Me Too!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Pete

Different . . . yet the same. I’m thinking that’s the nature of the salvation stories we have as Christians. Each story unique, with specific details of how someone came to faith in Jesus Christ . . . yet each story familiar, with similar accounts of what happened. That’s what hit me this morning as I started in on Galatians. I’m no Paul . . . not Jewish . . . not raised to be a religious leader . . . not as zealous . . . not as bright . . . didn’t meet Jesus face to face (rather, face to ground) . . . but as I read his summary of his story, I identify . . . and, praising God, say, “Me too!”

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone . . .   
(Galatians 1:13-16 ESV)

I wasn’t a violent man . . . wasn’t on a mission to wipe out Christianity, or any other ideology for that matter. But, in opposition to God? Yup. Making light of those who believed? Uh, huh. Arrogantly swimming in my own darkness and foolishness? That would have been me. In fact, Paul characterizes it well in Romans . . . spiritually infirm and feeble . . . devoted to sin . . . hostile toward God, an enemy of His kingdom. Details different than Paul’s . . . determination the same. Not for . . . but against. And in that state, shared by Paul and I, “Christ died for the ungodly” . . . “Christ died for us” . . . reconciliation to God was made possible “by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:6, 8, 10).

But more than the “before picture”, what captured me this morning was the dynamic Paul describes which produced the “after picture.”

Paul says, “He set me apart before I was born . . . He called me by His grace . . . He was pleased to reveal His Son to me.” Me too! And my awe-o-meter goes off the scale!

Why, O God, would you have set Your eye upon this dot of Your creation even before I entered this world? I don’t know . . . but it’s part of my story. The part that acknowledges that nothing of myself merits the favor of God . . . nothing I have done or could ever do could purchase a seat at the King’s table . . . but that it is but a Sovereign determination of the God who so loved the world (John 3:16).

Called by His grace. For years without ears to hear and eyes to see, yet patiently pursued by the One who desired me for Himself. A lost sheep searched for by the Good Shepherd. A prodigal son loved unconditionally by a waiting Father. A blind man given sight by the gracious touch of the Master’s hands. Persistently pursued by grace . . . until grace broke through . . . and the face once turned against God was turned toward God.

And in His gracious turning of my face toward Him . . . the Son revealed . . . “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). A vague religion to be disputed becoming a vital relationship to be pursued . . . because God, in His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to Paul . . . and to me too!

Different . . . yet the same.

“This is my story . . . this is my song . . . praising my Savior . . . all the day long!” Amen?

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A Circle of Life

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Pete

Repetition is a pretty effective way of getting someone’s attention. And you’ve got to think that when God repeats Himself that it’s probably important to listen. Psalm 107 is pretty repetitive . . . i.e. “Listen Pete!!!” It starts with “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!” It ends with “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” And in between, four times, the psalmist exhorts, “Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love.” So, I’m thinking that giving thanks is a good thing to do . . . that, as the psalmist makes clear, that it’s an important part of a “circle of life.”

The “circle” presented here starts with trouble. The song-writer presents four disaster scenarios that can overcome God’s people. These scenarios range from being lost in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty (vv. 4-5) . . . to being bound and imprisoned because of rebellion against God (vv. 10-12) . . . to being destitute and near death due to the foolish pursuit of a life of sin (vv. 17-18) . . . to, through no fault of their own, being caught in life’s storms and tempests and at wit’s end on how to survive (vv.23-27). And four times the Psalmist says, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble” and four times it records that God delivered or saved them (vv.6, 13, 19, 28). And four times the Psalmist concludes, “Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men!” (vv.8, 15, 21, 31). Ok . . . so even I can kind of start to see a pattern here.

First, cry out to the LORD when you’ve “hit the wall”. Regardless of whether its from losing your way, or from pursuing the way of sin, or from just encountering the “normal” upset conditions of life, I am to cry out to the Lord in my trouble. Why? Because my God is faithful . . . my God is merciful . . . my God is gracious . . . my God is all-powerful. Why wouldn’t I cry out to my God in my time of trouble . . . whether that trouble was “self-inflicted” or through no fault of my own? What I really believe about God will drive whether or not I turn to Him in times of distress.

Second, give thanks to the LORD for His works in my life. Praise Him!! Acknowledge His goodness . . . acknowledge His grace.

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His deeds in songs of joy! . . . Let them extol Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.   (Psalm 107:22, 32 ESV)

God forgive me for thanklessness . . . for taking the mighty works of God on my behalf for granted . . . for somehow thinking that I’m the one who is powering my way through life . . . for not recognizing daily His grace and strength. Oh, that this man would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness!

Paul got it . . . I was reading His testimony in 2Corinthians 12 this morning about his “thorn in the flesh”, “a messenger of Satan to harass me”, one of his many personal “disaster scenarios.” His response?

But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.    (2Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)

What an amazing dynamic . . . God redeems people . . . people get in trouble . . . people cry out to God . . . God intervenes . . . people are restored . . . God’s power is shown . . . people praise God. Talk about your “circle of life”.

Oh, that I would recognize the Father’s redeeming and sustaining work in the everyday distresses of my life . . . both the big and the not so big. And then, might I acknowledge it. Might my tongue be loosened to give thanks . . . to lift up praise . . . to exalt His name.

For He is worthy . . . amen?

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At the Gates

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Pete

They are words that cause me to pause. As I hover over them, I ask myself, “Do I really believe that? And if I do, what difference should it be making?” Jesus wanted His disciples to get it . . . He wants His church to get it too. The Lord shared it, not to tickle some intellectual desire to speculate about prophetic events, but that it might impact how life is done. And if these words were intended to be impactful 2,000 years ago, how much more should they be today? If “summer was near” then, how much closer are we today? Truly, He is at the gates.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory . . . From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates.
(Mark 13:26, 28-29 ESV)

Sue and I have been doing a mini-series on the end-times with the high-schoolers in our Sunday school class . . . just scratching the surface. But if I think I know anything for sure, it’s that a consideration of the end times should impact how I live in the “now times.” No doubt, there’s value in recognizing the signs of the times . . . of trying to do some orienteering within the prophetic calendar . . . but when all is said and done, isn’t it about living within the context that He is at the gates?

Israel is widely seen to be the fig tree which Jesus said would put out its leaves. Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 is seen by many to have started the last leg of history prior to Christ’s promised return. And while we can debate the signs and the timing of events, isn’t it enough to know that summer is near?

And I think about the coming of the Son of Man. I try to envision Him in power and glory. I anticipate the reunion with the One who poured out His life for me. I chew on Mark’s words that “He is near” . . . that He is “at the very gates” . . . and I can’t help but do a bit of life check.

Am I living in the real anticipation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Not that I think I need to pack up, head to the hills, and wait on a mountain top for His arrival . . . but I should be living life with an “eye to the sky.”

Jesus says that no man knows the hour of His return . . . not even the Son, but only the Father (13:32) . . . but Jesus also says repeatedly that we should be “on guard” and “awake” (13:33, 35, 37). My King is at the gate . . . and I should be awake!

Life should be lived in the context of His promised return. The branch has started to leave . . . summer is near . . . and I should factor that in as I think about my priorities . . . my reasons for doing what I do . . . for pursuing what I pursue.

I don’t want to be surprised . . . or worse yet, ashamed. I want to be awake . . . I want to be ready . . . I want to be found doing what He wants me to do when He returns.

He is near . . . at the gates . . .

Oh, that I might be ready . . . that I might be awake . . . that I might be waiting . . . that I might be anticipating?

By His grace . . . For His glory . . .

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A Divine Jealousy

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Pete

Paul was worried . . . maybe kind of sick inside. It had seemed like a match made in heaven as Paul had brought the two of them together and they seemed to hit it off just great. Paul had helped her as she got to know of Him and then Paul watched as she started to fall in love with Him. Paul could see the Savior wooing those with “hears to hear” at Corinth . . . and was there when “she” responded to heaven’s call . . . when “she” accepted the proposal and the “two crazy kids” were engaged.

But then things started going south. She started “hearing other voices” . . . questioning stuff that she had not questioned before . . . exploring things she really shouldn’t be exploring . . . listening to people she really shouldn’t have been listening to. The result? She started playing the field again . . . stopped “wearing the ring” when she went out on Friday nights, putting it back on her finger only for Sunday mornings. Darkness seemed less dark. Truth seemed less black and white. The pilgrim path seemed less clear. And Paul, the matchmaker, . . . the one who had been there from the beginning . . . the one who had brought them together . . . the one who had facilitated their engagement . . . this Paul was worried . . . sick to his stomach . . . overwhelmed with a divine jealousy.

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

I’m hovering over the thought of divine or godly jealousy. The idea of the mind growing excited with a passionate indignation . . . the soul being roused with an envious and contentious rivalry . . . the Spirit compelling Paul, the gospel-proclaimer, the matchmaker, to fight for the relationship he had had a part in establishing.

Paul saw the church . . . not the building . . . not the organization . . . but the people, as a betrothed bride. And it killed him to see the church playing fast and loose with other scummy suitors . . . tore him up to see her flirting with other guys . . . disheartened him to see what had once been love-struck eyes fading and becoming grey. He knew the battle wasn’t against flesh and blood . . . that the enemy of God’s people from the beginning was sowing his seeds of confusion . . . presenting “another Jesus” . . . “a different spirit” . . . “a different gospel” (11:4). And it stirred him up to see her being led astray by his lies.

And I guess I can fit into this scenario in a couple of ways. One, I am she. I’m that betrothed virgin . . . brought into covenant relationship with One who has drawn me to Himself . . . awaiting that day when He returns . . . when I will be presented to Him . . . when the wedding feast will occur. As such, I should determine, as much as lies in me and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to ensure I’m dressed in the pure, white wedding garments of “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” That my eyes never stray far from looking “down the aisle” and to the altar and the One who waits for me . . . even now preparing a place for me that where He is, I may be also (John 14:1-3).

And the other way I can fit into this divine love story is as a “wedding coordinator” fueled by a godly jealousy to see the Bride and the Groom united as intended. I can contend for those in my little world who are betrothed to the Savior . . . encouraging a steadfast faithfulness as we approach the day . . . exhorting toward a passionate pursuit of the One who has pursued us . . . exposing the deceiving counter-messages seeded by the serpent.

Oh, that by His grace I would not stray from a since and pure devotion to Christ . . . and that I would be fueled by a divine jealousy . . . for the Bride of Christ . . . and for the glory of the King . . .

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Real Beauty!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Pete

There are at least 3 or 4 sermons wrapped up in 1Samuel 25 . . . there’s the sermon of the stupid man . . . there’s the sermon of the cranky king-to-be who goes over the top ’cause he’s hungry . . . and, there’s the love story sermon where cranky king-to-be determines to wipe-out stupid man, girl intervenes for stupid man, king-to-be meets girl, girl calms down king-to-be, stupid man dies, king-to-be proposes to girl, girls say yes, king-to-be marries girl — you know, one of those everyday, happy ending, love stories. There are lessons to be learned in each of these story lines. But there’s a at least one other story here, that for some reason, absolutely grabs me this morning . . . the sermon of the beautiful lady.

If I were to quiz a group of Bible familiar people on who the great women of the Bible were, I’m guessing the responses might be Mary or Ruth or Esther or the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Maybe some would recall Deborah the “judgette.” But would anyone blurt out “Abigail?” I don’t think I would have . . . at least not before this morning. There is something about the quality of character of this woman that just jumps off the page this morning . . . an inner beauty rooted in wisdom and humility.

Abigail, the wife of Nabal (aka the “stupid man”), is a woman who was “discerning and beautiful” (1Sam. 25:3 ESV). So, she’s a looker . . . but in the Holy Spirit’s summary of Abigail, that she is described as beautiful is listed second . . . her preeminent quality is that she was discerning or, of “good understanding” as the NKJV says. Both the NASB and NIV say she was “intelligent” but to read that and conclude that she was just really smart would be coming up short. The idea in the original language seems to be that of insight, or good sense, or wisdom . . . Abigail was a woman of good understanding, of discernment. She knew what her husband was like . . . she knew how to take action to avert disaster by David’s hand (aka the “cranky king-to-be”). And take action she did.

Not only was she insightful . . . she was compassionate, and bold, and resourceful. Technically, she had nothing to worry about . . . David’s “over the top” reaction was to kill Nabal and all his male servants (1Sam. 25:22 . . . see how being really hungry can make a guy really cranky . . . and a bit crazy?). So Abigail, being of the “Venus” variety, didn’t have to worry about her own skin. But you sense that this woman of God wasn’t wired to think just about herself. When one of Nabal’s young men gets wind of what David’s plotting he runs to who? . . . he runs to Abigail. She hears . . . she fears . . . she springs into action. She loads up the donkeys with food and heads out to persuade David to change course of action. And check out, how she does that!

With humility she falls on her face and bows before David (25:23) . . . and then she says, “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be!” (25:24) What bravery . . . what humility . . . what true beauty! With face to the ground she pleads with David to see her as the failing point and to allow her to attempt to atone for it. It was her fault, she says, that she was not there when David’s men arrived looking for lunch and thus had to deal with Nabal. So she says, “Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant” (25:28). And though she humbles herself before the one she knows is the “king-to-be” she also boldly reasons with him . . . suggesting that, should he fulfill his desire to avenge himself on Nabal by killing him and his male servants, he would eventually regret it — it would bring grief and inflict on his conscience “the staggering burden of needless bloodshed” (25:31 NIV).

What a woman! Incidental that she had outward beauty . . . but the beauty of her character bursts forth like glorious rays of the sun peeking over the hills at dawn! She is wise . . . she is insightful . . . she is compassionate . . . she is resourceful . . . she is articulate . . . and above all, she is humble. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) Isn’t that the essence of true beauty . . . for a male or female . . . authentic humility?

She humbles herself . . . and she is exalted. God is David’s avenger . . . God is the judge of Nabal’s selfish and arrogant behavior . . . when Nabal realizes how close to disaster he came, he has a heart attack and eventually dies (25:37-38). David recognizes God’s protecting hand on him . . . that it was God who used this woman of God to prevent David from doing something really dumb. And the beauty of Abigail attracts David . . . the inner beauty of this classy lady connects with this “man after God’s own heart” . . . and he proposes to her . . . and, in true Abigail fashion, she bows her face to the earth and says, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” (25:41)

Wait-a-minute!!! . . . there it is!!! . . . who else do I know who was willing to wash the feet of others? . . . who was willing to consider Himself a servant? . . . who offered take upon Himself the guilt of others?

That’s why this lady stands out! . . . that’s what attracts my attention to her this morning . . . that’s the source of her beauty . . . that’s the secret . . . Abigail had the heart of Christ . . . her beauty was in the “hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious” (1Peter 3:4). She bore the spirit of the Son of God. Now that’s real beauty! Amen?

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God’s Portfolio

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Pete

It’s a primary task of aspiring startup artists. In order to be known they need to showcase their work. In order to establish their mark they need to be able to present their ideas, skills, and some evidence of their capability. It becomes a body of work against which they are evaluated . . . a compilation of their outputs which serve to establish their name. It is their portfolio. And this morning, Psalm 104 presents something of God’s portfolio . . .

O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.   (Psalm 104:24 ESV)

Psalm 104 is a wonderful catalog of the works of God. From setting the earth on it’s foundation . . . to putting in place the ways of the animal kingdom . . . to wiring in place the ecosystem . . . to shaping daily and seasonal routines around the consistency of the sun and the moon . . . to actively, consistently, infusing and sustaining the earth with on-going life . . . the psalmist connects creation with the Creator. It all declares the manifold works of God . . . it reveals the “Artist” . . . it showcases His capability . . . it reveals His heart . . . it is a part of His portfolio put on display.

You read the psalm and you sense the increasing excitement of the writer as he thoughtfully creates his list of all that declares the glory of God. And it’s stuff like springs that gush forth in the valleys providing drink to the beasts in the field . . . grass that grows to feed livestock and food that comes from the earth for man to partake of . . . trees in which birds build their nests . . . mountains which are home to wild goats . . . rocks that are put in place as the dwelling place for badgers . . . and “the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.” The psalmist considers that all of it, that every living thing is dependent upon the One who made them . . . that they “all look to You, to give them their food in due season.”

The songwriter has eyes to see that the “natural order” of things is perpetuated only by the supernatural husbandry of the One “clothed with splendor and majesty” . . . that the mechanics and logistics formed into the earth’s operation are supervised by Him who “makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind” . . . that the beauty of the earth is a mere reflection of the glory of God.

Creation is the portfolio of God. It communicates something of His nature . . . it declares but a fraction of His power. As such, it should create wonder . . . it should invoke awe . . . it should prime the pump of praise . . . it will, if considered for any length of time at all, awaken the soul to bless the LORD!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. . . . Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!   (Psalm 104:33-35 ESV)

And amidst all that declares the glory of God . . . considering all that God has done and the joy it brings Him . . . there is something in the closing verses of this song which also evidences the reality of His hand . . . something else on this orb that God delights to have in His portfolio. It is the meditation of those who take notice of God’s work and rejoice in them. That, says the psalmist, pleases Him as well. It is another testimony to the hand of God . . . another small piece in His vast display of awesome works that declare His presence . . . another trophy of His grace which reflects His glory.

Oh, to slow down and reflect on God’s portfolio . . . to chew on the wonder of that which day by day I take for granted . . . to take note of the works of God and allow myself to get caught up in the wonder of God. Oh, to be part of His portfolio . . .

Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

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This Act of Grace

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Pete

As I read 2Corinthians 8 this morning it occurs to me how often I misuse the word “grace.” For example I’m late to meet my buddy for coffee on Friday mornings (which I do way too often) . . . and I say, “Sorry” . . . and he says, “No sweat” . . . and I say, “You’re so gracious.” Or, I goof up on something (won’t say how often that happens) . . . and feel bad about it . . . and try to make up for it somehow . . . and the person who was counting on me says, “Don’t worry about it” . . . and I say, “Thanx for showing grace”. But I’m reminded as I read this morning that grace is not the withholding of that which is due. Rather, it is the giving . . . the generous giving . . . the giving beyond ability . . . of that which has not been earned. Paul refers to it three times in this passage as “this act of grace” (8:6, 7, 19)

But as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you–see that you excel in this act of grace also.    
(2Corinthians 8:7 ESV)

Specifically, “this act of grace” referred to by Paul was the taking up of a collection for the Christians in Jerusalem. It cost believers to be believers in Jerusalem. You can imagine the price they paid by embracing Jesus as Messiah in a culture that, by and large, had rejected Jesus as being God’s Anointed. You can imagine it was hard to find work . . . that family would have withdrawn support . . . and so Paul was determined, when he went to Jerusalem, to go with a gift to aid these impoverished saints. And just as the Gentile churches of Macedonia had determined to provide such a gift, Paul wanted the believers at Corinth to also engage in “this act of grace.”

So, some principles in this passage about “this act of grace” that I think illustrate the dynamics of grace. First, it was not a withholding but a giving. Grace was manifest as a “wealth of generosity” . . . as not giving “according to their means”, but “beyond their means of their own accord” (8:2b, 3). Whether it’s cash or compassion, grace involves the outpouring of that which we have to those who haven’t earned it . . . and maybe, we might think, don’t even deserve it.

Also, “this act of grace” is sourced in the giving of ourselves first to the Lord (8.5). Seems there’s a correlation between the degree to which we “grace to others” and the degree to which we have first given ourselves fully and faithfully to the Lord . . . the degree to which we have first presented our “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom. 12:1). When we’ve given it all to Him first, then giving it to others, whether that’s money or moral support, should come more naturally as we give what’s already God’s to those to whom God directs us to give it.

And, for Paul, grace was the proof “that your love also is genuine” (8:8). There’s something authenticating about seeing grace in action. Unmerited generosity toward others is some of the fruit borne by those who have been re-wired for agape love by the renewing of the Spirit. “This act of grace” is the evidence of having entered into “the real thing” . . . as James says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17). Again, it goes beyond just opening our pocket books . . . sometimes it opening our hearts . . . speaking a word of comfort or encouragement to, or drawing alongside, those who have gotten themselves into a tough situation.

Finally, “this act of grace” is sourced in another act of grace . . .

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.    (2Corinthians 8:9 ESV)

To think of the King of glory becoming the Lamb of God. To pause for moment and reflect on the spotless Son of God becoming sin for us. To imagine the One who deserves our crowns cast before Him instead hanging on a tree, receiving the curse we deserved poured out upon Him. thank You Father that we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .

By His poverty I have become rich. How can I not then seek to imitate by Savior? How then, can I not be pre-disposed to giving freely . . . of whatever material wealth He has graced me with . . . of the time He has freely allotted to me . . . of the compassion and love He as wrought in my heart through the generous outpouring of His Spirit.

Oh, that I might be a participator in this act of grace . . . for the glory of God. Amen?

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Godly Grief

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Pete

Truth is, give me the choice between happy and sad . . . I’ll take happy every time. Don’t care much for sorrow. Just as soon avoid heartache. Even less a fan of unease that’s caused by someone calling me out on something . . . although I know I should welcome “constructive feedback”, really don’t like it when it hits home and churns me up inside. But as I read 2Corinthians 7 this morning, I’m reminded there’s a place for . . . and blessing associated with . . . what Paul refers to as “godly grief”.

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you . . .    (2Corinthians 7:9-11a ESV)

Paul had grieved those at the church in Corinth with a letter he had written . . . having said some tough stuff that needed saying. If the letter Paul’s referring to here is 1Corinthians, perhaps what brought them sorrow was Paul’s strong rebuke concerning tolerating sin in their midst . . . or allowing congregational politics to fracture their fellowship . . . or their trigger-finger in being willing to go to court in order to settle disputes among them . . . or their disregard for the Lord’s table. Whatever the matter was it had brought grief and sorrow to the believers at Corinth. But, says Paul, it was a productive sorrow . . . a sadness that led to repentance . . . a heartache which led to revived earnestness for the kingdom . . . a godly grief.

And I’m reminded that sometimes, though I don’t welcome it or like going through it, being made sorrowful or suffering grief can be used of God as part of His sanctification toolkit. In this case, it’s not sadness borne of misfortune . . . it’s not sorrow due to what someone else is going through . . . but it’s grief which comes from being confronted with, or made aware of, sin in my life. I don’t like even typing that . . . sin in my life. But sometimes God will open the door on rooms I’ve got locked up . . . sometime He’ll cause me to peek under the carpet where I’ve swept some dirt . . . sometimes he’ll send a friend to shed light on something I’ve hidden . . . and in those times it causes grief. The soul is downcast . . . the gut is in knots . . . the chest is heavy . . . not a place I like being.

But it can be a productive place. It can be a barren feeling that produces fruit of righteousness. It can be sadness that results in joy when this sort of grief leads to repentance.

There’s a sorrow that can lead to a change of mind resulting in a change of life. It’s not a sorrow that destroys but a sorrow that saves . . . not that the believer needs to be re-saved . . . but saved in the sense of deliverance from the bondage of some sin which has tripped up, or gotten a grip, on the child of God.

It’s not a grief which results in shrinking away hopeless despair, but grief that compels us toward the holy throne of God . . . enlisting the One who ever lives to make intercession for us . . . confessing our wrong-doing . . . asking for forgiveness . . . based not on our worthiness, but solely because of the finished work of Christ on the cross . . . knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). And there, at the throne, grief gives way to gratefulness . . . sorrow gives way to joy . . . sadness is swallowed up by grace.

Nope . . . don’t like sorrow. But when it’s sadness caused by the inner voice of the Spirit, or a brother or sister led by the Spirit, shedding light on an area that needs to be called out, might I know, by God’s grace, that godly grief . . . that leads to repentance . . . that produces an earnestness for the things of God . . . that results in a walk that pleases Him . . . for His glory.

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Bleating Sheep

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Pete

Busted!!! So busted!!! His back was against the wall . . . he was painted into a corner . . . nothing left to do but some fast talking . . . nowhere else to go but to try to blame others. He could rationalize all he wanted . . . he could blurt out the excuses as fast as he could think of them . . . but at the end of the day all of King Saul’s words were drowned out by bleating sheep.

God had established Saul as king over Israel. Through Samuel, the LORD had pleaded with Saul and the people to continue to seek Him and obey Him. The LORD had given Saul the taste of victory in overcoming the enemies of of the people of God. And then, in 1Samuel 15, God commands Saul to go and utterly destroy — to devote to destruction — the Amalekites as God had determined to judge them for their opposition to Israel. And Saul leads the people into battle . . . soundly routs the Amalekites . . . but instead of devoting all the people and spoils of the battle to destruction, Saul “mostly does what God wants”. He spares the Amalekite king, Agag . . . and he collects “the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction” (15:9).

God knows . . . God informs Samuel . . . Samuel cries out to God and knows he must confront Saul. And when Samuel arrives it’s like Saul knows too . . . and suspects why Samuel has come and so, knowing that the best defense is an offense, he tries to convince Samuel (and maybe himself), “I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (15:13). And Samuels response? “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears?” (15:14).

Saul was pretty obedient . . . some might argue mostly obedient . . . as we say in my world, he got the 80-for-the-20. But the sound of bleating sheep testified to his disobedience. He could try and blame his people . . . but God had commanded him and he was king. He could rationalize sparing the best livestock as doing it for the Lord . . . that they might sacrifice their grade-A spoils to the Lord . . . but even if it were true (and I don’t think that was their motivation at all), God said there’s something better in His sight . . .

Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.    (1Samuel 15:22 ESV)

And, as I read this, I find myself asking, “What are the sounds of bleating sheep around me?”

What are those areas where I’ve been “mostly obedient”? What are those things that God has said, “Do away with it” . . . but I’m still holding on to some of it . . . kidding myself that it’s because “I have freedom in Christ” . . . but in reality it’s because I’m choosing to satisfy the old nature.

Pretty uncomfortable passage to hover over. As much as I’d like to focus solely on the finger pointing at Saul, I can’t help but stare at the three pointing back at me.

Where have I settled for the 80-for-the-20 in obeying what God has asked of me . . . do I hear bleating sheep . . .

Thank God for His grace . . . it covers a multitude of “80-for-the-20’s” — but God forbid that I should presume on the grace of God.

Oh, that I might seek something better than sacrifice . . . that I might, with integrity, pursue that which is better than the fat of rams. That I might be obedient . . . doing what God has asked me to do . . . out of love and adoration for Him . . . out of appreciation and awe for what He done for me . . . because He is worthy . . . and for His glory.

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Controlled by the Love of Christ

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Pete

Hovering this morning over a couple of verses in 2Corinthians. Paul’s been sharing his heart with his “children in Christ.” There are those who have been trying to drive a wedge between the apostle and the church which God had established through Paul’s ministry. And so Paul contends for them. When they ask for a letter of reference, Paul responds, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation . . . you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God . . . on tablets of human hearts” (3:2-3). And he goes on to remind them of the nature of his ministry toward them . . . that of being jars of clay . . . carrying the treasure of the light of the gospel . . . the gospel of the glory of Christ . . . the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (4:4-7).

He points out that being jars of clay “ain’t no picnic.” That to be a faithful “transport” of the good news, jars of clay need to be broken so that the light they contain can shine out. And so, Paul admits, “we are afflicted . . . perplexed . . . persecuted . . . struck down . . . always carrying in the body the death of Jesus” (4:7-10). Paul took it in the teeth in order to bear the good news to a people in desperate need of good news. His “outer self” was wasting away (4:16) . . . so much so that there were those who thought Paul and his buddies were out of their minds . . . that they were beside themselves (5:13). They couldn’t figure out what so drove Paul to endure such hardship . . . to continue to press forward against increasing forces of opposition . . . why he put himself through so much. Paul’s answer was pretty simple . . .

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that One has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.    (2Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

Paul, at the most basic of levels, was controlled by the love of Christ. The NIV and NKJV say he was “compelled” . . .the old King James says he was “constrained” . . . literally, his energies were “compressed forcibly into one channel”.

Meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus . . . encountering the risen Christ . . . comprehending the price paid by God’s own Son for Paul’s many transgressions . . . knowing forgiveness for sin, though once an enemy of God . . . it all provided for Paul a whole new context for doing life. He wasn’t just saved from wrath . . . Paul’s spiritual DNA was re-wired . . . he became “under the influence” . . . no longer desiring to live for himself, he instead sought only to live for the One who had died for him . . . the One who was now risen . . . and the One now ascended . . . the One now making intercession at the right hand of the throne of God . . . the One who, very soon, was coming again for His own.

The gospel wasn’t a one time message to respond to by “asking Jesus into his heart” . . . the good news of the grace of God became a life changing, and a life channeling, experience. With every new day there were new reminders of the faithfulness and mercies of God. With every temptation . . . every errant thought . . . every misaligned action there was the reminder heaven’s best being sacrificed for the forgiveness of sin . . . a fresh appreciation for the blood of Christ which cleanses from every sin. With every heavenly thought . . . every experience of revelation as the word of God was understood . . . Paul was reminded of the deposit given as a guarantee of his future redemption, the living Holy Spirit of God . . . comforting him . . . corralling him . . . conforming him into the image of the blessed Son of God. The love of God was ever before him . . . and thus it controlled him. The grace of God had become his sustaining power . . . and thus it constrained him. The risen Son would commune with him . . . and thus it compelled him.

Oh, that the desire to live for self would decrease as my appreciation for the eternal wonder of the gospel increases. That I might be so controlled by the love of Christ . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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