grace and truth

Heart Matters

2012-05-29T07:41:00.001-06:00

The medical community is very concerned about the condition of your heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Someone dies of a heart related problem approximately every 39 seconds. Not surprisingly, there is a lot of talk about heart health and how to achieve it. Certainly, your heart matters. It keeps you alive!

There are other kinds of heart conditions that the medical community is not so concerned with. These conditions have to do with our relationships with God and others, our emotional needs, and the lives that flow from them (Proverbs 4:23). As a counselor, I see the effects of these matters of the heart every day. The implications are staggering. More than half of Christian marriages are ending in divorce these days. It is not usually a matter of not understanding that God wants our marriages to be committed, fruitful and fulfilling. Intellectually, we know this. Somehow, unresolved heart matters keep us from fulfilling what we believe to be right and best. Married or single, these heart matters are crucial.

The condition of our hearts is of primary concern to God. The words “heart” and “hearts” are found almost 800 times in the Bible. This does not include the numbers of times it talks about the BROKENHEARTED, DISHEARTENED, DOWNHEARTED, HARDHEARTED, HEARTACHE, HEARTLESS, KINDHEARTED, SIMPLEHEARTED, STOUTHEARTED, STUBBORN-HEARTED and WHOLEHEARTED. Clearly, to God, when it comes to heart matters, your heart matters.

I have felt drawn to a passage that is read at most weddings to show us God’s ideal for a loving heart. 1 Corinthians 13 is often called the “love chapter.” Paul felt it necessary to teach the Corinthian church about agape love, as they were arguing about the gifts of the Spirit. Let’s take a fresh look at this familiar passage:

1 Corinthians 13

“1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."

So we see that love matters. Even ministry, service and self-sacrifice are meaningless unless given in love. When the New Testament was written, in Koine Greek, there were 4 words for love. The kind that flows from God is agape love. I think of agape as the outworking of grace in relationships. Paul goes on to say, love shows:

"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails."

If you want to be challenged, read those verses again, and put you name where the word love belongs. I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time reading parts of that with a straight face. We can all use more agape in our relationships.

My word picture for this kind of love is to imagine a parent with a toddler who is learning to walk. In the beginning, the toddler is falling on his bottom more than he is taking actual steps. A good hearted parent does not scream at the toddler for not being a perfect walker. The parent recognizes where the child is in his development, so is patient and kind, believing in the child. The parent protects the child from sharp corners of coffee tables, does not become angry and forgets about the falls, focusing on the progress the child is making. This kind of love perseveres, it hangs in there with the child, and never gives up until the child masters the first steps. Children are non-verbal at this stage, they are not talking yet. But the parent communicates all these things non-verbally by getting on the child’s level, making eye contact, open posture with hands outstretched, and tone of voice. All these things communicate: “I believe in you! You can do this!”

And that is what agape looks like. No matter how old we are, if we are growing emotionally and spiritually, we are toddlers at something. We thrive in an environment of accepting, nurturing love. Sometimes this love includes warnings, protecting us from dangers we may still be naïve about, the sharp-cornered coffee tables of life, so to speak. We respond positively because grace brings life. Agape is nurturing love.

Grateful Hearts

2012-05-24T08:21:00.000-06:00

Having laid a foundation of the church’s identity in newness of life in Christ, having exhorted them to leave behind those things that will call down the wrath of God, to wear the qualities of the Spirit on their sleeves, and to teach and admonish one another through any and every means, including music, Paul now addresses their motivation: they are to do this with gratitude in their hearts.

“Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

The close linking of this phrase to the musical themes in the same sentence imply that gratitude is to be at the center of our music, even as we use it to teach one another the mysteries of God. The previous paragraphs demonstrate they have much to be grateful for. They have been raised from spiritual death (apart from relationship with God) to newness of life. The peace of Christ now can rule in their hearts. It is now possible for them to clothe themselves in such qualities as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Earlier, Paul added the brief sentence “And be thankful” (vs. 15), linking it to peace in the body of Christ.
So many things are looped through gratitude: peace with God and others, devoted service, generosity of spirit. Gratitude motivates a multitude of virtues and washes away our resentments. Resentment arises from not getting what we believe we are due, whether from God or others. Gratitude neutralizes resentment because in it we acknowledge that we do not deserve what we already have been given: we are “God’s chosen people, holy (set apart) and dearly loved” (vs. 12).

Would those who know you intimately describe your heart as grateful? As you look into your heart today, asking Spirit to illuminate it, what do you find there? Is it harboring resentments about the things you feel entitled to but do not have? Or is it nurturing gratitude for the grace God has extended to you, resulting in rivers of living water that splash on those around you? It is another fork in the road. Choose the path that leads to peace and blessing. We have taken the other path long enough. We have discovered where it leads. Press on. Don’t look back. Be grateful.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

2012-05-16T08:03:00.001-06:00

Having just exhorted the Colossians to teach and admonish one another, Paul then refers to a common teaching method of the day, saying “as you sing songs hymns and spiritual songs” (3:16). The early Christians had only the Old Testament, and did not have access to the New Testament (which was being written in various forms) or to other Christian books. The teachings and life of Jesus were memorized and passed on verbally, from person to person. Sometimes these verbal traditions were set to music. Thus, music became an important part of both education and worship. The purpose was to glorify God, but also to teach people truth in a way they could remember and pass on to others.

Part of our understandable confusion about such passages has to do with changing traditions and methods as well as the changes in meanings of words over time, including the English language. Today, for example, when we hear the word psalms, we assume it refers to a lengthy book of poetry in the Old Testament. In the original language, and when first translated into English, psalms was derived from a literal meaning referring to the striking of one’s fingers on the strings of a musical instrument (today we might refer to such similar things as “strum” or “pluck”). In the Bible, it refers either to the Psalms of the Old Testament, or, as in this passage, to sacred songs with musical accompaniment. Hymns now conjures more modern traditions in the church, accompanied by an organ or piano, with several verses, packed with teaching and doctrinal principles. Hymns as understood in this manner were the dominant singing tradition of the church in recent generations. When Paul wrote the word, it simply meant “a song of praise addressed to God.” The last words, spiritual songs, includes the generic word for song, ode, and a modifier, spiritual. So, in Colossians 3:16, Paul was referring to the common teaching methods of the time: psalms (sacred songs accompanied by musical instruments), hymns (songs of praises to God), and songs of spiritual nature and content. There was not one style or preference for music in the church, even in the first century.

What we can take from this phrase, is that a primary purpose of music in Paul’s culture was to teach. Style was not an issue, however, meaningful and doctrinally sound content (lyrics) are the common denominator of all these kinds of music. Just as we are to evaluate whether the teaching we receive tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we should run the Christian music we hear through the same filter. If we are in a position to choose music to be sung in our local churches, we are responsible for running it through the filter before it reaches the congregation. We carry equal responsibility as those teaching. Music carries its message into the heart, soul and mind. It is a gift of common grace to all people, as it strikes chords in the soul. Use it wisely to “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs…” Col. 3:16

Teach One Another

2012-05-09T08:22:00.003-06:00

In Colossians 3, Paul encourages us to let the message (word) of Christ dwell among us richly. He then tells us how this is to happen: “as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom”(vs. 16). He goes on to say some things about praise, but for today I want to meditate through the keyboard about the quoted phrase… teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.

These are not necessarily attractive words in western culture these days. If someone invites us to be taught and admonished, we may have flashbacks of grade school where we were told to sit down, shut up and “behave ourselves.” We would much rather be entertained than taught, and we rather fancy ourselves as being above admonishment. After all, admonishment is for the unruly and we are good Christian folk. These cultural attitudes speak to our narcissism, our sense of already having arrived. We prefer to compare ourselves to the lost world around us. By comparison, we then feel smug and secure, patting ourselves on the back as we leave our local gatherings, thanking God that we are not like “those sinners” we encounter day after day.

The problem is we have not arrived, any of us. We do not yet fully grasp or comprehend the mind of Christ. We have not yet completely yielded ourselves, and every area of our lives, to the will of God. So we need desperately to be taught. Our default modes still gravitate toward the flesh, either in disobedience or pride. Admonishment is the loving hand of God’s Holy Spirit remodeling us from the inside out- the sledge hammer that takes down cracking walls and the crow bar that rips up moldy carpet. We are works in progress. He does not require us to be finished, cleaned up, fully redeemed (sanctified), before He loves us. But He does require that we undergo the process of redemption, not only from hell, but also from ourselves.

As I ponder this phrase, the risen Christ’s words to the Church in Laodicea come to mind:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your sinful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. THOSE WHOM I LOVE I REBUKE AND DISCIPLINE. So be earnest and repent. Here I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:15-20

At first glance this does not sound like much of a love letter. However, Jesus clarifies his motives: He rebukes and disciplines those he loves. He states his intentions: to persuade us to open the door so we can fellowship with him. There can be no intimacy without conflict. Conflict-free relationships are neither hot nor cold—they are lukewarm. Lukewarm relationships are not real, whether with God or people. Jesus is saying to the church (today?): “Get real or move on!”

So Paul’s reminder to “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom” fully aligns itself with the heart of Jesus for his church. Biblical wisdom keeps in view the holiness of God, and the brokenness of the world including those who dwell in it. It looks not to doom and gloom, nor to unrealistic optimistic denial, but focuses on the realities of a stumbling, bumbling band of vagabonds who need desperately to be taught and admonished on the road home to intimacy with God and others. Through these means, He will complete in us the good things He has started. And that’s an optimism we can count on.

“In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:4-5

The Message of Christ

2012-05-03T08:21:00.002-06:00

In Colossians 3, Paul encourages his readers to allow the message of Christ to dwell among them richly. This is an interesting turn of phrase. If we have heard it for years, we may acknowledge how spiritual it sounds, without giving it much thought. I appreciate what it says, as well as what it does not say. It does not give us an option of marginalizing Jesus’ message of grace and truth in our lives. He wants to dwell among us richly. This is the way of peace with God and one another, though not necessarily with the world. The message (logos) is technically the written word, so here refers to what we have in scriptures about the life, purpose and teachings of Jesus. The logos of Jesus is his recorded heritage (lineage of David), his purpose (to bring grace and truth), his sacrificial example and atonement (see Philippians 2), and his redemptive power over our lives and eternal destinies.

A community of believers who remain focused on and thankful for such things will not be divided by controversy and power struggles. The peace of Christ will rule (umpire) their interactions with one another. They will be clothed and draped with the qualities Paul emphasizes in the previous verses: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. They will bear with one another, forgiving each other. They will, above all, wear their love on their sleeves. And they will be thankful.

How often do we stop to acknowledge and appreciate the logos of Jesus for us? A friend of mine recently asked a startling question, rather out of the blue: “Remember when we were nothing?” Because of the logos of Jesus we are now sons of God. We have full access to the throne of God to find grace to help in time of need. We are no longer motivated by fear, knowing we are saved by grace. Our hearts respond with willing obedience, and find ready forgiveness when we stumble. We are also freed from the bondage of sin in its obvious (overt) forms and in its more insidious (hidden) forms, especially pride and self-righteousness. Peter links qualities of kindness and perseverance (among others) to remembering our redemption (see below). The gospel is about far more than saving us from hell fire and damnation. It saves us from ourselves.

I for one am so grateful for the logos of Christ in its entirety. We are indeed set free. Our chains are gone. We are free to love God and others, as we cooperate with the Spirit of God to remove any obstacle to His work in and through us. Let’s let the logos dwell among us richly. It is the guide map and the destination on the road home to intimacy with God and others.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly …” Colossians 3:16

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that the has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Pet. 1:5-7)

And Be Thankful

2012-04-26T08:19:00.000-06:00

It appears almost as an afterthought. It is one of those points you wish you could ask him to clarify: Why there? Paul has just reminded the Colossians to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving just as the Lord forgave them. Over all these virtues they are to put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. They are to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts (for they were called to peace). And there it is, a three word sentence: “And be thankful.” Col. 3:15

It is not the only time Paul linked gratitude to peace. In his letter to the Philippians, he reminded them:

“Do not be anxious (do not go on being anxious), but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6 (parentheses mine).
The Holy Spirit inspired these appearances of thankfulness (gratitude) and peace in the same context for good reasons. In the Philippians passage, Paul elaborates that when their minds dwell in the place where they are focused on things that are right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, and act accordingly, the God of peace will be with them. Of course, God’s presence in our lives is not contingent upon our behaviors, or even our attitudes. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Paul is here underlining the fact that our God is a God of peace, and when our hearts are aligned with his heart, we are unified with him in intent and purpose. What a place to be!

The reverse point is worth visiting. When we are dwelling on the negative, focusing on the things that are wrong, impure, ugly, disreputable, gossip-worthy, etc., there is no room for the peace of Christ. We are not “with” the God of peace. We are working at cross-purposes with him. In this sense, we are not “with” him. We are against him.

No wonder negativity drains us so! Our minds, hearts, souls and spirits are not working in accordance with the heart of God. You can only move a refrigerator so far from its power source before it becomes unplugged. Similarly, when we dwell in the negative and drink in the dark, we can unplug ourselves from the empowering Spirit; he will not enable us to do the things that are not in accordance with his will. And that is an exhausting place to live. The negative ripple effect can devastate our horizontal relationships as well. Whatever is not of the Spirit is of flesh. Life in the flesh is selfishness, and the fruits of selfishness are disharmony, separation and resentment.

The three word phrase, “And be thankful,” is no accident. Paul did not add it as an afterthought as if to say, “Oh yeah, remember to thank God,” before moving on to more pressing matters; not at all. He was slipping us an important key. One of the main ways we can let (God is a gentleman; we have a choice) the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, is to be thankful.

Whatever is happening in your life right now, it’s a pretty fair bet it is a mixed hand. You are probably looking at some good cards and some… you would rather trade in. It’s not that the “bad cards” are not there. It’s that we are so easily focused on them that we can forget to play our hand constructively.

Remember where you have come from, and who has brought you this far. Remember where you are going. To say that, if you are redeemed through faith in Christ, your future is bright is a laughable understatement! Someday, sooner than we think, the negatives will be wiped away. The things that are right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy will endure forever. And you will live in his loving presence forever. Dwell on these things. And be thankful.

Sovereign Peace

2012-04-19T08:51:00.000-06:00

The process of selecting a leader for our country surrounds us. Over the next several months candidates will bombard us with messages about their character and competence, and the lack of same in their opponents. Their goal is to become the supreme leader of our country, to exercise control and influence, presumably for the good of the people.

In our hearts, a similar campaign emerges. Priorities and goals jockey for position. Some are obvious: jobs, marriages, families, houses and cars. Others go unnoticed unless one has been trained, as Paul is training his readers in the third chapter of the book of Colossians. He has laid a foundation, reminding us that we who follow Christ are to take off the old self and its practices, and are to set our minds on spiritual things, not the things of this world. We are to get rid of the things of the old self, many of them attitudes and resulting emotional states: anger, malice, slander, sexual immorality, impurity, lust evil desires and greed. In saying that we should get rid of “all things as these” that Paul is giving these as examples, and not an exhaustive list. The point is there are many attitudes that compete for the leadership of our hearts. Most of them are expressions of the old selfish self.

Having given so many examples of these competing priorities and motivations, Paul now crowns his persuasion with these words:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” Colossians 3:15

There is a throne in your heart and someone reigns there. The natural by default ruler is the old self with its selfish motivations (greed, lust, malice, impurity, etc.) Paul assures us there is a better way and a better Ruler. If we let Christ rule there, peace results and we are able to wear the qualities of Christ on our sleeves, so to speak. Paul has given us examples of these qualities in verses 12-14: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, perseverance, forgiveness, all bound together with agape love.

At any given moment we are letting one or the other of these ways of being rule in our hearts. As I meditated on this verse over the course of weeks and months, I asked myself: What if I REALLY believed this? What if, rather than passing over the verse and calling it a beautiful thought, I actually let the peace of Christ rule in my heart? As trying circumstances presented themselves, I had opportunity to allow the old self (malice, anger) to rule in my heart. The other option became increasingly clear as the Holy Spirit asked me:

“What if the peace of Christ ruled in THIS situation? What would be different in your thoughts, motivations and actions? How would these change the way you feel and act right now?”

This single verse has been life changing. It has freed me from the bondage of an old way of life that I had allowed to share sovereignty (rule) in my heart. By first imagining what the rule of the peace of Christ would look like in my life on any given day, longing for it, seeking and cooperating with it, I have been able to experience and share the peace of Christ more consistently than ever before.

There is a throne in your heart. There is room for only one there. Today, who will it be?

Put On Love

2012-03-20T08:42:00.003-06:00

When I was growing up, there was an idiom that said if something was fake, it was “put on.” The idea was close to the Greek concept of hupcrites (hypocrite) literally from behind a mask. The person was putting on a front to project an image quite different than the person seen behind closed doors. The attitudes and behaviors of the public setting were in stark contrast to those exhibited when no one “important” was looking.

In practice, “put on love” does more harm than good. How many adult children fall away from the church because they have witnessed put on love in their parents week after week. Sweet smiles and docile tones give way to critical words and resentment over the dinner table. Put on love communicates to children that we do not really believe what we profess in public. It is not a huge leap for them to decide we do not really believe the rest of it either… the identity of Jesus, the inerrancy of scripture, the bodily resurrection, the plan of salvation. Out goes the bathwater of our “put on love,” and with it, the baby.

The apostle Paul meant something altogether different when he said:
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

Here the adjective (describing words) “put on” become verbs (action words). We are to take action and wear our love for one another (hence God) on our sleeves, so to speak. This outer garment of love does not mask bitter envy and all of its offspring, rather it is the flourishing, unifying force that ties together the inner virtues: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (vs. 12). This passage reminds of another, better known one that refers to the fruit (singular) of the Spirit: LOVE, manifested as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

In these two passages we see that the love that flows from God (agape) is both the beginning (fruit) and the end (evidence) of our personal relationship with God. His indwelling Spirit brings about fruit and that fruit is not hidden. Love is not only evident but it is the unifying force that binds it all together and keeps it in balance, so to speak. It is the filter through which all we are and all we do is passed. Even the right things and the greatest gifts are meaningless without love as a source (1 Corinthians 13).

Love matters. Love is what brought Jesus to the world to shine a light in the darkness. Love is what keeps the hands of the Shepherd tightly and lovingly upon his sheep. Love covers a multitude of sins. Aren’t you glad?

Each day as you begin, put on love. It’s the most attractive thing you will ever wear. It looks just like Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Bear With One Another

2012-03-13T09:33:00.004-06:00

Having laid the broad and sure foundation that his readers have come into newness of life based on shared faith in Christ, having put aside prejudices for Christ’s sake in order to find that their focus and goal is “things above,” so that they may clothe themselves in the fruit of the Spirit, Paul is about to get practical. Now it gets down to where we live. His next exhortation is that we should:

“Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” Colossians 3:13

Of the 14 or so Greek words translated for “bear” in the New Testament, Paul here chose anechomai, defined as: “to hold up against a thing and so to bear with it.” I absolutely love the honesty of this word. He might have chosen kinder words for “bear” including ones that imply bearing one another’s burdens or even lovingly bearing one another through hard times. While those words are certainly used elsewhere, Paul here dives from the sublime (set your eyes on things above) to the harsh realities of living together in our fallen state-- with the clear admonition to put up with one another. If we are honest, isn’t that sometimes our biggest challenge in the Body of Christ, the Church?

Each of us has an inner compass that drives us to be gods of our own little lives. Each little god has a will, desire and designs of its own. It should come as little surprise that our little gods do not always get along so well. When the will, desires and designs of our little gods collide, we have conflict. Without grace and Spirit, there is chaos. To the degree that we allow “the peace that comes from Christ” to “rule in (our) hearts” there is unity of purpose. Just as we have been forgiven by God, we are to forgive one another whatever grievances we may have against one another. See “Love and Remembering Wrongs” in this blog for what I hope is a fair and realistic view of forgiveness.

The implication of what Paul is saying about bearing with one another, in context, is this:

In light of all that Christ has done for you and given you (new and eternal life, eternal rewards and the assistance of Spirit in this life) put aside everything that is petty. By comparison, whatever grievances we have with one another are not worth holding onto. Let them go!

There is room for only One on the throne of your life. If we clutter it with grievances, sins or material concerns, there is no room for Him there. And where there is no room for Him, there is no room for his peace. The choice is yours… choose wisely!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Clothed in Patience

2012-03-06T07:23:00.002-07:00

In addition to compassion, kindness, humility and gentleness, the Apostle Paul encourages us to clothe ourselves in patience. It seems that the endurance of the other qualities depends on our ability to hang in there when progress seems slow to non-existent. The rest accomplish little unless we are ready to patiently endure the process of spiritual growth as we encourage one another on toward maturity.

“Patience is a virtue” is undoubtedly the most cliché’ of all cultural sayings about said state of mind. It is drilled into us (or used to be) as a ready reminder to chill when things move slowly (or not at all). Over the last decade or so, patience has become one of the forgotten virtues. The marketing of “instant everything” from soup to messaging has implied impatience into our lives. We are put out when road construction causes us to drive a few blocks out of our way, forgetting that many people in the world would consider an automobile ride an extreme luxury.

In scripture, patience is one of those values that weaves its way into some of the most significant listings, including the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5) and the evidence of agape love (1 Corinthians 13). Its presence demonstrates our sanctification (as it goes against our selfish human nature) and shows to those around us the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. As His agape does its work within, it flows out of us onto and into others… if we clothe ourselves in patience.

Several years ago, our little town began to exhibit growth. Not all of this growth was convenient. The days of being able to accomplish 3 errands in 30 minutes were gone. I found myself feeling impatient when store personnel were slow or unresponsive, talking to their friends as opposed to moving customers on through the line. However, I felt convicted that if I act like a jerk on Thursday (for example) and praise God on the platform on Sunday, I am giving others opportunity to stumble. They would be right to expect that my professed belief in God should call out better things in me than fleshly impatience. So I asked God to help me with this, for the sake of the Name.

First, I did what I could to set more realistic goals. Taking into account the fact that more people = more traffic and lines at the checkout, I decided not to try to run an errand in less than 45 minutes. If things go smoothly, I can squeeze in a second errand, but that is a luxury, not an entitlement. I also tried to adjust my thinking from selfishness (these people are in my way, slowing me down) to compassion and relationship. Such questions as these replaced selfish thoughts: What if this is truly the best the other person can do? What might they be going through in their lives today? How can I offer them Jesus in a meaningful way right here and now? What can I learn from their lack of urgency (impatience)? What qualities is God trying to teach me through these circumstances? How can I be a living sacrifice in this circumstnace? What would God do with me if I could let go of impatience? The possible questions and alternative perspectives are endless… and so are the resulting emotional responses.

These thoughts keep me busy while I am waiting in line. My mind “unclenches” and I remember not to sweat the small stuff. I remember that people, even those I do not know, are more important than my personal goals and time lines. Since I have combined these practices (outer choices, prayer and inner perspective) I have been thanked by many people for showing patience. It is not mine, but it is becoming a part of me as Christ transforms and clothes me in His Spirit. It’s just another crucial step along the way on the road home to intimacy with God and others.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in … patience.” Colossians 3:12

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” Galatians 5:22

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to he pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

2012-02-13T09:19:00.004-07:00

Brief, interesting interview of Michael Horton regarding the "evolution" of Christianity in the United States. This is a must see for everyone who loves grace and truth.

Clothed in Gentleness

2012-01-31T09:42:00.004-07:00

Gentle has a bad reputation these days. Gentle is for babies, as in, “Jimmy be gentle with your baby sister.” Women are expected to be gentle, and men are expected to be anything but… unless moving the grandfather clock or the china cabinet. Gentle is not something most of us aspire to. When is the last time you wanted to cultivate a reputation as gentle?

Yet Paul, the former raging persecutor of Christians, refers to it in Colossians 3 as something all Christians should wrap themselves in before heading out each day. It is one of the attributes we are to choose to clothe ourselves in. It should be visible. It should move with us and follow us wherever we go. He refers to it in other key passages as well. It is a characteristic of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1). He encourages the Philippians to be gentle, for the Lord is near (4:5). It is evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, agape (Galatians 5:23). In a dozen passages, the New Testament holds up gentleness as a virtue.

Gentleness. Who knew. Of the several Greek words for gentleness, Paul here uses prautes, which is often linked with humility and follows it directly in both Ephesians 4:2 and here in Colossians 3:12. In the KJV it was translated as meekness, but the meaning of English words has shifted significantly since that translation was made. Vine’s Expository dictionary describes it as a word that took on special spiritual significance in the Christian community. It referred to an “inwrought grace of the soul,” going on to describe it as absolute submission to the will of God.

Presumably, this quality and attitude makes us easier for the general public to deal with as well. We are not fighting things, rather, we are submitting to God’s will, and going with it. We are trusting that God has things covered, therefore, we are not hostile and defensive. We are submissive before God and gentle with others.

I heard somewhere that, in contrast to weakness, biblical gentleness is “controlled strength.” I picture a hand, strong enough to crush a rock in its grip, holding a dove with just enough firmness to control it without harming it. This certainly fits in the case of Jesus.

Jesus walked on dirt, hot and rough, sweating and being sweated upon by the steamy crowds. But he did so gently. He had the best interest of each other person at heart. He wanted to make an impact, not to run roughshod over people to accomplish his agenda. He was concerned for us, which was motivation for being here in the first place (in accordance with the will of the Father). He was strong, but constructive. The only thing in people he tore down was pride. He met sinners where they were, loved them as they were, but loved them too much to leave them that way. He restored them gently.

So, the question is, as usual: What would be different if we walked through our days with gentleness? Certainly we would not become wispy characters floating above the crowds with transcendental grace. We would join Jesus on the dirty, sweaty road, but do so with the best interest of others always before us.

We need not fear gentleness. It will not make us weak. It will make us more like our Master. It will lighten someone else’s load on the road home.

“Clothe yourselves in … gentleness.” Colossians 3:12

Clothed in Humility

2012-01-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Christmas Eve Service at our church included a play this year. It was comprised of a group of friends discussing Christmas Movies, and then sliding in and out of characters in the movies. What I wanted to mention here, especially, was the wardrobe. The male and female cast was asked to wear black slacks, shoes socks and belts. Each person was then to wear a “jewel tone” shirt of a different color. The reasoning went like this. The six of us would be moving around on the stage, changing roles quickly, and the different colors would help the audience to keep us straight. Our core identities would be easily identified, even though we were literally changing hats and parts every few minutes. Our clothing helped identify us to the audience.

Paul encouraged the Colossians to take careful thought as to the attitudes they clothed themselves in day to day. In our lives, most of us wear various hats these days. Whatever hat we are wearing, these qualities are to remain as our basic wardrobe. Being clothed in them shows us to the watching world as identified with Christ in newness of life. The last couple of blog posts have addressed some of these: compassion and kindness. Another is humility.

When Paul wrote the letter, some in the church at Colosse were caught up in man-made religions that promoted such practices as self-made rules (legalism), discipline of the body (asceticism), and seeking visions (mysticism). This search led to pride in their self-centered efforts. Paul now reminded them of the one they were united with, Jesus, and exhorted them to be wrapped in the qualities of his being. One of these is prides opposite—humility.

Humility is not (as commonly misunderstood) the practice of underestimating oneself. Speaking lowly of ourselves, I believe, is putting down God’s handiwork. Each person was created to be as unique as a snowflake, and the uniqueness demonstrates the exquisite beauty of a God who loves variety. It is people who enforce the concept of a particular mold and try to force everyone into it. The concept of a perfect body (which ideal changes with the decades) and the idea of a particular personality as being superior are not ideas that are taught in scripture. To the contrary, it clearly teaches that God sees the heart. He cares about that. He chose some of the most unlikely, least qualified people to carry out his plan. He passed by the handsome in favor of the humble. Humble hearts see the needs of others as more important than their own, just as Jesus modeled for us.

Humility includes knowing who we are, and who we aren’t. Romans 12 says not to overestimate ourselves because each has a gift and a role in the Kingdom of God. None of us is self-sufficient. We are created to be inter-dependent. No person’s role is more or less essential than another’s. Our model for humility is Jesus himself. He was seated at the right hand of God in heaven, but humbled himself, not thinking that equality with God was all important, and became a lowly man who submitted himself to the will of God the Father, all the way to the cross. (Philippians 2:5-11). These two things, knowing our identity and role and submission to the will of God will get us in the ball park of humility. Becoming Christ-like as we mature spiritually will get us ever closer to home plate.

Paul has already reminded us who we are: God’s chosen people, set apart and dearly loved. Our challenge here is to put on the humility of Christ on a daily basis, asking God to show us opportunities to serve. Our mindset: “How can I be truly helpful?”

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in … humility.” Colossians 3:12

Clothed in Kindness

2012-01-17T09:16:00.002-07:00

I recently read a note from a friend who is a mentor to many. Her life and ministry are about meeting people where they are and encouraging them forward (in their writing). Her note said: “My day goes so much better when I look for people I can encourage specifically.” This kind hearted attitude has gleaned her thousands of followers. More importantly, many of these people are nurtured (not coddled) in their development as writers and human beings.

In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul encourages his readers to clothe themselves in various qualities of the heart. The first was compassion. Today, we look at the second, kindness. Vine’s Expository Dictionary offers several interpretations of the root word (crestos): “serviceable, good, pleasant (of things), good, gracious, kind (of persons)." Here the word is a derivative, (crestotes), “used of goodness of the heart, translated ‘ kindess’ in 2 Cor. 6:6, Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:7; Col. 3:12; Tit. 3:4.” To the Greek reader, to whom Paul was writing, kindness carried an understanding of good heartedness, resulting in kind actions.

Paul’s use of “clothe yourselves” is not intended to imply that we are putting on some exterior show, posing and preening. He means to say that we are to wrap ourselves in these qualities, to put them on, to let them accompany us and be evident to others as we go through our days. We are to take thought to what attitudes we put on each day, as with clothing.

These are not behaviors only evident in us when we have and audience of onlookers. There are other words for kindness in the Greek, but Paul chose this one, which carries a deeper meaning of “good hearted.” These kind acts are not for show (and gaining approval). They are from the heart.

At any given moment, we are making choices of the heart. We may be coming from a place of self-centered motivations. We want what we want, when we want it. We become impatient and annoyed with those who slow us down or block our progress toward our self-centered goals. We clothe ourselves in selfishness. We may achieve our goals. We may even have a cheering audience to drench us in approval. But relationship is lacking. We carry our trophies home to an empty heart.

Or, we can choose goodness of heart. We can enter our days, like my friend, looking for opportunities to bless others. People are starving for some kindness from the heart. People notice when good things are done for them or kind words are spoken with no ulterior motives but to bless them.

The gospel of Christ would go farther, if we were clothing ourselves in kindness as we go out into this world. The world is not interested in our dogma until it sees goodness in our hearts. The announcement from the angels was not a doctrinal treatise, it was a bold and open expression of God’s good will toward men.

Along with compassion, clothe yourself in kindness today. Let the attitude of your heart be: “How can I be truly helpful?” The road home will be a little warmer and your Father will smile.

“Clothe yourselves in …kindness…” Col. 3:12

Clothed in Compassion

2012-01-10T09:38:00.001-07:00

One of the more interesting things I learned, early in marriage, is the importance of what a woman wears. Personally, from the time I get out of the shower to fully dressed takes about 15 minutes, and I do not consider myself a morning person. Imagine my surprise, as a young husband, when my wife got dressed for church as many as 3 times because she was not satisfied with “the look” reflected back in the mirror. She is not a vain person, but takes care to project a Godly image that enhances her considerable charms. Apparently how we are clothed is more important than I realized. What we are clothed in wraps around us, embraces us, and is a big part of what others see of us. We put it on and it becomes part of our persona. There are now reality shows on TV, entire programs dedicated to clothing oneself thoughtfully.

The Apostle Paul was, one assumes, not that much into fashion. In his letters he encouraged the women of certain churches to tone it down a bit, and let the beauty of the Spirit shine through them. This is the sum total of his fashion advice. But he did talk about how we clothe ourselves in other ways.

In Colossians 3, we have been looking at the implications of newness of life in Christ. The new life purges some behaviors and attitudes. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, all forms of idolatry, anger, rage, malice, and filthy language are to be done away with. Pride in one’s race, culture, or socio-economic standing becomes meaningless in newness of life. Christ is all that matters, and he is in every believer, so we should hold one another in highest respect and honor. When we treat one another in a given way (well or poorly) we are doing it to Jesus.

Now Paul moves into more positive territory. If we are to purge the above mentioned attitudes and behaviors, there are other things we are to “put on.” We are to clothe ourselves in a number of things. We are to do so, firmly assured of our identity before God. We are chosen, set apart and dearly loved. From this sure identity, we are not to take on just another form of pride, as religious people do. We are instead to show the same characteristics as the God who chose, set apart, and dearly loved us. Today, we look at the first of these characteristics, which is compassion:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion…” Colossians 3:12

The word translated compassion (oiktirmos) is used in conjunction with another word (spanchnon) to denote the “viscera, the inward parts, as the seat of emotion, ‘the heart.’” It might be rendered, “a heart of compassion.” The same word is translated “mercies” in Romans 12:1. Paul is encouraging the readers to clothe themselves with a heart of compassionate mercy.

One of the down sides of the attention given to the study of spiritual gifts in recent decades is an unfortunate tendency on the part of some to let themselves off the hook for the things not pertinent to their particular gift. This is not the case, according to Paul. For examples, one who does not have a gift of evangelism is still called to share the good news, and one who does not have a gift of giving is expected to give generously from the heart. So too, one who does not have a gift of mercy is exhorted to clothe himself/herself with a heart of compassion. We all are commanded to show mercy. The word is not the same as the Greek word (sumpathes) from which we get our word sympathy. More than a feeling, (oiktirmos) denotes an attitude that leads to compassionate, merciful and helpful acts. This is the heart of the Father, especially evident in the life of the Son, Jesus Christ. (See Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34).

The challenge this verse presents to me, and I pass on to you, is this: In any given encounter, what would I say or do differently truly if clothed in compassion? Might I risk being taken advantage of by the “panhandler” in the parking lot? Would I be more understanding with the new clerk in the store? Might I take an extra 30 minutes to shovel the snow for an ailing neighbor who does not particularly like me? Would I more readily forgive someone who has betrayed me, even when they are not asking? Would my driving habits change? The applications and implications of putting on a heart of compassion are endless.

Compassion, in this sense, is an opposite to selfishness. We are not holding on to our resources (material, emotional, spiritual) but sharing them freely. May we be covered by the dust of his sandals because we follow Him so closely, on this, our road home.

“The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

The Sign Above the Gate

2012-01-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

The third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians continues with a call to unity, in spite of cultural distinctions and traditional prejudices:
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Vs. 11

Today’s reader misses the impact of Paul’s statement here, unless the reader understands the distinctions to which the writer refers. The racial and cultural differences between the groups mentioned were held to be miles (we might say, light years) apart. Paul himself was reared in the Jewish tradition that Jews were God’s darlings and gentiles (often referred to in the general category of Greeks) were called, by comparison, “dogs.” The reference to circumcised (Jews) versus uncircumcised (gentiles) is a reiteration, but had deep meaning within the early church as some (including the apostle Peter early on) felt that those coming to Christ needed to be circumcised to become part of the family of God. Paul here asserts, there is no chosen race, and no distinction needed to be made to separate one people from another (the lineage of the Messiah was a priority now accomplished). The Jews were not the only ones with exclusivist ideas. By saying there is no barbarian, Paul is reminding the Greeks that their pride was not valid either. A barbarian was anyone who did not speak Greek, and was generally thought of as uncivilized. Similarly, Scythians were characterized by others as being little better than savage beasts, and were thought of as brutes. Slaves and free people were thought of as the owned (property) and the owner.

Today, we might say “duh” to such distinctions, finding them backwards and primitive. Yet in this country we have owned one another and dominated races that got in the way of the manifestation of what we believed to be our destiny. I have counseled minorities who bore testimony that prejudice is alive and well, and I am not talking about such debatable things as job promotions. I know people who live in fear right now, because they were born into a minority race. And there are other distinctions by which we pigeon-hole one another, such as education, upbringing, regions of the country, socio-economic prejudices that run both ways. It is more subtle, and not necessarily mean- spirited, to even characterize local bodies of Christ based on stereotypes of the people who go there. In my own community, we may talk about a certain church being “the farmer’s church,” or the “cool church,” or a “yuppie church,” for examples. When such distinctions create false barriers that God never intended, we are off track. God does not see such distinctions, or if he does, he enjoys the diversity of people and does not value one over the other. I am aware of how “diversity” has been taken too far, to imply there are no rights or wrongs any more. That was not Paul’s message, and it is not mine. The distinctions God hates are those by which one social group judges and looks down upon, even de-humanizes another, in order to feel superior. When this is done in God’s name, God help us!

The old saying, “ The ground is level at the foot of the cross,” is true. No group of people is superior in God’s sight to another. No one is better than anyone else, though some have strengths or talents that bring them more recognition and praise from other people. It took the same sacrifice for sins for each of us. If God is so inclusive, so should we be as the body of Christ. Everyone is welcomed to the banquet. Christ’s kingdom is not a country club. Above the gate, the sign reads clearly,"Christ is all, and in all."

New Life, New Words

2011-12-28T09:37:00.010-07:00

Paul, in Colossians 3:5-6, has just underlined the seriousness of sin in the eyes of God, highlighting those driven by the “earthly nature” (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which he called idolatry). Because of such things, he reminds us, the wrath of God is coming. God is dead serious about sin. It deserves his wrath. Verse 7 seems to be a transitional statement, tying together these admonitions with those that are about to follow in verses 8-10:

7. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8. But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9. Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off you old self, with its practices
10. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

The sins of the tongue fall at the end of the list, possibly because it is often the last thing most of us learn to bring into subjection under Christ. The former list (vv. 3-5) includes sins most young Christians struggle to leave behind. Though the urges and struggles linger, most Christians leave behind immoral lifestyles and earthly lusts early in their growth. The tongue, however, is a different matter.

Driven by inner springs of anger, malice and rage (selfishness, judgmentalism, self-righteousness) the tongue expresses its venomous intents through such avenues as "slander, vulgar language and lies." These sins of the tongue are listed in the same paragraph and context as those sins generally considered as "gross" in the Christian community. God takes the sins of the tongue no less seriously than those committed by other parts of the body. Jesus taught that the content of a person’s heart is manifested in the words of his/her mouth (Matthew 12:34). James says that the man who controls his tongue is able to keep the whole body in check (James 3:2). Paul, in a rare admonition to exclude a sinner from fellowship, admonishes his readers to “have nothing to do with” the divisive person who has been twice warned (Titus 3:10). The tongue also has great power for good, and many of the gifts of the Spirit are manifested in the tongue which is fully yielded to Him (Romans 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Corinthians 13).

We, in the church of today, need to get this message. It is past time for us to leave behind the kind of thinking that dismisses sins of the tongue as “just words.” God’s Word is clear. “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6). More damage can be caused by a spark than by a sledge hammer. A spark set off by the tongue can devastate marriages, split churches and destroy the testimony of an otherwise powerful Christian walk.

The world hears our words and dismisses Christianity as just another game people play, saying “Why do I need the same gossip, slander and selfishness that I find everywhere else in the world? At least most people outside the church are honest about where they are coming from. You see it coming. But when a Christian says ‘I love you,’ then stabs you in the back, it’s a whole other world of betrayal. Who needs it? ” Even the world recognizes hypocrisy when we display it. God finds no pleasure in our praises when we use the same mouths to run one another down. (James 3:9-10).

Our power to overcome the tongue lies in the same truth that sets us free from immorality (vs. 5). We have died to the world, to its motives and intentions. We are raised with Christ to newness of life. This includes the way we use our words. New life generates new words.

Let’s submit our bodies, including our tongues, to God, as living sacrifices. This is dead serious. Eternal destinies hinge on how we use our tongues. We are playing with matches. With them, let’s not destroy the world with venom from our hearts. Rather, empowered by the Spirit, let’s set the world on fire with the power of God’s Word.

The Light of Men

2011-12-22T08:31:00.001-07:00

At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jews had been under Roman rule since 63 BC. Luke records that Caesar Augustus proclaimed that the whole empire should be enrolled for tax purposes. Each person was to go to his ancestral city. Without understanding it, Caesar was fulfilling the prophecy of Micah that God’s appointed ruler for Israel would come out of Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary went to the city of David, because Joseph was a member of the tribe of Judah (probably Mary as well). Her son, Jesus, would be born with the full endorsement of prophecy and Davidic rank—He would have the rightful claim to the throne of David.

Matthew states that Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married. At the time, engagement was a binding arrangement, a man could call his fiancé “wife”, and it was assumed that the couple would be married (Matt. 1:20). Before they were legally united in marriage, Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant. To him, this could only mean she had been with another man. As a man of justice, he sought to divorce her. As a man of mercy, he sought to do so privately. At that point in time, God intervened in a dream and revealed to Joseph that the child was conceived by the Spirit of God, and told Joseph to marry her. He obeyed, giving Jesus full legal status before the law, as their legitimate son.

Previously, as recorded in Luke, the angel Gabriel came to Mary with a message. Calling her “favored one,” he proceeded to tell her that she would give birth to the Son of God. He would save people from their sins and be called the Son of the Highest. Apparently thinking in the normal framework of how births occur, she was incredulous. However, the angel clarified “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and for that reason, the holy offspring will be called the Son of God.” Ultimately, he reminded Mary that to God, nothing is impossible. Her ultimate response was, “Let it be unto me according to your word.”

Mary must have treasured this in her heart, reflecting on this event as they traveled to Bethlehem. Her encounter with Elizabeth, soon to be Mother of John the Baptizer, may also have brought her comfort. Elizabeth’s unborn babe leaped for joy in the womb as the unborn child of Mary approached. What must she have expected as a suitable place for the birth of the Son of the Highest?

She must have been surprised to hear “There is no room in the inn.” Their resting place was a lowly manger where the livestock was kept. Whether or not she realized it, a pattern was emerging. She was a very young woman of low social stature. Bethlehem was a mere village, not held in high esteem. His birth was first announced to shepherds, not the religious or social hierarchy. When He laid aside his riches in Glory, He stooped to the most humble social position in the human race. He was also identified with the poor in his birth, in that the Shepherds were the first to hear the announcement.

Only later, were wise noblemen from the East guided to Him by a star. Their question upon arrival at Jerusalem in Matthew, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” caused a very different reaction in King Herod who feared a rival was born. The scribes, apparently dispassionate, told Herod that according to Micah’s prophecy, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Leaving Jerusalem, the wise men were guided once more by the star. Apparently, no one from Jerusalem cared enough to follow them. This apathy toward the King of Kings was to be a pattern seen in the religious establishment of Jesus’ day. The only interest they showed was due to his potential threat to their superiority and position.

Some things have changed very little. The difference between "religion" and true relationship with God through Jesus continues to be divided by misunderstanding and a broad gulf of motivations. The former guards its position of power and superiority, looking down on those around it in contempt. The latter recognizes the level ground at the foot of the cross and bends knee to worship the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, born, not in a palace and carried on a steed, but brought to life in a manger amid the muck and mire of a fallen world... where the rest of us live and die.

He found us where we were, broken and imperfect, confused, on the road to destruction. He shined a light in the darkness to show us a better way, a road home, to intimacy with God and others. The way he came to show us is the way of love. We love, because he loved us first.

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

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men." John 1:4

Good News

2011-12-20T08:15:00.001-07:00

Because the writers of the gospels wrote from various perspectives with different purposes in mind, it is difficult to establish the chronology of much of the content of the gospel accounts. Of the roughly three years of Jesus’ ministry, only about 30 days of actual activity are specifically recorded. By cross-referencing the content of the gospels, we can get a somewhat broader perspective.

The English word gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon god spell, or good tidings. It is a literal translation of the Greek “eueaggelion” which originally meant “a reward for bringing good news” and eventually “good news” itself. The term in the New Testament has come to represent God’s plan for reconciling humankind to Himself through salvation and sanctification. Although Matthew, Mark, Luke and John differ in detail, they show remarkable agreement on the general flow of Jesus’ ministry, teaching, and supernatural character. They have been accepted from the earliest church period as sacred, authoritative accounts of His life and teaching.

Historical readings indicate that Matthew was the most revered and read of the four Gospels. It is considered the teaching Gospel. It concerns itself with the appearing of the Promised Savior and King (beginning with the genealogy). A unique feature is that it uses the word “church,” and is sometimes referred to as the Gospel of the Church for that reason. Matthew shows specifically that Christianity is the fulfillment of the Old Testament revelation.

The shortest Gospel, Mark, depicts Jesus as Servant. It contains very little of the teachings of Jesus. Nothing is recorded of his birth and childhood. A genealogy is not necessary to make the case of a servant. Beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist, it goes directly to Jesus’ public ministry. It ends with the death and resurrection of Jesus, and shows Jesus as a humble servant and a powerful Savior. Most likely written in Rome, it is concerned with Jesus as suffering Servant and mighty Conqueror. Focusing on servanthood, Mark lists only 18 miracles.

Luke shines the spotlight on the perfection of Jesus as man and Savior. Written to the Greeks, the genealogy extends to Adam (not Abraham). A feature of Luke is the honoring of women, including Anna, Martha and Mary. He includes many healings performed by Christ, something that Luke, as a physician would have found extremely remarkable. Other emphases include Christ’s attitude toward the poor and the great value of prayer.

John emphasizes Jesus as the Son of God. The Gospel is written to “all who will believe.” A key word for the Gospel of John is “relationship.” He exalts Jesus, and in the opening verses calls him God. His express purpose for writing is that the readers would continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that they would continue to have life in His name. The faith of believers was under attack by teachings that He was not really God in the flesh, and John wrote his Gospel to refute that teaching and to protect the faith of true believers. It is referred to as the spiritual Gospel, emphasizing the King, not the Kingdom.

Jesus Christ is the most significant and impacting human being who has ever lived. History hinges on Him, and is even divided by B.C and A.D. demarcations because of Him. When we speak of His life, we are referencing the writings of the Gospel writers. Only parts of his life are revealed in these writings. He has existed before time began, and was present at the creation of the universe (John 1:1-5). He had fellowship with Father and Spirit before the world existed.

He appeared to different people in the Old Testament as the Angel of Covenant. His appearing in person was foretold by Old Testament prophets. His fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the Gospels. When his work was finished here on Earth, he returned to the Father to take his place at the right hand of the Father in power and majesty (Heb. 1:3), where He now lives as our glorified Savior and Intercessor. He reigns over the Church on Earth through the Holy Spirit. He has promised to return to Earth to gather his people and to judge all humankind. In ages to come, He will be worshipped and adored by believers (saints) whom He has redeemed for eternal fellowship.

His ministry in the form of man was expansive. However, we have only what is recorded in the Gospels. The recorded story began in Palestine, a tiny country bordering the eastern Mediterranean. It was a crossroads of the world in Jesus’ time. The nation of Israel had lived there for centuries, as Jehovah’s servant. Intended to display the glory of Jehovah among the nations, Israel broke her covenant with the Lord through idolatry and disobedience.

Christ came to Israel and identified with his people. He was focused on reconciling God and humankind. When He proved Himself obedient unto death, God raised Him from the dead. Those who believed in Him began proclaiming the Gospel, the Good News of salvation. His enduring promise is to be with them until the end of time.

"But the angel said (to the shepherds), 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Matthew 2:10-11

The Wrath of God

2011-12-13T10:12:00.002-07:00

Colossians 3 continues with the argument that those things belonging to the earthly nature (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires , greed, which is idolatry), are to be put to death because the wrath of God is coming as a result of these things. Paul wants to emphasize the severity of sin from God’s point of view. He has no tolerance for it. His righteousness demands that sin be punished. His wrath is the consequence.

Not a popular subject in churches (or anywhere else these days) the wrath of God is woven throughout the Bible, including the New Testament. Those who have not studied the Bible much seem to think of God as a two-part God. The Old Testament God was a God of wrath, they believe; the New Testament God is a God of grace and mercy. These characterizations fail to grasp the complexities of God’s nature throughout human history. His nature has not changed. His plan for redemption of mankind is hinted at as early as the day Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden, when he promises Eve her offspring will crush the head of the serpent. In the New Testament (New Covenant) the grace of God is more fully explained, but it only makes sense against the dark backdrop of his wrath. Wrath is exactly what we are saved from, when we believe in Christ unto salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).

God’s wrath is not an impersonal system of checks and balances by which the universe or fate repays people for their deeds. Nor is it fitful, irrational anger. It carries no elements of vindictiveness or maliciousness. It is God’s holy, righteous indignation, directed against sin.

Some see God’s wrath as an expression of his holy love for people. Without wrath, his love is anemic, weak, frail and sentimental. There is no conviction and no passion, because there are no standards and God is there merely as a responder to our every whim. This places people in the perpetual state of infancy, and God in the permanent state of nursemaid. No mature, relationship with reciprocal expectations can emerge. Without wrath, mercy is meaningless (there is nothing we are spared). Without wrath, the Cross was a cruel and unnecessary experience for the Son.

All people are, by nature, children of wrath (Eph. 2:3) and deserving of God’s wrath. The wrath of God is now being partially revealed (Rom. 1:18) and will be fully revealed (1 Thes. 1:10). Since believers have been justified by faith, we will be saved from wrath, through him (Rom. 5:9). The love of God is demonstrated on the Cross, where the Son of God experienced wrath in our place.

The day of the Lord’s wrath (Zeph. 1:18) is seen as identical to the great day of the Lord (Zeph. 1:14). These terms refer to the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:6). At that time, the wrath of Jesus Christ will fall on the ungodly at his Second Coming, many believe.

So, what good comes from thinking about the wrath of God, especially for the believer who has the promise of being rescued from that wrath? First, we need to remember to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10) which is NOT the same as earning our salvation, by demonstrating the evidence of new life within us. Secondly, if we are in loving relationship with the Father, this passage underlines how he feels about sin, and we will want nothing to do with it. We will want to put it to death. We will exterminate it at every turn.

“Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:6

Death and Life

2011-12-08T08:48:00.004-07:00

Imagine that you accept an invitation to a friend’s home. Once there, you find a house, beautifully designed and elegantly appointed. As you sit on the expensive sofa in front of the imported marble fireplace, you notice a movement out of the corner of your eye. Turning quickly, you realize, it is a large, shiny rat. He is sitting in the middle of the coffee table, eating the appetizers. The owner of the house glances at the rat and away, carrying on the conversation as if this were a common occurrence.

“So, is that your pet” you ask?

Slightly offended, “Hardly,” he replies!

“Then why is it here? And why are you letting it eat the snacks in the middle of the room?”

“Well,” your friend explains patiently, as if bringing you up to speed, “it used to be so much worse. There used to be about fifty of them. Nasty little critters they were, too. We woke up with them sniffing our faces all the time. They would bite the kids in their sleep. So, you see, we find the current situation so much more… manageable.”

And this is the approach we so often take to the sin in our lives. As long as it is less noticeable than before, or not a public embarrassment, or not leaving marks others can see, we are more or less OK with managing it. Paul, in Colossians 3, exhorts us, in light of our true position in Christ (alive in him, dead to this world) to put sin to death, once and for all. We are not to compromise with sin, or manage it, or to find a way to live with it in peaceful coexistence. We are to exterminate it.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” 3:5

More than a list of do’s and don’ts, this verse is the logical and spiritual conclusion of all that lies before it (and foundational to what follows). We have been raised with Christ, so we should set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. We are to set our minds on things above, not earthly things, for we have died to earthly things, and our true life is now hidden with Christ in God. We are not only to look up (to where he is seated by the Father), but also forward to his return, when his glory (and ours with him) will be completely revealed. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that we would exterminate sin. If we try to manage sin, it will manipulate and control us. It will become the centerpiece in our living room.

It is a helpful practice to keep looking up and forward in our struggle to put to death the desires of the sinful nature. If my vision of Christ with me is clear, I am unlikely to willfully offend him, though this is not impossible, I admit. If we look forward, we invest less in this world and invest more in the next. We do not indulge the earthly nature. We seek the things that last because we are focused on the final destination on our road home. Sin is a poor counterfeit for the things that truly fulfill, the things that endure. Let’s bury it and leave it there. Paul seems to believe this is possible. What if we believed it?

When He Appears

2011-12-06T09:03:00.001-07:00

Paul continues to encourage the Colossian church to keep their focus steadfastly on Jesus. He has already exhorted them to look up (where Christ is seated alone at the right hand of the Father). Now he encourages them to look forward. Their current status, and ours, is that we are dead to earthly things. They cannot fulfill us as we long for the appearing of the bridegroom, Christ. Our life, our purpose, our reason for being, our glory, is in him. Paul explains in verse 4, when Jesus appears, all of that will be revealed, with him, in his glory: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Our investment in the kingdom of God is a long term investment. Like most meaningful relationship exchanges, our relationship with God is not comparable to a vending machine purchase. We do not perform some ritual, say some prayer, spend some time in devotions, do some good deeds, and get something from God in return— right then. I believe this to be especially true if an immediate return is our motive. Our investment in meaningful relationships, including the one with God, is slow and steady, planting, watering, tending, weeding, watering, weeding, etc. and eventually, when we have almost forgotten the payoff, a harvest. As opposed to a vending machine, our kingdom investments can be more easily likened to a 401K. We keep doing the right things, even though the world and our emotions say we are fools at times, and eventually, a reward. Hopefully, as we mature, our growth and works are motivated by loving relationship, and the reward itself is all but forgotten anyway.

Exactly what the reward looks like, no one knows. I realize there have been some books written of late by people who attest to experiences of going to the other side and returning. Even my own supernatural and emotional experiences are questionable and I hold them as of secondary quality to the clarity of truth in God’s word. That being said, I think it is OK to speculate about heaven so long as we acknowledge that is what we are doing.

In terms of rewards, I like the analogy of going to a concert. Let’s say that a friend of mine has an extra ticket because his wife has to bail, so he invites me to go hear one of his favorite groups. He has followed the group from its earliest days, read the bios of each member, saved for the concert for a year, and looked forward to the concert for even longer. Now the day has arrived. I, on the other hand, have just heard of the group, am only marginally interested in them, and came along for the ride. We are both there. We are sitting side by side. In every external sense of the word, our experience is the same, but internally, our experience of the concert is worlds apart, because of our investments.

I suspect people’s experiences of the actual kingdom of heaven will be similar to the analogy. If we just “bought a ticket” and forgot about it until the day of our arrival (I realize this is a debatable option) it will be a far less rewarding experience than if we have looked up and forward throughout our lives. Look up, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. Look forward. The time is coming when he will be revealed in all his glory. We will be with him there. That is the true meaning and purpose of our journey on this, our road home.

“…When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Hidden With Christ

2011-12-01T08:23:00.006-07:00
Paul continues to the next logical step in his spiritual conclusion: “For you are dead, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God,” (Colossians 3:3). Now, taken out of context, read on its own, this verse can lead to some confusion. However, Paul has just laid a foundation: the believing readers have been raised with Christ and need to set their minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (vs.1). In light of this, they are to set their minds on things above, not the things of this world (vs. 2). So this is a transitional statement of sorts. Because of the realities just mentioned, they are dead to this world, to the tyranny of the flesh, and their new life is indeed hidden with Christ in God.

This hiddenness includes a sense of concealment and security. It carries meanings of invisibility (to those in the world) and safety. How do we reconcile this word hidden with Jesus’ insistence that the life of a true believer will be a "city on a hill, a lamp on a stand," impossible to hide in a dark world? I believe the truths of these two teachings are not mutually exclusive; they can coexist and even overlap. There is a sense in which the genuine follower of Christ cannot contain the springs of living water that flow from Him—they burst forth and have a ripple effect on those the believer touches in daily life. Jesus' presence is impossible to hide, in that sense. There is another perspective on hidden, however, in the sense that something is not fully unveiled. Something may be hidden, (Gr.krupto), in that it is yet fully revealed. The world may see the lamp on a stand, the city on a hill, the streams of living water, the evidence of Jesus in a believer’s life, without fully comprehending it (John 1:5). The full unveiling is yet to come when the bride, his church, stands before him, prepared for the wedding feast. The believer is not yet glorified, but his or her glory is hidden, just as Christ said he was going to a place where the world would not see him for a while(John 14:19).

To be hidden with Christ in God also implies security in the ultimate hiding place. Where, in this or any universe, can one find a safer place than to be hidden, than with Christ, in God? It is there our true life is hidden. This reminder is to help Paul’s readers rise above the philosophical wrangling of the culture and to find peace (inner and interpersonal). If they really believe that they are hidden in a place of ultimate security, they will be affected in their behaviors, relationships, and emotions. They will know and demonstrate peace (vs. 15).

What will be different when we really believe that this is our true position? Do we live, day to day, as if we are dead to this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the boastful pride of life? Is our life hidden with Christ in God, or are performing before men in order to receive praise from them now? Is our peace deeply rooted in our hiding place, with Christ, in God?

Rather than feel ashamed of any of the answers to these questions, I encourage you to spend some quiet time meditating on this verse. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you what will be different when you truly believe it with all your heart mind and soul. Ask Him to make you aware of any obstacles to that being so, and to help you cooperate in the process. Then, when hidden things are revealed, there will be some gems of beauty to lay at His feet. And that’s the ultimate destination, on this, our road home.

“For you are dead, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

Not Earthly Things

2011-11-29T08:24:00.002-07:00
The Koine Greek versions of the New Testament lacked the punctuation marks today’s readers have come to rely on for emphasis. When a writer wanted to exclaim a point, he repeated it. When he wanted to exclaim it and carry it forward, he repeated it and added another point. So it is with Paul in Colossians 2:2. Today’s reader is tempted to pass over it, thinking perhaps that Paul is just repetitious and we have already heard this point. Rather, Paul is saying, his point is crucial, central to the Christian way of life, and bears repeating . “DON’T MISS THIS!” he exclaims from between the lines. In an informal letter written today, we bold it, write in all caps, and top it off with exclamation marks:

“SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS!!!”

This teaching was needed on multiple levels. His readers were entangled in a web of human philosophies which positioned themselves alongside the teachings of Christ as equals. As they set their minds on such things, they were vulnerable to being led astray, away from the pure gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ that Paul had entrusted to them at risk to his own life. This is a strong theme in his letter to their church, and there is little doubt that this was a central intention of his writing these words to them now. Then there was the ongoing battle with human nature (I want what I want when I want it) and spiritual warfare (this world is what is real; live for today). For all these reasons, Paul felt the need to impress upon them his message-- KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE!

Today the church, especially in western civilization, is faced with many of the same issues. In our well-intentioned efforts to converse with anyone and everyone (there is scriptural support for this attitude and practice when addressing unbelievers), we run the risk of implying to a new generation of believers that Jesus’ teachings are just another philosophy to be set on the shelf alongside others. Paul knew no such mindset, and when he spoke to other believers, he had no tolerance for such teachings. He insisted that Christ is Lord of all or Lord of nothing at all. In verse one, he has just placed Jesus in his rightful position, at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. There is room for no one else there.

Other earthly things that compete for our attention and worship are too numerous to mention. I challenge you to ask the Holy Spirit to show you, over the next few weeks, whatever things compete with Jesus in your heart. I promise you it is a surprising and rewarding process. If your experience is anything like mine, He will show you not only the obvious things- big TV’s, cars, money, trips and home remodeling projects. If your heart and mind are truly open to the light of the Holy Spirit, He may show you that even some good things, ministries and people have slipped into his rightful place there. In this process, I realized that the things I worry about have often slid onto the throne that should be reserved only for Christ.

Remember-- what Spirit shows the believer, He shows for the purpose of healing, not condemnation. I encourage you to welcome his touch in this process. He has nothing but your best interest at heart.

This beautiful passage is so interwoven with themes of the majesty of Jesus above all else, and the peace that comes from remembering this. My sincere prayer is that you will not just glance at these posts or these verses, but that you welcome God’s Word deep within your spirit to have his way there. In so doing, you will truly set your mind on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. You won’t want anything else.

Things Above

2011-11-22T08:19:00.002-07:00
One of the Apostle Paul’s more powerful themes is that of being raised with Christ to newness of life. Being raised with Christ carries with it so much meaning of rebirth (following death to an old way of life). We now live on for a new purpose. Old goals, purposes and drives are passing away. It is as if we have let go of one trapeze and now focus intently upon the next. The analogy holds true because it eliminates the option of holding on to both. It is a matter of either or, one or the other. When it comes to the kingdom of this world or the kingdom of God, we cannot have it both ways.

In Colossians 3, Paul encourages his readers, in light of the fact that they have been raised with Christ, to set their hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Long before the days of guided imagery, Paul is employing visualization to help the church “see Jesus” seated in a place of honor, power and authority above all (combatting heresies that placed Christ alongside other philosophies and religions). Seeing him in his place of rightful worship, all other things fade in relative glory and importance. He will not share his glory with other religions or philosophies. He will not share his worship in our lives with other priorities.

Imagine the earthly event that you see as most important… Super Bowl, World Series, Academy Awards, Country Music Awards, Indy 500… you name it. Then imagine, at the height of drama at that event, the skies are rent, a trumpet sounds, and Jesus steps into the scene on the clouds accompanied by all the saints who have ever lived. Which will grab people’s attention, do you think? No contest. The earth, with the best pyrotechnics and special effects people can muster, will pale in comparison to the presence of the resurrected Lord and heavenly hosts. So, why do we tend to live as though this earthly stuff is what matters most?

Years ago, I had a dream that I was standing in line in a Fun House. It was one of those venues designed to keep you off balance. You could not tell what was really vertical up and down, so you found yourself leaning a lot for support. There was a lot of laughing and carrying on. The line was moving really slowly. The rooms to the Fun House were roped off. I became bored, so I got out of line (hard to believe I know) and crossed one of the ropes. As I looked out the window of the upstairs room, I realized that the people who were being ushered through the Fun House were being put into coffins as they left! We were being distracted and entertained to death, victims of a conspiracy of entertainment, designed to keep us from thinking too much about our final destination and its meaning.

Paul’s calling, and ours, is to wake one another up while we stand mindlessly in line, shuffling toward our final destination. We were meant for more than this. We were meant for eternal things, things above. Let’s set our minds there. Where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be (Matthew 6:21).

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:9