My to-do list vs. God’s purposes?

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:36–43)

They heard but did not believe. A common response to what God says. So God did not reveal Himself to them because if He did, He would have to open their eyes and understand and be healed — but without really believing, without faith. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This is why the truth of who God is and who Jesus Christ is has been hidden from those who are without faith and from those who try to earn their salvation by doing whatever they think God wants them to do.

Faith is a gift. Gifts are undeserved, given unconditionally, not earned or paid for. Human pride doesn’t like even a hint of being unworthy. Human greed does not want something that demands their total surrender. The question is often why then do some get the gift and others don’t. Wrong question. Why does anyone get the gift? No one deserves it or earns it. Could it be for the glory of God?

He created humans in His image that we might display His glory. Sin messed up that desire and ability. Whether we realize the impossibility of glorifying God or not, sin wants glory for me. I feel bad that I cannot do it, but realize also that if I am going to fulfill that purpose, I need Him to live in me — because there is nothing much left in me that looks like God. 

Being selected to live in His kingdom is an utter marvel. Why me? Being chosen to be like Jesus is the most humbling realization of my life. Recognizing that I am here to reflect His glory could easily drive me into a dark cave so no one could see my failures. But God will not allow that. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

In the past two weeks, two friends told me they lived to glorify God. That is rare. I’ve read “The Purpose Driven Life” and am only just getting it. The NT says:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

How much of life is so ordinary, yet in these ordinary things, I am to glorify God, to be like Jesus, to show the world what He is like and how different He is from humans with all our selfishness and pointless activities.

 The writer of that book says that we live here on earth to learn how to live and be like Christ in eternity, and for that reason, I need a greater focus on that purpose than my to-do list, goals and plans. I feel like the OT prophet who said, “Woe is me, I am undone.”

Jesus, You know my to-do lists and plans. What does a ‘keep my house clean’ got to do with eternity except to remind me to keep my life clean? What do the names on my prayer list have to do with heaven except that I might support them in the same purpose of being like You today? And this may take more than the words I send upwards. Guide me today. The to-do list is on my desk. Does it match the one You have written for me, prepared beforehand that I should walk in it? 

Fitting into God’s Puzzle?

Studying the Bible has taught me to think in big picture terms more than my normal way of getting caught up in details. One definition says that big-picture thinkers focus on overarching goals, vision, and strategy (the "what" and "why"), often being creative and visionary but potentially missing details while detail-oriented individuals focus on specifics, accuracy, and tasks (the "how"), excelling at execution but risking tunnel vision. 

Both are crucial for success, with big-picture people setting direction and detail-oriented people ensuring flawless implementation. I’m noticing that seeing the big picture is helpful. I’ve a tendency to think that knowing truth is enough (without applying it) yet seeing the will of God that goes with that truth makes application a stronger focus.

Paul’s NT books are written with the big picture first, then the details of applying it. Ephesians  is a good example. It begins with God’s major plan:

In (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7–10)

In planning to unite all things in Christ, God saves sinners with the purpose of revealing His glory:

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11–14)

Then He tells how sinners giving Him glory will happen. He will give His people the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation to know Him, and to know what will happen to us. He wants us to realize the riches of our glorious inheritance, and the greatness of His power, which is revealed by raising Christ from the dead, by seating Him in heavenly places, and putting all things under his feet as He made Him head over all things including the church which is His body, a group who were dead in sin but made alive in Christ. We are saved by grace and fitted to do His will — which will reveal His power and glory.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)

This vast plan includes details. One is that all who believe will have access in one Spirit to the Father. We will be united as members of His household and built on the truth He reveals using us as a dwelling place for Himself so that His wisdom is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:9–10)

This is awesome. Church is not a social club nor a moral hideaway, but God’s way of making Himself known to a dark world. He does it by loving us so we can love others. He tells us to walk in a manner worthy of this calling with humility, gentleness, patience, and love — so we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. He wants us to live in that oneness, yet also recognize our diversity as our differences give us varying tasks toward revealing His glory.
 
Unity is vital. God is not a mess of parts with opposition happening. As His Body, we are to work in harmony and do it by putting off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed by putting on the new self, which is according to His likeness. That means we behave to fit the plan, refusing to allow bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander or malice be part of our lives. Instead, He says “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:30–32) In attending to these details, we fit the big picture plan of God. 

PRAY: Jesus, getting too caught up in details can mean excusing the “oops” that I make as not vital, but the vision of a puzzle with pieces missing just popped into my head. You are a God of order and detail, yet You also have a magnificent plan for this world You made and everything I say or do either fits that plan or not. Enable me to think of Your goals and not let my plans or my interest in details distract me and become pieces that do not fit.

Salvation sets me free — from what?

 

Some define salvation as a ticket to heaven, nothing more. However, Jesus said the truth will set us free — free from what? Romans 8:1 says from condemnation, but the rest of Scripture is clear; salvation is freedom from the power of sin. Instead of sin, which is basically doing life my own way and ignoring God’s way, salvation frees me from it so that I can do life God’s way. This is freedom — being free to live as God created me to live, under the power of the Holy Spirit instead of under the power of sin.

Some will claim that salvation can be earned by doing good works. That is, doing life my way by selecting good things to do, and thinking God will accept me and give me a home in heaven. The problem with that teaching is an inaccurate understanding of sin. Sin is ‘my way’ no matter if that means selfish living, a life of crime and rebellion, or doing good things. The Scriptures say we are saved by faith, not by works.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

The confusion comes with the Scriptures also saying, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) and “a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24).

That seems to conflict with Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace through faith. Does that mean we have faith in God to save us if we add good works too? Even though some ‘Christian’ denominations teach that, it is just another false teaching. It makes salvation depend on good works, on what I choose to do. I’m not set free by the tyranny of sin (doing my own thing, running my own life) but still in bondage to it if I add works or virtuous deeds as a means of salvation.

Reading ALL of Scripture is important. James says I am “justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24) and Paul describes salvation as a new life, as a huge transformation of in who I am. He says: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Another passage says that Jesus “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5) making us new people who do not run our own lives but are spiritually reborn and living according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is a gift from God, a freedom of His grace . . .

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. (Titus 2:11–12)

This is why Jesus could say: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32) The freedom He promises is freedom to do good motivated by God’s Spirit rather than motivated by a human desire to earn God’s favor.

The faith described in the NT is not the same as mere assent to something. It is a faith that changes lives. Think of it: “Even the demons believe” that Jesus exists and died for sin, but they are not transformed. Saving faith is a life-changing gift, a gift that sets Christians free to choose obedience rather than yield to selfish, sinful thoughts and actions.

PRAY: Thinking each day of what the Gospel means and what it does describes true freedom. Sometimes I revert to my old way of thinking (“I can do this myself”) but it produces nothing and the outcome is not freedom but slavery. God, You continually forgive my foolishness, but You also direct me in the way of freedom. I do not have to sin. I can serve You and be a loving blessing to others. The gift of eternal life is a wonder, yet it is for this life also. The goals and desires of my heart are not the same as they once were, and I don’t think, talk or act as I once did. Your salvation has set me free! I’m no longer a slave to sin because You made me Your child!

PONDER: John 8:31–32 describes true faith. How does the Word of God affect those who genuinely believe what it says? How does that freedom affect my daily life?