BBD 09.21.06 Frivolous
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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09.21.06
Frivolous
(Originally sent 5.03.06 - Rewritten for today.)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2.
A frequent problem for the criminal justice system is the filing of
frivolous lawsuits by inmates. According to a legal encyclopedia a
"frivolous suit is one without any legal merit. In some cases, such an
action might be brought in bad faith for the purpose of harassing the
defendant." The dictionary gives this as a definition for the word,
frivolous, "not having any serious purpose or value."
One frivolous lawsuit came from an inmate in the Michigan corrections
system. Chad DeKoven in his lawsuit sought recognition of himself as
"Messiah-God" and wanted the state to provide him with a full pardon, and
full-time personal attendants. DeKoven also demanded peace in the Middle
East. Judge David M. Lawson dismissed the lawsuit and called it frivolous.
We can agree that DeKoven's demands were a little frivolous, ridiculous,
crazy, and even incredible. But what about our demands? We who are living
the Christian life sometimes insist on hanging onto our sins and the
pursuing of the attractions of this world. Sometimes we also insist on
hanging onto our anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, bigotry and so
many other things.
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin
which so easily ensnares us...." These weights and sins are just frivolous
things when compared to "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame...." When we insist on hanging onto our weights and sins that "great
cloud of witnesses" must think it is so frivolous, ridiculous, crazy, and
even incredible that we persist in acting the way we do.
Kirstie Alley tells about her aspirations in life by saying, "I've always
aspired for things like mopeds and vacations and pastries and anything
frivolous." In the great panorama of life, death, and eternity that really
does sound frivolous doesn't it? What are your aspirations in life? What is
the goal of your life? Are your aspirations frivolous? Is the goal of your
life frivolous?
What frivolous things do you need to lay aside so that you can "run with
endurance the race that is set before" you?
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PRAYER REQUEST: Preaching revival service at FBC Carter, OK Oct 1-4.
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