Friday, March 30, 2007
I Have a Nephew!
Coban Lee was born around 10AM on Thursday weighing 8lb3oz and stretching 21" long (Calvin measured him with a tape measure). Hooraaay!
A Long, Hard Look in the Mirror
Ephesians 4:14-19
There are three things I want to comment on from this passage:
1) The goal of the Christian life is not just personal, individual maturity. The goal is the maturity of the Body of Christ. Paul's view is not of a bunch of loosely affiliated Christians but of one body made up of different parts vitally linked to each other. The Body becomes mature through Christ (the source of life and the Head) and as each part of the Body contributes to the maturity of the whole. Obviously this means that the individual parts must mature in order to have something to contribute to the maturity of the whole, but I think that we've over emphasized individual maturity in the recent history of the Church to the detriment of the Body itself. Faith has become all about what it offers to me and what I need to do for my own self-improvement rather than about what I can give to the Body of Christ and what I can do for the community's maturation process.
2) After all of Paul's talk about the mystery of the union between Jew and Gentile and the grace of God that brought Gentiles into the promises of God, he then uses the word Gentile in a derogatory sense (which would get the liberal human rights people all tied up in knots if they were around today!). In v. 17, a Gentile is someone who is not a Jew and is separated from the light of the gospel of Christ. This makes me wonder if Paul, and maybe the rest of the early Christians, saw three categories of people: Jews, Gentiles and Christians. In other words, did they understand that when they submitted to Jesus' right to rule their lives that they were completely called out from and separated from the culture they once were part of. No matter what their cultural background was, their primary identification was now in Christ - they had a new heritage, a new identity and a new citizenship. I'm not talking about creating our own Christian sub-culture with it's own music, trinkets and cheesy rip off t-shirts (don't get me started) but a completely new way of looking at the world and at life. Maybe I'm reading too much into Paul's use of "Gentile" in this context.
3) "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." Does this sound like anything that is going on today? The other day I was shocked as I was flipping through channels and came across a report on MuchMusic about the evolution of the female in the music industry. They were exploring the role that women play by using their sexuality in music (both as background dancers and as lead singers). What shocked me was that they were asking the questions about what effect this has on young girls and teens of both genders. I didn't see the whole thing partly because it was late and partly because they continued to show examples of what they were talking about and I didn't think I needed to see half naked women simulating sex acts. But the small part that I did see talked about the "continual lust for more" (obviously not in those words). The problem is that I don't think this is just confined to the "Gentiles" anymore but also to those who would identify themselves as Christians. In Sunday School last week a student made the statement that it was ok for a Christian to enter a bet to see if he could get a random girl on the ski lift to make out with him. That sounds like someone who has given himself over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity.
If we are to take point #1 seriously then we have a huge responsibility to those who would identify themselves as part of the Body of Christ to help them reach maturity in the faith which includes this student from Sunday School. We have a huge responsibility to build vital, loving relationships so that we can hold the mirror of Scripture up before their lives to confront them with the truth. I have a huge responsibility to remain humble enought to look in the mirror myself. It's not about me - it's about us (the Body) and it's about Christ.
There are three things I want to comment on from this passage:
1) The goal of the Christian life is not just personal, individual maturity. The goal is the maturity of the Body of Christ. Paul's view is not of a bunch of loosely affiliated Christians but of one body made up of different parts vitally linked to each other. The Body becomes mature through Christ (the source of life and the Head) and as each part of the Body contributes to the maturity of the whole. Obviously this means that the individual parts must mature in order to have something to contribute to the maturity of the whole, but I think that we've over emphasized individual maturity in the recent history of the Church to the detriment of the Body itself. Faith has become all about what it offers to me and what I need to do for my own self-improvement rather than about what I can give to the Body of Christ and what I can do for the community's maturation process.
2) After all of Paul's talk about the mystery of the union between Jew and Gentile and the grace of God that brought Gentiles into the promises of God, he then uses the word Gentile in a derogatory sense (which would get the liberal human rights people all tied up in knots if they were around today!). In v. 17, a Gentile is someone who is not a Jew and is separated from the light of the gospel of Christ. This makes me wonder if Paul, and maybe the rest of the early Christians, saw three categories of people: Jews, Gentiles and Christians. In other words, did they understand that when they submitted to Jesus' right to rule their lives that they were completely called out from and separated from the culture they once were part of. No matter what their cultural background was, their primary identification was now in Christ - they had a new heritage, a new identity and a new citizenship. I'm not talking about creating our own Christian sub-culture with it's own music, trinkets and cheesy rip off t-shirts (don't get me started) but a completely new way of looking at the world and at life. Maybe I'm reading too much into Paul's use of "Gentile" in this context.
3) "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." Does this sound like anything that is going on today? The other day I was shocked as I was flipping through channels and came across a report on MuchMusic about the evolution of the female in the music industry. They were exploring the role that women play by using their sexuality in music (both as background dancers and as lead singers). What shocked me was that they were asking the questions about what effect this has on young girls and teens of both genders. I didn't see the whole thing partly because it was late and partly because they continued to show examples of what they were talking about and I didn't think I needed to see half naked women simulating sex acts. But the small part that I did see talked about the "continual lust for more" (obviously not in those words). The problem is that I don't think this is just confined to the "Gentiles" anymore but also to those who would identify themselves as Christians. In Sunday School last week a student made the statement that it was ok for a Christian to enter a bet to see if he could get a random girl on the ski lift to make out with him. That sounds like someone who has given himself over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity.
If we are to take point #1 seriously then we have a huge responsibility to those who would identify themselves as part of the Body of Christ to help them reach maturity in the faith which includes this student from Sunday School. We have a huge responsibility to build vital, loving relationships so that we can hold the mirror of Scripture up before their lives to confront them with the truth. I have a huge responsibility to remain humble enought to look in the mirror myself. It's not about me - it's about us (the Body) and it's about Christ.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Did Paul Have ADD?
Ephesians 4:7-13
Paul is famous for interrupting himself and here we see he does it again - his main point is that although we are united (one Lord, one faith, one baptism...) we are unique in that Christ has given us different gifts. The reason that Christ gives us these gifts is to prepare God's people for service, to build up the body of Christ, unity, maturity and development of the full character of Christ in us.
However, he only gets part way through his point and he takes a rabbit trail (good to know I am in good company!). This time he gets distracted by the word "ascended" in his quote from Psalm 68 (which he uses with pretty shaky hermeneutics but I digress). He reminds us that if Christ ascended, it also means he descended to earth - speaking both of his incarnation and his humility. There is a movement today in Christian circles, especially in the emergent church, to minimize the trancendency of Christ. The rather emphasise the fact of his incarnation - that he lives amongst us, that he was human, that he was relevant and authentic. Paul emphasized both - he never lost sight of the fact that Christ was also raised to the highest place of honour and is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christ is not just the lowly rabbi, he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens in order to fill the whole universe! It is my privilege to serve and follow this King. It is my absolute honour to use the grace he apportioned to me in order to build up the body of Christ.
I also can't help but notice the idea of fullness coming back twice in this passage - Christ ascended to fill the universe and the reason we have been given gifts from Christ is so that the Body may attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. I still don't completely understand what Paul is getting at but it sure seems very important to him. In my mind it again points to the incredible responsibility and work that Christ has given to the Church. It reminds me that the Church is not an institution, an organization or a building - it is the Body of Christ on earth and as such should act, speak and live only as Christ would. When the world sees the Church they should be seeing the fullness of Jesus.
Paul is famous for interrupting himself and here we see he does it again - his main point is that although we are united (one Lord, one faith, one baptism...) we are unique in that Christ has given us different gifts. The reason that Christ gives us these gifts is to prepare God's people for service, to build up the body of Christ, unity, maturity and development of the full character of Christ in us.
However, he only gets part way through his point and he takes a rabbit trail (good to know I am in good company!). This time he gets distracted by the word "ascended" in his quote from Psalm 68 (which he uses with pretty shaky hermeneutics but I digress). He reminds us that if Christ ascended, it also means he descended to earth - speaking both of his incarnation and his humility. There is a movement today in Christian circles, especially in the emergent church, to minimize the trancendency of Christ. The rather emphasise the fact of his incarnation - that he lives amongst us, that he was human, that he was relevant and authentic. Paul emphasized both - he never lost sight of the fact that Christ was also raised to the highest place of honour and is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christ is not just the lowly rabbi, he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens in order to fill the whole universe! It is my privilege to serve and follow this King. It is my absolute honour to use the grace he apportioned to me in order to build up the body of Christ.
I also can't help but notice the idea of fullness coming back twice in this passage - Christ ascended to fill the universe and the reason we have been given gifts from Christ is so that the Body may attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. I still don't completely understand what Paul is getting at but it sure seems very important to him. In my mind it again points to the incredible responsibility and work that Christ has given to the Church. It reminds me that the Church is not an institution, an organization or a building - it is the Body of Christ on earth and as such should act, speak and live only as Christ would. When the world sees the Church they should be seeing the fullness of Jesus.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
We're not worthy!
Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul is beginning to transition from teaching theological truths to practical truths based on the theology. This is common practice with Paul: here's what we believe, here's how we should live based on that belief. In this passage it is very obvious that this transition begins here: "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." The calling Paul is talking about is the call to be unified in the church so that we will be the holy dwelling where God lives by His Spirit (2:22) and display God's wisdom to the spiritual powers in the heavenly realms (3:10).
This passage tells me that while Jesus did all the work to make unity possible, that there is still some effort to be made from our end - I like the wording: "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit." It's already there from the perspective of heaven but we have a responsibility to keep and make it real on earth.
There's a couple of things that I like about this passage. The first is Paul's little guilt motivation: "as a prisoner of the Lord..." It seems like he's saying, "Just a reminder that I'm in prison because I brought the gospel to you so you should do what I say..." I love it! The other is the poetry of Paul's words when he starts describing the oneness of our faith and hope. Then, at the end, he says that God is "over all and through all and in all." It just flows!
The part that really stands out is the encouragement to live a life worthy o fthe calling you have received. When I look at what God has called me and allowed me to do with my life so far, I am completely humbled - I am not worthy! It's not that I feel hopeless of ever living up to the calling - it actually motivates me to be a better person because I know that it is only possible by the grace of my Lord Jesus. My being worthy, while it requires effort on my part to live it out, is based solely on the work of Jesus Christ to cleanse me and the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide me. No wonder I'm going to cast my crowns before Christ in heaven - they belong to him!
Paul is beginning to transition from teaching theological truths to practical truths based on the theology. This is common practice with Paul: here's what we believe, here's how we should live based on that belief. In this passage it is very obvious that this transition begins here: "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." The calling Paul is talking about is the call to be unified in the church so that we will be the holy dwelling where God lives by His Spirit (2:22) and display God's wisdom to the spiritual powers in the heavenly realms (3:10).
This passage tells me that while Jesus did all the work to make unity possible, that there is still some effort to be made from our end - I like the wording: "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit." It's already there from the perspective of heaven but we have a responsibility to keep and make it real on earth.
There's a couple of things that I like about this passage. The first is Paul's little guilt motivation: "as a prisoner of the Lord..." It seems like he's saying, "Just a reminder that I'm in prison because I brought the gospel to you so you should do what I say..." I love it! The other is the poetry of Paul's words when he starts describing the oneness of our faith and hope. Then, at the end, he says that God is "over all and through all and in all." It just flows!
The part that really stands out is the encouragement to live a life worthy o fthe calling you have received. When I look at what God has called me and allowed me to do with my life so far, I am completely humbled - I am not worthy! It's not that I feel hopeless of ever living up to the calling - it actually motivates me to be a better person because I know that it is only possible by the grace of my Lord Jesus. My being worthy, while it requires effort on my part to live it out, is based solely on the work of Jesus Christ to cleanse me and the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide me. No wonder I'm going to cast my crowns before Christ in heaven - they belong to him!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Imagine...
Ephesians 3:17-21
After Paul prays that the Ephesian church would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit living in them and Christ being completely at home in their hearts, Paul asks that they would be able to grasp the dimensions of Christ's love and experience the reality of it in their lives. It is a love that is knowable but it cannot be fully known. A love that can be experienced and is very vast. Upon experiencing this love, Paul says that we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. This reminds me of the verse at the end of chapter one which says that the church is the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways. As we (I don't think it's just about me as an individual but about us as the body) understand the mysterious unity of the Church and the love that Christ has for us (as his Bride and Body), we somehow express the fullness of Christ. I don't understand it but I have to believe it.
As Paul reflects on the dimensions of Christ's love he bursts into praise of God. This is worship! It is Paul's response to his experience with God. So often it feels like we come and manufacture worship and we blame the worship team, the song selection or the atmosphere when we don't experience worship. The truth is that a) worship is not about us getting a good feeling, it is about expressing our praise to God and b) we are to blame because corporate worship is actually supposed to be about all of us bringing our individual experiences with God and sharing them with each other, giving glory to God.
Paul declares God to be the one who can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. This must come directly from his experiences on missionary journeys and even his own conversion - who'd have imagined that! I really like Paul's description: the one who can do immeasurable more than all we can ask or imagine. Not just a little bit more but immeasurably more. I don't know about you but I can imagine some pretty big things...
After Paul prays that the Ephesian church would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit living in them and Christ being completely at home in their hearts, Paul asks that they would be able to grasp the dimensions of Christ's love and experience the reality of it in their lives. It is a love that is knowable but it cannot be fully known. A love that can be experienced and is very vast. Upon experiencing this love, Paul says that we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. This reminds me of the verse at the end of chapter one which says that the church is the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways. As we (I don't think it's just about me as an individual but about us as the body) understand the mysterious unity of the Church and the love that Christ has for us (as his Bride and Body), we somehow express the fullness of Christ. I don't understand it but I have to believe it.
As Paul reflects on the dimensions of Christ's love he bursts into praise of God. This is worship! It is Paul's response to his experience with God. So often it feels like we come and manufacture worship and we blame the worship team, the song selection or the atmosphere when we don't experience worship. The truth is that a) worship is not about us getting a good feeling, it is about expressing our praise to God and b) we are to blame because corporate worship is actually supposed to be about all of us bringing our individual experiences with God and sharing them with each other, giving glory to God.
Paul declares God to be the one who can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. This must come directly from his experiences on missionary journeys and even his own conversion - who'd have imagined that! I really like Paul's description: the one who can do immeasurable more than all we can ask or imagine. Not just a little bit more but immeasurably more. I don't know about you but I can imagine some pretty big things...
Friday, March 23, 2007
Unconditional Surrender
Ephesians 3:14-19
There's so much in this passage that I may have to come back to it again tomorrow...
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that, out of God's riches, he would strengthen them with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner beings. I think we've forgotten how to rely on the Spirit. The results are devastating.
Just this week I was again confronted by the pain of sin. My heart literally ached as I started to think about all the people that have come to me in just the last little while who have failed - especially in the area of sexual immorality. As I read the pain in their eyes and see the effects it is having on their relationships I can't help but think over and over: this cannot be what God intended when he created us. It seems that they've tried really hard and even as I talk to them they all seem to have some sort of plan for "never doing that again." I think that's what makes this all the more sad - the grip of sin is too tight and I know that they cannot escape despite their best efforts.
We need God to strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being. We can't escape it on our own. I wonder if we are reaping the results of a cultural Christianity. We have been taught for so long that being a Christian is all about acting a certain way and attending worship gatherings - basically conforming to the patterns and rythm's of a cultural group. Paul and Jesus make it clear that being a Christian is actually all about a complete surrender, a recognition that I can't control my life and live up to the standard of holiness and perfection that God demands. It is an invitation for Christ to take over my life and for the Holy Spirit to invade and take residence in my "inner being." It is a submission to his control, his guidance, his prompting. It is allowing Christ to dwell (the NIV notes say "to be completely at home") in my heart through faith. He is completely at home because I am his - he has full and complete access.
So, here's the big question: how do we get there? How do I (because I also have been mostly living off of sheer will power to resist sin and that only lasts so long) allow the Holy Spirit into my "inner being"? How do I lean on the strength and power of God and stop leaning on my own?
There's so much in this passage that I may have to come back to it again tomorrow...
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that, out of God's riches, he would strengthen them with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner beings. I think we've forgotten how to rely on the Spirit. The results are devastating.
Just this week I was again confronted by the pain of sin. My heart literally ached as I started to think about all the people that have come to me in just the last little while who have failed - especially in the area of sexual immorality. As I read the pain in their eyes and see the effects it is having on their relationships I can't help but think over and over: this cannot be what God intended when he created us. It seems that they've tried really hard and even as I talk to them they all seem to have some sort of plan for "never doing that again." I think that's what makes this all the more sad - the grip of sin is too tight and I know that they cannot escape despite their best efforts.
We need God to strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being. We can't escape it on our own. I wonder if we are reaping the results of a cultural Christianity. We have been taught for so long that being a Christian is all about acting a certain way and attending worship gatherings - basically conforming to the patterns and rythm's of a cultural group. Paul and Jesus make it clear that being a Christian is actually all about a complete surrender, a recognition that I can't control my life and live up to the standard of holiness and perfection that God demands. It is an invitation for Christ to take over my life and for the Holy Spirit to invade and take residence in my "inner being." It is a submission to his control, his guidance, his prompting. It is allowing Christ to dwell (the NIV notes say "to be completely at home") in my heart through faith. He is completely at home because I am his - he has full and complete access.
So, here's the big question: how do we get there? How do I (because I also have been mostly living off of sheer will power to resist sin and that only lasts so long) allow the Holy Spirit into my "inner being"? How do I lean on the strength and power of God and stop leaning on my own?
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Freedom!
Ephesians 3:12-13
There's been a few movies (major understatement!) made about fighting for freedom. Braveheart immediately comes to mind (side bar: if you ever watch Braveheart as an allegory for the redemption story, it is incredible - right down to betrayal and dying...). 300 also comes to mind - a very stylish, interesting movie if you can get past the women's nipples that seem to show up on a regular basis. But I digress... In these movies it is always the people who desire or need freedom who do the fighting for it. In the redemption story, the people who need freedom don't even realize their need. They have become complacent and content in their slavery just like the nation of Israel in Egypt. Having never experienced freedom, the people think that this slavery is the norm and the best possible life they can have.
Then Jesus comes on the scene. He not only fights for our freedom but dies for it. He didn't need to because he was already free and not encumbered with sin. His relationship in the Trinity was not destroyed. But he still fought for us and died for us so that we could approach God with freedom and confidence. While this is amazing for the nation of Israel, it is even more amazing for me because I was a Gentile - not only was I not free but the history of God's choice made it clear that I had no hope of freedom. Jesus made it possible for me to approach God!
Paul asks his audience not to be discouraged even though it was this message of freedom for the Gentiles that was causing him all the trouble he was facing. Without Paul (a Jew) bringing the message of freedom found in Christ, the Gentiles would still be living in slavery to sin.
God, thank you for your faithful witness all through the ages that made it possible for me to hear the message of freedom! May I continue the chain of faithful witnesses, no matter what hardships and trials I may face, to bring the message of freedom to a people who have remained enslaved.
It makes me wonder which group of "outsiders" God is calling me to bring the message of freedom to...
There's been a few movies (major understatement!) made about fighting for freedom. Braveheart immediately comes to mind (side bar: if you ever watch Braveheart as an allegory for the redemption story, it is incredible - right down to betrayal and dying...). 300 also comes to mind - a very stylish, interesting movie if you can get past the women's nipples that seem to show up on a regular basis. But I digress... In these movies it is always the people who desire or need freedom who do the fighting for it. In the redemption story, the people who need freedom don't even realize their need. They have become complacent and content in their slavery just like the nation of Israel in Egypt. Having never experienced freedom, the people think that this slavery is the norm and the best possible life they can have.
Then Jesus comes on the scene. He not only fights for our freedom but dies for it. He didn't need to because he was already free and not encumbered with sin. His relationship in the Trinity was not destroyed. But he still fought for us and died for us so that we could approach God with freedom and confidence. While this is amazing for the nation of Israel, it is even more amazing for me because I was a Gentile - not only was I not free but the history of God's choice made it clear that I had no hope of freedom. Jesus made it possible for me to approach God!
Paul asks his audience not to be discouraged even though it was this message of freedom for the Gentiles that was causing him all the trouble he was facing. Without Paul (a Jew) bringing the message of freedom found in Christ, the Gentiles would still be living in slavery to sin.
God, thank you for your faithful witness all through the ages that made it possible for me to hear the message of freedom! May I continue the chain of faithful witnesses, no matter what hardships and trials I may face, to bring the message of freedom to a people who have remained enslaved.
It makes me wonder which group of "outsiders" God is calling me to bring the message of freedom to...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
On Display
Ephesians 3:7-13
Paul continually expresses his amazement that he was chosen by God in the first place and then called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles above that. His humility seems genuine (like I have any reason to doubt it!) but I know that if I spoke those phrases - the chief of sinners, the least of all God's people, etc. - it would not be true humility but reverse pride. I'd be looking for someone to say, "You're not so bad." When I realize how pervasive my pride is, I begin to recognize just how much of a sinner I am.
The verse that blows me away is v. 10. We, the Church, display the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities of the heavenly realms (which I think are angels and spirits). Specifically, in the context, the wisdom of God is seen in the uniting of Gentile and Jew. I think that we can take the principle and apply it to our context: we display God's wisdom to the degree that we, the Church, are spiritually united. I can't get over this: that the "show" that God decided to put on for the spiritual rulers of the heavenly realms was the church. I wonder how many standing ovations God has received based on the "show" the church puts on. I wonder how many times the spiritual rulers of the heavenly realms have wondered if God really knew what he was doing based on the behaviour of the church. But God has committed himself to this choice. He will reveal the wonders of his wisdom through the Church.
What an amazing responsibility we have! No wonder Paul prays in a different epistle that we would be worthy of the calling that we have received. This calling is not just to represent Christ to the world but to display the wisdom of God to the heavenly realms. This should make me fall to my knees and ask God to help us, his Church, to live up to this. There is no way we can do it on human effort (which is maybe why Paul immediately breaks into prayer for the Ephesian church after this section).
Paul continually expresses his amazement that he was chosen by God in the first place and then called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles above that. His humility seems genuine (like I have any reason to doubt it!) but I know that if I spoke those phrases - the chief of sinners, the least of all God's people, etc. - it would not be true humility but reverse pride. I'd be looking for someone to say, "You're not so bad." When I realize how pervasive my pride is, I begin to recognize just how much of a sinner I am.
The verse that blows me away is v. 10. We, the Church, display the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities of the heavenly realms (which I think are angels and spirits). Specifically, in the context, the wisdom of God is seen in the uniting of Gentile and Jew. I think that we can take the principle and apply it to our context: we display God's wisdom to the degree that we, the Church, are spiritually united. I can't get over this: that the "show" that God decided to put on for the spiritual rulers of the heavenly realms was the church. I wonder how many standing ovations God has received based on the "show" the church puts on. I wonder how many times the spiritual rulers of the heavenly realms have wondered if God really knew what he was doing based on the behaviour of the church. But God has committed himself to this choice. He will reveal the wonders of his wisdom through the Church.
What an amazing responsibility we have! No wonder Paul prays in a different epistle that we would be worthy of the calling that we have received. This calling is not just to represent Christ to the world but to display the wisdom of God to the heavenly realms. This should make me fall to my knees and ask God to help us, his Church, to live up to this. There is no way we can do it on human effort (which is maybe why Paul immediately breaks into prayer for the Ephesian church after this section).
Monday, March 19, 2007
I know a secret...
Ephesians 3:1-6
Paul is famous for interupting himself (ok, I can only think of one other place off the top of my head but just go with it!). This is a two paragraph interruption - if I was doing my devotions at my normal consistency, I wouldn't have a clue what Paul was talking about in v. 14 because I would have forgotten that he started the thought in verse one.
Anyway... here's what I see (besides the interruption): Paul is in jail because he was obedient to Christ in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. If he hadn't responded to Christ on the road to Damascus, he'd probably still be free and if he hadn't agreed to take the gospel to the Gentiles, he'd probably be free in Israel. Sometimes we use adversity as an excuse to stop heading in a certain direction but we need greater discernment to know when it is opposition from Satan and when it is God attempting to direct our paths. Can you imagine if Paul had decided that he was outside of God's will in being an apostle to the Gentiles because he was in jail?
The main point of this section of Scripture is the great mystery or secret that has been revealed to Paul and that Paul now reveals to us: that the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body and sharers (is that even a word?!) together in the promise in Christ. I can't get over this! It probably doesn't seem like that big a deal to most believers today because we are so ethnocentric - we (generally) think that we've always been included but the truth is that we haven't. We (generally) have adopted the same arrogant attitude of the Jews in Paul's time: to be truly chosen by God you must be one of us (Jew then, North American today). We, as the church of North America, should get down on our knees every day and thank God that, in his mercy and grace and through the work of Jesus Christ, he saw fit to bring near those of us who were once far away, to make us heirs who were once enemies and to allow us to share in the covenant promises who were once strangers to the promise. The extent of God's work - not just to cleanse me from sin but to make it possible for me, a Gentile, to share in the inheritance of Israel - causes my heart to skip a beat (to borrow a phrase from Graham!).
Paul is famous for interupting himself (ok, I can only think of one other place off the top of my head but just go with it!). This is a two paragraph interruption - if I was doing my devotions at my normal consistency, I wouldn't have a clue what Paul was talking about in v. 14 because I would have forgotten that he started the thought in verse one.
Anyway... here's what I see (besides the interruption): Paul is in jail because he was obedient to Christ in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. If he hadn't responded to Christ on the road to Damascus, he'd probably still be free and if he hadn't agreed to take the gospel to the Gentiles, he'd probably be free in Israel. Sometimes we use adversity as an excuse to stop heading in a certain direction but we need greater discernment to know when it is opposition from Satan and when it is God attempting to direct our paths. Can you imagine if Paul had decided that he was outside of God's will in being an apostle to the Gentiles because he was in jail?
The main point of this section of Scripture is the great mystery or secret that has been revealed to Paul and that Paul now reveals to us: that the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body and sharers (is that even a word?!) together in the promise in Christ. I can't get over this! It probably doesn't seem like that big a deal to most believers today because we are so ethnocentric - we (generally) think that we've always been included but the truth is that we haven't. We (generally) have adopted the same arrogant attitude of the Jews in Paul's time: to be truly chosen by God you must be one of us (Jew then, North American today). We, as the church of North America, should get down on our knees every day and thank God that, in his mercy and grace and through the work of Jesus Christ, he saw fit to bring near those of us who were once far away, to make us heirs who were once enemies and to allow us to share in the covenant promises who were once strangers to the promise. The extent of God's work - not just to cleanse me from sin but to make it possible for me, a Gentile, to share in the inheritance of Israel - causes my heart to skip a beat (to borrow a phrase from Graham!).
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Your Grace Still Amazes Me!
Ephesians 2:19-22
This passage continues where Paul left off earlier - I, as a Gentile, am very fortunate to be included in the covenant of God. I was not one of the chosen people, not one of the chosen nation. Now, because of Jesus, I am no longer a stranger and foreigner in the kingdom of God. In fact, now I am at the very center of the city of God because I am part of the temple. Again, this is nothing to be proud or arrogant about - it is all because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It's still amazes me to think of the depths that I have come from and the heights to which God, in his grace, has lifted me.
Because I have grown up in a Christian home and environment, it is hard for me to fully fathom that my place, apart from Christ, was that of a stranger and foreigner to the promises of God. They have been a part of my life ever since I can remember. The "rituals" of Christianity are so familiar to me that I can't imagine my life without them. I think this is evidence of God's grace as well. I could have been born to a family who didn't know God in a place where it was very unlikely that I would ever hear of the true God. I could have remained un-chosen. The more I think about, the more I remain amazed by God's grace.
And then I come to the end of the passage to a wonderful image of the temple of God - a temple that I am a part of. I know that Paul says in Corinthians that my body is the temple of God but I like this image even better - that as the unified Church of Christ, we are the dwelling of God. The unity between Gentile and Jew, man and woman, child and adult, slave and free testifies to God's presence in this earth and inspires worship. This unity could never be achieved apart from him. It is laid on the cornerstone of Christ and his sacrifice. And as great as this temple is, I still wonder like Solomon: "But will God really dwell on the earth with men? The heavens, the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple..." More evidence of God's amazing grace!
This passage continues where Paul left off earlier - I, as a Gentile, am very fortunate to be included in the covenant of God. I was not one of the chosen people, not one of the chosen nation. Now, because of Jesus, I am no longer a stranger and foreigner in the kingdom of God. In fact, now I am at the very center of the city of God because I am part of the temple. Again, this is nothing to be proud or arrogant about - it is all because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It's still amazes me to think of the depths that I have come from and the heights to which God, in his grace, has lifted me.
Because I have grown up in a Christian home and environment, it is hard for me to fully fathom that my place, apart from Christ, was that of a stranger and foreigner to the promises of God. They have been a part of my life ever since I can remember. The "rituals" of Christianity are so familiar to me that I can't imagine my life without them. I think this is evidence of God's grace as well. I could have been born to a family who didn't know God in a place where it was very unlikely that I would ever hear of the true God. I could have remained un-chosen. The more I think about, the more I remain amazed by God's grace.
And then I come to the end of the passage to a wonderful image of the temple of God - a temple that I am a part of. I know that Paul says in Corinthians that my body is the temple of God but I like this image even better - that as the unified Church of Christ, we are the dwelling of God. The unity between Gentile and Jew, man and woman, child and adult, slave and free testifies to God's presence in this earth and inspires worship. This unity could never be achieved apart from him. It is laid on the cornerstone of Christ and his sacrifice. And as great as this temple is, I still wonder like Solomon: "But will God really dwell on the earth with men? The heavens, the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple..." More evidence of God's amazing grace!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Peace!
Ephesians 2:14-18
I think we underestimate or forget to acknowledge the huge role that Jesus' death had in restoring not only our relationship with God (and that would be great enough!) but also in restoring our relationships with each other. Even beyond inter-personal relationships, according to Paul, Jesus' death brought peace to the conflict between Jew and Gentile. Again, I have to wonder if this is complete now or if Paul is using the same kind of language that he uses when he sees us already seated in the heavenly realms: it is such a sure thing that it is like it is already existing (and we see it existing on some level in the present but maybe not completely).
The violence of Paul's words stands out to me: Jesus destroyed the middle wall of hostility - I see dust and mortar and bricks flying everywhere! This was no nice, neat job of taking down the wall and stacking the bricks up to be recycled or reused. The wall is destroyed! There is nothing to seperate us from other people groups, traditions, cultures, etc. in the church because we all have Jesus in common. Through him we can all be reconciled and through him we all have access to God.
This must be such a huge testament to the power and glory of God to the rulers of the heavenly realms (and everyone on earth) - that God's grand idea of having all these opposing, warring cultures exist in peace in one Body and then to have it work! Wow! Only God could do that! Who else could have come up with such a crazy idea?
More and more, as I read through Ephesians, I am starting to catch on to and fall in love with God's vision for the church. It's so much more important and glorious than I really understood.
I think we underestimate or forget to acknowledge the huge role that Jesus' death had in restoring not only our relationship with God (and that would be great enough!) but also in restoring our relationships with each other. Even beyond inter-personal relationships, according to Paul, Jesus' death brought peace to the conflict between Jew and Gentile. Again, I have to wonder if this is complete now or if Paul is using the same kind of language that he uses when he sees us already seated in the heavenly realms: it is such a sure thing that it is like it is already existing (and we see it existing on some level in the present but maybe not completely).
The violence of Paul's words stands out to me: Jesus destroyed the middle wall of hostility - I see dust and mortar and bricks flying everywhere! This was no nice, neat job of taking down the wall and stacking the bricks up to be recycled or reused. The wall is destroyed! There is nothing to seperate us from other people groups, traditions, cultures, etc. in the church because we all have Jesus in common. Through him we can all be reconciled and through him we all have access to God.
This must be such a huge testament to the power and glory of God to the rulers of the heavenly realms (and everyone on earth) - that God's grand idea of having all these opposing, warring cultures exist in peace in one Body and then to have it work! Wow! Only God could do that! Who else could have come up with such a crazy idea?
More and more, as I read through Ephesians, I am starting to catch on to and fall in love with God's vision for the church. It's so much more important and glorious than I really understood.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
A Study In Contrasts
Ephesians 2:11-13
Here Paul goes back to the beginning of the chapter - dead in transgressions and sins (2:1), foreigners to the convenants (2:12) - to remind me of the state that I was in apart from Christ. I think there is a subtle difference here: at the beginning of the chapter he seems to be talking to me, the individual; here he seems to be talking to my "category" (Gentile). It wasn't just that as a sinner I was alienated from God but as a Gentile I was outside of his covenants and without hope.
"But now..." Man, I love that phrase in the Bible because it usually announces something good - and this time is no exception. The contrasts are amazing! At that time (v. 12) - but now (v. 13); seperate from Christ (v. 12) - in Christ (v. 13); excluded from citizenship (v. 12) and far away (v. 13) - brought near through the blood of Christ (v.13). Again, Paul points to the supremacy and work of Christ. This has nothing to do with me except that he chose me (chapter 1 - the controversy we all avoided!) by his grace and I accepted it through faith. It is all Christ!
The thing that sticks out to me is the arrogance of "the circumcised" - as if they had the lock on God and if things weren't done their way it wasn't done right. Of course this was pretty much true in the times of the Old Testament but even in the Christian era "the circumcised" tried to maintain their exclusive hold, even teaching that in order to be a Christian you had to be circumcised first. The pendulum has done a complete arc - now it is the Western church that seeks to maintain its exclusive hold on the culture of Christianity. We're making people do things our way just like they once made us do it theirs. Crazy!
Here Paul goes back to the beginning of the chapter - dead in transgressions and sins (2:1), foreigners to the convenants (2:12) - to remind me of the state that I was in apart from Christ. I think there is a subtle difference here: at the beginning of the chapter he seems to be talking to me, the individual; here he seems to be talking to my "category" (Gentile). It wasn't just that as a sinner I was alienated from God but as a Gentile I was outside of his covenants and without hope.
"But now..." Man, I love that phrase in the Bible because it usually announces something good - and this time is no exception. The contrasts are amazing! At that time (v. 12) - but now (v. 13); seperate from Christ (v. 12) - in Christ (v. 13); excluded from citizenship (v. 12) and far away (v. 13) - brought near through the blood of Christ (v.13). Again, Paul points to the supremacy and work of Christ. This has nothing to do with me except that he chose me (chapter 1 - the controversy we all avoided!) by his grace and I accepted it through faith. It is all Christ!
The thing that sticks out to me is the arrogance of "the circumcised" - as if they had the lock on God and if things weren't done their way it wasn't done right. Of course this was pretty much true in the times of the Old Testament but even in the Christian era "the circumcised" tried to maintain their exclusive hold, even teaching that in order to be a Christian you had to be circumcised first. The pendulum has done a complete arc - now it is the Western church that seeks to maintain its exclusive hold on the culture of Christianity. We're making people do things our way just like they once made us do it theirs. Crazy!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Functional Art
Ephesians 2:4-10
I think this answers the question about what it means when it says "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (1:18b) I think it's talking about the saints (us) being the inheritance of God. Here's my reasoning: By grace, God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms in Christ so that he might display the imcomparable riches of his grace, expressed to us in his kindness in Christ (that's a lot of with and in Christs! 2:5b-7). In other words, all the saints are the evidence or display or God's rich grace and kindness expressed to us in Christ Jesus. Because of the common phrasing, it seems like these two statements are connected (as well as the statement calling us God's possession - 1:14).
The phrase "heavenly realms" appears a few times in this book: 1:3 - we've been blessed in the heavenly realms, 1:22 - Christ is seated in the heavenly realms, 2:6 - we are seated in the heavenly realms, 3:11 - we are evidence of God's wisdom to the rulers of the heavenly realms, 6:12 - our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Paul is very aware of the eternal implications of our actions here in time. What we do on earth does echo in eternity (thank you Gladiator!). He is also very confident of eternity, talking as if we are already seated with Christ in heaven and as if the display of God's glory is already complete. I think Paul gets this confidence from 1:13-14 - the Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance. It's a sure thing!
Finally, Paul says that we have been saved to be God's workmanship (the Greek connotation is "work of art"), created to do good works. We are not just useless paintings hanging on his wall. We are functional art, created to display God's glory, the incomporable riches of his grace and mercy. We are on display for all to see and marvel at. Our role is to point to the glory of our Creator - not just the rulers of the heavenly realms but the people here on earth as well. God has painted or sculpted us with his image and, now that we are redeemed, the image of God has been (and is still being) restored in us. We are to bear that image in the cosmic art gallery to the glory of God.
I think this answers the question about what it means when it says "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (1:18b) I think it's talking about the saints (us) being the inheritance of God. Here's my reasoning: By grace, God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms in Christ so that he might display the imcomparable riches of his grace, expressed to us in his kindness in Christ (that's a lot of with and in Christs! 2:5b-7). In other words, all the saints are the evidence or display or God's rich grace and kindness expressed to us in Christ Jesus. Because of the common phrasing, it seems like these two statements are connected (as well as the statement calling us God's possession - 1:14).
The phrase "heavenly realms" appears a few times in this book: 1:3 - we've been blessed in the heavenly realms, 1:22 - Christ is seated in the heavenly realms, 2:6 - we are seated in the heavenly realms, 3:11 - we are evidence of God's wisdom to the rulers of the heavenly realms, 6:12 - our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Paul is very aware of the eternal implications of our actions here in time. What we do on earth does echo in eternity (thank you Gladiator!). He is also very confident of eternity, talking as if we are already seated with Christ in heaven and as if the display of God's glory is already complete. I think Paul gets this confidence from 1:13-14 - the Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance. It's a sure thing!
Finally, Paul says that we have been saved to be God's workmanship (the Greek connotation is "work of art"), created to do good works. We are not just useless paintings hanging on his wall. We are functional art, created to display God's glory, the incomporable riches of his grace and mercy. We are on display for all to see and marvel at. Our role is to point to the glory of our Creator - not just the rulers of the heavenly realms but the people here on earth as well. God has painted or sculpted us with his image and, now that we are redeemed, the image of God has been (and is still being) restored in us. We are to bear that image in the cosmic art gallery to the glory of God.
Monday, March 12, 2007
What Does It Mean?
I can't leave Ephesians 1 behind... there's so much there and I love Paul's prayer!
A couple of questions:
- does anyone have any ideas on what Paul means when he says "that you may know... the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people" (v. 18)? Does that mean that the inheritance God gives us (our treasures in heaven) will be people? That kind of goes along with what the woman said last night from Psalm 2:8 "I will make the nations your inheritance" but I'm not sure that's what it means. Any ideas?
Does v. 23 really mean what it says? Are we, as the church, truly the fullness of Christ (the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways)? Any clues to what that actually means?
My lovely NIV study Bible is not very helpful on either verse... They never are on the truly interesting verses.
I'll get back to Ephesians 2 tomorrow, I promise!
A couple of questions:
- does anyone have any ideas on what Paul means when he says "that you may know... the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people" (v. 18)? Does that mean that the inheritance God gives us (our treasures in heaven) will be people? That kind of goes along with what the woman said last night from Psalm 2:8 "I will make the nations your inheritance" but I'm not sure that's what it means. Any ideas?
Does v. 23 really mean what it says? Are we, as the church, truly the fullness of Christ (the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways)? Any clues to what that actually means?
My lovely NIV study Bible is not very helpful on either verse... They never are on the truly interesting verses.
I'll get back to Ephesians 2 tomorrow, I promise!
It's Alive!!
Ephesians 2:1-5
The contrast here is incredible: we are the body of Christ - the "fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (1:23 - something I can't wrap my mind around. We, as the followers of Jesus, somehow are seen by God as the fullness of Jesus here on earth? I don't think that we have a clue about the way that God sees us. Sure, we may believe that we will become the fullness of Christ when we reach heaven but God sees that as a reality now! I think this is part of the hope to which he called us - v. 18. It's no wonder that Paul prays that our eyes would be enlightened to this!). However, Paul reminds us where we came from: dead in our transgressions and sins. This is not about us realizing our full potential as human beings or anything like that. We had no potential! Paul makes it really clear that this is about the grace of God: we deserved nothing except God's wrath because we gratified our own selfish cravings and desires and were capable of nothing because we were dead in our sin but God made us alive in Christ and raised us up to realize our potential as the Church (and in Christ it is already realized somehow...).
Look at all the attributes of God in just three verses (3-5): wrath indicating God's justice and holiness; great love; rich in mercy; grace. Paul not only had a great understanding of the individual attributes of God's character, he also had a great understanding of how they fit together.
The contrast here is incredible: we are the body of Christ - the "fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (1:23 - something I can't wrap my mind around. We, as the followers of Jesus, somehow are seen by God as the fullness of Jesus here on earth? I don't think that we have a clue about the way that God sees us. Sure, we may believe that we will become the fullness of Christ when we reach heaven but God sees that as a reality now! I think this is part of the hope to which he called us - v. 18. It's no wonder that Paul prays that our eyes would be enlightened to this!). However, Paul reminds us where we came from: dead in our transgressions and sins. This is not about us realizing our full potential as human beings or anything like that. We had no potential! Paul makes it really clear that this is about the grace of God: we deserved nothing except God's wrath because we gratified our own selfish cravings and desires and were capable of nothing because we were dead in our sin but God made us alive in Christ and raised us up to realize our potential as the Church (and in Christ it is already realized somehow...).
Look at all the attributes of God in just three verses (3-5): wrath indicating God's justice and holiness; great love; rich in mercy; grace. Paul not only had a great understanding of the individual attributes of God's character, he also had a great understanding of how they fit together.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Praying the Prayers of Paul
Ephesians 1:15-19a
In this passage, Paul gives an insight into what he prays for the Ephesian church. First, he gives thanks for them (because of their faith in Jesus and love for his followers) and then he prays: that they would know God better, know the hope to which God called them and know his great power for those who believe.
What a powerful prayer! For a while I was praying the prayers of Paul (from this and other epistles) for each of the students in my ministry but for some reason I stopped. I need to pray this prayer more often because it expresses the desire of my heart for my students: that they would know God better, always have in mind the hope to which they have been called and experience the great power that God has for them as they follow him and serve on his behalf here on earth.
The truth is I work hard to make this a reality for my students but Paul has a better perspective: it is God's work (he gives the Spirit of revelation and wisdom to allow us to know him, he enlightens the eyes of our hearts so that we can know the hope to which he has called us, it is his power). Paul worked hard but he also prayed hard. What a challenge for me! I can't forget to pray!
In this passage, Paul gives an insight into what he prays for the Ephesian church. First, he gives thanks for them (because of their faith in Jesus and love for his followers) and then he prays: that they would know God better, know the hope to which God called them and know his great power for those who believe.
What a powerful prayer! For a while I was praying the prayers of Paul (from this and other epistles) for each of the students in my ministry but for some reason I stopped. I need to pray this prayer more often because it expresses the desire of my heart for my students: that they would know God better, always have in mind the hope to which they have been called and experience the great power that God has for them as they follow him and serve on his behalf here on earth.
The truth is I work hard to make this a reality for my students but Paul has a better perspective: it is God's work (he gives the Spirit of revelation and wisdom to allow us to know him, he enlightens the eyes of our hearts so that we can know the hope to which he has called us, it is his power). Paul worked hard but he also prayed hard. What a challenge for me! I can't forget to pray!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Signed, sealed and delivered
Ephesians 1:11-14
What does it say?
We were chosen in Christ according to God's sovereign plan. The disciples and apostles were the first to put their hope in Christ but we all have been included when we responded to the gospel of Christ. Upon belief, we were given the Holy Spirit who is a guarantee of our final redemption.
What does it mean?
The sovreignty of God comes through pretty clearly here: he had a plan from before the beginning of time and our submission to Jesus was part of that plan. This gives confidence that the plan will be completed: I will be completely redeemed and sanctified. My confidence is that God is in control and, up to this point (and I have no reason to doubt it will be any different in the future) his plan has worked out to perfection and that God has given me the Holy Spirit to live in me as a deposit or seal that I will one day be with him.
What do I do about this?
This gives me motivation to trust God in this lifetime (and not just for the final outcome of my eternal destiny). As Christine and I wait for the social worker to finish her report and as we wait after that for a birth mom to choose us, I can be confident that God has a plan. His timing will be perfect and when we finally get a baby it will be the perfect one for us. God's plan is sure and good and right.
What does it say?
We were chosen in Christ according to God's sovereign plan. The disciples and apostles were the first to put their hope in Christ but we all have been included when we responded to the gospel of Christ. Upon belief, we were given the Holy Spirit who is a guarantee of our final redemption.
What does it mean?
The sovreignty of God comes through pretty clearly here: he had a plan from before the beginning of time and our submission to Jesus was part of that plan. This gives confidence that the plan will be completed: I will be completely redeemed and sanctified. My confidence is that God is in control and, up to this point (and I have no reason to doubt it will be any different in the future) his plan has worked out to perfection and that God has given me the Holy Spirit to live in me as a deposit or seal that I will one day be with him.
What do I do about this?
This gives me motivation to trust God in this lifetime (and not just for the final outcome of my eternal destiny). As Christine and I wait for the social worker to finish her report and as we wait after that for a birth mom to choose us, I can be confident that God has a plan. His timing will be perfect and when we finally get a baby it will be the perfect one for us. God's plan is sure and good and right.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Drinking From A Fire Hose...
Hey, Ben and Graham - I'm really looking forward to blevo-ing with you guys! I hope this is a good experience for you!
Ephesians 1:1-10
Paul sure packs a lot into these verses: the blessing we have in Christ, predestination, redemption, grace, end times, the mystery of Christ... Ben wasn't kidding when he said Ephesians was pretty rich! It's like trying to eat everything at an all you can eat buffet!
I can't read Ephesians without marveling at all the things we have in, through and by Christ. Even in these few verses: I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, chosen in Christ, adopted as his son through Christ, given grace in Christ, find redemption in Christ, and find purpose or meaning in Christ. I also can't read Paul without being overwhelmed by the grace of God, described here as glorious grace freely given and the riches of God's grace lavished on us. There's a word we don't use very often: lavished. I like the imagery - it's more grace than I can ever use. It's a waterfall of grace. It's fire hose of grace.
The grace of God as seen in Jesus, who could have come to condemn us all because he had every right to do but rather came to redeem us and rescue us from the curse of sin, amazes me. The grace of God as seen in my life also amazes me - that God would choose me to be his son, first of all, and then give me the privilege and responsibility of the ministry he has called me to... amazing! That's a grace that is lavish! And the best part is that I still feel like I'm just wading on the edges of an ocean of grace - there's so much more to discover.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!
Ephesians 1:1-10
Paul sure packs a lot into these verses: the blessing we have in Christ, predestination, redemption, grace, end times, the mystery of Christ... Ben wasn't kidding when he said Ephesians was pretty rich! It's like trying to eat everything at an all you can eat buffet!
I can't read Ephesians without marveling at all the things we have in, through and by Christ. Even in these few verses: I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, chosen in Christ, adopted as his son through Christ, given grace in Christ, find redemption in Christ, and find purpose or meaning in Christ. I also can't read Paul without being overwhelmed by the grace of God, described here as glorious grace freely given and the riches of God's grace lavished on us. There's a word we don't use very often: lavished. I like the imagery - it's more grace than I can ever use. It's a waterfall of grace. It's fire hose of grace.
The grace of God as seen in Jesus, who could have come to condemn us all because he had every right to do but rather came to redeem us and rescue us from the curse of sin, amazes me. The grace of God as seen in my life also amazes me - that God would choose me to be his son, first of all, and then give me the privilege and responsibility of the ministry he has called me to... amazing! That's a grace that is lavish! And the best part is that I still feel like I'm just wading on the edges of an ocean of grace - there's so much more to discover.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Bossing Around Rich People
1 Timothy 6:17-21
I think most people would agree in theory that wealth is more uncertain than God but in practice, I think we generally trust money more than God. Paul tells Timothy to command those who are rich not to depend on their riches but to do good with them. In fact, Paul says that unless they share and are generous, they won't really experience the abundant life (he calls it the life that is truly life). Again, this goes against conventional wisdom: to truly enjoy life, I just need a bit more.
Here's my question: have we gone to soft on issues of wealth and status in the Body of Christ? We call people to account on all kinds of things like adultery, fornication, homosexuality. We judge politicians on their stand on such moral issues as same sex marriage and abortion and yet we say nothing (or very little) about the use of money and the treatment of the poor. If we are truly going to major on the majors, as Pastor Ian has been known to say, shouldn't we be speaking about money a lot more and shouldn't we avoid soft-selling the message of the Bible?
In the end, grace! Grace because none of us deserve God's blessing. Grace because none of us can earn eternal life or the favour of God. Grace because we are going to keep missing the mark. Grace!
I think most people would agree in theory that wealth is more uncertain than God but in practice, I think we generally trust money more than God. Paul tells Timothy to command those who are rich not to depend on their riches but to do good with them. In fact, Paul says that unless they share and are generous, they won't really experience the abundant life (he calls it the life that is truly life). Again, this goes against conventional wisdom: to truly enjoy life, I just need a bit more.
Here's my question: have we gone to soft on issues of wealth and status in the Body of Christ? We call people to account on all kinds of things like adultery, fornication, homosexuality. We judge politicians on their stand on such moral issues as same sex marriage and abortion and yet we say nothing (or very little) about the use of money and the treatment of the poor. If we are truly going to major on the majors, as Pastor Ian has been known to say, shouldn't we be speaking about money a lot more and shouldn't we avoid soft-selling the message of the Bible?
In the end, grace! Grace because none of us deserve God's blessing. Grace because none of us can earn eternal life or the favour of God. Grace because we are going to keep missing the mark. Grace!
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