November 2022
Last week I needed cash. Not money in the bank, but cash - a few twenties, tens, and fives. Clearly, this wasn’t a big deal, right? Just go to the bank and get some cool, hard cash. Well, lo and behold, it wasn’t that easy. In addition to not having cash, I also didn’t have a debit card. My debit card is safely tucked away in some of my stuff in Missouri. Yep, it is 1500 miles away.
Being the resourceful person I am, I went to my trusty neighborhood bank. As I walked in the door, it took about a nano-second to realize the world has drastically changed. The bank counter, the tellers, and all semblance of a “bank” were gone. I had walked into a cashless banking center. Who knew?
A cashless bank. How could this possibly be? What is a bank without cash? I mean really, the whole purpose of a bank is to take my money, keep my money and give my money back when I want it.
If Tom were still here, he would have a heyday.
Anyway, I guess I haven’t been paying attention. The world is changing at an exponential rate, and this is just one more example. Driverless cars, facial recognition technology, cryptocurrency, air fryers, and even yesterday things like Uber and Amazon are evidence of the ever-evolving and progressive world in which we live.
Yet, as much as I was thrown for a loop by cashless banking centers, I am very aware and hugely concerned that our world and, quite honestly, my life, is becoming so enamored with technology, convenience, and busy-ness (or maybe just plain old distractions), days go by without thinking or spending time with Jesus. To this end, I must stop and ask myself: Is my life becoming Jesus-less?
Am I so consumed with my agenda, my work, my routines, and myself that I am living a Jesus-less existence?
Am I complacent in my love for Christ thinking He knows it and well, whatever?!?
Am I living a sin-filled life, serving myself, and feeling powerless over sin?
Have I become lulled into believing I can do enough to earn my salvation?
There is no sorta-kinda. There is no halfway. There is no other way than Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
In 2001, as part of Tom’s Life Management series, he did a lesson entitled “Dogmatism”. Tom’s applications and examples continue to be hugely relevant. I know you’ll enjoy listening to young Tom at https://www.prioritylivingaz.org/young-tom-audio-archives/2022/8/12/dogmatism
Here’s the deal. You can’t try hard enough or do enough to earn God’s love, redeem yourself, or work your way into heaven. It is not about good deeds, attendance, religious rituals, or the infamous “more good than bad” scale.
Jesus alone has the transforming power to replace our sinful heart and give us a new heart. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:25-27)
Jesus took our sins and sinful nature to the cross. He paid the penalty.
Without Jesus, there is no power over sin.
Without Jesus, we are simply left to our own devices.
Without Jesus, there is no atonement for sin and reconciliation with God.
Without Jesus, there is no salvation.
Jesus did it all. Jesus said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30) Once. And for all.
Let’s put Jesus, and nothing else, rightfully in the center of our lives.
His transforming power is all we need.
Even more than cool, hard cash.
You can take that to the bank.
For His glory alone.