The Glory of a Longer Fuse

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Pete

I’m guessing we all have a “flash point” . . . that point at which we kind of “lose it” . . . when anger takes over and takes control. Perhaps sometimes it’s a justified “flash point” . . . but as I think back over the years, in most cases, for me, it probably wasn’t. I recall as a teen “hitting the wall” and allowing something akin to rage to take over a number of times . . . once it resulted in me punching out the driver’s window in my car . . . embarrassing stuff to recall . . . a reminder of the sort of stuff that needed atoning for.

So what’s bringing to mind these memories that I would just as soon forget? It’s the living and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, word of God which penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12). In particular, it’s a bit of divine wisdom penned by Solomon . . .

“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.” — Proverbs 19:11

Slow to anger . . . it’s a recurring theme in Proverbs . . . I think this is my fourth encounter with it . . . I’m guessing there’s one or two more. “He who is slow to anger has great understanding (14:29) . . . he who is slow to anger allays contention (15:18) . . . he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty (16:32).” And in Proverbs 19:11 it says that discretion, understanding, wisdom will make a man slow to anger . . . it will take a “short fuse” and make it a slow to burn fuse.

And I’m thinking it’s the “discretion” that comes with the understanding of my own sin . . . and my own ability to mess up . . . a recognition of my own weakness . . . along with the recognition of the mercy and grace of God . . . and His patience and longsuffering . . . that can move me (and I think has moved me to some degree) from being characterized by “sudden flashpoints” to “slow to anger.”

To imitate God, which we’re called to do (Eph. 5:1), is to be slow to anger. Evidence of the Spirit’s working in my life is the fruit of self-control (Gal. 5:23). The mark of knowing more the mind of Christ and growing in understanding and wisdom is having a “longer fuse.”

In fact the fuse gets so long that it allows me to overlook another’s transgression . . . to literally “pass over” another’s wrong against me. It’s a fuse which is emptied of the fast-burning powder of pride and self-interest and is, instead, filled with a love for others that covers a multitude of sin (1Peter 4:8) . . . a fuse packed a spirit which is “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

As I “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), shouldn’t I be growing in grace? I’m thinkin’!

And, Solomon says, that to overlook a transgression is a man’s glory. Why? Because it reflects the glory of God. It’s the reflective beauty of the One who has been slow to anger with me . . . who, by the shed blood of the Son He sent, has passed over my transgressions and forgiven me.

I like to think that as the years have passed and the Potter has worked this clay, that I’m less prone to flash points . . . that as He increases and I decrease, that my fuse is getting longer . . . that as the Spirit of God continues to use the Word of God to instruct this Child of God, that I’m being a bit more conformed into His image. I like to think that . . . and to some extent it’s probably true . . . but how I need to continue to heed the Word . . . and seek by His power and grace to obey the Word . . . that I might bear the glory of a longer fuse . . . that I might bear the glory of one who passes over transgressions . . . all for the glory of the One who passed over mine.

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Drink Deep!

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Pete

Drinking out of a fire hose . . . there are some passages of Scripture that, no matter how many times you’ve read them or how familiar you are with them and the truths they convey, every time you come upon them it’s like drinking out of a fire hose. Case in point . . . the opening verses of the epistle to the Hebrews.

The over-riding theme of Hebrews is Jesus and His supremacy . . . He is better than everything. He is the better revelation of God . . . He is better than the angels . . . better than Moses . . . better than the best high priest . . . better than all the sin-atoning sacrifices. What a grand theme to spend time on! It might be drinking out of a fire hose, but ah! . . . the water is so refreshing . . . and you really can’t get enough.

God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son. Pause there . . . God has spoken to us . . . the Almighty Creator of all things . . . Holy, Holy, Holy God . . . went to extreme measures in order to convey Himself and His ways to us . . . queue the Son . . .

The Son who is the heir of all things . . . the Son through whom God made the worlds . . . the Son who is the reflected brightness or radiance of the glory of God — to encounter Jesus is to approach the unapproachable light of God. The Son who is the express image of God, the exact representation of His divine being . . . Jesus is not “a God” but God become man . . . a precise expression of I AM . . . to know Jesus is to know God (John 14:9). The Son who upholds all things . . . yes ALL THINGS . . . by the word of His power . . . He is the glue that keeps the atom together . . . the sustainer of life in all it’s unfathomable complexity. So how powerful is He . . . pretty powerful!

And then . . . get this . . . this One who made the worlds . . . and sustains the worlds . . . this One who is God, very God . . . He, by Himself, purged our sins! Oh, the love of God . . . the grace of God . . . packaged all in the Son of God . . . who made Himself of no reputation (though all glory is His) and humbled Himself to encounter death on my behalf . . . even death on a cross (Php. 2:8). And now, this Son is ascended and sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . . interceding on our behalf . . . waiting for the Father’s word on His return . . . waiting to obtain His full inheritance.

The Son, better than the angels . . . ya’ think?

And that’s just the first 3 verses of Hebrews 1 . . . that’s the “data” . . . now “hit enter” and try and putting that through your processing unit . . . overload, overload! . . . . glorious, glorious fire hose to drink out of. Amen?

Tell me how any believer . . . any child of light . . . anyone who has the Spirit who delights in testifying of the Son residing in themselves . . . how they could just skim over these words . . . how they could not be overwhelmed with awe and wonder and worship.

This is our God . . . This is the Son . . . This is amazing!

Drink and drink deep at the well of the wonder of the Son of God . . . open up the fire hose . . . allow the Spirit to fill your cup with refreshing water and lead you in a facedown response of thanksgiving, praise, and worship . . . for He is worthy . . . for His is better! Amen.

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The Right Risk to Take

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Pete

Paul was prepared to take a risk . . . the slave, Onesimus, was willing to take an even greater risk . . . all out of respect for free will. I don’t think anyone would have argued with Paul if he had just kept Onesimus with him because it was “the right thing” or “the God thing” to do. I’m sure that Onesimus would have preferred staying with Paul rather than returning to his master and the possible consequences he faced as a runaway slave. But there’s something about free will that they both thought was worth the risk . . . something about free will and the glory of God that made it the right risk to take.

“Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I appeal to you . . . I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains . . . I am sending him back . . . whom I wished to keep with me . . . that he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel . . . But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” (Philemon 8-14)

Onesimus the slave longed for freedom. I’m guessing that because his master, Philemon, was a Christian that he would have as good a slave situation as one could have . . . but he was still a slave. So he bolted . . . not smart, if he got caught . . . but worth the risk for freedom. Somehow he ends up in Rome and “coincidentally” comes in contact with the apostle Paul who is “in chains”. And there Onesimus is “begotten” of Paul . . . he is born again . . . Paul leads him to saving faith in the Lord . . . and if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36). Onesimus could not have imagined this type of freedom . . . free from the burden of sin . . . free from the guilt of the past . . . free indeed!

And now he was free to return to his master . . . that his master might be free to release him to Paul’s service.

What a premium our God places on freedom and free will. He purchased freedom on the cross of Calvary with the precious blood of His One and Only Son. He declared freedom available to all . . . but “not out of compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” . . . for those who are willing . . . for those who by faith choose to repent and receive the gift offered.

That’s why there is rejoicing in heaven over a sinner who repents . . . it’s because, by the grace of God and the work of the Spirit, they respond of their own choice . . . according to their free will. All who have come to Christ have “volunteered” to become His children (not hard) . . . to become His servants (mmm, maybe a bit harder) . . . to say “No” to their old man and old ways and “Yes” to living for Him.

And the exercise of free will continues to be such an integral part of the Christian life. Once saved . . . once converted . . . we aren’t turned into androids responding affirmatively to His every command. Far from it . . . God takes a risk. He implants His Spirit . . . offers to us His word . . . and then asks us to choose to read it . . . and learn from it . . . and follow Him by it . . . not out of compulsion . . . but of our own free will . . . it’s called obedience. And why does He give us the choice to obey or not? . . . why the premium on free will? . . . why take the risk? Because love demands it. His love for us . . . and the opportunity for us to demonstrate our love for Him.

Jesus’ love for us was shown as He willingly went to the cross to redeem us. And our love for Him is shown when we, of our own free will, choose to obey Him . . . “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15) . . . ” “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

It’s a risk giving people a choice . . . they can always choose wrong . . . they have the freedom to say “No.” But the reward is greater. When God’s people, of their own free will say “Yes” to God’s commands, then we know we truly love Him who first loved us . . . and He joyfully receives our love . . .and all the glory. It’s the right risk to take, amen?

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Being a VIP

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Pete

Since reading a book many years ago on “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion” by Gordon MacDonald, I have been aware of the need for VIP’s in my life. Not “very important people” but rather, “very invigorating people.” The need for people from whom I can draw encouragement and energy. Relationships which, rather than being draining, are, in fact, invigorating. The sort of relationship spoken of in Proverbs 27:17 where “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” And, as I read the first part of Paul’s short letter to Philemon, it occurs to me that Philemon was a VIP.

That Philemon was a man of means is apparent as he was a slave owner . . . a business man who had acquired his own workforce. That he was a man with an impact is evident, as well, from Paul’s opening commendation of him. Philemon’s reputation was spoken of abroad as Paul, in his prison cell, had heard of the faith and love he evidenced both towards the Lord and toward all the saints (1:5). Paul writes that he had great joy and encouragement in Philemon’s love, “because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.” (1:7)

That’s what VIP’s do . . . they refresh the hearts of the saints. Their faith and love find expression in acts of thoughtfulness and kindness and in words of encouragement . . . and the result is “refreshed hearts.” Souls that are dry and thirsty are watered . . . minds filled with concern and turmoil are calmed . . . spirits that carry a heavy burden are lightened and lifted . . . and all through the practical out-working of the faith and love found in a relationship with Christ and a concern for members of His body — the saints.

You sense that Philemon shared what he had with others . . . that he was known for his hospitality (1:22). Perhaps his place was bit of a refuge for weary travelers . . . a welcomed pit stop for those who needed a good nights rest along with a good meal. This man of means used that which God had prospered him with to show some practical love to fellow believers . . . and it refreshed the hearts of the saints . . . allowed them to take a breather. But beyond his ministry to the “physical man”, I wonder if Philemon also didn’t have a table prepared with spiritual delicacies . . . if he didn’t also speak of his love for, and life’s experience with, the Lord. A word in season . . . an offering of grace from the lips . . . a bit of encouragement in the Lord . . . love articulated such that those who heard his words came away strengthened in the inner man.

To be sure, there are times that I need to be on the receiving end of a “heart refresher” like Philemon . . . times when I need to be on the “take” side of give and take. But oh, to be a VIP to others. To be on the lookout for those who are in need of a bit of rest . . . and in need of a boost . . . who can use a VIP in their lives to be used of the Spirit to infuse some renewed spiritual energy such that their heart is refreshed, as well. To take some of that refreshing that I have received through others and allow it to flow into someone else’s life for their renewal . . . I think that’s kind of how the body of Christ should be operating.

As we seek to minister to one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to practice hospitality, to share a word of encouragement, . . . those offerings are taken by Christ and, through the Spirit, used to minister to the each other . . . supplying what is needed to every part . . . by every part . . . as every part does it’s share . . . as the “body builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:16).

Here’s to the VIP’s in my life . . . thank you, Lord! Here’s to being a VIP in someone else’s life . . . being a Philemon . . . for the blessing of others . . and for the glory of God . . . amen!

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Move That Bus!

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Pete

I’m guessing that most of us have seen the television show “Extreme Makeover” at least once or twice. Pretty simple formula driving this “reality” TV series. Family enduring hard times cries out to the ABC producers to come and help them get things back on track by rebuilding their home. Super crew shows up one morning . . . family goes on vacation . . . local workforce descends upon the old home . . . demolishes it . . . then builds an “over the top” house in it’s place. Family returns from vacation . . . gets out of the limo . . . and, surrounded by a huge cheering crowd and a mass of media, they stand before a big bus which obscures their view of their new home . . . and then they shout, “Move that bus” and as the large vehicle pulls away . . . voila!!! . . . their new home is revealed . . . life has officially taken a turn for the better . . . or so it goes.

What’s brought this to mind this morning, is a reminder from God’s word that I’m involved in my own “extreme makeover” . . .

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)

I don’t know that you’re going to find many better summaries of the gospel than that. It’s the work of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . . . not by our righteousness . . . but according to His mercy and grace . . . justified and heirs . . . possessing the hope of eternal life. And while just chewing on these verses overwhelms me with a fresh sense of gratitude and awe, what really grabbed me was the idea of washing and renewal.

Saved by the washing of regeneration . . . bathed by the new birth . . . cleansed by becoming a new creation in Christ. Old things have passed away, all things have become new (2Cor. 5:17) . . . having the uncleanness of my sins put away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) . . . my filthy rags of my own “righteousness” (Isa. 64:6) replaced with garments of salvation, clothing me in His robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10). And, as someone has said, it’s not just that he put new clothes on this man, but he put a new man in these clothes . . . queue renewal . . . bring on the Holy Spirit . . . abundantly . . . and “Move that bus!”

Regeneration was the tearing down of the old . . . the laying the foundation for the new . . . a point in time event where I passed from darkness to light . . . from death to life . . . and then began the work of “renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The word used for “renewing”, in it’s various forms, is found about a half dozen times in the New Testament. Literally, it has the idea of something being renovated . . . of something being completely changed . . . or, as has been coined by others, an extreme makeover. And it’s the work of the Holy Spirit who has been poured out on the believer abundantly . . . nothing held back . . . no lack of resource available to complete the work which God has begun in us. Tell me that’s not kind of exciting. Painful sometimes? . . . yes . . . worth it . . . infinity yes!

Oh that God would love me so much as to send His Son to save my soul is worthy of eternal worship and praise! But to think that He then, through His Son, infused me with His Sprit, without reserve, to shape me into the person He created me to be and to know life, and life to the full . . . how amazing is that? And what I’ve found is that it’s not about cloning believers into a “one size fits all”, “look all the same, think all the same” mold. Far from it! Instead, just as He has crafted each of us individually in the first birth, He desires is to take our unique attributes, skills, bents, and giftings and, through the second birth – the regeneration, makeover His workmanship so that we might be exactly what He’s intended us to be . . . for our blessing . . . and for His glory.

The only limiting factor in this makeover is me. I can grieve the Holy Spirit . . . I can quench the Holy Spirit . . . I can choose to not listen, not obey, not walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Bad move. Or, by His grace, I can seek to hear His voice . . . determine to submit to His reconstructive work . . . let Him lead . . . and then watch the amazing work He will do in renovating my life. Move that bus!

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The God Who Isn’t There . . . But Is

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Pete

Been reading in Esther the last couple of mornings as part of my reading plan. As with so many books in the Bible, I start out in Esther with a certain anticipation. I’ve read it before . . . I know what’s going to happen . . . and the anticipation factor? . . . well, it is in not finding God.

Huh? What kind of Bible am I reading? . . . and why would I be “excited” about not finding God. Well, first of all, it’s a pretty standard version of the Bible . . . New King James . . . and it doesn’t matter what version you read, you’re not going to find God . . . at least not explicitly. And the “excitement” factor is in not finding God yet seeing God all over the pages of this book . . . it’s in discovering afresh the God who isn’t there . . . but is. There in the “circumstances” . . . clearly working behind the scenes . . . yet getting no formal mention in the “program” or the “after-show credits”. Fascinating to read this God-breathed, Holy Spirit inspired, preserved through the ages, portion of Scripture and to discover God all throughout it with Him being mentioned even once. Oh, how I love God’s multi-faceted way of presenting Himself through Scripture . . . even when it’s by not presenting Himself.

Case in point . . Esther chapter 2. The king of the Persian and Medes has de-crowned his queen and has set up a search to replace her. He gathers up all the beautiful young women in his kingdom . . . puts them on a 12 month beautification program . . . and then spends one night with each of them with the purpose of choosing one to be queen. Enter Hadassah (Hebrew name) aka Esther (Persian name) . . . orphan . . . brought up by her older cousin Mordecai . . . able to trace her heritage to those of the house of Judah taken into captivity in Babylon . . . one of God’s “chosen people”.

And three times you read in Esther 2 that she “obtained favor”. First she obtained favor with Hegai, the custodian in charge or preparing the young women for the king (2:9). Then, as she prepares to take her turn with king, it’s recorded that “Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (2:15). And finally, it is the king who is taken with her, “The king loved Esther . . . and she obtained grace and favor in his sight . . . so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen . . .” (2:17).

Coincidence? . . . Luck? . . . Or, the divine hand of God working behind the scenes? Not to say that Esther didn’t have something going for her . . . she must have been physically beautiful . . . and “naturally attractive” . . . but so were a lot of the other young women . . . so why her? Read on . . . it becomes clear that she was raised up to such a position of honor for a very specific purpose. Though she may have thought herself not in control of these events . . . considered herself “lucky” to have not ended up with all the “castaway” women in the king’s concubine house . . . it becomes evident very soon that the favor she realized was the favor of God . . . orchestrated by the power of God . . . in order to preserve the people of God . . . that He might fulfill the promises of God.

If you’re reminded of anything by the book of Esther it’s that God most often works behind the scenes. Not many of us are going to see a burning bush . . . or a sea parted . . . but each one of us who have been claimed and redeemed as a child of God, needs to know that God is just as active in our own worlds. No circumstance separate from His Sovereign concern for us . . . no trial unknown to the One who has promised never to leave us or forsake us . . . no success apart from His good hand upon our lives.

Oh, that I would be constantly aware of the God who works behinds the scenes. Keep me, Spirit within me, from ascribing my fortunes to “luck” or, worse yet, my abilities and efforts . . . keep me from despairing at God’s “absence” when trials come . . . keep me in the ever-present awareness that His hand is upon my life . . . that His care for me is 24/7 . . . that His purposes for me are being accomplished . . . in His way . . . at His time. Spirit within me, help me to believe, trust, and remain faithful to the God who “isn’t there” . . . but is. For His glory, amen!

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Dressing Up the Word

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Pete

It’s been my experience that, for a certain segment of the body of Christ, the word “doctrine” is like a cold shower . . . it just shuts them down. Mention doctrine and they think academia . . . focus too much on doctrine and they think legalism . . . try and talk doctrine and they want to talk about “practical Christianity.” Now, to be sure, there’s also a segment of the body of Christ that seems to leverage doctrine as a means to elevate themselves in their knowledge . . . that seem to love God’s teaching more than God’s people . . . that seem to struggle to get from interpretation to application. But, having said that, I’m convinced that right living only comes from right teaching . . . that apart from sound doctrine, walking in a manner worthy of our calling will be allusive.

The first 10 verses of Titus 2 have me thinking about sound doctrine this morning. The word “doctrine” is found 3 times in this short passage. Simply, doctrine equates to teaching, instruction, precepts. Titus was to “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” and these “things” concerned the behaviors becoming for older men, older women, young women, and young men. Far from being detached from the practical living out of their faith, sound doctrine was the basis for exhorting older men to be sober and reverent and loving and patient (2:2) . . . for encouraging older women to not be slanderers nor given to much wine (2:3) . . . for teaching young wives to love their husbands and children (2:4) . . . to require the young men to be of sound judgment . . . all these behaviors were based on solid teaching . . .on sound doctrine.

Paul further cheers on Titus not just to “talk the talk” but to “walk the walk” . . . there was to be no “Do as I say, not as I do” approach in proclaiming the word of God . . . rather, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity and reverence” (2:7). The teaching of the things of God are to be done with integrity . . . and that begins with the teacher “owning it” himself before he instructs others to do so. It’s also about handling the Word of the Living God with a certain amount of fear, awe, respect, and honor . . . about being honest with oneself on what the word says . . . avoiding any inclination to wrap the Word around our preconceived ideas and biases.

To separate sound doctrine from sound living is foreign to the Scriptures. The purpose of right teaching is right conduct. To think that we can “preach it” without doing it is hypocrisy. To think that we can “do it” without knowing what “it” is, is arrogance. All believers need to be students of the Word. To the degree of our God given cognitive ability and by the Spirit Teacher who lives within us, we need to pursue sound doctrine in order to realize right living.

The last thing I notice in this passage is a bit of circular dynamics that goes something like this . . . sound doctrine results in right living and right living makes sound doctrine attractive. Paul tells Titus to exhort believers who are bondservants “to be obedient to their own masters . . . well pleasing in all things . . . not pilfering, but showing all good faith, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (2:10). Paul says here that our behaviors can “adorn” or “embellish” the teaching of salvation. There is nothing that “dresses up” the teaching of Christianity more than Christians who are living it out. Our consistent pursuit of the sound doctrine and consistent application to right living has a way of being a garnish on the truths found in Scripture.

Sound doctrine can ring true but seeing it lived out practically by Christians can be very attractive. Not that we’re perfect . . . but even in our failures there is a right way to deal with them based on sound doctrine that allures the heart crushed by guilt or the soul plagued by insufficiency. As our lives are really transformed through the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2) it has a way of “adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God” (MSG).

Oh, that the church would embrace the call to “dress up” sound doctrine . . . to pursue good teaching and then, in obedience, determine, by God’s grace and power, to live it out that they may adorn sound teaching in all things . . . for the sake of a lost world . . . and for His glory . . . amen!

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Refuge

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Pete

This morning I woke up to a prayer request. I got up, grabbed my coffee, turned on my computer, and there, in my e-mail inbox, was this prayer request. It was from a mom . . . a dear friend of ours . . . one of those friends that, though we don’t connect very often, there’s an affinity and affection that binds us to one another . . . and she asked Sue and I, as well others she knew and trusted, to pray for her daughter. There was a bit of desperation in her note . . . the concern of a mom . . . the need for God to intervene. I’m guessing that’s what “set me up” for this truth from Proverbs to jump out at me this morning . . .

“In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.” (Prov. 14:26).

It’s translated a bit differently in the ESV and NIV, “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. (Prov. 14:26 ESV)

It’s a truth followed by a promise. The truth is that for those who know God . . . who have entered into relationship with Him by faith . . . who have been made spiritually alive by the work of the cross and through the blood of Jesus . . . who have yielded to the Spirit’s inner-working . . . who willingly bow the knee to the Creator of all things in reverent awe, respect, and healthy fear . . . for those, there is a confidence, a “strong confidence.” The NIV says they have a “secure fortress.” There is a security . . . a reliable and faithful place of trust . . . a stronghold where they can turn . . . confidently. This, as believers, we know to be true . . . not just because God’s word says it, but because we have known it “in real life” . . . time and time again. That’s why we pray . . . and why we ask others to pray . . . confident in the God who hears our prayers.

And then there’s the promise . . . and the subtle variations in translation.

For us NKJV readers, the promise is that for “His children”, that is, “God’s children”, there is a place of refuge. That’s what a strong confidence brings . . . a place of protection. That’s the promise upon which we can be encouraged to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Php. 4:6-7). When we go to that place of refuge through prayer, it will set a garrison around our desperate hearts and settle upon them a peace beyond comprehension. Oh, wondrous promise of God . . . oh, precious fortress of God . . . . oh, blessed peace of God.

For those who read the NIV or ESV, the promise comes across a little differently. There the promise is for the children of those who fear the LORD. The strong confidence of the parents provides a refuge for their children. The relationship that mom and dad have with the LORD has a sheltering benefit for their kids. Of course, as our kids get older, it’s their choice as to whether or not they avail themselves of that shelter and refuge . . . an act of “free will” as to whether they will know first hand the fear of the LORD and it’s associated “strong confidence.” But there is something in knowing that, as a parent, my faith has a sheltering affect for my kids . . . even when they are on their own. And part of that is because, through my access into the holy of holies through the blood of Jesus . . . through the confidence I have to boldly approach the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Heb. 4:16) . . . I can bring my kids’ names and needs before the One who is my strong confidence . . . and ask others who share a “similar fear and faith” to do the same.

Through the strong confidence we know, we can bring our kids to the place of refuge. What privilege . . . what promise . . . time to pray . . .

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A Spectrum

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Pete

I read a book last week, The Radical Disciple by John Stott. By his own admission, the thoughts in this small volume are his final formal message to the body of Christ at large or, as Stott says, his “valedictory message” . . . he’s ready to “graduate”. At eighty-eight he acknowledges that his writing days are over, as will soon be his life, and he wanted to leave some last thoughts for us followers of Christ to consider. There’s something about reading a man’s last words that can be particularly inspirational . . . especially if they are the final words of a “life well lived.” Such is the case with the closing chapter of 2Timothy.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2Timothy 4:6-8)

What struck me this morning though was the contrast between verse 8 and verse 10 . . . between Paul and a companion of his, Demas . . . between one who “loved His appearing” and one who “loved this present world” (4:10).

As Paul gets ready to lay down his weapons in the good fight he has fought . . . approaches the finish line of the marathon he has run . . . prepares to enter into the rest that comes from having kept the faith . . . he also looks to the prize. There’s a crown of righteousness ready to presented to him by the Lord, the righteous judge. And, Paul says, “It’s not just for me but for all who have loved and anticipated His second coming.”

That’s one way to live life . . . with an eye to the sky . . . longing for the return of Lord of lords and King of kings . . . ready to trade in the pursuits of the day for the glory of the kingdom at the drop of a hat . . . or the sound of a trumpet. That Paul’s mind was set “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2) is evident in his writings and in what we know about how he lived his life. For him, to live truly was Christ . . . to die, he viewed as immeasurable gain (Php. 1:21). He loved the promise of Jesus’ appearing . . . His coming again in the clouds for His people . . . His establishment of His throne upon the earth . . . of that time when all things would be established new . . . when there would be no more suffering, sorrow, pain, or tears . . . when he would behold, face to face, the Savior who had redeemed this “chief of sinners” (1Tim. 1:15) . . . when he would bask facedown in the glory of the Lord he had sought to faithfully follow. The crown of righteousness would be a bonus . . . the “main event” would be “His appearing.”

And then, there’s Demas . . . Paul says that he had “forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (4:10). I guess there’s at least a couple of ways to understand Demas’ love for “the present world.” First, it might simply be that he wasn’t ready to die . . . that he too recognized that Paul’s time was coming to an end and that being associated with Paul could have dire consequences . . . and so he left for Thessalonica. Maybe he continued to “serve the Lord” there . . . but his reason for going was that he desired the things of life more than the Lord of the life. The other interpretation could be that, beyond just wanting to save his own skin, he felt that there were still “places to go, people to see, things to do” . . . his desire for “living life to the full” clouded the “abundant life” offered by the One who had promised, “He who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:39). Regardless of the exact motivation, Demas forsook Paul . . . bailed on the apostle who longed for Christ’s appearing because he longed for this present world.

Paul “loved His appearing” . . . Demas “loved this present world”. Kind of marks two ends of a spectrum . . . kind of begs me to consider where I stand in regards to that spectrum. There’s a lot to like about “this present world” . . . family, friends, mission, blessing . . . all from God’s good hand. But oh, there’s so much more to look forward to . . . to His glorious appearing . . . to worship in His holy presence . . . to being home. Oh, that I would love His appearing more than this present world . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . . amen!

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A Sense of Duty

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Pete

The other night, around the campfire, I was talking with some friends about how it seems that “faithful church attendance” isn’t what it once used to be. “Being at meeting” seems so optional nowadays . . . or, as we discussed, as a backlash of perhaps a somewhat legalistic attitude towards “going to church”, the “freedom” Christians find today to fit “gathering with the saints” in and around their schedule has perhaps gone too far. Now, it’s not like I went to bed last night determined to journal on that conversation, but it’s something I read in Luke this morning that brought the conversation back to mind . . . a pretty interesting exchange between Jesus and His disciples.

Luke 17 starts off with Jesus “raising the bar” on the disciples, “If your brother sins against you, call him on it. But if he repents forgive him. And, if in that day, he sins against you seven more times and seven more times asks for forgiveness, then, guess what . . . forgive him again and again.” (Luke 17:1-4 kinda’). Kind of radical teaching, huh? The disciples thought so. Their response? “Increase our faith!” (17:5) They got that this wasn’t something that was going to come easily . . . or naturally. They’d need an extra measure of faith. Check out Jesus’ response.

He then proceeds to ask them a question (again loosely translated), “After the servant has done the master’s bidding for the day, what does the master do? Does he say, ‘Good enough! Sit down, take a load off your feet, let me fix you something to eat?’ Nope. Instead he says, ‘It’s time to fix my meal, please do so, then you can knock off for the night.'” Jesus then concludes it this way, “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'” (17:6-10).

Jesus says it’s not about more faith . . . in fact, all you need is the faith of a mustard seed. Instead it’s about doing what the Master asks. It’s about responding in obedience. It’s about a sense of duty . . . those aren’t my words, but the Savior’s.

I know we need to beware of adding our good works to the gospel . . . of defining Christianity in terms of do’s and don’ts . . . but we also need to step up to what Jesus asks us to do . . . we need to do what is our duty to do.

The teaching in this passage isn’t so much about the “object of faith” and “exercising the measure of faith we have” as much as it is about hearing the voice of the Master and responding to it. If Jesus says, “Forgive, forgive, and forgive again” then we should do it. And, to our conversation last night, if the Scriptures say “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25) then we should do it. It’s not about asking for a less stressful week . . . or more time to decompress . . . or the need to sleep in . . . or only going when “our heart is in it” . . . or whatever . . . it’s about a sense of duty . . . a recognition that He is Lord and we are His disciples . . . that when He says, “Do it!” then we do it.

I know there’s “balance” and I’m not advocating a legalistic view of church attendance . . . or keeping count of the number of times we forgive . . . or anything else. But as I read and re-read this interaction between Jesus and His own, it just seems appropriate and Scriptural for those who claim to follow and serve Him to respond to Him out of a sense of duty . . . duty in response to His wonderful love toward us . . . duty as an expression of our love for Him . . . duty because He is Lord . . . duty because He is worthy . . . duty for His glory alone . . . amen!

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