Qualified

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Pete

I may not be perfect, but I am sufficient. Might have a long way to go, but I have all the power I need. The bar might be set pretty high, but I’ve already cleared it. The inheritance might be only for those who are holy, but I know I have a part in it. Gotta problem with that? Take it up with the One who declares me, “Qualified!”

. . . giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

(Colossians 1:12-14 ESV)

Qualified. That’s the one word I’m chewing on this morning. A full meal deal in itself.

Reading Paul’s prayer list for the saints at Colossae (Col. 1:9-12a). Here’s what he asks for them :

  • That they’d have the spiritual wisdom and understanding to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
  • That they’d walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
  • That they’d be fully pleasing to Him
  • That they’d bear fruit
  • That they’d increase in knowledge
  • That they’d be strengthened with the power that only comes from the glorious might of God Himself
  • That they’d be marked by endurance, patience, joy, and thanksgiving

Quite the list. High, holy, and lofty ambition for these sinners saved by grace.

But what grabs me this morning is that this isn’t some sort of pre-req list in order to be qualified. Not stuff they have to do to have a part in the inheritance. Not a test to determine if they’re truly worthy. But this is what they get to pursue because they have already been qualified. Because they already have a share in the inheritance. Because they’ve already been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light. Because they have known the forgiveness of sins. Because they have been made righteous with Christ’s righteousness. Because they have been redeemed.

The list is the race. The list is life and life to the full.

Like I said, not something they have to do, but what they get to do because they are qualified through the finished work of Christ to participate in the divine life.

Sufficient through Christ’s once for all sacrifice. Enabled by grace. All the resources needed having been freely granted in the living Lord through His residing Spirit.

Not because we’ve met some standard, but because He has. Not because we are sufficient, but because He is. Not because we deserve a part in the inheritance, but only because He has determined it.

Call me qualified.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Glad for the House of God

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Pete

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” pens the songwriter in Psalm 122. As he stood within Jerusalem’s gates he was overwhelmed and compelled to pray, and to ask others to pray, for the security and prosperity of the blessed place on a hill. He would desire that the city would know shalom. He would seek the city’s good.

And not because of its location. Not because of its architecture. Only to a lesser extent because it was the seat of government, the place were “the thrones of judgment were set.” But because of what was present within the walls of the favored city of Jerusalem.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

(Psalm 122:1-2 ESV)

Jerusalem was holy ground because within it was the house of God. A special place because of a special presence.

And I have a bit of that sense this morning as I wrap up a week of hanging out with some special people.

The place is Cedar Canyon Camp and Retreat center just outside of Rapid City, South Dakota. It’s been a special place. It’s been a peaceful place. It’s been a holy place because on its red dirt has stood the house of God. Not great stones hand chiseled and fitted together to create towering walls, but living stones joined and knit together by the hand of God to create a living temple where He has dwelt through His Spirit.

Been hanging out with, and somewhat in a awe of, a bunch of Village Missions missionary pastors and their families this week. (Not that I’m one of them, just privileged to have a small part in serving them). Been hanging out with the family of God. Have been standing within the gates of Cedar Canyon Camp and have been, like the songwriter, glad to be with the house of the LORD.

Something revitalizing about being with God’s people, singing of God’s gospel, hearing from God’s word, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness, even as we talk about the realities and hardships of trying to do God’s calling. Something about being with the house of God within the gates of His grace that causes you to be refreshed as you remember His goodness. Cut off somewhat from the world and its day-to-day, being with the saints and continually focused on our salvation has a way of renewing our thirst for that day when we will be together again with the Savior.

Heading home today. Leaving this holy place.

And looking forward to being back with the saints in another place on Sunday. Another location where His peace dwells. Another place where His glory resides.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

Might we know the psalmist’s longing anticipation to hang out with the house of the LORD, His set apart yet imperfect people, this weekend. Might we be in a bit of awe as to the wonders of grace that takes sinners and makes them saints. That takes those who once had hearts of stone and makes them into a living temple for the Creator. That takes the ordinary, the works in progress, and makes them His holy habitation.

Let us be glad for the house of God.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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A Firm Foundation

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Pete

Reminded this morning that building a firm foundation doesn’t prevent a flood.

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”   ~ Jesus

(Luke 6:46-48 ESV)

In Jesus’ story about two guys who built houses, one on a firm foundation the other not so much, what’s in common is that they both got hammered. The “stream broke” against the house whose foundation was solid just as it had against the house without a foundation. Having a solid foundation didn’t prevent the disaster.  In fact, it was laid because the wise builder knew that in life tough things are gonna happen. At some point, the waters are going to rise, the river’s going to burst its banks, and a flood is going to test the nature of the foundation. Floods happen to everyone. Not a matter of if they will . . . but when they will.

The other thing I’m taking note of is what lays a deep foundation.

Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them . . . (v. 47)

It was the one who came to Jesus, listened to Jesus, and then obeyed Jesus whose house withstood the flood.

It’s the three-legged stool that keeps from tipping. A two-legged stool isn’t going to cut it. The flimsy foundation builder also came and heard, but he did not do (v. 49). That’s what set the two builders apart. They both came to Jesus. They both heard His words. But only one heeded Jesus and followed His way. And that made the difference in the flood.

Obedience made the difference. How come?

I don’t know that I often think of obedience as a foundation builder? We obey because we believe it’s the right the thing to do. We obey because we believe that disobedience results in consequences. We obey because we believe it pleases the Lord. We obey because we believe, at the end of the day, blessing comes from obedience. In short, we obey because we believe.

And I’m thinking that’s what drives the foundation deep. We believe what we hear and so we do. And so active faith becomes the firm foundation.

Faith is what takes the coming, and the hearing, and produces the doing. And so, while obedience is the X factor determining whether or not a firm foundation gets laid, faith IS that firm foundation. Because obedience is but the outcome of belief.

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 2:18 ESV)

Our salvation, in its entirety, is through faith. Not only were we saved by faith (Eph. 2;8), but we are still being saved–even when the streams break–by faith. And one day, we know that we will be saved by faith, when we’re forever taken from this land of weak river banks and overwhelming floods.

Come. Hear. Do. By faith.

And the foundation will be firm. The house will stand. And the floods will not shake it.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Reasonable People

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Pete

It’s one of those verses that gets overshadowed. Sandwiched in between the better known and often quoted “Rejoice in the Lord always”, and “Be anxious for nothing” commands, I can’t really recall hearing much about this lesser known command. But as I chew on it, I’m thinking it might just be the command we need to hear and obey today in our increasingly hostile “public square”–those areas in social life where the exchange of ideas occurs.

Social media has so expanded the public square. Many who never really had a voice in public thought or debate now have a ready made, hope to go viral, platform from which they can share, post, or tweet freely. But how helpful has it been? While we seem to be happy to be able to speak, we seem less willing to listen. In our zeal to get our position out there, we elevate our position by putting down other people. And in the church, as we fall into the world’s propensity towards becoming more tribal, truthing in love seems to be becoming less prevalent.

And that’s why I’m thinking we’d do well to hear and heed this overshadowed command in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.

(Philippians 4:5 ESV)

We are to be a reasonable people. The original word has the idea of being mild and gentle. It also, apparently, has a sense of being fair, and of being seeming and suitable. Of being appropriate and patient. Of being . . . well, reasonable.

The CSB says our “graciousness” should be known. Amen!

And here’s the kicker. Not just reasonable with those we agree with. Not just fair with those who line up on our side of the debate. Not just mild and gentle with those who would parrot what we speak. But our reasonableness, our graciousness, is to be known “to everyone.” Yup, everyone. All men. All women. Everybody. Those of like mind and those whose mind we maybe don’t like so much.

And how come? The Lord is at hand.

Suppose it could be taken in two ways. First, Jesus is at hand in the sense that He is present, He is near, and He is engaged in our ambassadorship for the kingdom. Or, I think it might also mean that His return is near, that His second coming is imminent, that we need to be living and working now in the expectation and anticipation that the days are short.

Either way, whatever the nature of the motivation, in between being commanded to rejoice in the Lord always, and being commanded to pray to the Lord about everything, I think we’d do well to heed the command to let our graciousness be known to everyone. The command to be a reasonable people.

What an opportunity in our increasingly hostile public square for the gospel to shine as we show respect for every person simply because they are a person–an image bearer of God. While prepared to give an answer for the hope within us, we’re also prepared to listen to others–not quarreling, but gently and respectfully explaining the way of righteousness in hope that the Lord would lead them into light. While ready to stand for truth, we do so with speech seasoned with grace. Letting our reasonableness be known. And that, to everyone.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Retaining by Advancing

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Pete

For Paul there was no standing still. If he wasn’t moving forward, then he knew he was going backward. If he put it in neutral he knew that was just reverse with an N on it. Coasting was to be in danger of crashing. Status quo’ing would result in soon quitting. Good enough was gonna get worse. Autopilot was just another term for atrophy. At least that’s how Paul seemed to think. And, it seems, how he thought we should think as well.

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

(Philippians 3:13b-16 ESV)

Holding true to what we’ve attained. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Living up to what we already know (CSB). Having gotten on the right track (MSG), staying in the right lane. Having made some progress (NLT), not letting it slip away. What we’ve attained, we need to retain.

At first it might sound like a hold your position sort of posture. But in the context, isn’t Paul saying that retaining is accomplished by advancing? That we hold true by straining forward? That we keep whatever ground we’ve taken by pressing on toward the goal? That’s what Paul seems to be thinkin’. And, he says, we should be thinkin’ it too.

Let those of us who are mature think this way.

Retaining by advancing is just smart thinking for those with spiritual understanding.

Makes sense that if you know you’re going to wake up every morning in enemy territory, then whatever spoils of victory you’ve accumulated to date are in danger of being taken back unless you engage afresh in the conflict. Every morning we awake we know the desires of the flesh in us are going to wage war against the Spirit of God in us (Gal. 5:16-17). Every day we venture out into the world we know there will be a battle for the mind. And to be sure, to walk another day down the pilgrim’s pathway is to be aware that there’s an adversary prowling around like a roaring lion “seeking someone to devour” (1Pet. 5:8).

And so we need to forget about what lies behind and strain forward to what lies a head. To press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call. We need to remember that, in order to hold on to what we’ve attained, we need to keep advancing.

Oh, that we’d be protected from a good enough, or far enough, or know enough, or have done enough attitude when it comes to seeking first the kingdom. That we wouldn’t rest on where we’ve been. Because to do so, is to end up where we never thought we’d go.

Pressing on isn’t complex. Keep engaging the living word. Keep conversing with the living God. Keep abiding in the living Savior. Keep in community with other living stones (1Pet. 2:5) joined together and growing into a holy temple (Eph. 2:21). Not complex, but requires intentional effort. Straining forward effort. Pressing on effort. God enabled effort.

No such thing as a neutral gear in the Christian life. It’s either put’ er in drive or we’ll end up going in reverse.

We hold on to what we have, by His grace, only as we seek to advance, for His glory.

Amen?

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A Heart & Soul Level

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Pete

To own a bible is a gift you can give yourself. But to have your bible own you, well, that’s a supernatural blessing that comes only through the goodness and grace of God.

Overwhelmed a bit this morning as I hover over the twenty-first stanza of the songwriter’s great love letter to the Word of God (119:161-168).

He rejoices over the Word as if he has found a great treasure (v.162). He can’t stop talking about his great discovery–of the greatness that has discovered him–as seven times a day he praises God’s righteous rules (v.164). God’s word giving him peace (v.165a), providing him with stability (v.165b), and sourcing his hope for rescue (v.166), even though powerful people harass him without cause (v.161).

But here’s what I’m really chewing on this morning . . . Beyond the cognitive interaction of the written word with the thinking brain through the seeing eye or the listening ear, the Word of God impacts the songwriter at a heart and soul level.

Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words.

My soul keeps Your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

(Psalm 119:161, 167 ESV)

Here’s my big idea: the living and active supernatural agency of the inspired Word of God will engage those who love the Word at their deepest level. It will regenerate sin-dulled senses. It will miraculously alter spiritual DNA. It will rewire instinctive propensities.

Evoking awe at the deepest levels of human awareness. Provoking obedience as an almost innate desire to stand for the Word, to guard the Word, and, by divine enabling, to follow the Word.

To be sure, the old nature, the flesh, continues to wage war against the desires of the redeemed heart and the seeking of the saved soul, but the war only exists with the flesh because of how the Word has so revitalized the heart and soul.

Like I said, we may start by determining to own and read a bible, but as we invest in it, eventually it will own and read us.

We might begin with the discipline to beat our bodies into subjection in order to sit down for a few minutes and engage the living Word, but, when the living Word engages us, that determined discipline gives way to undeniable desire. Thirst supplants tenacity.

Anticipation of fresh awe is what draws us to open the Book again. Our souls panting to drink once more of the living water of the Spirit as He interacts with our spirits to illuminate His living Word.

Desiring the Word, following the Word, at a heart and soul level. By God’s doing alone.

Less an acquired taste than a divine dynamic.

May start as a good habit, but transforms into innate desire.

Only by His grace.

Only for His glory.

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We Are the Circumcision

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Pete

The measure of a king in the Old Testament was who they worshiped. The measure of a saint in the New Testament is how they worship. That’s what I’m picking up from what’s being laid down in my readings this morning.

Working my way through 2Kings again this morning. And as I read chapters 14 and 15 I’m marking the divine bottom-line assessments of each king of Israel and Judah. And for the kings of Israel it’s the same old, same old:

And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.

(2Kings 14:24; 15:9, 18, 24, 28 ESV)

What was the sin of Jeroboam? The ruler over the northern kingdom crafted idols to be worshiped as the gods who had brought them out of Egypt. He redirected the glory due the God who had set His name in Jerusalem to two calves of gold set up in Bethel and Dan. “Then this thing became a sin” (1Ki. 12:25-30), and continued to be the plumb line that measured the evil, idolatrous heart of every subsequent king of Israel.

And while few kings in Judah attempted to eradicate idol worship in the southern kingdom, most of them “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (2Ki. 14:3; 15:3, 34) because they worshiped the God of David, the God of their deliverance, the God of promise.

Like I said, when it came down it, it seems the measure of a king in the Old Testament was who they worshiped.

And I think that set me up for what Paul would say to the Philippians.

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

(Philippians 3:3 ESV)

The gospel was introduced to a people who worshiped the right who but in the wrong how. Religion had become the measure of righteousness. The weight of good works the way of God’s favor. Physical circumcision the only thing that counted when assessing faithful service. Confidence in the flesh determining the caliber of the faith.

But, through Paul’s hand, God breathes out (2Tim. 3:16) that those who are truly of the circumcision, those who are actually marked as the people of God, are those who get three things:

  1. We worship by the Spirit of God. Our worship is not through ritual. Our adoration not by rote. But our offerings of praise, our sacrifices of service, are brought by faith into the holy of holies and that through reliance solely on the shed blood of Christ for our sin.
  2. We glory in Christ Jesus. Christ alone is our basis for boasting. Our righteousness not a result of our many works but of His one finished work on the cross. Not having a righteousness of our own but a righteousness which is credited to our account through faith–the righteousness of Christ Himself. And, our power for piety not found in our religion but in His resurrection. Our life of devotion a result of His life in us and through us.
  3. We put no confidence in the flesh. Having cut off the flesh, having died to it, we know we have not been saved from the penalty of sin because of our offsetting good works. Nor are we being saved from the power of sin through our determined efforts. Nor are we to be saved from the very presence of sin because of our meritorious lives. But we are confident in our salvation–past, present, and future–because of who Christ is and what Christ has done and what He continues to do.

And so, we are the circumcision. Worshiping the right Who in the only acceptable how.

And that, by His grace.

And that, for His glory.

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A Fresh Wineskin

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Pete

By its very nature, time takes what is new and makes it old. Subtly and slowly transforming that which was once innovative and demanding attention into something considered status quo and taken for granted. Morphing that which once invoked wonder and clothing it in a malaise of weariness. Translating what once sparked enthusiasm into something served only through endurance. It’s only natural.

But the gospel is supernatural. The salvation which makes all things new need not be subject to the atrophy that comes so often with the passage of time. The wide-eyed wonder of a new way doesn’t have to devolve into a mindless routine of trudging along in an old way.

That’s what I’m chewing on as I think about the perpetual need for fresh wineskins.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.'”   ~ Jesus

(Luke 5:37-39 ESV)

His enemies were on the attack. They were outraged that Jesus would claim to forgive sins and then heal a paralytic to prove it (5:17-26). They were mortified that He would recline at a banquet table with tax collectors and sinners (5:27-32). And were indignant that His disciples were more inclined to live like they were at a party than behave in the more traditional manner of those who fasted and prayed as if at a wake (5:33). The Pharisees had been drinking the old, aged wine of religion and could not fathom the need or desire for anything else.

But the gospel was never meant to be a new and improved law. Grace never intended to be cut up and used to patch and repurpose the old garments of religion and works (5:36).

In fact, the dynamics of the kingdom proclaimed by Jesus could never be contained within the confines of any system of regulations or traditions achievable by men in their own power. Jesus’s kingdom was a new wine kingdom. New expectations coming out of a new life enabled only through a new power. And trying to contain it within old structures was simply a recipe for failure. New wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

And the thing that occurs to me is that if the One who makes all things new never becomes old Himself, if the kingdom which has come is even now coming and is still yet to come, then the active agency of the kingdom will continue to stretch whatever practices, traditions, and familiar routines we may set around the kingdom. If the new wine is ever new, then it continues to demand fresh wineskins.

I’m getting to that stage where I’m understanding more and more the reality of the difficulty of old dogs being taught new tricks. But I can’t help but think that the gospel demands it. Not that the gospel itself changes, but by its very nature of being living and transforming it can’t be contained by traditions and practices which are inert and inflexible.

The gospel becomes stale to us when we become content with whatever wineskin we last placed it in. When we no longer pant after God’s word. When we no longer expect the Spirit to lead us into all truth through supernatural illumination. When we’re content with our religious routine and aren’t looking to be stretched by the dynamic agency of the new life residing within us.

How I need to be a fresh wineskin.

The new wine of the gospel requires it.

For the dynamics of grace thrive on it, and the glory of God is made manifest through it.

Amen?

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Well Tried

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Pete

Pretty sure that this morning what I’m picking up isn’t exactly what the songwriter was laying down. That the words that have grabbed me were intended to mean something a little different than the meaning I’m getting from them. That what I’m chewing on has a little different flavor from how it was originally seasoned. And, I’m thinking, that’s ok.

Your promise is well tried, and Your servant loves it.

(Psalm 119:140 ESV)

Continuing to read in the psalmist’s love letter to the word of God. Twenty-two sections of eight verses each extolling the glory of God’s revelation of Himself and His ways for His people. The longest song in the Psalter, the longest chapter in the Bible, a divine acrostic as each section is given to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line in that section begins with that letter.

Today’s letter? Tsadhe or, in my English thinking mind, T. And verse 140’s beginning T word is tsaraph, or, as the ESV translates it, “tried.”

Tried is Your promise exceedingly, and Your servant loves it.

And, according to my handy dandy e-lexicon, the word has the idea of something that has been tried in a smelting fire and thus is without defect. That the nature of God’s word, the essence of His promises, are akin to something without impurity. That God’s word, His promise, is as pure as if it had been put through the flame. That God has given to His people a pure word is, I think, kind of the intent.

But the thought that came to me as I read this lyric from this divine love ballad was more of how I have “well tried” His covenant. Of how I have tested the veracity of His blessed assurances. Of how many miles, in a sense, I have put on His precious promises as I’ve appropriated them for myself, again and again, in my situations and need, thus making them well tried.

If the Christian life is marked by the reality of going so many steps forward then so many steps back, how many back steps have I taken in 40+ years of seeking to walk in the Way? And how many of those back steps have cast me upon the promises of God?

If I were to count every failure of the flesh that has required renewed belief in the promise that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn. 1:9); or count every time I’ve been drained empty by a life struggle, or life season, and have had to cling to the assurance that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Php. 4:13); or count the myriads of disappointments in my ability to walk the worthy walk and have had to retreat to the solid ground “that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Php. 1:6); or count the uncountable number of times I have had to claim other promises as I’ve stumbled my way along this pilgrim path; then, to be sure, I can say along with the songwriter, with equal conviction:

Your promise is well tried, . . .  and Your servant loves it!

Not that I make pure His word, but that I have tested it–more times than perhaps I would care to admit–and found it all-sufficient and without wont.

Praise God for His precious promises.

Praise God for His living, active, and enduring Word.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Standing, Striving, and Suffering

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Pete

Hovering over the last few verses of Philippians 1 this morning. And as I do, a quote from Benjamin Franklin that I used years and years ago as part of a team building exercise at work comes to mind:

“We must all hang together or most assuredly we will all hang separately.”

Apparently he made this statement at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was referring to the need for the signers, and the states they represented, to stick together against a common enemy, Great Britain.

Common adversity has a way of bringing people together. Tough times a way of tightening the ranks. A prevailing foe a way of mobilizing the family.

So, it would seem, was Paul’s thinking, as well.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. . . . For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.

(Philippians 1:27-29 ESV)

For it has been granted to you to suffer for Christ.

Granted. What a word the Spirit chose to use. Charizomai in the Greek. From the root word charis. Recognize that? That’s the word for grace, for gifting, for giving someone that which they don’t deserve. They had been gifted the opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ. Their persecution was a “gimme” for living out the good news. A scenario to show what it looks like to walk in a way consistent with the gospel. So that their oppressed circumstance might be a window into the dynamics of the difference the good news makes in everyday, and not so everyday, trials of life.

And so, in their common suffering, in their common persecution, they were to stand and they were to strive. And they were to do it together. In one spirit. With one mind. Side by side.

Suffering allowed for the church to shine. Opposition was an opportunity for the gospel to be seen. A common enemy was a way for making known their common faith. We must all hang together.

You’d think then that, perhaps, prosperity rather than persecution could become the enemy of unity. That when the going gets too easy standing firm is not seen as quiet so important. Striving together not really all that necessary. Being of one mind and one spirit are a “nice to have” when I’m able to live my own life, for my own purposes, with my own resources. Maybe ease is really less a “gift” then being granted suffering for His sake.

But, if we haven’t recognized it already, I’m thinking that things aren’t as easy around us as we might believe. That those who name the name of Christ are increasingly losing favor with the prevailing culture. That our Way is not just viewed as a way but, more and more, is seen at large as the wrong way. And this is just the beginning.

And so, maybe it has been granted to us for the sake of Christ to not only believe in Him but to suffer for His sake.

And so, church, we need to hang together. Standing firm in one spirit. Striving side by side with one mind. Our unity a rebuke of the idolatry of individualism. Our private devotion to our Savior, and to His truth, and to His Bride, an affront to the self-serving, destructive, and divisive public discourse of the day. Walking in a manner worthy of the gospel, that the power of salvation might be known.

By His grace. For His glory.

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