Your N.U.T.S

Different ways. If I said to you, you're nuts. You kind of get the general idea, don't you? What do I mean? You're crazy, right? But, if I said, may I have some of your nuts? Okay, you definitely know that means something quite different. But, if I said, you're nuts, what is that all about? Well, I know there's many different nuances and many ways you can take things. But, what I'm talking about are nuts that you're committed to. Nuts that are a standard or a boundary. Something that defines you as a woman or a man. Nuts that matter more than anything else. It's impossible nuts could reflect who we are. The woman you want to be, the man I want to be.

And I'm not talking about the little squirrel I saw this morning in my backyard, collecting and storing things up for the winter. What are nuts? Nuts are non-negotiable, unalterable terms.

Non-negotiable, unalterable terms. So, as Christians, are there nuts? Are there fundamental traits that God says are unnegotiable? That they're unalterable? And is it possible that through nuts, we can be the kind of people God expects us to be? That He wants us to be? The kind of people we've always wanted to be. Is it possible that by this concept of nuts, I can more effectively live God's way? I can have a better marriage. I can parent my children more effectively. It frames my career. It frames my relationships. It frames my purpose. Is it possible? Maybe even my hobbies. Maybe even my outlook. My psychological well-being. Any of that possible?

Well, if you begin to consider nuts are the boundaries that define us, that reflect us, that reflect who I want to be, maybe we can begin to get an idea of what in the world I'm talking about. Because if you compromise nuts, you compromise yourself. You compromise yourself too often, you're in trouble. Because if that pattern continues and repeats, there is no doubt that gradually and certainly you will become something you don't want to be. You'll turn bitter, resentful, unhappy. That God tells us just the opposite. We know Matthew 6, 33 says, we're to have our nuts in order. Seek first the kingdom of God. And so, are there fundamental traits that God says are nuts? They're non-negotiable and unalterable.

I got the idea for nuts from a book that I read, a book that's called The Relationship Manual for Men. And since many of us are bachelors this weekend because our wives are at the women's weekend, I thought, well, maybe this would be helpful at this time. But it's not something just for men. It's just for everyone. Wayne Levine wrote that particular book. And if you looked it up on Amazon or on Google, it has an interesting description. It says this as a description for this manual for men. It says, being a man is not about maintaining control of the TV remote after dinner. It says, being a man is a full-time job, though, especially when you're married or in a relationship, this particular book can help you fulfill your life. How you confirm the ideas and causes you support are by your nuts, your non-negotiable, unalterable terms. They become a framework for how you conduct relationships. And by laying down guidelines of what's right and what's wrong, what you like, what you dislike, you'll silence that little boy inside you and become a strong, self-assured man who's focused on creating the best life possible for you and your family.

Pretty big expectations for a book, isn't it? I'm not advertising the book, but there are some very applicable concepts that I think are important for all of us as God's people. You are their non-negotiable, unalterable terms that we are called to.

I think undoubtedly there are. So let's think about a few of those for a moment. Let's think about the things that are non-negotiable. Sometimes it's all in the way you say it, isn't it? Like you're nuts. Well, how about this one? Commitment is nuts.

But by that, I mean commitment is non-negotiable. It's unalterable. If we're called, as a part of the family of God, commitment better be on our nuts list, shouldn't it? Shouldn't it be on that list of things that we consider unalterable? Because as we're called, we have to ask, am I clearly committed to Jesus Christ as my Savior? Am I clearly committed to God the Father? Is there a passion in everything that I do that I want to strive to know Him fully and completely? Is there evidence of that fire inside of us to know and to follow and to obey? Or is that a negotiable concept?

You see, if we look at what the Bible tells us, Christ has always demanded our all, hasn't He? God has always expected us to completely give ourselves to following Him. Are there any exceptions to that? Any exceptions to that rule? Did Christ ever make an exception and say, oh, well, that'd be okay? Is a partial commitment acceptable?

But we know it's not. We know that God expects unconditional surrender, doesn't He? Completely every part of our life. In fact, there's a familiar story that reminds us of this fact, that commitment is nuts. Mark 10, verse 17. If you'll turn there with me.

This story is repeated in the Gospels, but the account in Mark, I think, gives us some information that gives us additional insight into this particular story. We know the story about the rich young ruler, and that's the story we find in Mark 10, verse 17. It's in Matthew 19. It's also over in Luke 18 as well. But we'll go to Mark 10, verse 17. And begin to recognize how commitment is nuts. It's non-negotiable. It's unalterable. Mark 10, verse 17. Let's notice the story. Here Christ is going out on the road. One came running knelt before Him and asked, Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Good question. The young man asks Christ, what does Christ answer? Well, initially, he says, why do you call me good? No one's good. No one is good, but one that is God. Identifying the fact that, well, the Father's good, but Christ is good as well. He is God. Verse 19, he says, you know the commandments. Don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal, don't bear false witness, don't defraud, don't honor your father and mother. So he lists quite a few of the commandments. And then he says, in answer to that, the young man says, wait, I've done all those things. I've done all those things since I was a kid. I've kept your commandments. Christ has an interesting response. He says to the young man, it says, looking at him, Christ loved him and said, so out of love and compassion, out of mercy on this young man, because he cares so much about him, notice the response.

One thing you lack. He says, go your way, sell whatever you have, give to the poor, and you'll have treasure in heaven. Come, take up your cross and follow me.

But it says, the young man was sad at his word and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

A couple of interesting things. Did Christ say, commitment is non-negotiable? Did he say, wow, you've done all these amazing things, good enough. Come on. He didn't say that. He said, this is still unacceptable. This is still unalterable. You and him, that individual, this isn't a command for all of us, but he had a problem with his wealth. So Christ told him specifically, get rid of that and come and follow me. And the man couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. So he went away sorrowful. But Christ did this out of love. Christ expects in our life that his terms are non-negotiable. But how many times do we try to make a deal with God? You see, the amazing part about this story, and I think the part that impacts you and I in so many ways, look at the beginning of this section in verse 17. As Christ is walking on the road, he meets this young man.

But what did this young man do as he met Christ? Only Mark records this part. The other gospels, for whatever reason, don't tell us this important detail. Mark tells us he came running and he knelt down before him.

Well, what does that tell us? Was Christ a stranger to this man? Doesn't seem that way. Do you think he understood something? Did he have some concept of the fact that this was probably the Messiah? Is it possible this man is kneeling down, worshiping him?

I mean, we're not told that, but I don't think it's beyond the possibilities that this man, as he's kneeled... Why would he kneel before him if he didn't recognize something special about Jesus Christ? It seems to tell us there's a relationship here. There's some kind of connection here. It's not like he doesn't know anything about Christ, so he's just saying, oh, what do I have to do? Just off the cuff? No, it seems like he's got a relationship. I suppose today we'd say he's a church member, wouldn't we? He's a member, and he's asking, what should I do? What a reminder for us that even though we're keeping the commandments, even though we're striving after these things, is that good enough? Or does Christ have something to tell each of us? See, I think Christ is saying, commitment is nuts.

This isn't questionable. This isn't negotiable. We can't change this. This is the way that it is. So he said, love the Lord with how much of your heart? All of it. All of you. Everything you are, your soul, your entire being, your mind. With all your strength, he tells us. So he makes it pretty clear, you can't negotiate with God over this one. I mean, the scary part? I mean, remember, he also says, you know, there'll be some that say, Lord, Lord.

And yet, what does he say about that? There'll be some that say, Lord, Lord, but they will not inherit the kingdom. And I think that falls into the category. I'm trying to negotiate with God. Trying to be exceptional in that way. And he says, there aren't any exceptions. There aren't any exceptions. It's all in or not. So where do we stand?

I think that's the challenging part for honest with ourselves. Where do we stand? There's a book that was written by George Barna. George Barna is a guy that does all kinds of surveys. Normally religious surveys, does religious research. And in his book called Maximum Faith, he recounts several surveys and inquiries that he's done. And ones that kind of reveal obstacles to faith. So he's interviewing all kinds of Christians. And in in the book, one of these surveys that he did, he talks to people who claim they're Christians. And of those who claim to be Christians, he just asked them, are you a Christian? Yeah, they claim to be a Christian. Well, he also asked them then, are you totally committed?

So imagine if someone claimed to be a Christian, what percentage of those who claim to be Christian? I'm not talking about, you know, whatever they're doing, but they're claiming to be Christian. What percentage do you think of the people would have said, I'm all in? I'm totally committed?

I mean, you might think, well, they're claiming to be Christian. There must be like 90% of them think they're all in. But you know what the number he came up with was? 18%.

18% of those who identify themselves as Christians said 18%. I was kind of surprised by that. Is that a reflection of what still needs to be done? I'm not really sure. But one of the things he focused on was the fact that unless we're fully determined, unless we're fully committed, how can we be different? How can we put on Christ? How can we be transformed if we're willing to have our lives negotiable?

And so you begin to think about that. I have to ask myself, well, how committed am I? How committed am I? Do I serve God when it's convenient? Is that my perspective? But I think what we begin to find out is Christ talked about his disciples. He talked about those that would follow him. You think God's looking for part-time help?

No. He wants full-time disciples, doesn't he? He's saying, I want people that are totally committed to me on a full-time basis. He says, yeah, it's all or nothing. It's all or nothing. So how committed am I? Am I committed to him? Am I committed to his Word? And if I'm totally committed to him, that means I've got to obey. It means I've got to follow him. I have to do everything I know to do. And then I better depend on God for his mercy and his grace, because I know it's not going to earn me anything to obey. But I have to depend on his grace and have that full-time commitment. It's a challenge. It is a challenge for each and every one of us.

I know many years ago I had a friend who had a big challenge. You know what his biggest challenge was? It was his job. This guy was amazing. Had everything you could imagine. Customers lining the streets waiting for him, for his business, for his job, for the things that he could do. He had, it seemed just like unending inquiries, people asking for bids, all kinds of work that he was about, just trying to handle it all, was just overwhelming him. So as we were talking about it one day, I just said, well, why don't you just say, forget it. I mean, wouldn't it be better? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to be involved in the church more? Because his business was really just dictating his life. And he said, well, I just can't keep up with it all. Well, I think he had to say nuts.

Are we willing to compromise? Are we willing to negotiate? Because, you know, what businessman in his right mind would say, no, I'm going to get all the business I possibly can. But see, what happened is I think the American way infiltrates our thinking, doesn't it? Well, it's all about business. I can't lose this contract. I don't want to miss out on this big bid. I don't want I don't miss out on the bigger profit. Don't want to lose this contract. You don't do that in this world. Of course you don't. But what about God's expectations and that desire for more, that desire for the bigger, better? Does that impact our willingness to follow? Does that impact our willingness to serve? Does that impact our willingness to use the spiritual gifts God's given us to serve our family and to serve His people? You see, the challenges I think sometimes we settle for church attendance. Well, I'm here all the time. Does that count? Well, if we're not all in, how much does it count? Does this just being here? Is that really what it's about? Or is there more? Does God expect more? What would Christ tell us if we were that rich young ruler? Might not be the money. Might be something else. What would it be? You see, I think that's what Christ is getting at here. There is such a massive difference between being involved and being committed. Are we really all in? See, Christ expects that, doesn't He? And being involved doesn't mean I can do what I want, when I want, or when I feel like doing it. Because I don't think Christ put those disclaimers on His expectations for each of us. I mean, when He talked to the rich young ruler, isn't He saying, you're on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Is there a time when we're not to be a servant? Is there a time when we're not to be committed? I mean, think about it for a minute. If we're just involved, haven't we created a system for cheating?

Now, what do I mean by that? Have we set up ourselves for cheating? If I'm not all in, if I'm not fully committed, if commitment is not right up there on my nuts list, am I setting myself up for cheating, right? Because, first of all, I'm cheating God of giving Him my very best. True? Am I not cheating others of the best that I have to offer?

You see, I think we've set ourselves up for that. In fact, I'm cheating myself, too. Is that true? I'm cheating myself of God's blessings. I'm cheating myself by not being totally committed to Him. And so this commitment, I believe, is what God's looking for in every aspect of our lives. And so it's just not a part-time thing. And so, as Christ told a rich young ruler, take the challenge. Live up to God's expectations. And there's a couple of powerful sections of Scripture that deal with this. In Acts chapter 20, verse 24, I'm not going to turn there, but Paul combines that with some thoughts that he gives in Romans chapter 12. Romans chapter 12, verse 1, Acts 20-24. Paul points to the fact that he is fully committed. He says, I don't count my life as dear. I don't consider my own life as valuable. Because, he says, I've gotten rid of my own will, my own aspirations, my own ambitions. And now I am a living sacrifice to God.

That's pretty all in, isn't it? To sacrifice all to God, every bit of his life. And so, like the rich young ruler, Paul was challenged as well. He didn't have to accept that challenge. When he was knocked down on that road to Damascus, did he have to take the challenge? He could have decided along the way, forget it, I'm not doing it. I'm keeping my riches. But he didn't. He went all in. And I think God tells us the same thing. In fact, there's a powerful passage over in Malachi. If you want to turn over to Malachi chapter 2, verse 5. Minor prophets. Some powerful words and powerful prophecies, not only for ancient Israel, but for today as well. Malachi chapter 2. Some pretty stark warnings here, especially to the priesthood. God warns the priests. And of course, by extension, we're to be a kingdom of priests. Right. We are called to be a part of God's family. So I think there's a connection here with you and I. And as he begins to address the issue with the Levites and zeros in on the priesthood, verse 5, he says, My covenant was with him, one of life and peace. And I gave them to him that he might fear me. So he feared me. You see, he had a reverence for God and was reverent before my name. And is it any different for us? Has God made a covenant with us? A covenant of life and peace. Not just this life, but he says he came that we could have life and have it abundantly. Not just a good life today. Yeah, that's definitely a part of it. But eternal life, looking down the line in the future. And the call then is for reverence, for an honor and an awe and a respect and a revere of the awesomeness of God. A full commitment to God. And so he points that out. When we make our nuts list, we would have commitment right up there at the top. Because if it's not, are we keeping the covenant that God made with us? In fact, it's kind of interesting. When you have that up there on the list, I think it makes life predictable, doesn't it? Do I have to wonder what I'm going to do? How will I face this situation? What decision will I make? How will I order my life? How will I deal with this difficult circumstance? What will I do when I receive a blessing? You know, if we've got commitment first on the list, life's going to be very predictable. It's not going to be like, how am I going to face this? What am I going to do? What will my decision be? I will follow through. I will do what's right. I will be true to my word.

Pretty predictable. Pretty straightforward. When we honor our commitments, we take it in our own hands to have a blessing, to have a better future in that sense. So, commitment is nuts, isn't it? In fact, it doesn't stop there. There's so many different ways that you can consider what's non-negotiable. What are the unalterable terms that God has called us to? Let's think about another one for a moment. Not only is commitment nuts, character is nuts. Is character negotiable? Can we change God's expectations? Let's just consider it for a moment. I'll do it by posing a question.

How many times have you lied today?

Okay, maybe only you can answer that question. Don't lie about it. Consider that in your own mind for a second. There's all kinds of different surveys out there. One that I was reading was by a Robert Feldman. He's at the University of Massachusetts, did a massive study, and what he found was really surprising. I don't know if shocking is the answer, but definitely very surprising. Do you know what he found out on average? Do you know what he found out on average?

He didn't deal with how many times someone lied a day. He started zeroing in on just conversations that we have.

And he found that on average, within a 10-minute conversation, people told two to three lies. Within 10 minutes!

That seems kind of unbelievable, doesn't it?

Well, maybe they're not that serious a lie. That may be. But that's what his findings were. In fact, you can read lots of different surveys and say, well, people average lies two to three times a day. Well, okay. What's the nuts about it? I mean, we know. I mean, we could turn over to Proverbs 11, verse 3. This is unalterable, isn't it? Isn't this non-negotiable? When it comes to this character trait of honesty.

How honest are we? What are God's expectations? Proverbs 11, verse 3.

What guides our thinking? What guides our perspective? Where is our commitment when it comes to honesty? Proverbs 11, verse 3. It says, The integrity of the upright will guide them. All right. There's that choice. There's that making life predictable. When I'm honest, that's going to guide me. But it says, The perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. In other words, a good man, a good woman, is going to be guided by honesty. Someone that's not saying it's going to be destroyed by honesty. We know that. That's nothing surprising. But there were some interesting studies done on this. It was reading a study done by a couple of researchers. Their names were Argo and Shive. And it was in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Now, some of these things may sound a little trite. But I think it makes a very interesting point. The three aspects to some of the research they were doing. And one of them. Put yourself in this particular situation. You're eating at a restaurant.

Eating at a restaurant, what percentage of diners lie about their experience when it hasn't really measured up?

How many people would say, All right, it was good. When really it wasn't. What percentage of people do you think they found lied about their experience at the restaurant?

85%. 85% of the people lied. Even though they were dissatisfied. But you know what was interesting about it? The ones in that 85% gave bigger tips than the ones that complained about their food or their service or whatever it was. They gave a bigger tip.

You know what psychiatrists call that? Cognitive dissonance. It doesn't really match, right? We do things opposite of what we... Two different viewpoints. What's the deal here? I didn't like it, but I gave them more money. Kind of a weird thought, but that's what their research found.

All right, keep that in the back of your head for a moment. In another test, they were working with university students. They gave university students some words to work with to try to make up sentences from. So one group just got some random words that really didn't have any meaning, nothing particular about them. The other group that they worked with, they gave words that were all related to honesty. So you have the honesty word group and the other group, just regular old words. Now, as they were working with these, the researcher that was dealing with them gave them instructions, and with the ones that didn't have any words, they worked with them a little bit, then they left.

What was interesting, they didn't leave for just a minute. They didn't leave for just three minutes, five minutes, ten minutes.

They were watching them through the glass. How happy would you be if you're sitting in a room, say, waiting at the doctor's office for somebody to show up, and they're not there, they're supposed to be there? Well, here they are. They're in this room. Twelve minutes later, they finally come back. Now, they've been watching them. They know they're upset. They know that they're not happy. They know that they're aggravated that, hey, you just left us. What are we supposed to be doing here? Well, they come back in and they ask them, how do you feel?

What do you think the most common answer was?

I mean, even though they were clearly annoyed, the vast majority said, uh, fine.

Isn't that funny?

They hear they were clearly annoyed, and yet, oh, they didn't tell them, what was going on? Why didn't you come back? Yeah, most of them didn't do any of that. All right, keep that one in mind. Now, there's a third set of research that they did as well. With this same type of thing, they did a study that, if you would help us out in this particular study, we're going to give you $100. It's like, oh, let me in. I like that one. I'll join in on that study anytime. But there was a catch. Here's the catch. We'll give you $100 if you promise to donate a part of it back to our research. So it's like, okay, sure, I can give what I want. Sure, you can give whatever you want. You have to give a part of that $100 back to us after we're done with the study. Would you be in on that one? Sure. Yeah, I'd be in. It sounds pretty good to me. You want to give them a little tip or whatever? That might not be too bad. So, you've got the two groups again. One with the honesty words, the one without the honesty words.

All right, you've got the frustrated group that got the honesty words, and the others, because they went through the same whole thing again. What do you think the amounts were that got donated back to the researchers? The ones that just had regular words, you know, weren't treated any differently. On average, they donated back $35 to the researchers. That's the non-honesty word group. What do you think the frustrated, irritated group that said everything's fine donated back to the researchers?

$53 on average.

I mean, you might think, I wouldn't give them anything. They made me mad. But they gave more. They gave more. They gave more.

Isn't that weird? I mean, when I read that, I said, that's really strange. The ones that were primed to think about honesty but were frustrated gave more money. And they did it 88% of the time. That's pretty amazing when you really think about this. So do you know what the conclusion the researchers came to?

They felt, and you can read the study if you want to, the people that were primed for honesty and yet didn't exhibit it, the researchers came to the conclusion they were willing to give away more of their money, even a majority of their money, in order to make up for telling a lie.

That's the conclusion they came to. They were willing to keep 47 and give 53 to make up for telling a lie. It's kind of strange, isn't it? Now, why talk about all that sort of thing? Well, is honesty nuts?

Do we try to make up for things when we tell lies? Or is it not that serious a lie? It's harmless. If I tell the waitress, it's fine, even though it's not very good. That's not a big deal, is it? Well, not really. It depends what you mean. Not telling you that you should definitely want to get in an argument with the waitress or give them a hard time about everything. That's not what I'm saying. But we don't want to fool ourselves to think that it's not a serious thing when we stretch the truth and when we do more serious types of things that aren't fully honest. I mean, really, are there are there effects when we're dishonest? I mean, when you think of the spiritual effects, yeah, absolutely. But there was something that caught my eye the other day. I saw this this thing popped up and it was an email that I got from whatever, but it said, Want to live a longer, healthier life? It's like, whoa, yeah, definitely. I want to read that. So I clicked on the thing. It took me to this author site. David Ropeck was the guy's name. He wrote this article, Do You Want to Live a Healthier, Longer Life? That was the big title. Guess what the subtitle was? Stop Lying!

That was it. It's like, oh, not exactly what I thought. Well, then you get into the article, and it's interesting. He does all kinds of research, different things. Basically, it comes to the conclusion lying is stressful. It does damage your health. Studies have proved. Google it. You know it. It damages your health. There's stress involved. They even say it accelerates aging. Who wants to age faster?

Well, no. Does it do damage to your body? Does it do damage to your your thinking, your brain? Yeah, you start adding it up more and more. Does it have a higher impact on us? Well, maybe it's not evident today. Maybe it's not that evident tomorrow. But boy, you start looking at all the results. You can look on the web. Oh, I got back pain. No reason, no cause. I didn't lift anything. I don't really have any damage. Why do I have my stomach hurts? I have all these digestion problems.

I've got headaches. I don't know why I have these headaches. Many times they found they're connected to this very issue. Now, not all of it is, of course. But I think we don't want to underestimate the impact of those things. When Christ said, I came that you could have life and have it abundantly, that's not what He's taught. You can get rid of some of this stress. We can get rid of that. Because you know, you get down to it. Doesn't lying take a lot of effort? I mean, it takes a lot of effort. If you're still over there in the Proverbs, if you turn over a couple of pages to the Psalms, look at Psalm 101.

Psalm 101 verse 7. Yeah, it's pretty serious. Even if we try to minimize it, even if we try to negotiate, well, it was a good reason to lie. You ever told yourself that? Yeah, I might have to raise my hand to that. It's unacceptable. God doesn't say, well, that's a good reason.

You should have lied in that case. Right? Well, no, He doesn't say that. Psalm 101 verse 7. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house.

He who tells lies will not continue in my presence. Yeah, it's serious. It's not anything we don't know. But how much do we take it to heart? How much are we like that rich young ruler who worshiped, bowed down before Christ, and yet we're withholding this one thing? And maybe it's not lying. That may not be that issue. But I'm just trying to show you the significance of some of these little things that we may be withholding. The fact that, yeah, it takes a lie. I mean, if, okay, if your thing is lying, when you tell the truth, you only have to remember what happened.

Right? Sometimes I have a hard time just remembering what happened, even just trying to tell the truth. But when you lie, now you set yourself up because you've got to think about, all right, what am I trying to hide? Right? What am I trying to cover up? I've got to come up with something that's believable. Right? Somebody's got to buy the story that I'm going to tell. It's got to make sure it's believable. I've also got to, not only that, not only do I have to consider the situation, come up with a believable story.

I've got to sell it. I've got to put on an acting job that's good enough that they're going to think, yep, yep, so I've got to try to win an Academy Award. Right? Because I've got to sell this baby. Then you've got to hope you never get caught.

That I remember, what was the story that I told them? Was that the same story I told this other person? It takes a lot of negative mental, physical energy to maintain that. You think that's going to be stressful?

And of course, that adds up the more and more we lie. So I think we begin to see how important it is to have nuts, the things that are non-negotiable, the things that are unalterable. God tells us very clearly that we have to come to that very point. You just write down Psalm 119. Psalm 119. Well, we're here in the Psalms. Why don't you just flip over there? Psalm 119. Look at 1 63. Verse 1 63. God talks about how important this concept is. He tells us character is nuts. Psalm 119. 1 63.

It says, I just don't dislike it a little bit. It's not a negotiable thing. I hate and abhor lying, but I love your law. I love your law. And so is that who we are? Not just in the lying department. In whatever department it is that we've got to measure up to the standard of Christ. In fact, there's a wonderful section of Scripture that is probably one of my favorite sections of Scripture. It's over in Romans chapter 12. It's in that section where Paul talked about being a living sacrifice. Just a little bit farther down in verse 9 of Romans chapter 12.

I think Paul gives us a little bit of his nuts list. No, he's not nuts. But he talks about those things that aren't negotiable. He talks about the things that we can't change, that God has established, that he says are acceptable and what's not as well. Romans chapter 12 verse 9. After saying, we need to be a living sacrifice, we need to be committed, he says, let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what's evil. That sounds like Psalm 119. Cling to what is good.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love. In fact, parents in our parenting class, we kind of get an idea here. Here's the apostle Paul using words of life. He's using words of life here. Yeah, he's pointing out some negative things, but he's using the positive. He's not just labeling us as liars, not labeling us as sinners, but he's showing us the way. Be truthful, be affectionate, love, give preference to one another. Those are words from the tree of life, and he uses those in a powerful way. He says be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. So can you imagine here's Paul's nuts list, and these are the different items I believe that are on his list.

What's on your list? But when you think about it that way, I think that's what he's pointing us to. What's on our nuts list? Verse 13, he says, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality, bless those who persecute you. You see, he doesn't focus on getting even. Talks about words of life. Bless, don't curse. Rejoice in those who rejoice, with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. He encourages us, set your mind on high things, associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. And so Paul delineates that list. And so as we consider this whole concept of nuts, have you got a nuts list? If you don't have a nuts list, it's time to make one. It's time to make your own personable, non-negotiable, unalterable list. What are the things that you will not compromise? Yes, there's these big principles. I've got to be committed to God's way. I've got to have the character of Christ. But have you personalized that in your own life? Do you have a list? I encourage you to make a nuts list. Make that list for yourself.

Does your commitment to God come before everything else?

Should that be on my nuts list? There's an interesting website. It's called Manliness, or I think it's the art of manliness.com. It talks about some of these various things about items that should be. And it's going to be different because it's going to take a different form for each one of us. Because your challenges are different than my challenges. So some of these items, even though the greater broad principles are all the same, how do we apply those? Well, I have a wife and kids. My nuts list is, I'm going to be faithful to my wife no matter what. It's non-negotiable. If you're single, it's going to be different. I've got, I'm going to strive against doubt and replace it with faith.

Now, yours might be different.

What's on your nuts list? I don't want to indulge myself. I can't indulge myself in addictions, addictive behaviors, the stuff that's out there. That is non-negotiable. That is unacceptable.

But there's simple things that can be on your nuts list, too. I'll exercise every day.

Okay, mine's a little negotiable on that one. But I want to be able to do that. I should do that. You see, I think that kind of expresses the fact that I'm not earning my way in the kingdom. There's nothing I can do that earns me eternal life. But there are standards I have to live by so that God can complete that work that He started in me. But if I'm not dedicated to Him, how can He finish that work? Why would He finish that work if I'm not all in, if I'm not committed to it? If I haven't put on that list my commitment to God comes before everything else. If I'm willing to compromise that, how can God give me eternal life? And as a guy, I don't like to admit it, but maybe your nuts list could reflect maybe what mine does. As a man, I need to ask for help when I need it. I don't want to. It doesn't sound very manly.

But isn't it necessary? Because I do need help, and I'm going to ask for help when I need it. Especially when I'm not being the man I want to be. I'm not going to hide out at work, because I don't want to deal with other things.

You see, those are the kinds of things that you could put on that list. Those things that for you are non-negotiable. The things that are going to help each one of us live up to the standard of Jesus Christ. To rise to that level. I'm going to honor my commitment to God every single day. I'm going to do those spiritual things that are necessary. I'm going to read my Bible. Is that on your nuts list? Every day I'm committed to do this. Every day these spiritual principles that define who I am are right there on my list. So that I can take a look at that list and remember. I am fully committed to that. And when I fall short, I need to repent. I need to change. I need to get relined with Christ. Ask forgiveness of God. And get back to those things that aren't negotiable. So as you consider these things, it takes some time to do that very thing. Maybe something to contemplate and consider. What's on that nuts list for each one of us? Because I think we can recognize the importance of how necessary it is to be fully committed to God in every way. Yes, it is a requirement. Now how does that look in your life? How does that look for me? I mean, there is no doubt, is there, that God has given us many things that are non-negotiable, unalterable terms. You're nuts if you don't have nuts.