Jesus unites enemies…

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:8–13)

God intended that the nation He called to be His people also sing His praises to non-Jews and be a witness to them of His glory. This didn’t happen, however the plan did not change. It happened through one man, Jesus Christ who made the gospel available to everyone. 

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. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:8–22)

Uniting Jew and Gentile seemed impossible yet the God of the impossible did it, and most of the world is beginning to persecute all who believe in Jesus, including those who call themselves God’s people and haven’t yet trusted Jesus as their Messiah. It seems that putting faith in Him is a slap in the face to all who would rather do life “my way.”

Jesus, help me hold on to the truth of what You have done and are doing as Your people experience so much hatred and violence. Also remind me of how You respond to these threats. Psalm 2 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.’” (Psalm 2:4–6) I have read the last page of the history book and know that You will not be defeated! As for me, keep me from having any bad attitudes toward those who are outside of God’s family and remember my responsibility to show them Your love.

 


 

Going Deeper in Body Parts, Gifting, and Silence

 

These days some of my body parts interfere with the performance of others. For example, I have one ear that occasional has an unnatural movement of inner parts and it makes my feet have trouble walking. Easy to fix but annoying because it happens without warning. I can easily see why the Bible compares the Christian church to the human a body: 

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:20–25)

Sometimes I notice how important it is to give special treatment to the less honorable parts than is needed by those who are more presentable. That is, some believers are not naturally attractive to others, but because we love one another, that kind of attitude makes those less honorable parts more attractive. God does this in gifting all, including them.

I think of those who are physically and mentally gifted and how easily they can be treated differently than those who are not. Yet the few who are not gifted in those ways are often more friendly, kinder, more thankful, even quicker to serve, even to do the tasks others find less appealing. This is one of the beauties of belonging to the family of God; He puts us in positions that work together, like a body in which all parts are needed.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:27–31)

Of course that more excellent way is the love that God gives so we can care about each other no matter our function and no matter if we are naturally appealing in appearance or personality. Love overrides abilities, prophetic or theological knowledge, even faith and extreme generosity. 1 Corinthians 13 is almost as familiar as John 3:16 — and the love of God is so vital.

The next chapter is not so popular. It says to desire gifts and puts the ability to speak for God over speaking in tongues, mostly because the first is given to built up others, while tongues is said to “built up self” — then adds that interpreters are needed and women are to be silent. This makes for lots of arguments and some Christian women accuse Paul of all sorts of things.

As I read chapters 12-14 in a chunk, it occurred to me that part of that Ephesians passage about marriage should reflect the relationship of Jesus and His bride, it seems to be hinted here too. The bride/body of Christ is to honor her husband like the church should honor the Lord. That includes letting God beautify our less attractive parts (we all have them), loving one another, and giving honor to the men in our lives by appreciating their leadership just as the church respects the leading of Christ. And no one can lead without followers.

In a big picture sense, all things done in order (14:40) has to be initiated and led by the Spirit of God. If God is not telling me to say anything, then I must be silent, including tongues or even asking questions. This illustrates how the church relates to Christ. True that in those days most women were not educated in theology, but rather than make this a cultural issue, I see it more of a “support the one God gave to lead me” and encourage him to do it by obeying what God says. Had Eve done that, we would have such different lives.

PRAY: Jesus, I know that both women and men have this desire to rule, to be the boss of our lives. Letting You lead us may be scary, but the issue is not usually fear but “I think I know better than you do” defiance. Your ways are not my ways and so often my ways resist You. I might even echo Eve with, “Did God say that?” instead of quoting You and letting You speak. Not only that, I cannot hear You if my mouth continually spouts off my own thoughts and ideas. Keep teaching me what obeying You really means. Amen. 

Gratitude for Unity

Yesterday our church held a Heritage Festival for the second year. Nineteen different cultures each had a table with items and food that represented their country of birth. Each host wore the clothing and served all sorts of savory treats from soup to desserts. Some had candy, or pins, or bookmarks. Others had contests and gave out prizes. This was not a fund-raiser but a celebration to demonstrate the ‘unity in diversity’ that Jesus brings to the people of the world and a taste of our eternal life together. . . .  

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

This festival gave me many reasons to rejoice. The first person I talked to was a woman I’ve not seen for sixty years. Her son brought her. He lives and works nearby but grew up in across the street from us in another city. He and his family were not Christians and did not attend church, but that son, who spent much time in our home, is now a joy-filled believer, along with his wife and children.

The youth who hosted the Scotland display was uptight and insecure last year, but this time he was confident and greeted people with grace and humor. He expressed awareness of the change in himself.

A family whose children call us grandparents could not attend last year, but this year they hosted the Pakistan table and several people said it was the best food. Lots of smiles and long lineups at that one!

Will heaven be like this? People loving and serving one another? Good food and much joy? I don’t know, but I’m sure that this event gave everyone a taste of how Jesus can change relationships, not just among friends and neighbors, but with those who are different from one another in most ways except that we all love Him.

The flags (hundreds of small ones strung on cords overhead) may still be up this morning. I’d like to see them up all the time. We have nearly 40 cultural groups in our church, and if this has the same effect as it did last year, the sense of family will be even stronger. The love of God changes lives, just as Jesus prayed:

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20–23)

While not advertised except by word of mouth, the goal of this festival is not only to welcome the diversity among us, but to demonstrate the oneness Jesus creates. Our desire is that many who are not yet part of His Body will believe that God sent His Son and that He loves all people. This Savior is for every language, color and culture. A boy sang in Ukrainian. A Chinese girl danced. We praised God together and today I continue to feel the deep joy of the Lord.

PRAY: Jesus, events like this one show the world Your power to bring unity. It deepens my desire to pray for peace among nations yet I know that this does not happen with treaties, alliances, or human methods. It is You who can  bring people together, as far as the east is from the west, from the tropics to the coldest nations. Your love and grace break down barriers and builds up peace and joy in Your name. For this, I am so grateful!

 

Unity in Diversity

MacArthur writes how God brought together opposites, like Simon the Zealot, Matthew the tax collector, Simon the fisherman and others with diverse backgrounds.

In our church, we have doctors, retired farmers, engineers, teachers, homemakers, former pastors, students, and others from varying walks of life, yet there is harmony.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1–6)

Unity is a work of the Holy Spirit. I recall in early days supporting a few missionaries in prayer and with my limited funds. On a vacation, we managed to meet with one of those couples and I still remember how surprised I was at the unity we had with them, total strangers in many ways yet we had in common the Lord Jesus Christ.

This unity is precious. The Spirit produces the ingredients. We know we are called into the family of God, not because of anything we have done, hence humility. We know the gentleness of God who patiently deals with our sins and issues of life. We know His love and, in that love, we know His promises and the hope that He gives us.

We also know the brevity of life and the senselessness of making issues out of our differences when God offers us that amazing peace that passes understanding. Whatever we lack in common ground in this life is more than made up for with the common ground of being God’s children. We together battle sin and together wage war with the forces of evil. We know there is no other ‘body’ of people like us. We know the power of the Holy Spirit as He leads and guides us.

We also know that there is only one Lord who is Jesus, and one faith — people trust Him or not! We also are aware of the unity He produces and the unity that is in Him, our three in One God who is sovereign and in us all. This Holy Spirit power and presence, as long as we walk in Him, is our unity. The past cannot separate us nor can our current differences.

In fact, we can relish the differences, enjoy them but also profit by them. The Spirit gives us varying gifts and when I need encouragement, God sends someone with that gift. When I need leadership, there are others who are better at vision and being organized that can guide me. Like the parts of a human body, we make up an entire unit. How lovely is the work of God in us!

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)

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:18–26)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I thank You for giving Your people unity through the power of the Holy Spirit. It really is an amazing reality, another one of those ‘only God’ things for which we are blessed. Continue to bless our church family with unity and should anything arise to push us apart, may You grant us the grace to drop any faction or disruption and be one in the Spirit, one in the Lord, just as You have so graciously made possible.

READ Romans 12:9–21. Are any of these attitudes missing in my life? If so, what can I do to restore them?