CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Why are you anxious?” (Luke 12:26)

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:26).

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as the worries of life, anxiety, God’s provisions, brevity of life, seeking the Kingdom.

“If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:26).

IN CONTEXT

“And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12:22-31)

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

“Therefore, I confess that I will not be anxious about my life, that is, what I will eat, nor about my body as to what I will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. When I consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value am I than the birds! And, can I by being anxious, add a single hour to my span of life? If I am not able to do as small a thing as that, why should I be anxious about the rest? I consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. And, if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe me! I will no longer spend all my time seeking what I am to eat and what I am to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and my Father knows that I need them. Instead, I am seeking His kingdom, and these things will be added to me.” (Luke 12:22-31)

DO NOT BE CONFORMED – BE TRANSFORMED

Retraining your mind to believe and practice the Word of God, can often be challenging. However, Romans 12:2 tells us and encourages us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”, and we are told to “do all things heartily as unto the Lord” and to be faithful, wise and fruitful servants of the Lord, even multiplying the good things He entrusts to us.

God provides – all the time. Stay vigilant. Stay alert, watching for His provisions. They are already there, just like the MANA in the desert. Just appropriate them and give thanks!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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