My Morning Meal

I’ve got to admit . . . I have it pretty good. I call Sue as I’m leaving work at night . . . drive 25 minutes . . . and, on most nights, when I walk in the door I smell supper ready to be served. Sometimes, I know what’s for dinner the moment I enter the house . . . other times, I get to play with the smell from the kitchen and try and guess what Sue’s cooked up for our evening meal as I walk down the hall. It’s a blessing to walk in the door after work and smell supper on the stove. But I’m reminded by Paul that it’s a greater blessing to bring an “aroma” into a place yourself . . .

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
(2Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV)

The fragrance of the knowledge of Christ . . . that was the air about Paul. There was a sweet odor that wafted around Paul as he shared the gospel . . . as he told of the good news of a Savior who died for men’s sins . . . of a Shepherd who sought lost sheep . . . of a Sovereign who was establishing a heavenly kingdom. It was more than the words from His mouth . . . it was the Word living in and through Him. Less about his oratory . . . more about his awe-atory.

Paul viewed himself as “the aroma of Christ to God” . . . a reference, I think, to the sweet-smelling aromas of the Old Testament sacrifices. Paul, offering his body as a living sacrifice, emitted a pleasing savor which rose to the portals of heaven . . . a fragrance of life, for those who had ears to hear (or, perhaps, noses to smell) . . . but a fragrance of death to those who would have an allergic reaction to the things of grace and truth.

And while I know that Paul writes specifically of his unique calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, I can’t help but make application to the guy sitting in this chair. How am I smelling? What’s the nature of the odor that fills a room when I enter? What scent is being diffused with my presence? What bouquet do I possess that others pick up?

And the question is so not about me in many ways. For “who is sufficient for these things?” Implied answer, “No one!” I can’t manufacture the perfume . . . I can’t fake the fragrance . . . but as Christ lives in me, so His precious scent is diffused from me. As I yield to the Spirit’s work in me . . . so the savor of Christ’s tender compassions emit from me. As God’s Word is taken in . . . so the sweet savor of God’s grace is poured out.

Who is sufficient for these things? God alone.

But shouldn’t we desire to “smell” a bit? Shouldn’t we want to bring an aroma into the room . . . the aroma of Christ? I’m thinkin’ . . .

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Boasting, for the most part, is not considered cool in Christian circles. But it really depends on what you’re boasting, or glorying, in. Paul was a boaster . . . though not concerning himself. He would boast in the cross (Gal. 6:14) . . . glorying in the work of redemption . . . pointing to the wonder of a God who so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. He would boast of others (2Thess. 1:4) . . . bragging about the reality of new creations in Christ as their faith grew and their love abounded, evidence of the Spirit’s working in them. When it came to himself, he would boast of his weakness . . . as it became a platform from which to display the sufficiency of the enabling power of Christ that was resting on him (2Cor. 12:9). And this morning, as I’m reading 2Corinthians 1, I read of Paul boasting in something else . . .

For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.   (2Corinthians 1:12 ESV)

Conducting oneself in simplicity . . . and godly sincerity . . . not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God . . . this is conduct worthy of glorying in . . . you might say these are “boastful behaviors.”

The world throws a lot at us. Maze like paths to navigate . . . obstacles to overcome . . . people cutting us off . . . a riptide of popular opinion and approach seeking to suck us in . . . all demanding we react . . . all requiring that we make decisions. And there’s a way to do it that is “walking in a manner worthy of our calling” (Eph. 4:1) . . . and a way, not so much.

As I noodle on it this morning, Paul lays out some pretty basic principles for walking the talk.

Simplicity . . . singleness of mind . . . mental honesty . . . just being who we are in Christ. Admitting we’re jars of clay . . . but jars of clay that hold a treasure. Knowing that we are weak . . . but also confident that He is strong. Aware of the presence of the flesh . . . but seeking to walk in the Spirit. So aware we don’t have all the answers . . . so sure that His Word does. Not over complicating or over engineering things . . . just pilgrims walking the pilgrim path on our way home. Simplicity is a boastful behavior.

Godly sincerity . . . a holy clearness as to who we are in Christ . . . a purity of purpose in desiring to be imitators of Christ. Doing life in the power of His risen life . . . with integrity . . . with consistency. Not getting fancy . . . not putting on a show . . . just sheep seeking to hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow faithfully . . . just members of the Body trying to find their place . . . brothers and sisters in the family of God wanting to love one another . . . living stones in the temple of the living God longing to be a place where His glory dwells. Godly sincerity is a boastful behavior.

Finally, behaving ourselves by the grace of God. Aware that any desire to follow in the Way . . . that any degree to which we walk in a manner that’s worthy . . . is not because of who we are . . . or how wise we are . . . but solely because of the unmerited favor He has poured into and over our lives. Those who have known God’s amazing grace desiring to conduct their lives in the context of grace. Forsaking the world’s filters and scorecards and, instead, increasingly experiencing a view of the world shaped by the mind and heart of Christ. Living in and by the grace of God . . . this is boastful behavior.

Boastful behavior . . . conduct worthy of boasting in . . . a manner of life fit to be gloried in . . . knowing that the glorying isn’t in ourselves . . . so aware that credit is not ours to claim . . .

. . . 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 2:20b ESV)

O’ that I would be more characterized by these “boastful behaviors” . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

His name means “crowned.” Amongst the first converts in Achia, he and his family were among the few who had been baptized by the apostle Paul himself. They were long standing members of the church of Corinth. And what grabs me each time I come across them when reading Paul’s concluding comments in 1Corinthians, is that they were a family in the Family business.

Now I urge you, brothers–you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints–be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.    (1Corinthians 16:15-16 ESV)

Stephanas and his household devoted themselves to the service of the saints.

The saints . . . set apart ones . . . those redeemed through faith by the blood of Christ . . . given the Spirit of adoption . . . sons & daughters of the Father . . . joint heirs with Christ . . . the Family of God. And Stephanas, and his house, had set their hearts and energies, as a family, to serve the Family . . . the old King James says that they had “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

And I can think of families that I have run across over the course of my life who served the Family. Most often, in my case, it was through hospitality . . . an open home . . . hanging out with parents and their kids . . . enjoying a meal . . . and, just as much if not more so, enjoying the atmosphere of a household united in Christ. Actually, it was such a house . . . over such a meal . . . that the Lord used to initiate a hunger and thirst within me for the kingdom. I wouldn’t have said it that way at the time . . . or even understood it if someone else had said it. But the Lord used the time spent in the home of that family to produce in me the feeble prayer, “Lord, what they have, I want.”

I have been in homes that were a refuge. A place where a weary saint could lay their head as they were passing through . . . a safe place where, in addition to meals being served up, healthy amounts of encouragement were also on the menu . . . homes that were homes to strangers as well as to the saints. Such homes come to mind when I think of a household that is “spending their lives in service to God’s people” (NLT).

And while we may not all be called to be like “Crowned” and his family and their specific appointment to serving the church, I do think there’s something modeled here for all those who have been crowned with grace . . . something that the church is desperately in need of . . . families focused on Family business. Households that recognize their call to “do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Dads and moms, brothers and sisters, with an eye towards refreshing their brothers and sisters in the faith.

That’s when the church is really being the church.

O that we’d be about Family business . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

One day at a time . . . there’s a lot of merit in approaching life that way. When it comes to “keep on keepin’ on”, often you just need to focus on navigating what’s in front you. But, if you want to get somewhere, you also need to look up every so often and refocus on the destination . . . remind yourself of where you’re headed . . . make sure that where you’re stepping is consistent with where you’re going. So, while there’s benefit in a “one day at a time” approach . . . I’m thinking you also need a “one day at the end of time” mindset.

As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the Man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed . . .   (1Corinthians 15:48-51 ESV)

This morning, I’ve been reading Paul’s wonderful treatise on the implications of resurrection. “If the dead are not raised,” he writes, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (15:32b) . . . if the end of our time, is the end of our time, then go for it! . . . but if the end of our time, is day one of the rest of our time . . . mmmm . . . different implications.

If there is coming a time of resurrection, as Paul says there is, . . . a time when what is raised is imperishable . . . and raised in glory . . . and raised in power . . . raised a spiritual body (15:42-45) . . . if that’s what awaits me, . . . then what does it mean for how I do life now?

If I am no longer “of this earth” . . . but am among those “who are of heaven” . . . if my final destination is beyond time and space and the third planet from the sun . . . then I’d do well to look up every so often . . . catch a glimpse of the finish line . . . and, as needed, reset my internal GPS.

If I am to bear the image of the Man of heaven . . . then to avail myself of the grace and power to start putting on that image now, as I do one day at a time, seems to be pretty good preparation for that one day at the end of time.

If I really will be inheriting the kingdom of God . . . probably not a bad idea to check out it’s “Home Page” and become familiar with the sights, sounds, and experiences . .. if it will radiate the glory of God’s holiness, then to start acclimating to holiness is good preparation.

If it’s true that “we shall all be changed” . . . then getting ready now seems to make some sense.

There’s something about considering that “one day at the end of time” which enables us to do “one day at a time.”

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   (Matthew 6:33-34 ESV)

Believer, look up! We shall bear the image of the Man of heaven . . . we shall all be changed . . . one day!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . . Amen!

If Paul had to pick and choose . . . and it’s evident that he felt he did . . . he’d choose the gift of prophesying over the gift of tongues. In a “taste test” . . . he’d pick the Spirit enabled ability to instruct others concerning divine revelation over the Spirit enabled ability to speak in an unfamiliar language. Walk him into the store of God’s gifting and tell him he could only choose one thing . . . and that one thing would be the gift to speak five words concerning the mind of God to people rather than the gifting to speak a thousand words of mysteries into heaven. And his reasoning for his choice? . . . the principle against which he weighed the relative merits? It’s because he wanted to “Build It Up!”

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. . . . So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
(1Corinthians 14:2-4, 12 ESV)

Build up . . . In the first part of 1Corinthians 14 the term is used, in a couple of forms, 7 times. Looks like it comes from a two root words . . . one for house . . . one for roof. I’m thinking that it has the idea of putting a roof on the house . . . of enhancing the rooms and making them a home . . . thus, building it up. And while Paul debates the relative merits of the gift of prophesy vs. the gift of tongues, it’s less about the attributes of the gifting and more about their impact and implications for building.

The acid test Paul uses is, Does it build up the church? Regardless of the enabling . . . forget about the details of the gifting . . . look beyond the activity . . . the question to ask is, does it promote another’s growth in the things of God? . . . will it encourage another to set their face toward pursuing the kingdom of heaven? . . . will it console the hurting heart and direct it towards the Father of Lights, the Giver of every good gift, such that their faith is fueled . . . will it direct others to seek to be holy, just as He is holy?

There’s a lot of talk when the church comes together . . . but it’s the talk that impacts the walk that Paul’s really interested in. Not just the talk behind the pulpit, as important as it is. But the talk over the cup of coffee . . . the chit chat before service starts . . . the “greet” of the “meet and greet” during worship . . . the parting interactions as we head home . . . all of it can be used to build up. Mine is to have the principle in mind . . . that the purpose might be played out.

This isn’t an exhortation for the few . . . it’s the role of the entire family of God . . . the way in which God wired His church to operate . . .

And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ . . . speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.   (Ephesians 2:11-12, 15-16 ESV)

Saints (uh, that would be us) equipped for the building up the body of Christ . . . the body growing as it builds itself up in love.

Build it up . . . that’s the principle. Building up others . . . that’s the privilege. Being built up by others . . . that’s the blessing.

May God’s people seek to “put the roof on the house.” Build it up . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

Last night at our small group study we talked about the need to discern “conviction of the Spirit” from “accusation by the enemy.” That’s because there was enough “fuel” served up this weekend for conviction’s, or accusation’s, fire to burn. At men’s breakfast some of our young men shared about their recent trip to Mexico to help out a family who have taken in 17 foster children. Of particular note for some of them was the fact that the Lord’s Day really was the Lord’s Day . . . devoted to fellowship . . . devoid of busy itineraries . . . believers just enjoying unrushed time to spend with believers. Hmmm . . . Then on Sunday, the message was on “Organic Discipleship” . . . a brother speaking on the Great Commission . . . and it’s fulfillment by making disciples . . . motivated by worship for the King . . . commissioned and conferred by the authority of the King . . . enabled through the power of the King through His promised abiding presence . . . realized as we intentionally spend time with others. Himmm . . .

And as I sit here on the morning after the weekend before . . . still chewing on what “doing life with the few” means for me . . . whether I’m dealing with conviction or accusation . . . two words jumped off the page at me as I read 1Corinthians 13 this morning . . . “fully known.”

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.    (1Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

For all the light that’s been graciously given . . . for all the spiritual truth that has been freely revealed . . . there remains the fact that, for so many things, we’re still looking into a scratchy piece of metal that provides a less then best reflection . . . that we operate with less then perfect of knowledge . . . that we still see dimly, many things remaining somewhat of an enigma. Like . . . conviction or accusation?

And while I look forward to that day when “I shall fully know” . . . I am comforted . . . and encouraged by the reminder that I have been fully known.

While I deal with certain “mysteries” . . . there is no mystery about me before my God. While I might second guess myself . . . there is no shadow of turning with Him. While I might feel like I’m walking through a house of mirrors, at times, . . . trying to find the way, but running into walls occasionally . . . He knows the path set before me and has promised to direct all my ways if I will but trust in the Lord with all my heart (Prov. 3:5-6).

And so, as I wrestle with what this weekend means in terms of what, if any, adjustments I should be making . . . for right know, I will rest in the reality that I am fully known. I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has prepared in advance that I should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). And so, I will wait on the One who has “searched me and known me” (Ps. 139:1) . . . He who formed me (139:13) . . . He who has written down the days ordained for me (139:16). And to Him, will I echo the psalmist’s petition . . .

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

Looking in a mirror dimly . . . anticipating that time when I am face to face and fully know . . . until then, confident in the One by whom I am fully known.