Abiding In His Grip

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Pete

There is, in a sense, a tension that exists with our salvation. On the one hand, our salvation is wholly a work of God (John 1:12-13) . . . on the other, we are told to work out our salvation (Php. 2:22). God has called His own to Himself . . . but we are invited to come to Jesus. God has declared His people to be a holy nation (1Pet. 2:9) . . . and yet, we are commanded to be holy, as He is holy (1Pet. 1:15). We know that it is by faith alone in Christ alone that we are declared righteous in Him . . . but we are also exhorted to make every effort to supplement our faith so that we will not be “ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Pet. 1:5-8). This morning, as I read in John’s gospel and in his first letter, I came across another example of this dual aspect of my salvation . . . it’s kind of like abiding in His grip.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.     (John 10:27-20 ESV)

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He made to us–eternal life. . . . And now, little children, abide in Him, . . .     (1John 2:24-25, 28a ESV)

I am saved by an iron fist. Having, by His grace, heard the Shepherd’s voice, I am now firmly in the grip of the Savior’s hand. Having believed in His finished work on the cross, I am now secure in the grasp of Him who created the heavens and earth . . . who declared me a new creation in Christ . . . who began a work in me which He has promised to complete. Nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38-39) . . . no one can snatch me from His hand. I am secure in His grip.

So it’s done, right? Sit back and relax? Ticket’s punched, just waiting for the ride home? Uh, not quite.

While it’s true we are to rest in His finished work, we are not to be complacent. In fact, because of our secure place in Christ, we are to lean into Him . . . to dwell with Him . . . to remain in Him. We are to abide in His grip.

As sheep who have heard the Good Shepherd’s voice, we are to feed on the words spoken to us. As we chew on the wonderful truths of our salvation and drink deep of the Spirit who illuminates the reality of His glorious workings in us, we long to draw near to the Shepherd . . . we hunger and thirst for the things of eternal life which are ours in Him. We snuggle in, as it were, and pursue the sweet fellowship made available to us.

His grip is firm . . . our desire is fixed. He will hold on to us . . . we will cling to Him. Given the choice of anywhere else to be, we would choose only to be found in the palm of His nail pierced hand.

Oh, the blessed rest of knowing that no one is able to snatch us from the Father’s hand. Oh, the blessed pursuit of drawing near and abiding in intimate communion.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . . let us pursue abiding in His grip.

Amen?

Posted in 1John, John | Leave a comment

A Man of All Ages

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Pete

In his gospel, John refers to himself, four times, as the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” Not that John didn’t think Jesus loved His other followers, but that John KNEW that Jesus loved him. It was John who reclined near to Jesus at the table when they ate . . . John who was among the circle of confidants that Jesus entrusted the witness of His transfiguration. John knew, firsthand, what it was to be close to the Lord. And in writing his first epistle, he desires that his readers know the same depth of fellowship. What John had seen and heard he proclaimed, “so that you too may have fellowship with us” and, by the way, “our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son” (1John 1:3). And in describing that depth of fellowship John says, in a sense, it comes through being a man of all ages.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.    (1John 2:12-14 ESV)

Depth of fellowship is realized when we know the reality of being children, and of being mature adults, and of being vigorous youth . . . when, in a sense, we’ve known the reality of being a man, or a woman, of all ages.

Depth of fellowship is known when we are as wide-eyed children in awe of our salvation. The forgiveness of sins gripping our hearts afresh as we consider anew what it cost the Son of God that our debt might be paid in full . . . when we remember that we were helpless to remedy our lost condition but apart from a God of abundant grace who rescued us solely for His name’s sake . . . when the Spirit moves us to cry “Abba Father” as we reflect again on our blessed privilege of being adopted into His forever family and declared children of God. Sometimes the deepest fellowship is known as we still ourselves, remember the essence of our salvation, and simply whisper toward heaven, “Wow! Thank You Father. Thank You, Lord Jesus.”

Depth of fellowship is known when we have put a few spiritual miles under the belt and, like fathers, mature people of the faith, have come to know, experimentally know, the One in whom we have believed and have become “convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” (2Tim. 1:12). There’s something about looking back on the pilgrim path tread so far and recounting the faithfulness of God. To look, as it were, at the altars of stones erected along the way where you knew the presence of God . . . where you encountered the power of God . . . where you realized the promises of God. There’s a “grey-haired” wisdom born from having run the race and fought the fight that makes the fellowship deeper . . that makes the communion sweeter.

Depth of fellowship is known when, like young strapping combatants, we’ve done a round or two with the adversary and have known the “thrill of victory” through the living and active two-edged sword of God (Heb. 4:12). I’m getting further and further from “young” and “strapping” . . . more like “old” and “sagging” . . . but there is an inner vitality that remains from having proven God faithful as we’ve known what it is to stand firm in the strength of His might. Putting on the whole armor of God . . . learning to wield the sword of the Spirit, the word of God . . . wrestling not with flesh and blood yet prevailing by His power and grace . . . is the stuff of young men and women in Christ. Young, not necessarily in age, but in vitality . . . a vitality born through the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

It’s when I engage with the things of the kingdom as a child in awe of the Father’s saving adoption . . . and as a man of experience, wisdom, and depth of working knowledge concerning the Founder of my faith . . . and as a youth in the prime of spiritual conditioning ready to go a round or two, in the power of His might, . . . that fellowship with the Divine is known in its fullness and my joy is made complete (1John 1:4).

A man of all ages . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in 1John | Leave a comment

A Proud Heart

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Pete

I don’t often directly associate myself with many of the prophecies in Ezekiel. Oh, where the light of God’s promises peeks through the darkness of God’s judgment, I might find myself associating with the people of God, but, for the most part, I’m not connecting with the nations who God calls out for destruction. But for some reason, this morning something in the prophecy against “the prince of Tyre” stood out. I need to search my heart . . . but, I don’t think the Spirit’s bringing it to my attention in order to convict me of sin, but rather to remind me and warn me of a trap. One of those things Paul speaks of when he says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Cor. 10:11-12). This morning I’m taking heed of the danger of a proud heart.

Tyre must of been some nation. It would seem to be have been an economic powerhouse. My Bible dictionary says that “the commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre” (Easton). They were merchants of the sea . . . and everyone who was anyone wanted to do business with them (Ezek. 27:12-25). Successful? I’m guessing. Evidenced in their bank accounts . . . evidenced in their physical presence. But as I read chapter 28, Ezekiel’s prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, their Achilles heel is revealed . . . pride.

Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god . . . by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth . . . Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.   (Ezekiel 28:2, 5, 17 ESV)

Had it all . . . but believed in it too much. Had wisely and adeptly navigated their way to the top . . . but decided to usurp the throne. Their storehouses were full of treasures . . . and their hearts became full of pride.

Proud because of their wealth . . . proud because of their beauty . . . so proud that they said, “I am a god.”

And it causes me to pause. How easy is it to get caught up in our “successes?” What’s the danger that our treasures become our testimony rather than just a stewardship? How prone can we be to surrounding ourselves with “nice things” so that we might be elevated in the estimation of others? Though we would never purposefully and overtly assert ourselves as gods . . . is it possible to get a little god-like in our attitudes?

How I need to guard against pride in wealth . . . guard against pride in beauty or appearances . . . guard against pride taking up residence in my heart.

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?   (1Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

Oh, that there would be no boasting in the blessings of God save in the boast of His abundant grace. That our hearts would not become puffed up with what we think we have accomplished . . . that our hearts would not become fixed on that which we think is ours. But that our “successes” would be seen as His favor . . . our possessions would be seen as but His call to faithful stewardship. But that God would be given the glory for whatever our state and that our boast would be in Him and Him alone.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   (Galatians 6:14 ESV)

Posted in Ezekiel | Leave a comment

Bottom Line Theology

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Pete

I probably shouldn’t find as much pleasure in it as I do . . . but I do! The Pharisees are going nuts! And I love it! There’s a blind guy seeing standing in front of them. He’s the talk of the town. Neighbors of this guy, who had been blind from birth and had grown up next door, can’t get over it. The many who had encountered him as the blind beggar on the street corner can’t believe their eyes as he now walks about unaided exclaiming, “Look at that! Oh, and look at that! Wow, unbelievable . . . look at that!” In fact some of those who used to know him as the blind beggar won’t believe it, saying, “No, it’s not the blind guy . . . just someone who looks like him.” And to those people the former blind beggar keeps looking them in the eye saying, “I am the man!” (John 9:1-9) And . . . it’s driving the Pharisees nuts. Because for all their learnedness . . . for all their high and holy smarts . . . for all their self-serving explaining of the word . . . they can’t refute his bottom line theology.

The blind-from-birth guy’s neighbors know it’s a miracle . . . the blind beggar’s former customers know it’s a miracle . . . and so they bring the seeing blind guy to those who should understand miracles the best, their religious leaders. But what gets in the way of the miracle for them is who did it. Jesus. And so, rather than let the miracle speak to them, they judge the authenticity of the Miracle-Worker.

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”    (John 9:13-16a ESV)

Get their reasoning? Hmmm . . . spit-mud made on the Sabbath . . . saliva-clay rubbed on someone’s eyes . . . told to go and wash the goo off of his eyes . . . sounds like some work went on here . . . done on the Sabbath . . . we’re not supposed to do work on the Sabbath . . . hmmm . . . nope . . . ain’t a miracle.

So, John writes, they didn’t believe that he had been blind and received his sight. Must be some mistake. Let’s verify that this guy who grew up blind his entire life was REALLY blind . . . not just kind of blind . . . bring us his parents. And they ask his folks two questions: 1) Is this your son, who you say was born blind? 2) If so, then you tell us how he can now see. It’s almost comical. But the seeing blind guys parents don’t find it too funny . . . in fact they’re pretty uncomfortable with it all. Any hint that they believe Jesus made their blind boy see could mean excommunication (9:22). So they answer the first question, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind,” and they dodge the second, “Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself” (9:20-21).

And then it get’s kind of ridiculous. The Pharisees look into the crystal clear eyes of the blind man . . . and the blind man’s eyes look directly back into their’s darkened by pride and arrogance . . . and they say, “Give glory to God . . . tell us that the one who healed you is a sinner.” In effect they’re saying, give glory to God by denying the power of God. Give glory to God by aligning the way of God to our self-seeking understanding. And then, this blind guy seeing comes back with some understanding of his own . . .

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”   (John 9:24-25 ESV)

BAM!!! Game, set, match! You smart guys who have been studying your way to the top can’t figure out what’s going on here . . . I’ve been staring into darkness for my entire life and hanging out on street corners to make a living and I now what’s going down . . . though I was blind, now I see. And that, my friends, is bottom line theology.

Many things I may not still understand. All the pieces are still being put together. Still leveraging grace pretty heavy to align earth-dictated reality with heavenly-founded promises. But at the end of the day . . . or, in this case, at the beginning of the day . . . I can sit back and say, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

And I know who gave me sight . . . Jesus, blessed Jesus. Regardless of how we dot our theological i’s or cross our doctrinal t’s . . . one thing I know . . . now I see.

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

Posted in John | Leave a comment

Complete Joy

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Pete

Who doesn’t want joy? Who doesn’t covet some gladness of heart? I think people like to smile . . . they like cheerfulness . . . they like to know a spirit that is lifted up. In our world we have entire industries devoted to trying to bring people joy . . . charities whose purpose is to bring joy . . . really, no end to the avenues designed to cheer people up. But as I start in on 1John this morning, I’m reminded of the source of true joy . . . authentic joy . . . full joy . . . complete joy.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life–the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.    1John 1:1-4 (ESV)

Two words, each repeated twice, jumped out at me as I read this passage this morning. I’m suggesting that they are part of the dynamics which result in complete joy . . . manifestation and fellowship.

The life, says John, was made manifest. John and his contemporaries had the privilege of directly encountering the Word of life . . . of rubbing shoulders with God incarnate . . . of breaking bread with the Light of the World. The Creator came to His own and revealed Himself to those with hears to hear and eyes to see. He who was the Source of eternal life and was with the Father made Himself known . . . allowed Himself to be “handled” . . . openly conveyed the heart of God and mind of God and the way of God to as many as would receive it. And in that manifestation, in that revelation, they experienced joy.

And so, says John, we testify to it and we proclaim it that others might know also the dynamic and the joy.

Jesus still manifests Himself today. He is revealed through the “behind the scenes” work of the Holy Spirit who convicts men of sin and leads them to a righteousness by faith alone in Christ alone. The Word of Life is also made known through the written Word. Whether it be the shadows of one who would do battle with the enemy in Genesis 3 . . . or the prophesied Lamb of God in Isaiah 53 . . . or the record of those who lived when He lived . . . or the teaching of him who encountered the resurrected, ascended Christ on the road to Damascus, . . . from cover to cover the Bible makes known the Son . . . the Holy Spirit illuminating the text and making manifest the Christ. And, Jesus is made manifest in and through His people . . . something about encountering authentic followers of Christ that points to Someone beyond themselves . . . to the One who lives inside of them. Complete joy comes when Christ is manifested.

And too, there is fellowship. John wrote so that others might join them in entering into an intimate communion with the Father and with the Son. By faith and, again, through the enabling agency of the Holy Spirit, there is a very real community to be known with the Divine. Perhaps one of those things that is better felt than tell’t . . . but real nevertheless. A real communion known when we “go into our closets” and seek our Father who sees in secret . . . a vital fellowship when we gather with other believers as the temple of God within which His glory resides. A fellowship known in good times . . . a fellowship so precious in difficult times. And in that fellowship, in that communion, there is joy . . . complete joy.

Manifestation and fellowship . . . complete joy!

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

Posted in 1John | Leave a comment

Stone Throwers

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Pete

The rocks were burning a hole in their pockets. At first, they wanted to direct their deadly projectiles towards an adulterous woman ambushed in her sin . . . but by the time they were done debating Jesus, they were ready to cast their stones upon the perfect, spotless Son of God. You sense they were angry . . . that they were frustrated . . . that they were feeling cornered. Darkness exposed by the Light . . . no place to hide . . . no argument that would stand. All the evidence pointed to the truth of His Word . . . and they were having none it. What was left to do? Throw stones.

“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.    (John 8:56-59 ESV)

Before Abraham was . . . I AM!!! Strike up the band! Cue the chorus of angels! Set off the fireworks! Jesus claim is unmistakable . . . He is God . . . eternal God. Existing before Abraham . . . manifesting Himself in the burning bush to Moses . . . the One through whom, and by whom, and for whom all things are created. Hear the declaration . . . take in the proclamation . . . and go facedown! Or, pick up stones to throw at Him.

Oh, the hardness of the unregenerate heart . . . the deadness of the spirit encased in self exaltation . . . the darkness of those in willful subjection to their own deceitful pride. To be before the Light of the world, and seek to extinguish Him . . . to be offered the truth that emancipates and sets free, and reject it choosing instead to follow the father of lies, the one in whom is no truth. To stand face to face with God incarnate, to hear Him claim the great “I AM” as His own, and to say, “No, you’re not!” To be offered eternal life, and to respond by throwing stones. That, but for the grace of God, was me.

There’s no neutral ground when it comes to the Savior. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with Me is against Me” (Matt. 12:30). Those who reject the truth will at some point pick up the rocks . . . those who refuse His grace will eventually start throwing stones.

But God is patient. Jesus walked away from His would be executioners that day though He could have retaliated and wiped them out with a simple command to the host He rules over. He could have opened up the ground beneath them as they cocked back their arms ready to pelt Him. But God is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2Peter 3:9). And so He would continue to speak truth to them . . . He would continue to call them . . . He would continue to show Himself as “I AM” to them.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . . The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.    (John 1:4-5, 9:13 ESV)

Jesus came to save stone throwers . . .

Posted in John | Leave a comment

Stir It Up

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Pete

I think it’s one of the reasons that people can read their Bible’s cover-to-cover, again and again, year after year, and it doesn’t get old. It’s part of what fuels a desire to know the Book deeply . . . to interact with the Book continually . . . and to never get tired of consuming the Book regularly. It is the need to stir it up.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am, stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles . . .    (2Peter 3:1-2 ESV)

This is Peter’s second letter to persecuted Christians in exile. This is the second time in this second letter that Peter states his purpose in writing to them . . . “I am stirring up your sincere minds by way of reminder.” Back in chapter 1, Peter says that, though he believes his death is near, while he is “in this body” it is the right thing from him to stir these believers up “by way of reminder . . . so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (1:12-15). It was going to be vital for them, that as followers of Christ, they were in constant reminder of the predictions of the prophets and the commandments of the Savior. And so Peter determined to stir it up.

The word “stir” has the idea of awakening . . . of arousing from sleep . . . of rendering active. Peter would remind them of the dynamics of their faith (chapter 1) and the dangers of false teachers (chapters 2) and the faithful determination of God to fulfill His promises (chapter 3), so that God’s people might be awakened, aroused, and rendered fully active. And, though we may not be in the same circumstance as Peter’s first century audience, I’m thinking the principle still applies . . . God’s people need constant reminding of God’s plan and God’s promises. And thus, they need to be in God’s Book . . . stirring it up.

The hymn-writer confessed . . . “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it . . . Prone to leave the God I love . . . ” I get it. Life’s day-to-day encounters and struggles can, at the least, leave us somewhat distracted . . . if not, sometimes, a bit disillusioned . . . and perhaps even a bit depressed. Easy to start fixating on what’s going on around us . . . and then start looking for answers within us. It’s because of that reality (in my life, at least) that I need to stir it up.

Morning devo’s are not just some “good luck charm” which, if I do them, my day goes well and, if I miss them, my day’s crummy. They are about stirring it up. A quiet time with my Bible open, and my heart open, is about being brought into remembrance concerning His promises . . . His precepts . . . and His power. They are about setting my mind on things above in order to put my little bit of chaos below into some context. They are about being reminded of the reason I determine, by God’s grace, to keep on keepin’ on. They are about communion . . . and connecting . . . and continuing in relationship with the One who has said He would never leave me or forsake me.

Stir it up. That’s why I keep opening the Book . . . that’s why it doesn’t grow old. I need to stir it up.

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

Posted in 2Peter | Leave a comment

Connector-of-the-Dots

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Pete

To read the drama as it played out, you’d think, at first, that there are but three parties involved. There is the Teacher . . . there are the debaters . . . and there are the listeners. The Teacher is claiming to be the Light of the world . . . His opposition, shrouded in darkness, are trying to trap Him and trip Him up concerning His claims . . . and the crowd try and keep up with this ping-pong match, wondering who will win. Yeah, at first, it seems that there are just three players in this unfolding drama. But then I come to the end of the debate and there’s a hint that throughout this “forum” there has been another Person present . . . another active Agent at work . . . One who is the “Connector-of-the-Dots.”

As far as gospel presentations goes, it’s not the clearest. Though it is the stuff that systematic theology is built on, it’s not like it’s being presented precept upon precept.

“I am the Light of the World” . . . My testimony is valid because “I know where I came from and where I am going” . . . “If you knew Me you would know My Father also” . . . “I am going way, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin” . . . “I am from above’ . . . “I am not of this world” . . . “He who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him” (John 8:12-27).

Not exactly your four simple steps to salvation. In fact, John records that Jesus’ opponents “did not understand” what Jesus was getting at (8:27a). And if these learned men of the Scriptures were in the dark concerning the Light of the World . . . then how could the “common folks” in the crowd possibly track with the discussion? Well, some of them did . . . and a number of them got it . . .

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” As He was saying these things, many believed in Him.   (John 8:28-30 ESV)

Many believed. Really? After listening to what seems to have been a pretty convoluted discussion . . . after experiencing the opposition of the religious elite to the One who claimed to be the Son of Man . . . after trying to track with where He came from and where He was going and Who He was talking about . . . many believed? Yeah, really. How’s that possible? Someone else was present . . . giving enough understanding for some to respond . . . connecting the dots . . . so that many would believe.

To be sure, as I read on in John 8, some of these believers were not believers at all for they continued to debate with Jesus. But of the “many” who believed, I sense that there were more than a few who entered the kingdom of God at that point in the debate. And it wasn’t because of a well designed three-point sermon. It was because they had encountered the Son of God and had been made alive to Him by the Spirit of God, the Connector-of the-Dots.

That’s what the Holy Spirit does . . . He connects the dots. He leads people into truth . . . the truth concerning themselves, as He convicts them of sin . . . the truth concerning the Son, as He reveals Jesus as the remedy for their sin. He takes blind people, blind to the things God has prepared for those who love Him, and gives them sight, drawing them by faith to the Savior. Things that make no sense to the unregenerate man, He makes sense of to those with ears to hear . . . connecting the dots enough so that they might respond in belief.

Jesus said that the Spirit is like the wind (John 3:8) . . . invisibly blowing where it wishes . . . often unrecognized as present or at work. But then, people believe, and He is revealed . . . that active Agency which works behind the scenes . . . and in the realm of the hearts of men . . . bringing sons and daughters out of darkness and in to marvelous light.

Praise God for the Connector-of-the-Dots.

Posted in John | Leave a comment

They Feast With You

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Pete

A long time work associate has periodically reminded me that “paranoia is just smart thinkin’ when everybody’s against you.” Now, I’m not advocating a “holy paranoia” . . . not saying that suspicion should be a Christian attribute . . . but, after reading in Ezekiel and Peter this morning, we do need to know that they may be among us. The “they” I’m referring to are the false prophets I read of in Ezekiel this morning . . . “they” are the false teachers that Peter warns his readers about. And, so says Peter, they feast with you.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. . . . They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.    (2Peter 2:1, 13b ESV)

The voice of those claiming to be called of God and seeking the kingdom is many voices. The stage is large of players who have found a platform to speak on behalf of the truth. It’s the television preacher . . . it’s the well known author . . . it’s the web blogger . . it’s the tweeter . . . the instagrammer . . . it’s the local pastor . . . it’s the guy, or gal, at home bible study. Our media driven world gives voice to many who claim some insight and understanding of the workings of God. And, praise God, many of the those voices are those raised up of God . . . called of God . . . gifted of God . . . and used of God to build His church and rally His people to faithful service. But, if I’m understanding something of my readings this morning, not all the voices are of God.

The LORD says, through Ezekiel, that some of these voices “prophesy from their own hearts” and “follow their own spirit” and, in fact, have “seen nothing.” Some have “seen false visions and lying divinations” and say “‘Declares the LORD,’ although I have not spoken” . . . and they are “like jackals among ruins,” says the LORD (Ezek 13:1-7). They mislead the people . . . they whitewash the feeble efforts of man . . . they speak of peace when there is no peace (Ezek. 13:10). And, in so doing, they divert people from the heart of God to their own lying hearts . . . they deceive the people into fashioning a God after their own image . . . they dilute the truth of God so that it serves the purposes of men. And what gives them such voice? They feast with you.

True in Ezekiel’s day . . . true in Peter’s day. Fueled by sensuality . . . motivated by their greed . . . “they will exploit you with false words” (2Peter 2:3). Their “thus says the LORD” is born out of their natural instincts . . . not afraid to raise their voices in the marketplace of thoughts and ideas . . . reveling in their deceptions . . . and, unfortunately, leading some astray . . . because they use our lingo . . . and mimic our practices . . . as they feast with you.

Like I said, I’m not trying to see a false teacher behind every pulpit or podcast. I don’t believe paranoia is just smart thinkin’. But the fact is, they do exist . . . and they are in our midst . . . if not our local congregations, then on the broader stage of the Christian voice.

So what’s the defense? At least in part, it is for the the sheep to know the Shepherd’s voice so intimately that the voices of the jackals are evident. It is pursuing such an abiding fellowship with the Light of the World that the darkness is readily exposed. It is cultivating the mind of Christ by personally feeding on the Word concerning Christ. It is crying out to the Spirit to lead us into all truth . . . to open our minds to the Scriptures . . . to help us navigate the many voices with discernment . . . to calibrate us to the ways of God as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. How God’s people need to be people of the Word . . . moving beyond the milk of newborns . . . instead feeding on the solid food of the deep things of God as illuminated by the Spirit of God. For, in so doing, we will be those who “have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).

They feast with you . . . needful to be aware of. Greater is He that is in You (1John 4:4) . . . needful to be in pursuit of!  And THAT, is just smart thinkin’.

Amen?

Posted in 2Peter, Ezekiel | Leave a comment

The Promise Remains

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Pete

Even as the glory departs . . . the promise remains. For 10+ chapters, though the imagery may be hard to grasp, the message of the prophet Ezekiel has been clear . . . God has hit the wall! The rebellious, adulterous people of His calling will be judged . . . the fury and wrath of God, which they invited through their stiff-necked rejection of Him, will come . . . and the glory of God, which had dwelt in their midst on His holy hill, will leave. Those who loved darkness over light would be consumed by darkness . . . those who desired to be like the nations around them, more than they desired to pursue the kingdom of God offered them, would be scattered among the nations as chattel . . . those who said, “No” to God would, through the judgment poured upon them, come to know that He is the LORD through His divine discipline. And amidst the declaration of wrath to come . . . even as the glory of God withdraws from sin ravaged Jerusalem . . . the promise remains.

Therefore say, “Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.    (Ezekiel 11:17-20 ESV)

There it is . . . land, seed, and blessing . . . the essence of the promise made to Abraham, the father of Isaac, the father of Israel. Though they would be scattered, though their inheritance would lie in devastated ruin, God would again assemble them to the land of promise. Though, as a nation they rejected the faith of their fathers, becoming prodigal children, at best, and enemies at worst . . . yet, in His sovereign determination, God would restore them, establishing Abraham’s seed, making them again a people, a people whose one and only god is the LORD God. And, this would be through the way of blessing. Not external blessings . . . but a total reworking of the internals . . . a new heart . . . a new spirit . . . a new walk.

The other thing I note is the “I will’s.” I will gather you . . . I will give you the land . . . I will give them one heart . . I will put a new spirit within them . . . I will remove the heart of stone . . . I will give the heart of flesh . . . I will be their God. Not about what they had to do . . . but about what God promises to do.

A bankrupt people . . . a God of eternal riches. A wayward people . . . a God, who sets a GPS programmed for eternity within them. With a debt too great to pay . . . paid in full by the One who, though He was rich, became poor for their sakes . . . emptying out His riches upon the cross . . . cancelling all debt–past, present, and future. Dead in spirit . . . made alive by the Spirit. A people devoid of any ability to power their way into righteous living . . . infused with resurrection power, able to live in newness of life because of over-flowing grace. Not because they deserved it . . . not because they earned it . . . but because the promise remains.

O’ praise God that the promise remains!

He who has begun a good work in the children of faith, has promised to complete that work (Php. 1:6) . . . despite us, sometimes. The blood shed is able to atone for all sin . . . the Spirit given is more than enough to lead us in victory over each battle with the flesh . . . and His grace is sufficient for us to live in the promise while we await the final fulfillment of the promise.

The promise remains . . . it is our confidence . . . it is our hope . . it is our sustaining power. To Him be all glory . . .

Amen?

Posted in Ezekiel | Leave a comment