The world really does need love . . .

Exodus 34; Proverbs 10; John 13; Ephesians 3

My heart is heavy when hearing the rising numbers of cases and deaths throughout the world due to Covid-19. I went to bed last night thinking of the people who are rapidly spreading this virus through their religious practices. One video showed some of them “defying the infidels” who are trying to protect them. One of today’s readings challenges their folly:

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17)

In this case, those refusing to listen to medical authorities are not only setting a tragic example to their peers; they are dying by the thousands, including their religious leaders.

Another group of young people are putting themselves and their families in danger because “this is what we always do during spring break” as they also ignore the instructions meant to keep this virus from spreading. They seem uncaring about anyone else, only their fun.

I’m told that members of some churches are ignoring the ‘social distancing’ advice/commands too. One person said some of them still meet in large groups, shake hands, hug one another as if they are certain God will not allow them to get sick. However, intimacy in relationships spreads the common cold, measles, the ordinary flu and a host of other ailments. Why would anyone think the same is not true for this deadly virus?

Yesterday we did church by podcast. It is not as richly fulfilling as being together with our church family, but it was better than risking the well-being of one another. Doing this is not a fear-based response to danger as much as it is a love-based response to what Jesus tells us to do:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)

People who know and obey Jesus Christ care about one another. Jesus demonstrated this by washing the disciples’ feet which is only one of many ways to humbly show love. People are calling each other to find out needs, to pray, to encourage, to offer help with getting groceries, to offer a cheerful word. We are not hugging or shaking hands because we care about each other and about those outside the church family. We do not want anyone to needlessly suffer because of any selfishness on our part.

My hubby thinks this pandemic will last at least to the end of the year. If he is right, we need to hunker down, be determined to do our part. I am used to being alone and at home (had a childhood illness) but realize that this social distancing is a huge challenge for many. I want to do my part to ease the stress and to encourage endurance. We are in this for the long haul.

The following passage lifted my spirits today. May it do the same for those discouraged and help all of us keep our focus on the One who saves:

“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. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14–21)

APPLY: Keep my thoughts on the promises of God. The worst-case scenario is not dying; that is the best case. The worst is acting like a selfish fool when I could be an example to others of how to love others as Jesus loves me.

Closing the Gap

Many Christians call it the distance between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Tozer calls it the gulf between theory and practice. Non-Christians call it hypocrisy. We know the truth and because we are not doing what we know, that truth has not set us free.

As I write this, I am deeply convicted of the hypocrisy in my criticism of anyone who does not practice common sense. I should never say a person is stupid when they obviously know better — because I do the same thing. Failing to practice what I know is no different from anyone else who does it.

The New Testament writers knew all about this problem. The Bible is filled with admonition to be rooted and grounded in the love of God so we can do what He teaches us to do. It tells me that I can rely on Him to fill me with His spirit so that I can do His will. However I too easily go my own way and regret it later.

“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. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14–21)

This is why I need a Savior. The Bible says it is God that grants me power through His Spirit so that I can be rooted and grounded in love and have the strength to know the love of Christ and be filled with the fullness of God. I can't do this myself. And here lies the rub — my old self life always tries to do the will of God and fails and my pride perpetuates this foolishness mistake.

God has only one solution for that. It is a most humbling solution. I'm humbled by the activity of applying it, but also by the many times I have to repeat it.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Confession always shifts the power base from my old life to Christ. It reminds me that head knowledge is not enough; I have to obey Him and I can't do it in my own strength. It reminds me how much I need him. It changes my motivation from pleasing me to pleasing God. It shifts my interests to things on earth to things in heaven. I see the Gulf between what I know and how I live. It makes me realize how much I need the power of God to do the will of God.

^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior. Put my theology to work. Give it shoe leather. In your loving patience, keep at me. I feel so far from being what I should be and must put my hope in your promises to change me, to bring forth that newness of life that you have given me, to make it real not only in my head but in my heart in everything that I say and do. 

Prayer is vital, but what kind of prayer?

My studies and reading this week are all saying that the common ingredient in the success of a ministry, the outpouring of revival, and the growth of the Christian church is prayer. Whatever else I do, if it is not bathed in prayer, how can I hope for success?

Prayer brings “strangers and aliens” together and makes of them “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Prayer builds the church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus is cornerstone and it is His prayers of intercession that are being answered to make of us “a holy temple in the Lord.” (See Ephesians 2:19–21 and John 17)

Paul also sets an example for me. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians when encountered by Jesus Christ who opened his eyes to truth, yet “although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.” His companions “led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

When in that state, God sent a Christian named Ananias, telling him to “look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying.” In his prayers, God gave Saul/Paul a vision that “Ananias would come and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” (Acts 9:1–19)

Thus began Paul’s journey with Christ, and his life of prayer. His letters to the churches begin with prayer for them. His ministry reflected the power of his praying as God blessed him in answering his requests. He prayed specifically and with focus. His requests were much less about temporal blessings, but intense concerning eternal and spiritual matters. The New Testament describes how he prayed . . .  

Romans 1:9–10: without ceasing, desiring God’s will for his life and ministry.

Ephesians 1:15–23: with thanks for others, wanting them to be wise, know Christ, know the hope He gives and the riches of their inheritance, also knowing Christ’s power toward them, the power He has in all things, and His exalted position in the scheme of things.

Ephesians 3:14–21: that believers would be strengthened with Holy Spirit power, experiencing Christ in their lives by faith, be deeply rooted in His love, and be filled with God’s fullness. He wanted them to realize that God is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” and that Jesus Christ would be glorified in their lives.

Philippians 1:9–11: that Christian love would “abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment” so believers would “approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Colossians 1:9–14: not ceasing to ask that believers “be filled with the knowledge of (God’s) will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Paul wanted each one to “be strengthened with all power, according to (God’s) glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father” who has qualified us to share in the Gospel for “God has delivered 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.”

When I read the prayers of Paul and compare them to many of my prayers, I feel puny. I focus far more on the needs of the day. This is not wrong since we are to “pray about everything” but it so easily transforms prayer into mush that is selfish and short-sighted. Paul understood that the scope of God’s purposes in this world are eternal and enormous. And he prayed accordingly.

I’m not Paul, but God prods me to better follow his example — for the sake of the church and for the glory of Jesus Christ.