True Story

Readings for today: Hebrews 5-6, Psalms 27

The gospel is the best story because it is a true story. Anchored on the promise of God. Sealed by the oath of God. Grounded on the fact that God cannot lie nor change His mind. Throughout human history, God has made many promises. He promised Noah deliverance. He promised Abraham a child. He promised Moses victory. He promised David a descendant to sit on his throne. In each case, He swears an oath by Himself. He puts His glory and His honor on the line. And in every case He delivers. He fulfills His promise. Even in the face of our doubts and fears, disobedience and sin, God never wavers. He is faithful.

This is why the author of Hebrews says “We who have fled for refuge have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬) He knows God can be trusted. He knows God has made a promise. The promise of a Savior. The promise of a Messiah. The promise of a King to sit on His throne and a High Priest to intercede in the heavens. God not only made this promise but He swore an oath. He put His glory and honor on the line. He will not let it fail. So by these two “unchangeable things” - the oath and character of God - we have assurance. We have hope. We can hold fast to what God has set before us.

The story of Jesus is no fairy tale. It is no myth or legend. It is not fiction or something any human being made up. Jesus was born. Jesus lived. Jesus suffered. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. These are historical events. You can actually go and see where they took place. You can visit Bethlehem where Jesus was born. You can walk around Galilee and see where Jesus ministered for three years. You can go to Golgotha and see where Jesus was crucified. You can touch the slab where His body lay. Not only that but you can read about these events not only in the Bible but in extra-biblical sources as well. No one disputes that they actually happened. This is what makes the gospel so compelling after all these years. It’s true. It’s real. It happened.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 7-8, Psalms 28

The Problem of Suffering

Readings for today: Hebrews 1-2, Psalms 25

One of the strongest arguments against faith is the problem of suffering. For thousands of years of human history, human beings have suffered tremendously. Most dying in infancy. Many more dying from disease, famine, and drought. Many more from violence and war. In the grand sweep of human history, very few have died peacefully in their old age. For millions of years, animals have suffered tremendously. They have no defense against disease, drought, famine, and other natural disasters. They are subject to the violent, predatorial hierarchy that exists in nature. Even the apex predators eventually succumb to Father Time. For billions of years, the earth itself has suffered. Though not sentient, it experiences all sorts of disruptions and eruptions. The formational processes are often violent, creating all kinds of collisions between continents and dramatic changes in climate. And so the question is begged…how can an all-good and all-powerful God allow the kind of extreme suffering that exists in the universe?

It’s a really important question. One that cannot and should not be dismissed easily. One option is to embrace an atheist worldview. The world suffers precisely because it is subject to random processes with no god behind it all. We simply have to embrace reality as it is and make the best of it for ourselves and others. A second option is to embrace a Buddhist worldview. Suffering is an illusion. The challenge in this life is to disassociate ourselves from the world, transcend the physical body and all of its needs, and become one with the universe. A third option is to embrace a pagan worldview. Suffering exists because the gods are angry or we tempted “fate” or we are experiencing “bad karma.” The challenge is to appease the gods or fate or karma or whatever in order to bring an end to our suffering. A fourth option is the Deist worldview. There is an all-powerful god who created the world and set all its processes in motion but who remains distant and uninvolved in it all. A fifth option is to believe in an all-powerful god who is evil. A god who loves to watch people and animals and planets suffer. Again, in these latter two, there isn’t much to do except put our heads down and make the best of it. A sixth option is the worldview shared broadly among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. There is one God who created all things and cares deeply about all He creates. He reveals Himself through His prophets and His Holy Word. He wants a relationship with human beings in particular and makes a way for that to happen. His goal is to relieve the suffering of the world. Of course, how God goes about that is one of the areas where these three religions diverge. For the Christian, God relieves the suffering of the world by coming in the Person of Jesus Christ, suffering with and for the world on the cross, and rising again as the foretaste and guarantee of the world to come. A world without suffering and pain.

Listen to how the writer of Hebrews puts it, “But we do see Jesus —  made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone —  crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist — should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters…Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil  —  and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” (Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬, ‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God has a plan for the world. A plan that has been in place since the beginning. A plan that involves sharing His righteous reign and rule over all He has made with humanity, the species He made in His own image. Sadly, as a species, we have rejected our partnership with God and instead sought to establish our own reign and rule over the earth. The results are disastrous by any estimation. But God refuses to abandon His plan. So rather than destroy everything and start over, He chooses to redeem everything through His Son. He sends His Son into the world, not to condemn, but to save it. And how does Jesus save? He becomes one of us. He becomes a human being. The perfect image of the invisible God. Humanity as she was meant to be. And He is tempted. And He suffers. And He dies. And by sharing in our weaknesses, He defeats the power of the devil. He defeats the power of death. He brings meaning and purpose even to our suffering and He points us forward to a world where all things will be made new.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 3-4, Psalms 26 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Christian Freedom

Readings for today: Philemon 1, Psalms 24

The Bible has often been used to justify the horrors of slavery. Southern slave owners and preachers in the 18th and 19th centuries proof-texted from all over the Scriptures to justify their crimes. Even well-known pastors and theologians like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were blind to the sin of slaveholding. Many over the years cite these examples as reasons not to believe the claims of Christianity. After all, if Christianity is the “slaveholders” religion then surely it’s not worth following. I’d agree. At the same time, the Bible birthed the abolitionist movement. Christians like William Wilberforce, John Wesley, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Finney, and many others relied on passages like the ones we read today from Philemon and Colossians as they launched and organized a movement that put an end to the Atlantic slave trade and brought an end to the practice of slavery in the United States altogether. Furthermore, Christians remain on the forefront of the abolitionist movement to this day through organizations like the International Justice Mission as they battle slavery in all its forms around the world.

In my opinion, the Apostle Paul doesn’t get near enough credit for how radical he must have sounded to his contemporaries. As we’ve said throughout the year, though the Bible was written for us, it was not written to us. Paul was preaching and writing and theologizing at a time when almost one-third of the world was enslaved. Slavery was normative in Paul’s day. It was part of the economic fabric of the empires of the ancient world. The idea that every human being was made in the image of God and therefore all human beings equal in the eyes of God was radical and far-reaching and had yet to fully take hold. Aristotle himself believed that some people were born to be kings and some were born to be slaves and this was just the natural order of things. And then along came this fiery little apostle whose life had been transformed by his encounter with the Risen Christ and what he preached and taught literally turned the world upside down.

Listen again to what Paul writes to Philemon about his runaway slave, Onesimus, “For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave — as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” (Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Paul’s vision of the Kingdom subverts and undermines every other kingdom on earth. His understanding of the ways of God’s Kingdom radically de-centers all natural human relationships. He upends cultural norms by pressing those he loves deeper into the ethics of Jesus. Philemon has come to Christ under Paul’s preaching. He himself was set free from slavery to sin and death in the name of Jesus and should therefore rejoice and embrace the emancipation of his former slave Onesimus now that he too has become a believer. This is the key for Paul. Because Christ has set us free, we must be about the business of setting others free. Spiritual realities should lead to physical and cultural realities. They are not separate entities.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 1-2, Psalms 25

Happy Thanksgiving

Readings for today: Titus 1-3, Psalms 23

I love Thanksgiving. I love to take time to reflect on all the blessings God has poured into my life. Truly I am a wealthy man by any standard. I am rich in relationships with family and friends. I am rich in my work, being blessed to serve an incredible congregation of people who passionately serve the Lord. I am blessed with a strong marriage to one of the most godly women I have ever met. I am blessed with four wonderful children and a daughter-in-law whom I love dearly and enjoy great relationships. I am blessed with leadership positions and influence in my church, a local seminary, a mission organization, and my denomination. I am blessed with an abundance of health, both mentally and physically, and financial provision, having more than enough to meet my needs.

Most of all, I am blessed to have a saving relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Perhaps that’s why I love Paul’s words to Titus today, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for humankind appeared, he saved us  —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy  — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” (Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬) I still remember exactly where I was when Jesus Christ first revealed Himself to me. I was walking from my dorm room to the student center up at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I had been at a Bible study the night before and the young men there talked about Jesus like He was real. Like He was still alive. After a lot of reflection, I realized I believed that as well and it stopped me in my tracks. I knew in that moment that everything in my life needed to change. I have never forgotten the kindness of God in reaching a poor, lost college student who was headed down the road of alcoholism and failure. God saved me, not because I was worthy or had done anything to deserve it, but because He was merciful. He washed me and regenerated me and renewed my soul through the Holy Spirit. And He gave me the gift of eternal life. I am who I am today because God is who He is…a merciful, kind, loving, faithful Savior.

What are you thankful for? When was the last time you counted all the blessings in your life? As you gather with friends and family this Thanksgiving, take a moment and go around the table to offer thanks for all God has given you. I imagine it will lead to wonderful conversation and great joy. Happy Thanksgiving!

Readings for tomorrow: Philemon 1, Psalms 24

Frameworks

Readings for today: 2 Timothy 1-4, Psalms 22

All of us stake our life on something. All of us hold to a particular worldview. All of us live by a particular code of ethics. Unexamined or not, every decision we make and every action we take is rational within the particular framework through which we view life. Many people confuse rationality with objectivity but this is a mistake. It’s not possible for human beings to be “objective” because it is impossible for us to stand outside our own life experiences and cultural context. Just as a fish doesn’t recognize the water it’s swimming in, we are unable to see or fully grasp all of the forces that influence how we think, feel, or act in a given moment.

What we believe informs what we decide. What we decide informs how we feel. And our decisions and feelings don’t just impact our lives but the lives of those around us as well. For those who hold a certain level of authority and/or power within a family or organization or particular sphere like politics, beliefs can have a significant ripple effect for good or evil. Think about a terrorist group like Hamas. Because they do not believe in the value of human life, they use innocents as human shields, diverting resources that otherwise would go to better the lives of Palestinians into a terror infrastructure, and they use rape and torture and kidnapping to hold the world hostage. These decisions are rational within their perverted framework even though most of the rest of the world condemns their actions.

The Apostle Paul is operating out of a particular framework as well. And before he dies, he wants to pass it on to his protege, Timothy. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬) He knows Timothy will face persecution. He knows Timothy will be attacked by those inside as well as outside the church. He knows Timothy will face hardship and suffering. The only way Timothy will persevere is if he keeps his mind and heart set on Christ. If Timothy sticks with Jesus, it will be worth it in the end.

What about you? What do you believe? What worldview do you hold to? What framework do you use when making your decisions? What have you staked your life on? Are you sticking with Jesus or have you placed your trust in something or someone else?

Readings for tomorrow: Titus 1-3, Psalms 23

Are You Rich?

Readings for today: 1 Timothy 5-6, Psalms 21

I am a rich man. I remember when this reality first hit me. I spent most of my life comparing myself to my peers. To my neighbors. To my friends. To my family. To my community. Compared to all of them, I was average at best. Perhaps even on the low side when it came to income. But then the Holy Spirit began to broaden my horizons. I met people in cities nearby who live much differently than I do. I met people around the country who live much differently than I do. I met people around the world who live much differently than I do. I reflected on the number of people throughout human history who lived much differently than I do. Something significant shifted in my heart. Rather than compare myself to those who may be higher up on the economic ladder and open myself up to coveting or jealousy or envy, I began to thank God for all He has given me. All the blessings. All the opportunities. All the resources. And I began to ask how I could leverage all I have for His purposes in the world.

There is a lie circulating in our world that equates great wealth with great greed. Great resources with great selfishness. There are even some who argue those in the upper classes are, by definition, exploiting those in the lower classes. This simply is not true. People become wealthy through a variety of means like hard work, taking advantage of rare opportunities, hitting the lottery, receiving an inheritance, and yes, some do it through more nefarious means like political corruption, economic exploitation, etc. This has always been the case. Nothing is new under the sun. The Apostle Paul was dealing with the same situation in Ephesus where he had sent his protege, Timothy, and that’s why he charges Timothy to give this advice to the rich - “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.” (1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB) In Paul’s eyes, the rich weren’t any more evil or sinful than the poor. They simply had access to more resources which means they had more responsibility to put those resources to godly ends.

I’ve tried to follow his advice in my own life. First, I never place my trust in the uncertainty of wealth. Yes, I have a financial advisor. Yes, I have done my best to invest wisely and plan for the future. Yes, I have tried to eliminate debt from my life. But I do not place my trust or build my foundation on the resources of this world. Second, I have done my best to devote my life to doing good and being rich in good works. Not because I am trying to earn God’s love or favor or my way into heaven but because I want to offer my life back to God to use for His Kingdom purposes. Third, I try to be as generous as possible. I try to give as much of my wealth away as I can. I try to walk with open hands and am always willing to share even when things are tight. The bottom line is I now recognize everything I have has been given to me by God and I am simply a steward of it. I will be held accountable for every penny I spend. To whom much is given, much is expected, and I have been given much. I am blessed to be a blessing to others.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Timothy 1-4, Psalms 22

The Gospel is the Essential

Readings for today: 1 Timothy 3-4, Psalms 20

Imagine you’re Timothy. A young man (perhaps in his late twenties or early thirties) who’s been entrusted by Paul with the church in Ephesus. Ephesus is at the zenith of its power and influence. Made capital of the region by Caesar Augustus, it is a center for learning and commerce. It is home to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. The Temple of Artemis draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the region. They came to worship. They came to trade. They came to make deposits at the Temple which served as the largest bank in the area as well. The cult of Artemis created great wealth. An entire economy had grown up around the worship of their deity. The priestesses exercised great political and social influence. Your mentor Paul started a riot here when he preached the gospel and the church he left behind was facing some significant challenges. 

Whenever the gospel penetrates a new region, one of the real dangers that pops up almost immediately is syncretism. The merging of older, pagan religious beliefs with the truth of the Christian faith. Some of it is brought on by the missionaries themselves as they try to translate the gospel into the local language and culture. Some of it is brought by the new believers as they struggle to leave the old ways behind. What often ends up emerging is a faith that is sub-Christian or pseudo-Christian and this is exactly what Paul warns Timothy about in the beginning of this letter. “As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.” (1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB) Of course, the same challenge holds true in areas that are gospel-saturated. Consider the challenges of the post-Christian west. The rapid decline of Christianity in Europe and the United States. The fracturing of the church. The emphasis on non-essential doctrines. The utter lack of grace and charity for fellow believers. It’s just so hard to keep the main thing the main thing.

So what is the “main thing” you might ask? Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 3:16, “The mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” Put another way, Christ was born. Christ died. Christ was raised. Christ’s resurrection was witnessed by angels. Christ has been proclaimed among all the nations. Christ has been believed by all kinds of people. Christ ascended into heaven. This is the great mystery of our faith. This is the beating heart of the gospel. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with what God has done for us. Sure, we can parse out the finer points of theology. We can engage in all kinds of metaphysical speculation on how Christ’s two natures co-existed. We can wax philosophical about the eternal mysteries of the Godhead. We can debate the ethical implications of the Kingdom. We can argue over the specifics of eschatology. But all of it is meaningless - vanity of vanities according to Ecclesiastes - in comparison to what God has revealed in Jesus Christ.

These words are as much for us as they are for Timothy. The challenge is just as real for the church today as it was for the church in Ephesus. Unity in the essentials. Liberty in the non-essentials. Charity for all. The reality is it is so easy for us to get bogged down. Even as we read this letter, we find ourselves tempted to focus on non-essential questions like who gets to serve and in what role or what people should wear to worship or the patriarchal nature of 1st century culture. Put aside the petty squabbles. Let go of any personal preferences. Relinquish your grip on theological certainty and instead embrace the great mystery of our faith - Christ was born, Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ ascended, and Christ will come again.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Timothy 5-6, Psalms 21

The Simple Life

Readings for today: 1 Thessalonians 5, Psalms 17

Following Christ is not easy but it is fairly simple. I love how the Apostle Paul puts it at the end of his first letter to the Christians living in Thessalonica. Christians living under persecution. Christians living under more pressure and stress and anxiety than we can possibly know. What’s his advice? “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. This is God’s will for you.

Rejoice always. I’ve had several conversations recently where the discussion began with how challenging life can be but then quickly turned to how good God is. This is why we rejoice because even in the midst of all the challenges we face. Figuring out marriage. Raising kids. Working jobs. Managing friendship drama. Finding balance and rest in life. Overcoming fears and failures setbacks and struggles. All of these things are real and all of these things threaten to rob us of our joy unless we keep our eyes fixed on Christ. We rejoice because God has revealed Himself fully in the Person of Jesus. And who has God revealed Himself to be? A God of grace and mercy and love and kindness and truth and righteousness and holiness and justice and peace. Our God is faithful and true. He is good. He never leaves us or forsakes us or abandons us. This is why we rejoice.

Pray constantly. God wants to hear our prayers. He wants to hear every concern, great or small. No concern is too big for God to handle. No concern is too small for God to take notice. There is plenty of God to go around. He is not limited. He is not finite. There is no end to His resources so we do not need to worry about there being less of God available to others if we bring God our requests. Furthermore, God wants to be in constant contact. He wants to be in constant conversation. God wants to know it all and hear it all so He can respond to it all. This is God’s great desire.

Give thanks in everything. God has blessed us with so much, especially if one lives in America. It is so easy to fall for the devil’s lies and play the comparison game. It is so easy to look at what our neighbor or co-worker or colleague may have and start to feel jealous or envious. But God has given us more than enough. He has given us all we need. He has poured out blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace, and sometimes we just need to pause and consider all God has done for us.

Imagine how your life would be different if you endeavored to engage these three practices on a daily basis? Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything. I can tell you from personal experience that engaging just these three spiritual disciplines will set a person free. I know I am free. It is why I bounce out of bed every morning. It is why I get so excited for all I get to do. It’s why I love what I do and who I get to do it with so much. I have learned the secret to God’s will for my life. Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 1-3, Psalms 18

The Power of Hope

Readings for today: 1 Thessalonians 3-4, Psalms 16

Hope is a superpower. The ancients told stories about hope and how it fueled the rise of the human species. Against all odds. Overcoming incredible obstacles. Succeeding despite all kinds of disadvantages. What kept human beings going over the centuries? Hope. Hope that things could get better. Hope that hard work would lead to success. Hope that together, we could accomplish great things. There is nothing quite like hope. Of course, the flip side is also true. There is nothing quite so devastating as the loss of hope. The loss of hope makes it almost impossible to rise above our struggles, face our fears, and overcome our failures. The loss of hope makes all of life meaningless on some level. It’s why it’s so important that our hope is grounded on something real, something certain, something true. Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is not a fantasy. It is not something we dream up or imagine. Perhaps that’s why I love what the Apostle Paul tells his Thessalonian friends in today’s reading…

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB)

For most of human history, people have died tragic deaths. Most have died in infancy. Many more when they were young. The select few who made it to adulthood were then subject to all kinds of natural disasters, wars, plagues, disease, etc. Only a tiny majority lived to an old age before dying peacefully in their sleep. The Thessalonian Christians would have been well-acquainted with death. They knew death was the great enemy. They knew death was undefeated. They knew death and they feared death so Paul writes them this letter to remind them that they have a hope that transcends this life. Their hope is in Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who was executed on a Roman cross. The same Jesus who rose again from a Jewish tomb. The same Jesus who appeared bodily to hundreds of witnesses. This same Jesus is coming again. He’s coming back with all the saints who have died. Their souls will join their bodies and they will be raised to new life. And the reason we can be sure this is true is because Jesus Himself went through it. His death and resurrection are a matter of historical record. This is no legend. This is no myth or fairy tale. Jesus Christ lived. Jesus Christ died. Jesus Christ rose again. On these three real life events rests the hope of the Christian faith.

Sadly, too many Christians have let go of this hope. They have exchanged the hope of the resurrection for the hope of some kind of disembodied afterlife. They have exchanged real hope for false hope. Hope that is grounded in real life events for hope in a Platonic fantasy about the eternal nature of the soul. Our hope is not that our souls fly away to be with Jesus after we die. Our hope is that our souls one day return to our physical bodies and we are raised from the dead! Only then will death be defeated. Only then will our victory be complete. Until that day comes, yes, when we die, our souls are hid with Christ. But that is only temporary until Jesus comes again to raise us all from the dead and give us eternal life with Him.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 5, Psalms 17

Turning the World Upside Down

Readings for today: 1 Thessalonians 1-2, Psalms 15

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬)

There is no greater compliment than to be known as an example of faith for other believers. To be set apart by God as a witness to His power and His glory and His love and His grace is the greatest privilege in a Christian’s life. The Christians in Thessalonica were known by their reputation. Acts 17 tells us Paul and Silas traveled through their city on their way to Athens. They stopped and peached for three consecutive Saturdays on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Jews and Greeks and several leading women came to faith as the Word came in power and authority and conviction. However, some disbelieved and they stirred up a mob to attack Paul and Silas. When they could not find them, they attacked Jason and a few others. Dragging them out of their homes into the streets. They brought them before the city authorities with the hope they would be charged with treason for proclaiming a king other than Caesar but Jason paid off the officials and they were released. They then helped Paul and Silas escape during the night. This is the affliction Paul is referencing in his letter to them. But despite the persecution, they held onto to their joy in the Holy Spirit and clearly remained steadfast in their faith to the point that their reputation had spread thus making a return trip from Paul unnecessary. 

I love how the crowd puts it in Acts 17:6, describing the Thessalonian Christians, “These men have turned the world upside down...” This is my prayer for my own life. I want to be known for living the kind of gospel-centered life that turns the world upside down! You might not be sure such a thing is possible anymore. Not true! I’ve met countless men and women all over the world who are turning their world upside down through their witness to Jesus Christ. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that “turning the world upside down” is exactly what the gospel does. It completely reorders all we love. It redirects all our thoughts and desires. It reorients all our priorities. The things we used to hold dear no longer have much of a hold on us. The idols we cling to so tightly become empty and worthless. All our pride and achievement are cast down before the throne of Jesus. All our wealth and privilege and influence and power pales in comparison to the riches and authority Christ offers us in Himself. Our concern for our reputation and the esteem of others diminishes as our fear of God increases. This is what happens when we come to Christ. He fills us with His love. His affections. His joy. His peace. His righteousness. As these things begin to flow in and through our lives, we are transformed. We are renewed. We are set free. And because we have been set free, this world no longer has anything for us. No longer has any leverage over us. No longer can threaten to undo us. For we live for Christ and if we die, we gain! 

So what does this all mean for you today? How are you turning the world upside down at your work or school? In your home or neighborhood? As you gather around your table with friends and family for Thanksgiving, what will the conversation sound like? Will the people you spend time with feel blessed for having been with you? Will they hear and experience the love of Jesus through you? Will you set the example for those who do not yet believe through your sacrifice and willingness to serve?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 3-4, Psalms 16

Practical Advice for the Christian Life

Readings for today: Colossians 3-4, Psalms 14

Yesterday I spent time with some young people after worship. They had been deeply touched by the sermon. When I challenged our church family to choose life and not death, good and not evil, and to not give the devil a foothold in their lives, these young people were moved to tears. When I shared that because of the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us we are not at the mercy of our circumstances or trapped by any situation or enslaved to our desires or without hope when it comes to battling anxiety, depression, fear, or any other chronic condition; they felt empowered for the first time in a long time in their lives. We talked about the hope we have in Christ and how He gives us the strength to overcome all life throws our way. We talked about the promise of God not being perfection but being sustained and sanctified in the midst of our imperfection. We talked about how to walk with Christ. Setting our minds and hearts on things above and putting to death that which is earthly in us. We prayed together for the Holy Spirit to fill them with everything they need to meet the challenges they face.

I didn’t come up with this advice on my own. I simply adopted what the Apostle Paul shares with his Colossian friends. Listen again to what he says in Colossians 3, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry….Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator….Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭5‬, ‭9‬-‭10‬, ‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Paul understands that growth in the Christian life requires two things. It requires us to cling to that which is life. That which is love. That which is light. And it requires us to reject that which is death. That which is sin. That which is darkness. In Christ, we’ve died. We no longer live. Christ lives in us and so our hearts naturally seek that which is above because they are naturally drawn to where Christ is, seated at God’s right hand. At the same time, our earthly body remains with all its earthly desires. And our earthly body is drawn to things on earth. Things like lust and greed and idolatry. So we get pulled in different directions.

The Christian life requires us to make a choice every single day. From the moment we wake up, our sinful nature is struggling against our spiritual nature. The sinful nature is entirely focused on gratifying Self. This leads to all kinds of lust and greed and selfish living. The spiritual nature is entirely focused on glorifying Christ. This leads to all kinds of love and generosity and selflessness. And God gives us the freedom to choose. Which nature will we feed? Which nature will we satisfy? Which nature will we encourage? As God’s chosen ones, we have been set free from the enslaving power of sin and death so we actually have the power and authority to make this choice. Will we choose to set our minds on things above? Will we choose to put to death our sin nature? Will we choose to put off the old self? Will we choose to put on the new self? Choose Christ that you might live, friends!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 1-2, Psalms 15

Who is God?

Readings for today: Colossians 1-2, Psalms 13

In early December, I have the privilege of chairing the board of the Petros Network. The Petros Network is an organization dedicated to bringing the gospel to unreached villages all over the Horn of Africa by empowering and equipping indigenous church planters. I’ve been part of this ministry for almost fifteen years now and it is one of the greatest blessings of my life. Literally thousands of churches have been planted in that time and over a million new believers have come to faith. It’s incredible. One of the ways I get to serve when I go on a trip is to teach on the character and nature of God. Specifically, I spend a lot of time teaching on the doctrine of the Trinity which declares that the One True God exists eternally as Three Persons. Distinct yet undivided. Different but not separate. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…all are God. But the Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Spirit. And the Spirit is not the Father. Though they are diverse in their personalities and roles, they all share in the same essence or being. It’s a paradox to be sure and a stumbling block to faith for many. It is also notoriously difficult to translate into local tribal dialects!

The term “Trinity” was coined by a 2nd century African theologian named Tertullian. Considered by many to be the “Father of Western Theology”, Tertullian attempted to put into human words what is ultimately a divine mystery. From the opening pages of Scripture, the One God reveals Himself as a plurality. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...and the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters...then God said...” The Apostle John affirms this central truth in the opening verses of his Gospel. “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” And then comes these words today from the Apostle Paul, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross..” (Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB)

Why is all this important? In the consumeristic and materialistic mindset that marks American Christianity, what is often lost is our wonder and awe at what God has done in Jesus Christ. The magnitude of the miracle of God becoming one of us is something that should bring us to our knees. It should cause our stomachs to flip flop and our hearts to skip a beat. We should all fall face down on the floor in worship and adoration of the Resurrected Christ. And yet, we can barely get to church on Sunday morning. We can barely bring ourselves to pray or read God’s Word on a regular basis. Even during the Christmas season, we spend most of Advent prepping for Santa Claus, decorating the house, and going on spending sprees we cannot afford.

Jesus is the very image of the invisible God. He is the perfect representation of God’s being. In Jesus, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. He is preeminent over all creation. Jesus is the Word of God Incarnate. The God of the universe taking on human flesh and entering into our world. Jesus is before all things. He created all things. He sustains all things. He reconciles all things. And He will one day glorify all things, whether on earth or in heaven. It is utterly amazing and beyond words that this God...this Jesus...would bend the heavens to come down and become one of us. Be born of a virgin for us. Suffer hardship and pain for us. Shed His own blood for us. Die a humiliating death on the cross for us. Spend three days in the grave for us. Descend into hell itself for us. And rise again from the grave for us. But this is our God. He is faithful and true and nothing can separate us from His love.

As I prepare to enter yet another Christmas season, I find myself asking why is Jesus Christ still not enough? Why do I not spend more time at the manger? More time at the foot of the cross? More time at the empty tomb? More time in silent awe and wonder and worship at what the Triune God has done in giving His only Begotten Son for the sake of the world?

Readings for tomorrow: Colossians 3-4, Psalms 14

A Life Pleasing to God

Readings for today: Ephesians 5-6, Psalms 10

A basic question I am often asked is how to live a life that is pleasing to God. A life that is open to God. A life that is surrendered to God. People want to know what it means in the everyday to follow Christ. What does it mean to live a godly life? What does it mean to have a godly marriage? What does it mean to raise godly children? Work towards godly ends in our vocation? These are all great questions to ask as we think about what it means to be a Christian. Is it just a set of beliefs about God? An abstract theological system we ascribe to? A set of laws we have to obey? I prefer the way Paul describes it in the Book of Ephesians…

“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It starts with our perception of God. Is He a distant tyrant that exercises His rule over our lives whether we like it or not? Is He a loving Father who wants to bless and give good gifts to His children? If you lean towards the former, then the temptation will be to try to measure up. Try to prove yourself. White-knuckle your faith with an iron will and rigid self-discipline. If you lean towards the latter, you are set free to follow the example God sets for us in Jesus Christ. You can learn to imitate Him. Especially in love. As you walk with Him and talk with Him and spend time with Him, He promises to teach you a life of love. Extravagant. Abundant. Generous. Overflowing. This is the love of God and the love He wants us to walk in every single day. It is this love that should mark every relationship. It is this love that drives us to serve and submit to one another. It is this love that inspires obedience to His will. It is this love that changes how we parent, how we work, how we retire, and how we spend our free time. We don’t love to get anything from others, we love in order to give ourselves away. This is the secret to living a life pleasing to God.

Where do you find yourself imitating God in your life right now? Where is it easy? Where is it hard? What challenges do you face along the way? Are there certain people in your life that you find hard to love? Lean into Christ. Follow His example. Rather than withhold love or keep the person at arm’s length or cut them out of your life, love even more deeply. Love even more fully. Love even more extravagantly. Love in a healthy, honest, transparent way. This is the way Jesus loved.

Readings for tomorrow: Philippians 1-2, Psalms 11

Praying for One Another

Readings for today: Ephesians 3-4, Psalms 9

I happened to meet a dear friend this morning who told me they were praying for me. I was immediately overwhelmed. I’ve recently had to navigate some challenging conversations and challenging situations and this person knows some of what I’ve been going through. The fact that she has been praying for me means more to me than she can ever know. It opened a door for me to share with her some of the emotions I’ve been feeling as I’ve been walking my journey. She was supportive and encouraging and I was blessed. After she left, I shared her words with my wife and we both just marveled at the beauty of our church. The beauty of this group of people who are so passionate about Christ and so generous with their love. I cannot imagine serving a more committed group of disciples.

Then I opened my Bible. I read these words from the Apostle Paul this morning and imagine he must have felt the same way about the Christians in Ephesus. Listen to his prayer for them, “For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us —  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Clearly, Paul cares deeply for this group of people. He thinks so highly of them and he longs to see them continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. His prayer for them is beautiful and breathtaking in scope. It is also deeply convicting. I found myself pondering the relative poverty of my own prayers in comparison. Yes, I pray for those I love. Yes, I pray for my church family. Yes, I pray for my community. Yes, I pray for my nation and our world. But do I pray like Paul? Frankly, I don’t. My prayers are far more mundane and parochial. I tend to pray through lists of requests rather than pray at the depths Paul is talking about here.

What would happen if we truly prayed Christ-centered prayers? What if we prayed for one another to experience the riches of Christ’s glory, to be strengthened with Christ’s power, and for Christ to dwell in all our hearts through faith? What if we prayed for each other to be rooted and grounded in love and to be filled with the fullness of God? What if we prayed, trusting God is more than able to do all we ask or imagine? I think we might see all kinds of incredible things break loose in our lives and the lives of those we love and serve.

Readings for tomorrow: Ephesians 5-6, Psalms 10

Reconciliation

Readings for today: Ephesians 1-2, Psalms 8

Over the years, I have been asked to lead the reconciliation process for different churches. It’s never easy. Often the seeds of conflict have been germinating for years, sometimes even decades. The impact of unresolved conflict on the life and vitality of the church is significant. The lack of forgiveness cripples ministry, poisoning the well of trust on which churches depend. Addressing the pain of the past is not easy. It requires patient, diligent work to make sure everyone feels heard. The stories are often heartbreaking. The church hurt is real. And it takes great courage and humility to forgive and let go of the anger, frustration, and bitterness from the past.

I think of one church I consulted with many years ago. Once a vibrant growing congregation in a suburb of a major city in the southern United States, they had gone through a split in the 1970’s and never recovered. The pastor had a charismatic experience that changed his life and tried to lead his church in that direction. When he faced resistance, he decided to leave and most of the people chose to follow him. The remnant left behind were saddled with a huge mortgage and could barely pay their bills. The next pastor came in and after several tumultuous years was unceremoniously fired because he couldn’t “grow” the church. A third pastor came and went. Then a fourth and a fifth. Each one lasting only a few years. Finally, I got involved during yet another painful pastor transition. We talked about the gospel imperatives of forgiveness and reconciliation. We created space for people to share their stories of heartbreak and pain. Things were said that had needed to be said for years. People were able to process, in many cases for the very first time and there was some degree of healing. But the process of forgiveness and reconciliation is not easy. It can take years. It takes patience and persistence to pursue it. And sadly, the initial momentum wore off and things stalled out. The last I heard, the congregation had folded.

Before we can forgive and reconcile with others, we must first acknowledge and recognize what God has done for us. We were “dead in our trespasses and sins.” We previously “walked in the ways of the world.” We were enslaved to the “ruler of the power of the air.” We were by nature “children of wrath.” We were without Christ. We were excluded from the citizenship of Israel. We were foreigners to the covenant of promise. We were without hope and without God. So what did God do? He brought us near by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. He tore down every dividing wall of hostility that existed between us. He nullified the Law with its demands. He made us one with Him and became our peace. And He proclaims this good news to us over and over again. Once this reality sets in, we are humbled. Once we come to grips with the vast, insurmountable distance God crossed to redeem us, our own differences seem petty by comparison. The pain and suffering and trauma we may have endured - while very real and important to address - is nothing compared to what God endured to save us. And this amazing grace begins to fuel our own efforts at forgiveness and reconciliation.

Nothing is impossible with God. No hurt is too deep for God to heal. No grief too great for God to comfort. No anger too much for God to calm. No wall too strong for God to tear down. No chasm too vast for God to cross. All it takes is faith. Faith to believe forgiveness is possible. Faith to believe reconciliation can happen. Faith to believe trust can be restored. Faith to believe in the power of the gospel.

Readings for tomorrow: Ephesians 3-4, Psalms 9

Pro Gospel

Readings for today: Galatians 5-6, Psalms 7

I went to the retirement party of some dear friends this past weekend. A couple who have served the Lord faithfully for decades all over the world. They began their careers as missionaries behind the Iron Curtain in Communist Europe. They finished as the president of a prominent U.S. seminary. So many people attended the event and several speeches were given honoring the couple. Stories were told. Affirmations were offered. Praise given. Tears shed. The couple was rightfully honored and blessed for all they had accomplished. For me, the most meaningful line of the evening came during one of the speeches. A former student got up to share a story about how during one class many years ago, one of my friends was challenged to choose a side on a particular social/theological issue. He was asked, “Are you pro-these people or pro-those people?” The tension was thick. It was a contentious topic. She never forgot his response. “I am pro-gospel”, he said.

What a simple, yet powerful line. It’s one the Apostle Paul fully affirms. “But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.” (Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Paul lived in a world not unlike our own. A world full of different parties and factions and groups, all vying for his allegiance. In his Jewish context, there were the Pharisees and Sadducees and Essenes and Zealots. In his Roman context, there were the Senators and Emperor and free people and slaves. In the church context, there were Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, male and female and everyone wanted to know if Paul was “pro-these people” or “pro-those people.” Paul was pro-gospel. He was pro the cross of Jesus Christ. He had been crucified to all worldly distinctions. They no longer had any hold on him. This is why he can speak so compellingly of the freedom Christ offers those who follow Him. Paul had been set free from the world. All the ties that might have bound him or tripped him up or set him apart had been cut. All of the identity markers he once held dear had been erased in favor of his identity in Christ. Christ alone held Paul’s allegiance.

What about us? Are we pro-gospel or are we pro-these people or pro-those people? Do we find ourselves choosing sides more than choosing Jesus? Do we find ourselves choosing worldly identities over our identity in Christ? Do we find ourselves associating only with those who look like us, act like us, spend money like us, vote like us, agree with us or are we willing to cross all kinds of divides to meet people where they are with the goal of loving them like Christ?

Readings for tomorrow: Ephesians 1-2, Psalms 8

Finishing Strong

Readings for today: Galatians 3-4, Psalms 6

“After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3 CSB) I have to admit these words hit hard this morning. I look in the mirror and I see a man who constantly wants to live by his own strength, make decisions according to his own wisdom, and lean on his own understanding in life. I have been blessed with an exceptional education and I get to serve in a community filled with amazingly gifted people. The church I have the privilege of pastoring is passionate about the gospel, generous to a fault, and makes a huge impact both locally and globally. With all the gifts and resources at my disposal, it is so tempting to start relying on myself rather than on God.

Paul knows what he’s talking about. He was one of the most gifted people in his generation. As a Jew, Paul was born into faith. He was raised from day one to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He was taught the Scriptures from an early age and participated in all the ancient traditions of his spiritual fathers and mothers. As a Pharisee, Paul was an expert in God’s Law. He had the entire Old Testament memorized. He was zealous for his faith, even to the point of persecuting those he considered a threat. As a Roman citizen, Paul had access and opportunity to travel all over the empire without fear. He was in a protected class of people. He clearly had exposure to a Hellenistic education. He was able to quote pagan philosophers along with the Scriptures. As a literal tent maker, Paul was economically independent. He didn’t need to rely on anyone to provide for himself. But Paul considered all of this as “loss” for the sake of knowing Christ. Paul knew none of his abilities or qualifications mattered when it came to his faith. He was saved by grace. He lived by grace. And he would finish his race by grace. This is why he so passionately confronts the Galatian Christians. He doesn’t want them turning back from grace and trying to live by their own works.

If you are like me, you were raised to work hard. Provide for yourself by the sweat of your brow. Put your hand to the plow. No such thing as a free lunch. Reject handouts in favor of a hand up. These are things that were instilled in me from a very young age and they are good. They often lead to great success in life. But they are not the kind of qualities God is looking for from His people. God wants us to live by grace. He wants us to understand there is nothing we can do to earn our way into His Kingdom. Nothing we need to do to earn His love and favor. It is by grace alone that we’ve been saved, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. This is the message of the gospel and it cuts against the grain of our sinful human nature that always wants to go it alone or rely on self to get by. Don’t be foolish. Don’t try to live from your own strength. Heed the words of Paul. “All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10 CSB) They are cursed because righteousness does not come through our obedience but only through the obedience of Christ on our behalf. This is why Scripture declares that the righteous shall live by faith and it’s why Scripture lifts up the many men and women who lived by faith over the centuries.

Readings for tomorrow: Galatians 5-6, Psalms 7

Handling Critique

Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 11-13, Psalms 4

The election is over. If you’re like me, you breathe a sign of relief that the daily onslaught of text messages, emails, and ads attacking one candidate or the other are over. You’re thankful we no longer have to be subjected to daily messages of fear and shame and outrage. At least until the next cycle revs up or the party that won makes their first controversial decision. We live in a culture of outrage. A time where personal attack has become virtue-signaling. We too often assume the worst rather than the best of each other and we too often weaponize systems of power against those who might not agree with us. It’s a merciless, pitiless, Darwinian process that tears everyone down.

The Apostle Paul lived in similar times. In chapters 11-13 of 2 Corinthians, Paul is answering his critics. People who have personally attacked him. Self-proclaimed “super-apostles” who follow Paul around to correct his theology. They take it on themselves to serve as the theological police of the fledgling early church. They preach that everyone must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. They attack Paul’s methods and speaking skills. They attack his character and reliability. They accuse him of being a conflict avoider. They claim to have the same mission credentials as Paul and a better spiritual pedigree. Their CV’s are filled, so they say, with church plants and signs and wonders and visions. This forces Paul’s hand. He has to do what he hates. He has to defend his apostleship by citing his own hard-won accomplishments. 

As we read, it is important to discern his tone. In our current cultural and political climate, it would be easy to assume Paul feels as we do. It would be easy to read anger and rage into his words as he defends his apostleship. That would be a mistake. Paul says right up front that he is coming to them in meekness and gentleness. Though confident in his authority as an apostle of Christ, he will not “boast beyond limits” nor will he “overextend” himself to make his point. He calls himself a fool numerous times throughout the reading and mocks his former “credentials.” Over and over again, he reminds them of his love for them. Reminds them of his great desire to see them restored in their faith. I love how he ends his letter, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:11‬) This is Paul’s heart on display. 

Originally, Paul came to them in humility. He placed no financial burden on them, preaching the gospel free of charge. Living off the support of other churches, like the one in Macedonia which was extremely poor and yet very generous, he was able to live among them and teach them the good news of Jesus Christ. He didn’t lord his authority over them. He didn’t pass out his resume. He refused to promote his past success. Instead, he came to them in weakness. He shared in their sufferings. He intentionally relinquished his rights in order to build them up as a church. I love how he describes his love for them. “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband — to present a pure virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬) “I will most gladly spend and be spent for you...” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:15‬ CSB) “We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Perhaps the most famous part of this set of readings has to do with the “thorn in Paul’s flesh.” Commentators throughout history have argued over what exactly Paul is referring to here. Is it an illness? An addiction? A persistent temptation? I believe Paul clearly identifies the thorn when he calls it a “messenger from Satan.” In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 CSB, Paul writes “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.” The Greek word for “angel” can also mean “messenger” and it is the same word in both cases. Essentially, Paul believes that these false apostles are being used by God to keep him humble and utterly reliant on grace. God is using these evil men and their lies to protect Paul from pride and arrogance. He is using them to remind Paul of his weakness and dependence on Christ. He wants Paul to understand that the power he possesses does not come from him but from Jesus Himself. 

I too have experienced the pain of betrayal. I know a little of what Paul is talking about here. I have had a few people I considered to be close friends and ministry partners turn on me. Falsely accuse me of being motivated by pride, arrogance, money, misogyny, you name it. Thankfully, these incidents have been few and far between. Not only that but the elders I’ve submitted myself to were always quick to support and encourage and pray for me. My wife and family always stood by me as did the congregations I served. At the same time, God taught me much about His sufficiency in these moments. He used what others intended to tear me down to build me up. And He showed me my weakness and utter dependence on Christ. So I find myself thanking God even for my worst critics because they keep me humble. They keep me in my place. They keep me from thinking too highly of myself. Most of all, they remind me that all that I have and all that I am comes from Christ alone and He deserves all the glory.

How do you handle unfair criticism? Remember God uses all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Rather than lash out, take a step back. What is God trying to show you? What is God trying to teach you? Is His grace truly sufficient for you? Is His power made perfect even in your weakness?  

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians Galatians 1-2, Psalms 5 (No devotionals on Sundays)

How to Get Rich!

Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 9-10, Psalms 3

Greed seems to be part of human nature. There’s an impulse deep inside all of us that craves wealth. Craves possessions. Craves material things and the “easy life” that comes along with such things. I cannot tell you the number of people I’ve met and counseled over the years who wanted to get rich quick. This desire pushed them to take incredible risks in business or with their personal finances. They leverage themselves to the hilt. They speculate on all kinds of commodities like land, precious metals, foreign currency, you name it. They play the lottery every single week hoping their lucky number comes up. Sadly, the ship never does come in. The big deal never quite materializes. Things never seem to go their way and the impact on their lives and the lives of those they love is heartbreaking. I think of one man I knew many years ago who had put his family almost a million dollars in debt. He carried himself like he was wealthy. Made all kinds of promises to people. Even told me he was planning on funding our annual budget as a church out of his pocket once the “big deal” he was working on came through. Tragically, the house of cards he built came crashing down on him. His business failed. His creditors came to collect. The bills came due. He had to declare bankruptcy, sell everything he owned, and move to a small apartment which he could barely afford on social security. Eventually, he passed away and left his widow destitute.

Friends, God has a better way. It’s the way of generosity. The reality is all wealth comes from God. Everything we earn through our hard work is a gift from God. He is the one who shaped and formed us in our mother’s wombs. He is the one who gave us our gifts and talents abilities. He is the one who opens doors and creates opportunities for us to take advantage of in life. And if we prove faithful and seek first His Kingdom and do all we can to be good stewards of what He entrusts to us, then He will entrust us with even more. Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes it to the wealthy Corinthian church, “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work…You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What an incredible promise! You will be enriched in every way as you are generous in every way. You will be given wealth beyond what you expect so that you can give in ways you never dreamed. The more you give, the more you will be given. The more you sacrifice, the more God will entrust into your hands. You will have everything you need so you might excel in every good work. These are not principles for a “health and wealth” gospel. The goal here is not for you to hoard your wealth but to give it away. And as you give generously and sacrificially to the Lord, you will be supplying not only the needs of fellow Christians but also many, many others in your community, resulting in a great outpouring of thanksgiving to God.

This, of course, begs the question…what should I give? How much? How should I determine it? Notice Paul doesn’t command a “tithe” here. There is no mention of a percentage or a goal or a target. Instead, Paul trusts the Holy Spirit. He calls on all Christians to prayerfully go before the Lord and ask Him what they should give. This is what he means when he says each Christian should “do as he has decided in his heart.” We shouldn’t give out of obligation. We shouldn’t give out of fear or shame. We shouldn’t give because we’re forced to or feel like we ought to. We should give cheerfully and joyfully and sacrificially, knowing God takes what we give and multiplies it many times over for His Kingdom and His glory. This is what it means to be rich, friends.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11-13, Psalms 4

The Importance of Repentance

Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 7-8, Psalms 2

John the Baptist came preaching a message of repentance. Jesus came preaching a message of repentance. Paul traveled all over the known world at the time preaching a message of repentance. Clearly “repentance” lies at the heart of the Christian faith. But what is repentance? Is it simply saying sorry to God? An existential feeling of guilt or condemnation? A deep sense that we are wrong? And how does one actually “repent?” Kneel in sackcloth and ashes? Engage in self-harm like the monks of old? Beat oneself up emotionally and spiritually? Subject oneself to rigorous, daily self-examination?

I love how Paul describes repentance in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” The key to repentance is the fruit it produces in a person’s life. If your grief - as deep and profound as it may be - produces death it is not from God. On the other hand, if your grief leads to salvation without regret then you can be sure it is from the Lord.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have counseled someone whose grief only produced death. They were sorry they got caught. Sorry for the mess they found themselves in. Sorry for the way life turned out. Sorry for the bad choices they made. But they weren’t sorry enough to make a change. Their sorrow did not lead to repentance. It did not lead to surrender. It did not lead to submission. They still wanted control. Still wanted to be in charge. Still wanted to justify themselves. So we’d scratch the surface of their grief only to find excuses. Blame-shifting. Denial. As a result, their lives seemed perpetually locked in a death spiral.

At the same time, I have had the joy of walking with people through their grief as it produced salvation. Their sorrow was less about them and more about God. They had come face to face with the depth of their sin. The depth of their depravity. They realized no matter how hard they tried, they simply didn’t have it in them to make things right. In their despair, they cast themselves at the foot of the cross where they found freedom and healing. Hope for their journey. And all their regrets. All the guilt from past mistakes. All the shame they carried was washed away. They fixed their eyes on Christ. They surrendered to His love. Submitted to His will. Gave Him control over their lives. Scratch the surface of their grief and you find beauty. Joy. Peace. And they enter a virtuous cycle of living that leads to fulfillment and true happiness.

Where do you find yourself this morning? When confronted by the Spirit over mistakes you have made. Sins you have committed. Ways you have fallen short and let people down. How do you respond? Is your grief grounded in Christ or in the world? Does your repentance lead to a changed life or are you still holding onto past regrets? Let me encourage you to let go of the death-dealing ways of this world so that you may receive the life-giving Spirit of Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 9-10, Psalms 3