When I look upon how far God has brought me it energizes my faith to believe how far He will take me. Willpower falls woefully short of the fulfillment of God's will. It is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit which not only goads us but enables us to do anything. At the top of a grand peak the climber might shout "I did it!" in exhilaration, yet a Christian after conquering the weakest of temptation or the greatest of struggles humbly says, "You did it, God. Amazing considering the weak vessels you choose to use!" When we have done all our duty we are still unprofitable servants, and all profit comes from the gracious hand of God.
If we neglect to consider where we have been, it's likely we'll lose our way wherever we're going. Many biblical prayers include a history lesson which is not always the most flattering. Take the prayer of praise in Nehemiah 9:5-37. There is much confession of sin, rebellion, idolatry, and stubbornness of previous generations. There was no blame placed on their forefathers, just a honest rehearsal of events both past and present. Neh. 9:33-35 says, "However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly. [34] Neither our kings nor our princes, our priests nor our fathers, have kept Your law, nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, with which You testified against them. [35] For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; nor did they turn from their wicked works." God brought the children out of Egypt, into the Promised Land, and delivered them from captivity in Babylon as well. Though they had not been perfect, God had been faithful.
I'm not perfect but I know that what God has promised He is able to perform. I know He has called me to minister for His glory, will eventually fulfill my calling on earth, and usher me into eternal glory by His grace. God will do His part: I must be willing to do mine! Help me Father to live as if all depended on me with the knowledge that you are the one who does all! Thank you it is not me, but Christ in me who can accomplish anything. You are worthy of all trust, honor, and praise.
18 June 2010
16 June 2010
Answer God's Call!
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, [15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."
Ephesians 4:11-16
Every cell of a healthy human being interacts harmoniously with the rest of the body. These cells do not exist to take up space, but all work for the well-being of the whole. Jesus Christ is the Head of the body - the church - comprised of people who have repented and trusted in Him as LORD and Savior. As the function of a red blood cell differs from a brain cell, every single person who belongs to the Body of Christ has a distinct office and calling according to God's perfect will. God's desire is for the saints to be equipped "for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...speaking the truth in love." As we mature and grow in our faith, we should supply strength to the whole body through the Holy Spirit's power "according to the effective working by which every part does its share" causing growth and edification of the church in love.
Going to church does not make you part of Christ's church. Frankly for many people, church has become something we do or attend rather than someone we are. Born again Christians are the body of Christ, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. The fact that most church fellowships meet in a particular building suited for ministry has convoluted and confused the point that we are the church. We all have a function, calling, and duty to supply our labor for God's glory and the edification (building up) of the body of Christ. When I read the list above I can't help but notice that "church service and activity attender" does not appear in the list of positions in the body of Christ here or in any other passage of scripture. We are not called to attend church events as much as our calling is to attend to the work of the church!
What is your part in the body of Christ? What strength are you called to supply? Many substitute the strength of the flesh for the Holy Spirit's power, and this sort burns out in disillusionment. Please read through the entire passage below as Peter exhorts believers to edify the church in this fashion: 2 Peter 1:2-12 reads, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, [6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [7] to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth."
People have this mistaken concept that unless they have a formal title like "pastor" or "deacon" they are without a true calling or purpose. They seek titles and approval of a church group to justify themselves before men. Verse 10 says we must be diligent to make our call and election sure: be convinced of your justification, sanctification, and future glorification, and seek to answer God's call upon your life right now. God has gifted all believers in dynamically different ways, with various personalities, styles, and skills. All of these are necessary for a strong, healthy, growing church body. As Os Guinness states in his book The Call, we must answer corporate call of repentance and salvation through Jesus to be part of the body of Christ first, and then we are to seek out and answer our personal call for His glory. A man should not be a pastor before he is is believer! Ironically it is through this arrangement that imminent men of faith in God such as John Wesley were soundly saved. Making your electing and calling sure is your responsibility.
No matter your history, personality, style, or views, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ God has a place in the body for you to fulfill. Only you can fill the role He has for you. As Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:10, "By the grace of God I am what I am..." You do not have to be or think like someone else to be used by God. It is God who makes a man. We will never all agree on every single point. Christians must never allow heresy and false doctrine to blow through the church in the name of grace, but we must be careful not to allow personal differences or styles to divide us. A cell in the liver is very different from a light-sensing cell in the eye, but both are important to a fully-functioning body. They do not have to be the same. In fact, it is fitting they are not. Yet though they are not identical, they serve the same overall purpose: the health and well-being of the body. We are all part of the body of Christ, each having a different function with the same goal: the glory of God and the edification of the body.
I ask you: have you made your calling and election sure? What is your role in the body of Christ? Is it to pray as an intercessor? An evangelist? How about being a godly mom or dad? A preacher? Someone who gives to those in need sacrificially? One who visits those who are sick or in prison? A missionary? After you are convinced of your election, seek and answer God's call upon your life at any cost. There is no one to blame but yourself if you fall short of walking in God's will. He has given you the Spirit, and God supplies all our needs. All reasons you cannot answer the call begin with pride and end in selfishness. The doors Jesus closes cannot be opened, and the doors He opens cannot be shut. Paul reminds us in Romans 11:29: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." If He has called you as an apostle or prophet, you do not have a choice in that calling: your choice is if you will embrace the call or not!
The time for excuses is over, and it is time to do our part. Do not rest until you have laid hold of the purpose for which God has laid hold of you. Do not be satisfied with willful ignorance because the pursuit of your call will require a step of faith. God has faith to give if we will walk in it.
15 June 2010
Holiness Understood
Few things are misunderstood more than holiness. It is a quality entirely foreign to this world. In his fallen state man cannot conceptualize holiness, much less understand it. A sinner trying to figure out holiness would be like a snail trying to comprehend the speed of a F-22 Raptor. God does not act holy: He is holy. He stands alone in the universe as the only pure, righteous, and flawless being, holy in Himself. Humans have no context for holiness of character or thoughts. If we were to do a word association with "holy," perhaps common responses would include: religious, serious, uptight, a saint or priest. From a non-christian perspective, trying to think about holiness is like a person trying to fly by waving their arms.
The other night after dinner, we read something which shatters our misconceptions of what holiness is. Neh. 8:8-12: "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. [9] And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." [11] So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."
Before we consider the attributes of holiness, let us briefly observe the whole passage. The book of the Law had not been read for many years, and the truth found soft hearts. The people wept as they were convicted by the Law of God. Yet because the day was deemed holy to the Lord, Ezra told the people they were not to mourn, sorrow, or weep. Instead of grief there was great joy in Israel. They feasted, shared of God's bounty, and rejoiced greatly "because they understood the words that were declared to them." Thankfully as we read the word of God we have the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. We see Nehemiah, Ezra, and others fulfill this role as Christ later did in Luke 24:45 with His disciples: "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." A man cannot comprehend purity unless God reveal it to him. In this simple passage there is much to aid us in our understanding of holiness. More than a definition of holiness, we discover a wonderful description which aids our understanding of holiness.
"Holy" is defined in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as "sacred." The Bible also tells us God is pure, righteous, and perfectly holy. But what does that look like to our eyes? Because the day was holy, the following instructions were given in the Nehemiah passage:
The other night after dinner, we read something which shatters our misconceptions of what holiness is. Neh. 8:8-12: "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. [9] And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." [11] So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."
Before we consider the attributes of holiness, let us briefly observe the whole passage. The book of the Law had not been read for many years, and the truth found soft hearts. The people wept as they were convicted by the Law of God. Yet because the day was deemed holy to the Lord, Ezra told the people they were not to mourn, sorrow, or weep. Instead of grief there was great joy in Israel. They feasted, shared of God's bounty, and rejoiced greatly "because they understood the words that were declared to them." Thankfully as we read the word of God we have the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. We see Nehemiah, Ezra, and others fulfill this role as Christ later did in Luke 24:45 with His disciples: "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." A man cannot comprehend purity unless God reveal it to him. In this simple passage there is much to aid us in our understanding of holiness. More than a definition of holiness, we discover a wonderful description which aids our understanding of holiness.
"Holy" is defined in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as "sacred." The Bible also tells us God is pure, righteous, and perfectly holy. But what does that look like to our eyes? Because the day was holy, the following instructions were given in the Nehemiah passage:
- They were forbidden to mourn or weep. The people were told, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." For some reason we tend to think that holiness must be attended with an unhappy scowl. Not so! Consider the little we know about heaven: there will be no crying, sadness, or sorrow. Only what is holy can enter heaven. Joy, rejoicing, profound happiness mark a life of holiness.
- The people were told to "eat the fat and drink the sweet." The richest foods were to be eaten, and the most delicious drinks not to be denied. It was time to break out the good stuff! Almost all celebrations on earth involve food. Our holidays are almost defined by the meals we have to commemorate them. It is a foretaste of heaven as we gather with friends and family. A trait of holiness is divine satisfaction and fellowship. For believers this sweetness of communion has already begun, though only to increase as we are daily fashioned into the image of Christ and await our eternal glorification.
- Another command was the people were to send portions to those who had none. This affirms the generous, compassionate, and giving aspects of holiness. God champions the cause of the widow and orphan and helping those who have no means to repay. While we know nothing but selfishness, God gives to those who have none. We have no chance of salvation in ourselves, and Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost. When the children of Israel were in the wilderness God provided manna from heaven: for all who are dead in sins Jesus was sent as the Bread of Life.
- In the words of the Jewish leaders: "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." While the world is filled with confusion and noise, noise, NOISE, God speaks in a small, still voice. The KJV says "Hold your peace..." What goes with quiet better than peace? The life of holiness is one filled with peace, peace that passes understanding. A man can give only what he possesses, and we serve the Prince of Peace who is willing to give His peace unto us. Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. But grief is a product of sin. Jesus willingly experienced this as well for our sakes that we might be permanently freed from it.
13 June 2010
Grow in Grace
When I woke up this morning, the LORD said: "Grow in grace." Sometimes we think of grace as something to be received or given. The fact remains it reaches even deeper: grace is something to be grown in. This statement placed upon my heart today is found in one scripture: 2 Peter 3:18. The context is Peter warning believers that many would twist and contort the scriptures and invite their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:17-18 says, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." [KJV] The contrast is clear: we can be lead away by the error of the wicked or grow in grace.
Grace is undeserved favor, goodness we have no right to be offered or much less receive. This grace is offered to the repentant freely from God. The greater grace we extend to others, the greater supply is given to us by God. When we ration God's grace to only the "deserving," grace is no longer grace. Too often we tend towards Pharisee favour rather than grace which resembles that of our heavenly Father. There was no group of people more led away by wickedness according to Christ than the Pharisees, because they justified themselves righteous according to their own works. By tightly rationing the grace of God with others we constrict His grace toward us. By tightly clamping our hands on God's grace, we prevent ourselves from receiving additional supply. Hoarding the gift of grace from others hurts us most of all. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Peter says, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." We ought to increase in grace, meaning that the grace of God should be revealed in and through our lives more each day. As we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit's power, our knowledge of God and His ways will grow. Experience is a great teacher. That is how we grow in our relationship with the Greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ: we grow in grace when we experience Him personally. When our eyes are opened to how undeserving we are of God's favor, He grants us grace to give grace to others. As long as we are sufficient in ourselves we have no need for grace. Oh, we need grace - but pride keeps our need hidden from our eyes.
Physical growth occurs through life, nourishment, experience, rest, and how the body is programmed at the genetic level. Spiritually speaking it is much the same: God brings life to our souls, nourishes us through His Word, and teaches us through experience as we rest in Christ's finished work. Stress and resistance placed upon muscles, tendons, and ligaments help them to grow stronger. Trials and tribulations cause our faith to grow as ease never could. We grow in grace when we choose to trust God and extend His grace to others as He freely gives it to us. This will challenge us. We will no doubt at times feel taken advantage of, unprotected, uncomfortable, and vulnerable. It is in this place of weakness where God will prove His grace is sufficient for us, for His strength is made perfect in weakness.
Grace is undeserved favor, goodness we have no right to be offered or much less receive. This grace is offered to the repentant freely from God. The greater grace we extend to others, the greater supply is given to us by God. When we ration God's grace to only the "deserving," grace is no longer grace. Too often we tend towards Pharisee favour rather than grace which resembles that of our heavenly Father. There was no group of people more led away by wickedness according to Christ than the Pharisees, because they justified themselves righteous according to their own works. By tightly rationing the grace of God with others we constrict His grace toward us. By tightly clamping our hands on God's grace, we prevent ourselves from receiving additional supply. Hoarding the gift of grace from others hurts us most of all. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Peter says, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." We ought to increase in grace, meaning that the grace of God should be revealed in and through our lives more each day. As we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit's power, our knowledge of God and His ways will grow. Experience is a great teacher. That is how we grow in our relationship with the Greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ: we grow in grace when we experience Him personally. When our eyes are opened to how undeserving we are of God's favor, He grants us grace to give grace to others. As long as we are sufficient in ourselves we have no need for grace. Oh, we need grace - but pride keeps our need hidden from our eyes.
Physical growth occurs through life, nourishment, experience, rest, and how the body is programmed at the genetic level. Spiritually speaking it is much the same: God brings life to our souls, nourishes us through His Word, and teaches us through experience as we rest in Christ's finished work. Stress and resistance placed upon muscles, tendons, and ligaments help them to grow stronger. Trials and tribulations cause our faith to grow as ease never could. We grow in grace when we choose to trust God and extend His grace to others as He freely gives it to us. This will challenge us. We will no doubt at times feel taken advantage of, unprotected, uncomfortable, and vulnerable. It is in this place of weakness where God will prove His grace is sufficient for us, for His strength is made perfect in weakness.
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