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The death and resurrection of Jesus reconciled us to God. As Christians, we recognize this. Without that knowledge, we're not really Christians. This is the key foundational truth of our faith.
There is another parallel truth, though, that we often miss. The death and resurrection of Jesus also reconciles us to one another. Ephesians 2:11-13 talks about the stark difference between the Gentiles and the Jews. But Paul goes on to tell us that what Jesus did changes all that.
"For he himself… has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Jesus broke down the wall of separation between us and God, but He also broke down the wall of separation that divided us from one another. If the wall between Jew and Gentile has been removed, how much more, then, the wall between fellow-believers?
I challenge you today to act as though we as Christians all really are one in Christ.
Jesus' original disciples apparently knew and understood something that we generally don't today, at least in our society.
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30)
They didn't ask to be protected. Their request was not that God hide them from their enemies. No, instead these guys requested boldness. They wanted the Lord to give them strength to still speak fearlessly, even while they were being persecuted.
Oh that we would be so bold and willing to suffer for Christ.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... (Philippians 2:12).
This verse is troublesome to many Christians. It can sound as though we're saved by our works. But note what Paul doesn't say. He did not phrase it to read, "Work for your own salvation..." No, he said, "Work out your own salvation..."
Turn the words "work out" around. It is the outworking of our salvation; making it real and practical in everyday life. We could liken it to working a field or working a mine. In other words, we are to diligently endeavor to get everything we can out of it, not in a selfish sort of way, but as a steward.
The context is obedience and also fear and trembling. We're not to give a half-hearted effort. The outworking (working out) of our salvation requires obedience motivated, at least in part, by a strong reverence for God.
The next verse, though, puts it into a proper framework. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). All our best efforts--our obedience, our fear and trembling--ultimately are God's work in us. Certainly we can cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit, but in reality the work is still His.
"But I have this against you, that you tolerate..." (Revelation 2:20)
Our culture today tells us to be tolerant. In fact, we are to tolerate not just a few things but anything and everything. We are told that we have no right to be intolerant of someone else's opinion. Their point of view is valid, even if it is absolutely ludicrous.
Strange as this may sound for me to say, for us as Christians, there is a measure of truth in being tolerant. We should not be harsh and judgmental. Instead we should always endeavor to be loving. In some sense, this may mean being tolerant.
On the other hand, this does not mean we accept anything and everything that comes along. Awhile ago, Ryan Dobson wrote a book entitled, Be Intolerant, Because Some Things Are Just Stupid. He's right. God's Word is clear that there are some things that we--as Christ's followers--are not to tolerate.
Don't be duped into believing the culture's mantra of tolerance. God always wants us to be intolerant of sin--anything that is contrary to Him and His nature. We still love the sinner, but we don't tolerate the sin.
"Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
"Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another... But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more." (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10)
The phrase "more and more" is a common one for the Apostle Paul. Most times he uses it in a positive sense, just once in a negative sense (2 Timothy 2:16, where he talks of irreverent babble leading to "more and more ungodliness"). Either way, though, it has the connotation of increase, of growth.
Paul exhorts us to live lives that are more and more godly. He tells us that we should love each other more and more. Clearly Paul is encouraging growth.
Our Christian walk is one of moving forward. Stagnation is not a godly option.
Is your walk in Christ moving ahead?
I encourage you to seek Him though His Word, through prayer, through fellowship with other believers, through worship -- personal and corporate -- all of these... more and more.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
In uncertain times, the best place to live is within the boundaries of God's promises. Imagine an earthly father telling his toddler child, "Don't worry. I'm right here with you. I will help you. I will take care of you." Would that toddler wonder, Is he telling me the truth? Of course not! He would trust Daddy.
How much more can we trust our heavenly Father? Infinitely more!
Do not for a moment, as Charles Spurgeon said, "indulge the thought that He has outpromised Himself." God's strength is unmatched, His power unrivaled. He can easily accomplish all that He has promised and far more if necessary.
Trust Him. Take Him at His Word. He is with you. He will strengthen you. He will uphold you.
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf (Romans 15:30).
As I read this verse recently, I was struck by the phrase, "strive together with me in your prayers." This doesn't sound passive. It actually sounds like work, as though effort needs to be put forth.
For many people, me included at times, prayer can be much too passive. "Let's have a prayer" is a common phrase in many churches. It's like the difference between "Let's have a meal" and "Let's eat!" One is passive; the other is active. One sounds as though it will just happen. The other requires involvement on our part.
Actually, in the Greek, the words "strive together with" are all one word. The word literally means "to struggle in company with." Let's work at this together. Let us, in unity, put forth the necessary effort. Not simply a passive hoping for as we mouth some words, but an honest striving together in asking God to move on our behalf.
Sometimes prayer can be work. It can take effort. It is, however--especially when we strive together--well worth that effort.
An interesting theme keeps recurring in the book of Joshua: "Be strong and courageous." Three times in the first several verses, the Lord said it to Joshua. God was preparing him to lead the Hebrew people into the Promised Land, so he repeatedly told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." Actually, one of those three times, the Lord said, "Be strong and very courageous."
Once God had given Joshua all the information and encouragement he needed, Joshua then addressed the people. He said that it was time and then told them the big-picture plan of taking the land. The people responded favorably. They informed Joshua that they would follow him just as they had followed Moses. Then they said, "Only be strong and courageous." The people were doing exactly what God had done: encouraging Joshua.
Later, Joshua said exactly the same words to the people, "Be strong and courageous."
Just as the Lord had done to him--encouraged him--and as the people had done to him--encouraged him--so Joshua did to the people--encouraged them.
Maybe we should do that. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
There is growing alarm among many in the Body of Christ that few people in the Church today have a true grasp of Scripture. Much of what people believe is a smorgasbord of ideas pulled from the Bible as well as many other places. Many honest Christians don't even recognize that their views have been tainted by Freud, Darwin, Marx and others. And the reason those believers don't realize how much impact those other sources have had is simple: they don't really know the Bible.
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul said, "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). He then goes on to give specifics of how to do that. If you are familiar with this section of Scripture, you may recall that it's all about putting on the armor of God. I find it interesting to note that the first thing mentioned that we're to put on is "the belt of truth."
Truth is not, as our society would suggest, a relative idea. The Word of God gives us Truth on which we can base our lives.
"Humble yourselves... Be sober-minded; be watchful... Resist him (the devil)..." (1 Peter 5:6-9)
Sometimes when I read Scripture, it is easy to become depressed. You know, "Do this." "Don't do that." It can feel like rules piling up on top of me, suffocating the life out of me if I let them.
This passage in Peter can be like that. I'm not humble. I am rarely sober-minded. I'm not nearly watchful enough. I certainly don't resist the devil enough. I'm a failure.
Two truths rescue me.
First, God does not give us rules to suffocate us. He knows what's best. He is not out to squelch our fun. Instead, He wants us to have life to its fullest. The rules help us to truly live the way we were designed by God to live. They aren't a hindrance; they are a help.
Second, Jesus died on the cross for failures like me. And, might I add, also for a failure like you. We must remember, "if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose" (Galatians 2:21). Though we miss the mark over and over, in God's sight we are holy and righteous because of what Christ has done.
In the twenty-sixth chapter of the book that bears his name, Jeremiah had just prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem. Although God had told him to do it, his words ran contrary to the popular thinking of the day. Those words were even opposed to the words of other "prophets." So the people and their leaders rose up against Jeremiah to kill him. They laid hold of him saying, "You shall die!" (Jeremiah 26:8).
When he was allowed to speak in his own defense, Jeremiah reiterated the words he had said earlier and then added, "But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you" (Jeremiah 26:14). He wasn't afraid to die. He knew his life was in God's hands. He courageously stood in front of those who wanted to take his life and said, "Go ahead." Amazingly, Jeremiah's life was spared.
It would be wrong of me to imply that Jeremiah's outcome would also be our outcome. Just like Jeremiah, our standing up for the truth of God is the right thing to do. When we do that in a fallen world, however, it is entirely possible that our lives will not be spared. We could lose our earthly life. Small price, though. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, you and I have something far greater waiting for us in heaven.
Don't be afraid to stand up for God's truth.
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8).
Recently I read this verse again. Was it perhaps the two-hundredth time? I don't know for sure, but over the years I have read and reread Ephesians on numerous occasions.
When I read it this time, though, suddenly it dawned on me that this verse doesn't say what I always thought it said. It doesn't say that we were once in darkness and now we are in the light. No, it says we were darkness and now we are light.
What a great work God has done in our lives! As He did at creation, He took nothing and made something. He has taken darkness and made it light.
We didn't just have some darkness on the inside of us. Nor were we just in the dark. No, we were darkness.
But through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, God changed us. He transformed our very nature. We have now been made to be light.
As a result, we can shine that light for others. We can help others to see because we have been made light.
Thank God for His wonderful work in our lives!
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight (Psalm 16:3).
As I read this passage this morning, it really made me pause. Do I truly delight in God's people, the saints? I mean, sure, I have plenty of friends for whom I truly care. But this Hebrew word seems to have, at its core, a deeper meaning. It is translated different ways in various places in Scripture, yet concretely it's talking about something of true value. If I really delight in something (or someone), I value it.
So the question, then, is how much do I really value the saints, God's people? Again, some are close friends that I love dearly. But this word seems to go beyond close friends. It literally means "godly" or, by inference here, "godly ones." So, David is saying that he values—he delights in—those who have been made holy by God, the saints. And not just a select few, apparently. The NKJV translates this as "the saints who are on the earth."
Of course, if you really think about it, this makes sense. If we recognize that the saints, God's people, are the expression of Him—the Body of Christ—here on earth, then of course we should delight in—value—them. All of them.
"Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate." (Daniel 9:17)
This is part of a prayer of Daniel. While in captivity, he had been vindicated in the sight of the king, survived the ordeal in the lion's den and been given amazing visions from God. Then Daniel realized that God's own people were scattered and the holy temple was abandoned. So he prayed.
I like this prayer. Daniel prays for mercy, which is always a good thing. But he also prays that the Lord would make His face shine upon His sanctuary.
I seem to recall reading that we—His people—are now the temple, the holy sanctuary of God. Sometimes the Church seems desolate, but the Lord smiling on us changes that. When His face shines on us, we are no longer desolate. We become alive and vibrant.
So what am I saying in this? Pray. Pray that the Lord would make His face shine upon his sanctuary, the Church.
The American Church's "condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers. American believers have sold their lives to the service of Mammon, and God has His rightful way of dealing with those who succumb to the spirit of Laodicea."
What a statement. Of course, you may be thinking, "Old news. That's pretty much been an accurate description of the American Church for several years."
But what if I told you that this was written in the mid-1950s? It is actually from the journal of Jim Elliott, who died at the hands of the Huaorani Indians.
If Jim recognized the lethargy of the American Church fifty years ago, perhaps we don't see the half of it. Someone once said that if you want a description of water, you shouldn't ask a fish. Maybe, like fish totally immersed in water, we are so immersed in an anemic form of Christianity that we don't even see it.
Lord, open our eyes to see Your heart and passion. May we not be lethargic, but, instead, full of zeal for You.
By grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… (Ephesians 2:5-6, author's emphasis).
I fly a lot. Everything looks different from way up in the sky. The highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states is still four miles below when you're 35,000 feet in the air. Although that mountain is very tall, it looks pretty miniscule from that vantage point. Things appear differently when you're way up above them.
Maybe that's part of the point of us being "seated with him in the heavenly places." Maybe life here on earth is supposed to be seen from that perspective. It changes how we view situations and events here and now.
Remember today: You are seated with Christ in heavenly places.
Proverbs 18:9 says, "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." The Message translation phrases it like this: "Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism."
Whatever version you read, those are strong words and a dire warning. Let me offer my own paraphrase: "Not doing your best work or not giving your best effort is pretty much the same as intentionally messing up the project."
This passage reminds me of Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." How could anyone "work heartily, as for the Lord" and do it half-heartedly or sloppily?
I encourage you today that whatever you do—assembling automobiles, designing widgets, making pastries, creating websites, teaching children, waiting on tables, writing a sermon, changing diapers, or whatever—that you do it full out, not in a slack or half-hearted manner. Do you work heartily, as for the Lord.
Picture the scene, based on Philippians 1:19-25. The Apostle Paul is imprisoned. In the midst of his incarceration, he knows he will be delivered: either out of his bonds or through death (see verse 20). Either way he wins. If he is released from prison, he will bear fruit for the kingdom in this life. If he dies, he gets to go and be with his Savior.
The words that Paul chooses almost sound as though God has offered him an option. "Which one do you want, Paul?" There is no question in Paul's mind. First choice is heaven. He has apparently had enough of this life and caught a glimpse of what's on the other side. He really wants to "depart and be with Christ, for that is far better" (verse 23). However, he realizes there is still work he needs to do here on earth. He recognizes that his fellow-believers still need him here and now. So what does he do? He changes his answer. Talking directly to the Philippian believers Paul says that "to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith" (verses 24-25).
Paul is saying, "I really want to go home. But I know that you need me here, so I'll stay." What a selfless attitude! Later in the same letter Paul says, "In humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). These were not just spiritual sounding words. Paul lived those words. He cared more for others than for his own well-being. Do we do that?
I recently was reading Psalm 40. I have liked that particular psalm for many years. As with anything, though, it is easy to become overly familiar. So, just to keep me on my toes, I was reading it from The Message translation, and the words struck me anew.
"The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you." (Psalm 40:5)
I love that. "The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts." It's true!
"Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words." I understand exactly what the psalmist means. Combine every language on earth and there are still not enough superlatives to even come close to describing God.
At the risk of sounding trite: What an amazing God we serve!
After all these years you'd think that I would be accustomed to the conviction that the Word of God often brings. Once again, though, it was like a two-by-four knocking me over the head.
"Be not wise in your own eyes..." (Proverbs 3:7).
You see, I have this problem. I frequently think I'm wise. I'm a smart guy. I've been around the block once or twice. I know stuff because I've learned a lot and experienced a lot.
And because I think I'm wise, I can often come across as cocky, arrogant, haughty. I've got a leg up on others. With my experience and background, I have much to bring to the table in nearly any setting. Pay attention and I'll help you to be wise also. Need some wisdom? I've got it.
Wham!!! "Be not wise in your own eyes..." (Proverbs 3:7).
As I groggily lift my head up off the ground, I rub the side of my bruised face and ask, "What hit me?"
"Be not wise in your own eyes..." (Proverbs 3:7).
I love the book of Psalms. Most people look at Psalms as a book of praises. It is that, to be sure, but it is so much more. One of my favorite themes is the heart-wrenching candor. Real people struggling with real dilemmas. And, oftentimes, they have no idea why those dilemmas came about or how to fix them. So they cry out to God. Those cries, though, are not smiling, polite prayers. They are prayers of brutal honesty. Sometimes they even seem to be belligerent toward the Lord.
Let's be honest. There are times when we struggle in life. There are situations and circumstances that, no matter how hard we try, we simply do not understand. "Why me?" "Why her?" "Why now?" "Terminated?" "Everything is gone?" "Cancer?" "Not the child!" Some situations seem overwhelmingly hard to bear. They are beyond our comprehension.
Those are the same situations with which the psalmists struggled. And in the midst of their struggles they let God know what they thought. They didn't hold back.
Here's the truth: the Lord knows our hearts. We're not going to hide anything from Him. We may as well be candid and admit how we feel and what we're thinking. It certainly won't come as a surprise to God.
This doesn't mean that we blab our frustrations to everyone who will listen. That would be inappropriate. But admitting our struggles to the One who can ultimately walk us through those situations might be a good idea.
Aren't you glad that God isn't like Santa Claus? The Lord doesn't make a list of those who are naughty and nice. It's a good thing, too. If He did, there wouldn't be anyone on the "nice" list. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Fortunately for us, God is loving and forgiving. "If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness..." (Psalm 130:3 4).
Because Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life and then took our punishment on the cross, you and I can live forgiven. "God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:4 9).
Rejoice this Christmas season! Your sins are forgiven because of Christ Jesus! That's good news, indeed!
Paul wrote to Timothy about people "whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2b). The truth is that this type of person is fairly common in our society.
For a couple of years my wife was a part of a women's Bible study with participants from dozens of churches. One day, in a small group setting, one of the ladies shared about her teenage son. She stated that she was very glad he chose to listen to a particular secular radio station and a specific deejay. The reason for his choice was because that announcer did not use as much profanity and was not quite as vulgar as many of the others. The mom thought it was great that her son had made such a wise choice on his own.
When my wife shared the incident with me my mental reaction was immediate. "We have reached a point where we think that a little profanity and a less than usual amount of vulgarity is good. How outrageous!"
I don't mean to meddle—okay, maybe I do—but are there areas of your conscience that have been seared? Maybe it's time to talk with God about that.
The book of Job can be difficult to read. For example, the self-righteous arguments of Job's "friends" often wrongly cast Job in a very bad light. On the other hand, there are parts of that book that are fascinating to read. One section that is particularly intriguing to me is the twenty-sixth chapter.
Job offers verse after verse about the greatness of God. God created the clouds and the winds. His power stilled the seas. It is God who gives us breath. Words piled on top of more words articulating the might and majesty of God on high. Then, the very last verse of the chapter takes an unexpected turn. After speaking at length about the greatness of God, Job says, "Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him!" (Job 26:14).
Yes, the things that we see and experience depict the power of the Lord, but we have seen only a small portion of His greatness. We've gotten just a taste. Only a small whisper. There's so much more.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!
At the end of Moses' life, he was saying goodbye to the people of Israel. He knew he was about to die. They would go on to cross over into the Promised Land without him. I'm sure in his final address to the people whom he had led for so long, there were a great many memories and much emotion. Many final thoughts came out of Moses' mouth that day, but none were more poignant than this: "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'" (Deuteronomy 8:17)
Moses knew that it is easy, when prosperity happens, to begin to think that it was all their doing. My cleverness caused this. My strength made this happen. My quick wit or my astonishing agility or my amazing memory or my extraordinary handsomeness or my wonderful voice or... you fill in the blank.
Don't ever forget that all the blessings you have received and all those you ever will receive came from the hand of God. They are not your own doing.
This Thanksgiving, let's be truly thankful to the One who has blessed us so richly in so many ways!
Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
I'm pretty sure this verse has a lot to do with worship. Yes, I realize that, in context, Paul is talking about money. Yet Jesus told us, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34).
The willingness to give—money or worship or whatever—is simply an indication of the heart. God is not interested in "worship" that is done out of compulsion. "Fine! If it will make You happy, God, I'll go to church this morning." His desire is for us to have a heart that is turned toward Him and willingly wants to worship.
...he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Through the promises of God we become partakers of the divine nature. The Greek word that is translated here as "partakers," literally means "a sharer." We become those who share in God's divine nature. How? Through His promises.
Let me explain it like this. I have very little innate musical abilities. Over the years, though, I've become an acceptably good musician. How? By hanging around with and working with some really excellent musicians. Their knowledge and skills have rubbed off on me. I still can't do what they can do, but I'm a lot better than I would have been without that interaction.
Do you want to become more like Jesus, to share in His divine nature? Dwell in His promises; remind yourself of the truth of God's Word. His promises of love and forgiveness to you are paramount. Instead of looking at your own failings and shortcomings, look at His promises of who He has made you in Christ. Recount the promises of His faithfulness and goodness. It is through such promises that we become partakers in His divine nature.
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
Someone recently helped me see something in this passage that I had never noticed before. Near the end of verse 13, the Greek text has three different versions of the same word, one after another. When we read, "taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual," what it literally says is "spirit, spiritual things, with spiritual."
What Paul is saying is that his words are not like the world's teaching. In normal, worldly teaching, words are used to impart knowledge. In Scripture, however, the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. It's not just words alone. That's why those who don't know God can't understand most of what we believe. It makes no sense to them because they're not born of the Spirit. Without "the Spirit interpreting spiritual truths" they can't comprehend it.
But for us this means that more than just teaching and more than just reading Scripture, we should be praying that God would indeed spiritually impart His truth into us and others by His Spirit through His Word.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation" (Mark 8:11-13).
Earlier in this same book, Jesus has already performed numerous signs: healing people, walking on water, feeding thousands with almost no food. What does He mean, "No sign will be given to this generation"? He did plenty of signs. Doesn't this statement appear to be contradictory to His actions?
Yet, if we really understand the Lord, this is not a contradiction at all. You see, He always looks at the heart. The Pharisees asked for a sign "to test him." Their attitude was, "Hey, show us what you can do. Are you really as amazing as some folks say?" But Jesus is not a performer.
He is not interested in impressing us for the sake of impressing us. He wants us to know Him. The Lord may use miracles to draw our hearts to Him, but He won't use them just to astound us.
Three of the Gospels tell the story of Jesus healing the demon possessed man who lived among the tombs (Mark 5:1-21; Matt 8:28-9:1; Luke 8:26-40). After the man was healed, the people of the village came to see.
And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid … And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region (Mark 5:15-17).
The people had seen this man—a literal raving maniac—before he was healed. Now, as he sat docile, they were afraid. Luke's version says they were, "seized with great fear."
Apparently they had become accustomed to him being possessed by a legion of demons. They obviously didn't like the fact that he was now in his right mind. So they begged Jesus to leave.
I have to wonder how many things in our lives are far from being God's best, yet we tolerate them—perhaps we're even afraid of seeing them change—because we have become accustomed to them. May God help us to surrender each and every area of life to Him.
"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)
A dear friend of mine recently posted this on facebook: "Ok, so today I scooped vanilla pudding into little cups as to the Lord with all my might... if any of you have kids who ate cafeteria food at Hillsboro primary today, you now know that their food and they themselves were prayed over as I worked today."
That, my friend, is worship.
I like the Apostle Peter. Yes, he was impetuous, but he's also very earthy. He's a real person. There's no pretense in Peter. Especially after Jesus and the Holy Spirit got ahold of him. He was changed. He was a different guy.
In his writing, Peter often gives very specific charges. Do this; don't do that. He's black and white. Peter doesn't beat around the bush.
At the end of his second letter, Peter gives one final command. It's the very last directive we received from this great man who had walked side by side with Jesus. So what was the final order?
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
Know the overwhelming torrent of His all-encompassing love, and know Him as your companion and Lord. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. I'm pretty sure that this one final command would be appropriate for all of us, always.
As I recently reread the Old Testament story of David's life, I was struck by an interesting fact. Although the Lord spoke directly to David (see 1 Chronicles 14:10 for example), He didn't always speak directly to David. Sometimes God spoke to David through others. For instance, the Lord spoke specific direction to David through Samuel. God rebuked and encouraged David through Nathan, the prophet. Although it is clear that the Lord had David's ear, there were still times that others were used to give voice to the words that God wanted him to hear.
No matter how mature or spiritual you or I may be, we still need others in the Body of Christ offering a perspective different from our own. We can easily become myopic. We see only our own perspective. God sometimes allows another person—someone who views things from a different angle—to see what we do not see.
David needed to hear the Lord speaking through others. So do we.
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
Although Jesus was far more than just an example for us, at the same time He was, in fact, an example for us (1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Peter 2:21). So when things weren't going well in Jesus' life—when He suffered—how did He respond? Did He give dirty looks to those who caused the problems? Did he sob despondently and uncontrollably? Did He get upset and throw things around the room? Did He jump in His car and peel out, leaving onlookers sprayed with gravel? Did He rant on Facebook?
No, Jesus did none of these. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. His hope and confidence were in His heavenly Father. Regardless of what happened, He knew His Father was still at the helm. So Jesus placed Himself in the strong and faithful care of Him who judges justly.
Perhaps that's what we should do, too.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly (1 Peter 2:18-19). The word "servants" in this passage indicates someone who is willingly in a position of service.
I'll be the first to admit that this is not necessarily easy. I have been in work situations where I was the recipient of unjust treatment. I have known employers who were kind and benevolent and others who were not so. Being respectful to those who are unjust, enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly, these are generally not things that we prefer.
Let's be candid. Life is not always easy. Sometimes the difficulties can seem overwhelming. But just two verses later Peter gives us a practical way to help make such behavior a reality. "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
Follow Jesus' example. Endure sorrows even while suffering unjustly.
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12).
There is a spreading anti-Christian sentiment in our society. It is clearly becoming more pervasive. The news media, the government, the education system, the judicial system are all increasingly displaying a negative—and even hostile—attitude toward those who follow Christ. Although you as an individual may have done nothing wrong, your faith lumps you with the rest.
Yet Peter tells us that even though people may say we are evildoers, our deeds should tell them otherwise. Our everyday lives should be letting people know that we are not only safe, but stable and strong, even in the midst of storms. Our lives should display the kind of characteristics that others want to be near. Why? So that unbelievers will be brought to the truth. We want them to be able to "glorify God on the day of visitation."
Jesus said it similarly (Hey, do you think that's maybe where Peter got the idea?!): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
No matter what the world says about us, or does to us, we can still—in His strength—let our lights shine.
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (1 Peter 1:3).
What a great promise! Because of the great mercy of our God, we have been reborn. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that we've been made into brand new creatures. And not only reborn—made brand new—but reborn to a living hope.
We generally don't understand biblical hope in our society. For us, hope is usually a namby pamby idea: "I'm kinda hopin' it happens." True biblical hope, on the other hand, is a confidence, a conviction, that the hoped for thing will happen.
Further, Peter says that we have been reborn into a "living hope." It's not a dead, has-been, overworked and worn out sort of hope. It's alive and kickin'. We have a living hope... a confidence that is very much alive and active in Christ.
Thank Him right now that you are reborn to a living hope.
I love the fact that God exists outside of time. Although it is clear that God acts as a result of our prayers, His interactions with us do not depend on us even knowing what to ask for.
He promises, "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
Just this morning, God met a need I didn't even know I had. Before I realized I needed to ask Him, He was already answering. When I recognized the need and prayed about it, I immediately realized that the Lord had already taken care of it.
Jesus told us, "…your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:8). I am so glad that He does, because I am too frequently oblivious.
"Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4). What a sobering thought. The more enamored we are with the things of earth, the more we oppose God.
But the verse continues on with even stronger wording. "Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." I don't ever want to make myself an enemy of God. The very idea makes me shudder. Yet I apparently do that whenever I am charmed by worldly possessions. When I begin to think that this life is all there is—and therefore try to grab for all the gusto I can in this life—I am making myself into God's enemy.
That's why the New Testament writers so often point our attention toward heaven. Don't fall in love with the here-and-now, as beautiful as it is, but set your eyes on a higher goal.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... (James 1:19).
I don't know about you, but I too often get those three things in totally the wrong order. I am more inclined to get angry, then voice my anger and then listen... or not listen, depending on the situation.
Yet James says we should be (1)quick to hear, (2)slow to speak, and (3)slow to anger. I wonder what would happen if I actually followed his advice.
Of course, the truth is that this is actually a command from God, not merely advice from our friend, James. In fact, just a couple verses later, we're told, "be doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).
So maybe I really should do those three things in the right order, huh?
At the risk of being labeled as a meddler, let me ask this: How do you do with those three?
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
I shudder to think of all the times I needed wisdom and didn't ask. They would be far too many for me to recall. Perhaps it is pride. Maybe it is an attitude of self-sufficiency, as though I have everything all figured out. Most likely it is a combination of both.
But when I'm completely honest, I recognize and admit just how much I really do lack wisdom. So, that being the case, I need to ask God. Why? Because He gives generously, and He promises to supply it.
Why go it alone? God's wisdom is so much better than ours.
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).
What a statement! He has perfected for all time. Not just until tomorrow. Not for a little while. Not for a brief time only. For all time!
A few verses later, the Lord declares, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin (Hebrews 10:17-18).
If I may offer my own paraphrase/commentary: Stop beating on yourself. Christ's sacrifice is sufficient. Your sins are gone. God no longer remembers them.
Take heart, dear saint, you are forgiven. The death and resurrection of Jesus causes you to stand blameless and pure before your heavenly Father.
Recently I've been hanging out a lot with my friends Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham (and his wife, Sarah), Jacob, Moses and others. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews-the Hall of Faith-is an amazing place to go to spend time with them. Their Old Testament stories are good, but Hebrews 11 depicts God's perspective about their lives.
The thirteenth verse says that they "acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." They were keenly aware that they were just passing through. This is the initiation, the lower level that must be passed through to get to the higher level. Verse fourteen continues this theme by declaring, "For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland."
They were seeking a homeland. Interesting word, homeland. Depending on the resource you use, it has two primary meanings:
Actually, both of those fit well for our situation as Christians. If we are indeed children of God, then heaven really is our native land. It's also a place that is closely identified with those redeemed by the Lord.
I don't know about you, but at the same time that I am living this life here on earth, I am also simultaneously seeking a homeland.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:13).
What an amazing promise! We can come near to God with confidence. No, the confidence is not in ourselves—it is not self-confidence—nor is it simply a confidence that God is the proverbial Nice Guy in the Sky. This confidence by which we may draw near to God is a confidence in the finished work of Calvary. We have confidence that what Jesus did for us was enough to allow us to draw near to the Father.
In doing so—in drawing near, then, we receive mercy—mercy that we desperately need every moment of every day—and find grace to help in time of need. There are times when I think I'm okay, that I don't need anything. How foolish. In my human condition I am a needy person, and without His grace to help, I couldn't even make through the day.
Thank God that we can draw near, receive mercy and find grace for our times of need... always.
The writer of the book Hebrews reminds his readers about what happened just after they became Christians. He says that they suffered. They were publicly reproached. They were afflicted. He then goes on to say, "You joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one" (Hebrews 10:34).
These people had obviously been through a lot. Physical and verbal abuse. Even the taking of their material goods by force. After turning to the Savior, their lives had not been smooth sailing.
Each week at our church we pray for the suffering Church around the world. Every Sunday morning we hear stories of those who are facing serious persecution because of their faith in Christ. Yet because we are generally so far removed from such sufferings, it can be difficult for us to truly relate to their situations.
Don't ever get the idea that difficulties in life are a sure sign that God is upset with you. In the same way, though, we should never think that a lack of difficulties means we're doing everything right.
Trials come to every life. Yet God's love is sure. In the strongest possible terms—the death and resurrection of Jesus—He has already, once and for all, demonstrated His love. Regardless of what's happening in your life, rest in His love.
There are days I just wish Jesus would hurry up and come back. I'm ready to go. He has granted me salvation by His great grace, and I'm headed to heaven. Sometimes I am ready for this life to end and the next one—the real one—to begin.
God's perspective is very different than mine, though. He sees "one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). He might be coming back tomorrow, but, in my reference of time, that could be many, many years into the future.
But here's the reason: God "desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Because of this, we should "count the patience of our Lord as salvation" (2 Peter 3:15). In other words, because we have to wait on the Lord's return, it means more people can be saved.
Much as I hate to admit it, I think that's worth me learning to be patient.
"But exhort one another every day... that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).
It is far too easy to become "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." The everydayness of life has a tendency to lull us into a sense of complacency. A little compromise here, a small step in the wrong direction there, an inappropriate thought or word. They're all just little things. Yet, added together they are no longer little, and we can find ourselves hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Do you want to avoid that? Would you like to not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin? Then "exhort one another every day." The Message Translation phrases it like this: "keep each other on your toes..." The New Living Translation says, "You must warn each other every day..."
I could not possibly overemphasize the necessity of having those around you who "have your back." We are part of the Body of Christ for a reason. We need one another and we need to encourage one another daily.
In 2 Peter 1, Peter talks about things like faith, excellence, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness and love. He explains the importance of such character qualities and then goes on to say, "Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities... as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder... And I will make every effort so that after my [death] you may be able at any time to recall these things" (2 Peter 1:12-15).
He wants to so strongly instill the knowledge of the works of God into them that even when he is gone, they will still recall what he taught them. He even says that what he is saying is a reminder. He's already shared these ideas in the past. But he's repeating it for emphasis. "This is important stuff, folks. I don't want you to forget it. I'm going to say it frequently to make certain you're still going to remember these principles even after I'm in the ground."
So here's the question: Do we take our role as teachers and mentors—parents, pastors, worship leaders, Sunday School teachers, friends, etc.—that seriously?
I would venture to say that a majority of Christians are very familiar with Jeremiah 29:11. It's an amazing promise from God. But I recently read it in the English Standard Version and there is a word that I have never encountered before in this verse: wholeness.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, author's emphasis).
The KJV calls it welfare. In our society, though, that word has completely the wrong connotation. Our culture views welfare as aid supplied by the government. But that word, welfare, is actually from an Old English etymology and it means health, happiness and prosperity; well-doing or well-being in any respect. In other words, wholeness.
I don't know about you, but that's what I need. I often feel as though I am totally inadequate for the tasks before me. I have frequently pictured myself as the proverbial one-armed wall-paper hanger. Not just busy, but insufficient for the job. I need something more. And God graciously offers wholeness.
Receive that wholeness today, a gift from your heavenly Father.
"[God] has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature..." (2 Peter 1:4, author’s emphasis).
I like the idea of being a partaker of the divine nature. Having God’s nature instead of mine sounds like a really inviting idea. But how do we get there? According to this verse, it is through trusting the promises of God that we become partakers of that divine nature.
So, what are the promises of God? Well, I encourage you to search them out in His Word. There are so many promises He has made to us, His children. And it should be noted that the word "promise" implies that the person promising has the thing promised in his power and that he will do as he said. In this case, it is clear that both of these are true for God.
So, to get you started, here are a few of my favorite promises from God. Just in this life, He has promised to meet our every need (Philippians 4:19), and that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:15). Beyond this life He has promised us eternal life with Himself (John 10:28).
Those are indeed great and precious promises. And when we believe them, it causes His nature to be formed more fully within us.