The Bible and Politics

Readings for today: Romans 13-14, Psalms 139

Imagine you are the Apostle Paul. Writing to a group of Christians living in Rome in the late 50’s AD. The Roman Empire has suffered tremendously since the reign of Augustus Caesar. Successor after successor has tried and failed to live up to his legacy. Political opposition is met with violence. The Praetorian Guard (think Secret Service of the first century) assassinates the very emperors they swear to protect. Tax rates rise and fall depending on public opinion polls. The borders of the empire are starting to crumble. The government is unstable and rulers are often certifiably insane. Then a man named Nero rises to power. The initial signs are good. He seems to care about the poor. He often takes the side of the little guy. It looks like he’s being advised well by Seneca. By all accounts, things are looking up. Then he murders his stepbrother. Murders his mother. Murders rival senators who oppose him. He initiates building projects that exhaust the treasury and overtax the populace. Rumors spread about the Great Fire that burned Rome for a week in July of 64 AD. Nero blames the Christians. He starts systematically persecuting them. He imprisons them. He throws them to the lions. He burns them alive in his gardens. It’s a rough time. 

Now imagine receiving a letter from Paul and reading these words, “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.” (Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

How would you respond? What thoughts would go through your mind if you were living in Rome under Nero watching the country descend into chaos? How would you feel about the “governing authorities” when you see them carrying your friends off to be tortured and executed for their faith? How likely would you be to submit to them? Continue to be a model citizen? Pay your taxes? Honor the emperor? Is Paul serious? Does he not understand who’s in power here? Is he ignorant of what’s actually happening on the streets of Rome? 

Clearly, Paul understands. He will be imprisoned in Rome by 60AD or so, where he will await his eventual torture and execution. He has been flogged. Stoned. Beaten. Left for dead. He has been falsely accused. Falsely imprisoned. He knows what it’s like to suffer and yet, throughout his life, he seemed to model the very words he wrote to his Roman friends. And Paul didn’t come up with this approach on his own. He’s simply following his master, Jesus. Jesus submitted himself to the governing authorities of this world. Herod. Pilate. The Sanhedrin. All driven by a lust for power. All corrupt to the core. And yet Jesus refused to call down legions of angels to fight at his side. He allowed his farse of a trial to stand. He refused to advocate for Himself before Pilate. He ignored Herod when he asked for a sign. Why? Jesus and Paul both understood they belonged to a Kingdom not of this world. They were citizens of a heavenly empire that transcended any earthly one. Their sole allegiance was to the God of the universe who had given all authority in heaven and earth to Jesus so there was no need to fight the power. No need to lead a rebellion. Because at best you would be replacing one sinful system with another. 

At the same time, Paul is not advocating apathy. He is not calling for Christians to become doormats for the empire. What he calls for is a very proactive way of living that sets an example before culture and society of humble godliness even in the face of persecution. We are never to surrender the moral high ground. Never to surrender our deeply held Kingdom values. Never to give up Jesus for the sake of political expediency and gain. Why? First and foremost, we recognize all authority comes from God. It serves His purposes. God is able to bend both good and evil intentions to His will. God is able to use even the most corrupt to accomplish His plan. No matter what happens. No matter who gets elected President. No matter who serves in Congress. No matter who gets confirmed to the Supreme Court. ALL of them serve at God’s pleasure. He takes them down just as easily as He raises them up. All of them rule under His sovereign authority and command. 

Second, Paul understands the power of a godly witness. Even corrupt rulers cannot deny the power of the gospel. This was the genius behind the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights struggle in America. He believed by engaging in peaceful, non-violent protest of unjust laws that African-Americans and their allies would hold a mirror up to the corrupt soul of segregation. They believed their godly example would expose the evil legacy of slavery. They believed their political “enemies” needed salvation not destruction and this set them apart. The same was true for Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The same was true for Pope John Paul II when he led the Solidarity movement against communism in Poland. The same was true for Ghandi - though not a Christian, he based his resistance on the example of Christ - in India. In each and every case, these leaders led movements that transformed the course of nations and they were almost entirely based on the “good conduct” of their followers. “Do what is good and you will receive (the ruler’s) approval, for he is God’s servant for your good.” (Romans 13:3) This is the power of a godly witness.

Finally, Paul elevates the cardinal virtue of humility. Offering respect and honor to the office even if the person in the office is corrupt. Paul believes we should model our lives after Jesus. As he will write to his Philippians friends, Jesus is by nature God. But Jesus did not hold onto His equality with God. He relinquished it. He gave it up. He emptied Himself of all His divine rights and riches in order to become a human being. And not just any human being but a servant. A slave. But even then Jesus wasn’t content. He took it one step further. Humbling Himself to death. The most humiliating death possible. Death on a cross. Paul sought to pattern his own life after Jesus and he calls all Christians to do the same. “Follow me as I seek to follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Just as Christ rendered to Caesar what was Caesar’s, Paul now calls on Christians in Rome to pay their taxes. Keep honest financial records. Respect the authorities. Honor the emperor. For in so doing, we honor Christ.

Of all the things we’ve read this year, this may be the most difficult passage for us to accept especially on the eve of an election. Hate seems to be the political currency of our day. Rage. Anger. Condemnation. Character assassination seems to be our national pastime. We tend to rejoice when our enemies fall. We defend our allies at all costs. We are tempted to sacrifice everything - including our Kingdom values - on the altar of political power and gain. Scorched-earth resistance is now the norm when the opposing party is in power and it is crippling our nation. And this is true for both Republicans and Democrats. Sadly, Christians seem no different than their non-Christian neighbors in this respect. Jesus weeps, friends.

Thankfully, the truth of God remains. Though the grass withers and the flower fades, the Word of God is eternal. Jesus is still on His throne. He still reigns from on high. He still sits at the right hand of the Father. He will bend even this time to His will. He will use even the corrupt politics of our day and age to accomplish His plan. There is nothing any human being can do that will thwart His purposes. So submit to the governing authorities, friends. Live godly lives before them. Witness to them by working for justice and righteousness. Pray without ceasing for the Spirit’s work in their hearts. Give them the respect and honor due them by virtue of the office they hold. Engage. Vote. Stay involved even after Election Day comes and goes.

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 15-16, Psalms 140

Living a Different Kind of Story

Readings for today: Romans 11-12, Psalms 138

I recently came across this quote from one of my favorite pastors, “I more and more find the precious part of each day to be the thirty or forty minutes I spend each morning before breakfast with the Bible. All the rest of the day I am bombarded with the stories that the world is telling about itself. I am more and more skeptical about these stories. As I take time to immerse myself in the story that the Bible tells, my vision is cleared and I see things in another way. I see the day that lies ahead in its place in God’s story.” (Lesslie Newbigin) It reminded me of what Paul says in Romans 12 about not being conformed to the patterns of this world but instead be transformed by the renewal of the mind through Spirit.

What does such transformation look like? It looks like the life Paul describes at the end of chapter 12. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

This is the difference Christ makes in a person’s life. He changes us from the inside out. He shifts our outlook and understanding of the world. He transforms our thoughts and our attitudes as we surrender more and more of our hearts to Him. Because we are so deeply satisfied in Christ. Because Christ meets our every need. Because Christ is the object of all our devotion and affection, we are set free. Set free to love. Set free to do good. Set free to honor one another. To put one another’s needs above our own. We are patient in affliction knowing it is but a season. We are constant in prayer because we know our Father hears our every word. We are set free to be generous because money has no hold on us. We can bless those who attack us or seek to do us harm because Christ Himself is our defense and our reputation is secure in heaven. Christ gives us the confidence to grieve with those who grieve and celebrate the success of others. Because we rest in the forgiveness and grace of Christ, we can extend it out to others which leads to unity and harmony. Humility rather than pride is our constant companion. And we can release the need to get even or get back because we trust in the justice of God.

I get asked all the time, “What makes a Christian different?” Friends, this is it! When Paul talks about not being conformed to the patterns of this world, he means rejecting the way of hate. The way of outrage. The way of selfishness and pride. He means rejecting the ways of sin and evil for the ends never justify the means. He means rejecting any compromise with godlessness and instead living a life of unconditional love and grace. He means laying aside our desire for control. Our desire for power. Our desire for wealth and privilege and position and instead humbling ourselves before God. Christians understand our lives our not our own. We have been bought with a price. We have been purchased by God. We are slaves to Christ. We have no will of our own. No desires of our own. We exist to serve Christ and to bring Him glory. This is our highest calling. Our life’s passion. Our greatest priority. And it is the world’s most desperate need. Salt and light, friends. This is what you are in Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 13-14, Psalms 139

Radical Inclusivity

Readings for today: Romans 9-10, Psalms 137

It’s hard to overstate the radical inclusivity of the gospel. It includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. It includes people from every social and economic level. It includes men and women and children. It includes people from every political party. It includes people from every sexual identity. Whatever the world marks as a “distinction” that sets a group of people apart - for good or for ill - the gospel breaks down those barriers. And that’s why the Apostle Paul can say in Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This was a shocking idea in first century Roman and Jewish society. The Romans had a well-established caste system. Those with wealth and power advanced in society. Those who were poor and powerless were trampled on. Men were esteemed and honored. Women were limited in what they could and could not do. Following Aristotle, slaves and free people were both born into their condition. It was incredibly rare for anyone to break through all these barriers. For the Jews, the “system” was religious. People were divided into clean and unclean categories, depending on the particular sect you followed. Pharisees, Sadducees, zealots, Essenes, etc. all had their different rules and customs that a person had to follow if they wanted to be included. Of course, we see many of those same dynamics in play in our culture today. There are still vast differences between the rich and poor, powerful and powerless. People still divide along ethnic, social, and political lines. Careers depend on influence and access. Success depends on the circles one runs in. Inclusion requires conformity to a certain set of norms determined by those who are in charge.

The gospel pushes us beyond all these human-made barriers. It pushes us to reach across the aisle and expand our tent to include all who call on the name of the Lord. The only entrance requirement into the Kingdom of God is belief in Jesus Christ. Anyone who confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead will be saved. This is as radical today as it was when Paul and the other apostles first proclaimed it all those centuries ago. And any church that is truly seeking Christ will soon find themselves crossing all kinds of barriers. This isn’t easy work, of course. There will be a lot of resistance as the Spirit breaks down the barriers we have created in our own hearts towards those who are different than us. There will even be conflict as people naturally try to reinforce certain social patterns or cultural norms and impose them on others. But through it all, God keeps working with us. He keeps breaking us down and building us back up in His image. He keeps breaking down our churches and building them back up so they might become the inclusive communities He’s called them to be. God is faithful! He will keep doing His work so He can accomplish His goal which is to offer the gospel to all who would trust in Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 11-12, Psalms 138

No More Condemnation

Readings for today: Romans 7-8, Psalms 136

I recently preached a sermon from the Book of Revelation where I pointed out that Satan - a name that literally means “accuser” - has been thrown out of heaven for good. His access has been denied. His privileges taken away. He no longer can stand in the presence of God which means there is no one left to accuse us. No one left to attack us. No one left to condemn us before the throne of God. There is only Jesus who lives to make intercession for us. Only Jesus, our faithful high priest, who passed through the heavens to identify with us in our weakness, subject Himself to every temptation, and suffer and die in our place. This is why we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy and help in our time of need. Because Jesus promises to save to the uttermost those who draw near to Him. I have to admit I was surprised at how deeply this idea impacted the church family I serve. So many wept as they thanked me for reminding them there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Many others sent me messages and emails throughout the week to let me know how this point had stuck with them and shifted their perspective profoundly. I was humbled by the feedback.

The Apostle Paul strikes a nerve in Romans 8. After vulnerably and honestly acknowledging the depth of his despair over his sin - “Wretched man that I am, who shall save me from this body of death?” - Paul finds hope in the gospel. Because of Christ, there is no longer any condemnation. Because of Christ, we have been set free. Because of Christ, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because of Christ, the sufferings of this present world are no longer worth comparing to the glory that will one day be revealed in us. Because of Christ, all things work together for our good. Because of Christ, we have been called, predestined, justified, sanctified, and glorified. Because of Christ, there is no one left to accuse, no one left to condemn. Because of Christ, we know God is for us, not against us. Because of Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love. These are some of the most amazing and profound truths in all the Bible. In fact, I have often thought that if we lost the whole Bible but were somehow able to retain the verses from this chapter, we would be okay.

I have been a Christian for over thirty years now. Thankfully, I had spiritual mentors who pointed me to the Book of Romans, and this chapter in particular, from the very beginning of my Christian journey. I have prayed over these verses. I have clung to these verses in difficult moments. I have wrestled with these verses in the midst of great suffering. I have found solace in these verses when in pain. I have staked my life on these verses - and many, many others - and God has proven Himself faithful. Faithful to save. Faithful to love. Faithful to forgive. Faithful to bless. No matter where life may find you today, place your trust in God. Trust what He says about Himself in this chapter and let these truths shape how you understand your faith and life.

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 9-10, Psalms 137

New Life in Christ

Readings for today: Romans 5-6, Psalms 135

A few months back, I had to replace a car battery. The old one had finally reached the end of its life. It was dead. It would no longer hold a charge. It could no longer power my vehicle. It no longer served any purpose. When I put the new battery in, what did I do with the old one? Keep it there? Plug in the new one alongside the old one? Stick it on shelf of my workbench in the garage as a keepsake? No. I threw it out, of course.

The analogy holds for the Christian life. The life God offers us in Jesus Christ is something completely new. The old life is dead. It no longer holds a charge. It no longer has any power. It no longer serves any purpose. To try to keep it in place alongside the new life you have in Christ is pointless. To try to keep it plugged in alongside the new life you have in Christ will only hold you back. To stick it somewhere on a shelf as a memento only serves to distract us from the true purposes God has for your life. This is why the Apostle Paul uses such strong contrasts in his letter to the Romans. “Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive in God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 CSB) “You are slaves to the (master) you obey - either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness.” (Romans 6:16 CSB) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 CSB) Paul is making it clear we cannot serve two masters. We cannot keep a foot in both worlds. We cannot lay claim to the life to come without letting go of the life we once had. And really, when you stop to think about it, why would we? If we truly have tasted of the heavenly gift of Jesus Christ, truly experienced His amazing grace and love, truly been filled with His Holy Spirit, why would we ever want anything to do with our old life?

The life God offers us in Jesus Christ is not simply an improvement on the old. It’s not an upgrade or a facelift or a nip and a tuck. It’s not cosmetic. It’s not a bonus for all the hard work of self-improvement you have done. It’s not about self-realization or self-actualization or self-help. In fact, it’s not about “self” at all. God wants to replace your old life with something completely and entirely new. He wants to purchase you from the slave block of this world and give you a new master to serve. One who is full of grace and love and truth. He offers you the gift of eternal life which is not something you can ever earn, no matter how hard you may try. He doesn’t want you to spend your life for wages that only lead to death. Instead, He offers you a life that will produce the fruit of holiness and sanctification. A life that will finally and fully satisfy.

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 7-8, Psalms 136

Whose Praise?

Readings for today: Romans 1-2, Psalms 133

“Who are you trying to impress?” I still remember being confronted in counseling with this question many years ago. I had graduated from seminary and hit the ground running in ministry. I was serving a wonderful church in Mobile, AL, full of wonderful people who were so excited to be on mission for God. When I first arrived, I threw myself into everything. I did it all and led it all and after about two years or so, began to burn out. I couldn’t imagine being able to keep the pace I had set for much longer. That’s when I sought out a counselor. After listening to my story, he asked me the question above. It hit me like a two by four between the eyes. Who was I trying to impress? Why was I trying to lead everything? What was I trying to prove? These questions and others helped me take a step back, build teams of amazing people who did far more than I ever could, and the church thrived as a result.

The last words of the last verse hit me in a similar place this morning. “A person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.” (Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬) Paul is challenging a core belief for many of the early Christians, especially those coming from a Jewish background. They had been raised their entire lives to honor and follow the Law of God. Starting with circumcision, they were marked as God’s own by their faithfulness to Torah. Here Paul challenges that idea by suggesting - radically - that one must be “circumcised” in the heart or as he will later put it, one must be justified by faith. This inward change is what elicits praise from God which he contrasts with faithfulness to the Law which elicits praise from other people.

So back to my initial question…who am I trying to impress? God or people? God or my family, my friends, even my church? Is the reason I do what I do and believe what I believe a matter of inward transformation or is it born from a legalism that is ultimately self-justifying? If I’m honest, it’s easy for me to slip from the former to the latter. After all, I get a lot of accolades in my line of work for being outwardly holy and pure. I get a lot of compliments from those I serve and my fellow colleagues if I set a godly example. And that’s where things can get dangerous. I can start to live more for the praise of God’s people than for the praise of God Himself. What about you? Where do you find yourself today? Why do you follow Jesus? Is it to bring Him honor and glory or is it to win the praise of those around you?

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 3-4, Psalms 134 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Influence

Readings for today: Acts 27-28, Psalms 132

Lately, I’ve been thinking about influence. All of us have it on some level. It could be with family, friends, at work or school, perhaps in our church or in society as a whole. Influence is what you gain over time as you invest in those around you and work hard to earn their trust and achieve some measure of success alongside them in life. Trust breeds confidence and confidence breeds influence as the people around you learn to look to you for wisdom or advice. Influence does not come from any position or title. It must be won through sacrifice and service to others. Influence takes a long time to cultivate but can be lost in a moment if one uses it to their own advantage. As a Christian, I treat influence as a sacred privilege, something to protect and never use for my own personal gain. It is humbling to think of the people who trust me and who allow me to have influence in their lives. My wife and children. My mom and in-laws. My church family. Not only do I have influence in their lives but they have a huge influence in mine as well. In this way, influence is reciprocal and reproduces itself in all sorts of ways.

The Apostle Paul is a man of influence. Not just with the churches he planted or the church planting teams he led but even with the pagan Roman authorities who imprisoned him and escorted him to Rome for his trial. Listen again to part of the story we read for today, “Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. But we have to run aground on some island.”…Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.” (Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭21‬-‭26‬, ‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭CSB) The Apostle Paul clearly had a reputation. He was a man who heard from God. A man who served God. A man who was known for his faithfulness to God. So when the captain went against the advice of Paul and ran his ship and crew into trouble, they all turned back to Paul for advice. What should we do? Where should we go? What’s going to happen to us? Thankfully, Paul stewarded his influence well. He didn’t pout when the captain disagreed with him. He didn’t stop seeking the Lord on behalf of those he sailed with. He didn’t isolate or withdraw or tell them to go jump in the sea. Instead, he comforted them by sharing his vision from the Lord of their salvation. And they trusted Paul so much, they were even willing to cut the ropes to their lifeboats! How crazy is that?!

What kind of influence do you have over the people in your life? Do you steward that influence well? Do you seek the Lord on their behalf? Do you seek their welfare above your own? Do you seek to serve them rather than be served by them? Do you act out of their best interest or your own self-interest? Do you use underhanded techniques like manipulation or coercion to get your way? Bend them to your will? Make them do what you want them to do? Or do you set them free to choose their own way and make their own decision and honor them by continuing to walk alongside them no matter what? Even if they disagree or don’t take your advice? At the end of the day, the Apostle Paul was granted influence because of his faithfulness. Faithfulness to God’s will and faithfulness to those around him. How can you exercise the same faithfulness in your life today?

Readings for tomorrow: Romans 1-2, Psalms 133

Evangelism

Readings for today: Acts 25-26, Psalms 131

I’ve recently spent a lot of time with friends who are navigating heartbreaking situations with those they love. Children who have walked away from the faith. Spouses who no longer believe. Parents who have drifted away towards the end of their lives and no longer consider a relationship with Christ a priority. In each of these cases, the people involved are making foolish decisions that carry great risk. They are experiencing a growing sense of isolation and depression. They are even cutting themselves off from those who love them most. What I tell my friends is it’s like those they love are entering the valley of the shadow of death where they become incredibly anxious and afraid for they have lost any sense that God is with them. Their only hope is for my friends to walk into that valley with them. Hold onto them even as they themselves hold onto Christ with the hope that one day, the light of Jesus will break through the darkness and cause them to return to faith.

I thought about my friends when I read these words from Paul this morning. “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am — except for these chains.”(Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬) I think Paul wrestles with many of the same feelings my friends do. He looks around at his fellow Jews and he cannot fathom why they do not believe. Why can they not accept Jesus as their Messiah? He even mentions in some places that he would rather be accursed, he would rather be cut off from God, if it would mean his fellow Jews would come to saving faith. Paul grieves over those he loves who refuse to believe. He grieves over their resistance to their Messiah. His greatest desire is that they would see the light as he has seen the light. He could care less about his sufferings or his imprisonments or his fate. He knows his life is in God’s hands. He willingly sacrifices it all for the sake of knowing Christ and helping others do the same.

What about us? Is this our burning passion as well? To draw those we love to Christ? Do we pray for them? Do we share the gospel with them? Are we willing to walk with them no matter what dark valley they enter? Are we willing to go places with them that are uncomfortable? Are we willing to risk everything we have to see them come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ? I know I wrestle with these questions myself. I have people in my life who I love dearly who no longer believe or struggle with faith or who have walked away from Christian community. My heart and my prayer is that God will give me the privilege and opportunity to walk alongside them, love them the way He loves them, suffer alongside them if necessary, all with the hope they will experience Christ in and through me and come saving faith.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 27-28, Psalms 132

Good Trouble

Readings for today: Acts 23-24, Psalms 130

John Lewis was a strong Christian. In fact, it was his belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ that compelled him to get into “good trouble” as leader in the American Civil Rights movement. Lewis risked his life countless times as he organized voter registration drives, sit-ins at lunch counters, and challenged the systemic racism of the Jim Crow laws in the Deep South. On March 7, 1965, Lewis led over 600 peaceful protestors over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL in a march for voting rights. They were brutally attacked by Alabama State Troopers in what later became known as “Bloody Sunday.” The leaders of the Civil Rights movement were considered “agitators.” Everywhere they went, they fomented unrest. They disrupted society. They created all kinds of problems with their peaceful, non-violent protests as they advocated for a more just and frankly, more biblical society where every human being would be of equal worth and value, having been made in the image of God.

I thought about John Lewis as I read our passage this morning. Like Lewis, the Apostle Paul got into “good trouble.” Everywhere he went, he stirred things up by preaching the good news of the gospel. He was considered “a plague” and “an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” (Acts 24:5 CSB) Paul was considered a threat by both Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities. To the former, he was considered a heretic and a traitor to his religion. To the latter, he was considered a danger and disturber of the peace. The last thing either group wanted was a new religion popping up that refused to bow the knee to Caesar and acted with such evangelistic zeal. Paul’s preaching was politically, socially, economically, and culturally de-stabilizing. It upended the power systems of the ancient world. It leveled the caste system, redefined the family, re-ordered human society, and disrupted the cultic system on which the Pax Romana was built. Little wonder a group of Jewish zealots took a vow to seek Paul’s death at all costs.

The world still finds herself in desperate need of those who will make “good trouble.” Those who will agitate in the name of Jesus and for the cause of Jesus in politics, economics, and human society. To be sure, such people will not be embraced. They will not be welcomed. They might even be considered a threat or a plague because the values of the Kingdom of God have a tendency to turn this world upside down. Over the course of the next month, we will be voting in my country. Voting for our next president. Voting for members of Congress. Voting for governors of particular states and legislatures of such states. We will be voting on new laws, new programs, and new policies. It can be difficult to resist the urge to vote as a member of a particular political party rather than as a Christian. It is tempting to put our own desires ahead of what’s best for society at large. It can be tempting to place our trust in a particular outcome and make dramatic changes if the result doesn’t go our way. This is an opportunity for Christians to stand up and stand out. To “agitate” for the values of the Kingdom of God and seek to advocate and vote in alignment with them for the good of our communities, our states, and our nation.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 25-26, Psalms 131

Discerning the Will of the Holy Spirit

Readings for today: Acts 21-22, Psalms 129

Discernment isn’t always easy. Sure, there are some things the Bible makes clear. Moral issues like murder, theft, deceit, and sexual immorality are consistently addressed throughout the Scriptures as are deeper issues like anger, lust, and greed. These things have no place in a Christian’s life. As we are sanctified in the Spirit, we should expect these things to diminish and the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to flourish. But what about discerning the will of the Spirit? Where He may be calling us to go? Who He may be calling us to meet? What He may be calling us to do? That is more difficult.

Today’s reading puts this issue front and center. Paul is heading back to Jerusalem. Presumably, he believes this is the will of the Holy Spirit for his life. It’s an unshakable conviction for him and one that drives him to leave those he loves dearly with no guarantee he will be safe. As he travels, he stops along the way to spend time with other Christians. Men and women who are the literal fruit in some cases of his ministry. They implore him - by the Spirit - to not go to Jerusalem. But Paul will not be dissuaded. Finally, he lands at Caesarea and stays with Philip the evangelist. A prophet named Agabus comes to meet him and declares to him - by the Spirit - that he will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles for judgment. Once again, the local people plead with Paul not to go. Once again, Paul is resolute. “I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13 CSB) So what’s going on here? Is Paul being stubborn? Is Paul being foolish? Is Paul being proud? Is Paul resisting the will of the Holy Spirit?

It’s honestly tough to know. What we do know is the prophecy of Agabus comes true. Paul is arrested, imprisoned, and handed over to Caesar who eventually executes him. And this raises some interesting questions for us as believers. How do we discern the will of the Holy Spirit for our lives? Surely, it starts with God’s Word. We listen for the voice of the Spirit as we read through the Scriptures. God’s Word is confirmed to us in prayer. We intentionally seek the will of the Spirit as we pray over our lives. We also need to listen to the voices of other believers who have our best in mind. They may receive a Word from the Lord for us. At the same time, the Word they share with us must be confirmed by the Word of God and the Spirit as He speaks to our hearts. We shouldn’t just accept it at face value. As one can see, discernment is a complex process involving a lot of different voices. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is walk with open hands, a humble heart, and a listening ear that is attuned to God’s voice.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 23-24, Psalms 130

The Impact of the Gospel

Readings for today: Acts 19-20, Psalms 128

We’ve already seen how the early Christians were accused of “turning the world upside down” with their preaching of the gospel. It is impossible to separate the preaching of the gospel from the social, political, and cultural impact of the gospel. Preaching Jesus by definition challenges our notions of justice, power, social class, economics, etc. because He Himself challenged those same things through His preaching and ministry.  

Ephesus was one of the great cities of Asia Minor in the 1st century. A commercial trading center. A major port. In the early second century, the great library of Celsus was built here, housing over 12,000 scrolls and putting Ephesus on the map alongside Alexandria as a center of learning. It had an amphitheater that held over 25,000 spectators. But perhaps the greatest draw was the famed Temple of Artemis. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Pilgrims came from all over to pay their respects to the great goddess. As a result, tradesmen and craftsmen made a lot of money supporting the cult by selling idols and little shrines for the people to carry home with them. Enter the Apostle Paul. He comes preaching a gospel of a God not made with human hands. A God who cannot be represented by idols here on earth. A God who is the maker of heaven and earth. A God greater than Artemis (the moon goddess) and many of her former adherents came to faith. Sales drop. Profits crumble. Money is lost. A riot ensues as the entire economic structure of the city is now in danger. 

Such accusations are nothing new to Paul. He’s already been accused of preaching a “king other than Caesar.” Already been accused of treason and sedition. Already been accused of upending entire social systems. Already been accused of blasphemy by his fellow Jews. No wonder he’ll remark to his Corinthian friends, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” ‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-10‬ CSB) Paul understands preaching the gospel places one at odds with the social systems of this world. The economic systems of this world. The political systems of this world. The gospel is the good news of another Kingdom. A Kingdom that is in this world but not of this world. A Kingdom ruled from a heavenly throne not an earthly one. A Kingdom driven by eternal values not temporal ones. A Kingdom that is pure and noble and righteous. Unwilling to compromise with the sinful and broken ways of this world. So one cannot preach without meddlin’ in politics, social systems, economics, and justice. The gospel cannot be privatized. Jesus will not rest until He is Lord over every facet of human existence. Until every knee will bow in heaven. On earth. Under the earth. And every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 21-22, Psalms 129

Navigating Church Conflict

Readings for today: Acts 15-16, Psalms 126

I frequently come across people who are surprised when conflict takes place in a church. They have a false impression that because all Christians love Jesus we would never have a difference of opinion or an argument or disagreement. They seem to think “unity” is the same as “unanimity” which simply is not true. From the very beginning, the church has struggled over significant issues. Struggled to come to one mind and one accord on various things. Because we are all sinners and naturally self-centered in many ways, it is not easy to discern the will of God. 

Today’s reading highlights a number of different conflicts. Conflict over circumcision and the role of the Jewish law in a Christian’s life. Conflict over restoring an individual who proved untrustworthy in the past. Conflict over where the Spirit was leading different evangelism teams to go. Conflict in Philippi over the deliverance of a slave girl. Conflict in prison which results in the conversion of the jailer. It is messy. It is a bit chaotic. The process of discernment often involves lots of trial and error. Mistakes are made. I imagine feelings get hurt. Frustrations mount. Divisions are created. But through it all, the Spirit is faithful to make His will known. And the result is the churches are strengthened in their faith and increase in numbers daily as God adds to them those who are being saved. Is it possible that these chapters are paradigmatic for today? Do they reflect real life in the real church in the real world? Should we expect conflict? Expect disagreement? Expect arguments over where to go and what to do and who to involve? And if so, how can we resolve conflict peacefully? In a way that glorifies God and brings honor to His name?  

One of the keys to navigating conflict in a godly manner is mutual submission. In Acts 15:1, a question is raised. Is circumcision required for salvation? This was no small matter. It was a question of identity. For centuries, the rite of circumcision had set the Jewish people apart. Marked them as God’s chosen people. They suffered for this belief. They’d been persecuted for this spiritual practice. No matter where in the Roman Empire they found themselves, they were easily identified by the fact they had been circumcised so there was no way to blend in. Since Abraham, circumcision had formed the core part of their shared identity and linked them intimately with the covenant promises of God. Now it was being threatened...what should they do? Paul and Barnabus had strong opinions. Based on what they had seen and experienced, it appeared the Holy Spirit was moving among the Gentiles. Non-Jews. People who were not circumcised. Who were they to stand in God’s way? Why add to what the Spirit was doing? This stirred up quite a bit of dissension and debate. So they go up to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles to make their case. Again, there was much debate. Passionate opinions expressed on all sides. Finally Peter stood up. Shared his heart. Shared his experience. Sought to apply the Scriptures. Paul and Barnabus shared about what they had seen in their travels. James called for a decision and the council decided to make circumcision a secondary matter. Non-essential when it comes to salvation. 

Make no mistake, this decision had huge implications but they found unity as their conclusion “seemed good to the apostles, elders, and the whole church.” Though the issue will pop up at various times throughout the Book of Acts and Paul’s letters, this moment represents a turning point for the early church. A general willingness of all parties to mutually submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Another aspect that’s highlighted is their ability to differentiate between essentials and non-essentials when it comes to the gospel. Again, just because a compromise was reached doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Unity is not the same as unanimity. I imagine quite a few of the Pharisees who had come to faith walked away with serious reservations. But they set those reservations aside for the sake of unity. They recognized the danger of division and how much harm would come should the church fracture over this issue. They made sure to focus on the essentials - not getting mixed up in idolatry, sexual immorality, and maintaining purity which are all matters of the heart - rather than force Gentiles to become Jews before becoming Christian. 

Imagine how different the church would be if it could practice the same kind of mutual submission that so marked the early church? Instead of fighting over secondary matters like baptismal practices, worship styles, spiritual gifts, etc., imagine what would happen if we could exercise mutual forbearance and submission and keep the main thing the main thing? Rather than pull up stakes the moment we disagree with the preacher or the elder board or another brother or sister in Christ, imagine what God could do with a church that was unified around the gospel? What might happen if we obeyed the call to forgive and reconcile rather than bounce the moment we are disappointed or let down? Friends, unity does not always mean unanimity so we should never expect we will always agree. The key to doing life together is navigating conflict with a humility that honors God and keeps Christ at the center.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 17-18, Psalms 127 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Trust in the Lord

Readings for today: Acts 13-14, Psalms 125

What does it mean to trust in the Lord? This phrase appears all over the Scriptures and especially throughout the Book of Psalms. It is a critical aspect of the life of faith. Properly understood, it shapes one’s thoughts, actions, and even affections. When we trust in the Lord, we are placing our entire lives in His hands. We are allowing His will and His way and most of all, His love to guide and direct our steps. We do not trust in our own understanding. We do not rely on our own strength. We do not try to love others in the transactional way the world seems to promote. No, we follow the example of Jesus who models what it means to trust in God. He loved unconditionally. He served sacrificially. He humbled Himself and emptied Himself of all His power and glory, privilege and position. He did not consider His equality with God something to be held onto or to take pride in but instead offered Himself to die in the worst and most shameful way imaginable.

Lately, it seems like I’m having lots of conversations with different people from different walks of life about what it means for each of them to trust the Lord. Trusting the Lord through grief. Trusting the Lord in conflict. Trusting the Lord in the fight against addiction. Trusting the Lord when things don’t go your way. Trusting the Lord when life seems to pile on. Trusting the Lord for direction for the future. Trusting the Lord in relationships. Trusting the Lord with money. Trusting the Lord in the process of forgiveness and reconciliation and restoration. It’s not easy. It cuts against the grain of our own experience. It often forces us to go against our own desires, attitudes, thoughts, and ideas. It even sometimes requires us to give up all we hold dear so we might privilege that which God holds dear. But the reward is worth it. When we trust in the Lord, He becomes the stronghold of our life. He becomes a sanctuary for all our hopes and dreams. He becomes a safe place of refuge where we can run when we are anxious and afraid.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. The mountains surround Jerusalem and the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.” (Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 15-16, Psalms 126

Radical Inclusivity

Readings for today: Acts 11-12, Psalms 124

Today’s reading contains one of the most explosive stories in the New Testament. The gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading rapidly around the region, moving from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and now to the ends of the earth. As that happens, it isn’t just Jewish people who come to saving faith but Gentiles as well and this presents one of the greatest questions to the early church. How in the world can Jews and Gentiles, separated from almost the beginning, be joined back together in one covenant family of God? These two groups were separated not only ethnically and socially and culturally and geographically but also theologically, tracing their division almost all the way back to the beginning. And though Israel was called by God to be a light to the Gentile nations, she had spent centuries at war with them and had turned inward, becoming far more concerned with her ritual purity than embracing her role as priests, interceding for an unbelieving world and teaching them about the one, true God.

But now the Holy Spirit has been unleashed. He was poured out on the disciples at Pentecost and He is moving so rapidly, the apostles can barely keep up. He awakens Jew and Gentile alike. He brings them all to saving faith. He fills Samaritans, Ethiopians, and all sorts of people in places like Antioch. The apostles send representatives to these places to follow up on what He is doing, seeking to verify the fantastic claims they are hearing. Then one of their own - the Apostle Peter himself - testifies to what he witnessed at the house of Cornelius. He walked the church leaders in Jerusalem, many of whom were Jewish believers and still held to circumcision as the sign of the covenant, through his vision and what happened afterwards when he preached the gospel to the Gentiles. He quotes Jesus Himself who said, “John baptized with water but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.” And he went to share how God had broken through all the ethnic, social, cultural, and theological divisions that existed between Jew and Gentile and was bringing all people into His family. “If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?” (Acts 11:17 CSB) And how do the leaders respond? “When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.” (Acts 11:18 CSB)

It’s an incredible story. One that sets the tone for the rest of the book. If Peter had not obeyed God’s voice or closed his eyes and heart to God’s vision, who knows what might have happened to the mission? Would it have remained a small Jewish sect like the many others that existed in the first century? Would it have died a quick death due to the self-limiting factors being imposed by the Jewish Christian leaders? Would it have been stifled by entrenched theological system of Judaism? I doubt it. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. It cannot be contained by a theological system or inherited tradition or the limitations of leaders or any other created thing on the earth. The gospel will break free from any bonds we try to impose because it is a movement of the Holy Spirit and He cannot be contained. He cannot be constrained. And He is still at work today! He is still drawing all people to Himself. Still crossing every human boundary and division and faction and dividing wall of separation we try to set up. ‭‭

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 13-14, Psalms 125

Ananias

Readings for today: Acts 9-10, Psalms 123

I had a conversation with a friend recently who asked me about the work I do in Africa. After sharing with them all the incredible things God was doing in some of the hardest to reach places on earth, he asked me, “But isn’t it dangerous?” “Yes”, I replied. “But God never promised me I would be safe serving Him.” It may sound like I’m being a bit flippant but I’m not. I’ve been to some dangerous places. I’ve worked with men and women who are persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and even killed for the cause of the gospel. The last time I was in Ethiopia, we were in an area where we were the only Westerners. Everyone else had pulled out of the region due to the conflict in the area, including the UN. I don’t say this to brag but to simply illustrate the fact that sometimes God calls us to do hard things, even dangerous things for Him.

If you don’t believe me, consider the situation Ananias found himself in. He’s a disciple of Jesus living in Damascus probably minding his own business. He’s not a pastor. He’s not an apostle. There’s nothing in the text that suggests he’s even a leader in the church. He’s just an ordinary guy who is called to an extraordinary task. He is to go and meet Saul and pray for him to be healed. Saul? The church’s greatest enemy? The man who is pursuing and imprisoning and murdering Christians all over the Roman Empire? This is the man Ananias is called by God to go and meet? And not only to meet him but to lay hands on him and pray for him? Can you imagine the courage this would take? Imagine the conviction Ananias must have felt from the Holy Spirit. Imagine the fear he had to overcome. And yet he still went. There doesn’t seem to be any hesitation in his heart. Once the Lord had spoken to Ananias and shared with him the purpose behind God’s call, Ananias went. He obeyed. He laid hands on Saul. He prayed for Saul to not only receive back his sight but be filled with the Holy Spirit. And Saul’s life was never the same.

I wonder how many times Saul - who became Paul soon after this event - looked back on that day. How many times did Saul thank God for sending Ananias into his life? How many times did Saul pause in the midst of all his missionary journeys to reflect on how his ministry began? I know as I look back in my own life I marvel at the ways God used different people to not only bring me to saving faith but encourage me to become a pastor. I am blessed by so many men and women who invested in my life along the way. Yes, I wasn’t a persecutor of the faith like Saul was but I was resistant and rebellious in so many other ways. All of us not only need an “Ananias” in our lives but we need to be an “Ananias” to others as well. They may be people whom you love and live with or among. They may be people you work with or attend class alongside. They may be people on the other side of the political or social or cultural aisle. They may even be people who otherwise would be your enemy. I think back to my friends in the Horn of Africa. So many of them sacrifice their lives to reach people of a different tribe. They reach across all kinds of cultural and ethnic boundaries to proclaim the gospel to those whom God loves. Many of these tribes have been at war for generations and yet these men and women seek to intentionally reach their enemies with the good news. It’s a powerful testimony to what God can do when we make ourselves available to Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 11-12, Psalms 124

Filled with the Spirit

Readings for today: Acts 7-8, Psalms 122

I love the Book of Acts. The chaos of the early days of the church. God pressing His people outside their comfort zones. Blowing up their expectations. Transforming how they see themselves, one another, and the world.

Jesus told His disciples that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The gospel was so disruptive in Jerusalem and Judea that believers were being dragged from their homes and thrown in prison. Many were being tortured and killed. The Pharisees were coming after them with a vengeance and Saul - who would later become the Apostle Paul - was at the forefront of it all.

As the disciples scattered, running for their lives, they continued to preach the gospel. And that’s how Philip came to Samaria. He preached and performed many signs and wonders and many Samaritans believed. They received the Word of God with open hearts. They were baptized in the name of Jesus. But they had not yet received the blessing of the Holy Spirit so the Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to lay hands on them. Frankly, we do not know why they didn’t receive the Holy Spirit at their conversion. It seems in the early days of the church that the Holy Spirit was moving in different ways. Coming to different people at different times. In Acts 2, He comes with power over the disciples as they are praying together, giving them the miraculous gift of tongues. In Acts 8, He comes at the laying on of hands by Peter and John. In Acts 10, He comes as Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius and his household. It’s important not to build our doctrine on these isolated passages but simply to accept the fact that God was doing a new thing in those days and it manifested itself in different ways.

One thing we can take away from this passage is the importance of being filled with the Spirit. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised His followers they would not be alone. He would not leave them as orphans in this world. He would send His Spirit to dwell with them. To guide them into all truth. To lead them to a deeper understanding of Christ. To empower them for Christ’s service in the world. The Spirit imparts gifts to God’s people. The Spirit bears fruit in the lives of God’s people. The Spirit is active, constantly transforming us and sanctifying us and making us into the image of Christ.

Most of all, the Spirit brings unity. He brings us together across our differences. It is the Spirit who reconciles Jews and Samaritans. Healing racial divisions going back centuries. It is the Spirit who will bring Jews and Gentiles together into one church. Overcoming cultural and social and ritual divisions that had always kept them apart. It is the Spirit who sends Philip to the side of an Ethiopian official as he returns home. Opening his eyes to the truth of the gospel and sending him forth to proclaim the good news to his own people.

Friends, this same Spirit is on the move today! He regenerates the heart of every believer who comes to faith in Jesus Christ. He dwells within us, bearing His fruit in our lives. He teaches us, opening up the Scriptures to us in ways we can understand. He empowers us, giving us gifts to serve the church and our community in Jesus’ name. He brings unity to His people, crossing every divide you can imagine. Breaking through every dividing wall of hostility we tend to set up that keeps us apart. He heals. He reconciles. He drives us from our places of safety and security and comfort to bring this ministry of reconciliation to the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 9-10, Psalms 123

Sharing the Sufferings of Christ

Readings for today: Acts 5-6, Psalms 121

Something very powerful takes place when we share in the sufferings of Christ. The Apostle Paul experienced it as did the Apostles Peter and John and the new believers in Jerusalem. Christians throughout the ages have experienced it in places like Russia, China, Iran, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia. I have had the privilege of meeting some of them. Over the past ten years I have personally trained hundreds of church planters in the Horn of Africa. Many of them bear on their bodies the scars of the persecution they face on a daily basis. They’ve been threatened. Beaten. Shot. Stabbed. Imprisoned. Some of them have even died in the field. And still they go. When I ask them how I can pray over them, they never ask for personal safety but always for boldness to preach the gospel in the face of the opposition. It is deeply humbling and inspiring. 

I think about these men and women when I read Acts 5. I love the boldness of those first believers. Peter and John are arrested, imprisoned, and tried for preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. They were not among the elite. They had no wealth. No power. No education. They were just ordinary people whom God used to proclaim an extraordinary message. The gospel stirred up the city - as it always does - and threatened those in power - as it always does. So Peter and John were threatened. They were roughed up. They were imprisoned. They were put on trial. But they return home praising God for the opportunity to share in the sufferings of Christ. They praise God for the persecution. Praise God for His sovereign will and plan. Praise God for the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (Acts‬ ‭5:41-42 CSB)

What do you pray for when you come against opposition? What do you pray for when you experience suffering and hardship? What do you pray for when you are in pain? For most of us, I imagine we pray for relief. Healing. Safety. Comfort. These are not necessarily bad things to pray but they certainly are not the most important things. The Apostle Paul experienced all these things and more in his life. He was mistreated, abused, left for dead. He gave up his home. His family. His livelihood. He sacrificed everything for the sake of knowing and serving Christ. And what did he gain in return? Christ. Peter and John and the early believers made similar sacrifices. They considered everything “rubbish” when compared to knowing and serving Christ. And what did they gain in return? Christ. What if - instead of safety and security - you prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel? What if - instead of comfort and peace - you prayed for courage to share your faith? What if - instead of provision and protection - you prayed for God to use all that you are and all that you have - even your sufferings and pain - to grow His Kingdom in this world?

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 7-8, Psalms 122

The Power of God

Readings for today: Acts 1-2, Psalms 119:153-176

The promise of the Holy Spirit is the promise of power. Divine, supernatural power filling us so that we might be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It’s a good thing Jesus gives us His power because we couldn’t accomplish His mission without it. The stakes are too high. The challenges too great. The obstacles too daunting. The trials too hard. The suffering too painful. Whether you’re walking across the street to share Christ with a neighbor or you are at work sharing Christ with a co-worker or you’re headed across the world to share Christ with someone who’s never had access to the gospel before, it requires power to accomplish. God’s power not our own.

Every Christian I’ve talked to over the years wants this power. They want to experience the miraculous power of God in their life. They want to see the miraculous power of God on display. They want to feel the miraculous power of God within them. But for so many Christians, God’s power remains an abstract concept. An elusive idea. Something they acknowledge as possible but don’t expect to actually ever experience. Why is that? What is it that holds us back? What is it that keeps us from living and walking in God’s power as His followers? Simply put, we aren’t serious enough about God’s mission. God grants us His power not to use for ourselves. Not to use to enrich our own lives. Not to make us healthy and wealthy and wise. This is where the prosperity preachers have it all wrong. God’s power is not given to us so that we can spend it on ourselves. No, God gives us His power so that we might be His witnesses to a dead and dying world. He gives us His power so that we might serve His Kingdom purposes. He gives us His power so that we might spread the good news of the gospel.

Being a witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth requires risk. It requires us to take steps of faith. It requires us to sacrifice. When we do these things for the sake of God’s mission in the world, we see miraculous things take place. Hell is emptied and heaven is filled as people come to saving faith. The blind see. The deaf hear. The lame walk. The diseased are cured. The demon-possessed are set free. The dead are raised. I’ve seen all these things and more in my travels around the world as Christians put themselves at great risk in order to proclaim the gospel and plant churches where the name of Jesus has never been spoken or even heard. I’ve also seen some of these same things in my own home town as believers that I know and love take risks to share their faith, stand for the gospel, proclaim truth, and sacrifice in incredible ways to reach the lost and least resourced.

If you want God’s power in your life, there is only one way to get it. Get on mission for Jesus! Join Jesus on His mission to reach the lost and serve the least resourced. Intentionally go to places and meet people who need Jesus desperately. Take risks. Prayerfully sacrifice. Find ways to serve. Step out in faith. God will meet you there in a powerful way and you will experience Him in ways you never thought possible.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 3-4, Psalms 120 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Faith of Jesus Christ

Readings for today: Luke 23-24, Psalms 119:129-152

As Christians, we often talk about placing our faith in Jesus Christ. This is a core component to salvation. We must confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9) At the same time, there is an oft-overlooked dynamic in Scripture that talks about the faith of Jesus Christ. For example, Galatians 2:16 CSB says, “we know a person is not justified by works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ.” Or consider Romans 3:22 CSB which says, “The righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ.” Now to be sure, if you were to look both of these passages up in your Bible, it mostly likely is translated “faith in Jesus Christ.” Technically speaking, there is a debate raging in Biblical scholarship as to whether the phrase is an “objective genitive” (faith in Jesus Christ) or a “subjective genitive” (faith of Jesus Christ). For my part, I believe the latter is more accurate and this is important because it is not our faith that saves us but our faith in the faith and faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Faith is a gift not a work according to Ephesians 2:8-9. It comes from God and it enables us to believe in all Christ has accomplished for us. And as we place our faith in the faith of Jesus Christ, we are saved.

I thought about this debate when I read the chapters assigned for today. The faith of Jesus is not something I often pause to consider as He stands before Pilate and Herod and the religious leaders. Probably my default is to assume Jesus has access to some kind of supernatural peace because He is God or I assume because Jesus is God, He refuses to recognize the jurisdiction or authority of any human court. However, when I pause to consider Jesus’ humanity, I realize it took faith for Him to face His accusers. It took faith for Him to look Pilate in the eye and say “You say so” when asked if He were a king. It took faith for Him to remain silent before Herod and refuse to perform for Him like some kind of circus act. And, of course, it took faith for Jesus to hang on the cross and pray for the forgiveness of those who tortured and mocked and crucified Him. Jesus had to walk by faith just as we have to walk by faith. He had to place His trust in His Heavenly Father just as we have to trust our Heavenly Father. Jesus was made like us in every way, was tempted like us in every way, suffered like us in every way and still He believed. He clung to faith.

What about us? Do we place our faith in the faith of Jesus Christ? Do we believe He did everything for us? Do we believe He was baptized for us? Kept the law for us? Suffered for us? Died for us? Rose again for us? Even believed for us? If we do, we place the whole work of salvation in His more than capable hands and claim no boast for ourselves. Not even the boast of faith.

Readings for tomorrow: Acts 1-2, Psalms 119:153-176

Generosity

Readings for today: Luke 21-22, Psalms 119:97-128

One of the many things I get to do is travel to remote villages in the Horn of Africa twice a year to preach the gospel. The organization I serve alongside holds training conferences in Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan. We gather hundreds of church planters and train them in theology, Bible, pastoral leadership, discipleship, and other disciplines. As part of the experience, they send us out to villages around the training center to preach on Sunday mornings. On a typical Sunday, we arrive with the worship service already in progress. The indigenous people have gathered earlier in the morning to begin singing and praying and praising God. Once we arrive, we join them, often being given seats of honor in the worship service. At some point in time, they take up an offering. Remember, these men and women are subsistence farmers. They have little to nothing to call their own. Quite often, their offering consists of the first fruits of their hard labor. Maize. Squash. Wheat. Perhaps a chicken for the wealthier families. Then there are the people who come forward with nothing. They have empty hands. They hold them over the offering basket and pantomime the act of giving as practice for the day when they will have something to give. It’s incredibly humbling and powerful every single time.

I think about those men and women every time I read this passage out of Luke about the widow’s offering. It’s so easy in my culture to get caught up in the size of the gift. It’s so easy where I live to honor the rich who give generously. But Jesus takes us deeper. He reminds us it’s not the size of the gift that matters as much as the size of the sacrifice. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” (Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬) Imagine the faith it takes to give when you have little to nothing to live on. Imagine the faith it takes to make your offering when you know you may be choosing to go without as a result. I remember when my wife and I were living on public assistance early in our ministry. We felt the pinch every month as we gave. It wasn’t always easy. There were times we went without as a result. But we never regretted our decision. Now we have been blessed with much. We have far more than we could ever need. And this verse continues to challenge us. Do we give out of our excess or do we give sacrificially?

People often ask me about the biblical standard for giving. Is it the tithe? Is it more? Is it less? Is there a New Testament standard at all? My answer is always the same. God calls us to sacrifice. God calls us to give like the widow in Luke’s Gospel. We are called to prayerfully consider what that might look like in our lives for it looks differently for each of us. The goal is not to hit some arbitrary number like 10% but to give in such a way that we feel it. Give in such a way that we go without. Give in such a way that we learn to depend on God. For most people in my situation, I believe that it involves giving far more than 10%. This is scary I know. Especially if you are not trained in the spiritual discipline of giving. So the key is to begin where you are and commit to grow your giving with each passing year. As you do, you will find yourself learning to live on less and less while receiving the freedom that comes from knowing your life depends on God not on the stock market or your ability to produce or your retirement account.

Readings for tomorrow: Luke 23-24, Psalms 119:129-152