The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Pete

After waking to eight verses in Psalm 119 . . . and chewing on Solomon’s great prayer of dedication at the just completed and glory-filled temple . . . and taking in Zechariah’s song of praise at the birth of his son and the prospect of his Messiah . . . like a good cup of coffee, I’m finishing with savoring the first part of Ephesians 3. To be sure it’s been a feast this morning. And the lingering after taste is awe, wonder, and worship as I consider the unsearchable riches of Christ.

For Paul, the gospel was a “stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (3:2). It was a treasure to be managed, shared, and directed as God willed. And, in that, was the mystery. The mystery of Christ given to Paul through revelation by the Spirit, “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (3:6). Though very few of the twelve tribes saw it coming, it was always intended to be . . . “the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things” (3:9b). It’s what God meant when He promised Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). And that “eternal purpose” was realized in Christ Jesus our Lord (3:11).

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of Gods grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ . . .   (Ephesians 3:7-8 ESV)

The unsearchable riches of Christ. Unable to be fully tracked. Unable to be completely comprehended. But more than able to evoke awe and wonder.

Unsearchable in ITS EXISTENCE. Determined before the foundation of the world. Hidden for the ages. All of redemptive history pointing to it. Nothing done that was done by God without the determined purpose that it would culminate in Christ. Hinted at in the seed that would crush the serpents head. Pictured in the Passover Lamb. Foretold in Isaiah’s prophetic vision of a suffering servant. Promised as the Son of David who would sit on the throne forever. Go as far back as you can . . . and then some . . . and there you find the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Unsearchable in ITS REACH. Not just for the Jew, but for the Gentile as well. Not just for those who seek the Light, but for those so enveloped in darkness they don’t even know it. Not just for the saint but for the sinner. Reaching to the lowest hell . . . redeeming those that we might consider beyond redemption. It’s the nature grace . . . it’s the fruit of imputed righteousness . . . it’s the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Unsearchable in ITS BENEFIT. That the gospel was but an exemption from having to pay the wages our sin demanded, that would be a gift beyond expectation. But that it would be accompanied with “boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him” (3:12) is beyond measure. Not just rescued, but righteous. Not just saved, but sons. Not just excused from hell, but invited to dine at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:2) . . . the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Unsearchable in ITS INSTRUCTION.

. . . so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.   (Ephesians 3:10 ESV)

The mystery of Christ . . . the grace of the gospel . . . impacting not only creatures here on earth, but also leaving an eternal impression in heavenly realms. What does it sound like for an angel to gasp in disbelief as he witnesses an enemy of God willingly surrender before the cross? What is the nature of the thunderous voice that is raised around the throne when, in celebration, heaven rejoices over a lost one found? How is the church providing the fuel for eternal worship in the heavens? Don’t fully know. It’s unsearchable.

And, it’s unbelievable!

But it is also undeniable!

All because of grace! . . . All for His glory!

Posted in Ephesians | Tagged | Leave a comment

Near

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Pete

“Therefore remember . . . ” That’s how my reading in Ephesians (2:11-22) began this morning. I took it as a command to obey. Sometimes you need to recall where you were in order to appreciate anew where you are. Sometimes it makes sense to look back at what was, so that you might reflect afresh on what is. Sometimes it’s worth recalling the reality of the alienation of the past life so that you might wonder again, and worship again, because of the reconciliation we can take so for granted in the present life. Sometimes it’s good to remember how far off you were, so that you might thank God that now you are near.

And so, I remember. Like the Ephesians, I was a “Gentile in the flesh.” Separated from Christ. Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger to the covenants of promise. And so, I too was someone “having no hope and without God in the world.” Sum it up in two words, and I was “far off.”

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.   (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)

How easy it is for me to take “near” for granted. For the past three-and-a-half decades I have, for the most part, lived “near.” Because of a new nature, light has been preferred over darkness. By God’s grace, abiding as been the norm rather than the exception. But once, I’m told to remember, I was far off.

At one time, I was hostile toward God. At best, I thought if I left Him alone, He’d leave me alone, and then we could work out something in the end. At worst, His name was on my lips in a manner that now causes me to cringe in remorse and shame . . . maybe that’s why I don’t like to remember. While I’d like to think I lived in ambivalence, I reflect and concede that I lived in hostility.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility . . . that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.    (Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV)

He Himself is our peace. The blood having brought us near, the cross having dealt with, once for all, the hostility. Therefore remember . . .

And so I pause. For, if not for the grace of God, where might I be today? If not for the offering of the Son of Man as the Lamb of God for the sin of the world, how wide would the chasm be? If not for the empty tomb, how bleak would the prospect of eternity be? If not for the gentle wooing of a Savior Shepherd who made His voice known that I might hear and believe, how lost would I be?  If not for the life-giving power of the Spirit who dwells within me, how dead would I be?

And so I give thanks. For, though I once was far off, this morning I am near.

Near by the grace God . . . Near for the glory of God.

Posted in Ephesians | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Have A Seat!

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Pete

The rap sheet is long. Dead in trespasses and sins. Followed the course of this age . . . was led by the the spirit now at work in people of disobedience. Lived after the passions of the flesh–if it was about me, liked it . . . if it felt good, did it. By nature, a child of wrath. And though the rap sheet was huge and condemning, grace was immeasurable and liberating.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV)

Hovering over the great turnaround of Ephesians 2 this morning.

We were dead, BUT GOD made us alive. We were people enslaved by our sinful nature, BUT GOD is love. We were by nature children of wrath, BUT GOD is rich in mercy. How much do you have to like those two words, “but God.” That’s the game-changer. Not because of who we were or what we’ve done, but despite of who we were and all that we did. Not because of our good works, but all because of His immeasurable grace. We were lost in self, BUT GOD made us alive in Christ.

And as I noodle on the blessings of this great salvation, one in particular captures my thoughts. In redeeming us through super-abounding unmerited favor, God has not only made us alive in Christ but has also “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Where is Christ seated today? At the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). At the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven (Heb. 8:1, 12:2). So where am I seated?

That the right hand of the Father is reserved solely for the Son is clear. But who gets the seats next to Him because they are in Him? We do. Have a seat!

How I need to be reminded that although I’m living on earth, I am a blood bought, bona fide, seat-possessing citizen of heaven (Php. 3:20). While I might be occupying a chair at my desk in the here and now, one day, in the there and then, I will be granted to sit with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21). That though I hold no rank or office of significance in this world, I share in the authority of the King of heaven who is sovereign over all and has established His kingdom on earth through those He has redeemed.

Seated with Him in the heavenly places. What a high and holy position. What privilege. What blessing. All without merit save that I am “in Christ Jesus.”

Might I live like one seated in the heavenlies. Live in the blessing of the riches of that seat . . . live in the power of the authority of that seat . . . live in the responsibility to be a faithful ambassador of that seat . . . live in the awe and wonder of the reality of that seat.

. . . so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Have a seat! I think I will . . . only because of grace . . . only through grace. Thank you, Lord!

To Him be all glory!

Posted in Ephesians | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More Than We Could Ask or Deserved

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Pete

It must be one of the best known encounters between a man and God in the Old Testament. And, it must be one of the most inspirational. God appears to the newly crowned king, Solomon, in a dream and says, “Ask what I shall give you.” Talk about a blank check! Talk about the classic, “If you had one wish what would it be?” And Solomon, the son of David, the king of Israel, asks for “an understanding mind” to govern God’s people. In sincere humility, knowing that he is insufficient to govern God’s great people, when told by God he can have anything he wants, Solomon asks for discernment that he might be a faithful leader and judge over Israel. (1Kings 3:3-9).

Bam! That’s the type of leader you like to see. Rather than seeking anything for himself, he wants what will benefit his people the most. It’s not about him, but about faithfully discharging the duty God has called him to. And not only does it ring right with us, but it also pleased the LORD (3:10). And so God gives Solomon what he asks for . . . and gives him what he didn’t ask for.

. . . behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (1Kings 3:12-13 ESV)

Yup . . . pretty cool. Pretty inspirational. But here’s what hit me this morning . . . the foreboding context in which this divine transaction took place.

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaohs daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had  finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem.
(1Kings 3:1 ESV)

As I read this I could almost hear the ominous tolling of a bell. Wife number one. One down, nine-hundred-ninety-nine to go. The first of many foreign wives which God had warned the people of Israel not to marry “for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. And if one might turn away a man’s heart, then one-thousand was going to do a job on this son of David. And Solomon “clung to these in love . . . And his wives turned away his heart.” (1Kings 11:1-3).

So the chapter starts with exposing Solomon’s Achilles heel. And yet, having seen this act of disobedience in the heir to the throne, . . . despite the perfect foreknowledge of knowing that this would be far from an isolated incident, . . . fully aware that Pharaoh’s daughter would be the first of many, many who would successfully mess with the king’s spiritual GPS, God still asks, “What shall I give you?” God still is pleased when Solomon asks for wisdom. And God still grants him not only wisdom but a royal experience which will be second to none in all of history. Can anyone say, “Grace?”

If it had been performance based, God might have held off asking the question? Maybe waiting to see if this Pharaoh’s daughter thing was a “momentary slip” before showering him with wisdom, riches, and honor. If it had been on the basis of works . . .

But it wasn’t. In God’s sovereign determination, in order to fulfill God’s sovereign purpose, according to God’s steadfast love, and by God’s super-abounding grace, He bestows upon a king that which he did not merit. Sounds kind of familiar . . .

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV)

God loved Solomon . . . and showered him with wisdom, despite his choice of wife. And then He gave more him than he asked for, or deserved, and bestowed on him riches.

And God loved us . . . and gave us life, despite our dead works. And, more than just redeeming us, He lavishes on us “the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

By grace, giving us more than we could ask . . . and more than we deserve.

How great is our God? Pretty!

To Him be the glory . . .

Posted in 1Kings | Tagged | Leave a comment

Lavished Upon Us

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Pete

“It’s like I’m drinking from a fire hose!” Ever heard someone say that? I did just this last week as I talked to a friend about how it was going as she was training for a new job. Ever said that yourself? I have. Numerous times. But pause and think about it and what a great word-picture it paints. Imagine someone drinking out of a fire hose? Nozzle to mouth. Hydrant turned on full. No way you can take it all in . . . but it just keeps coming. That’s the image that came to mind this morning as I started in on Ephesians in my reading plan and came across these words from Paul . . .

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV)

I only read the first fourteen verses of Ephesians this morning. Looks like I colored every word. Thoughts concerning Christ . . . truths about God the Father . . . gems about the nature of our salvation . . . calls for praise . . . demonstrations of blessing. Tons of stuff to noodle on in just these few verses. It’s like drinking from a fire hose! But what grabbed this morning . . . the hose that got hooked up and turned on . . . is the fire hose connected to the riches of God’s grace.

Paul says that in Christ we have redemption through His blood. That, because of the finished work of the cross, we can know the forgiveness of our trespasses — past, present, and future. And all this is “according to the riches of His grace, which we lavished on us.”

Savor that word for a moment . . . lavished! The word doesn’t find it’s way into my vocabulary very often. Evidently I’m either not talking about grace as much as I should be or talking about it the way I should be. If I did, “lavished” would be a pretty common part of my speech.

Merriam-Webster defines it like this: “expending or bestowing profusely; expended or produced in abundance; marked by profusion or excess.” Come to think of it I don’t use the word profusely much either. My handy-dandy online Greek lexicon says the original word as the idea of “to abound” or “overflow.” Strong’s puts it this way, “superabound.” When’s the last time I talked about God’s favor and used the word “superabound?”

Such is the degree to which God has, and continues to, pour out His grace. From the abundance and wealth of grace that is found in the very nature of God — a storehouse without measure — grace flows profusely. The floodgates are opened to all who believe and unmerited favor superabounds and the tide overwhelms us. But far from drowning in an ocean of grace, it’s when we fully allow it to submerge us . . . when, rather than seeking by our own effort to keep our head above the great tide, we dive down deep and open our mouths wide, . . . that we come fully alive. Drinking from living waters sourced from the Rock and realized through the Spirit.

A lack of living in God’s grace is not because the fire hose has run empty, but because we have become distracted from hooking ourselves up to it and drinking from it.

Oh that we might believe that God’s grace has been lavished upon us. That we might avail ourselves, day in and day out, of the superabounding flow of steadfast love . . . believing that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sins . . . that the Spirit of Christ can lead us through every difficulty . . . that the love of Christ is sufficient in our failures.

Praise God for grace . . . for superabounding . . . abundantly expended . . . lavishly overflowing grace. All because . . . and only because . . . we are in Him!

To God be the glory!

Posted in Ephesians | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Corpse

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Pete

Okay. When it comes to “translator privilege” I’m usually pretty compliant. I marvel when I consider those men and women who commit together to translate the Scriptures. I don’t pretend to understand all the nuances they have to deal with in translating the original languages from the right texts into understandable English which is true to the intent of God. And I’m no Greek or Hebrew scholar (or any other kind of scholar for that fact), so I don’t have much basis for being hyper critical of why some translations chose the words or phrases or sentences they chose. But I know what I like . . . and what, from my limited understanding and use of Bible helps, seems to be the more accurate and consistent translations. For that reason, I read the ESV.

So . . . why go into all this? It’s because the translators of the ESV did something in translating a word in Mark 15 that really caught my attention this morning. Not just because of the word they used and the mystery as to why they used it (though I am intrigued as to why they did what they did) but because of how it was juxtaposed against my reading in 2Samuel.

Here’s what the ESV translators did. They translated the word for “body” as “corpse.”

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that He should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.    (Mark 15:42-45 ESV)

Joseph of Arimathea asked for “the body” (Gk. soma) of Jesus. Pilate granted him “the corpse” (Gk. soma). The same transaction is recorded in the other three gospels . . . and in each of those the ESV translators write that Pilate gave to Joseph “the body” of Jesus. But in Mark, he gave “the corpse.” As near as I can tell, after a quick examination, every other translation says that Pilate handed over “the body” of the crucified Christ. So, while well within the range of translation, I’m intrigued as to why the ESV translators chose to use “the corpse” in this one instance only.

But that’s what the dead body of Jesus was . . . a corpse. When I read it this morning it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of all the names given to the One whose Name is above every name . . . of all the ways that we describe Him . . . at that moment, after having endured the wrath for my sin and having paid the penalty for my transgression, Jesus was the corpse.

Jesus, second Person of the Triune God. The God I had just read about in David’s song of victory in 2Samuel 22. The God David calls “my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer” (22:1) The One who caused the earth to reel and rock, and the foundations of the heavens to tremble and quake, because He was angry (22:8). He who rides on the cherub (22:11). The Most High who utters His thunderous voice from heaven (22:14). The One who goes into battle for His own and rescues them with might and with power. Behold our God!

And Pilate granted to Joseph the corpse. Behold our God.

To what depths did the Most High descend so that our Rock and our Fortress might be our Deliverer from the bondage of sin and death? What power, though clothed in apparent weakness, was exerted upon that cross that day so that the battle for eternal life might be fought and won? What victory, though shrouded in seeming defeat, was wrought that day because of “the corpse?”

Don’t know why the ESV translators did it, but it causes me to pause and wonder . . . not only at their translation decision . . . but to wonder and marvel and worship afresh because of God’s loving and grace-fueled determination to offer His Son as my atoning sacrifice.

For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to Your name. Great salvation He brings . . .     (2Samuel 22:50-51a ESV)

Posted in Mark | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Of No Advantage To You

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Pete

It’s kind of an “out there” type of statement. Seems a bit over the top. But then again, that’s kind of how Paul’s coming across in this letter. If the epistle to the Galatians were an email I think you’d be seeing a lot of it in ALL CAPS . . . and there’d be emoticons with scrunched up faces and wide eyes scattered liberally throughout it. Paul was “astonished” and “perplexed” because his dear children in faith acted as though they had been “bewitched.” Paul couldn’t believe that those who had put on Christ were now thinking that in order to be justified they needed to also put on their best behavior. And so Paul goes over the top. Keep it up, Paul says, and Christ is of no advantage.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.   (Galatians 5:1-4 ESV)

Severed from Christ . . . fallen away from grace . . . the work of the cross of no advantage to you.  Pretty extreme declarations.

They had been running well (3:7), but now they were being hindered. They had believed the gospel, that Christ had been crucified to atone for their sins. By “hearing with faith” they had received the Spirit. Like Isaac, they were children of promise, offspring of the free woman, citizens of the new Jerusalem above. They had been “born according to the Spirit.” But now they were being charmed into believing that what had begun as a sovereign determination of heaven, could now be completed with the best efforts of earth. That what had begun in the Spirit could now be perfected in the flesh. That what had been declared to be an emancipation from the law could now only be fully realized by becoming again slaves to the law.

And so says Paul, if you pursue righteousness based on your best efforts . . . if the race can only be won because of your abilities and determination . . . then Christ is of no advantage to you. If you consider the justification wrought on the cross insufficient . . . if you live as though God’s acceptance is only fully found when you live up to a standard of conduct dependent on your righteous acts . . . then, in a sense, you have severed yourself from the Christ who has said He will live in you and through you . . . and you have detached yourself from the grace that is sufficient not only to save but to sanctify you as well.

Of no advantage to you.

Christ plus us, declares Paul, is nothing. Christ plus nothing? That’s everything. He is the all in all for all of salvation.

What futile bondage it is to live out our Christian lives thinking that somehow it’s up to our best efforts at holiness to be really accepted by God. It says the cross is insufficient . . . it says that the Spirit indwelling us needs help . . . it says that Christ’s imputed righteousness is a garment that needs to enhanced by our works.

Crazy, says Paul.

Might we, as God’s people, stand firm in the freedom for which Christ has set us free. Might we pursue godliness not because it’s required and we need to buckle down. Instead, might we pursue godliness as a loving and worship-induced response, knowing He has already raised us up . . . “and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).

All because of grace. All dependent upon grace. All for His glory.

Posted in Galatians | Tagged | Leave a comment

With a Clear Mind

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Pete

I don’t think they offered it to Jesus out of any sense of compassion, but more out of duty to protocol. It was a pitiful act of mercy incorporated into what was overwhelmingly a vile and cruel form of execution marked by everything but mercy. But, before nailing Him to the cross, according to protocol, the soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh (Mark 15:23). It was designed to dull the senses . . . to cloud the mind . . . to so intoxicate the condemned that they became less aware of the pain their body would endure for hours as they hung between heaven and earth. And Jesus refused it. He would not take it.

Jesus would refuse the Roman cup so that He might drink the Father’s cup fully conscious of all that was transpiring around Him and above Him. With a clear mind He could continue to intercede for those He came to save, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). With a clear mind He could welcome into eternal life those who believed even at the last moment — to the thief next to Him He would declare, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Because He did not permit Himself to be in a drunken stupor He could focus on the woman who birthed Him into His earthly existence and care for her — “He said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!'” (John 19:26-27). And, as a King not compromised by strong drink (Prov. 31:4-5), with clarity of mind and purpose He led the way to victory as the Lamb of God declaring with all authority, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but Jesus would not take it. He would, being fully conscious, undertake to do the Father’s will. But as I read in Mark this morning, He would also, with complete clarity, submit Himself fully to His creations’ contempt.

And those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked Him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with Him also reviled Him.    (Mark 15:29-32 ESV)

Derided by those who passed by Him. Mocked by those hated Him. Even reviled by those crucified with Him. And Jesus heard it all . . . clearly. With mind unaffected by any anesthetizing substance, Jesus took it all in. He heard the spitting rhetoric of blasphemy directed toward the One who created all things. He took in the arrogant sarcasm of the religious leaders who played with Him as a cat with a mouse. He was fully aware of those on either side of Him who, in their drunken stupor, somehow blamed Him for their transgressions. Mark records it. Jesus received it. And I pause and reflect on it.

What humiliation was suffered by my Savior that day. What shame He bore. Forget that He had been so physically abused before being crucified. Forget that He had been stripped naked and His clothes gambled away. How low was the Son of Man brought by those He came to rescue and redeem? What humility was suffered in order to be my substitute?

May I never lose the wonder of the depths of suffering endured by the Son of Man on my account. Might I not take of the wine and myrrh offered by this world that in any way lessens my understanding and appreciation of what it means that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). I was that crowd that derided Him . . . I was the prideful man who followed the gods of my own making and so mocked Him . . . I was that one condemned to death beside Him who blamed Him.

And while I was all that, Jesus with a clear mind, and with a resolve that had been determined since the foundation of the world, “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2) that I might be redeemed.

To Him be all glory . . . to Him be all praise.

O what a Savior!

Posted in Mark | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Christ Formed in You

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Pete

Quick thought this morning as I rush out to take a friend to the airport . . .

It would seem that, for the apostle Paul, the end game went beyond receiving Christ . . . that it was about reflecting Christ. That, more than simply accepting the grace of God, Paul wanted his children in the faith to actually embody the grace of God. While Paul rejoiced that people would place their faith in Christ, even more he wanted Christ to be formed in them.

. . . my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. (Galatians 4:19-20 ESV)

There was a shift occurring among many throughout the churches in Galatia. Having received some additional “good news” from false teachers, those who had “begun in the Spirit” now sought to be “perfected by the flesh” (Gal. 3:3). Having started their Christian lives by faith, they now sought to live those Christian lives by works. Having received the righteousness of Another, they now believed that they could put on a righteousness of their own making. And so, an exasperated Paul scratches his head and says, “I am perplexed about you.”

It had been revealed to Paul that what had begun by the active agency of the Spirit was to be fully realized by the active agency of the Spirit. What was birthed by faith would have to mature by faith. The righteousness FROM Christ that had been placed UPON THEM by grace alone, was to morph into the righteousness OF Christ that would be formed WITHIN THEM by grace alone. That’s what Paul understood to be the nature of salvation. That’s what Paul desired for those who had come to know Christ as Savior. That’s why Paul would ache with the pains of childbirth over those who sought to do life in Christ through their own efforts.

And so those who had once received the gospel now needed to believe the gospel again.

And I’m thinking that’s how “Christ is formed in you.”

When the gospel goes on the shelf . . . when it’s put in a photo-album as a remembrance of something once believed for justification, then it loses its power as the means for sanctification. And, if I’m picking up what Paul is laying down, only the good news of a finished work and unmerited favor can take sinners-saved-by-grace and transform them into new creations who bear the very image and nature of God’s Son.

Christ formed in you. By grace alone. For His glory alone.

Posted in Galatians | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Way Back

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Pete

There is no putting the “fun” back in dysfunctional. When the flesh is allowed to reign, the consequences can be huge and can last for years. If any family conveys that reality, it’s the family of David. I’m reading in 2Samuel this morning and at the center of the storm brewing in the midst of David’s court is the man Absalom. Absalom, third son of David, . . . . Absalom, killer of first-born son, Ammon . . . Absalom, soon to be the leader of a revolt against his father. Everything surrounding Absalom is dark.

He rises to prominence in Scripture as the protector of his sister who had been shamefully violated by her step-brother Ammon (2Samuel 13). And while he nurtured Tamar in his home, he hated Ammon in his heart. And though King David was angry at what Ammon had done, David did nothing. And so, after two years of the bitterness building, Absalom takes matters into his own hands and conspires to murder Ammon. Mission complete, Absalom flees the courts of David with his men.

And so father and son are estranged. Though David could never be reunited with Ammon, he longed to be in relationship with his son Absalom. But he didn’t know how to do it. Just as he had been ineffectual in dealing with Ammon’s transgression, David didn’t know how to deal with what Absalom had done. And so the king sits on his throne in Jerusalem and, for the three years, the son is thrust away and lives in exile in Geshur.

A dark time in the family. Sin committed. Sin undealt with. Sin leading to more sin. Sin resulting in a son being estranged from his father.

Perhaps David was so paralyzed in dealing with his son’s sin because of his memories of his own past transgression. Don’t know, really. But in the midst of this train wreck, Joab, commander of David’s army, takes the initiative to try and restore the relationship between David and Absalom (2Samuel 14:1-12). And though it will eventually result in things going from bad to worse, in the midst of this darkness a pin prick of light is revealed . . . a tiny beam of glory shines out of the darkness . . . revealing the heart of the heavenly Father and foreshadowing the true path to reconciliation.

And the woman [sent by Joab] said [to King David], “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again. We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and He devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.”  (2Samuel 14:13-14  ESV)

God will not take away life . . . He devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.

It just bursts forth from the night of this family feud. Our God’s desire is that none should perish (2Peter 3:9). Those who are in exile due to their sin . . . those who are removed from the throne of blessing because of their transgression . . . those who are banished in self-exile due to pride and rebellion . . . for those, my God makes a way to bring back those who have been separated from Him. Not a means that ignores sins, but that deals with it once for all.

Just a glimmer of light . . . revealing the heart of the Father . . . and foreshadowing the cross. It is the means by which the banished one need not remain an outcast.

And at what cost did the Father devise such a means? The body of His Son shamed . . . the blood of His Son shed . . . the just payment for our sin laid upon Him. All that the banished one might be provided a way back. That the prodigal might be welcomed home. That the rebel might be reconciled.

How I need such a way back. Not just for my sin past when I was by nature a son of wrath in unbelief (Eph. 2:3). But for my sin present. For those times when I concede to the flesh. For those times when I’m tripped up by an enemy who is crafty and relentless. For those times when I simply fall short of walking in a manner worthy of my calling.

How, in those times, I need to remember that there is a way back. A means devised for those who feel the separation of sin from the Father because of their shame, or their sense of failure, or the voice of the accuser. How then I need to be reminded that He is not a taker away of life, but is the Giver of life . . . of abundant life . . . of life to the full . . . of life everlasting. And to know afresh there is always a way back because of the gospel.

A way back. Through the over-flowing grace of God. All for the ever giving of glory to God.

Posted in 2Samuel | Tagged , | Leave a comment