Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:17-19

1st Peter 4:17-19

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

 “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.   ESV

Some key points:

Judgment begins with the household of God.

That being the case, consider the plight of the ungodly and the sinners.

If you suffer here and now - according to God's will - trust God and keep serving Him.

A powerful contrast for us to consider.  Judgment of us and judgment of "not us."  

Judgment is a scary thing - period.  Well it should be.  Having known the conviction of the Spirit concerning out condition outside of Christ we can extrapolate what it will be like at the throne.  

Note Peter writes:  "If the righteous is scarcely saved . . . ."  That ought to get our attention.   "Scarcely" means "with much work," "with difficulty."  Let me give you a picture of this:

Eph. 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.    ESV

We can never rightfully conceive of the cost God paid for our redemption.  Certainly He chose a manner of death for His Son that demonstrates the pain and horror of that price but we will never comprehend the true meaning or the agonizing experience of those moments when Christ called out:

Mark 15:34

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  ESV

One has to wonder how hard it was for God to put His Son through that.  I know, I can't know the mind of God - and I don't want to humanize Him - but though the suffering of crucifixion is mind boggling - being abandoned - even for a nano-second - by God with whom He had experienced intimacy and glory is utterly beyond my ability to comprehend - or even attempt to comprehend.

We can not afford to ever view our redemption as a minor thing.  If we ever do we must know that our hearts have grown hard and calloused.  Somehow we must keep in the front of our minds the fact of the cost of our redemption.  Think brother and sister, He suffered the punishment for our sin - indeed He became sin for our sake and took upon Himself the whole wrath of God that was rightfully ours to bear.

While Peter's "therefore" is to admonish us to trust our souls to God when we are suffering it is also to turn our minds from our suffering to the great grace and mercy of God poured out for us through Christ.  It is a, "remember," admonishment.  If indeed God has saved us from His wrath why would we doubt Him when we suffer?  Why would we "go on strike," or cease our exercise of our duties just because it's hard?  

The truly "hard part" involves another - we are just the blessed recipients.  We could do nothing and were not asked to do anything in order to be redeemed.  Not only that but we are not required (as if it were possible) to do anything to stay redeemed.  We are simply admonished to trust God and continue to do good (His good).  Certainly - not the hard part!!!!!!!  

2 Cor. 4:17-18  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:7

1Pe 4:7  The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  ESV
1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things has drawn near. Be of sound mind, then, and be sensible to prayers;  NASB
1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. KJV

Three translations?  Yeah, wasn’t that happy with the ESV.

Rationale:  The end of all things is near.
Yeah, I know, the end has been near for 2000 years – but it’s just a close as it ever was.

Look, God delays to condemn because He desires to save.  What that means exactly, I don’t know but:

2Pe 3:8-10  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

All we can do is know that He knows “when” and that He will keep us in Him for “then.”

But I think we all agree that it can come none too soon for us who believe.  However, if you could trade the salvation of Uncle Fred for Christ to come now would you send Uncle Fred to hell just so you could benefit?

I also wonder what has happened to our belief that He could return at any minute.  We want tornado warnings, ice-storm warnings and food contamination warnings so we can be prepared and safe.  But what about our warning others of the judgment to come?  Have we fallen into the trap of, “I’m saved – so come Lord,” without any concern for those who aren’t prepared?

Somehow the fact that without the Gospel, without faith, His coming will be the end of hope for so many seems to have eluded us.  Is it the idea of predestination – of election that makes us so unconcerned?  Or is it we are saved so who cares?  Or is it that we do not want to pay the price for being His witnesses?  I think the answer is,

“Yes!”  Three times, “Yes!”

So, God has His “elect.”  So no one is going to hell that isn’t supposed to – right?  But what of His command that we preach the Gospel?  Consider the following:

Mar 16:15  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1Co 9:16-17  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  (17)  For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

Well, I’ll forgo a rant on these passages.  But where has our mourning and concern for the lost gone?  Where has our desire to be His instruments gone?  Why aren’t we sharing the Good News any more?

Sometimes I fear our attitude is, “The end is near, to h***with it.”

Be self-controlled:  to think and act soberly, discreetly, to use sound judgment and moderation.
Not controlled by the self but rather in control of one’s self.

Be sober minded: OK, “minded” is an editorial addition – the Greek just says sober meaning watchful, discreet:  to refrain from the abuse of it (alcohol) which leads to intoxication.

The whole idea here is that of diligence, watchfulness, awareness, sensibility; as opposed to unsound and intoxicated.

And we are to be so, “for the sake of your prayers.”

Paraphrase = the end is near – be sound minded and clear headed in your prayers.

With the situations we see around the world it is imperative that we pray - and pray more than ever - for His will to be done - His people to be faithful and for each of us to be ready to be His witnesses, to actually share the Gospel regardless of the cost.

1 Peter 4:6 Evangelizing the dead?

1Pe 4:6  For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Is this verse as fascinating for you as it is for me?  The Gospel preached to the dead?  Now, not all the dead but those who died with only the “hope” and “promise” of the Redeemer.  

This clears up a lot for me in terms of those who came before the promise was fulfilled.  

Peter can’t only refer to Jews here but to everyone who had died – everyone.

Now – here’s a twist.  The Gospel/method being preached is obviously God’s chosen means of the offered.  So much so that even the dead were (note the tense in the verse) “preached” to.  How important in God’s plan does that make preaching?  I’d have to say it’s right up there, wouldn’t you?

But how much time, thought, prayer, study and energy (not to mention money) is expended for the preaching of the Gospel?  Think about it.  We donate millions to combat abortion.  We donate millions to fight evolution.  We donate millions to take legal action against those who would limit our right of religious expression.  But where is the money for the Gospel?
Yes, I know it is spent in foreign mission and translation work for discovered people groups; but where else?

Radio and TV preaching/teaching is aimed a lot more at the choir than the pews.  The messages on these shows may mention the Gospel indirectly, but the Gospel, God’s warning and call to men and women to the need and provision of salvation – not so much.  The invitational or confrontational part of the Gospel – the “choose” part is missing.

Perhaps the worship service isn’t the place to present the Gospel – but then why are we encouraged to invite non-believers?  What can a gathering to worship a God they don’t believe in and to express a faith they reject do for them?  Yes, men and women are brought to the Gospel by attending a gathering of believers for worship – but isn’t that a very indirect and perhaps impersonal method?  Have we begun to see an invitation to church as somehow part of evangelism?  

To be honest, I worry about the position I put a non-believer in when I invite them to a gathering to worship a God they reject.  I worry as I see them sing hymns of praise to a God they are in rebellion against.  I cringe as they bow in prayer to a God they refuse.  I worry that they may assume that going to church is a good thing for them – in their non-belief.  

It seems we have come to a place where we are content to only share the Gospel on our terms in our house.  We have, it seems, given up the model we see especially in Acts where the Gospel is presented at every opportunity the Spirit provides.  Yes, I realize that the Gospel was preached in the homes of believers when believers gathered – but the Gospel and not doctrine was preached.

Evangelism has been cut loose from its personal, intimate component and I think I know why.  It’s embarrassing.  What?!?!?!?  Yeah – I said embarrassing.  How so?  Well, it (and we) may be rejected, ridiculed, made to feel stupid, maligned and perhaps sued.  That’s embarrassing.

We fear (and I include myself) have allowed the opposition to silence us – or at least to drive us underground or into our own territory.  The Gospel is three things.  First, it is the Good News; second it is a scandal; and third, it is foolishness

1Co 1:23  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
Christ crucified = Good News
Christ crucified = stumbling block = scandal (offense)
Christ crucified = folly, silliness, absurdity

So, instead of boldly risking scandalizing others or appearing absurd, we either just shut up or we try to position our opportunities to our advantage – we play on our court.  Being the “home team,” keeps us safe – but it does not guarantee a “win.”

We’ve tried all sort of gimmicks, programs and events but even with these things, the sounding of the Gospel call has gotten more and more quiet until it is little more than a whisper – a hint.

And yet, the Gospel was preached to the dead.  Not to those in hell not to those in heaven but to those who were wherever dead people were at the time.  God uses the same means with the living and the dead – the Gospel preached.  When did we quit?  Why did we quit?  How can we quit our quittedness?

I have to share that in my tent-making, I have been careful not to wax biblical.  But I am beginning to not really care any more.  Wisdom is wisdom - truth is truth.  It is with no little amount of trepidation I choose to be more open about my true Core Values because it can cause me to lose business and even get sued.  But all they can do is take what I have and lock me away – right?  No, I don’t think I’ll be bursting into a sermon in the middle of a workshop or meeting, but I can talk to how what we believe directly impacts how we live and how we live affects how we live.

the gospel was preached even to those who are dead

We work, play, socialize, etc. with “dead” men and women every day.  Do we care that they are under the condemnation of God?  Are we willing to trust Him and to ask His grace to not only be sensitive to the opportunity but to be willing to take it?  Alistair Begg said something along the order of, “We need to ask God to make the opportunity and then embolden us to take the opportunity to share the Gospel.”  

The Gospel is not your, “How I Came to Jesus,” story.  The Gospel is the presentation of God’s gracious solution to mankind’s horrible condition.  It is the presentation of God’s gracious provision for mankind’s greatest need.  Everything else is explanation and decoration.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 2:12

1Pe 2:12  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

And let’s add:

Col 4:5-6  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  (6)  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

And

Psa 18:49  "For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.

Gentiles, outsiders, nations." – uhhh, non-believers?  Right!

I remember an old saying, “You are the only Gospel some people will ever see/hear.” 

It is not an easy thing to make our faith plain in our work, play and other situations.   We are strongly encouraged not to.  Indeed in some situations we can get into trouble – big trouble – for expressing our faith in non-church settings.

However, those with whom I have worked  who have experienced difficulties were either very obnoxious about it or they were simply under attack for being a believer.  It’s the obnoxious part we want to pray about.  We really need to understand that there is more to our “evangelism” than the Roman Road or the Acts Tracks.

In the passage(s) above, we are given very sound direction concerning how we are to “be” and “do” among the outsiders.  Look at the example of the early believers in Act 2:42-47.  The believers simply led lives that glorified God and found themselves, “having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

No revivals, no programs, no outreach, just living together as Christ called them to.  Not that revivals, programs or outreach are wrong – but they aren’t the early example. 

It really comes down to you and me, the individual believer.  We never want to deny our faith but we can be wise in where, how and why we express it.  We’ll cover it later, but Peter writes in chapter 3:

1Pe 3:15-16  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  (16)  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

I want to point out that is it not our doctrine, denomination, creed or other “credentials” about which we will be asked.  It is our “hope,” about which we are to prepare a defense (answer or plea).  Hope, and upon or in what (actually who) it resides. 

Our conduct and speech needs to testify to our submission and dependence upon God.  Not only that, but our lives need to demonstrate the hope we have in His promises. 

What would that look like in your life?  No, not in the life of a believer, but in the life of you the believer.  You may be one among many believers but there are times when you are the only one present.  What can your life look like by His power and providence?

A dear friend of mine sent out an email the other day decrying the abundance of sex and alcohol themed advertisements on the many sports channels.  It was a clear rational and impassioned plea for Christian discretion.  Of course, it was all I could do not to write him back and ask, “Why are you watching that?”

Let me play with an analogy here.  If you go to a friend’s house and they offer you cake and you refuse it because you are diabetic, is that bad?  If they offer you fresh baked bread and you refuse it because you can’t process gluton, is that bad?  If you go to their house and they offer you a milkshake and you refuse because you are lactose intolerant, is that bad?

As a believer, we are sin intolerant.  Whoa now – what I mean is that sin (in any guise) is BAD for us.  It is toxic for us – especially if we know it’s bad for us – then it’s really bad for us.  2 Cor 1:12 - - 2 Cor 4:2 - - Rom 2:15

Am I telling you that you can’t go to that special football party?  No, but I am telling you I can’t.  Am I telling you that you can’t joke and poke fun around the water cooler?  No, but I’m telling you I can’t.

Patti and I have been really examining this aspect of our lives.  How do we appear to outsiders?  Do they see hope and holiness or confusion and compromise?  Can outsiders see a difference in our lives?  Is the demonstration of our faith, in word and deed, gentle and respectful?

Us in Him - starts 9/9/12

Sunday, Sept. 9th we start the Us in Him Bible study.
We will start meeting at Caribou Coffee at Friendly Center in Greensboro.
6:00p.m.
We'll be going through the Gospel of Mark.
This is a study for anyone.  The wondrous, the wondering, the wandering and the wounded.

Contact:  ms@tc2v1.com

Michael @ 336-549-2081

Gloria @ 336-430-6743

If you would like to follow along with us via the web - just sent me an email.  If my Luddite mind can figure it our I'll be posting the notes on the tc2v1 website - or I can email them to you.

This and That 083012 Thinking it through.

Mat 7:21-23  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  (22)  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'  (23)  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

We all know “good” people; people who except for their lack of faith look and act a lot like believers.  They sacrifice, do good works, have kind hearts – we like them and enjoy their company.  We also admire their commitment to others.  But------

Then there’s this passage and we are confronted with His truth.  Uggg, uuuph… it is a hard blow.  It is really heartbreaking.

The tough part is in how to warn them of the judgment to come.

We hesitate to point out that which may well destroy our relationship.  We hesitate to be thought a fanatic.  We hesitate to be accused of “hate speech.”  We hesitate because the flesh is weak although the spirit is troubled and convicted.

We are His people to proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter 2).  Yet we hesitate.  We think of all the arguments they may have or the offense they may take or even the anger they might express and we hesitate.

However – I wonder if we actually stuck to, “proclaiming His excellencies,” instead of confronting them with their sin (which they don’t recognize) – if  the Spirit would find it more useful.  You know, talk about Him and His work in our lives and the lives of others.  Talk about His goodness and mercy and providence in our lives and the body of Christ.

I think of:

Heb 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  (2)  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I then read chapter 11 of Hebrews and it is testimony after testimony of how God is true and faithful and merciful and gracious.  I begin to wonder if our “witness” isn’t bigger than the Roman Road, the Acts Tracks or the Bridge illustration.  I wonder if we are starting at the wrong (or at least the less helpful) place when we come with the scent of brimstone instead of the Balm of Gilead.

Bang – it comes to mind –

 Rom 2:3-4  Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God?  (4)  Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

The kindness of God, His forbearance and patience – meant to lead us (and them??) to repentance?

Do we start with the offense of the cross or do we start with the grace and mercy – yes, the kindness of God as we have seen it made manifest?   

We are called, chosen to proclaim His excellencies – that’s just stuck in my head.  So what’s so hard about that?  Sure, if the Spirit is working in them we will get to the cross but why the rush?  I was once told that at the judgment, no one will get the wrong one. 

We are not here to win a debate or an election – this isn’t the point.  We are here to represent Him and His holiness.  I keep getting stuck on, “proclaiming His excellencies.”

So and I am asking, shouldn’t I start with Him and then me and then others who are His?  Can’t I, like Peter in Acts reach back into that wonderful old testimony about Him and his and proclaim that?  Should I not look for the opportunity to tell of His mercy and kindness in my life – isn’t that what I have to testify about?

As I think this way I am sensing a lightening of a load – with a smidge of anxiety.  I am excited about looking for opportunities to witness to His excellencies and just a little anxious about the cross part.

No, I’m not thinking of sugar-coating the Gospel – I’m trying to discern how to start with the “Good News” – and move the strangely offensive (????) “Best News.”   

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Mar 16:15

 

What, if any, are the differences between proclaiming the Gospel and proclaiming His excellencies?  Is not the Gospel the acorn of His excellencies – the nut of the matter, the whole giant oak of His excellencies made compact.

Ahhhhhh, I found it!

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  (6)  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt  [wisdom and prudence ], so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:5-6 

Amen and amen . . . .

Look to the need!!!

ALAS! AND DID MY SAVIOR BLEED?

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For sinners such as I?

[originally, For such a worm as I?]      

Issac Watts

That line, “for sinners such as I,” stuck in my head this morning. 

I began to wonder if I really knew what it meant in my life.  It’s easy to say, “I’m a sinner” (and we may add “saved by grace”).  We say it somewhat flippantly at times as though it was a “duhhh.”  But if we really take the time to reflect (prayerfully) on what the “such as I” means in our lives things can get really serious really fast.

I know that I have to work to plant my feet on His grace and look at the “such as I.”  It’s just too easy to allow myself to get at least a little smug and lazy about my sin.  When I do that I lose something – I lose the humility and dependency I need to really grow in Him.

I want to develop a mindset that recognizes and appreciates the fact that I need no less of the blood of the Redeemer right now than I did before He called me to Himself.  I will never not need it all.  Jesus will never have suffered less for my overcoming even the most minor seeming infraction.

Notice that the last verse was changed.  From worm – to sinner (see my blog on Worminess).  Though it’s nice to use sinner rather than worm I wonder if the word “sinner” has lost some of its impact on our hearts, especially when we seek to share the good news. 

Do we communicate the Gospel sinner to sinner or “Ok-sinner” to sinner?  Though I am “in” Christ I am no less a sinner than my friend who is not “in” Christ.  Oh, I am redeemed, I have the assurance His promise and sacrifice provides – but I am still a sinner – I haven’t quit sinning.  Do I keep in mind, as I share the Gospel, that in that very moment I am no less in need of His saving grace than the person I am sharing with? 

The Gospel is a n“everybody” thing – everybody needs to hear it and everybody needs to accept it.  It is not a “you” thing.  The only “once for all” was His redeeming death.  He died once for us.  We are saved AND being saved.  We (believers) work out our salvation with fear and trembling – our only confidence is in Him.

It’s tough to discover a good analogy for the “wormy” attitude.  But I really believe that we need to cultivate it in gratitude and hope and assurance of His promises.  What have we to lose if we rekindle the sense of need we had the day He called us. Perhaps all we’ll lose is our comfortable complacency and the projection of an attitude of superiority.  We, in Him, are better off, not better.  We are redeemed sinners but still sinners.

I remember a dog food commercial where a child sings:

My dog’s bigger than your dog

My dog’s bigger than yours

My dog’s bigger ‘cause he gets  XXXXXX

My dog’s bigger than yours

I can almost hear some believer somewhere singing

My life’s better than your life

My life’s better than yours

My life’s better ‘cause, it’s got Jesus in it

My life’s better than yours

Well, my hope is better, my relationship with God is better, the beliefs and teachings that shape my living arebetter – but my “life” here – it’s pretty much like everyone else’s.  As far as sin – I can run with the best of them.  In regards to a need for His provision, especially His redemption, my need is NEVER any less than the worst of the worst of the worst.

Dottie Rambo wrote lyrics which are to be sung to the tune of that great Irish ballad, O’ Danny Boy.  I sing it often (ok, not well but fervently).  The lyrics are:

He Looked Beyond My Fault

Verse

Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,

for it was grace that brought my liberty;

I do not know just why He came to love me so,

He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Chorus

I shall forever life mine eyes to Calvary,

to view the cross where Jesus died for me,

how marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;

He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

As we share the Gospel, I suggest we prayerfully seek to look beyond their faults and focus on their need.  I also suggest that before we share, we prayerfully remember that indeed, He looked beyond our faults and saw OUR need – and He still does.

Evangelistic Insight ???

Psa 36:11  Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

The message at worship today had a plethora (cool word) of really great points and insights.  It was a wonderful morning.

Not only was I personally blessed but I had a lot put in my “hopper” to consider and pray over.  One thing in particular ended up on the top.  It was the opposition to the Gospel.

While I was reading this afternoon I came across Psalm 36 which I used in the P & Me blog today.  As I read the rest of the Psalm, verse 11 jumped off the screen.

Here is a good description of the problems we might have while we seek to share the Gospel.  The first problem is us.  If we do not remember from whence He has bought and brought us we will run the danger of an arrogant spirit.  We will fall into the “us” and “them” trap.  We will come, not in the humility of Christ but the arrogance of the flesh.

Ok, maybe – maybe we can see ourselves as better off than the unredeemed sinner but there is nothing we can claim that will ever make us “better.”  If Romans 7 doesn’t convince us of that, nothing will. 

Yes, there is bad news before the good news but the good news is about Him not about us.  Actually the only power in the Gospel is Him.  Our, “How I came to Jesus,” story may be powerful but that’s not the Gospel.  He is the Gospel.

The world thinks we think we are “good” people because we are believers.  The world thinks that because “we’ve” somehow (arrogance??) conveyed that idea.  I am called (don’t want to impose my view on you) not to oppose evil in the world – but rather to proclaim the coming of the Savior.  I am not the overcomer of sin – not even in my own life.  Rather I am the proclaimer of good tidings of great joy.  Maybe if we presented the Gospel with more “I was” than “you are” in it we would avoid any appearance of arrogance.

The second part of this verse is tough.  To be honest, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve held my tongue or stated something “safely,”  I’d be rolling in $.  My sin – my problem – that He can overcome.

But we all know the feeling of discomfort when we are talking about our faith.  Do I say this, do I say that?  We don’t want to offend but folks we have to accept that the cross in all its meaning is, well, offensive.

There is insight in the words of Paul:

1Co 1:21-24  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  (22)  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  (23)  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  (24)  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

AND

2Co 4:8-10  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  (9)  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  (10)  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Consider Psalm 36:11, as you pray for the opportunity,  wisdom and call to share the Gospel with others.  These are two biggies that can hinder His work through us as we go about His work,  at least they are for me.

Not junk - art!

A creating power can, not only bring something out of nothing, but contrary out of contrary.   Sibbes, Richard (2012-04-24). The Soul's Conflict With Itself: And Victory Over Itself By Faith. (p. 296). A Puritan At Heart Press. Kindle Edition.

If of nothing, God created everything, then out of coal He can create a diamond. 

In our struggle – nay battle against the flesh we do not always win.  Indeed we fail often.  In those times I am threatened with a sense of futility and frustration.  Will I ever, “Get it right?” is just one of the hopelessness inducing thoughts.  When my attention is forced upon my utter unworthiness either by my being prompted to look of my nose being stuck in I default to everything that ever made me feel, “not good enough.”

I don’t know about you but I do know that I don’t like seeing my sins.  But see them I must for if I do not see them what value does His sacrifice have in my heart.  If I am folled into thinking I’m “Ok,” I am fooled indeed and I lose sight and sense of the great grace He has called me with and to.

Out of utter nothing He brought His creation.  Out of my corruption and sin He brings a saint.  Nothing can stop Him.  His intention is never to be thwarted.  We may think we can resist but we can’t.  We may think “we” fail but we must know He cannot.

We are, as much as DNA and the cosmos, His workmanship. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

As a friend of mine says, “God doesn’t make junk!”  I have a friend who works at a place where they forge metal.  There’s lots of scrap and “junk.”  This friend of mine takes these objects and created really fascinating and beautiful work of art with them.  I a human can do that, imagine what the God of all can do!

Oh if only we would accept the truth – all the truth of the Gospel and not pick and choose.   Yes, we sin, that is our battle – our battle against the flesh – the “body of death.”  Oh how I pray for you and I that we might come to the place where Paul found himself where he was able to proclaim with great sincerity and much joy:

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then,

I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.   Rom 7:24-25

Walk with Patti and me . . .01

but they who wait for the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

(Isa 40:31)

This is a tired old verse – isn’t it?  It’s been used and abused since I can remember. 

As I read it today, though, I was struck by the conditional part of the verse:

they who wait for the LORD

That word “wait” is interesting.  Zodhiates in the, Complete Words Study Dictionary writes:

The root meaning is that of twisting or winding a strand of cord or rope,

but it is uncertain how that root meaning relates to the idea of hope.

Curious root.  Of course, the word “is used to signify depending on and ordering activities around a future event.”  However, for you and me it is ordering activities around Him, not an event.

Is the root meaning telling us that there is work to be done even while we wait?  I think so.  In our current – well – predicament – Patti and I are caught between furious and meaningless activity and – well – just waiting.  Neither has much appeal or a positive outcome.

I wonder, if indeed He is leading us to a new thing (or trying to teach us an old thing), whether there are things directly related to us and Him that we would could be doing and not just tapping our feet or drumming our fingers.  Not to ignore the common things one needs to do in this type of situation, but do along with those things.  We certainly have more time together.

Ok – you know me and how I love metaphors, analogies, even hyperbole and I have to be careful that I don’t get carried away.  But that “root” keeps picking at my mind.

It makes me think of an unraveled rope that needs to be repaired.  Or a fishing net with tears in it that need to be fixed.  It makes me think that regardless of the end of the circumstances, we need to be about repairing something – something regarding her – me – us and Him.

It’s natural to sit and imagine, “If God just did this or that everything would be OK.”  Tempts one to go buy a lottery ticket.  But God is never not working for His children.  He doesn’t nap or go on vacation.  However, that is, much to my dismay, what I do (when I’m not “keeping busy” at nothing.)

In times like this, one is tempted to sit very still and be very quiet and think good thoughts;or to take up some work that He will like and hence come through for you.  Neither of these (having been there) make a lot of sense to me.

What does make sense is repairing that which binds us to Him.  Not the stuff He does but the stuff He calls us to do.  I mean the personal intimate stuff of being His children.  Maybe that’s what the rope or net signify. 

I am thinking of Job right now.  My favorite thing is when he proclaims:

Though he slay me, I will hope in him;

yet I will argue my ways to his face.   (Job 13:15)

Job isn’t going to just sit there and stew.  Now exactly what he means by, “I will argue my ways to His face,” is a little troubling but we’ll get to that another time.

Job was going to take action that would bring him into direct and intimate contact with God.  That, my friends, is always life changing!  Sitting there without anyone to “cheer” him on, he goes to the source.  He may do it via the conversations he has with his buddies.  But he is really talking to God.

In “twisting the rope,” there is one thing Patti and I want to remain aware of and that is the very real threat of the world, the flesh and the devil.  This unholy triad is opposed to our goal of trusting in Him and growing in this time.

The flesh accuses us of all kind of sin and unfaithfulness.  Like scurvy, it opens old wounds.  It not only blames but shames us and pours the accusation of unworthiness down out throats.  It seeks to poison every moment of joy and kindness.  It seeks to breed undue sensitivity and suspicion between us.

The world – well the world just has to be the world.  It too accuses and shames and it distances itself across a line calling to us to compromise with it and accept its philosophies and ways.  It also works mightily on the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride in possessions (1Jn 2:16).  With its definition of success and good, it shames and woos at the same time.

 OK – I may get smacked here but I have found upon occasion that the standards the world has set for “normal” productive people is alive and well in the body of Christ.  Where the world has been accepted into the church, the same shame and seduction is offered by the church (I speak in generalities).  But, let me ask you to consider what your congregation’s response is it to those upon whom calamity falls.  Or, as I’ve seen a few times, is it just not appropriate to ask for help?

Then, the devil.  Well, somewhere along the way I must have missed the class on how he does what he does.  I know he has power but I know that power is limited by the hand of God.  I know he has helpers but I know they are limited as well.  So what do we do about this part of the threat?  There is, as far as I can see, but one strategy:

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:6-8a)

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

No, I’m not missing the context of these verses – they are indeed part and parcel of sustaining our hope and growing through this.  But these words are, I think, inclusive of the rest.  We submit to Him, resist the other and then – and what a wonderful thing it is – draw near to God.

Submission to God is a no brainer but not a simple thing.  Submission to God indicates duties toward God.  Duty is a work we don’t hear much in the church.  It smacks too much of legalism but it also makes obedience unavoidable.  But, in the King’s service there is our duty.

Keeping it simple, we have a duty to pray, study, fellowship and give.  Yes, I know there’s more to it, but why complicate things.  As a soldier has his daily duties, so do we.  These four are not occasional things but regular things, common things.  So daily, Patti and I will be about these things.  How?  What method?  Well, we’ll have to discover that by trial and error not out of a sense of finding our “comfort zone,” but rather finding our “consistency zone.”

Of course in our circumstances, “giving,” will be a toughie.  Not “giving” per se, but giving as the flesh play its games.  But, just the other day a young man I see regularly at my “office ;-}” who has CP came in on his electric chair.  His name is Michael so we hit if off even though communication can be difficult.  Anyway, he whispered and asked if I would do him a favor. He did not have the bucks to get his regular drink.  Without thinking I turned to the Barista and told them I’d cover Michael’s order, and I did.

OK, this isn’t "pat me on the back "time.  But the realization that I didn’t think twice about helping this sweet guy out was a real blessing.  I was so happy that even in our tight straights, I hadn’t gotten tight fisted.  We need money but that need, as I see it, is more a catalyst for mending our nets than being solvent.

Just an aside.  We are admonished to not love money.  Is the other end of the stick to not fear it either?   We’re are told that we either worship God or Mammon (god of gain).  So the elements or affections that apply to worshipping God must be looked for in our dealing with money – yes?  Awe, desire, fear, love – all these are part of worship; so, Patti and I will be  very careful to remember that money is ONLY a means – never a solution.

I’m almost at my self-imposed length limit so I’ll try to close.  Patti and I are “waiting” on the Lord.  We have a little more time and flexibility but more importantly, we have the desire to fix the frayed rope of our yoked service to Him and each other.  As I have been, writing she and I have talked about certain points in the article.  She’s always been my editor (the one’s she edits are the ones w/o typos) but now she’s also my collaborator and that is just wonderful.

Pray for us – we will be grateful.  First pray we will be dutiful in our net mending; second that we will be faithful in our care for others; and third – pray we are able to pay our bills – that Patti finds a lovely job, that I get more work and that we move forward in our ministry plans - following , not out running Him.

To my fellow sheepdogs -----

Helpless?  Yeah – to do the wrong job – of course we’re helpless.

“Ministry is messy!”

I learned this long ago.  I also came to believe that if one’s ministry is not messy, it’s not ministry.  Sin alone is the proof.  But add to that the moment by moment battle we have with the flesh and, well, you have mess.

It’s a mess just to battle one’s own flesh but when one accepts the call to be the shepherd of others one takes on their mess as well.

Add to this the unreasonable and unbiblical expectation that as a shepherd one should have all the answers –especially the answers people prefer and it gets even messier.

We, those called to the care of souls, must accept that we are little more than under-shepherds.  Indeed, I prefer the title “sheepdogs.”  We know what to do in some situations but we are, in the final analysis, simply servants of the Great Shepherd whose commands we await and obey.

The struggle we all have in not being able to be the Great Shepherd is uniquely human.  A sheepdog does not tend the sheep.  He or she simply follows the directives of the Shepherd.  Only in a very few circumstances is the sheepdog able to function without the presence and direction of the Shepherd.

We have to live with the fact that we “CAN’T” provide a lot of what is needed.  Unfortunately many who are indeed called end up moving from living sacrificially to living suicidally  as they go beyond the Shepherds provision or more subtly accept the demands of the sheep as always legitimate.

We look at the misery around us and we ache to relieve it.  Hunger, poverty, cruelty – all these and more we seek to relieve.  Of course there are the more common “miseries” of health issues, relationship issues, debt, etc. that are brought to us for resolution.

I have a new favorite word.  It’s UN-autonomous.  I am UN-autonomous.  I am nothing and can do nothing apart from Him.  Even in those wonderful moments when I do have an answer or a solution I know it is only because of Him that it will be of any benefit.

But another issue is bad aim.  Yes we desire to solve or resolve the issues His sheep bring to us but somehow we forget the fundamental facts.

He did not die, was not resurrected, did not ascend, did not offer sacrifice, “once for all,” and does not interceded continually so His people could have a happy satisfied life here on earth.  He did/does all of this so that we might be redeemed from sin and forgiven.  He did/does all this so we can be His and ultimately be with Him.  The writer of Hebrew seeks to give the aim or perspective of faith.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb 11:10-16)  ESV

The question we must all (sheepdogs) ask either directly or indirectly is, “What are they (the sheep) looking for?”

Are they looking for the promise fulfilled or are they looking for heaven here and now?

I always go back to:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."   (Joh 16:33)  ESV

This is what characterizes our lives here.

Θλίψις;  thlípsis; gen. thlípseōs, fem. noun from thlíbō , to crush, press, compress, squeeze, which is from thláō (n.f.), to break. Tribulation, trouble, affliction.  Zodhiates

Though our tribulation is utterly attached to persecution which we suffer for proclaiming and living the faith it is also a result of living in a fallen world and redeemed creatures that are being transformed.

Below Paul gives us the true utility of the sheepdog.  It is in this “tribulation” that we are to ministry.  Yeas, we feed, clothe and house, etc. as we are able (Note-also as the Body of Christ individually and collectively is willing to sacrifice to provide for those in any trouble.)  But here is the bottom line – actually the front line of the battle. 

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

(Rom 7:15-25)  ESV

You, called and commissioned as a sheepdog, must focus on what your God given purpose is:

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. (Eph 4:11-14)  ESV

This is the “buck,” and the buck ends with you and I.

It is through this, “work of ministry,” that the physical needs of the flock are met and this is to be the work for which we equip the flock.  I don’t provide (apart from how He prospers me) – the “saints” are to provide – what they can, when they can – with His sacrifice as the example and motivation.

Look here:

      So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

      And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

      And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

      And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

      And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

      And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.  (Act 2:41-47)  ESV

This is the Body of Christ.  This IS the Church.  What happened to her – where did she go?

When did all this become the job of one person? 

No, the sheepdog (whether they are called: apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers) are to equip the saints to follow the example we see in Acts.  He takes care of His own – we take care of His own – first.

Bottom line:

The problem is, well, sin.  We sheepdogs have failed miserable in helping the saints understand, appreciate and engage in the only spiritual war they have a part in.  The battle against the flesh.  Satan – we simply resist – we stand in the armor.  The world we simply say no to – we do not conform. But the flesh – that’s our foe – here we are to engage and do battle.  But we have to keep in mind that the allies of the flesh are the world and the devil and they will work with and through the flesh to make us miserable – unfaithful, hopeless and unfruitful.  They don’t have to win us over – actually they can’t – all they want is for us to be so focused on ourselves that we forget that we are part of His Body and that within that Body is the help (note I say help and not fixes) for our needs.

But is we are looking for “heaven” here; if we are looking for a “good life,” a “comfortable life,” here – maybe we need to really consider whether we are His or not.

Too many who claim (and may be) to be His are really looking to return to Egypt and have everything be good – not gonna happen – at least not by His hand.  We live in a world working hard to create a Hell on earth.  Huh??  Well, what else do you call a place where God is rejected and denied?  As men move forward in building their Hell we have to accept that as long as we’re here it’s gonna be hot and we’re gonna have the stink of sulfur.  AND it’s gonna just get worse.

For you, my fellow sheepdogs, who feel the burdens of each and every sheep – bless you.  For you, my fellow sheepdogs, who feel you, have to relieve the burdens of each and every sheep – repent. 

Remember, your job = “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  That’s it – that’s all – wow.

Now – you have to look at what “works of ministry” God has presented the flock and you have to determine what “equipping” them look like.  And for god’s sake don’t go buy a book about it!  You have the only book you need – and an inexhaustible source of power.

I hope this helps -- We are all in my prayers – bark at the sheep/bite the wolves!!!!