Christ Formed in You

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Pete

I don’t know that I am super goal oriented. But on the continuum from “Goal Driven” to “WhatEver”, I’m probably lean more G.D. than W.E. I tend to believe that if you aim for nothing that’s exactly what you’ll hit.

But, I also like to think I’m a realist. I’m all about thinking in terms of “attainable” goals. I’m not really a visionary who thinks up goals no one else has thought up. In fact, often I’ll initially set a bar low, aim for something I’m pretty sure I can hit, so that I’m not quickly discouraged but, instead, realize a quick win. And with that encouragement, push towards a greater end goal.

So, what’s got me thinking about goal setting and being goal driven this morning? The Bible. Paul in particular.

Any number of goals Paul could have set for himself. Certainly to preach the gospel to the Gentiles was a big, over-arching goal — a sporty goal in and of itself. But he could have also set a geographic goal, charting out the territory that, Lord willing, he wanted to cover. Could have set a number-of-journeys goal — like maybe three. He could have set church maturity goals, compelling him to return to the new churches that had formed in his gospel-preaching wake and making sure there was qualified, mature leadership in place to shepherd each group of believers. (And, I’m pretty sure he set a goal simply to survive preaching the gospel to the Gentiles until the Lord was ready to call him home.)

You get the idea. A lot of worthy goals Paul could have articulated. A lot of ambitious (for the right reason) and compelling goals that would have driven him to continue doing what he was doing.

But this morning it’s a goal Paul conveys to the Galatians that has me thinking. One audacious objective that I’m chewing on.

. . . my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

(Galatians 4:19-20 ESV)

More than the number of trips to be made, the number of places to be preached, the number of churches to be established, or the number elders to be identified, Paul was driven to see each believer who came to faith under his gospel preaching have Christ formed in them. Talk about your “stretch goal.”

The anguish of childbirth!?! Never had a baby, but been present for five births. No thanks. Is that really how important this goal was to Paul? To endure an inner anguish of increasingly greater soul-cramping contractions, as he longed for those who said they believed in Christ to actually live lives that reflected Christ? Evidently.

Christ formed in you. Morphoo in the Greek. Looks like a root for metamorphosis to me. A changing from the inside out. A re-fashioning into a different form. A transforming from something immature to the fullness for which it was born. Paul wanted to see born again babes in Christ eventually take on the fullness and likeness of Christ. And that, for the glory of Christ. So, apparently being somewhat of a goal driven type of guy, he would labor, even labor in childbirth, to do his part, that the Spirit might work His part, towards that end.

Christ formed in you. Big ask. But just how our God rolls. One of His goals, as well.

Maybe it should be one of my goals, too.

By His grace. For His glory.

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By the Spirit! Final Answer.

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Pete

When I was a kid the expression was, “Now that’s the $64,000 question!” Nowadays, it’s more commonly, “Now, that’s the Million Dollar question!” Both are sourced in popular game shows. The $64,000 question came from a game show that ran in the ’50’s, and the million dollar question comes from “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, around since the ’90’s.

But whichever phrase you use, the intent is the same. Either to highlight something that is crucial, a question whose answer is critical to determining different outcomes or, to ask it rhetorically, not really expecting an answer, as in, “Who knows? That’s the million dollar question!”

This morning, I find myself hovering over a million dollar question. The answer to which is critical for our salvation. And the answer to which, far from being unknowable, is clearly known.

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

(Galatians 3:2-3 ESV)

Okay . . . so maybe there’s three questions there. But the million dollar question is the last question. It’s the crucial question that will set the course for the fruitfulness of our sanctification. It’s the answerable question. We don’t even have to pick from one of four possible answers. It’s a Yes or No question. And the answer is: No!

Having begun by the Spirit, having been born again through the regenerating work of the Third Person of the Triune God, I am now not counting on my own efforts, my own abilities, my own goodness to complete the work of salvation begun in me through faith. The Spirit who made me a new creation in Christ (2Cor. 5:17) is the Spirit who will take that new creation and make it increasingly like Christ (check out Romans 8, in particular verses 2, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16, 26, 29).

Why would I try and finish in the flesh what was begun as an intervention of the Spirit? Why count on works to perfect that which is founded on faith? Now those are $64,000 dollar questions. Beats me.

But I do. So easy to fall back into relying on my own strength, and in my own wisdom. To thinking that it comes down to my goodness apart from His greatness. To taking my cues from others rather than from the Word. To finding my identity in things and roles other than who I really am, a child of God, and what I’m ultimately called to be, a follower of Christ.

How I need to ask, and answer, this million dollar question: Having been born by the Spirit, how will I now grow in Christ?

By the Spirit! Final answer.

And by His grace. And only for His glory.

(Okay . . . so maybe that’s three answers)

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The Company of the Upright

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Pete

“Don’t it always seem to go . . . that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.” Those words from Joni Mitchell’s 70’s song comes to mind as I hover over the opening verse of Psalm 111. The ancient songwriter’s song has nothing to do with paving paradise, putting trees in a tree museum, or spraying apples with DDT to keep them blemish free. But it does extol the God of paradise. It does declare the mighty works of the One who created the trees. And, it reminds the reader of a unique privilege owned by the people of God, the apple of His eye (Deut. 32:9-10, Zech. 2:8). But don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart . . .

(Psalm 111:1a ESV)

Praise. Give thanks. Both things that anyone can do. All it requires is to focus on the right subject, engaging both the mind and the heart, to produce fruit from the lips (Heb. 13:5).

And only I can offer praise to the LORD. Only I can give thanks to my God. No one can do that for me. No once can force true worship from another. And no one can tender the thanksgiving due God on behalf of another. At it’s core, praise and thanksgiving are the willful, mindful, heartfelt acts of the individual.

But there’s a lot in Scripture that indicates that while the worship of God is sourced in the heart of the individual, it is best expressed in the company of others.

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

(Psalm 111:1 ESV)

I miss congregational worship. I miss engaging in praise and thanksgiving with the company of those made upright through the saving work of Jesus. You don’t what you’ve got til it’s gone.

We were made to worship and, I think, called to worship together. I know that’s what it’ll be like when faith gives way to sight.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

(Revelation 7:9-10 ESV)

Though we were saved as individuals, we were saved to be part of a body. Though we all have our individual stories, together we share the same story of redemption. Though different in countless ways, we extol the same God who is unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and forever. We’re unique yet we are called to unity. And that unity is expressed through the common song we sing, the song of the redeemed. And that song is best sung when we’re together.

Been awhile since we’ve been together. Miss singing with the saints. Miss making a joyful noise unto the Lord with my brothers and sisters. Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?

Content to care for my community through quarantine, but so looking forward to the pandemic subsiding and the people of God again assembling. And then, hear us praise the LORD! Listen to us give thanks to our God! And we will again worship in the company of the upright.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Different Gospels and Deserting Christians

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Pete

Blown away. That’s what was Paul was. Astonished (ESV). Amazed (CSB). Couldn’t believe it (MSG). Shocked (NLT).

But also kind of ticked. No, not just kind of, but really ticked! Reading to call down curses on people. Declaring they should be anathema. Doomed to destruction. Eternally condemned.

So what’s got into Paul? What triggers such shock and awe?

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

(Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)

Seems if there’s anything that could get Paul going it was different gospels and deserting Christians.

I know enough about what’s coming in this letter to know that these believers were falling prey to “good news” that said, “You got Jesus? Good. But you need something more!” That tried to convince them, “You’ve believed in the finished work of the cross? Fine place to start. But you’ll need to do some work yourself to be truly saved.” It wasn’t good news at all.

It was a different gospel. A distorted gospel. A contrary gospel. In fact, no gospel at all. For it was a gospel that when followed led people to desert Jesus. To abandon the Savior. To be disloyal to the Master. Good news that made for bad disciples.

Really that big a deal? If I’m accurately picking up what Paul is laying down in these opening verses, apparently.

And as I hover over Paul’s righteous indignation, as I consider his willingness to call brothers and sisters “deserters”, and purveyors of a modified gospel “accursed”, I’m wondering just how easy is it to be led down a distorted gospel path? How close might I come, at any given point, to being drawn to a different gospel and being in danger of becoming a deserting Christian?

I guess the warning signs are when I have an “I’ll need to take it from here, Jesus” sort of attitude. Falling into patterns that would indicate that what was begun in the Spirit really needs to be perfected in the flesh (Gal. 3:3). Or finding myself in a place where I feel like I need Jesus along with something else before I really believe that I’m a beloved child of God. Where my identity and sufficiency are found in “Jesus+” rather than in Christ alone.

Paul doesn’t leave much wiggle room here. To turn to a different gospel — anything that in anyway misdirects our hope for a full salvation in anything else but the Person and finished work of God’s Son — is to be a deserter of Jesus.

Father, keep me from even entertaining such a different gospels.

By your grace. For Your glory.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. . . .

And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

— Keith Getty / Stuart Townend © Capitol Christian Music Group

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The Cross Cancels the Curse

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Pete

I start reading Psalm 109 and, at first, it has a messianic ring to it. Messianic like Psalm 22 is messianic, the opening verses (v. 1-5) portraying a suffering servant.

Wicked and deceitful mouths are speaking lies against the songwriter, David. He is encircled with words of hate and attacked without cause. In return for the love he has shown others, he receives only their accusations. His reward for his goodness and love is evil and hatred. Hmmm . . . sounds a bit familiar.

But then . . . not!

Learned a new way to describe a psalm this morning. Imprecatory. While Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm, Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm.

Imprecatory. From the word imprecation. Meaning a spoken curse. Familiar with a benediction? An imprecatory psalm is a malediction. Far from a “may the Lord bless you” serene melody, this is a “may God curse you” rage anthem. And, among imprecatory psalms, apparently Psalm 109 is a doozy!

For the next ten verses, David asks the “God of my praise” to let his enemies have it. One guy in particular. And on this one guy, David calls on the Lord to unload upon him.

Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him come forth guilty . . . May his days be few . . . May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! . . . May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! Let there be none to extend kindness to him . . . May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation! May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! Let them be before the LORD continually, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

(Psalm 109:6-15 ESV)

Ouch! I wouldn’t wish all that on my worst enemy. Oh wait . . . this guy is David’s worst enemy. But even if he deserves it — and I’m guessing he did — it’s startling to read what the Spirit moves David to conclude as the reasonable wages for his sin. As the just retribution for his rebellion.

But as I’m reading this, the Spirit brings these words to mind:

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

(Luke 23:34a ESV)

Now that’s messianic. That’s the voice of the Messiah.

Oh, praise God for those words! Intercession in place of imprecation.

They silence the sentencing worthy of my sin. They nail to the cross the curse I deserve. They erase the just judgment due those who, at one time, aligned themselves against God’s Holy Servant.

The finished work of the cross cancels the curse. What glorious truth!

Such amazing grace!

To God be the glory!

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For the Sake of God’s Glory

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Pete

Connecting a couple of dots this morning from my readings. Somewhat in awe of Paul’s all-out commitment to the Corinthians. Why did he care about them so much? But then wondering, if at its core, it isn’t the same dynamic found in Psalm 108 where God seems to have ordained that His people’s good and His own glory would be inextricably linked together.

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

(2Corinthians 12:14-15 ESV)

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me . . . but ready to go again for a third time? Hasn’t Paul done enough already? Multiple letters, multiple visits. The roller-coaster ride of two steps forward, one step back. And now, they’re listening to self-acclaimed super-apostles who slander not only Paul’s counsel, but his character, and even countenance, as well. I don’t know. At some point, wouldn’t you say, “I’m done?” Evidently not.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

Paul is ready to contend for the Corinthians to the point of exhaustion. He is ready to empty himself if it means they would be filled again. He is ready to drain his tank if, by God’s enabling, it would fuel their fire.

He makes it clear. It wasn’t about defending himself, but about building them up (12:19). Not about answering the accusations and restoring his reputation, but about reminding them of Christ and wanting them to walk in a manner worthy of their calling.

How come? Why was Paul ready to “be spent” for their souls? Why care so much about their walk?

Something in Psalm 108 provides at least a partial answer, reminding me that what is ultimately at stake is God’s glory.

In Psalm 108, David opens with praise due God’s name (v. 1-4) but at it’s essence it is a plea for God’s help (v. 6-13). The enemy had gotten the upper hand and all their best efforts at saving themselves had failed (v. 12). Though they clung to the promises of God (v. 7-9), the presence of God seemed absent (v. 11). Yet David remains confident that with God they would do valiantly. For it was God, ultimately, who would show Himself mighty and “tread down” their foes (v. 13).

And in the middle of David’s song, linking the praise and the plea, there’s a clue, I think, as to why Paul so cared about the Corinthians.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! That Your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

(Psalm 108:5-6 ESV)

God had tied His exaltation above the heavens to the deliverance of His beloved ones on the earth. The Sovereign had determined to wire His glory overall the earth to the salvation made known by His right hand. God had purposed to tie together the wonder at His name with the walk of His people. David knew that’s how it was to work in ancient Israel. Paul knew that’s how it would also work with Christ’s blood-bought people.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

(Ephesians 3:8-10 ESV)

The exaltation of God, His glory known over all the earth — that’s what David saw as really being at stake with the battle against his enemies.

The manifold wisdom of God, the testimony to those on the earth, and those above the earth, of God’s multi-faceted nature and power — that’s what Paul knew was at stake with the Corinthians fidelity to Christ and to the gospel. And so, Paul was ready to be spent in contending for them for the sake of God’s glory.

Christ’s bride is worth the effort.

Because of God’s grace. That she might bring God glory.

Amen?

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Thrive Through Thanksgiving

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Pete

A couple of weeks ago I encountered a psalm that I thought was particularly suited for this season. A song helpful when it came to sheltering in place as it invited me to also shelter in the shadow of the Almighty. This morning I’m hovering over another song that looks particularly suited for this continuing time of quarantine. But not just because it helps me cope with “Stay at Home” directives which have been extended again, but because it actually provides perspective on how to thrive in this crazy, socially distanced way of life. Seems to me, if I’m picking up what the songwriter is laying down, we can thrive through thanksgiving.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

(Psalm 107:1-3 ESV)

The redeemed of the LORD . . . love that term! Only used twice in my Bible. Those who have been ransomed. Those who have been bought out of bondage with the price paid in full. If anybody has a story to tell, and thanksgiving to give, it’s the redeemed of the LORD. The ransomed of Jehovah!

And that’s what Psalm 107 is, a bunch of stories.

Some of these redeemed were rescued from wondering aimlessly in the desert (107:4-9). So hungry and thirsty for real bread to eat, and living water to drink, that their souls fainted within them. Unable to find any place to land, they eventually cried out to the LORD. And He delivered them. Led them in the way. Brought them to a place where they could settle down. And so, says the songwriter,

Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!

(Psalm 107:8 ESV)

And that’s just the first story. It’s followed by the story of those who were prisoners of darkness because they had rebelled against the words of God (107:10-16). In bondage, chained with irons, but determined to go their own way, they were bowed to the ground by the Most High. And with noses to the ground and none to help, they too cried to the LORD. And He delivered them also. Brought them out of darkness. Burst their bonds apart. And they too are encouraged by the songwriter to thank the LORD for His steadfast love and for His wondrous works to the children of men.

Then there’s the story of the fool determined to follow the way of his sinful nature (107:17-22). And eventually the way that seemed so right in his own eyes led him to staring death in the face (Prov. 14:12). And guess what? In his story he too cries out to the LORD in his trouble. And God delivers him, as well, from his distress. And how come? Because of the LORD’s steadfast love and His wondrous works to the children of man. So what to do? Let them thank the LORD!

And then there’s the story of those just going about their daily business (107:23-31). Commuting to work like they’ve always done. Filling their schedules with the sort of things people are wont to fill their schedules with, they were busy . . . really busy . . . just doing life. Sure, out of their peripheral vision “they saw the deeds of the LORD”, but they were too busy, really, to respond. So, God “commanded and raised the stormy wind.” The going got tough. And the tough stuff just kept on going and going. And it got to the point where they “were at their wits’ end.” You know what they did? You guessed it, they cried out to the LORD. And He delivered them. He made the storm be still. He brought them to their desired haven. So whaddya do?

Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.

(Psalm 107:31-32 ESV)

The redeemed of the LORD. We’ve all got our story of redemption. Everyone, a tale to tell of God’s deliverance by His steadfast love in our past, able to evoke songs of praise and thanksgiving in our present. Even if there’s no congregation of the people to join us in our thanksgiving at this current time.

The Redeemer of yesterday’s story, the same redeemer today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

We can noodle on the past, and be empowered for the present.

Even as we shelter in place, we can thrive through thanksgiving.

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

(Psalm 107:43 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Stay Awake

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Pete

It’s a mystery. How God the Son, who is one with God the Father, doesn’t know something the Father knows. How God the Son, who is fully God, and thus is omniscient, is all knowing except for one thing. How God the Son, who one day will come “in clouds with great power and glory” (Mk.13:26), doesn’t know what day that will be. Honestly, I don’t really get it. But then again, if this mortal, earthbound mind could fully comprehend how the Triune God is wired and functions as Three-In-One, He’d probably be more a God of my making than the God who made me. So, for now, by faith, I’ll marvel that the Son doesn’t know when the day of His return will be.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” ~ Jesus

(Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

The Son may not know that day or that hour, but if repetition is the megaphone of God’s word (and I think it is), the Son knows what His followers need to hear. “Keep awake . . . stay awake . . . and what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Don’t fully get the Trinity, but I think I’m picking up what Jesus is laying down here.

Be watchful. Be vigilant. Give strict attention to. “Take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake you” (Online Bible Greek Lexicon). Make sure your head’s in the game.

It’s a command, not a suggestion. It’s in the active voice, something that Jesus’ disciples are expected to be doing not thinking about doing. It’s present tense, for the here and now. Not something to put off until a more convenient day or when I find a bit more time to schedule it in.

Heads up! Jesus says in effect. I’m coming. In power and glory. At any time, though I don’t know exactly when. It might be in the evening. Could be at midnight. Maybe one morning when you’re just starting to rub the sleep outta your eyes. But know this, I am coming and I don’t want you snoozing when I do. And that, for your good, and for My glory.

Yup, lot of stuff about the Godhead I may not get. But this ain’t one of them. Jesus is coming again.

Jesus Is Coming Again

Marvelous message we bring
Glorious carol we sing
Wonderful word of the King
Jesus is coming again

Forest and flower exclaim
Mountain and meadow the same
All earth and heaven proclaim
Jesus is coming again

Standing before Him at last
Trial and trouble all past
Crowns at His feet we will cast
Jesus is coming again

Coming again, coming again
Maybe morning maybe noon
Maybe evening and maybe soon
Coming again, coming again
Oh what a wonderful day it will be
Jesus is coming again

John W. Peterson © 1957. Renewed 1985 John W. Peterson Music Company

Yes He is! Stay awake.

By His grace for His glory.

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Paul’s Anxiety

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Pete

Busted! Found out! Tripped up by his own words. If CNN were around then they’d be playing the sound bite over and over again. And, at the bottom of the screen the ticker tape banner would scroll from right to left:

. . . Apostle Paul, who said, “Be anxious for nothing,” admits he suffers from daily anxiety . . .

Scandalous!

Meditating on 2Corinthians 11 this morning. Particularly the section where Paul allows himself to be drawn into comparing himself with those who were messing with the church at Corinth as self-acclaimed “super-apostles” (v. 5). And in his boasting, Paul not only matches his credentials against their proclaimed pedigrees (v.21b-22), but also presents “far greater labors” (v.23) he’s endured for the sake of the gospel.

More imprisonments. Countless beatings. Dangerous missionary journeys. Hardship, insomnia, hunger, and thirst. Paul lays out the list (v.23-27). And then caps it off with the “CNN sound bite.”

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

(2Corinthians 11:28 ESV)

Paul, who exhorted the church at Philippi to be anxious for nothing but to always pray (Php. 4:6), now tells the church at Corinth that he is constantly anxious and feels the pressure every day. And that the weight of these cares was comparable to all the other things he had suffered as a steward of the gospel. Worthy of the list of Paul’s “greater labors” was the constant, internal “crowding upon me” concern for all the churches God had established through Paul’s ministry.

So what drives the guy who knows we should be anxious for nothing to experience daily anxiety?

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

(2Corinthians 11:2-3 ESV)

Paul was concerned that the church of Corinth would be “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” So, if this was worthy of Paul breaking his “no anxiety” rule, how much should we also care about this ourselves?

A sincere and pure devotion to Jesus. Free from pretense and hypocrisy. Singularly focused. Open, honest. Not self-seeking. Wholly desiring Him who “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to Himself in splendor” (Eph. 5:25b-27a). It’s worth caring about, says Paul. Worth caring about a lot!

Often, the conversation had with those I’ve been staying connected with over these past weeks of self-isolation has been about the opportunity for the church to come through this pandemic different than when she entered it. And that, even as we anticipate the economic aftershocks to come and the marathon before us, through it God would continue His work of preparing a pure bride for His Son.

A good thing to be anxious about? Apparently.

A good thing to be praying about? Definitely.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Weapons of our Warfare

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Pete

Got one of those 911 type of calls from a friend last night. Potential for some stormy weather on the homefront. Earlier in the day a fuse had been lit and, knowing himself, he didn’t want to throw any gas on even such a small fire. “Talk me down,” he asked. So we talked.

And as we talked, we talked about our enemy. Not that we want to see the devil behind every disturbance, but also not wanting to be “outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs” (2Cor. 2:11). And recognizing “his designs” isn’t all that hard sometimes, for our foe isn’t particularly creative in his approach. After all, he’s called “the accuser” for a reason (Rev. 12:10).

And a couple of verses in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians hit me this morning as an “Amen!” to last night’s brief conversation.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

(2Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV)

The weapons of our warfare. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

A reminder that while the skirmishes may ebb and flow, there is always a battle going on. Even when times are good and the pressure is off, every morning I awake and the old nature within me is ready to butt heads with the Spirit within me (Gal. 5:17). Apart from any external influences, apart from any supernatural interference, there is always an internal struggle.

But the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.

Then throw into the mix an adversary who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet. 5:8), and the potential for some pretty serious flare ups shouldn’t be surprising. Add to the mix a lying destroyer (Jn. 8:44), often masquerading as an angel of light (2Cor. 11:14), who loves to chirp untruths and misquoted scriptures into our ear (Matt. 4:1-11), and the battle can get pretty intense pretty quick.

But the weapons of our warfare have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Sometimes it’s a cage match and often we’re not even aware of when we entered the cage. An MMA fight (Mixed Metaphysical Attacks) and we haven’t even changed out of our street clothes yet.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

(Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

But we refuse to wage wage according to the flesh.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

(Ephesians 6:11 ESV)

The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, they are the armor of God. The belt of His truth. The breastplate of the righteousness credited to our account. Shoes able to endure for however long we must tread the battlefield as they endure through the gospel of peace. The shield of faith able to deflect anything and everything thrown our way. The helmet of salvation protecting our mind, confident that the work God has begun in us He will complete in us. Along with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, able to pierce through all our enemy’s lies. And praying in the Spirit providing the air cover needed and sufficient for every battle, great or small. (Eph. 6:13-18)

And so, last night, we talked a bit. We prayed a bit. And we entered our different battles with the weapons of our warfare.

By His grace. For His glory.

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