Not Our Own

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Pete

We live in a day and age where there is tremendous emphasis placed on our bodies. There is no lack of information on what to put in them . . . what to put on them . . . and what to do with them. With precision we can count our calories, count our steps, and count our reps. All with the goal that our bodies might run their best and look their best. But this morning I’m reminded of something else about our bodies. That, as God’s people, they’re not our own.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.   (1Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

Paul addresses the “freedom” the believers at Corinth were experiencing in their faith. You get the sense it was no holds barred. Having found Christ, having believed in Him for the atonement of their sins, having found rest in the security of their eternal future, having come to know that grace is truly amazing, they considered themselves free in Christ to do whatever they wanted. And while all things might be lawful, says Paul, not all things were helpful. Though everything might be fair game, Paul argues that we should determine not to be dominated by anything. Why? You are not your own.

He makes a pretty compelling case. Exhorting these believers, he reminds them that their bodies are members of Christ (6:15) . . . that when we believe we are “joined to the Lord” — fastened, glued, cemented to the risen Christ — such that we become one spirit with Him (6:17). That when we received His free gift of salvation, He literally moved in and took up residency within us via the third Person of the holy Trinity.  Thus our bodies have been occupied and have become a temple of the Holy Spirit (6:19). Conclusion? You are not your own.

Not our own, “for you were bought with a price.”

We were redeemed, ransomed, purchased. Once enslaved by sin . . . previously chattel of this world . . . formerly in bondage to the flesh, we are now free because the wages of sin was paid and the price for our freedom was tendered in full. Free . . . but not our own. Not that we need to repay Christ for our freedom. We can’t. No amount of effort on our part can repay the price He paid — if it could, He would never have had to go to the cross. No, it’s not about repayment, it’s about response. And that’s why Paul says, “Glorify God in your body!”

Nothing wrong with watching what we eat. Nothing wrong with working out. Nothing wrong with wanting to look our best. All of it is lawful. But none of it should dominate it us nor define us. Count the calories . . . track the steps . . . maximize the reps . . . but saint, let it be done so that, with these lean, fit, and dressed up bodies, we seek above all things to bring glory to the One who has loved us with an everlasting love.

And for those of us not so lean, and not so fit, and more and more content to be found wearing “grey on grey,” let us seek too, to relentlessly magnify the Father . . . as we live in the Son . . . through the power of the Spirit . . . in these bodies not our own.

So glorify God in your body. By His grace. All because of grace.

Amen?

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But He Chose Judah

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Pete

Gather round, says the songwriter, and listen up. Incline your ears and I’ll tell you a story. A story comprised of many stories. Stories you have heard and known. Stories which we should not forget. Stories that should be passed on to our children and to our children’s children. Stories of “the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders He has done” (Ps. 78:1-4).

And so Asaph the psalmist recounts the mighty works of God from of old concerning His people — those He desired as His heritage. And set against God’s wondrous work of deliverance from Egypt . . . set against His faithful and abundant provision in the wilderness . . . are the stubborn and rebellious hearts of a people who forgot His mighty works and took for granted that He should care for them in the manner to which they thought they were deserving. And so, for sixty-seven verses, the song is sung. The opus of God’s glorious deeds counter-melodied with the minor chords of a people who did not believe and whose hearts were set only on themselves.

But . . . and what a glorious word, “but” . . . but then, at the end, the song takes a turn . . .

He rejected the tent of Joseph; He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loves. He built His sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which He has founded forever. He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, Israel His inheritance. With upright heart He shepherded them and guided them with His skillful hand. (Psalm 78:67-72 ESV)

But He chose the tribe of Judah. Though God’s people would provoke Him to anger with their rebellion, though they would move Him to jealousy with their unfaithfulness, though He would judge them for their sin, yet He would not disown them, He would not utterly destroy them, but He would persist in providing for their redemption and their care. And so He chose the tribe of Judah. There He would establish His holy dwelling place . . . a little bit of heaven on hearth. And from there He would chose a man to shepherd His people. He would raise up His servant, one who had proved faithful and fearless. A man with an upright heart. And who could skillfully gather the flock of God’s people and lead them to feed only on the pastures of God’s provision and to offer praise only to the holy name of the One who had delivered them.

But He chose Judah. And He chose David His servant.

And my mind immediately goes to the greater David. To Him who is called the Lion of the tribe Judah and the root of David. To Him who is conqueror over sin and death though, when He is beheld, He is seen as “a Lamb, as though it had been slain” (Rev. 5:5-6). And I praise God that He chose Judah.

For this Lion came not to devour, but to deliver. Not to reject, but to redeem. Not to judge, but to justify. Not to shun, but to shepherd.

I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15 ESV)

And for all who will believe and receive, this One of Judah has promised to give new life so that they might become children of God (John 1:12-13). To lead them on their own exodus from the bondage of sin and the fear of death. To gather them to Himself and lead them to a land of promise. How can I be sure? Because of this holy week which culminates in an empty tomb and a joyous celebration. The Lion of th tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God, is risen! He is alive!

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV)

Gather round. It’s a story worth retelling and worth remembering. Amen?

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Find Us Faithful

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Pete

This morning I’m thinking about perspective. Identical circumstance taking on very different implications depending on how we look at it. You can see how much perspective shaped the apostle Paul. If anyone had bragging rights, it was him. Even if you throw out all his accomplishments B.C. (before Christ) — “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee . . . as to righteousness, under the law blameless” (Php. 3:5) — he still has a pretty impressive resume. How many have encountered the risen Christ one-on-one, up close and personal (Acts 9:3-5)? How many have been schooled by Christ one-on-one (Gal. 1:11-12, 2Cor. 12:2-4)? How many have had as widespread and successful a ministry as his?

Yet, there was no boasting. And, though a man of great spiritual privilege, there was no coasting. All out . . . peddle to the metal. And reading in 1Corinthians this morning, the Spirit provides some insight as to why Paul was the man he was . . . and why he lived the way he lived. And I’m thinking it’s because of perspective.

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.   (1Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV)

You want to know how to think about us, says Paul, think of us as underlings, as mere attendants, as those who have a duty to discharge for another.

No boasting . . . he counted himself but a servant. No coasting . . . he viewed “the mysteries of God” as a treasure entrusted to him to steward.

And it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

That’s perspective. All that we are in Christ, and all that we possess through Christ is a gift that we are to steward. How we need to beware of ever seeing it as anything but a gift. How we need to be on guard against, at some point, thinking that what we have and what we are in Christ is somehow because of who we have been and what we have done. Paul asks his readers the question, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (4:7) Right answer? Nothing!

There is nothing we have, spiritual or physical, that we have not received but by the good and gracious hand of our loving Father. There is no standing we have before the throne of glory except that which we have inherited through the finished work of the Son on the cross. There is no understanding of the things of the kingdom of God but that the Spirit has not revealed to us. Where is the boasting? No where. And if it is all a stewardship, when do we get to retire and start coasting? Not thinkin’ that’s gonna happen. For it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Regardless of our season of life . . . whether we possess much or little in material wealth . . . despite our level of spiritual maturity . . . whether we think we know a little or lot about the kingdom . . . though we think we have much or minimal to offer our Lord . . . wherever we are, whatever we have, it is all the gift of God and we have been called to steward that gift.

And it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. And that’s the difference perspective can make.

O’ Lord, find us faithful!  By Your grace . . . for Your glory.

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Human, But Not Merely Human

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Pete

He expected more. He had been with them for 18 months, establishing the church at Corinth and teaching the believers there (Acts 18:1-11). And so, he expected more. They had been born again and he had spoon fed them for an extended period of time. And so, after Paul leaves, when he hears of how things are going in Corinth he expects, as with any baby, that they would have grown up to some degree. That they would have moved beyond mother’s milk and pabulum. That they would be taking in solid food and thus growing and maturing. But apparently it wasn’t happening. And maybe you can hear their response, “Paul it’s been hard. And after all, we’re only human!” To which Paul might have replied, “Yes, but you are not merely human.”

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not being merely human?   (1Corinthians 3:1-4 ESV)

They may have been only human, but they need not have behaved as merely human. Instead, Paul assumed they would be living as “spiritual people.”

They had been born of the Spirit when, by faith, they received the gospel, repented of their sin, and confessed Christ as Savior and Lord. They were in Christ. A new creation. Old things had passed way, the new had come (2Cor. 5:17). And so, while they might be only human, they need not be merely human. Though they were still in the flesh, the spirit had been revived. They had the tools to put off that which was of the flesh, and to pursue that which was of the new nature. But rather than pursue the new man, they hung out with the old. Instead of maturing in Christ, they remained infants in Christ.

And it manifested itself in their jealousies and divisions over who followed who. Some said Paul was their guy, others wore their “Apollos Always!” t-shirts. Less than being the problem, it was the symptom. The problem was that they were settling for being merely human. Followers of the flesh. Grown men and women content to stay in diapers.

So, while I might be only human, I’m reminded that I need not be merely human. I can participate in the divine nature (2Pet. 1:3-4). Having been sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, I can live according to the Spirit and put to death the deeds of the old man (Romans 8:13). If I walk in the Spirit I won’t gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). If I seek to be led by the Spirit, I will bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:18-22).

If, by God’s abundant provision, and a bit of holy determination, I seek to live as the “spiritual people” I am, then I will grow and I will mature. And, though for now, I am still in the flesh, I don’t need to walk according to the flesh.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20 ESV)

Human, but not merely human. All because of grace . . . all for God’s glory.

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The Mind of Christ

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Pete

Honestly, it’s a dynamic I most often take for granted. A reality that doesn’t evoke the awe it should as frequently as it should. It’s been in play for around 34 years. It’s easy for it to simply become second nature . . . easy to think it’s just me. But, as I read the second chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, I am reminded that each morning I open my Bible I am entering into the “secret and hidden wisdom of God” (1Cor. 2:7). A wisdom decreed by God before the ages, decreed for our glory. A wisdom not revealed through human cognitive capability. But a wisdom understood only through the active agency of the Spirit of God. And so I’m reminded, that only because of the Holy Spirit’s working, I have the mind of Christ.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him”–these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. . . . no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. . . . we have the mind of Christ. (Excerpts from 1Corinthians 2:9-16 ESV)

What I know about spiritual things I know because God has revealed them. What I comprehend concerning the kingdom of heaven, I understand because God has revealed them. The degree to which I think I get the mystery and profound blessings of the gospel, I get because God has revealed them. And that, He has done through the Spirit of revelation.

The Holy Spirit — third Person of the Trinity — takes the deep things of God and makes them known to men and women. No one, says Paul, comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit, and so He becomes our translator of the heavenly. He is our interpreter of the divine. His is to enable us to “understand the things freely given us by God.”

And so when I open my Bible in the morning . . . as I hover of it . . . observing this, noting that . . . as I ask questions . . . as I find answers . . . as my soul is stirred . . . I am engaged with the Spirit of God. None of this would make sense without Him. In the natural realm, it is at best inert truth and powerless opinion. For those of this world, it is considered foolish, out of date, and irrelevant. But in the Spirit, it is the mind of Christ.

Through the Spirit, I gain understanding. An understanding due not to my IQ. Insight independent of my intellect. But spiritual truths taught by the Spirit. “The Spirit interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (2:13).

And I can experience this dynamic, not because of anything I am, or anything I’ve done, or anything I could do, . . . but all because of grace. God having made the way, through the cross, to bring me into relationship with Himself. And part of that fellowship is His gracious determination to reveal His will through His word by His Spirit. Thus, allowing me the mind of Christ.

Like I said, though I most often take it for granted, it’s a dynamic to wonder at . . . a reality to be in awe of. And, even such a reminder, I’m thinking, is of the Spirit.

To God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — be all glory.

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Facedown on Holy Ground

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Pete

This was it. No turning back now. They were going in. They were about to enter the land that God said He would give to them. They were about to go head to head with the peoples of the land. “Be strong and courageous!” That would be the rallying cry. And leading them would be Joshua.

And though Moses, under God’s command, had hand-picked his successor, there was still the matter of preparing the man who would lead God’s people into the promised land. He would need to be lifted up . . . and he would need to be put facedown.

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”
 (Joshua 3:7 ESV)

Time to establish Joshua as God’s chosen man for leading the people into conquest. Moses had led them out of Egypt, Joshua would lead them into Canaan. Moses had delivered them out of the land of bondage, Joshua would deliver them into the land of blessing. And so God says, “I will exalt you.”

And He tells Joshua to instruct Israel to fall in behind the priests carrying the ark and march to the flooded Jordan. He then directs the priests to walk into the Jordan and stand there. And when the soles of the feet of those bearing the ark of “the Lord of all the earth” touch the waters, the Jordan stops flowing (3:11-13). And just as Moses had said to those who walked out of Egypt, “Cross the Red Sea on dry ground,” so Joshua tells those who would walk into the land of promise, “Cross the Jordan on dry ground.” And they did.

On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.
(Joshua 4:14 ESV)

Man of awe established. Check that off the “prepare-the-man” to-do list. Next, ensure the man doesn’t become overly enamored with his own press clippings.

And Joshua encounters a Man standing before him with a drawn sword. The Man identifies Himself as the Commander of the army of the LORD. “Now have I come,” says the Man. Now the people are ready to rumble. And now Joshua — the man like Moses, the man people are in awe of — does what so few leaders do, he goes facedown.

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” And the Commander of the LORDs army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.   (Joshua 5:14b-15 ESV)

And the contrast strikes me. Standing on top of the world one moment, standing on holy ground the next. Lifted up before the people in chapter 4, and then put facedown before the Lord in chapter 5.

Great men of God are men who never lose sight that they are but men of a great God. Great women of God are women who never lose sight they are but women of a great God. They are those who by God’s grace know they are standing on holy ground.

Though they know the task at hand, they never lose sight of the power to accomplish the task. Though they are confident and courageous, it is not because they believe in themselves, but because they believe in the God who has called them. Though they are willing to stand at the front of the line and lead the charge, they are ever mindful that they are but servants of the Commander of the army of the Lord.

Facedown on holy ground. By His grace . . . for His glory.

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Guiltless

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Pete

Started in on 1Corinthians this morning. I’ve read the letter before. I know what’s coming. That this body of believers had its “issues,” is kind of an understatement. That there was a bit of dysfunction in the family becomes evident pretty quickly. If any group of Christians could hang a sign outside their meeting place which said, “Work in Progress,” this is the group. And so, maybe it’s because I know Paul’s about to start working through a laundry list of problems infecting the church at Corinth that a word in his introduction jumps off the page. Despite their failings and their faults, when all was said and done, Paul was confident they would be guiltless.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge–even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you–so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Corinthians 1:4-9 ESV)

General statement . . . we don’t deal well with guilt. Without a way to resolve guilt, it seems to me we have but a couple of options. One is to have it crush us. We own our failure . . . we acknowledge our sin . . . we’re honest about our propensity to do that which we don’t want to do and to not do that which we want to do . . . but we can’t make up for our wrong-doing. We can’t fix ourselves. We can’t make the wrong right. And so our transgression hangs over our head. A constant accusation which fills our minds and burdens our hearts. With no way to deal with the guilt we know we have, it will crush us.

The other alternative, it seems to me, is to refuse guilt at the door. Not because we’ve done nothing wrong, but because we refuse to admit that anything is wrong. We declare guilt as being bad, and therefore redefine anything that causes guilt to be right. We harden ourselves to that which our consciences know to be contrary to righteousness because we will not acknowledge our guilt. And we won’t acknowledge it, because we don’t know what to do with it.

But what if there was a way to deal with guilt? Not refuse it . . . yet not have it crush us? What if another paid the price for our transgressions? What if the righteousness of another was credited to our account . . . despite our fleshly failings? What if God determined to begin a work in us — initiated by faith — a work that He promises to finish (Php. 1:6)? A work to conform us into the image of the Holy Son of God? A work possible because all of our sins — everything for which we should justifiably be declared guilty, past, present, and future — is covered by the blood of the sacrifice of the risen Lamb of God?

Paul thanked God for the grace given, in Christ Jesus, to the believers at Corinth . . . despite knowing their issues. The evidence of His powerful working in their midst was clear . . . even though they had problems. He had no doubt they had been called into the fellowship of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, even though their dysfunction reared its ugly head repeatedly. But in all this, He knew that God would sustain them to the end, until the coming of Christ. And in that day, they would be presented guiltless.

Guiltless not because they had lived perfect lives . . . not because they had never blown it . . . not because there were never any consequences for their sin . . . but because “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7). Not because there was no reason to feel guilt or be declared guilty, but because He took the charge upon Himself and dealt with the guilt — by His wounds we are healed (Isa 53:5). And when we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9) . . . and deal with the guilt . . . thus able to present us guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Guiltless. All because of abundant grace . . . all for His eternal glory.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.                 ~ Cornerstone, Hillsong

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The Obedience of Faith

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Pete

Yesterday was a pretty big deal at Lake Tapps Community Church, or as my friend Garry says, at L-T-double-C. First ever in-house baptisms. Four young people confessing Christ as Savior. The testimonies were enough to bring many to tears. The energy in the room was certainly the Spirit . . . the activity in our portable baptistry all because of grace. And something I read in the last chapter of Romans captured it all. It was a display of “the obedience of faith.”

As part of yesterday’s service we preached and taught on baptism. What baptism is . . . why baptism is important. The importance of baptism as a means of publicly and physically confessing an inward and spiritual reality. Confessing that Jesus is Savior and Lord. That because of faith we were baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ and now identify with all believers comprising the Church. That by the power of the gospel we have been crucified with Christ — the wages of sin paid in full; that we have been buried with Christ — the old man of the flesh put to death; and, that we have been raised with Christ — new creations in Christ, all things new!

We talked about the importance of baptism as being formative in a Christian’s life. For many it being among the first public declarations of faith. For many, it being among the first fearful, “out of my comfort zone,” acts of boldness evidencing the lordship of Christ in a believer’s life. For many, among their first acts of obedience.

And that, we said, was perhaps the most important reason to be baptized — because our Savior commanded it. Commanded in the gospels . . . practiced in the Acts . . . assumed to part of a believers normal experience throughout the epistles. Baptism being a matter of obedience.

But not something to be obeyed in order to bring life . . . but an obedience that springs from life. The obedience Moses commanded in Deuteronomy (28:1-6, 30:16-20) was obedience that would RESULT in blessing and life. But the obedience we witnessed yesterday was the obedience of faith. Obedience born out of grace. Obedience BECAUSE of abundant blessing, and new life. Baptism being not a requirement for salvation but a response.

And as I reflect on yesterday, and hover over these final verses of Paul’s letter to the Romans, I am filled with awe. In awe at the depths of the love of God to seek those who had turned their backs on Him. In awe that He would send His Son to pay the price for their sin. In awe that He would engage the Holy Spirit to woo lost sheep to the Shepherd. In awe that He would impart to those who believe, the life and righteousness of the risen King of Glory.

In wonder, that He would then institute a simple ordinance to declare it all through the word of testimony and an act of immersion. Amazing! . . . the obedience of faith.

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.   (Romans 16:25-27 ESV)

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As Christ Has Welcomed You

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Pete

Only one word. One word given a different English translation among major Bible versions. But this morning, the difference made a difference. The difference had an impact. The difference evoked awe . . . sparked thanksgiving . . . was a catalyst for worship. Only one word.

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7 NKJV)

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.   (Romans 15:7 NIV)

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7 EV)

I was struck by the thought that I have been “welcomed” by Christ. And wondered why I don’t recall this idea of being welcomed before. And it’s because I grew up on a different version. And in that version of the Bible I was “received.”

According to my online lexicon, the Greek word translated as received, or accepted, or welcomed can have the following nuances of meaning: to take as ones companion; to take by the hand in order to lead aside; to take or receive into ones home, with the collateral idea of kindness; to receive, i.e. grant one access to ones heart; to take into friendship. It’s a combo word . . . “to take” and “near”. So each of the translations have it right. But, and I’m no Greek scholar, I’m kind of liking the ESV translation.

That I have been accepted into relationship by the holy Son of God is jaw-dropping. That I have been received into fellowship by Him who made all things, and without Him nothing was made, is very much awe-inspiring. But there’s something about being welcomed, at least for me, that kind of takes the idea to a next level.

I’m received because of the finished work of Christ. The price paid that the chasm caused by sin might be bridged. No longer separated or alienated. Instead, because my sin was laid upon Him, I can be brought into His presence. I’m accepted because of the perfect life of Christ. His righteousness credited to my account. His life infused into mine through the Holy Spirit. All working such that He is not ashamed to call me His brother (Heb. 2:11).

But to be welcomed . . . beyond the implications of these wondrous spiritual transactions — my sin upon Him, His righteousness upon me — stirs me to think that my acceptance and reception are something that Jesus greatly desires. The Christ welcomes me into relationship . . . He wants me to fellowship . . . the door is opened and the Lord of the Church delights to come in and eat.

. . . looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.   (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

I’m wondering if part of that joy was Christ’s anticipation of welcoming His children. Of taking us as His companion . . . of laying hold of our hand that He might lead us by His side . . . of wanting us in His house that He might show us unmerited kindness . . . so that He might allow us access to His heart . . . so that He might call us friend.

Oh to be welcomed by the King.

What wondrous grace . . . to Him be eternal glory.

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A Decision

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Pete

Romans 14 has got to be one of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture. It sets the bar high . . . really high. And not with specific “to dos” or “to don’ts,” but with principles for doing life together as God’s people.

Principled living is not lazy living. Tell me what to do and what not to do and I can go on autopilot. But, tell me that what I do, or don’t do, “depends” . . . that’s gonna take a bit of mental engagement. And I’m thinking that’s what Romans 14 is about. And it’s all founded on a simple, yet profound decision . . .

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.   (Romans 14:13-15 ESV)

To eat or not to eat . . . that seems to have been the question (14:2). To observe the day or not observe the day . . . that was another question (14:5). Would have been so much easier to just answer the questions. Don’t eat this . . . observe that. Or, eat this . . . don’t observe that. Simple. But not the way of the kingdom.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.   (Romans 14:17 ESV)

What promotes righteousness, peace, and joy? What hinders it? What contributes to “mutual upbuilding” (14:19b)? What destroys the work of God and makes someone stumble (14:20)? It depends. And that’s what makes it so hard. And that’s why, before God, we need to make a decision.

I don’t think we get to decide on what constitutes a valid stumbling block and what doesn’t. Instead, ours is to decide not to put a stumbling bock in the way of a brother. And I don’t think we get to decide how much deference in a matter is enough. But we need to decide NEVER to put a stumbling block in the way of a sister. It’s not left to us to determine if their “weakness” is justified or not. But ours is to, with holy determination empowered by the Holy Spirit, not to do anything that causes our brother or sister in the Lord to stumble (14:21).

And I can hear the concern, “We can’t live our lives after the whim of every supposed “stumbling block” out there!” True . . . but even that takes some discernment, some mental engagement. Despite the danger of a “weaker brother” making everything he doesn’t like a “stumbling block” for him, ours, I think, is still to consider what we might be asked to do to build up such a brother. Perhaps the stumbling block is dealt with by some patient instruction or gentle admonition.

Regardless, if I’m reading Romans 14 right, we need to make a decision. And that decision doesn’t leave much room for thoughtless autopilot when it comes to doing community with blood-bought brothers and sisters.

That’s hard stuff. But that’s walking in love. That’s principled living. That’s kingdom living.

And that’s by the grace of God . . . for the glory of God. Amen?

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