2 Corinthians 4:5-12
The key words in this passage are: light, death and life. The main idea is that Paul and his companions are serve others in order to display the glory of God. His glory is displayed in "jars of clay" so that the glory is even bigger in contrast to the drab, glory-less container it is carried in. This is like what jewelers will often do: display a diamond against non-flashy backdrop so that the glory of the diamond stands out even more. Paul's words here echoe the words of John the Baptist regarding Jesus: "I must decrease and he must increase." Paul takes it even further: "I am dying so that Christ may come alive in you."
I have a hard time identifying with the section about being hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. I don't think I've ever really experienced this in my life. Even on mission trips and even when facing some hardships, I don't know if I would ever describe my life in these terms. However, I can receive comfort from the sentiment knowing that if I ever do face a situation similar to Paul's that I will never be crushed, abandoned or destroyed.
As I prepare for LA, I must remember that the glory of Christ is paramount. Even if it means injury or death to me, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. Even if it means that I must serve and take the low position, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. Even if it means that no one notices or encourages me, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. The glory of Christ is my sole purpose.
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Prepare Your Mind
1 Peter 1:13-16
There are several key words and significant statements in these four verses: minds, alert, sober, hope, grace, obedient children, do not conform, be holy. Peter contrasts what we are now (obedient children who have alert and sober minds) to what we were then (living in ignorance). He contrasts following Jesus (be holy) with conforming to "evil desires" (which echoes Paul's language in Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed..."). The two main commands are 1) set your hope on grace and 2) be holy.
This section starts with "therefore" which means that the argument Peter makes in this section is based on the truth of the previous section. Looking back, I think Peter is saying "Because the good news message of grace that Jesus revealed to this world is so great and valuable, you should set your hope on that grace and be holy."
From this passage I am reminded that God is holy. He is completely different than anything in creation. Yes, humans are made in his image (not physical image for God is Spirit and has no body) and therefore we reflect some of the characteristics of God: creativity, love, justice, mercy, grace, patience, etc. But we are such poor reflections. God is holy - he is in a league all by himself. There is nothing that compares to him. Too often I make God according to my image. I diminish his glory by making him smaller or less than he really is. God is indescribable. Words fail to properly display how great, how perfect, how pure, how different, how holy he is.
I am called to be holy. Often I take this to mean that I am called to be pure and strive for a standard of perfection. This is only part of the picture. I am called to be different, to stand out and to be set apart. I have been sanctified which means that my sole purpose is to serve God. Let me not waste my breath, my energy, my focus or my time on anything that does not bring God glory.
How does this prepare me for L.A.? The truth is that L.A. act like a small picture of all of life. I will only have limited time to spend in L.A. so I don't want to waste it. I want to take advantage of every opportunity to learn, to serve, to grow and to glorify Christ. The same goes for my life. I only have limited time. Let me not waste it!
There are several key words and significant statements in these four verses: minds, alert, sober, hope, grace, obedient children, do not conform, be holy. Peter contrasts what we are now (obedient children who have alert and sober minds) to what we were then (living in ignorance). He contrasts following Jesus (be holy) with conforming to "evil desires" (which echoes Paul's language in Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed..."). The two main commands are 1) set your hope on grace and 2) be holy.
This section starts with "therefore" which means that the argument Peter makes in this section is based on the truth of the previous section. Looking back, I think Peter is saying "Because the good news message of grace that Jesus revealed to this world is so great and valuable, you should set your hope on that grace and be holy."
From this passage I am reminded that God is holy. He is completely different than anything in creation. Yes, humans are made in his image (not physical image for God is Spirit and has no body) and therefore we reflect some of the characteristics of God: creativity, love, justice, mercy, grace, patience, etc. But we are such poor reflections. God is holy - he is in a league all by himself. There is nothing that compares to him. Too often I make God according to my image. I diminish his glory by making him smaller or less than he really is. God is indescribable. Words fail to properly display how great, how perfect, how pure, how different, how holy he is.
I am called to be holy. Often I take this to mean that I am called to be pure and strive for a standard of perfection. This is only part of the picture. I am called to be different, to stand out and to be set apart. I have been sanctified which means that my sole purpose is to serve God. Let me not waste my breath, my energy, my focus or my time on anything that does not bring God glory.
How does this prepare me for L.A.? The truth is that L.A. act like a small picture of all of life. I will only have limited time to spend in L.A. so I don't want to waste it. I want to take advantage of every opportunity to learn, to serve, to grow and to glorify Christ. The same goes for my life. I only have limited time. Let me not waste it!
Monday, April 21, 2008
don't look back...
Philipians 3:12-14
The key word is take hold or obtain: Paul has not yet taken hold of knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings (the previous paragraph). The key phrase is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
This paragraph is a comfort to me because it would be easy to get discouraged if Paul had just stopped at the previous paragraph. He lays out the ideal: achieving the righteousness that comes by faith, knowing Christ, knowing the power of his resurrection (and I'm pretty sure that the word knowing here doesn't mean having information that would allow me to pass a test on Christian beliefs but that it means having first hand knowledge or experiencing) and sharing in his suffering. I know that I don't come anywhere close to the ideal but I am pressing on to take hold of it.
The phrase that captures my attention is "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me." In other words, Christ's purpose for Paul's life is more than just being rescued from hell. Christ's purpose is that Paul would experience Christ, his resurrection, etc. Paul was not going to be satisfied until he took hold of that. I pray that I would have a holy disatisfaction with my present level of faith and experience and that I too would press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me.
The key word is take hold or obtain: Paul has not yet taken hold of knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings (the previous paragraph). The key phrase is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
This paragraph is a comfort to me because it would be easy to get discouraged if Paul had just stopped at the previous paragraph. He lays out the ideal: achieving the righteousness that comes by faith, knowing Christ, knowing the power of his resurrection (and I'm pretty sure that the word knowing here doesn't mean having information that would allow me to pass a test on Christian beliefs but that it means having first hand knowledge or experiencing) and sharing in his suffering. I know that I don't come anywhere close to the ideal but I am pressing on to take hold of it.
The phrase that captures my attention is "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me." In other words, Christ's purpose for Paul's life is more than just being rescued from hell. Christ's purpose is that Paul would experience Christ, his resurrection, etc. Paul was not going to be satisfied until he took hold of that. I pray that I would have a holy disatisfaction with my present level of faith and experience and that I too would press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me.
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