How God Changes My Real Life pt. 2

Another area I see us struggling with is peace.

Or to put it in the form of a question, "Am I doing enough?"

As Christians I think it is easy to compare ourselves with others. We see people that are so so godly. Then because of our unique position, we see our many many sins. As those two observations come together it is very easy to get depressed. Why are they so godly and I am so lame? When we begin to talk about our spiritual journey we say things like, "I suck at this..." or, "I'm not doing very good in this area."

How does the gospel address this issue of lack of peace?

Before I jump the gun, let me say knowing your sinfulness is important. At Ash and my condo the place is very clean. It is a newer construction and we have taken care to paint, decorate, and clean it up very nicely. But, when the sun comes through the window in the evening, I can visibly see the dust in the air. I can see the film on the furniture and counter-top and I notice the dirt under the couch. The introduction of the bright light shows off the dirtiness. In the same way, the closer you get to God, the brightness of His holiness exposes the dirtiness of your sin. This is a good thing as long as the gospel is really changing you...

When the gospel is really changing you two things should grow and change at the same time; your knowledge of your sin and the finished work of Christ for you.

When Jesus said from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), he meant it. He completed His task of dying in your place so you could live. He took the blows so you could go unpunished. He stood condemned so you could be free.

When we act as if our relationship with God is based on how well we are doing at bible study, prayer, watching our mouths, or whatever "christian" activity, we are saying with our actions, "It is not finished unless I can do this well." We have no peace when we do this. We are not living in the joy of experiencing the finished work of Jesus.

This was a problem for other Christians too. When God wanted to address the Galatian church he was concerned with how they were adding to the gospel. As if in addition to the gospel they had to observe some religious practices to actually be right. NO! What Christ has done is enough. Stop trying to add to it!

God loved you while you were making a mess of your life. He didn't love you because you made some changes. Any positive Christian change is the result of what Christ did not the cause.

Many of us are moping around because we feel like we can never add up. The reality is, you can only add up because of Christ, and He gives you the gift of adding up regardless of how good you are. Even inspite of how good you are.

God restore the joy of our salvation! You have rescued us. Your grace is unbelievable so teach us how to believe!

So real change happens in us when the Holy Spirit applies the truth that 'it is finished' in us. We begin to live in the glorious gospel of grace when we see that Christ is enough for me. Even more than enough. Now the reason I work hard at being a Christian is not to impress God, or make Him happy with my performance, but because I love Him. He paid it all. I live for Him because He died for me. That is real change in real life.

Connecting the Dots

There is a depressing side to being called to preach... it's called memory. Unfortunately, it is easy to remember how bad a message was. Or, things that were left out and areas that were unclear.

I guess that is a benefit of always being wired in... through social networking, emails, and blogs the message never has to have an exact ending... I can pick up right here and connect some of the dots I left untouched last night.

The message from youth group yesterday had to do with holiness. We want to be a group that strives for holiness so that way our friends and family will see our lives and want to know the Power that changed us. But how do we actually change?

Here is the three-fold Strategy from 2 Corinthians 3:18 and surrounding verses.
Change happens as we engage the Word, see the majesty of Christ, in the power of the Spirit.
1) Engage the Word
Paul's strategy for change involves the word (2 Corinthians 4:2b), setting forth the truth plainly (2 Corinthians 4:2c) and preaching (2 Corinthians 4:5). For us to be changed we have to engage the Word of God. The power is in the Word.
2)See Christ as the Majesty of the Word
It is not enough to simply read the Bible. We have to see how Christ is the focus of all of Scripture and the fulfillment of every promise. He is fire. He's the bomb.
2 Corinthians 3:18 "beholding the glory of the Lord." When we look to Scriptures we are looking for the magnificence and majesty of Christ. We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord (4:5). This is what we are on the lookout for in the Word; "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (4:6).
3) In the Power of the Spirit
The Spirit takes the truths of Christ and massage them into our souls. Real change is brought about by the Holy Spirit. Anything less than that is superficial.

Now let's look at 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

So it is in this way that God changes us from one degree of glory to the next.
In the Word, Seeing Christ, by His Spirit.

If God Wants His People to Grow Up...

My dad reminded me tonight of a great video from John Stott Ministries also known as the Langham Partnership. It is a beautiful reminder of the global church and the basic requirements of spiritual growth. Superb.

"If God wants His people to grow up, which He does... and if they grow by the Word of God, which they do... and if the Word of God comes to them mainly through preaching, which it does, then the logical question to ask is, "what can we do to raise the standards of biblical preaching?" Because then the Word of God will come to the people of God more effectively, and they will grow up to the glory of God Himself."

Acts 24- Keep My Conscience Clear

"I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (Acts 24:14-16)

Here Paul goes again with the 'clear conscience' speech. And, I am tempted again to camp out on this idea: How does a person live with a clear conscience? How can we as sinful people live in the freedom of the gospel? Most of us have rough patches and we feel guilt, shame, and worthlessness. We have a desire to please God but we stumble in so many ways that it is embarrassing. God must be disappointed with me because I am a failure. I sin, I get angry, I lose my temper, I get jealous, I envy, I'm full of pride, full of bitterness, I participate with the wicked, I doubt God sometimes, I feel depressed, I etc... (this list is not meant to be comprehensive, that could take a whole book).

So, is Paul such a saint that he doesn't struggle? Did he attain some level of maturity that is above secret inner sins? I love how John Piper spoke openly about the bizarre 'clear conscience' of Paul during a question and answer time at a conference:

"I don’t know how I could say what Paul said: “I have served to this day with a clear conscience” (2 Tim. 1:3). What planet does this guy live on? Is he in touch? I mean, there are women in the world. Ever had a thought? Good night! I think he must mean something like, “I keep real short accounts.” I mean, a totally clear conscience, Paul? Give me a break. Am I being blasphemous here toward the Word of God?"

The pressing issue here is, how do we 'strive always to keep our conscience clear before God and man?' (vs. 16). Let's examine at least a couple ways. First, we need to strive to live in obedience to God. That means that we submit and obey the clear teachings of scripture. Paul puts it this way; "I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets" (vs. 14b). It can be assumed that belief led to action. He believed the Law and what is written in the Prophets, therefore, he lived in line with both. What areas of your life are in dire need of submission to the Scriptures. God is not ambiguous. Many times throughout the Scriptures He clearly reveals His will for His followers. Are there any areas that you are coming up short of the precepts of God? Deficiencies call us to do the hard work. We are to strive! We need to, by the Spirit, make some changes. This starts with prayer and a plan. How are you going to specifically overcome a particular area of struggle? Saying, 'I need to work on this,' is not enough. You need some specific action steps. Second, we need to, in the words of Piper, 'keep short accounts.' How quick are you to run to the cross? When you sin, which will happen today so you can practice, most people have the wrong reaction. Most people want to prove their obedience to God. We want to have a good day or a good week before we even pray again. We strive to clear our own conscience's. Time heals, or so we think. So, enough time spent without blatant sin, earns us some points with God. Then, we can come to Him with a clear conscience. The only problem with this strategy is that it is totally void of the Gospel! "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort" (Galatians 3:3)? In other words, you are saved by belief in Jesus and you continue in the Christian walk by faith in Jesus. It's not like you have to prove to God that He didn't make a mistake in saving you... He knows your flaws and is eager to progress you in your maturity and to transform you into the likeness of Christ. You NEED Him. So stop trying to flex your life to show how godly you are. Rest in the grace that Christ gives you.

Some may say at this point, "Woah Cory! Sounds like you are giving licence to sin." Nope. The reality is we need a Savior everyday of our lives. And, we need him especially when we do sin. Then, when we feel the weight of His infinite patience and loving-kindness towards us, we are motivated to live the way He desires. We are compelled by grace! We become transformed by grace. Our lives begin to conform to the righteousness that He desires. We still struggle, but we struggle in the strength that He provides.

Then we are able to say, "I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." I quickly flee to the cross when I stumble and find grace in my time of need (Hebrews 4:16). And, as a result my life is being transformed in such a way that men see my good deeds and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). Therefore, my conscience is clear.

Wow, what a beautiful truth.

Dwight Schrute- Killing Sin

I was thinking about my childhood on the farm. As is normal in farm life, there were a couple times when we had to put an animal down. Seriously, we had to take an animal out back and put its life to rest. I know it sounds terrible but the circumstances always left us with no other options. Whether it was a rabid dog or a dying horse, my dad would calmly handle the situation. That is what made me think of Dwight Schrute, the character from The Office. Dwight owns a beet farm and the banter of the show regularly references his cold-hearted antics. In one episode he kills his girlfriend's cat, purposefully, and places it in the freezer. He doesn't even bat an eye. Now that is funny!

So there is a concept in the Bible about putting sin to death. The authorized version of the bible translates the Greek word "thanatoo" into the English word "mortify." Literally, it means put to death. The word mortify is found in a couple places in the New Testament, and the most notable is probably Romans 8:13 where it says, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death [mortify] the deeds of the body, you will live" (ESV).

Here is my insight: Pull the trigger. Too often I think we manage our sin. I think we take a rabid dog (metaphor for our sin) out back with the intentions of shooting it. Then we remember all the fond memories with our pet and we bring it back home with us. We try to set up some healthy boundaries and even medicate the dog with the hopes of cure. But, the dog eventually turns on us. That is how sin works. If we are unwilling to kill it, the sin eventually turns on us. The situation grows much worse then if we would have dealt with it swiftly.

With sin you need to mortify it immediately. When sin crops up you starve, kill, shoot, dismember, and eradicate it. Do not simply repress sin by hiding it or managing it. Kill it. Do not let it live. Cut off its life source. Change your habits and patterns of life to give it no hope of living. If you are unwilling to totally put to death your sin, then do not be surprised when that sin dominates you. Sin will turn on you and, like a rabid dog, it will sink its ugly teeth in you to destroy you.

Look to Schrute for motivation and kill that thing.

Wow...

This sermon has been flying around the blogosphere since it was preached yesterday at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary... I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

Getting What We Need

Sometimes a dad gives a son or daughter what they need and not what they want. And, I am convinced, this is what God always does for us. He always has a bigger goal in mind. His desire is for your holiness and for your celebration forever of His grace towards you. The way this plays out isn't always how we would expect or even immediately want. John Newton understood this mystery. Sometimes we pray that God would just magically change us or rid of us sin but instead God gives us a glimpse of how utterly sinful we actually are. It is a treacherous experience but the end result is a bigger reliance on God's grace. Read through these verses and feel the weight of how God deals with sinners like us.

John Newton:

I asked the LORD that I might grow

In faith, and love, and every grace,

Might more of his salvation know

And seek more earnestly his face.

Twas he who taught me thus to pray,

And he, I trust, has answered my prayer;

But it has been in such a way

As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favoured hour

At once he'd answer my request,

And by his love's constraining power,

Subdue my sins, and give me rest

Instead of this, he made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart,

And let the angry powers of hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe,

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried,

"Wilt thou pursue me to the death?"

"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,

"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

"These inward trials I employ

From self and pride to set thee free,

And break thy schemes of earthly joy,

That thou mayest find thy all in me."

I feel that. The harder I try the more my gourds are blasted. My pride has such a grip on all that I do. Worst of all it feeds so much on my ministry and my religion. I can accomplish on my own... I don't need God (I don't really mean that, but by my actions I live it). In His providence he lays me low. That I may be broken off from schemes of earthly joy and find my all in Him.

Why Does God Feel Distant?

I want to encourage you with a quote from J.I. Packer's Rediscovering Holiness this morning. It is for those of us that feel like God is distant and would love an answer to why he allows that. Here it is:

God brings on dryness, with resultant restlessness of heart, in order to induce a new depth of humble, hopeful openness to Himself, which He then crowns with a liberating and animating reassurance of His love--one that goes beyond anything that was sensed before. As Christ's humiliation and grief on the cross preceded His exaltation to the joy of His throne, so over and over again humbling experiences of impotence and frustration precede inward renewing, with a sense of triumph and glory, in the believer's heart. Thus, with wisdom adapted to each Christian's temperament, circumstances, and needs, our heavenly Father draws and binds His children closer to Himself. (Rediscovering Holiness, page 93).

Thoughts from Saturday Night

I am reading a phenomenal book right now on how people change. It's called Rediscovering Holiness by J.I. Packer. On Saturday night I read a chapter and it caused me to literally lose sleep. I was faced with the question: Do I really preach the full gospel and show how it works itself into the fabric of every area of our lives? I couldn't stop thinking about specific students who are crippled by their sins and the sins of others. They deserve to have the gospel applied to every area. Here are my thoughts that I scribbled in my notebook at 2am.

"The gospel is restoring humanity... it is salvation from personal destruction (sin), it is re-creation (restoration to rightness), and total transformation to the community of God.

• When we sin it is ugly and evil, we hurt ourselves and others
• Divorce destroys families
• Negative behavior patterns play out in relationships
• Selfishness destroys friendships
• Pride distance people from one another as it carries out its self-centered purposes

The gospel when rightly applied (salvation: past, present, and future tense) fixes our brokenness. Families and friendships can be restored (maybe not totally as not all members are gospeled, but at least from our end there should be restoration). Forgiveness leads to reconciliation, leads to restoration, leads to healing, leads to wholeness, leads to the new-humanity. At least in those who have the gospel."

What's Hindering Your Growth?

If I could apply half of the books and teachings that I expose myself too, I would look quite a bit more godly... the problem is application. I want to share with you maybe the most convicting truths I have come across lately. They are from a textbook that I am reading for a current course at Moody Bible Institute. The title of the textbook is Living by the Book by Howard and William Hendricks. I will give the headings and a quote from each of these topics in chapter 39:

"We substitute interpretation for application

How easy it is to settle for knowledge rather than experience...To know and not to do is not to know at all. Knowledge without obedience is sin."

This is a huge one for me... I want to know a lot about the passage. I want to hear different takes on it. I want to be able to fully comprehend the passage... but, don't let it change me. That's too hard.

"We substitute superficial obedience for substantive life change

Here, we apply biblical truth to areas where we're already applying it, not to new areas where we're not applying it. Result: no noticeable change in our lives."

Have you ever done this before? I have. I love to think of areas that I am already doing well in. That sounds much more pleasant than exposing my weaknesses.

"We substitute rationalization for repentance

Most of us have a built-in early-warning system against spiritual change. The moment truth gets too close, too convicting, an alarm goes off, and we start to defend ourselves. Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repenting of it."

We love to justify ourselves. It is as natural as breathing and I can say that this is my routine when scripture challenges me to change.

"We substitute an emotional experience for a volitional decision

That is to say, we study the Word of God, we emote under impact- but we make no real change. There's nothing wrong with responding emotionally to spiritual truth. In fact, believers could stand a lot more of it today. But if that's our only response- if all we do is water our handkerchiefs and sob a few mournful prayers, then go merrily on our way without altering our behavior in the slightest- then our spirituality boils down to nothing more than a vapid emotional experience."

"We substitute communication for transformation

We talk the talk, but we don't walk the walk. We think that if we can speak eloquently or convincingly about a point of Scripture, we're covered. We're off the hook. We've caused others to believe that we've got that biblical truth down. But God is not fooled."

Well, needless to say this chapter called me out. I found it so telling that I had to share it with others. Hopefully we can avoid these 5 pitfalls that are hindering our growth and growing our religion. Be blessed.

Acts 16- Mentor

In Acts 16 we see the beginning of a friendship and mentor ship between Paul and Timothy. We aren't given too many details besides, "the brothers spoke well of [Timothy]. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey" (vs. 2b-3a). So who knows the reasons behind the friendship? But their friendship does stand out this morning as a call to similar relations in our lives.

Who is your Paul? Who in your life can you look at and determine to imitate? Who is that godly man or woman that you look to for guidance?

Sometimes the best way to obtain this sort of relationship is ask people... Maybe you are lacking a christian role model so I want to encourage you to find someone at church that is living out their faith and walking with Jesus and ask them to mentor you.

It might also serve you well to say this: maybe you need to find a Timothy. There are always those that are coming behind us in the faith that we should be investing in... maybe its a jr high student or maybe an underclassman. But invite them to be a part of your life. Have a bible study, share your insights, do whatever it takes to teach others what Christ has taught you.

Thoughts on Fasting

Let me just say that there are many others who can talk about this topic more authoritatively than I can. I am a newbie, a rookie, a novice when it comes to fasting. So, take my advise as only advise. That being said, there is much to gain from the discipline of fasting. If you are embarking on a fast then you are beginning a great and God centered task that will reward you greatly.

First, it should be said that fasting is both biblical and Christian. It is biblical in that the bible lays out the foundations for fasting, it actually declares that followers of Christ will fast, and it is the ultimate authority on fasting. The bible teaches that, "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Duet 8:3; cf Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). It is also Christian because the bible teaches that Christians have certain freedoms yet it is better to refrain from some freedoms to help others and even yourself (1 Cor 10).

So what is fasting? Technically fasting is abstaining from food in order to gain nearness to God. It needs to be said that the goal is to obtain nearness to God. Fasting is not a diet. Fasting is not saving money by not eating so you can spend your money on other things. I had a friend who told me he was going to fast on the way back from a ministry trip so he could buy fireworks. That is missing the point of fasting. The aim of Christian fasting is to obtain God, not fireworks, or a skinny beach body, or anything else. We want to know Christ and we will sacrifice to obtain more of him. That is the essence of fasting.

Now for the form: The bible lays out many types of fasts. Many individuals in the bible including Jesus fast from food and water. But, sometimes the fast is from choice foods but still includes eating (Daniel 10). Or sometimes fasting is eating a particular diet of veggies and water (Daniel 1:12). The length and content of fasting varies in the bible. So it would be wrong to say a fast is only fasting totally from food and for a particular amount of time.

The content: I think it is right that you can fast from much more than food. I have heard missionary work referred to as the fasting from earthly comforts to obtain an eternal satisfaction in Christ[1]. The content really is a choice not to partake in something that we have liberty to use so that you can obtain nearness to God.

This leads me to say that we should at times fast from, not only food, but other things that we indulge in. Sometimes I need to fast from the Internet or from reading books. I need to refrain from things that I have the right and liberty to use and enjoy so that I can get closer to God. We all should do the same, whether it is facebook, or TV, or even a significant other, sometimes your Christian discipleship calls for sacrifice to obtain a greater thing.... God.

A great question that was brought up after youth group was 'what do I do with my new time?' For instance if I read a lot and I am fasting from reading would it be ok to watch a little TV during that time? The answer is "yes, but..." Fasting should never be legalistic. You can set up plans and guidelines but to break those plans or guidelines is not the end of the world. So to give something up and use some time to do something different is ok, but it would be far better to gain what you are setting out to get. When you want to fast the goal is to obtain God. You can maybe meet God through your TV watching but how much better could you obtain nearness to Him through an undistracted time with Him?

So when you fast make it your ambition to get to God. Use the time that you have gained to go to God. That is the true essence of fasting. That is why fasting from food is so beneficial. Your tummy tells you that you need food, then you have the opportunity to tell your tummy that you need God more than you need food. It is a constant reminder. It always points you back to the essence of fasting. You need and want food but you have the opportunity to say "I need and want God more than food."

Which leads me to say try fasting from food! It will reward you greatly. It will show you how much trust you put in food and how often you do not even think twice that God has given you life and breath and food. On mission trips I noticed that those in poverty were so close to God and that is partly due to the imposed fast on them. They are without food so they constantly pray that God would be their portion. We on the other hand have so much food crammed down our throats that we never pray that God would sustain us or be our portion. We are at a huge disadvantage unless we fast.

Christians, please please fast! It will help you to realign your priorities and to let God be your portion. How much greater the reward of having Christ than a full belly!?

_____________________________________________________

[1] Missions as Fasting by Michael Oh

What to do with Sin?

Kill it. 

"There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled, prevails or is prevailed on; and it will be so whilst we live in this world"... in short: Be killing sin or it will be killing you. - John Owen from The Mortification of Sin

The method is two fold:

1) Love God

"The love of God is the cure for sin." -Richard Baxter

Do everything within your ability to love God more than sin! He is greater and better than any momentary sin (ps. they have eternal consequences if not forgiven). This leads to my next suggestion:

 
2) Use your sword: "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

Know and love your bible. Use it to see the glory of God in the face of Christ(2 Cor 4:6). It will swell your heart with love for Christ and make sin seem what it is... a plunging of a spear into the side of your Savior. 

Quote the word in the face of temptation. If the Son of God used this as His strategy for the temptation of the Devil, how much more desperately do we need to employ this strategy?!

"Sins will not only be striving, acting, rebelling, troubling, disquieting, but if let alone, if not continually mortified, it will bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins." -John Owen

So... what sins have you killed today? If it takes you a minute to think of any that you killed or even can think of, then the subtle killers are probably killing you subtly.

More Thoughts on "Yeah But..."

The real issue here is how we look at the scriptures. If the Bible is the word of God, which it absolutely is, then we need to know how to interact with it. Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as merely reading it. There is a correct way to handle the word and at the same time there is an incorrect way to handle the word. We have a slight disadvantage in that we have been exposed to experiences and we possess biases that we bring to the table when we read. These experiences and biases we impose on the text. We make it say what we want it to. This is called isogesis. What that means is we have an idea in our head maybe we heard someone say or maybe we experienced something that makes us feel it must be accurate, so we open the Word and make it say what we already think... this is wrong.

Let me show you a verse that should help curb this error: "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

So it is important for us to recognize that what may seem right and good and noble and biblical might in fact be wrong. We can manipulate the Bible to say pretty much anything we want. Its a big book and there are many portions that if taken out of context could lead to error and eventually to death.

That is why we want to pursue good reading of the bible... called exegesis. Trying to get from the text the actual meaning and truth. We need to come to the bible and work to understand what it actually says, then when we understand what it says then and only then can we apply. So, lets make it our effort to systematically encounter the word with a desire to understand its meaning and then apply what we learn to our lives. 

Acts 10- Anticipation of The Message

"Falling at at his feet in reverence... now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us" (10:25, 33)

The story is found in Chapter 10 of Acts. Peter is arriving at Cornelius's home after receiving a vision from God that indicates that God's love is for all mankind. There are no social boundaries. And, after being sent for Peter set out for Caesarea. Upon arriving "Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself"" (vs. 25,26). When Peter went inside he saw a large gathering of Gentiles and asked why he was sent for. Then Cornelius explained how his prayers were met by a visitation from an Angel that told him to send for Peter. (vs 30-32). Then in verse 33 it says, "So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

What an amazing story! I want to look at it from two separate angles. First, let us look at the anticipation of Cornelius and those that were gathered... Do you have this sort of anticipation? Do you hold those that teach and encourage you in high regard? When Cornelius met Peter face to face he fell at his feet in reverence. Why would he do such a thing? Why was he inclined to decline? Why would he literally fall at someones feet? Cornelius was a centurion, a man in high standing that knew what it meant to be honored and obeyed. So, why would he do the complete opposite in the presence of a mere fisherman from Galilee? The answer is that Cornelius and those gathered with him were anticipating the Words of God to be brought to them through this vessel... through Peter. So, in anticipation of what God was going to speak and at the arrival of the messenger humility poured forth in the expression of reverence. "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news!" (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7). There is a respect for the messenger but not solely on the basis of his good looks or his reputation. No it is on the basis of his message. He is a receptacle delivering a treasure. (2 Cor. 4) So they were eager to hear everything that God was going to speak through him to them.

Do you have that sort of respect or admiration for the messenger and more importantly the message? Do you eagerly look forward to the times when the messenger pours the treasure of surpassing greatness out on you? Do you look forward to church? When the Word of God is opened and explained making things clear so that the people can understand (Neh. 8:8). When a passage of Scripture is the basis of teaching the good news of Jesus (Acts 8:35). Do you look forward to church with and anticipation of hearing from God?

Do you pray for the messenger? Do you lift up in prayer those that teach you and hold them in high regard? Do you put expectations on them to do things other than carefully sit in the counsel of God to recieve the message and faithfully deliver that message? Many church goers think that their pastors should be a 'jack-of-all-trades' and that they should be able to come up with a message from God in hurry but what is really important is that they jump at every 'beck-and-call' of the congregation. "Attend these events and accomplish these tasks" they say, "after all, what are we paying you for?" So, the message loses its place as supreme and is replaced with lots of other seemingly good things. Let us pray for our spiritual leaders to sit un-distracted on the mountain of the Lord. Let us pray that they would descend and speak to us with radiating faces and a message that makes us terrified of the Almighty (Exodus 19,20). A message that helps us to be the community of God (1 Peter 2:9).

Sometimes it is Good that Progress is Slow

Sometimes progress in the faith can seem slow. Sometimes I will think about my current condition and just beg God that He would make me better. When I survey a couple years and see that not much has happened it makes me sad. I wish I was a better man and I wish I could be more godly in a hurry.

But, on the other hand I am so grateful that the process is at times slow and steady. I have changed quite a bit in the past few years. Thankfully, I have been changing from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). Hopefully, other people can see my progress in the faith (1 Timothy 4:15). And all of this to the glory of Jesus. The transformation is taking place. The sanctification is happening one day at a time and God is pruning one thing at a time.

I am thankful that it comes at me gradually... It is a process and pruning isn't the most pleasant experience I have went through. The refining fire is really hot. The impurities are resilient to the heat and they don't go easy. And, to be honest, if I knew what I was signing up for I probably wouldn't have been so thrilled at first. If I knew the changes that God had in store for me and the humility it would take, I probably would have shied away. I probably would have done something else that would have accentuated my skills and stroked my ego. Being a sold out Christ follower doesn't allow for those things. That is why this morning I say, "thank you God that it is slow." Thank God that He is working on you and the pace isn't so break neck that you can't handle it. Thank God that He is a patient potter that slowly crafts on His vessel. Because when after many many periods of time, after much reshaping and sculpting, and after the heat of the oven gives permanence to His work, you will be ready... to see His Glory.

Progressing in the Faith

Most times the bible will answer questions I put to it... It does a pretty good job of defending itself. 

The other night I was tired of doing homework. I was trying desperately to finish my assignments for an Old Testament Survey class that only lasted eight weeks (so much material in such a short amount of time). I was also thinking about the fact that over the past year and a half I have read shelves of books. I feel like my understanding of God is deeper than it has ever been and I feel like it has been a year or so of intense learning and refining for me.

So, I asked the question of whether or not the progress ever plateaus. Maybe someday I will have grey hair and I will sit back and look at the things that I have taught to younger generations, and look at how God has used me and how He sharpened my understanding, and my hope is that it will be easier times?But then the Bible exposed that even though that sounds good, even though it would be good to have sound doctrine and a life to match it, there is never a time to coast. Paul instructs his protege Timothy to progress in the faith so that others can see (1 Timothy 4:15). In context, Paul was talking about living as an example, in faith, in life, in love, and in purity(vs. 12). It also had to do with doctrine (vs. 16). So, the answer to my question is a resounding "NO." I don't ever settle in. I don't coast. Keep progressing in the faith so that others can see and glorify God. 

I hope that over the last year people can notice the ways that I have changed. I hope that people can see the ways that I have increased in godliness and love. And, that is the plan for you also if you call yourself a Christ follower, a life that is progressing in the faith.

Is 2009 your best year yet for displaying Christ? Are you more like Him today then ever before? Let us press on to know Christ more and to display Him to the world.

Let me add a note that this is not something that you achieve on your own accord. You can try all you want to become more like Jesus and think that by your works you are saved. That is not the case. You are not earning favor with God... you already have it. You are not achieving righteousness... Jesus freely gave it to you 2000 years ago. I am talking about 'living up to what we have been called to.' I am talking about the sanctification that God is putting us through to make us more like His Son. It is a process and we do progress. It is described beautifully in 2 Cor 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." This is the process that we go through. First off, we see with our spiritual eyes the beauty of Christ, "with unveiled faces beholding the glory of the Lord." Secondly, we are being changed to be made like Jesus, "we are being transformed into the same image [of Jesus whom we are beholding]." Furthermore, it is a process, "from one degree of glory to another." Finally, this transformation is not credited to us, as if we could achieve it on our own, but it is credited to God Himself, "for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 

We are being changed to be more like Jesus as we see and love Jesus. And this should be evidenced in our lives by noticeable progress. I will never coast. Not if I keep my eyes on Jesus and resist the schemes of Satan. I will always be progressing in godliness and understanding.

Please Gaurd My Understanding

Because I am taking an online course and working towards my degree... I have been thinking lately about the studying of the Word. I am a student of the Bible. I want to be mastered by it and I believe that it has the power to transform.

My question tonight is when does it plateau? When is the learning curve less steep? When is understanding and theology closest to accurate? I picture a spiraling line that is getting closer and closer and closer to the center. At the outset it is broad and sweeping circles that take up an immense amount of space. As you get closer to the center the circle gets tight and close. That is how I picture myself understanding theology. At the outset there is a little uncertainty but as the bible is mined day after day after day I think that God becomes more and more clear. I wonder where I am at in that mental picture? Over the last year I have really examined the faith as best I can to make sure that I know what I am telling others. I am so unqualified for the position God has placed me in other than the fact that God has placed me in it.

So, I hope my understanding of God is getting tighter and closer to the truth. I pray that I might make less and less mistakes in assessing the Almighty. God help me to accurately proclaim you to the world. Amen

Jesus the Hero

During my quiet time today I was reading in Romans... and the thing that I was being hammered with today is that humanity is so sinful. That is a vague and general statement but when you apply it on a personal level it begins to make sense; I am sinful. You are sinful.

Paul puts it like this in Romans 3 where he quotes the Psalmist, "there is no one righteous, not even one; no one seeks God... there is no fear of God before their eyes." There is not a person on the planet now or ever that can get the title righteous (except One). And when we look at the Law we are brought to the realization that we are sinful, I am sinful and God would be just in punishing me severely. So, what do we do? We look to our Savior. We look to Jesus to be our remedy.

But, that is not so easy. It is humbling for people to say to themselves that they are 'wicked' (quoting Paul again) and that they deserve punishment. It is so hard to submit to that truth and I would say even harder for 'religious' people that attend church and tithe and go to small group and what not. It is harder for them to see that they are sinful because after all they are good people.

Mark Driscoll puts it like this in his book Vintage Jesus, "religious people often read the bible looking for ways to be the hero of their own life rather than reading it to see themselves as the villain and Jesus their hero." And that is the truth that hit me this morning. I am a villain and Jesus is my hero. Jesus rescues me from my self. Jesus takes my punishment by faith and gives me His right standing with God by faith and justifies me before the Father by faith. But, I am a thief that doesn't deserve any of those things!?

What a humbling and liberating truth! Jesus is my hero. I'm a crook but Jesus is my hero.

Acts 9- God Calling

Acts 9 is the story of Saul's conversion to Paul. It is a phenomenal story that shows how God works. Saul in the story was, "breathing out murderous threats against Lord and his disciples." 

Now before you write Saul off as a religious prude, we need to assess ourselves and see how much like him we actually are. Because we too can be a Saul even after our initial conversion... This is what we do; We constantly stiff-arm Jesus. We like to keep him at a safe distance that makes Him appear to be important to us but when it boils down to it we would rather advance ourselves by our religious actions. Saul was highly esteemed in his religious circles. He was a devout religious man. He, on his own ability, knew the Law and attended the temple and did things that would make others think he is a super godly man.

We do the same thing. We like to attend church. We like to talk about what we read in the bible. We like to go to retreats or worship services and display our christianity. But, the thing we do not want to do is submit. It is one thing to advance our 'faith' by our own religious actions, it is a whole separate thing to humbly come to the feet of Jesus and beg Him to make us look more like Him. That makes us feel stupid, like a petty beggar. It offends our pride. 

Thank God that he mobs us with His ways. Saul on the road to Damascus was overcome by the presence of Jesus. "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). Jesus pursues us and overtakes us at times. Let me explain. He does this to us at the time of our conversion. He shows us our sins and humbles us to show our desperate need of a savior. But, he continually does this too. He is sanctifying us so at times He overtakes us and reveals our pride and humbles us at the foot of the Cross. This is for our benefit. It is in those moments that we see Jesus as supremely precious. It is when you are humbled that it doesn't matter how much of the bible you know or if other people think you are some great Christian. All that matters is that Jesus loves you and you have been adopted into the Father's family. Obedience becomes your desire because you love deeply. Humility becomes your reality. You do not presume that God owes you any grace and you certainly would not offend Him by sinning so that grace may abound. You desire to have your entire life come in line with the gospel. Transformation happens. Saul becomes Paul. The greatest persecutor becomes the most passionate missionary. We get vamped from our casual half-hearted following to a relentless pursuit of Jesus and His ways.

So today, I challenge you to pray that God would overtake you. I challenge you to pray for a fresh experience of Jesus that breaks you of your plans and helps you to adopt His. You are on your road to Damascus. You have a plan for how you will accomplish your advancement of your faith through bible study, classes, sermons, etc... but what you really need is to meet Jesus today. You need to be mobbed by his glory and you need to be transformed. Humbling needs to take place and glorification of Jesus needs to be made. Pray that God would ransack you. Then brace yourself.