Wanting More

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Pete

“Please sir, I want some more!” Now that’s a dickens of an incentive for obedience.

Better than following the rules just because they’re the rules is playing the game for the sheer enjoyment of playing it. Better than doing what you know you should do grudgingly is pursuing what you long to pursue enthusiastically. And how come? Because you’ve experienced something wonderful. You’ve had an encounter with something pleasurable. You’ve tasted something which is so good. So please sir, I want some more!

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.

(1Peter 2:1-3 CSB)

Living as exiles (1:1), yet still called to be God’s holy people (1:16). Suffering grief in various trials (1:6), yet still expected to be obedient children (1:14a). So, lay aside, says Peter, the “desires of your former ignorance” (1:14b). Rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, and hypocrisy. Put off envy and slander. And the best way to walk away from something? Pursue something in its stead. Grow up into your salvation. Become less like your old self as you become more like Jesus. Supplant “me” with “He”.

And how you gonna do that? Desire the word. Hunger after it as would a newborn after milk. And that too, not of obligation only, but because of experience. Because you have tasted the Lord is good! So please sir, I want some more!

Isn’t that the turning point in our pursuit of Christ? When what we should do we want to do? When the theory of knowing His active agency in your life manifests itself in actuality? When the God we know to be good is actually experienced as good? I’m thinkin’ . . .

For too many, I fear, living the Christian life is more of a “what I gotta do” rather than a “what I get to do.” And that, not because they haven’t tasted that the Lord is good, but they haven’t recognized it. Or haven’t savored it. Or, perhaps, have become so busy with so much other stuff, they’ve just forgot it. Or maybe, the grief of various trials has sucked the life out of it.

Yet, putting away the old nature is gonna be a tough slog if we are not nurturing and growing up into the new nature. And being force fed isn’t the answer. It comes from desiring the pure milk of the word. And that comes from having tasted the Lord is good.

Pause and ponder His graciousness. Reflect and remember His faithfulness. Check all the activity and chew on His goodness.

And then open the word . . . and open wide your mouth (Ps. 81:10) . . . and cry to the Spirit who feeds to filling us up, “Please sir, I want some more!”

By His grace. For His glory.

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One Shepherd with a Capital “S”

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Pete

Of all that’s been written in Ecclesiastes, Solomon may have been the Teacher (Eccl. 12:10 CSB, NIV, NLT) or, if you like, the Preacher (ESV, NASB, and NKJV), but he wasn’t the originator.

In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.

(Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 CSB)

The sayings are by one Shepherd. That’s what caught my eye, this morning. In particular, the capitalization of the Shepherd who is the one.

Don’t think I ever noticed it before. Though the footnote in my bible says that it could be translated with a lowercase “s”, thus referring to Solomon, the CSB intentionally uses an uppercase “S” — as do all the other major translations I looked at. Thus, to the degree that biblical translators are also biblical teachers, this morning I’m reminded again by these teachers that the word of God is sourced by the God of the word. That “all Scripture is inspired (literally, breathed out) by God” (2Tim. 3:16 CSB).

And it’s the reference to God as one Shepherd that’s given me something to chew on this morning. Honestly, I read Shepherd and immediately I think Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11). He is also the Good Shepherd who, like all good shepherds, feeds the sheep. And so, Jesus is the source of Solomon’s wisdom. For the sayings are given by one Shepherd.

But as I chew on it a bit more, I think to myself, “Wait a minute self, while our God is one God, our God is also known in Three Persons.” So, the Father must also be the one Shepherd who gives us these sayings.

For the LORD gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

(Proverbs 2:6 CSB)

And if the Father is one Shepherd, and the Son is one Shepherd, then so too must the Spirit be the one Shepherd who gives us His word.

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.

(1Corinthians 2:12-13 CSB)

Ecclesiastes may be Solomon’s compilation, but it is one Shepherd’s communication. Sent of the Father, embodied in the Son, delivered by the Holy Spirit.

The Father knowing fully the frustration of life lived only in the flesh, life under the sun. The Son having experienced practically the frailty of life dependent on the flesh, life under the sun. The Spirit conveying accurately the futility of life lived only for the flesh, life under the sun. So says the one Shepherd through all Three Persons, “Remember your Creator” (Eccl. 12:1a).

So, I remember my Creator. Even as I sit in awe over this physical book and pause to consider for a moment that I’m also interacting with a mind-blowing, spiritual dynamic — the Triune God. For these sayings, and all others I have read this morning, are given by one Shepherd. And that’s one Shepherd with a capital “S”.

Oh, what grace! To God be the glory!

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The Happiest of Endings

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Pete

I think I’ve mentioned it before, I’m a sucker for happy endings. I always want the guy next door to find the girl next door. For the girl next door to find her Prince Charming and with him live together happily ever after. I want clean resolutions, everything coming together as the band plays and the sun shines, and all the loose ends are wrapped up with a bow on top. As I think about it, though I’m not much of a Hallmark movie watcher, I probably should be.

But as I read in 1Peter this morning, I realize that even if every season had a happy ending, that if every trial and testing experienced in this life cleanly produced a positive outcome, that it would be but a happy ending for a fleeting, temporal sub-plot. For Peter, in writing to believers who are going through the ringer, encourages them to keep on keepin’ on by never losing sight of the happiest of endings.

They were living as exiles (1:1). They were suffering grief in various trials (1:6). And, says Peter, they were receiving the goal of their faith, the salvation of their souls (1:9). Though it was a perpetually rocky road, they needed to be reminded they were on the path to the promise. Though they felt like strangers in the land, they mustn’t forget that their pilgrimage was toward a heavenly homeland, a better place yet to come “whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10,14-15). That while a happy ending for their current season might bring welcomed respite, the happiest of endings awaited them through the fullness of their redemption.

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(1Peter 1:13 CSB)

A lot of things we can hope for. But, says the Spirit, Set your hope completely on the grace to brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the game we think we’re playing; the ultimate endgame is that Jesus is coming again. Regardless of how we think a current situation should work out, or how we would desire a difficult season to play out, the Spirit says, in effect, “Get your head in the game, thinking clearly about your future, and aim for nothing less than the prize of the promise of the fullness of grace to be realized when you see your Savior face to face.” That’s the happiest of endings.

Not that desiring relief here and now is wrong or inappropriate. But realizing that relief here and now really isn’t the prize, nor is it promised. But what is sure, is that Jesus is coming again.

And when that day comes, this guy will have found something so much better than the girl next door. And that girl will behold a Bridegroom far beyond anything she could have imagined. The band will play but there’ll be no need for the sun to shine, for the Lord God will be our light (Rev.22:5). And the i’s will be dotted, the t’s will be crossed, as all things will be made right. The bow on top of it all? Jesus Himself!

“Look, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to his work.” ~ Jesus

(Revelation 22:12 CSB)

O’ Lord, let me not be concerned about, nor content with happy endings of my own design and liking. But help me set my hope completely on the grace to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Joy, Unspeakable Joy (2013 Rerun)

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Pete

Written 10 years ago. Could have written it this morning . . .

As I worked my way through my reading plan this morning, I was pretty aware of how distracted I was. A number of concerns . . . over a wide range of areas . . . that filled my mind and weighed down my heart. As I’m reading the written word, there’s kind of an on-going conversation happening with the Living Word. And then I get to 1Peter and start in on this letter. And Peter quickly encourages his readers that their various trials are, in fact, a testing ground . . . circumstance which proves the genuineness of their faith. A faith which loves Him whom we have not seen. Though we don’t see Him now, a faith which believes in Him still and, what’s more, produces joy, unspeakable joy.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(1Peter 1:6-9 ESV)

It’s that phrase, you “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,” that grabs me. And it occurs to me that it might be a bit dumb to try and write on something that is inexpressible . . . to put a few thoughts down on something that is unspeakable . . . to try and communicate about something that is better felt than tell’t. But, let’s give it a try anyway . . .

That we can be grieved by various trials isn’t a surprise to anyone. No one is exempt . . . not even people of great faith. Yesterday the sermon pointed out that the first mention of tears shed in the Bible is by the great man of faith, Abraham, when he wept over the death of his beloved Sarah. In our Sunday School class we spent some time considering John the Baptist . . . cousin of Jesus . . . preparer of the way of the Lord . . . of those born of woman among the greatest (Matt 11:11) . . . and yet, he languished alone in Herod’s prison. No one is exempt from trials.

And maybe that’s why the joy that Peter talks about is inexpressible. Because, apart from faith, it makes no sense . . . because it comes from a place which is unseen, a place untethered to our circumstance . . . because its source is not found in the state of affairs around us, but in the Spirit of God who lives in us. When our trials cause us to run to the Rock . . . when our worries compel us to quiet ourselves before the Sovereign . . . there, at His feet, we marvel anew at such access . . . and are reminded of the price paid, the love shown, and the grace poured out to make open such access . . . and our concerns are trumped by our love for Him who first loved us . . . though now, we do not see Him. And in that faith fueled love there is a joy, an unspeakable joy.

It is a joy filled with glory. The glory of the living hope we have been born again into . . . that of “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1:3-4). It is the glory of interacting with the power of God guarding us through faith . . . the inner workings of our spirit with God’s abiding Spirit in our lives. It is the glory spilling into our lives through the abiding presence of the King of Glory . . . a glory which helps us put our here-and-now in the context of His promised there-and-then. It is an intangible glory . . . producing an unspeakable joy.

Praise God in the distractions . . . bless Him in our concerns . . . believe in Him . . . love Him . . . rejoice in Him . . . with joy, unspeakable joy.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Satisfied

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Pete

It occurred to me this morning that I most often read the prophets with the hard-hearted in mind. As I read Jeremiah this morning, for example, I know that he knows that the LORD knows that, by in large, his prophetic message will fall on deaf hears. Not only deaf ears, but hostile ears. That not only will the majority reject Jeremiah’s plea on the Lord’s behalf, but they will also attack Jeremiah’s person. Thus, so often when I read the prophets I wonder at the state of heart and mind which would give God its back and not its face.

But this morning, I’m reminded of the remnant, those waiting and wanting the Lord. That for some, though a minority, while the words of judgment cut deep, in contrition they admitted the faithlessness of their people. Thus, any words of hope spoken by the weeping prophet would be a welcome lifeline as they clung to the promises of restoration from a faithful God. That’s the filter which this morning allows these words to provide a well-received meal.

This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore their fortunes, they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities: ‘May the LORD bless you, righteous settlement, holy mountain.’ Judah and all its cities will live in it together ​— ​also farmers and those who move with the flocks ​— ​for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”

(Jeremiah 31:23-25 CSB)

I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.

Who likes being perpetually parched? Who’s jazzed by being forever faint? Not this guy.

But who doesn’t know the pleasure that’s experienced when such a thirst is quenched, or the adrenaline rush of again standing strong? And having tasted such, who doesn’t want to experience it again . . . and again . . . and again? But there’s only the “again” of being satisfied and fully fed when there is also the “again” of being thirsty and weak. One flows from the other.

I can only be replenished when there is first a deficit. I can only be filled when I’m first running on empty. And He who promised to satisfy, He who promised to feed, is He who is faithful and is He who will do it.

So, Jesus would say:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

(Matthew 5:6 CSB)

So, Paul would say:

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2Corinthians 12:9-10 CSB)

And so, the psalmist could sing:

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
to see your strength and Your glory.
My lips will glorify You
because Your faithful love is better than life.
So I will bless You as long as I live;
at Your name, I will lift up my hands.
You satisfy me as with rich food;
my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

(Psalms 63:1-5 CSB)

You satisfy me.

Satisfied.

Lord, You satisfy as You saturate the dry ground of a weary soul with the living water of Your Spirit. You satisfy as you satiate the hunger pangs of the famished spirit with the meat of Your Word.

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses.

Only by Your grace. Only for Your glory.

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Good Figs in a Bad Land

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Pete

Babylon, bad! Isn’t that how we tend to think about “that place.” You know, that place of exile. That place where the people, who had polluted their own land through their spiritual adulteries, had been sent for a 70-year timeout. That pagan place. That place in which the songs of lament supplanted the songs of Zion. That place that screamed, “This is not my home! I don’t belong here!” Babylon. Can any good thing come out of Babylon? Evidently.

The word of the LORD came to me: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep my eyes on them for their good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.”

(Jeremiah 24:4-7 CSB)

The LORD was always coming up with object lessons for Jeremiah to help the prophet convey the truth of the reality in which the people of God found themselves. In Jeremiah 24 it’s an object lesson using two baskets of figs. “One basket contained very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible” (24:2). The bad figs represented those who would remain in the ruins of Judah, the land which had once been widely regarded as a “godly nation”. The bad figs were those who clung to a reputation of what they perhaps were once while the reality of what they were now indicated something very different. Those who sought to still claim the glory of the good old days when, in fact, the glory had departed. Bad move (or lack thereof) on their part. Bad figs.

The good figs, on the other hand, where those who submitted to exile. Those who allowed a foreign land, “that place”, to once again fan into flame a whole-hearted desire for their faithful God. For in “that place” they would know again that their God was the living God and not at all like one of those lifeless idols they had come to bow to for so long. A living God who had claimed a living people for Himself.

A living God able to form such a people through with his living “I will”. One who would keep His eyes on them for their good. One who, amidst the trials of exile, would build up within them the spiritual muscle which had long ago atrophied. One who would plant them firmly, establish roots deeply, even as He called them to Himself eternally. One who would give them new life as He implanted within them, by His Spirit, a new heart — a heart to know Him as they had never known Him before, and to love Him as they were meant to love Him. A living God who would bring them again into the land of the living because He would work within them to “return to Me with all their heart.”

Maybe Babylon ain’t so bad after all. Not that it’s easy, but that it’s necessary. A place to be stripped of our idols. A place to be humbled in our arrogance. A place to be awakened to the reality that we may not have really been the moral majority we thought we were once were. Instead, to realize that we have been called out to be a prophetic minority, God’s holy, set apart people living in a dark world that needs some light and in a rotting world that needs some salt. A land full of bad news in need of some good news.

So, let’s be good figs. Longing for the promised land but realizing this isn’t it. Living for the Redeemer even as we know the Redeemer is keeping His eye on us. Waiting for that city to come but knowing that it’s in this city — right here in Babylon — where He will build, He will plant, and He will grow within us a heart that knows Him.

Good figs in a bad land.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Reins

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Pete

A sermon illustration comes to mind from the foggy past as I’m reading. Something about a little girl who’s decided to go toe-to-toe with her mom. Mom finally has enough and tells the five-year-old, “Go sit in the corner, right now! And don’t get up until I tell you!” The little girl stomps to her all too familiar corner of discipline and huffs and puffs as she takes her seat. After a few minutes she mutters under her breath, “Mom, I am sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside.” That’s kind of the posture I find described by Jeremiah this morning.

Jeremiah goes a little “Job” on God. He asks for a day in court to question the Judge. Though somewhat less demanding than Job (Job 13:3), he has the same question (Job 21:7-15) — why do the wicked seem to thrive? And it’s how he describes the wicked that’s giving me something to chew on this morning.

You will be righteous, LORD,
even if I bring a case against You.
Yet, I wish to contend with You:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all the treacherous live at ease?
You planted them, and they have taken root.
They have grown and produced fruit.
You are ever on their lips,
but far from their conscience.

(Jeremiah 12:1-2 CSB)

Ever on their lips, but far from their conscience. Hmm . . .

This is one of those verses where looking at multiple translations seems pretty helpful. While they might give lip service to God, God is more than just far from their conscience. He really isn’t on their minds (NASB, NKJV). In fact, He is “far from their hearts” (ESV, NIV). And the one that most intrigues me (from Young’s Literal Translation): the wicked are known because though they talk the talk when it comes to God — though “Near art Thou in their mouth” — He is “far off from their reins” (Jer. 12:2 YLT).

Isn’t that the test of what’s on our mind, what’s in our heart, and what’s stirring up our conscience? Who’s got the reins? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Who’s in control when I get up in the morning? Who’s calling the shots throughout the day? Who’s the arbiter? Who’s the filter? Isn’t that difference between God talk and God walk? At least in part it is.

I don’t necessarily self-identify this morning as “the wicked” in this passage. But I do self-identify as those who are “prone to wander” (Lord, I feel it). And how often is that wandering associated with who’s really holding the reins? Easy to talk about following, harder to actually be led. Easy to want to serve, harder to submit. Easy to quote Scripture, takes something, actually Someone more than just me to obey Scripture.

Oh, how I need the Lord on my lips, for sure. But how I also need Him on my mind, AND in my heart, AND stirring my conscience, AND holding the reins.

More than I can muster on my own, though. How I need Jesus living in me and through me to enable me (Gal. 2:20).

By His grace. For His glory.

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Disciplined with Justice

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Pete

If there’s sub-plot that you pick up from Jeremiah, it’s that he wasn’t just a prophet, he was a person too. He didn’t just speak the mind of God concerning “current events”, he endured them. And it wasn’t just his message which the culture about him sought to cancel, they sought to cancel him too — literally! Thus, not only is he a prophet who speaks the word of God, he is a person who weeps under the hand of God.

It’s one of his grief passages that captures my attention this morning. And as I chew on it, I’m thankful that God disciplines with justice.

I know, LORD,
that a person’s way of life is not his own;
no one who walks determines his own steps.
Discipline me, LORD, but with justice —
not in Your anger,
or You will reduce me to nothing.

(Jeremiah 10:23-24 CSB)

Sounds like Jeremiah had read the book of Hebrews (or at least the same Person who inspired Jeremiah to write, also breathed-out Hebrews), for it seems he “endured suffering as discipline” (Heb. 12:7a). And he seems okay with being disciplined by the LORD, “for what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (Heb. 12:7b) But his request was that it be done with justice.

Mine too. The justice of the cross. Where sin that is committed is sin that is atoned for; where a debt that is owed is paid for in full; where wrongs are made right, where evil is supplanted by righteousness — and all that by the LORD Himself. So that God “might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).

Disciplined with justice, trained through the finished work of the cross. The place where the truth of my sin was acknowledged, and the charges were laid. The place also where mercy walked in, and I was saved by God’s amazing grace. The place where mercy remains present and grace is still saving, even as the Lord disciplines those He loves.

Can’t help but think of the courtroom described in a song by Gordon Mote. Gonna listen to it again as I finish up my meal this morning. Here it is for you to do likewise.

Disciplined with justice.

By His grace. For His glory.

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“Appropriate” is Appropriate

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Pete

I’ve always known the verse as “beautiful.” But this morning, reading a new translation this year, it seems “appropriate” is appropriate.

He has made everything appropriate in its time.

(Ecclesiastes 3:11a CSB)

If I had ever been an NASB reader I would have encountered this translation before, but I haven’t. For over 40 years, through four different translations, I’ve only known the Teacher’s (Eccl. 1:1) teaching as “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” And I always read it as redemptive or restorative as in, He will make everything beautiful. But a new translation causes new attention to detail and a new, more accurate, understanding, I think. For, it’s not that He will, but that He has. And in the context of the verses above it, what makes the thought even more amazing is the everything are opposite things.

There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot.
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 CSB)

There is an occasion, or a time, for everything and thus God has made everything appropriate, or beautiful, in its time. Even opposite things. But if I’m honest with myself, often I don’t like the opposite thing so I’d prefer just the one thing.

Yet, this morning the Spirit assures me there really is a time for every activity under heaven. And not just a time, but an appropriate time, a time when even the opposite thing, under God’s sovereign leading and grace-fueled blessing, is the appropriate thing, even a beautiful thing. (Hope this is making sense?)

Who wouldn’t rather always be attending baby showers and forever avoiding funerals? But both, in its time, are eminently fitting.

Who wouldn’t prefer to always plant and build rather than uproot and tear down. But both, when the time is right, are suitable.

And that, because God has determined its time. In His sovereign purposes and according to His unfailing love God knows when “appropriate” is appropriate. And that’s what makes it beautiful.

Even weeping and not just laughing; mourning and not just dancing. Even saying, “Good-bye”, when you wish it might have been a forever, “Hello.”

Mine is to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not to rely on my own understanding. To acknowledge Him in all my ways — and at all times and in all seasons — confident that He will direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). And when I do that, whatever the thing, it will be a beautiful thing, as He makes it the appropriate thing — in its time.

Another facet of God’s amazing grace to chew on.

Another reason to give Him all the glory.

And that’s appropriate all the time. Amen?

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A Sword Swallowing Act

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Pete

The latter part of the first chapter of James has to do with the word of God. Three observations tell me so.

The first observation reminds me that, in God’s sovereign determination, I was born again by the word of God.

By His own choice, He gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

(James 1:18 CSB)

I was awakened to being a new creation through the enlivening work of the Spirit as I engaged with the written word of God. I was raised from the deadness of sin through the resurrecting power of the Spirit as I received and purposed to follow the living Word of God.

The third observation is that my encounter with the word of God was never intended to be a one-and-done thing.

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works ​— ​this person will be blessed in what he does.

(James 1:24-25 CSB)

The blessing of being a new creation in Christ through the word is intricately linked to walking as a new creation in Christ by the word. And not just some casual, periodic, superficial encounter with the word, but by looking intently into it — bowing ourselves over the word, searching it carefully and curiously.

Born by the word to obey the word. Got it. So far, so good.

But it’s the middle observation that’s giving me something to chew on this morning — and a bit of heartburn (pun intended).

Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

(James 1:21 CSB)

Humbly receive the implanted word. Sounds easy enough. Actually sounds kind of warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? The implanted word, the word grafted into my very being — the agricultural sound of it kind of grabs me as idyllic. You know, like a tree planted by steams of water, bearing fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither, prospering in whatever is undertaken (Ps. 1:2-3). Kind of peaceful.

But for some reason (a Spirit reason?), those aren’t the dots that connect for me this morning. After all, such a pastoral picture isn’t something which would have to be “humbly received”, it would be easily embraced. Instead, another description of the word comes to mind. And it’s this dynamic, which if implanted, truly would need to be received humbly in order to be received at all.

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12 CSB)

A sword. A double-edged sword. A sword slicing and dicing as it judges the thoughts and intents of the heart, even as it separates soul and spirit, joints and marrow. That’s the implanted word I am to humbly receive. I cringe when I watch sword swallowing acts. But this morning I’m told to be one.

A sword engrafted within my soul and spirit. A sword which, when things get stirred up inside, may very well cut deep. Pruning from the inside out.

But that’s exactly how the implanted word can save my soul. I was saved when given birth by the word of truth, but I am being saved as the implanted word does it’s purifying work deep within.

Kind of painful at times. Might be tempting to look not so intently after a while. I think I understand the propensity for someone to look into the mirror of the word, not really like what he sees, and so “goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was” (James 1:22-24).

But for those who do look intently; for those who believe the sword implanted is the law of freedom which empowers; for those who persevere — even when being sliced and diced from the inside out; they are blessed even as their souls are being saved.

Sword swallowing. Can cut deep. Can be painful. Needs to be practiced in order to be perfected. A hard act to follow. But follow we must.

Only by His grace. Because we want to live for His glory.

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