Keeping Ourselves in the Love of God

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Pete

Jesus was confident that His sheep were safe. That those who heard His voice, believed in His name, and were brought into His fold would have eternal life and would never perish (John 10:28-29). If the Father had given His Son these sheep, then no one, and nothing, could snatch them from His hand.

Paul had the same confidence. Writing to the Romans, Paul is pretty sure, as in certain beyond any doubt, that nothing is able to separate the child of God from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” (Rom. 8:38-39).

So Jude’s words kind of jump off the page this morning when he writes, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.   (Jude 20-21 ESV)

Nothing can separate us from the love of God, yet we are to keep ourselves in the love of God. So what’s that about?

It’s NOT ABOUT us maintaining our salvation. Not about us having do do something in order to retain God’s favor. For if it was, and if we failed, then Paul would be wrong–something or someone could separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

No, it’s not about us doing something so that what God has done won’t somehow be undone. Instead, in a world that grows increasingly dark around us, with circumstances that can weigh more and more heavily upon us, and with a “here and now” that can relentlessly try to take our eyes off of our “there and then,” Jude says in effect, “Keep taking practical steps to remind yourself of your positional reality.”

Practical steps like building ourselves up in our faith–something we do with other believers. Practical steps like praying and engaging heaven’s ear–something we do with the Holy Spirit. And practical steps like waiting for the end of the salvation wrought by His mercy and grace–something we do with an eye to the sky, knowing His return is soon.

Building, praying, waiting . . . all ways of keeping.

Keeping ourselves in the love of God. Guarding the truth that we have been loved by the Son, just as the Son has been loved by the Father (John 15:9).

Loved with an everlasting love. Loved with an uninhibited love–so uninhibited the Son humbled Himself to death, even the shameful death of the cross. Loved with an adoptive love, evident by the Spirit who leads us to cry, “Abba Father.” Loved with an exalting love, even lifting us up and seating us in the heavenlies. Loved with a consummating love, realized fully when the Bride stands before her Bridegroom, presented in the glory and splendor not of her own-making, but of His work in her through the eternal power of the cross, the eternal presence of the blood, and the eternal promise of His love.

These things are true always. Ours is to remain in them daily.

His love is forever. Mine is to keep myself in it today.

Possible because of grace. Desirable for His glory.

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Showdown

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Pete

“Throwback Friday” . . . rerunning some thoughts from 2011 . . .

I really don’t remember the last time I watched one of those classic westerns where the guy in the white hat takes on the guy in the black hat.  Where, on some dusty, deserted main street the two stand mere paces from each other in a final showdown.  They look each other in the eye . . . the “bad guy” confident he can draw his six shooter faster than the one before him . . . the “good guy” KNOWING he can.

John 13 marks the beginning of the end.  Jesus knows that “His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father” (13:1).  And what kind of grabbed me this morning is the manner in which the Spirit through John clearly identifies the “behind the scenes” spiritual dynamics . . . the fact that there was about to be a once-for-all-eternity cosmic showdown . . .

At one end of the street is the devil — diablos, the enemy of God, the prince of darkness, the ruler of this world.  And his “behind the scenes” work is that he has already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus (13:2).  The MSG says, “The devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.”  Lucifer, fallen angel of God, could see his plan coming together.  The Pharisees’ were already determined to put Jesus to death (John 11:53) and with Judas’ indignation at Mary’s costly act of worship and Jesus’ rebuke (John 12:3-8), Satan had the opening to “enter his heart” .  . . to load the final bullet in the chamber.  It was really all that the devil had hoped for, his plan was falling into place, the Son of God would soon be his.  Satan had the power of death at his disposal and soon he would draw his weapon and take out the Holy One.  Or so he thought.

Facing His enemy, eye to eye, Jesus of Nazareth.  God manifest in flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, soon to be taken up in glory (1Tim. 3:16).  Jesus, “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see.” (1Tim. 6:15-16).  Jesus, the meek and lowly, in the upper room with “His own” . . . loving them to the end (13:1) . . . garment laid aside, his robe girded about Him, towel in His hand, kneeling before mere mortals, washing their feet.

Oh, Satan gleefully anticipated Jesus’ end . . . certain that he had Him right where he wanted Him . . . “Oh,” Satan thinks, “If He only knew what’s coming . . . ”  But John tells us that Jesus did know.  Jesus knew His hour had come (13:1).  He knew that just as He had come from the Father He would soon be returning (13:3).  He knew that, though the cross awaited Him, so did victory . . . that He would triumph in this cosmic showdown.

Jesus knew that just as “the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).  He knew that soon He would disarm the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 2:15) . . . that He would die, be entombed, and three days later rise from the dead as the absolute, undisputed Champion of God — returning to the Father having completed the work He was sent to do.  Game . . . set . . . match!

Jesus knew it then . . . and I know it now.  Oh, the victory I share in today because the One robed in white defeated the one who commanded death.  The devil is defeated . . . death is defeated . . . sin no longer has dominion.

Jesus knew the hour had come . . . that it was “high noon” . . . that this world wasn’t big enough for the two of them . . . and, obedient to the Father’s will, He gave of Himself, as the ultimate sacrifice . . . as the death-defeating “shot” heard throughout eternity.

Praise You, O’ Savior!!  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:57).

All through abounding grace.  All for God’s eternal glory.

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Able to Rescue!

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Pete

It must have been a pretty impressive sight. The burning fiery furnace, big enough to hold multiple full size adults, glowing red hot as it was heated to seven times its normal temperature. And in it, four men walking in the midst of the fire. Astonishing, not just that they were unscathed by the raging fire around them and were moving about, but that there were four of them–for only three had been delivered to the flames and to what should have been certain death. But four there were. And four remained untouched by the furnace. And then the three emerged. The hair of their heads unsinged, their cloaks not harmed, not even a hint of the smell of the fire upon them. The evidence was irrefutable–the fire had not had any power over the bodies of the three men.

Like I said, a pretty impressive sight. An “all glory to God” sight as the king who had sentenced them to the furnace now looked beyond the men delivered from the flames and realized something about the God who had delivered them.

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants, who trusted in Him, and set aside the kings command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. . . . for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”   (Daniel 3:28, 29b ESV)

And I’m hovering over that last phrase this morning . . . “there is no god who is able to rescue in this way.”

And I’m thinking, Nebuchadnezzar, you ain’t nothing!

For sure, no god could rescue from the flames as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God. But their’s was but a warm up act (pun intended).

These three were already devoted to God. They had already determined to remain faithful to the Almighty and were ready to lay down their lives for the King of Heaven. Makes sense to fight the flames on their behalf.

But what about those who are indifferent to God? Or those who shake their fist at the Almighty? Or those who stand in opposition to, and are counted enemies of the King of Heaven. Can they be delivered from the eternal flames of hell? Can they be freed from their bondage to sin? Can they be rescued from themselves? Is there a god who can rescue in this way?

My God is able to rescue!

And He rescues through the Fourth Man. The One who saves, not from afar, but by entering the arena of the flames. Experiencing the heat as any other man would, yet without blemish or spot. Giving Himself to the flames of judgment on behalf of those He comes to save. Delivering unscathed those who put their faith and trust in Him.

What’s more, not only are those who are rescued delivered from the flames, but they emerge as new creations. Not who they were . . . not what they were. The Fourth Man replacing spiritual deadness with eternal life. Exchanging sin-stained cloaks for His own robe of righteousness. Replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Making blind eyes see and deaf hears hear. Converting enemies of God into children who cry, “Abba, Father!”

Is there a god who is able to rescue in this way? Only my God!

Able to rescue? Yes He is. So testifies one who has been delivered from the flames . . . one who has been extricated from the furnace . . . one who has been made new . . . one who, by God’s grace, desires to give God glory.

All praise and honor to the God who is able to rescue.

Amen?

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Wanna Know A Secret?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Pete

Occurs to me this morning that most often when I dive into Daniel I do so with a fresh anticipation of the role model he portrays. Here’s a guy who had it all, “without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the kings palace” (Dan. 1:3-4), and yet he refused any path to success that compromised his devotion to God (1:8). But this morning, while still being jazzed by Daniel’s devotion to God, my focus has instead been captured by the God of Daniel’s devotion. The God who is a “revealer of mysteries.”

Crazy Nebuchadnezzar has a dream. That’s not what makes him crazy, it’s what he insists on when he wakes up. “Bring me my wise men! Have them tell me the meaning of the dream. And have them do it without me telling them what the dream was!” You gotta be kidding? “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand . . . The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (2:10-11).

Enter THE God whose dwelling is not with flesh (at least not yet . . . but that’s another set of thoughts). The God who reveals mysteries. The God of eternity who makes known what is hidden to creatures of time and space.

Wanna know a secret? My God is revealer of secrets.

Daniel told the king his dream and what it meant, but he also made it clear that he was but a spokesmen for the God of heaven, “He who reveals secrets” (2:29 NKJV).

And as I sit in awe in the presence of this God this morning, I can’t help but think it’s enough just to know that He is the revealer of secrets. Even if I never know the why’s of some of the mysteries surrounding me. Even if I never figure out the causes behind the effects in my life. That I know the One who knows, is enough.

I don’t need to lean to my own understanding. Instead, I can lean upon the One who has perfect understanding. I don’t have to worry if my wisdom is sufficient to navigate the complexities of my world, because I’m welcomed to abide in Him who is perfect wisdom from above. I don’t have to have all the answers as long as I know Him in whom all the promises of God are Yes and Amen (2Cor. 1:20). I don’t need to be anxious about tomorrow while I’m in the shadow of the wing of the I AM who is “the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13).

The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries . . . ”   (Daniel 2:47a ESV)

I love being in on secrets. And there have been mysteries revealed to me beyond what man can fully comprehend. A God who became man. A Son who became a Lamb. A death that resulted in life. A curtain torn. A bride being made ready. Grace overflowing. Love abounding. All praise to the Revealer of mysteries!

But there are some mysteries I may never know . . . things I might never understand. But to know the One who does know . . . to commune with Him who always understands . . . that’s enough.

Finished my readings this morning with this from John . . .

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.    (1John 5:20 ESV)

That’s all the understanding I need . . . the only secret I need revealed.

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand         ~ Ira Stanphill, 1950

 

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There Are Three . . . and I Make Four

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Pete

John presents kind of a simple argument in the first part of the fifth chapter of his first letter. Premise One: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God (5:1a). Premise Two: Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world (5:4a). Thus, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith (5:4b). Pretty straight forward. Pretty incredible.

But really, is it that simple? With all that’s going on in our world . . . with the darkness around us that increasingly says that what’s wrong is right, and what’s right is wrong . . . with the spreading callousness which denies the creator and thus the sanctity of His creation . . . with the increasing violence at home and abroad . . . can victory really be found in something as intangible as what we believe? Apparently!

For it’s not just that we have faith, but what our faith is in. Not just that we believe something, but that we believe in Someone . . . . Jesus the Christ . . . Jesus the Son of God. And it’s not some faith of our own making . . . not some fanciful story of our own design. In fact, concerning the truth of who Christ is and what He has done, there are three that bear witness . . . and I make four.

This is He who came by water and blood–Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that He has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.    (1John 5:6-10a ESV)

There is the witness of the water, His baptism. His self-identification with those He came to rescue culminating in the heavenly declaration by the Father who sent Him. A thundering voice from heaven echoing over Him as He was lifted out of the Jordan, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

There is the witness of the blood. A divine reality settling over the city as Jesus was crucified. The skies darkened as He who knew no sin became sin for us. And when the work was finished, when the blood, once shed for eternal redemption, flowed, the earth shook, the temple curtain was torn in two, graves were thrown open, and heaven’s declaration was uttered through a lone centurion, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

And there is the witness of the Spirit. The Third Person of the Godhead silently, yet convincingly, bearing witness that Christ is the Son, that He came as the Lamb, and that He rose from the grave in triumphant declaration that sin and death had been defeated.

The water, the blood, the Spirit. They all testify. They all agree. Jesus is the Son of God come to save the world.

There are three . . . and I make four. For I too have the testimony in me.

Indwelt by the Spirit of revelation and illumination, I know, by God’s grace, these things to be true, as well. I may not be the most studied, nor the most learned, nor the most articulate, but I am most regenerated. Though once I was an enemy, now I am a son. Though once I was blind, yet know I see. Though once I was content with darkness, now I hunger for marvelous light. Though once I was far off, yet now I draw near. Though once I knew nothing, now I abide with Him who knows everything–the Alpha and the Omega.

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

There are three . . . and I make four.

By God’s grace . . . and for God’s glory!

 

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Trusting, Even in the Testing

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Pete

Worn out! Weary, exhausted. At the end of one’s rope. Done! That’s how Job’s feeling this morning in chapter sixteen. Numbed by the mental anguish. Little strength left to deal with the physical pain. Not sure he can take much more from his miserable comforters. “Surely now God has worn me out,” he laments (Job 16:7).

And, in a sense, he’s right. Nothing has come upon him that has not passed through the fingers of God. That Satan was allowed to touch Job’s family and possessions? Granted by God (Job 1:9-12). That the accuser could then inflict Job’s body? Only possible according to divine, sovereign permission (Job 2:4-6). So, true statement . . . that Job was going through the ringer was, in a sense, of God.

But what Job can’t see is the why? He knows the what of his circumstance, but why heaven has apparently turned against him is beyond his understanding. He has no idea of the conversations that have occurred in the first chapters of Job. And so he is left to himself to figure out the why of his suffering and thus concludes, “He has torn me in His wrath and hated me; He has gnashed His teeth at me; my adversary sharpens His eyes against me” (Job 16:9). God has turned against me, says Job. God has set Himself in opposition to me, Job concludes. There’s no other explanation to what’s happening to me except that, for some reason, God has declared me His enemy.

And you want to shout back through the ages, “No Job! Not at all! It’s because He’s pleased with you, that God has allowed this. God’s been telling all of heaven that you are blameless and upright, one who fears God and turns away from evil. He is so sure of you he has let your real adversary, Satan, sift you like wheat. Yes, your suffering has been allowed by God. But it’s not because He’s your enemy. Not because He has set His face against you. It’s for His glory.”

But no such perspective is offered Job. Not by his “friends” and certainly not by the silence of heaven. In fact, when that silence is broken, when God has His one-on-one with Job later in the story, He still doesn’t reveal to Job why God has allowed what God has allowed. Instead in His grace, God will give Job an intense refresher course on who God is. And, it turns out, that will be enough. However, right now, Job’s hurting and confused and worn out.

Yet, even at his weakest, faith surfaces, though perhaps just as a mustard seed. Even while thinking he has become God’s targeted enemy (16:12), He trusts in God’s all-knowing integrity.

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high.    (Job 16:19 ESV)

Even though Job feels like God must be against him, he knows that God is really for him. Job’s witness is in heaven. The only One who sees things for what they truly are is enthroned on high. He who knows the thoughts and intents of the hearts of men reigns above all. And that He knows Job . . . that He has seen Job’s sincere devotion . . . that He has rightly assessed Job as blameless and upright, that Job fears God and turns from evil, is Job’s only plea. The evidence is in heaven. And Job believes there is an Advocate who will testify for him on high.

Though Job’s struggling . .. though he’s confused and tired . . . though he’s worn out and done, yet Job will not curse God and die. He still believes that it is God’s sovereign right to give and to take away. He will, even while demanding an audience with the Almighty Judge, also shout, “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Even in the tiresome testing, you see Job trusting.

Gotta love this guy. You hurt for him as, for most of us, our stories at one point or another intertwine with his. Might we also, by grace, endure knowing our Witness is in heaven and our Advocate testifies for us on high. Trusting, even in the testing.

For His glory . . .

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Glory Present, Assume Face Position

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Pete

There’s a certain protocol around heads of state. If the President of the United States, or the Prime Minister of Canada walks in a room it’s expected people will stand. If you’re military, it’s expected you’ll salute. If you’re a British subject, should you meet the Queen a head bow is appropriate from a man, a small curtsy from a woman. The presence of leaders commands a certain respect and an expected response. There’s a place for protocol.

But then there’s the response that comes not from written, or unwritten rules of proper decorum, but is born from an internal, almost visceral reaction born out of proper discernment. No one tells you what you need to do, the person entering the room just evokes an innate response proportionate to their position or presence. Such came to mind as I was reading in Ezekiel this morning. Glory present, assume face position!

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of His coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. . . . Then He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD. And I fell on my face.     (Ezekiel 43:2-3, 44:4 ESV)

I encountered it twice in this morning’s reading. Ezekiel meets up with the glory of God and he falls on his face. Through the Spirit he sees something of the splendor of heavenly majesty and he’s checking out the floor. He is exposed to the light of unfeigned holiness and he’s wholly humbled and the back of his head is towards the ceiling.

That’s not some protocol response. That’s not just propriety in practice. That’s what happens when mortal men catch a glimpse of immortal God. When the creation encounters, up close and personal, their Creator. And, I’m thinking, when undeserving recipients of grace find themselves with a renewed vision of the glory that sources such grace–the glory of the cross.

The glory that filled the temple must have been magnificent. Even seeing through the glory via a vision, you got to think that it had a palpable presence . . . that Ezekiel not only saw the glory but felt the glory. The glory shone. The light was blinding. Glory present, assume face position.

But Ezekiel couldn’t even conceive of the glory of the cross. The manifestation not only of God’s holy nature, the presentation not only of God holy Son, but the declaration that God so loved the world that He would justly and fully make a way of redemption and reconciliation for all who believe. Even in the darkness, the glory came down as wrath was poured out. Even in Jesus’ final cry, the light shone as the once for all work of atonement was finished. Even in His substitutionary death for sin, the King ushered in His heavenly kingdom.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high     (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)

O the glory of the cross! Where the Radiance of God’s glory made purification for sins. And behold the glory of the EMPTY cross!  The Imprint of God’s exact nature, having died and been buried, rose from death on the third day that He might ascend and intercede at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Assume face position!

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

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Reading Our Vitals

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Pete

Yesterday, as I was reading in 1John, I started thinking about vital signs. Indicators that there’s life, particularly indicators of spiritual life. Yesterday I read that if we find that there’s an innate love for others who claim the name of Christ, it’s a pretty good indicator that we’ve been born of God.

Reading this morning, John says combine love for the brothers with an authentic, abiding belief in the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ, add in an ongoing desire and drive to obey His commandments, and you’ve got a pretty good set of vitals signs.

Abiding belief? Abiding behaviors? Abiding affections? If those are all present, there’s a pretty good chance you’re abiding as a new creation in Christ.

But what if the instrumentation’s wrong? If the blood pressure gauge is unreliable, then it doesn’t really mean much if it says my blood pressure is 110 over 70. If the heart monitor only picks up every second beat, a resting heart rate of 60 beats a minute isn’t really all that good. If your thermometer is made with substandard mercury (dating myself, aren’t I?) then there might be a reason you feel like you’re burning up even though it says your temp is 98.6 degrees.

So, applying that to my spiritual vitals, what if my spiritual measuring devices are inaccurate? After all, I still have this old nature banging around inside of me. There’s still the remnants of a heart that is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” and beyond knowing (Jer. 17:9). And the illuminating of my mind, which was once steeped in darkness, is an on-going process. So what if I’m not reading the vitals right?

What if I’m off on how authentic my belief is? What if I’m misinformed as to how obedient I am–that I’m only obeying the convenient commands? What if my love for the brothers isn’t as fervent as my heart and mind leads me to believe? How can I have confidence that I’m reading my vitals correctly? Cue the Spirit . . .

And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in them. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.    (John 3:23-24 ESV)

“By this we know.” It’s one of John’s favorite phrases. Used nine times in this letter. John’s desire is that God’s people would walk in confidence in God’s love. That they would know that they abide in the Almighty and, wonder of all wonders, that the Almighty abides within them. Thus the reason for the vital signs. And thus the unfailing means of discerning those vital signs, “the Spirit whom He has given us.”

The Spirit who Jesus said would come to His disciples after His departure (John 14:16-17). The Spirit who searches the deep things of God (1Cor. 2:10). The Spirit who leads us into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit who does battle on a daily basis with our old nature (Gal. 5:16-18). The Spirit who knows us so well that He can intercede on our behalf when we don’t have the words to intercede for ourselves (Rom. 8:26). The Spirit who has sealed us as a guarantee of our future inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14). This same Spirit is the One who can give us an accurate read on our vitals.

We know our belief is true, because the Spirit bears witness. We know our obedience is sincere, because the Spirit reveals duplicity and confirms sincerity. We know our love is authentic, because the Spirit knows the heart and knows the mind and has a direct line to the conscience. And we know that when our belief wavers, and our obedience is flakey, and our love becomes self-centered . . . that when we sin, if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin (1John 1:9), because the Spirit within us testifies with our spirit to the power of Christ’s shed blood to cleanse and the abundance of God’s overflowing grace to forgive.

Vitals are kind of important. So is an accurate reading of those vitals.

All thanks be to God for the Spirit He has given us!

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

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Healthy Vital Signs

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Pete

Apparently it’s not as easy as it looks. You know, those shows where a detective comes upon a body and either grabs their wrist with two fingers, or they pull up their eyelids to check their eyes, or they lean over to see if the person’s breathing, and then lean back and say, “They’re dead.” Apparently, it’s not necessarily that simple. A pulse can be hard to find . . . pupils may be unresponsive due to drugs or a deep coma . . . and someone’s breathing can be so shallow that it might only be detected by holding a mirror under their nose for several minutes to see if it steams up. It’s not so easy to tell if someone’s dead. But find a pulse, see reactive pupils, hear someone breathing and you know their alive. Pretty reliable vital signs indicating life.

As in the physical realm, so in the spiritual realm. There are some pretty reliable indicators that someone is alive spiritually. I came across one of those vital signs this morning in my reading.

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the worlds goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does Gods love abide in him?    (1John 3:14-17 ESV)

Not to overly simplify, but it seems pretty straightforward. Want to know if someone has passed from spiritual death into spiritual life? Want to know if they’ve been brought out of darkness and into marvelous light? Want to know if they are slaves to sin or slaves of Jesus? Want to know if they love this world or love the kingdom of God? Then check their vital signs. Do they love the brothers? Is there self-sacrificing affection for the sisters?

The regenerate man is the one who has brotherly affection for those who have been adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus. The born again woman is the one who embraces those who are counted as the children of God because they’ve trusted in the finished work of the cross. Loving our Christian brothers and sisters proves we have passed from death to life (NLT).

Loving the body of Christ is not THE CAUSE of passing from death to life, but THE EFFECT. It is one of the outward evidences of an inward born again reality. It is the out-working of true faith. It is a fruit of the Spirit evidencing true life in Christ. If we love Him, we love His people.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ Jesus     (John 13:34-35)

Not to be overly simplistic, but it seems pretty straight forward to me. If we struggle with the people of God, whether they worship like us or not . . . or see all Scripture the way we see it . . . then it should be like low blood pressure or a faint pulse–our vital signs are indicating a problem. That what should be supernaturally natural for us, loving the brothers, is being impacted by the disease we were delivered from. That the old sin nature is compromising the new life that is ours in Christ.

Good, from time to time, to check our vital signs. Are we loving the brothers . . . are we serving the sisters . . . are we letting people know that we are Christ’s disciples?

God grant us healthy vital signs. By Your grace . . . for Your glory.

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You Talk . . . I’ll Listen

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Pete

There seems to be an increased clarity as I read through Job this year.

To be honest, in past years I’ve read through the story and there’s been kind of a fog between chapters 3 and 37. After the initial showdown between God and the devil in heaven and Job’s remarkable response to the calamity he suffers on earth, the back and forth debate between Job and his friends has often been less than clear and I’ve read through it only to get to the end and God’s whirlwind encounter with Job. But this year, more and more of the debate has jumped off the page at me, particularly Job’s diatribes. And Job’s response to suffering seems to have resulted in Job becoming the center of Job’s universe, even to the point of saying to God, “I’ll talk . . . You listen.”

“Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from Your face: withdraw Your hand far from me, and let not dread of You terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and You reply to me.”    ~ Job to God      (Job 13:18-22 ESV)

Incredible! Job is so convinced of the injustice that has befallen him because he was a man who, by God’s own testimony, was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil,” that his vindication becomes his obsession. It seems that Job’s fight for his own righteousness reputation increases as the argument goes on. And if Job must increase, then you gotta know that God must decrease.

Almost comical, in a way.

“God,” says Job, “would You please stop frightening me so with Your awesome Sovereign determination? Would You, Lord, ease up with the fear of God stuff. And would You do it so that I can get a word in edgewise and present my case — my iron clad case that I am in the right and You’ve somehow made a big mistake? And once You remove Your dread from me and I get off my face from before Your holy presence, then give me a call and I will answer . . . or, if You prefer, I’ll lead the conversation and You can answer me?”

Not trying to be overly sarcastic, but isn’t that the tone of Job’s bargaining with God? Not being judgmental or trying to play the “blame game” but isn’t there some fascinating insight as to how suffering can turn one’s attention solely on themselves to the point of clouding their view of God? I’m thinkin’ . . .

How I need to beware of trials becoming all about me. How I need to be on guard against being so consumed by life’s less-than-best circumstances that hubris displaces humility . . . that contention squeezes out contrition . . . that the things of earth overshadow my hope in the things of heaven.

Not judging . . . in fact, probably relating a bit too much.

Love this guy, Job. Love the God He serves. I know what’s coming. God in His awesome, mighty, knee-shaking grace will rebuke Job . . . and reconcile Job . . . and revive Job . . . and restore Job. They’ll have their conversation . . . not as Job anticipates . . . but as Job needs.

Mine in reading this story is to learn from it. Such that, no matter what the trial or testing, by His grace I might always bow and say, “Lord, You talk . . . I’ll listen.”

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

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