I can see clearly now

God uses the disappointments and setbacks in our lives to create a sense of need – no, maybe ‘desperation’ would be a better word. When you think of someone who suffered horribly in the Bible, who comes to mind? I’m sure Job is somewhere on your list, if not at the top. Here’s what he said, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

The two reasons God allows us to suffer are; (1) we will see Him more clearly and (2) we will see ourselves more clearly. These two things go hand in hand. Isaiah had a similar experience. “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” His vision of God resulted in the clearer view of his own depravity. He cried, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:1,5)
A friend of the cross

The cross liberates us from the power of sin, self, the world, the devil, and a condemning law. Paul wrote, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal. 6:14)

“...Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Col. 2:14-15)

You’d think that the tool God uses to emancipate His people would be valued and loved. And while singing about how we “cherish the old rugged cross, ” for salvation, we aren’t as excited to embrace it for our sanctification because it condemns our self-sins. We can’t by “friends of the cross” while we are living in self indulgence, self pity, self confidence, self righteousness, or any other manifestation of our fallen nature.

Paul writes about those who want to still stay attached to self and the world. “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

Jesus made it very clear. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

What does this look like?

When Christ is formed in a person, it means (no surprise here) that they speak and act like Jesus did while on earth. Paul gives us a glimpse of how this miracle of grace plays itself out in a person’s life and character. And he offers some strong encouragement.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Christ was formed in the “worst of sinners,” to show us that there is hope for any one of us. We are first introduced to Saul (later called Paul) in Acts 7:58 where he is guarding the cloaks of those who are stoning Stephan and cheering them on. Then he “began to destroy the church” (Acts 8:3). But Christ revealed himself to Paul on the way to Damascus and transformed his life. He became the one chosen to bring this mystery to the Gentiles. Here is Paul’s testimony in his own words.

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – Surely you have heard about the administration (or stewardship) of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:1-21)