Building Up the Body- Romans 12

I love to watch an active church work. Especially when the people truly love one another. It’s like watching a well-oiled machine. Each component doing a different job while working together to accomplish the same purpose.

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. -Romans 12:3-8

God gave us different talents that we must use in His service. Paul highlighted some of these in Romans 12. Sometimes though, Christians use this fact as an excuse not to serve. Excuses like, “It’s not my gift” or “I’m really bad at ____” permeate the church. Let’s be honest. Some are better singers. Some are better encouragers. Some are better teachers. Some are better at serving others. Simply because _____ is not our gift, does not absolve us from stepping in and helping whenever the need arises. The opening verses of Romans 12 seem to highlight the need to be busily serving God each day.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:1-2

The gifts God has bestowed on us hinge on the commitment we made when becoming Christians. We dedicated our lives to Him. We no longer belong to ourselves. Through our daily, living sacrifices, we recommit ourselves to God. Focusing on service, we renew our minds. Life is no longer about us but about Him. Through our daily efforts to live like Christ, we glorify God.

But not on our own. Christianity was never meant to be a solo feat. It was meant to be a brotherhood.

…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. -Ephesians 4:15b-16

As we use our talents, we build each other up to be more Christ-like and we are transformed into more pleasing, daily sacrifices to God. Remember, God’s not looking for capable servants. He’s looking for willing ones. He will make us capable if we allow Him.

Laser-Like Focus: 2 Corinthians 5

As we finished setting up the church's booth at the Fair, Duke Berry told me something that left me surprisingly speechless. The church thinks we are doing a good job and wants to reward me! Sounding like a bumbling fool, I searched for the right words to say thank you. I was so focused on doing a good job for the Lord and for our congregation that this had literally not crossed my mind. Paul tells the Corinthians the apostles have this type of tunnel-vision, and by extension of the Great Commission, calls Christians to the same type of laser-like focus.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. -2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Out of our deep-seated, immense respect for God, Christians should be seeking to convince others not only of the necessity of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and submitting to His authority but also the outright joy that comes from leading a life of service in God's Kingdom. As we realize just what Christ has done for us, we should respond the same way we do when our favorite team wins the championship or we see an amazing movie. We should be compelled to talk about what God has done for days on end with anyone who will listen.

It's not that we become as a horse with blinders, unaware of everything around us. We still see the enjoyable activities and people. We still see politics. We still see the hurting and destitute. We still see the users and self-absorbed. We just see them differently. They take a back seat to  noticing God and His blessings. When we do notice these events and people, we see (or try to see) them as God does. This pushes us more to share with them the message that will snatch them away from Satan. After all, that's exactly what Christ did for us even before we sought peace. He laid the groundwork to repair our relationship with Him. It only cost Him the blood of His Son.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

-Romans 5:8-11

The Complex Christ: Loving and Humble- Matthew 9, John 13, and Philippians 2

For lack of a better term, Jesus is…complex. However, people tend to overlook His complexity. They focus on the aspect of Jesus’ character or personality that reassures them while neglecting the rest.

Many choose to focus on His love, compassion, and forgiveness. I took a poll at my house and the stories mentioned were about helping people solve unsolvable problems of illness and death. Jesus certainly spent much of His time caring for others both physically and spiritually.

Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. -Matthew 9:35-36

This passage sums up Jesus—loving the sick, loving the heart-broken, loving the lost, and willing to do something to help. This Jesus is easy to come to. However, this was not all Jesus’ character entailed. Remember, Jesus is complex.

One of the other popular traits is Jesus’ humility. They hold up Jesus (and rightly so) as a model for Christians to measure themselves by in their service of others.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got  up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. -John 13:3-5

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:5-11

These passages sum up Jesus—willing to do the dirty work, willing to become like man, and willing to obey the Father despite dire consequences. This Jesus is easy to come to. However, this was not all Jesus’ character entailed. Remember, Jesus is complex.

Jesus is indeed overflowing with love, compassion, and forgiveness. He is also the poster boy for perfect humility. It is good to dwell on these characteristics, emulating them in our lives. Only focusing on these aspects though gives people an incomplete, inaccurate picture of who Jesus really is. He is so much more than that! Stay tuned next week for the less-talked about facets of our Savior.

Rebellion, Restoration, and Rejoicing—Zephaniah 3

Wednesday night, Jael came out of Bible class beaming with excitement.  Paul Schmied had given the teens a great lesson on the promises of God including one from the little-known Zephaniah.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. -Zephaniah 3:17

This amazingly refreshing promise comes on the heels of prophecies of God’s judgement. Historically, Zephaniah wrote in a period of relative prosperity and peace in Judah. Assyria, Judah’s most powerful enemy, was on the decline and Babylon was not yet a threat. The bulk of the book focuses on the coming judgment of Judah and Jerusalem.

Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the tyrannical city! She heeded no voice, she accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the LORD, she did not draw near to her God. -Zephaniah 3:1-2

This rebellion and lack of obedience had not only infected the royalty but the judges, prophets, and priests as well.

Her princes within her are roaring lions, her judges are wolves at evening; they leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law. -Zephaniah 3:3-4

In about 30 years, God would begin carrying Judah off into Babylonian captivity. Jerusalem was to be destroyed; the Israelites taken to foreign land, many never to see their homeland again (Zephaniah 3:6-8).

However, this was not the end of God’s message to Judah. As with other condemnation and judgment prophecies, God reminds His people of His faithfulness and a coming restoration.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with Joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shout of joy.  I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts-They came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exiles is a burden on them. Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.  At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,”says the LORD.

-Zephaniah 3:17-20

The Lord has always loved His people. That’s why the captivity was meant to punish, but also meant to turn the people back to Him so that He could bless them.

God still loves us and longs to bless us.  That’s why, Hebrews 12:10 says, “He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.” Will we become the holy people He desires us to be so that He may be quiet in his love for us, exult over us in joy and be the victorious warrior in our midst?

God's Got Style—Romans 4

Our God’s got style! He has been showing His creativeness and amazing power throughout history by bending the laws of nature to His every whim. Abraham found that out, as Paul illustrates in Romans 4, and was blessed through his response.

For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” -Romans 4:3

This passage is a quotation from Genesis 15:6. Abraham’s belief comes on the heels of an amazing promise. God told an old, childless Abraham that he would have as many descendants as the stars in the sky. Not only was the promise unfathomable, but the waiting game was not yet over. However, Abraham continued to believe God was able to do what He had promised. Thus, he obeyed God who said, “Walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. -Romans 4:19-21

Abraham was not a misguided fool. He knew how old he was. He knew how old Sarah was. He knew they were well-past childbearing years. More importantly though he knew who God was and believed God was able to work around every obstacle. God used promises like this one as a shadow of His immense ability to solve mankind’s issues. The most insurmountable issue being sin.

Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

-Romans 4:23-5:2

God’s ultimate plan was to deal with sin. Only He had the power to do so. Mankind had sold itself, and the price for redemption was too steep for people to pay. He sent Jesus to live a sinless life, be falsely convicted of crimes and executed, and finally to be raised from the dead to break the chains of sin. God did this to justify us, to restore peace, and to extend grace to those who would believe and obey.

The promise of countless children to Abraham came after a long period of obedience to God. Abraham was told to leave his home and family to travel to an unknown destination. I am sure Abraham had questions and did not fully understand. He obeyed anyway and was blessed for it. God also tells us what to do to obtain the “introduction by faith into grace.” We may have questions. We may not fully understand. The question that remains is, “Will we obey?”

Freedom to Love and Serve—Galatians 5

Community is important to God. His church was meant to be like a unified family, not an estranged one. Christians were not meant to face their walk of faith alone. Yet there are some Christians who claim to please to God even though they purposefully neglect being with his people. Looking at the New Testament, this belief is nothing short of a farce. At Camp ’15, Dave Stewart shared with us a list of 63 “one another” passages in the New Testament.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

-Galatians 5:13-14

Paul tells the Galatians they had been freed through the blood of Christ. This freedom should bring Christians great joy. Instead of being forced to love and serve each other, we are blessed to be able to do so. This realized blessing should prompt us to love our neighbor as ourselves. The word used for love here is agape or unconditional love. God commands His people to love each other without restriction. How do fallible people do this? Focus on Jesus.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:23-25

Most of the time this passage is used to badger/shame Christians into coming to worship, but it contains so much more power. Christians have the power to stir up one another to love and serve better. The blood of Jesus has freed us to have confidence in our relationship with God. As we hold tightly to this confidence ourselves and help others to do the same, we encourage each other to keep serving the One who cleansed us. Thus, holding on to one another, we all stay faithful.

Freedom can be dangerous, however. People, even Christians, can be self-centered and self-absorbed. Paul warns the Galatians to be careful not to use their freedom to abuse each other.

But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may to do the things that you please. -Galatians 5:15-17

As we focus on allowing the Spirit to guide us through the Word as well as daily life, we seek to carry out God’s will unconditionally. Our focus begins to shift from “let me nitpick your sin” to “let us help one another be more faithful to God.” As a result, we use the freedom God gave us in Christ to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Let us seek to use our freedom for God’s glory, constantly seeking to build one another up to “love and good works.” Remember, the church is a family. Community matters to God.

Baggage—1 Timothy 1

Sandy Berry invited Tassie and me out to lunch about a month ago. Without thinking, I replied, “Uh-oh are we in trouble?” She looked at me incredulously and told me she would stop inviting if we always thought we were in trouble! My response was not meant to offend but was out of genuine, shell-shocked concern. Tassie and I had been ambushed in the past when some fellow coworkers invited us out. This experience left us with “baggage.”

The Apostle Paul also had “baggage” he brought with him and dealt with in his Christian walk. He did not allow it to hamper his work for Christ, choosing to praise Him instead.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

-1Timothy 1:12-15

God was able to use Paul to accomplish great things despite Paul’s previous preoccupation with persecuting the people of God. He was strengthened and put into service because of the “more than abundant” grace of Jesus. This does not mean Paul ever forgot his past misguided aggression. His focus on God’s forgiveness and mercy propelled him to serve Him regardless of opposition.

Christians today are often hampered by their past and/or their supposed lack of talent. Questions such as, “How can God possibly use me?” or statements such as “I am just not talented enough to do ______ for God” loom, preventing them from allowing God to work through them. These Brothers and Sisters underestimate God’s power.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefor, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Like Paul, we all struggle with some weaknesses (including past failures/sins) in our service to God. Some grapple with their ability evangelize, teach a class, lead singing, visit the sick, etc. However the fact remains…God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. Let us not focus on our weaknesses. Instead, let us boast in these shortcomings as we allow God to work through us! As one of our friends once said, “God is not looking for competent servants, He is looking for willing ones.” As we are willing, He makes us competent and will do great things to further His Kingdom through us.  

The Struggle with Sin—Romans 7

The Christian walk is difficult. Okay, there is the understatement of the year! God calls His people to a level of morality that causes even the most battle-tested saints to quiver in fear when they realize just how far they have to go. The hardest part about being a Christian is the fact that a Christian is still prone to his/her own humanness. Paul recognized this struggle as well.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am not longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

-Romans 7:14-20

If one of the apostles struggled like this, it is no wonder that Christians today have trouble as well. Paul does not wallow in self-pity when considering his struggle with sin. Instead he turns his attention to the solution to the problem.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. -Romans 7:25-8:2

Those who have been washed in the blood of Christ, belong to God and have been freed from sin and the spiritual death sin required. The one caveat is we must continue to walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh, seeking to do God’s Will even though we continue to stumble. John put it this way.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. -1 John 1:6-7

Let us continue to walk in the Light, seeking fervently to honor our God and the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf. By doing so, we will be victorious in our battle against sin.

Foundations—1 Corinthians 3

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

-1 Corinthians 3:9-11

The foundation is Christ. He is the One that all Christians base their faith on. His life, teachings, commands, example, death, burial, and resurrection should be the measuring stick. These facts are the things teachers attempt to pass on to students, the older to the younger, the mature to the immature, and preachers to congregations.

A foundation is only the beginning. It must be built upon to be useful to people. The Christian faith is the same. This building process belongs to each individual Christian. It is their responsibility to construct the strongest, most productive temple for God they can.

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious, would, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. -1 Corinthians 3:12-14

People will use different “materials” to build on their foundation of Christ. Paul, of course, is merely using physical building tools to discuss the need to build on their faith with the best quality materials available. These mentioned materials are different qualities, able to withstand different levels of resistance. In the same way, the sermons we listen to, the people we spend time with, our study habits and resources, the service we render, et cetera will have a profound impact on the architecture of our faith. By using the better quality “materials” to build, we will be better able to withstand the challenges, struggles and temptations Satan sends our way.

Do not put the cart before the proverbial horse though. The foundation must be strong. Otherwise just as a building with a faulty foundation is dangerous, a faith built on a faulty foundation is eternally dangerous.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall. -Matthew 7:24-27

Building a sturdy, lasting foundation requires hearing Jesus’ words and doing them. Without hearing them, we cannot do them. Without doing them, all the furnishing we attempt to do will be for naught.

Are We Listening—Mark 10

Mark 10:32-41 records a very interesting interplay between Jesus and the apostles. While they were walking together up to Jerusalem, Jesus begins to tell them what will happen to Him.

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.

-Mark 10:33-34

Jesus seems to attempt two things here. First, He is trying to prepare the twelve for what is ahead. The crucifixion was going to be a pivotal moment. The chief priests were going to have Him executed in the cruelest way possible in hopes of squashing whatever following He had. The twelve would be incomplete. The remaining eleven would cower in fear. However, Jesus also wants them to know that His death is not the end. God’s plan included raising Jesus from the dead. This resurrection won’t be at the end of time but on a deadline-three days. He wants the twelve to take courage in this. He wants them prepared when the Jewish bitter herbs hit the fan.

Second, Jesus may also wish to be comforted and encouraged. Death is a tough event to deal with, especially a proverbial death sentence in the prime of life. There is one major exception here though. Jesus was facing an actual death sentence for crimes He did not commit! While He knew the cross (and resurrection) was the purpose of His earthly existence, to assume this thrilled Him would be misguided. Consider the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before the arrest, mock trial, and crucifixion.

And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” -Mark 14:35-36

Here is the problem. The apostles are not listening. They are in “la-la” land. There are more important things on their minds than hearing what their Master has to say. James and John are too concerned with their own power, authority, and dominion. The other ten are consumed with indignation possibly because they wanted the positions of power for themselves and were too coy to ask.

Are we too much like the apostles? Do we listen to what Jesus has to tell us, or are we too self-absorbed and arrogant to really pay attention? Jesus has left us commands to follow. Jesus has set us a perfect example of how to please the Father. Jesus has given us the magnificent promises of God to aid us through the temptations and struggles of life.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I cam that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -John 10:9-10

Are we listening? We should be. 

Doctors—Luke 2

It is no big secret that I do not like doctors. With my medical history, I guess I suffer from a bit of PTSD. For a while, it seemed like every time I went to the doctor’s office they tried to find a reason to run more tests, take more blood, and/or cut on me! Our last three years in China, I taught conversational English to medical post-graduates (think Master’s level). They would often ask me if I liked Chinese doctors. I would reply, “I think about American and Chinese doctors the same way. On a personal level, I like them very much. On a professional level, stay away from me!”  Yet as “undesirable” as I find these doctors, when I am sick, I know they can help me feel better.

Jesus, on the other hand, loved to spend time with the “undesirables.” Jesus spent time with the seedy underbelly of the Jewish community, tax collectors and sinners. When the scribes and Pharisees questioned the disciples about this, the disciples reply is not recorded in Scripture. Jesus’ response, however, rings loud and clear.

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.  Mark 2:17

These tax collectors and sinners knew they had a problem. They knew they could not fix it by themselves. They knew Jesus would and could help. Jesus was a magnet, drawing them out to confront even their darkest sins and leaving a changed person. In fact, the occasion where Jesus says this, He is dining at Levi’s home with Levi’s buddies. Levi is better known by a different name, Matthew—one of the Twelve.

Something happened during Levi’s encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever. This is no surprise. Whenever people came into contact with the Savior, they never left the same. Sometimes they left with the resolve to follow Him and change their sinful behavior. Sometimes, they left angry. Sometimes they just left. But then, I guess that was to be expected.

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

-John 3:19-21

Just like I do not like to go the doctor because I have to admit that I am sick, people refuse to come to Christ because they would have to admit they have a problem with sin. Just like the doctor can help diagnose and fix whatever illness plagues me, Jesus can diagnose and cure/cleanse people’s sins. The question that remains is, “Do you want to get well?” The Great Physician is waiting. It is time to step into His office.

Priority—Matthew 19

Obedience matters to God. One of the most heartbreaking accounts in the Gospels is Jesus’ encounter with the rich, young ruler. By his own admission, he has obeyed the commandments. Looking at the story, this person seems to love God because he wants to make sure he is not lacking anything in his quest to obtain eternal life. Jesus’ response blindsides him.

If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven and come, follow Me. -Matthew 19:21

In a closer examination, this man may have kept most of the commands of God. However, he misses the first and most important one. Jesus tells a lawyer who questions Him about most important command to look to the Law. The lawyer responds with quotes from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.  -Luke 10:27

In fact, the first commandment given in the Ten Commandments also shows the importance of God being at the forefront of a person’s life.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in Heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.  -Exodus 20:2-6

God deserves to be the first priority. Moses told the Israelites, God MUST be first. No other gods or idols were acceptable in His eyes. The young man Jesus was talking to may have never bowed to a stone idol but his fortune became the very thing he worshipped. Unfortunately when presented with the solution to this problem, the young man left grieving presumably never to return.

Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.

 -Isaiah 29:13-14

Wealth, however, is not the only thing that overtakes the first priority in a Christian’s life. Anything that is given more importance than God causes people to only give lip service to God.

Obedience matters to God. True obedience to God starts with placing Him in His rightful place in our lives. What stands in our way of truly following Jesus? The rich young ruler refused to remove his roadblock. Will we?

Humility—James 4

“How are you today?” This innocent question came from a Walgreens employee as I put my new cane up on the counter. My response was, “A little humbled at the moment. I never figured I’d need a cane at 37.” We joke about how people avoid praying for patience, but few of us pray for humility either. Being humble is both beneficial and necessary to please God. Although the process to gain it is painful, humility lets us become more like Christ.

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. -James 4:4-7

James says humility is a key step in defeating Satan. Submission to God is required if a person wants to garner the strength to fend off the devil’s attacks and send him running the other way. Submission mandates a surrendering of one’s own will. There is no other way to achieve it.

The idea of God opposing the proud but granting grace to the humble is scattered throughout the whole of Scripture (Psalms 138, Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5-6). This comes at no surprise. The humble look at life and realize their need for God’s help and guidance. The proud believe they can handle everything on their own, often refusing to seek God. The Creator wants to bestow grace upon mankind, but will not force them to accept this free gift. To those who will, however, God will send His Spirit to dwell within them. One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to open spiritual doors for challenge resolution. Humble submission and obedience to God’s Will is vital for the Holy Spirit to indwell and aid them.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. -Romans 5:3-6

God uses daily struggles to refocus people’s attention on Him and His promises. Without humility however a person will simply be embittered or broken by the trials of life. The only way to grow through trials is through humility. Pride prevents us from learning and growing by redirecting our attention toward self-reliance or self-pity. This renewed focus on God’s guidance should lead us to adopt a more Christ-like spirit, thus pointing us to the faithful expectation of His promises.

Struggles are going to come. Satan is going to attack. We need help to successfully thwart the devil. God is ready, willing, and able to assist. The only question remaining is, “Are we going to humble ourselves before Him and obey?”

Jude—Rescue the Fallen

Weak. Uncommitted. Lazy. These are some of the descriptions I have heard over the years from other Christians (and admittedly used a time or two myself) concerning their backslidden brethren. Should these people be written off?

Jude, most likely the Lord’s brother, knew doubting and unbelief. John 7:5 records the fact that Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him. Yet later in life, Jude changed and wrote these words encouraging Christians to seek out the wayward.

And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. -Jude 22-23

Jude admonishes faithful believers to “have mercy on” and “snatch [these worldly-minded] out of the fire.” Like him, these people are precious to the Lord. Having forgotten their Savior, they have gotten enticed and entangled in the world’s glitz and glamour. Jude, like the shepherd in Luke 15, is holding out hope of finding the lost sheep before it is too late.

However, Jude warns these potential rescuers to be careful. Search and rescue mission are dangerous and much can go awry. Christians must prepare themselves properly.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. -Jude 20-21

Just as a physically hobbled person is not the best choice to lead a search party because they would potentially need to be rescued themselves, a Christian who is not devoted to prayer and study is in danger of needing to be rescued as well. A person not constantly “building [themselves] up in the most holy faith” is in danger of traveling the same path as the one Jude says need to be saved.

Jude closes his short letter by once again reminding his readers that Jesus is the answer to remaining faithful while seeking the lost.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with greatly, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. -Jude 24-25

Let us seek to remain dedicatedly praying in the Holy Spirit , actively searching the Scriptures and faithfully serving our Lord every day. By doing so, we guard ourselves from needing to be rescued from Satan’s clutches. By doing so, we may have the opportunity and privilege of helping to save someone from certain spiritual death. By not “writing these people off”, we are glorifying our Savior by searching for his lost sheep.

Outsiders—Colossians 4

The Bible makes distinctions. In the Old Testament the main groupings are the Jews and everybody else (Gentiles). In the New Testament that distinction still exists, but a more important one is featured—the Christians and everybody else (Gentiles). The meaning of the term Gentile is altered. Instead of anyones who is not a Jew, it comes to mean anyone who is not a Christian. There is another term that is used for the non-Christian as well—Outsider.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

-Colossians 4:5-6

At first glance, this moniker of “outsider” seems odd and a bit cruel. The New Testament writers are not interested in hurting anyone’s feelings. They use this term and others like it to make some powerful points all revolving around one theme…there are people who are not “inside” the Family of God.

Insiders have to be wise in their dealings with those on the outside. Those in the world do not recognize the same moral standard that Christians do. As a result, they often do and say things that are not appropriate in God’s eyes. If a Christian is not wise when around these people, Christians might join them in activities and vocabulary that do not bring glory to God.

Paul instructs the Colossians to “[make] the most of the opportunity.” God loves those on the outside too, and He wants them to be included in His Family. As a child of God is wise in dealing with the unredeemed, their behaviors and attitudes create a stark contrast with those of their worldly counterparts. This difference often allows Christians to share their faith with others, hopefully rescuing another person from the “domain of darkness.”

Paul then tells his readers their speech should be “with grace, as though seasoned with salt.” Responses, both verbal and nonverbal, must be chosen carefully and purposefully to convey the message of God’s love and forgiveness to the non-Christian. Salt has many functions including seasoning, preserving, and cleansing. A Christian’s communication with the world should seek to properly season the world’s view toward God, preserving their good qualities while eliminating the bad, all in hope of cleansing someone’s sin through the blood of Christ.

We were all “outsiders” once. God used His people and His Word to bring us into His Family thus giving us new monikers.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. -1 Peter 2:9-10

With those new monikers, comes new duties and responsibilities. Simply put, reflect God’s glory to those who are still “NOT A PEOPLE” in hopes of them being added to “THE PEOPLE OF GOD.” God wants outsiders to become insiders.

Forcing Their Way In—Luke 16

One of the most confusing parables Jesus told is recorded in Luke 16:1-18. In the midst of the “Parable of the Unrighteous Steward,” Jesus makes an equally confusing statement about the Kingdom of God.

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. -Luke 16:16

What is Jesus referring to here? Let’s look at the original Greek. The Greek word used in verse 16 is Βιάζω (Biatzo). Unfortunately, the grammar of the sentence makes the meaning of the passage difficult. It is in the present tense which means the action is going on right then. The most common meaning is “to use force or violence.” It’s used in the middle/passive form carrying a meaning of "to invite urgently.” Because of the form of the verb here (middle/passive voice or possibly intransitive) the verb could also be translated “The Kingdom suffers violence” or “Unauthorized people are compelling the Kingdom’s coming” or even “the Kingdom makes its way with triumphant force.” Let’s examine the options briefly.

“To invite urgently” is a viable option due to the fact that the church, the Kingdom of God, is the new spiritual Israel where there is no difference in race, color, bloodline, etc. All who are immersed into Christ have been added by God to the church. Consider Galatians 3:26-29 as an example.

“The Kingdom suffers violence” is another good possibility. Since the verb is in the present tense, Jesus is likely not referring to the persecutions that came after His resurrection and ascension. However, those who had followed Jesus before were also persecuted by the religious leaders. John 9:22-23 records an instance where parents refuse to answer questions about their son’s healing because they were “afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.”

“Unauthorized people are compelling the Kingdom’s coming” may also be an accurate translation when considering the many false messiahs both before and after the time of Jesus. He warns His disciples of this very real danger in Matthew 25:15-28. The Kingdom of God would come in God’s good time not according to the will of man.

“The Kingdom makes its way with triumphant force” is the final possibility since no one has been able to stop the church or its message since the resurrection of Jesus. This should come as no surprise to Christians; Jesus declared:

I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. -Matthew 16:18

Which translation is correct? Unfortunately only the Lord knows what exactly He meant since the grammar does not provide sufficient clues. All of the options listed above have scriptural backing.

Home—1 Peter 2

Home. We have all heard the clichés. “Home is where the heart is.” “Home is where you hang your hat.” “Home is where the people you love are.” The list goes on and on. For returning long-term missionaries, the concept of “home” is strange. In school, we were told that these people do not feel “at home” in the culture they are living in (not their culture) or coming from (culture has changed while they have been gone). The closest these foreign emissaries come to feeling “at home” is on the airplane. So when we knew we were coming back to the US, we picked the brains Dan McVey, long-time missionary in Ghana. He said that it would probably take 6 months for every year we were out of the country to fully readjust to the US way of life if we ever did. Surprisingly, our family has had a much easier time readjusting to life in America than anticipated. Much of this has to do with being with His people on a regular basis.

In some ways, Christians are foreign missionaries in the culture in which they live even if they have never left their childhood stomping grounds.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12

Peter does not attempt to hide the fact that Christians are a different breed from those around them. In fact, he further addresses the awkwardness the brethren will experience when dealing with those they once called friends and associates.

In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:4-5

On our own, we are not better than the non-believers around us. We have been made different by the blood of Christ. As we serve Him, we should notice that we are not the same people we once were. We do not fit in as we once did. Our perspectives have changed. We are no longer slaves of sin but are slaves to God as Paul puts it in Romans 6. Jesus would have it no other way if we truly want to serve Him.

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. -Luke 9:23-26

All these things considered, there’s no wonder why a missionary feels most at home on the airplane. They are in transit. They know as all Christians should know that they do not belong here. After all, Christians are “aliens and strangers.”

Visitors—Acts 2 and Ephesians 4

“Visitor.” I hate that term. It carries a sense of non-belonging or anti-kinship. I understand that they are called “visitors” because they “are just passing through” or “worship somewhere else on a regular basis.” Yet we would not dare call our own family members “visitors” when they come to see us! This term sends faulty, misguided, and unscriptural messages when used to talk about our transient brothers and sisters in Christ.

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

-Acts 2:46-47

God is making additions to His church every time a non-believer or a misguided disciple learns the way of Christ more fully and then puts on Christ in baptism. In Acts 18:26, Apollos stands as an example of a misguided disciple of Jesus who needed further teaching since he only understood the baptism of John the Baptist. God, not man, is responsible for adding this new person to the church. They do not transfer their “membership” to another congregation because they belong to the same “one Body” Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:4-6.

There is one Body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

In 2010, my family visited Melaka, during a tour of Malaysia during our summer break. We arrived in the city during the week and began to immerse ourselves in the local culture. We were very unimpressed with Melaka until Sunday morning. After a rough night’s sleep, we nearly decided to hold a little worship ourselves instead of meeting with the local family. Thankfully, we determined we were being “toonsies" as my dad would say (think wusses) about the lack of sleep and “girded our loins” instead. As we showed up to the store front (Malaysian churches are not allowed to have buildings of their own), we were engulfed by the local Christians. Since we were simply expecting to be greeted, this took us by great surprise. After the worship service was over, we were invited to lunch where the locals refused to let us even take out our wallet! After lunch, we received a breakfast invitation at a nearby restaurant and a supper invite for Monday night at one of their homes and a breakfast invitation for Tuesday! This congregation was saying, “You are one of us. You belong here.” In short, we were treated like FAMILY not visitors. Our outlook on Melaka changed literally in 1-day - a day with His people!

When Christians are traveling through, let us treat them as though they belong. These immersed believers are part of the same Family as Christians in the local congregation…God’s Family. As we treat them as such, we honor God, we send a message of solidarity to any non-believers in attendance, and we may just encourage everyone to walk with or closer to our Father.

Training the Body—Ephesians 4

On a couple of occasions since we have been here, different people have asked me if I minded sharing the class and preaching load. Each time, I told them I would be happy to allow someone else to teach or preach on occasion. This is not because I am trying to get out of work, but simply put I see part of my job as training others to teach and be productive workers in His Kingdom thus strengthening their faith. As one of my professors used to tell us, our job was to work ourselves out of a job. By this he meant our job was to train others to handle our duties when we were not around to do so. This included but was not limited to our teaching responsibilities. People learn by doing, making mistakes, and then trying again.

Before moving overseas, I offered my services to the local preacher on a couple of different occasions to hone my preaching skills and give him an evening or two off. However, he was either unwilling or unable to relinquish his pulpit. Maybe he thought the elders would be upset. Perhaps he felt threatened by me (I have no idea why!). It is possible he had a year-long plan and he did not want to get off-track. Whatever the reason, I never understood this refusal in light of what I had been taught at Harding and what I had read in Scripture.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body,, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

-Ephesians 4:11-16

Some are better preachers and teachers. Some are better song leaders. Some are better at offering prayers up to God. One thing that the mission field helped me fully realize was that people need to be ready to step in and do whatever is needed even if they are not particularly “qualified” to do so. This is not limited to the leadership duties in the public worship of the church. This includes visiting the sick, encouragement, leading a Bible study, praying in a Bible study, and much more. It does not matter if we enjoy these or not. Our goal should always be to do things that will glorify God and build up His church. When we take on different responsibilities, whether publicly or not, our faith grows and we are less likely to be tossed around like children.

The Image of Christ—Ephesians 2

This week we had the pleasure of visiting with Don and Jodi Wright. They too have suffered the wrath of the flu. While we were there, Don showed us some of the traditional leatherwork and beading, including purses and scabbards, he had completed and even won prizes for. The workmanship was gorgeous. Looking at the painstaking artistry, I could not help but think of the craftsmanship God exhibits daily through His creation of man. After God finished creating the earth and all it contains, He decided to do something extra-special.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. -Genesis 1:27

God decided to use Himself as a model for His masterpiece. Mankind exemplifies the image of the Creator. While we are not perfect but marred by sin, we share His attributes and emotions. He was not finished designing though.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hand—remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

-Ephesians 2:10-13

Christians are erected into the image of Christ. Through this action, He molded us into a design that would bring Him glory and honor as we sought to do good works. He connected those willing to come to Him with His chosen people. It is through the blood of Jesus that mankind has hope, has been redeemed.  and has been molded into an image pleasing to the Father.

Don Wright’s handiwork shows meticulous care and patience. That is evident when looking at the finished products. God’s handiwork is the same. Examining the life of a long-time Christian, the fingerprints of God are evident. A person is transformed into the image of Christ as they observe the glory of the Lord.

Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. -2 Corinthians 3:17-18

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

-Colossians 1:13-15

In both of these passages, the word Paul uses in this passage for image is “eikona” which can also be translated “icon or statue.” Jesus is that “icon, image, statue” of God. As a Christian spends time with Christ in study, prayer, and practice, they begin to resemble the “statue” in whose image we were created.