The Secret of the Seed

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Pete

“Bless the LORD,” pens the songwriter, “and forget not all His benefits” (Ps. 103:2). Praise Him as you count the many blessings that come from being His. That verse comes to mind as I hover over a well-known, well-worn, perhaps too often forgotten story of Jesus recorded in Luke’s gospel.

For, among all the blessings that come with our salvation–our sins put away as far as the east is from the west; our lives rescued from the pit; our spiritual thirst satisfied; our eyes open to the wonders of a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love . . . and the list goes on (Ps. 103:3-12)–this morning, I’m reminded of another perk freely given to those who have been redeemed of God.

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God”
~ Jesus

(Luke 8:10a ESV)

You! Believer! Child of God! You have been granted insight into God’s kingdom (MSG). You can know how it works. That’s what Jesus told His disciples.

Talk about your insider knowledge! The hidden mysteries of God’s reign–the invisible, behind the scenes story of His active agency both in heaven and on earth–available to every follower of Jesus, to those who have “ears to hear” (8:8b).

Come on, people! Shouldn’t that rank among the top of our “forget not all His benefits” list? I’m thinkin’ . . .

And what’s secret number one? What’s the first story Jesus tells? It’s this, bearing fruit comes from planting seed.

What? That’s it? That’s the big secret of the kingdom of God? Duh! Of course, you can’t bear fruit apart from planting seed. That’s not a secret of the kingdom that’s Agriculture 101.

Hold on. The mystery is not that fruit comes from seed. The kingdom secret, the wonderful heavenly reality, the mysterious dynamic at work is found in the nature of the seed that bears supernatural fruit.

“The seed is the word of God.”
~ Jesus

(Luke 8:11 ESV)

I know. Well known. Well worn. Perhaps easily taken for granted or simply forgotten. But that doesn’t change the fact of the matter. That bearing fruit in the kingdom of God is sourced in the word of God.

I don’t care what kind of fruit were talking about: the fruit of righteousness; the fruit of love, joy, and peace; the fruit of godly character; the fruit of good works; the fruit of souls saved and disciples made; the fruit of understanding other mysteries about the kingdom; it all starts with the planting of seed. And the seed is the word of God. And that’s a secret of the kingdom of God.

What’s more, the secret is that the seed needs to find root in the heart in order to produce fruit. The heart is the soil for the seed. That’s why the devil, who loathes the bearing of kingdom fruit, will work relentlessly to take away the word from people’s hearts (8:12).

But the heart needs to be soft and fertilized continually with faith in order for the seed to put down deep roots. Where the heart becomes hard, and belief is absent, times of testing will invariably result in falling way (8:13).

And don’t even get me started on the tragedy of good seed, planted in good soil, putting down good roots, starting to bear good fruit, then being choked out by the weeds and thistles and thorns of the “cares and riches and pleasures of life” (8:14).

So that’s the mystery, the secret of God’s supernatural reign which has come, is still coming, and is yet to come: the seed of the word, when allowed to be planted in soft hearts, fertilized through faith, and focused on seeking first the kingdom of God, when that happens, the seed bears fruit. The full potential of new life in Christ is realized. Life and life to the full is experienced.

Well known story. Well worn. But let us not take it for granted. Nor let us become complacent about the wonder of how God has determined to use His word in His kingdom.

Word of God speak. Sow the seed of the kingdom in hearts prepared by Your Spirit and made ready through faith. That we might bear fruit for the kingdom.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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The Power of Knowledge

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Pete

Knowledge is power. So has been said by many in many different contexts. You can’t act on what you don’t know. You can’t do what you’ve never been taught. Hard to have conviction and backbone if you only know what you believe but you don’t know why you believe it.

To be sure, there’s risk in the accumulation of knowledge. When knowledge becomes more about the knower than what is known, it loses its power. When knowledge puffs up, when instead of transforming the heart it inflates the ego, then instead of bearing the fruit of understanding, it often brings forth the thorns and thistles of quarrels and controversy.

So what’s got me thinking about the accumulation of knowledge this morning? Paul’s prayer for the believers at Colossae.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. . . . Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

(Colossians 2:1-3, 6-7 ESV)

Paul writes to the Colossians because they were in a battle for the mind. Teaching was seeping into the church that was in danger of taking them “captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human traditions” (2:8). Though these outside arguments were “plausible” (2:4), they would serve only to delude, distract, and derail believers from the faith.

So what was Paul’s battle plan? 1) Encourage, or strengthen, the hearts of believers. 2) Knit together in love the souls of believers. 3) And keep on preaching, teaching, and equipping the minds of believers. Having been rooted in Christ, build them up in Christ. And this, through “the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.” “All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” found hidden in Him. And so having being rooted in Christ, and set firm through the teaching of Christ, they would be able to walk in Christ.

There’s a direct link between what you know and what you do. A straight line between understanding and obedience. A direct correlation between learning and living, between perception and power.

Knowledge of the mystery of Christ as revealed in the word of God is the secret sauce for the sanctified life.

Not that its about the knowledge itself. We’ve all encountered those who think they know it all but love so little. Those who can quote chapter and verse about Christ but who demonstrate so little in their daily walk of Christ.

But equally true, the Spirit’s transforming work in us “by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2) can’t happen if there’s nothing in our mind to work with. Nothing to illuminate if we never crack open our bibles. Nothing to reveal if we’re not serious about pursuing the revelation. The living and active dynamic of the sword of the Spirit remains inert if its never drawn from its sheath (Heb. 4:12, Eph. 6:17).

Paul wanted believers to walk in Christ. To be rooted and built up in Christ. To be established in the faith. And this, “just as you were taught.”

The wisdom to discern deceptive teaching comes as a result of the accumulation of divine knowledge. The power to live in newness of life directly related to the degree of full assurance that it is “no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Sure, knowledge can puff up. Let us beware of it. But knowledge is also power. Let us pursue it.

Rich in full assurance of understanding. Rich in faith. Rich in the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Christ In You

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Pete

Paul says it’s “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to the saints” (Col. 1:26). A secret thing of the Divine not readily available to the cognitive capabilities or the innate understanding of men and women. It’s not intuitive.

While creation reveals God’s “invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature” (Rom. 1:20), and while the heavens declare His glory (Ps. 19:1), nothing could have made known this mystery apart from God breaking the sound barrier:

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

(Matthew 3:17 ESV)

Apart from God’s illumination and revelation concerning His Son, we would have missed it. The prophets said so: “He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.” In fact, apart from an intervention of the divine kind, “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:2).

And no wonder. The Son of God, rather than making Himself known as God, didn’t consider the fullness of God a thing to be clung to and flashed around for all to see. He didn’t feel it necessary to maintain a two-fisted grasp upon His true identity and make sure that everyone knew He was equally God. Instead, divesting Himself of all heavenly glory, He came in the likeness of the people He had created, taking upon Himself the posture of a servant to all (Php. 2:6-7, Mark 10:45).

Nope, unless the Father determined to reveal the Son’s true identity, at best Jesus might have been considered but a mighty prophet. At worst, as many in fact thought of Him, He would have been deemed a servant of hell.

But that’s only part of the mystery revealed. Paul says it goes deeper. Much deeper. Like to the depths of soul and spirit! Literally!

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

(Colossians 1:27 ESV)

Christ in you.

Not just Christ the image of the invisible God (1:15). Not just Christ who created all things (1:16). Not just Christ who holds all things together in Himself (1:17). Not just Christ the the victor over death (1:18). Not just Christ in whom “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (1:19). But CHRIST IN YOU!

Chew on that for few minutes.

Who would of guessed God would come in flesh. And no one would have imagined that Immanuel (Matt. 1:23), God with us, would offer Himself an atoning sacrifice for all sin for all people for all time. But that He would take up residence in us? Who’d a thunk that?!?

O’ the riches of the glory of this mystery!

I sit back, and look at this aging body in this chair and I ponder, “Christ in you.” I think about the last 24 hours, the last week, the last months and years, and all of it was encountered with “Christ in you”!

Who, apart from God Himself, could have thought this up? Who, apart from an omnipresent, triune God, could make this a reality? God on the throne, His Son at His right hand, His Spirit living in us . . . Christ in you!

O’ the wonder! O’ the blessed privilege of grace!

And this mystery is the hope of glory. Christ in you–that’s what’s sealed the deal, guaranteeing the inheritance reserved for us and yet to come (Eph. 1:13, Col. 1:22).

Do I fully get it? No.

Do I fully leverage it? No, again.

But do I fully believe it? Yes and Amen!

By His grace. For His glory.

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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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