Philippians 2 is one of the most brilliant passages of scripture, in my opinion. Paul masterfully gives the people instructions for living, followed by a portrait of Christ as the ultimate example of this way of living. Then, he points out two others who are examples of this way of living as well. It really takes all the excuse away. Then, in chapter 3, Paul gets to his common thought of imitating him as an example as well.
I can't get off this idea that leadership is by example. Leadership is not being in charge, but showing others how to live. If you are a leader at work, your job may put you in charge, but you are going to be much more effective if you show them how to work and model the ethic you want from them. It's easy to play the authority card, but that will usually just return to you with a bitter team, which is not the most productive team.
In your family, how do you lead? In your work, how do you lead? How do you lead at church? How do you lead in your neighborhood? I would say you should attempt to lead by example in every area of life. What do you think?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
1 Timothy 3
I just finished reading 1 Timothy 3, which for a long time has been noted as a passage about qualifications for elders or overseers and deacons. I wonder if we have been wrong to think of this passage in that way. I could be wrong, but I tend to view this list of character attributes as something we should all aspire toward, as Paul writes in 3:1. Rather than thinking of this as a list of qualifications, perhaps it should be a character sketch of an example for the church.
I find that 3:15 actually supports this idea. Paul was writing these things so that they would know how to behave in the household of God. If your leaders are being the kind of people you want everyone in the church to be, then they are leading by example, and this is what we see as a mandate for leaders in the New Testament. We are to be servant leaders, serving as examples to the flock and helping them to become what we ourselves are in the process of becoming.Think about the cyclical pattern this creates. If I am becoming more like Christ, and I am helping someone else become more like Christ, then they will help others become more like Christ, and those people will help others become more like Christ, and so on.
It is difficult for leaders not to take control of things. As I look through this list of character traits, I wonder if control was really a part of leadership. Is that what it means to manage a household or the household of God? Look back through the character traits and ask yourself if control is really what this list is all about. The entire concept of "do what I say and not what I do" is a recipe for disaster if we bring it into the church. All it will accomplish is a group of people who tell others what to do but have no desire to do those things themselves.
People follow our example more than our instructions. It may seem bold, but Paul instructed the church on more than one occasion to imitate him as he imitated Jesus. That should be our way of leading others. Do what I do because I am doing what Jesus said and did. Are you leading by example or do you covet the "office" of leadership more than the responsibility of leadership?
I find that 3:15 actually supports this idea. Paul was writing these things so that they would know how to behave in the household of God. If your leaders are being the kind of people you want everyone in the church to be, then they are leading by example, and this is what we see as a mandate for leaders in the New Testament. We are to be servant leaders, serving as examples to the flock and helping them to become what we ourselves are in the process of becoming.Think about the cyclical pattern this creates. If I am becoming more like Christ, and I am helping someone else become more like Christ, then they will help others become more like Christ, and those people will help others become more like Christ, and so on.
It is difficult for leaders not to take control of things. As I look through this list of character traits, I wonder if control was really a part of leadership. Is that what it means to manage a household or the household of God? Look back through the character traits and ask yourself if control is really what this list is all about. The entire concept of "do what I say and not what I do" is a recipe for disaster if we bring it into the church. All it will accomplish is a group of people who tell others what to do but have no desire to do those things themselves.
People follow our example more than our instructions. It may seem bold, but Paul instructed the church on more than one occasion to imitate him as he imitated Jesus. That should be our way of leading others. Do what I do because I am doing what Jesus said and did. Are you leading by example or do you covet the "office" of leadership more than the responsibility of leadership?
Monday, October 17, 2011
1 Peter 5
Ah, 1 Peter 5! The end of the book we have been going through for the last seven weeks. And still, a challenge to our way of life. How do you lead? Are you an authoritarian? Are you a lead-by-example kind of leader? Are you a negligent leader? Whatever your style, you are a leader in some respect in your life. But now we have instructions on the kind of leader we are to be.
For so long many of us have been taught that leadership can follow a pyramid metaphor. The chief leader is on top of the pyramid, and the various layers of leadership trickle down from there. Then we morphed that into an inverted pyramid to show the idea of servant leadership, where those on the front lines are the ones being empowered, and the chief leader is truly the chief servant. What if there was a better way to think of leadership? What if it was not a hierarchical model at all?
Perhaps if we thought of a sheep pen in the form of a circle, it would help. The sheep and the shepherd(s) are in the pen together. They are all mingling about, and the shepherd is simply the one showing the sheep where to go and what to do. They are all in it together, but there is an example to follow. I think that is a little bit closer to the model of leadership Peter is describing in 1 Peter 5. We are to be humble toward one another, and elders are to lead out of a servant's heart by example. How does this match the style of leadership you employ? Without giving up the role of authority, how could you lead more along these lines, and would it be effective?
For so long many of us have been taught that leadership can follow a pyramid metaphor. The chief leader is on top of the pyramid, and the various layers of leadership trickle down from there. Then we morphed that into an inverted pyramid to show the idea of servant leadership, where those on the front lines are the ones being empowered, and the chief leader is truly the chief servant. What if there was a better way to think of leadership? What if it was not a hierarchical model at all?
Perhaps if we thought of a sheep pen in the form of a circle, it would help. The sheep and the shepherd(s) are in the pen together. They are all mingling about, and the shepherd is simply the one showing the sheep where to go and what to do. They are all in it together, but there is an example to follow. I think that is a little bit closer to the model of leadership Peter is describing in 1 Peter 5. We are to be humble toward one another, and elders are to lead out of a servant's heart by example. How does this match the style of leadership you employ? Without giving up the role of authority, how could you lead more along these lines, and would it be effective?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
2 Timothy 2
Paul's words to Timothy are dripping with instruction and fatherly love. Paul had brought Timothy along and had basically fathered him in the Lord. Now, as Paul is at the end of his life, he takes the time to give Timothy more wisdom so that Timothy will be prepared to carry on without Paul there. I love the entire purpose behind his words, as it is all about helping Timothy to become what Paul was becoming. I say "was becoming" because Paul was still following Jesus, and he had not yet reached the pinnacle. Even though he was near the end of his life, it wasn't over yet.
Paul uses three riddles in a row. "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." And just like me, you probably anticipate that Paul will explain what he means, but he leaves it open. All he tell Timothy is to think about it, and God will help you understand.
The way my mind works, I want to figure out the thread that runs through each of these statements, but I wonder if there are three different truths Paul is trying to communicate. In fact, I wonder if the rest of the chapter is merely commentary on those three statements. Nonetheless, we must continue to think about these things. So think about it. I know I am being called to serve Christ with everything in me, to do my best to present myself as one approved by God. He is my King!
What do these statements call you toward?
Paul uses three riddles in a row. "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." And just like me, you probably anticipate that Paul will explain what he means, but he leaves it open. All he tell Timothy is to think about it, and God will help you understand.
The way my mind works, I want to figure out the thread that runs through each of these statements, but I wonder if there are three different truths Paul is trying to communicate. In fact, I wonder if the rest of the chapter is merely commentary on those three statements. Nonetheless, we must continue to think about these things. So think about it. I know I am being called to serve Christ with everything in me, to do my best to present myself as one approved by God. He is my King!
What do these statements call you toward?
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
2 Corinthians 4
Perhaps it goes without saying, but Paul was a genius. His rhetoric is incredibly strong. His demeanor is humble but confident. Reading through this passage, the one phrase with repetition that stands out is, "We do not lose heart." The reason we do not lose heart is because we have an eternal perspective.We have been given a responsibility by God himself, so we think on a different plane than the rest of the world.
We may face what some think is the ultimate punishment, but it's not. As Paul puts it, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
I love the closing of this chapter. This may be one of my favorite paragraphs in the New Testament. We do not lose heart because the flesh will die, but our souls are practicing eternal life right now. The stuff we go through here is all just a preparation for the most unbelievable thing: eternal life in glory. We do not lose heart because we are focused on what is unseen. We do not lose heart because everything in this world is transient. We do not lose heart because we are citizens of God's Kingdom, preparing to go home, an eternal home. We are a bold people because we are God's people.
We may face what some think is the ultimate punishment, but it's not. As Paul puts it, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
I love the closing of this chapter. This may be one of my favorite paragraphs in the New Testament. We do not lose heart because the flesh will die, but our souls are practicing eternal life right now. The stuff we go through here is all just a preparation for the most unbelievable thing: eternal life in glory. We do not lose heart because we are focused on what is unseen. We do not lose heart because everything in this world is transient. We do not lose heart because we are citizens of God's Kingdom, preparing to go home, an eternal home. We are a bold people because we are God's people.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 3 is a wildly freeing passage. I was struck, as I read through this passage, at Paul's comments bout the Law of Moses. He calls the Law of Moses a "ministry of death." I questioned that translation, went back to the Greek to look at it for myself, and sure enough, that is the exact wording. He goes on to call it the ministry of condemnation, which I think clarifies it a little bit. It was not the Law itself that was death or condemnation, but what it came to be among the people of God was death and condemnation because they abused it. They made it burdensome. Nonetheless, Paul is clear that the life in the Spirit we currently have is much more glorious than life by the Law.
Our hope in the glory that will come gives us a boldness. This is something that can be seen in many of Paul's letters and even in Peter's epistles as well. It is an idea that our view of what will happen in the end serves to motivate our way of life. Two words are thrown around when it comes to this idea: eschatology and ethics. You cannot separate the two. Eschatology is so much more than the study of end times and when the rapture will happen or Jesus will return. Eschatology is realizing our place in the here and now based upon what has taken place in the past and what will happen in the end. This, obviously, affects our ethics, the way we order our lives and develop our moral construct. If you studying about Jesus' return doesn't affect the way you live, it is pointless.
So how should we live? we'll look more at that tomorrow, but suffice it to say that we should live differently from the rest of the world, holy. If you look at what Christ did on the cross, and then look forward to the glory of Christ's return and eternal Kingdom, it should influence your behavior right here and right now. So how will you live?
I love the verse: "where the Spirit of the lord is, there is freedom." The whole chapter is about being sealed with the Spirit into a life that is free and is evidence of our King. In other words, you are one of God's people. As such, He has marked you with a seal, like they would do in the ancient world. When a noble person would send a letter to someone, he would put a wax seal on it and stamp his signet ring into the wax to show that it was from him. That's what God does, he saves us and puts his wax seal on us with his signet stamped into the wax. We are God's, and that means we live as God's.
It's a bold step to live for Christ and put away the ways of the world. It means losing friends and alienating those who have been in sin with you. But that's what we are called to. What's different about your life? How is it different from the way it used to be? How is it different from the self-indulgent world around us?
Our hope in the glory that will come gives us a boldness. This is something that can be seen in many of Paul's letters and even in Peter's epistles as well. It is an idea that our view of what will happen in the end serves to motivate our way of life. Two words are thrown around when it comes to this idea: eschatology and ethics. You cannot separate the two. Eschatology is so much more than the study of end times and when the rapture will happen or Jesus will return. Eschatology is realizing our place in the here and now based upon what has taken place in the past and what will happen in the end. This, obviously, affects our ethics, the way we order our lives and develop our moral construct. If you studying about Jesus' return doesn't affect the way you live, it is pointless.
So how should we live? we'll look more at that tomorrow, but suffice it to say that we should live differently from the rest of the world, holy. If you look at what Christ did on the cross, and then look forward to the glory of Christ's return and eternal Kingdom, it should influence your behavior right here and right now. So how will you live?
I love the verse: "where the Spirit of the lord is, there is freedom." The whole chapter is about being sealed with the Spirit into a life that is free and is evidence of our King. In other words, you are one of God's people. As such, He has marked you with a seal, like they would do in the ancient world. When a noble person would send a letter to someone, he would put a wax seal on it and stamp his signet ring into the wax to show that it was from him. That's what God does, he saves us and puts his wax seal on us with his signet stamped into the wax. We are God's, and that means we live as God's.
It's a bold step to live for Christ and put away the ways of the world. It means losing friends and alienating those who have been in sin with you. But that's what we are called to. What's different about your life? How is it different from the way it used to be? How is it different from the self-indulgent world around us?
Monday, October 3, 2011
1 Peter 3:8-22
As I read this passage, I think it serves as a paradigm shift for the most part. Reminding the disciples of the way they are to live completely different lives from the rest of the world is a difficult thing for many to grasp. Think about it, when was your last natural inclination to be unified in mind, sympathetic, loving, tender-hearted or humble? When was the last time you naturally decided not to repay evil with evil, reviling for reviling, or to bless those who curse you?
Then he quotes Psalm 34, to make it clear that this is not a new idea or a new way of life. This has been the way of life for God's people since long before Jesus ever made his grand entrance into the world. His favor is on those who practice righteousness.
And I love the rhetorical question in 3:13: Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? That question is worth pondering. Against the background of a people who face severe persecution for their faith in Christ, that question has a lot more weight than what we understand. In our context, the answer to that question is easier to answer. But in case anyone should be confused, Peter answers his own question. If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you will be blessed. Don't fear them (anyone who you think would harm you) nor be troubled because they don't have the final say.
You know, it takes a boldness to live a certain way knowing you might face a physical punishment, but still knowing your soul will see the reward. It takes courage to look past the here and now and focus on the future. It takes a different kind of boldness than we understand to give a defense for the way we are while still being gentle and respectful. It's not a bow up and take charge kind of boldness, but a calm, focused boldness. This is teh life we are called to: a life of absolute trust in our Savior, and a hope (not wishful thinking but eager expectation) of an eternal reward.
Are you courageous and bold for Christ? Do your actions and words reflect His demeanor? What is your next step toward a fearless, bold, Christlike lifestyle?
Then he quotes Psalm 34, to make it clear that this is not a new idea or a new way of life. This has been the way of life for God's people since long before Jesus ever made his grand entrance into the world. His favor is on those who practice righteousness.
And I love the rhetorical question in 3:13: Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? That question is worth pondering. Against the background of a people who face severe persecution for their faith in Christ, that question has a lot more weight than what we understand. In our context, the answer to that question is easier to answer. But in case anyone should be confused, Peter answers his own question. If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you will be blessed. Don't fear them (anyone who you think would harm you) nor be troubled because they don't have the final say.
You know, it takes a boldness to live a certain way knowing you might face a physical punishment, but still knowing your soul will see the reward. It takes courage to look past the here and now and focus on the future. It takes a different kind of boldness than we understand to give a defense for the way we are while still being gentle and respectful. It's not a bow up and take charge kind of boldness, but a calm, focused boldness. This is teh life we are called to: a life of absolute trust in our Savior, and a hope (not wishful thinking but eager expectation) of an eternal reward.
Are you courageous and bold for Christ? Do your actions and words reflect His demeanor? What is your next step toward a fearless, bold, Christlike lifestyle?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Revelation 19:1-10 & 21:1-8
As I read these two passages, I had goosebumps. Chills went down my spine as I imagined the wedding that will take place at the end of all things. I find it so incredible that the only place in the entire New Testament where we find the Jewish exclamation "Hallelujah!" is right here in Revelation 19, with the events surrounding the marriage of the Lamb. In case you are unaware, this is when Jesus, the groom, receives his bride, the Church. The glories that will be from that day forward are unfathomable.
Yet in the midst of all of the glory and majesty surrounding the event, John still loses sight of what is going on. He falls to worship the angel who is showing him these things. The angel quickly corrects him and says (my paraphrase), "No, dummy, don't worship me, worship God! This is His party."
Did you know that if you are in Christ, that day will come and you will find yourself in the midst of that celebration? There will be no divorcing our groom. It is an eternal covenant, and we will enjoy the marriage forever. There are so many other things that could be pointed out in these passages, but I want to focus on the marriage.
Think about Jesus and what he has done for you. Think of how he treats you. Now relate that to your marriage. Are you following his example in your marriage? Husbands, are you loving your wife as he loves His bride, laying his life down for her? Wives, do you look to your husband as to Christ, with the utmost respect, adorning yourself with an imperishable beauty? This cosmic marriage is the consummation of the restoration of God's Creation. Not only will we be in heaven, but the rest of Creation will be completely made new with us. Our wedding with Christ is the ultimate end of all things, and we are called to emulate that marriage here on earth in our earthly marriages. How are you doing with that? How does this change your perspective of your marriage? I only hope the magnitude of your marriage seems so much larger when you look at it through this lens.
Yet in the midst of all of the glory and majesty surrounding the event, John still loses sight of what is going on. He falls to worship the angel who is showing him these things. The angel quickly corrects him and says (my paraphrase), "No, dummy, don't worship me, worship God! This is His party."
Did you know that if you are in Christ, that day will come and you will find yourself in the midst of that celebration? There will be no divorcing our groom. It is an eternal covenant, and we will enjoy the marriage forever. There are so many other things that could be pointed out in these passages, but I want to focus on the marriage.
Think about Jesus and what he has done for you. Think of how he treats you. Now relate that to your marriage. Are you following his example in your marriage? Husbands, are you loving your wife as he loves His bride, laying his life down for her? Wives, do you look to your husband as to Christ, with the utmost respect, adorning yourself with an imperishable beauty? This cosmic marriage is the consummation of the restoration of God's Creation. Not only will we be in heaven, but the rest of Creation will be completely made new with us. Our wedding with Christ is the ultimate end of all things, and we are called to emulate that marriage here on earth in our earthly marriages. How are you doing with that? How does this change your perspective of your marriage? I only hope the magnitude of your marriage seems so much larger when you look at it through this lens.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Ephesians 5:21-33
Ephesians 5:21: does it belong with the preceding passage or the following passage? TBD - To Be Debated, probably forever. I will present cases for both, and how it could be seen as a "hinge" between the previous passage and the following.
First of all, it belongs with the preceding passage because the verb is in the participial form. It literally means "submitting," which follows suit as another point to the instructions above. Read 5:1-21, and see how it fits perfectly to the end of that passage.
Now, it also belongs with the following passage because there is no verb in verse 22. Literally, it says "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, to your own husbands, as to the Lord." To me that needs no other explanation.
So if verse 21 fits with both passages, what do we do with it? It's a transition. It concludes a passage of general instructions and moves into a passage of more specific instructions. Paul felt the need to explain how we are to submit to one another, the order of things we are to live by. Never did Paul say any person was more important than the other. In fact, in Galatians 3, he says we are all one in Christ Jesus. However, there is an order of leadership which we must live by, and here, in Ephesians 5:21-6:9 we have some explanation.
But of all the beautiful language in this chapter, and the description of the marriage relationship, 5:33 sums it all up. If you get nothing else out of this passage, 5:33 is the main point. Husbands love you wives as yourselves. Wives, respect your husbands. It doesn't say "as long as they treat you well." No matter the circumstances, husbands love your wives; wives, respect your husbands. If we get this right, it will fail-proof our marriages.
I love the way Emerson Eggerichs explains this whole idea. Men have a blue air hose, women have a pink air hose. When a man acts unloving toward his wife, it's like stepping on her air hose. Similarly, when a wife disrespects her husband, she is stepping on his air hose. We need those things to thrive, just like air. If we can't breathe, we frantically try to find a way to get air. We react. We should each remember that our spouse needs their air. Love for wives, and respect for husbands.
What will you do today to give your spouse the air they need to breathe?
First of all, it belongs with the preceding passage because the verb is in the participial form. It literally means "submitting," which follows suit as another point to the instructions above. Read 5:1-21, and see how it fits perfectly to the end of that passage.
Now, it also belongs with the following passage because there is no verb in verse 22. Literally, it says "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, to your own husbands, as to the Lord." To me that needs no other explanation.
So if verse 21 fits with both passages, what do we do with it? It's a transition. It concludes a passage of general instructions and moves into a passage of more specific instructions. Paul felt the need to explain how we are to submit to one another, the order of things we are to live by. Never did Paul say any person was more important than the other. In fact, in Galatians 3, he says we are all one in Christ Jesus. However, there is an order of leadership which we must live by, and here, in Ephesians 5:21-6:9 we have some explanation.
But of all the beautiful language in this chapter, and the description of the marriage relationship, 5:33 sums it all up. If you get nothing else out of this passage, 5:33 is the main point. Husbands love you wives as yourselves. Wives, respect your husbands. It doesn't say "as long as they treat you well." No matter the circumstances, husbands love your wives; wives, respect your husbands. If we get this right, it will fail-proof our marriages.
I love the way Emerson Eggerichs explains this whole idea. Men have a blue air hose, women have a pink air hose. When a man acts unloving toward his wife, it's like stepping on her air hose. Similarly, when a wife disrespects her husband, she is stepping on his air hose. We need those things to thrive, just like air. If we can't breathe, we frantically try to find a way to get air. We react. We should each remember that our spouse needs their air. Love for wives, and respect for husbands.
What will you do today to give your spouse the air they need to breathe?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Genesis 2:18-3:24
Ah, yes! The story of beginnings. Where marriage began and how the first married couple messed up. Lovely stuff isn't it? You know it never ceases to amaze me that God created everything, and then said it was not good for man to be alone. He let Adam name all of the beasts and birds, and then determined that none of them were suitable to be Adam's helper. So He creates woman (Adam called her woman and later named her Eve).
It's right there in the story, but it messes with my theology a bit. God created everything, and after some amount of time (based on Genesis 1:24-31 ti was within a day, whatever that means), decided to supplement His creation with another creation. I just wonder if anyone else finds this mind-blowing. The omniscient, omnipotent God, decided what He had created was not complete, and supplemented it. Hmm.
Now there could be all kinds of debates about how God knew what He was going to do and decided to let Adam think that God would go back to His creative juices just for him, but come on. There is so much more to this passage than a theological debate waiting to happen. What about the fact that woman was created for man? She was created to be his "helper." Do you think that this could be a clue to the order of things, when we say submit (live according to the order)?
Before I get hate-mail about how I am a male chauvinist pig, let me also point out a couple of things about men from this passage. It wasn't good for the man to be alone. God's prized creation, created in His own image, and it was not good for him to be alone. Hmm. Further, when Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, it says Adam was right there with her (3:6). Sure, Adam, blame it on the woman when you were right there and didn't say anything to stop her. Sorry, but it is obviously human nature to divert the blame onto someone else, as Eve did the same thing.
So, back to marriage. A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. What happens if you rip flesh apart? It hurts! It is excruciatingly painful! Yet so many people decide they want to get married and become one flesh, only to be ripped apart by whatever comes along to rip them apart. They take pieces of the other person with them, the pain is awful, and in the end, neither person is the same as they used to be, scarred by the destruction of what God intended to be a good thing. And we always blame someone else for that destruction. What if we took responsibility for our own role in our relationships? What if we decided to consider the other person before ourselves no matter how they treat us? But selfishness rules the day, doesn't it?
How are you being selfish in your marriage or other relationships? What would it be like if you put the other person first? What are you willing to do to make that a reality? It is not easy, but it will make a world of difference!
It's right there in the story, but it messes with my theology a bit. God created everything, and after some amount of time (based on Genesis 1:24-31 ti was within a day, whatever that means), decided to supplement His creation with another creation. I just wonder if anyone else finds this mind-blowing. The omniscient, omnipotent God, decided what He had created was not complete, and supplemented it. Hmm.
Now there could be all kinds of debates about how God knew what He was going to do and decided to let Adam think that God would go back to His creative juices just for him, but come on. There is so much more to this passage than a theological debate waiting to happen. What about the fact that woman was created for man? She was created to be his "helper." Do you think that this could be a clue to the order of things, when we say submit (live according to the order)?
Before I get hate-mail about how I am a male chauvinist pig, let me also point out a couple of things about men from this passage. It wasn't good for the man to be alone. God's prized creation, created in His own image, and it was not good for him to be alone. Hmm. Further, when Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, it says Adam was right there with her (3:6). Sure, Adam, blame it on the woman when you were right there and didn't say anything to stop her. Sorry, but it is obviously human nature to divert the blame onto someone else, as Eve did the same thing.
So, back to marriage. A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. What happens if you rip flesh apart? It hurts! It is excruciatingly painful! Yet so many people decide they want to get married and become one flesh, only to be ripped apart by whatever comes along to rip them apart. They take pieces of the other person with them, the pain is awful, and in the end, neither person is the same as they used to be, scarred by the destruction of what God intended to be a good thing. And we always blame someone else for that destruction. What if we took responsibility for our own role in our relationships? What if we decided to consider the other person before ourselves no matter how they treat us? But selfishness rules the day, doesn't it?
How are you being selfish in your marriage or other relationships? What would it be like if you put the other person first? What are you willing to do to make that a reality? It is not easy, but it will make a world of difference!
Monday, September 26, 2011
1 Peter 3:1-7
1 Peter is all about being holy, and here we have another area of life for us to be holy in: marriage, or mawwage, if you have The Princess Bride engrained in your head. This passage is very important for us, but it must be read in both it's literary and historical-cultural context to be properly understood.
Historically and culturally speaking, marriages in the first century were quite different from what we know today. In those times, wives were viewed more like property, in a very male-dominated society. It was an obligation for them to submit to their husbands, even so far as adopting their husband's religious affiliation. So here, when Peter writes for them to be submissive to their husbands just like slaves to masters and all believers to every governmental institution, he is not saying something necessarily new.
In the literary context, both 2:18 and 3:1 implore the participial form of the verb "submit," which gives them an inclusion under the imperative from in 2:13. It's important to understand that this passage is connected to the previous passage.
But to me, there are two verses that really capture Peter's heart. He tells wives to focus on the imperishable beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit. He tells husbands to live in an understanding way with their wives, honoring them as the weaker vessel. Both husbands and wives are to put their spouse first in their relationship. Husbands, be considerate of and loving toward your wives. Wives, respect your husbands.
As a husband, I feel the challenge to work hard at communication and to determine what makes my wife feel loved and do those things. Whether she treats me well or not, that is what I am called to do. If more husbands and wives lived this way, being more concerned about how they treated their spouse than about how their spouse treated them, there would be a lot fewer marriages falling apart.
How's your marriage? If you are not married, how can you use these thoughts to help all of your relationships?
Historically and culturally speaking, marriages in the first century were quite different from what we know today. In those times, wives were viewed more like property, in a very male-dominated society. It was an obligation for them to submit to their husbands, even so far as adopting their husband's religious affiliation. So here, when Peter writes for them to be submissive to their husbands just like slaves to masters and all believers to every governmental institution, he is not saying something necessarily new.
In the literary context, both 2:18 and 3:1 implore the participial form of the verb "submit," which gives them an inclusion under the imperative from in 2:13. It's important to understand that this passage is connected to the previous passage.
But to me, there are two verses that really capture Peter's heart. He tells wives to focus on the imperishable beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit. He tells husbands to live in an understanding way with their wives, honoring them as the weaker vessel. Both husbands and wives are to put their spouse first in their relationship. Husbands, be considerate of and loving toward your wives. Wives, respect your husbands.
As a husband, I feel the challenge to work hard at communication and to determine what makes my wife feel loved and do those things. Whether she treats me well or not, that is what I am called to do. If more husbands and wives lived this way, being more concerned about how they treated their spouse than about how their spouse treated them, there would be a lot fewer marriages falling apart.
How's your marriage? If you are not married, how can you use these thoughts to help all of your relationships?
Friday, September 23, 2011
Titus 3
A little late in the day for a post, but I committed to do this daily, and after a day of studying Greek, my head needs an outlet. First things, first! As you read Titus 3:1, it's important to remember who Paul is speaking to. So often we read the Bible as if it is speaking directly to us, and we forget how important the context is. So when Paul gives the instruction to "remind them," our first question should be, "Who is he speaking to," and our second question should be "Who is 'them'".
Paul is writing to Titus, who is one of Paul's "sons in the faith," as we read in Titus 1:4. But who is "them"? When you have a pronoun, you want to find the antecedent. In this case it is not as easy. It means perusing the entire letter up to this point. In most cases, it would be fairly simple to detect the people "them" is referring to, but here, it's almost as if Paul has a secondary audience he is writing to. If you move read the first three verses, Paul says he is writing this letter for the sake of the faith of God's people. If you read chapter 2, it is all directed toward God's people in Crete, where Titus is shepherd of the church there. So the beginning of chapter 3 could read, "Titus, remind God's people to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work."
Why would I take the time to point this out to anyone? Well, beside the fact that I have been studying grammar all day, if we are God's people, this directly relates to us. We are to submit to those who have been put in authority over us. We are to be obedient, and we are to be ready to do every good work. I love that both Paul and Peter connect submission to authorities with good works.
You know, what it all comes down to is a desire to continue ushering God's Kingdom into this world. We are to do the things that are common in His Kingdom. What are those things? Well, perhaps we need to explore that more, but for sure they are not: quarreling, speaking evil of others, malice, envy, foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, quarrels about the law, and anything divisive.
When I think of the things we are supposed to be doing here on earth, it all boils down to restoring relationships. Way back in the garden, relationships were broken. Relationships between God and people, God and creation, people and people, people and creation, etc. They were all broken. But now that Christ has come, submitted himself to death on the cross, and was raised from the dead, we have a new day. We are living in an age where relationships between people and God are being restored everyday. Notice I said being restored, not restored. It's not a full restoration, but an ongoing restoration.
The point of all that is to say this: submit to authorities because it is an example of what a restored relationship looks like. Every good work is a work that brings a broken relationship closer to being restored. What are you doing to help restore the relationship between someone and God? Between people (maybe even yourself and someone else? Between us and the rest of God's Creation? Christ has paid the price of restoration, so how do we become agents of such restoration as citizens of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom Restored?
Paul is writing to Titus, who is one of Paul's "sons in the faith," as we read in Titus 1:4. But who is "them"? When you have a pronoun, you want to find the antecedent. In this case it is not as easy. It means perusing the entire letter up to this point. In most cases, it would be fairly simple to detect the people "them" is referring to, but here, it's almost as if Paul has a secondary audience he is writing to. If you move read the first three verses, Paul says he is writing this letter for the sake of the faith of God's people. If you read chapter 2, it is all directed toward God's people in Crete, where Titus is shepherd of the church there. So the beginning of chapter 3 could read, "Titus, remind God's people to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work."
Why would I take the time to point this out to anyone? Well, beside the fact that I have been studying grammar all day, if we are God's people, this directly relates to us. We are to submit to those who have been put in authority over us. We are to be obedient, and we are to be ready to do every good work. I love that both Paul and Peter connect submission to authorities with good works.
You know, what it all comes down to is a desire to continue ushering God's Kingdom into this world. We are to do the things that are common in His Kingdom. What are those things? Well, perhaps we need to explore that more, but for sure they are not: quarreling, speaking evil of others, malice, envy, foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, quarrels about the law, and anything divisive.
When I think of the things we are supposed to be doing here on earth, it all boils down to restoring relationships. Way back in the garden, relationships were broken. Relationships between God and people, God and creation, people and people, people and creation, etc. They were all broken. But now that Christ has come, submitted himself to death on the cross, and was raised from the dead, we have a new day. We are living in an age where relationships between people and God are being restored everyday. Notice I said being restored, not restored. It's not a full restoration, but an ongoing restoration.
The point of all that is to say this: submit to authorities because it is an example of what a restored relationship looks like. Every good work is a work that brings a broken relationship closer to being restored. What are you doing to help restore the relationship between someone and God? Between people (maybe even yourself and someone else? Between us and the rest of God's Creation? Christ has paid the price of restoration, so how do we become agents of such restoration as citizens of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom Restored?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Galatians 5
Galatians 5 is a wonderful passage about our freedom in Christ. I love the way Paul lays out a picture of our identity. Unfortunately, so many of us don't understand who we are as free people in Christ. Some of us think it means we are free to live according to our sinful nature. Others feel it means we are free to tell everyone else where they are going, if you know what I mean. Our freedom in Christ is a freedom to live according the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The more we are under bondage to rules, regulations, debts, etc, the less we focus on loving others, which is the law of the Kingdom of God.In verse 16, Paul says we are to live by the Spirit. He then lays out two lists. One list is the works of the sinful nature, and the other list is the fruit of the Spirit. I love the fact that he says against the fruit of the Spirit, there is no law. No law, whether earthly or heavenly, will condemn someone who is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control personified.
But the verse that probably hits home the most, summing everything else up, is v. 25. "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." If the Holy Spirit is our source of life, then our works should flow from the Spirit. This is the best description of the concept that what we do flows out of who we are. You can tell someone's identity by the things they say and do. If I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you will tell by the things I say and do. If I am a husband, you will tell by the things I say and do. If I am a businessman, you will tell by the things I say and do.
So what is your identity? If you were to ask someone right now to tell you who you are by the things you say and do, would they say you are living by the Spirit, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Would they say you are a hard worker? Would they say you are a good provider? If your identity is not wrapped up in Christ by His Spirit, what does that mean?
The more we are under bondage to rules, regulations, debts, etc, the less we focus on loving others, which is the law of the Kingdom of God.In verse 16, Paul says we are to live by the Spirit. He then lays out two lists. One list is the works of the sinful nature, and the other list is the fruit of the Spirit. I love the fact that he says against the fruit of the Spirit, there is no law. No law, whether earthly or heavenly, will condemn someone who is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control personified.
But the verse that probably hits home the most, summing everything else up, is v. 25. "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." If the Holy Spirit is our source of life, then our works should flow from the Spirit. This is the best description of the concept that what we do flows out of who we are. You can tell someone's identity by the things they say and do. If I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you will tell by the things I say and do. If I am a husband, you will tell by the things I say and do. If I am a businessman, you will tell by the things I say and do.
So what is your identity? If you were to ask someone right now to tell you who you are by the things you say and do, would they say you are living by the Spirit, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Would they say you are a hard worker? Would they say you are a good provider? If your identity is not wrapped up in Christ by His Spirit, what does that mean?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Hebrews 13
What a passage! Some straight-forward life instructions, a warning about being led off the path, some Old-Testament-based and still Christ-centered theological points, followed by more practical life instructions. A summation to a wonderful letter/sermon.
The verse that is key to Submission is 13:17. What a point! That is a principle that can be applied to every arena of life. If you have a cooperative attitude toward your leaders, it makes their job easier, and allows them to be more joyful and passionate about it. If you don't, their work becomes drudgery, and could cause their leadership to bog down. Yet so often our attitude is to make things harder on our leaders. Why?
I realize that submission is not something we think to make a part of our daily lives here in America. We are free to speak our minds and we have rights, so why would we submit to anyone? But if we are in Christ, we are not Americans! We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we call ourselves Christians! Christians submit because Christ, our King, submitted. Do you trust the leaders in your church? If not, maybe it's time to either find a church where you trust the leadership or learn to trust the leadership of your church.
Submission is not subjugation, as David Garison pointed out on Sunday. Subjugation is kind of like being a doormat. Submission is living according to the order of things. First you have to acknowledge the order, then you can arrange your life around that order. It's not easy, in fact it is backward from how our culture works. But we are resident aliens, from the Kingdom of God!
Are you submissive to your leaders?
The verse that is key to Submission is 13:17. What a point! That is a principle that can be applied to every arena of life. If you have a cooperative attitude toward your leaders, it makes their job easier, and allows them to be more joyful and passionate about it. If you don't, their work becomes drudgery, and could cause their leadership to bog down. Yet so often our attitude is to make things harder on our leaders. Why?
I realize that submission is not something we think to make a part of our daily lives here in America. We are free to speak our minds and we have rights, so why would we submit to anyone? But if we are in Christ, we are not Americans! We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we call ourselves Christians! Christians submit because Christ, our King, submitted. Do you trust the leaders in your church? If not, maybe it's time to either find a church where you trust the leadership or learn to trust the leadership of your church.
Submission is not subjugation, as David Garison pointed out on Sunday. Subjugation is kind of like being a doormat. Submission is living according to the order of things. First you have to acknowledge the order, then you can arrange your life around that order. It's not easy, in fact it is backward from how our culture works. But we are resident aliens, from the Kingdom of God!
Are you submissive to your leaders?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Romans 13
Today's passage is definitely a proof text for the sovereignty of God. Submit to governing authorities because they are put there by God himself. It seems well and good, but the difficult part comes when you read about Adolf Hitler governing Germany, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, etc. Did God really institute them as governing authorities?
I know there are several different ways to look at this, and I wonder sometimes if we can truly understand the sovereignty of God. To what degree does God display His sovereignty? His ways are not our ways, and we are silly to think we understand exactly how God works. What is definitely stated in this text is that whoever the governing authorities are, we are to be subject to them.
It seems to be a common theme in passages about submission, but Paul says to do good so that we will gain God's approval. Do good, give people what is due them, whether it is taxes, revenue, respect, or honor. But owe no man anything but to love him. Crazy words, but that's what it means to be a resident alien. It means people looks at how you live and think it is crazy.
Submission! It is not as evil as it sounds. Christ is our example to follow. What area of your life is God telling you to submit to Him right now?
I know there are several different ways to look at this, and I wonder sometimes if we can truly understand the sovereignty of God. To what degree does God display His sovereignty? His ways are not our ways, and we are silly to think we understand exactly how God works. What is definitely stated in this text is that whoever the governing authorities are, we are to be subject to them.
It seems to be a common theme in passages about submission, but Paul says to do good so that we will gain God's approval. Do good, give people what is due them, whether it is taxes, revenue, respect, or honor. But owe no man anything but to love him. Crazy words, but that's what it means to be a resident alien. It means people looks at how you live and think it is crazy.
Submission! It is not as evil as it sounds. Christ is our example to follow. What area of your life is God telling you to submit to Him right now?
Monday, September 19, 2011
1 Peter 2:13-25
Today's passage is the passage for the small group lesson this week. It was a really challenging topic for a sermon. Interestingly enough, it follows right on the heels of a week where we were looking at being transformed. It's almost as if Peter was saying, "and here is what I mean by being transformed: first, submit." And submission is just as much about the attitude of the heart as it is about the actual action of living according to the order of things.
Too often we show disrespect to those in authority over us. We don't like the president or we think "the other party" is a bunch of idiots. We get all upset about hot-button political issues, and if our side loses out, we instantly think about a rebellion. Rightfully so, that is how our nation was founded. But honestly, after the last couple of weeks, studying the beginning of 1 Peter, we should know that we are to live as resident aliens in the world. That means we don't rebel when everything in us says we have the right to.
Why is that so difficult for us to hear? Jesus stood up for himself and for His Father, right? True, but Jesus did not rebel. He submitted to the hands of Rome, even though there was no substance to the conviction and penalty. Jesus made an example for all of us to follow. I will not deny what is right, but if you think I should be punished for it, as a human institution of authority, you can, and I will submit. Harsh isn't it?
But it goes beyond political issues, as Peter also discusses the slave-master relationship. We don't have a clear-cut modern day example of that relationship, but I tend to relate it to employee-employer relationships. This was a lesson for me as much as anyone. Submit to your boss no matter how much a jerk they are. If you have ever worked for a jerky boss, you know what a challenge that is. Especially when it is a matter of the attitude of my heart. But again, we are called to live as resident aliens in this world. We should look different because the Kingdom we come from is different.
Why is our struggle to submit (live according to the order) so difficult? Why do you struggle with it (and I know you do)?
Too often we show disrespect to those in authority over us. We don't like the president or we think "the other party" is a bunch of idiots. We get all upset about hot-button political issues, and if our side loses out, we instantly think about a rebellion. Rightfully so, that is how our nation was founded. But honestly, after the last couple of weeks, studying the beginning of 1 Peter, we should know that we are to live as resident aliens in the world. That means we don't rebel when everything in us says we have the right to.
Why is that so difficult for us to hear? Jesus stood up for himself and for His Father, right? True, but Jesus did not rebel. He submitted to the hands of Rome, even though there was no substance to the conviction and penalty. Jesus made an example for all of us to follow. I will not deny what is right, but if you think I should be punished for it, as a human institution of authority, you can, and I will submit. Harsh isn't it?
But it goes beyond political issues, as Peter also discusses the slave-master relationship. We don't have a clear-cut modern day example of that relationship, but I tend to relate it to employee-employer relationships. This was a lesson for me as much as anyone. Submit to your boss no matter how much a jerk they are. If you have ever worked for a jerky boss, you know what a challenge that is. Especially when it is a matter of the attitude of my heart. But again, we are called to live as resident aliens in this world. We should look different because the Kingdom we come from is different.
Why is our struggle to submit (live according to the order) so difficult? Why do you struggle with it (and I know you do)?
Friday, September 16, 2011
1 Thessalonians 3:6-4:12
I tell you, you can really feel Paul's heart in this passage. The spiritual father in him comes out boldly in this text. It's so moving. I mean, how can you get away with saying, "we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith," and yet still come across as loving as Paul does? Here in our country, we would take offense at such a comment. But Paul was writing this to people who were growing in their faith. He was writing to people that may have been his most favored church of all those he had planted up to this point.
Look at what he says in 4:1, "We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more." I call this the idea of Always Growing. How else can you say they were walking as they ought and pleasing God, yet they must do it even more? We're never done. We are never just like Jesus, though we are called to become more and more like him until the day He returns to be with us.
But Paul gives some simple commandments to be followed, and these commandments are still vital to our sanctification: "abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness." These are the things to be avoided, yet how many people think they can simply ignore the command to abstain from sexual immorality? The worldly way of life is to sleep with whoever, whenever, wherever. Some think they have morals because they won't sleep with someone on the first date, or live with someone they haven't been dating for at least a year. But God calls us to holiness, a different way of life, the life of a resident alien in this world. We represent His Kingdom; therefore, we live according to His standards, which are completely different from the worldly standards.
But Paul also gives some positive commands: "now concerning brotherly love you have no need for us to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love on another, for that indeed is what you are doing for all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." I love the fact that Paul says again how they are doing what they are called to do, but he urges them to do it more and more. Never be satisfied with loving each other. Grow, grow, grow. Why? Not so we can be saved, but because we are saved.
Are you growing? Are you growing in the things you are already doing well? Never be satisfied!
Look at what he says in 4:1, "We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more." I call this the idea of Always Growing. How else can you say they were walking as they ought and pleasing God, yet they must do it even more? We're never done. We are never just like Jesus, though we are called to become more and more like him until the day He returns to be with us.
But Paul gives some simple commandments to be followed, and these commandments are still vital to our sanctification: "abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness." These are the things to be avoided, yet how many people think they can simply ignore the command to abstain from sexual immorality? The worldly way of life is to sleep with whoever, whenever, wherever. Some think they have morals because they won't sleep with someone on the first date, or live with someone they haven't been dating for at least a year. But God calls us to holiness, a different way of life, the life of a resident alien in this world. We represent His Kingdom; therefore, we live according to His standards, which are completely different from the worldly standards.
But Paul also gives some positive commands: "now concerning brotherly love you have no need for us to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love on another, for that indeed is what you are doing for all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." I love the fact that Paul says again how they are doing what they are called to do, but he urges them to do it more and more. Never be satisfied with loving each other. Grow, grow, grow. Why? Not so we can be saved, but because we are saved.
Are you growing? Are you growing in the things you are already doing well? Never be satisfied!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Hebrews 5:11-6:12
Ah, Hebrews, what a wonderful, lighthearted book (sarcasm infused). As I was reading this passage this morning, I felt a sense of parenting going on. Whoever wrote the book of Hebrews (and there are numerous theories on who it was, but nobody really knows for certain), obviously had the heart of a spiritual parent. They weren't just a mature spiritual grown-up, but a parent, because they were intent on reproducing.
As I read the words, "though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God," it hit me. They didn't need someone to explain these things to them. They had a head knowledge of the basic principles of the oracles of God. They could probably pass a test on what the oracles of God were and their significance in the Scriptures. The problem with these "spiritual children" was that their lives did not show any results of living according to the oracles of God. They were still living off "milk," not "solid food."
How often do we do this? We hear a teaching we have heard many times, and so we brush it off because we have already heard it before. It wasn't very good because it wasn't new, right? Yet when someone examines our lives, would they see evidence that we truly have learned what we think we have? One of the primary principles of teaching is that you haven't taught someone something unless it takes root in their behavior. I can sit in front of a group and regurgitate facts for an hour, and many folks will hear some things they may not have heard before. However, at the end of the day, if nothing changes in your conduct because of it, have I really taught you anything? Probably not. I set some solid food in front of you, but I didn't help you to eat it.
So what are the so-called basic principles of the oracles of God? Well, as you venture into chapter 6, they are right there. There are six of them: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, instruction about washings or baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Do you understand these things? Notice the question. I didn't ask if you know about these things. I asked if you understand these things. When you hear teachings on these things does it motivate a change in your behavior? Do you live differently because of your knowledge of them? Does the idea of resurrection instill a sense of hope in you that drives your way of thinking and living? Does repentance from dead works really shape the things you do here on earth? Did your baptism mean anything to you? Do you live your life based on the fact that there will be an eternal judgment? What about laying on of hands? Do you even know much about that concept?
Being transformed is so much more than head-knowledge. When our mind is transformed, then we live differently. So what are the things you have stored up in your head that you haven't allowed to take root in your life?
As I read the words, "though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God," it hit me. They didn't need someone to explain these things to them. They had a head knowledge of the basic principles of the oracles of God. They could probably pass a test on what the oracles of God were and their significance in the Scriptures. The problem with these "spiritual children" was that their lives did not show any results of living according to the oracles of God. They were still living off "milk," not "solid food."
How often do we do this? We hear a teaching we have heard many times, and so we brush it off because we have already heard it before. It wasn't very good because it wasn't new, right? Yet when someone examines our lives, would they see evidence that we truly have learned what we think we have? One of the primary principles of teaching is that you haven't taught someone something unless it takes root in their behavior. I can sit in front of a group and regurgitate facts for an hour, and many folks will hear some things they may not have heard before. However, at the end of the day, if nothing changes in your conduct because of it, have I really taught you anything? Probably not. I set some solid food in front of you, but I didn't help you to eat it.
So what are the so-called basic principles of the oracles of God? Well, as you venture into chapter 6, they are right there. There are six of them: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, instruction about washings or baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Do you understand these things? Notice the question. I didn't ask if you know about these things. I asked if you understand these things. When you hear teachings on these things does it motivate a change in your behavior? Do you live differently because of your knowledge of them? Does the idea of resurrection instill a sense of hope in you that drives your way of thinking and living? Does repentance from dead works really shape the things you do here on earth? Did your baptism mean anything to you? Do you live your life based on the fact that there will be an eternal judgment? What about laying on of hands? Do you even know much about that concept?
Being transformed is so much more than head-knowledge. When our mind is transformed, then we live differently. So what are the things you have stored up in your head that you haven't allowed to take root in your life?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Ephesians 4:17-5:21
Today's passage filled me with mixed emotion. On one hand, I was excited at the idea that there is some sense of concreteness to the idea of transformation. On the other hand, how well I am doing with these concrete instructions sometimes falls way short of the goal. And the goal is right there in the middle of this passage. 5:1-2 says, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." That's the goal: be like God, especially in love.
One thing about this passage that I find encouraging is Paul's way of giving the list of commands. He shows the idea of transformation by following the pattern he sets up in 4:17-24. Don't do "this" like those who don't know God, but do "that" like those who are re-created after the likeness of God. Specifically, in verses 22-24, he says to put off the old self, your former manner of living; and put on the new self, living as an imitator of God. The context may blow your mind here. In Ephesus, there was a huge temple built for the goddess Artemis (also known as Diana). Artemis was a goddess of fertility, among other things, and part of the worship in the temple involved sexual practices with temple prostitutes. I find it so very interesting the language of 4:22-24. "Put off" means remove clothing; "put on" means to clothe yourself. Think about it, the sinful ways of life they knew about involved removing any sense of purity and righteousness in order to indulge the sinful nature. But Paul turns that around and says to put off the sinful way of life and to put on the pure, righteous way of life. Brilliant!!
To me the message is to make sure my life is different from my old way of life, in every aspect of life. Specifically, Paul says in honesty, righteous anger, responsibility, speech, attitudes, and forgiveness. He goes on in chapter 5 to give more areas of transformation: joking, social life, even our indulgences. I am so thankful for guidance from the Holy Spirit. I pray he is my indulgence!
I admit, I am not the best in these areas. I struggle with my speech, making sure it builds up. I struggle with my attitude at times. Even though I struggle, I know that I am being transformed. But reading these things is a call to holiness. How does this passage affect you?
One thing about this passage that I find encouraging is Paul's way of giving the list of commands. He shows the idea of transformation by following the pattern he sets up in 4:17-24. Don't do "this" like those who don't know God, but do "that" like those who are re-created after the likeness of God. Specifically, in verses 22-24, he says to put off the old self, your former manner of living; and put on the new self, living as an imitator of God. The context may blow your mind here. In Ephesus, there was a huge temple built for the goddess Artemis (also known as Diana). Artemis was a goddess of fertility, among other things, and part of the worship in the temple involved sexual practices with temple prostitutes. I find it so very interesting the language of 4:22-24. "Put off" means remove clothing; "put on" means to clothe yourself. Think about it, the sinful ways of life they knew about involved removing any sense of purity and righteousness in order to indulge the sinful nature. But Paul turns that around and says to put off the sinful way of life and to put on the pure, righteous way of life. Brilliant!!
To me the message is to make sure my life is different from my old way of life, in every aspect of life. Specifically, Paul says in honesty, righteous anger, responsibility, speech, attitudes, and forgiveness. He goes on in chapter 5 to give more areas of transformation: joking, social life, even our indulgences. I am so thankful for guidance from the Holy Spirit. I pray he is my indulgence!
I admit, I am not the best in these areas. I struggle with my speech, making sure it builds up. I struggle with my attitude at times. Even though I struggle, I know that I am being transformed. But reading these things is a call to holiness. How does this passage affect you?
Monday, September 12, 2011
1 Peter 1:13-2:12
I thought the daily devotional reading for today fit well with the theme of this blog, and I hope to make it a regular effort to blog along with the daily devotionals. Pastor Dave did a great job exploring this passage yesterday. This whole passage speaks to the life we are called to as a saved people. I find it so very interesting how holiness is tied to transformation.
When we are given a new birth by God, we become resident aliens in this world. As resident aliens, we are different, with a set of values and goals that go far beyond the world we live in. It wholly captures the idea that we are not just saved, but we are being saved right now. We are in the process of becoming more like Christ until His return, when we will see our salvation completed. But what does that mean on a practical level? It means we change in every area of our lives, but it all starts in the mind.
One verse that really stuck out to me in this passage was 2:10, "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." I feel like God is telling me that I am different. If I am different, then others can be different, too! How can I help others become what I am in the process of becoming?
Have you ever looked back on the past three or four years and thought about how you have changed? I do that so often, and I am amazed at the change that has happened in my life. I am so thankful for that change. To see where I was five years ago and to look at who I am now is drastically different. It amazes me to know that the Holy Spirit has been moving so mightily in me. What's He doing in your life?
When we are given a new birth by God, we become resident aliens in this world. As resident aliens, we are different, with a set of values and goals that go far beyond the world we live in. It wholly captures the idea that we are not just saved, but we are being saved right now. We are in the process of becoming more like Christ until His return, when we will see our salvation completed. But what does that mean on a practical level? It means we change in every area of our lives, but it all starts in the mind.
One verse that really stuck out to me in this passage was 2:10, "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." I feel like God is telling me that I am different. If I am different, then others can be different, too! How can I help others become what I am in the process of becoming?
Have you ever looked back on the past three or four years and thought about how you have changed? I do that so often, and I am amazed at the change that has happened in my life. I am so thankful for that change. To see where I was five years ago and to look at who I am now is drastically different. It amazes me to know that the Holy Spirit has been moving so mightily in me. What's He doing in your life?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Questions
?????????
In our day and age, we have all kinds of questions about things. Most of us will keep the questions to ourselves, pondering them intently, and some of us will be brave enough to ask our questions to those who seem to know about them. Some of us will ask our questions well, others will ask in a very strange way, not sure how to communicate what our question is. However we deal with our questions, they remain...questions.
What if we had the right questions? I know, what kind of question is that, right? Let's say you were reading a passage in the Bible, and you wanted to really understand what it meant. You wanted to explore it so you could learn to use it in your daily life (some people actually do want to do this). What if there were a few questions that could be applied to just about any passage, and would help us understand what is meant (supposing we get the answers to our questions), and would even help us to take that passage and allow it to influence our lives in some way? Would this be helpful?
So I have a few questions that I think would be helpful to anyone. Maybe they aren't sophisticated enough for you, maybe they are to vague, or maybe they are too difficult to answer. Whatever the case, if we attempt to answer these questions, they will help us to live more Christ-like lives.
1. What do you observe about God (or Jesus) in this passage? What can you say about God's character from what you just read? What can you say about His desires, about the way He works, about His purpose for this world?
2. What is God (or Jesus) teaching His people (disciples) in this passage? Think about it, maybe the message is clear for the people, maybe the message is encoded in the language. Perhaps this will take more research, or maybe it will take some reflection. Maybe there's more than one possible answer. Wrestle with this question pretty hard because it is huge!
3. What might God (or Jesus) be teaching you, personally, through this passage? Again, don't flyover this one. Wrestle with it. Let the Scripture explore your heart, your actions, even the way you think about certain things. What is the thing you feel like God really wants you to get right here?
4. What are some specific ways you can use this passage to help other people become more like Jesus or more godly? You know people. Those people probably know you. Do they know what you just learned from this passage? Can you help them explore who God is and how they can relate to Him? What action can you take? Maybe the passage is teaching you how to take action. Maybe you just learned about how the world works. Maybe you learned God's heart for the world. Whatever you just learned, how can you convey that message to others, whether they are believers or not.
Approach the Bible with your questions. These are the general questions, and there are much deeper more difficult questions to ask. Dig, explore, reach, pray, and when you have done all this do it again. It will change you. Perhaps your theology will change from day to day. Maybe you will believe certain things for a long time, and then it will slowly morph. As it changes you, allow it to change others through you. That's what the fourth question is all about.
But always remember, discipleship doesn't begin when someone is a believer, it doesn't begin when someone is baptized, it doesn't even begin when someone hears the gospel. It begins when you, a believer, form a relationship with someone. Maybe it's your kids, maybe it's your family members, maybe your neighbors, maybe a co-worker, maybe someone at church, maybe even a teacher or boss. It begins when they learn who you are. It begins when they encounter the Holy Spirit through you. It is at that point when you can begin to influence them to become more like Christ, whether they have decided to follow him in faith yet or not. Discipleship begins wherever they are.
Monday, March 28, 2011
What are we doing?
Have you ever read something, heard something, or had a conversation with someone that just pierced through you, challenging the way you have been doing things? Over the past two to three months, I have had several of those moments, and it has been painful yet motivating. I have sensed a passion well up within me lately that is stronger than before. We need to make disciples.
A few books that I have recently devoured: Real-Life Discipleship by Jim Putman, Christlike by Bill Hull, and through the first half of Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. The thoughts that have really been rolling around in my mind are of the nature of my role as a pastor/minister and the role of other leaders who are not full-time church staff. Is there a difference in our basic responsibilities to the Great Commission? If I get up and preach a sermon, am I not calling those in the congregation to obey God's Word just as God has called me? Why do I feel the need to do everything on my own? Why do people look to me to do everything? Am I truly making disciples, am I helping others become like Christ, and do I help others take next steps in their walk with Christ?
These questions are really penetrating my heart and causing some self-reflection. But one thing that I know is that there is a life-cycle to the Christian Life. We all begin in a place of ignorance, even disbelief. We don't know and don't believe that Christ was the Son of God and that we are at odds with God Himself. We see no need to do anything that isn't good for ourselves. For those of us who begin the journey with Christ, we enter the path with little or no knowledge of God, the Bible, Jesus, or the life we are called to. As we learn about these things, we begin to seek relationships with others who are on the same journey we are on. As we connect with others who are helping us connect to God, we begin looking for an outlet to practice the things we are learning. We need to be trained how to live out service and to be released to perform such. Finally as we grow in our knowledge, connection, and others-oriented service, we must understand that there is a next step. It's not over because we have run the gamut.
As mature Christians, our role is to help others along the way. Help them learn about God, the Bible, Jesus, and the Christian Life. Help them connect to others who help them connect to God. Help them learn how to serve, where to serve, and release them to serve. Then we must train them how to help others along the journey and release them to do so. Hopefully you are noticing the cyclical pattern here. It brings to my mind a question: If I consider myself a mature Christian, and I am not helping others grow in their journey with Christ, am I truly mature? If that doesn't sting, it should. I know I am helping others grow, and I still wonder if I could be more intentional, more purposeful, more focused on helping people grow. Is there a process to help others become what I myself am in the process of becoming?
Perhaps I have more questions than answers at this point. I just hope that I am asking the right questions. The right answers to the wrong questions don't really get us where we want to go. If we start with the right questions, then we will at least be wrestling with what we need to wrestle with. And quite honestly, the right answer is not always that important. What is important is to approach the right questions from an attitude of humility and with an intention of discussion with others. If we can dialogue about things with other people, we will see different perspectives, which will deepen our understanding of the questions and their importance.
So what are the questions you are asking? What do you wrestle with? Where are you at in your journey with Christ? Who is helping you move forward? Who are you helping move forward? How are you helping them move forward? How can I help you help them? How did Jesus help people grow up? I hope we can bounce some ideas around and dialogue about these questions. It is the essence of our journey with Jesus, and it deserves a continuous discussion.
A few books that I have recently devoured: Real-Life Discipleship by Jim Putman, Christlike by Bill Hull, and through the first half of Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. The thoughts that have really been rolling around in my mind are of the nature of my role as a pastor/minister and the role of other leaders who are not full-time church staff. Is there a difference in our basic responsibilities to the Great Commission? If I get up and preach a sermon, am I not calling those in the congregation to obey God's Word just as God has called me? Why do I feel the need to do everything on my own? Why do people look to me to do everything? Am I truly making disciples, am I helping others become like Christ, and do I help others take next steps in their walk with Christ?
These questions are really penetrating my heart and causing some self-reflection. But one thing that I know is that there is a life-cycle to the Christian Life. We all begin in a place of ignorance, even disbelief. We don't know and don't believe that Christ was the Son of God and that we are at odds with God Himself. We see no need to do anything that isn't good for ourselves. For those of us who begin the journey with Christ, we enter the path with little or no knowledge of God, the Bible, Jesus, or the life we are called to. As we learn about these things, we begin to seek relationships with others who are on the same journey we are on. As we connect with others who are helping us connect to God, we begin looking for an outlet to practice the things we are learning. We need to be trained how to live out service and to be released to perform such. Finally as we grow in our knowledge, connection, and others-oriented service, we must understand that there is a next step. It's not over because we have run the gamut.
As mature Christians, our role is to help others along the way. Help them learn about God, the Bible, Jesus, and the Christian Life. Help them connect to others who help them connect to God. Help them learn how to serve, where to serve, and release them to serve. Then we must train them how to help others along the journey and release them to do so. Hopefully you are noticing the cyclical pattern here. It brings to my mind a question: If I consider myself a mature Christian, and I am not helping others grow in their journey with Christ, am I truly mature? If that doesn't sting, it should. I know I am helping others grow, and I still wonder if I could be more intentional, more purposeful, more focused on helping people grow. Is there a process to help others become what I myself am in the process of becoming?
Perhaps I have more questions than answers at this point. I just hope that I am asking the right questions. The right answers to the wrong questions don't really get us where we want to go. If we start with the right questions, then we will at least be wrestling with what we need to wrestle with. And quite honestly, the right answer is not always that important. What is important is to approach the right questions from an attitude of humility and with an intention of discussion with others. If we can dialogue about things with other people, we will see different perspectives, which will deepen our understanding of the questions and their importance.
So what are the questions you are asking? What do you wrestle with? Where are you at in your journey with Christ? Who is helping you move forward? Who are you helping move forward? How are you helping them move forward? How can I help you help them? How did Jesus help people grow up? I hope we can bounce some ideas around and dialogue about these questions. It is the essence of our journey with Jesus, and it deserves a continuous discussion.
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