Many of us aspire to have some other kind of “life.”  We look around at everyone else and think they have it better.  Television presents us idyllic examples of the way “things ought to be.”  It doesn’t take too long before we begin to think that’s the norm.  We want that life, not the mundane, out-of-the-norm life we have.  While goals and aspirations are great, and we always want to strive to better ourselves, we need to remember this one thing.  There’s just life.  Make the most of the life you have now.  It’s the only one you have this side of eternity.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV, emphasis added).

It is worth noting that the true values of a society are revealed in how they treat the weak, the infirmed, the unborn, and the elderly.  Apparently, we are far from where we need to be.

We often think that we can do what we want as long as no one is impacted but ourselves.  The truth of the matter is that all of our decisions matter because all of our decisions impact someone.  A while back, several Ohio State players decided to skirt the rules.  When they were caught, their former coach decided to cover for them.  No harm, no foul.  Not quite.  The students that remained paid the price for those decisions.  Granted, the biggest name of those players was removed from team and the coach was fired.  They both, however, landed quite comfortably in the NFL.  The kids and the coaches that remained took the brunt of the consequences.  They had to answer the unending barrage of questions.  They had to limp through a season filled with scandal, uncertainty, and ultimately penalties for crimes they did not commit.  They were impacted by the bad decisions of former boosters, players, and coaches alike.

The decisions we make impact the people around us too.  We may not think they do, but they do.  Sometimes the impact is instant and dramatic.  Sometimes it is it more subtle and takes longer to develop.  Regardless, our choices impact others.  Our choices impact our spouse, our children, our families, our co-workers, our neighbors, and untold others.  The decisions we make create ripples all around us.  Subsequently, we should make good decisions.  Actually, we should make the best decisions because we know that our lives, and the lives of people around us, will be impacted by them.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.  Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:31-33, HCSB).

And, on a related note, shame on the contemporary media for refusing to point out that it was the last congress that refused to put together a budget.  That point is remarkably absent from their coverage of this issue.

John MacArthur has been clearly teaching Biblical truth for decades.  His new book Slave is another example of what he does best.  He takes a biblical concept and presents it in a clear and insightful way.  MacArthur’s whole premise is that virtually every English translation of the Bible has mishandled the Greek word doulos.  The word literally means “slave.”  Almost every English translation uses the word “servant” instead.  MacArthur not only traces the rationale for this, but also demonstrates how this mistranslation has damaged our understanding of Christianity.  MacArthur contends that as slaves, we are obligated to our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to be completely surrendered to Him.  Servants can come and go.  Slaves, however, are completely submissive to their masters.

MacArthur fleshes out what it means to be a slave for Christ.  He gives a historical background to the concept, and then helps the reader apply the concepts to her Christian walk.  He then moves on to the biblical truth that we are more than slaves.  We are also sons.  We are adopted members of the family of God who are completely surrendered to our Lord and master.  What a great concept, so deep on one hand and yet so simple on the other. And, Dr. MacArthur does a great job of mining it.  His book is worth your time.  Grab a copy and explore what it really means to be a slave of Christ.

I think that’s what bothers me the most about the mess coming out of Columbus these days.  If you are a sports fan and a Buckeye fan (and I’m guilty on both counts), it’s hard to imagine that you haven’t heard about the emerging scandal concerning Jim Tressel.  While I don’t pretend to have all the facts (and I want to be careful not to throw stones), the one thing that seems pretty obvious is that there’s been a lot of lying over the last few months.  Tragically, with all the accusations, investigations, and penalties comes something else – a loss of integrity.  And, in life (unlike football), that’s a loss that is hard to overcome.

“But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.  Avoid these people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, HCSB)!

The words of the Apostle Paul remind us that this world will become more and more corrupt as time goes by.  This ongoing corruption is not something that should surprise us.  Instead, we need to be careful not to be swept up in it.  In addition, we need to be committed to prayer and to the sharing of the gospel of Christ.  Finally, we need to be comforted by the fact that God is still in control.

Having enough of the day’s headlines, I get in my car and begin my morning commute.  On the way, I hear a story on the local news about sex offenders working as security screeners for the TSA.  More good news.  As I exit the interstate headed to my office, there’s a  giant sign reminding me that gasoline has now eclipsed the three dollar a gallon mark.  Ho, ho, ho.  What a day.

Aren’t you tired of all the bad news?  Wouldn’t it be great to receive some good news for a change?  Well, I began thinking about some good news delivered long ago, and it seemed more than appropriate to share it today:

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:10-14, ESV

Finally, some good news.