Stay Awake

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Pete

Some passages you just need to hover over for awhile to try and get what it’s saying. Others I need to do some quick study work with my online Bible tools. Others still, I pull out my William MacDonald commentary to help me navigate what’s being said. And then, there are those passages that spell it out clearly. And in some, like today’s reading in Mark, it’s shouted out unambiguously: Stay awake!

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning–lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”    (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

Jesus had told His disciples that there would be a time when the great buildings of Jerusalem would be thrown down . . . not one stone left upon another. And some, when they were alone with Jesus, asked privately, “When will these things be, and what will be the sign?” (13:1-3). And so Jesus tells them about the signs of the times before the coming of the Son of Man in great power and glory. But, He makes clear, it’s not so they can chart His return on a calendar.

No one knows the hour of Jesus’ return. No one on earth. Not the angels in heaven. Not even Jesus Himself. Only the Father knows. So why bother with knowing the signs of the time of His return if it’s not going to help you schedule His return on your calendar? Three times Jesus clearly states why, “Keep awake . . . therefore stay awake . . . what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” So what’s the point? Stay awake!

The Son of Man is coming. Stay awake. Just as Jesus ascended from earth in a cloud to heaven, so He will descend from heaven in the clouds and return to earth (Acts 1:9-11). Be alert. If Jesus said (and He did), “I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3), then He will. Watch for it.

Nothing worse than the master returning only to find his servants asleep at the switch. And we don’t know when our Master will return. Could be “in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning.” But return He will.

And that He has asked us, until then, to engage in the business of His kingdom is clear (Luke 19:13). That He has asked us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) . . . that He wants us to live with, and love greatly, the people of God so that others might know Him through His disciples (John 13:35) . . . that His desire is that we bear much fruit through abiding in Him (John 15:1-8) . . . is all communicated in the Word He has left us. This and much more. We are not left to our own wisdom and opinions as to what the Master has asked of His servants while He is away.

The question that remains is, “Will He return only to find us asleep?” Or, because we know the signs of the times, will we have our head in the game and an “eye to the sky?” Will we be busy with kingdom work and heavenly pursuits because we see the signs and know that His return is imminent?

We don’t know when. But we know He’s coming again. Therefore, says the Lord, stay awake.

O, that we might be found busy for the Master on that day when the clouds part and we see Him face to face.

That we would stay awake . . . enabled by His grace . . . active for His glory.

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Divine Jealousy

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Pete

Why bother? Why keep contending for them? There were many other churches that would have benefited from his time and attention. Many other groups of believers who had not taken to these “super-apostles” who were proclaiming another Jesus and a different gospel. Even at their best, the problems within this fellowship were many and complex. So why did Paul bother? Why write another letter? Why contend for this flaky flock? Short answer: divine jealousy.

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
 (2Corinthians 11:1-3 ESV)

Paul, as a faithful steward of the ministry given him, had brought the two together. Jesus, meet the Corinthians . . . you in Corinth, may I introduce you to Jesus. A matchmaker of sorts, commissioned by the Father to help provide a bride for His Son, Paul bad been there from the beginning. And for Paul, while the salvation of souls was of eternal importance, the bringing together of a Bridegroom and His bride was his driving passion.

“I promised you as a pure bride to one husband–Christ” (NLT). Why are you even entertaining others? Give your head a shake! I am boiling in that you have eyes for someone else? I am so zealous that you would know “a sincere and pure devotion in Christ” that I am making every effort to encourage you . . . to rebuke you . . . to persuade you to return to your first love. I am jealous.  In fact, I feel a divine jealousy for you.

And it’s that word, divine, that stands out this morning. Paul wasn’t upset because it impacted his numbers or the reputation of the effectiveness of his ministry or follow-up. But Paul’s jealousy was a theos jealousy. His burning and zeal was Spirit-induced . . . reflecting the heart of the Son . . . motivated solely for the glory of the Father.

Paul’s persistence in urging the body at Corinth to be faithful to Jesus was but an echo of Jesus’ plea, “Be faithful to Me!”

Our God is a jealous God . . . He says so Himself (Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 4:24, 5:9, 6:15). The Father is jealous for His people . . . the Son is jealous for His bride . . . the Spirit is jealous for those He has sealed. And fueling divine jealousy is the anticipation of a “pure virgin” being presented to Christ.

Not that she can clean herself up and make herself pure. Not that she can, of herself, regain the innocence lost. But that, through “a sincere and pure devotion,” she might faithfully cling to the One who “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

That’s why Paul bothered. That’s why he contended. That’s why he bared his heart and soul before them, pleading with them to be faithful. Because he had in mind a wedding day.

And that’s why grace abounds from heaven’s throne. Why the Father patiently waits while Christ is formed in us. Why the Spirit tirelessly works within us. Why the Son endlessly intercedes for us. Because of a wedding day. A day when, to one Husband, the church is presented as a chaste bride. Marked by a purity and righteous not of our own making but imputed to us through the finished work of the cross. Not decked out in a wedding dress of own design, but robed in garments of righteousness of His making. Not that we might look good . . . but that He might be exalted.

Divine jealousy. Might that be our jealousy, as well.

All because of grace. All for His glory.

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He Remembers His Covenant Forever

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Pete

It is a fuel for praise. It is a catalyst for giving thanks. To think on these things, is to be moved to sing to Him. To remember these things is to want to bless Him. To meditate on these things is to glory in His holy name. And what are “these things?” They are the wondrous works that He has done. They are the mighty deeds performed by an Almighty God on behalf of His people. They are the things the songwriter sings about in Psalm 105.

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
(Psalm 105:1-3 ESV)

For the heart set on seeking the LORD, there is cause to rejoice when we consider His wondrous works.

So the psalmist writes of God’s protection of Jacob the sojourner, and of His provision through Joseph, the one “sent ahead” to Egypt so that Israel might find refuge there from famine. In that land, the songwriter reminds us, “the LORD made His people very fruitful” . . . and made them “stronger than their foes,” so that they hated God’s people and oppressed them.

And the song continues. God sends Moses. Through him and Aaron, God performs signs in “the land of Ham.” Skies made dark . . . waters turned into blood . . . infestations of frogs and flies . . . hail for rain . . . vines, fig trees, and other trees struck down . . . the remaining vegetation devoured by locusts . . . and finally, “He struck down all the firstborn in their land.” Give thanks to the LORD . . . make known His deeds among the peoples!

And the ballad goes on. Brought out of the land with silver and gold . . . covered with a cloud by day . . . led by the light of a pillar of fire by night . . . fed with quail out of nowhere, and with bread from heaven, and with water from the rock. Sing praise to Him . . . tell of His wondrous works.

But what grabs me this morning is that it’s not just about the works, but about the why.

For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham, His servant.
(Psalm 105:42 ESV)

His works were because of His word. The power He demonstrated due to the promise He determined.

He remembers His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations . . . (Psalm 105:8 ESV)

My God is a God or promise. And He is the One who remembers His covenant forever . . . acting and intervening in order to bring about what He has determined.

And so, every remembrance of what He has done in the past . . . every song sung in praise of the signs He has shown to evidence His presence . . . every meditation focused on that which we have known of His mighty works in our lives . . . it all serves as surety of what lies ahead. That God does not forget or give up on what He has covenanted to do. That if He says He will save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25), He will. If He declares His purpose is to form the very nature of His Son in us through His Spirit (Rom. 8:29), He will. If He covenants to build a home and provide a treasure in heaven for us and promises to take us to be with Himself (John 14:1-3), it’s gonna happen.

He remembers His covenant forever. Sing to Him!

Every evidence of His faithfulness a reminder . . . every experience of His grace a surety . . . every whisper of His voice a mighty sign to bestow confidence.

Oh give thanks to the LORD . . . Sing to Him, sing praise to Him . . . tell of His wondrous works . . . for He remembers His covenant forever.

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A Confession of the Gospel

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Pete

That it was a big deal for Paul is evident by the amount of “real estate” it occupies in his letter. That it should be a big deal for me is evident in that it was God-breathed. The Spirit of God moving Paul to write to the Corinthians . . . and to keep writing . . . concerning “the ministry for the saints.” God determining to preserve these practical details of an ancient time for my instruction. And while, most often, I just skim over 2Corinthians 8 and 9, for some reason (I’m thinking a Spirit influenced reason) Paul’s determination to make sure the Corinthians were fully engaged in meeting the financial needs of the saints in Jerusalem has captured my attention. And this morning I’m struck by the phrase, “your confession of the gospel of Christ.”

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
 (2Corinthians 9:12-15 ESV)

Those who understand grace demonstrate grace. Those who really get God’s unmerited goodness are marked by free-flowing generosity. Those who, by God’s illuminating Spirit, have some appreciation for the “inexpressible gift” revealed to them in the gospel, confess that good news every time they give willingly.

“God is able,” writes Paul, “to make all grace abound to you” (9:8a). Grace that saves. Grace that sustains. Grace that supplies. Grace that abounds . . . grace that is abundant . . . grace which exceeds measurement. The grace demonstrated in the giving of God’s Son as payment for our sin. The grace experienced when, by faith, men and women once driven by the flesh are infused with the Spirit who brings life and gives freedom. And out of that grace which abounds to us, the Father would have His children “abound in every good work” (9:8b).

To know grace is to know the gospel. And to show grace through our generosity is one way to confess the gospel.

As it is written, “He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”   (2Corinthians 9:9 ESV)

In that He has given, we are to be characterized as givers. In that He has distributed freely, we are to share liberally that which God has given us to steward. As His grace demonstrates His eternal righteousness, our generosity is evidence of that same righteousness which has been imputed to us through Christ’s risen life and is being formed in us through the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Our giving, our meeting the needs of others, is a demonstration of the dynamics of the gospel.

And, like the gospel, it’s not just about meeting needs of people. At its heart, it is about giving glory to God. This service, as Paul calls it, “overflows in many thanksgivings to God.” It is the Father who meets the needs of His children. And often He will do that through the family of believers. Those who have known the riches of heaven, sharing something of their riches on earth, so that the God of heaven might be praised by His people on earth.

And thus, those who have known the gospel of abundant grace, confess the gospel of abundant grace through their generosity. And that, to the praise of God who gives freely.

O to be a cheerful giver (9:7). For the benefit of others. For the sake of the gospel. For the glory of God.

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A Famous Nobody

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Pete

The need in Jerusalem was great. The saints there were under the heavy hand of persecution. And their persecution created among them a great poverty. The churches in Macedonia, though not the wealthiest of believers themselves, “overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2Cor. 8:1-3). They begged for the opportunity to extend such grace (8:4) to those in need in Jerusalem because they had themselves known the over-the-top generous grace of the Lord Jesus who “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (8:9). And so Paul sought to encourage the Corinthians to also provide financial assistance to the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and thus participate too in “this act of grace” (8:6, 7, 19).

And Paul, ever mindful of wanting all things to be done above reproach and beyond any accusation, arranges for a team of men, led by Titus, to handle the collection, the delivery, and the distribution of the funds. And it’s in reading the details of this practical arrangement that my attention was grabbed by a famous nobody.

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our good will.    (2Corinthians 8:16-19 ESV)

Titus was well known as one of Paul’s closest associates and fellow laborers (8:23). And he was asked of Paul to take charge of the gift for Jerusalem. But in order that there be no hint of any mishandling of the funds, Paul asks two other men to work with Titus. One of them is described by Paul in 8:18 as “the brother who is famous among all the churches.”

All the churches praised him as a preacher of the Good News (NLT). A dynamic speaker, I imagine. When this brother proclaimed the Word, the Spirit showed up. An itinerant preacher whose reputation preceded him. I’m guessing he drew big crowds. Paul didn’t even have to name him in writing to the Corinthians. He was just “the brother who is famous.” And that, apparently, was enough for them to know who Paul was talking about.

But the fact that he is not named causes me to pause. Though Paul would not have understood that this second letter he was writing to the Corinthians would eventually become Holy Writ and part of the Canon of Scripture, the Spirit who inspired Paul to write was well aware of it. And so you might think that the Spirit would have ensured that Paul named this brother so that those through the ages would know who this famous preacher was. Evidently not.

And I’m thinking that the fact that this guy was a famous nobody is instructive.

This well known, but unidentified itinerant had been called to “carry out this act of grace” not to enhance his resume, but “for the glory of the Lord Himself” (v.19). Just as he had preached the gospel, not for his prestige but because it was the power of God for salvation, he would serve in this act of grace so that others would know that the Great Shepherd cares for the needs of His people. The only name that needed to be remembered by anybody was that Name Above All Names, Jesus. This brother who was famous would gladly be a nobody, if through his faithful service, Jesus might be introduced to somebody . . . and His name exalted by everybody who had been called to be saints.

And how I need to be content to be a nobody . . . famous or otherwise. To be like John the Baptist, ever mindful that Christ must increase “but I must decrease” (John 3:30). To rest in the fact that, while no one else might know my name, Jesus does — both the name by which He called me to Himself and the new name which He will give to me in that day (Rev. 2:17, 3:12). To know that, should no one sing my praise or remember my name, just to hear the risen Christ say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” will be more than enough . . . and that, all because of His abundant grace.

To Him be the glory . . . now and forevermore!

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A People Yet To Be Created

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Pete

It is a “prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.” So reads the subtitle of Psalm 102. “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!” begins the songwriter. And we writes of desperate days and desert-like depression. Of bones clinging to his flesh . . . of days that are more like evening shadows . . . of intense loneliness. Yet he addresses his “complaint” to the God of promise. And in that, he is confident of a future day of great joy. For his God is a faithful God and is mighty to rescue and to save. In that He is the God promise, there is a sense of anticipation even amidst desperation. And I’m captured this morning by the psalmist’s consideration of “a people yet to be created.”

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that He looked down from His holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem His praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.    (Psalm 102:18-22 ESV)

While the psalmist may have had another “generation” in mind, I’m identifying this morning with that “people yet to be created.”

The songwriter is focused on the LORD again building up Zion. Of His glory appearing such that the kings of the earth submit themselves to Him in fear (v. 15-16). He thinks of those held captive by a physical enemy . . . and anticipates the groans of these prisoners eventually leading to their liberation so that they might again declare the LORD’s praise on the holy hill.

But I’m thinking of a people who were held captive by a different enemy. An enemy not content with just physical oppression, but one who vies for the very souls of men. And I think of a people who were enslaved by sin, death, corruption, and darkness. Such darkness that they were unaware of the depths of their bondage. Such oppression that they would stand with their oppressor to defy the living God. Such corruption that they, themselves, became enemies of God and children of wrath.

But just as the psalmist pleaded for his people and that “next generation,” I hear the greater Songwriter intercede for “a people yet to be created.” His song also asking that God would, in His mercy and grace, look down from His holy height and intervene in the lost estate of those doomed to die. And intervene He does.

The Father, who longs to share the love He has known from before the foundation of the world (John 17:24), sends His Son to rescue the prisoner. The Son, in full obedience to the Father, taking up a cup of suffering and shame so that the chains of sin and death might be broken–victory declared through the empty tomb. And the Spirit, perfectly one with the Father and the Son, drawing men and women out of the pit as they, by faith, look to the Son for deliverance.

And this “people yet to be created” is born. They are the redeemed. They are prisoners set free. They are the church . . . the bride of Christ . . . that they might declare amidst a heavenly Jerusalem the name of the LORD. That they might be fashioned into a holy temple . . . a dwelling place for God by the Spirit . . . where praise is sung to a victorious King. That they might form a body of those called to gather together to worship the LORD.

As I read the words of this ancient songwriter I image the lyrics being sung by the greater Psalmist. He who sends His Spirit to woo the prisoner to Himself. He who intercedes for those rescued that they might grow in likeness to Himself. He who desires this people, “yet to be created,” to sing His praises for all eternity.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are Gods people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.   (1Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

A people created through His grace. A people created for His glory.

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An “Either / Or” Matter of the Heart

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Pete

For Jesus it was a black and white question. There was no grey area. No middle ground on this one. It was “either / or.” Either from heaven or from man.

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer Me.”     (Mark 11:29-30 ESV)

The tensions continued to mount between the religious leaders and Jesus. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and decided to clean house . . . literally (Mark 10:15-19). And now the chief priests and the scribes and the elders wanted to know, “Who gave You this authority?” And Jesus knew this was not sincere inquisitiveness. This was not a head issue that would be resolved by additional facts and data. This was a heart issue. And to expose it, He answered their question with a question. A black and white question. An “either / or” question.

And these self-serving, white washed tombs, tried to take a by. The wouldn’t allow themselves to be backed into a corner. They knew that admitting John’s baptism was divine had serious implications concerning the One John pointed to. And they weren’t about to bow to Jesus. But they also knew that trashing John’s ministry as something concocted by some crazy guy, who wore animal skins, ate locusts, and hung out in the desert, was to go against popular opinion. And they valued popular opinion. So they passed. They took a by. “We don’t know,” they said. They hardened their hearts to what was potentially a life-giving question if they would have dealt with it honestly. A black and white . . . “either / or” . . . life-giving question.

And the “aroma” of my reading in Mark carries over to my reading in 2Corinthians . . .

Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. . . . Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God . . .     (2Corinthians 6:1, 14-16a ESV)

I shudder at the thought of being able to “receive the grace of God in vain.” But it’s possible. And it seems, it too, is impacted by a black and white, “either / or,” question. Faithful to Christ or arm-in-arm with idolaters? Pursuing light or desiring the things of darkness? Seeking the kingdom of God or adopting the ways of this world.

And, to be clear, I am not suggesting we are not to rub shoulders with the world. We’re in it as salt and light and ambassadors for Christ. But I’m thinking it’s an “either / or” determination when it comes to embracing the world and communing with that which opposes the kingdom of heaven. I kind of hear Jesus’ question, “From heaven or from man? Answer me.”

How we, as God’s people, need to be on guard of being bound and compromised by a discordant association with those in need of the light of the gospel. How we need to beware the prevailing wisdom of man . . . thinking there’s some common ground . . . entertaining the thought that the prevailing culture’s claim to enlightenment might have something to it and that the church needs to “get with the times.”

We are the temple of God . . . we are the recipients of grace. We need to beware of receiving such amazing grace in vain. The old adage is true — we need to be in the world but not of the world. We need to pledge allegiance to the ways of heaven and not be drawn into the things of man. It’s an “either / or” matter of the heart.

“From heaven or from man?” Jesus asks, “Answer Me.”

From heaven, Lord!  By the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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A Labor of Gladness

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Pete

Over the decades I have probably read the 100th almost a hundred times. Certainly, in the day, I must have sung the 100th at least a hundred times. Probably the first psalm I memorized because it was one of the first I learned as scripture lyrics put to what was then a modern melody. But something stood out this morning as I read through this “old time favorite.” Maybe I’ve noticed it before . . . but maybe not. Seems that worship is not just an offering of praise, as I most commonly think of it, but it is also a labor of gladness.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1-2 ESV)

Like I said, over the years I have read, said, or sung these words dozens if not hundreds of times. But I think that, most often, I may have disassociated “serve the LORD” from “make a joyful noise to the LORD” and “come into His presence with singing.” But this morning it hits me between the eyes that these are parallel thoughts. That making a joyful noise is the same as coming into His presence with singing and, in this context, is the same as serving the LORD with gladness. The NIV doesn’t force me to make this connection for, though not literal, it translates the right thought, “Worship the Lord with gladness.”

But I think there’s some value for allowing the reader to connect the dots. Or, rather, having the reader experience the Spirit’s illumination as the Holy Spirit connects the dots for them.

How often do I view my singing to the LORD as service to the LORD? When was the last time I considered my wonder and worship before the God in our midst as a work done in subjection to Him. When was the last time I thought of the lyrics I sing before Him to be a labor of gladness?

We serve the LORD when we make a joyful noise to Him. That service is to be one presented with joy, mirth, and happiness of heart. And that service is available to every child of God . . . no matter one’s spiritual gifting, all God’s people can make a joyful noise and humbly offer this joy-filled labor.

Kind of puts a new perspective on something which for many seems to be a tiresome activity. How many view the opening song service as the “prelims” . . . an optional part of the Sunday service. To them I say, “Serve the LORD with gladness” . . . sing the songs . . . do so with hearts of joyful gratitude . . . come into His presence with singing.

And then for those who I get to observe, week after week, who are lifting their voices . . . and lifting their faces . . . and some even lifting their hands . . . for those whose countenance offered to heaven indicates they get this work of worship . . . to them I say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Your labor of gladness is heard in heaven. Your service of song stirs the One to whom you sing.

What privilege to serve the One who redeemed us for Himself. What joy to work for Him who has made us His own for “we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (v.3). We get to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (v.4) because access has been made into the very holy of holies by the blood of His blessed Son. We are compelled to give thanks . . . for He is good . . . and His steadfast love endures forever . . . and His faithfulness extend to all generations (v. 5).

If we don’t sing . . . the rocks will (Luke 19:37-40).

Might God’s people embrace the wonder of being servants in song. O blessed labor of gladness!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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This LIght Momentary Affliction

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Pete

It was Paul’s reality. This morning it’s my promise. Reading 2Corinthians 4 this morning . . . the “jars of clay” passage. Paul’s confession that the ministry he has, “by the mercy of God,” is a hard, tough, demanding ministry. Yet, says Paul, “We do not lose heart.” He could endure what he endured for the sake of the gospel not because of his natural strength or discipline. Instead, the “treasure” of the gospel was being carried forth in “jars of clay” . . . earthen vessels . . . cracked pots . . . so that their endurance would “show that the surpassing power belongs to God” (2Cor. 4:7). And what sustained such power? Faith. Faith in what Paul believed to be his reality . . . and what, this morning, I take as my promise.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.   (2Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)

“This light momentary affliction.” That’s the phrase that jumped off the page this morning. That’s the perspective that caused me to pause and reflect.

Here’s the equation Paul presents in this chapter: “Afflicted in every way + Perplexed + Persecuted + Struck down + Being given over to death for Jesus’ sake = Light momentary affliction.” Really? The math doesn’t seem to line up. It does if you apply the faith factor.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.   (2Corinthians 4:13-14 ESV)

The faith factor reminds us that the “here and now” is IS NOT the main event. That the “here and now” will give way to a “there and then.” And, according to the promise, what awaits us “there and then” is “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

The things that are unseen will make the things we endure today fade in insignificance. The heaviness of the glory that will be ours when we see Jesus is enough to make the burdens we carry today seem light in comparison. Not to minimize the reality of the trials many of us face today. But, as did Paul, to put them in the context of the reality of the glory we will just as assuredly know in that day when faith gives ways to sight.

That’s why, despite all Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel, he was not crushed . . . he was not driven to despair . . . he was not forsaken . . . he was not destroyed . . . he did not lose heart. He had an eye to the future. Looking not only to the “things that are seen” but also to “the things that are unseen.” By faith looking past that which was “transient” and instead focusing on that which is “eternal.”

As Paul remembered the unimaginable glory that awaited him, he could consider his sufferings as but “light momentary affliction” in comparison.

That by the grace of God we might have faith like Paul. That through the promise of God’s word we too would anticipate an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. That by the sustaining power of the Spirit we might know the surpassing power which indwells jars of clay so that we too might not lose heart.

Eternal weight of glory . . . light momentary affliction. All because of grace . . . All for His glory.

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Reflecting . . . Radiating . . .

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Pete

A letter from Christ. Written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Engraved not on tablets of stone. Instead, inscribed on tablets of human hearts. That is how Paul regarded the saints at Corinth (2Cor. 3:3). And, not gonna lie, that’s how I regard myself. I think it’s a safe application. Written to them, but written for me, I think it’s fair to count myself as a page in the eternal epistle God is writing through grace by His Spirit.

Not that I’m much of a letter to read. There’s a lot more editing to be done. But as I hover over 2Corinthians 3 this morning . . . and if I’m understanding Paul’s comparison of the old and new covenants correctly . . . and if I’m picking up on what Paul is laying down concerning the life giving ministry of the Spirit of God . . . then I am, to some degree, reflecting and radiating the glory of God.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.   (2Corinthians 3:16-18 ESV)

The old covenant was given through Moses. Written on tablets of stones, it provided the means for relationship based on the letter of the law. Though Paul describes it as “the ministry of death” (v.7) and “the ministry of condemnation” (v.9) it came with glory. Such glory that it caused Moses’ face to shine. Such glory that the Israelites couldn’t look upon the face of Moses and so he wore a veil (v.7). Glorious not because it provided the means of salvation, but rather, glorious because it was God’s appointed manner to direct men and women toward the Son of salvation. Yet it was a glory that faded.

Cue the glory that surpasses it (v.10). The ministry of righteousness (v.9) . . . the glory that is permanent (v.11). Not law conveyed through a man coming down from a mountain, but life given by the Spirit come down from God Himself. The Spirit of the living God supplanting the letter of the law. The glory of the Spirit surpassing the fading shine on Moses face. The Spirit of God providing once for all, and once forever, freedom. The veil removed through Christ (v.14b). The glow of glory directly reflected upon, and radiated from within, the faces of believers.

We turn to Jesus — the veil of darkness, guilt, and shame is removed — and we behold the glory of the Lord. Literally, like looking in a mirror we reflect the glory of the risen Christ as we, by faith, are brought face to face with Him through the active agency of His indwelling Spirit. Though dimly, we mirror Christ. His majesty and radiance faintly seen in sinners saved by grace. Those once of the letter of the law now walking in the freedom of the Spirit. Those once bound by sin and death are now released by the finished work of the resurrected Christ. Those once with hearts of stone, now given hearts of flesh . . . written upon by the Spirit . . . evidencing something of the wondrous work of God’s overflowing love.

But beyond just reflecting something of the glory, we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” The reflecting of His glory increasingly becomes a radiating of that glory. The Son’s rays not just bouncing off our faces, but emitting from within our very core. As the Spirit of life continues His sanctifying work of conforming us into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), we emanate the glory of Christ. As we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20), the mind and heart of Christ bubble to the surface manifesting the presence of God through us.

Not something we make happen. “For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Reflecting the glory of God . . . Radiating the glory of God. All by the grace of God.

Even so, blessed Spirit, keep writing the letter.

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