The Grace to Come

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Pete

Know a thing or two about all-sufficient grace? You’ve just scratched the surface. Experienced saving grace, redeeming grace, justifying grace, adopting grace? Just a few drops in the bucket! Come to appreciate abiding grace and abundant grace? You ain’t seen nothing yet!

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(1Peter 1:13 ESV)

The grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The gift you’re gonna know when Jesus returns. The unmerited favor you will realize when you behold the glorious King. Set your hope fully on that, says the Spirit.

Whatever we know of grace, whatever we’ve already interacted with of divine favor, whatever real-life experience we have had with unmerited blessing, it’s just a foretaste of what’s to come. The grand slam of grace will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

To whatever degree grace for the day has evoked a response of thanksgiving, to whatever measure unmerited favor has evoked unrestrained praise, it’s just a rehearsal for the well of worship that will be released when we experience the gift of seeing our Savior face to face.

So set your hope fully on the grace to come.

Not just some pie-in-the-sky in the sweet-by-and-by, I-wish-I-may-I-wish-I-might hope. No, we’re talking about faith fueled, substantive hope (Heb. 11:1). We’re talking about Father promised, Son prepared hope (Jer. 31:33-34, Jn. 14:1-3). We’re talking about Spirit sealed, Spirit guaranteed hope (Eph. 1:13b-14). A fully persuaded hope. A hope that prepares minds for action because it recognizes the season for the temporary sojourn it truly is. A hope that leans into life here and now in anticipation of an unimaginable grace there and then.

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.

(Titus 2:11-13 ESV)

The grace of God has appeared. The grace of God will appear. This is our blessed hope.

This is what we have tasted of, barely. What we have seen, dimly. What we hope for, fully.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Nothing Too Hard

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Pete

When cousin Hanamel came to Jeremiah with a “good deal”, he must have thought it was a long shot. The Chaldeans had laid siege to Jerusalem, which meant its massive Babylon-based army was already occupying a lot of the land surrounding Jerusalem — so you gotta know real estate just wasn’t moving like it once had. But still cousin Hanamel comes to Jeremiah and presents to him an “opportunity” to buy a little fixer-upper on a couple of acres at a real reasonable price. (Did I mention it probably has a marauding hoard living on it?)

But to everyone’s surprise, Jeremiah’s in. Signs on the bottom line, Venmo’s the required cash (or whatever the equivalent in 600 BC.), and takes the deeds of purchase and seals them away until its time to take possession of the land. (Did I mention the marauding hoard, the most powerful fighting force on earth at the time, overrunning the land?)

So what’s up with that?

Check out Jeremiah 32. Before Hanamel ever approaches Jeremiah, the LORD tells Jeremiah that his cousin is going to come to him with an offer and Jeremiah is not to refuse it. Buy the land, says the LORD. Okay, says obedient Jeremiah. Then, after the deal’s done and the witnesses have left, Jeremiah goes into his prayer closet and says to the LORD, “What?”

“After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. . . . Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You spoke has come to pass, and behold, You see it. Yet You, O Lord GOD, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses” —  though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.'”

(Jeremiah 32:16-17, 24-25 ESV)

Before asking God what’s going on, Jeremiah first acknowledges who God is. The Creator of heaven and earth (v.17). The Caregiver and Court Arbiter showing “steadfast love to thousands” but repaying “the guilt of the fathers to their children” (v. 18-19). The Deliverer from Egypt (v.20-22) and the Director of the Chaldeans (v. 23b-24). And in that context, Jeremiah tries to make sense of God the Realtor.

And the LORD will answer Jeremiah’s questioning prayer and explain to him the plan. But what grabs me is that the LORD doesn’t immediately address what Jeremiah doesn’t understand, but begins with affirming and emphasizing what Jeremiah does understand.

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?”

(Jeremiah 32:26-27 ESV)

“Is anything too hard for Me?” says the LORD. Implied answer? Nope!

That’s the starting point for making sense of the nonsensical. Being reminded of who God is helps us deal with trying to figure out what God’s doing. Knowing He is the Creator has a way of putting into perspective the chaos. Believing that nothing is to hard for Him calms the concerns of what seems too much for us.

I’m not dealing with a siege. Not wondering whether or not I’ve made a bad real estate deal. But I look at what’s on my horizon and, at times, it can seem a bit overwhelming. And a still small voice whispers from the words on the page, “Is anything too hard for Me?”

Nope!

So, I’ll trust in the LORD with all my heart. Lean not to my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him. Confident that He’ll make straight my paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

‘Cause nothing is too hard for Him.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Time and Chance

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Pete

They’re bro’s but they’re bullies. Where you see one, you know the other is often lurking. Though you might be able to avoid them for awhile, there’s always this low-lying dread that you’re going to run into them at the least desirable moment. When you do run into them, at their best they’re frustrating — at their worst, they can sometimes be fatal. One is extremely predictable, it’s not a matter of if he’s going to bite you but when. The other? Well, he’s the opposite. You have no idea when he’ll show up and turn things upside down. They’re bullies. And where they thrive is “under the sun.” Their names are Time and Chance.

Chewing on a verse in Ecclesiastes 9 this morning. The Preacher continues to try and make sense of life under the sun. Trying to find something that our hands can find to do that doesn’t eventually find itself being “vanity of vanities” (ESV), “absolute futility” (CSB), “meaningless” (NIV), or “smoke, nothing but smoke” (MSG). And no matter what road he walks down, regardless of what path he explores, he ends up at a dead end. Literally.

. . . .for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

(Ecclesiastes 9:10b)

What’s more, down every road, along every path, inevitably there’s going to be one or more encounters with the bully bothers, Time and Chance.

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

(Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV)

She’s the fastest gal on the track. He’s the strongest, best-armed dude on the battlefield. But on the final leg of the race she trips. In the heat of battle a randomly shot arrow “luckily” (for the enemy) finds it’s mark in the chink of his armor. They’re both the best at what they do. But Time and Chance come along and neither of them walks away as victor. Under the sun.

He’s shrewd and cunning. Not just book smart but street smart. Knows how to navigate life and make the most of a situation. She’s brilliant, has an above average IQ and is not afraid to use it. Able to discern, able to learn, and with unlimited potential to monetize her brilliance. At least under the sun. But circumstances beyond his control shipwreck his plans and he can’t even put food on the table. And for her, she either can’t find someone to give her chance to pitch her ideas or someone smarter than her beats her to the punch, and she’s left working a minimum wage job. How come? Time and Chance. The wrong place at the wrong time. Or the right place without enough time. Or the right place with enough time but derailed by unforeseen circumstances. Did I mention frustrating? How about unfair?

But what if Time and Chance were to lose their super powers? Spoiler alert: They have!

Their powers are only operative if we are limited to life under the sun. But for those who live with minds set “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2), Time and Chance give way to Faith and Hope. Seeming randomness is displaced by Sovereign purposes. The pursuit of perishable prizes for earthly triumphs gives way to the promise of imperishable crowns with everlasting glory. Time is swallowed up by Truth. Chance is deposed by the One In Charge.

And so, we run the race to the best of our ability. We enter the fray having put on the full armor of God. We use our brains, deploy our skills, compete to win, without fear of Time and Chance. Rather, we fight the good fight as those who just want to be faithful. Trusting that the Father has ordained for us just the right amount of time and has left nothing to chance. For He is faithful who has called us (1Cor. 1:4-9).

By His grace. For His glory.

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Living In the End Times

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Pete

Heard it again this weekend from someone. Something to the effect that we need to be studying the end times right now ’cause we’re in the end times and need to be prepared for the end times. Maybe that’s why James’ words jumped off the page for me this morning. So, if I’m picking up what James is laying down, in light of being in the end times, at least part of what we need to do is to be patient, establish our hearts, and quit grumbling.

Whatever the circumstantial context of James’ letter, you sense there’s a lot of pressure being felt by the people of God. James comes out of the gate exhorting the brothers and sisters to “count it all joy” at the many and varied trials they are facing because, says James, “you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (1:2). He address trials (1:12), and he addresses temptation (1:13-14). He tells them it’s time for “pure religion” (1:27) to kick in, one where real faith is evidenced by actual works (2:18). He warns them about turning on one another, showing partiality (2:1,9), back-biting (3:9-10, 4:11), and quarreling and fighting among themselves (4:1). He speaks against oppression (5:1-6) and says it’s time for God’s people to humble themselves before the Lord (4:10).

You read James and it sounds like a really intense time for these believers. You gotta think that, whatever other “normal” burdens they are bearing from just doing life in a fallen world, things have been ramped up and the points on the stress chart are max’ing out. It had to make them think they were perhaps in the end times. Maybe even feeling like they were in the end times of the end times. So whaddya’ gonna do in the end times?

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

(James 5:7-9 ESV)

The Lord is coming, says James, be patient. His coming is at hand, says James, establish your heart. The Judge is standing at the door, says James, don’t turn on one another.

Be patient. Things are going crazy and we wanna do something. React. Push back. Go back to the way things were. Rather, we’re to “be of a long spirit,” to “not lose heart.” Take a breath, a deep breath and look up, waaayy up! Persevere patiently and bravely. Be mild in manner and slow to act. Longsuffering. Tempering our temper. Trusting in the Lord who is coming soon.

Establish your heart. An active command, keep on establishing your heart. Keep it steady, keep it stable. Set it fast, fix it firm. Don’t tether it to the rollercoaster ride of the world but anchor it firmly on things above — on things revealed by the One above through His written word before us and through the Living Word within us. Know what you know. Remain constant in what you know. Keep doing what you’re supposed to being doing. Be salt in the earth. Be light in the darkness. Make disciples of all nations. Because the Lord is at hand, He’s coming soon, and time is limited to sow the seed of the good news of His kingdom.

And finally, brothers and sisters (James uses that term a lot in his letter, and really a lot in 5:7-12), don’t grumble against one another. Don’t sigh in exasperation against the people of God. Don’t groan, don’t murmur, don’t hold a grudge against one another. Because all people will know you are Jesus’ disciples if you love another (Jn. 13:35) — especially in a season where the stressors are straining civility. Why’s it so important not to grumble? The Judge is standing at the door. The Christ is ready to receive His bride. He doesn’t want to see her bickering at His return. He wants to find them behaving in a manner worthy of her calling.

James’ word is certainly not the final word on living in the end times. But, it is a word. A word worth chewing on I think.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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A Righteous Branch, A Redeeming Name

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over five words in Jeremiah this morning . . . one hyphenated word if I spoke Hebrew. Experiencing an ebb and flow as I meditate. The outgoing “tide”, the emptying of self, that of wonder, awe, and worship. The incoming waves are the fresh reminder of how it’s even possible that I should have a desire or access to offer my heart before heaven.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'”

(Jeremiah 23:5-6 ESV)

The Lord Is Our Righteousness. Jehovah-Tsidkenu.

Not only is He righteous. He is our righteousness.

Our salvation, our security, is found only in Him because of who He is and because He has credited who He is to the accounts of those who believe. He is righteous. He has imputed to us His righteousness. Thus, we are righteous in Him.

Today the King reigns internally, through His Spirit, high and lifted up, beheld by eyes of faith. One day He will return to reign visibly, enthroned for all to see. Our confidence that we will behold Him face to face? He is the Righteous One. He is our righteousness.

Meditating on it, it seems like something easier felt than tell’t.

Oh, the wonder of such a redeemer! Oh, what confidence in such a redemption! Wholly of Him. Nothing of self.

Fit to worship, serve, and be called friend by The Righteous Branch of David. Only because The LORD Is Our Righteousness.

Oh, what a Savior! Oh, hallelujah!

Oh, what grace!

To God be the glory!

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Consider (A Rerun)

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Pete

Pulled up my 2008 thoughts from today’s assigned readings. From what I can remember of the Fall of 2008, things were going pretty good — at least I don’t recall any major problems. Such musings, it seems to me, God uses to prepare you for the day when things may not be so easy. Ministered to me this morning. Sharing them with you.

So after my first 3 readings this morning in Jeremiah, John, and James I really thought I’d be “penning” something about our awesome God. And then I read the first fourteen verses of Ecclesiastes and was just taken with Solomon’s down-home good ol’ “horse sense”. And it’s kind of interesting how the “high and lofty” of the 3 J’s set such an umbrella for the down-to-worth advice of Solomon.

In Jeremiah 19 – 22 the prophet continues to hammer Judah with declarations of judgment to come. In the midst of it, he turns his voice to heaven and tells God how hard this “prophecy of doom” ministry is . . . but then, he declares, “But the LORD is with me as a mighty awesome One.” (Jer. 20:11) Life’s hard? Yes!!! God’s awesome? Amen!!! He’s with me? True statement! Therefore I go on.

John 3 though shifts from God the judge to God our Savior reminding me how much God loved this world . . . that He gave His one and only Son . . . that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) And James brings the two aspects of God that I read about together when he concludes, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” (James 4:12 NIV) And against that big backdrop of awesome God . . . Savior and Destroyer . . . Redeemer and Judge . . . Caring Shepherd and Refining Fire . . . God of the good times and God of the not so good times . . . against that backdrop I enter Solomon’s world . . .

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,
So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:14 NKJV)

Ain’t it true that, if we had our way, we’d be on the mountain-top 24/7? I’d take the “light-hearted comedy” over the “gut-wrenching docu-drama” anytime. Give me the happy ending over tragic un-certainty. I always wanna see the good guy get the gal next door. And when life’s like that, Solomon says, “Enjoy yourself! Be happy! Have a blast!” These days, he says, come from God . . . rejoice in them and give Him all the glory.

Good stuff? Amen! But wise old Solomon is inspired by the Holy Spirit to record some balanced sage advice, “Not every day’s gonna be a happy day.” I really don’t like to think about that but, true enough. And God’s inspired word says that when you find yourself in the “day of adversity” . . . when the going gets tough . . . when the bad guy seems to be winning . . . when there’s tears rather than laughter . . . then “consider”.

It’s an imperative . . . a command . . . it’s what we are to do when we find ourselves in the dumps . . . consider. Have a good hard look, Solomon says, when the days are grey. Give attention to . . . inspect . . . observe . . . think about . . . learn from. Remembering that this day too is from awesome God. There’s a lot of learning to be done in the tough times . . . both about our God and about ourselves. And I’m not trying to be trite . . . but I think it’s Biblical . . . it’s what Solomon is saying. If God is God . . . if all our days are ordained of Him . . . then He is as much behind the tough times as He is the good times. He has appointed prosperity, He has appointed adversity. He has allowed both. And in those days of difficulty, He says, “Consider.”

And part of that consideration is remembering that “man can find out nothing that will come after him,” or as the NLT puts it, “Remember, that nothing is certain in this life.” We can make all the plans we want, but days of adversity are really a reminder that only God knows our future, we sure don’t. And if you think about it, that can be kind of a healthy reminder or wakeup call from time to time. Being reminded that we are really not in control can cause us to take nothing for granted. Looking deep into the days of adversity will cause us to look up . . . and remind us that “we walk by faith and not by sight.” (2Cor. 5:7). The day of trouble can drive us to our knees and bring us back to the place where we need to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding . . . that we need to acknowledge Him in all our ways . . . and in all our days . . . believing that He will direct our paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Remember . . . consider . . . He is awesome God . . . Savior and Destroyer . . . Redeemer and Judge . . . Caring Shepherd and Refining Fire . . . God of the good times . . . God of the bad. And the day of adversity can be used to drive us into His loving arms. The day of adversity reminds us that He is control.The day of adversity becomes our call to renewed faith and trust.

God, thank You for the days of prosperity — for the good times. And Father, help me, by Your grace, to allow the days of adversity — the not so good times — to also have a purifying effect in me through which You continue to form me into the image of Your Son. In the days of trouble may I be quick to consider . . . to look up . . . to know You . . . and acknowledge Your rule in my life . . . and then believe . . . and then trust . . . and then rest. Amen.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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The Facts

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Pete

There’s no way I can read James 4 and not map it to what seems to be a prevailing undercurrent throughout the body of Christ in this season. But the temptation, it seems to me, would be over application or, worse yet, leveraging it for self justification. So, as I hover over the passage, I need to be slow to speak how it applies to others, and quick to listen to what I think the Spirit is saying to me. So, following the lead of a well known detective from my black and white TV days, I’m gonna try and stay with the facts, “just the facts ma’am.”

Fact: James addresses an issue among the people of God.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

(James 4:1 ESV)

Problems among the people of God? An indicator of problems within the people of God. We have passions at war within us. Pleasures (NIV) we want to realize. Cravings (CSB) we think need to be addressed. Peterson paraphrases it as, “You want your own way” (MSG). The original word is hedone — looks a lot like the possible root for our modern term hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence.

Fact: The heart of man contributes to heat in the moment.

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

(James 4:2-3 ESV)

These passions at work within believers result in murder within the body of Christ. Not murder murder as in, “Shoot him with a gun”, but anger murder as in, “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Jesus, Matt. 5:21-22). Murder as in “you fight and quarrel” murder. And why? Perhaps it’s a propensity to wanna put on the gloves first and then pray later. Hmmm. Maybe the family that prays together really does stay together.

Fact: The heart of man is influenced by the ways of the world.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

(James 4:4 ESV)

Fondness of the culture around us can impact the firmness of the community among us. It’s been a problem for the people of God since there were a people of God — we tend to look to the world for cues which should be coming from the Word. Prone to get our minds stuck on man’s wisdom below and lose focus on God’s wisdom from above.

Fact: The solution is grace. And accessing the solution requires humility.

But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

(James 4:6, 10 ESV)

I’m not big enough to deal with my heart problem on my own. I’m not strong enough. I’m not pure enough. I’m a work in progress — too often, it’s painfully slow progress. So I need grace.

I need grace that forgives my murder. Grace that cleanses my stained heart. Grace that calls me to a higher road. Grace that enables me to walk that road. Grace that lives in me, and through me, by the One who gave Himself for me, and wants, one day, to be wed to me. And that grace is freely accessed not through my ability to step it up, but my willingness to bow down. Humbly acknowledging things are not as they should be. Confessing my complicity. Acknowledging my dependence on Him to help me to maintain the unity (Eph. 4:1-3).

Fact: It starts with how we talk about each other.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers [and sisters].

(James 4:11 ESV)

Don’t criticize (CSB). Don’t slander (NIV). Don’t bad-mouth (MSG). Just don’t.

I think that’s the facts, ma’am.

Lord, help me to internalize Your truth. Help me to externalize Your way.

All by Your grace. Only for Your glory.

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The Way of Real Wisdom

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Pete

Anybody else praying for wisdom these days? More aware now than ever that to navigate our cultural moment we need help from above?

A couple of chapters ago James exhorts his readers, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (1:5). Okay, that’s a promise to claim. But how do we know if we’re picking up what the Father is sending down? How do we know that wisdom sent from above hasn’t been hijacked with an apparent wisdom sourced from below? Something I read this morning might help with assessing if we’re walking in the way of real wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 3:13-15 ESV)

Meek, pure, peaceable. Gentle, open to reason, full of mercy. Impartial and sincere. How’s that for a checklist against which to check ourselves? Useful for a quick mental assessment of whether or not the wisdom we’re walking in is sourced from the God who liberally supplies wisdom or has been swapped out with something that is more earthly, unspiritual, or even demonic?

I need to ask myself, Self, is the way that seems right to you cloaked in a mild disposition and a gentle spirit, or is it more often accompanied by the hair standing up on the back of your neck and your fists clenched?

Self, is it founded in truth — real, verifiable, truth? Is it peace loving, peace promoting — more characterized by a heart of reconciliation rather than a default to division? Is it respectful, seeming, suitable, and fair?

Self, is it open to reason? I love that one! Is its starting point one of wanting to link arms rather than butt heads. Some translations convey being compliant (CSB), submissive (NIV), or willing to get along (NLT). Ready to listen, slow to speak. Open to correction, not quick to defend. A “let’s have a conversation” attitude rather than a “let me tell you a thing or two” posture.

Self, is the wisdom you’re waving full of mercy. Overflowing with kindness, even if kindness isn’t necessarily overflowing to you? Is it without duplicity and hypocrisy. A heart that’s right, a heart that’s open, a heart that’s free of veiled agendas?

That’s the wisdom from above. That’s what God’s ready to give generously for those who ask. And we ask for what we want.

That’s what I want. Lord, give wisdom that looks and sounds a lot more like Jesus and lot less like me.

For my good. For the good of others.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Tame the Untamable

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Pete

If it’s true, then we really do need to take heed. If it’s as easy to be derailed by it as James says it is, and if it’s really so universally at play as James claims it is, then to be aware of it is just smart thinking. If what might appear to be so innocuous to us really can wreak such havoc and cause such destruction, then we’d do well to take note of it, to take inventory of it, and, if required, to take action concerning it.

It? It is the tongue.

. . . no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

(James 3:8 ESV)

Really? A restless evil? Filled with deadly poison? Untamable by any human being? A world of unrighteousness (3:6)? Staining the whole body? Capable of setting on fire the entire course of life with the fire of hell itself? A problem for all mankind with unlimited potential to cause extensive damage? Really? Is this true? Evidently — if, in fact, all Scripture is God-breathed (and it is).

True for the redeemed as well? A potential reality for the Christ follower? Apparently.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

(James 3:9 ESV)

The tongue. A small member yet boasts great things (3:5a). Like a bridle in the mouth of a snorting stallion, or like a small rudder on a great ship, almost imperceptible yet capable of steering massive things in whatever direction they choose (3:3-4). Like a small camp fire, though capable of providing much needed heat and warmth for the few hovered over it, just as capable of setting a massive forest ablaze marring it’s landscape for generations (3:5b).

Really? Yeah, really.

Tell me we don’t see evidence of the tongue influencing, and the tongue maligning, and the tongue destroying, as we scroll down the tongue’s modern megaphone, our social media feeds. People who never would have said an unkind word to someone in person, without apparent hesitation ready to share and re-post the fire-igniting words of others. A generation raised not to call others names, seemingly quick to slap labels on strangers (and friends often) for what they think they know about what they believe. At least in James’ day it took a while for “word of mouth” to spread the fires of slander and misinformation. Today, a press of the button and the tongue which blesses God and yet curses image-bearers of God has an audience of friends, and friends of friends, almost instantaneously.

Didn’t really start out intending this to be a rant on social media. So, it’s not.

But if what James says about the tongue is true, then I really do need to take heed.

Pause. Reflect. Acknowledge. Repent.

And, by His power in me, and really wanting to reflect more of the One who lives through me, tame the untamable.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Not By Faith Alone

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Pete

No wonder it evoked a reaction from Luther in the early days of his awakening to justification by faith. Even today, no matter how many times you read it, for the gospel-minded it can come across like the sound of fingernails being dragged down a chalkboard.

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

(James 2:24 ESV)

Not by faith alone. You’re not gonna find that cross-stitched into some pillow for the sofa. Not gonna be embossed on some t-shirt with a cool graphic by some trendy Christian apparel company. Nope, just not gonna be a big seller.

But is it true?

Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true . . . think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Of course it’s true. It’s the word of God. Of course, however, it’s also all about context.

James’ point is that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (2:17). That saving faith is works producing faith. That where works are absent there’s reason to wonder if whatever faith is professed is, in fact, a living faith.

James (2:21-23) knows that Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” — that he was saved by faith alone. But he’s also quick to point out that in offering up Isaac on the altar “faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” Thus, argues James, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?”

“Well, yeah, sorta, if you put it that way,” I want to answer.

But is there any “sorta” about it? Or is the fact of the matter that those who really believe will really behave? That those who truly confess will be known by their conduct? That those who actually acknowledge Jesus as Lord will act in accordance with that acknowledgment ? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Not talking about earning merit, but about exhibiting a heart made new. Not talking about perfect obedience, but about a purposeful orientation towards walking the talk. Talking about others being able to pick up on an authentic faith in Jesus because it bears the fruit of actively following Jesus. And that only by His grace and by His enabling.

James gets the gospel dynamic. He knows that God “brought us forth by the word of truth” (1:18). He reinforces that it’s only receiving (aka believing) “with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (1:21). But James also gets that what really goes in, is gonna come out. Thus, the expectation that those saved by faith in the word are going to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (1:22).

I’m not looking for some legalistic faith. But oh, how I want a living faith. A faith justified, or evidenced, by works. A faith that exhibits it’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). A faith not by faith alone.

By His grace alone. For His glory alone.

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