed and set free from such bondage.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
– Galatians 5:1
Be inspired by Biblical ideals remembering we’re not in competition with one another. Live humbly and pursue sanctification with all your heart through the study of God’s Word. Pray fervently for wisdom that sets you free. And above all, love.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 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. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
– Colossians 3:1-15
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins