A Steadfast Heart

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Pete

Based on how the song starts, you’d probably never guess the situation. Getting up in the morning with the praise band cranked up, a song on your lips, and a melody permeating your soul is usually a pretty good indicator of how well things are going–not what you’d expect from someone taking it in the teeth. Giving thanks to the LORD, singing praises for all to hear, not something you immediately tie to circumstances which make you think the Lord’s rejected you. Exalting God when your enemies have the upper hand, not something that seems intuitive. Unless, it seems, it’s sourced in a steadfast heart.

I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!

(Psalm 108:1b-5 ESV)

Stop! Rewind. Go back and read those opening lyrics of David’s song again. Slowly.

Don’t those verses sound more like a victory song than a valley song? More like music from a mountain top than a chorus from the cave? Does to me.

You wouldn’t guess from those verses that what follows is a plea for deliverance (v.6). That David’s looking for some divine help from some pretty determined enemies (v.12). That, though he has the promises of God (v.7-9), he’s wanting some indicator of His presence, as well (v.10-11). For most of us, such praise in the midst of such problems isn’t the usual cause and effect we’d expect.

So what’s the secret sauce? How can such soaring songs be sung amidst such severe situations?

My heart is steadfast, O God!     (Psalm 106:1a ESV)

David’s heart was steadfast. Confident (CSB). Fixed (KJV). It was established. It was directed aright.

Despite the lack of equilibrium caused by his current problems, he was rock solid on the Person, the Power, and the Promises of God. They would define the context of the circumstance–the situation wouldn’t suggest what should be considered true of God.

A steadfast heart is sure heart. Sure about God. Sure about His promises. And fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised (Rom. 4:20-21). Fully convinced that what He has promised, God is willing to do. So fully convinced that it even wakes up in the morning praising God though it went to bed the night before wondering how to make it through another day.

Spurgeon calls this psalm “The Warrior’s Morning Song, with which he adores his God and strengthens his heart before entering upon the conflicts of the day.” So grounded in the truth of God’s word that he can’t help but trust in God’s way as he readies to do battle again with a hostile world. Ready to sing though in need of salvation. Ready to praise even amidst the pressure. Ready to exalt even when surrounded by the enemy. Ready to worship even when he can’t help but worry.

O for a steadfast heart. O for a song to sing despite the situation.

Because He is faithful, His promises sure, and His power is known through an empty tomb.

His grace is sufficient. His glory is to be declared.

On the mountain, in the valley.

Amen?

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The Source of Grace

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Pete

Probably being overly simplistic this morning. Likely I’m just scratching the surface of the depths of something which, if I really got the half of it, would strike me dumb and put me facedown. But, as I’m continuing to read in Psalm 106 this morning, I read verse forty-six and what hits me is, “That’s the source of grace!!!”

Many times [the LORD] delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry. For their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love.

(Psalm 106:43-46 ESV)

The non-inspired heading for Psalm 106 in my bible says Give Thanks to the LORD, for He Is Good. But as I read it, it’s a brutal indictment of a chosen people constantly choosing to go off the rails. God is so good, because they are so bad.

From worshiping golden calves in the wilderness to having no faith in the promised land; from murmuring in their tents to disobeying His voice in the open; from yoking themselves to Baal, mixing with the nations, and serving their idols to sacrificing their sons and daughters to demons; this rebellious people angered the LORD. So much so that the songwriter’s inspired commentary is that “He abhorred His heritage” (v. 40).

Ya’ think? You’d think enough is enough. Let’s erase the slate. Let’s start over with another people of promise who just might appreciate the promise. Let’s go again and set apart a people as holy who just might try and actually be holy. Let’s be faithful to a people who just might be faithful in return.

But though they were “brought low through their iniquity”, our God looked on their distress, heard their cry, remembered His covenant, and “relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love.” That, my friends, is mercy undeserving, and grace overflowing. And it was according to the abundance of His steadfast love. That’s the source of grace!

God is love (1Jn. 4:8, 16). Not just the definition of love, but the Source. It’s not just an attribute, it is His essence. Is it too much to say that what God does, whatever He does, is born out of love? Steadfast love? Abundant steadfast love? I’m thinkin’.

For God so loved the world. And out of that love pours forth overflowing grace.

Not only did God relent concerning a rebellious people, but He purposed to redeem them as well. Not only did He think twice about removing them from before His presence, He doubled down and determined to provide a way to reconcile them and provide bold access into the holy of holies. Not only did He spare them, but He paid the price in order to save them. What unmerited favor! What grace! And this according to the abundance of His steadfast love.

O to be sure, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. Abounding in grace. And this, according to the unfathomable depths of His steadfast love.

O what wondrous love! What amazing grace! To Him be all the glory!

Amen?

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Great Things, Wondrous Works, Awesome Deeds

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Pete

Doing devo’s at SeaTac airport this morning as I wait to get on a plane bound for Maui. Heading there the day before what would have been Sue’s 60th birthday. Coming back the day after what would have been our 38th anniversary. Looking forward to a time of rest, relaxation, reflection, and, Lord willing, renewal.

Something in Psalm 106 catches my attention as I sip on my Starbucks and chew on His word. Perhaps a theme verse for this break . . .

They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

(Psalm 106:21-22 ESV)

Great things. Wondrous works. Awesome deeds. That’s just how our God, our Savior, rolls! Did it when He delivered the people from the bondage of Egypt through the Red Sea. Did it when He delivered Christ’s bride from the bondage of sin and death through the cross of Calvary.

And if there’s anything the first half of Psalm 106 says, it says that nothing good comes from forgetting.

After going through the Red Sea, God’s people “believed His words; they sang His praise” (v.12). But then, “they soon forgot” how they had been rescued. Which led to them not waiting to hear His counsel. Which spawned a “wanton craving” and, ultimately, they “put God to the test” (v.13-14).

A bit of forgetfulness resulted in a whole lot of pain. A lack of remembrance would bear the fruit of regret. Taking their eyes off of the Redeemer, left them to their own devices and so, says the songwriter, God “gave them what they asked” (v.15). Next think you know . . . POOF!!! . . . they made a calf at Horeb . . . they worshiped a metal image . . .they exchanged the glory of God for a cheap imitation (v.19-20). They forgot God.

Had it not been for the intercession of Moses, had it not been that God’s chosen one stood in the breach before Him, they would have been done like dinner.

Forgetfulness. Complacency. A taking for granted. An attitude devoid of intense gratitude. Nothing good comes from it.

But beyond a “sinful forgetfulness” which of us hasn’t known a “distracted forgetfulness?” Suffering distracting us from the Savior. The worries of life averting our gaze from the wonders of God. Our pursuit of stuff that may be good, causing what is awesome to be forgotten.

Oh, that we would take time . . . regular time . . . enough time . . . to consider afresh great things, wondrous works, and awesome deeds.

Behold our great salvation . . . past, present, and future.

See the wondrous work of sanctification!  Sure, sometimes it seems like two steps forward, one step back, but who but God would patiently work in us to bear increasingly the likeness of His Son?

Let your jaw drop at His awesome deeds–grace sufficient for every need, mercies new every morning, faithfulness never ceasing.

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all His praise?

(Psalm 106:1-2 ESV)

WE CAN!!! . . . if we but take time to remember.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Lesson in Kingdom Economics

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Pete

Common wisdom today is that money makes money by being invested. The days of savings accounts and compound interest as a means to putting our money to work are long gone. And, the way we measure how good our investments are is by the amount of money it returns.

But what if there are non-monetary returns we should be considering? What if at least part of our portfolio should be invested for returns that never go back into our account but instead go to Another?

This morning I’m continuing to chew on Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians to give generously to the saints in Jerusalem. And I’m wondering if there isn’t a lesson in kingdom economics here.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ . . .

(2Corinthians 9:10-13a ESV)

Paul is encouraging the saints at Corinth to fulfill their pledge to practically assist the saints in Jerusalem who are taking it in the teeth for following Christ. He wants them to be generous. His word picture is that of a farmer who has to make a call as to whether he sows seed sparingly or bountifully. Does he conserve so he has food for today, or is he more sacrificial, anticipating a bountiful harvest for tomorrow? “Each one,” Paul says, “must give as he has decided in his heart” (9:6-7).

But the harvest Paul is talking about is not necessarily a money for money crop. It’s not measured by some return on investment ratio. Rather, Paul calls it “the harvest of your righteousness.” And it’s not about money making money. Nor is it about expecting some spiritual benefit based on the amount physically invested. Rather the “proceeds” from the investment, the harvest anticipated, what will be produced, is “thanksgiving to God.”

Their money would not only supply the needs of the saints but would also “overflow in many thanksgivings to God!” The harvest of their liberal sowing of monetary seed would be realized in glory to God. That’s the math of kingdom economics.

Gospel giving bears a harvest of righteousness and that is realized when thanks is given to God. What more return could we ask for?

And I’m thinking that, whether it’s a saint who knows the Giver of all good things or a sinner who is still in darkness, when they give thanks to God for generosity shown them by the people of God–whether they know God personally or not–that it’s a heavenly return on our earthly investment.

For the believer, they praise the God who shows Himself faithful by supplying all their need in Christ.

For the unbeliever, grace-filled, generous giving combines with God’s other “invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature” clearly perceived through creation (Rom. 1:20), to bear witness to the common grace shown to lost people as the Creator patiently seeks to make Himself known. Some monetary provision but a sign post pointing to God’s greater gift for their greatest need. And when they say, “Thank the Lord!” a harvest is realized in heaven. The glory given to God providing an opening for the Spirit of God to further the gospel work of God in calling them to reconciliation.

O that we might sow in anticipation of such a harvest–a harvest of our righteousness. That though we may not hear it ourselves, that our generous disbursement of our material wealth into the lives of others for the sake of the gospel would result in the reaping of an abundant crop of thanksgivings to God.

Seed generously sown as we’re enriched in every way. The return on investment an overflowing of many thanksgivings to God.

By the grace of God alone. For the glory of God alone.

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The Difference the Joy of the Lord Makes

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Pete

Hovering over the first few verses of 2Corinthians 8 this morning and thinking about an intriguing dynamic and the difference the joy of the Lord can make.

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.

(2Corinthians 8:1-4 ESV)

As I read these verses, a formula popped off the page:

Severe Test of Affliction + Extreme Poverty = A Wealth of Generosity

Now come on, that’s not intuitive. Give someone the answer, “The outcome of severe affliction and extreme poverty,” and there’s no way anyone buzzes in with, “What is a wealth of generosity, Alex?”

Put me in some great pressure cooker of distress, drain my bank account, and naturally I’m looking at how I can conserve. Very little income along with very great uncertainty, and every purchase, discretionary or not, get’s considered twice before any money goes out the door. I’m in penny-pinching mode. Not just saving up for a rainy day, but already in the midst of the storm, I am going to keep what I can, and as much as I can, for as long as I can, in hope of making it through.

But what if the formula changes up a bit? What if there’s some secret sauce added to the severe situation?

Severe Test of Affliction + Abundance of Joy + Extreme Poverty = A Wealth of Generosity

Mix in the joy of the Lord, and regardless of the severity of affliction, despite the extremity of the poverty, the results are unpredictable . . . like “a wealth of generosity” unpredictable.

Not talking about emotional happiness, or some divinely imparted, out of touch with reality, happy go free, “what me worry” attitude. But the deep, abiding joy of knowing the Lord. Of the reality of abiding in His presence, of really believing in His promises, and faithfully trusting in His provision. The game-changing, long view of life that’s focused not just on the here and now but always has an eye cast toward the there and then.

The joy of the Lord doesn’t minimize the affliction. Doesn’t change the poverty. But can result in a less than intuitive outcome. Paul calls it “the grace of God that has been given.”

These suffering saints in the churches of Macedonia, with very little in their bank accounts, were moved by the need of the believers in Jerusalem, and because of their joy in the Lord, because of their supernatural, sourced in heaven gladness, they sacrificed, giving beyond their means, to meet the needs of others. And the grace of God was manifest.

Take away for me isn’t necessarily that “God loves a cheerful giver”, though He does (2Cor. 9:7), but that the joy of the Lord makes things unpredictable. That it provides a beat of a different drummer to march to. A context for doing life that is unearthly, one determined by things above and not just things below.

O’ the difference the joy of the Lord makes.

By His grace. For His glory.

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In It Together

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Pete

Chewing on 2Corinthians 7 this morning. And trying to imagine it playing out in our modern context.

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

(2Corinthians 7:11-12 ESV)

Paul’s writing about the church’s response to a letter Paul had sent them before–a letter he wished he had never had to send. A letter that caused them to grieve because it called out their collective sin in failing to deal with sin in their midst. A letter, though, which caused them to grieve “into repenting” (v.9). Their godly grief producing “a repentance that leads to salvation” (v.10). Obviously not a “coming to Jesus” salvation, but their on-going “becoming more like Jesus” salvation. And this not through individualized sanctification, but each made more like Jesus through their collective sanctification as a church.

Paul speaks of this godly grief producing an “earnestness” within them, as a church, to deal with the matter. And, of their “eagerness”, as a church, to clear themselves, as a church. That, more than just dealing with the matter at hand, it was used of God to reveal to them their collective heart, as a church. Used of God to test their loyalty to Paul and to show their submission to his authority–an indicator of their desire to be obedient to their God. And this, as a church.

And I’m thinking, how would this play out in my church today? Who would receive the letter (or email)?  Who read the letter? And to whom would they read it? Where and when would it be read? Would the congregation see it as something they needed to respond to, or view it more as something “the staff” needed to deal with? How, as a family, would we deal with the specific matter at hand, and how, as a body, could the incident produce a sanctifying work in us? How, collectively, would we demonstrate our earnestness, and our eagerness, to submit to God’s word and be found obedient to His way?

Honestly, while I think we might have some mechanics in place to work this, I wonder if we have the sense of community in place to truly work it as a church. In our individualistic culture, how many of us see “my church” as the church I attend rather than the family I’m a part of? How many would really see “the problem” as “my problem?” How many would view the need to act as our need to act, as my need to act alongside my brothers and sisters?

Not trying to be critical. Just chewing on how this might work today?

Thinking again of the battle we need to wage against what I fear is a prevailing consumer approach to doing church, rather than the community approach to being the church, which I think is reflected in scriptures like 2Corinthians 7.

Seeing ourselves truly as a family.

A Family that’s in it–whatever it is . . . good or bad . . . easy or difficult– together.

With one another. For one another. Because we truly see ourselves as part of one another.

In Him. For Him. As body members of Him.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Ponder the Way

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Pete

It’s a sanctification song. A song that aspires to holiness. David’s desire for personal holiness. And, David’s determination to do everything he can do to promote holiness within his kingdom. It’s a song born of a longing to model steadfast love and justice (v.1).

So, it’s a song of holy determination. Eight times David declares “I will.” I will walk with integrity of heart. I will know nothing of evil. I will look with favor on the faithful. And, I will destroy the slanderer. I will not endure the proud and arrogant. I will get rid of the wicked. The songwriter avows a holy determination to be holy and declares a holy determination to remove everything from his kingdom that is not.

While I know that these words will come back to haunt David later in his life; though I know that apart from God re-wiring the heart of man, no matter how determined the will of man may be, holiness is not something we can achieve solely through our own determination; I find myself inspired by the songwriters desire. Why wouldn’t we want to be singing a song of sanctification?

And it’s one of David’s “I will“s in particular that caught my eye and has got me thinking this morning.

I will ponder the way that is blameless.   (Psalm 101:2a ESV)

Seems to me, we’re a generation that runs the risk of doing life on autopilot. Just like so much of our driving today, we’re prone to open up some app, type in some destination or desired outcome, and, turn by turn, mindlessly follow whatever directions come from our electronic device.

Might work just fine for traveling along the highways and byways, but maybe not so much for navigating our way through life. Just as, through our reliance on our phones, we’re prone to losing our sense of direction, or of becoming unable to any longer remember anyone’s phone number, so too, life on autopilot has a way of dulling our senses as to what life, and life to the full, can be, and should be, all about.

So, I’m thinking David is on to something when he determines to “pay attention to the way of integrity” (HSCB).

Probably makes sense, from time to time, to pull over to the side of the road and take a look around. To think about where we’re going. To give careful consideration as to how we’re getting there. To turn off the external GPS’s and instead listen for the still, quite voice within us saying “This is the way, walk in it” (Isa. 30:21).

Makes sense to take a breath every once in a while and make time to evaluate the road we’re on. Not mapping it to the latest downloaded version of worldly wisdom or the ways that seem right to a man, but to line up where we’re going, and how we’re going, by things above; according to the code of the kingdom; in line with the word of God.

Ponder. Not a word I hear used a lot today. Not something, I’m thinking, we make time for much today. Too busy going wherever, however, according to whatever GPS is barking out directions.

Might be a good idea to turn off our autopilot once in awhile and ponder the way.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Have Faith in God

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Pete

Honestly, for me they can be kind of uncomfortable verses to hover over. They’re verses about faith and prayer . . . audacious prayer and unwavering faith. Prayer that involves moving mountains and faith that doesn’t doubt it will happen.

Now I believe in faith. And I believe in prayer. But I also find myself believing in reality and reasonability. And I find myself wary of excess, extreme, and expectations that might be born out of selfish motives. I’m so cautious of any sort of “name it and claim it” approach that, if I’m honest with myself, I nod in assent, but recoil with a bit with reserve, as I read Jesus’s exhortation to His disciples this morning.

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea, ‘and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

(Mark 11:22-24 ESV)

I’m all about the promises of God. But this one is a doozy, isn’t it? Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Whatever you ask? That’s a big promise.

But the thought I’m chewing on this morning is that the promise at the end of Jesus’s counsel to His disciples only makes sense in the context of the exhortation at the beginning. “Have faith in God.”

Not just faith that God can do whatever–for all things are possible with God (Mk. 10:35). I believe that. But faith that God is able to move in us to ask for the right whatever’s.

Have faith that you really are indwelt by the Spirit of God. That a spiritual dynamic really is at play in you. A dynamic that imparts the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16). A dynamic that battles and represses the flesh (Gal. 5:16-18). A dynamic that so knits your spirit to God’s that, even when don’t know what to pray, “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26).

Have faith that through the work of the gospel you really are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). That along with a new life, He has prepared a new work and a new walk. And with that, a need for divine enabling and, sometimes, even divine intervention.

Have faith that with the Spirit in you, and whatever way He has prepared for you, that, though it be with fear and trembling, you can, in fact, work out your salvation believing that God is enabling you “both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php. 2:13). And part of that willing and working will involve asking for whatever you need. Even if it seems like a mountain that needs to be cast into the sea.

Have faith in God.

If our sin is being confessed and we are being covered by His blood; if we are abiding in the Savior and are being enveloped with His love; if we are pursuing what we believe to be His work, in His way, willing to wait on His timing, then, says Jesus, “Ask whatever.” Believe it and you’ll receive it. And know it will be yours.

That takes faith. Faith in God.

I believe.  Help my unbelief.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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An Eternal Weight of Glory (A 2014 Rerun)

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Pete

This morning I’m reminded again why I so enjoy the reading plan that has guided me, from cover to cover, through the Bible each year for over the past 12 years. Because it keeps bringing me back to truths and promises that make a difference in how I look at life and do life. Reminders that refresh, renew, and revitalize. Such is the case with one such reminder in 2Corinthians 4 this morning. Looking back over my journal, I’m not surprised at how often it has ended up being something I’ve chewed on and written about during my morning devo’s. Re-running some thoughts from 5 years ago that encouraged me this morning as I read them . . .

It’s not very often that I look up to someone else. Not that there aren’t people I have great respect and admiration for . . . but that there aren’t many that I physically have to look up to. At six-foot-three, even those who are taller than me, usually aren’t much taller than me . . . no strain on the neck to go eyeball to eyeball with them. But a couple of weeks ago I met a young man who I looked up to . . . looked WAY UP to . . . as in, fifteen inches taller than me . . . as in, if I didn’t look up, I’d be looking into his chest . . . as in, if we had talked too long I would have had a serious crick in my neck. Though I’m pretty tall, next to this guy I looked kind of small.

So, why do I go there? Why does that come to mind? Well, this morning I’m reading in 2Corinthians 4 where Paul talks about being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down for the sake of the gospel. Paul said that he lived like one “always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake” (4:8-12). Sounds like a big deal. Sounds like quite the burden to bear. But Paul would refer to it as “light momentary affliction.” How could he say that? More importantly, how could he believe that? Because of what he held up beside his trials. The bigness of his sufferings was dwarfed when it stood up next to “an eternal weight of glory.”

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

(2Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)

Weight of glory . . . that’s what caught my eye this morning. That which we faithfully endure and suffer under is preparing for us a weight of glory beyond all comparison.

That word, “weight,” is used only a five other times in the New Testament. Once translated “demands” . . . the other four times translated “burden.” Literally it has the idea of a great weight . . . of a huge heaviness. I imagine it as a great sack that when, flung over the shoulder and carried, bows the back. But in this case, it is a great, heavy bag of treasure. It is a weight of glory. The glory being so great that it can make the weight of our afflictions seem light in comparison.

Place whatever you want up against the glory to be revealed, and it seems smaller . . . much smaller. Not that we minimize or trivialize our trials . . . Paul was very much afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. But he was not crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, nor destroyed. Though he knew what it was to be near death often, he also knew what it was to be enveloped in the power of Christ’s resurrected life. Though he knew things could come to an end at any time, he knew that it would only be the beginning . . . “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence” (4:14).

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

(Romans 8:18 ESV)

What’s more, through the voice of the Spirit indwelling him, Paul also lived in the reality that his “light afflictions” were momentary . . . but that the great burden of glory he’d bear was eternal. The length of any season of suffering pales when compared to the season that awaits. For this season is transient . . . the next, eternal.

And so, says Paul, we do not lose heart.

Instead we are encouraged to look up . . . to look WAY UP . . . “setting our minds on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). There we see, with faith’s eye, the risen Christ, sitting at the right hand of God. And we believe, with abiding Spirit generated assurance, that one day we will appear with Him . . . in glory. And together we will “bear” an eternal weight of glory!

What a day that will be!

By His grace. For His glory.

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Another Metamorphosis Dynamic

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Pete

Metamorphosis. To change form. To transform. Looks like the root Greek word for metamorphosis is found four times in the New Testament. Twice the word is used to describe Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount, when He changed form physically as “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Mt. 17:2, Mk. 9:2). And twice it is used to describe a dynamic that can occur spiritually in the believer.

Before this morning, if you had asked me where those two times were, I’d be quick to respond with Romans 12:2–that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. That as God’s word is taken in, God’s nature is born out. That as we set our minds on things above, we start to behave as people of the kingdom of heaven here below. That as the living word of God infiltrates our thinking, the living Spirit of God increasingly influences our walking.

But, before this morning, though familiar with the verse, I’m not sure I would have been quick to identify this other metamorphosis dynamic revealed in Scripture.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(2Corinthians 3:18 ESV)

Spiritual metamorphosis happens in a believer’s life through beholding the glory of the Lord. Some translations says the dynamic occurs by “reflecting the glory of the Lord” (CSB, NIV). And some translations, in dealing with the tricky Greek word being translated, say it’s both–that we are changed by “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (NKJV, NASB), that it happens as we “see and reflect the glory of the Lord” (NLT).

Bottom line? Turn your face to the sun consistently enough, and eventually you’re going to emit the effects of the sun. Behold the glory of the Lord and eventually you’ll reflect the glory of the Lord.

How come? Because to be fixed on the glory of the Lord is to be transformed increasingly into the likeness of the glory of the Lord. From “one degree of glory to another”, behold the likeness of the risen King and you’ll eventually know a metamorphosis, “being transformed into the same image.”

Chew on that for a bit. Behold Christ, become like Christ. Fix your eyes on Him, find yourself, more and more, like Him. Be a reflector of Jesus, as His light shining on you starts bouncing off you, and you’ll be a resembler of Jesus, as you increasingly think like Him, feel like Him, and act like Him.

To be sure, a work in progress. But that’s the exciting dynamic of metamorphosis, isn’t it?  Being a work in progress!!! Being transformed, from the inside out, as we behold Jesus.

Behold Him in Scriptures. Behold Him in His living temple, the body of Christ, the family of God, as we gather together with other believers. Behold Him as, together, we come to the cross, as often as we do it, when we sit with Him at the Lord’s table. Behold Him every time we seek to be still know that He is God.

Who doesn’t want to be transformed? Who doesn’t want this sanctification thing to take? Who doesn’t want to be more like Jesus?

It happens through the renewing of mind. And it also happens, praise God, as we behold the glory of Jesus!

Open the eyes of our heart, Lord! We want to see Jesus! We want to know metamorphosis!

By Your grace. For Your glory.

Amen?

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