Go or Overlook?

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Pete

Holy tension, Batman! That’s what I encountered this morning, some holy tension.

Forgiveness has been a preoccupying topic for me for the past several months. Have spent more than a little time on “Why Should I?” and “How Can I?” (thanx Tim Keller). Under the “how” banner, Matthew 18:15 has been coming up again and again and again.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:15 CSB)

There it is. Pretty simple really. Been sinned against? Go deal with it. Not in a crowd. Not with the intent to seek justice or make sure someone get’s their comeuppance. But go to the one who you think sinned against you. Show them how they sinned against you, using biblical language help them see their transgression. And for what purpose? To win your brother. To be back in relationship.

Simple? Yup. Easy. Not so much. But, if as the people of God, we were more obedient to this command there’d be more sin dealt with and more authentic gospel community demonstrated. And there’d be less gossiping about how we’ve been wronged and less temptation to “make things right” by taking matters into our own hands.

So, necessary? Yup, again. Always necessary? According to something that jumped off the page this morning in Proverbs, not necessarily. Holy tension!

A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

(Proverbs 19:11 CSB)

Overlook an offense? What?!?

I don’t have to go face-to-face with everyone who I think has sinned against me? I don’t have to work it out one-on-one? I can just overlook an offense? In fact, it’s a virtue — it’s literally beauty, splendor, and glory — to just “forgive and forget” (MSG)? Apparently.

Brother!

Okay, so let’s not be too melodramatic. This isn’t totally new news. I am aware that such a precedent has been clearly set in the New Testament. After all, “love covers a multitude of sins” (1Pet. 4:8).

But how do I know when to go tell a brother and when not to?

Insight. Prudence. Discretion. Good sense. Understanding.

Think before acting and patience will be present. Be slow to anger and you might just discern that the best thing you can do, the most virtuous course of action will simply be to overlook an offense. Especially if you remember that the literal meaning of the word overlook is “to pass over.” Hmm . . . that sounds familiar.

Insight. Insight as to the provision provided for people’s sin, even sin against you. The blood of Jesus shed so that sin could be overlooked.

Then, remembering that you’ve been forgiven by God. And not just a little, but a lot. That insight is gonna help because if we’ve been forgiven much how can we not forgive others? In fact, to not forgive is wickedness according to Jesus (Mt. 18:32-33).

And then, believing that vengeance is the Lord’s (Rom. 12:19, Heb. 10:30). God’s gonna set things right. Unrepentant sin is going to be dealt with at the Bema Seat — the day will come when Jesus tests with fire our actions and our inactions. Or, perhaps, that day has already come. For if they do repent, whether you know about it or not, the price will already have been paid on the cross 2,000 years ago. Jesus’ blood sufficient for any and all sin, even sin committed against us — sin which we can overlook.

Insight. Wisdom. It’s kind of what Proverbs is all about. And, when it comes to a transgression against us, it’s what will direct us at to whether we should go to a brother or overlook an offense.

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

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By Justice and By Righteousness

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Pete

It’s gonna happen literally some day. But, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts which are attuned, God’s working the same stuff metaphorically in our day. And whether now or then, it’s ultimately accomplished in the same manner — redemption comes by justice and by righteousness.

Therefore the LORD God of Armies,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
“I will turn My hand against you
and will burn away your dross completely;
I will remove all your impurities.
I will restore your judges to what they were at first,
and your advisers to what they were at the start.
Afterward you will be called the Righteous City,
a Faithful Town.”

Zion will be redeemed by justice,
those who repent, by righteousness.

(Isaiah 1:24a, 25-27 CSB)

Started in on Isaiah this morning. And Isaiah wastes no time as he starts in on the people of Judah and Jerusalem. A people, the LORD Almighty says, who have “rebelled against me”; who “do not understand”; who are “weighed down with iniquity”; a “brood of vipers, depraved children” who have abandoned, despised, and turned their backs on the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 1:2-4). So much for opening pleasantries.

And yet, before the end of the first chapter, the prophet speaks of a remedy for their malady, a fix for their failure. And it involves heat. The hand of God raised against them into a flame of judgment which will burn away the dross and remove all the impurities. Judgment that results in a great reversal of their rebellion and spiritual adultery. So much so that the welcome signs on the roads leading into town will be rewritten: “Welcome to Zion, the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.” For the heat of God’s raised hand will lead to repentance, and repentance to redemption. And that by justice and by righteousness. Some day. Some day soon, we think.

But what about today? What about the people of God today? What about our propensity to give into hearts which, though they’ve been made new, are still dealing with the enigma of being “more deceitful than anything else, and incurable” (Jer. 17:9 CSB)? What about our battle with the relentless allure and temptation to walk in the ways of the world around us? And what about the idols, oh the myriad of idols we’re prone to bow down to? And, more often than not, we fall into all these failures without even being aware of it?

“For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked'” ~ Jesus

(Revelation 3:17 CSB)

We need to recognize the heat. We need to be aware of the crucible. We need to pick up on the impurities being revealed and deal with the dross coming to the surface. And then, we need to repent. Do a 180. Agree with God. And, says the LORD God of Armies, you will be redeemed.

How? By justice and by righteousness.

The justice of the cross and the righteousness of the Crucified. The justice of sin’s debt paid in full through the shed blood of the Lamb of God, the righteousness found through the imputed nature of the Son of God. Confident in His finished work even as we are being conformed into His likeness.

The story of redemption to be played out someday is the same story of redemption being played out today. A little fire, a lot of heat, and those once forever delivered from the penalty of sin are daily and continually being delivered from the power of sin. The work of God begun in us (Php. 1:6), being completed by the forbearing kindness of God toward us (Rom. 2:4). And that, by justice and by righteousness.

Then, one day soon and very soon: “Welcome to Zion, the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.”

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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A Choice to Be Made

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Pete

Lot to pick from this morning. The “favor” (aka “grace”) theme which permeates Esther had me thinking about the book’s place within Scripture towards making Christ known. Or, when reading Philemon, pausing to consider what, for me, is usually an overlooked purpose of Paul’s ask of Philemon: that in receiving back Onesimus as a brother in Christ, Paul’s prayer for him would be answered as his “participation in the faith” would in fact “become effective” (Philemon 1:6).

But it’s three verses in Proverbs 17 which seem to link arms, hit home, and give me something to chew on this morning as they remind me of the importance of a choice to be made.

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.

The one who has knowledge restrains his words,
and one who keeps a cool head
is a person of understanding.

(Proverbs 17:9, 14, 27 CSB)

The offense is real. The transgression true. The sin certain. You are right to think that you’ve been wronged. So whaddya’ gonna do about it? There’s a choice to be made.

Today’s inclination is to go get justice ourselves. And, way too often these days, to do so in some public square. Tweet the tweet. Start the thread. Work the room, even if it’s a Zoom room. Let others know. Might be an acceptable approach in our current culture, but I’m reminded this morning, it’s not a loving approach. It’s not a gospel approach.

Rather than call it out, the Spirit says, “Conceal it.” Cover it up. Throw a blanket on it. Overwhelm the hurt with heart, a heart of love. ‘Cause if you don’t, “sharing it” separates friends. It divides and stirs up dissension. It forces others to pick a side, even when they’ve only heard one side.

And, too often, it starts a conflict. Releases a flood. Begins something that can’t be taken back, even if you wanted to. So, stop the dispute, says the Spirit, before it breaks out.

And a person who gets this, a person of understanding, will be a person who keeps a cool head and restrain his words even as he conceals an offense.

There’s a choice to be made when offended. Talk about it or conceal it. Stir it up and risk releasing a torrent, or keep it cool and bite your tongue.

But as I noodle on this, to not gossip is not a choice to just do nothing. For lesser transgressions, a multitude of them can be covered by love (1Peter 4:8). But for those that are more egregious, those that dig a little deeper, those that create wounds which are having problems healing, Jesus gave us the flip side of this “don’t gossip” coin. “Go,” He says.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:15 CSB)

Sinned against? Offended? Then speak about it. But not to the peanut gallery. Instead, go tell him.

To make a choice not to gossip before many about an offense should also be the choice to go to the one who committed the offense. Rather than going public and telling others about how we’ve been wronged, we’re to remain private and talk about it to the one who wronged us — between you and him alone. The purpose? To win a brother. To restore a relationship. To dwell together in unity (which God loves, see Ps. 133:1-3). To not stir up trouble within the family (which God hates, Prov. 6:16-19).

So what about justice? That’s been taken care of on the cross . . . remember?

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

(Ephesians 4:31-32 CSB)

Been wronged? Seems there’s a choice to be made.

Only by God’s grace. Ultimately for our good. Always for God’s glory.

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Captivated

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Pete

Back in the saddle after a quick round trip to New York State last week. Had the joy of hanging with some missionaries, had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some shepherds. I’m on the board of Village Missions and one of the “perks” afforded us is that they will make room for us to join one of their regional conferences where these servants of small churches in out of way places get away for a few days to rest, reconnect, and recharge. (If you’re unfamiliar with Village Missions, take 5 minutes and check out this video produced as part of us celebrating 75 years of ministry to rural America).

I’ve been using the CSB for my morning devo’s this year and a verse — actually, a word — I encountered in my reading is part of the reason why. Some fresh insight on a familiar passage has a way of igniting a renewed passion for some old, old truth.

Context? Luke’s just recorded Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as Jesus has set His face towards Calvary and the cup He must drink there. After what we refer to as His “Triumphal Entry” and weeping for the city that would reject Him, Jesus sets about cleaning house — His Father’s house. He disrupts the monetizing of the temple’s worship which had been sanctioned under the religious leaders’ greedy and self-serving oversight. This ticks the religious leaders off. Ya’ think? But the crowds aren’t there yet.

Every day He was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.

(Luke 19:47-48 CSB)

The religious leaders were dissuaded from killing Jesus because all the people were captivated by Jesus.

Captivated. My ESV says they “were hanging on His words.” So do most of the other translations. The NKVJ says they “were very attentive to hear Him.”

The Greek word is only used once in the New Testament and, while the other translations may be more literal (i.e. the word means “to hang upon the lips of a speaker”), the CSB is . . . well, . . . more captivating.

Actually, it’s kind of convicting. Yeah, I get that all people should be captivated by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of all mankind, but, if we’re honest with ourselves, too often we’re just not. Call it being too familiar; call it being too nonchalant or too unenthusiastic; or just call it what it probably is, being too hard-hearted. Regardless of what you call it, shouldn’t the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Triune God, leave us captivated? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Every time I read His words shouldn’t I hang on them as if they were my life? I should, but I don’t. But I want to. I need to. Why wouldn’t I desire with the greatest of desire to be captivated?

I can’t power my way to being captivated, but I can yield my way to it. Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear as I read Your word. Jesus, teach me even as You live in me. Word of God speak.

“. . . for your servant is listening.” (1Samuel 3:10b CSB)

Captivated by Jesus’ teaching. All of it. Always.

That’s how it should be.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Prize at This Time

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Pete

It hits me as another of those “Really?” sayings of Jesus. You know, I believe it because Jesus said it . . . but do I really believe it, because I’m not sure it’s really real.

Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed You.”

So [Jesus] said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”

(Luke 18:28-30 CSB)

Receive many times more at this time. Really? At this time?

I get the leaving all to follow Jesus. Not that I’ve had to do it, not that many of us (at least in this land) have had to do it, but that it’s clear that Jesus saw how needful it was to be willing to do it. After all, that’s what prompted this exchange between Peter and Him. Jesus had just told a guy who was pretty rich, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Lk. 18:22)

And I get the reward in the age to come. Giving up your life here and now for the life that will never be lost there and then. Or, as Jesus told the rich young ruler, storing up treasure in heaven for withdrawal at a later date. More to come in the future? Counting on it.

But that those who would leave everything for the kingdom of God now would receive many times more now? Really?

I’ve always thought of this as the replacement of natural family left behind, because they refused to believe, with the spiritual family gained through the company of others who have decided to follow Jesus. A family of a few dozen, perhaps, replaced with a family of thousands and thousands throughout the world — brothers and sisters in Christ, the body of Christ.

But this morning, I’m wondering if there isn’t something more in view here. Something more than just family in mind. And it was my reading in 2Timothy which got me to wondering.

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

(2Timothy 4:16-17a CSB)

Okay, here’s someone, Paul, who’s left everything to follow Jesus. And here he is towards the end of his life. And what does he have to show for it? Where are the things he received many times more at this time in exchange for all that he’s left over time?

Oh, he’s anticipating a “crown of righteousness” which “the Lord will give me on that day” (2Tim. 4:8), but that’s reward in the age to come. What about now? What about now in a Roman prison? What about now after a body repeatedly beaten over years of persecution? What about now after looking back and seeing your life as but being “poured out as a drink offering” (2Tim. 4:6). What about at this time when, having “fought the good fight” and having “finished the race”, there’s nobody there as you approach the finish line because, says Paul, “Everyone deserted me.” So, where’s the many times more at this time?

The Lord stood with me.

There it is, says Paul this morning.

I left my family. But the Lord stood with me. I left my religion. But the Lord stood with me. I left the comfort of my rank and position. But the Lord stood with me. I left safety and security. But the Lord stood with me.

The Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity. God and fully God who created all things and sustains all things. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords who rules from on high today and will one day take His throne on earth and then, in the new heavens and new earth. The Lord stood with me.

The Lord. Immanuel. God in flesh. The Lamb of God come to pay the debt for my sin which I could never repay. The One who loved me and loved me to death (literally) so that I might have life. The One risen from the dead, ascended into heaven. The Son of God is with me at this time.

That’s the prize, says Paul! Jesus is the prize!

That’s how I am to do the accounting. Jesus is the many times more at this time. He is the fulfillment of the promise which makes being willing to leave it all behind in order to follow Him palatable, and more than palatable, incalculably profitable.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Thro’ eternal years the same.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Saviour watching o’er me,
I can sing, tho’ billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then thro’out my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
In His cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

The Lord stands with me. That’s the prize at this time.

Oh, the richness and abundance of His abiding grace.

To God be the glory.

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The Corruption of a Commendable Covenant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Pete

Connecting some dots this morning between two of my readings.

In Nehemiah, it’s the written, officially sealed, binding agreement of a people taking an oath of obedience. In Luke, it’s the story of a wince-invoking, offensively sanctimonious, boastful assertion of a person who thinks they’ve aced their oath of obedience.

And it’s giving me something to chew on. How did it get from point A to point B, and what can be done to avoid it? What’s at the heart of the corruption of a commendable covenant?

The context for my Nehemiah 10 reading is the fasting and prayer of Nehemiah 9. There, the people are led to reconsider God’s creation of all things, His selection of Abram, His redemption of Israel, and His protection in the wilderness (Neh. 9:1-15). Only to be met by their ancestors’ rejection of His commands and statutes. Eventually to result in their ejection from the land (Neh. 9:16-37). But now, they are back. Now, they determine to live out a different legacy and they formalize that determination in writing (Neh. 9:38). Cue Nehemiah 10.

Those whose seals were on the document [and] . . . The rest of the people ​— ​the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to obey the law of God ​— ​join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God’s servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.

(Nehemiah 10:28-29 CSB)

Commit and obey . . . for there’s no other way. Sounds good. And yet, there’s a foreboding sense in this. For those who have “read ahead”, a nagging something about the taking of oaths that sounds an ominous warning (Matt. 5:34, James 5:12, Prov. 20:25). Now cue Luke 18.

[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people ​— ​greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other . . .

(Luke 18:9-14a CSB)

Sounds like the Pharisee was obedient. Sounds like he took seriously his great, great, great, grandfathers’ oath to commit fully and obey carefully. And yet, he’s put forward here by Jesus as a bad example of committing fully. He is weighed in the balance and shown to be coming up short in obeying carefully. How come?

One possible answer? Nehemiah’s written oath after rebuilding the walls around the temple, though containing a lot of “we will’s” and “we will not’s”, failed to account for any of Solomon’s “when we’s” prayed at the dedication of the temple (1Kings 8:22-53). Note to self: self-determination — even when it’s a holy determination — can only take you so far. At some point “we will obey all things”, if we’re honest with ourselves, ends up with “we have sinned in way too many things.” And if there’s no place to deal with the “when we’s” then a commendable covenant can become a corrupted covenant. A sincere oath becomes an arrogant, self-delusional prayer.

Thank God that we are like other people. Sinners saved by grace always in need of mercy.

Thank God for the cross! Praise the Father for sending the Son to deal with all our “when we’s” even as we try to walk in our desire to be true to our determined “we will’s”.

How we need to find our place in the shadow of Calvary on a regular basis. How we need the blood of Jesus for when we fail — even as we seek to obey.

By His grace. For His glory.

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In Your Midst

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Pete

They were always firing questions at Him, either to try and prove their superiority or to undermine His credibility. But one day the Pharisees asked a question which, for those with ears to hear, would be a game-changer, revealing a whole new spiritual dynamic.

When [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

(Luke 17:20-21 CSB)

Whether they sought to test Him as a competing rabbi or mock Him as a self-identified Messiah, I’m not sure. But the bottom line is there was a vast difference in understanding of how God was going to establish His kingdom on earth.

The Pharisees wanted to know when heaven’s reign would begin. Their expectation was a Theocracy, a throne-based rule with God’s Anointed on that throne. They wanted to know when there would be a heaven-sent set of governing rules. When there would be governmental powers in place. When there would be a King presiding over His subjects. And when the enemies of the kingdom — oh, those stinking, Roman enemies — would be put down once forever. “When’s it gonna come, Jesus?” they asked, or perhaps taunted. “Since You’re proclaiming the kingdom of God, give us some more details . . . when’s it coming?”

And then . . . BAM!!!! Jesus responds in a manner that changes the whole ballgame. It’s here! The kingdom of God is in your midst.

It doesn’t come with observation. You won’t see an inauguration ceremony — at least not yet. But behold, even now it’s here, it’s in your midst. Established in hearts. Fueled by faith. Empowered by the unseen workings of the Spirit.

Looking for rules? They’re etched into the hearts of believers through the word of God. Want governmental powers? Behold the governing power of resurrection — able to convict of sin, provide redemption through an atoning death, and raise those once dead in trespass to newness of life, even life abundantly.

Where are the subjects? They are found in those born again, old creations made new, sinners saved by grace. The kingdom is found in those who, having been delivered from bondage, willingly sell themselves back into slavery to the One who loved them unto death. In those who gladly relinquish personal agendas in order to serve their reigning Redeemer.

And the enemies? Where are the defeated enemies?

Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

(1Corinthians 15:55-57 CSB)

The penalty of sin? Paid in full. The power of sin? Broken completely as He has given us everything we need to participate in the divine nature (2Peter 1:3-4). The presence of sin? That too, will one day be crushed when the King who now patiently waits returns to put down the snake once and for all.

And yes, the kingdom in our midst has a King who is even now on the throne. Visible? Not at the moment. Reigning? Absolutely! Where? Within the hearts and lives of His people. It’s in your midst. It’s within. Defined and operating in those wooed by the meek and lowly Jesus. It’s power structure vibrantly alive in soul’s rescued from the pit. It’s force emanating from those who have decided to follow Jesus.

Will Jesus return one day as the visible Monarch over all? You can count on it!

For as the lightning flashes from horizon to horizon and lights up the sky, so the Son of Man will be in His day.

(Luke 17:24 CSB)

But until that time, let no one think that the throne is empty or that the Theocracy doesn’t exist. The kingdom of God is in our midst. The kingdom of God is within us.

As believers we are the structure, and we are the subjects. We are the definition and the demonstration. We are the building blocks, and we are the ambassadors. And we await that day when faith gives way to sight. When the kingdom embodied in us is the kingdom inhabited by us. When the King who lives in us is the King who stands face to face before us.

He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

(Revelation 22:20 CSB)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Unworthy Servants

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Pete

Good for nothing. Pretty harsh words when used of someone else. Considered by our culture to be especially inappropriate, self-harming words when used of ourselves.

Good for nothing. That’s the literal translation of the Greek word achreios — a word used only once in the New Testament; a word used by Jesus. And that’s what the CSB went with when it was first published, good for nothing. In the 2017 edition of the CSB, the edition I’m reading, the keepers of the translation “softened it” to worthless (not all that soft, really). In the current edition of the CSB, they’ve aligned to the ESV and NIV using the word unworthy. The NKJV may be the least offensive to the ear by using the word unprofitable. Pick any of those words you want, says Jesus through the Spirit this morning, and then own it.

“In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’ ” ~ Jesus

(Luke 17:10 CSB)

We are unworthy servants. That, says Jesus to His disciples, is what His disciples should say about themselves.

Context? Doing what we are commanded to do? Context? The disciples asking for more faith to do what we are commanded to do (Lk. 17:5). Context? Jesus commanding His followers to forgive a brother who has repented after sinning against them. And to forgive again, even that same day, if he does it again and repents again. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day.

“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 17:4 (CSB)

Really? Sounds kind of “enabling” to me. Yeah, really. Sounds kind of like kingdom living to Jesus.

Actually, it sounds like how our gracious Father through His loving Son has forgiven us (1Jn. 1:9). And we are commanded to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (Eph. 4:32).

Then Lord, increase our faith.

Nah, says Jesus, even if all you got is a mustard seed’s worth, you have enough faith to uproot great trees and plant them in the sea if you have faith in Me (Lk. 17:6). It’s not the quantity of your faith but the quality — and I’m the quality. You simply (not easily, necessarily) need to exercise your faith. And faith that can uproot trees is sufficient to forgive a brother who has sinned against you again and again and has repented again and again. It’s even enough faith to overcome the pride and hardness of heart that would keep you from forgiving your brother. So do it. And when you’ve done all that you were commanded, you should say, “I’m just an unworthy servant doing my duty.”

Hmm . . . Chew on that.

Forgiving isn’t about how I feel, it’s about my faith. I forgive, not just so I will come out better, but because I believe it is commanded.

Should I expect a pat on the back afterward? Apparently not. I’m just doing my duty.

But forgiving is about how I see myself. Someone owed something by someone else? Or someone who owes Jesus everything? Justified to withhold forgiveness? Or, justified by the Lamb’s precious blood shed on a cruel cross — just like those who sin against me? A big deal in the church? Or, a bondservant of Jesus?

. . . you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’

Unworthy servants saved by grace.

Unworthy servants seeking to live by faith, in His power, for His glory.

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Rekindle It!

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Pete

In those early years of King James, I first learned it as “stir it up.” But in the many years of the NIV, and then the many more of the ESV I was exhorted to “fan it into flame”. What was it? It was “the gift of God in you.” An exhortation written to Timothy, but one that was also written for us.

So, since the early days of being a follower of Jesus I’ve known that I have a gift within me. Not one through the laying on of hands by an apostle, or by anyone else for that matter. But a gift produced within me by the Father (1Cor. 12:6), graced to me by the Son (Eph. 4:7-8), and manifested through me by the Spirit (1Cor. 12:7a). Each of us having such gifts, though they be different gifts. Gifts which we are called to steward (Rom. 12:3-8) for the common good of the church (1Cor. 12:7b). So, I’m to stir it up. I’m to fan it into flame.

But this morning, the wording of this well known exhortation in the translation I’m reading this year reminds me that sometimes what was once stirred up can settle down. That was once fanned into flamed can start to flame-out. And so, says Paul — this time in CSB-ese — “rekindle it.”

Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(2Timothy 1:6 CSB)

Paul’s not writing to novice Timothy. He’s not giving a pep talk to a rookie coming into the game for the first time. Rather, he’s exhorting trustworthy, long-serving Timothy. Someone who’s walked a few miles alongside the beloved apostle. Someone who has planted churches on missionary journeys. Someone who has been sent back to visit some of those churches to see how they were doing. Someone who has been dispatched to churches to set in order things still needing to be set in order. Someone who has been a faithful laborer for the gospel for a number of years. And sometimes, the flame of faithful laborers can encounter seasons and trials which try to reduce the flame to but a flicker.

So, says the Spirit through Paul, rekindle it.

What was once the driving force behind why you got out of bed in the morning is now only a series of seemingly sad memories that tempt you to cover your head with a pillow. Stir it up, again. What was once a raging fire is now but a smoldering ember. Fan it into flame, again. What was once a holy determination to be faithfully exercised has instead become a heavy weight of prevailing doubt. Kindle it, again.

To take something way out of context, when it comes to the gift of God given to a child of God, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). So, cling to it. Steward it. Renew it. Stir it. Fan it. Rekindle it.

For the sake of faithfulness. For the benefit of the body. By the power of the Spirit.

According to the grace of Christ in you.

All for the glory of God who has called you.

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Radical Repentance. Normative Repentance?

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Pete

Honestly, I’m a little surprised I’ve never jotted down any thoughts on this chapter before. That’s because I know that in the past I’ve often chewed on it after reading the chapter’s final verse. Chewing on how hard true repentance can sometimes be and how costly it might sometimes be. Especially when it comes to what might seem to be just a “little bit” of sin.

Chapter in question? Ezra 10. Sin to be confessed? Intermarriage and mixing with “the surrounding peoples” (Ez. 9:2), people who have filled the land “from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices” (Ez. 9:10-11). Repentance required? Send them away.

“We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children . . . Let it be done according to the law.”

(Ezra 10:2-3 CSB)

Repentance. Making a 180-degree turnabout from doing what is wrong in the sight of God to doing what is right. Logical then that if the wrong was taking foreign wives, then repentance would mean sending away foreign wives. I get it. Costly? Yeah! Especially if they were “happy marriages.” But required? Yeah again! Especially if what you gotta do needs to be done according to the law.

But here’s the phrase that really hits me: and their children.

Send away their foreign wives and their children.

Some of these forbidden marriages had resulted in kids (Ez. 10:44). Innocent, little kids. And repentance meant they had to lose a dad. More than that, it meant those kids had to come to grips with being sent away by their dad. Oh, sin’s collateral damage can be so sad sometimes.

My takeaway? Sin is to be repented of, but repentance can be pretty costly.

But here’s the other thing. This sin in the camp; the sin that Ezra owned as his own and repented of on behalf of all the exiles who returned to rebuild the temple; the sin that Ezra said tainted the whole body of God’s people marking them collectively as those had abandoned God’s commands (Ez. 9:10); this sin of intermarriage was seemingly committed by only 113 individuals (Ez. 10:18-43).

So, here’s some quick math (if I’ve done it right). Take the approximately 50,000 people who returned initially after the exile (Ez. 2:64-65) and add the 1,500 or so who returned later with Ezra (Ez. 8:1-20) and that’s 113 who had sinned by intermixing with the surrounding peoples among the close to 52,000 who had not. That’s less than 1/4 of 1 percent. So, what’s the big deal? Sin’s a big deal. Even a little sin.

Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are.

(1Corinthians 5:6-7 CSB)

A community that tolerates sin is a community which, it would seem, before God is collectively tainted by sin. What’s more, a community that doesn’t take action against sin may itself eventually be overtaken by sin — that’s how a little leaven works.

I can’t help but think that Ezra 10, while radical repentance, is meant to teach us something about normative repentance. While the penalty of sin has been paid in full by Christ on the cross, ceasing the practice of sin will come at some personal cost. And it’s gotta be dealt with, even if it seems like a small occurrence within a big group.

More to chew on in this chapter, I’m sure.

By His grace. For His glory.

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