Impossible situations…

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 3:12–4:1)

When a person is hurting because of the actions of others, trusting the Lord seems the best counsel. However, if that person keeps tossing out self-help ideas what do they need to hear? What if they insist on being right and the others are wrong, yet most of their ideas to “fix” it are also far from godly? 

I remember asking a pastor why God kept giving me such tough cases to disciple. He said it was because I was such a tough case myself. That was decades ago, yet it taught me to also ask the Lord what He trying to teach me as I work with this person who continues to ask me what she should do. I’ve learned that what I think is not always from the mind of God. 

Paul writes that he is not perfect but pressing on because he belongs to Jesus. Good advice. Yesterdays sermon suggested that when people ask me what I do, I should first tell them who I belong to and therefore, this is what I do. This person knows who she belongs to, yet cannot seem to focus on that truth and is doing many foolish things.

Paul says: Forget the past and press on. And if not able to do that, He will reveal why not. The lady who keeps rehashing her problem needs to do that too — focus on  what she knows is true. Her faith is there, but continually challenged by anger, revenge, and self-pity, all prodded by the enemy’s lies and reminders. She cannot stay with “I trust Jesus” for more than a few seconds. She needs to confess all that and see it for what it is — lack of faith in Him to take care of these problems she cannot fix.

This applies to me too. I cannot change her life or the lives of those who set themselves against her. I can only trust Jesus, only being a silly word in this case. What else is there? No one and nothing.

Pressing on in the face of problems bigger than myself requires faith. The Bible says that if we do our own thing rather than trusting God that “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) I told this woman, and tell myself, that if she tries to fix this in her way and without His direction, she needs to confess that as sin.

Jesus, this situation seems impossible to me. I ask You to also make it seem so impossible for her that she has to fall on her knees before You and stop all personal effort. For me, that is also my need, but not an excuse to stop encouraging her to recognize her own sin, to keep short accounts, and to trust You with all her heart. She knows Proverbs 3:5. (Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding) Play it over and over in her mind seems a good idea, yet I don’t know what is best for her and will bring You glory. May Your will be done — in me too.

 

Yielded = obedience plus more…

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. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. . . .  (Philippians 2:12–16)

Thinking about Jesus being fully human and fully God raises a question: in which nature did He do His work here on earth? Without including many Scripture references, I have to say it was in His human nature He obeyed His Father (“not my will, but thine be done”) yet He was totally yielded not only to the will of God, but relied on Holy Spirit power to speak, heal, pray, and die for us.

In other words, Jesus perfectly demonstrated what the above passage tells me to do. He didn’t need to “work out His own salvation” for He is sinless, yet the nature of God worked in Him. He did all things without complaining or debating, shining as the Light of the world and totally fulfilling the Word of God without any sin or resistance to it. I’m to live the same way.

For me, the fear and trembling comes in because my human nature tends to want its own will. Not only that, until I know the will of God through His Word, the enemy lies to me in subtle ways. His devices are not always easy to spot when I cling to my ideas or the values of the world. My spiritual battles are only won the same way as Jesus won them — by holding fast to what His Word says and by letting Him rule my thoughts, words, and actions.

Human nature, called the flesh or old nature in the NT, tends to want to be in charge:

Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. (2 Chronicles 30:8)

However, Jesus did not give into “my will” as to do anything His Father wanted, even to the point that He “cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:50) He had to do this because with the indwelling Spirit of God, no one can die. (See 1 John 5:11-12)

He also said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:18)

Jesus, because You live in me, I can yield all to You, even my very life. Last week I told my pastor I wanted to live to 100 and “so far God hasn’t argued with me” yet I know that one day You will ask for Your Spirit to return to Yourself, but rather than leaving me, I will go with it and spend eternity with You.

 

The way up is down…

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5–11)

God is one unique being in three persons. Human beings are many persons, but one being — human. We cannot change our being but in redemption God changes the nature of those persons who put their faith in Him. He unites Himself to them and in doing that, we are partakers of His divine nature and can behave like Him.

Put that the other way. Jesus is God who took on human likeness. He took on the personhood of man making it possible for humans to see what God is like. Not only that, He was obedient to the necessity that human sin must be punished by a human being taking sin’s death penalty. But that person could not do it if he had his own sin. 

The sacrifice must be spotless. Only the sinless Son of God who took on human form could bear that shame and set humanity free from out guilt. Our part in all this is to realize what He has done — and the Holy Spirit makes that happen, and enables us to believe it by the gift of faith that God grants to those who hear Him.

This Jesus, fully man and fully God, is highly exalted. My puny mind can scarcely grasp the truth of who He is and what He has done. Yet He has made it plain to me. He even says that someday every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that this is true. God became a man without losing His being as God yet taking on the being of human so He could save us from sin. And He did it by humble obedience.

The wonder of this causes my knees to bow and my tongue to confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father. I know it is true, not because I am special. Human beings and God's Beings are not in the same category and only the triune God has the power, ability, or even the right to communicate with humans. Sin put us in a state of not listening, not even wanting to listen, only to want to run our own lives. 

Some fear God as in being terrified of what He would do to them. Some say He does not exist. Some think He is an old man in the sky that loves us too much to punish us. Whatever the human view of God might be, the God-view of humans is:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

And that God-man came to empty Himself and die to give us life. This is the example: to have that life, each human needs also to humble ourselves and admit our need and our inability to make that life happen without Him.

Jesus, You are Lord to the glory of God and You did that by becoming a servant, my example of how to live with this new life of Yours. Humility is not a normal choice for most humans, including me, but with You, all things are possible. Thank You.

 

The Major Task…

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20)

This passage seems to have been written directly to me. Even though prayer is hard work, difficult to maintain, and easy to put off until later, I’m very aware of the wrestling match. Last night I dreamt that evil people were trying to take my children. It was a physical battle with prayer warriors from our church helping me. I woke up feeling exhausted.

The instructions above list commands related to correct theology. No one prays if they think they can handle all issues by themselves rather than being strong in the Lord and wearing His armor. No one prays well unless they realize who the true enemies are — not other people or the distractions and allurements of life, but spiritual forces of the devil and his minions. 

Not only that, if I believe a lie of any sort, or think I am good in myself, or worry all the time, or have trouble trusting God with everything, prayer will not be easy or even happen. I need to be filled with His Spirit and praying with His Word and truths, and directing most of my prayers for the effectiveness of God's people and myself in sharing the gospel with great boldness.

Paul did it while in prison. Even there, he considered himself an ambassador, a citizen of heaven living in a foreign land and speaking for his King. He battled the darts of the evil one that bombarded him with all sorts of lies in an attempt to get him to stop. I relate to this and to the idea that I won’t always know what to say. Yet God promises to protect me, not allow me to be tempted without a way of escape, and always gives me words to say as well as the boldness needed to say them.

Jesus, trusting You is far easier when I don’t foolishly trust myself. Any ambitions that I can handle any issues without prayer make the devil clap his hands. He knows that persisting in my will messes with Your will being done, and he knows when Your will is done, he is a loser. Keep me alert to the identity of my real enemy and not put that tag on other people. Keep my heart certain of all that You have done to give me warrior status that I can stand and speak for truth and support others who do the same. We cannot do it without You or the armor that You have so wondrously supplied. Help me overcome any tendency to shirk this incredible responsibility.

 

Want to bless the world?

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:22–33)

Many women protest this passage from the NT because in their mind, submission means a ‘yes’ person, no choices, and no say about anything. A doormat. While the dialog is missing, it seems obvious that if Eve had done what the NT says, that forbidden fruit would not have been eaten and sin would not have affected their relationship with God.

After over fifty-five years of marriage, I am totally convinced that God knows what He is talking about. If I interact with my hubby the way the church is supposed to relate to Jesus Christ, nothing could be more rewarding and secure. Sure, I get upset when he doesn’t listen or behaves in a way that does not honor the Lord, yet my challenge is the same as the people of God. He shocks us now and then. I must wait and trust Him, let the Holy Spirit deal with it. By listening to the Lord and doing what He says in every situation, I am closer to Him and closer to him. Respect for him cannot mean reproving, correcting, insisting on my own way — none of that works with Jesus nor does it reflect a humble relationship toward Him.

One friend said, “I’ll submit to my husband when he starts acting like Jesus.” Does Jesus always do what I tell Him? He answers my prayers but every answer is a surprise and always for my good. However, the quickest way to silence Him is to stop doing what He tells me to do. Applying that, is it not easier for a man to love his wife if she determines to be lovable? Rather than hard to please, a manipulator, always complaining and wanting her way ‘or else’? Blessed are the peacemakers.

Sin began a conflict. God said to Eve that she would suffer pain in childbirth, and also that her “desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16) The conflict about who is the boss has ruined many marriages because the essence of sin is, “I will have my own way” and that applies to both husbands and wives. Created to be his helper takes on great significance after realizing God calls Himself our Helper. Only by looking to Him can I understand what that means and how to do it.

Jesus, when You said, “Not my will but thine be done” in Your prayer, I wondered why. What is wrong with Your will? You are sinless. But that statement was not about Your ability but about Your willingness to yield and to trust the Father’s plan. Trusting You with my hubby has brought him to a walk with You that is a blessing to both of us and to the people around us. How can I not say AMEN to being a submissive helper when You show me how Jesus did it and it became Your the way to bless the world!

Imitating God is not play-acting

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:1–21)

Since Jesus put me in God's family, I’m to behave as a child of God, not living like an unsaved person or going along with them in what they think and do. My godly behavior is intended to contrast the things of darkness so people can see the difference. I’m not to be foolish, but understand God's will. My source of joy is in Him, in being thankful, and in being submissive to the needs of others because of my reference of Christ. 

While all this sounds lofty, it can be very down to earth. The old nature has this idea that having my own way is better than meeting needs, or even doing the will of God. That means making supper for my hubby or family when I don’t feel like it. It means being generous rather than a fat bank account. It means making a call when I dislike talking on the phone. It also means saying NO when I want to say YES, or saying YES when I would rather not. This is related to what Jesus says: 

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25–33)

Being a Christian is not going through the motions. It is about being not just doing. I cannot fake it or act like it. I must be it. 

Jesus, the longer I walk with You the more I am aware of the cost. It is mostly time, sometimes finances, but always giving up my own wants and desires in daily activities. Yesterday I wanted to create a new project, but You had other plans that took all the time available. Also, I had asked for a surprise, no expectations or wants, and You surprised me with an opportunity that scares me silly, but I knew I had to say yes. I just shake my head at the wonder of You. 

Christian life is not a DIY project…

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. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 4:22–5:2)

Therefore basically means ‘because of this, do this” and refers to the consequences based on an event or truth. In the NT, this word usually relates to a prior statement, and because of that truth, I should respond a certain way. 

If I apply that to the way I should respond without considering or being motivated by the “why” of it, my effort is sinful. I would be trying to act like a Christian without relying on the Holy Spirit but only my own desire to be a good person or impress others. God does not honor that because He is left out of it. The term for such behavior is hypocrisy.

Since only God knows the human heart, it is seldom easy to evaluate motivations, however the person doing life this way can make themselves obvious by what they say and do. Considering the above list, anyone lacking the motivation of God can fudge the truth, hurt people when they are angry, cheat on their finances (like take home stuff from the office), not apt to share, will put people down instead of building them up, grieve the Holy Spirit instead of being filled with His joy, express bitterness, even slander others, and show an unforgiving attitude.

This is quite a list, yet if read with honesty, it is easy to realize the importance of  putting off the old self. This is not about sins like robbing banks, adultery, lying or other actions that are obvious sins. It is about being nice on Sunday or at Bible study group and not so nice when Christian friends are not around, or when others I am with are doing the same things. 

The new self is like Jesus. It cannot sin. It does not steal, hold on to anger, be lazy, unselfish, or gossip. It does not give the devil an opportunity. Instead, it reflects the One who lives in me. I have no excuse. From this passage it is easy to see the importance of modeling His love as an example and reminder to those who find it far too easy to walk in the flesh and just work hard to be ‘nice’ people. 

Jesus, You are patient with our fumbling and false idea that this Christian life is like a DIY project. Colossians 2:6 says: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” I received You by saying YES to Your invitation. I must walk with You the same way by saying YES to all that You tell me and not try to save myself or be godly without You doing it by Your power rather than this useless glove trying to be good without Your hand in it.