Author: Jon Wellman

I have been talking on Twitter lately about my newly-reacquired love of tennis. On Monday mornings, you will find me at the local park, hitting a tennis ball against a wall with a white line drawn across it.

I learned to play tennis by hitting a tennis ball against the wall. The house in which I grew up had a carport with a large brick wall. I would spend hours launching tennis balls at that wall with my beginner aluminum racket.

I learned pretty good technique. What I didn’t learn was how to play against an opponent. I assumed that I could beat anyone I came up against. My thought process went like this: “Come on! Look how hard I hit that last shot! It nearly bounced over my head into the road! I got this!”

Then I played against a person.

I quickly found out that facing people on a real court was NOT the same thing. I figured I would have no trouble winning, but greatly overestimated my ability. I thought I was strong when I was weak.

Many times in our Christian lives, we see others going through sin. In the past few years, unknown numbers of pastors have been forced to give up their churches due to sexual indiscretions. We all have seen celebrities get caught for DUI or drug use or other such things. Politicians scheme and swindle and cavort. Friends divorce. We may think, “I would NEVER do that” or “That would NEVER be a problem for me” or “I would see that coming.”

Do you think those that found themselves in these situations thought the same thing?

Dr. Johnny Hunt said that any sin you are tempted to commit has been a temptation for millions of others. The Bible says that that there are no temptations that are not common to man (I Corinthians 10:13). The rest of that verse speaks of a means to escape any sin, which is a comfort. But the fact that all sins are common is not.

No one is immune from any particular sin. No one. No matter how you’ve been raised. No matter how you think you would react in a particular situation. We are all susceptible to disgracing the name of Jesus in ways we can’t even imagine.

That is why we must…
1) always be on guard
2) don the armor of God (Ephesians 6)
3) spend time in the Word and in prayer daily
4) set up hedges of protection around areas in which we struggle
5) remember that God IS faithful
6) “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (2 Timothy 2:22)

I overestimated my strength and got burned. But that was just a game.

My wife, Jamy, is an awesome mommy! One of the sweetest things she does is say to our kids, “love you forever!” Then she gives kisses. Melts Daddy’s heart every time!

How much more does God love us?

Romans 8:35-39 is a beautiful picture of God’s love for us. It teaches us that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that can separate us from His love. Nothing. No one. No oppression or circumstance. Nothing we can do or say.

In my last post, I wrote that we have nothing to fear thanks to the God we serve. Verse 37 teaches that the love of God makes us conquerors. Tribulation? Handled. Danger? Not an issue. The sword, persecution… anything? No match for His love. Strong words. Stronger God.

The end of verse 39 says that the love of God is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus Christ was both the perfect example of HOW to love and the perfect gift OF love. Love personified and exemplified. He served and He saved.

We are never alone. We are victors through the love of our Father.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:10

I have my website logo as the home screen wallpaper on my iPhone. My son, Tony, asked me what it meant. I told him that the red circle meant “no,” and the green stuff was called “camouflage.” He didn’t know that word. I explained that it is what army men wear. “Oh,” he said, “so they can hide?”

Exactly.

The God we serve is above all gods. He has no equal. He is Jehovah, Lord God Almighty. He is magnificent. He deserves all glory, honor, and praise. His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah triumphantly conquered sin, death, and the grave. He is the Risen King. Shortly after Christ ascended, the Holy Spirit came as a Comforter. The same God the Spirit is always with us, always within us.

The might, splendor, magnificence, and love of the triune God are endless. Why should we fear? Why should we hide?

We as Christians have nothing of which to be ashamed. Nothing or no one on this earth to fear. And we have every reason to live in confidence and strength.

There are so many verses in scripture that refer to God’s strength, but I love the beauty of Psalm 62:1-2.

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Matthew 5:16 says to …let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This can’t be done effectively by one living in fear. Or worse, apathy. Or worse yet, shame.

What stops you from living boldly?