Taking Care with Something That’s a Done Deal

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Pete

Chewing on the dynamics of salvation this morning as I hover over Hebrews 3.

If salvation is all of God and nothing of us (and it is), then I’m inclined to think that those who are “truly saved” will be marked by “stick-to-it-iveness.” That the fruit of salvation is faithfulness to salvation. Case in point:

And we are His house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

(Hebrews 3:6b ESV)

For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

(Hebrews 3:14 ESV)

Holding on to the end with confidence and courage in our hope. It’s the evidence that we really have come to “share in Christ.” That we are, in fact, His people. If salvation is all of God (and it is) then shouldn’t those who are saved live and believe like they’re saved? I’m thinking.

So then, why include this exhortation?

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

(Hebrews 3:12-13 ESV)

Two commands to obey: take care and exhort one another every day. Watch out and encourage each other daily (CSB). Take heed constantly and be constantly exhorting one another (Wuest). Watch your step and keep each other on your toes (MSG). Sounds like a lot of daily diligence for something that’s already a done deal (and it is).

Behold, the dynamics of salvation. God’s finished work of an eternal hope intersecting with our faithful work of kindling daily our confidence in that hope.

And how come we need to “take care” of something that has already been taken care of (and it is)? Because a heart which has been made new is a heart in the process of learning to function like new. It’s a work in progress that still has “muscle memory” towards unbelief. A heart still susceptible to being hardened by the lies of sin. A heart which, though made new by the Spirit, can be drawn again towards the old by the flesh.

While the work of salvation begun by the Lord will be completed by the Lord (Php. 1:6), it happens as the Lord prompts, enables, convicts, and restores me to keep doing the work of salvation. While He has freely given me His forever “precious and very great promises, so that through them [I] may become [a partaker] of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2Pet. 1:4), I need to be encouraged by my brothers and sisters every day to intentionally live into these promises. While He has taken care of it, I must take care with it.

Isn’t that the dynamics of salvation?

Take care. Beware of the unbelieving heart and the deceitfulness of sin. What’s more, know that it isn’t an individual thing but is intended to be team sport as we are to encourage one another every day.

Confident in His forever finished work (and it is). Dependent upon His forever enabling power to do our work of holding fast to His work.

Such is God’s amazing, enduring, limitless grace. To God be all the glory.

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Bringing Us to Glory

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Pete

It’s a verse about Him, but I can’t help take notice of what it says about me. A jaw-dropping truth about the Savior, and a head-lifting reality for those being saved.

Jesus is greater. That’s the big idea of the opening chapters of Hebrews. He’s a greater spokesmen, revealing the will and way of God, than were the prophets of old (Heb. 1:1-3a). He is greater than the angels who all are but “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14). As such, through His earthly ministry, because the Son of God “partook” of flesh and blood and death (Heb. 2:14-15), Jesus is the founder of a greater salvation. And it’s something about that greater salvation that’s captured my thinking this morning.

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

(Hebrews 2:10 ESV)

The amazing truth here about the Savior? God the Father, for whom and through whom all things exist, determined that the source of salvation, God the Son, should become the perfect savior by fully identifying with those He came to save, so that “being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php. 2:8).

Stop there, chew on that, and you’ve got yourself a full meal deal. But wait . . . there’s more!

The soul renewing reality for those being saved? He’s bringing us to glory.

Redeemed from the guilt of our sins. Reconciled with the Father. Regenerated from within. Robed with righteousness from above. Released from slavery to death. All aspects of what it means to have been saved. But this morning I’m feeding on the reminder that our salvation is also about the Father’s determination to bring many of the offspring of men into His glory.

To behold His glory. To share in His glory. To forever be His glory. As we head into a new day, through the finished work of the cross and the power of an empty tomb, that’s where the Father is leading us — to glory.

Reminds me we’re not home yet. This world’s not the glory we were saved for.

Reminds me that life now is but a journey. We’re just passing through, even as we seek to shed a bit of light, and sprinkle a little salt, as ambassadors of a different land and messengers with a glorious gospel.

Reminds me that nothing on earth is worth comparing to the prize that awaits the child of God. Anything less than the glory of His presence is but a cheap trinket, unworthy of lasting affection.

Reminds me that just as He perfected the Founder of our salvation, He will perfect those who are being saved. The work He has begun, He will bring to completion. A work in progress, but a work founded on an unalterable promise.

My heavenly Father is bringing many sons and daughters to glory through the abiding ministry — past, present, and future — of His blessed Son.

Lift up your head, dear saint. Your redemption is drawing near.

Through His unfailing, limitless grace. All to behold His everlasting, unimaginable glory.

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Aman, Aman

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Pete

It was an ancient prophecy, but it contains an abiding principle. And in the original language, it looks like at its core is a twice-repeated word. Aman, aman.

Back story: In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, the kings of Syria and Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage ware against it. And, in the face of this massive military aggression, the hearts of Ahaz and the people of Judah “shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (Isa. 7:1-2). Appropriate response, I would think. Makes sense to me.

The LORD, however, sends Isaiah the prophet to the king and commands him, “Be careful, be quite, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint” (7:4a). How come? Because, declares the LORD, though they advance together to conquer Judah, “It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass” (7:7a).

Hmm . . . An enemy army is advancing. Their intent is to terrify us, conquer us, and rule over us. But we’re not to fear, faint, or fret. Because Isaiah says that You have said, Lord God, “It ain’t gonna happen.” Your word, is that all we’ve got to go on? Apparently.

And here’s the abiding principle. The Lord God then says,

“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

(Isaiah 7:9b ESV)

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (CSB). If you will not believe, you surely shall not last (NASB). If you will not confide, you shall not abide (Hebrew play on words). Aman, aman.

Believe and be still. Believe and be strong. Not complicated. Not easy either.

To be faced with what would naturally bring fear but to stay calm, be quiet, and trust that what God has said will be, will be. To face a situation that rightfully causes the heart to faint, and yet, by switching out just one letter, stand firm because of faith. That’s the principle I’m reminded of in this passage.

It is the way of the people of God. The way since the beginning of God choosing for Himself a people. Check out the first occurrence of aman in the Scriptures:

And [the LORD] brought [Abraham] outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed (aman) the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

(Genesis 15:5-6)

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Without faith it is impossible to stand before God (Eph. 2:8-9). Without faith it is also impossible to stand with God (Isa. 7:9). Lord, I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Chewing on these ancient words of prophecy. Confessing how often I fail to rest in this abiding principle.

Believe and be still. Believe and be strong. Aman, aman.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Worth Everything

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Pete

We can’t help but place ourselves in the story. After all, isn’t that what good biblical application is all about?

So, as I hover over Esther 5 this morning, where do I show up?

I’m certainly not the king. Don’t have a palace, not sitting on a throne, not really much power at my disposal.

I might like to think I’m Mordecai. One of God’s covenantal people, an agent for good behind the scenes, and refusing to bow the knee in public. Or perhaps, Esther. Prepared to take a risk and “come out” as a follower of Yahweh and plead the cause of my people. If I’m not the king, perhaps I’m a hero.

Yet, there’s one more player in this scene, Haman. But really, who would want to identify with him?

But really, again, maybe I can’t avoid it.

And Haman recounted to [his friends and family] the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

(Esther 5:11-13 ESV)

Worth nothing. Really?

The splendor of riches. Might as well be a zero balance in his bank account. Many sons to carry on his name. Could be homeless orphans for all he cared. Promotion after promotion on the job, honor after honor by his boss. Meteoric rise to the top of the food chain. Big deal, he says. An honored guest at the royal banquet table. Like fast food from a drive thru. Worth nothing . . . as long as he didn’t receive the respect he thought he was due by all those from whom he thought it was due.

The world in his hands. A hold on everything a successful man could want a hold of. Blessed abundantly. And yet, worth nothing because his unchecked pride thought he deserved more.

Ugh. Who wants to be Haman in this story? Not this guy.

But search me, O God, and know my heart — try me and know my thoughts (Ps. 139:23). See if there isn’t a way of discontent within in me. Expose the leaven of Haman — a prideful heart, a jealous disposition, a greed for glory.

Worth nothing. Incredible, if you chew you on it. But chew on it a little more, and perhaps all too relatable.

So, Lord Jesus, I come again to the cross. To the cleansing fount for all my sin — not just past transgression, but those present in the present, as well. Let me not long for worldly things, or worldly recognition to satisfy what can be an insatiable thirst but lead me to drink afresh of the living water of Your gracious, abundant, and eternal provision. By Your Spirit in me, help me to put to death the pride of the old man and walk in the humility and contentment of Your life in me. Remind me that I have already been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). Help me to see anew that nothing else compares with the reality of already being raised up and seated with You in those same heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). To know again that You are worth everything so that “there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You” (Ps. 73:25).

Hmm. I may not like identifying with Haman, but in a sense it is the sweetest of connections because it leads me to Jesus. The revealing of my pride becoming the path to knowing afresh the prize — Jesus and Him alone.

Such is the work of grace and the power of the gospel. To Him be all the glory.

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Devoted to Good Works

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Pete

Okay, the echoing bell of repetition is ringing louder as I continue reading in the first half of Titus 3 this morning. I’ve already encountered its peal a couple of times so that when it rings this morning, I’m primed to pay attention. (I look ahead and I’m going to encounter it again for a fourth time before I’m finished reading Titus).

The inescapable message of these repeated words? That the gospel is not just something that tells us how to be saved for a better life someday, but it is the power of God which will radically rewire us for a life of good works today.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

(Titus 2:7-8, 11-14; 3:8, 14 ESV)

Good works. Good works. Good works. Good works. Come on people, tell me we aren’t saved for good works.

Paul told Titus he was to model it. He says grace appeared to redeem us so that we might be zealous for it. That believing in God will make us careful and want to learn how to be devoted to it. It = “good works.”

Beautiful deeds. Honorable actions. Everything our hands produce praiseworthy by reason of a heart which has been made pure and a life which has been declared holy. All that we accomplish having about it an air of other-worldly, enduring quality as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior, being transformed by the renewing of our mind, becoming conformed increasingly into His likeness. The aroma of Christ on us impacting everything — yes, everything — done by us.

Modeling good works. Zealous for good works. Devoted to good works. Learning to let the Christ, who lives in us, live through us so that all we do are good works. Thinking that’s some of the fruit of new life in Christ.

If we are not marked by a desire for good works, can we really have confidence that the gospel has authentically left its mark on us?

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? . . . So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

(James 2:14, 17 ESV)

Not that we are to muscle-out good works in order to be saved. Paul’s clear, “He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness” (Tit. 2:6). Rather according to His mercy and grace, “by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”, He justified us by grace and called us to be heirs according to “the hope of eternal life.”

But Paul is equally clear–and repetitively clear–that when this happens in a person’s life, they will be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Only by His transforming grace. Only for His all-deserving glory.

Amen?

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She Ate the King’s Meat

Posted on August 16, 2022 by Pete

This morning I read the first couple of chapters of Esther. Hovering over chapter two. And something about Esther strikes me — she ate the king’s meat.

Esther and Daniel were contemporaries. Both Jews. Both taken from their homeland. Both were used of God in mighty ways. And yet, it seems to me, the contrasts far outweigh the similarities.

Daniel seemed to be able to retain his Hebrew identity, rarely is he referred to by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. Esther’s Jewish background is swallowed up by her contemporary culture, and Hadassah (Es. 2:7) was to be kept a secret (Es. 2:10). Daniel was quickly recognized for his brains. Esther was notable for her beauty (Es. 2:7). Daniel was trained up to be part of a royal cohort known as “the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans” (Dan. 2:2), men who the king would turn to for advice and counsel. Esther was prettied up to part of a cohort known as concubines, women who the king lustfully used once, taking away their virginity according to his will not theirs, and consigning them to be but objects for future pleasure and removing from them any hope of another relationship.

But the contrast that strikes me this morning is that somehow Daniel was able to resolve “that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank” (Dan. 1:8), while Esther, it would seem, had no such option (nor perhaps, inclination) and, in preparation for inevitable defilement by the king, applied “her cosmetics” and ate her “her portion of food” (Es. 2:9) To use King James language, while Daniel refused the “king’s meat”, she ate the king’s meat.

While Daniel from the onset is set up to be a hero, Esther’s apparent destiny is but that of a harem.

And we’re inclined, I think, to extol Daniel for daring to be a Daniel and keeping himself pure, but don’t really know what to do with an Esther who, because she was Esther, really didn’t have that option open to her. Moreover, how often do we think that because of Daniel’s bold stand he kind of earned the right to be a hero? And yet, Esther the heroine reminds me this morning that the secret sauce to being used of God is favor.

Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. . . the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen.

(Esther 2:15b, 17 ESV)

Esther won grace and favor. And I think this earthly reality is meant to reveal a heavenly dynamic. That just as the Sovereign God had made Daniel a man of favor (Dan. 1:9), so too He was working behind the scenes to elevate this beloved daughter to being a woman of favor. That what mattered most concerning her impact for the kingdom, was less about who she was and the opportunities she had been afforded, but more about who God is and the purposes He has determined.

I’m thinking it’s easier to want to dare to be a Daniel believing that by our merit we can do much for the kingdom. But what if we are all really more like Esthers? Without position or power, feeling subject too often to the ways of this world? Could God use us too for His glory? Apparently (as I’ll be reminded over the next few mornings).

I’d like to think I’m like an elite Daniel primed for the lion’s den. I’m more likely, however, a dime-a-dozen Esther which the world considers expendable. So, it’s not about whether or not I eat the king’s meat, as much as it is about whether I have known the King’s favor.

And I have.

That’s what grace is all about. That’s why God gets all the glory.

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Walk with the Wise

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Pete

You are what you eat. What you put in is going to have an impact on what you have available to put out. Good worldly wisdom. And, not without biblical precedent. After all, the law of the harvest says you’re gonna reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7).

This morning hovering over a verse in proverbs reminding me that what’s true about our plate and our planting is also true about prudence.

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

(Proverbs 13:20 ESV)

Wanna be wise? Hang with the wise. Wanna grow in skillful living? Keep company with those who are living skillfully. Makes sense? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Learn from the wise. Imitate the wise. And, eventually you’ll become wise. Wise advice.

However, ours tends towards a foolish culture. We really value going it alone. Marching to the beat of our own drummer. Prizing authentic self over transcendent truth and what we can learn from others. And when we do connect, too often we’re not looking for wise people as much as we are people who think and sound like us. We don’t really want iron that sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17) — after all that involves clashing and friction — instead we tend to prize validation.

But if we believe God’s word — that just like the food we eat and the fields we steward, whoever walks with the wise becomes wise — and if we value wisdom, then wouldn’t we make walking with the wise a priority?

And who are the wise? Well, it starts with knowing who IS the wise and finding others who walk with Him and He in them.

But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. . . And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

(1Corinthians 1:23-24, 30 ESV)

Jesus. The wisdom of God. Wisdom from God.

Wanna become wise. Walk with Jesus. And walk with people who walk with Jesus.

Not complex. But oh, we live in a world and in a time and in an age where for so many it’s also not easy. Too busy. Too suspicious. Too cynical. Too hurt. Too wrapped up in too much stuff which has so little value for eternity. Too many things compromising and competing with walking with the wise. Keeping us from a daily appointment with Wisdom Himself. Keeping us from frequently and regularly gathering with others who are indwelt by Wisdom.

Lord Jesus, be our wisdom even as we purpose to walk with You. And help us to trust You when You say that we also need to walk with others.

Only by Your grace. Always for Your glory.

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A Harsh Command to Obey

Posted on August 10, 2022 by Pete

Not sure where I’m going with this, but chewing on a command to obey this morning.

Avoid such people.

Doesn’t sound very “Christian” at first blush, does it? Maybe it’s just the translation. Let’s check out others.

Having nothing to do with them (NIV). Stay away from people like that (NLT). From such people turn away (NKJV). And these be constantly shunning (WNT).

Nope. Not just the translation.

Avoid literally means to turn one’s self away from. They’re heading your way? Go another way. They wanna connect for coffee? Start drinking tea only. Avoid them.

Only time this word is used in the NT. So, Paul (moved by the Spirit) grabs a rarely used word in order to make a pretty emphatic point.

So, who are “such people”? Who are “people like that”? Paul identifies them pretty clearly, not sparing detail in describing them.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

(2Timothy 3:2-5 ESV)

Nineteen. I count nineteen identifying factors in a list which marks “such people.” A lot of them, it seems to me, mark also the spirit of our culture today. Read the list again and see if it doesn’t seem that way to you too.

So, are we to avoid the world? No, that can’t be it. We’ve actually been sent into the world as ambassadors of the King to establish outposts for the kingdom. Well then, who was Timothy (who am I) to turn away from?

I think the key that unlocks the command is in the last identifying factor. Those we are to avoid, who have bought into the brutality of a culture which has rejected God and loves self and pleasure more than the Creator, are those having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Professing Christians, church-going people, who have given themselves over to self and to the world. Those who walk like the world and talk like the world while trying to convince others they are really representing another world. Turn away from them, says Paul. Having nothing to do with them.

Seems harsh. But, if I’m reading it right, it’s still a command to obey.

How zealous we need to be for the purity (not perfection) of God’s people — those called to be a light on a hill and the salt of the earth. How determined, as much as lies in us, to be on guard against the leaven of the world which seeks to infiltrate the church. How great our resolve to live in a counter-cultural manner. How intent to not just have the appearance of godliness but to demonstrate also the reality of its transforming, other-worldly power. Willing to the engage in the world’s games but playing by a set of heavenly rules.

Times of difficulty. That’s what Paul says these last days will be (2Tim. 3:1). Difficult times demanding difficult decisions as we discern and detach from those who say they are of Christ but live in contradiction to the way of Christ.

Oh, how we need wisdom. How we need to discernment. How we need courage.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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The Lord’s Servant and The Public Square

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Pete

I’m not saying anything new if I point out that the public square of our day is increasingly marked by raging rhetoric and canceling culture. Make your point, make it loud, make it rude, and then shut the door. Goodwill debate valued less and less. Instead, what too often gains applause are drop the mic moments followed by walking off the stage.

But while it may not be a new observation, it’s one that I think we need to constantly be aware of. Because the world has a way of rubbing off on us. That’s why John in his first epistle, is emphatic that we’re not to love the world or the things in it (1Jn. 2:15). We are not to take our cue from the ways of the world or model the world’s approach to matters of public discourse and debate. For, at the heart of the world’s ways are “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life.” And that, says John, “is not from the Father” (1Jn. 2:16).

So, how should a believer engage in the public square, in debate and discourse? Like a slave, says Paul this morning. Like the Lord’s servant.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

(2Timothy 2:24-26 ESV)

You gotta feel for Timothy. Sent in to contend for the faith (1Tim. 1:3-4). Urged to “fan into flame” his gift (2Tim. 1:6). Told not to succumb to a spirit of fear, but to walk in power (1:7), wage war as soldier (2:3-4) and compete as an athlete (2:5). And yet, amidst such zeal, fervency, and holy determination, to keep his cool.

To not be argumentative, but to be friendly, good-natured and easy to talk to. When things start getting heated and the rhetoric starts getting personal, to forbear and not take offense at the ills and wrongs directed toward him. But also, not shutting down or walking way. Instead, hanging in there with meekness and mildness presenting the truth, holding forth the word, contending for the faith.

How’s that possible? Well, it helps if we’re able to remember that it’s God who in His kindness reveals truth and grants repentance. We’re not called to win the debate. We’re called to represent the truth.

But, as I chew on it a bit more, it REALLY HELPS if I remember that I am just the Lord’s servant. That’s “servant” not as in a server or deacon, but “servant” as in a slave, a bondman, a man or woman of servile condition. I’ve given myself up to Another’s will. Devoted to His cause, jealous for His reputation, disregarding my own interests or need to justify myself.

If I see myself as but a bondservant, shouldn’t humility follow? I’m thinkin’ . . .

To be sure, I should have conviction. I am to contend with courage. But I must not be quarrelsome. Because I’m the Lord’s servant.

Only by His grace. Only as all I want is for Him to receive glory.

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The LORD’s Delight

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Pete

More and more I find myself reading the last 21 chapters of Proverbs increasingly like the Sermon on the Mount rather than as just a checklist to make sure I’m on the right track. To be sure, the plethora of “to do’s” and “to be’s” in the latter chapters of Proverbs are virtal coaching towards skillful living now and eternal reward in a day yet to come. However, if meeting the standard set by these many exhortations is the basis for my confidence as to God’s acceptance then, to quote a famous prophet speaking in King James language, “Woe is me, for I am undone!” (Isa. 6:5a)

Case in point, something I’m chewing on this morning.

Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are His delight.

(Proverbs 11:20 ESV)

Okay, bottom line? I wanna be the LORD’s delight. Just sayin’ . . .

And at first, at the most macro processing of this verse, I don’t think I’m an abomination. I don’t think my heart is crooked aka, twisted, distorted, perverse, or perverted — especially if I’ve been given a new heart through conversion (Ezek. 36:26). So, at least initially, feeling pretty good about being on the “His delight” side of the ledger.

But then I start noodling on “blameless ways.” Hmm . . .

Is that some of my ways? Most of my ways? Some of my ways most of the time? Most of my ways some of the time? Most of my ways most of the time? Or, shudder, all of my ways all of the time?

Come on! Whose gonna clear that bar? Not this guy!

And then, James’ words come to mind:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

(James 2:10 ESV)

Did I mention the woe is me part?

So, while I need to read Proverbs as exhortations to keep on the right path, to stay away from the fool’s path and walk in ways that are blameless ways, if I’m being honest with myself, I know how often the old man compromises the new heart, and how the flesh frequently leads me to walk in some old ways. So then, am I not His delight because all my ways are not blameless ways? Or do I fall in and out of delight when I waver in my ways? I don’t think so. I think, just like the Sermon on the Mount, the standards set by the Proverbs for flourishing in life are also meant to lead us to the cross.

Like the Law, the Proverbs can be seen as a “guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24 ESV). Or, as Peterson captures so well the Greek nuances in his paraphrase, the Proverbs are “like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for” (Gal. 3:24 MSG).

I’m thinking that the Proverbs, beyond practical advice on how to live as kingdom people, are ultimately tasked with bringing us (again and again and again) to the finished work of the cross as our only basis for being the LORD’s delight. They ready us for justification by faith. They calm us as we rest in justification by faith. The spur us on to obedience in response to justification by faith. And they assure us we are the LORD’s delight only through justification by faith.

We ARE blameless, because Jesus is blameless — and we are in Him. We ARE the LORD’s delight, for the Son is the Father’s delight — and we are in Him.

Rest and rejoice, oh my heart. You are blameless even as you seek to walk in ways that are blameless. For You are in Christ.

And in Him, you are the LORD’s delight.

Because of His grace. Only for His glory.

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