Don't be a Chameleon

April 24, 2019
Don't be a Chameleon

I remember being fascinated by chameleons when I was in elementary school. You know, kids learn about all sorts of things in those early years from the weather cycle to rocks and even reptiles. It was fascinating to me that these lizards can change their colors depending on their surroundings. Of course, this may have several functions one of which is a defense mechanism that helps them hide from predators.

Yet, we are taught throughout the New Testament to not worry what people think about us or even what they may do to us. We should not even fear being killed by others for the sake of Christ. While chameleons may change colors to hide from predators, Christians are not to worry about enemies. We are to love our enemies, pray for them, and continue to witness to them concerning the things of God.

The apostle pleads with the church in Rom 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." What a fitting passage to meditate on at any point in the Christian life. New Christians need to learn this message, and long-time Christians need to be reminded of it. Unlike the color-changing chameleons, we are not supposed to conform to the world around us. We don't think like they do, we don't value what they do, and we even look different than they do because the knowledge we have changes the way we act.

To put it in Jesus' words, we can look to Matt 5:14, "You are the light of the world." Of course, He goes on to say in verse 16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." So, we are not to hide out, blend in, and protect ourselves. We are to stand out from the world around us so that we may point people to God. Giving your life to the Lord should have several noticeable effects. Let the work of the Lord in your soul show out in your good works, not for the purpose of bringing attention to yourself but for the glory of God.

Live for the Lord. Seek to glorify Him. Have an impact on the world around you. Obey God no matter the costs. Put your hope in Him. For the sake of God and His Gospel, don't be a chameleon.

Doing What is Right

April 10, 2019
Doing What is Right

The last major section in the book of Genesis covers the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. You will remember that Joseph was favored by Jacob, and this caused severe sibling rivalry. Joseph was also given dreams by God, and he taunted his brothers, and even his parents, about the dreams. So, the brothers, out of hatred for Joseph, threw him into a pit intending to kill him at some later point. Eventually, they decided to sell him into slavery instead, and he finally ends up in the house of the Egyptian named Potiphar. The narrative picks up here in Genesis 39.

Gen 39:2 tells us that, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” We are told that Joseph was overwhelmingly blessed by God, everything he did was successful, and Potiphar’s family and dealings were even blessed by association. The end of verse six gives us a detail that sets up the next scene. We are told that Joseph was a handsome young man.

Potiphar’s wife grows to desire Joseph. She wants physical intimacy with him and tempts him day after day. Joseph’s behavior is commendable throughout this narrative. One of the first questions he asks is, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” This is a question we should ask ourselves when faced with temptations to sin.

We live in a time when the sexual revolution is raging, and the society is saying things like, “Do whatever you want. It’s your life. Whatever makes you happy. What you do with your body is up to you. There is no higher authority for your moral life than yourself.” These statements, of course, are lies from the evil one. When Joseph was all alone with this person, when no one was watching, when she was throwing herself at him, he still stands resolved that it would be a great wickedness and a sin against God that he will not commit. How exemplary! We do not have to give in to selfish, sinful desires! Meditate on Joseph’s life-story for yourself and teach it to your kids and grandkids.

Later in the narrative of Genesis 39, the woman ramps up her pursuits to another level and tries to take Joseph to bed by force. When the whole world would have said things such as, “Well, what’s a man to do? No one would blame him for going to bed with her. She gave him no option. . .” Joseph does what is right in God’s eyes and flees from evil. And, before you think that just because you are moral and do what is right that things will always go well for you, we are told that the woman framed Joseph with his garment that she stole from him and claimed that he tried to take advantage of her! Joseph cannot catch a break! He suffered for doing what was right. Yet, even in prison, we learn that the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy. Let us also do what is right despite the consequences so that our consciences may be clear, so that we may glorify God in a crooked generation, and so that we might find favor in the eyes of God no matter what others may think.