Better Things

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Pete

They were tares. Just weeds. They looked like the same good seed when they were planted with the wheat, but they weren’t wheat. Mixed in, at first, without anyone noticing any difference. But as time passed, and things grew, the difference was clear. In the field there was wheat and, among the wheat, there were weeds. Jesus told the story, He knew it would happen (Mt. 13:24-27). But the audience of the book of Hebrews lived the reality.

In their midst there were people who were “once enlightened” (Heb. 6:4-5). They had tasted something of “the heavenly gift,” had been exposed to the teaching of the sent Savior. They had, to some degree, tried the flavor of the living word. And they had savored a bit of “the power of the ages to come.” All this because they had experienced something of the Spirit’s stirring, as had the others.

And, at first, they seemed to respond with faith. But as time passed, as maturity manifested itself, it was clear that what they demonstrated was not a saving faith. It became evident they were weeds, not wheat.

These opening verses of Hebrews 6 are hard verses, but in light of all that Scripture teaches, I don’t think that those who had “fallen away” could have been true believers. They weren’t the real thing. They may have been similar looking seed, but as time passed, they manifested what they truly were, tares among the wheat–not wheat.

Because, for the true wheat–for those who received the gospel, believed the gospel, and were saved through the gospel–the writer to the Hebrews says, there are better things.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things —  things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV)

Better things — things that belong to salvation. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning as I hover over these opening verses in Hebrews 6.

Those better things aren’t the “falling away” spoken of earlier. For real seed, when it is watered and starts to grow, produces a crop useful to those who cultivate it, not thorns and thistles (6:6-8).

But the better things, the things that accompany salvation are; good works; love for the saints; a diligence fueled by hope; a patient endurance enabled by an enduring faith that what God has promised we will inherit. Those, at least in part, are some of the better things.

And, while it’s true that real seed will produce the real thing, it’s also true that real seed is engaged in becoming the real thing. Pursuing the kingdom. Keeping the faith. It’s what we do because we’re the real thing.

While it is God who gives the increase, we are to plant and water (1Cor. 3:6 KJV). We cultivate. And not just ourselves, but our brothers and sisters as well.

And having been cultivated, we respond. We work. We love. We keep on keepin’ on in the full assurance of hope. And that, as He enables.

So that we might realize the things that belong to salvation — the better things.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Hebrews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Because of His Reverence

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Pete

A phrase in Hebrews this morning caused me to pause. Four words, I believe lifted off the page by the Spirit, which brought a realization. A realization that, if I’m honest with myself, I am probably more comfortable with the deity of Christ than I am with His humanity. That to think in terms of Jesus as fully God resonates more easily than to really think of Him as fully man. That to imagine the limitlessness of His power, majesty, and glory is easier, in a sense, than to truly appreciate the depths of humility He experienced in His incarnation.

The four words that have me chewing on this? Because of His reverence.

In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

(Hebrews 5:7 ESV)

The writer continues to paint a picture of our great High Priest. One able to “sympathize with our weaknesses”, one who “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”, thus one who is able “to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 4:15, 2:18). He is Jesus, the Son of God, “who has passed through the heavens” (4:14). But can I fully comprehend all that His passing through the heavens and coming to earth meant for Him?

That the eternal God, the Alpha and Omega without beginning or end, would even have “days” and function in time and space is somewhat mind-stretching. That He would be compelled to pray–as all mere mortals, at times, are compelled to pray–to get Him through something that reduced Him to “loud cries and tears” is, if you think about it, kind of unfathomable. After all, we’re talking about Someone who “upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3)

But that He was heard because of His reverence?  Really?

That’s why He was heard by Him who was able to raise Him from the grave and thus, save Him from death? Because the King of kings and Lord of lords demonstrated godly fear in the garden? Really? Because of that?

Nothing to do with fact that He is The Word of God?  That when He speaks the armies of heaven fall in line, and that from His mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword (Rev. 19:13-16)? But rather, He was heard because He demonstrated awe-invoked fear? How can that be?

Can I even get what it meant for God to come in flesh? What it really entailed for Him to have “learned obedience through what He suffered” and be “made perfect” so that He might become the “source of eternal life” (Heb. 5:8-9)? I’m thinking not.

Man fully man. Confined in time and space as He experienced what could only be experienced through the days of His flesh. Knowing the need to pray and supplicate and depend on a loving Father to help Him in time of need. The Prince of Peace knowing such inner turmoil and anguish that it drove Him to loud cries and tears. Coming before the heaven He ruled in such veneration that that was the reason His prayers were heard. Heard because of His reverence.

Honestly, more than this mind can really noodle on. Almost too much to try and chew on.

Man of sorrows, what a Name
For the Son of Man who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

O’ what a Savior!

What unfathomable grace.

Glory to His Name!

Posted in Hebrews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Confidence . . . Still!

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Pete

Came across some thoughts from around this time eight years ago. A really, really uncertain and hard time. A turn-your-world-upside-down time.

And as I chew on the same passage eight years later, and consider the confidence I was reminded of then, I realize that there is confidence still.

Re-running those musings this morning . . .

——————————————-

I’m pondering an invitation this morning. Reflecting on the access gifted to me. Chewing on the wonder of a door opened to me. The invitation is to draw near to a throne. The access is to a footstool before a King. The open door leads to an inner chamber of royalty, authority, and power. And, so goes the invitation, I may draw near to such a hallowed place with confidence.

“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 4:16 ESV)

It occurs to me that I’ve been hanging out at this place of privilege for most of the past week . . . and so have a lot of other people on my behalf, and on behalf of my wife and family. Within this inner sanctum, upon this holy ground, there is a throne of grace . . . a seat of unmerited favor . . . a dispensing place of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is a place where one can receive mercy and find grace when it is needed most. And, so goes the invitation, I can draw near to it with confidence.

Confidently . . . boldly . . . openly . . . plainly. Freedom to speak what’s on my mind . . . no need to conceal or be ambiguous . . . just pouring out what’s on my heart. Not presuming, but prevailing . . . not demanding, but desiring . . . all with assurance that He hears . . . and, as He determines, He dispenses grace to help in time of need.

And, if I put this verse in its context, the confidence isn’t based on who I am . . . or what I’ve done. But the confidence is found in Another. It is based on the fact that “we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (4:14). A High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). He who died for my sin and was risen again now abides at the right hand of God, alongside the throne, ever living to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25).

I don’t approach the throne of grace on my own . . . I do so with an Advocate. I don’t have to have it all figured out . . . or have just the right words . . . or have determined what God’s will is . . . or pretend to know what God knows . . . for “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). I’ve got a lot of help before the throne of grace . . . and so, I can draw near with confidence.

As I mull it over in my mind, it has a way of impacting my heart. With this confidence there comes a peace. Not because everything is going to work out how I think it should work out, but because I have a faithful and merciful High Priest who goes with me when I rise up from the footstool and get back to doing life. A peace infused through the Spirit of the Living God who resides within me . . . 24/7 . . . my parakletos . . . my Helper . . . my Comforter . . . my ever present Intercessor. A peace that comes from knowing that I am never far from the throne of grace . . . that the door is always open . . . that the footstool is always available . . . my High Priest always on duty.

Praise God for such confidence! Praise God for such amazing grace!

Oh, what a Savior! Amen?

Posted in Hebrews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Rest Beyond Rest

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Pete

Pretty difficult not to pick up what’s being laid down as you read the latter part of Hebrews 3 and the first eleven verses of Hebrews 4.

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (3:8) . . . “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (3:15) . . . “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (4:7).

And how come? Because those who harden their heart, “shall not enter My rest” (3:11) . . . “shall not enter My rest” (4:3) . . . “shall not enter My rest” (4:5).

Kind of difficult not to take note of the cause and effect here.

So, what’s the hardening of the heart spoken of here? What’s the source of whatever disobedience it is that results in missing out on God’s rest?

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

(Hebrews 3:18-19 ESV)

Unbelief. That’s the culprit! Lack of faith. That’s the robber of rest.

Those who walked away from the bondage of Egypt failed to walk into the blessings of the promised land (4:16-17). Though they had seen the Red Sea parted as they began their journey, they would never reap a harvest from any seeds sown by finishing their journey. Instead they would wander. Walking in circles for the remainder of their lives. Having to depend on God, but never able to rest in God. And that, because they didn’t trust the deliverance of the Deliverer. They had no confidence in the promises of the Promiser. And so, they missed the rest.

And what I am supposed to get from this?

Don’t harden your heart. Don’t surrender to unbelief. Don’t give in to the temptation to not trust.

Instead, believe THERE IS a rest. And, beyond that rest, a better rest.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.

(Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV)

Faith is the door that allows us to enter a place where the winds are calmed. A reality of repose where striving ceases. That is the rest God provides.

But faith also opens the way to an even greater rest. A Rest 2.0. A place where the work is finished, and so, the promise is sure. A Sabbath rest.

Where not only are external storms calmed, but where inner toil and trouble are dealt with and done. A rest only God can provide because of the work that only God could do. A refuge found only through Him and in Him. A peace that passes understanding only He can provide. Not only bringing me some respite in my situation, but also making it well with my soul despite the circumstance.

There’s rest. And then there’s Rest 2.0   A Sabbath rest.  A rest beyond rest.

Hard for me to put into words. Probably one of those things that’s better felt than tell’t. But a deep rest, nevertheless. A real rest. An all-striving-ceases rest. A restorative rest.  A rest founded on the finished work of God–the work of the cross. A rest that remains for the people of God.

So we keep the faith. We’re careful not to harden our hearts. And we make every effort to enter that rest (4:11).

Because, by faith, we known there is a rest beyond rest.

A Sabbath rest for the people of God.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Hebrews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Brothers and Sisters

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Pete

To be honest, I’d love to think that in some way–if even just a small, small, way–I deserve the designation. To think that somehow I’ve done my part to merit the honor. To think that, at least to some degree, for I know it could never be all my doing, there is something in some of my actions worthy of the privilege. But as I hover over these verses in Hebrews this morning, I know better. And I’m bit overwhelmed by grace.

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers [and sisters] . . . (Hebrews 2:10-11 ESV)

Our God is the Creator and the Redeemer. We exist by Him and for Him. And, though we were once far from Him, He has purposed to bring many back to Him. Amazing!

But even more amazing is that He does so by bringing us to glory as sons and daughters. Son and daughters–who could merit such standing?

And to do so, He determined that the Founder of our Salvation should fully make way for such an adoption through His suffering.

The Founder of our Salvation, aka God’s Anointed. The Author of our Redemption, the Lamb of God. The Captain of our Faith, one day to be revealed to all as He is, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. O’ what a Savior!

And, because the Son was sent by the Father, and because we were set apart by the same Father, He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

Basque in that, brothers and sisters. It is one thing for me to refer to you with such familial language, it is an entirely different matter when we are treated as family by the Son of God.

To be but His trophies of redeeming grace would be enough. To be servants in His household would gift us with more access to the Holy One than we could ever imagine. But to be welcomed around the table as kin? Behold, what manner of love! (1Jn. 3:1a KJV)

And He is not ashamed to do so. He is not hesitant to say so. Not because we’re doing our best, but only because heaven gave its best. Not because of our faltering service, but because of His once-for-all, unwavering submission–and that, through undeserved suffering. Not because of any good deeds we have done or could do, but solely because of His finished work on the cross.

Because of who He is and what He has done, He is all in to call us brothers and sisters.

Don’t know how you can chew on that for even a few minutes and not become somewhat overwhelmed with gratitude.

Because of His amazing grace. Only for His all-deserving glory.

Amen?

Posted in Hebrews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lest We Drift Away

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Pete

I write myself more notes these days. Write more things down on a piece of paper and then leave that piece of paper in a conspicuous place. How come? Because things slip my mind. There one moment and then, poof, vanishes. Haven’t quite got to the point of writing something down in one room that needs to be done in the next room because I know I may not necessarily remember what I came to do when I get in that next room–but sometimes I wonder if I should!

Prone to forget. Prone for things to escape me. Not kicking thoughts out or my mind, they just kind of slip away.

And I’m reminded this morning that what can happen with trivial matters can also happen with not so trivial matters. Matters like our salvation.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

(Hebrews 2:1 ESV)

Recently I’ve heard of a couple of high-profile Christians–one a well-known author and the other a much-admired songwriter–who have “walked away from the faith.” And I’m wondering how much they actually walked away or, if it was more likely that they actually drifted away.

Doing a 180 degree turn is a lot harder than wandering a few degrees off course. But eventually the few degrees off course, intentional or not, can also lead to a total turnaround. Takes a lot to turn your back on something. Takes a lot less to just allow yourself to lean away from something. But, unchecked, you’ll end up in the some position eventually.

Drifting away. Sounds uneventful. Sounds kind of restful. Whereas training for godliness (1Tim. 4:7-8) can be strenuous; running the race (1Cor. 9:24-27) can be arduous; and fighting the good fight (1Tim. 6:12, 2Tim. 2:3-4) can sometimes be dangerous; allowing something to just flow past can almost seem desirous.

But the something we’re talking about drifting away from here is our “great salvation” (Heb. 2:3b). And that’s why the writer is contending so fervently for the faltering faith of his Hebrew audience.

“Pay closer attention,” he says. Don’t neglect it, he says (Heb. 2:3a). Be on guard against drifting away.

Don’t think, “That will never happen to me. I know where I’m going. I’ll just set things on autopilot.” That kind of thinking sets things up for a slow drift.

There is no pre-programmed, self-driving vehicle that we can get into to take us home. It is a Spirit-led, daily walk. No GPS coordinates we can punch in and then let ‘er fly. Instead we’ll need to navigate the inevitable trips, slips, and dips in life, informed by the Word of God, enabled by the Spirit of God.

We must pay closer attention as our salvation draws near. We need to have our head more in the game now than we did at first as the flesh seeks to discredit our witness, the world seeks to distract our energies, and the enemy still seeks to destroy our souls.

Lest we drift away.

I need to keep reminding myself where I’ve been and where I’m going. Keep leaning in to what I’ve been redeemed for . . . and Who I’ve been redeemed for.

I need to keep writing myself notes.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Hebrews | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Just a Whistle Away

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Pete

It’s a crazy, seemingly out of control world we live in. And perhaps seems more so to those of us who are a bit older. Who have a point of reference of three or four decades ago when, while not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, things just seemed a bit more sane, perhaps a bit more predictable. The lines between right and wrong seemed clearer. The debate between this ideology and that ideology seemed more civil. The respect for most people by most people seemed greater. Feels like some of the restraints of a bygone era–whether true morality, a sense of generally accepted propriety, or just accepted political correctness–have been cast off, and life is being lived larger, louder, and with less-and-less regard for others. Like I said, seems out of control at times.

I’ve been reading in Isaiah the last couple of days and already the themes of rebellious sin, divine judgment, and yet, future promise, are coming through loud and clear. And I wonder if the latter days in Judah, when people had grown accustomed to doing what was right in their own eyes, weren’t somewhat similar to our current day.

They had so mastered sin that they hauled it about like a cart with ropes, “cords of falsehood.” They called “evil good and good evil”; darkness for them was light and light was being called darkness; that which once was considered sweet was now deemed bitter, and bitter was now called sweet. They had grown accustomed to living life in an intoxicated manner such that the guilty got off easily with a bribe and the innocent were deprived of what they deserved. And all this, ultimately, because they had “rejected the law of the LORD of host,” and had “despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 5:18-24). Out of control!

And true to the prophet’s call, Isaiah warns them of the “anger of the LORD” being kindled against His people (5:25). That though they did not “regard the deeds of the LORD or see the work of His hands” (5:12); though He was out of sight and out of mind; through He seemed a non-factor in the affairs of men; that the LORD of hosts would be “exalted in justice,” and the Holy God would show Himself “holy in righteousness” (5:16).

And here are the prophet’s words I’m chewing on this morning:

He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!

(Isaiah 5:26 ESV)

When the time came for God to judge Israel, when it was time to say, “Enough is enough,” and send them away for an extended timeout, when God was ready to raise up the surrounding nations to discipline His chosen people, He would simply whistle and the nations would fall in line with zero resistance. Didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing, when God raised the banner they would fall in line according to His purpose.

A reminder this morning of the sovereign power of our God. That in a world seemingly out of control, He is always fully in charge. That His will and purposes are just a whistle away.

A reminder there is no chaos that God cannot bring into order. No rebellion that He cannot curtail. No destruction that He cannot restore. And all with simply a whistle.

A reminder our God is patient, not willing that any should perish, so He waits (2Peter 3:9). He is kind, and is working behind the scenes to lead men and women to repentance (Romans 2:4).

But make no mistake, He is not absent. He is not disengaged. In fact, He commands all things–all people, all leaders, all nations–and will fulfill His divine purposes, according to His divine timing, all for His divine glory. And it’s just a whistle away.

I can count on that. I can rest in that.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

That Age

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Pete

Since the day Jesus arrived back in Jerusalem, riding on a colt and receiving the praise of the crowd (Lk.19:28-40), He taught daily in the temple (19:47). And like any good teacher, He provided opportunity for Q&A. But those who took advantage of the air time from the crowds, instead of being honest and open seekers, were corrupt and self-serving subverters. In hopes of tripping Him up with His own answers, they peppered Him with their own crafty questions.

They questioned Him concerning the source of His authority–though they weren’t really interested in dealing honestly with His answer (Lk. 20:1-8). And they questioned His allegiance to Caesar, hoping that, perhaps, He’d say something that would, if not turning the crowd against Him, might provoke Rome against Him (20:19-26). And then, hoping to at least discredit Him as a Teacher of Moses, those who denied the resurrection questioned Him on His theology (20:27-33). And this they did with what they thought was a brilliant riddle sure to poke holes in the idea of a bodily resurrection.

According to Moses, they said, imagine a scenario where each of seven brothers ends up legally marrying the same woman, and then dying, over the course of her lifetime. And so, they asked, “In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” (20:33).

(To be honest, I might be asking a different set of questions. Like, “Is there something seriously wrong with this lady’s food-safe skills?” Or, “Were each of these dudes carrying a pretty hefty life insurance policy?” But I digress).

And it’s something in Jesus’ answer that has me thinking this morning.

And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

(Luke 20:34-36 ESV)

This age vs. that age. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The confusion of these riddle-makers was that they lived in the here and now with no regard for the there and then. They refused to recognize, or maybe just failed to remember, that there was more to life than just one’s “threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength fourscore years” here on earth(Ps. 90:10 KJV). That the implications of an eternal God who is the God of the living (20:39) is that there will be those who live eternally. That while this age is temporary, that age is not. And that what governs and is valued in that age is likely very different than the dynamics of this age.

And I’m thinking that those of us who have been “considered worthy to attain to that age”–not through any works or merit of our own, but through the finished work of the spotless Lamb of God on the cross and His worthiness credited to our account–would do well to ask ourselves, “Are we living for that age or are we overly caught up in the confusing riddles of this age?”

For example, as has recently been pointed out to me through a number of sources, in the church we may have so over-emphasized the marriage relationship that we’ve forgotten that the enduring, eternal relationship will not be that of man and wife in wedlock, but of brother and sister in Christ. That while romance may be glamorized in this age, it will be the family relationship–those bound together through adoption as sons and daughters of God–which will forever glorify God in that age (Eph. 1:5-6).

To be sure, we are children of the day. But we must never forget that we will soon be children of the resurrection. That while there are many good things to be enjoyed in this age, they should not distract from, or cloud the glorious things of that age.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tenth Fruit of the Spirit?

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Pete

It’s been a good week working through Titus as part of my morning readings. And in a letter that is so concerned with teaching, and defending, sound doctrine, what has been clear is that, in a sense, sound doctrine is not the ends but the means. The goal is not just to cross our theological i’s and dot our systematic t’s, but that high and holy teaching would manifest itself in boots-on-the-ground, godly–and goodly–living.

And so, Paul wraps up this letter, which began by emphasizing the need to present and protect the faith, with an equal, or perhaps greater, emphasis on the need for all believers to practically live out the faith.

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

(Titus 3:14 ESV)

Devoted to good works–it’s something that is learned. Focused on helping others–it’s a practice to be practiced, a habit to be formed.

But what grabs my attention, in particular, is that learning to help others in need is a remedy for unfruitfulness. Thus, Paul says it’s fruit.

So, could you go so far as to say that being devoted to good works might also be considered the tenth fruit of the Spirit? That when the Spirit illuminates truth to us (Jn. 16:13); when He reveals the deep things of God (1Cor. 2:9-10); when He conveys the mind of Christ to our minds (1Cor. 2:16b)–transforming us through our mind’s renewal (Rom. 12:2)–that in addition to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22), that He also works in us a devotion, a desire, a heightened attention towards good works?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

I can’t help but hear James say, “Amen!” to Paul’s exhortation to Titus and to our people.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

(James 2:15-18 (ESV)

Eager to maintain good works. It’s evidence of faith, James says. It’s a remedy for a barren Christian life, Paul says. It might be thought of as the tenth fruit of the Spirit, I says.

To be sure, we have learned that we cannot rely on our good works FOR our salvation. But we also need to learn to devote ourselves to good works that come FROM our salvation.

We are saved by faith. But we are also saved for fruit. And being devoted to good works is fruit.

And, with such Spirit led, Spirit enabled, Spirit produced fruit, we will adorn, and trim with honor, the sound doctrine of God our Savior (Tit. 3:10b).

By His grace. For His glory.

Yeah, it’s been a good week.

Posted in Titus | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Good News. Good Works.

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Pete

Paul left Titus in Crete so that Titus “might put what remained into order” (Tit. 1:5a).

Paul had proclaimed the gospel in town after town. And in every place where people believed, the lost sheep who were found came together as local flocks who were gathered. Thus, what remained was the need for shepherds. And so, Titus was to “appoint elders in every town” (1:5b).

These “overseers” were to act as “God’s stewards” (1:7). They were to manage the household of God. And, it would seem, a big part of caring for the flock involved holding firm “to the trustworthy word”, giving instruction “in sound doctrine”, and standing strongly against those who would contradict it (1:9).

But, with each reading this week in Titus, it hits me, again and again, that the goal of teaching sound doctrine goes so far beyond just imparting knowledge. Sound doctrine is about impacting behavior. Right teaching begets right living. Where there is good news, there are good works.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

(Titus 3:4-8 ESV)

If you just skimmed that, can I encourage you to go back and read it again slowly and carefully?

What a concise, theologically packed, summary of the gospel!

You have the incarnation, God in flesh, as God our Savior appeared. You have the love of God as He saves according to His mercy and not our best efforts. You have the dynamics of redemption in regeneration and renewal, and that through the active agency of the Triune God as the Father pours out the Spirit through the Son. The Son who is Jesus Christ our Savior — the One who gave Himself as the once for all atoning sacrifice for all sin. Thus we are justified, and that by grace alone. What’s more, we have been adopted as sons and daughters of Almighty God, thus becoming heirs. Heirs according to hope, the promise of eternal life.

Preach it!

What’s more, Paul says, “Insist on it!” Affirm it strongly. Assert it confidently. Articulate it frequently.

How come?

So that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

The gospel is for good works. When we really get the good news it is apparent through good deeds. It’s a cause-and-effect sort of thing.

That’s why Paul was so set on caring for the flock. That they might be fed the word. That it might bear the fruit of devotion to good works. That it might adorn sound doctrine (2:10). That it might make known our beautiful Savior.

Get the gospel, and you’ll want to give your lives. Internalize the good news, and you’ll want to externalize the good God who resides in you through His Spirit. Pursue sound doctrine and you’ll reflect the living Savior.

Not something we make happen. Something that happens to us, and in us, and through us, as we give ourselves fully to the gospel because the gospel has been given fully to us.

Good news. Good works.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Titus | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment