Confident in the Call

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ~ Ephesians 1:17-21

In this excerpt from the message from the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Ephesus, he used the expression "the eyes of your heart" to represent an inner awareness, provided by the Holy Spirit, that comprehends everything God has made available to them. In the Bible, the "heart" is the center of thought, moral judgment, and feeling.

Listen to Paul’s words to his beloved, Timothy . . . “So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:8-10 (The Message))

He reminds Timothy and all of us that we can only keep on going by the power of God. We are called to place our hope in God’s power. What are your hopes depending on these days? But, he doesn’t stop with immediate needs and current circumstances, does he? Paul says our calling (to hope) is ongoing (1Th 2:12; 5:24); it looks to the future since it is attached to the "blessed hope" (Tit 2:13) of eternal glory. The Israelites who wandered in the wilderness were promised an inheritance on earth. The Body of Christ, the new Israel, is given an eternal inheritance of heaven – which, is becoming more present as each Christian submits to Christ’s Kingdom authority and will be as much a part of the earth as it is above when Christ returns. Can you recognize the "incomparably great power" of God in the Bible? If so, why not believe that the same incomparable power is with us today?

I am often perplexed and even frightened by current events and their implications. Like many of you, I wonder what kind of life my children and grandchildren will have as I see the things, I often take for granted becoming unreliable. Honestly, I even worry about my family’s security and my own. As our church family struggles with the total disruption of religious activities that were centered around a building I am tempted to wonder if my job will remain secure. I am tempted to worry about my credibility, usefulness, and significance. I too worry about government encroachment, the limiting of Christian’s liberties, and even persecution. I have fears about the spread of COVID-19, street violence, and anarchy sometimes too.

Then, I recall Paul’s words above. Don’t miss the fact that he wrote them from jail as he suffered all of the things I’ve just mentioned. As a pastor, I think I can safely assume that Paul feared the same sort of things that I do. I understand that his mission caused him to write and speak as the Spirit inspired him. Nevertheless, when he was isolated and estranged, he must have given in to human weakness. His story is peppered with hints of his humanity. He did not always make the best leadership decisions, but with the Spirit’s help, the mission was reconciled as God worked all things for His good and holy purposes.

Therefore, I remain confident in my calling and God’s immeasurable power and authority over all things. I trust that Lord Jesus appointed me to my role and its tasks because of His confidence in my “heart” for Him. I take comfort from the fact that my sufferings in this life are short-lived and utterly insignificant when weighed against the incomparability of eternal life with Christ. When I return to my worries, which occurs regularly, I consciously speak the truth in love to my soul. I counter feelings with facts. The truth of Scripture and its expression of God’s heart and mind is a fact for me. My feelings are temporary interpretations of my times and circumstances. They are apt to change as I acquire more information and self-awareness. I remember with Paul that it is, “in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

Pride or Grace?

But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ~ James 4:6

            Pride is the essence of sin. Adam’s sin occurred when he succumbed to the temptation to distrust God’s motives. His subtle decision to elevate his judgment above the Lord’s led to even greater sin against God as humanity willfully dismisses God every day. If one can, at will, disregard God’s constant presence and perfect wisdom, then it is only easier for him/her to disregard his/her neighbor. Pride separates us from each other.

            Grace is the essence of love. It is the opposite of pride. Grace forgives without justification because of love. God’s decision to forgive sinful humanity was motivated by the greatest love ever. God’s action caused the Son to be our justification. Through Him alone are we forgiven for sin against God. Having accepted this gift, we are obliged to surrender our pride and to embrace grace. Grace binds us to each other.

            When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” he said, “’ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35–40 and Mark 12:28–34) There is no room for pride in this equation.

            How are the day-to-day decisions we make effected by pride and grace? During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been asked to endure discomforts like self-quarantines, social distancing, and wearing masks. While some have argued against these restrictions as an overreach by government officials, some have viewed them as necessary for the common good. It is not prudent or especially relevant to debate that here. This is not a message about civil liberties or “rendering unto Caesar.[1]” It is a study of our Lord’s primary expectation of His people.

            The Lord requires us to set aside our pride so that we can see ourselves for what we are, sinners who routinely reject our holy Creator’s leadership. Humility in that instance will lead directly to grace from Heaven that becomes part of our new nature. Have you made this choice yet? Have you accepted God’s grace? If you have, you’ve been forgiven and born again. Why then, would you choose pride over grace in any matter? Granted – we are born again as baby Christians who are gradually maturing in our new life (aka sanctification). Nevertheless, each day offers opportunities to choose grace.

            What can you do today that reflects the Lord’s command to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself?[2] Will you choose discomfort for the sake of others rather than pride-induced self-serving? Jesus said he is the One whose words are a sharp two-edged sword.[3] This means grace for some and judgment for others. Brothers and sisters, we will be accountable to Jesus for our thoughts, words, and deeds.[4]

 

[1] Mark 12:17

[2] Luke 10:27

[3] Revelation 2:12

[4] Hebrews 6:10, 1 Corinthians 3:8, Psalm 62:12, Romans 2:6, Luke 14:14, Matthew 16:27, Revelation 22:12, Jeremiah 32:19, Proverbs 24:12, Hebrews 6:10, Luke 14:14

Rooted in the Word

In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. Isaiah 4:2

            Anxiety and indifference seem to be engaged in a tug-of-war game around our community these days. The extremists in both camps look at each other with disdain and distrust as they freely criticize and mock each other. As usual, the majority of us are drifting somewhere in the middle ground as we seek balance in all things. While some of us may lean toward one extreme or the other, we also endeavor to think critically and to love our neighbors as Christ commands us to.

            Isaiah’s book begins the major and minor works of the Old Testament prophets who will call the nation to humility, repentance, and attentiveness toward the Lord’s priorities. Each prophet received scorn and rejection. The same prophets reminded the faithful and the foolish that the Lord God would prevail. Those courageous men were voices in the wilderness pleading for the people to prepare the way of the Lord. They reminded God’s people and the nation of the true nature of temporary human folly and the eternal holiness of the sovereign Lord.

            The prophets guaranteed that human vanity would be put down and God’s rule would prevail. Isaiah used the analogy of the branch as a way of describing how important it is to stay rooted in the Word of God. The Word of God is more than the Bible. It is best to think of the Word as the heart and mind of God. God is the source of the only trustworthy truths. God is the source of the only true love. God is the source of the only reality there is.

            It is tempting to think of our times and our worldly affairs as if they are highly significant. It is equally tempting to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. In either case, it is wrong to assume too much, since we are but a blade of grass, here today and gone tomorrow. Only God is eternal and constantly involved in the work of God’s hands – God’s creation and its creatures.

            Like the prophets, we are called to hear and speak the Word of God in truth and love. We are compelled to join God in all that God is doing in the world. Nevertheless, we must be willing to play small, seemingly insignificant roles. God requires that our implementation of God’s Word to be readily recognized in the small things that are witnessed by our fellow creatures in the little slice of creation that we occupy for a season.

            Through Jesus, Christ we are born again into an eternal life that is based in God’s timeless realm that is the true reality. We are asked to think eternally rather than temporally. We face trouble and ease with the same confidence that whatever happens here will be forgotten there. Therefore, use these times to consider your eternal nature and the promise of resurrection. Pray that the Lord will show you where He is at work around you so that you can join the Lord in it. You can effectively speak the truth in love in His presence and you can be His truth and love guided by His Spirit.

Sober Judgement

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ~ Romans 12:3

 

            “Sober judgment” is hard to find these days, at least when it comes to public discourse. And, there is no shortage of persons who think more highly of their opinions then they ought to. It is also apparent that God-given faith is in short supply. Paul’s admonition, given in grace, is wisdom for all who will hear, but he isn’t talking to CNN, Fox, the president, the senate, the congress, governors, mayors, BLM, cops, protestors, anarchists, angry social media enthusiasts, etc. Paul is talking to the Body of Christ, with truth in love – “by the grace given to me.”

 

            The Body of Christ is made up of those who have repented of sin, accepted God’s grace, and subjected themselves to Christ as ruler of their eternal lives. In the spirit of “truth in love,” I am asking you to consider who you know that seems to match those criteria. Do others consider you a member of the Body of Christ? What signs would you look for? What standards of authenticity would you look for?

 

            Many religious people who keep company with friends and fellow church members who share their lifestyles and tastes will fall short of the standard. Why? Often, it is because meeting with the approval of our peers affirms our opinions about rightness and wrongness, goodness, and badness. Therefore, self, reputation, and society rule our lives more than Christ. How can you tell? Does the Christian in question smoke, drink, curse, etc.? If you say “yes” and then condemn them, you’ve missed the point. The critical question is, do those habits control the Christian more than Christ? Then ask this, does your judgment of them have more to do with your tastes, social circles, etc.? If so, then Christ is not ruling your opinion of others among the Body. Do you hear people talking about Christ but see them serving their flesh as if it were their king? Spirit-led sober judgment is hard to get through when its energy is focused upon ourselves rather than others.

 

            This difficult message is a reminder to us all (myself included) that the voices we listen to, the opinions we embrace, and the words we speak reveal much about the condition of our souls. Christian witness is not so observed so much in what we say about Jesus, but what we do because of Jesus. Repentant sinners forgive more readily and extend mercy and grace more freely. They are not quick to condemn and are not easily angered. Christians are especially compassionate and long-suffering with others in the Body. They are courageous in their commitment to Christ as King. Their fear of rejection from friends and other peers is overcome by love and loyalty to their Lord, Jesus.

 

            As isolation, impatience, resentment, anxiety, and fear steadily pursue the people of God like Pharaoh’s army bearing down upon the Israelites whose backs were against the Red Sea, we must humbly drop to our knees and surrender our fate to the Lord’s rule. We must be willing to wait and watch as God’s power is revealed in God’s perfect time. We must not join the faithless voices of doubt who only wish to be comfortable, even if it means slavery to sin and death. “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ~ Luke 21:28