Get In Line

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Pete

I think it was back in ’94 that our home group did a study on the Holy Spirit. Our approach was to look at every verse in the Bible on the Holy Spirit. We used a Nave’s Topical Bible to get the list of verses . . . and for about 9 months, got together weekly to look at a half dozen or so verses and work through together what we thought they taught about the Holy Spirit. We tried to take as an unbiased approach as we could as we sought to understand better the Third Person of the Godhead. No commentaries . . . no cassette tapes (the A/V of the day) . . . just us . . . and, we trusted, the Holy Spirit. I don’t think I’m overstating it when I say that the study was in some ways one of life’s turning points from me.

I came away from that study with one major conclusion . . . and one haunting question? Conclusion: God does nothing on this earth apart from the Holy Spirit . . . He is God’s active agency on this planet . . . He is God’s “fingertips” . . . from creation . . . through resurrection . . . through redemption . . . through sanctification. Question: If that is true . . . and if the Spirit of God resides within me . . . then why am I so unaware of His presence most of the time? That conclusion . . . and that question . . . started me on a conscious path to know more the Holy Guest who had “moved into” my life. And it continues to this day.

So, as I cover some familiar territory in Galatians in my reading this morning, my eye is again drawn to some foundational teaching by Paul concerning the Spirit of God . . .

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. . . . But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. . . . If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25 ESV)

Pretty simple . . . “walk by” . . . “be led by” . . . “live by” . . . “walk by” the Spirit. Simple to read . . . my experience is that it’s a lifetime to get.

Walk by (5:16) . . . be powered by . . . and set my course according to the Spirit . . . let the Spirit of God influence me. It’s about the direction setting on my life’s GPS . . . desiring that it be set it to “Spirit controlled.” Informed by the word . . . spoken to the heart . . . providing the overriding context by which I desire to live life.

Be led by (5:18) . . . allowing the Spirit to take my hand as guide . . . He’s in me, it’s then about wanting Him to walk with me, or rather walk me through navigating this life in accordance with God’s will. Both God’s general will (for all believers) and God’s specific will (for this guy in particular). Learning to heart His voice and know in “real time” His leading.

Live by (5:25) . . . experience the joy of real life . . . life to the full . . . know what life was really meant to be through the One who designed it. Take in the living water . . . never thirst . . . and then give ‘er!

Walk by (5:25) . . . a different “walk by” than in verse 16 . . . literally “to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier, go in order” . . . the ESV Study Bible says “to walk in line behind a leader.” At some point it’s not enough to know what to do . . . but I need to do it. I need to submit . . . I need to obey . . . I need to the set the course . . . I need to desire and want Him to lead . . . and then, I need to get in line.

Oh, sometimes I think I’ve made some progress in trying to figure out what this “Spirit-filled life” looks like in practicality . . . and other times, I sense I have so far yet to go. But God is faithful . . . His word is powerful . . . and His Spirit, His Fingertips, is/are upon me. Mine then, by the grace of God . . . and for the glory of God . . . is simply to get in line. Amen?

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Barz

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Pete

Ok . . . so I met somebody new this morning . . . somebody whose name I have glossed over for decades . . . whose story I couldn’t have told though I’ve probably read it a number of times . . . a guy who just kind of shows up in the God-inspired word . . . and leaves me asking why?

Meet Barzillai . . . pronounced Bar-zil-lah-ee . . . can I just call him “Barz” for short? So, in a nutshell, here’s his story. I’m reading in 2Samuel 18 and 19 this morning. David’s men have defeated Abasalom and his army. Abasalom had pursued David with the intent of killing him so that the throne which Abasalom had stolen from David might be un-contested. Abasalom is dead . . . his army less 20,000 dead return to Jerusalem . . . and David is called back to resume his reign over Israel. As David is returning Scripture records three encounters with individuals . . . one of who is my new friend, Barz.

Barz is 80 years old. His connection with the king? When David was fleeing Absalom, Barz “had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man.” (2Sam. 19:31, 17:27-29) So, as David is crossing the Jordan en route back to Jerusalem, Barz comes down to see him “and escort him across the Jordan.” Ok . . . so this guy is turning out to be a pretty nice, old, rich dude who was very loyal to the king . . . even when others where turning their back to follow Absalom.

Out of his gratitude for Barz’s kindness to him and his people, David makes Barz an offer, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.” (19:33) Not a bad offer . . . cared for directly by the king in the kings palace . . . enjoying all the good things that kings enjoy. But Barz seems to be something of a pragmatist and declines the offer, “I’m 80 years old,” he says, “I haven’t got many more years to live . . . and besides I couldn’t really enjoy the wonder of the king’s palace. My senses aren’t what they used to be . . . can’t really discern fine quality . . . can’t really taste so well anymore . . . hearing’s not what it used to be so I couldn’t really appreciate the voices of your singers. I’d really just be a burden to the king. No thanks. I’ll go with you a little way and then head back to my people and live out my life there. Besides, why should the king repay me with such reward.” (19:34-36)

And I’m liking this guy . . . served the king out of loyalty . . . not to get something out of it for himself. In fact, he seems to always be watching out for others — he asks the king to instead take Chimham (maybe Barz’s son?) back to Jerusalem with him and show him the favor the king had offered Barz. Man! What a selfless guy. What a way to finish life! Eighty years old and still actively serving and promoting others. The kind of man you’d want to model yourself after.

Last thing about Barz . . . I looked up his name . . . Barzillai means “my iron”. Alright!! That’s exactly what Barz’s life was about . . . about being someone else’s iron . . . “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17) No wonder I like this guy so much . . . he’s a sharpener . . . he’s a supporter . . . he’s an encourager . . . he’s a need meeter . . . he’s a corner man. Not in it for what he can get out of it . . . but there to serve others and afford others opportunities rather than take them for himself. Yup . . . though I’ve never really seen him before in the pages of Scripture, this morning I’m kind of blessed and encouraged by him . . . the right stuff . . . good guy . . . nice to meet you Barz. May I be a little like you . . . for the glory of God . . . amen!!!

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You Are What You Worship

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Pete

It’s one of those questions that’s been debated for ages . . . “nature or nurture?” Is what you become a function more of how you are wired or how you are reared? Is it the DNA that has greater influence in how a person turns out or the environment in which that DNA is shaped and directed that really determines a person’s outcome? As I’m reading Psalm 115 this morning, I’m thinking maybe there’s another question to add to the debate . . . that perhaps there’s another dimension to consider . . . the dimension of what someone puts their trust in . . . the dimension of what, or who, someone worships.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:4-8 ESV)

The psalmist’s argument is pretty simple. Trust in something inanimate . . . and you’ll become inanimate. Worship something with no brains . . . your brain will cease to function. Exalt something with no senses . . . no heart . . . and soon you will stop seeing and hearing and feeling. Kind of scary stuff! But doesn’t it ring true?

Love the ways of the world and know you’ll start looking, thinking, and acting like the world. Trust in money and treasures and eventually all life is viewed through a filter of debits and credits . . . value and worth are calculated in dollars and cents. Form sports into an idol and it’s possible that everything becomes a competition . . . that people are divided into one of two camps, winners and losers. Make another person your idol . . . let someone become your god . . . and it becomes about pleasing them . . . and being like them.

But what if God is our god? What if we give glory to the One who is the essence of steadfast love and faithfulness (115:1)? What if our deepest affections are reserved only for Him who made the heavens and earth (115:15) and who resides in the heavens (115:2) and acts, as He pleases, in accordance with His holy being and nature? If that is our god . . . if He is the object of our worship . . . if it is before Him we willingly bow the knee and direct all glory . . . then, if the argument is true, shouldn’t we expect, over time, to take on His character and His nature? I’m thinkin’!

Not that we would think to become gods . . . but that we would expect (and aspire) to become more and more like our God. That, as His children, we would become more like the Father.

That we would be a people marked by steadfast love. A people known for our faithfulness . . . to our Master and to one another. That we would develop, with time and with practice and through the agency of the Spirit within us, a heavenly perspective of life on earth . . . an eternal view of that which seems temporary . . . a God-infused context which drives and directs our day-by-day actions and decision. That we would have the mind of God and imitate our God as we are conformed to the image of His precious Son . . . that when people see us they would see a dim reflection of the God who redeemed us . . . of the God we worship.

Oh, that we, as the people of God, would become what we worship.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory . . . ” (Psalm 115:1a ESV)

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A Debtor to Grace Only

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Pete

It startled me for moment as I read it this morning. I know I’ve read it before . . . I was pretty sure I knew “the rest of the story” . . . that it was just a lie. But when I read the first four verses of 2Samuel 16, it set me back a bit. Could it have been true? Could someone really respond to grace in such a way?

Context . . . David is king . . . sort of. Actually he is a king-on-the-run. His son Absalom has waged what is so far a “bloodless coup.” Through trickery and conspiracy, Absalom has gained a significant following and manages to send David fleeing with his household as Absalom claims the throne in Jerusalem without opposition (2Samuel 15).

As David is making a quick escape with his entourage he is met by Ziba. Now Ziba is the servant of Mephibosheth . . . crippled in both feet, Mephibosheth . . . son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, Mephibosheth . . . recipient of unbelievable grace, Mephibosheth. David, rather than kill this enemy heir to his throne, instead, “for the sake of another”, extends favor beyond favor to him. . . giving him the inheritance of land that was legally his . . . and sets a place at the kings own table for him to dine . . . thus, making a natural enemy instead a member of the household . . . all for the “sake of another” (2Samuel 9). Talk about your amazing grace. Talk about riches at another’s expense. Talk about deserving nothing and getting everything. And, David commissions Ziba, once the servant of Saul, to work Mephibosheth’s inherited land and serve Mephibosheth as master. It’s this Ziba who meets David as David is high-tailing it out of town.

Ziba shows up with “with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine” (2Sam. 16:1) . . . some much needed provisions for escapees who didn’t even have time to put their sandals on as they fled (2Sam. 15:30). But David’s concern is for the lame man, the son of his dear departed “closer than a brother” friend, Jonathan. And Ziba’s response is shocking!

And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'” (2Samuel 16:3 ESV)

Now, 2Samuel 19:24-30 gives the rest of the story . . . looks like Ziba was a bit of an opportunist . . . a bit of treachery on his own part to take advantage of change in leadership and a master who couldn’t walk to defend himself. But here’s the question that haunts me a bit . . . could it have been as Ziba said? Could Mephibosheth, object of the king’s favor, have been biding his time looking for any opportunity to seize what he thought was rightfully his but was withheld by the king? Could a recipient of such amazing grace really be so self serving? Could someone rescued from certain destruction and shown unmerited favor without limit, be looking for an opportunity to secure more for himself . . . even if it meant turning on his benefactor? And if it is possible in the times of ancient kings, is it possible in this age of grace?

And what about Ziba . . . how had he “played the system?” How had he taken advantage of grace and a king’s kindness and power in order to leverage a windfall for himself?  Is it conceivable that there’s a warning here about playing fast and loose with the King’s grace? That sure seems to be what the Spirit’s saying to me this morning.

Oh, may the privilege of sitting at the King’s table always be considered blessing beyond blessing such that I seek no other favor than the favor He has freely chosen to extend to me. May I never “play with grace” and seek to leverage it to my advantage at the cost of another . . . arrogantly thinking that somehow I can “pull one over” on the Sovereign extender of such amazing grace. Oh, that I might never be a manipulator of grace . . . but a debtor to grace only.

For the glory of the King! Amen.

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No Hex-cuses!

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Pete

Sometimes you just gotta love Peterson and his translation/commentary, The Message Bible. Such was the case this morning as I was reading in Galatians 3 and checked out a couple of other translations. The word “bewitched” (ESV, NKJV, NASB, NIV) caused me to pause and hover over Paul’s seemingly exasperated grilling of the Galatians . . . an exasperation that I think Peterson captures well . . .

“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?” (Galatians 3:1-4, The Message)

In those translations that try and stay more in align with the original languages, Paul calls these believers “foolish” and wonders, “Who has bewitched you?” The issue? A view that, now that they were saved (by faith), the way to favor with God was to adhere to the moral and ceremonial law of the old covenant. The cross was enough to get into the ballgame, but not enough to hit a home run . . . enough to avoid hell, but not enough to really merit heaven . . . enough to be redeemed, but not enough to be justified.

So, they were entertaining a “different gospel” . . . a “new and improved” version. They were being told that the 1.0 version of the gospel might have been good enough to start the journey, but that they needed the 2.0 version, “The Cross+” version, to get to the destination. Somehow they were buying into that, while it was God who began the work, it was up to them to complete it. And to this Paul responded . . . crazy! . . . give your head a shake! . . . what are you thinking? . . . who has bewitched you?

Apparently it’s the only time the word is used in the new testament. At it’s essence it means to slander or malign . . . by extension it means to “fascinate by false representations.” They were fascinated by the thought that they could earn justification . . . that they could power their way to righteousness . . . very appealing to the ego. But this “different gospel” . . . this “new and improved ‘good news’ ” wasn’t good news at all . . . it was demeaning to the work of Christ . . . it was degrading to the love the God . . . and it was enslaving to those who would embrace it. They were bewitched . . . they were under a spell . . . the intoxicating substance of self-sufficiency and ego led them to believe they had the ability to gain righteousness before God by their own actions.
In essence, using Peterson terminology, it was just an “hex-cuse” to nurture pride.

I’m reminded afresh this morning that it is prideful arrogance to think I bring anything to the table, apart from a submissive spirit and sincere desire to obey. When it comes to my sanctification . . . when it come to the work of God forming within me the essence of His Son . . . it is His work, not mine. It’s not about my discipline . . . not about my academic ability . . . not about my abilities . . . not about me at all! Just as my new life in Christ begun by faith, so the forming of the life of Christ in me is by faith. Just as I rely totally on the finished work of the cross for the washing away of my sin (past, present, and future), so too I rely totally on the promise of God and the Spirit of God to finish the work He has begun in me (Php. 1:6). Just as I believe that He is coming back for me, I also believe that He will present me to Himself as He wants me.

It’s crazy to think that I have to, or in any way can, add to God’s work. He is sufficient . . . He is my all in all . . . no hex-cuses!

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Keeping in Step

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Pete

I get it . . . I can relate to peer pressure . . . I can understand being corralled into a manner of behavior because others are doing it. But it still comes across as a bit of a shocker when I read of Peter caving to pressure from the “old school.”

After all, Peter had experienced the vision . . . he had heard firsthand that what God had made clean was not to be called unclean . . . he had truly understood “that God shows no partiality” . . . he had seen the Spirit descend upon Gentiles who believed the “good news of peace through Jesus Christ” . . . he had directed a Gentile family to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and into the fellowship of believers (Acts 10). But you get to Galatians 2 and he also withdraws himself from eating with Gentile believers “fearing the circumcision party” (Gal. 2:12).

And so often I’m quick to react, “Tsk, tsk . . . there goes flaky impetuous Peter again.” But, shouldn’t I be reading this God-inspired, God preserved record of a mighty man of God stumbling and instead be taking note that there is a right way and a not so right way to live out the implications of the gospel? To be reminded of the importance of keeping in step with truth of the gospel?

Paul was a defender of the fidelity of the gospel . . . “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). Tough words. Radical unwavering stance. No “wiggle room” when it came to the gospel message. But proclaiming a true gospel wasn’t just a matter of words spoken . . . of crossing the appropriate doctrinal “i’s” and dotting the right theological “t’s”. Paul’s jealousy for the truth of the gospel extended to how it was lived out. Don’t talk of freedom through the gospel and live in slavery to sin. Don’t talk of Jesus as Savior and Lord and live for self. Don’t talk of the fellowship of believers but only fellowship with some believers. No, for Paul, it was important that conduct aligned with creed.

And so Paul opposed Peter to his face because Peter’s actions were clearly wrong (2:11). It was hypocrisy to preach “for God so love the world” and avoid hanging with those who were not of the circumcision. And hypocrisy has a way of breeding more hypocrisy. If Peter withdrew from eating with the Gentiles so would others . . . “so that even Barnabas was led astray” (2:13). And so, for one determined to protect the fidelity of the gospel message, Paul would not only call foul when “another gospel” was preached . . . but also when “another gospel” was portrayed. Equally dangerous . . . equally destructive.

Paul saw “that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel” (2:14a ESV). What they were doing was not lining up with the good news they were proclaiming. Their actions didn’t align with their words. Their decisions didn’t coincide with their doctrine. The weren’t keeping in step with the truth.

And I need to pause . . . and reflect . . . and first agree with the mind of Christ that says there is a right way and a wrong way to walk the Christian walk. That there is a manner worthy of our calling and a manner unworthy of our calling by which I conduct myself in this world. That, while there is freedom in Christ, it is not the freedom to do whatever seems right in my own eyes . . . or right in the eyes of a peer group which seeks to direct me according to its pattern . . . but instead freedom from the flesh, . . . and the world, . . . and the slavery of sin, . . . and others, . . . so that I might follow in a way consistent with the truth of the gospel of life.

Oh, that by the grace of God I might keep in step with the truth of the gospel. That I might have brothers and sisters in Christ who, when they see me getting out of line, love me enough to tell me to “fly right.” That nothing in my conduct would confuse the implications of grace. That I be might keep in step with the truth of the gospel . . . for the glory of God.

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A Seat at the Table!

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Pete

Undoubtedly his father had great hopes for him . . . envisioned him to be a great man of God. As was the norm, dad named him in accordance with that aspiration . . . he would be called “Exterminator of Idols” or “Dispeller of Shame.” His name was built around a verb . . . he would be a man of action . . . a godly man of action. Just as his father had bravely withstood the Philistines and repelled their aggression and their gods, so too, the boy would stand fast and stand firm for the things of God . . . a mighty warrior . . . a “dispeller of shame.”

But how things change. That day was absolute chaos. The boy’s father and his grandfather had gone up to battle against the Philistines and both were killed on the battlefield. The army of Israel was falling like flies before the enemy . . . the enemy was advancing . . . it was time for the people to flee. The boy, now five years old, was taken up by his nurse and she ran for their lives. But as she ran, she tripped. The boy flew out of her arms . . . crashing to the earth . . . breaking both his ankles. There was no treating the broken joints . . . no setting them back in place so that they would heal properly . . . the damage was done . . . it would be permanent . . . the boy destined for action was now a cripple . . . lame in both feet. Once the grandson of a mighty king of Israel . . . once the hope of his father’s legacy . . . now an orphan . . . a descendant of the “ex-line of kings” . . . unable to walk . . . unable to care for himself much less be a “dispeller of shame.” In fact, his was life lived in shame. The boy’s name? Mephibosheth. (2Sam. 4:4)

Years later the boy is now a young man. A crippled young man. Enter into the young man’s life . . . a king. A king determined to show kindness to the man . . . the kindness of God (2Sam. 9:3). Not that the the man deserved it . . . not that he could repay anyone for any kindness shown him . . . but it was kindness to be shown for the sake of another (2Sam. 9:1). The young man wasn’t aware that he had a benefactor . . . he wasn’t out seeking him . . . instead, the king sent for the young man (2Sam 9:5). When he arrived, he did what men should do before a king, he bowed and prostrated himself (2Sam. 9:6) . . . fear and trembling as he bowed before this king whom his grandfather had hated and had sought to kill . . . this king whom his father had loved with a love which was “wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2Sam. 1:26) . . . this king who had the power to destroy this last descendant of Saul and thus, might contest the throne.

“Do not fear, says the king, “for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2Samuel 9:7 ESV)

Oh, what marvelous grace! God’s kindness shown through the king . . . kindness not shown because of worthiness but for the sake of another. The land restored . . . great wealth given to one unable to earn even a day’s wage. But beyond the wealth, a place at the king’s table. Four times that fact is mentioned in the account. The man lame in both feet would have that shame covered as those feet were placed by another under the king’s table. He would sit at the place of honor . . . he would eat at the table “like one of the king’s sons” (2Sam. 9:11). Not just once . . . not only when he found favor in the king’s sight . . . but this was to be his place continually . . . always . . . the deal was done . . . the sovereign decree of the king final. What restoration . . . what exaltation . . . what amazing grace!

And, each time I come across this amazing story of amazing grace, I can’t help but see in that man with the deformed ankles, this man sitting in this chair. I can’t help but identify with this one who was once of an enemy lineage which opposed the King. I can’t help but envision myself facedown before a mighty King only to hear, “Do not fear . . . I am going to show you God’s kindness . . . not because You deserve it . . . but for the sake of another . . . One who purchased your freedom. I will bless you with spiritual wealth beyond your understanding . . . every blessing in the heavenlies will be deposited to your account. But beyond that, I have reserved a place for you at My table. As a son and heir you have full rights to dine at the table. Your defects will be covered . . . your lame feet hidden . . . as far as the east is from the west it will be remembered no more . . . in My sight . . .and in My presence . . . you are whole . . . and you are wholly accepted.” I can’t help but marvel afresh that I have a seat at the table!

Oh, praise be to the King!!!

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A Question

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Pete

It’s one of those questions that causes you to pause. Although the details and circumstance are different, the question resonates deep within . . . you can enter into the mind and heart of the asker and along him inquire of God as to the reason. Just a three word question . . . just 6 letters . . . but one deep meditative query . . . . “Who am I?”

Reading in 2Samuel . . David has been anointed king over a reunited Israel . . . he has taken Jerusalem and established it as the capital of Israel and more importantly as Zion, the city of God . . . the ark has been moved to the city . . . and David, recognizing God’s favor in this “post-Saul” season of life, desires in his heart to build a more permanent structure for the ark of God. After all, David’s dwelling is in a house of cedar, the ark is in a tent of animal skins . . . shouldn’t something be done for such a great God? David desires to build God a house . . . but . . . God says, “Hold on a sec . . .

“And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. . . . I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom . . . I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2Samuel 7:11b-16 ESV)

“Build me a house?” God says, “Not right now . . . instead, I’m going to build you a house . . . an everlasting heritage . . . an eternal throne . . . a forever established reign.” Talk about your “exceeding expectations.” Talk about your “above and beyond.” Talk about your “whodda’ thunk?” And what do you do when you realize that God’s river of blessing is more like flood . . . that His grace is not just amazing but abundant . . . that His love is not just shed abroad in our hearts but envelopes us completely? What do you do? What can you do? . . . but ask a three word, six letter question . . .

“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?'” (2Samuel 7:18 ESV)

When David hears the word of the Lord . . . as he fully comprehends the implications of the promises of God . . . he sits down. It’s not about getting busy to make God something in appreciation . . . it’s about resting . . . and reflecting . . . and then responding . . . “Who am I, O Sovereign God?”

I love to read the promises of God . . . I love to claim the promises of God . . . but God forbid that I should presume upon the promises of God or feel any sense of entitlement. Instead, the promises of God, should from time to time be a catalyst for me to humble myself in awe and wonder and wonder afresh, “Why me, Lord?” To be reminded that who I am is not who I was . . . but that He chose to love who I was . . . and determined to transform me into who I am . . . and purposes to complete the work He begun and make me into who I will be in the fullness of that day when I am with Him.

Who am I? I am a sinner saved by grace . . . I once was lost but now am found . . . I am purchased from the slave market of sin . . . I am a holder of a heavenly passport indicating my citizenship in heaven . . . I am an adoptee, brought freely and fully into all the rights of sonship and made a joint heir with the Son of God . . . whoever I am, it is because of what He has done. It is because He has chosen to love me regardless of who I was.

Oh, to take a few moments now and then and marvel at the promises of God . . . to remember that “all the promises of God in [Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God” (2Cor. 1:20) . . . and to humble myself before the God of promises and in loving, appreciative worship, lift my voice to heaven and say, “Who am I, O Lord God . . . that you have brought me thus far?” Oh, to Him be all praise and glory . . . amen?

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Signs of Weakness

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Pete

They had forced Paul into a corner where he didn’t want to be. Some “super apostles” had rode into Corinth and started beguiling the church there with their array of “credentials” and their “new and approved” teaching concerning the gospel and other foundations of the faith. And in order to build themselves up in the estimation of the Corinthians, they were putting Paul down. And so Paul was pulled into a “bragging match” . . . and Paul felt like a fool being pulled into such tactics (2Cor. 11:16-21) . . . but if those were the weapons of this duel, then Paul would engage. And in that, he played “the ace up up his sleeve” . . . he pulled out his “big guns” . . . he showed his “signs of weakness.”

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. . . . I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. . . . [Jesus] 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 11:30, 12:5b, 12:9-10 ESV)

Paul was in a duel . . . a gunfight at high noon . . . the weapons of choice not 45’s but bragging . . . they would brag about their stature and oratory and accomplishments . . . Paul would brag about being a slave for Christ . . . of having received five times, from the hands of the Jews, the forty lashes less one . . . three times beaten with rods . . . stoned . . . repeatedly shipwrecked . . . toil and hardship . . . sleepless nights (2Cor. 12:23). They spoke of their self-sufficient power . . . Paul talked of his powerlessness . . . and the all sufficient power of the Christ who lived within him. The super apostles bragged of their signs of strength . . . the “least of the apostles” (1Cor. 15:9), when forced to do so, boasted of signs of weakness.

My natural inclination is to, if not outright deny, then at least to hide, any sign of weakness. Paul laid his feebleness and neediness out on the table. I’m thinking it’s my pride that tries to mask or minimize my weakness . . . Paul’s boasting, however, was in that which would manifest Christ’s grace and power. I want to do everything I can to get out of a position of weakness and back to a position of strength . . . Paul, on the other hand, was, for the sake of Christ, content with weaknesses. For Paul possessed that divine perspective that when he was weak, then he was strong through the power of all sufficient grace.

And so it has me thinking this morning about signs of weakness . . . and a heavenly perspective on those situations where I feel powerless, without strength, and short of the means I think I need to get through . . . and in that state, to be content. The NIV translates it, “I delight in weaknesses” . . . the NKJV, “I take pleasure in infirmities” . . . Peterson in the MSG puts it this way, “Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer.” None of these quite align to my natural disposition when I’m taking a licking. Contentment, pleasure, delight, good cheer do not exactly describe my view of being run through the ringer. Oh, that the mind of Paul . . . that mind of Christ . . . would prevail. And that in my weakness, I would see opportunity for His strength and power to be manifest.

Not that I’m looking to get beat about the ears . . . but I do want to ready with the same kind of “bragging” should (or more accurately, when) the trials and testing come along. I do want the mind of Christ to be so operational that I see earthly impotence from a heavenly perspective . . . recognizing that, for those who abide in Christ, every situation is an exact placement of the Master designed to manifest His all sufficient grace and enabling strength. I want the pride that would deny and hide my sign of weakness to give way to a divine boasting in that feeble condition which declares that prevailing is not by my might, nor by my strength, but by the active agency of the Spirit of God which infuses divine power from within (Zechariah 4:6).

I desire, by the grace of God, that my signs of weakness be for the glory of God. Amen?

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That's Not Fair!

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Pete

It’s so easy to think it’s mine. So easy to forget that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights” (James 1:17). Easy to forget that it’s all a gift . . . and somehow start thinking I earned it and so I deserve it. My reading this morning in 1Samuel’s got me tracking on this line of thought. Kind of buried amidst a complicated story of deception involving David and the lords of the Philistines (1Sam. 27, 29, 30), God sets up a scenario where, in a place you might least expect to find it, grace jumps off the page. And, as I think about, it all comes down to the fact that grace is not about being fair.

So, here’s the “Pete’s Notes” summary of the plot line. Fearing Saul, David heads to the land of the Philistines and manages to convince at least one of the reigning kings there that he and his rag tag group of 600 men, along with their wives and children, are refugees. They seek a kind of “political asylum” as they convince Achish, king of Gath, that not only is Saul done with David, but that David and his entourage are done with Saul and the Israelites. David cleverly maintains a rouse that convinces Achish of David’s loyalty . . . so much so, in fact, that when all the kings of the Philistines rally together to go to war against Israel, David is invited (probably more of a “strong suggestion”) by Achish to join the Philistine army. But the rest of the Philistine kings don’t trust David and dismiss him and his army and send them back to their home, Ziklag.

David and Co. return only to find that while they were away, their town had been visited by marauding Amalekites who raided the city, razed the city, and took all their women, children, and livestock for their own. After inquiring of the Lord, David and his men head out to rescue their families and recover their possessions. So all 600 men head out but, along the way, 200 men simply run out of gas. They are exhausted . . . unable to keep after the Amalekites. And so David leaves them behind at the brook Besor (1Sam. 30:9). And, as a weary army at 66% fighting capacity, David and the remaining men overtake the Amalekites . . . wipe them out . . . rescue their families . . . return their livestock . . . AND . . . end up with all the Amalekites flocks and herds as plunder. Now here’s where it gets interesting.

When David and his men return to the 200 left behind and it becomes evident that David is about to not only return family and possessions to the 200, but also share with them the spoils of their victory, there arises some “wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David” who object to the 200 sharing in the spoils. There reasoning? They didn’t go . . . they didn’t fight . . . the don’t deserve any of the plunder (1Sam. 30:22). Ok, I get the logic of the argument. They way my kids might have put it when they were younger is, “How come she gets some. She didn’t help. That’s not fair!!”

But you know what? Praise God, that it’s not about what’s fair! Amen? Check out David’s response:

But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike — those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1Samuel 30:23-24 NLT)

Bam! Grace rears it’s glorious head! True, says David, they didn’t go into battle . . . they did run out of gas . . . but “brothers” . . . and we are family . . . what we’re bringing back is what the Lord has given us. No way we should have won that battle . . . but God is good . . . the battle was the Lord . . . and we share in the spoils. How can we be selfish with the goodness of God . . . how can we not show favor on others given the favor shown us.

I love it! We’re family. What we have is only because of what God has given. And grace received should result in grace being given. And that’s not fair! Hallelujah!

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