Selwyn introduces today’s study with these words: “Inorder to understand single-mindedness it is helpful to see it against its opposite, double-mindedness. We are double-minded when we pursue two different objsectives at the same time – God’s purpose and our purpose. … The steps that lead from double-mindedness to disaster are first, being inwardly divided, and second, being outwardly disloyal. Then comes the down fall.”

Sometimes, I feel, that we can become double minded without realising that we have taken the first step on this road to disaster. It happens this way, we only do those aspects of God’s work which happen to compliment our own purposes. That is, we fool ourselves into thinking that we are doing God’s work to satisfy His requirements (to give Him glory) but we’re actually dong the work, either for the public recognition from our Christian community or for the self-satisfaction we gain from doing something, we feel is ‘good’. A good test for ourselves would be – if asked by God, would you be prepared to painfully die on a cross, to be – a spectacle of public humiliation? What’s your honest answer?

Today, Selwyn introduces us to ‘another wonderful characteristic that our Master possessed, single-mindedness, or a clear focus. … After launching into His public ministry at the age of 30, Jesus often spoke of the mission that lay before Him – He allowed nothing to hold Him back, distract Him or deter Him – it is clear, He had only one thing on His mind – fulfilling His Father’s will.’

Selwyn concludes with these questions: “How committed are you to single-mindedly pursuing God’s plan for your life? Can you press on undeterred when self-interest thrusts its tantalising appeal before our eyes?

In the verses set for reading and meditation, we read, (John 9: 4, NLT):  “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”

This verse highlights the fact that there is a certain urgency given to the work, assigned by God to us; the time we have here on earth, to do our Father’s will, is limited. Consequently, our first priority is to focus on these tasks, to sacrifice our own desires to do what we want – and, the odd thing, I found,  is – the more we give to Jesus – the more He gives us.

Do you agree?

Selwyn makes a lot of good points in today’s study.

“1. We cannot stop resentment arising in our hearts, but we can, and must, take steps to stop harbouring it.

2. Don’t try to justify resentment.

3. Consider carefully why you allow resentment to linger in your heart. Does it give you a feeling of power over the one who has hurt you? To forgive is to transfer all power to God. I can guarantee that every time I deal with someone who is unable to give up their resentment I will find an ego (pride) problem.The ego is unsurrendered (to God) and thus over-sensitive (and unforgiving).

Go over your life today and deal with any lingering resentment. Confess it to God. There can be no forward progress in the soul without confession. Then ask God to forgive you for harbouring the resentment and for grace to pass on that forgiveness to the one who may have caused your pain.” In this way we follow Christ.

The key, I think, is to take our feelings of resentment to God, and seek His help in uncovering the reasons as to why we are harbouring, providing a safe haven, to these feelings.  Identifying the problems and admitting that maybe our pride and self-interests are holding us back in letting go of our hurts, and allowing God to deal with all those involved in the issue – is the first part of our discussion with Jesus. It’s the act of saying – I trust You to manage my life – here, take over and lead me out of this place – this place of resentment!

What’s your view?

Selwyn continues to consider unhealthy ways of dealing with resentment, anger and an unforgiving spirit.

He discusses responses such as ‘blowing our top’; running away from the circumstances which give rise to the resentment; or through a form of physical activity. He concludes that ‘root problems can never be dealt with through superficial remedies. I like this following comment: ‘we never bury emotions dead, but alive’; and, they grow to re-appear – bigger and harder to eradicate, than before!

One, true and tested way of handling resentment, anger and unforgivness is to take the issue to God, in prayer. In discussing these issues with God, we talk to someone who understands our weaknesses – we bring to the surface – all our emotions, our fears and our insecurities – He, in turn, comforts and strengthens us – and, by using His power we are released from our fears and find security in His love. We walk with Him – away from these trials – growing in our maturity; and better able to assist others, who may be going through similar trials.

What’s your view on this issue?

A lot of what Selwyn says today is important, therefore I’ll repeat some of what he says.

He mentions that one of the main reasons why some people stop seeking, a relationship with Jesus, is the unwillingness to forgive.

I think it is basically a pride issue – those people who find it hard to forgive, are usually those who have not surrendered themselves, entirely to God. Often, they fail to recognise the great price Christ paid, on their behalf, to set them eternally free from the affects of their sins. It, also usually goes hand-in-hand, with a view that they are basically good people; and, what Christ did for them, was just to wash the dirt from their feet. They are not like the rapists and murderers of this world – they are saying, in effect, that they don’t need the same level of forgiveness, as the ‘truly evil people’ of this world. Consequently, pride still rules their lives, and they find it very hard to forgive personal hurts and insults. Do you agree?

Selwyn then discusses some of the improper ways of handling anger and resentment. “One wrong method is to try to suppress the negative feelings – to attempt to forget them and pretend we don’t have them. Suppressing resentment does not get rid of it but allows it to work havoc at a much deeper and more dangerous level.”

” … Some Christians, realising the uselessness of burying things in the subconscious, take the opposite approach and chew on negative emotions. … Resentment that are mulled over or chewed upon will spill over into all of one’s mental and emotional attitudes.”

The verses set for reading and meditation contain some important advice, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:17-32 (NLT): “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

God will help you through prayer to renew your thoughts and attitudes, if you let Him. In addition, there are certain changes to our behaviour, which we can initiate that will facilitate our renewal. For example, don’t go to bed with an angry heart - ’ …  “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. …’

Do something about your anger, if circumstances prevents you from dealing personally with the issue – turn it over to God in prayer, before the sun has set.  It needs you to actively seek, with God’s help, this outcome.

Take steps to rid your language of any signs of anger, bitterness, rage, and harsh words – start, by making a conscious effort not to swear. If it’s difficult – then persistently pray for God’s help – every single time you fail. You will find that the Holy Spirit will change your attitude and enable ‘your words to be an encouragement to those who hear them’.

You know that God will respond to your prayers in His perfect way – because He loves you.

I liked the story about Leopold III, in today’s study; it’s often the case that sometimes, we need someone who has lost or hurt more than us, to demonstrate their readiness to offer forgiveness – which, in turn prompts us to forgive a lesser hurt.

The following verses, (a subset of the verses set for reading and meditation, Luke 27-36, NLT), form the focus of today’s study: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

“Love your enemies! Do good to them.Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”

Selwyn makes an excellent point when he says: ” … Jesus Christ not only lifts the standards to almost unbelievable heights, but He also provides the power by which we can attain them. When Jesus says, ‘ … Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you … ‘, He is not asking us to do this in own strength, but in His, He who lives in us wants to love in us.”

All the commandments that Jesus has established for us to obey – can be followed – if, we seek His help. It’s impossible to meet God’s standards by using our own strengths and abilities. 

In John 14:23-26 (NLT), we read: ” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

In summary, if we try to do what Jesus has told us to do (and, the Holy Spirit will remind us and enable us to do it), we can meet God’s standards. Because, if we love God and follow His commandments, God will live in us; and we will have access to His power to achieve what He wants done.  This truth is difficult to accept by many – and the paucity of ‘fruit’ in their lives reflects their lack of faith in God’s Word.

God will never ask us to do more than is possible – that is, everything He asks us to do – can be done by using His power! Do you agree?

Today, Selwyn looks at another characteristic of Jesus, our Leader – His readiness to forgive injuries.

These following verses (selected for reading and meditation) from Luke demonstrate the tremendous strength of God’s love – having been whipped and crowned with thorns, battered and bruised – God’s compassion and forgiveness proceeds Him, and never leaves Him. It’s impossible without God’s help to demonstrate this level of forgiveness – but with God, it is possible. 

Luke 23:26-34 (NLT): “As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. … ”

While we were still sinners – Jesus, our God, died for us – if He was able to forgive us – then, we should seek His help in order to forgive others, in the same perfect way.

Consequently, I thought Selwyn’s prayer, to be especially good: “Lord Jesus Christ, I can never get over the wonder of Your forgiveness to me. Help me pass on that forgiveness to those who hurt me. You forgive graciously, not grudgingly. Help me to do the same. Amen.”