Whose Rules Are We Playing By?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Pete

Read Ezekiel and you realize how creative God is in describing the sin of His people. Actually, maybe it’s not so much God’s creativity as it is sin’s multiplicity — the root of sin manifesting itself in many and various ways. The symptoms of the disease are many. For example, there was pride and idolatry. Impudence and rebellion. Violence and injustice. The sanctuary defiled as the first commandment was defied.

And it’s one of those symptoms of sin — one of those tell-tale signs God presents in His case against a people who have strayed — which catches my attention.

“For you have not walked in My statutes, nor obeyed My rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.”

(Ezekiel 11:12b ESV)

Instead of obeying God’s commands and walking according to God’s way, the people had been infiltrated and infected by the world around them so that they acted according to the rules of the nations.

Though they lived among the nations they were to conduct themselves in a manner distinct and separate from the nations. Though they were in the same game as those around them, they were to play it differently. Yet, they adopted the playbook of the nations. They acted according to the rules of the nations around them.

Can’t help but think this is one of those 1 Corinthians 10:6 observations. That while I might be taking note of something that happened to them, it’s intended to serve as an example for me, “that we might not desire evil as they did.” A reminder that as God’s people, while we are in the world, we are not to be like the world. A reminder that we are to play by a different set of rules.

Rules that might seem foolish to the world and its ways. Yet rules which are reflective of another world and of a heavenly kingdom. Rules intended not to win one of the world’s shiny crowns but to cast light upon and be preserving salt against the world’s metastasizing corruption.

So, whose rules are we playing by? Whose rules am I playing by? Not in the big areas of sin that we can easily eschew, but in the subtle dynamics of our culture which seek to draw us in and define us as just another “tribe.” A tribe defined more by position than presence. A tribe which operates like other tribes, rather than as a people which stand apart conducting themselves in “simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God” (2Cor. 1:12). A people whose rule book calls us to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Php. 2:15).

Conduct matters. Not just what we stand for, but how we stand for it. Not just that we engage in the game, but how we play the game.

Not acting according to the rules of the nations, but according to the ways of the kingdom.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Broken God?

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Pete

Okay, wasn’t expecting that. Pretty sure I’ve never made this observation before. Nothing in my devo archives from Ezekiel 6. But there it is. A broken God.

“Yet I [aka God] will leave some of you alive. When you have among the nations some who escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries, then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols.”

(Ezekiel 6:8-9a ESV)

I have been broken . . . that’s what’s being served up for this morning’s meal.

As I’m reading Ezekiel, observations of God are flying off the page. Observations about His anger and His fury (5:13). Of how He is a God who judges and punishes (7:3). Of how — because His rebellious people had so provoked Him to wrath — He would not spare nor would He have pity (7:4, 9). And for what ultimate purpose? That they would know that He is the LORD — a phrase repeated 8 times within Ezekiel chapters 5, 6, and 7. For His people’s good and for His glory, God wants to be known — and if not known in His kindness and provision, then known in His fury and punishment.

And among the things to know about God I stumble upon this observation: God can be broken.

Broken not as in wrecked or unfixable but broken as in crushed and hurt. Broken as in grieved (Ps. 78:40). Broken as in burdened and wearied (Is. 43:24). The persistent, hard-hearted, stiff-necked, betrayal of a people who had prostituted themselves with all manner of lifeless idols had devastated God (MSG). The Omnipotent One shattered (LEB) by His departing people. Thus says the LORD, “I have been broken.” Chew on that for a minute or two.

Oh, the heart of God. Not a frail heart, but a feeling heart. Not a distant heart, but a tender heart. Not a stony heart, but a seeking heart.

Oh, the condescension of God. To, in some manner and to some degree, allow His creation some insight into His heart.

I have been broken . . . What vulnerability!

And for what purpose? That we might know that He is the LORD.

I don’t want to be a heartbreaker. But I could be if not for the finished work of the cross and the imputed righteousness of the Redeemer.

Thank God for Calvary! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory.

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The True Grace of God

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Pete

An observation at the end of Lamentations and a certain expectation at the end of 1 Peter — that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Throughout Lamentations, I’ve been taking note of the prayers prayed by Jeremiah. Amidst the waste and the weeping, as the prophet takes stock of the destruction of Jerusalem and its people, you’ll find him periodically calling out to God. I first noticed it back in chapter one where four times the prophet interrupts his lament to beseech God to “behold”, to “look”, to “look and see” (1:9, 11, 12, 20). Not that Jeremiah was thinking that the all-knowing God of heaven might not know how bad things really were on the ground, but that he just needed some reassurance that God was also all-present. That God was engaged. That God had not left the building.

And these 911 prayers continue. “Look and see” in chapter two (2:20), “Do not close Your ear to my cry for help” in chapter three (3:56), and then, this morning’s petitions in chapter five.

Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! . . . Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old . . .

(Lamentations 5:1, 21 ESV)

Remember . . . Restore . . . Renew . . .

Don’t forget . . . Don’t forsake . . . Don’t finish off.

Call to mind . . . Call us back . . . Call us new.

And that Jeremiah would pray such prayers, given the severity of the situation, makes a ton of sense.

Yet, Jeremiah also knows that what had befallen Jerusalem, Jerusalem deserved. Jeremiah knows that what has been suffered has been suffered under the hand of the God he is appealing to and that it is just judgment for generations of rebellion. He knows that the LORD has given “full vent to His wrath” and has “poured out His hot anger” (4:11) for the sin of Jerusalem’s prophets and the iniquities of her priests (4:13). He knows that their “inheritance has been turned over to strangers” and they “have become orphans” (5:3) because “our fathers sinned . . . and we bear their iniquities” (5:7). He knows that the fact that Jerusalem is just a desert is because her people have received their just desserts.

So, knowing that they are but receiving the recompense for their persistent, habitual, hardened sin, how can Jeremiah also pray, “Remember . . . Restore . . . Renew”?

Cue 1 Peter. Time to connect some dots.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. . . . this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

(1Peter 5:10, 12b ESV)

Though Peter & The Exiles (hmm . . . that would make a good band name) suffered at a different time, under different circumstances, and for different reasons, they too needed to know that God would “look and see.” They needed the assurance that He would remember, restore, and renew.

And what would be the basis for such assurance? What would be their confidence that God would hear their plea and respond to their petition? Their call to glory and His grace abounding. His promises to them in Christ and their receipt of unconditional, unmerited favor through Christ.

This is the true grace of God . . .

Stand firm in it . . .

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The Flame of YAH

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Pete

Pretty sure I’ve never noticed it before. Perhaps because I was too busy blushing.

Come on! Read the Song of Solomon and at times it’s like you’re peeking into thoughts and things that shouldn’t be peeked into. Some pretty passionate language being used to describe some pretty intimate stuff. So, how to read it? Literally? (Blush). Allegorically? I’m thinking. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “The Scriptures . . . bear witness of Me”? Yeah, He did. And so, they do. And thus, to look for Jesus in this over-the-top love story by Solomon would seem appropriate.

So, when I hear “SHE” say, “My beloved is mine, and I am his” (Song 3:16), I’m hearing the church fawning over her Savior. When she dreams of how she “sought him” and “found him” and “held him” (Song 3:1,4), I see in it the ardent response of those who have been graced with being betrothed to the One who is “altogether desirable” (Song 5:16).

And then, this morning, I see that thing I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The LORD. Like literally! I see the two English words, “the LORD.” The only time you’re gonna find that one Hebrew word YAH, aka Jehovah, in the book. Okay, that’s something to pause and take notice of, isn’t it? That, it seems to me, is worthy of chewing on.

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.

(Song of Solomon 8:6-8 ESV)

The very flame of the LORD . . . There is it! “SHE” is expressing to her beloved the depths of love she has for him. Strong as death . . . as possessive as the grave . . . as bright and intense as fire. Fire that waters cannot quench, and floods cannot drown out. What kind of fire is that? The very flame of YAH. What kind of love is that? The love of God!

In trying to find the right words for love, she has to go to the very source of love to try and express the depths of her love. And God is love (1John 4:8).

A supernatural fire. A divine flame. That is the love kindled within her for her beloved. For that is the love which had wooed her and won her. The love which had redeemed and received her. The love which had bought her and bound itself to her. And that type of love — though imperfect while she is yet imperfect — is the love she feels for the one she loves.

The depths of love we feel too? Yeah. Should be.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.

(1Peter 1:8 ESV)

Oh, to love Him who has first loved us with the very flame of YAH.

By His grace. For His glory.

I love You Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
O my soul rejoice
Take joy my King
In what You hear
May it be a sweet sweet sound
In Your ear

Laurie Klein, © 1978, 1980 House Of Mercy Music

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Seeking Jesus (2014 Rerun)

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Pete

Right action . . . wrong motive. Right pursuit . . . but focused on the wrong prize. Very commendable effort . . . but too common an expectation. John says they were “seeking Jesus” . . . so they got in their boats and crossed over the sea and went to Capernaum (John 6:24). Right action . . . right pursuit . . . commendable effort. Good on them for seeking Jesus. But when they found Him, Jesus kind of asks the tough question, Why are you seeking Me?

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.”

(John 6:26-27 ESV)

They sought Jesus because they had been there when He fed the 5,000 with just a few loaves and fish. But they sought Him not because they desired the One who had performed such a great miracle . . . instead they wanted more of the miracle. It was less about seeking Jesus because He just might be the Messiah, and more about seeking Jesus because they just might get to feed their fleshly wants. Though God the Father had set His seal on Jesus as the promised One through the wondrous sign of taking essentially nothing and providing food enough to feed all who are hungry, their primary focus remained on “food that perishes” rather than on the Son of Man.

And so, Jesus seeks to elevate their gaze. To turn their eyes from their stomachs and to the things of eternity.

Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

(John 6:28-29 ESV)

Seek not just the benefit . . . but believe in the Benefactor. When it’s just about the bread, then Jesus becomes, in a sense, our genie . . . us thinking that our wishes become His command. But when it’s about believing in the Giver-of-Bread, then Jesus becomes our Lord . . . His commands becoming our desires. So, says Jesus, “Do not labor for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”

(John 6:36 ESV)

Jesus offers so much more than food for the stomach. And so much more than any blessing we would desire in this life. Whoever comes to Him . . . and not only to the blessings they might get through Him . . . there is a satisfaction of soul that is beyond imagination . . . beyond explanation . . . that is, quite literally, out of this world!

Oh, that having tasted of His goodness we might seek Jesus for no other reason than that He is good. That having believed He is the Son of God, we might pursue all that it means to follow the Son of God.

Seeking Jesus.

Not for some food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life.

Not relying on our strength, but drawing on His abundant grace.

Not just for our benefit, but for His glory.

Amen?

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Not Enough Room in the Mirror (2016 Rerun)

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Pete

This morning, I saw the effects of “the pride of Moab” played out in the elite of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 48 records the words of the LORD concerning the people of Moab. Not very good words. Words of judgment. Words of impending doom. How come?

Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the LORD.

(Jeremiah 48:42 ESV)

Moab magnified himself against the LORD. He exalted himself rather than God. He billed himself as great at the expense of the great God of heaven. Any question as to what such “magnification” looked like is removed as God details the indictment, identifying it as “the pride of Moab.” “He is very proud,” says the LORD, calling out his loftiness, arrogance, haughtiness of heart, and insolence which showed itself both in Moab’s fake boasting and fake deeds (48:29-30). And when it comes to being magnified, when it comes to receiving the glory, the glory of man and the glory of God cannot coexist. One is set against the other. Like those old westerns, when it comes to the glory of man and the glory of God, “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us!” And there’s gonna be a showdown.

When it comes to His glory, God don’t share!

True in the days of ancient Moab? True in the days of New Testament Israel.

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” ~ Jesus

(John 5:44 ESV)

It’s only the fifth chapter of John’s twenty-one-chapter gospel and already the Jews, the religious elite of Jesus’ day, were seeking to kill Him. Not just because they thought He was breaking the Sabbath by healing lifelong invalids on the seventh day of the week (5:1-17), but because “He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (5:18). That’s because He was equal with God! He was the Word — the Word that was with God and the Word that was God (John 1:1). Come as the manifest glory of God (John 1:14).

But there was no room for any more glory among the Jews. They were consumed with their own glory. Their great occupation was to receive glory from one another . . . heaven need not apply. They had jumped on the Moab-mania bandwagon. Self-exalting, self-promoting, and self-sufficient people who only had eyes for themselves. Whose mirror was so occupied with their own light that there was no room for the Light of the world.

They had magnified themselves against the LORD. No room to believe in another because they so believed in themselves.

And as I chew on the pride of Moab and the self-glorification of the Jews, I’m reminded that it’s not an issue of how big “the town” is. Not a matter of whether or not there’s room in the mirror for both me and my God. But that my God is a God who will not give His glory to another (Isa. 48:11).

It’s not about sharing the spotlight, it’s about whose spotlight it is. My glory and God’s glory cannot coexist. My pride finds no place in His presence. They don’t get along. One is set against the other.

It’s not like I can really believe in Jesus while still really believing in me. When I’m seeking my glory, it will impact my faith. The Jews could not believe or receive the glory of God before them because they were so concerned about their own glory and exaltation. Similarly, if I’m focused on establishing how I great I think I am, it’s going to impact knowing how great my Father truly is.

Not enough room in the mirror for both He and me.

He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).

Because of His grace . . . and for His glory alone.

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I Might Have to Vote for It, But . . .

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Pete

They were “elect exiles” (1Pet. 1:1). They were dealing with the circumstances of their here and now even as they “set their hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). Sojourners in a foreign land which was practicing foreign ways, they were “grieved by various trials” (1:6). And yet, by God’s power, they were “guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5). And Peter, led by the Spirit of God, seeks to answer the question they all should have been asking: “How should we then live?” (Thanx Francis Schaeffer for the question).

So, amidst the truths to be known reminding them of the wonders of their salvation — “things into which angels long to look” (1:12), these weary wanderers — on their way “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven” for them — were also given commands to be obeyed which would not only allow these pilgrims to flourish but also to be set apart (1:15-16) as citizens of heaven (Php. 3:20).

I’m chewing on one of those commands this morning. And, given the filter and bias of an election cycle, I couldn’t help to see it first with a political lens. Almost as soon as I read it, I thought to myself, “Self, in light of this you can’t vote!” (Well, and the fact that I’m Canadian). But I chew on it for a bit, and I think a better conclusion might be, “I might vote for it, but I sure can’t act like it.”

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

(1Peter 2:1 ESV)

So . . . Thus . . . Therefore . . . In light of . . . Accordingly . . . Consequently . . . What comes next is in light of the twenty-five verses that came before. This very practical exhortation is linked inextricably with the glorious exposition which has just preceded it. In light of such a great salvation, because of such a glorious hope . . .

Put away . . . Lay aside . . . Separate from . . . Distance yourself . . . And when I look at the list of what is to be cast off — malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander — I can’t help but think of our current cultural moment. I can’t help but see our current “accepted standard” for how to conduct oneself in the political public square. And my first thought is, if I am to put it off then can I in any way be associated with it, or seem to be endorsing it by voting for it? But noodle on it a bit and I sense that’s not the right application.

No, this is a command to the people of God on how to be the people of God. It’s about getting rid of ill-will, craft and guile, pretense, spite, and evil speaking as a normative dynamic within the family. So, while we might need to vote for those who practices such behaviors, we should not be infected by such behaviors. While it might be the way of the world, it shouldn’t become the way of us holy wanderers. I might have to vote for it, but Lord, please keep me from being infected by it. Keep me from adopting it.

Oh, to be in the world but not of the world.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Chewing On Some Indicatives

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Pete

The way my pastor has often put it, in the New Testament, before an imperative you’ll find an indicative. Before there’s a command to obey, there’ll be some facts to believe. So, this morning while reading in 1 Peter, while it was a common imperative that caught my attention, it was the associated indicative that fed my soul.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart . . .

(1Peter 1:22 ESV)

The imperative? The command to obey? Love one another earnestly from a pure heart. Got it. Pretty familiar.

The indicative? Your souls have been purified by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love. Hmm . . .

A purified soul. Cleansed. Ransomed by the blood of Christ, thus cleansed by the blood of Christ; without blemish or spot, because He is without blemish or spot (1Peter 1:18-19). His righteousness now credited to my account (Rom. 4:3-24).

How? By your obedience to the truth. Wait, I thought we were saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone . . . what’s this obedience stuff? But isn’t that what faith is, obedience to the truth? Isn’t there a sense in which the gift to believe the truth about Jesus is the gift to obey the truth about Jesus? Isn’t my assent to the claims of the gospel manifest in my subjection to the dynamics of the gospel? I’m thinking . . .

Not only have I been graced to believe, but I’ve also been graced to behave. Not only have I been saved by faith, but I’ve also been saved for faith (Rom. 1:17). I think you could say my first act of obeying God was believing God. That because I was given eyes to see and ears to hear, I wanted to look to Him and to hear His voice. Does that make sense? Isn’t that a bit awe-invoking?

Oh, the wonders of our salvation!

But then get this . . . what does Peter say I was saved for? What’s the last part of the indicative before I get to the imperative?

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love . . .

I was saved for a sincere brotherly love. One of the great ends of my sanctification, of being set apart by faith for faith, is to love the family of believers with a sincere and authentic love.

When asked the question, “Why did God save you?” I can respond, “To delight in other believers. To be kindly affectioned — with divine, self-sacrificing affection — towards others who have been ransomed by the blood and born again by the word (1Peter 1:19, 23).” Not the only answer to the question, but I’m thinking a pretty significant one.

Faith in Jesus is obedience to truth. Being born again is for family affection towards others who have been born again. Indicatives worthy chewing on, I think.

And then the imperative; love one another earnestly.

Indicatives by God’s grace. Imperatives for God’s glory.

Amen?

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God Speaks

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Pete

Quick thought this morning.

I’m chewing on a reminder that some things are taken for granted. Some things are so familiar we fail to wonder at them as we should. What kind of things? Well, this morning the particular “thing” I’m chewing on is that God speaks. And it’s a verse in Jeremiah about Judah’s sin which reminds me that God speaks.

“Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.”

(Jeremiah 35:17 ESV)

Wanna boil down the sin of God’s rebellious people to four words? Try they have not listened.

But there’s no sin of “not listening” if there’s nothing to be heard. Only if God has spoken can a man, or a woman, refuse to listen. And what kind of God condescends to speak to His creation? Our God.

Idols don’t speak. Pagan gods don’t speak. All other gods are pretty much stand-offish. But our God is inextricably linked to communication. From the beginning, God’s Word was God’s way. “The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1b). He spoke things into being, for “God said . . . and there was” (Gen. 1:3); “God said . . . and it was so” (Gen. 1:9). What’s more, God communicated the way of flourishing (2:16). Even more, He called out to let us know that He was pursuing (Gen. 3:9).

He who is above desires with intense desire to be known below. And how’s that? God speaks. In the past, He spoke by the prophets. “But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:2).

And isn’t that the essence of what we mean when we talk about having a “personal relationship” with God? It’s personal because He speaks so that we can hear. He communicates so that we can commune. He tells us about Himself so that we can testify from experience that He is known. Doesn’t get more “personal” than that.

Oh, the wonder of a God who has spoken, of a God who continues to speak. For, in His speaking, He is present. In His word, He is real.

Word of God speak.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Get Them Back

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Pete

If I’m picking up what James is laying down, then we’re part of the process. Just as the Father’s foreknowledge and election are part of the process; just as the Son’s incarnation is part of the process; just as the cross and the tomb and the empty grave clothes are part of the process; just as the Spirit’s life-giving agency and sanctification are part of the process; I think James is saying that, as believers, we too are part of the process of salvation.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(James 5:19-20 ESV)

Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul . . . Like I said, sounds like we’re part of the process.

Brothers who have wandered from the truth. Sisters who have strayed from the way. Believers who backslide. Saints who sin. Go back and scan James’ letter, and that’s what it’s about. At least that was James’ church experience.

Temptation was real (1:13-14), anger was present (1:19-20). Filthiness and wickedness were being dealt with (1:21). Partiality was being practiced (2:1-7)), and living faith wasn’t (2:14-26). Tongues were on fire (3:1-12), and jealousy and selfish ambition simmered below the surface (3:14-16). Quarrels and fights were happening within (4:1-3) and a love for the world was evident without (4:4-5). Pride was present (4:6) and backbiting was practiced (4:11). The rich exploited the poor, and employers defrauded the employed (5:1-5). And all this, in the church. Say it ain’t so! Yeah, it was.

Well then, tell me that James’ congregation was unique. I don’t think so. Seems to me if you’re gonna declare sinners to be saints, even before they actual even know what it means to live like saints, and if you’re gonna leave the old nature of the flesh to cohabitate with the new nature infused by the Spirit, and if you’re gonna cover it all with blood that cleanses from all sin and grace that can’t be out-transgressed, then you’re gonna have some mess in the meantime. That’s why church elders are to pray and lift up (5:13-15). And that’s why church members are to engage and bring back.

Bring him back . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Bring back a sinner from wandering . . .

Seems it’s not just the shepherd who needs to retrieve the sheep when they wander off (Lk. 15:4), but us sheep have a responsibility for each other as well.

Peterson puts it well:

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

(James 5:19-20 MSG)

If we’re expecting the church to be a place where we all have it together, then we’re going to shame the saint instead of seeking to help save them. If we’ve kidded ourselves to thinking we have it all together, then we’re going to condemn the wanderer rather than cover a multitude of sins. But if we expect a mess — not accept the mess but expect it — then we’ll also expect that as part of being “in fellowship” we’ll likely be involved in bringing back sinning saints and wandering wanderers. It’s a part of the deal.

Not just according to James, but Paul too.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)

Wandering away in sin, ensnared and tripped up by transgression, it’s kind of what happens in the church. It’s kind of the reality of people who are still people in progress. People who, though they may be more like Christ now than when they first believed, are not yet fully conformed to His likeness. Welcome to sanctification.

And guess what? We’re a part of each other being a work in progress. It comes with being in the family of God. It’s why everyone one of us needs the family of God. Turning others back is one aspect of our common ministry. Being turned back is one aspect of our common experience.

Don’t write them off . . . go after them.

Get them back.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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