So Not Intuitive (A 2012 Rerun)

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Pete

This morning I’m chewing on what I didn’t chew on. A bit in wonder at what I failed to pause in awe over. Thankful that I went back randomly to see what I was thinking on this day in my reading plan 10 years ago and a bit embarrassed of how quickly I passed over it this morning. “Who do you say that I am?” It’s the million-dollar question. And they nailed it. He was the Christ, the promised Messiah. But then, He tells them He will be a crucified Christ. How would that have landed the first time they heard it? How should that land this morning as I read it for the umpteenth time? Here’s how I processed it back in 2012.

I think it must have separated their heads from their shoulders . . . I can see them doing the classic double-take snap of the head as they exclaim, “What?!?” Their brows are furled . . . they are scratching their heads . . . it just does not compute. They had been following Him for about two years . . . during that time they had left everything . . . and they had seen Him do amazing things . . . and they couldn’t help but be wondering, “What sort of man is this?” And just when they thought they were starting to get it . . . just when they were starting to see the picture that all the pieces, when put together, was forming . . . then He drops the bombshell . . .

Then He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And He strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

(Luke 9:20-22 ESV)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this wondrous declaration by Peter . . . and pair it with, what must have been, this mind-blowing revelation by Jesus. Once the disciples had started to get who Jesus was, Jesus then began to teach them that He must suffer and die and rise again. Personally, I don’t think they heard the “rise again” part . . . especially the first time that Jesus told them.

Think about it . . . the lights were finally starting to go on. This man they had been following was anything but “just a man” . . . He was the Christ of God . . . the Anointed . . . the Messiah . . . the Son of God. That was the only explanation for how He could teach with such authority . . . the only conclusion as to how He could know all that He knew about those around Him . . . the only rationale as to where the power came from which allowed Him to perform such miracles. It had to be Him . . . the promised One . . . the heir to David’s throne . . . the hope of Israel. Can you imagine the joy that came over them the very first time they articulated that Jesus must be the Christ. Horns start blaring . . . confetti and streamers start falling . . . the crowd of angels in unseen heavenly balconies are going nuts with applause and cheering, “Yes!!! They’re getting it!!! Did you hear them? . . . they’re starting to see it . . . they’re beginning to believe it . . . they said it . . . He is the Christ of God!”

And then . . . smack down! . . . dowse the flame with water . . . snatch away the candy from the baby . . . the Son of Man must suffer . . . be rejected . . . be killed . . . and again, I don’t think they even heard the rise again part.

There’s no way they could have made sense of it. How could the Promise they had been waiting centuries for be rejected? How could the Son of God suffer at the hands of men? How could Messiah die?

And I’m sitting here . . . on the other side of the cross . . . with the Spirit that raised Him from the dead residing within me, illuminating afresh to me this ancient conversation . . . and I’m in wonder as well. How, apart from the Sovereign purposes of grace, does this make any sense at all?

This is so not intuitive . . .

But behold, this is the love of God! . . . this is the good news! . . . this is my salvation!

That Jesus, the Christ of God, would come first as the Lamb of God . . . rejected . . . suffering at the hands of men . . . crucified by those He came to save . . . in order to atone for the sin of all men and women . . . in order to provide a path of reconciliation with God for all who would believe . . . in order to redeem that which was lost.

O, what a Savior!

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None Like Him, None Like Us

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Pete

Something in David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 17 gives me a “warm fuzzy” this morning. Touches my heart. Puts a smile on my face. Thanksgiving on my tongue. A song on my lips.

David, wants to build a permanent house for the God who has, “moved with all Israel”, going from “tent to tent and from dwelling and dwelling” (17:5-6a) since they left Egypt. But the Lord says, in effect, No thanks — I’ll ask your son to do it. Instead, says the God of surprises and 360’s, “The LORD will build you a house”. Your throne shall be a forever throne, and that through a son whose reign shall be established forever (17:11-14). A promise which pointed to Solomon, but will ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus, the promised Messiah, the son of David, the Son of God.

As David noodles on the revelation, he sits before the LORD and asks, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” (17:16). As he processes, he prays. As he synthesizes, he supplicates. As he is filled with wonder, he worships.

“There is none like You, O LORD, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be His people, making for Yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? And You made Your people Israel to be Your people forever, and You, O LORD, became their God.”

(1Chronicles 17:20-22 ESV)

Who is like Your people? That’s what exploded on my meditation palette this morning.

There is none like our God. Given. No debate among those who have been translated from darkness into light. No doubt for those who have come to know the Father through the Son by the Spirit. There is no God besides You, our God.

But there is also none like us. Yet for different reasons.

God is a being like no other because He is before any other. He defies comparison for He created all things we might compare Him to. He defies comprehension, for He is the source of all things. He is above all others for He is holy, holy, holy — separated in glorious unimaginability, unlike all others.

But God’s people are unlike any other people not because of who we are, but because of what we are — redeemed! Redeemed from bondage and slavery. Redeemed through divine intervention and the mighty hand of God. Redeemed to be His people. Redeemed to show He is a God of great and awesome things. Unlike any other people, because He has chosen us to be His people, and to be His people forever.

Who is like Your people? No people!

Are they perfect? Nope, not in themselves. Oh, but they are holy and righteous, soon to be presented without spot or blemish in Christ. How come? Because they have been redeemed! Bought with a price. Purchased by the blood.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight,
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed
His child, and forever, I am.

~ Fanny Crosby, 1882

There is none like our God. And there is none like us.

Trophies of God’s amazing and abundant grace. On display for all to see–on earth and in heaven–so that ” the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known” (Eph. 3:10) for His glory.

Doesn’t that give you a “warm fuzzy?” Doesn’t that put a smile on your face and thanksgiving on your tongue? Doesn’t that put a song on your lips? I’m thinkin’ . . .

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Forgiveness and Fear

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Pete

If we were playing a game of word association, I’m not sure they’d be the two words most quickly, or even most likely to be put together. No one would be surprised if you heard “black” in response to “white.” Or, “sun” connected to “moon.” Or, “shirt” as what comes to mind immediately for “pants.” Or, “southern gospel” as the no-brainer for “heaven’s music.” But “forgiveness” and “fear”? Hmm . . .

If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.

(Psalm 130:3-4 ESV)

Forgiven to fear. Chew on that for a bit.

Delivered for dread. Redeemed for reverence. Sin atoned so that the soul would be held in awe.

The songwriter’s assessment of the penalty of sin is accurate. If the holy God of heaven should keep a record of our wrongdoings, we’re done. None could stand before Him.

But God hasn’t logged our sins with indelible ink. Through the cross, He has made a way to redeem us from all iniquities (v.8), writing over the record of our wrongs “Paid in Full” with the blood of His own Son. And thus, we do stand. Declared holy, robed in the righteousness of Christ, because the God of “plentiful redemption” (v.7) has removed our transgressions from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12), we stand before Him in the splendor of His holiness.

And in that place, face to face with God by faith through the fullness of His forgiveness, there should be a fear. A divine dread. A holy reverence. Awestruck wonder. Jaw-dropping astonishment. Face to the ground worship.

Through His forgiveness we have been reconciled. Once separated we are now brought near. And as we draw near to the I AM in all His glory and majesty, like Isaiah, we find ourselves crying out, “I am undone!” (Isa. 6:5 KJV). Like John on Patmos, who encountered the One who walks among the churches, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17).

Forgiveness and fear. Shouldn’t they go together like “baseball” and “bat”?

I’m thinkin . . .

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Hidden

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over the first four verses of Colossians 3 this morning.

Be heavenly minded. That, in a nutshell, is Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians. Seek the things above. Set your minds on things above. Don’t think like the world thinks, don’t desire the stuff earth has to offer. Your goals should be God goals. Your values tethered to a reality which is, literally, out of this world. Live with your heads in the clouds, in a manner of speaking — it’s the only true way to have your feet firmly planted on the ground.

The only way to counteract the world trying to fit you into its mold (Col. 2:16) is to live for another world. But the problem with that, is that this world isn’t gonna get you. In a world that is so wrapped up in the “authentic self” they won’t be able to see the real you. And that’s because you’re hidden.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

(Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Concealed. Not able to be known. Kept a secret. That’s our life — at least in terms of the world’s ability to really understand us.

If our minds are set on things above, if we are seeking the things above, then we are going to be an enigma for those who minds are confined to only the things below. Where once the world might have admired us for our morality, they still didn’t really know us. Now, the world is increasingly suspicious of us — even despising us — for what it sees as our out-of-touch, intolerant rigidity. And so, they don’t want us. Because they don’t want Jesus. And our lives are hidden with Christ.

This world really is not our home. Our authentic self won’t really be revealed until Christ, who is your life, appears in glory. Then our true nature — our redeemed, regenerated, recalibrated nature — will be manifest to all. Then the world will get us, when we appear with Him in glory.

Not that we don’t try and make connection with this world. After all, that’s what ambassadors do in a foreign land, they establish a presence among a foreign people in order to represent their homeland. But we do more than just represent, we appeal to others to be reconciled to our homeland and renounce their old ways of earth and live for the kingdom of God (2Cor 5:20). To live with their minds set on things above, as well. Even if it means they too will be misunderstood by others because their life will also be hidden with Christ.

We are content to be hidden with Christ because Christ is our life. Content not to be fully known until that day when He is fully known, that day when every knee shall bow “in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php. 2:10-11). Convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to us (2Tim. 1:12). Confident that being heavenly minded really is the best way to be of any earthly good.

Even if it means we’re hidden.

In His grace. For His glory.

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He Commands All Things

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Pete

I’m still a couple of chapters away from reading the verse as part of my reading plan, but I’m reminded of the verse as I hover what I have read this morning.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.”

(Luke 10:41 ESV)

That’s the verse that I’ll get to in a couple of weeks. But it’s the reality of what’s gripping me now. Anxious and troubled about many things. Partly because of how I’m wired. But also, partly because of what’s on my plate. Don’t think I’m anxious and troubled about trivial matters or inconsequential things. The stuff which, as they say, keeps me up at night is stuff worth paying attention to. Important stuff.

Yet, something I read this morning puts all that stuff into perspective.

As I read in Luke this morning, while I might have stuff that keeps me up at night, Jesus was sleeping. After a long day of preaching and teaching, He gets in a boat with His disciples, and they head for “the other side of the lake.” They all set out, but He falls asleep. And then a windstorm kicks up and the boat starts to fill up and they were, legitimately and actually, “in danger.” We’ll let Luke finish the story.

And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?”

(Luke 8:24-25 ESV)

He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him. That’s what I needed to hear this morning. That’s what I needed to chew on. That’s what I need to believe. “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mk. 9:24).

He commands even winds and water. He commands all things. He is the Sovereign. He is the Sustainer. If we are in the boat going across the lake because He has told us to get in the boat, then despite winds and waves, we’re right where we should be. Right where we ought to want to be.

We’re right next to the One who commands all things. Trusting that what Jesus begins He completes. That we’ll get to where He says we should go. Despite the choppy seas, the dark clouds, and the howling wind, we are in the center of His divine will. And the One who commands even winds and waters is with us.

He commands all things. And they obey Him.

We can take that to the bank (or at least to the other shore).

By His grace. For His glory.

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Bear Fruit with Patience

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Pete

Noticing this morning that one of these things is not like the other.

Hovering over Luke’s account of Jesus’ telling of the parable of the sower. Pretty familiar story. Easy to skim because of the familiarity. But for some reason (a Holy Spirit reason?) two words catch my eye at the end of Luke’s record of Jesus’ words. So, I go back to the other gospel accounts to refresh my memory of how Matthew and Mark relay the parable. And what do I notice? One of these things is not quite like the other.

Here’s how the three gospel writers record what Jesus said about the good soil:

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

(Matthew 13:23 ESV)

“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

(Mark 4:20 ESV)

“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

(Luke 8:15 ESV)

With patience. Oh man! The “P” word again. That’s what caught my eye and is exercising my heart.

I can get pretty jazzed by the prospect of thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. Let’s do it! Lord, You plant the word. Spirit, water it through illumination, instruction, and conviction as you lead me into truth. And Father, according to Your abundant grace, give it the increase. Let’s reap a harvest for Your glory. Thirty, sixty, maybe even a hundredfold.

But be patient? Endure? Persevere? Wait steadfastly? Sigh . . .

The “good soil” is an “honest” heart, a noble heart that openly receives the word. Of such a disposition that it is ready to agree with the word rather than force the word to agree with it. Ready to be encouraged by the word, corrected by the word, even cut by the word. Willing to be shaped by the word. It is a “good” heart. Upright, ready to fulfill duty, free from guile. It is the new heart of regeneration. The heart of Christ beating within the souls of men and women redeemed by His blood. That’s the heart that bears much fruit from the sown seed of the word.

But it is also a heart that “holds fast” the word. Not only taking possession of the word and owning the word but holding on for dear for life when circumstance or season would tempt one to let go of the word. A two-fisted determination to cling to the word. Wanting to bear fruit. Ready to bear fruit with patience.

Honestly, I’d like things to be easier sometimes. I’d love for me to be more sanctified sometimes. I’d love to see more of the fruit sometimes. But I’m not called to count the crop, I’m called to bear fruit with patience. To be faithful.

Faithful to pursuing the word. Faithful to keeping clear the clutter of sin and distraction so the word can pursue me. Faithful to engage in the “sow and reap” economy of the kingdom of God by the word.

. . . the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

(Galatians 6:8b-9 ESV)

Hold fast to the word. Be patient and you’ll bear fruit according to the word.

Yes, Lord.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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The Prayer of Battle

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Pete

It ain’t no prayer of Jabez (1Chron. 4:10). But it is a prayer. And it is buried in the genealogies that fill the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles. And, while I don’t think I’ll be able to convert it into a book that sells millions, I do think it’s worth chewing on for the profit of this individual. It’s the prayer of battle.

The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war. They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and He granted their urgent plea because they trusted in Him.

(1Chronicles 5:18-20 ESV)

There’s an old adage which says “there are no atheists in foxholes”, suggesting that in the most desperate of situations, like being pinned in a ditch under heavy enemy fire, everyone is going to find a belief in a “higher power.” But I’m guessing the adage might have been coined by a wishful believer. The Scriptures indicate that the heart of man can be pretty stubborn in the face of God — even when fire is raining down (Rev. 16:9-11, 16:21).

But there is something about being in the heat of battle, something about having your back against the wall, something about reckoning with a desperate situation that reveals at the core what, or Who, we’re depending on to get through the harder seasons of life.

These valiant men of 1 Chronicles 5 cried out to God in the battle. As they confronted the enemy, they called to heaven for back up. As they were pounded, they petitioned. As they struggled, they supplicated. As they were under pressure, they offered up urgent pleas.

And what did it reveal about them at their core? They trusted in Him.

God wasn’t their “go to” because they had nowhere else to go and might as well give Him a try. It wasn’t a “we have nothing to lose so let’s try prayer” sort of thing. It was a faith thing. A belief thing. A knowing and kneeling before the promises of God thing.

When the going get’s tough, it’s where we find ourselves going which so often reveals in what we’re trusting. Where do we look for a lifeline? Who’s the first one we think of when we desperately need to use one of our “call a friend” cards?

In the midst of the battle, though they carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, and were expert in war, these mighty warriors had HEAVEN-911 on their speed dial. Because they trusted in Him.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

(Psalm 20:7 ESV)

Like I said, no prayer of Jabez, but prayer in the battle is going to be a pretty good indicator in Whom we believe.

This too is the fruit born from His abundant grace. Fruit evident in the battle for His all-deserving glory.

Amen?

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Surrounded

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Pete

During this month, I’ve had a couple of opportunities to hang out with a bunch of pastors. None were flashy leaders of mega-churches. Instead, all were faithful shepherds of modest flocks. Most I had never met until having the privilege of “crashing the party” and joining their retreats. And, as strangers are wont to do when they find themselves together over a meal, they look for things in common with which to begin a conversation. “How’s the last two years been?” was one of those conversation starters.

If nothing else, the last couple of years have brought a shared experience. Details differ slightly, but the themes are much the same. We were shut down. Then we weren’t. We innovated. Some of us separated. It’s been hard, real hard. But, in so many ways, we’ve not only survived, we’ve actually thrived. Even those emerging most battle-scarred testifying to God’s faithfulness and goodness.

And these tenders of the flock came to mind this morning as I hovered over Psalm 125. In particular as I chewed on a single lyric. One word running through my head and providing reassurance for my soul. Surrounded.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds His people,
from this time forth and forevermore.

(Psalm 125:2 ESV)

Jerusalem, the city on a hill surrounded by hills. From a military point of view, this is a good thing. Sentinels can be posted about the holy city, on guard against unwanted intruders. Armies can man the high ground, owning the advantage as they defend against hostile forces. Nothing enters Jerusalem without someone knowing about it in advance. Protection is afforded Jerusalem when protection is required. Behold, in this image, our God!

. . . the LORD surrounds His people from this time and forevermore!

Surrounded. That’s us. During the past two years. During the past two decades. Surrounded before the foundations of the world according to the purposes of God.

Surrounded. For the next two years. For the next two million years. And, perhaps most importantly, for the next two hours. Surrounded, even now, by the presence of God.

Surrounded. Nothing gets into our world apart from Jehovah knowing about it. Much is repelled by His powerful protection. Some is allowed according to His permissive will. Some orchestrated for His divine purposes. Regardless of season or circumstance, what is unchanging is the reality that, as God’s people, we are surrounded.

That’s what provides strength for today and hope for tomorrow. It’s what fuels the fight. It’s what sustains the weary. It’s what keeps us keepin’ on.

That, it seems to me, is a promise to claim. A truth to own. A reality to know.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Assuming God

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Pete

Would it be a fair statement that for some of us followers of Jesus (for many of us?) we might tend towards assuming God? After all, God is a given. If we didn’t believe in God we wouldn’t be following His Son, reading His word, or trying to discern His will. If we didn’t believe in God we wouldn’t trust, we wouldn’t have hope, we wouldn’t be mindful of storing up treasures in heaven. Yeah, we believe in God. So, let’s move on and figure out how to live for God. Do you think that some (many?) might assume God? Hmm . . . I’m wondering.

What sparked the question? Something I read in Colossians this a.m.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

(Colossians 1:9-10 ESV)

There it is, in verse 9–what tends to be our focus, and rightly so–be filled with the knowledge of His will and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. That’s what we want to do.

But what caught my attention this morning is what Paul specifically lists as evidence of a worthy walk. I’m not saying it’s a comprehensive list, but I am saying that whatever a worthy walk looks like, Paul’s given us at least three indicators in verse 10. A worthy walk is:

  • A walk that is fully pleasing to Him
  • A walk that bears fruit in every good work
  • A walk that increases our knowledge of God

Chew on that last one–increasing in the knowledge of God. I am.

If a worthy walk is a knowledge-increasing walk (and I don’t think the original word is about “experiential knowledge” as much as it is about “precise and correct knowledge”, of “divine knowledge” or, “knowledge of the divine”), then what do we miss, what do we leave on the table, when we assume God? When we read our Bibles and skim past the familiar “theological stuff” so we can get to the “what’s it mean for me” practical stuff? When the notes we take during the sermon are the points of application and not the details of magnification? We’re leaving a lot on the table. Dare I say, we’re in danger of hamstringing the “worthy walk” a bit?

Assume God? Think we know all we need to know? Worse yet, think we know all there is to know? Of course not. Ridiculous. But really, what’s our thirst level for increasing in the knowledge of God — not just experiencing God, but knowing the essence, nature, character, and mind of God, as much as He’s been pleased to reveal it to us? Isn’t that, after all, what eternal life is all about at it’s core? I’m thinkin’ . . .

And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” ~ Jesus

(John 17:3 ESV)

As is our measure of thirst, so will be the measure of living water supplied to satisfy that thirst. A perpetual thirst? A perpetual increasing in the knowledge of God.

Oh, to walk in a manner worthy of Jesus. To be fully pleasing to Him. To bear fruit in every good work. To increase in our knowledge of God.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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These Things

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Pete

This morning I’m chewing on a command with a promise. Actually, as I look at it a little deeper, it’s two commands with a promise. Both commands centered on these things.

But what’s weird is that, at least at first, as I hovered over these things, I had forgotten who was writing about these things?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me —  practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

(Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)

These things. Think about these things. Practice these things. That’s what caught my eye, filled my mind, and stirred my heart this morning.

Things which are true, honorable, and just. Things which are pure, lovely, and commendable. Excellent things. Praiseworthy things. Things that have been learned and received, heard and seen. Consume yourself with these things. Be marked as one who is habitually busy with these things.

I know Paul wrote this letter; I should have known that it’s Paul writing about these things. Yet, for some reason as I read “in me”, I instinctively reached for my blue colored pencil–my color for Christ–and shaded “for me”, as in “for Me.” And it became a passage about Jesus speaking. Jesus who is true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely. The Son of God as the one who embodies excellence. The risen Savior, alone worthy of praise. Think on these things, think on Jesus. Things learned and received and heard and seen IN JESUS. Be like Jesus, by the power of Jesus, through the indwelling of Jesus, and practice these things.

And the passage, for a few moments, became a command to be so enraptured with Jesus that, by His grace, I emulated Jesus. To be so taught at His feet, and a witness of His works, that it influences how I direct my steps and carry out my duties. Think about Jesus. Learn from Jesus. Live like Jesus.

And then I realized that the “me” in the passage isn’t actually He. It’s Paul.

So, what was that about? Did I totally miss the point of what Paul was saying? Maybe not. Another verse then popped into my head.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

(1Corinthians 11:1 ESV)

Would I be stretching it to suggest that at least part of thinking about Jesus things and practicing Jesus things is spurred on by seeing Jesus things in other believers? Not perfect people by any means, nevertheless people who have been crucified with Christ and who have Christ living in them and through them (Gal. 2:20).

When we rub shoulders with those people, we see things that are true, honorable, just, and pure. As we fellowship with other “new creations” in Christ (2Cor. 5:17) we’re exposed to what is lovely, commendable, excellent, and, to the glory of God, worthy of praise. Hanging with the family of God can prime the pump of thinking about these things.

Moreover, as we learn from one another, receive from one another, hear one another, and are close enough to see one another in action as they do life as children of God, it encourages us to live like one another and thus, practice these things as well

True, it is all about Jesus. But isn’t it also about Jesus in others so that it can be about Jesus in us? I’m thinking.

Hmm . . . shaded it in blue. Weird.

But perhaps also Spirit led? Could be.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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