Verse 28

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Pete

Would it be safe to say that because we are quick to focus on the one verse we might under appreciate the other? That’s what I’m thinking when it comes to the one sin which never has forgiveness overshadowing the all sins that do.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” ~ Jesus

(Mark 3:28-29 CSB)

I read these verses this morning and immediately find myself running through my head what I think about the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and the dynamics that make it the unpardonable sin. Then, I start thinking about how I could jot that down with few enough words to fit in a post and yet enough words to adequately explain it. And then, a light bulb goes on illuminating the verse before it and I say to myself, “Wait a minute, self! What did I just totally skim over here?”

There’s been more than a few opinions tendered on exactly why the unforgivable sin is unforgivable, more than a little ink put to paper to work it through. There’s even been more than a little consternation expressed by those who fear they may have crossed that unforgivable line (which, I’m thinking, is a first indicator they haven’t). We read those two verses in Mark and I wonder how often we tend to focus and fret on verse 29 rather than rejoice and rest in the truth conveyed in verse 28. We set our minds to trying to figure out why speaking evil of the Spirit is the one sin which can’t be forgiven rather than marveling at the fact that every other sin can be forgiven.

People will be forgiven for all sins. Chew on that!

Who we talking about here? People. Well, I’m people. Verse 28 applies to me then.

What sins will be forgiven? All sins. All is in all? Yup, all as in all. Every one of every kind. From what seems to us the least transgression to the worst we can imagine, and think couldn’t (or shouldn’t) be forgiven. Those sins we have known a measure of victory over and those which continue to beset us like a thorn in the flesh, keeping us humble. Those in our past, those in our present, those that are sure to be in our future. People will be forgiven for all sins.

Forgiven? Like how forgiven? Forgiven as in so dealt with they are forever filed away, never to be brought to our charge — as in, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12). Forgiven as in the debt owed a holy God for unholy behavior has been wholly paid in full. Forgiven as in the separation caused by sin is so dealt with that it results in reconciliation. And not just reconciliation, but in regeneration as we become new creations in Christ. And not just regeneration, but in adoption as we are born again as holy sons and daughters of God. That’s pretty forgiven! Amen?

But keeping chewing . . .

And how is such all-encompassing forgiveness possible for all sins? Through the cross, that’s how!

The Holy Son of God, come to earth in flesh, gave Himself as the once forever sacrifice for all sins. His perfect life given for our less than perfect life. His blood shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His buried body raised from the dead that we might know sin’s bondage has truly been broken and death’s curse has assuredly been defeated.

Sure, we need to noodle on verse 29, but let’s not do so at the expense of basking in verse 28.

People will be forgiven for all sins!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory!

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Radical Stuff

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Pete

Hovering over the first part of 1 Corinthians 6 this morning. Some pretty radical stuff here. Not sure what to do with it except to just observe it. As for applying it? Did I mention it was kind of radical?

We’re gonna judge the world. Yup, you read that right, “the saints will judge the world” (1Cor. 6:2a). What’s more, our “jurisdiction” won’t be restricted to earth alone. “We will judge angels” too (6:3a). Pause. Consider. Meditate.

What manner of people will we be when God’s saving, sanctifying work is complete and our union with Christ is without competition of the flesh? People who, in Christ and with Christ, are able to judge matters of heaven and earth, that’s what manner.

But while this is mind-blowing to think about, this isn’t the radical part. In fact, Paul just mentions it matter-of-factly in order to emphasize something else that the saints — those in the church, a local body of believers — should be judging. And that, right here and right now.

If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases? Don’t you know that we will judge angels—how much more matters of this life? So if you have such matters, do you appoint as your judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers? Instead, brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers!

(1Corinthians 6:1-6 CSB)

Those who have no standing in the church . . . that’s where these believers were going for the wisdom to settle their disputes. That was their default, go to course of action. Those with no standing in the church . . . that’s who they took their cues from. And Paul says, it’s “to your shame.”

But try and imagine in our current culture a world where something comes up (a pretty serious something) between a couple of folks at church and they recognize the authority of the church to such an extent that they look there to settle the matter. What’s more, they submit to someone in the church to act as arbiter between them who will settle things. Just try and imagine that. Noodle on the implications. And tell me that isn’t radical.

In light of their future sanctified reality, says Paul, the saints at Corinth should have been living out some present sanctified realities. But they wouldn’t. Or they couldn’t — maybe there wasn’t “one wise person”, one mature believer, among them (see 1Cor. 3:1-4). But even if there were, would they dare to model something of their future reality by placing their present prosperity in the hands of those whose primary credential was that they had “standing in the church”?

A judge behind the bench, or a wise brother in pew? Who you gonna turn to? A lawyer with a well-known firm, or a sister with a well-worn bible? Who you gonna seek counsel from?

Like I said, I’m not exactly sure what the application is, but somehow, I think the observation is worth chewing on.

Whatever the church is to be, it’s a pretty big deal in the kingdom of heaven’s economy. How ever the saints are to function, it’s only gonna happen by faith as we trust the Head of the Church to know best what leads to living into the implications of our salvation — not just as individuals but as a community.

Not because we’re superstars. But because we have standing in the church of God and wisdom according to the word of God.

Radical stuff? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. All for His glory.

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God and The Community

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Pete

Trying to get a head start on the grandkids this morning, and two of today’s readings come together to form a thought that I’m not sure I can clearly put down in a few words. But here goes . . .

First, Joshua 7.

The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites.

(Joshua 7:1 CSB)

Jericho defeated and razed. The plunder — all of it — was to go to the Lord, that was clear (Joshua 6:16-19). Amidst the chaos of cleaning up after Jericho’s defeat, one guy . . . ONE GUY!!! . . . takes “a beautiful cloak from Babylon, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing a pound and a quarter” (7:20) and stashes it in his tent. Did I mention that ONE GUY did this? And yet, the holy record states clearly that the Israelites were unfaithful, and that the Lord’s anger burned against all the Israelites.

Come on! In our current day of “I need to own my stuff and you need to own yours”, this sense of community identity and accountability screams against our natural sensibilities, doesn’t it? But God so viewed His people as one people that when one of his people disobeyed, the whole community of people was tainted with the sin. Talk about a little leaven leavening the whole lump (1Cor. 5:6). Talk about the need to not only watch our own walk but to care enough to come alongside and help with the walk of others. For those who are spiritual to draw near to those who have been tripped up in sin to help “restore such a person” (Gal. 6:1). Not only for that person’s good but also for the good of the community.

And that sets me up for my other reading this morning, and the community of God’s people at Corinth.

The church at Corinth was legit. It was evident that the grace of God had been given to them in Christ as they “were enriched in Him in every way, in all speech, and all knowledge” so that they did “not lack any spiritual gift” as they eagerly waited for Christ’s return (1Cor. 1:4-7). But while they had been given all the tools they needed in Christ, they had not yet grown up fully into Christ. Thus, the God who began a good work at Corinth was also committed to completing that work at Corinth, to “strengthen” them to the end, “so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 1:8). And part of that building process involved an exposing process. For, while they possessed every spiritual gift, they still had a ways to go toward acting as spiritual people.

For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?

(1Corinthians 3:1-4 CSB)

Enriched in Christ in every way yet people of the flesh . . . babies in Christ . . . still worldly . . . acting like mere humans. And the thing that exposed the deep, inner reality of a group that looked so good on the surface? Internal envy and strife over church leadership.

They had allowed division to form within their midst. They were “boasting” in their favorite church leader, and they shouldn’t have (1Cor. 3:21). Some belonged to Paul, some to Apollos, some to Cephas, and for those who were really spiritual, some belonged only to Christ (1Cor. 1:12). But because of the way they behaved toward one another in their “boasting” and “belonging”, they were showing that they still had some growing up to do.

There was division in their community and, if I’m picking up anything from Joshua and the ancient Israelites, they needed to own it as a community. Not everyone in the church was picking a tribe. Not everyone was petitioning for their favorite. Yet, everyone needed to own it — that’s why Paul wrote his letter to “the church” at Corinth and not to “certain individuals.”

God is committed to growing His church. And only God gives the growth (1Cor. 3:7). And sometimes that growing is preceded by bringing to light stuff that has been stashed away and hidden in the tent. So, God in His kindness exposes the “mere human” workings of our hearts and minds so that we can fully live into the ways and mind of Christ. The Father wants to take worldly people and orient them to the ways of a spiritual family. Moving us away from the wisdom of the world and instead infusing within us with the wisdom of the kingdom. Loving us just the way we are but loving us too much to leave us the way we are.

Loving us as individuals. Loving us as a community.

By His grace, as a community of believers.

For His glory, as a community of believers.

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Keep Drawing Near (2008 Rerun)

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Pete

Heading up to the homeland this morning. Grandkids are on spring break, so I’m taking a few days to hang with them (and their parents). This morning I’m digging into the archives. Warming up a meal from 15 years ago to chew on.

You’ve gotta love the candor of the Scriptures. Far from shying away from the tough questions or denying the reality of the human experience, the Father instead acknowledges our failings and frailties and uses them to point us to Himself. Such is Psalm 73 . . . .

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, is pretty up front about his struggles. He begins with a bottom-line statement of belief, “Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.” (73:1) This he believed . . . this he knew to be true. However, what we know to be true and what we see as the reality of life sometimes are in conflict. He goes on, “But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.” (73:2-5 NLT)

Some serious doubts here . . . things not lining up with what he expected of the “blessings of following God” . . . almost to the point where he stumbled, lost his grip, cashed it in . . . as he considered that perhaps the way of the boastful and self-sufficient might be the better way. It really bugs Asaph . . . what he knows to be true and what is actually happening seem to be way out of kilter . . . “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me” (73:16 NKJV) So how do you work through these doubts . . . how do you reconcile things that don’t seem to line up?

“When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me –– Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” (73:16-17) When Asaph entered the sanctuary of God, then things became clear. And we’re not talking so much of the sanctuary as a place of God . . . but more as the presence of God. I think the idea here is that of getting “up close and personal” with the Father . . . seeking the place of God’s glory . . . boldly approaching His throne of grace. In his doubt and questioning . . . during that time he was near to stumbling . . . Asaph determines to continue to make his way to the sanctuary of God . . . to seek the face of God . . . to draw near in faith . . . to trust that His word is true. And, in that determined pursuit for the mind of God, God answers the questioning of his heart, “Asaph, it’s not about how the wicked prosper now . . . its about what happens then . . . when they stand before Me.”

Oh, how gracious God is to the doubting heart and confused mind if we’ll but determine to continue to seek Him in the holy place. Asaph recognized how foolish and ignorant his doubting was (73:22) as he came to understand in a fresh, real, way, “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.” (73:23-24) God is faithful . . . God is true . . . let all other “realities of earth” be understood and interpreted in that reality. My focus needs to be on “things above” . . . “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ” (73:25-26)

“It is good for me to draw near to God” (73:28) Amen!!!

My Redeemer Is Faithful And True”
(Steven Curtis Chapman and James Isaac Elliott)

As I look back on the road I’ve traveled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
‘There is a place I am preparing for you.
I know someday I’ll see my Lord face to face,
‘Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

And in every situation, He has proved His love to me;
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

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A Red Thread

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Pete

A scarlet cord in the window? Really? How about a big, flashing, neon sign over the house? After all, this is a life and death situation. When the battle’s a raging and the walls are a tumbling, I’m going to trust my life to a scarlet cord hanging in the window? Really?

Hovering over the account of Rahab in Joshua 2, this morning. And I’m thinking about the cord Rahab was counting on to save her life.

Okay, so maybe “cord” meant something different in Joshua’s time. Maybe it referred to a really, really, really thick rope. You know, the type used to moor a cruise ship to the dock. Something with a girth that no one’s gonna miss when they’re pillaging and plundering the place. Paint that red and hey, now maybe we’ve got something to count on. Maybe that’s what “cord” means in the original language.

Nope! Not even close. My handy-dandy online lexicon says that the root for the original word means “to sew.” To sew? That doesn’t sound like a mooring rope. That sounds more like a thread. Maybe a string, at best. Looking at some others places where the word is used in the OT and it’s actually translated as “thread” (Jud. 16:12, So. 4:3). The “strongest” use of the word is when it is combined with other “cords” so that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:12). But we’re not talking a threefold cord here. Rahab was counting on a “one-fold” cord, just a red thread, to save her and her family when God’s judgment was ready to fall upon the city. (Did I mention I’d be more comfortable with a neon sign or something?)

But reading the account this morning, it’s clear that her hope wasn’t just tied to a string in the window but that, by faith, she was willing to tie her life to the Sovereign God who had revealed Himself to her.

Before the men fell asleep, [Rahab] went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. . . . for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.”

(Joshua 2:8, 11b CSB)

I know that the Lord has given you this land . . . for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. I shaded those verses with my light green colored pencil as I read them because those are faith statements.

Many in Jericho feared the Israelites who were coming, but Rahab believed in the God who led them. She KNEW that the Lord God was the One who would transfer title of the land for she confessed Him as God over all, heaven above and earth below.

Hanging a red thread in the window was her act of faith, not her object of faith. She wasn’t trusting in the string to save her. She wasn’t counting on the Israelite army to see the thread. Instead, she believed that the God who sees all would see the thread and that the God who is over all would rescue her. She didn’t need a neon sign flashing on earth below. She believed in the God who sees all things, knows all things, and ordains all things from heaven above.

How were people saved in the Old Testament? The same way they are in the New — by faith.

By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

(Hebrews 11:31 CSB)

Just a scarlet cord in the window? Really? Yeah, really.

Just a blood-stained cross 2,000 years ago? Really? Yeah, really.

Just received by faith? Just acted on by faith? That’s it? Yeah, that’s it.

Hanging on by a thread. — a red thread. Confident concerning my future — my eternal future. Resting in my present — my less than predictable present.

By grace alone.

Through faith alone.

In Christ alone.

According to Scripture alone.

For God’s glory alone.

Amen?

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Revive Us Again

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Pete

I’m hoping David did not write Psalm 71 (though I suspect he might have). How come? ‘Cause Psalm 71’s songwriter self-identifies as “old and gray”, and David lived to be only 70 years old (2Sam. 5:4, 1Ki. 2:10-11). So, if Psalm 71 was written by David, then “old and gray” is being in your mid to late 60’s. Ouch!

But it’s not just the “old and gray” connection that’s grabbed my attention, but the reminder that “old and gray” doesn’t necessarily mean “retired and relaxing.” For Psalm 71 is another one of those psalms where the songwriter is crying out to his God for help.

Right out of gate, the theme of this song is clear: “rescue and deliver me . . . listen closely to me . . . save me . . . be a rock of refuge for me . . . deliver me . . . don’t discard me . . . do not abandon me . . . for my enemies talk about me” (71:2-10), “let me never be disgraced” (71:1). In his mid-60s, David’s not coasting into retirement. Though perhaps no longer leading from the front lines, he’s nevertheless still engaged in battle. If he thought the latter years were to be the “golden years”, he soon learned they were to be more like the “be purified as gold” years. Though he may have wanted to live out his final days reclining on a couch, in fact they were more like being refined in a crucible.

And yet, while the cry for help is real, so is the prevailing sense of hope (71:5, 14) and the persisting determination to praise (71:6-8, 14-16, 22-24). And the spring from which the old and gray songwriter’s hope and praise is sourced?

You caused me to experience
many troubles and misfortunes,
but You will revive me again.
You will bring me up again,
even from the depths of the earth.

(Psalm 71:20 CSB)

You WILL revive me AGAIN. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

This wasn’t David’s first season of trial, not the first time he had found himself in a situation he’d rather not have found himself in. Not the first time, over the course of his life, that he found himself praying 911 prayers. Not the first time in which, though he felt somewhat helpless, he did not feel altogether hopeless. David could sing out with praise, even as he cried out for help, because David was confident God would revive him again.

In the past, God had used dry seasons to provide renewal and refreshing. He would again. Because David could look back and see how God had brought forth fruit from time spent in the desert, he could know with assurance that God would do so again.

Remembering the past didn’t necessarily make the present any easier, but it did infuse a confident hope which made enduring the present possible. And hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5). In fact, Spirit induced hope can’t help but erupt as Spirit invoked praise.

For You are my hope, Lord God,
my confidence from my youth.

But I will hope continually
and will praise You more and more.

(Psalm 71:5, 14 CSB)

Old and gray, weary and worn, but not defeated and done. The songwriter still had a song, for he knew that His God would revive him again.

His song can be our song.

We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.

We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.

All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.

All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.

Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

– William P. MacKay, 1863 –

Yes Lord! Revive us AGAIN.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Nevertheless, By God’s Will

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Pete

Paul had a lot to say as he wrote to the church in Rome, but there was a lot more he wanted to experience when he visited with them. Both at the beginning and at the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul talks of the anticipated fruit of face-to-face fellowship — “to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (1:1) and to “be refreshed together with you” (15:32b). Encouraged and refreshed together, that’s what he anticipated — “in the fullness of the blessing of Christ” (15:29), “with joy” (15:32a). That’s what Paul asked the Romans to pray for.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.

(Romans 15:31-32 CSB)

We sometimes say that God always answers prayer in one of three ways — “Yes”, “No”, or “Wait”. But hovering over the last verses of Romans 15 this morning, it seems that He might also answer, “Mostly yes”, or “Yes, but not in the way you expect.”

Paul did end up in Rome, but perhaps not quite in the way he had envisioned it. Though he knew in his heart that he would rub shoulders with the believers there, he thought it would be done freely in their gathering place and not from a place of Roman confinement.

Sure, prayer was answered, but not as anticipated. Yeah, he made it to Jerusalem and fulfilled his ministry to the “poor among the saints” (15:25-26). He did end up coming to Rome, and that as a “guest” of the Roman government (Acts 27:1). And Paul was “rescued from the unbelievers in Judea”, but only after significant conflict and not without significant, dragged-out consequence (Acts 21-26). I wonder, though, if Paul didn’t have in mind a “rescue” which would have avoided all together confrontation, incarceration, and years of repeated self-representation.

Nevertheless, Paul ended up in Rome. And I know it was all by God’s will.

Prayer answered. Outcome achieved. Not necessarily according to plan. Nevertheless, by God’s will.

Thinking there’s a takeaway here for me.

Oh, to submit to the sovereign purposes of God. To be content along His permitted paths. Okay with the reality that, while God may have given you insight as to the what of His plan for you, he reserved knowledge of the when and the how for Himself. To rest when God has landed you where you thought He would even though it wasn’t in the way you thought He would. To dare to be willing to ask to know the joy of being in Rome even when it’s from inside a Roman prison cell via a volatile Jerusalem.

By God’s will.

Enabled by God’s grace.

For God’s glory.

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A Salvation that Protects

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Pete

Verse 21 tells me that it’s messianic in nature, that what the songwriter chronicles was to foreshadow what the Son of God would know as well. But beyond just providing insight to the Savior’s sufferings, it also provides deep connection to the Savior’s understanding of the human condition and experience. A reminder that “He had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17). A reminder that the salvation He brought was not only sufficient to open the gates of heaven, but sufficient to sustain us through the griefs of earth. This morning I’m chewing on the salvation that protects.

The song begins by getting to the point. “Save me, God” cries the psalmist with his opening words. He feels like he’s drowning. Unable to plant his feet on solid ground, the water of felt opposition gets deeper and deeper and he is unable to rise above it (Ps. 69:1-2).

While the flood is fed by those “who hate me without cause” (v.4), David is more than aware of how his failures have helped open the floodgate.

God, You know my foolishness, and my guilty ways are not hidden from You.

(Psalm 69:5 CSB)

Yet, the insults the songwriter endured went beyond his failures. He had become a “stranger” to the brothers in his own house because of the consuming zeal he had tried to live out for God’s house (69:8-9). And so, discredited, derided, and discouraged the psalmist laments before His God:

You know the insults I endure—
my shame and disgrace.
You are aware of all my adversaries.
Insults have broken my heart,
and I am in despair.
I waited for sympathy,
but there was none;
for comforters, but found no one.
Instead, they gave me gall for my food,
and for my thirst
they gave me vinegar to drink.

(Psalm 69:19-21 CSB)

Gall for food, vinegar to drink — there’s the messianic connection (Mt. 27:34, Jn. 19:29). But hover over the shame and the disgrace, the broken heart and lack of comforters, and, for how many of us at one time or another, is there found the human connection?

But we don’t stop reading there.

But as for me—poor and in pain—
let Your salvation protect me, God.
I will praise God’s name with song
and exalt Him with thanksgiving.

(Psalm 69:29-33 CSB)

Let Your salvation protect me. Worth chewing on, I think.

Our salvation is not only a redeeming salvation, a rescuing salvation, a delivering salvation, but it is also a protecting salvation. A salvation that keeps those it saves. A salvation that sources endurance when endurance is needed. A salvation which is more than making sure a name is written in a book for a future day, but that the person attached to that name is secure in the Good Shepherd’s care each and every day. A protecting salvation so sure that its remembrance evokes praise. A salvation which so guards the soul that the spirit can’t help but sing a new song when it is invoked.

Let Your salvation protect me. The ESV renders it more literally as let Your salvation “set me up on high”. God’s salvation is a protecting salvation because it is a salvation that sets on high. It’s an exalting salvation even in the midst of hostility. A salvation promising a glorious end, so that every valley encountered before that day will always be a valley which will eventually and assuredly be ascended. Every pit then becomes part of the path used to complete the good work God has begun in us (Php. 1:6).

The salvation that protects. That’s our salvation. That’s a salvation worth praising God for, a salvation worth thanking God for, a salvation worth singing about. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Disputed Matters

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Pete

I think the reality of it is that it’s hard to learn and apply important life lessons “real time”, at the moment they are actually needed. Best case scenario is that you’re prepared for a situation in advance, have thought it through and have grounded yourself in the appropriate biblical principles before you need to be applying those principles. Case in point? Engaging with what the CSB refers to as “disputed matters” (Romans 14:1).

Prior to this last couple of years, how many of us really had to weigh in on, or make decisions concerning disputed matters of significance? Meat sacrificed to idols? What day is to be regarded as most important? Not really topics that we’ve had to deal with in “real life.” But dealing with masking up, or rolling up your sleeve to get a “strongly encouraged,” quick to market vaccine? Now, those are issues none of us have had the luxury to avoid. And talk about a disputed matter! Families split, churches split, friendships fractured — who hasn’t either experienced it personally or been up close and personal with those who have?

For many of us, Romans 14 became one of our “go to” texts on trying to navigate parts of the “COVID years.” As I hover over Romans 14 this morning, here are my main take aways from the past couple of years which, Lord willing, will help me be better prepared for the next time I’m enveloped in disputed matters (and, considering our present cultural reality, it’s not a matter of “if” but of “when” that’s gonna happen).

Here are the verses I highlighted this morning:

Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.

For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God.

(Romans 14:5b, 7-8a, 12, 22a CSB)

Wherever you land regarding a disputed matter, be firmly CONVINCED IN YOUR MIND. Disputed matters have a way of becoming emotional matters. When dealing with them, we need to engage the mind. Not that engaging the mind means everyone will consider all the same facts or come to the same conclusions, but that we will have done the work of working through the matter — engaging our minds, calming our hearts — so that we can at least articulate a reason for why we believe what we believe and why we’re responding the way we’re responding.

However you land there, run it through the filter that, ultimately, you LIVE FOR THE LORD. While our answers to disputed matters may have a way of dividing us, it is our common over-arching, sincere desire to live for the Lord which can offset its polarizing potential. As those who own Jesus as Lord and want to walk in a way consistent with His lordship, we then extend goodwill to brothers and sisters who are also seeking to direct their lives under the lordship of Christ — even if they end up in a different place than we do.

Whatever you do as a result of landing where you land, remember YOU’LL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR IT. Regardless of where you stand on a disputed matter, how you respond and treat others matters, as well. Paul reminds these Romans believers — a mixed congregation of Jew and Gentile with more than enough disputed matters to work out within the walls of their church — that having the “right answer” is far less important than treating others in the right way. The Bema Seat of Christ (1Cor. 3:12-13, 2Cor. 5:10) isn’t going to deal with what answer we arrived at but how we treated others who arrived at a different answer. How did we make every effort to leave at peace with others (Rom. 12:18)? How hard did we strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3)? We’ll give an account.

And perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned through this, wherever you land regarding a disputed matter, keep it between YOU AND GOD. I might discuss it, and even debate it with others, but I need to resist the urge to impose it on others — at the end of the day, it’s between me and the Lord. Honestly, when I’ve done the work, when I think I’ve sourced the best data sources, when I think I’ve rightly divided the word and applied the right biblical principles, I want credit for it from others. Even though I know it’s a disputed matter, I want to end the dispute with others acknowledging that I’m right. Yuck! That’s a no win. Instead, I need to keep it between me and God. Where I’ve landed, He knows. How I see it as consistent with my call to follow Jesus, He knows. How I’ve responded to others, He knows. And that should be enough. Forget winning the favor of popular opinion, when all’s said and done, I need to rest in doing what I do before God alone.

Much more to process here, but for a morning meal, and a morning brain dump, that should give a flavor of how I’m thinking about disputed matters.

By His grace. For His glory.

That’s all that really matters.

Amen?

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A Good Overwhelming

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Pete

I don’t know how many times I’ve read this passage, but it’s been many. Not just my annual reading of it, but, because it’s in Romans, encountered frequently over the years, every time I’ve had occasion to study Romans or have heard Romans preached. So, it’s a pretty familiar passage.

But this morning, as I hovered over Romans 12:9-21, read it again, chewed on it, and read it again, this familiar, easy to read passage became a little hard to handle. A little overwhelming.

My CSB titles this section, “Christian Ethics.” I look at the twelve verses in front of me and each one of them, in part or in whole, is underlined with purple colored pencil. Depending on how you might group them (or not), I’m counting twenty-eight commands to obey. Twelve verses that are pretty easy to read, but twenty-eight explicit “to do’s” to consider, if you’re serious about walking the walk that’s worthy. As I slow down and do the mental math of how well I’m observing how many of them . . . well, let’s just say, “Heavy sigh!”

Detest evil? Okay, pretty good there. Serve the Lord? Maybe a passing grade there. Rejoice with those who rejoice? Mostly (when I’m successful battling envy). Out honor others in showing honor to my brothers and sisters? Mmm . . . maybe . . . sometimes. Some shoring up to do there. Bless those who persecute you? Can I just move on to the next reading?

The problem with staring into a mirror is that eventually, if you have eyes to see, you’re gonna come to grips with the blemishes, the imperfections, the — let’s call it what it is — the sin.

But then, something (Someone?) reminds me of where these verses are placed within this letter. These twelve verses / twenty-eight commands for living out the Christian life come after thirteen chapters explaining the power and dynamic of the Christian life.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

(Romans 1:16-17 CSB)

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

(Romans 8:8-9 CSB)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

(Romans 12:1-2 CSB)

The gospel is the power of God for salvation. The power for salvation past, when I was saved from the penalty of my sin. AND it is the power for salvation present, when I am learning to walk in a way that is saving me from the power of sin.

A walk not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ in me reading these twenty-eight commands along with me and whispering, “Yeah, I know how you’ve struggled, but WE are the ones told to live into your new reality. Let’s do it! You and Me!”

My new reality, the walk of righteousness. Righteousness credited to my account for eternity by faith in the finished work of Christ. Righteousness becoming more evident practically every day I choose to continue to walk by faith and seek to be led by the Spirit.

Twenty-eight commands which really just require obedience to one great commandment, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” That’s the determination that results in transformation. The determination that lets me acknowledge this morning’s Romans 12:9-21 report card and determine to keep wanting to live as I should, to keep trying to walk as I should.

Twelve verses, twenty-eight commands, one triune God, all catalyzed into real righteousness lived out by the gospel.

Overwhelming? Yeah. But, as I chew on it, a good overwhelming.

Because of God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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