Sanctify Us

You can tell a lot about a person’s priorities by the way they present themselves. We portray an image to others that represents what it is important to us and how we want people to think of us. Sometimes we do this deliberately and strategically, but it can also be without any forethought. Either way, we learn about ourselves when we consider what we want to be known for most of all. 1) Most of all, I am rich.  The human race has always been obsessed with wealth. Most people want more money than they have, regardless of their current level of wealth. When abused, the drive for more money can lead to overwork (Prov. 23:4-5), get-rich-quick schemes (Prov. 28:19-20), and dishonest gain (Prov. 20:10, 17).   Many are also interested in looking like they have more money than they actually do. We covet status symbols like cars, clothes, and jewelry that will signal to others that we are wealthy. Oftentimes the utility of the item is not even the important part—fake designer bags and...

Faithfulness is not defined in a single moment. It is shown over time as consistency and reliability to do what one has committed to do. The Bible is full of exhortations to be faithful and warnings about our fate if we turn back. But God does more than just tell us to be faithful—He shows us how to do so through His own example. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). 1) Man is fickle. It doesn’t take any special insight to know that people are inconsistent. We experience it every day in ourselves and others around us. Sometimes the fickleness comes from malice while at other times it is simply neglect. Either way, we know that people cannot always be counted on. 2) We sometimes expect God to be like us. In Numbers 22-24, King Balak of Moab feared the Israelites who camped nearby in a great horde. Balak recruited Balaam to invoke a curse upon them with the promise of a great reward if he is successful. Balaam a...