Lest We Drift Away

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Pete

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

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

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

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

(Hebrews 2:1 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lest we drift away.

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

I need to keep writing myself notes.

By His grace. For His glory.

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

Just a Whistle Away

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Pete

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Isaiah 5:26 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

By His grace. For His glory.

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

That Age

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Pete

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Luke 20:34-36 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

By His grace. For His glory.

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

The Tenth Fruit of the Spirit?

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Pete

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

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

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

(Titus 3:14 ESV)

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

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

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

I’m thinkin’ . . .

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

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

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

(James 2:15-18 (ESV)

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

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

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

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

By His grace. For His glory.

Yeah, it’s been a good week.

Posted in Titus | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Good News. Good Works.

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Pete

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

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

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

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

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

(Titus 3:4-8 ESV)

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

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

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

Preach it!

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

How come?

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

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

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

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

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

Good news. Good works.

By His grace. For His glory.

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

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