Volume 9 Post/Email 5 – Trusting God
by brian
Our VBS last week was on stories of God, David, Saul and Jonathan. We divided the adult class responsibilities among four of us guys. The story I taught on Tuesday was in First Samuel 22 where Saul kills the 85 priests of Nob.
This was an evil act! It was an atrocious decision fueled by an out-of-control leader. His cruelty went beyond those holy men who wore the linen ephod. Verse 19 mentions that Saul also killed the men, women, children and infants in the city of Nob.
What are we to make of this story?
God continues to permit Saul's madness in the chapters following, including allowing David to suffer as a fugitive. Why would God remain longsuffering? Why not intervene?
Without claiming to have all the answers, nor complete insight into the mind of God, His Word does provide His people with spiritual truths to hold to and guide us.
The following verses mostly convey a message about God. They magnify God and His transcendence and power as Almighty, and that we cannot fathom the depths of who He is. A few also provide the application that we are called to trust God 100%, which is a matter for which God's people wrestle.
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has been his counselor?" -Romans 11:33-34
"For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." -1 Corinthians 2:16
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The LORD is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." -2 Peter 3:8-9
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust." "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you." -Isaiah 26:3-5, 8a
"This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." -Jeremiah 17:5-8
Following the Nob massacre, David had an opportunity in First Samuel 24 and 26 to kill Saul. He chose, rather, to trust God and wait on God to deliver. He waits. David walked with God and waited for His timing.
Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons."
God waited, and waited, and waited, and when the time had fully come, God sent his Son. Why? Redemption.
God provides a way for wicked men to become righteous! God punishes Jesus on our behalf! God provides an exchange of sin for salvation through Christ!
We can exchange all of our idolatry, bigotry, pride, and other sins, and receive salvation and newness of life! Now we live in peace and harmony with Him, including trusting Him.
Reflection Question: Can God be trusted?
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 1 – Clean or Unclean?
by brian
This is the title of my Easter lesson this year and my text is Matthew chapters 8 and 9. The book of Matthew is the most Jewish of the four gospels. Much of the book is about this title. In Matthew 15 there is a lengthy discourse about "Clean" versus "Unclean." However, the theme begins directly after the Sermon on the Mountainside (chs. 5-7). Several stories in the narrative of chapters 8 and 9 are about the harshly divided categories of clean and unclean (at least 4 in ch. 8 and another 4 in ch. 9 totaling 8). I will only reference 3 on elguy for painting the picture and providing some application.
In 8:1-4, Jesus allows a leper to approach him and Jesus even touches him. No doubt an orthodox Jew would have stayed away because of seeing him as being unclean.
In 8:5-13, Jesus cares for and heals a centurion's servant. Again, to an orthodox Jew, this Roman soldier would be considered unclean and unworthy of association as a Gentile. The most shocking statement is when Jesus claims that he has not found such great faith in all of Israel!
At the end of chapter 8, Jesus approaches two demon-possessed men living among the dead(!) as unclean men and drives out the evil spirits. The irony is that Jesus winds up trading positions and treated as one unclean because the entire town pleads with him to leave their region. One would think they would request Jesus to help heal uncles, cousins, and such from their demons. It seems they value possessions over people since so many swine rushed down the steep bank and died in the water.
So, what do we do with this? How do these stories challenge our orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right behavior)?
The traditional church mindset is to have someone agree with what we believe and do and then we accept them into our fellowship. Basically, acceptance can only happen when repentance happens first.
However, Jesus operated in a completely different scope. Acceptance came first. Repentance might follow, but not every person who came into contact with Jesus changed their life. Nevertheless, that didn't seem to change His acceptance of them.
Who are we seeing and treating as unclean? Who are we cold and exclusive toward?
After we identify these, are we willing to stop doing so and instead be Jesus to them?
Are we willing to evangelize to the stigmatized and marginalized?
Here's the kicker: we are ALL unclean! What did Jesus do? He became unclean on the cross so that we might be declared clean!
In each of the 8 stories in these 2 chapters, the faith of the individual(s) is highlighted. Each is "clean" and accepted in God's kingdom and family because of their faith!
Acts 15:8-9 reads, "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us (Hebrews) and them (Gentiles), for he purified their hearts by faith." We are not cleansed by our works, but by faith in Christ!
And finally, Acts 10:28 records Peter's statement about his vision and revelation - "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean."
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 6 – The Good News
by brian
(While this message is being typed before the Superbowl, it will not be posted and read until afterward.)
This year a 30 second Superbowl commercial costs $3 million. It is difficult to fathom every second of communicating a message costing a company $100,000! Yet, these companies are willing to spend that enormous amount of money to advertise and potentially affect successful sales.
What about Christians? What about churches? How much are we willing to sacrifice to communicate our hope and message of salvation in Jesus Christ?
There will not be a marketed product in those commercials that people need! On the other hand, every person needs Jesus!
Ministering to others through conversations and service always have the potential of making an impression and positive difference in another's life, faith and eternal destiny.
The church in Acts was willing to sacrifice their money, time, freedom and even their wellbeing to witness to the world about the good news.
Acts 5:41-42 reads, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."
We should not underestimate the time spent influencing others. Whether it's 30 seconds or 30 minutes, 30 days or 30 years, we all have opportunities to witness to, teach, encourage, and impact people in ways that glorify Christ.
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 9 – Faith(#9)
by brian
In a discussion about Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, Acts 15:9-11 reads, "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
An amazing thing occurs when we choose to have faith in Christ - our heart is purified and our soul saved by the grace of Jesus.
Nothing else - including good works, spiritual acts or religious yokes - purifies our hearts and saves our soul.
If we attempt to quantify spirituality the way most do, the Pharisees win every time.
A good reflection question: Identify a few religious habits in your life that are currently losing (or have lost) their meaning and significance in helping you encounter/experience God and have a positive impact/impression upon your life. (After identifying any such religious habits, determine the reason(s) and solution(s). Understand, too, that this may not have happened suddenly, and therefore, it could take some time and thought to arrive at the reason(s) and solution(s).)
Faith in the atoning blood and grace of Christ is what saves us. There are many expressions of faith and options for deepening our faith and walk with God as a result of our standing with God in Christ.
The goal of the Christian should be "Christ formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). Religion and religious activity can help and hinder this pursuit. Sometimes we perceive ours and others spiritual walk and quantify such in ways that are putting on the necks of disciples of Jesus a yoke that is unnecessary.
May we all be men and women of faith who seek to honor Christ daily and grow spiritually through the many venues available and promoted in Scripture, but not in "yokeful contexts" placed on ourselves or others.
A second reflection question: What can/will I intentionally do this week to freely and sincerely worship God?
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 8 – Colossians 4:2
by brian
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
When my spiritual life is unfocused, I suffer. A lack of devotion to speaking with God is costly.
1. I am not prepared to deal with Satan and temptation when I am not devoted to prayer.
2. My attitude drifts from being grateful and positive when I am not devoted to prayer.
3. The Great Commission of Jesus Christ is less of a priority when I am not devoted to prayer.
Colossians 4:3 reads, "And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Colossians 4:5 reads, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
Am I watchful and thankful?
Without being devoted to prayer, being thankful is difficult, and being watchful even harder.
However, when my spiritual life is focused, God grants me wisdom and strength for any temptation.
When my spiritual life is focused, God cleanses my heart from ungrateful, unloving, and negative attitudes.
When my spiritual life is focused, God's will for my influence on others is my will, and so I am watchful for people to pray for and to have beneficial spiritual conversations with.
Colossians 4:6 - "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
A good measure for assessing my spiritual conversations is whether they are grace-oriented. Paul teaches us to be "full of grace" when talking with others about God.
Obviously, being "devoted" (vs. 2) implies an ongoing, continual, everyday practice.
Everyday Let God Use You to pray for others, speak with others, and be a Christian example for others.
Let's be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful!
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 4 – Hebrews 7:25
by brian
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Isn't this a tremendous truth? Jesus is able to save "completely"!
You and I are 1000% saved by the interceding blood of Jesus Christ!
We do not earn even a fraction of a percent of our salvation!
Anything good or religious that we do is a result of the merciful work of God. We do not worship and serve to be saved, nor to remain saved. We are always completely redeemed by Jesus. We worship and serve out of love and joy because we are redeemed!
Another way we can think about and apply this verse is with regard to religious differences.
I have Christian brothers and sisters who I consider to be considerably more liberal than I am on some of their religious views. Likewise, I have Christian brothers and sisters who I consider to be considerably more conservative than I am on their religious views. Who is in right standing with God? Am I for my more conservative views than some, or for my more progressive views than others?
As we all seek truth, wisdom and growth in Christ, we are still always saved completely by Jesus! For all of our misunderstandings and misapplications along the way, trust in the grace of Jesus is what continues to cleanse me of my sins.
God loves us, even in our moments of misunderstanding, mediocrity, incompetency, and inconsistency!
Praise God! Jesus always lives to intercede for us!
-Brian
Volume 2 Post/Email 12 – 1 Peter 2:7-8a
by brian
Peter writes, Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,' and, 'A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.'
Ultimately, this matter of the rock is out of our hands.
We will all be broken by it.
Our only choice is when, but all will experience brokenness.
Philippians 2:10-11 mentions that every knee will bow and every tongue confess.
If we wait until judgment day to bow, Scripture teaches it will be too late for being blessed.
If we choose to submit now, while the rock still causes us to stumble and break, the rock also becomes the capstone of our lives, and the foundation upon which we build.
And so, we conclude the theme of spiritual formation with the One who makes it all possible, Jesus Christ.
If you and I are trusting in him and having our beliefs, character, and lifestyle changed because of him, then we are experiencing formation from God.
1 Peter 2:6 reads, For in Scripture it says, 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'
Jesus makes abundant life in God's kingdom available! Trusting him, learning from him, and accepting undeserved and unlimited forgiveness from him is our lot.
And verse 7a again - "Now to you who believe, this stone is precious."
Indeed, Jesus is precious!!!!!
He gently, lovingly, patiently and compassionately breaks us from everything sinful and unnecessary. He takes unholy filth and builds us into holy worshippers (priests).
-Brian
(Below are the lyrics to the song "We Fall Down")
We fall down, we lay our crowns, at the feet - of Jesus.
The greatness of, Your mercy and love, at the feet - of Jesus.
And we cry, Holy Holy Holy.
And we cry, Holy Holy Holy.
And we cry, Holy Holy Holy, is the Lamb.
Volume 2 Post/Email 4 – Galatians 4:19
by brian
This week, we continue with more thoughts on the theme of spiritual formation.
In Galatians 4:19 Paul writes, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
I believe this verse adds more to our previous post from 1 Peter 2:1-3 concerning growing up in our salvation as “newborn babies”.
Though Paul is writing to Christians who already believe in Christ, and have committed to following Christ, they are still in need of growth. One spiritual goal Paul had for them is that Christ would be formed inside of them, individually and collectively.
Along with our personal salvation, our personal spiritual development is of utmost importance! (This is also true for entire congregations.)
Much of the focus in the New Testament letters to the various Christians concerns them continuing to develop in their knowledge and faith, and how this impacts (should impact) daily living.
Obviously, the church of Christ, or community of Christ, is to be a people who are growing in the character and teachings of Christ. This means we look to Jesus for direction into divine living.
And discipleship demands evaluation and reevaluation of who I am, what I believe, and who I am becoming.
Am I becoming more like Jesus?
Through the gospels, we find Jesus asking his disciples questions, as a catalyst to cause them to assess and often reassess their life and faith.
A good spiritual question for us to ask ourselves is – In what ways do I lack the identity and character of Christ?
Am I lacking humility? Am I lacking honesty? Am I lacking compassion? Am I lacking faith/trust? (and so forth)
Are we in touch with the God of our interiority? Do we need to rethink and reexamine our attitudes toward self? Toward others? (We probably need to be in the habit of considering both!)
Thankfully, any identified needs for repentance and growth are not a mere act of will (or will-power).
Transformation of character is a continual interest of the Holy Spirit. We have God’s grace and power to propel us, empower us, and grow us.
Thus, spiritual fruit does not result from a humanistic effort at “self-transformation”, but from an ongoing walk in the Spirit. (In Galatians 5, it contrasts this concept with the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit”.)
In confession of our need for the Spirit’s help, we act in faith and repentance, attempting to follow Jesus, learn from Jesus, and be conformed to his likeness.
(I realize at this point I may be overstating, but I believe the following paragraph may be helpful to at least some readers.)
Sometimes the Spirit’s work is quiet and unnoticeable. The inward changes taking place may not be acknowledged by others, or even always seen by ourselves. Sometimes, this is because the fruit of the Spirit grows gradually rather than instantly. (Just as we focused last week on new Christians starting as spiritual newborns, and how it takes time to develop from a newborn to a person of maturity.)
So one way to measure my progress is by the fruit of the Spirit. A lack of fruit is a sign of an unhealthy and stagnant relationship with Christ.
After Paul lists the familiar fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, he states, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (5:25-26)
Thus, another way to measure my spiritual walk, and whether Christ is continuing to be formed in me, is to evaluate my relationships. If I am becoming conceited, that will show in how I act around and treat others.
1. Exaggerating our own importance denies our total dependence upon and need for God. We are spiritually bankrupt and inadequate without the reign of God, love of God, and forgiveness of God.
2. Exaggerating our own worth also devalues the worth of others in our eyes. We are all 100% unworthy because of sin, yet 100% loved. We are loveable because he loves us!
It is through a growing awareness of the transforming power of God’s constant love for us that we respond with joy at the intoxicating prospect of a whole new way of life. A radical new way of life slowly become reality. The invitation to the abundant life Jesus offers is accepted and begins coming to fruition in our life. God’s kingdom slowly begins to permeate our life like yeast in bread (Matt. 13:33), and over time, we experience a reformation of our whole person. Trust becomes natural. Obedience becomes natural. Prayer becomes natural. Joy becomes natural. Love becomes natural – not just good feelings for others - but positive actions like forgiving and serving others, becomes natural.
Sin becomes unnatural!
Thus, we have Christ’s abiding presence, identity, character and strength formed, and ever forming, in us!!!
2 Peter 1:3 reads, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
-Brian
(Next week, and probably for more than one week, we will think deeper on this matter pertaining to the transforming potential of a regular and authentic life of prayer.)
Volume 2 Post/Email 3 – 1 Peter 2:1-3
by brian
Did you ever wish when you were a child that you would grow up faster?
I know at times I did. I saw older friends and cousins driving, so I wanted to start driving – I saw them working, so I wanted to start working – I desired to start making all of my own decisions, and such.
Now, there are days where I wish I could go back to being a kid, playing little league baseball, having fun outside with my brothers and neighborhood friends, and had fewer responsibilities.
Anyway, my direction with this is that there are moments now where I wish I would grow up faster as a Christian. Perhaps you have experienced similar frustration. Yes, you can see ways that you have grown from year to year, but you still see so much more room for transformation, and wish you were further along in your spiritual journey.
There are days where I feel like a spiritual amateur, or as Bryant Terry from church would comment in class, “I’m in spiritual kindergarten.” I see men and women of faith that are so far ahead of me, and such incredible examples, and wish I were there myself. I could list many examples, but 2 that are very much needed in life (and ministry) are the ones I am mentioning.
One example is prayer. I cannot remember when I did not believe in it. It was taught and practiced in my home all of my childhood. However, it has only been the last few years that I have felt like more than an amateur at praying, and this is my fault for a lack of consistent devotion, study and practice. I now want and seek a richer and deeper life of daily worship and prayer. Prayer is like the ocean. No one has completely fathomed its depths, but even the smallest child can play in the waves by the shore. I feel like that child, still a beginner, playing in the shallow water. Praying the Psalms, having regular spiritual conversations and prayer with Jamie, reading books on God's love by Brennan Manning, meditating on N.T. Scriptures, and learning afresh from Jesus in the gospels, have all been tremendously helpful and refreshing for me.
As a second example, I desire to have my dad's patience. For all of you who know him, you know he is pretty much the epitome of patience, especially when dealing with difficult people. Through the years I have seen him treat people with such love and gentleness who were not treating him or the church with much love, respect or fairness, and think, "How does he do it?" I praise God for him, my mom, of course Jamie, and all the people God has put into my life to bless me in some way. Hopefully we can all say God has blessed us with wonderful Christian friends and family who love and encourage us.
So the point is, all of us have growing to do, and those who are ahead of us did not get where they are overnight either. Thus, what I find the Scriptures emphasize (Jeremiah 18:3-6, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Peter 1:5-7, etc.) is spiritual growth being both a personal decision and a process. It takes time to experience transformation, grow spiritual fruit, and become more like Christ. Furthermore, the key is not to compare ourselves with others, but to simply make sure we are personally and actively seeking God, reading His word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in our life, even if we aren’t where someone else is concerning bible knowledge, or prayer, or patience, or generosity, or compassion, or humility, or speech, or enthusiasm, faith, and so forth.
1 Peter 2:1-3 reads, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
I love the simile and encouragement of this passage!
1. We can decide to grow in faith, Christ-like character and holiness. We begin seeing the fruit of this decision by choosing to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and any form of slander.
2. We start as a spiritual newborn, and begin developing spiritual muscles and growing stronger as a Christian slowly but surely by the milk of God’s word. Thus, a new Christian is not expected by God to be where an older Christian is spiritually, but is expected to begin (and continue) the process of growing in maturity.
Two things I reminded my High School students of two weeks ago as we began an intense study on the challenging issue of theodicy and the story of Job. First, I told them that so many of them are much further along in their faith and insight than I was at their age, which I see as a good thing. I am frequently impressed by a statement or point someone makes in class, or by a concept one develops in a writing assignment. So I affirmed where they are, while still encouraging them to keep growing. Secondly, I expressed that while I might be an adult and a "teacher", that everyone has growing to do, and that on theological matters we study no one has a monopoly on God or the Bible, and on faith and discipleship issues everyone can be challenged in some way to grow more in Christ. This is not to excuse any careless behavior, but is simply a matter of fact.
I want to conclude by reiterating, let's not be discouraged because we are not at the same spiritual place as those who are stronger in the faith, but be thankful for their examples. Be encouraged by older and stronger Christians, other ministers, examples in Scripture like Job and the apostle Paul, and especially and obviously Christ. As we let God use us this week, let's be grateful for the growth we have already experienced in Christ, and eagerly aspire to continue growing in His love and grace.
-Brian
Volume 1 Post/Email 4 – Philippians 3:1-8
by brian
Philippians 3:1 reads, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the LORD! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”
As someone who teaches and preaches, I like to point out in this verse that Paul says redundancy and repetition are o.k. :)
Here Paul encourages them, and us, to rejoice in our Lord, Jesus. He says he knows this is something he has mentioned before and that it is no trouble to do so once again, because he is reminding them of this simple truth as a safeguard.
So what is the safeguard? The following verses (2-6) show that the context he is addressing has to do with finding joy in religious things other than Jesus, such as our own “spiritual resume” (so to speak). Thus, our joy becomes based on, or resulting from, a focus on ourselves and our religious activities and works and not based on Jesus and His saving (atoning) work and blessings.
This was a Jewish struggle for many converts in the 1st Century, and it is a Christian struggle for some today – seeking to be justified by law/performance rather than by grace through faith in Jesus.
In Acts 15:9 Peter explains this to the Jewish Christians who were struggling to accept the Gentile Christians who did not keep all of their “traditions”. He says, “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?”
Likewise, we can be tempted to lose the joy of a simple but sincere trust in Jesus. We can begin to place so much emphasis and importance on our religious performance and works that we end up both worshipping God and serving others under false pretenses. Instead of a heart oriented towards Jesus that results in joy, humility, service and overall transformation and obedience, we end up practicing more of a self-worship than God-worship. The result can even be to compare ourselves, including our works, our knowledge/beliefs, and even specific worship habits, to those of others and to compare “spiritual resumes” and put our confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:2-3).
Isn’t this scary?! Religious activities can actually draw us away from God instead of closer to God! Like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14, who allowed the spiritual disciplines of praying, fasting and tithing to be about himself and focus on himself rather than on God’s presence and goodness in his life.
Isn’t this scary?! Religious activities can actually draw us away from other Christian believers instead of closer to them! We can have a sectarian spirit and actions instead of a Christ-like spirit and actions. Sadly, we could create a list of 100’s of things Christians have divided over that the Bible does not mandate dividing over.
Here is Paul’s “spiritual resume” and how he now views himself in light of Christ.
Philippians 3:4b-6 reads, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”
A little adlibbing … ‘Boy, aren’t I such a religious person who has everything together? I am a Christian of Christians! Well … this is what I now think and know to be true … my spiritual resume is garbage and I desperately need God’s mercy! I need Jesus, and Jesus alone is my joy and salvation!’
Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
As God works in and through you each day, rejoice in the LORD that you are forgiven, loved, have purpose and can be used in the kingdom despite being unholy and unworthy apart from Christ.
It is not about our religious heritage (or even a lack of a religious background). Our salvation is not a matter of how much we know or how much we do or how right we think we are compared to others. What matters is having a personal faith in Jesus and humbly seeking to glory in Him (vs. 3), without putting any confidence in ourselves (the flesh).
My prayer from this text (and perhaps yours too):
“Father, may I rejoice in Jesus each day. May my relationship with you not be one of pride and self-promotion, but one of gratitude and love for You. May I have a heart purified by faith in Jesus. May my obedience and religious activities direct me towards You and not myself.
Also, help me to love others more now than ever before. May I not judge and look down on other people of faith who do not have an exact resemblance to my spiritual views and practices, but to seek unity, peace and love based on a common faith in Christ in the midst of any other diversity.
Thank you for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you for Jesus. In His name, Amen.”
-Brian