Be Careful. Remember.

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Pete

Every year there comes a point as I read in the latter chapters of Job where I ask myself, “Self, what do you make of Elihu?” You know, Elihu, the fourth man in the fray.

Not one of the three friends that came to Job to sympathize and comfort him after his world imploded (Job 1:11), Elihu’s someone who saw the crowd and decided to join the parade as a silent observer. But the eavesdropper eventually has enough of the back-and-forth between Job and his council of three and so decides to weigh in. Where Elihu came from we’re not entirely sure, but it’s trying to understand where he’s going that can produce a blessing.

While his discourse echo’s similar strains of the three caballeros, he contends there’s “still more to be said on God’s behalf” (Job.36:2b). He’s frustrated that Job indicts God as unjust (Job 32:2b, 34:5) and that Job’s life circumstance has tempted Job to conclude, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend” (Job. 34:9). Elihu’s also bent out of shape at Job’s three miserable comforters “because they had failed to refute [Job] and yet condemned him” (Job 32:3). So Elihu takes the mic and presents a third way of engaging in the argument.

Rather than Job’s “I am righteous, therefore God must be wrong” or the testy trio’s “God is righteous, therefore you must have done something terribly, terribly wrong”, Elihu seeks to refute Job by refocusing on God. To that end, Elihu sort of becomes the “opening act” to the main event of the book which is when, in chapter 38, God Himself takes center stage and says, “Listen up!”

So, while all of Elihu’s conclusions may not be entirely correct, it seems I’d do well to take note of what He has to say about God. For when we are clear about God, it has a way of bringing clarity about ourselves and our situations.

I’m reading in Job 36 this morning, but up to this point there’s been a number of redemptive hints dropped by the young orator. He’s spoken of God wanting to turn a person from his actions (Job 33:17), of God wanting to spare a person’s soul from the Pit (33:18), of finding a ransom which keeps someone from going down to the Pit (33:24), and of God intervening so that a person doesn’t get what they deserve but is instead redeemed so that they can continue to walk in light (33:27-28). While condemning Job’s condemnation of God, Elihu doesn’t so much condemn Job as he does exhort Job.

Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one;
He understands all things.

If people are bound with chains
and trapped by the cords of affliction,
God tells them what they have done
and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
He opens their ears to correction
and tells them to repent from iniquity.

Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity,
for that is why you have been tested by affliction.

Remember that you should praise His work,
which people have sung about.
All mankind has seen it;
people have looked at it from a distance.
Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge;
the number of His years cannot be counted.

(Job 36:5, 8-10, 21, 24-26 CSB)

Lot of truth about God in this morning’s reading. But a couple of exhortations, a couple of commands to obey, as well. Be careful! Remember!

Affliction, it can make or break you, Elihu seems to be saying. It can turn your face toward God, or it can tempt you to shake your fist at Him. It can be your redemption and renewal, or it can be your ruin. So be careful. Your affliction is testing you. It’s trying your faith. It’s authenticating your standing as a son or daughter of the Father. It’s sealing the deal on your sanctification.

So, be careful. But be careful AND remember. Remember that God should be praised. Praised not for how He may be blessing (or not so much) in our current circumstance or season but for who He is in all circumstances and seasons. Remember, God is exalted beyond our knowledge — whether you choose to do the exalting or not. But it is better — so much better — if you continue to sing the song that countless have sung through the ages who have found God greater than any situation and faithful through all situations.

Be careful. Remember.

Only by and because of God’s grace. Always for God’s glory.

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Do the Math

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Pete

666. If ever there was a number known far and wide, it’s that number. Whether you’re a Christian who knows something about their bible, or a horror movie buff who knows something about dealing with demons, you know that number is bad news. It surfaces, this morning, as I read in Revelation at the end of a chapter full of bad news.

A dragon, the same serpent who infiltrated an ancient garden, is unleashed — his deception in the garden only a small foreshadowing of the deception and havoc he would continue to wreak through the ages upon the whole earth (Rev. 12:9). And the dragon begets a beast from the sea (Rev.13:1), and the beast leads people to worship the dragon (13:4). The dragon gives the beast power, a throne, and great authority (13:2). The beast, in turn, blasphemes God and wages war against God’s people (13:6-7). And the economy of these last days will be founded upon a mark which must be borne by “everyone — small and great, rich and poor, free and slave” — which signifies their allegiance to the dragon and his beast, “so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of its name” (13:17). And what’s the number of its name?

This calls for wisdom: Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, because it is the number of a person. Its number is 666.

(Revelation 13:18 CSB)

Do the math, says the Spirit. Me=6. Myself=6. I=6. Me, myself, and I = 666. It is the number of a person. The number of a man (ESV). It is man’s number (NIV). It’s a human number (MSG). It’s our number.

The word translated here is anthropos, from which we get out word anthropology, the study of all things human, the science of human beings. Peer into the face of the beast and see yourself. Consider what gives it its fundamental power and understand it’s you. When me, myself, and I rule, then the mark of the beast has been taken. When our anthropology concludes, “In the beginning, man . . . ” rather than “In the beginning, God . . . ” then be forewarned, it’s only a matter of time. When prevailing wisdom says that we are created in our psyche’s image rather than in God’s image, know that things are on their way to wrapping up.

What a sobering warning in this western age of expressive individualism, when being the authentic you trumps everything else. A sobering warning not just for those “in the world” but for the western church, as well, who may have had her eye on the wrong ball when it came to not being “of the world.” We stayed away from the occult, but could we have been deceived by the serpent’s subtle suggestions to fix our eyes on ourselves — on me, myself, and I?

Don’t know that I’ve ever really paused to noodle on this verse before. But tell me that in our age when the person is king — when my experience is authoritative simply because it is my experience — we aren’t in danger of ceding authority to the deception of the serpent and his beast, because it’s the beast within.

The risk is real, I think. The mitigation? It’s even real-er.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

(Galatian 2:20 CSB)

I have been crucified. I no longer live. There’s goes that 6.

Christ lives in me. He gave Himself for me. There’s goes that 6.

I live not for myself nor according to myself, but by faith in the Son of God. There’s goes that 6.

Do the math. Mark be gone!

Only by God’s grace. Only for God’s glory.

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Hope Amidst the Siege

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Pete

Hovering over Micah 5:2 this morning, a word of hope. A promise meant to provide some encouragement.

But before the good news, the table is set with the reality of the bad news of Israel’s desperate times.

Now, daughter who is under attack,
you slash yourself in grief;
a siege is set against us!
They are striking the judge of Israel
on the cheek with a rod.

(Micah 5:1 CSB)

The “daughter” under attack? Jerusalem. The siege is in progress. The oppression and humiliation of Babylon is present — even as Israel’s king is subject to the humiliation of the enemies rod to his face.

But, when it comes to the posture to be taken, the CSB departs significantly from other translations. Slash yourself in grief. Lament! Inflict pain upon pain. Acknowledge fully the hopelessness of your situation. Other translations, however, indicate a different posture: “Muster your troops” (ESV); “Marshal your troops” (NIV); “Gather yourself in troops” (NKJV). Prepare to defend yourself against the enemy’s incursion (even though you will not prevail).

Which is it when it comes to the reality of being under attack from a power beyond your own power? Lament or defend? Accept and mourn the worst or assemble and fight until the end? Hmm . . . Maybe it’s not an either/or. Could be a both/and.

Whichever it is, both carry the sense of being in what seems by all accounts to be a losing battle. Of facing the reality of a fight without any apparent way to win. And it’s under the dark cloud of that depressing reality that the prophet provides this ray of light.

Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
One will come from you
to be Ruler over Israel for Me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from ancient times.

(Micah 5:2 CSB)

Babylon is at the door. She is breathing down their necks. Situation hopeless. But, says the prophet, turn your eyes away from Babylon and behold Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, there hope is birthed. Small among the clans, but ready to present a King above all kings. A city of little renown yet ready to produce a Ruler unlike any other who has ever reigned over Israel. One whose origin is from old, from times before time, from “everlasting” (NKJV) — from before the foundation of the world.

He will stand and shepherd them
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD His God.
They will live securely,
for then His greatness will extend
to the ends of the earth.
He will be their peace.

(Micah 5:4-5 CSB)

He will stand. He will shepherd. His greatness will be greatly known. There will be peace. And we will live securely. Amen, to that!

But for now, it can feel like we’re under siege — and we are! And it can look like the world is winning even as the enemy can be plainly seen mocking.

And yet, right now, during this advent season, we too can look afresh to Bethlehem. Though she is small among the clans, she has sent us a Great Ruler. Producing long ago “just” a babe in a manger, yet one day providing us a King in His majesty who will reign in glory.

One who has already defeated death. One who has already redeemed and rescued us from the flesh. One who already reigns in our hearts, shepherds by His Spirit, and stands ready to return when the last soul written in His book of life is secured.

That’s what can make Christmas a season of fresh hope. The light of Bethlehem shining amidst the sense of siege.

By His grace. For His glory.

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To What Lengths Would God Go? (A 2018 Remix)

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Pete

Tweaking and rerunning some thoughts from 5 years ago. This morning, I had the same “ain’t it funny, aka weird,” reaction to reading Jonah’s story, but didn’t connect it with my reading in John as I did back in ’18. Connecting Jonah to Jesus . . . it’s the right thing to do. Jesus said so Himself (Jn 12:39).

There’s an irony in Jonah that has a way of making me smile. For example, Jonah self-identifies as a “a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven” (1:9). Yet, when told by the God of heaven he “fears” to go east, Jonah goes west. On the other hand, his pagan cruise mates who are open to calling out to any god who might benefit them, when they hear of Jonah’s God, they “feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows” (1:16). Funny . . . not ha ha, but weird. Kind of ironic.

And then there’s Jonah’s pouting. After having exited Tarshish Cruise Lines and being redirected to Nineveh via Big Fish Excursions; and after obeying God’s command to call the wicked Ninevites to repentance; and after seeing them actually repent; Jonah’s bummed because he thought they deserved judgment. And here’s the other make-me-smile part:

Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. He prayed to the LORD, “Please, LORD, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster.”

(Jonah 4:1-2 CSB)

“I knew it!” says a spitting mad Jonah. “I just knew that if I obeyed, and they believed, then You’d relent. That’s just the sort of thing You’d do because You are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Aaargghh! I just knew it!” Funny. Maybe even “ha ha” funny. Definitely weird funny. Kind of ironic.

You pause and noodle for a minute after reading Jonah and you can’t help but think, to what lengths will a gracious, merciful, abounding in love God go to so that He might rescue a people in need of rescuing? (Or, to recalibrate a prophet in need of recalibrating?)

And then I turned to my reading in John’s gospel and realized I hadn’t seen anything yet. How far would a patient, gracious God go in order to redeem a world in need of redemption?

The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”

When He had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

(John 18:19-22 CSB)

One of the officers standing by Jesus struck Him with his hand.

What was it for the Father to see that dustball slap the eternal Son He had loved since before the world’s foundation (Jn. 17:24)? Did the crack of that man’s hand on the Creator’s face reverberate into heaven? Did it require the hand of God to restrain the holy angels from instinctively swooping down and exacting some justified tit-for-tat? On earth the Savior’s face started to welt. But in heaven did they begin to weep?

To what lengths would a gracious and merciful God go to in order to redeem people of darkness? How far would a slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love God allow Himself to be pushed so that He could rescue enemies enslaved in the bondage of sin?

The Son was struck by a sinner. The King of kings was mocked by a mob. He for whom the crown was destined, first endured the cross. The Lord of heaven was birthed into our world to be the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.

Nothing funny about that. But only that which invokes awe and adoration.

Jesus, the greater Jonah. Perfectly obedient to the Father’s will. Heralding good news. Despising the shame for the joy that many would believe. Even if it meant being in the heart of the earth for three days (Matt. 12:39-41).

Jesus, the personification of the lengths to which God would go to show mercy and grace. His last hours before the cross declaring what it looks like for God to be slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Oh come let us adore Him!

Because of grace. For His glory.

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The Given

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Pete

Hovering over John 17 this morning. Oh, what a glorious eavesdrop this is! To listen in on the Son as He communes with and petitions the Father concerning His aspirations for His people. There’s a number of repeated themes through this heavenly prayer. Among them, themes of Jesus’ “sent-ness”, of the Father and Son’s “one-ness”, and of the believers’ “given-ness.” And it’s that latter theme which occupies my mind this morning, the contemplation that I am given.

Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, since You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to everyone You have given Him. . . .

“I have revealed Your name to the people You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. . .

“I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me . . .

“Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am . . . ”

(John 17:1-2, 6, 9a, 24a CSB)

Those You have given Me . . . chew on that for a bit.

We call ourselves Believers, Followers, and Disciples. We take the moniker, Christian, and glory in the designation of being Saints. But what about thinking about ourselves as simply the Given.

Given by the Father to the Son. Why? We really don’t know, do we?

Apart from God’s sovereign determination, bound up in His faithful love and His overflowing grace, there is no reason why we should be the Given. No right, no merit, no intrinsic quality, except that we who were created in the image of God were also purposed by God to have that image recreated in us through the redemption found in Jesus, God’s blessed Son.

To say, “We found Him,” is to claim some work of our own. But to remind ourselves that, while we might have believed it was only because He first chose us to be given, is to remind ourselves that our salvation is all of Him and all for Him.

Given to Jesus, so that He might give us eternal life. Given to Jesus so that He might reveal the Father to us. Given to Jesus so that He would pray for us. Given to Jesus so that, one day, He will come and take us to be where He is.

We are the Given.

Bask in the warmth of that light. Glory in the implications of that reality. Rest secure in the assurance of that divine transaction.

The Given.

Only by God’s wondrous grace. Only for God’s everlasting glory.

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Victor-Tree for Jesus

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Pete

Palm branches in heaven. That’s what I’m noodling on this morning.

In the latter portion of Revelation 7, John sees “a vast multitude” of people, “standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (7:9). They’re from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” and they have but one great objective, to give glory to the Author of salvation, “to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (7:10).

Who are they? They are believers, of course. But not just any believers. They are those “coming out of the great tribulation” (7:14). During the carnage and world-wide suffering experienced during the unsealing of the six seals which John had before witnessed, these are souls who, by God’s grace, repented under God’s mighty hand; souls who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; souls who were, at the 11th hour of human history, rescued from sin and delivered from destruction. John sees them before the throne of God (7:15a). John sees God’s shelter over them (7:15b). And John sees the Lamb ready to shepherd them and lead them to “springs of the waters of life” (7:17). Lot to see here.

But what do I notice this morning? Palm branches.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.

(Revelation 7:9 CSB)

Palm branches in their hands . . . before the throne of God . . . in heaven . . . as in, not on the earth. Hmm . . .

Literal or figurative? Frequently, the million-dollar question when trying to understand what was revealed to John. But even if they are literal, they are also symbolic. A symbol of victorious joy.

They are “the product of majestic trees”, first identified by God to be used as an instrument of celebration when He instituted the Feast of Booths, the seven-day festival celebrating Israel’s rescue from Egypt and the shelter God provided for them in the wilderness under the glory of His presence (Lev. 23:39-44). They were to rejoice. And they were to do it with palm branches in their hands.

They were to rejoice as did the crowd on that day Jesus entered Jerusalem (Jn. 12:12-16). On that day they also took palm branches and met the lowly Jesus riding on a donkey’s colt with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” The King was in their midst, the King who would be their deliverer, the King who would conquer their enemies. And so, in anticipation, the crowd that day raised the majestic fronds of triumph and celebration before Him.

Don’t know how palm branches end up in heaven, but I do know they are the victor-tree which celebrates His victory.

They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!

All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

(Revelation 7:9b-12 CSB)

Victor-tree for Jesus!

God’s grace. God’s glory.

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Someone to Hear My Case

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Pete

Job and his buddies were in agreement about some stuff. As I read Job 31 this morning, out of the gate Job makes a couple of statements that I think his debating cohort would have said, “Yes and Amen!” to.

Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust
and misfortune to evildoers?
Does [God] not see my ways
and number all my steps?

(Job 31:3-4 CSB)

God sees my ways — all of them. God numbers my steps — each of them. Don’t think any one around the table was taking issue with that.

And they probably would have aligned to Job’s first point as well, though they would have been wrong. Disaster doesn’t come only to the unjust. Misfortune isn’t only for evildoers.

And as I noodle on Job’s assertion, I think about how far he’s come (or digressed) in the last 30 chapters. Back in chapter 1 it’s Job who, with torn robe and shaved head, worships and declares, “The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). In chapter 2, even after his mental suffering is compounded with physical suffering, Job is still able to reconcile his personal integrity with God’s painful incursion, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10b).

So, what’s happened over 30 chapters (more accurately, over 7 days of silent suffering and then who knows how many hours of back-and-forth verbal abuse)? What’s happened is that things haven’t gotten any better nor have they started to make any more sense.

What’s happened, I think, is that as Job continues to endure the excruciating “what” of his suffering, his comforters have forced him to also engage the agonizing “why” of his suffering. And if suffering is the just outcome of the sinner, reasons Job, then God’s not just because that ain’t me. And Job’s right . . . at least about the “that ain’t me” part.

As Job runs through his resume of righteousness in Job 31, you know he’s not padding the story to make himself look better than he really is, nor is he merely bragging in order to put himself on a pedestal. Everything that Job claims marked his life is what you’d expect of someone who God Himself has declared repeatedly to the spirit realm, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8 CSB).

So, Job makes his case again before his friends. He rehearses the case he’d make before God if God were “man enough” to meet with him. And if God weren’t ready to step into the courtroom and chime in with His reasons why and His purposes wherefore, then Job says, in effect, I’ll take somebody, anybody who is ready and willing to listen.

If only I had someone to hear my case!
(Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me!)
Let my Opponent compose His indictment.
I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.
I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

(Job 31:35-37 CSB)

Let’s do it, says Job. Bring Your best case and I will crush it with my most accurate defense. Just tell me what this all about so I can tell You back why I am to be counted among the just. I’m ready. If only I had someone to hear my case!

To be sure, Job crosses the line — again! — when it comes to addressing the Almighty, Holy, Sovereign God of Creation. But I think I can kind of get it. There’s no relief from his suffering in sight. There’s no clarity for the reasons for his suffering in sight. And there’s no respite from the accusations as to why he’s suffering in sight. So, a frustrated Job laments, If only I had someone to hear my case!

Oh, that Job had known what we now know. Oh, that Job might have known who we now know, Jesus! For then, there could be found some rest from his sufferings.

Oh, that Job had known about a heavenly High Priest who “had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God” (Heb. 2:17). One who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” because He too “has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15 CSB). One who could hear my case, because He has Himself experienced my case.

There is Someone. Someone who will hear my case. Someone who will present my side. Someone who will be my advocate. Someone who “is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25 CSB).

Someone who’s grace is sufficient. Someone enabling us to endure for God’s glory.

Amen?

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From Wretched to Reigning

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Pete

Finished up Jesus’s seven letter series to the churches. Laodicea, oh what a church. For some reason, this morning she brings to mind a song from the late ’70’s which declares “it can’t be wrong, when it feels so right, ’cause you light up my life.” To be sure, by their own confession and from all appearances, Jesus did light up their lives. But what should have been experienced as the blazing hot light of the sun was instead felt as but the tepid glow of a 40-watt bulb. Thus, they were lukewarm even though they thought they were on fire. And so, because their lives “felt so right” they failed to recognize just how “wrong” they really were. Says Jesus of them, “You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

Their’s a lot to chew on concerning those who think they have it so right but really have it so wrong. But this morning, the “I” that captures my thoughts is the “I” of the One who is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 3:14) The I who is the I AM, the One who walks among the churches and who alone can light up the life that is lukewarm, bringing us from wretched to reigning.

I know your works . . . (Revelation 3:15 CSB)

I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:16 CSB)

I advise you . . . (Revelation 3:18 CSB)

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. (Revelation 3:19 CSB)

See! I stand at the door and knock. (Revelation 3:20 CSB)

To the one who conquers, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21 CSB)

I know, says Jesus, I know your works. What’s more, I know what’s behind your works — the heart and motivation, the reasons, reckonings, and self-evaluation. And He who is the Truth, who cannot do otherwise than to be true to Himself, says I will truthfully evaluate those works. Thus, ways which are lukewarm are ways which must be spit out. Not only do I know, says Jesus, I’m also honest.

But I also advise. I’m committed to the work I have begun in you, so I will counsel you. I don’t reject, I’m not repulsed, I’m not re-thinking calling you to be Mine. Instead, I will redirect you.

And that, because I love you. Love you just the way you are and love you too much to leave you the way you are. Thus, I rebuke, and I correct. I chastise and I discipline. Not to cut you down, but to build you up. Not to trash you, but to train you.

So behold, I stand at the door, and I knock. I come to you, inviting you to open up to me. I so want to be with you so that you can know afresh the light and fire that comes from abiding with me. Yours is not to do more, it’s just to open wide and let Me come in and be with you more.

And, for those with ears to hear and by My Father’s grace willfully respond, I will give you the right to go from supping with Me at the table to sitting with me on My throne.

From wretched to reigning. How’s that for lighting up my life?

Not because of who I am, but because of what the great I AM has purposed to do.

Jesus is the I AM who powerfully redeems and patiently restores. The Light of the world who takes even my wrong and makes it so right.

And me? I’m just a sinner being saved by God’s grace for God’s glory.

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But Little Power

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Pete

Most commonly, they’re known as the church of “brotherly love.” This morning, I’m chewing on the fact that they were also the church of but little power.

The church in Philadelphia, the sixth church of seven to receive a letter from Jesus. This time, He self-identifies as “the Holy One, the true One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens” (Rev. 3:7). Jesus says He’s the door opener. Good thing, ’cause the saints in Philadelphia, it seems, living in the shadow of the “synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 3:9) weren’t in much of a position to open doors for themselves.

“I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.”

(Revelation 3:8 CSB)

For the church of brotherly love, there were no “buts” of rebuke from the Great Shepherd who walks among the churches — only commendation. No correction, just “keep ons”. They had kept His word. They had kept true to His name. They had kept His command to endure (v. 10). And so, says the risen, reigning Lord, keep holding on (v.11).

Endure. Hold on. That was to be the mission and vision statement of this church of but little power.

Big crowds and tons of programs? Not here. But an open door? You bet! Because the One who’s business it is to open doors that on one can shut had placed an open door before this church of but little power.

So, “Keep on,” says the King.

“Your power is found in the promise of My presence and power,” declares the One who has the keys to every and all doors.

There’s respite and rest in a fresh realization that no matter how much power we think we have, we really have but little power. That no matter how much we think we can be the shakers and movers, we are but vessels in the Masters hand. That whatever doors we think we may have kicked down; it is actually Jesus who has opened them up.

Keep My word. Proclaim My name. Endure.

Be faithful. Keep on keepin’ on.

And know My might in your midst, though you have but little power.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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On the Front Lines

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Pete

We often say, “The battle is the Lord’s.” And, to be sure, that is so true. However, if I’m picking up on what’s being laid down this morning, Jesus expects us to be on the front lines.

Reading in Revelation 2 this morning and hovering over what “the One who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (sounds like Jesus is battle ready) has to say to the church in Pergamum. First, He knows where they live, and it ain’t in no land of milk and honey. In fact, it’s where Satan lives. And not only where the devil resides, but where he rules as well — so much so that believers are being put to death for believing. And amidst this hostile culture, Jesus commends the saints for “holding on” and not denying their faith in Christ (Rev. 2:13).

“But,” says Jesus, “I have a few things against you.” Uh oh, listen up, church!

While the church at Pergamum had stood fast against the external persecution of the enemy, they had let down their guard and allowed in the internal prevalence of the enemy. They had in their midst some who were holding to the enemy’s teaching — the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans (2:14-15). While the church stood fast against the culture without, that had already allowed the culture to enter within as they tolerated idolatry and sexual immorality within the church. While they resolved not to waver in what they believed, it seems they were okay with compromising how they behaved. Not in the world, maybe, but acting way too much like the world.

So Jesus says to the church, “Repent, or else.” And it’s the “or else” I’m chewing on this morning.

“So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”

(Revelation 2:16 CSB)

I will come to you quickly. Sounds like a good thing, right? Even so, come Lord Jesus! But remember the context, this is the “or else” part of the command to “repent.” This coming is not His coming again, but carries the sense of His coming against. S-T . . . those two letters make a world of difference! While we all want the Lord Jesus to come again, which of us wants Him to come against? Not this guy!

While the battle is the Lord’s, while it is His power which will ensure the fulfillment of His promise that “the gates of hell will not prevail” against His church (Mt. 16:18), His expectation is still that the church will “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). That she will “hold on” to the “pattern of sound teaching” she had received (2Tim. 1:13) and that she will watch out for those who preach contrary to sound doctrine (Rom. 16:17). That she will live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Php. 1:27), being holy as her Redeemer is holy (1Pet. 1:15). If she’s not doing that, then, says Jesus, “I have few things against you. Repent.”

The leaven of Balaam will be expelled, the tares of the Nicolaitans will be uprooted, the only question is whether the church will faithfully fight that fight until Jesus comes again, or whether Jesus will need to come against the church in the meantime and deal with false teaching and faithless living Himself.

The battle is the Lord’s. For sure!

We are to be on the front lines. Equally for sure!

By His grace. For His glory.

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