Training Grace

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Pete

Not unusual, in my circles, to talk of saving grace–the unmerited favor of God which leads men and women to repentance of sin, and deliverance from sin’s bondage, by faith in the atoning work of the Son of God through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Saving grace is wondrous grace. Saving grace is amazing grace (that saved a wretch like me).

But what of training grace? Not sure I’ve ever heard that term before. Sounds too works oriented. But it’s what I’m chewing on as I read in Titus this morning.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things . . .

(Titus 2:11-15a ESV)

Seems to me that, if we looked with a certain filter in mind, we’d find that God has a mission statement. That our God is a God who works in accordance with pre-defined objectives and purposeful intentions. To be sure, it would be a multi-faceted mission statement, ’cause that’s just how our God is–a God of manifold wisdom (Eph. 3:10).

Just off the top of my head, God’s mission would entail making Himself known and bringing Himself glory. It would involve so loving the world. And, to be sure, seeking and saving the lost. And from Titus, this morning, it would also include:

To purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

Saving souls, not so they would just sit on a shelf as inert trophies of grace, but that they would be eager and enthusiastic to get in the game as vessels in the Master’s hand. Zealous for good works. Totally committed to doing good deeds (NLT). And this, not for personal gain or recognition, but according to God’s mission and for His glory.

And in order to fulfill this facet of Divine mission, the grace of God appeared. And it brought salvation. But this same grace also trains us. It instructs us towards the goal of personal purity, and Divine possession, and zealous intention. Saving grace becomes training grace to achieve the goals of grace.

And so, the grace that rescued me also teaches me.  It teaches me to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. The unmerited favor that gave me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart of flesh to believe, directs those toward things above so that I might release my grip on things below — the longings of the flesh and the desires for this world.

Grace is my instructor.  Teaching me, pointing me, and yes, way too often correcting me, towards living in this present age with self-control, uprightness, and godliness. Educating me on how to walk in a manner worthy of my calling. Instructing me as to how to bring every thought and every action into submission to His leading through the Spirit. Disciplining me as I learn how to put off the flesh and put on Christ.

And all in accord with His purpose:

. . . to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

I don’t need to do good works for my salvation. I can’t. No merit in this man. But, according to God’s mission, my salvation will result in a burning desire for good works–“good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

So, to that end, saving grace will manifest as training grace. Abundant grace will be abounding grace. Unmerited favor will result in unrestrainable fervor. Real grace will make a real difference.

And to God will be the glory alone.

All because of grace alone . . . saving, training grace.

Amen?

Posted in Titus | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

To Be or Not To Believe?

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Pete

You can’t have one without the other. Professing to know God without living for God are mutually exclusive (Tit. 1:16). To really believe is to be mindful of how you actually behave. No sense claiming to embrace a systematic theology if there’s no evidence that it is having a sanctifying influence. Teaching sound doctrine needs to be accompanied by training in sound living.

That’s the big idea I’m chewing on as I hover over the first ten verses of Paul’s letter to Titus, this morning.

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be . . . Older women likewise are to be . . . train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be . . . Likewise, urge the younger men to be . . . Show yourself in all respects to be . . . . Bondservants are to be . . . so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

(Titus 2:1-10 ESV)

To be or not to believe? That seems to be the question.

Beyond teaching sound doctrine, Titus is told to spell out what accords with sound doctrine. That which is becoming, or comely, of healthy teaching. And if there’s any doubt as to what accords, the following verses make it exceedingly clear–it’s what we are to be. What is becoming of sound doctrine is sanctified behavior.

Spell it out. Make it clear. Connect the dots. Paint the picture. Regardless of whether your talking to older men or younger men; older women or younger women; bondservants or free; teach them what living as children of light should look like. After you’ve revealed the mind of God, don’t neglect to show them the way of God. Once you’ve helped them to plumb the depths of God’s revealed mysteries, don’t forget to connect it to what it means for the daily reality of living in line with God’s revealed purposes. As the New Living Translation puts it, “promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.”

Because what’s at stake is the glory of God. God’s people are to live right so that “the word of God may not be reviled” (2:5b).

What’s more, in all that they do, their actions in daily life should adorn the doctrine of God. God has delivered His word. He desires His people to dress it up. He provides the main meal, but He asks us to provide the trimmings. He is the great I AM.  We are the garnish that says, “Amen!”

You can’t have one without the other. Our best behavior apart from right belief is but filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). But our systematic theology, or our statement of faith, if not accompanied by a demonstration of its power to transform our lives, is but testimony to a false reality. Claimed beliefs without consistent behavior is counter-testimony concerning God our Savior.

Not that it’s all on us. He transforms–through the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). He conforms–according to the likeness of His Son (Rom. 8:29). But it doesn’t happen without teaching that accords with sound doctrine.  Nor apart from students who submit to that teaching so that they might adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

And that, by His grace. And that, for His glory.

Posted in Titus | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Right Love. Wrong Object.

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Pete

When I read in the morning I always have my computer on and my online Bible program up on the screen. I can quickly do any cross-reference work that might be helpful to answer some question that comes to mind and, quite often, I’ll use it to look up the original meaning of words that grab my attention. I’m no Greek or Hebrew scholar, can’t fully appreciate the nuances of the original languages, but often it is helpful, and sometimes quite revealing, to discover something of the meaning behind the meaning of what I read.

Case in point? Something that caught my eye this morning.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

(2Timothy 4:8-10a ESV)

Paul’s wrapping it up–his letter to Timothy, his ministry to the Gentiles, his life on earth. He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith (4:7). And all this as the Lord has faithfully stood by him and enabled him (4:17).

And he anticipates a reward, a crown of righteousness, when he enters the kingdom. Not for his own glory, but for his Master’s. For it’s not due to his own righteousness but through the righteousness credited to his account by the eternal Righteous One.

But what caught my eye this morning is a contrast. Two loves. One which loves His appearing and one which loves this present world.

Now, I’m familiar with the fact that there are a few different Greek words which can be translated as love in the English. From affectionate love to brotherly love to erotic love to the often spoken of agape, or unconditional and sacrificial love. And so, as I encountered these two loves in my reading, I wondered to myself, “Self, what type of loves are we talking about here?” Would these two very different objects of the love, the future kingdom and this present world, command different types of love? Time to go to my Bible program.

To my surprise, in both cases the love with which these opposites are loved is the same love. Agape love.

Demas loved this present world with, in a sense, the highest type of love. Unconditional. Self-sacrificing. So delighting in a thing that he would give everything for that thing. Demas exercised the right love, but for the wrong object.

For we’re not talking about loving the world as God so loved the world (Jn 3:16). God so loved the inhabitants of the world, those who possess soul and spirit, bearing the image of God, created for eternity. Thus, He gave His only Son for the world. But Demas loved this present world. The world of this age. The world at this time. The temporal attractions. The mortal measures. The passing pleasures. And loved it with a love that spent himself on it. That gave himself fully to it. That esteemed it above even his own soul.

Right love. Wrong object.

She’s a siren, this present world. She seductively calls to those who have been wired after their Creator to love with the highest love on that which is of greatest worth and says, “Come love on me and I will show you pleasure.” But, in fact, she invites sojourners to die on her temporal paths through her deceptive song. To waste love. To agape for that which, ultimately, can’t satisfy (Isa. 55:1-2).

How tragic is a Demas. Having seen the light, known the way, tasted of the Lord’s goodness, to desert the things of God to agape this present world.

O that God would keep us near to our first Love. That we would love His appearing. That we would long for His coming. That we would live for His pleasure.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in 2Timothy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wise for Salvation

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Pete

It’s a formula. May not look like it at first glance, but it is. We might not like to think that formulas should have a part in the Christian life, but sometimes they do. And, as Paul get’s ready to finish the good fight and leave the battlefield; as he prepares to receive the prize having finished the race, he reminds his son in the faith, Timothy, of the sufficiency of the Scriptures. And, of the formula.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

(2Timothy 3:14-17 ESV)

Chewing on 2Timothy 3:15 this morning.

It’s one of those “shadow verses.” Maybe not lesser known, necessarily, but probably lesser noticed, frequently, as it lies in the shade of 2Timothy 3:16, that mega-verse which declares “All Scripture is God breathed . . . ”

And what caught me is the formula. Do you see it?

The Sacred Writings + Faith in Christ Jesus = Wise for Salvation

Literally, at the time Paul wrote this, the sacred writings, or as other translations render it, the holy Scriptures, refer to what we now call the Old Testament. Take those God-breathed writings, Paul says, add faith in Christ Jesus, and you have the understanding of God’s plan of salvation.

Jesus, having been foretold and foreshadowed in the writings of Moses and the Prophets (Lk. 24:27), is the key to unlocking the door. He is the filter through which the mystery of God’s redemptive plan is manifest. Take the Scriptures, apply faith in Christ Jesus, and, through the illuminating agency of the Holy Spirit, you have wisdom concerning salvation.

To be sure, Paul, in referring to the role the Scriptures played in Timothy’s childhood, was referring specifically to making wise as to the attainment of salvation. But, given that salvation is not a once-and-done life event–for, not only were we saved in the past from sin’s penalty, but we are being saved in the present from sin’s power and, will be saved at some future day from sin’s presence–the sacred writings, through faith in Christ, are able to make us wise also for the working out of our salvation (Php. 2:12-13). Thus they are “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

So, to be “wise unto salvation” (KJV)–our salvation past, our salvation present, and our salvation to come–we still need to be acquainted with the sacred writings–and ALL the sacred writings, both Old and New Testament–and anchor them to what we believe concerning the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

If we don’t do that regularly, if we neglect to do it frequently, then, I fear, we just become dumb unto salvation. (I guess “unwise unto salvation” would be the nicer way to phrase it).

Without intentionally feeding on the Word of God, without really believing what we say we believe about the Son of God, we’re going to sub-optimize the gift that is ours through redemption. The abundant life Jesus came to give (Jn. 10:10) will be, at best, the so-so life. The paths He has promised to direct (Prov. 3:5-6) won’t be found. The power that He has said would be available won’t be present (Matt. 22:29). The peace that He has promised (Php. 4:7) won’t be realized.

It’s not rocket science. But, it is looking to me like a formula.

The Sacred Writings + Faith in Christ Jesus = Wise for Salvation

O Father, help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). Give us a taste that we might see the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). Feed us through Your Word. Fuel our faith in Your Son through Your Spirit. And make us wise for salvation.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

Posted in 2Timothy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Not You, It’s Us

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Pete

Hovering over Nehemiah 9 this morning.

For over three weeks the people who built the wall have been listening to the Word. What began on the first day of the seventh month with standing before Ezra as he read from the Book of the Law (8:1-3), on the twenty-fourth day manifested itself in standing before God and confessing their sins (9:1-2). Beholding oneself in the word of God has a way of doing that to a person.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

(Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV)

And give an account they did.

As they confess their sin and worship their God they tell themselves again the old, old story. The story of a God who created heaven and earth. The story of the God who chose Abraham and made him, and those who would come from him, children of promise. A national biography of deliverance from Egypt, of dividing a great sea, and of dependence on extra-terrestrial provision while working their way through the wilderness.

A tale of being gifted a land of promise. Of taking possession of “houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance” (9:25). Of being blessed beyond what they could have imagined. Blessed in their calling. Blessed in their deliverance. Blessed in their wanderings. Blessed in their land of promise.

And yet, they confess with fasting and in sackcloth (9:1-2), “our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey Your commandments” (9:16). Though they had freely received, they rebelled. Despite being given the tablets, they cast the Law behind their backs. Though God’s face had shone on them, they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck. They received the gifts but they spurned the Giver. And eventually, it cost them the land.

Though the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, though there was cause for great rejoicing, the very labor itself was a reminder that they had been in exile and that Jerusalem had been razed. That the glory had departed. That for all that they had accomplished in their return, it was but a shadow of what once was when they had received it.

And here, for me, is the summation of the matter:

“Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, . . . You have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for You have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.”

(Nehemiah 9:32-33 ESV)

Despite all the hardship, despite the sweat and toil, when all was said and done . . . done and said . . . God had been righteous, He had dealt with them faithfully.

It’s not You, they would acknowledge, it’s us.

No blame to be deflected to the Almighty. Because He is righteous. No second guessing the why of what has happened. For He is faithful.

God’s righteous character the grid through which we view our story. God’s faithful promise the anchor for our tale.

They had messed up . . . repeatedly! And He had shown mercy . . . . abundantly!

They had gone astray, again and again. He had been gracious, again and again and again . . . and yet again!

Reminded this morning that our God is a righteous God. That our God is a faithful God.

“Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.”

(Nehemiah 9:5b ESV)

Because of His amazing grace. For His eternal glory.

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

Going and Coming

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Pete

For all they knew, it could have been a fool’s errand. They had come to the merciful Master for healing and now He tells them to go to the hard-hearted clerics for inspection. No touch of His hand. No declaration from His lips, “Be clean!” No change in the condition of their skin. Just His instruction to these ten lepers, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”

But go they did. Unsure of what they would show the priests. With no indicator, other than the implication of the Master’s command, that they would have something other than their defiled, diseased skin to display to those versed in judging uncleanness. How many went with any level of conviction of faith, and how many fell in line because everyone else was doing it, we don’t know. But here’s what we do know:

And as they went they were cleansed.

(Luke 17:14b ESV)

That’s what caught my attention this morning. It’s “while they were going” (CSB) that they were made new. “While they were still on their way” (MSG) that healing came. That “it came to pass, in their going,” (YLT) that they encountered a life-changing dynamic.

These ten lepers were healed in the act of obedience. Something about, “He said it, so I’ll do it,” that released the power of heaven on earth. Something about going without fully knowing that ended up changing their lives forever.

And in my own cleansing process, in my own sanctification, how much of it comes about as a result of my going? What miracles occur when I venture out while still uncertain of how I might be received? What power is unleashed when, having not yet seen the full fruit of His transforming work, I faithfully present myself as a follower of Christ just because He told me too?

That’s what I’m chewing on. How much of our healing happens just because we do what Jesus tells us to do? Whether we feel the touch of His hand, or not? Whether we’ve seen the change in our lives that we think we should see, or not? How much of becoming what Jesus redeemed us to become is a result of being what Jesus has asked us to be? Regardless of whether we think we’re ready or not. Despite the fear that we might be on a fool’s errand.

But you can’t read of the going of the ten without also chewing a bit on the coming back of the one.

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. . . . And [Jesus] said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

(Luke 17:15-16, 19 ESV)

The nine went and experienced the outwardly transforming power of God. But one, a Samaritan leper–considered unclean not only on the outside but on the inside as well–returned and also experienced the inwardly transforming praise of God.

“Your faith has made you well.”

Nine met the Master, only one marveled. Nine went, but only one worshiped.

And the healing for that one was far beyond just being skin deep. It penetrated to soul and spirit. Not only was he now fit to stand before a mere priest among men, but the depth of his cleansing qualified him to enter the presence of God Himself.  The Father delighting in this adopted son’s praise.  Watching intently as His only begotten Son was exalted through this blood-bought servant’s worship.

What work of God occurs in us through our going and though our coming?

What work of the Spirit is accomplished through our testing and our thanksgiving? Through our obedience and our worship?

More than we realize, I’m guessing.

But all by His grace. And only for His glory.

Amen?

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Do Not Be Afraid . . . Remember the Lord . . . and Fight!

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Pete

Earlier this week, I was talking to a young friend you has been going through a crisis of faith over the last few years and is kind of wound tight now as she quickly approaches a season of change and instability. “I’m kind of really scared,” she confided. Assured her I had her back and, not to get all religious on her, that I believed God did to. I then shared with her what’s become my life verse since 2003:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Her response was insightful: “I don’t know, it’s hard to just let go and let God.”

Hmmm. Is that what trusting in the LORD with all your heart is? Letting go and letting God? Wouldn’t seem so from my reading in Nehemiah this morning.

The wall around Jerusalem is being re-built. The people of God are encouraged as they do the work of God. And where that happens, opposition is inevitable.

What had started merely as mocking and jeering (2:19, 4:1-3) by those who were “displeased . . . greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel” (2:10), turned to the threat of overt physical confrontation as the enemies of Israel “plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it” (4:8).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . .

And so the people prayed.

But they didn’t stop there.

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

(Nehemiah 4:9 ESV)

They prayed, and they also set up a guard. The sought the Lord, and they secured the city. The believed God would prosper the work, and they prepared for war. They had faith, and they were ready to fight.

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

(Nehemiah 4:14 ESV)

Do not be afraid . . . Remember the Lord . . . and fight! Very different than, “Let go and let God.”

Reminded this morning that, in the fray, while we must look to the Lord, He would also have us put on the armor and prepare to do battle (Eph. 6:11-13).

Nehemiah prayed and he set a guard. Half the people worked with the stones, and half carried the spear. Those who brought materials to the wall were loaded up so that they could carry rocks in one hand and their weapon in the other. Those who built the walls did so with their sword strapped to their side. The trumpet was ready to be blown to rally the workers to the wherever a battle might break out, but they also trusted that “our God will fight for us” (4:16-20).

We are to fight the good fight (1Tim. 6:12). In the difficulties of life, in the seasons of suffering, we are to engage as good soldiers of Christ (2Tim. 2:3-4). We do our part. Even as we acknowledge Him in all our ways.

Not that God needs us to win the battle. But He allows us to be on the front lines, while He supports us with air cover, so that we might learn to trust in Him. So that we might have opportunity to see Him fight for us. So that, when we’ve done all that we can do, we might know we are more than conquerors only because of the One who loves for us (Rom. 8:37-39).

Do not be afraid. Remember the Lord. And fight.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Nehemiah | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Getting a Grip on Age Enduring Life

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Pete

I wonder how often we’re prone to think of eternal life as a future “to do.” That it’s something that starts after death. That it’s something we’ll have to wait to experience. Something we’ll figure out how to do later. But if I’m picking up what Paul’s laying down this morning, I’m reminded that there’s actually a lot we can do here and now to not only prepare for, but to also enjoy now, the there and then.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

(1Timothy 6:17-19 ESV)

As has so often been pointed out, for most of us living in this land, and particularly in this region, we would have to be considered “the rich in this present age.” Thus, this exhortation if for us.

And so, to me, Paul says, don’t be boasting about your riches and, don’t be betting your future on them, either. Instead, enjoy them. And know, in abundance, that aspect of joy that comes from giving away those riches.

Leverage your money to do good, says Paul. Be generous. Be ready to share the wealth . . . literally! Look for the opportunities to convert your material riches into good works riches. Because when you do, your taking the transient material goods of this age and storing up treasure for yourself for a future age.

What’s more–and here’s the thing that’s grabbed me this morning–in the act of doing that conversion, by being generous and willing to share now, you’re actually taking hold of that which is “truly life.”

That original word translated “truly life” in the ESV and NIV is translated a number of different ways in the other versions of the Bible. Life indeed (NASB). Life that is real (CSB). Eternal life (NKJV). But Young’s Literal Translation really hits home for me, “life age-enduring.”

Using our wealth, whatever it is, to invest in good works, to liberally give to, and readily share with others, is to seize upon life that is age enduring. To freely give what has been freely received is to experience a bit of heaven on earth. It’s to practice up for a future eternity as we lay “a good foundation” in our current reality.

Those of us who have been graced abundantly upon this earth can know an unearthly dynamic that comes from gracing others. And that’s truly life.

God so loved the world that He gave (Jn. 3:16). How much then can we enter into the experience of mirroring Him as His image bearers when we too give? Freely give. Generously give. Ready, willing, and through His abundant provision, able to give.

Take hold of true life, Paul says, the life that is age enduring.

And do it now! Get a two-fisted grip on it. Look for opportunities to convert the cash in your bank account into care for others, and then you’ll start to know what living for eternity feels like.

O’ that I would truly believe it! O’ that I might actually act upon it! O’ that I would practically experience it!

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in 1Timothy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Shrewd

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Pete

To start with, he was a lousy manager. Lost track of inventory; couldn’t keep the books; really had very little idea of where the stuff was that he was paid to steward. No wonder he lost his job.

But, he was also too old for hard, physical labor. What’s more, he had a bit of an ego issue–the idea of having to humble himself and seek public assistance for his daily bread sent a shiver down his spine.

And, to top it all off, his moral compass had no true north on it. Having already wasted his master’s possessions through carelessness, with the time he had left in his job he used his master’s business to win over friends and allies through craftiness. He held a private fire sale for a number of his master’s debtors by reducing what they owed by as much as 20 to 50 percent in the hopes of calling in the favor when the time came for him to need a favor in return.

And yet, this is the guy that Jesus points to in His story and says to His disciples, “Hey! Consider him! Be more like him!”

Honestly, you read this parable and it’s a bid of a head-scratcher. The guy’s a crook. An incompetent, proud, crook. And yet the boss in the story, who paid the price for his employee’s incompetence and his crookedness, “commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness” (16:8a). So, what’s the point of Jesus’s story?

“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

(Luke 16:8b-9 ESV)

Be shrewd. That’s the point.

Jesus wasn’t commending the dishonest manager’s dishonesty. Instead, the story was designed to encourage his followers to be wise. To be prudent. To be thoughtful. To act with intentionality. Mindful of one’s own interests. Planning for the future. In short, to be shrewd.

While he may have only been a so-so steward, the anti-hero of the story aced it when it came to street smarts. He knew that if he used whatever means was at hand (even if it wasn’t his own) to scratch someone else’s back now, he’d have a good shot at someone scratching his back later. He connected the dots between actions now and reward later. So, Jesus holds him up as an example of someone who knew how things worked. Though he was but a “son of this world”, he knew how his world operated. He knew how to plan and invest for his future, even if he had but a limited, temporal, ego-centric view of what that future could be.

Sons of light, says Jesus, would do well to aspire towards modeling the shrewdness of the sons of this world. Not by emulating the dishonest ways of this world, but that they’d benefit from understanding the dynamics of their world, and how the kingdom of light operates.

That the way of the kingdom is to wisely invest now in that which will bring eternal returns later. That sanctified prudence comes from connecting the dots between the opportunity they have on earth to steward temporal treasures, time, and talent in order to store up wealth in heaven which will result in everlasting returns. Understanding why we should wisely, intentionally, purposefully invest now in that which will be used to save sinners and serve saints. Using that which so often corrupts in this world to win that which is incorruptible in the next.

Be shrewd. Know how the kingdom works. Play the long game.

And this too, by His grace, and for His glory.

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

The Best Robe

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Pete

His was a riches to rags story. Having demanded his inheritance early, he blew through his inheritance quickly. Not with investing it for future profit, but instead wasting it on foolhardy pleasures. Soon, rather than living high on the hog as he thought he could, he had to move in with the hogs–something he never imagined he would.

So, I’m guessing that on that day when, in humiliation, he walked back onto the family homestead, there may have been a certain air about him. I’m thinking that feeding pigs–maybe even eating with pigs, will, after awhile, rub off on you . . . literally! That eventually, the longer you serve the sty and live in the sty, the more likely you are to smell like the sty.

What’s more, I’m guessing he wasn’t much to look at. No community YMCA for him to take a shower in before he came home. No Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift shops to find some decent clothing to replace the rags he had grown accustomed to wearing. Not much he could do to clean himself up, or cover himself up. Instead, he returned to his father “just as I am.”

And in that condition:

. . . his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. . . . the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.”

(Luke 15:20, 22-23 ESV)

The father would have been justified to stand there and watch as his son crawled toward him on his knees. Instead, the father ran to him.

He could have crossed his arms, leaned back, and determined to wait and see if this apparent show of repentance was real or not. Instead, the father chose to throw his arms around the neck of the prodigal and kiss him.

And then, after receiving back the delinquent, the first thing the father did was something no one expected him to do.  He clothed him.

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him.”

The first thing the father did was dress his wayward child in the finest garment found in the house. The item in the father’s closet worn by kings, priests, and people of the highest rank. It replaced the rags. It covered the stench. And it commanded the celebration.

After clothing his son in the garment, what followed just made sense. The ring placed on his hand, the family signet of wealth and dignity. The shoes put on his feet, evidence of the freedom that is due sonship, for only slaves went barefoot. And a feast and celebration second to none! Because that’s what putting on your Sunday Best is for.

It all began with the father’s determination to clothe his returning child with the best robe. Not because the son deserved it, but because the father delighted in it.

And isn’t that also the story of this prodigal? Clothed in the best robe?

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

(Isaiah 61:10 ESV)

When by faith I first came to Him reeking of sin’s stench and wearing the filthy rags of my own “righteous deeds” (Isa. 64:6), after receiving me with compassion, open arms, and heaven’s kiss, the Father clothed me in the best robe, the robe of righteousness. Not my own righteousness, but His Son’s.

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

(Romans 8:3-4 ESV)

For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

(2Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

In Christ we are clothed with the robe of righteousness. His righteousness. The righteousness of God.

And every time I go rogue, as often as I find myself slipping and tripping my way into prodigal propensities, when I come to my senses and return to my Father, without fail He sees still the robe He put on me. He sees me clothed in Christ, His beloved Son. He sees me washed forever in the blood of the Lamb. The stench is gone. The rags replaced. Behold, all things are still new (2Cor. 5:17), and new eternally.

The best robe was the first thing. It is the preeminent thing. The blessing from which all other blessings flow. The undeserved favor upon which all other undeserved favors are given.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness . . .

By His grace alone. For His glory alone.

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , | Leave a comment