It Ain’t About Me!

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Pete

We . . . I . . . do have a way of making it all about us . . . me. And I get why. The gospel is such good news and has had such a huge impact on the life of the believer that it’s hard not to sit back in awe of the blessings we have been graced to receive. I was going there this morning as I spent some extended time in Ezekiel this morning amazed at God’s pursuit of Israel and, by application, His pursuit of me.

God calls out the unfaithful shepherds of Israel and then says, “I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out . . . I will rescue them . . . I myself will be their shepherd . . . I will seek the lost” (34:15-16). When He has gathered the sheep, the Lord GOD then determines to reconstitute the sheep . . . after cleansing them with clean water, He determines to give them a new heart and a new spirit . . . to remove their hearts of stone and replace them with a heart of flesh . . . to put His Spirit within them . . . so that “you shall be My people, and I will be your God” (36:22-28). He also declares that He will take those who once were like dry bones and remake them . . . breathing life into them . . . placing His Spirit within born again dead people (37:1-14). He then covenants to save them from their backsliding and to set a king over them who will shepherd them . . . through whom He says He will establish an everlasting promise of peace (37:23b-26).

How blessed is Israel to be? How blessed am I? But wait . . . it ain’t about me!!!

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name . . . (Ezekiel 36:22 ESV)

To be sure, I am a recipient of grace . . . I am a benefactor of His unmerited favor . . . but let me not think that it’s about me. God has determined to act for the sake of His holy name. God has sought and saved so that He might be known. The wonder of the gift should not supplant the wonder due the Giver. Amazing grace should lead to awe-inspired worship.

Seems to me that if we . . . I . . . get too fixed on the blessings, then I run the danger of starting to think that somehow I deserved them . . . that I did something right. If I become locked on the benefits I enjoy as a child of God, I might start to measure God’s goodness by how good things are for me right now. Instead, I need to be reminded that I God has acted for the sake of His Name . . . that it might be exalted . . . that it might lifted up . . . and that the redemption I’ve known . . . and the restoration I’m experiencing . . . and the resurrection I’m anticipating . . . are all about glorifying that altogether wonderful Name.

Mine is to live for the glory of that Name. Mine is to praise Him for His benefits not because of what they do for me but because of what they say about Him. That He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps. 103:8).

To be sure, I . . . we, as believers . . . have been blessed . . . blessed “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). We have been chosen by a Shepherd seeking lost sheep . . . we have been spiritually reconstituted “that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (Eph. 1:4) . . . we have been made His people by “adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:5). But it’s not about us . . . me. It is all “to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6).

It is ALL to the praise of His glorious grace.

O’ may the redeemed lift up the Name of the Redeemer . . . may the blessed bless the Blessor . . .

Bless the LORD, O you His angels,
   you mighty ones who do His word,
   obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
   His ministers, who do His will!
Bless the LORD, all His works,
   in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!     (Psalm 103:20-22 ESV)

Posted in Ezekiel | Leave a comment

Our Anointing

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Pete

I’m hovering over a thought in 1John this morning. The thought that I have been anointed . . . the thought that this anointing doesn’t just rest on me, but abides in me. Often we identify “the anointing” with those who seem to have a special calling or a unique gifting . . . “They are anointed,” we say. But John is writing to his “little children” (2:1) . . . encouraging them to “walk in the light” (1:7) . . . admonishing them not to “love the world or the things in the world” (2:15) . . . and warning them of the antichrists, those who deny the Father and the Son, who twist the truth and speak lies and would seek to deceive the people of God (2:18-22, 26). And what is it that the allows the “little children” of God to walk in the light . . . and say no to the world . . . and to stand fast in the truth? Our anointing.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge . . . But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything–and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you–abide in Him.   (1John 2:20, 27 ESV)

I have been smeared . . . that’s the literal idea behind the word “anoint.” Probably the picture that comes to mind is that of the priests of old who had a mixture of oil and aromatic herbs sprinkled on them as preparation for serving in the sanctuary . . . or perhaps, the woman who poured out perfume of worship upon the head and feet of Jesus is what we envision. You think anointing and you think of being covered . . . and the covering isn’t visible, but it’s presence is known through the aroma of the oil or perfume emanating from the anointed.

And if I can identify with the “little children” whom John is writing too (and I think I can), then I have been anointed by the Holy One. An anointing given the moment I believed (2Cor. 1:21). An anointing that rests upon me . . . an anointing which abides in me. The oil of God given to permeate every aspect of my being . . . my heart, my soul, my mind.

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is our anointing. He is the oil . . . He is the perfume. And it’s not that “special believers” have an anointing . . . it’s that all believers have a “special anointing.” We’ve all been smeared. The Holy Spirit has been poured out into our lives. His mission is to make Christ known to us . . . to enable us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior . . . and, by that knowledge transform us, conforming us to the image of Christ . . . making us like Him . . . in thought . . . in action.

It’s so easy to think of this anointing as some “force” within us . . . and all too often we settle for a “dormant force.” But that is so far from how I think the Holy Spirit wants to operate. First, He’s not an “it” . . . He’s a “He”. Second, He is God. And third, He desires to abide with us . . . to engage in continual fellowship . . . to engage in our lives 24/7. He is the “personal” as in “personal relationship” with God. He’s the “in you” as in “Christ in you.” He is what makes it happen.

Praise God for our anointing! O, that we might become more adept at hearing His voice and recognizing His leading. That we might truly be permeated by His presence. That the aroma of God Himself would emanate from our beings through this blessed anointing of His Holy Spirit.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in 1John | Leave a comment

Living at Dawn

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Pete

I remember as a kid it being a pretty big deal to see the sun come up. Based on how I remember it, I think I must have been a pretty good sleeper . . . it was a special happening, like getting an early start on family vacation, when mom or dad would get us kids up so early that we’d be conscious for sunrise. Now, most of my days start in the dark and I just take seeing the dawn for granted. But something I read in 1John this morning may change that . . .

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.    (1John 2:7-8 ESV)

John’s purpose in writing this letter is “so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1:3). The reality of communion with one another is founded on the reality of our communion with the Father and His Son. The Father having made full provision for such intimate fellowship between the Creator and His creation as “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1:7) . . . and “He is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins” (2:2) . . . Jesus Christ the righteous not only making the way but bringing us into the way as the “Advocate with the Father” (2:1).

And the evidence of such relationship? “And this is how we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (2:3). Obedience is the not the basis for fellowship, it is the evidence. It’s not that I try to serve Jesus hoping it will put me in good stead with the Father . . . rather, because I am in good stead with the Father through the finished work of His Son, I love Jesus and desire to serve Him. And so the old commandments are given new power . . . the right stuff is still the right stuff but now I have the right enabling to do the right stuff . . . because I’m living at dawn.

The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining . . .

In a very real sense I’m living at dawn . . . seeing, by the grace of God, the darkness of the old man giving way more and more to the light that has been placed within my heart, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). I’m not there yet . . . oh, so not there yet! But the darkness is passing away . . . and I’m living more and more in the reality of the marvelous light I have been called into (1Peter 2:9). I’m not there yet . . . but I’m also not where I once was . . . praise be to God alone!

I’m living at dawn . . . the light before me becoming more and more attractive than the darkness around me. The shadows dissipating as the glory on the horizon captures more and more of my attention and my interest. It’s the work that God has begun in me, the work He has promised to complete at the day Jesus returns (Php. 1:6) . . . to bring me more and more in line with the reality of my deliverance from the domain of darkness and my transfer to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col. 1:13) . . . my walk being more in the light and less in the dark.

I don’t know how long this thought might stay with me, but I’m thinking it has the possibility of changing how I view sunrise . . . that each dawn becomes a reminder that just as the night gives way to the day, so too for the believer . . . for this believer . . . the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

O’ shine true Light . . . remove the shadows . . . fill the house . . . that the fellowship might be sweet . . . that our joy might be made complete (1John 1:4).

By Your grace . . . for Your glory!

Posted in 1John | Leave a comment

A Life-Changing Answer

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Pete

It really is one of the best dramas in all of Scripture. There are a number of characters in the mix . . . plots and sub-plots playing out . . . winners who appear to lose and losers who think they are winning . . . and it all culminates in one grand question and in an equally grand, life-changing answer.

It’s the story of the man blind from birth in John 9. A man chosen by God in eternity past “that the works of God might be displayed in him” (9:3b). This guy who has never set functioning eyes on anything has a “chance encounter” with One who created everything he’s never seen. Take a bit of dirt . . . add some saliva . . . shape into a mini mud pack . . . place it on the non-functioning eyes . . . go wash in the pool of Siloam . . . and BAM!!!! . . . this dude “came back seeing” (9:6-7).

Don’t know how old this guy was . . . but it says he was a man . . . an adult . . . an adult who had never processed anything through his optic nerve . . . but now, he’s in overload mode. Color . . . shapes . . . for the first time connecting smells he had long known with the objects that produced them . . . experiencing the wonder of attaching sounds he had heard for a lifetime with the sound-makers they came from. Once relegated to being a stationary beggar at the side of the road, to now independently navigating his way around town. And was it ever creating a stir around town. His story of the mud-maker named Jesus who touched his eyes and gave him sight was on all the local news outlets . . . and they end up bringing him to the Pharisees that they might provide insight was to what happened and who this Jesus was. Bad move!

It’s absolutely unbelievable . . . almost comical . . . the dialogue these “learned men of God” have with this once blind beggar of newly found sight. They were intent on denying the implications of such miracle . . . “this man is not from God” (9:16). They argue eye to eye with this blind man . . . they verify his identity . . . they confirm his reality, that he was born blind . . . and they still refuse his testimony.

But how do you argue with a blind man whose eyes peer into your own? How do you debate someone whose bottom line is “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see?” (9:25) You don’t . . . you either concede the miracle and the implications it has for the miracle-producer . . . or, as was true in this case, you get rid of the evidence from before your eyes . . . you, in effect blind yourself . . . and so, the Pharisees cast out the man from their presence.

And that sets up this man’s second encounter with Jesus. Jesus looks not only for the blind . . . but also for the castaway. And so this time the man beholds the Savior as he talks to Him. The man recognizes the voice . . . he knows he is talking to the mud-slinger, to the one who gave him sight . . . and so he’s all ears . . . ready to learn from the One who is the proven blindness-breaker. And the Savior asks the man the question . . . the question asked at some point of all men and women . . . the eternity defining question, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (9:35). And in order to answer, the man asks one clarifying question of his own, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” (9:36)

Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him.   (John 9:37-38 ESV)

Lord, I believe! That, my friends, is a life changing answer. It sets the course for eternity. It connects heaven and earth. It is the answer given by those who have eyes to see. Jesus is the Son of Man . . . He is the Son of God . . . He is the Giver of sight . . . He is the Light of the world . . . He is the Savior of all who believe!

And this man of recently received sight, now has his tongue loosed . . . and he worships. Talk about your two-fer!

The touch of the Master . . . a life-changing answer . . . and worship from those who were once blind. To Him be all glory! Amen?

Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

Since I’ve met this blessed savior,
Since He’s cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me! Oh! He touched me!
And O’ the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me, and made me whole.    (He Touched Me – Bill & Gloria Gaither)

Posted in John | Leave a comment

Too Soon?

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Pete

Is it too soon to start focusing on the incarnation? In a sense, it’s kind of a crazy question. What’s happened to us that we’ve relegated the wonder of Immanuel to a once a year consideration starting after Thanksgiving (here in the USA). Many of us cringe that the sellers of goods start “decking their halls” before Halloween . . . while Christmas is much anticipated, please not too soon! But back to Immanuel . . . back to God in flesh . . . what a chunk of wonder we put in the closet, along with the decorations, for most of the year. Well, John’s not waiting . . .

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.   (1John 1:1-3 ESV)

That which was from the beginning . . . the Word of life . . . the eternal life . . . with the Father . . . manifest to us . . . seen with our eyes . . . looked upon and touched with our hands . . . it’s enough to make the awe-o-meter go off its scale!

Maybe we should spend more time chewing on the wonder of “God with Us” apart from “the Season” . . . away from all the craziness . . . separated from the events and the traditions. More frequently taking some downtime, setting apart some quiet time to consider afresh that the eternal Word of life was manifest to men . . . seen and handled . . . encountered and engaged. To ask again, What manner of love compelled God the Father to send His Son Jesus Christ to humble Himself, take on the form of a man, own the essence of servant, and interact with a fallen world with the purpose of giving His perfect life as a substitutionary death for fallen men and women? To think that the plan of redemption required that the Redeemer become like those He desired to redeem . . . yet without sin.

And then to consider anew that He came not only to pay the price for our sin . . . but to also restore the relationship we were created for. Redeemed and reconciled . . . and our fellowship is with the Father and His Son . . . unreal! Amen?

How easy to take it for granted . . . to become complacent at the magnitude of privilege that is mine to get up each morning knowing that the Spirit looks forward to my morning devo’s as much as I do . . . that as I long to “re-connect” through the Word, meditation, and prayer, He too is equally anxious to commune with me. Really? Yeah, I’m thinkin’ . . .

Fellowship with the Father . . . communion with the Son . . . by faith seeing and handling the Word of life . . . through the Spirit hearing His voice . . . O’ praise God for the Word manifest among us.

Forgive us Lord for packaging the incarnation into a distraction filled box of time at the end of the year. Instead, Spirit who desires to make Him known, let us never stray far from the wonder of the Life that was manifest among us.

Too soon to start focusing on the incarnation? Evidently not!

O’ come let us adore Him!

Posted in 1John | Leave a comment

People In Pursuit

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Pete

There are some questions that just get to the core of the issue. Questions that don’t take a lot of words to form but can take volumes to answer. Questions that might seem pretty simple on the surface but, if pondered, take you way below the surface and to the deepest of implications. Questions that cut right to the heart . . . leaving no place to hide . . . no room to wiggle around the answer. Peter’s pen, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is moved to ask such a question:

. . . what sort of people ought you to be . . .   (2Peter 3:11 ESV)

Peter has spent two letters encouraging these saints to “keep on keepin’ on” . . . to remain faithful. Four times in this letter (2Peter 1:12,13,15; 3:1) he says that his purpose in writing is to stir up these believers by reminding them of what they know to be true concerning their salvation, their Savior, and His soon return. And after reminding them that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night . . . and that the things of this earth will be destroyed . . . he asks them, “What kind of people ought you to be?” (NIV)

Literally, it seems, the question could be translated, “from what country, nation or tribe are you?” . . . and the secondary sense is “what sort of quality should mark you?” The people of God should be marching to the beat of different drummer than this world.

. . . what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . .   (2Peter 3:11-12a ESV)

Our values . . . our priorities . . . our tastes . . . should all declare the type of people we are . . . and the country we hail from. We are to reflect something of the King into whose courts we have been brought . . . we should mirror something of the Father into whose family we have been adopted . . . we should display something of the nature and being of Him who is transforming us into His image. And thus, holiness should mark us . . . godliness should describe us. That’s the kind of people God’s people ought to be.

Not that we’re up to the task in ourselves . . . doesn’t take much self-examination to realize that left to our own abilities, we fall terribly short. But that’s why Peter writes to these believers and stirs up their remembrance . . . the whole point is that we are not left to our own . . . that “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2Peter 1:3-4 NLT)

As a believer in Christ I have all the tools I need to participate in the divine nature . . . God doesn’t call me to live in a holy and godly manner without equipping me to do so.

And I know it’s complex . . . I know that the lust of the flesh and the seducing voice of the world can be so strong and at times overwhelming. But I also know that God has promised that no temptation will overtake us which is not common to man . . . and that God is faithful . . . and that He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that we might be overcomers (1Cor. 10:13). God is faithful . . . what we need to bring to the table is a holy determination to seek His voice . . . hear it . . . and to obey it.

What manner of people ought we to be? It’s a question worth asking . . . a question worth answering . . . and an answer worth pursuing.

We should be people in pursuit . . . the pursuit of holiness and godliness . . . by the grace of God . . . through the Spirit of God . . . for the glory of God.

Posted in 2Peter | Leave a comment

Who’s Telling the Truth?

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Pete

I don’t know how you would know who’s telling the truth. It’s kind of fascinating how politics is done . . . especially leading up to an election. Feels like it’s a 30-60-10 split. 30% talking about the issues . . . 60% bad mouthing the other guy (or other gal) . . . 10% doing damage control for something dumb said by the candidate. Of that 30%, it feels like half of it is spent on calling one’s opponent a liar . . . that the truth they’re selling is really a deception. Then throw in the media and the political commentators and I honestly don’t know how you’d sort through it all. How do you find the truth in it?

But this morning, as I read in John 8, I’m reminded of where real truth is found . . . of the dynamic for discovering it . . . and of the blessed reality that it brings.

“If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”   – Jesus     (John 8:31-32, 36 ESV)

The truth is found in His word. The dynamic is that of abiding in His word. The result is FREE INDEED!

So many voices contending for the seat of truth in our lives. Not just the truth about politics . . . but about what our real priorities should be . . . about what our defining pursuits should be . . . about what constitutes a valued legacy. The list goes on and on . . . all that drives us, all that we do, is driven by some fundamental view of what we consider to be truth . . . even if that truth is that it’s all relative and there is no truth.

But Jesus says His word is the “gold standard” . . . the measure against which all other “truths” are to be measured. Kind of makes sense that the One who created all things and holds all things together (Col. 1:16-17) should be the One who sets in play the dynamics of reality. Kind of goes hand in hand that the Creator of all things is also the Designer of the operating principles by which all things are able to run at their peak potential.

So mine is to abide in His word. To hold it near. To feed on it frequently. To own it as my filter through which I process all other voices of truth. To ask the Spirit of revelation and illumination to take the words off the page and infuse them in my thinking and in my feelings.

And in that dynamic, there is freedom. Freedom from darkness . . . freedom for the bondage of sin . . . freedom from accusation. FREE INDEED!

I know who’s telling the truth . . . Word of God speak . . .

Posted in John | Leave a comment

A Surprise Ending

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Pete

It’s a love story gone bad. It’s a rags to riches . . . to rags story. Humble beginnings to exalted glory to treacherous betrayal. This parable found in the middle of Ezekiel’s prophetic writings really is quite moving . . . a bit disturbing . . . very depressing . . . and then . . . there’s a surprise ending.

The LORD is a storyteller in Ezekiel 16. In His tale we meet Jerusalem . . . conceived of a mixed marriage . . . an unwanted child . . . unloved from the day of birth . . . as a newborn, left in the blood of birth and cast out into a field . . .naked . . . loathed from the day she was born.

The LORD is part of the story. He sees Jerusalem wallowing in her blood and in His sovereign determination declares to her, “Live!” He makes her to thrive. So Jerusalem survives her birth and she grows up. Grows up into a real beauty. Matures into a woman ready to be loved. And the LORD comes upon her again, notices she is still naked and so, in the King’s grace, determines to spread His garment over her, to cover her nakedness, and to take her to be His own. He makes a promise to her . . . enters into covenant relationship . . . and she becomes His.

And this young beauty, living under the King’s care, grows up to become a real knock out! He bathes her . . . anoints her with oil . . . clothes her in embroidered cloth . . . adorns her with fine jewelry . . . and places a crown on her head. This blood smeared cast off in the field is now in the King’s court, adorned with gold and silver, wearing clothing of fine linen and silk. She is exceedingly beautiful . . . she is recognized royalty . . . her glory is recognized and known among the nations. All because of “the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.”

But . . . oh, what a terrible word, “but” . . . but she trusted in her beauty . . . and turned away from her Beautifier . . . and played the whore . . . becoming unfaithful because of her renown . . . lavishing her unfaithfulness on anyone who would have her . . . giving away her beauty to strangers. And, for the next page and a half, the Storyteller, the spurned lover, marvels at the extent of her harlotry . . . to the point where she’s not selling herself for money, as would be the common practice of a harlot, but instead bribes her lovers with her wealth and gifts . . . “How sick is your heart, declares the Lord GOD.”

The Storyteller . . . the spurned benefactor . . . the rejected King . . . then becomes the righteous Judge. And the wrath of a jealous God is poured out on His unfaithful bride. From beauty to barely recognizable . . . from the apple of the King’s eye to an object of reproach.

And then . . . the surprise ending . . .

. . . yet I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. . . . I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD.  
                                                                              (Ezekiel 16:60, 62-63 ESV)

When I atone for all that you have done! Really? After such rejection . . . after such arrogant unfaithfulness . . . would God really determine to atone for His wayward bride’s treacherous sin? And if so, what price would need to be paid for such atonement . . . to wipe clean such a dark slate . . . to zero out such a debt-ridden account?

. . . while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly . . . God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us . . . while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son . . .   
                                                                            (Romans 5:6, 8, 10 ESV)

Praise God for surprise endings . . . for a rejected Storyteller who, in His abundant grace, determines to become a redeeming Savior.

O’ what a Savior!

Posted in Ezekiel | Leave a comment

A Steady Soul

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Pete

It seems they have always lurked among the people of God . . .they showed up in all four of my readings this morning. In Job, they are “a friend” . . . a comforter . . . a counselor . . . one who speaks a word that, on the surface, sounds wise but, in reality, is sourced in a secret place of darkness and spoken by a spirit which makes the “hair of my flesh stand up” (Job 4:12-14) . . . you can almost hear the hiss in his voice. In Ezekiel they are called out for what they are . . . false apostles. Those who prophecy from their own hearts (Ezek. 13:2). Like Job’s friend, they speak out of “false visions and lying divinations” in order to mislead the people of God (Ezek. 13:9-10). And in John, they come dressed up in regal robes which scream of religious piety. They are those who oppose “the Light of the world” accusing Him of bearing witness of Himself by Himself . . . declaring for all who would hear that the testimony of the Author of Truth is itself not true (John 8:12-13). And then . . . I get to 2Peter 2 . . .

On the surface, it seems almost disproportionate . . . the amount of time Peter spends in this short letter on the reality of false prophets and false teachers. The entire second chapter . . . one third of the letter . . . 22 of 61 verses . . . dedicated to those who “will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2:1). Bold and willful, driven by their desire to feed their defiling passion, they are blasphemers of that which they know nothing about . . . driven, like animals, by raw instinct . . . having eyes full of adultery . . . insatiable for sin . . . trained in greed. And what’s really scary, is the thought that they can be dining at the table of the saints . . . like Job’s friend, or the false prophets of Ezekiel, or the religious fakes of Jesus’ time, these who revel in their deceptions can be found feasting at our tables (2:10-16).

I guess that’s why Peter spends so much time warning of their existence.

So . . . if they “walk among us” . . . and look like us . . . and talk like us . . . what steps can we take to protect ourselves from these masters of deception? There’s a clue in verse 14 . . .

They entice unsteady souls.    (2Peter 2:14b ESV)

The unsteady and unstable . . . that’s who these “blots and blemishes” prey upon. They seek those who haven’t got their feet set on solid rock . . . those who are wavering in their belief . . . those who have ears to hear the latest and greatest cut on what God really means. Those who are not grounded in the word and submitted to the Spirit . . . those who elevate their own thoughts above God’s.

Thus, it seems the best defense against those who come secretly to deceive is, as much as lies within us . . . and by the enabling power of the Spirit who resides in us . . . to stabilize our souls . . . to steady the seat of our feelings, desires, and affections. And I don’t how that’s done apart from a continual ingesting of the word of God. His Word . . . illuminated through His Spirit . . . bringing up His desire for His people. A steady soul!

God’s people becoming so familiar with God’s truth that, when the deceiver whispers in our ear, we recognize the hissing voice . . . we discern the half-truths and distortions . . . and give no ground to destructive heresies.

Daily bible reading isn’t just so we can “start our day right” . . . though it does. Devo’s on a regular basis aren’t just about spiritual discipline . . . though it is. Sunday morning sermons aren’t just about being encouraged in our faith . . . through they do. But it’s also about stabilizing our souls . . . about setting our feet on solid rock . . . about calibrating our GPS on the ways of home . . . about being so grounded that we avoid becoming prey to the roaring lion who seeks to devour us (1Peter 5:8).

O, Word of God speak! For a steady soul . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .

Posted in 2Peter | Leave a comment

Going . . . Going . . . Gone!

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Pete

On Wednesday night, at our men’s bible study, we considered Solomon’s dedication of the magnificent temple which God had given him the privilege to build. We spent a bit of time talking about what it would have been like to behold the Father’s visible “Yes!” to Solomon’s question, “Will God indeed dwell with man on earth?” (2Chron. 6:18). That heavenly “Yes and Amen” being manifest when the fire comes down from heaven consuming the burnt offerings and sacrifices as God “moves in” . . . His glory filling the temple . . . His glory filling what would be known as “the LORD’s house” . . . the glory that prevented even the priests from entering . . . the glory that drove the people of God facedown in worship and thanksgiving . . . “For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” (2Chron. 7:1-3)

Fast forward some 400 years or so . . . and the glory of God which inhabited the house of God is going . . . going . . . gone!

I’m reading again in Ezekiel this morning. And, as I read through chapters 9 to 12, what catches my eye is that the glory that filled the temple is now at the threshold (9:3) . . . and then at the east gate (10:18-19) . . . and then departs from the city altogether and rests “on the mountain that is on the east side of the city” (11:23).

Ichabod (1Sam. 4:12) . . .the glory has departed . . . the glory has left the building . . . how sad.

What a contrast from Wednesday to Friday . . . from Solomon to Ezekiel . . . from descending fire to departing glory.

And the glory “stands” on the mount across from the city . . . just as Jesus would centuries later and lament over the city and it’s again certain destruction . . .

It is the plight of man apart from the grace of God. Left to ourselves we are simply unable to accommodate the glory. No matter how hard we work . . . no matter how religious we get . . . all our righteousness deeds are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6) . . . our speech and our deeds are against the LORD, “defying His glorious presence” (Isa. 3:8).

But praise be to God who is rebuilding His temple . . . out of living stones . . . workmanship crafted by God Himself through the finished work of Christ on the cross and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit . . . that the glory should dwell again on the earth. God ensuring that His glory “will stick” as he reconstitutes hearts and rewires spiritual DNA . . .

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 11:19-20 ESV)

O that God’s glory would be known among and through His people . . . not on the mount beside us . . . not at the eastern gate . . . not even just at the threshold . . . but that it might fully rest on the household of God . . .

. . . until that day when faith gives way to sight . . . and we’ll be going . . . going . . . gone!

Amen?

Posted in Ezekiel | Leave a comment