Grieving…

And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:15–23)

Grief can take many forms. The saddest are those that feel it deeply and for the rest of their lives. Everything reminds them of their loss and they feel hopeless and unable to experience joy or purpose. The funerals are sad, if there is one, and the promises of God are not mentioned nor the hope we have in Him.

Most dictionaries define hope as a desire for something, a ‘hope so’ or wish. That is not biblical hope. God promises eternal life, and because of His nature, faith knows that what He offers is true. He proves it by raising raised His Son from the dead.

Yet even before that happened, David knew it would. God puts “eternity in our hearts” as part of the changes that occur through faith, but may not realize that  faith is the answer to the sorrow of grief. David knew he would see his son again, just as I know I will see Jesus — and my parents, and my sister and many more loved ones again. This hope is based on God’s promise and on the resurrection of Jesus. Both are evidence that prove He can and will deliver on His promise:

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

Death has been viewed as our enemy and we fight it, as if we never want it to happen, but the Bible views it as seeing Jesus and becoming like Him (1 John 3:1-3). For shame that anyone would see that as a bad thing.

Jesus, every day I pray and often sing my desire to be like You. You make that happen as I see You as You are, not my genie whose only goal is comfort and granting my wishes, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords who has given me the hope of eternal life. My death is not ceasing to live but merely a change of address and moving to a far better place to live than this one.

 

Humbled before the empty cross and tomb…

 

Last week I had a conversation with a man we have known since he was a boy. He was not a Christian then but after being challenged to read the Bible by a woman who is now his wife, his life was transformed. As we talked about what it means to be a Christian, he stressed the importance of humility.

In other conversations with professing Christians, I often hear them say, “When I accepted Christ. . . .” and “I did this for the Lord” and wonder about the thinking behind those words. The Bible is clear. Jesus said,

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

Scripture is also clear that any good thing we do does not earn our salvation, nor is it totally our doing when we obey Him:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

This week someone mentioned a well-known preacher with admiration. Years ago I looked into his teaching and concluded he was a false teacher so said so. I’d forgotten why so checked again. This person, now deceased, taught that anyone who believed that faith in Christ made us eternally secure was demon-possessed. He was convinced that we chose faith in Christ and be saved, but then we could also chose not to believe in Christ and become unsaved. While I’ve challenged that on the meaning of “eternal” it is also evidence of a lack of humility.

Pride says “I can” and thinks we have more control over our eternal situation than God. The one who thinks we can override what God promises His children is a proud person to think that “my decisions” determine destiny. Yes, we can make choices, but Galatians and the rest of the NT tell how the Spirit of God changes our hearts for those who believe. Also this:

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)

Yes there are warnings about turning from Christ, mostly for those who waiver at His Word, but there are also promises like this one: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Salvation is by grace, not by works, by God’s calling not my decision. Walking by faith is also by grace, not earned by my performance. Without Christ, I am nothing and would be lost in an instant the very first time I thought or did something to ‘live for myself’ — and I cannot claim even as a Christian that I have no sin:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8–10)

Humility means honesty about what we do — and fail to do — in our walk with Jesus. Sometimes we don’t listen — an activity of our old nature, which the Bible continually tells us is now dead, separate from God. When we do listen and obey, that is evidence of His grace and the new nature He gives His children. Our lives are filled with learning how to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, and in the end, when we see Jesus face to face, we will be like Him. God says so (1 John 3:1-3) and God does not lie nor is He unable to finish His work of saving us.

PRAY: Jesus, hearing on Friday the details of Your suffering was incredibly humbling. If I could do any of what it means to walk with You, You would not have needed to experience the cross. Nor would Your grace be necessary, nor Your sustaining power. To say You cannot keep me saved is another way of saying I don’t need You, a pride-filled nonsense and the mark of false-teaching. Today we celebrate that You rose from the dead. That is true and vital. It is because of Your obedience that Your people can say: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) You have risen! This demonstrates Your incredible love for those who humbly bow before You. You have risen indeed!

Memory problems. . . .

 

This morning I was upset briefly over a very small thing. God gave me one of His looks and reminded me of this weekend’s strong lessons. He is faithful and will eventually finish the work He started in me. He promises that one day, when I see Him face to face, I will be like Jesus (1 John 3:1-3).

While I want this now, my efforts are often side-tracked by very small things. In all these, God shows me that sin runs deep and if I look at myself, it seems being like Jesus will never happen. Yet He persists. The following verses describe some of what I’m to be, even though it seems so impossible. At that, I need to remember the last lines, and believe them:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–24)

The reading in Charnock’s wonderful book speaks to my doubts too. He says:

All distrust is founded in a doubting of his truth, as if he would not be as good as his word; or of his omniscience, as if he had not a memory to retain his word; or of his power, as if he could not be as great as his word. We measure the infinite power of God by the short line of our understandings, as if infinite strength were bounded within the narrow compass of our finite reason; as if he could do no more than we were able to do.

Most of the time I’m not caught up in distrust yet falling short brings it on, revealing that I’m trusting my performance instead of where my righteousness comes from. It is in Jesus, by grace. Not in me. I cannot be like Him without Him. What is annoying is forgetting this so easily. The OT people of God did it too. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?" (Psalm 78:19) They did not connect that His power to turn the dust of Egypt into lice for the punishment of their oppressors, could also turn the dust of the wilderness into corn for the support of their bodies! He rebuked the Red Sea for their safety, but could not provide bread for their nourishment?

To them, the giants of Canaan were too strong for Him, but they had seen the armies of Egypt drown under His hand. Was their distrust from a denial of God’s existence, or of His power over the world, or were they thinking He’d created creatures too hard for Himself? Or like me, did they simply failed to reflect on who and what God is and instead kept thinking about their own abilities or lack thereof?

PRAY: Jesus, to be like You is Your work in me, yet my part is active involvement in this relationship, talking to You, thinking Your truth, relying on You for even the little things, and realizing all the time and for all those little things, You are here with me and wanting me to know that — and to be delighted in all that it means. I so easily blame my attention issues when the problem is not that, but thinking too well of myself instead of remembering You constantly say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Because of this truth, I need to “boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10) —for it is in weakness that I rely on and obey You.

Good In, Good Out?

 

An app gives me access to library e-books. I started to read one but it began with descriptions of horrible attacks and murders. Within three chapters, I returned it without reading the rest. I’m not sure my mind is like a computer, but I’m not willing to risk that “Garbage In, Garbage Out” maxim.

Aside from the book, we went for an early breakfast because we check-out today. Normally I don’t eat early but we will be a long time in the air. Anyway, on the way for a small bite to eat, we talked to a very friendly young hotel liaison person about how to grow old in a good way. I told him that the main thing we focused on was listening to God and doing what He says. He received that well. Had I read any of that book, thoughts like that may not have entered my head.

Being like Jesus is a daily challenge. Jesus would not have read explicit books, nor would He focus on exercise, health food, or any of the other usual recommendations for a long life. He may have quoted the OT commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12) yet I doubt it. He knew that a long life is not guaranteed by what we do. He may also have quoted Psalm 90 that includes the words: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Why listen to Jesus? Some say He was merely a Jewish teacher. Others say He was an idea, like a myth. However, the Bible and His own words declare a most marvelous truth:

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3)
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (John 14:10)
I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. (John 12:45)

Jesus is not a mere teacher, a mere wise man with good advice. He is the Creator God, the Word made flesh who came here so we could know what God is like, but so we could also have a relationship with Him through faith, experience forgiveness of sin, and be certain of eternal life as the result.

For all of that and more, I want to do His will, not the will of the world, my old nature, or the devil. 1 John 3 begins with the statement that those who hope in Him purify themselves as He is pure. God’s goal for me is to be like Jesus. I cannot claim the same identity but because of His saving power, I can claim to know God and to advance in purity. Reading a crappy book does nothing toward those realities.

PRAY: Jesus, thanks for giving this book-lover the gumption to toss a book – even one that is part of a series that seems otherwise okay – to instead prefer to read about You and Your incredible goodness. You reveal the Father, holiness, purity and grace so I can occupy my mind with  “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable” and if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I can think about those things (Philippians 4:8) and share them with others.

Basis for assurance…

 
We know a man who loves Jesus and loves people. He is continually saying that he must do something, that faith without works is dead. However he sometimes offends people by trying to ‘help’ them when they are not in need of help. The challenge in serving God is discerning His will over our good ideas. I’ve wanted to do many ‘good’ things but He did not take me down that road.

I read from five devotional books today, all on the same theme of doing the will of God. One pointed to realizing my station in life and where God puts me. From that, I know His will for my life is not to serve as a missionary in Timbuktu or a pastor in New York.

Another devotional says there is a difference between having Christ in my heart and being at one with Him, united in one will, one purpose, one interest, one life. This one says we are commanded to enter into oneness with Christ, to lay down our own lives that His life may be lived in us with no interests but His interests. This means sharing His riches, His joys, manifesting His likeness, having the same mind to think and feel and act and walk as He did.

This writer goes on to make this a matter of consenting to it, like a bride gives a willing yes to her groom. It sounds lovely, but this perfection, according to the Bible, is not ours until we see Him face-to-face in eternity (see 1 John 3:1-3).

The next devotional points out how we like a supply of goodness laid up, such as wisdom or patience and the other graces. He affirms that in God’s plan, all we need is laid up for us in Christ. We wrestle with our fleshy old nature and acknowledge our sinfulness but our life is in Christ He is our supply.

The next devotional writer says I’m not to expect to find myself any better or any nearer this ideal because I never will. I will always be utterly vile, and ignorant and corrupt. But Jesus is my life now. He is with me. The Bible says; “no more I” but Christ who lives in me. I have lost my own life and Christ’s divine life has been put in its place. My goodness is all in Christ and I must draw it from Him moment by moment as I need it.

Finally, the fifth writer says how to do this — “do not go into this dangerous world without prayer.” If I give up prayer, I will suffer for it since prayer is the way that I draw from Jesus this new life He gave me.

After all this, several Scriptures came to mind, all reminding me that Jesus is my Savior, I am not. I cannot grow or become like Him by choice. He does the work to perfect me, by grace. Cooperation is important, but willing it to happen is like waving a magic wand in the middle of the night and telling the sun to rise and shine. Each of these readings remind me of the power of God, but also the tendency of Christians to suppose that we can unite ourselves to Him and enjoy that oneness simply by choosing it.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Galatians 2:20–21)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

PRAY: Jesus, if I could do it, I would be like You now, right now. I want to cooperate with You yet even that desire does not make me a spiritual giant. I am what I am and trust You to make of me what You want for me. Without You, this would be impossible.

Called to a most wonderful new life!

 

NOTE: Read yesterday’s post again! I mistakenly uploaded the one from the day before. Getting old and senile? Maybe. However, God uses all things for good. Maybe it was not supposed to ‘go public’ or more likely I just needed another reminder of my weaknesses and the need to always focus on Him.

As for today, the topic is knowing the hope of our calling. We who believe are rooted and grounded in what Christ has done and in the promises of God. No matter what we have done, or the mistakes we make, or our IQ or profession, or the size of our bank account, our possessions, our family or relationships, or our have’s and have not’s, we are called to be His own and to be transformed into the image of His Son. That is enough!

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14–19)

The vital result of being called into the kingdom of God is knowing and experiencing His great love. This passage says that His love is beyond our comprehension yet because of Him, we can know the vastness of it — which takes a lifetime and even then is not fully grasped. We are guiltless and totally forgiven, but still feel guilt and ask for forgiveness when we sin. I understand the love of Christ enough that I never want to have any barrier between my heart and His, even if that barrier is just in my own mind!

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:6–10)

My calling is powerful in itself. Just as someone elected to lead a country is suddenly given a huge responsibility, or a woman who becomes a mother, or a person wins the lottery, life changes with that event. I have Jesus Christ, the man who is God, in my life. I cannot walk or talk or think the same way. I’m to guard that relationship and not let any worldly or ‘old nature’ ideas rule me ever again. He is to fill me up and I am to totally cooperate with that filling!

Being called includes total access to His promises; some say 600 or more. Some are given instantly; others I must wait for, but either way, even though I may read them and know them, their fulfillment is always a delightful surprise. The call of God is like that. It is anticipation and delight, like the smell at the kitchen door even though the turkey or the pie is still in the oven.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)

This hope and anticipation produce a hunger for what we know is coming . . . “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3) Anyone who smells what’s cooking is quick to wash their hands and sit down at the table!

Jesus, I am thankful for my security in You and the blessings You grant in this life. I’m also thankful for the surprises that are coming, that You are returning and I will be with You forever. There is nothing in me that deserves this yet there is everything in You that I need!

SUGGESTION: Do a word study on ‘call’ and ‘calling’ and note the power of God and what His calling means to sinners like me.