The Singular Christian Pursuit

For about 11 years of my working life I was part of a labour union which provided training, top wages and opportunity for advancement.  The emphasis when I joined was to work "8 for 8" (work all 8 hours for 8 hours of pay), buy American if possible, show up on time, have a good attitude and do quality work.  The training and efficient, quality work our union was known for enabled us to charge top-dollar for our services and actually saved customers money because of the superior product.  Over the years, however, the position of the union shifted in regards to how we could be successful in our industry:  making friends in politics through financial contributions.

I found the shift from doing quality work to seeking political sway as our primary way of profitability, sustainability and survival most concerning.  Instead of the union existing to support the membership, it had become cannibalistic, increasing dues from members to neutralise threats to "our work" by greasing the palms of politicians.  It is bad enough when this happens in labour unions, yet it is even more shocking and despicable when this occurs in the church or faith-based "parachurch" organisations that seem to think gain is godliness (1 Timothy 6:5).  I remember going to a youth conference years ago that was actually a massive infomercial, glossing over the ministry opportunity right before them with the promise of bigger and better next year.  For a fee this "ministry" would help churches help others--when it required increasing support of Christians to survive at all.

There are countless ministries which are great benefit to the Body of Christ and bring glory to God.  I do not want to paint a negative picture with a broad brush, but I do believe it is profitable for self-examination:  am I content to pay others to do what God is calling me to do myself?  Do I prefer the convenience of giving financial support to a ministry in lieu of getting my hands dirty?  Am I seeking gain for the kingdom of God or to promote myself or a local ministry?  How easy it is to drift from the purpose God has called us to labour in the Word and be caught up in politics, to abandon the rock-solid foundation for shifting sands.  Having renounced the love of money and lust for gain 1 Timothy 6:11-12 says, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Instead focusing on what we need to do, Paul urged Timothy to become the man God created Him to be.  Huge difference!  It was not about what strategies Timothy needed to employ to secure greater attendance, followers or likes:  he was to pursue Jesus Christ and follow His example.  He was to put off the works of the flesh and be filled with the Holy Spirit, bearing fruit according to God's design.  This fight was not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers who had been overcome by the blood of Lamb and walk worthy of the salvation received by the grace of God.  Praise the LORD our salvation does not depend upon a pastor, ministry or organisation, for Jesus Christ is our Saviour and all in all.  As our Good Shepherd He will lead us in ministry and service, and may all our efforts be united for His glory alone.

Glory in God

When the children of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon, they rebuilt the temple.  They did not possess the wealth of King Solomon who lavishly adorned the first structure built roughly 450 years before.  The new temple was modest by comparison and was hardly an impressive edifice even to those who laboured to construct it.  Rebuilding the temple in the city God placed His name was a most worthy effort, yet the new building failed to capture the former glory of that which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed.

Haggai 2:1-3 reads, "In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: ² "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: ³ 'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?"  There were elderly people among the captives who returned to Jerusalem who had seen the previous temple and thought the new temple didn't measure up.  God confronted the rulers of Israel, the high priest and remaining people about how they were critical of the current work.  Building the temple was God's work, but it wasn't as awesome as before.  This reminds me how reports of revivals in times past seem to outshine the work God is doing in the midst of His people today.

God continued in Haggai 2:4-5:  "Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁵ 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'"  God's word worked to shift the critical perspective of the building and the results of their efforts to God who was with them.  God said, "Be strong and work for I am with you."  Though Jerusalem lacked walls, protection and an army at the ready, the Spirit of God remained among His people.  They were exhorted to be without fear because God kept His word and covenant with them, though over the years they had been unfaithful to Him.

Haggai 2:6-9 concludes, "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; ⁷ and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁸ 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁹ The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts."  The temple which seemed a shadow of its former glory would be filled with the glory of the LORD, and God promised the glory of this latter temple would be greater than the former.  The children of Israel could not have seen or predicted what God would do in the future and how peace would come to a shaken world through Him.

May all the servants of the LORD take heart in this, even when our service does not seem to be as glorious or magnificent of those who have gone before:  we ought to be strong and work because God is with us.  It is not great buildings, gold, silver or fame among men which we ought to prize but our glorious God who is the Desire of All Nations, the One who provides perfect peace for all who trust in Him.  Jesus Christ is our great High Priest and KING OF KINGS, the one whose glory fills heaven and earth forever.  A day is coming when He will return and establish His kingdom in Jerusalem, and eyes of faith see Him drawing near according to His promise.  Praise our glorious God, you His people, for the glory that awaits us is greater than the former.

Complete In Christ

Even in western society that places small value on images as object of worship, idolatry is a real danger in the lives of Christians.  During our pilgrimage on earth, similar to the children of Israel whether in the wilderness or in Canaan, we will face temptations to look to people or things rather than God.  Our idolatry is not as obvious as a shrine with candles and incense because it is fundamentally a matter of the heart.

A pastor recently told me an interesting observation during marriage counselling over the years.  He noted the tendency of people to make demands of marriage to be something God never intended, to provide for their needs how only God can.  A single person who seeks fulfillment, satisfaction and belonging from life through a romantic relationship alone will ultimately be disappointed.  There is a persistent myth that we are incomplete without a spouse or sex.  It is ironic the very thing we seek and obtain can be the source of great consternation and frustration after it is revealed to be incapable of meeting our expectations.

See what Paul wrote to believers in Colossians 2:8-12 (bold emphasis mine):  "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. ¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."  In Jesus alone we are complete regardless of marital status, having been joined to Him in faith.  Through the Gospel Jesus Christ has done a work within us and therefore we work by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This connection with the Body of Christ is not without pitfalls, for as people can look expectantly to a spouse to meet needs only God can, we can look to a church or ministry leader in a similar fashion.  People can feel disenfranchised in a church because of legitimate flaws and because they suppose programs or people within the church ought to provide and meet needs God alone can.  Those who serve in church ministry can also labour for self-serving purposes:  to feel accepted, needed, for praise and to belong.  Church ministry can become a demanding mistress which ironically works to turn the minister's heart away from dependence and reliance on God.  The child of God who realises he is complete in God alone will not be worried about pleasing men or dwindling numbers, for he is already full and lacks nothing that pertains to life and godliness forever.

I'm learning the more I feel I look for positive affirmation by people or quantifiable "fruit" from my efforts I can see, it is a dead-giveaway I have forgotten I am already complete in Jesus.  And I am easily forgetful.  My perspective at times can be like the person who goes to the gym and puts out consistent effort and becomes disappointed when the pounds are not melting away and painful injuries are setbacks that overwhelm any gains.  Life is no easier for the bloke with bigger biceps or the woman with washboard abdominals, and it would be foolish to think the Body of Christ cannot be fruitful or useful unless we measure up to some arbitrary, unwritten ideal.  How refreshing and joyous a revelation it is to be complete in Jesus Christ!  Instead of us grasping with futility for the wind we are held close by the love of God and made useful for every good work.

Rejoice in Our Saviour

Hebrews 11:1 describes faith like this:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Everyone, to some degree, daily demonstrates a measure of faith.  After buying a new car we trust the sensor on the fuel tank is reasonably accurate.  We trust motivated workers to finish the task they were assigned without feeling the need to check on them.  When we place our faith in God as revealed in scripture we are also are convinced and sure of unseen realities.  The Bible gives us insight to the character and power of God to save, forgive, help and save.  Without ever seeing Jesus Christ many people trust and love Him, not because they are weak-minded or mentally unstable, but because of the historical account of His life, death and resurrection.

One of my favourite passages that explores the victorious, sustaining faith in a child of God is seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19:  "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ¹⁹  The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."  The prophet Habakkuk had no hope of a harvest of figs because the fig tree did not blossom.  It seemed there would be no wine because there was no fruit on the vines.  Food was scarce because the fields yielded no produce and there were no flocks or herds.  In the midst of a hopeless situation, Habakkuk was able to rejoice in the LORD because God was his Saviour.  We are excited at the prospects of a fruitful harvest and seeing our resources multiply, yet we are called to walk by faith and not by sight.  All hope is not lost when all seems lost because our rejoicing is in our God.

These verses in Habakkuk show me the folly of substituting good prospects for God.  In the midst of the trial we see "the light at the end of the tunnel" and find solace our troubles will be soon resolved.  This may be little more than a mirage which plunges us deeper into despair when our hopes are deferred again.  We soothe ourselves with the chance of small gains rather than in God who has already given us all things.  The LORD God is our strength, wisdom, redemption, righteousness and nothing can separate us from His love.  Jesus said He is preparing a place for His followers and will come again and receive us.  Shouldn't Jesus be who lifts our heads because our Salvation draws nigh?  Our LORD and Saviour is able to sustain His people with water from the rock, Living Bread from heaven and the comfort of His presence.  Our Good Shepherd is able to lead us safely through fire and flood, drought and storm day and night.

See the victory provided by faith in Jesus for those who are grieved when all other hopes are exhausted in 1 Peter 1:6-9:  "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."  When Job was critically ill by the hand of Satan he uttered these inspired and immortal words in Job 19:25-27:  "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; ²⁶ and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷ whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"

Hope in God, you His people!  Rejoice in your Saviour, all who look to Jesus in faith!  The LORD is our strength and will enable us to stand now and forever in His glorious presence.