Conversion

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Pete

Yeah, I don’t think it’ll make word of the year anytime soon.

Reading in Acts 15 this morning and I encounter a word that I don’t think gets used much in the church anymore — though it did a generation ago when I was first saved (at least in the circles I was saved into). But depending on how you look at it, while the word may stand in stark contrast with today’s worldly mindset, it may in fact be far more compatible than we realize.

For 2023, Merriam-Webster’s word of the year is Authentic. While used often in the context of a plumb line and filter for Artificial Intelligence, or as the goal for social media users and influencers, where authentic has arguably found its greatest attachment is as an adjective connected to identity. Our culture places a premium on being your authentic self. On seeking and speaking your authentic voice. On you being the authentic you. And, because it’s authentic, it must be accepted as being what’s true, beyond question, and thus demanding to be enthusiastically embraced.

So, in light of 2023’s word of the year, how’s a word such as the word I encountered in Acts gonna play in our current cultural climate?

So, being sent on their way by the church, [Paul and Barnabas & Co.] passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

(Acts 15:3 ESV)

Conversion. Not a likely candidate for word of the year, but it’s the word I’m chewing on this morning.

There’s a number of ways we tend to describe disciples of Christ. Words like believer, and follower. Terms like those who have asked Jesus into their heart; who have been born again; who have been saved by the blood. But when’s the last time you heard anyone in your church talk of those who had been converted or had experienced a conversion?

Conversion. This particular word is found only once in the entire New Testament. Used to describe a group of people who were “authentically” idolaters but now were unashamedly followers of the risen Son of God, Jesus. A people who once were oriented one way, but now — in a 180-degree turnabout sense — are now headed in a very different direction.

So, how does talking about conversion line up with the cultural goal of embracing one’s self? See, what I mean . . . the implications of being converted, of doing a 180, are at odds with the world’s view of what it means to be authentic.

But what if the world has it wrong (and it does)? What if conversion is really the most authentic way to authenticity? What if being converted is really about becoming who we were created to be?

For those whom [God] foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Romans 8:29 ESV)

We were created as image bearers of God (Gen. 1:27). So, we are our most authentic when we bear the image of God. Thus, to be conformed (likely another unpopular word in a world enmeshed with being authentic) to the image of His Son is to land where we were always meant to be. That what we are apart from Christ is really the deep fake. That what our world thinks life should be about is really the deceptive lie. That the form we are shaped into by sin is the antithesis of the image we were created to bear. And thus, we need a conversion.

We need a supernatural event that translates us from darkness into light. That reorients us from self to others. That redefines authentic by replacing ourselves as the standard to be embraced with the Son and the once forever exchange He offers — our sins taken on by Him and His righteousness credited to us so that, by His power, we might practically and authentically live out what it looks like to be righteous.

Conversion. Might be a word worth using a little more often. But don’t think it’s gonna make word of the year anytime soon. And yet, isn’t it the converted who are truly on the path to being authentic? I’m thinkin’ . . .

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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Stay in the Game!

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Pete

Had lunch with a brother last week. The food was good, but the fellowship was great. Not much talk about the weather, didn’t dwell on sports, but our conversation touched on different aspects of the kingdom and our relatively small place in it (mine a lot smaller than his). We talked as “senior saints” might talk, drawing on experiences and lessons learned over many years of gaining experience and learning lessons. And something he said last week came to mind this morning as I read in Acts.

Honeymoon’s over for Paul in his gospel preaching ministry. Sure, many are still being saved but the opposition is growing. When Paul went into a new city or region with the good news, it seems it was not a matter of if but of when the local Jewish leaders would rise up against this Jesus proclaiming turncoat who was once a Pharisee of the Pharisees.

In Lystra, “Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead” (Acts 14:19). Ouch! Talk about your occupational hazard. Talk about your hostile work environment. Talk about a lack of a safe space. Talk about being in an unhealthy situation. Talk about the life of Paul and his faithfulness to his charge to “carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” and “how much he must suffer for the sake of the Name” (Acts 9:15-16).

So, Paul escapes with his life and heads down the road to Derbe where he persists in preaching the good news which so often is provoking in some bad behavior. But then (what’s he thinkin’?), he returns to Lystra.

When [Paul & Co.] had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

(Acts 14:21-22 ESV)

Continue in the faith. That’s what sparked the memory of my friend’s story of the advice he gave to a young man looking for the secret sauce for ministry. His counsel? “Stay in the game!”

Continue in the faith. Remain in, persevere in, hold fast to, be true to, abide by what you hold to be true about Jesus and what He has said about following Him. As Peterson puts it, Paul urged them “to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit” (MSG). Stick with it. Stay in the game.

The way of Jesus is the way of the cross (Mt. 10:38, 16:24). The way of the cross is the way of opposition, hardship, pain, and suffering. Don’t let anyone try and tell us the journey will be, or must be otherwise, for through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

So, how do you prepare for the many tribulations. How do you get ready for the hardships? How do you go through whatever you’re gonna need to go through? Continue in the faith. Stay in the game.

Not in our own strength. Not by our own self-discipline or through our own self-determination — those are gonna fail at some point. But through the power of the risen Christ who dwells within us through the promise of the resident Spirit. By abiding in Him and He in us.

“Keep on keepin’ on” is how another friend of years gone by would always say it. “Stay in the game” according to my friend during lunch last week. Continue in the faith says the Spirit through the eternal word of God.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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An Abomination

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Pete

“The law of first mention.” Not sure if it’s really a “law”, but as a young believer, more than once, I remember being exhorted to take note of the first time a word or phrase is used in Scripture, or the first time something or someone appears, for it might have a particular significance. This morning, a second encounter with a word sparks noodling on its first mention.

The word? Abomination. What do think of when you hear that word? Where do you think it might first be found in Scripture? If you’re like me, you might be surprised. You might also be left a bit in wonder.

This morning’s reading in Genesis (a likely place to find a “first mention”) deals with Jacob & Co.’s relocation from Canaan to Egypt. Upon being reunited with Joseph — the son who Jacob thought was dead but in fact was alive and had become king (sound familiar?) — Jacob is told by Joseph how to secure the best land in this foreign land.

When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

(Genesis 46:33-34 ESV)

An abomination to the Egyptians. I read this and remembered that this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered that phrase. Last time it was also in the context of a reunion; at the banqueting table where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.

They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

(Genesis 43:32 ESV)

First mention of abomination? Describing how Egyptians viewed Hebrews. Second mention? How Egyptians viewed shepherds. Hmm . . . Chew on that for a bit.

Egypt, in Scripture, is representative of the world. It is a type of the place, principles, and practices from which the people of God are delivered. It’s the place they were to leave. The place they would be told not to return to. The place where they’ll be tempted to retreat for help when the going gets tough. But when it comes right down to it, it will always be the place of slavery and bondage, for the people of God are an abomination to the world. The world, under the rule of the prince of darkness, can’t help but abhor those in covenantal relationship with the King of Light.

What’s more, Egypt is disgusted by shepherds. What does that say for us who would own the Lord as my Shepherd?

Much more to noodle on and develop with this thought. But there’s something here, something which identifies us, the people of God, as the first abomination. An abomination in Egypt. At odds with the world. Whether we’re tempted to embrace the world, to enjoy the world, or try and find refuge in the world, if we are God’s chosen people, if we are the sheep who know the voice of the Great Shepherd, then we’re not really gonna find our place in the world. ‘Cause if we are faithful to Him, we’ll be an abomination to them.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” ~ Jesus

(John 15:18-19 ESV)

An abomination. Like I said, hmm . . .

By His grace. For His glory.

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Let’s Not Wait Until “Things Change”

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Pete

I know one of “those guys.” He’s a dear brother, a faithful servant, but when it came to that “joke”, he was one of “those guys.” You might have met one of those guys, as well. You know, the guy when asked the last time he told his wife he loved her, tilts his head a bit, cracks a grin, and says something like, “I told my wife I loved her on our wedding day and that if things ever changed, I’d let her know! Ha, ha, ha!” Yuck! Don’t be one of those guys.

So why does that guy come to mind this morning? Because I’m gripped by the opening words of a song written by another guy.

I love You, O LORD, my strength.

(Psalm 18:1 ESV)

When’s the last time you told the LORD you loved Him? Hope it wasn’t on the day you were saved.

Though I love You, are the first words of verse 1, they aren’t the first words of Psalm 18. Instead, they follow this introduction to the song:

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

On the day when the LORD rescued David from the hand of all his enemies, David said: “I love You, O LORD, my strength.” Makes sense. Seems like a good thing to express to the One who delivered you from all your enemies. Seems fitting to be fashioned into a song. Seems appropriate to write the song with a choir in mind. Guessing it was sung often. Perhaps every time another enemy encountered was another enemy defeated by the LORD, my strength.

The LORD who heard my voice when I cried to Him in distress (18:6). The LORD who “took me” and “drew me out of many waters” (18:16). The One who supported me “in the day of my calamity” (18:18). The LORD who “brought me into a broad place”; who “rescued me, because He delighted in me” (18:19). The LORD who “rewarded me according to my righteousness” (18:24) — the righteousness He credited to me by faith. The LORD who loved me. To that LORD, David sings, “I love You!”

We love because He first loved us.

(1John 4:19 ESV)

In my King James Bible days, I learned it as “We love Him because He first loved us.” For David, for sure, He loved the LORD because the LORD, his rock and his fortress and his deliver (18:2), had so powerfully and faithfully first loved him. And David wrote a song so that other people would also sing, “I love You, O LORD” — for He had already loved them too.

Reminds me of another song (we called it a “chorus” back in the day) that never ceased to stir me from the inside out. Still does.

I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul, rejoice!

Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear

Laurie Klein © 1978 House of Mercy Music

So, let the redeemed sing. Let the rescued sound off. Regardless of the enemies we face today, let us sing to the LORD who has already and so wondrously first loved us.

Let’s not wait until “things change.” But may we often and earnestly offer to heaven our melody from earth, “I love You, LORD.”

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Lesser-Known Name

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Pete

“I’ll take lesser-known names for God for 500, Alex.” (I’m hoping we still remember who Alex is).

“The answer is, Psalm 17:7.”

“Where is God referred to as ‘Savior of those who seek refuge?'”

Correct.

Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand.

(Psalm 17:7 ESV)

Hovering over Psalm 17 this morning. Another prayer of David. Another plea for vindication (17:2). But it’s the phrasing in verse 7 that captures my thoughts this morning — a way of referring to God that, for me at least, would be lesser-known, yet greatly needed.

I’m aware of Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide (Gen. 22:14), Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord My Banner (Ex. 17:15), and Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord My Peace (Jud. 6:24). Familiar with Jehovah-Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6), Jehovah-Rapha, The Lord Who Heals (Ex. 15:26) and, of course, Jehovah-Raah, The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1). But Yasha-Chacah, Savior of those who seek refuge? Not so much.

But if you were to ask me if I’ve experienced that Name before, you bet!

My God is the Savior of those who seek refuge — of those who trust in Him to deliver them from their enemies, who by faith have stationed themselves through Christ at God’s right hand of majesty and power. Been there done that.

The first adversary defeated? Death. A close second? The bondage of sin. And then start adding to the list. For every problem and persecutor, in every storm and through every stumble, whether facing difficulties or detractors, for those who seek refuge, He is Savior.

For those who flee for protection, He is Rescuer. For those who determine to rest at His right hand, He is Deliverer. For those who trust in the God who has promised to wondrously show His steadfast love, He is Preserver.

And, as I’m reminded every Sunday morning by my church, it’s not just the enemies from without from which He delivers, but those that I am well capable of creating and ceding to from within. When I’m weary and need rest. When I mourn and long for comfort. When I feel worthless and wonder if God even cares. When I fail and need strength. When I sin and need a Savior. Then too, He is the Savior of those who seek refuge. For, as we remind ourselves at the opening of every service, Jesus is . . .

The ally of His enemies,
The defender of the guilty,
The justifier of the inexcusable,
The friend of sinners.

So, maybe a lesser-known name, but it’s a greatly appreciated reminder. He is Savior of those who seek refuge.

By His grace. For His glory.

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An Observation Worth Observing

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Pete

Not every observation I make in the Scriptures turns immediately into an application. Nevertheless, making the observation is important, I think — it gives the Holy Spirit something to work with. This morning, it’s an observation about prayer.

Prayer’s one of my “hot topics” that I keep an eye open for when I read in the morning. When I encounter something about prayer, or someone praying, or a prayer itself I’ll shade it with my purple colored-pencil. Not because I have prayer figured out and need the reinforcement, but because I still so struggle with prayer and need the encouragement. This morning, it’s a pretty simple observation, Peter knelt down and prayed.

Context? The death of a disciple of Jesus, a woman known as Tabitha. She was well-regarded and highly-esteemed among the company of believers, known as a woman who “was full of goods works and acts of charity” (Act 9:36). But she became ill and died. Her friends and family in Christ, however, were not ready to let her go. They heard Peter was in the neighborhood and that where Peter went mighty miracles were present (Acts 9:32-35). So, they call for Peter. And so, Peter comes. He arrives and they take him to see her body “lying in state” in an upper room. Next to Peter, looking upon Tabitha’s lifeless body, are those mourning her loss.

But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

(Acts 9:40-42 ESV)

Standing before the lifeless body of someone now “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2Cor. 5:8), Peter is prompted by the Spirit to pray. I think Peter knew that with the power he had been given to do signs among the people in order to authenticate the salvation found only in Jesus, that raising Tabitha from the dead was a possibility. But that he could didn’t necessarily mean he should. And so, he prayed. Prompted by the Spirit, he had a conversation with the Father about knowing the mind of the Son.

But what I also notice is that he knelt down and prayed. Not only is his process for seeking the mind of Christ mentioned, but his posture as well.

There’s no one else in the room. Peter’s alone. So, he’s not doing it to be an example to others of the need to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10 NKJV). No, the only one present in this sacred, upper room prayer closet is the “Father who is in secret”, “your Father who sees in secret” (Mt. 6:6). And on such a matter, as to whether or not to bring the dead to life again, Peter is compelled to kneel down and pray.

There’s something about kneeling and praying to be observed here. Not a formula necessarily, but a form which I’m thinking should be noted. Not a “to do” to always be done, but a way of seeking God’s will which should not be discarded and perhaps more often deployed.

There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to pray on our knees. 

Like I said, not that we must always be on our knees, but I am led to probe, “Am I ever on my knees?” Not just out of self-disciplined compliance, but because I am sensitive to a Spirit-prompted compulsion?

Peter knelt down and prayed. Just him in a room, along with a great need and uncertain what to do. Aware that if he were to do something, it couldn’t be done in his own power and without earnest petition.

Hmm . . . worth observing. Worth applying in some manner.

Work with it, Spirit.

Show me, Lord.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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A One Word Prayer of Faith

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Pete

Where is it? I don’t see it. But I’m pretty sure Paul was a saved man, so it’s gotta be there. He was born again, and so he must have said it. Come on! It’s gotta be there!

What’s the it I’m looking for? Where am I looking for it? It is “the sinners prayer” and I’m looking for it in Acts 9. ‘Cause you gotta think that the guy who ended up writing the most on what it means to be saved must have said the prayer in order to be saved himself. That the one who writes so much about sin and confession and repentance must have prayed “the prayer” we so often think needs to be prayed in order to be saved by grace alone through faith alone. So, as I read Paul’s conversion experience this morning, I find myself asking, “Where’s the prayer of faith?”

Maybe it’s not there. But, really? Perhaps one of the most significant conversions in history, and no prayer of contrition and confession and consecration? Or maybe he prayed it after the encounter on the road when, as a blind man, he prayed at the house of Judas (ironic?) as he processed what had happened on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11). Or maybe, just maybe, it was one of the first word’s out of his mouth. Maybe it was just one word. And maybe, as much as the one word, it was found in his humble posture.

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

(Acts 9:1-5 ESV)

Lord. Is that the prayer I’m looking for? Falling to the ground. Is that the posture which I need to see? That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Not to use my experience as the arbiter of Holy Scripture, but I never prayed the prayer either. Though a friend had been sharing the gospel with me for a number of weeks, not sure how much I could have shared it back. But what I do know is that when I prayed that first feeble prayer, it began with “Lord.” I kind of knew that much. That if Jesus was anything or anybody, He was Lord.

And I’m wondering if that wasn’t Paul’s “moment of conversion” — the moment when Paul fell before Jesus, who in His sovereign purposes and grace determined to be revealed to Paul, and Paul addressed Him as “Lord.”

The original word can be used to address anyone who a person deems themselves to belong to, toward anyone who has the power of deciding and directing one’s life. The term a servant would use when speaking of, or to their master. The title one would adopt into their vocabulary when realizing that they were no longer their own.

Paul would have a lot to learn about the divine dynamics of how Jesus could be His Savior, but at that moment, when it pleased the Christ to open Paul’s eyes just before he shut them for three days, Paul knew that Jesus was Lord.

Falling to the ground. Facedown on the ground before the risen Messiah. Uttering with heartfelt sincerity (even when we don’t have mind-filled clarity), Lord. Doesn’t that sound like a pretty legit sinner’s prayer? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Not just the prayer to get saved, but the prayer for being saved. Not just a once-in-the-past confession which punches our ticket to heaven someday, but a day-by-day, moment-by-moment, heart attitude that allows us to live out the kingdom of heaven here and now.

Let’s not minimize the power to save of a one word prayer of faith — fitting to be spoken in almost any and every situation — which utters with sincerity and humility, “Lord.”

. . . because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

(Romans 10:9 ESV)

By His grace alone. For His glory alone.

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The Only “We”

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Pete

It’s not so much about a condition, but more about character. Not a quid pro quo — I’ll do so that You’ll do — but more of a “because You have done, how can I not?” It’s the only “we do” in a passage of petitions dominated by “do for us.” It’s the only ask with an explanation. It’s forgiveness.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 6:9-15 ESV)

Pretty familiar passage, I’m guessing. There’s praise, hallowed be Your name. There’s aligning ourselves to the promise, Your kingdom come. Then, comes the petitions; give us . . . forgive us . . . lead us not . . . deliver us. Thus, says Jesus, so should you pray. But to quote from that great teacher, Sesame Street, “One of these things is not like the others.”

Forgive us comes with a condition. It’s the only part of the prayer which Jesus deems needful of a following commentary.

“. . . forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. . . For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you . . . “

We know Jesus isn’t talking here about the forgiveness which saves. That forgiveness is a gift. It is independent of any work on our behalf. God’s forgiveness of the penalty owed for our sin is by grace alone through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). So, what is Jesus talking about? If it’s not “salvational” forgiveness, then what is it? I’m thinking it’s “relational” forgiveness.

Is the degree to which God is able to be in fellowship with those who have sinned against Him impacted by the degree to which they are willing to forgive and be in fellowship with those who have sinned against them? I’m thinkin’. After all, isn’t reconciliation the purpose of forgiveness? Forgiveness is not, first and foremost, about us “letting go” or about us un-shouldering a burden of bitterness. Sure, it has that therapeutic value, forgiveness is necessary in order to move on. But at its core, the purpose of forgiveness is restoration of relationship.

So, Jesus says we need to pray for God’s on-going grace and forgiveness of our debts so that our fellowship with Him might remain strong. But Jesus also says that to expect fellowship with the Father when we are unwilling to forgive and re-establish fellowship with our brother, or our sister, is not how it works. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven (Eph. 5:32, Col. 3:13). Not forgiving others is going to impact our fellowship with the Father.

” . . . but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiving our debtors is going to impact the blessing of being forgiven our debts. Sure, we’ll still be children, but children in a measure of “timeout” in the corner. We’re still his servants, but servants at a distance.

Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:32-35 ESV)

Hear again Jesus’s model of prayer . . .

. . . and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

It’s the only “we” in a prayer full of petitions for “us”. The only condition in a model of how to show appropriate contrition. The only commentary expanding on the dynamics of divine relationship.

Worth chewing on, I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Like Father, Like Sons

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Pete

God’s first covenantal people received a Law given to them from a mountain in Sinai. God’s people of the new covenant received a law from a mount (probably more of a hill) somewhere in Galilee. God’s servant, Moses, was the mediator of the first; God’s Son, the giver of the second. The first was given so that God’s people might know how to live as a set apart people in a foreign land they would eventually possess. The second, so that God’s people might know how to live as born-again people in the kingdom of heaven which had already come but was yet to be fully realized. The first dealt a lot with external actions befitting sanctified people, the second focused more on the hearts and attitudes of Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered people. And as I hover over a few verses from what is commonly referred to as Jesus’ sermon on the mount, I’m reminded this morning of the old adage, “Like Father, like son.”

The well-known proverb simply conveys the often-true observation that a son’s character or behavior can be expected to resemble that of his father. That daughter’s often grow up thinking and acting a lot like their mothers. That kids tend to imitate and replicate their parents. Mostly true? Sometimes true of the way of the children of men? I think so. But if I’m accurately picking up on what Jesus is actually laying down this morning, it is to always be true of the children of God.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 5:43-45 ESV)

When it comes to the family of God, wanna know how much one of the kids on earth is reflecting the heart and ways of their Father who is in heaven? See if they’re loving their enemies. Listen for them praying for those who persecute them. How’s that for “Like Father, like son”?

Jesus, THE Son, He who is the Christ, did, in fact, love and pray for His enemies (Jn. 12:47, Lk. 23:34). So too should those who are “in Christ.”

But it won’t be by our might, nor by our power, but only by His Spirit (Zec. 4:6). Because we’re not talking about a natural affection here, but a supernatural one. We’re not talking about the expected response to taking it in the teeth from someone — such as repaying evil for evil or reviling those who revile you — but an unexpected response (1Peter 2:23, 3:9).

Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Respond like your Father, so that others might know you are His children.

Big ask. Yeah, but big God.

Love my enemies. Pray for those who, according to the literal sense of the word, would threaten me, insult me, slander me, and even falsely accuse me. Really? Yeah, really.

Not how I’m naturally wired. True, but you’ve been supernaturally rewired (2Cor. 5:17).

I’m gonna fall short at times. Yes, but if you confess your sin He is faithful and just to forgive your sin (1Jn. 1:9). The blood of Christ, the power of the cross, covers the short falls and compels you towards obedience in the long run.

Okay, Lord. Love my enemies, pray for those who persecute me. Like Father, like sons. Like Father, like daughters.

Only by Your grace — the grace which is all-sufficient for overcoming the hindrances of the flesh, so that Your power might be made perfect in my weakness (2Cor. 12:7-9).

Only for Your glory — that it would reflect Your heart, the One who makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

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Help!

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Pete

You know that David’s song is evoked by a certain period of time. But as you read it over a couple of times, you also know it has to be prophetic of a future time.

It could have been written as a reflection of what it was like for David, God’s king-elect, when he was pursued by Saul, God’s king-reject, and what seemed like the entire Israeli nation. But the opening words of the psalm sound like they could have been written today amidst our crumbling culture. I remember once hearing someone say that paranoia is just smart thinking when everyone’s against you, but the songwriter reminds us that “Help!” is just smart praying when everything’s coming apart around you.

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

(Psalm 12:1-4 ESV)

Save. That seems to be a pretty literal translation. Most other translations render it simply, Help!

As David is pursued, as his enemies seem many and his allies seem few, as the whole world seems increasingly intent on silencing his voice and removing him from contention for the throne, David prays a 9-1-1 prayer, “Help, LORD!” The godly are gone. The faithful have vanished. Fake news prevails as everyone utters lies. Flattery — literally, “slippery speech” — prevails. And hypocrisy, being double-hearted and two-faced, is the prevailing way of those among whom David was once felt a part. Help!

Ours is a culture which is increasingly godless. And faithfulness? Well faithfulness and loyalty to almost anything else has been supplanted by being only “true to yourself.” Truth is bankrupt in so many quarters as any transcendent ties to an objective basis for truth have been severed. Institutional authority is increasingly cast off as we refuse to be mastered by anyone or anything other than ourselves. And ourselves is increasingly defined by our lips and our words as we paint the picture of our truth on the canvas of social media. David’s time might well be a foreshadow of our time, aka the end times.

So whaddya gonna pray when godliness is gone and faithfulness a thing of the past? Yup . . . you got it . . . one word. “Help!”

And David’s song assures us that God hears that prayer.

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.

(Psalm 12:5-7)

God is not unaware of our post-modern, post-Christian, post-truth, post-post age. He hears the groans, and He says there is a day when “I will now arise.”

What’s more, safety is assured because the words of the LORD are pure words — they are faithful and true. In an age when everything else seems corrupt, God’s promises are like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. When faithfulness has vanished among men, God is faithful and will keep His word, fulfill His promises, and guard us from this generation forever. We pray, “Help”, He responds, “He am I.”

David would survive Saul’s persistent pursuit. More than that, he would thrive as he continually drew near to the LORD while continually being on the run from everyone else. He found high roads to walk (think of how he repeatedly spared Saul’s life, 1Samuel 24, 26), even as he trusted in the LORD to direct his path.

Sometimes it just comes down to a one word prayer, “Help!”

“Call to Me and I will answer you.”

(Jeremiah 33:3a ESV)

According to His all-sufficient and all-prevailing grace. Only for His all-deserving glory.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

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