Day 301: 1 Peter

When you read this letter written by Peter it's hard to understand how so many people today have distorted the message of Christ into a "health & wealth" gospel. Peter does indeed recognize the glorious inheritance that is ours as a Christ-follower but he also makes it clear that it's not now:

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1:4-6)

In fact, he seems to indicate that suffering, not prosperity, is to be expected when you follow Christ...

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

He also tells us how to endure...

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

But, in the mean time, don't forget that while we're here we have a mission to carry out...

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Even when we're in the midst of suffering...maybe even especially when we're in the midst of suffering...we have a responsibility to...

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

1 Peter 3:15&16 is a very well known passage of scripture. It's often used in apologetics classes, or evangelism workshops. And it's very appropriate there. It's important that we're "prepared to give an answer" to anyone who may ask us about our faith.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

However, I'm afraid that we often neglect the other part of that verse. I'm referring to the part that says we're to do so with "gentleness and respect." Too often I'm afraid we're more concerned with winning an argument than with introducing a person to Christ.

If 2011 has been a tough year for you, take heart. Better days are ahead. But even if those better days don't come in 2012...even if they don't come until "the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time"...those days will be so much better that the present suffering doesn't even compare. So, hang in there. Or, in Peter's words:

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

Days 299b & 300: Titus, 1 Timothy

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. (Titus 1:16)

The actions Paul is talking about are words and deeds that are divisive. The main thrust of Paul's writing still seems to concern Christians getting along with people...with both fellow Christians and those outside the church.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. (Titus 3:1-2)

In fact he says that we should have very little tolerance for someone who seems to make it their goal to stir up trouble and bring division into the church.

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. (Titus 3:10-11)

I know people who seem to fall into this category. They never seem to be happy. They are always on the lookout for something to complain about (and can always find something) and then they attempt to rally people around them and their cause, pitting themselves against those who hold a different view. As I said, I know people like that and they can be a real drain on the church. Leadership ends up spending all their time and emotional energy on trying to maintain the peace instead of actually doing the work of the church. It can get you so side-tracked that you end up losing your vision and passion. The best thing to do is exactly what Paul says here...confront them once or twice and then just ignore them and move on.

This issue is also extremely important because it exemplifies for the world the character of God:

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)

If God treats us like that then we should do the same for others...duh.


Then, on a completely different topic, there's this...

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Wow! Is that ever counter-cultural. I think the fact that I live in the wealthiest nation of all time where even the poorest among us are wealthier than 90% of the world's population makes this way of thinking very difficult to get a handle on. "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." Sure, as long as it's stylish clothing and delicious food...and there's a TV to watch.

I can't even comprehend that way of living.

Days 298 & 299a: Ephesians

I need to remember to read this book more often. This is a book that can lift you up when you're feeling down. When you feel like nothing is going your way and this world is a burden you're simply getting too tired to carry, this powerful and emotionally charged epistle can serve to remind you of all the things God has done for you. It can help lift your eyes off of this world and see how God "has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (1:3)

These words may have come from the pen of Paul the Apostle but they read like a long riff from a fiery African-American preacher! In fact, I encourage to read this book aloud, not the way we normally do in a dry "white" monotone, but put some life into it! Imagine yourself wiping the sweat off your brow and in a loud raspy voice you proclaim:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Or how about:

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

Come on now...imagine the black preacher: "Buuuut NOW ...in Christ Jesus...you who once were faaaaar away - I mean FAR! ...You have been brought near ...by the blood of Christ!

There is powerful emotion in this book that we so often miss because we just read the words...and we don't feel the feelings. I think Paul is simply overcome with emotion as he writes these words:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

When you read it with an open heart to the emotions that are expressed then the practical instruction he gives regarding our daily lives takes on a new meaning and urgency...

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Paul closes this book by reminding us that we're in the midst of a war. It's a daily battle between the forces of good and evil and we dare not take that battle lightly. But we can be strong because we are assured that the victory is ours!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Days 295, 296 & 297: Acts 27-28; Philippians; Philemon; Colossians

Does it seem to you that people are more angry than they used to be? Or am I just getting old and soft? I enjoy playing Yahoo Hearts. It's a fun game that requires some strategy and a lot of luck. As you play you can also chat with the other players. Once in a while there is some friendly back and forth but I really wouldn't call most of the dialog that goes on "chatting". A lot of it is very angry and hate-filled. There's a lot of insulting the other players intelligence as well as some much more offensive stuff. I find myself wondering if, in the anonymity of the internet, what we are seeing is the real person that stays hidden when they are involved in face to face conversations. You can see the same thing in many of the comments to blog posts or on-line articles.

If this stuff is really in the hearts of the people we deal with on a day to day basis then there is a LOT of anger out there. People are not happy. And, if I'm totally honest, I find it in my own heart way more often then I like.

Sadly, God's own people aren't all that much better. How often do we hear Christians spew hatred at "liberals", "fundamentalists", Muslims, atheists, the biased media (liberal and conservative), or any number of other people they consider their enemy? And when I say "spew hatred" I don't mean respectful dialog and disagreement and debate. These things are healthy when undergirded with a mutual love and respect for the other person's intrinsic worth. What I'm referring to are the personal insults and attacks that are designed to hurt and denigrate. It embarrasses me. Surely it must also be an embarrassment to Christ.

But it's not just in our attitudes with non-believers. Over the years, I've often been amazed at the disrespect I've seen between Christ-followers who disagree. Don't misunderstand...I've seen some great examples of people who handle their differences in a mature, loving manner. These people are the examples I try (with varying degrees of success) to emulate. But it seems to me they are the exceptional ones.

The scripture I read today seemed to hit on this theme over and over. Here are a few samples:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4:5)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

When I consider Paul's situation when he wrote these things, and everything he went through that led up to his imprisonment, I realize that if anyone had a reason to be filled with anger it was him.

I also realize that if the people of God would actually put these things into practice in all their relationships then we would indeed "shine like stars."

Days 292, 293 & 294: Romans 13-16; Acts 20:4-26:32

The first seven verses of Romans chapter 13 has always been interesting to me, especially when you consider the government Paul was living under when he wrote it.

     Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
     This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13: 1-7)

I don't think this means that Christians should simply submit to every "law of the land" without regard to our higher authority which is God Himself. The apostles, including the writer himself, didn't. They were told many times by "the law of the land" to stop preaching Christ. They politely refused to obey. They were commanded by God to do exactly the opposite of what the worldly authorities were telling them.

I also don't think it means that we should never try to change laws that we find unjust or immoral, like our nations abortion laws for example. We are blessed to live under a government that allows many avenues to legally seek to change these things...and so we should.

The thing is, I have never, so far, been in a situation like the apostles. My government has many laws that I find objectionable, and that I hope and pray will one day be changed. But not once has it demanded that I do one thing that is exactly opposite of what Christ demands.

The government Paul lived under was WAY more oppressive than anything I have ever experienced. Acts chapters 21-26 tell of some of his experiences of persecution and unjust imprisonment. He never stopped defending himself...but he always accepted the consequences.

I also can't help but notice the way that God is working in all this. Paul once had a well-respected position and much authority. One would think that God would make use of that position to advance His kingdom. But that isn't the way He operates. The kingdom of God was advanced when Paul became a persona non grata. He was persecuted by the Jews and imprisoned by the Romans. That's how God advanced His kingdom. I think we often get this backwards. We want to operate from a position of power. It seems to me that, as I think back on the little bit of history I remember, it was the times that the church had power that were the exact times it was the most corrupt.

It seems to be a general principle that when the church of God is at its weakest, the God of the church does His best work.

I believe that if our abortion laws are never changed except to make them more liberal, that if the church loses it's tax exempt status, and even if Christianity is outlawed altogether, none of these things will stop the kingdom built on the gospel. In fact, I believe that's when we will see God working through His people like never before.

Day 290: Romans 9-12

This is a hard lesson to learn:

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20-21)

We keep forgetting that we're not God.
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I think if there was one verse that summed up the theme of Romans, it might be this one:

Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.  (Romans 10:4)

The law is important mainly because it leads us to Christ. And through Christ righteousness is available to everyone who believes. Yep, that pretty much sums it up.
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Paul is so overwhelmed with the way God has worked this out for everyone that he bursts into a beautiful song of praise and worship:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
   How unsearchable his judgments,
   and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
   Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
   that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

Day 289: Romans 5-8

The whole idea that God would die for me becomes more mind blowing the older I get. I mean, I've read stories about people whose lives were sacrificed for the welfare of another. And, indeed, I believe that I would be willing to put my own life in jeopardy for the ones I love...my wife, kids and grandkids...maybe even some very dear friends. I say I believe I would, but I really can't know for sure until the circumstance presents itself...and odds are it never will.

But all this pales in comparison because God didn't die for His friends. He died for His enemies. He died for people who are selfish, arrogant, and rebellious. He died for Pilate. He died for Judas. He died for Osama bin Laden. He died for Larry Flint. He died for Muhammad. He died for Hitler. He died for Nancy Pelosi. He died for Lady Gaga. He died for Kim Jong Il. He died for me.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-7)

I don't know how Christians have gotten the reputation of thinking they're better than everyone else. Well, really, I suppose I do because I've seen and heard Christians who give that impression. But the fact is, we're not. Yes, we denounce sin. But when we do, we're denouncing it in ourselves. We come to Christ because we recognize our sinfulness, not our righteousness. 

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:18-19)

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24)

Day 288: Romans 1-4; Acts 20:1-3

In the first few chapters of Romans we learn some things about Paul and Judaism...about how his attitude and view of the Law has changed. Remember, the man was a Pharisee...the strictest sect of Jews when it came to keeping every letter of God's law. The fact that God can take a man like Paul and make him an "apostle to the Gentiles" is truly amazing! We find in these chapters that, while Paul still has a profound love for God's law, he has come to realize that it's purpose is not what he thought it was. The law has taught mankind that we are all sinners...everyone...the Jews (who were given God's law) and the Gentiles (who weren't). The things is, they all (we all) have broken it and have no hope of living up to the righteousness God expects of us. He says, "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law." (2:12)

But here's the good news...in fact, I think these few verses could be the clearest and most concise expression of the Gospel (good news) of grace anywhere in the NT...

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

Wow! Thanks be to God.

Days 286 & 287: 2 Corinthians 5–13

I think the two letters to the Corinthians are difficult to simply read through in this type of exercise. It seems like there is a lot going on under the surface...there's a back story to these writings that we're missing. Paul seems to assume the reader is aware of everything that is going on in the Corinthian church. So, to really understand these books, I think we need to do some research of our own to find out what we're missing.

That said, I think the following passage is a beautiful and very complete description of what it is to live life "on  mission" as a Christ-follower:

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

Then there is this passage late in 2 Corinthians. It's another reminder that Jesus purpose is not necessarily to make our lives comfortable...

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Days 284&285: 1 Corinthians 15-16; 2 Corinthians 1-4

A few random reflections on today's reading:

1. This first one is a scripture often appropriately used at funerals. Today, as I read it, I found it very encouraging. I've been thinking a lot (too much?) about my own fleeting mortality lately. There's no escaping the trite fact that life is short. However...

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
    “Where, O death, is your victory?
       Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

2. I thought this one was interesting because of it's seeming contradiction:

But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)

I'm afraid that, if it were me, I would have taken the fact of opposition as a closed door for effective work. What does that say about me? What does that say about Paul?

3. This next one only stood out to me because of what I wrote in yesterday's post about how we often mistakenly say that God won't allow anything to come into our lives that we can't handle. Apparently that wasn't true for Paul...

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. (2 Corinthians 1:8)

4. Finally, one more reminder of the temporary nature of this life...and the assurance that there's more (and better) to come...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Days 282 & 283: 1 Corinthians 9-14

1 Corinthians 10:13 is another one of my favorite verses of scripture and is one that is pretty well-known. I think it's one that is misapplied sometimes when people say things like, "Life will not give you more trouble than you can handle." That's not really what it says and experience has shown that thought to be untrue, anyway. Life consistently gives people more than they can handle. God never promised otherwise. What He promised is that whatever trouble you may face is only temporary and, however long it lasts, He will go through it with you.

This verse is not about difficulties and troubles but about temptation to sin. And I've discovered that this promise is a bit of a two-edged sword...

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

On the one hand it is a great promise of protection. Whenever I think the temptation that I face is difficult I need to consider how tough it would be if God wasn't somehow limiting its effect on me. We know that Satan will use whatever is at his disposal to get us distracted and lure us away from God. It's great to know that God is in control and somehow keeps a reign on how strong those temptations could be.

However, on the other hand, I have to ask myself why I ever sin at all? If God is limiting Satan's ability to tempt me beyond what I can bear then any temptation I face, I can overcome. Why do I not? When I sin, I'm giving in to a temptation that God assures me I am able to resist...but I don't. What this verse tells me is that there are no "accidental" sins. I sin because I choose to sin. Sin is an act of willful rebellion. Scripture tells us that no one is without sin, and I believe that's true, but I also believe that we have the choice. It is theoretically possible for a person to live sin-free. That's what this verse teaches. Other scripture teach that no one has ever or will ever accomplish it.

That's why we need Jesus.

Days 280 & 281: 1 Corinthians 1-8

I read today that the famously militant atheist Christopher Hitchens has died. I thought of him as I read this passage:

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

Hitchens was certainly an intelligent man...and he certainly wanted to make sure you knew that. He seemed to take particular delight in doing whatever he could to make believers look stupid. I think he assumed they were stupid simply because they were believers. "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise."

This passage also makes me think about our "celebrity" culture. We get all excited when a famous person is known as a Christian...and has a life that is consistent with his/her profession of faith. Tim Tebow comes to mind right now. We have this feeling that because this person is a celebrity and is a mover and a shaker and has a real influence on our society that it will increase the spread of the gospel. Don't get me wrong, I love to see celebrities known for their faith but "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." That's really how the gospel is spread.

This passage also makes me think about how we "do church". Hazard of the profession, I guess. I've always believed the church should do things with excellence...still do. However, I think we need to be careful here. I'm afraid that if our motivation is to try to give people an "experience" in church that competes on the same level as the entertainment industry that we miss the point. The point is not to give people a "production" that is so professionally done that people would rather come to church on Sunday than go see a Broadway show or a Hollywood movie or an a-list concert performer. The point is to be the church...to introduce people to a community of people marked by love for God and for one another. When we "do church" we should do the absolute best that we can, with the talent and resources that God provides, knowing that "God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

Unity seems to be a big theme of 1 Corinthians, as it was in Jesus' prayer in John 17. We will often hear someone refer to the idea that the "body is a temple" to motivate them to healthy living. Notice what Paul does here...

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, emphasis mine)

There are two other verses that I think are worth meditating on today. I quote them here without comment:

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:4)

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:9)

Days 278 & 279: 2 Thessalonians 1-3; Acts 18:19-19:41

I have never been persecuted for my faith. Not really. Oh, I have experienced the feeling that the level of respect a person has for me has fallen a notch when they discovered that I'm a believer. I have had the feeling that a person was sort of looking down their nose at me because I was so narrow-minded as to believe that Jesus was the only way to God. I have felt a little hurt by those who ridicule Christians for being so superstitious and unenlightened as to believe in Jesus. That's about the extent of the persecution I've felt.

However, there are thousands of Christ-followers around the world who are truly persecuted. I mean they could face prison, torture, and even death for their faith.

The early Christians were persecuted. To them Paul writes these words:

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

What I noticed here is when this will happen. There's a part of me that wants to see them proved wrong. The worldly desire for revenge is strong. I want to be there when they are repaid for their evil...even if their "evil" is just looking down their nose at me. I think we (Christ-followers) need to relax about these things. Particularly those of us who are American Christians who have never experienced any real persecution. Let it  go. My desire for revenge is sin. My desire should be for the persecutors to come to know the Lord. That's a relatively easy thing to change in my situation. I would imagine that it's a little tougher for those who are actually experiencing persecution. Like the Thessalonians.

Paul says to be patient. The time is coming.

Day 277: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

I love this little book. It seems so personal and heartfelt. Paul is writing to people he cares about very much.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (2:7-8)

I've always thought that this could be a good theme verse for a church. You could condense it to "Sharing the gospel...Sharing our lives". In fact we tried it at a church I served many years ago. It was on our letterhead...but I don't think it took. But I digress...

Sometimes I think we in church leadership spend a lot of pulpit time teaching people how to live and maybe not as much as we should proclaiming the facts of the gospel. Don't get me wrong, we need to be teaching life application (certainly Paul did, even in this letter) but what I have noticed in this year-long reading of the Bible is that the sermons in the book of Acts and the teachings so far in the epistles are focused more on Jesus' death, resurrection and second coming than anything else.

I find it interesting that each and every chapter of 1 Thessalonians closes with a reference to the return of Jesus to earth. Check it out (all bold-face, italics, and underscore are mine):

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1:8-10)

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (2:19-20)

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (3:12-13)

And this next one could possibly be one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. I have read it in just about every funeral I have ever done and I still find it exhilarating to read now...

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (4:13-18)

Did you catch that last sentence? "Therefore encourage one another with these words." When you consider the end of the world as we know it and the return of Christ to rescue His church and judge the world...do you find that an encouraging thought?

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (5:1-4)

We cannot ever know the day or the time of Christ's return until it's upon us. But there's no reason that it should ever surprise us...no matter when it happens.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (5:23-24)

Days 275 & 276: Acts 15-18:18

Acts 15 tells of the first real doctrinal debate among the early Christian leaders. The debate seemed to center around people other than Jews who were coming to faith in Christ. There were those who thought that the only way that someone who wasn't a Jew could receive the grace of the Messiah was if they first became a Jew...and followed the OT Law like the Pharisees. In other words, they didn't think grace was enough. Here's how it went down:

     Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
     The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:5-11)

I believe this is still an issue for many of us...myself included. Not necessarily that they should become a Jew, specifically, but that there are some people who are somehow not worthy of the grace of Christ. We certainly would never say it like that but we do have lines that we draw that are very hard for us to cross. The thing that is coming through loud and clear as I read through the book of Acts is that the gospel is available to everyone. There are no racial, economic, gender, or religious barriers. Just look at the people who are coming to Christ:

In Philippi:

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. (Acts 16:14-15)

And:

At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. (Acts 16:33-34)

In Thessalonica:

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.   (Acts 17:4)

In Berea:

As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. (Acts 17:12)

In Athens:

Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. (Acts 17:34)

In Corinth:

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)

And in every single one of these places the there was trouble. The preachers and believers were harassed, run out of town, imprisoned and stoned.

Why do we like our barriers so much?

Days 273 & 274: Galatians 1-6

Apparently there were some people being led away from the gospel of grace and back to their Jewish roots...and the tradition of keeping the law to earn their righteousness. Paul seems to be writing this letter to the Galatians to persuade them to keep their confidence in the gospel. Basically, he tells them that faith in Christ has transformed their relationship with God from that of a slave to that of a son.

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:1-7)

He reminds them (and us) that trying to keep the law is a lost cause. It's futile to try to live in such a way that we are declared righteous in God's sight.

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:4-6)

I think that we are sort of afraid of freedom. We are afraid that, without rules and laws, we will follow our natural tendency to sin. And, indeed, I believe we would if it werent for the fact that the Spirit is alive and at work within us.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18)

Day 272: James 1-5

I've never really thought about the chronology of when James was written, I guess. Yesterday we read about the persecution was taking place in Acts 12-14. This persecution resulted in the believers being scattered throughout the empire and we find that James is writing to "the twelve tribes scattered among the nations". The reason I think this is interesting is that I've always thought of James as just a simple, practical guide for Christian living. Now that I think of it, though, he does spend a fair amount of time talking about being patient in times of suffering and persecution, which would be a subject his readers would certainly need to be encouraged in.

Nevertheless, he still does write some very down-to-earth, everyday living kinds of instruction.

The first one that stuck in my mind this morning is this...

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

It's one of those verses that, when we read it, we automatically think of people to who we think it applies...and this usually doesn't include self. He gives a description of what pure religion really looks like in the very next verse but, to me, he comes closer to telling us how we can actually pull it off in chapter 4:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7-8)

Sounds simple, right? Yeah, not really.

I have a poster that I love with the picture of a farmer standing in his field. He has a hoe in his hand and he's wiping the sweat from his brow with a red handkerchief as he gazes out toward the horizon...looking for something. Underneath is this verse:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

Days 270 & 271: Acts 9-14

Saul's conversion from Christian persecutor to Christ-follower is an amazing one. He is not what we would call a "good prospect". He's not a "seeker". In the midst of a trip to persecute more Christians he is abruptly confronted by Jesus Himself:

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-4)

God arranges for Saul to meet with a man by the name of Ananias (obviously not the same Ananias who was killed for lying to God in chapter 5 but it's interesting to me that it's the same name) who is understandably nervous about it. God speaks to Ananias to encourage him to follow through...but what He says to Ananias tells us something of what God has in mind for Saul...

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)

It's fascinating to me that, of all people, God chooses Saul to be His "chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles". This man is a leading Jew of the time! What does he have in common with Gentiles?? Nothing! Not one thing! Sometimes I wonder about what God thinks of all our strategizing and planning...because He seems to specialize in doing things that make no sense to us. In fact, that may be one of the reasons He works that way. It proves that the work is God's and we don't deserve any credit for it.

Another thing that comes through loud and clear in these chapters is the fact that making the decision to be a Christ-follower was a serious decision to make. It could be very costly. Maybe even fatal. Notice the following...

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him... (Acts 9:23)

He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. (Acts 9:29)

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Acts 12:1-3)

There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. (Acts 14:5)

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.   (Acts 14:19-20)

This was serious business. Somehow it has become less serious today. It's just one of many possible lifestyle choices for modern Americans. We forget that in the days of the first Christians it could be a decision that would cost you your life. We have a hard time comprehending that this is still true in many parts of the world today. If you don't believe it just go here and read some stories of Christ-followers around the world who are persecuted for their faith.

One more thing that I notice that is beginning to happen in these chapters. The gospel is breaking through many of the barriers that mankind has built between themselves and other "different" people. It took persecution for this to happen. Why is it so hard for us to learn that God cares about ALL people...and so should we?

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.   (Acts 11:19-21)

Day 269: Acts 5-8

I probably heard Bob Stacy relate the story of Ananias and Sapphira about a million times. He told in a way that got the congregation (and me) laughing hysterically. He painted a hilarious picture of a typical modern-day church where this extraordinary event occurred. I've used his version myself several times...I could tell it today from memory. But the laughter always stopped when he hit us with the question: "What if everyone here who says their doing all they can for God...and weren't...dropped dead?" It's a good question. It gets at the heart of what this event teaches. It's not about how much A & S gave...it's about pretending to be something you're not...

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”  When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:3-5)

I think that last sentence might be an understatement.

I find these next verses a little confusing...

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. (Acts 5:12-14)

If no one dared join them how did more and more men and women believe and become added to their number? I'm not sure of the answer, but I am sure that the people of the community looked at the church quite a bit differently than people in most 21st century communities look at the church. I wonder if that's because the world has changed it's view or the church has lost something? I wonder, if in our quest to be a welcoming place, we've lost a little of the power of being different. The church was a scary thing to the people...but it had something they were lacking.

Day 268: Acts 1-4; Psalm 110

After Jesus ascends to heaven, and another Christ-follower (Matthias) is chosen to replace Judas, the promised Holy Spirit comes and fills the apostles and empowers and emboldens them to preach the gospel...to start becoming the witnesses of Jesus' resurrection that he expected them to become.

In fact, as I read the first 4 chapters of Acts today, I am overwhelmed with how powerfully Peter testifies to what he has witnessed. Not only that, what really stands out to me is the central truth which he comes back to over and over is the fact of the resurrection. Jesus resurrection from the dead isn't just a part of his message...it IS his message...

"This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:23-24)

Or how about this:

"Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it." (Acts 2:31-32)

And he concludes with this...

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)

I wonder sometimes if we don't get so caught up in what a person's response should be (Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -Acts 2 :38) that we forget to tell them the thing to which they are supposed to respond.

In the next chapter Peter heals a lame man and afterward he uses the occasion to once again proclaim the resurrection of Jesus:

"You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." (Acts 2:15-16)

Now, as you might suspect, the religious leaders didn't appreciate what these men were doing. Jesus was dead and buried and they thought they were finished with him:

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:1-2)

As a result, the apostles were arrested and instructed to quit preaching about Jesus being alive. In the face of persecution and threats these early Christians met together to pray. Notice what they pray for:

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

They don't pray for safety. They don't pray that the leaders would ease off. They don't pray for protection. They pray for boldness. It sort of puts my pathetic prayers to shame.

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 4:33)

Days 266 & 267: Psalm 22; Matthew 27:32-28:20; Mark 15:21-16:20; Luke 23:26-24:53; John 19:17-21:25

Jesus' life story is the only one ever written that doesn't end with death. I suppose the prophet Elijah would also be one except that he never even experienced death, but is taken straight up into heaven. Jesus doesn't get off that easy. He prayed in the garden that, if possible, he would prefer not having to go through with it but if not, he was willing to die. And so he does. And it was not an easy death.

While Jesus was in the tomb Pilate receives a very odd request...

     The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
     “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. (Matthew 27:62-66)

I think Pilate had to be getting pretty fed up with these guys by now. How much nerve does it take to go back to him after the events of Thursday night and Friday and ask for some soldiers to guard Jesus' tomb? Pilate had to think they were nuts! The man was dead. It also occurs to me that they had to go to him with this request on Saturday...the Sabbath. I guess they didn't think this was a problem. I find myself being sympathetic to Pilate!

I've always loved the account of the two guys walking home to Emmaus and being joined by the resurrected Jesus on the way. You get the impression that Jesus was having a little fun with them...

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him...And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:15-16, 27)

Wouldn't you love to have heard that teaching?

Then he stays with them for dinner. Imagine how you would react to this... 

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:30-31)

I think that would have made a pretty big impression!

Luke's gospel closes with Jesus meeting with all his followers.

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24:45-48)

So are we...So am I.

Day 265: Matthew 27:1-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16

The events of the night before Jesus' crucifixion are filled with interesting twists and turns. One of the things that intrigues me is how the "chief priests" and all the other "Jewish leaders" who were supposedly the religious authorities and spiritual guides for the people could become so corrupt. Surely these men came to these positions out of a heart for God. But now they are so corrupt and their "faith" is so warped they can't tell right from wrong. Here are a couple of examples of what I mean:

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” (Matthew 27:6)

The money they are referring to here is the money they paid Judas for his betrayal. Judas was overcome with remorse and brought the money back to them. They refused to take it so he threw it at their feet. It amazes me that they somehow figured it was ok to take the money and use it as "blood money" but then it couldn't be returned and put back in the general fund because now the money itself has become unholy. It reminds me of Jesus' teaching earlier that it's not what enters a person that makes him unclean...it's what comes out of a person. He was talking about the things we say but this seems to fit.

Another verse that illustrates how completely screwed up their religion had become is this one:

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. (John 18:28)

Conspiring to have an innocent man killed isn't a problem...but entering the palace of a Roman would mean you were unclean and couldn't partake of the Passover. They were meticulous about the rules and regulations of their tradition but they really had no relationship with a holy God and no concept of what being "clean" and "unclean" was all about.

Day 264: Matthew 26:36-75; Mark 14:32-72; Luke 22:39-71; John 18:1-27

Today's reading is filled with violence, betrayal and heartbreak. We see the darkest corners of men's hearts. There are a lot of things here that warrant some time for meditation. I just want to think about one.

We have often heard the discussion about "who killed Jesus"? The Jews often get defensive because so many Christ-followers blame them for this atrocious act. I think this has probably affected the Jewish collective psyche to a degree because they don't come across as good guys in the biblical narrative. But the thing is, they are not alone. As you read today's passages it's impossible to find one character (other than Jesus himself) who is without blame of some kind. The Jews, the Romans, the soldiers, the general population, the disciples...even those of Jesus inner circle. Everyone shares the blame. Everyone shares the guilt. We often refer to Peter's denial, or Judas' betrayal but scripture tells us...

Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:56)

No one is guiltless. I believe that extends to disciples of all generations. "ALL the disciples deserted him and fled." Who among us can say we are the exception to that statement?

I've been a big fan of Lois Cheney's little book God is No Fool for many years. Here's how she expresses this thought:

The ancient Hebrew were so tied by tradition they couldn't recognize the Messiah when he was right in front of them, and he was crucified.

The disciples, who walked and worked with the Christ, were very afraid of him; they hoped, but they also doubted, and they ran that night,
and he was crucified.

The common people mobbed him, showed him their sicknesses and sores, and they threw down an aisle of palms for him and sang to him,
and he was crucified.

His family was embarrassed, and stood outside, and wished he'd come home,
and he was crucified.

Would we crucify Jesus today?
It's not a rhetorical question for the mind to play with.
I believe
We are each born with a body, a mind, a soul, and a handful of nails.
When we die, no one ever finds
any nails left,
     clutched in our hands,
          or stuffed in our pockets.