It’s a ‘bit’ part not a starring role

I’ve an old book called “His Part and Ours” (or something close) that has helped me notice those two distinctions when reading the Bible. This is helpful because I am silly enough to get into God’s to-do list and neglect my own responsibilities or to give God my list and not respond to His work as He expects.

These two verses remind me of what God does and how I need to respond:

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.” (Psalm 31:19–20)

In truth, God does what He does out of His abundant goodness. He stores it up for His people, for me. I can imagine a large container, perhaps the entire universe filled with the goodness of God. Much of it has already been poured out in Christ and God’s redemption, yet what marvels await me in that storehouse!

He also works that goodness for me so that all can see it. I am on the stage in the drama of God revealing Himself to the world and He does it through being good to His people, to me.

Another item on God’s to-do list is that He, by His very presence, hides me from those who plot evil. He protects me, even stores me in His shelter from those who would verbally attack. His goodness and the fact of His presence is my shield and my refuge.

My part is simple. Fear God. Take refuge in Him in the sight of everyone. Allow God to be my protection and while it does not say it here, this implies that I trust Him with whatever might be allowed to get at me, for God knows what kinds of trials will build and strengthen my faith.

Fearing God is different from being terrified of a lion or other danger. Fearing Him is about reference, about the kind of reference that is like a fearful awe. Perhaps it is like standing on the shore of the Niagara River, near the falls but safe behind the fence, or like being taken home on the back of a wild stallion who knows the way; who needs no bridle or guidance from me. Sometimes a bit scary but mostly an exciting adventure.

Taking refuge in Him hides me yet these words seem to say that He intends me to hide so everyone can see me hiding. That is, my trust in Jesus Christ as my refuge and strength is not a ‘private matter’ as some would claim. It is to be open, obvious, vocal at times yet very visible. My faith is supposed to be something others can observe.

This brings the need of God’s protection from plots and attacks. The world out there will not go after me if my faith is kept private. However, I am to live it publicly . . .

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)

The goal of my visible faith in God is that God is glorified, yet the Bible warns that it can also result in persecution: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

This warning is not that I go into hiding so no one will see me, but my part concerning His protection is that I will hide myself in Him so everyone will see that the Lord is my stronghold. The emphasis is not ‘hiding from the world’ but ‘hiding in the Lord.’

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Lord of all goodness, I take refuge in You from the nasty stuff of life, but not so others are unable to see that I am trusting You. Otherwise, I will live a nice, safe little life but few will realize what is keeping me safe. Thank You for doing Your part. May I continually and faithfully do mine!

God does this and I do that?

A well-worn book is titled, “His Part and Ours.” The author did a commendable job of explaining what God does and how we ought to respond. While this is not an excuse, it seems to me that every aspect of being a Christian has far more to do with what God does. The longer I am walking with Jesus, the more helpless I see myself. For that reason, I am drawn to the conclusion of this short passage . . .

“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 there are other reasons to think God does most of it. The ‘fear and trembling’ has proven inadequate to produce obedience, as has my own determination. I’ve been through tests and temptations that have left me realizing that only by the strength and grace of God can I make it through this world maintaining faith and living a godly life. It seems all is against me, without and within.

Tozer’s devotional for today is called ‘A Disturbing Verse’ and it would be disturbing if I thought I had to do this myself. Yet as I read it, I am seeing more of what God does than the impossibility of what it asks of me.

“Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:12–15)

I droop. I’m weak. My path takes me wandering all over the place. I’ve no idea how to be at peace with everyone. As for holiness, all I can see is my lack of it. Yet these verses also speak of the grace of God. Grace is His doing, and by His doing all that is out of joint in me is healed. Holiness is totally a gift from the Lord!

Holiness is something like sanctification. God sets me apart for Himself and I cooperate by living for Him in righteousness and moral integrity. In Jesus Christ, I am made holy because otherwise I cannot be. My part is to behave in ways that reflect what God has done. Yet He works in me; He makes it happen.

Paul was able to say this of himself to the church in Thessalonica: “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:10) He and those with Him knew they were holy in Christ and their conduct showed it to be true.

In the letter to the Ephesians, he explains God’s part and our part:

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

The new self is an act of God in which Christ is my righteousness and holiness. Then He proceeds to help me act like it by renewing my mind and changing my behavior. . .

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13)

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

He also has another method to help me act like what I am . . .

“For they (our parents) disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he (God) disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I am a carving. You use Your Word and the hazards and circumstances of life to chip away all that does not look like what I already am, Your child, holy and beloved. My part? Cooperate. And stop all resistance. I cannot hold on to any of those those chips!

Grace and Cooperation

1 Kings 8:1–53, Mark 5:21–6:6, Proverbs 2:1–15

Years ago I read a book called “His Part and Ours.” I might read it again because these Bible passages talk about what God does and what my response should be, and that book clarifies the differences.

In the first of today’s readings, Solomon completed the temple and offered a prayer of dedication. As I read it, I’m thinking of how it could also be a personal prayer of dedication to the Lord. Solomon included this plea:

“When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers.” (1 Kings 8:33–34)

For me, this fits. Sin is the beginning of becoming a loser. Confession of sin brings forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9) and restoration. For Israel, that meant going back to their promised land. For me, it means returning to my hand in hand walk with God. If I go my own way, I soon start stumbling in the dark.

More can be lost. Solomon talks about no rain because of sin, or no food, or instead battles with blight, disease, insects and plague. Yet each disaster is changed by God when His people confess and turn from their sin. He also talks about being taken captive. In their situation, this was a literal event with enemies who carried swords. In mine, it is being held captive by sinful thoughts, words, or deeds that I cannot fight by myself.

Again, Solomon says,  “If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near, yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them” (1 Kings 8:46–50)

Solomon wrote about wisdom saying if I receive the words and treasure the commandments, if I listen to wisdom, turn my heart to understanding, call for insight and seek it like silver or hidden treasures, then I will understand what it means to fear the Lord and find His knowledge. He gives wisdom; His words deliver knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:1–6)

Not only that, when wisdom comes into my heart, and knowledge is pleasant to my soul; discretion will watch over me, understanding will guard me, delivering me from the way of evil, from people of perverted speech who forsake uprightness to walk in darkness, and who rejoice in doing evil and delight in perverseness. (Proverbs 2:9–15) I’m thankful God shows me what and how, but without my obedience, all that would be useless.

In the NT, the people are puzzled about God’s part and human effort too. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, confounded them. When He taught in the synagogue of His hometown, many who heard him were astonished: “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” They stumbled trying to understand who was doing what.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” The Scripture adds, “He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.” (Mark 6:1–6)

Jesus could heal, but they were not doing their part of believing. Jesus can save, yet my part is reaching out to Him. I cannot do any of it by myself.