What the Pharisees Got Right

Here's a post by John Piper that I thought was quite good and challenging:

To lay a trap for an animal there has to be some truth to attract him. It must at least look like a meal even if the iron clamps lie just beneath. Mark says the Pharisees came “to trap" Jesus. So they put some truth over the trap. They said,

“Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.” (Mark 12:14)

This is amazing insight coming from those who do not live it. Appearances were everything to the Pharisees. “They do all their deeds to be seen by others” (Matthew 23:5). It is frightening how much theological and moral wisdom can be spoken and not lived.

Twice they say that truth-telling depends on freedom from the fear of man.

1. “We know you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion.” Truth is compromised where we fear man’s disapproval. Is our finger in the text or in the wind?
2. “You are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.” Literally: “You do not look at a man’s face, but teach the way of God in truth.” In other words, we will not be reliable truth tellers if we keep one eye on the facial expressions of people we need to please.

So let the hypocrites be our teacher today. Do as they say, not as they do. Fear no man. Tell the truth. Be like Jesus.

Wil E. Coyote Theology

Over the past few months I've introduced the Roadrunner and Wil E. Coyote to my children. Of course there's much laughter as they watch it, and I have to be honest, I love watching it, too.

As I looked at this picture I thought of how I can relate to Wil E. Coyote (and I'm wondering if you can, too).

While watching this cartoon, you may get the thought, "Why do you keep doing this?! Just go find something else to eat. Shouldn't you be starving by now? Have you had anything in the last 1,000 episodes?" And, at times in an episode, this sad and pathetic creature waves a sign that says "HELP!" or something like that. But, my question is, "Does he really want help or does he just not want to fall 500 feet down the canyon?" I ask that question because he goes right back to that same bird to get him! He's never going to get him.

You see, this is where I see myself. Personally I lean more towards the pessimistic. The glass is always half empty (and sometimes it's 3/4 to 9/10). There are many times I'll cry out to God and say, "HELP!" But, am I really asking for help or do I just want out of this struggle I'm in? Maybe I simply want the pain or the difficulty to pass. And, while I may say "HELP", I know I'm just going to go about my life my way again (looking for my own results) - without living by faith - getting me back into the same predicament, hanging precariously from some spiritual tree or finding myself running on thin air in a cloud. And, as soon as that cloud dissipates, I'm going to realize that I have nothing keeping me from falling. That's when the "HELP!" sign goes up.

So, how do I (we) stop this cycle?

I came across Hebrews 12 recently, and it struck me in a different way. After the author writes about many heroes of faith, he exhorts the believers to lay aside sin and every weight that encumbers them. Then he goes on to give two reasons why:

1. Consider Jesus. He purchased your spiritual growth. He also went through death. I haven't died while fighting my sin and weaknesses. (vv. 2-4)
   
2. God is disciplining me. (vv. 5-11)

I want to take a moment and focus on the second point. I always understood, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves" as some type of spiritual spanking. However, in the context of this passage, I see it differently. God is saying that he is shaping and molding and challenging me THROUGH the weaknesses and sins in my life. While some may disagree with this statement, it is the Lord that is ordaining the weaknesses and sins in my life. (By that I do not mean that he is approving of sin or desires that we sin). What I mean is that in my (our) life we will have trouble. Jesus promised that. But God is using that trouble to train us - like a coach with an athlete. And, as any good athlete should do, if he falls off the treadmill or passes out, he should always trust the coach and look towards the goal to ensure that he wins the race.

Ultimately, as a human and as a Christian, there are many difficulties. Yet, God is the ultimately gracious Father who is using everything to mold and shape us. And, he tells us, lay aside the sin and weaknesses AND be encouraged because God is using even these things to grow us to become more like him. So, instead of waving around some fake "HELP!" sign and doing the same thing over and over again, really cry out to God. Stop trusting in your own efforts, and run after Christ - not any other thing - to satisfy you fully.

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11 ESV)

Jesus Satisfying People's Hunger

Have you ever really wanted something to eat so bad, you could almost taste it? You go to a restaurant and you order that steak or burger or salad. You crave it while talking with your friends. The food arrives. You eat it. You're satisfied. Lunch was a success!

Have you ever had a similar situation regarding trials? You just want them to be over. The hunger pains for God don't go away. And, yet God doesn't seem to be coming to you. You may be learning some from His Word, but for some reason, God is making you wait.

This morning I read in Mark 8, and received some thoughts that I think were encouragements from the Holy Spirit.

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away." (Mark 8:1-3)

A couple of truths jumped out to me. The first of which is this: Jesus cares about people. Now, I know this shouldn't come as a shocker. But, many times I get a thought that Jesus just wants me to buck up, try harder, work God's approval. Obviously I often feel weak when these thoughts control me. So, in the margin of my Bible, I wrote, "Jesus cares when you're exasperated." The reason I wrote it that way is because Jesus was concerned not only that the people hadn't eaten food, but he was concerned at the consequences of that. In other words, if those people didn't eat on that day, they would faint. Their physical bodies would "give up."

This is the second truth I saw was this: Jesus could have fed the people on the first or second day. He could have fed them all of the days. But, He didn't. Instead, Jesus waited until they were in greater need for it.

The third truth? Jesus gave more than enough food to satisfy each person. "And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full."

Indulge me for a moment to spiritualize this. I know this isn't coming from this passage, but I think these are scriptural truths I'm sharing here.

If you find yourself in a dry season, just know that God knows what you can bear. You may be in the first day and your hunger for God is known through growling. You may be in the third day and you are getting worried about the spiritual journey ahead. You may not be growling for food, but you feel weak and you know if you take too many more steps, you'll faint. Just know this: Jesus cares. He cares what you're exasperated. He cares about you and doesn't want you to faint on your walk with Him. He knows how many "days" you can handle. And, also know this: while you might feel hungry now, there's going to be a time when he feeds you to the full and you will be satisfied with more than enough food (and then some).

Keep looking to the Savior who truly cares for you!

Making other people's faith your own

Many times we hear people say, "Don't just believe it because your friend's believe it." While I definitely agree with that statement, I think we may miss a subtle reality if we don't think a little more deeply about it - the reality of how other people's beliefs definitely shape our own.

Here are a couple of incidences where we are commanded to be edified by other people and their beliefs:

• Proverbs 3:1 - "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,"
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
  
• Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

While I understand that I must embrace a belief in order for it to be "mine", I also want to encourage everyone out there reading this note that we are shaped by so many things. We believe what we believe in large part because of so many external realities that surround us (things that God has ordained). And, sometimes, in the real bleak and dark times of your life, we almost need to cling to the beliefs of other people around us. We need other people to stir us up when we don't feel like we can hold on. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, we are wearied until we go "into the sanctuary of God" (v 17) and experience the encouragement of other people pointing us upward!

So, while I agree that you can't just believe something because others believe it. I also believe that, if others are abiding in the Word, you need to have them in your life, preaching Truth to you. And, at times, you need to make other people's faith your own.

Who Has Clean Hands?

A couple of years ago I read something by a professor named Michael Horton that helped to enlighten me on a certain psalm. I don't exactly remember where I read it, but this is the basic understanding.

Psalm 24 talks about someone ascending into God's realm. It says, "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?" The answer: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart. . . ."

I don't know about you, but if I read that I automatically will think, "GUILTY!" And, because I'm guilty, I'll never ascend to the hill of the LORD. So, it was a valiant (or not-so-valiant) effort, but there's no hope in myself to attain to God's glories.

Many of you might scan over this psalm, read that passage, and then get to verse 7 where it says, "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." Why does the psalmist move from "the generation of those who seek him" to the lifting up of the gates' heads?

Here's the logical flow: NO ONE has clean hands or pure hearts; so, there had to be another way to ascend God's hill. Who ascended? The King of glory. There's a picture of a triumphal entry into a city. According to James 2:1, Jesus is the Lord of glory; so, Jesus is the one entering the city gates with clean hands and a pure heart, and anyone who has placed their hope and trust in Jesus is following Him into the city of God.

So, who has clean hands and a pure heart? Jesus! And, in Him, we will grow in purity and love and be a generation that seeks His face.

Whose salvation is it anyway?!

I was struck with Psalm 51:10-12 as I read it yesterday and today.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Here's a person who has been struck with the reality of his sinfulness, and he knows that the only One Who can rescue him is God. It's not that he needs God merely to reform his behavior. He could do that on his own (see v 16 where he says he could give sacrifices). What he realizes he needs is an inner cleansing of the heart that he cannot perform.

What is beautiful is that while David acknowledges he cannot change himself, he doesn't let that thought keep him from going to God - believing that God will answer.

But, what was it that "hit" me?

It is really verse 12. In the past, I've been struck with the first line: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." It's not my salvation that I should have restored to me. That's what I'm seeking to get away from. My salvation (self-salvation) doesn't work. It always is a sign of spiritual death. What I need is the joy of God's salvation.

While that's a beautiful truth (and the basis for living life to the full for God's glory), what got me this time was the second line - "and uphold me with a willing spirit."

We cannot do life for God's glory without a willing spirit. Do you realize that? Do I? For the joy of God's salvation to sink deeply within us, we need a willing spirit, a clean heart - to be filled with the Spirit's presence. We need restoration, renewal and God's open arms grabbing us close to his heart and affecting us so that we love him more deeply and more profoundly.

Lord, grant us the joy of your salvation and give us willing spirits. We are wicked sinners even in our best efforts. You're a righteous and loving Savior. Restore, renew and bring us close to you. Amen.

What is Love?

I have been reading a book called "Trusting God" by Jerry Bridges, and yesterday I came across this familiar verse: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Think about that verse for a moment.

What is love?

Love is not defined by us and our affections. Love is defined by God, and his actions toward us. Love is not that we loved God. This comes as a tremendous jolt to anyone who tries to work their way to God. This verse is clear that our love is not impressive. And, it's not impressive simply because we ought to love God.

God has created everything. He ordains all things. He is working all things together for His glory and the believer's ultimate good. God orchestrates the rainfall, the hurricanes, the smallest atom. God is infinitely greater than all of creation, and he has given to us humans this earth to truly enjoy. Based on all of these gifts, every human being should be eternally grateful. So, our love is really not the deepest form of love simply because we ought to love him.

But what about God's love?

Oh, his love is tremendous! His love is glorious. His love is beyond our comprehension. He defines love (1 John 4:8). Why is his love so vastly different and more worthy of praise than our love?

Going beyond the reasons stated above, we simply have to look at the words in verse 10 again.

1. God sent his Son. This is enough of a price. Jesus, God the Son, became flesh. He took on the form of a man, and lived a humble life away from the always visible presence of God the Father. As a human father, I am sad when my boys are away for a short period of time, but imagine the cost of this sending on God the Father.
   
2. Jesus was an atoning sacrifice for our sin. It's not simply that Jesus took a vacation and was coming back in a little while. Jesus was sent for a purpose. God's love is expressed in the sending and also in the reason for the sending: for Jesus to endure God's wrath for our sins so that we might be righteous.

These are two profound truths. Why would God do this for finite beings? Not only that, why would God do that for ones who are his enemies (Romans 5)? This is love.

And, because of this love, God counts our dependent, Spirit-empowered love as love back towards him.

What an amazing God!

What God can teach us through a 5 year-old

Last night, Isaiah professed his trust in Jesus to forgive him and give him a friendship with God. A definite praise!

I want to take a few moments of your time to share with you the thoughts and questions Isaiah posed over the last week or two before coming up to this moment. And, in doing so, I hope that you will be encouraged and challenged in your own faith.

About a week or two ago, more purposeful conversations started after I read a story to both Isaiah and Samuel about the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) from "The Jesus Storybook Bible". At the end of the story, the author wrote that God is the treasure of ultimate value, and then the author also said that God's children are of great value to God. The way it was worded caused Isaiah to say (with a general excitement), "Is that us?! Is that us?!" So, I sat down and I asked him if he had trusted Jesus to forgive him of his sins. He said he hadn't done that yet. That night, we talked about what we deserve. I even talked about hell (that it is a very sad place where we will never be with God). He teared up because he didn't want to be away from mommy and daddy. I pushed that thought some and told him that it would be sad to be away from mommy and daddy, but God is the most important. He then quickly defended that thought by agreeing that God is the most important, but he just doesn't want to be away from us. We continued to talk, but then the conversation changed to something completely different. I said goodnight and let him drift off into sleep.

The next night, I told another story. Isaiah and I talked again. But, quickly, the conversation went off to something else regarding toys (or something like that). Again, I stopped the conversation and let him go to sleep.

Finally, we get to last night. I read the story of Jesus' death. While reading the story, I said that Jesus cried out "Daddy! . . . Daddy!" And, the author's words were something like, "and for the first and the last time, God didn't answer." At that point, Isaiah asked why that happened. I told him I'd explain in a little bit. I went on in the story. The story said that God's fierce anger rested on Jesus so that he could take our punishment for us.

After reading the story, I sat next to Isaiah and explained things. I told him that we deserve to be punished for our sin. I reminded him of hell. I also told him again that Jesus wanted to take our punishment because he loves us and he wants us to know how awesome God is. Isaiah acknowledged these things and he also acknowledged he couldn't rescue himself. And, he even went so far as to say that he couldn't turn away from his sins. But, he also said he didn't sin all the time. To the points about sin, I asked him if he thought he loved God like he should all of the time. He said he doesn't. But, I also told him that even for the people who trust in Jesus, we sin, but God always takes care of us and he says he'll never let us go. To that, Isaiah said, "Ooooooh!" (the idea that God was always there seemed to cause Isaiah comfort) In the midst of the conversation, Isaiah asked, "Why is God and Jesus so hard to understand?" He was referencing the Trinity. He doesn't get how Jesus is God and how God the Father is God. At that point I simply said that God is different from us. He's not like humans. Isaiah took the answer by faith and we moved on.

Finally, after these things (and maybe a few more issues), I asked Isaiah if he wanted to trust Jesus. He didn't hesitate. I did a brief review and then I said, "How could you show that you trust Jesus to forgive you?" His answer: to obey. Obviously that is correct, but I thought it would be good if he acknowledged it verbally in prayer to God; so, I suggested that. He was willing, but he said, "Daddy, could you help me?" And, that led us to pray together.

From this, what can we, as adults, learn? Here are a few that jump out to me:

1. Do you have doctrinal questions that seem to dog you? If so, do they limit your ability to really trust God? What I love is that Isaiah asked the question about the Trinity (which he has asked before), but that doesn't stop him from believing the truth of it. And, it didn't hinder him from trusting Jesus - which too often it does that for both believers and unbelievers.
2. We need to acknowledge that sin has grave consequences, but Jesus took our punishment so we can be friends with God. While I tell Isaiah (a five year-old) about these things, he doesn't see a contradiction in the character of God. Instead, he might be confused, but he also sees great love. This is the gospel! Do you see and savor God's love in this?
3. We sin all the time, but that should never keep us from going to Jesus. As Spurgeon once said, "God is more willing to forgive you than you are ready to sin" (paraphrase). Do you know that? Do you believe that? Even though we might feel like we can't stop sinning, like Isaiah said, that shouldn't stop us from running to Christ for his grace and mercy.
4. God will never let you go. If you have trusted in Jesus, God will never let you go. Psalm 25:8, "Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way." Do you qualify for God to show his goodness and justice to you? We all do! And, for God's children, nothing will separate his goodness and justice towards you (Romans 8:35-39).
   

Now, please hear me, this post needs to be all about God. As Isaiah so rightly pointed out, "I can't turn away from my sin." It's God's grace that leads us to repentance. It's due to the sovereign grace of God that my son is now trusting Jesus. So, last night, and everyday for the believer is all about him working through us by his kindness and grace.

Where do you find yourself today? Are you an unbeliever - focusing on all the seeming contradictions in the Scripture? Are you a believer and doubting God and his love? Wherever you find yourself today, Jesus has what you need. He says this, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Forgiveness

Should forgiveness automatically be granted to anyone without any cost?

I feel as though in our day we hear a message of forgiveness that is too offender-focused and not enough offended-focused. We talk so much about the person who has offended and then we move on to how the offender can be forgiven, and then we assume that the offended person will forgive because that's the right thing to do. But, we don't talk about much more than that.

For Christians, I think that falls short of God's thinking regarding forgiveness. Here are a few things that I've thought about, and I think could be helpful for all of us to meditate on:

1. There is always a cost for forgiveness. No one ever forgives without a cost being paid. Even if the offender asks for forgiveness, the offended person has to absorb any feelings of hatred or disgust toward that individual. And, putting those feelings and desires away can "cost" a person much.

2. We must continue to regard the offended's honor above the offender's actions. If we focus more on the offender than we do the offended, we begin to value the offender more than the offended. How is that the case? Some may focus too much on how the offended can be made right and how the offended can do this, that or the other thing to become better. As a result, we can tend to lose sight of the actual offense. And, the offender starts to think more highly of himself because people are giving him much attention.

Why do I write this? Because I want us to ultimately think of ourselves in relationship to God. As Christians, we should be very concerned about the message of forgiveness. But, in our fervor, many of us have focused more on us (the offenders) than we have on God (the Offended). As a result, Christians and non-Christians alike have treated God's forgiveness as something that must be given instead of something that is undeserved. From God's perspective, he is the Most Honorable and Glorious God and he must preserve his honor or else he himself and also all of creation falls apart. Beautiful things lose their beauty if God doesn't preserve his glory. Sinful things won't be so bad if God puts his glory off to the side. So, from God's perspective, punishment is deserved when we sin.

Hence the doctrine of Hell. It is a place where people will finally see through all eternity the seriousness and heinousness of their sins because of the great offense against the Majesty and Glory of the Offended. The only way to escape that punishment is if God is willing to pay the cost of the punishment himself.

And he is willing.

More than willing.

The Bible displays for us that, at great cost to himself, God the Son humbled himself by becoming a man, lived a perfect life in the midst of innumerable difficulties, died a perfect death while enduring God's wrath, and rose again so that anyone who goes to God for forgiveness might actually receive that forgiveness.

How should this affect how we relate to people around us?

• We should and must be willing to grant forgiveness when people come to us for it - even if it costs us much.
• We should never minimize sin in our own minds. Every sin we commit is truly sinful because forgiveness of each individual sin had a price tag.
• We should be grateful for the forgiveness that Christ purchased for us at great cost to himself.
• Hatred for sin should flow from our lives as we see the disgusting nature of it through the Offended's eyes.
• Grace-filled obedience results as we see the majesty, worth and honor of the Offended (who now rejoices in you calling him "Father").
  

Difficult Faith

"Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday."

~ Psalm 37:4-6


Personal confession time. When I am tempted with faithlessness by believing God doesn't care, I want to fight that faithlessness back by saying, "How am I feeling in this moment?" or, "Am I really that sinful?" My feelings respond with "You are feeling like a wicked sinner." or, "Yes, you really are that sinful." My response to those feelings is to then try to change those feelings myself. Once my feelings have been brought in line, then I feel as though I am ready to delight in God and trust in him (because my feelings agree). But, is that what David prescribes?

Absolutely not.

Look at Psalm 37:4-6 again.

David contradicts my natural inclination. He says that I must simply trust God in the midst of difficulty and believe these truths:

1) God is worthy of my delighting in him (trusting in him and committing my lifestyle to him) - even, and especially, when "things" don't make sense.

THEN...

2) God will give me the desires of my heart

AND...

3) God will clearly bring about righteousness and justice in my life.

The reason I find much hope in this passage is because I tend to want to be the "approver" of what is right and what is wrong. If my feelings or even circumstances of life or the advice of many others lead me to a certain conclusion, I tend to want to go with that. But, this passage gives hope.

- I can't effectively change my desires (I must be dependent on God to do that in his timing).

- I can't make righteousness and justice spring out of my life (I must be dependent on God to do that in his timing).

So, what is my responsibility when I'm faced with temptations to sin, trials or difficulties of life? Trust. It's "that simple." But, it requires a death to self that I don't like. I want to know the plan. I want to "feel" on board with God. I want to create a righteousness of my own weaving.

What arrogance.

Graciously God has given me his righteous and good answers in His Word. I can truly trust him because he will take care of my feelings (and even the circumstances of life) in his good timing. The desires might not change immediately, but Jesus, the sum of all my desires has secured a hope for me that is inexpressible. And righteousness will be clearly revealed in my life because not only have I been forgiven, but I have been set free to a new life. So, it is all because of God's mercy through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that I can be a faithful follower of him.

Out of the Depths

For a while I've been wrestling with God regarding a theological truth. There are times in my life where these struggles seem to reach a point of intense mental opposition (where Galatians 5:17, or Romans 7, seems to be at a peak in my mind). I must say that I don't prefer these times. They times tend to carry along with them a long of physical, spiritual and mental strain - where I feel as though I cannot bear under the burden of these difficulties. That said, these times are (in some senses) needed in my life.

Last night I explained more to my wife what I was going through. And, our conversation was such a blessing. Tracy displayed so much grace, compassion, truth and wisdom. She challenged me in a way that showed me what faith needs to look like. I am so thankful to God for her!

I'm slowly re-learning (through God's great patience) that I need to exercise faith. This means to take my thoughts captive and fight sin actively and seek to trust God even (and maybe especially) when things do not make sense. So, instead of resorting to worry, I must actively engage in the lifestyle of faith - where I value and depend on who God is and what he says above anything else.

Now, your struggle might be different than mine. You might be facing some horrendously difficult trial. Either way, I hope that you see God's goodness towards you and that you embrace him with all your heart and trust him. "If you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart" (Spurgeon).

Here are some lyrics to a song that are especially encouraging to me, and I hope it is a help to you.

Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You
When I am tempted to despair.
And though I have failed to trust Your promises
You never fail to hear my prayer.
And, if you judge my sin, I'd never stand again.
But, I see mercy in Your hands.

So, more than watchmen for the morning,
I will wait for you, my God.
When my fears come with no warning,
In Your Word I put my trust.
When the harvest time is over,
and I still see no fruit,
I will wait. I will wait for You.

The secret mysteries belong to You.
We only know what You reveal.
And all my questions are unresolved
Don't change the wisdom of Your will.
In every trial and loss,
My hope is in the cross -
Where Your compassions never fail.

So, more than watchmen for the morning,
I will wait for you, my God.
When my fears come with no warning,
In Your Word I put my trust.
When the harvest time is over,
and I still see no fruit,
I will wait. I will wait for You.

(from the Psalms CD, Sovereign Grace Music)

Living Theology

This is a recent blog post that I found (the link to the original post is in the title). I hope it is encouraging to your heart!

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I have read about and heard of people who cringe at the idea of ‘studying’ God, as if learning theology is clinical, like some kind of divine autopsy. But Scripture consistently calls us to grow in our study and knowledge of God and says there is an important connection between what we know about God and how we should live.

I recently spoke at a retreat entitled – "The Ology." The idea was that of all our learning, studying and knowing God is most critical to all of life. God is the most important thing we can study, the most important "ology". In 2 Timothy 4, Paul presents this as he talks about the importance of “being trained” in “good doctrine." He directly connects theology to growing in godliness. Theology is not just book knowledge or head knowledge, it is heart and life knowledge. It is not just about what you know about God, but living in a way that is dictated by what you know. In their book, Let the Reader Understand, Dan McCartney and Charles Clayton say, “Doctrine has not been known properly until it has been lived out.” Wayne Grudem agrees in his definition of Systematic Theology when he says, “Defining Systematic Theology to include 'what the whole Bible teaches us today' implies that application to life is a necessary part of the proper pursuit of systematic theology (emphasis mine).” For Paul, having “good doctrine” is important because it causes us to grow in godliness – it affects the way we live.

Then in the familiar passage to not allow people to look down on Timothy’s youth, Paul calls him (and us) to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). Paul says when we believe rightly it should cause us to live in such a way that we are examples to other believers. There should not be anyone looking down on us because of our age, but rather they should find themselves impressed, challenged, encouraged, and inspired by our speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Paul is telling Timothy that even though he is young, his pursuit of God and passion for the Savior should be an example for those around him. And, in like manner our pursuit of God and passion for the Savior should be an example for those around us.

I see this everyday in the college students I serve.

Colin is a guy I know who is determined to spend time daily in the scriptures to study hard and know God. When I see him lead a morning prayer meeting on campus at 7am every Wednesday, I know he is not just doing it because he is a morning person. He knows that in the gospel, Christ has not only redeemed him but given him access to the Father in prayer. He knows God gives us prayer as an essential part of life and that God will answer our prayers (1 Thes 5:16-18; John 14:13). And so he prays and leads others to pray. When he takes a few hours on a Tuesday evening going out on campus to specifically start conversations about the gospel, it is not because he is finished all of his studying or has nothing better to do. He knows that eternity is at stake for students on the campus of West Chester University—that Christ died to save them in their rebellion and that hearing the Gospel can bring them from death to life (Rom 1:16-18; 2:5; 5:8 ;1 Cor 1:17-24). He does these things because of what he knows about God!

Another guy, Mike, has done a great job of honoring his Dad as he makes decisions about everything from jobs to school to how to spend his free time. As Mike looks at the gospel he realizes that Christ’s death for his sin frees him to honor God by honoring his father and provides him with the grace to do so. Even when his Dad’s perspective has differed from what Mike was hoping, it has not only been Mike’s keen sense of humor that has helped him to cope. Mike has also been able to see how his heart, though free from the dominion of sin, is still influenced by remaining sin. Knowing this helps him to seek God’s grace to be humble and receive input from his dad. This has served Mike all the more in his relationship with his girlfriend as he is not only open to his own father’s perspective, but also the thoughts and perspective of his girlfriend’s father.

Eszter is an au pair from Hungry. As she grown in her understanding and experience of the gospel, she sees how Christ’s blood has purchased her to be included among the people of God. Becoming more involved in her local church, she is constantly telling me how she finds joy in the word of God preached, in her friendships and in seeking to serve. Because coming to America can be a big adjustment, Eszter is often contacted by other au pairs who are moving to the Philadelphia area. What Eszter has learned about God in the gospel gets lived out not only in her own involvement, but in her enthusiasm to bring other au pairs to experience the same thing. Because she knows God has called her to be part of a local body of Christians, she wants others to experience the blessings of this kind of community.

Like so many other students I serve, what Colin, Mike and Eszter have learned in studying God (theology) has affected the way that they live (i.e. prayer, submission to parents, commitment to a local church). And this is an example to me and to our whole church!

The same needs to be true in every area of our lives: the way we run after godliness, the way we choose entertainment, the way we serve a friend, the things we say or don’t say, the way we give money or time to help those who are hungry, or sick or in need. How we live must be rooted in what we know about God. Knowing God will affect the way we live. Getting to know God is not about performing a divine autopsy; rather, it is the Living God making Himself known to us and then changing us by his grace to live out what we know. Study hard.
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Joseph Stigora serves Covenant Fellowship Church as the College-Age Pastor as well as by overseeing music and leading worship.

The Love of God

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: ^Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 1:7

Last week I wrote about the great grace of God working out an obedience with which God is satisfied.

This week I want to focus on one phrase: "loved by God". This verse clearly shows us that there is a special love that God has for those who are saints. While we would agree that God displays love to all humanity, we must also admit that God's love varies depending on the people. Here's an example of this in our own lives: you might be able to say that you love everyone in this world; however, you love your parents, wife, or children more than the person down the street. Now, you would certainly not say that your love for the person down the street is defective simply because you love your spouse or parents more than he or she. This type of varied love is natural.

God displays similar love. And, as you're reading this post, I'm wanting to focus your heart on the Father's love towards those who believe. This love is so grand love that it enraptures His children and radically changes their entire being.

1 John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us" (ESV). Let us not dare think that we are the initiators in a relationship with God. No, in fact, God, out of His great love, initiated our relationship. If He hadn't begun our relationship, if it were left to the saints to initiate, we'd still be reveling in our sin. And, despite our deserving eternal, holy wrath, God decided to display His love towards us.

So, we not only experience a loving pity that God displays to the entire world, but we also experience all the benefits and blessings of being in the family of God. We are loved as a friend and child. We are adopted and that can never be revoked.

To say you are loved by God (in the ultimate sense) is to say that you are eternally secure in Jesus - having been given an all-satisfying relationship with the Father because of Christ through the power of the Spirit.

Oh what comfort and joy in knowing we are loved by God! Savor this truth today and the rest of your life.

Grace and the Obedience of Faith

<sup>Romans 1 -

5</sup> through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ⁶ including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, ⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What an encouraging few verses! Paul is writing to the Roman church - explaining to them a beautiful picture of grace in these first few verses. Paul shares that God has given him (and others) grace in order to bring about the obedience of faith for God's glory!

Think about the phrase "obedience of faith". Usually, humans tend to think of obedience as something we conjure up inside of our selves. That obedience then boosts our self-esteem (makes us feel better about what we can do). However, this is not how Paul describes true obedience. From God's perspective, obedience is only that which is birthed through faith (dependence/reliance on Christ's life, death, resurrection and promises to grant you strength and joy today for God's glory). Then, the obedience that flows doesn't cause us to turn in-ward, it instead focuses our hearts on God's name in this world.

If you were to depend on your own merit to fulfill the Law, you know you'd fail. You aren't good enough. But, God is pleased in Christ and you can grow in your joy-filled obedience to Him because Christ has fulfilled all the Law in your place!

Oh, isn't God merciful? How beautiful that God would grant His children the grace to have faith and then He also accepts that faith as true obedience - that faith which we live by (Rom. 1:16-17)!

So, don't turn to your own will-power. Turn to Christ and pray (as Paul prayed for the Romans) that grace would be with you. And, if grace truly is towards you, you possess real faith and obedience.

Jesus Learned Obedience

Does that phrase shock you? It did to me when I read it this morning. Then I began to study the passage from which it came.

"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him," (Hebrews 5:7-9, ESV)

This passage is somewhat full of confusion. Although, after studying it some, I find some great encouragement.

First, note Jesus' humanity. He didn't just pray. He prayed with emotion - with loud cries and tears. He had passion. He felt pain and agony. Do you see this? Do you imagine Jesus in the Garden? There's pain, passion and pursuit of the Father! This verse also reveals that Jesus is reverent. In all of this, Christ worshipped God and submitted to His will. He praised God for Who He is.

Second, we find that Jesus learned obedience. How can a perfect man learn obedience? Simply put, whenever He was taught something regarding true obedience or greater obedience, he embraced it fully and used it for future scenarios. Think of learning how to read or write or do math problems. A teacher can tell you how to work the problems, and if you learn from her correctly, you will do exactly what she says. In a similar way, Jesus was taught by his earthly parents and God Himself. Whenever Jesus was put in a situation, He learned and obeyed. He also used what he learned so that He could withstand the trials that were coming surrounding His death.

Third, through Jesus' experience with human emotions, temptations and perfect obedience, He was placed as the perfect High Priest. The passage says, "being made perfect". That means that Jesus, through all His life, proved Himself as the Preeminent One to be worshipped and adored.

From all of these facts, I want you to see the beauty of Jesus. He was a man who had pains. He had to learn obedience. But, through all of this, He reverenced God. And, because of that, He can truly "sympathize with our weaknesses" (Heb. 4:15). He knows where you're at today. He knows what you're struggling with. But, He also confidently opens His arms up to you so you also can run and find refuge, hope and strength to obey!

"Dear Lord, You endured suffering by simply becoming a human being. But, in order to experience the fullest extent of obedience, you desired to come to this earth and suffer for the sins of men! Now we can come to Your presence boldly with praise. Let us find rest and comfort in these truths. Amen."

Adorn The Doctrine Of God

"...showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" (Titus 2:10, ESV).

Last week this verse was pointed out to me as I was reading. Then, this morning, I was reading from two different books and almost the identical phrase "adorn the doctrine" was in both places. So, needless to say, I believe (at least to some level), God wants me to savor this phrase. With that in mind, I will try to communicate this truth clearly for your encouragement.

Paul is writing to Titus - telling him to encourage the slaves to adorn the doctrine of God. Now, while we may not be "slaves", we are all workers in some way. And, in everything we do, we should adorn the doctrine of God. As Augustine put it, "Preach the gospel, and if you must, use words."

Think about the word "adorn". Every morning, you wake up and get ready. You make yourself look good. You do your hair. You put on clothes that you think make you look good. You brush your teeth. You do all these things to make yourself look more presentable.

Now, Paul's not saying that the gospel isn't already beautiful in and of itself. But, he is saying that we're weak vessels, and the gospel is viewed by others as beautiful when we live it out. When we are adorning the gospel, we are "embellishing with honor" (Enhanced Strongs Lexicon). We are telling people that we not only believe the gospel intellectually, but the gospel has grabbed a hold of us and has radically changed us. When people see that type of change, they see more of the beauty of the gospel.

To give a negative example, we all know people who give Christianity a bad name. They have a critical spirit or greed or a desire to exalt their name above others. These people make Christianity look bad to the outside world. Paul refutes that type of living by calling us to embellish with honor.

You might ask, "How can I do this?" The answer comes in the following verses. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age," (Titus 2:11-12) Do you see it? It's God's grace! His mercy and grace will teach you. It will train you to renounce the ungodliness in your life so that your life will not be a stumbling block. Instead, your spiritual walk will grow and become more of a shining testimony of God's mercy! When your life is radically changed by a gracious God, you cannot help but love to adorn the doctrine of God. Your heart will soar and you will delight in making sure that the gospel looks grand - as it is!

But, don't forget to verbalize who you live for - that's part of pointing others to Christ. As John Piper puts it, "...speaking the good news of Christ is part of why God put you in your job. He has woven you into the fabric of others' lives so that you will tell them the Gospel. Without this, all our adorning behavior may lack the one thing that could make it life-giving" (Don't Waste Your Life, p. 151).

So, focus on Christ. Seek to be satisfied in Him and seek to make others satisfied in Him! His grace will train you.

Worthy Of Our Calling

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (ESV)

"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may ^make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

What is God's calling? It's a calling to Himself and to His family. It means we are heirs, children, priests and kings. It is perfect and complete. It's a statement that teaches us who we are and what we have yet to become.

As Paul talks about the Thessalonians faith in the midst of trials and the inevitable punishment the people afflicting them, he says that he always prays that the Thessalonian believers would walk worthy of God's calling. Why would he pray this? If the Thessalonians are already called God's children and a kingdom of priests, do they really have to attain to anything more?

The issue isn't about attaining. The issue is about living out what you truly are: righteous, perfect, complete in Christ. If you are a believer, you have a satisfaction in Christ that will grow as your faith grows in Him. As you become filled with Jesus on a regular basis, your desires change from being inward focused to outward focused (i.e. - you desire that Jesus will be viewed as preeminent in your life, not your own self).

But, how can we really live out the what God commands of us? The answer: just as our calling is given by God's grace, so is living it out. You and I cannot do anything apart from the supernatural work of God in our lives. Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15). Verses 11-12 make this point clear. Paul prays that God will make us worthy of the calling by His grace.

So, do you desire to maximize the glory of God in your life? Do you have great resolves for good and yet become dissatisfied with the fact that you're not carrying it out (Rom 7)? If so, stop and meditate on these verses. Who do you view the main agent of change in your life? If your answer focuses on you, repent. Turn to Christ now and submit to God! Run to Him. Then, preach the truths of the gospel to yourself. When you're focused on Christ's work in you, the Spirit births greater desires and passions in you so that you cannot help but serve God!

"Dear Lord, strenghten us by Your grace. We are weak, but You are strong. We are Your children, but so often we fail to live out our calling. Help us, Father, to truly look to Christ and depend on Him for every desire and ability. Thank You for the Cross and the blessings that proceed from it. We praise You and love You."

Jesus Is The Light

This morning, as I was praying, I believe that the Lord has taught me something new. It's such an undeserved gift to have a relationship with the Eternal Creator!

You might have heard people explain passages on Jesus being the Light in these terms only: the light enables you to see things around you. You can see your own sin. You can see the sin of the world. And, the light enables you to know where to walk so that you are going forward on the straight and narrow path. All of these aspects are correct, but on my prayer walk, as I was enjoying the sun (up here in Michigan, we haven't had many sunny days this year), I was encountered with another truth relating to the light - it's enjoyable!

On my prayer walk I was merely basking in the fact that it was sunny and warm. Do you ever do that? Do you love beautiful days? When it's a sunny day, does your attitude change? Do you enjoy the light?

Now, let's apply this to Christ. He is the Light of the world. Not only does He give us what we need in order to fight sin and pursue righteousness. But, at a more basic level, He melts our icy hearts and causes us to delight in who He is.

So, are you growing in your delight of Him? Have you found any joy in Christ? Do you bask in the Son? I don't want to be "cheesy" with my choice of words, but I do want to challenge you to not merely know the facts about Jesus. I want to encourage you to move to the relational level with Christ. Has Christ melted your heart or are you content with an icy cold world?

Jesus is the Light! Lay yourself at His feet and seek satisfaction in Christ.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12 (emphasis mine)

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 (emphasis mine)

"and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," - 2 Timothy 1:10

Devotions And God's Grace

Have you ever felt as though God was really wanting to tell you something? I've felt that way today. This morning I met with Paul Field and after we were done, I did my usual routine: thought about what we discussed, went home, took a shower, got dressed, helped to get Isaiah ready for the day, etc. Then, and little after Tracy got home from Curves, I went to church. I read some e-mails and then spent some time in prayer. After that, I asked God for wisdom on what to study for my devotions. See, I've been reading Philippians over and over again - not sure if God wants me to continue to study that or move on. This morning, it seemed as though God wanted me to move on to Galatians. The phrase, "Fruit of the Spirit" was going through my mind - I think because of some struggles I was praying about earlier. So, I decided to study Galatians 5. I read Galatians 5 and it was as though God was not done with me. He wanted me to move on to Galatians 6. So, I began reading Galatians 6. Right off the bat, I was revealed some truth: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."(Galatians 6:1, ESV) I was hit with the phrase "spirit of gentleness". What did that mean?! When I see others sinning or doing something I think it unwise, how do I respond? Do I respond with a "quiet and friendly composure which does not become embittered or angry" (TDNT, Kittel). Many times I might seem that way, but I know what's going on in my sinful flesh.

Well, God wasn't done with me yet. I kept reading and I was hit again: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV) This verse and Gal. 6:1 have caused me to meditate more today. When I was done reading, I made some notes in my journal and continued to work.

But, God still wanted to make sure that I meditated on these verses. I was driving the car to go pick up Josiah from school and take him to our house (something I don't normally do), and while in the car, JQ99 read the verse of the day from Galatians. Yep, it was Galatians 6:9.

Even as I e-mail, I'm making more connections.... These verses are talking about ministry and working with people. Often we get frustrated or tired in ministry and the reason is because we focus on ourselves and how we want people to respond to us instead of how we want to see God glorified. Verse 5 of Galatians 6 says that we are nothing; so, we ought not to deceive ourselves by focusing on us and what we want. Instead, we need to focus on God's plan for individuals.

But, here's the point. Right now I am writing about what I read this morning and how the Creator of the universe spoke to me. There's a relationship going on here - one in which God ALWAYS initiates. It's amazing to me that God would even allow me or want to tell me Truth and yet He does! I'm not writing here because of how super-spiritual I am, but because of how gracious God is in opening my eyes and ears to His message. I'm still not exactly sure about all the application points He wants me to walk away with in this specific passage, but I am confident in this - God is gracious and faithful!

I hope you walk away from reading this thinking the same way. And, may God use this to draw you closer to Himself.

Walking Through The Gray

It's very interesting. Have you ever sat down with someone and talked about a certain issue and that person come s up on the exact opposite page that you're on? What makes it even more difficult is when both people are godly. And, what's even more difficult is when both people are coming up with the exact same reasons why they're on the opposite page.

You know, we all have times where life is just plain fuzzy. Have you ever had thoughts like these (thoughts that I've had)? - Does God want me to go to this college or that one? Am I supposed to marry her? If I just act cooler, will people like me more? Why don't these people like me? How can I ensure that my son is saved at a young age and seeks to obey God?

To be honest with you, I like black and white scenarios. Scenarios that are easily fixable. But, there's a TON of gray out there - scenarios that aren't as easy to "fix." But, even though a scenario is "gray", God's Word is clear on the steps we're supposed to take right now - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105). Praise God that He gives us the wisdom we need for today. However, many times people want more than that. And, in the end, their practical god is merely to have more information. The reality is that we are to pursue the Lord in an all-satisfying relationship. If we are doing that, the Lord will direct our thinking and our steps. And, even if we (or others) misstep, God promises that "for those who love God, all things work together for good" (Rom. 8:28).

So, take heart. When things are confusing, God's your ROCK! Keep focusing on Him and trust His care.