As Those Who Have Hope

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Pete

Hovering over a well known passage this morning, quite often a common “funeral” passage. But as I noodle on 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, I realize it’s really a “for everything” passage.

One of the things that first hits me is that Paul wants his readers to know that what he’s saying is not just speculation but is, in fact, revelation.

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord . . .

(1Thessalonians 4:15a ESV)

Not just Paul’s informed opinion, but the Lord’s inspired declaration. Not just wishful thinking, but a word from the Word. So what’s the word?

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

(1Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV)

Chew on the “He” and “we” of it . . .

He’s coming, thus we’ll be going. He’s gonna return, and we’re gonna rise. He will Himself descend from heaven, so we will always be with the Lord. (Did I mention that this isn’t just informed opinion or wishful thinking?)

There it is! Wanna know the future? We will always be with the Lord! That’s it! That’s the bottom line! No fortune teller needed. No crystal ball crystal clear enough. This is a word from the Lord. The risen Lord. The coming again Lord.

But it’s the “so what” of this passage, the conclusion often cited when we gather to mourn the loss of a beloved one who has gone before, that primes the pump for this morning’s meditation.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers (and sisters), . . . that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

(1Thessalonians 4:13 ESV)

The Lord’s coming. We’re going. So, says Paul, don’t grieve as others do who have no hope. Don’t mourn like those who don’t know Jesus. Sure, lament at the separation currently experienced, but don’t lament as those who have never experienced the new birth and have never been reconciled to God and adopted as His child, through faith in the finished work of the cross where Jesus’ death fully paid the debt owed for their sin. No, says Paul, in light of Jesus’ resurrection, His ascension, and His soon coming again; in light of us living in the reality that one day soon we will always be with the Lord, grieve, mourn, and lament in a different way — as those who have hope.

And as I chew on this I get to thinking that I can insert any verb within Paul’s encouragement and it makes just as much sense, it’s just as worthy a word of exhortation. Try it . . .

Don’t work as those who have no hope. Don’t party as those who have no hope. Don’t parent as those who have no hope. Don’t invest as those who have no hope. Don’t argue as those who have no hope. Don’t vote as those who have no hope. Don’t prioritize as those who have no hope. Don’t live as those who have no hope.

Get the idea? Go ahead, try it for yourself. Grab a common verb or two, think of an experience or activity, any experience or activity, and insert it: Don’t _____________ as others do who have no hope.

Whatever we do, all that we do, shouldn’t we do it as those who have hope? As those who will be going on that day when He is coming? I’m thinkin . . .

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

(Colossians 3:2-4 ESV)

As those who have hope. Not just a grieving mindset, a “for everything” mindset.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Live Quietly

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Pete

When we think of what “being sanctified” looks like, this might not be the first thing that comes to mind. If we tried to describe “holiness”, this might not make the top of our holiness “to do” list.

Abstain from sexual immorality (1Thess. 4:3-4)? Check, that makes sense. Love one another (1Thess. 4:9)? Yup, I can see how that makes the list. But “live quietly”? Hmm . . .

. . . aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

(1Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV)

Live quietly . . . mind your own affairs . . . work with your hands . . . How’s that for a concise shortlist of commands to obey so that we would walk properly before outsiders?

I’m guessing that it was the culture around them and the habits some of them had picked up from that culture which prompted Paul to pen these commands. I might infer that stirring things up in the public square was a thing — and viewed as a normal thing — for many in Thessalonica. So was sticking one’s nose in the affairs of other. As was idleness, to the point of depending on others for what they should have provided for themselves. While the world around them — the world they had been redeemed from — might value these things, for those who were called to walk in a new way, such things were unbecoming those called to holiness.

Instead, in order to walk properly before outsiders, they were to buck cultural norms and instead live quietly. To “make it their ambition to have, in a sense, no ambition” (Philips). To hold one’s peace. To not meddle. To not be busybodies. Rather, their focus was to be on their own stuff, tending to their own affairs. Working with their own hands to meet their own needs.

Sounds pretty ordinary, huh? Kind of mundane? Not the stuff that you’d necessarily immediately connect to being an ambassador of a kingdom not of this world? Yeah, maybe . . . if that’s all that they were doing.

But we know that wasn’t the case. This band of believers had “turned from idols to serve the living and true God” (1Thess. 1:9) and were stirring up the world around them as word of their faith in God had “gone forth everywhere” (1Thess. 1:8). They had “received the word of God” and were living like it really was “the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (2:13).

They were making waves; they were disturbing the status quo. And part of how they were doing that was by not diluting their message with noise about things that didn’t matter in light of eternity. By not meddling in affairs which, at the end of the day, weren’t worth meddling in. Instead, Paul encouraged them, as he encouraged others in other places, to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1Tim. 2:2), to “if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18).

Living quietly. Minding my own business. Keeping busy with what God has called me to keep busy with. Mindful to avoid creating barriers to the gospel, barriers erected by running with the crowd’s craziness and going with the culture’s flow. That’s walking properly. That’s holiness (at least in part). That’s sanctification.

Live quietly.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Ink in Heaven

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Pete

It must have been a rush for all seventy-two of them. They were laborers sent into the harvest. They were also lambs deployed amongst wolves (Lk. 10:1-3). Their message? “The kingdom of God has come near” Their power? The healing power of Jesus — power over demons and disease (Lk. 10:9). And when they returned from their mission, there was a whole lot of fist-pumping, adrenalin-rushing celebrating going on.

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.“

“In that same hour [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit . . .

(Luke 10:17-21 ESV)

Rejoice that your names are in heaven . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Satan falling, spirits submitting, nothing standing in the way of the mission. They must have felt invincible. Preaching the good news of the kingdom must have been incredible. They rejoiced. Jesus rejoiced. What an experience! Can you imagine it?

Yet, Jesus sought to redirect their joy — not dampen it, but to apply it elsewhere. Whatever euphoria they were experiencing about what had just happened on earth, was the feeling they should feel about what had already happened in heaven.

. . . . rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

There’s some way by which the followers of Jesus are forever recorded in the annals of another dimension. A way in which we are known. A way in which we are secure. Be exceedingly glad in knowing that, says Jesus.

He knows my name because He’s recorded my name. In another reading this morning, I was reminded that in some heavenly book, authored by God Himself, are “written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me” (Ps. 139:16). Who am I that my name should be written in such a book? “Rejoice,” says the Son. Bask in the fruit of much joy, whispers the Spirit.

There’s gotta be some kind of ink in heaven.

Red ink, perhaps? O’ the blood of Jesus! We know it can wash whiter than snow. Might it also be used to write forever every name He knows?

Names written in heaven . . . Rejoice! And again I say, rejoice!

Because of such grace. Forever for His glory.

Amen?

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Giving’s a Gift

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Pete

Encountered another of those “who am I?” questions this morning. But this one has a twist I’m not sure I’ve ever paused and chewed on before.

Last week, it was “Who am I?” and “Who are we?” that You, O God, should have redeemed us as Your own — who are we, O Lord, that You should do so much for us? This morning, though, the awe-invoking question on David’s lips is, who are we that we could do anything for You?

David has just drawn down his savings account and reduced his kids’ inheritance significantly as he’s contributed generously to the treasury from which the Lord’s house is to be built, and he invites all those in his kingdom to do likewise (1Chron. 29:3-5). And the people respond. And in a pretty big way (2Chron. 29:6-8). And, perhaps, in a somewhat surprising way.

Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

(1Chronicles 29:9 ESV)

The people rejoiced because they had given willingly . . . You sense a prevailing euphoria among a people who have collectively reached deep into their 401(k)s and IRAs. They gave. They gave generously. And they are amazed at their giving. Not just at what they gave, but at how they gave it — willingly and freely. Can anyone say, “A moving of the Spirit?”

Cue David’s “who am I?” question.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You. For we are strangers before You and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own. I know, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to You. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.”

(1Chronicles 29:14-18 ESV)

Chew on that for a bit.

Where we might be prone to view whatever giving we do as an “act of obedience” or as a pious obligation, David’s going, “Wow! I get to give? Who am I? We get to give? Who are we?”

Who am I, that the Lord has given me anything from which to give from? Who am I, to be entrusted with such a stewardship? Who am I, to be able to contribute in some small way to making known His unfathomable ways?

Lord, I’m just a stranger and a sojourner. My days on earth so brief compared to the days of abiding in Your presence. God, You’re just testing my heart, aren’t You? But You have also moved my heart to honor You with these temporary treasures. And You “have pleasure” in my giving.

Really? I can bring You pleasure through my possessions which are really Your possessions? Evidently.

O, to offer willingly. O, to give freely out of whatever stores He has freely given us. O, to know the joyous euphoria of having a little less wealth for the sake of wanting to make a little more known His holy name.

“O LORD . . . keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.”

To give to God is, in and of itself, a gift of God. Isn’t it?

To give to God is a gift of the Father who has graciously modeled sacrificial giving for His children. A gift of the Son who freely gave fully of Himself for His brothers and sisters. A gift of the Spirit as He stirs the thoughts and hearts of those called to be His people to give in response. A gift of faith which holds loose our worldly wealth because we know we are storing up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:19-20). A gift we should want to receive so that we too can rejoice. So that we too can know something of the euphoric joy of offering willingly and giving freely.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Theos Martus (2014 Rerun)

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Pete

Back in 2014, on this morning in my reading plan, it was the Spirit connecting the dots in real time. This morning, it’s my journal reminding me of the dots connected. But it’s the same Spirit priming the pump of awe and wonder. How great is our God? Pretty great!

Rerunning my morning thoughts from a decade ago.

That I would encounter similar themes across my readings in the morning probably isn’t too unusual. But that I would notice them . . . that I would see them coming together . . . that, progressively, as I encounter them, they move my heart . . . that, I believe, is evidence of the Spirit saying, “Hey Corak, listen up!” It’s one of the amazing dynamics of reading the Scriptures . . . those times when you are so aware of the illuminating work of Him who has been given to, among other things, lead us in to all truth, convict us of sin, and refine as according to the Master’s plan.

Here’s what I encountered this morning as I was working my way through my reading plan . . .

In 1Chronichles 28, David is making final preparation for his death. He assembles all the officials at Jerusalem and gives them charge concerning the building of a temple for God, something that had been his heart’s desire since ascending to the throne. And then, he turns to Solomon, the son who would succeed him and oversee construction. And to him, King David says,

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”

(1Chronicles 28:9 ESV)

Then in Luke, I read of Jesus with His disciples, trying to inform them again that “the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they, apparently, have more important matters to consider . . . like who’s numero uno among them. An argument arises among them as to which of them was the greatest . . . and then Luke records this,

But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, . . .

(Luke 9:47-48a ESV)

Seeing the common thread? I started to . . . and then I dove into 1Thessalonians . . .

Paul thanks God for the evidence of salvation among this church which sprang up in only three weeks (Acts 17:1-10) . . . evidence of God’s calling upon them as “our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction” (1Thess. 1:5). And in speaking further of the coming of the gospel to them, Paul writes this,

. . . but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness.

(1Thessalonians 2:4-5 ESV)

God is witness . . . Theos martus. He knows.

Solomon, serve God with all your heart and mind for He searches all hearts and understands every thought and plan. Disciples, quit your bickering, stop the focus on yourself, for Jesus knows the reasoning of your hearts. Paul, preach the word plainly . . declare the gospel boldly. Declare it with integrity . . . not dumbing-it-down or flowering-it-up in order to please the itching ears of men . . . but to please God who tests our hearts. Remembering that Theos martus . . . God is witness.

A Holy Spirit reminder this morning. Nothing hidden . . . nothing concealed . . . thoughts, intents, and motives fully known in heaven. Kind of strikes fear at first . . . remembering that I am wholly known by a holy God. But God’s perfect love casts out the terror fear and the dread fear . . . leaving only the reverence fear, the awe fear, the “O that I might rejoice in His great love” fear.

He knows my name . . . He knows my frame. I am His workmanship . . . created once through birth, re-created through rebirth . . . made new in Christ . . . given a stewardship to exercise for the kingdom. And, by His grace, and through His power, I am to pursue the kingdom and exercise my stewardship with integrity of heart . . . to serve Him with my whole heart . . . knowing that God is witness.

Yes, LORD!

By Your grace alone . . . for Your glory alone . . .

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The Place of Full Assurance

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Pete

He prayed for his church. Not the church’s programs, but the church’s people.

And he didn’t just pray for them, he “struggled” in pray on their behalf. He “labored fervently”, he prayed “tirelessly”, he “wrestled” incessantly, he “contended” earnestly. And what did he pray for? Full assurance.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

(Colossians 4:12 ESV)

What are the things we aspire to for our church (not our programs, but our people)? What’s “success” look like to us? What’s the thing that if we were to labor in prayer for anything we would certainly labor in prayer for this thing, or things? Is spiritual maturity and full assurance the first things that come to mind? Would it even make the list? Thinking it should . . .

Asked differently, what’s a “thriving” church look like? Is it to be measured, as some cynically put it, by butts, bucks, and buildings? Is it about how many attend, how much is given, and how big we can become? Is that what we should be praying for? Thinking not . . .

Standing mature. Fully assured in all the will of God. How’s that for top billing on our pray-for-one-another prayer list? If these would mark our churches, wouldn’t everything else flow from them?

If we were grown up in what we believed, then we’d be grown up in how we behaved. Right doctrine would, by the Spirit, be sourcing right decisions. We’d walk in “a manner worthy” because we would know — like really know — in Whom we have believed. Paul was all about wanting those he led to Jesus growing up in Jesus (Eph. 4:15). And growing up would seem to be integrally tied to being “fully assured.”

“Brought to the place of full assurance in everything willed by God.” That’s how Wuest renders it in his literal translation of the New Testament. Not just knowing stuff in the bible, but really believing that stuff. More than just being familiar with biblical truth, staking our lives — both now and forever more — on that truth. More than just being saved by the gospel, wanting to be totally sold on the gospel.

Fully persuaded that when Jesus said, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30) that it was finished indeed. The price for my sin — all my sin — paid in full. Period. Full stop. No work able to add to the saving work of the cross.

Fully convinced that if the Son has set us free, then we are free indeed (Jn. 8:36). The penalty of sin not only paid, but the bondage of sin also broken (Rom. 6:6). Period. Full stop. We really are new creations in Christ, old things really have passed away and all things, really, really, really, are new (2Cor. 5:17).

Fully aware that we wake up every morning with the remnant of the old man at war with the work-in-progress new man, the desires of the flesh in opposition to the transforming work of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). Period. Full stop. Humbled by knowing that we are still far more sinful than we care to admit.

Fully believing that where sin abounds, grace does more abound (Rom. 5:20) and that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1) Period. Full stop. That God’s steadfast love towards us is far greater than we can imagine.

Fully anticipating that what began as a work of the Spirit in our lives by faith, will be brought to perfect completion through the work of the Spirit in our lives by faith (Gal. 3:2-3). Period. Full stop. That this is the way of sanctification, and that the work which God begun in us He will ” bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Php. 1:6). Period. Full stop.

Absolutely confident that there will, in fact, be a “day of Jesus Christ.” Unwavering in our contention that when Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12) then, behold, He is coming soon. Period. Full stop.

Fully assured. Standing mature.

O Lord, bring us to the place of full assurance.

Only by Your grace. To You be the glory.

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Who Am I? Who Are We? Who Is He?

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Pete

I encounter David’s question twice a year in my reading plan. First in May, as it’s recorded in 2Samuel 7, then in July, where it’s recorded again in 1Chronicles. It’s David’s question, but I own it as my own.

David, wanting to build a house for the LORD, wanting to provide a space for the glory of God to dwell — a permanent home rather than a transient tent — is told instead by the prophet, Nathan, “the LORD will build you a house” (17:10). While David had in his heart a magnificent cathedral of cedar and gold for His God, His God had in mind a forever throne for David. To which David quiets his soul and ponders, “Who am I?”

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?”

(1Chronicles 17:16 ESV)

Who am I? It’s a reflect and remember sort of question. It’s an awe and wonder sort of question. And even though it’s a “me” question, it really is a “be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10) question?

O, the unfathomable depths of God’s grace. The inscrutability of God’s purposes. The incorruptible and unfailing reality of God’s promises. Who am I?

And, as David chews on God’s unmerited favor towards him, he expands his meditation to consider his community.

“And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be His people, making for Yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? And You made Your people Israel to be Your people forever, and You, O LORD, became their God.”

(1Chronicles 17:21-22 ESV)

Who is like Your people? Redeemed from bondage. Redeemed of God. Redeemed to be His people forever.

A motley crew. A whiny lot. Prone to wander. Slow to sanctification. Yet, redeemed forever, so that God might make for Himself “a name for great and awesome things.” Who are we?

Then, noodle long enough on “Who am I?” and “Who are we?”, and you can’t help but eventually ask, “Who is He?”

“There is none like You, O LORD, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

(1Chronicles 17:20 ESV)

There is no God like our God. There is no favor like His favor. No patience like His patience. No steadfast love like His unfailing love.

Who am I? I am a trophy of God’s grace solely because of God’s sovereign determination to enter into covenant relationship with me. Counted as holy and credited with Christ’s righteousness. Being conformed to the image of Jesus, transformed into holiness, by the regenerating work of the Spirit.

Who are we? We are a special people, redeemed through the shed blood of the Son. We are a holy temple where the glory of the living God is in the midst through the Spirit (Eph. 2:21-22). We are a sanctified bride in the making, one day to be presented to Him “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

Who is He? He is God and God alone.

His grace all sufficient to complete the saving work begun in us. Our salvation the source of eternal glory for Him.

Amen?

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Invoke

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Pete

I don’t know that coming upon this gem hidden within 1 Chronicles surprised me any less this year than last. Or this year than 10 years ago. Even though I have encountered it annually for the past 15 years or so, I never really expect it or anticipate it (like I do Psalm 119 or Romans 8, for example). After wading through a sea of genealogy, I’m glad to get into the more narrative portion of 1 Chronicles, but I always forget about this “psalm” portion. Cue 1 Chronicles chapter 16, verses 8 through 36.

In my ESV, it’s titled David’s Song of Thanks. And as I read it this morning I wonder if part of its purpose is to be an example of what thanksgiving should look like. Just as The Lord’s Prayer models for me what prayer should look like, I kind of feel like David’s Song of Thanks may be there to model for me what praise should look like.

But as enraptured as I am with the song, it’s the pre-song preparation that’s given me something to chew on.

David has taken a second shot at moving the ark into Jerusalem. The first time was deadly — literally (1Chron. 13). This time, instead of winging it and doing it his way, David ensures it’s done . . . how shall we say? . . . the RIGHT WAY! No one but the Levites were to carry the ark of the God, and this time, no one does. And so, amidst joyous celebration, the place where the glory dwells is carried into Jerusalem by the Levites and set inside the tent that David had pitched for it (1Chron. 15:1-16:1).

And where the glory settles, thanksgiving should be sung.

Then [David] appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. . . . Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

(1Chronicles 16:4, 7 ESV)

This is when David “first appointed” worship in song. Makes sense then that he might want to provide a model for what such a song might look like. But what I’m chewing on is what seems to be presented as the underling dynamic for such a song: Invoke . . . Thank . . . Praise.

Thanksgiving I’m familiar with. Praise has been a pretty common practice since my earliest days of being a Christ-follower. But invoke? Hmm . . . one of these things doesn’t seem like the others. Will need to noodle on it a bit.

Invoke. At first read, I think that this perhaps refers to invoking the name of the Lord, as in calling upon His name. Could be. Invoke the LORD . . .Thank the LORD . . . Praise the LORD. That works.

But I look up the meaning of the original word behind the English word and it opens up another possibility. To cause to remember. To bring to remembrance. Thus, if that’s how the word might be understand, before you can thank God or praise God you need to invoke the memory of God.

Before the heart is engaged in real worship, I’m wondering if the mind first needs first to be engaged in meaningful remembrance. What we know about God needs to inform what we declare about God. Authentic thanksgiving needs to be grounded in an authentic understanding of His mighty and merciful works. When not grounded in and sourced from an appreciation of who God is and what God has done, praise, just like prayer, can be but “empty phrases” (Matt. 6:7). Thus, substance should be behind our singing.

Invoke, says David. Engage the mind. Recall specific works. Meditate on particular, awesome wonders. Bring to mind, again and again, His forever, precious promises.

Then give thanks. Then freely offer the “sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” (Heb. 13:15). Then sing along with David through the rest of 1 Chronicles 16.

Invoke the memory. Then worship His majesty.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Forgiven Much

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Pete

You probably couldn’t have orchestrated a more stark contrast. A Pharisee, a he, and a sinner, a she, with Jesus in their midst.

He had no water for Jesus’ feet, though custom would have dictated that would have been the respectful thing to do. She, on the other hand, wet the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with her hair — kind of an outrageous thing to do. He had no welcoming kiss on the cheek for Jesus, but she would not stop kissing Him, though still at His feet. He made no effort to minister to Jesus, offered no oil for His head. She broke open an alabaster flask of ointment and humbly poured it out. Guess where? Yeah, she is still bowed at the feet of Jesus.

In essence, the Pharisee met the Messiah with, “Meh! No big deal.” The sinner however, though her behavior would have been considered “over the top” by many, could not adequately express her adoration for this Friend of sinners.

And what I’m chewing on this morning is Jesus’ diagnosis of the dynamic at play.

And Jesus answering said to [the Pharisee], “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” . . . .”Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven— for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

(Luke 7:40-43, 47 ESV)

Pretty clear cause and effect diagnosis by Jesus. Forgiven much? You’re gonna love much in return. Not so much? Not so much love in return. And it occurs to me that how we determine “much” is kind of important.

If Simon, the upstanding Pharisee, a pillar in his community, is comparing himself to this woman, a no name known only as a “sinner”, then maybe compared to her “much” sin, his sin isn’t so much. But what if Simon could have grasped standing before the Holy, Holy, Holy God? Then how much would he recognize his need for forgiveness? Pretty much!

And it brings to mind something else that Jesus said.

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

(Matthew 24:12 ESV)

In context, I think Jesus is saying that generally in the world the inclination to love will “wax cold” (KJV) because of the “overwhelming spread of evil” (MSG). Increased wickedness is going to lead to decreased affection.

But I’m wondering this morning if, as the world gets worse, we followers of Jesus might be tempted to count ourselves better in comparison and thus run the danger of starting to think, “I didn’t really need to be forgiven much.” And if that starts happening, if we start seeing the debt erased for us as somehow lesser than the debt others need erased, might we be in danger of “loving little”, or at least loving less, because we think we’ve been forgiven less? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Or, what if we fail to recognize that each day we’re still, in a sense, accruing debt as the flesh wins over the Spirit way too often? While we may not view that debt being “as great” as the debt being accrued by the sinners around us, if we fail to recognize the daily “wages of sin” we’re earning — thus failing to confess our sins, thus failing to recognize how much we continue to be forgiven — then what happens to our love for the Savior? Is it possible that the love which once burned intensely, as it was fueled by our daily awareness of our own desperate condition, is now but a flickering flame because, hey, compared to the world around us, we’re looking pretty good?

Yeah, it’s possible. Jesus said so.

“I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” ~ Jesus

(Revelation 2:3-4 ESV)

Loving much, or loving little? Forgiven much, or forgiven little? Being forgiven much, or being forgiven little?

Worth chewing on I think . . . especially amidst a world that might make us think we’re better than we really are and His grace is less needed than it really is.

Forgiven much and being forgiven much. By His grace.

O’ that I would love much and grow to love much more. For His glory.

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What the Poor Need

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Pete

Okay kids, let’s start with a fill-in-the-blanks exercise. I’ll do the first one to get you started.

To be healed . . .

The blind need to ….SEE…
The lame need to ……………..
Lepers need to be ………………
The deaf need to ………………
The dead need to ………………
The poor need to ………………

What did you come up with? I would have come up with: walk; be clean; hear; live; have money. But I would have been wrong.

Context: In Luke 7, John the Baptizer is in prison and given how well his “prepare the way for the Lord” ministry is going (not), he sends a couple of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the guy?”

So, the disciples go to Jesus and ask Him, “Are you the guy?” And as they wait for an answer, they watch Him “heal many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind He bestowed sight” (Luke 7:20-21). Jesus then pauses. He turns to the two inquirers sent by John (who I am guessing are trying to pick their jaws up off the floor after seeing Jesus in action) and takes His cut at answering my fill-in-the-blank quiz.

And [Jesus] answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.”

(Luke 7:22-23 ESV)

Okay, imagine being the poor and destitute dude standing at the end of the healing line? The blind guy at the front of the line goes up to Jesus and all of a sudden, he can see. The lame lady then hobbles up to Him and next thing you know she’s doing cartwheels out the door. The leper’s next — scabs and sores be gone; his skin is suddenly spotless! And you’re getting closer to the front of the line.

You almost yawn with an “I saw that coming” yawn when the deaf guy then starts parroting back everything he now hears being said around him. And then, you’re really intrigued by the corpse on the cot being carried by his friends up to the One claiming to be the promised Messiah — and sure enough, the dead are raised up!

Okay, now it’s your turn. Poverty’s been your middle name for as long as you can remember. No education. No skills. Nothing in the bank account and no way of changing that. So, what are you expecting when you stand before Jesus? Reversing your fortunes (pun intended) seems pretty straight forward, doesn’t it?

. . . the poor have good news preached to them.

Chew on that for a bit.

Those overlooked in the world were being freely shown the keys to the kingdom of another world, just as had been prophesied of the Messiah’s ministry (Isa. 61:1-3). Those with no earthly resources were being invited to take hold of heavenly treasure. Their physical poverty was but a merciful, divine object lesson pointing to their abject spiritual poverty. If that guy in line could see his need, then he was primed for such an epic healing that everything that had gone before him would pale in comparison. For all the healings he had seen — the sight, the wholeness, the cleanness, the hearing, the newness of life — would be his and more. The poor need good news. And the gospel of Jesus has plenty of that.

Oh, that we would see our poverty. For, how blessed are the poor? Pretty blessed.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 5:3 ESV)

Noodle on that a little while longer.

Be healed by His grace. Be healed for His glory.

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