Thank You, Lord, for adopting me as Your child. You are my Father. Thank You for loving me, for caring for me as only a Father can, for feeding, sheltering, clothing, comforting, and counseling. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You are eternal, everlasting, endless. You are heavenly, not only in location but in character.
Your name is holy. Let it be holy among us. You are the Lord our righteousness. Thank You for making Your righteousness our dwelling place (Jeremiah 33:16ff). You are also the Lord who sanctifies [makes holy]. Thank you for indwelling me with, and adopting me through, Your Son, so that I may be holy and blameless before You. Thank You that You have taken on the responsibility of my sanctification, for only You are holy. You are the Lord My Peace. Thank You that in my coming and going You give me peace and comfort. Rest is in You. I am safe in You. You are "The Lord Who is There." Thank You that I can always count on You to be there for me. You are the Lord Who Heals. Thank you for providing for my healing through the torn flesh of Jesus. Thank You that on the basis of the cross of Jesus, He healed diseases of those who came to Him even before the cross (Mt.8:16-17;Is.53:4). You are the Lord Who Provides. You see my needs even before I ask and hear my prayers and provide all I need just as You provided the ram for Abraham's sacrifice (Gen.22:14). You are the Lord My Banner. Like a flag mounted atop a building to show ownership, You have given me Your Spirit [who needs a tattoo, when you have the Holy Spirit marking you as His?]. Like the flag lifted on a battle field to show victory, You, Lord are my victory flag. Thank You for claiming me as Your own. Thank You that Christ's victory over the grave was made my victory as well. You are the Lord My Shepherd. Thank You for shepherding me - feeding, guiding, protecting. You are holy, Lord, as Savior, King, Counselor, Father, Prince of Peace.
Lord, let Your kingdom come in my heart. Be enthroned in my heart and be my king. Show me Your will so that I can please You and be fruitful in all I do. Let Your will be done in my home, my wife, my children, in this church, in our nation. Establish Your kingdom in our hearts today. Be King of our country and grant Your will to be done in our land. Help us a Christians to be faithful to Your call to be witnesses and spread the Good News throughout our nation. [this is a good spot to pray for specific requests and concerns as well.] Thank You, Lord, that the promise is given in Your name - Yhwh Shammah and Yhwh Nissi - that You are here, raising the flag that proclaims the establishment of Your kingdom in our hearts - and Yhwh Tsidkenu and Yhwh M'Kaddesh - that You are making us holy and have given us Your own righteousness that Your will may be done; that You are "at work both to will and to work for Your good pleasure."
Lord, Your will is done in heaven. It is done by Your eternal power. It is done by the efficacy of the blood of Jesus, sprinkling clean the holiest of holies, and sprinkling us clean, that we may enter and remain in the presence of Almighty God. Let it be so on earth. Let the power of His endless life be worked out in our hearts. Let the full effect of the blood, even beyond our comprehension, be brought to bear in our lives.
Supply what we need in order to live, physically and spiritually, for You today. Thank You, Yhwh Yireh [the Lord our Provider] that you see what we have need of even before we ask, and that Your very name promises us that You will provide. [This is another good point to address specific needs and concerns both for yourself and interceding for others, keeping in mind what we "need" is often as simple as daily bread - not necessarily the fine wines and gourmet meals we may desire.]
Lord, with David I cry out, "Be gracious to me, O God, according to the Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin...." [You may even want to pray all the way through Psalm 51, or Psalm 25]. [Be as specific in your confession as you need to be. Sometimes God will see your heart as you pray His word, and wash you with the word, administering forgiveness to specific areas without your being specific. Often He will call to your mind specific areas or deeds about which your specific confession and repentance is needed. He will respond in His way to your broken and contrite heart. Let Him be sovereign enough to not lead you through the same pattern every time you come to Him. Be assured that He will respond to those who see their spiritual poverty and mourn because of it (Matthew 5:3-4).]
Lord, I know I deserve no forgiveness until I forgive those who wrong me. Give me a tender heart that is quick to forgive, and slow to anger. Let my response to everyone with whom I find even the slightest occasion for blame or accusation be forgiveness rather than being judgmental.
Help me respond immediately to the initial promptings of Your Spirit. Give me grace to be humble, and draw near to You as You have invited me to. You have provided the means for me to live daily in YOur presence throug Your Son. Do not let me neglect so great a salvation. Be the Lord my Shepherd, and guide me around the nettles, the cliffs, and the wolves and lions that seek to devour me. Protect me from the evil one. Thank You that You are faithful and will not allow me to be tempted without providing a way of escape. Enclothe me in Your armor so that I will not fall prey to the wiles of the enemy.
Praise You, Lord, that the kingdom is Yours. That, in itself, is assurance that You will establish it. Thank You that the power is Yours. Power [New Testament Greek word is "dunamis"] is ability. Indeed, You are able to see to Your will and perform it in Your strength. I am weak, but You are strong. You are God. I'm not. Glory be to Your holy name forever. I praise You, Lord, for Your grace. I give glory to You and honor. Majesty is Yours; dominion is Yours. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is by Your doing that I am in Christ Jesus, and I praise You for it.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Peace with all men
Pt. 8 on the Power of Thanksgiving
Guess it's time to get back to and finish up the topic of giving thanks always for all things. It's my favorite topic, and I'm not sure I want to move on. I'm still growing in it, my experience of it is not complete. I know it's an important lesson for all believers to learn.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Paul presents some thoughts on intercession: "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Three different words for prayer, plus thanksgivings. Why thanksgivings? We've already seen the relationship between thanksgiving and peace. Interceding for, praying for, and giving thanks to God for all men, particularly kings and all who are in authority, results in leading a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. That's how the early Christians changed the world. No military crusades. No evangelistic crusades. No mega-churches. They weren't afraid to share their faith. They were willing to die for their faith. But they led tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity, and the world took notice that they were different. Their lives were relational-gathering often to learn from one another, to encourage and build up one another, to minister to (serve) one another in love, and to pray.
The Roman emperors often sought to eradicate them. The people around them did not understand their beliefs and often distorted them - for example, accusing them of cannibalism because they spoke of eating the body of Christ. They, on the other hand, prayed and gave thanks and lived tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity. In spite of persecution, where men are faithful to God, they can give thanks and lead a tranquil life, serving God. It does not matter what men say or do, or even what governments do. It does not matter if they are corrupt, or even if they direct their evil toward us. Even when we suffer for their faith, we can still know God's peace. Evil can't change that. Ultimately, evil will fail - not just in eternity, but here in space & time history as well. As Pharaoh hardened his heart, and his heart was further hardened by God, God's people suffered - for a season. Under the Roman Empire, some emperors persecuted Christians, some left them alone. Ultimately, the empire fell. Hitler fell. Stalin fell. The Soviet Union fell. The important thing is that in all things we trust God absolutely. Trusting Him, we can give thanks - the ultimate expression of total faith in God.
Guess it's time to get back to and finish up the topic of giving thanks always for all things. It's my favorite topic, and I'm not sure I want to move on. I'm still growing in it, my experience of it is not complete. I know it's an important lesson for all believers to learn.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Paul presents some thoughts on intercession: "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Three different words for prayer, plus thanksgivings. Why thanksgivings? We've already seen the relationship between thanksgiving and peace. Interceding for, praying for, and giving thanks to God for all men, particularly kings and all who are in authority, results in leading a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. That's how the early Christians changed the world. No military crusades. No evangelistic crusades. No mega-churches. They weren't afraid to share their faith. They were willing to die for their faith. But they led tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity, and the world took notice that they were different. Their lives were relational-gathering often to learn from one another, to encourage and build up one another, to minister to (serve) one another in love, and to pray.
The Roman emperors often sought to eradicate them. The people around them did not understand their beliefs and often distorted them - for example, accusing them of cannibalism because they spoke of eating the body of Christ. They, on the other hand, prayed and gave thanks and lived tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity. In spite of persecution, where men are faithful to God, they can give thanks and lead a tranquil life, serving God. It does not matter what men say or do, or even what governments do. It does not matter if they are corrupt, or even if they direct their evil toward us. Even when we suffer for their faith, we can still know God's peace. Evil can't change that. Ultimately, evil will fail - not just in eternity, but here in space & time history as well. As Pharaoh hardened his heart, and his heart was further hardened by God, God's people suffered - for a season. Under the Roman Empire, some emperors persecuted Christians, some left them alone. Ultimately, the empire fell. Hitler fell. Stalin fell. The Soviet Union fell. The important thing is that in all things we trust God absolutely. Trusting Him, we can give thanks - the ultimate expression of total faith in God.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sabbath Day, Lord's Day, or Sabbath Rest
In my earlier posts on the Sabbath, I emphasized that for Christians, the Sabbath is a Rest that we are to endeavor to attain 24/7/365. It isn't a day of the week. It isn't a once a week rest. It's a way of life. That's the short version, view the earlier blogs if you want to understand it better.
I recently viewed a video that argued that the Old Covenant Law regarding the Sabbath wasn't done away with by the New Covenant. Most Christians wouldn't argue with that per se, but most consider the Sabbath to be Sunday. That's what the video was refuting. One of the key points it stressed was that the early Christians still gathered on the Sabbath and that they did so until the time of the Catholic Church. It said that Constantine (apparently equating Constantine's making Christianity the state religion with Catholicism) made a law establishing Sunday as the day for the church to meet. From this, the maker of the video inferred that Christians must have still been meeting on the Sabbath or Constantine would not have had to make a law to change it. In logic, this is called an argument from silence - using what's not said to prove what therefore must be true.
I have a book called A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs (ed. David Bercot). It takes various topics addressed in the writings of the earliest Christian documents after the New Testament, and quotes the early Christians themselves. I've been amazed at how much stuff the Catholic Church and/or Constantine get blamed for that actually began somewhat earlier than either existed. Here's some of what the early Christians had to say about the Sabbath.
Didache (writing between AD 80 & 140) - "But every Lord's Day, gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgivings after having confessed your transgressions, so that you sacrifice may be pure."
Ignatius (AD 105 - 200+ years before Constantine) - "no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day."
Aristides (AD 125) (speaking of the Jews) - "However, they, too, have erred from true knowledge. In their imagination, they think that it is God whom they serve. Actually, by their type of worship, they render their service to the angels and not to God. For example, they do this when they celebrate Sabbaths."
Justin Martyr, known as one of the first Christian apologists (AD 160, also writing to Jews) - "And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read.... But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God... made the world. And Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on that same day." "Is there any other matter, my friends, in which we Christians are blamed, than this: that we do not live after the Law . . . and do not observe Sabbaths, as you do?" "You now have need of a second circumcision, although you glory greatly in the flesh. The new law requires you to keep a perpetual Sabbath. However, you, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are godly.... There was no need of circumcision before Abraham. Nor was there need of the observance of Sabbaths, or of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses. Accordingly, there is no more need of them now."
The video quoted from the Old Testament that the Sabbath was a sign, saying that meant it was a sign that we are set apart from the world's way of doing things. Irenaeus (AD 180) had this take on it: "'You will observe My Sabbaths; for it will be a sign between Me and you for your generations.' These things, then were given for a sign.... The Sabbaths taught that we should continue day by day in God's service,. . . abstaining from all avarice and not acquiring or possessing treasures upon earth.... However, man was not justified by these things. Rather, they were given as a sign to the people. This fact is evident, for Abraham himself-without circumcision and without observance of Sabbaths-'believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness.'"
There are numerous other references especially as you get into the late 100's and throughout the 200's. I found it interesting that Origen (c.248), said, "To the perfect Christian, who is ever serving his natural Lord-God the Word-in his thoughts, words, and deeds, all his days are the Lord's. So he is always keeping the Lord's Day." (i.e., even the "Lord's Day" should be 24/7/365.) Victorinus (c.280) said they fasted on Saturday so that "on the Lord's Day we may go forth to our bread with thanksgiving." He added, "and let this become a rigorous fast, lest we should appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews. For concerning [their Sabbath], Christ himself, the Lord of the Sabbath, says by His prophets that 'His soul hates [Isaiah 1:13,14].' In His body He abolished the Sabbath [Eph.2:15, Col.2:14]."
Ironically, it was the Catholic church in it's early stages, documented in the "Apostolic Constitutions" that established the observance of both the Sabbath "on account of Him who ceased from His work of creation" and the Lord's day "on account of the resurrection." They even said, "Let the slaves work five days" so they could have off for both the Sabbath and the Lord's Day.
Now, let me make it clear, I'm not arguing for Sunday (Lord's Day) vs. Saturday (Sabbath). If you read my earlier blogs, you know that my point is we need to quit worrying about a day of the week - period. The Sabbath for the Christian is a ceasing from your own works, as God did from His, and resting in Him for both your salvation and your sanctification - for your getting into the kingdom and your going on as a follower of Christ Jesus. The Christian life is not about Law or works or days or festivals or events or programs or meetings or seminars or any other man-made contrivance to produce holiness or a Christian lifestyle. It is purely and simply about faith in God. That faith will affect how we live. It will result in action or "works" - not for the sake of working, just simply as a result of faithing. It will be an entering into the good works which God prepared before hand so that we should walk in them. It's not about having a list of good works that we should do, but about pressing into God Himself and having His enabling power/ability to walk in a manner worthy of Him.
I recently viewed a video that argued that the Old Covenant Law regarding the Sabbath wasn't done away with by the New Covenant. Most Christians wouldn't argue with that per se, but most consider the Sabbath to be Sunday. That's what the video was refuting. One of the key points it stressed was that the early Christians still gathered on the Sabbath and that they did so until the time of the Catholic Church. It said that Constantine (apparently equating Constantine's making Christianity the state religion with Catholicism) made a law establishing Sunday as the day for the church to meet. From this, the maker of the video inferred that Christians must have still been meeting on the Sabbath or Constantine would not have had to make a law to change it. In logic, this is called an argument from silence - using what's not said to prove what therefore must be true.
I have a book called A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs (ed. David Bercot). It takes various topics addressed in the writings of the earliest Christian documents after the New Testament, and quotes the early Christians themselves. I've been amazed at how much stuff the Catholic Church and/or Constantine get blamed for that actually began somewhat earlier than either existed. Here's some of what the early Christians had to say about the Sabbath.
Didache (writing between AD 80 & 140) - "But every Lord's Day, gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgivings after having confessed your transgressions, so that you sacrifice may be pure."
Ignatius (AD 105 - 200+ years before Constantine) - "no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day."
Aristides (AD 125) (speaking of the Jews) - "However, they, too, have erred from true knowledge. In their imagination, they think that it is God whom they serve. Actually, by their type of worship, they render their service to the angels and not to God. For example, they do this when they celebrate Sabbaths."
Justin Martyr, known as one of the first Christian apologists (AD 160, also writing to Jews) - "And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read.... But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God... made the world. And Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on that same day." "Is there any other matter, my friends, in which we Christians are blamed, than this: that we do not live after the Law . . . and do not observe Sabbaths, as you do?" "You now have need of a second circumcision, although you glory greatly in the flesh. The new law requires you to keep a perpetual Sabbath. However, you, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are godly.... There was no need of circumcision before Abraham. Nor was there need of the observance of Sabbaths, or of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses. Accordingly, there is no more need of them now."
The video quoted from the Old Testament that the Sabbath was a sign, saying that meant it was a sign that we are set apart from the world's way of doing things. Irenaeus (AD 180) had this take on it: "'You will observe My Sabbaths; for it will be a sign between Me and you for your generations.' These things, then were given for a sign.... The Sabbaths taught that we should continue day by day in God's service,. . . abstaining from all avarice and not acquiring or possessing treasures upon earth.... However, man was not justified by these things. Rather, they were given as a sign to the people. This fact is evident, for Abraham himself-without circumcision and without observance of Sabbaths-'believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness.'"
There are numerous other references especially as you get into the late 100's and throughout the 200's. I found it interesting that Origen (c.248), said, "To the perfect Christian, who is ever serving his natural Lord-God the Word-in his thoughts, words, and deeds, all his days are the Lord's. So he is always keeping the Lord's Day." (i.e., even the "Lord's Day" should be 24/7/365.) Victorinus (c.280) said they fasted on Saturday so that "on the Lord's Day we may go forth to our bread with thanksgiving." He added, "and let this become a rigorous fast, lest we should appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews. For concerning [their Sabbath], Christ himself, the Lord of the Sabbath, says by His prophets that 'His soul hates [Isaiah 1:13,14].' In His body He abolished the Sabbath [Eph.2:15, Col.2:14]."
Ironically, it was the Catholic church in it's early stages, documented in the "Apostolic Constitutions" that established the observance of both the Sabbath "on account of Him who ceased from His work of creation" and the Lord's day "on account of the resurrection." They even said, "Let the slaves work five days" so they could have off for both the Sabbath and the Lord's Day.
Now, let me make it clear, I'm not arguing for Sunday (Lord's Day) vs. Saturday (Sabbath). If you read my earlier blogs, you know that my point is we need to quit worrying about a day of the week - period. The Sabbath for the Christian is a ceasing from your own works, as God did from His, and resting in Him for both your salvation and your sanctification - for your getting into the kingdom and your going on as a follower of Christ Jesus. The Christian life is not about Law or works or days or festivals or events or programs or meetings or seminars or any other man-made contrivance to produce holiness or a Christian lifestyle. It is purely and simply about faith in God. That faith will affect how we live. It will result in action or "works" - not for the sake of working, just simply as a result of faithing. It will be an entering into the good works which God prepared before hand so that we should walk in them. It's not about having a list of good works that we should do, but about pressing into God Himself and having His enabling power/ability to walk in a manner worthy of Him.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Highs and Lows
Trish & I were running an errand this afternoon and drove past a church. The sign indicated it was "New Heights Baptist." There's a New Heights Church of Christ near us, and not too far away an Eagle Heights Church. Believe me, I understand the concept, and am not knocking any of them for their choice of names. Nonetheless, the thought crossed my mind, why not a "Same Old Lows" Church, or "Yet Another Valley." Obviously, the heights are where we all want to live. We want our Christian experience to be a positive one, characterized by growth, mountain top experiences (like the transfiguration of Christ), overwhelming victory. That's as it should be.
At the same time, the reality is, we have life to deal with, and it's not always a bed of roses. Later this evening I heard Chris Tomlin talking on the radio about a new song that dealt with lifting our hands to the Lord. Instead of emphasizing lifting our hands in praise, this song emphasized lifting our hands when facing trouble. The next song played was Amy Grant singing,
"We pour out our miseries,
God just hears a melody,
Beautiful, the mess we are,
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah."
That's where we live sometimes. There are lows, valleys, ruts, even pits. Sometimes the day to day, mundane stuff is really hard. Sometimes the hard stuff goes on for days, months, even years. How do we deal with it? How do we help others deal with it? What do you tell a new believer who hits a crisis, or hasn't fully escaped the crises with which he/she was dealing when he came to Christ? Do we just name our churches "New Heights" and hold out the promise of soaring with wings like eagles?
I felt a little guilty, I guess, for suggesting that we should start a church called "Same Old Lows." I was being facetious. As I thought it through I decided a better name might be "Giving Thanks Church." I truly am convinced that learning to give thanks, joyously, from a heart of faith to a faithful God, for all things, is the way to victorious living. All things: a loving wife, or a cheating spouse; a loving father, or an abusive one; good health, or cancer; an obedient child, or a rebellious one; a new car or a wrecked one; a nice house, a tornado damaged house, or a homeless shelter; making the right choice, or reaping the "rewards" of a mistake.
High or low. Mountain top or valley. Good or bad. "All things" includes all things. If we are to give thanks always for all things, it must include all things. This can only be if we come to a place of totally trusting God - knowing that He is, that He is powerful, and wise. He is God. He deserves honor. He will use all things to bring honor, and glory and praise to Himself. He is also loving, and has our best interest at heart. He will use all things in our lives to grow us, to mold us into His own image.
We have two horses we are training - more accurately, learning to train. One of the things I've learned is that I must gain their trust. They have to learn that I'm not a predator. I'm not out to harm them. I found myself telling one of them this morning, "I will not hurt you. I will always look out for you and seek your benefit." The words of Jeremiah came to mind: "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." I need my horse to trust me that way. Even moreso, I need to trust God that way. I may let my horse down at some point. God will never let me down. Do I truly believe His plans for me are for my good, for my well-being, to give me a future and a hope? Then how could I not relax, let go of my cares and anxieties, and thank Him for all the things He's using to bring about that good - which, by the way, is all things.
At the same time, the reality is, we have life to deal with, and it's not always a bed of roses. Later this evening I heard Chris Tomlin talking on the radio about a new song that dealt with lifting our hands to the Lord. Instead of emphasizing lifting our hands in praise, this song emphasized lifting our hands when facing trouble. The next song played was Amy Grant singing,
"We pour out our miseries,
God just hears a melody,
Beautiful, the mess we are,
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah."
That's where we live sometimes. There are lows, valleys, ruts, even pits. Sometimes the day to day, mundane stuff is really hard. Sometimes the hard stuff goes on for days, months, even years. How do we deal with it? How do we help others deal with it? What do you tell a new believer who hits a crisis, or hasn't fully escaped the crises with which he/she was dealing when he came to Christ? Do we just name our churches "New Heights" and hold out the promise of soaring with wings like eagles?
I felt a little guilty, I guess, for suggesting that we should start a church called "Same Old Lows." I was being facetious. As I thought it through I decided a better name might be "Giving Thanks Church." I truly am convinced that learning to give thanks, joyously, from a heart of faith to a faithful God, for all things, is the way to victorious living. All things: a loving wife, or a cheating spouse; a loving father, or an abusive one; good health, or cancer; an obedient child, or a rebellious one; a new car or a wrecked one; a nice house, a tornado damaged house, or a homeless shelter; making the right choice, or reaping the "rewards" of a mistake.
High or low. Mountain top or valley. Good or bad. "All things" includes all things. If we are to give thanks always for all things, it must include all things. This can only be if we come to a place of totally trusting God - knowing that He is, that He is powerful, and wise. He is God. He deserves honor. He will use all things to bring honor, and glory and praise to Himself. He is also loving, and has our best interest at heart. He will use all things in our lives to grow us, to mold us into His own image.
We have two horses we are training - more accurately, learning to train. One of the things I've learned is that I must gain their trust. They have to learn that I'm not a predator. I'm not out to harm them. I found myself telling one of them this morning, "I will not hurt you. I will always look out for you and seek your benefit." The words of Jeremiah came to mind: "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." I need my horse to trust me that way. Even moreso, I need to trust God that way. I may let my horse down at some point. God will never let me down. Do I truly believe His plans for me are for my good, for my well-being, to give me a future and a hope? Then how could I not relax, let go of my cares and anxieties, and thank Him for all the things He's using to bring about that good - which, by the way, is all things.
Monday, July 4, 2011
At the Core of Christian Living
Pt.7 of the Power (Benefits) of Giving Thanks for All Things
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What is? I mean, what does this refer to? Giving thanks? Or to whatever part of "everything" you happen to be facing, and in which you're looking for something for which to give thanks? In other words, is God's will for you to give thanks? or is God's will whatever is happening, and therefore you can give thanks in that situation? Or is it referring to the whole triad of verses 16-18. They all are one sentence, divided up by semi-colons.
1 Thess. 5:12-22 contains a series of phrases that sound almost like a list of Christian commandments. It's actually several groups of phrases, or compound sentences. The core theme seems to be in verse 13: "Live in peace with one another." Before that we are encouraged to love those who labor diligently among us. Afterwards we're encouraged to help those who are struggling and seek what is good for others. Next we're told to rejoice, pray and give thanks (vv.16-19). Then we're given counsel on how not to quench the Spirit.
At the heart of it is: "Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I don't believe they should be separated, and I do believe "this" refers to the whole sequence. Continual rejoicing, continual prayer, and giving thanks in all situations are the will of God for us. They are also at the core of the victorious Christian life - a life of peace - here characterized by honoring those who labor for the Lord, living in peace with one another, helping the weak, seeking after good for others, not quenching the spirit or despising prophetic words, and discerning and choosing good over evil.
Verse 23 picks up with "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
Faithful. God is faithful. He will bring it to pass. What? Your sanctification, to the point of your being blameless, complete, mature at the coming of Christ. This is the Christian life simplified. Live in peace with others-honoring those who labor for the Lord, helping the weak; rejoicing, praying, giving thanks (all of which involve faith in God); and allowing His Spirit to work by not despising prophetic words, but listening with discernment to examine what you hear and hold on to what's good. And all of this is realizing the God of peace Himself is the one who makes it all happen as He sanctifies you (makes you holy).
Holiness isn't about the things you do. It's about Him who is holy making you holy. The way you get in is the way you go on. He saved you, He sanctifies you. You get in by grace through faith, you go on by grace through faith. And faith both frees you to rejoice and be thankful, and is ultimately and most fully expressed by being thankful. You want peace with men and holiness before God? Be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What is? I mean, what does this refer to? Giving thanks? Or to whatever part of "everything" you happen to be facing, and in which you're looking for something for which to give thanks? In other words, is God's will for you to give thanks? or is God's will whatever is happening, and therefore you can give thanks in that situation? Or is it referring to the whole triad of verses 16-18. They all are one sentence, divided up by semi-colons.
1 Thess. 5:12-22 contains a series of phrases that sound almost like a list of Christian commandments. It's actually several groups of phrases, or compound sentences. The core theme seems to be in verse 13: "Live in peace with one another." Before that we are encouraged to love those who labor diligently among us. Afterwards we're encouraged to help those who are struggling and seek what is good for others. Next we're told to rejoice, pray and give thanks (vv.16-19). Then we're given counsel on how not to quench the Spirit.
At the heart of it is: "Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I don't believe they should be separated, and I do believe "this" refers to the whole sequence. Continual rejoicing, continual prayer, and giving thanks in all situations are the will of God for us. They are also at the core of the victorious Christian life - a life of peace - here characterized by honoring those who labor for the Lord, living in peace with one another, helping the weak, seeking after good for others, not quenching the spirit or despising prophetic words, and discerning and choosing good over evil.
Verse 23 picks up with "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
Faithful. God is faithful. He will bring it to pass. What? Your sanctification, to the point of your being blameless, complete, mature at the coming of Christ. This is the Christian life simplified. Live in peace with others-honoring those who labor for the Lord, helping the weak; rejoicing, praying, giving thanks (all of which involve faith in God); and allowing His Spirit to work by not despising prophetic words, but listening with discernment to examine what you hear and hold on to what's good. And all of this is realizing the God of peace Himself is the one who makes it all happen as He sanctifies you (makes you holy).
Holiness isn't about the things you do. It's about Him who is holy making you holy. The way you get in is the way you go on. He saved you, He sanctifies you. You get in by grace through faith, you go on by grace through faith. And faith both frees you to rejoice and be thankful, and is ultimately and most fully expressed by being thankful. You want peace with men and holiness before God? Be thankful.
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