A clear focus

 

A former pastor impressed me with this: Some Christians become so focused on one truth about God and Christianity that their understanding becomes like looking at something with a magnifying glass, everything else around the edges becomes distorted and blurry.

I’ve noticed this with those who have strong spiritual gifts. A gifted server thinks everyone should be doing practical things. A person with a generous heart stresses sacrificial giving. An evangelist thinks all Christians should focus on soul-winning.

As for the latter, Jesus did say, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16) He also said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

Paul was focused too. Even though his particular concern was winning souls, he added instruction about how to do it:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:30–2:5)

Paul also explained that other things needed to be done. The body consists of various gifted people who do various different things. For instance:

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4–8)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

I’m not behind a pulpit or in a social position that offers many opportunities to ‘preach’ or share the gospel. God gave me a computer and told me to share His truths with others, truths that He teaches me every day. Part of His desire for my life is to gather from Him and share with others, and another focus is prayer, particularly for His truth to be lived out in the people on my prayer list.

Others share Him in varying ways, including (but not limited to) full-time missionary work. This goal of winning souls is important, but also I’m to be growing in love for God and for others in ways that glorify Jesus Christ. The work of the Body of Christ is not limited to telling. We are to take care of the needy, be peacemakers, love our enemies and “let our light shine so others will see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

While it is not wrong to focus, it is not biblical to tell others they must post their devotions in a daily blog, or be a missionary and go to Africa, or feed the homeless, or “be like me.” Instead, we are called to be like Jesus — who took His orders from His Father through the Holy Spirit.

PRAY: Jesus, it is such a delight watching You bring great unity from great diversity. Our hearts are united in wanting souls saved, but also in loving You. More and more You work in us to love one another and listen to Your voice as You guide our lives. To focus only on one part of what it means to be a Christian would side-track me from hearing You and knowing what to do when challenged by things that so easily become blurry around the edges.

When doubt comes in

It began in a garden where the first couple had everything and they trusted God who gave them only one command: do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The snake suggested six things that would mess with that trust and encourage disobedience, suggestions that still work.

First Satan took their focus away from all that had been given them and put it on the one thing they could not have. How different this world would be if everyone could simply be thankful, but as the NT says: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:21–22)

Second, Satan minimizing the Consequences by telling them, “You will not die” as if God lied. With their attention focused on the tree they forgot what God actually did say. This is why I need to daily read God’s Word — I forget what God says too.

The enemy’s next strategy was mislabeling disobedience. He suggested eating the forbidden fruit would expand them, make them more complete. He added to that lie by mixing good with evil saying the fruit was good for food, adding that it was also pleasing to the eye. His final lie was saying eating it would make them wise. They didn’t get it that he was calling God a liar and making his interest in their welfare appear greater than God’s.

In contrast, the NT tells me to get my wisdom direct from my Maker, not from forbidden stuff. Should I fall into that trap, I eventually realize how foolish that was. Instead…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

An unstable person is up and down, trusting God one day and doubting the next. This makes me joyful then miserable, sure of God then unsure. It affects my moods, even my health. It certainly affects my prayer life.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24–25)

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:21–22)

It also affects my spiritual growth, unity with other Christians and the health of the Body of Christ. Doubt never glorifies God but turns inward and shrivels my ability to praise Him.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

The Bible says faith comes by hearing God speak of Jesus. While that builds faith, I find that any  doubt first must be confessed as sin. “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)

PRAY: Jesus, You also tell me, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) Drawing near to You in confession of my doubts releases me from the enemy’s lies and allows that sweet surrender — an attitude of trust even in situations where life seems to make no sense. After all, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen and without faith it is impossible to please You, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that You exist and that You reward those who seek You. (Hebrews 11:1;6)

Growing up

 

Theologians and mature Christians often point out stages in spiritual growth. Those recently saved are in a “honeymoon” phase, then as they grow, they begin to see the challenges and start to feel inadequate and helpless as they learn to rely on Christ for everything. These experiences are part of growing to be more like Jesus. John wrote a brief description comparing the process to physical growth:

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:13–14)

He summarizes those stages as the realities experienced: forgiveness, fellowship with God, and victory over the evil one. MacArthur suggests that mature spiritual fathers have a deep relationship with God that comes from prolonged time in prayer and the Word. He says many Christians struggle with spiritual defeat or recurring sins because they haven’t learned to apply Biblical principles to specific situations. This could stem from several things, yet Paul did say:

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)

However, he also prayed for spiritual maturity:

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may 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. (Philippians 1:9–11)

Jesus gave us a pattern of how to resist the enemy by quoting specific portions of Scripture that applied to specific temptations. (See Matthew 4:1–11). He knew the Word, believed it, and refused to compromise its principles setting a pattern for us to follow. I know that when I fall, it is because I’ve either forgotten or neglected to use Scripture to settle the issues tempting me.

This instruction is also in the OT. The psalmist wrote:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9–11)

When the Lord came, He created a body of believers, a community for our growth described this way:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

Spiritual growth happens through paying attention to the direction of others that God gives as teachers and examples, through seeking unity and the knowledge of Christ and desiring to be like Him. I’m to discern truth, speak truth in love, and deeply care and pray for unity in the Body of Christ so we are building up one another and growing as we each do what God assigns us to do. In other words, seek the will of God, do it whatever He asks and trusting Him with the results as I encourage others to do the same.

Obedience is vital to growing up in Christ: “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)

PRAY: Jesus, I can see how loving You means always wanting to know You more, to discover Your thoughts and heart and to agree with You in every way, showing it by obedience. It also means to grow in an intense love for Your people and in the desire to be one with them so You are glorified. This means knowing Your Word and doing what it says. Increase my hunger for it and for being more like You.

PONDER: the simplicity of Psalm 119:11. I must read what You say and store those truths in my inmost being that I might not sin against You, but also so Your Word teaches me what I should be doing instead of living selfishly for my own glory.

 

 

Partners with Christ and with others . . .

 

Today’s devotional thoughts are about being in partnership with other Christians for the advancement of the gospel. Does that work well? Business partnerships are not always successful; one partner wants all the power. Or they disagree on policies and procedures. Or they do not trust each other.

None of this ought to happen in the Body of Christ, particularly with Christ as our Head. We listen to Him and will find ourselves in harmony. We attended a large church with dozens of elders who had a policy: without 100% agreement, they would not go ahead on any decision. Such unity is possible because of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul saw it and was thankful:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3–5)

MacArthur describes a few ways this partnership worked in the NT. One of them is financial support. “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) This verse covers the needs of leadership enabling their freedom to lead and preach. It also covers the needs of church members who focus on Christian ministry. Another aspect of this partnership is visitation in which church members don’t expect the pastor to do all the visiting!

Another part of such partnership (also translated ‘fellowship’) is supporting church leaders in their burden for their church. Paul said: “And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28) Most people who sit in the pews have no idea of the problems facing their leaders. This devotional book and another book I’m reading about prayer often overlap. The prayer book lists the various things to pray for pastors and other leaders. It uses Scripture and outlines a couple dozen specific prayer requests, everything from their personal virtue, spiritual protection, wisdom, to asking God to enable the congregation to respect their time.

Praying is a powerful way to share in a sacred partnership with Christ and other Christians, not just pastors,  for the advancement of the gospel. Fellowship, from the Greek word koinonia, is also translated “partnership” and “participation.” We are in this together, sharing in Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Great Commission to take the gospel to others and disciple them in Christian maturity. The NT is clear that our spiritual gifts and resources are given to us for that purpose.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4–7)

The question is, what is my role in this? I cannot do all of it myself, nor can I expect others to pick up the slack when I do nothing. Knowing that I share in a sacred partnership with Christ and with others to advance the gospel is a joy, not a burden yet sometimes the joy is not realized until the task is obeyed.

Jesus, I’m thankful to be in a local church that is strong on this aspect of being a Christian community. We are encouraged in togetherness, in supporting one another in various ways, but also in not being or feeling left out or useless. Show me ways to be an encouragement to my partners in the gospel, not only the spiritual leaders, but the many ordinary folks who struggle with knowing where they fit or hesitate to take part in Your glorious plan. I am aware of Augustine‘s words: “Without God, we cannot, but without us, God will not!” But also realize I must always act according to Your direction and leading, not follow my own ‘grand’ ideas.

ALSO CONSIDER: Read Ephesians 4:11–16 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. What is the goal of Christian ministry? What is my role in achieving that goal? How can I pray for my pastors?