Craig Clouston

 When Christ Comes

October 27

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Ray wasn’t so much uncaring as he was self-preservation driven. He did what

he thought was best for him. “Look, if we don’t jump on this, we may not get

another opportunity.” He was adamantly defending purchasing stock options

without a thorough background check of the company they were looking at. It

was a merger buyout—the perfect opportunity to make a quick buck—and Ray

couldn’t understand their hesitation. “Why is it so important that you know

how the money is being used?”

“Shelly and I don’t want to unknowingly fund groups whose secular

worldview and agendas don’t align with our biblical worldview,” his brother-

in-law Peter answered. Shelly reminded Ray, “Do you remember when I spoke

to you about our perspective in regard to finances?” Receiving a blank stare, she

continued. “We believe our finances are God-given for the purpose of growing

His kingdom, not for our own personal gain. Anything that goes against His

will is not where we want our money.”

“Whatever.” His condescending attitude was dripping with sarcasm. “Just

don’t cry to me because you missed out on a good deal.”

Peter never hesitated. “Ray, the last thing we would do is blame you for a

poor choice on our part. So until we know what our investment is being used

for, we have no intention of taking part in the merger, huge returns or not.”

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Until Christ comes into our lives, our decisions are based on selfish choices,

mostly by how those choices relate to our perceived personal desires and pos-

sible accomplishment.

When Christ comes into our lives, our lives are Holy Spirit directed, and

we begin to view things through kingdom lenses. Now we realize our respon-

sibility in making spiritually correct choices.

For the most part, this does not happen automatically; we must perse-

vere in spiritual discipline by asking God for His input in every aspect of our

lives. No issue is too small; no problem is too big. To get rid of the old nature

requires taking an active part in killing the old. Once we understand God’s

sacrifice, it becomes a blessing to do the will of the Lord.

Prayer

“Father, show me what’s right for my life. Teach

me to ask for Your advice and speak to me

through others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”