1Pe 1:10-12  Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,  (11)  inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.  (12)  It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

I look at this passage and think, “Well if we believers now are nuts, we’re in good company!”

Have you ever read the Prophets?  If you haven’t, I suggest you get something like the ESV Bible Atlas.  It can get pretty hard to understand the material without a guide.  This will help you understand what’s going on – and there’s a lot going on!

But the point of this passage is to show us that we are not alone in our faith (like Hebrews 11).  There was faith in Christ on the other side of the cross.  The Prophets searched as diligently concerning Christ as you and I can re-search about Him.

They wanted to know the who and when concerning His first coming as we do about His second coming.  They “looked forward” to Him just as we do. 

That’s one of the uses we can make of the Prophets.  We can see their journey and the events and circumstances they passed through as they looked for Him.  We can also draw comfort from their struggles and perseverance.

Peter tells us that they knew, “they were serving not themselves,” but rather they were serving you and me.  How?  Through their words we see the promises, the identifiers of Jesus.  The greatest thing we see is the consistent hope in God’s plan for redeeming His people – those who had faith in God’s promises – especially redemption.

We also see their struggle with the world around them and how God’s providence was always working for their care.  We see His protection and provision through some of the strangest people and means we could imagine (or not imagine).  So, we can take strength and comfort and encouragement from their testimony.  From God’s actions through them and for them, we can be strengthened and secured.

The line of revelation flows from the Prophets to the Apostles:

Eph 2:19-20  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,  (20)  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Heb 1:1-2  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,  (2)  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

2Pe 3:1-2  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,  (2)  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

Ending this passage Peter tells us that we have access to, “things into which angels long to look.”  That is quite an encouragement for you and me.

Last Words – almost part 16 

We’ve taken a whirlwind tour of this passage in 2 Peter and I pray you have been provoked by it.  The reason for the series is my love for those who follow the Great Shepherd. 

Much is being written about the church and her ills and errors – and I have to agree that they are mighty and plenty.  The history of the Body of Christ is filled with examples of how easy it is to stray from the way (Acts 24:14) He called us to walk in.

I have prayed and thought and read much about this and have come to the conclusion that if we are to lay responsibility anywhere, it has to be at the feet of those He has called to lead His flock.  Huh?

OK – let me put it this way.  If you are attending a church where the priority of the leadership is not the following – you have a problem!

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to 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.   (Eph 4:11-24)   ESV

You see, it is not about programs, worship style, missions or ministries.  It is not about your preferences and proclivities.  It is not about numbers in the pews or in the bank.  It is not about buildings or furnishings.  It is about not being conformed to the world (i.e., being “seeker sensitive”); it is about being conformed to the likeness of the Christ.  And that’s pretty much all it’s about.

Read Acts 2:42-47 – read it again!!!!!

Do you “get it?”  Do you see the simple sanctified Body of Christ?

Yeah, I guess I am being hard on those who in the name of Christ have built great structures to their own flesh.  Those who have erroneously decided, “if you build it, do it, say it, etc., they will come.”  Oh, come they do – but who are they?  They are rarely the called – the elect.  But they are those who having a form of godliness – well, Paul says it best….

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (authority & ability). Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (2Ti 3:1-7)

It is not the truth that each individual believer is solely responsible for their growth.  How could it be when God has provided “ministers” or “officers” or “designates,” to equip believers to live as believers?  Yes, it is the responsibility of the individual to seek out sound biblical teachers and to learn and to grow beyond them if possible.  But as Bonheoffer wrote in Nazi Germany, we prefer cheap grace – which is a grace without the cross – a grace without a Christ.

Of those who come to the Body simply to have their ears scratched Paul goes on:

But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.   (2Ti 3:9-17)  ESV

We are engaged in a great conflict.  No, it is not a conflict over culture or national interests, or morality or even competing belief systems.  None of that is OUR fight.  Our fight is against the (actually OUR) flesh.  Oh but it is soooooo much easier to take on the ACLU or the President or whatever – than it is to take on, “Be holy as I am holy.  It is soooo much more fun to do neat marketing projects to get people in the door than it is to live the life that shines in the darkness.  It is sooooo much easier to lift up self-esteem, prosperity, even Israel’s safety than it is to lift up a crucified Messiah.  It is soooo much easier to say, “god loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” than is it to cry “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

The church has become a place where gimmicks, gadgets and graffiti have replaced the gospel.  The unredeemed are enticed to come and to worship the God who their every breath offends.  They come and sing praises to the God whose wrath is looming over their heads.  They come – and if they stay long enough, contribute enough and shine enough they can even become elders.

There was writing over the gate to the temple which warned Gentiles that to pass beneath the arch into the Temple would mean their death.  There is an important point here.  To intentionally create an environment where the unredeemed are comfortable in the presence and worship of the God they do not acknowledge – the God they rejected and replaced - makes it possible for them to come to believe that they are in good stead with Him.  That, my brothers and sisters, is, at least to me, a cruelty beyond bearing.

Faith is NOT a virus; one does not “catch” it.  “Doing,” does not make believers.  God does.

Remember where we started?

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2Pe 1:13-15)  ESV

Peter gives us his motivation for this letter.  It’s what he believes is his last shot.  Will we heed it or not?

Last words - almost Part 15

Last words – almost Part 15

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

Love:  ἀγάπη;  agápē; gen. agápēs, fem. noun from agapáō to, love.

Pre-Biblical Usage:

·                     Here is a love that makes distinctions, choosing its objects freely. Hence it is especially the love of a higher for a lower. It is active, not self-seeking love. Yet in the Greek writers the word is colorless.  KTDNT

Rabbinic Judaism.

• Here love is still primarily volitional and religious. It pinpoints the relation between God and humanity, especially Israel. God loves his people with fidelity and mercy. The gift of the law proves this. God's love imposes the obligation of reciprocal love and the related obedience and loyalty. Suffering in particular manifests the mutual love of God and his people. In it God is loved for his own sake. The main stress, however, falls on God's own love. Concealed during suffering, in which it is truly as strong as death, it will finally be gloriously manifest. No one can pluck Israel away from it.  KTDNT

Paul

• He makes three main points: (1) God sent his Son even to the cross in love; (2) God calls his elect in love; (3) God sheds his love abroad in their hearts. God's eternal love is indistinguishable from Christ's love ( Rom.  5:8 ; 8:37 ), in which it becomes a world-changing event. This love implies election, which includes both pretemporal ordination and temporal calling. The elect community is in fellowship with God, and he endows it with the active and compelling power of love ( Rom.  5:5 ) in fulfilment of his own primary purpose of love.  KTDNT

•  A new humanity (I'd say "redeemed")is the goal of God's loving action, and he uses acts of human love to attain this end. God is the source of these acts (cf. 1  Cor.  8:3 ). He awakens the faith which comes into action in love ( Gal.  5:6 ). He pours forth the Spirit who frees us for loving activity ( Gal.  5:22 ). For Paul this new love is supremely brotherly and sisterly love ( Gal.  6:10 ) in a fellowship that is based on Christ's mercy and Christ's death. Love builds up ( 1  Cor.  8:1 ); it builds the work of the future. In it the power of the new age breaks into the present form of the world. This is why it is always central when linked with faith and hope (cf. 1  Th.  1:3 ; Col.  1:4 - 5 ). Love is the greatest of the three because it alone stretches into the future aeon ( 1  Cor.  13:14 ).  KTDNT

Early Church

• In a world perishing through érōs, and vainly trying to transcend itself by sublimations of érōs, the church, being itself totally dependent on the merciful love of God, practices a love that does not desire but gives. [E. STAUFFER, I, 35-55]

Here is truly the bulls-eye for the believer.  Notice, although many scholars do not see Peter’s listing of qualities as being in any specific order, I would wonder how love is possible without the infusion and attention to the preceding.  It is all this “adding” that makes love possible.

Remember – Legos??  We mentioned them earlier.  Think of each quality as a different color Lego with which you – in dependence upon Him – are building the mosaic that is your life in Him.  The object, unlike Rubic’s Cube, is to build well, applying Legos when and where needed.  The object is not to get all the same color squares on the same side.

So, while adding knowledge you may find a “love” issue to attend to.  While struggling (perseverance) you may find a moral excellence issue to address.

I am reminded of the old pinball games.  I have to say that looking back over my walk I certainly have felt like a pinball at times.  Even though pinball may seem random, it can’t be.  God is sovereign.  He has His hand on the flicker and His hand on the ball.  We are guided by His power (the flicker) and His grace (hand on the ball) to the different qualities (the scoring posts) in order to acquire what we need.  It is only when the ball (ourselves) decides to direct itself (yeah right) or to not move (oh boy) that there is a problem.  Of course, if the machine isn’t “plugged in,” it really doesn’t matter.

We are all familiar with 1 Corinthians 13.  It’s unfortunate that it has been reduced to just a platitude to be read meaninglessly at weddings (my pet peeve).  It is critical that we understand what Paul is saying.  Nothing matters without love.  But it is NOT the poor excuse for love we see in the world and blethered about in the church.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2Co 13:14)

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.   (2Th 3:5)

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.   (2Th 3:5)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1Jn 3:1)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.   (Rom 5:1-6)

Do not love (AGAPE) the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves (AGAPE) the world, the love (AGAPE) of the Father is not in him. (1Jn 2:15)

This love, given by God cannot exist in the life of a human being outside the grace of God.  Those who are NOT His can NOT know or understand or appreciate this love.  Actually, because it is a love from and of God the world hates it – utterly.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide (live) in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide (live) in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide (live) in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (Joh 15:9-12)

Love is a goal, a power and a motive.  However, it is first and foremost a gift.  It is not a gift, however, that we can simply put on a shelf and admire.  We are to use it, to exercise it at every opportunity.

Last words - almost part 14

Last words – almost Part 14

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

brotherly kindness;  φιλαδελφιαν

In the strictly Christian sense of loving as brothers. Philádelphoi (pl.) sums up the bearing of Christians to each other, and the adj. which follow describe what their behavior should be.

And here the rubber really meets the road!  There’s an old saying I think attributed to Mark Twain:  “I love mankind, it’s particular individuals I have trouble with.”

Up until now our activity and focus has been on ourselves.  With godliness we begin to externalize our faith and here we get very specific – brotherly love/kindness.  There is a distinction between this and what comes next so I want to share an illustration from scripture that we used earlier.

This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.  (Joh 21:14-17)

In this passage the word love (in bold) is the Greek word αγαπας (agapas).  The word love (italics and underlined) is the Greek word φιλω a contracted form of philéō.

αγαπας (agapas):  To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone.  Simply stated, to love (agapáō) fellow humans means to see or discern what their need is and to meet that need, not according to the object's concept of need, but that of the one who loves.  Zodhiates

φιλω a contracted form of philéō:  Indicating feelings, warm affection, the kind of love expressed by a kiss.  Believers are never told to love their enemies with the word philéō because that would mean to have the same interests as they have.  Zodhiates

Since we as believers can never share the interests of unbelievers, this admonition to brotherly love is focused on our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

What does that look like?

But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to 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.   (Eph 4:20-32)

Notice that as Paul describes our lives in relationship to one another there is a little phrase that is very often misused: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The context would indicate that when we fail to love one another as reflected in our actions, we grieve the Holy Spirit.  To grieve is to offend – it is offensive to the Spirit of God for us to not love one another.  It is to sadden, to make sorrowful.  Note it is not making Him regret or regretful.

If it pleases God that His people live together in peace, then it displeases Him when they don’t.  God – Holy Spirit – the same but different ;-}.  What grieves them is the failure of what they seek to do in the life of the believer.  We are to be one Body – knit together by God – made alive in Christ and held together by the Spirit – so when we interfere or rebel we cause grief and we give offense.

Of course, this does not mean that just because my brother likes and has an interest in baseball that I have to.  But it does mean that we are to have common interests – serving Him who redeemed us.  But even there we aren’t all called or motivated by the same things.  Some may be in love with theology or ecclesiology, while others are drawn to feed the hungry, to be hands on with the needy.  Though we all need to have an interest in and about all things concerning The Way (Acts 24:14), the energy and depth of our interest will vary – but we should be 100% committed to one another in fulfilling those interests.

This, of course, takes intent and practice.  One “takes an interest” in the interests of others.  It is an active thing.  We need to be invested enough to encourage, support, admonish, warn, cheer, ect.

Last words – almost Part 13

Last words – almost Part 13

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

Godliness

εὐσέβεια;  eusébeia: The word eusébeia literally means well-directed reverence, but does not imply an inward, inherent holiness. It is actually an externalized piety.  eusébeia, the demonstration of a good and worshipful attitude toward God when spoken of the Christian, is the proper attitude of reverence toward God akin to hagiótēs, holiness, sanctity. Zodhiates

A good, well-directed and worshipful attitude toward God.  I like it.  It is the external demonstration of the internal work of the Holy Spirit as it applies to our reverence toward and for God.

As I read this I am thinking (for some reason) about the battle between the spirit and the flesh.  I am also strongly reminded of the Master’s statement:

Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

(Joh 4:21-24)

Two things jump out at me.  Spirit and Truth.  Now, only those who have the Spirit can truly worship God – but do they worship Him in truth.  Now, that’s the chewy part!  Which brings me back to the battle between the flesh and the spirit. 

Reverence toward God is not a feeling.  OK we talk about “feeling” reverent but it is really an attitude of the mind that informs the heart and from there behaviors flow.  It is not a feeling that becomes truth and then we act. 

Spirit – makes you alive – you know the truth.

Truth – informs the mind – spirit guides.

Mind informs the heart (affections) and we act depending upon the Spirit.

I tried to do a cute graphic but since it was making me more nutz I gave up – any ideas would be appreciated.  I kept coming up with Celtic knots ;-}.

What I want you to see is that the Spirit is utterly critical in all of this.  To project/live godly lives the Spirit has to be present.  But the Word has to be present and our minds and hearts have to be engaged by them both.

OK – I don’t want pick a fight but there are some really ignorant believers out there and in their ignorance they are very immature.  But, there are some brilliant believers out there but in their failure to allow their minds (knowledge/Word) to engage/inform their affections they are differently yet equally immature.

Maybe a stone arch is a good picture.  The key stone, the very center stone is absolutely essential for the arch’s strength – you cannot do without it.  This is the Spirit.  But, all the other stones need to be cut correctly and placed correctly (think used correctly) or the arch, even with the key-stone will be all cadiwhompus. 

OK- silly joke – How can a believer walk in The Way if he or she has a falling arch? ;-}}}}}

Godliness is a practice – a studied, learned practice- enlivened, empowered, guided and sustained by the Holy Spirit and informed or even formed by the Word (truth).  Godliness here is the product of disciple making – of teaching and training – which of course most folks resist.

But the need for disciple making is not only a command it’s plainly obvious from nature.  You are in a car wreck – you are in a coma for months.  Once you come out you must relearn a lot of stuff.  You were dead – He made you alive – but you don’t need to be taught or trained??  Really???  Really???

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

Last Words - almost Part 12

Last words – almost Part 12

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

ὑπομονή, hupomonē  Thayer Definition:

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

1b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

That quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.  Zodhiates

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

(2Th 3:5) ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jas 1:2-4)  ESV

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,  (Heb 12:1)  ESV

Again – this is never autonomous!  Ever!!!!! 

This is not a “stiff upper lip,” or a “hang in there baby.”  This is a despondence upon and trust in Him!  I can’t, He can, together we will!  Tattoo that on your eye lids!

My favorite reminder of this is Job.

Though he slay me, I will hope in him;

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

Paul got it too:

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Rom 8:25) ESV

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (Gal 5:5)  ESV

What do we know so far?

1.    We ARE redeemed.

2.    We are called to be redeemed and “do” redeemed and grow in it.

3.    We are called to grow in our knowledge.

4.    We are called to submit to His discipline.

5.    We are called to trust in His faithfulness.

6.    And ALL of this is done UN-autonomously or even ANTI-autonomously. We have  - well what have we read already???

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2Pe 1:3-4)  ESV

Oh------yeah!

Again – this is not a test!  This is not our proving to God or anyone else that we are redeemed.  This is accepting, humbly and in submission, the grace of God and the “graces” of and in that calling.  Assurance – confidence is like a muscle – use it or lose it. 

Certainly we trust God and grow in assurance in the rocky places – but it is sooooo much more joyous to grow in the smooth places.  Somebody needs to write a thing about, Trusting God When Everything Seems AOK.  The rocky spots are beneficial because they keep us from getting complacent and flabby – but why do we get complacent and flabby – Uhhhhhhh.

We tend to think of perseverance as something that we need when we’re under pressure – but that’s not right.  We need to persevere when we’re bored out of our skulls as well.

I work with a lot of folks who take medication for neurochemical deficiencies (I R 1 2).  They take the medication and the feel – well – normal.  So they quit taking the medication and spiral down.  Uhhhhh – get it?  There is a good analogy here.  OK – some weak believers have strange views of “psychiatric” stuff so let me put it this way.  Should an insulin dependent diabetic person just take their insulin when they’re feeling rocky?  Should someone with hypertension only take their meds when they are about to explode?  I don’t think so.

Well folks – isn’t that the way we tend to treat our relationship with God.  We holler when we need Him – thinking there are times when we don’t.  Have you ever sung, I Need Thee Every Hour? 

Think this through –

Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.   (Pro 30:7-9)  ESV

There’s some subtle power in that prayer – think about it – really strain those little grey cells some.  This is NOT just about stuff or food or things.  This is about ALL the needs we have – good times and bad.

God is not the designated hitter or runner – He is everything and all we need every nano-second.  Right?  Persevere in all times – persevere in glorifying Him by living out His Lordship – our utter dependence upon 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!!!!

Last Words - almost Part11

Last Words – almost Part 11

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESVOuch!  SELF-CONTROL ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

ἐγκράτεια, egkrateia:  Thayer Definition:

• self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites).
• This word group takes its sense from the stem krat- denoting power or lordship. Thus enkratḗs means 'having power over all things and the self,' enkráteia means 'dominion over the self or something,' with the nuances of 'steadfastness' and 'self-control' (opposite akrasía), and enkrateúesthai means 'to compose oneself.'  KTD

Note:  For those who follow The Way (Acts 24:14) life is directed by God's command, so there is no place for autonomous self-mastery.  KTD

Sealed with the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, fed on the Word of God and then our willing efforts to conform to their assurance, knowledge and influence

The key here is, “no place for autonomous self-mastery.”

Oh but think of all the books with steps, stages, disciplines and other doings.  Yeah, they’re really good if you want to fail.  NONE of these popular works are worth the match it would take to set them on fire UNLESS you accept that YOU aren’t going to EVER get it done on your own!

This “discipline” is the intentional, determined, supplicatory and humble yielding to and dependence upon the power and promises of God!  PERIOD!  Make all the promises, lists, programs and processes you want – YOU are NOT going to “get ‘er done!”

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Php 1:6)  ESVWhat part of this don’t we “get?”

What about: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, 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. (Heb 12:1-2)  ESV

This does NOT mean that we just sit around and wait.  The word is filled with things we can do – BUT none of these things are to be or can be done effectively APART from the power of God working in us through His Spirit!

WikiP doesn’t do a bad job of helping us here:In its original sense, discipline is systematic instruction given to disciples to train them as students in a craft or trade, or any other activity which they are supposed to perform, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order".

What a great picture here!  We must SUBMIT – that’s our discipline and in that submission there are things we can and should do so we might be well trained.

In our culture we have a real hard time with the concepts of King, Kingship, Lord and Lordship.  I mean – well – we dumped our “king,” over 200 years ago.  But we have to do the hard work of accepting that it is NOT the Republic of Heaven but the Kingdom.  Jesus is not our elected leader He is our God anointed Lord.  No votes – sorry.

We have a hard time bowing our knees – maybe we’ll do it in prayer – but outside of that – not gonna happen.

But – our lives in Him must be lived on our knees – in humble, fearful, awesome and submitted supplication to and for Him. 

We really love “doing.”  We’ll make lists, programs, processes – we love to “do.”  It’s the “being” that’s tough.  We have to understand, accept and appreciate that we are His “slaves.”  Yeah – that’s a tough one but what do you call someone who has been purchased?  John MacArthur has written a good book dealing with this topic - Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ. For our “doing” to be efficacious our “being” has to be in line with the truth.  No amount of AUTONOMOUS SELF - discipline will “get it” – EVER.

The two ends of our “stick’ are submission and rebellion.  Autonomy and autonomous efforts are rebellion.

Now understand – we are gonna have to fight for submission – even if we want it really really bad!  Paul makes that so very clear in Romans.  But he also makes it clear – very – that it is by the Spirit and not the Law that we can hope to submit and even then it’s gonna be a fight.Holy Spirit + feeding on the Word + submission (discipline) = good – very good stuff!

Last Words - almost - Part 9

Last Words – almost Part 9

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

The assumption here us that faith is already present.  

Επιχορηγησατε εν τη πιστει υμων =Supply in the faith of you

ἐπιχορηγέω,  epichorēgéō; To furnish upon, i.e., besides, in addition, to supply further, to add more unto. With the acc., to supply, furnish, or furnish abundantly.

We can trace this word back to two Greek words that basically mean to lead a chorus.  So what’s the point of that?  

Well we are to not just supply these things but we are to bring them into harmony with our faith.  These are not qualities that only exist in the believer’s life.  Even unbelievers can demonstrate these qualities to some degree at times.  OK – maybe moral excellence and godliness are a stretch but it does depend upon your definition of those two terms.

That debate aside, we are to harmonize each of these qualities with our trust in and obedience to the Lord.

Think of these qualities as Lego’s.  You are building a life in Christ.  There is a foundation and then there is the structure.  There are different sized Lego’s of different colors. You don’t build with just on size of one color.  

As you build you will want to add a particular size or color depending on what you’ve built so far and dependent upon what you are building.  No two constructions will be the same – just as no two walks of faith are the same.  But they are all build on the foundation of faith and the qualities about which Peters admonishes us.

So, let’s begin to examine the materials with which we are called to build.

Moral excellence:  “αρετην  εν  δε  τη αρετη”

• ἀρετή.   aretḗ; gen. aretḗs; Superiority or being pleasing to God, or the superiority of God revealed in the work of salvation. Aretḗ denotes in a moral sense what gives man his worth, his efficiency. In the NT: virtue, moral excellency, perfection, goodness of action. Zodhiates
• In 2Pe_1:3 it stands next to dóxa, glory. Human virtue in general (Php_4:8); courage, fortitude, resolution (1Pe_2:9; 2Pe_1:5 [cf. 1Co_16:13]); moral excellence.

v  Note:  Synonyms:  huperbolḗ, a throwing beyond, surpassing, an excellence; huperochḗ, the act of overhanging, hence superiority, preeminence, excellency; aínos, praise; épainos, approbation, commendation; dóxa, glory; dúnamis power; chárisma, gift; ōphéleia, usefulness, benefit.   Antonyms: hustérēma, lack, want; tó phaúlon, that which is light, wicked or evil; pathos, passion, lust; tó kakón, that which is bad in itself; tó ponērón, evil, malevolence.

There is “bigness” to this word that we miss if we just settle for the meaning of virtue or even moral excellence.  This is what I call a “big dog,” word.  I actually like the sense of translating it, “applying all diligence, in your faith supply hyperbole.”

Now hyperbole is an exaggeration for EFFECT or EMPHASIS.  It is intended to evoke strong feelings and greater energy – of the positive kind.  If you want to get simple the admonition is to add “manly manliness,” or “virtuous virtue.”  I also like, “ giving your faith all you’ve got.”

This brings to my mind and interesting idea.  Faith is a gift (grace) from God.  By faith (note: that is a “faith in Him”) we are saved.  Nothing is lacking in our salvation.  “It is finished.” And “Once for all,” mean “It is finished,” and “Once for all.”  So we don’t need to cower in the fear and terror of the unbeliever.  Yeah, we should experience “A W E,” which is a little fear and a little terror with a lot of hope and confidence but we should not be carrying the terror of the lost.

Now – what have we to lose by being a little, “over the top,” in living out the faith?  What do we endanger if we are more fanatic than just fan?  

Ahhh you say “Hyperbole is an exaggeration.”  And I ask you – how can you exaggerate something you cannot really grasp – like the grace and love and power and sovereignty of God?  Hyperbole is not a lie – it is an exaggeration of something of which we have some knowledge and understanding.

“That log weigh’s a ton!”  Lie or hyperbole?  If I want to express how very very heavy it seemed to me then the statement is hyperbole.  If I’m selling you the log by the pound it’s a lie.

When Jesus said to cut off your hand and poke out your eye He was using hyperbole.  There is a strong element of hyperbole throughout the Bible – as well as other literary devices.  Why?  To get through our hard skulls into our dull brains!  

Even our hymns are filled with hyperbole.  “I surrender all.”  Really?  Really?  I don’t think so.  Do I want to “surrender all,” you betcha – but I don’t.  “Jesus is all the world to me,”  I don’t think so.

So why hyperbole?

I think hyperbole is God’s way of reminding us that it is by His power and His power alone that we will serve Him as He calls us to. 

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. (Zec 4:6)  ESV

Even the word from which we get hyperbole is in the Word:

ὑπερβάλλω hyperbállō [to go beyond, surpass], ὑπερβαλλόντως hyperballóntōs [exceedingly, immeasurably], ὑπερβολή hyperbolḗ [excess, beyond measure] 1. This verb, having an original sense of 'to throw beyond,' means 'to go beyond,' 'to stand out,' 'to excel,' or, censoriously, 'to transgress the proper measure.' The noun means 'excess' or 'supreme stage or measure.' KTD

3. In the NT the group occurs only in the Pauline corpus. In Eph.  3:19 Christ's love surpasses comprehension, in Eph.  2:7 'immeasurable' tops another word of fullness, and in Eph.  1:19 the word outbids mégethos. Combination with dýnamis occurs in 2  Cor.  4:15 , and with cháris in 9:14. The glory of the new order is all-surpassing or beyond comparison in 2  Cor.  3:10 ; the term also occurs in connection with Paul's suffering in 11:23. The noun is often found in the phrase for 'exceedingly' or 'beyond measure,' e.g., Rom.  7:13 . A double use stresses the lack of comparison between present affliction and eternal glory in 2  Cor.  4:17 . The mode of life described in 1  Cor.  13:1 ff. far surpasses a life controlled by the charisms ( 1  Cor.  12:31 ). In Gal.  1:13 Paul uses the expression to describe the intensity of his former persecuting activity. In ministry supreme power belongs to God alone ( 2  Cor.  4:7 ). In 2  Cor.  12:7 Paul is restrained lest he be too elated by the abundance of revelations granted to him.  KTD

The Word abounds with hyperbolisms.  We are admonished to live hyperbolisitically (?my new word?).  

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Eph 3:20)  ESV

Hyperbole: ‘to throw beyond,' means 'to go beyond,' 'to stand out,' 'to excel.’  This is the life we are called to live – not just “beyond” the world but beyond just trusting Christ for our salvation.  We are called to live “unsafe” lives; lives of biblically based hyperbolistic (?) devotion to our Lord.  

Actually – hyperbole in our walk is not the exception but the norm.  The broadly touted idea of “radical” faith is really kind of silly.  The faith (it’s focus, context, content and expectations) can only be “radical” when compared to – well – something that is questionable at best.  What we seem to miss is the fact that putting our trust in a 1^st Century Jewish handi-man as the Redeemer and Sustainer of His creation – well, that’s radical.  Building a life around the written revelation of a God the majority of the world dismissed – well, that’s radical.  Loving your enemy – that’s radical.  Seeking to live a holy and righteous life – radical.

Peter is not enjoining to begin this “addition” to our faith in order to get or be something.  It’s not so we will be “more saved,” or even “better servants.”  Peter calls us to this process, this devotion BECAUSE – IN VIEW OF – what was given for us, what we have been made and what we have been given.  The past is a problem He has answered, the present is a problem He has provided for and the future is a problem for which He has been prepared sine before there was – anything.

Let us not begin this journey with a sense of legalism or lack.  Let us trust and walk in the words of God:

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

(2Pe 1:3-4) ESV