1. Through Faith
When a person stubbornly refuses to give up on a dream in spite of evidence to the contrary, we consider the crazy, or at least foolish. Abraham’s friends and family must have thought he was loosing it when he insisted that God was going to give him a child – especially after he and his wife Sarah were senior citizens.
“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” (Romans 4:19-21, NLT)
God’s promise to become ‘partakers of the divine nature’ is even more outrageous. No other creature has this potential or has been promised this. You’ll find that your friends and family, maybe even your pastor, will think you are foolish to believe this promise. They’ll ask, “Who do you think you are?!” And, worst of all, you will wait year after year with no answer from God. Just like Abraham, you will be stripped of every reason to hope.
But you might find, like Abraham, that as the evidence against this promise becomes more insurmountable, your faith grows stronger. You become even more fully convinced that ‘God is able to do whatever he promises.’
There are many other examples of this type of faith in the Bible. Enoch was the first to ‘walk with God’ after the fall. “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—‘he disappeared, because God took him.’ For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely (or diligently) seek him.” (Hebrews 11:5-6 NLT) Enoch’s example shows that faith is expressed by the authentic, diligent pursuit of God.
“It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:24-27 NLT)
Moses is an example of someone who could have had ‘the whole world’ of his day. He had wealth, power, position, and education. But, by faith, he saw something more valuable than everything the world offers. He wanted to see the face of God – to be in God’s presence and behold his glory (Ex. 33:18).” This passion cost him everything. But, in the end, he found what he was looking for – the glory of God.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is John 11:40. Just before he raised Lazarus from the dead, “Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" If we believe the promises of God, we will also see His glory.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Not my will, but yours.
The biggest barrier to the experiencing the fullness of God is our stubborn human will. When we are honest, we realize that even our pursuit of God can be a selfish desire for power or glory. Selfish ambition can disguise itself in holy robes. But God will never be the pawn of our fallen natures. He demands that we “learn obedience through suffering.” When we have learned “reverent submission,” we’re ready for the fulfillment of the promise.
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV)
“At each stage of Jesus’ life he had to meet temptation, and overcome it. Out of each victory he came with his will strengthened and his power over the weakness of the flesh, and the danger of yielding to its desire for earthly good, or its fear of temporal evil, increased. In Gethsemane his trial and his obedience reached their consummation.
“Suffering is something unnatural, the fruit of sin. God has made us for joy. It is natural for us, as it was to the Son of God, to fear and flee from suffering. In this desire there is nothing sinful. It only becomes sinful where God would have us submit and suffer, and we refuse. This was the temptation of the power of darkness in Gethsemane – for Jesus to refuse the cup.
“In his prayers and petitions, with loud cries and tears, Jesus maintained his allegiance to God’s will. In wrestling and bloody sweat he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The deepest suffering taught him the highest lesson of obedience: when he had yielded his will and his life, his obedience was complete, and he himself was perfected for evermore.
“This is our High Priest. He knows what the weakness of the flesh is. He knows what it costs to conquer it, and how little we are able to do it. He lives in heaven, able to assist us, sympathizing with our weaknesses, bearing gently with our ignorance and erring. (He is) a High Priest on the throne to whom we may boldly draw near to find grace for timely help. He lives in heaven and in our heart, to impart to us his own spirit of obedience, so that his priesthood may bring us into the full enjoyment of all he himself has and is.” (The Holiest of All, a commentary on Hebrews by Andrew Murray, p.185)
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV)
“At each stage of Jesus’ life he had to meet temptation, and overcome it. Out of each victory he came with his will strengthened and his power over the weakness of the flesh, and the danger of yielding to its desire for earthly good, or its fear of temporal evil, increased. In Gethsemane his trial and his obedience reached their consummation.
“Suffering is something unnatural, the fruit of sin. God has made us for joy. It is natural for us, as it was to the Son of God, to fear and flee from suffering. In this desire there is nothing sinful. It only becomes sinful where God would have us submit and suffer, and we refuse. This was the temptation of the power of darkness in Gethsemane – for Jesus to refuse the cup.
“In his prayers and petitions, with loud cries and tears, Jesus maintained his allegiance to God’s will. In wrestling and bloody sweat he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The deepest suffering taught him the highest lesson of obedience: when he had yielded his will and his life, his obedience was complete, and he himself was perfected for evermore.
“This is our High Priest. He knows what the weakness of the flesh is. He knows what it costs to conquer it, and how little we are able to do it. He lives in heaven, able to assist us, sympathizing with our weaknesses, bearing gently with our ignorance and erring. (He is) a High Priest on the throne to whom we may boldly draw near to find grace for timely help. He lives in heaven and in our heart, to impart to us his own spirit of obedience, so that his priesthood may bring us into the full enjoyment of all he himself has and is.” (The Holiest of All, a commentary on Hebrews by Andrew Murray, p.185)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Unattached
Those of us who want to experience the fullness of God have to come to grips with the reality that we can’t have both worlds. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13 NLT)
Things like money, possessions, the approval of other, and the thrill of being in control of others (power) are ‘attachments’ that keep us from the kingdom of God. When Jesus called his disciples, they left everything and followed him. But they were still strongly attached to a desire for power and influence. When Jesus was predicting his death, the disciples didn’t hear him because they were too busy arguing about which of them would be greatest (Lk. 9:46). Again at the last supper, while Jesus was giving them his final words, they were distracted by an argument about who would be the greatest among them (Lk. 22:24).
To be filled with the fullness of God, we first must be emptied of self and its attachments. The Apostle John wrote, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NLT)
How does this happen? We are all so deeply attached to possessions, power, and the praise of others. That is the purpose of the Lord’s Prayer. It helps us return these ‘attachments’ to their rightful owner. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Lk. 11:2) When we understand this prayer correctly, we are saying to God, “Let your name be exalted and honored, not mine. Let all the circumstances in my life and in the world around me be controlled by you, rightful King, not me. And let the pleasure of having things go your way be yours alone, my God, not mine.”
We aren’t able to release these attachments without the help of God’s Holy Spirit. “For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” (Heb. 9:14 NLT) Just as our Lord depended on the Sprit to offer himself to God, we must also rely on supernatural help to stop finding our life in the things around us and find it in God alone.
Things like money, possessions, the approval of other, and the thrill of being in control of others (power) are ‘attachments’ that keep us from the kingdom of God. When Jesus called his disciples, they left everything and followed him. But they were still strongly attached to a desire for power and influence. When Jesus was predicting his death, the disciples didn’t hear him because they were too busy arguing about which of them would be greatest (Lk. 9:46). Again at the last supper, while Jesus was giving them his final words, they were distracted by an argument about who would be the greatest among them (Lk. 22:24).
To be filled with the fullness of God, we first must be emptied of self and its attachments. The Apostle John wrote, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NLT)
How does this happen? We are all so deeply attached to possessions, power, and the praise of others. That is the purpose of the Lord’s Prayer. It helps us return these ‘attachments’ to their rightful owner. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Lk. 11:2) When we understand this prayer correctly, we are saying to God, “Let your name be exalted and honored, not mine. Let all the circumstances in my life and in the world around me be controlled by you, rightful King, not me. And let the pleasure of having things go your way be yours alone, my God, not mine.”
We aren’t able to release these attachments without the help of God’s Holy Spirit. “For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” (Heb. 9:14 NLT) Just as our Lord depended on the Sprit to offer himself to God, we must also rely on supernatural help to stop finding our life in the things around us and find it in God alone.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Lost in the reformation
I've just finished reading two very interesting books by Catholic scholars about Christ being formed in us. The first is by Ralph Martin, a leader in Catholic renewal movements and Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. His book, The Fulfillment of All Desire, gives a clear description of the process to union with God.
The second book, Fire Within, is by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M., a retreat master and spiritual director in the Catholic church. Both books give an overview of the journey toward 'the beatific vision' of having Christ formed in us based on Scripture and the writings of saints who have achieved this state like St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Francis De Sales.
Just a quick note to those of you who are Protestants. If you're like me, you've been taught to be very suspicious of Catholic teachings. You might have already crossed me off as an untrustworthy source because I mention these books. But before you go, could I just say that if you will open your mind to consider these writers, you'll find that they have a very high esteem for Scripture, they clearly express the gospel of Christ, and they have biblical insights you could benefit from. You will probably come across some things that you don't agree with, sure, but don't toss out the baby with the bathwater! If we Evangelical Prostestants would listen to our brothers and sisters in the Catholic church, we will find that, when it comes to the biblical teaching on union with God, they have much to teach us. Truths that, unfortunately, were 'lost in the reformation.'
As Bernard of Clairvaux writes, "Come then, follow, seek Him; do not let that unapproachable brightness and glory hold you back from seeking Him or make you despair of finding Him. 'If you can believe all things are possible to him who believes' (Mk. 9:22) 'The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.' (Rom. 10:8) Therefore seek him confidently, seek him faithfully, 'The Lord is good to the soul who seeks Him.' (Lam. 3:25) Seek Him in your prayers, follow Him in your actions, and find Him in faith." (On the Song of Songs, vol. IV, sermon 76, no. 6, p. 115)
They call the first stage of the journey toward union with God 'the Purgative Way.' It includes our initial conversion to Christ, the exciting first steps of faith (like the Israelite's experience just after leaving Egypt, and our wanderings in the wilderness. The trials God allows us to encounter begin the process of purging away our self-centeredness, pride, and affection for the world. We discover the 'idols' in our lives - money, the approval of others, power/control, and pleasure.
The second stage, referred to as 'the Illumative Way,' is characterized by deeper prayer, growth in Christian virtues, deepening love for God and others, greater moral stability and complete surrender to the Lordship of Christ. As God illuminates Scripture to us, and reveals Himself, we lose interest in all that is not God. We become bored with the pursuits of those around us. Making money, attaining power, and experiencing the pleasures of the world pale in comparison to beholding the face of Christ. As the 'veil' is removed, we "can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. For God who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made His light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6)
The third stage called, 'the Unitive Way,' is "characterized by deep, habitual union with God, deep joy, profound humility, freedom from fears of suffering or trials, great desire to serve God, and fruitfulness." (The Fulfillment of All Desire, Ralph Martin, page 12)
These different stages can be present in the believer's life simultaneously but as we make progress, our experience will be primarily defined by the subsequent stages.
The second book, Fire Within, is by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M., a retreat master and spiritual director in the Catholic church. Both books give an overview of the journey toward 'the beatific vision' of having Christ formed in us based on Scripture and the writings of saints who have achieved this state like St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Francis De Sales.
Just a quick note to those of you who are Protestants. If you're like me, you've been taught to be very suspicious of Catholic teachings. You might have already crossed me off as an untrustworthy source because I mention these books. But before you go, could I just say that if you will open your mind to consider these writers, you'll find that they have a very high esteem for Scripture, they clearly express the gospel of Christ, and they have biblical insights you could benefit from. You will probably come across some things that you don't agree with, sure, but don't toss out the baby with the bathwater! If we Evangelical Prostestants would listen to our brothers and sisters in the Catholic church, we will find that, when it comes to the biblical teaching on union with God, they have much to teach us. Truths that, unfortunately, were 'lost in the reformation.'
As Bernard of Clairvaux writes, "Come then, follow, seek Him; do not let that unapproachable brightness and glory hold you back from seeking Him or make you despair of finding Him. 'If you can believe all things are possible to him who believes' (Mk. 9:22) 'The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.' (Rom. 10:8) Therefore seek him confidently, seek him faithfully, 'The Lord is good to the soul who seeks Him.' (Lam. 3:25) Seek Him in your prayers, follow Him in your actions, and find Him in faith." (On the Song of Songs, vol. IV, sermon 76, no. 6, p. 115)
They call the first stage of the journey toward union with God 'the Purgative Way.' It includes our initial conversion to Christ, the exciting first steps of faith (like the Israelite's experience just after leaving Egypt, and our wanderings in the wilderness. The trials God allows us to encounter begin the process of purging away our self-centeredness, pride, and affection for the world. We discover the 'idols' in our lives - money, the approval of others, power/control, and pleasure.
The second stage, referred to as 'the Illumative Way,' is characterized by deeper prayer, growth in Christian virtues, deepening love for God and others, greater moral stability and complete surrender to the Lordship of Christ. As God illuminates Scripture to us, and reveals Himself, we lose interest in all that is not God. We become bored with the pursuits of those around us. Making money, attaining power, and experiencing the pleasures of the world pale in comparison to beholding the face of Christ. As the 'veil' is removed, we "can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. For God who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made His light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6)
The third stage called, 'the Unitive Way,' is "characterized by deep, habitual union with God, deep joy, profound humility, freedom from fears of suffering or trials, great desire to serve God, and fruitfulness." (The Fulfillment of All Desire, Ralph Martin, page 12)
These different stages can be present in the believer's life simultaneously but as we make progress, our experience will be primarily defined by the subsequent stages.
Between the chairs
I’ve always been disturbed when I compare the Christianity of the New Testament with what I’ve experienced. Like the boy who revealed the nakedness of the emperor in the children’s story, I want to shout to my fellow believers, “We’re missing out on the main point! We humans have been offered a privilege that must amaze the angels – the presence of God in our human bodies. But most of us don’t even know that it’s an option.”
But then, when I look at my own life, I lose my courage. I haven't yet attained what I'm looking for.
At a recent church retreat, one of our youth pastors placed two chairs on the stage. He suggested that one chair represents who we were before our conversion. The other chair represents who we are when Christ has been fully formed in us. Then he stood between the chairs and spoke about our position of leaving one chair but not yet being in the other chair. He read Philippians 3:12-14 where Paul admits, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not acheived it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
The Bible teaches that this miracle of grace will occur at the resurrection of our bodies. Christ’s prayer will be answered in the end. But the Bible teaches that we can experience it on earth now. But, like Paul, we reach for it, hoping to grasp it before we are taken home to heaven.
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7-11)
The formation of Christ in the believer is a process that never is fully completed here on earth. We never achieve the “perfection” that Jesus achieved when He said, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7) We never perfectly reflect the divine glory to this world. But we can say, as Paul said to the Corinthians (11:1), “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
But then, when I look at my own life, I lose my courage. I haven't yet attained what I'm looking for.
At a recent church retreat, one of our youth pastors placed two chairs on the stage. He suggested that one chair represents who we were before our conversion. The other chair represents who we are when Christ has been fully formed in us. Then he stood between the chairs and spoke about our position of leaving one chair but not yet being in the other chair. He read Philippians 3:12-14 where Paul admits, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not acheived it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
The Bible teaches that this miracle of grace will occur at the resurrection of our bodies. Christ’s prayer will be answered in the end. But the Bible teaches that we can experience it on earth now. But, like Paul, we reach for it, hoping to grasp it before we are taken home to heaven.
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7-11)
The formation of Christ in the believer is a process that never is fully completed here on earth. We never achieve the “perfection” that Jesus achieved when He said, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7) We never perfectly reflect the divine glory to this world. But we can say, as Paul said to the Corinthians (11:1), “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
Inside out
The last letter to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3 has often been associated with the final church on earth just before Christ’s second coming. Even the name, Laodicea, which means “the rights of the people”, seems appropriate for our litigious contemporary society. If this is true, the message relates directly to the fact that so few of us have experienced the indwelling presence of Christ described in Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3.
In the Laodicean letter, Jesus says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:15-20)
Jesus is recommending that we “buy” (pray for) gold refined in the fire. This is a common biblical metaphor for suffering (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). We also need something to cover our nakedness, a metaphor for the shame of our fallen nature, which is exposed by our self-sins. Finally we need salve for our eyes, “so you can see.” The implication is clear. We think we know so much, but we are really blind.
Just in case we missed this point, Jesus emphasizes it by comparing our self-confident perception with the pathetic reality of our true spiritual condition. We are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Many Christians today might think we are in the “golden age” of the church because of our large institutions and international accomplishments. It is interesting to note that when Christ came the first time, the spiritual leaders of His day thought that they were in the “golden age” of orthodox Jewish practice.
The worst indictment of all is the fact that Jesus is outside the door knocking. I know that this verse is often used to present the gospel. The assumption is that once we say the prayer of faith, Jesus comes to live in our hearts and everything is good.
But, please notice that Jesus is talking to the church of Laodicea – a body of believers. Christ is outside of their lives and they don’t realize it. I believe this rebuke is for us. Most of us have not experience the indwelling presence of Christ described in Ephesians 3:14-21. We rely on our own resources – intellectual training, organizational wisdom, and human effort – to advance God’s kingdom.
In Ezekiel 10, the prophet has an amazing vision of the glory of God departing from the temple. The leaders were oblivious to his departure. Could it be that we are in a similar state? We have respected Christian institutions and industries but where is the glory of God?
In jars of clay
How does Paul’s description of his ministry compare to ours today? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Cor. 4:5-10)
Do we see God’s “all-surpassing power” at work through those in ministry? Paul writes, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” (Rom. 15:17-19)
God isn’t into ministry “superheroes.” Paul tells us very candidly how it worked in his ministry. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5) And to the Colossians he writes, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Col. 1:28-29)
In the Laodicean letter, Jesus says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:15-20)
Jesus is recommending that we “buy” (pray for) gold refined in the fire. This is a common biblical metaphor for suffering (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). We also need something to cover our nakedness, a metaphor for the shame of our fallen nature, which is exposed by our self-sins. Finally we need salve for our eyes, “so you can see.” The implication is clear. We think we know so much, but we are really blind.
Just in case we missed this point, Jesus emphasizes it by comparing our self-confident perception with the pathetic reality of our true spiritual condition. We are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Many Christians today might think we are in the “golden age” of the church because of our large institutions and international accomplishments. It is interesting to note that when Christ came the first time, the spiritual leaders of His day thought that they were in the “golden age” of orthodox Jewish practice.
The worst indictment of all is the fact that Jesus is outside the door knocking. I know that this verse is often used to present the gospel. The assumption is that once we say the prayer of faith, Jesus comes to live in our hearts and everything is good.
But, please notice that Jesus is talking to the church of Laodicea – a body of believers. Christ is outside of their lives and they don’t realize it. I believe this rebuke is for us. Most of us have not experience the indwelling presence of Christ described in Ephesians 3:14-21. We rely on our own resources – intellectual training, organizational wisdom, and human effort – to advance God’s kingdom.
In Ezekiel 10, the prophet has an amazing vision of the glory of God departing from the temple. The leaders were oblivious to his departure. Could it be that we are in a similar state? We have respected Christian institutions and industries but where is the glory of God?
In jars of clay
How does Paul’s description of his ministry compare to ours today? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Cor. 4:5-10)
Do we see God’s “all-surpassing power” at work through those in ministry? Paul writes, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” (Rom. 15:17-19)
God isn’t into ministry “superheroes.” Paul tells us very candidly how it worked in his ministry. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5) And to the Colossians he writes, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Col. 1:28-29)
You are God's dwelling place
The greatest privilege and honor given to the human race is the potential of becoming part of God’s dwelling place. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (6:16), “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’” The previous passage (Eph. 3:14-20 above) is an explanation of how the glory of God – in the presence of Christ by His Spirit – actually comes into the temple of your body.
It will help you understand what Paul is saying if you keep in mind the structure of the Old Testament temple. First there was the outer court where people would come to interact with God. Think of this as a metaphor for the human body. Now let’s let the writer of Hebrews tell us about the inside rooms (9:2-3). “In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.” This “Holy of Holies” is where God’s presence dwelled.
Think of the “Holy Place” as your soul – the seat of your emotions, intellect, and will. Then, think of the “Most Holy Place” as your human spirit. This is the part of your being that has communion with God.
First, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit in our “inner being” or human spirit – the inner sanctuary of our being. Christ comes to dwell in this “Holy of Holies” by faith. By His presence within our spirit, we are “rooted and grounded” in love.”
Love becomes the basis of our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It becomes the operating principle of our soul. We are enabled to understand something that is incomprehensible to the natural human mind – the breadth, length, and depth of Christ’s love.
So we become saturated with God’s love. It fills us – takes over our entire being – and is revealed in our bodies - the outer court of our temple where people come in contact with us.
When the glory of the Lord comes to His temple (our bodies) like this, God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine through us. Since the operating principle in our lives is no longer selfishness, God does not hesitate to speak and act through us. This brings great glory to God through his church because we are reflecting the presence of Christ to the world.
It will help you understand what Paul is saying if you keep in mind the structure of the Old Testament temple. First there was the outer court where people would come to interact with God. Think of this as a metaphor for the human body. Now let’s let the writer of Hebrews tell us about the inside rooms (9:2-3). “In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.” This “Holy of Holies” is where God’s presence dwelled.
Think of the “Holy Place” as your soul – the seat of your emotions, intellect, and will. Then, think of the “Most Holy Place” as your human spirit. This is the part of your being that has communion with God.
First, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit in our “inner being” or human spirit – the inner sanctuary of our being. Christ comes to dwell in this “Holy of Holies” by faith. By His presence within our spirit, we are “rooted and grounded” in love.”
Love becomes the basis of our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It becomes the operating principle of our soul. We are enabled to understand something that is incomprehensible to the natural human mind – the breadth, length, and depth of Christ’s love.
So we become saturated with God’s love. It fills us – takes over our entire being – and is revealed in our bodies - the outer court of our temple where people come in contact with us.
When the glory of the Lord comes to His temple (our bodies) like this, God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine through us. Since the operating principle in our lives is no longer selfishness, God does not hesitate to speak and act through us. This brings great glory to God through his church because we are reflecting the presence of Christ to the world.
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