Fluency

New Sermon Series at Calvary Church starting February 14.

7 Churches of Revelation: Church Health Check-UP

The Lord’s diagnostic questions

How fresh is our love?
Rev 2:1-7

How firm is our faith?
Rev 2:8-11

How dear is our bible?
Rev 2:12-17

How pure is our heart?
Rev 2:18-29

How true is our life?
Rev 3:1-6

How fixed is our hope?
Rev 3:7-13

How real is our zeal?
Rev 3:14-22

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches–and to individuals.

James 1:13-18 includes two great truths about God that serve as bookend to one reality about us.

Context

First the context.  James wrote to exhort believers to mature conduct by demonstrating their faith and wisdom through godly living (holiness) in spite of their sinful desires and the influence of the world (testing and sin). James 1:2-4 sets the stage for the whole book.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)

He identifies the challenge–”testing of your faith.”
God’s goal–”that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
And our desired response–joy and steadfastness.

Notice that what James is dealing with is “the testing of your faith” that “various kinds” of trial or circumstances produce.  He focus is not on the circumstances, the external forces, but the challenge to one’s faith.

Our faith is tested for strategic purpose–to make us perfect and complete, lacking nothing–as we remain steadfast.

The second part of the context is the first necessary response to the testing of our faith–the need for wisdom.

James 1:5–6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (ESV)

When our faith is tested and we are not sure how to respond, we are to ask God for wisdom.  Wisdom to respond in a way that we can remain steadfast so that God can make us perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The Character of God

When we don’t respond correctly to the trials of our faith, we tend to shift the blame from ourselves to others and to God.   (See Genesis 3, where Adam passes the blame to Eve and Eve to Satan.)

We may be tempted to ask, “Why is He doing this?”  ”Why is He causing this temptation?”  ”Why does He want me to fail?”

But notices James’ reminder of two great truths about God.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (ESV)

James 1:17–18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (ESV)

The first truth–There is nothing in God to which evil can appeal.  There is no evil in God, no evil motives.

The second truth–In contrast to any evil, God is a giver, a giver of good gifts.

Rather than doing evil to us or seeking to cause us to stumble so He can judge or punish–He is the giver of good and perfect gifts.

Even the trials are for our good.
Even the trials of our character are for our good.

How? Why?

Because His desire for us is not comfort or happiness, but to make us complete, perfect and lacking nothing.

God’s goal for us is what is best for us.

Our Reality

So when we stumble, we cannot blame God–there is nothing in Him motivated by evil.  When we stumble we must acknowledge that it is as a result of our own desires (the reality about us in this passage).

But we could argue, “He gave me the desires, it’s His fault.”

If He gave us the desires, than He can fulfill them the way He intended them to be fulfilled.  We must trust Him and His motives–for they can only be pure, good and holy.

May we trust His character.

This is a repost–but since I posted reading plans, I thought I would also pass this along as a good summery to keep the big picture in mind as you read through the Bible.

Bruce Waltke’s Summaries of the Stages of Redemptive History
by Justin Taylor

I recently came across some old syllabus notes tucked into a book, and among them were Professor Bruce Waltke’s summaries of the major chapters in the storyline of Scripture. Professor Waltke was kind enough to grant permission for me to post these, with the hope that they’ll help you in reading through the Bible this year. You can print out the summaries as a PDF. I’m also including them below—first with a chart showing his titles and where they are found, followed by his summaries.

For more on Waltke’s approach, see his magisterial Old Testament Theology.

Creation by Word Genesis 1 and 2
The Fall Genesis 3
First Revelation of Redemption Genesis 4–11
Abraham Our Father Genesis 12–50
Exodus: Our Pattern of Redemption Exodus 1–15
New Life: Gift and Task Exodus 16–40; Leviticus
The Temptation in the Wilderness Numbers; Deuteronomy
Into the Good Land Joshua; Judges; Ruth
God’s Rule in God’s Land 1 and 2 Samuel; 1 Kings 1–10; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles 1–9
The Fading Shadow 1 Kings 11–22; 2 Kings
There Is a New Creation  Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Daniel; Esther
The Second Exodus  Ezra; Nehemiah; Haggai
The New Creation for Us  Matthew; Mark; Luke; John
The New Creation in Us Initiated Acts
The New Creation in Us Now New Testament Epistles
The New Creation Consummated The New Testament

Creation by Word
Genesis 1 and 2
In the beginning God created everything that exists. He made Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden of Eden. God spoke to them and gave them certain tasks in the world. For food he allowed them the fruit of all the trees in the garden except one. He warned them that they would die if they ate of that one tree.

The Fall
Genesis 3
The snake persuaded Eve to disobey God and to eat the forbidden fruit. She gave some to Adam and he ate also. Then God spoke to them in judgment, and sent them out of the garden into a world that came under the same judgment.

First Revelation of Redemption
Genesis 4–11
Outside Eden, Cain and Abel were born to Adam and eve. Cain murdered Abel and Eve bore another son, Seth. Eventually the human race became so wicked that God determined to destroy every living thing with a flood. Noah and his family were saved by building a great boat at God’s command. The human race began again with Noah and his three sons with their families. Sometime after the flood a still unified human race attempted a godless act to assert its power in the building of a high tower. God thwarted these plans by scattering the people and confusing their language.

Abraham Our Father
Genesis 12–50
Sometime in the early second millennium BC God called Abraham out of Mesopotamia to Canaan. He promised to give this land to Abraham’s descendants and to bless them as his people. Abraham went, and many years later he had a son, Isaac. Isaac in rum had two sons, Esau and Jacob. The promises of God were established with Jacob and his descendants. He had twelve sons, and in time they all went to live in Egypt because of famine in Canaan.

Exodus: Our Pattern of Redemption
Exodus 1–15
In time the descendants of Jacob living in Egypt multiplied to become a very large number of people. The Egyptians no longer regarded them with friendliness and made them slaves. God appointed Moses to be the one who would lead Israel out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan. When the moment came for Moses to demand the freedom of his people, the Pharaoh refused to let them go. Though Moses worked ten miracle–plagues which brought hardship, destruction, and death to the Egyptians. Finally, Pharaoh let Israel go, but then pursued them and trapped them at the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds). The God opened a way in the sea for Israel to cross on dry land, but closed the water over the Egyptian army, destroying it.

New Life: Gift and Task
Exodus 16–40; Leviticus
After their release from Egypt, Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai. There God gave them his law which they were commanded to keep. At one point Moses held a covenant renewal ceremony in which the covenant arrangement was sealed in blood. However, while Moses was away on the mountain, the people persuaded Aaron to fashion a golden calf. Thus they showed their inclination to forsake the covenant and to engage in idolatry. God also commanded the building of the tabernacle and gave all the rules of sacrificial worship by which Israel might approach him.

The Temptation in the Wilderness
Numbers; Deuteronomy
After giving the law to the Israelites at Sinai, God directed them to go in and take possession of the promised land. Fearing the inhabitants of Canaan, they refused to do so, thus showing lack of confidence in the promises of God. The whole adult generation that had come out of Egypt, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, was condemned to wander and die in the desert. Israel was forbidden to dispossess its kinsfolk, the nation of Edom, Moab, and Ammon, but was given victory over other nations that opposed it. Finally, forty years after leaving Egypt, Israel arrived in the Moabite territory on the east side of the Jordan. Here Moses prepared the people for their possession of Canaan, and commissioned Joshua as their new leader.

Into the Good Land
Joshua; Judges; Ruth
Under Joshua’s leadership the Israelites crossed the Jordan and began the task of driving out the inhabitants of Canaan. After the conquest the land was divided between the tribes, each being allotted its own region. Only the tribe of Levi was without an inheritance of land because of its special priestly relationship to God. There remained pockets of Canaanites in the land and, from time to time, these threatened Israel’s hold on their new possession. From the one–man leaderships of Moses and Joshua, the nation moved into a period of relative instability during which judges exercised some measure of control over the affairs of the people.

God’s Rule in God’s Land
1 and 2 Samuel; 1 Kings 1–10; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles 1–9
Samuel became judge and prophet in all Israel at a time when the Philistines threatened the freedom of the nation. An earlier movement for kingship was received and the demand put to a reluctant Samuel. The first king, Saul, had a promising start to his reign but eventually showed himself unsuitable as the ruler of the covenant people. While Saul still reigned, David was anointed to succeed him. Because of Saul’s jealousy David became an outcast, but when Saul died in battle David returned and became king (about 1000 BC). Due to his success Israel became a powerful and stable nation. He established a central sanctuary at Jerusalem, and created a professional bureaucracy and permanent army. David’s son Solomon succeeded him (about 961 BC) and the prosperity of Israel continued. The building of the temple at Jerusalem was one of Solomon’s most notable achievements.

The Fading Shadow
1 Kings 11–22; 2 Kings
Solomon allowed political considerations and personal ambitions to sour his relationship with God, and this in turn had a bad effect on the life of Israel. Solomon’s son began an oppressive rule which led to the rebellion of the northern tribes and the division of the kingdom. Although there were some political and religious high points, both kingdoms went into decline, A new breed of prophets warned against the direction of national life, but matters went from bad to worse. In 722 BC the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the power of the Assyrian empire. Then, in 586 BC the southern kingdom of Judah was devastated by the Babylonians. Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed, and a large part of the population was deported to Babylon.

There Is a New Creation
Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Daniel; Esther
The prophets of Israel warned of the doom that would befall the nation. When the first exiles were taken to Babylon in 597 BC, Ezekiel was among them. Both prophets ministered to the exiles. Life for the Jews (the people of Judah) in Babylon was not all bad, and in time many prospered. The books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel indicate a certain normality to the experience, while Daniel and Esther highlight some of the difficulties and suffering experienced in an alien and oppressive culture.

The Second Exodus
Ezra; Nehemiah; Haggai
In 539 BC Babylon fell to the Medo–Persian empire. The following year, Cyrus the king allowed the Jews to return home and to set up a Jewish state within the Persian empire. Great difficulty was experienced in re–establishing the nation. There was local opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. Many of the Jews did not return but stayed on in the land of their exile. In the latter part of the fourth century BC, Alexander the Great conquered the Persian empire. The Jews entered a long and difficult period in which Greek culture and religion challenged their trust in God’s covenant promises. In 63 BC Pompey conquered Palestine and the Jews found themselves a province of the Roman empire.

The New Creation for Us
Matthew; Mark; Luke; John
The province of Judea, the homeland of the Jews, came under Roman rule in 63 BC. During the reign of Caesar Augustus, Jesus was born at Bethlehem, probably about the year 4 BC. John, known as the Baptist, prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus. This ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing began with Jesus’ baptism and lasted about three years. Growing conflict with the Jews and their religious leaders led eventually to Jesus being sentenced to death by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. He was executed by the Romans just outside Jerusalem, but rose from death two days afterward and appealed to his followers on a number of occasions. After a period with them, Jesus was taken up to heaven.

The New Creation in Us Initiated
Acts
After Jesus had ascended, his disciples waited in Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began the task of proclaiming Jesus. As the missionary implications of the gospel became clearer to the first Christians, the local proclamation was extended to world evangelization. The apostle Paul took the gospel to Asia Minor and Greece, establishing many churches as he went. Eventually a church flourished at the heart of the empire of Rome.

The New Creation in Us Now
New Testament Epistles
As the gospel made inroads into pagan societies it encountered many philosophies and non–Christian ideas which challenged the apostolic message. The New Testament epistles shows that the kind of pressures to adopt pagan ideas that had existed for the people of God in Old Testament times were also a constant threat to the churches. The real danger to Christian teaching was not so much in direct attacks upon it, but rather in the subtle distortion of Christian ideas. Among the troublemakers were the Judaizers who added Jewish law–keeping to the gospel. The Gnostics also undermined the gospel with elements of Greek philosophy and religion.

The New Creation Consummated
The New Testament
God is Lord over history and therefore, when he so desires, he can cause the events of the future to be recorded. All section of the New Testament contain references to things which have not yet happened, the most significant being the return of Christ and the consummation of the kingdom of God. No clues to the actual chronology are given, but it is certain that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. The old creation will be undone and the new creation will take its place.

For those setting goals for 2010, here are a number of Bible reading plans.

If you have ever tried to read through the whole Bible, got behind and gave up—or you have children and you want to encourage them to read through the Bible, you may want to try the Essential 100.

6 options for reading the ESV, many of which will come to you to make it easy to keep up and have built in reminders.

• web (a new reading each day appears online at the same link)
• RSS (subscribe to receive by RSS)
• email (subscribe to receive by email)
• iCal (download an iCalendar file)
• mobile (view a new reading each day on your mobile device)
• print (download a PDF of the whole plan)

If you have read through the Bible before and want a different plan, check out YouVersion, I believer there are 10 different reading plans.  YouVersion is also something you can take with you where ever you go (if you have a smart phone).

And if you want to listen to the Bible this year, let me recommend these podcasts (they will open up to iTunes)
ESV
ESV Chronological

Matthew 7:24-29, the final instruction of the Sermon on the Mount provides a wonderful challenge to go beyond hearing to doing.

Jesus makes it clear that listening to Him or even agreeing with Him is not enough.  The wise build the foundation of their lives on the reading/hearing and doing of the Words of Jesus.

And most Christians would say–”Yes, that is my desire, to know and do the words of Jesus.”  So, why don’t we?  Because desire is not enough.  We need more than intentions, will and desire to do the Words of Jesus.  We need more than intentions, will and desire to overcome bad habit and to produce good habits.  Will power itself is not enough.  More knowledge in itself is not enough.

So how do we really “live out” the Words of Jesus?  How do we truly do what we say we believe about what He has said?

The conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:28-29) sheds light on the focal point.  The crowds were “amazed.”  They were amazed with who Jesus was, how He taught and what He taught.  This sense of amazement should not just be an emotional response–but a deep amazement that leads to transformation.

When we are in love, we notice all the details.  We gaze into the eyes of the one in whom we find delight.  As we see their likes and dislikes, we want to meet their needs.  The same is true of deep-seated/core transformation–it is motivated by and propelled by an ever increasing image/vision of Jesus.

So, as we begin the Advent Season, may we gaze at Jesus.  Not the postcard version, but the biblical image.  And may our gazing at Jesus lead to honoring Him in every area of our lives.

To assist your gazing, below is a list of some of the name of Jesus with explanation.  But let me also encourage you to meditate and contemplate Jesus in these key passages:

Colossians 1:13-20 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (ESV)

Hebrews 1:1-4 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (ESV)

Lord indicates two things about Christ Jesus

1. Jesus is Master or Sovereign Lord over all things.  Acts 10:36; Rev. 19:16; Jn. 13:16
2. Deity  Jn. 20:28
3. Lord is used as corresponding to Adonai, a title of absolute deity.  Acts 2:34 (quotes Ps. 110:1); Jn. 9:38 (Lord—worship)
4. It is related to Yahweh and at times is used in Old Testament quotes containing Yahweh (LORD).  Acts 2:34, 36, 3:22; Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3.

Jesus is His human and historical name.  (He did not have it before His incarnation  Matt. 1:21).  The name means “Yahweh saves.”  Indicates that He is the Savior of man.  Ps. 45 (cf. Heb. 1:8, 9).

Christ is the Greek and New Testament term for Messiah.  Means “Anointed One.”  Jn. 1:41 – He is the One specially anointed to do God’s work and to accomplish God’s purpose for world history.  He is the fulfiller of Old Testament Messianic prophecies.

Immanuel Matt. 1:23.  Means “God with us.”  Jesus was God dwelling in the midst of the people of Israel (Jn. 1:14).  His deity is clearly stated.

The Son of God Jn. 1:34.  “The” unique Son of God.  Title implies three things:

1. Deity—has same nature as the Father.  Jn. 10:36
2. Equality—in the Hebrew usage of Son, it is understood that the Son is all that the Father is (cf. Jn. 10:33, 5:16-18).  Jesus is equal to the Father.
3. He is a separate person from God the Father.

The Son of Man Lk. 9:22, 58.  His humanity as having the same nature as man.  “The” unique offspring of man.  The only man who can accomplish the victory of humanity over its enemies  Heb. 2:14-16.  (It is also likely that this is a Messianic title relating to Christ as descendant of David.)

The Last Adam 1 Cor. 15:45.  The counterpart of the first Adam (Rom. 5:12-21).  The first Adam brought sin (made a mess of things).  Jesus, as the last Adam, purchased redemption.

The Word Jn. 1:1,14.  Just as words are the outward expression of invisible thoughts, so Jesus was the outward, visible expression of the invisible God.  God is invisible  Jn. 1:18, Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17.  Jesus was the expression of God  Jn. 1:18, 14:8-9; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3.

The Light of the World Jn. 8:12, 1:7-9.  It is the function of light to uncover hidden things.  Therefore, this title indicates several things concerning Jesus:

1. He is the revealer of God and God’s holiness  Jn. 14:9.
2. Jesus looks inside every human being to uncover his innermost being, to expose him for what he is  Jn. 1:9.  Jesus did this to Nathanael (Jn. 1:47-48), the crowd of people (Jn. 2:23-25), the Samaritan woman (Jn. 4:16-19), the scribes and Pharisees (Lk. 6:6-8), the disciples (Lk. 9:46-47).
3. Jesus exposes the deeds of people Jn. 3:19-20.

The Lamb of God Jn. 1:29.  “The” Lamb that God provides.  The Jews were required to offer many lambs to God, but those lambs could not take away sin.  God offered His Son as a Lamb for man.  This one Lamb took away sin  Heb. 10:11-12; Rev. 5:6, 9, 10, 12.  Jesus was God’s sacrifice for the sin of the world  Rev. 13:8.

The King of Israel Jn. 1:49.  The One who will establish the Millennial Kingdom and will rule over the nation of Israel  Lk. 1:32-33.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19:16; 1 Tim. 6:15.  The one who is sovereign.  The one who will establish the Millennial Kingdom and will rule over the whole world and all of its rulers.

The Teacher Jn. 11:28.  “The” unique teacher.  He uniquely explains who God is, what God is like, what God expects.

The Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4; Ps. 24.  He is the ultimate shepherd or pastor, the ultimate feeder and caretaker of believers.  He is over all other elders or pastors.

The Good Shepherd Jn. 10:11; Ps. 22.

The Great Shepherd Heb. 13:20; Ps. 23.

I have often stated that teaching is information for transformation.  But what is the opposite?  What happens when we teach or when we learn but are not transformed?

In a conversation with George May (Pastor of Counseling and Family Ministries at Calvary Church), he used the following quote (I need to find the author):

Information without Application leads to Deception.

We are reminded in James 1 that God’s goal for us is not comfort or happiness but completeness and maturity (James 1:2-4).

So, when we face trials our primary response should not be “get me out” but “grow me through.” Our prayer should be, “Give me wisdom and grow my faith through the circumstances of life” (James 1:5-8).

The more God grows our faith, the more steadfast we will be under trials (James 1:12).

The challenge is to continue to trust God even when the trial seems endless or unbearable. We should not be deceived, God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:16-18) and is not the One tempting us to sin (James 1:13). It is our own strong desires that when not surrendered to God lead to sin, lack of self-control and all sorts of evil (James 1:14-15, 19-20).

In contrast, the individual who in meekness received the implanted Word of God (James 1:21) is to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only which leads to self-deception.

Therefore, information without application (the “doing”) leads to deception.
Deception of ourselves—we are not who we think we are and therefore tend to be judgmental of others
Deception of others—we are not who they think we are, but are wearing a mask of information to impress

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)

Information without Application is Deception

What then honors God and gives evidence of a growing faith?—obedience. An obedience that is evident in how we speak and react (James 1:19-20) and how we reach out (James 1:26-27).

James 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)

Information without Application is Deception

So we must engage with God and His Word and extend to others as a means of growth and evidence of growth.

I’ve just started at least a ten-part series on the Sermon on the Mount (for the audio click here).  An incredibly rich and challenging message from Jesus.

The beatitudes are promises/statements not commands, but the thrust of promises should motivate us to desire transformation so we too may be the blessed.

The Characteristics of the Righteous: The Beatitudes

The poor in spirit are those who understand their own lack of righteousness (bankruptcy) and need apart from God—they trust Him alone and His will—they experience the current reality of the kingdom
Because of their own lack of righteousness they mourn—but will be comforted with eternal riches
The clear understanding of who they are and sorrow causes them to be meek, not seeking their own—but shall inherit it all
Because they are meek they are then able to take their eyes off themselves and hunger and thirst for righteousness—they will be satisfied with perfect righteousness in the kingdom
Those who desire to be righteous will develop mercy toward others, because they see their own need for mercy
This lack of a judgmental spirit leads to being pure in heart—they shall see their heart’s desire, God Himself
They then are peacemakers because they are not seeking their own benefit but that of others—God takes notice
Which will cause others to be convicted and persecute them—the ultimate judge will reward them in the eternal kingdom with everlasting comfort

The Influence of the Righteous

As our character develops, the purpose is not just for us.  Our character enables us to be an influence in the world.  God is not satisfied with us being who we should be, He wants us to leverage who we are becoming so that others can see our visible acts of righteousness and see Him.  Our “good deeds” should be so counter-cultural, that no one would give us credit, but would glorify God.

We are to be the salt of the earth, we are to be the light of the world.  How do we hide it?

We may try to hide it by seeking anonymity—”If they don’t know I’m a Christian then they will leave me alone, won’t challenge my beliefs, won’t be offended by my actions…”

We may try to hide it by seeking isolation—seeking to be only around others like us but not allowing the light to shine in the dark places

We may hide it by indifference—living for ourselves, living with a limited perspective, living like the world

We may hide it by distortion— rules and regulations (religiosity),  rather than relationship and reality, hide the real light or at least distort it

We may hide it by dilution—watering down the reality

We may hide it by division—not standing together in unity and love

Let your light shine! Let your God be praised!

I was challenged recently by a statement in a sermon by David Loveless, pastor of Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida. He made a statement to the affect of, “I get tired of hearing people, in prayer, tell God, ‘thank you for who you are.’ If you said that to your wife, she would say, ‘Who do you see me as?’”

As I reflected on that challenge, I realized how often I have done just that, simply stated, “Thank you for who you are.” That really is shallow, lazy speech that does not honor God the way I should. So, I challenged myself to look not only at the character of God, but how I should respond to His character. The goal is to discipline my mind to think more deeply on the character of God, with the result that my character is changed.

So, here is my attempt to again think more deeply on who God is.

Who you are. . .

You are…
The Invisible God I long to see
The Infinite God I long to know

The Almighty God I must surrender to
The Unchanging God I must depend on

The Wise God I must listen to
The Kind God I should enjoy
The Good God I should thank

The Righteous God I must obey
The Just God before whom I must repent
The Holy God I must fear

The God of grace I must praise
The God of mercy in whom I must rejoice
The God of hope I should trust
The God of love I should love

The Triune God with whom I can have fellowship
The Sovereign God I must worship

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Here are some support text
Who you are. . .
You are…
The Invisible God I long to see
Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17
The Infinite God I long to know
Hosea 6:6; Romans 11:33 Job 9:10; 11:7; Revelation 11:17

The Almighty God I must surrender to
Job 42:1-6; Psalm 68:14
The Unchanging God I must depend on
Hebrews 6:17-18

The Wise God I must listen to
1 Corinthians 1:20-25
The Kind God I should enjoy
Ecclesiastes 5:19; Titus 3:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
The Good God I should thank
1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Righteous God I must obey
Psalm 11:7; Romans 2:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; James 1:20
The Just God before whom I must repent
Acts 26:20
The Holy God I must fear
Proverbs 2:1-5; 1:7; 9:10; Deuteronomy 6; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The God of grace I must praise
1 Corinthians 1:4
The God of mercy in whom I must rejoice
Philippians 4:4
The God of hope I should trust
Romans 15:13; Psalm 146:5
The God of love I should love
1 John 4:8-16

The Triune God with whom I can have fellowship
1 John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Sovereign God I must worship
Psalm 24:1-10; 47:7; 50:15

How can I be pure in spite of contact with ungodliness? That is the question that 2 Peter 1:1-11 answers.

And in answering the question it provides both encouragement and exhortation while balancing what God provides (the resources) and what our responsibility is in spiritual transformation.

The Resource

1:3  His divine power (unlimited) has granted to us–all we need for life and godliness

1:4 His glory and excellencies have granted us His promises through which we become partakers of His divine nature–renewing the image of God.

God provides salvation–an eternal relationship with Him, freely bestowed by grace on those who place their trust in Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation.  And having provided salvation, He then graciously provides the empowerment needed for us to live out that relationship with Him.  Wow!

Wow!

Our Responsibility

The natural response to all that God has done for us–whatever God wants!

1:5-9 give us the appropriate response.  Apply all diligence, make every effort–eager readiness to expend the energy and effort necessary.

God has provided the resources, we must provide full effort to respond.  This is not sanctification by works (Galatians 3:3) since it is based in God’s empowerment.  The effort is not to complete salvation, as though God provided part of our salvation and we are responsible to finish the process.  But seeking to live in a manner appropriate for the relationship we have with God.

The list of elements to make every effort to work on provides a wonderful means of self-evaluation.  Or proactively, a wonderful passage to meditate on with the goal of spiritual transformation.

Below you will find my musings on the passage.  You may want to pray through this passage.

Father, today I want to exalt you, help my eagerness and willingness to be evident by the appropriate effort and actions.

I desire to demonstrate faith today—a faith that trusts you completely, that is not negatively affected but positively affected by circumstances that will arise.  Help me, when I begin to forget and trust my self, to surrender to you.

May my commitment to virtue, to active goodness be evident in all my actions.  May I have the courage to do what is right regardless of the consequences.

I desire to know You more intimately at the end of this day than I do now.  May I not be satisfied with the depth of what I know—make Your Word come alive and may it reveal to me more about You. May what I know be evident in what I do.

I pray for self-control, may nothing but You be my Master.  I know I cannot, by trying harder, be more like You—so I surrender my control to You.

May I be steadfast and committed to each of these virtues, may I endure faithfully, may my commitment to godliness not waver in the face of temptation, may I be dedicated to knowing You more no matter the busyness of this day, may I not only hold up under pressure but shine, take this lump of coal and press it into a diamond.

I want to grow to be more like You and to do what pleases You.  May I make You smile today and may others exalt You because of me.

And show me someone who needs an act of kindness, a word that builds up, a touch that encourages or simply my time.  Use my attitudes, actions and words to be Your concrete evidences of love today.

And may I at the end of this day love You and others more deeply than I do right now.

This is a re-post from Justin Taylor’s blog Between to Worlds.

This is a must read and listen for all men.

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