The secret about spiritual growth

I've had a slow epiphany... although that's really an oxymoron.  But I've been gradually coming to a new point of view, and today I think it suddenly solidified in my mind, hence the epiphany.   Although, now that I'm trying to write about it, the idea isn't as clear to me as it was a few seconds ago.  But bear with me.
Spiritual growth.  We all need to grow and become more like Christ.  That journey is never done.  But what's the point?  I always thought that I needed to grow spiritually in order to just become a better person.  Personal growth will make you a better person, but as a Christian, that shouldn't be the end goal.  We shouldn't be concerned with how God will improve my life for me.  That's rather self-centred, isn't it?  My focus should be on how spiritual formation in my life will help other people come to God and extend God's kingdom on earth.  After all, if God is truly in me, I won't be focused on my own spiritual skills but rather on how God's Spirit in me can flow through to help others.
Jesus spent his entire life helping other people.  He didn't go to church to memorize scripture and sit there and look amazing.  He was out on the front lines, using his knowledge and gifts to show people the way to enter the kingdom of God.
That's what I'm going to be thinking about more this week - how can I grow spiritually in order to benefit the people around me?

Our yoke

I was just listening to a sermon by Bruxy Cavey and he made reference to that verse in Matthew where Jesus says 'My yoke is easy and my burden is light'. He urges us to take it upon ourselves. What is this yoke? Bruxy suggests that Jesus is talking about taking on a new way of life that is different from the old covenant which was burdensome. Jesus' way of life is easier because it is not based on a list of rules but on a change of heart. It's not that Jesus was giving us a time to sleep or rest physically, but he was showing us that the way forward under him would be easy because the work we would be doing would be restful. As we partner with him and become more like him, we find that his work is easy and wonderful.
This way of looking at this passage really opened my eyes because previously I had a more works oriented view. How could Jesus' yoke be easy when it still required work? But we need a change of heart. That's what Christianity is all about - transformation.

The sons of God

'Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we should be called the sons of God.'
These words from that old tune came back to me today as I was reading 1 John chapter 3. The NIV reads "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"
In his book titled 'Be Real' Warren Wiersbe highlights the importance of this verse by linking it back to the passage in Ephesians that says that while we were still his enemies, God, through Christ Jesus, brought us near himself (Eph 2:12-13).

Learning more about community

In my search to find out more about what 'community' is and how to foster it, I found a sermon that Bill Clem from Mars Hill Church in Seattle preached about community.  It's all about Jesus.  Click here to be redirected to the sermon web page.

Eager to do good

Titus
Paul said that God brought us salvation that gives us the ability to have self-control, to live godly lives while we wait for the return of Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to purify for himself a people that are eager to do what is good (Titus 2:11-14).  I read that, and it sounded great, but am I eager to do good?  Not all the time!  Sometimes it is such a chore.  Why do we always have to put others ahead of ourselves?
In the end, it is more rewarding to do good.  Proverbs has tried to teach us that over and over again.  I think the desire has to be consciously cultivated, though.  So that's something I'll be praying about - being eager to do good!

Rich people going to heaven

Luke
I want to build on my previous post about the eye of the needle and a rich man going into heaven.  Check out the blog post on March 24 (click here).  That one was about the parallel passage in Mark 10.  Today's reading is Luke 18:18-30.  Not only is it impossible for a camel to go through the eye of an actual needle, but it is also impossible for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of heaven... on his own.  The ruler in this story had asked "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"  This question is similar to the one of the rich young man in Matthew 19, which I posted about on January 27 (click here).  It's all about doing.  We can't do anything, so of course it is impossible for us to get to heaven.  But with God, through Jesus Christ, we can!
I think that the emphasis on the fellow being rich demonstrates that rich people don't think they need God as much as poor people, because they have the resources to get through life comfortably without really having to rely on God.  So for rich people, it is more difficult to get to the point where they can depend on God for salvation.  Of course, this is a major generalization, so if you have a differing view, let me know.

We have only done our duty

Luke
Check out Luke 17:1-10, particularly the last few verses.  Jesus is basically talking about humility.  He says that when servants do what they're told, they shouldn't expect praise and rewards; they're just doing their job.  Likewise, if we do what God has commanded, we shouldn't feel more important or worthy of a prize; we're just doing our job!
Trying to fulfill our duties or supposedly working beyond what God has called us to do (which is impossible, since he called us to perfection) won't get us anyway - for it is through grace and faith we are saved, not through our own deeds, so we really can't boast about anything.  Sometimes it's still easy to fall back into that mentality that if we just do what God told us to do, we'll be okay.  In one sense that's an acceptable attitude, but once we turn it into a task list of sorts, hoping to curry to God's favour, we've really lost the point.  Doing what he wants us to do won't make Him love us less or more; but it'll help us love Him more, especially if we don't get a big head about it.

God, the blessed and only Ruler

1 Timothy 6:11-16
What an exhortation!
"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
That last verse there about God living in unapproachable light, and no one seeing Him - it is yet another great reminder of how full of glory He is.

The Great Banquet

Luke
Jesus told the story of a man inviting guests to a great banquet.  His closer friends were invited, but they all made excuses: I just bought some land, or some oxen, or I just got married.  These excuses may sound okay when talking about just being invited over for dinner somewhere.  But the point of the passage here in Luke 14 is the kingdom of God.  Jesus is talking about being given a chance to participate in God's kingdom.  Suddenly those excuses don't seem very good.
What do we do when we hear God asking us to get involved?  Do we make excuses and hem and haw, and try to avoid working with God?  Or do we hear his voice and say, yeah, sign me up!  I'd love to come and help you out.

Endless genealogies

1 Timothy
1 Timothy1:4 mentions 'endless genealogies'.  Paul warns against false teachers who devote themselves to these 'endless genealogies'.  What's so wrong with genealogies?  Apparently the Jewish bloodlines had become so intricate that tracing lineage back to the twelve tribes really did make for endless genealogies.  The importance of keeping the twelve tribes separate really disappeared after Jesus, the Messiah, came to save the whole world, rather than just the Jewish nation.  Devotion to these genealogies wasn't necessary, and was likely a sign that the false teacher was, well, false, and insistent on still following the Jewish law rather than God's grace.  So in this case, I guess genealogies really aren't that great after all.

Peace on earth, maybe

2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles seems to be fairly similar to 2 Kings.  They both gave a brief synopsis of each king and mentioned whether or not they obeyed the law.  I did notice one difference in the last chapter today.  2 Chronicles ends with a message of hope for Israel because Cyrus of Persia announces that he will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and let anyone who desires go back to Jerusalem.  This announcement leads nicely into the next book of Ezra.  2 Kings didn't go over that, and just ended with Jehoiachin living in prison.

Luke
Luke 12:50-51 caught my attention.  Jesus said "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!  Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."
First of all, the fact that Jesus was distressed until he completed his 'baptism' which I think refers to his death and resurrection.  He doesn't always let us into his feelings about his task on earth.  Usually, we just hear about all the wonderful things he did in ushering in the kingdom of God.  But in this sentence, we find out just how much of an impact his ultimate goal had on him.  It was truly difficult for him to follow through with the plan.  We are privy to this struggle at one other point in scripture - his time in Gethsemane where he asks that God take 'this cup' from him, but also that God would have His will done.  When we're struggling with a difficult task that God has given us, we can run to Jesus, because he certainly knows what we're dealing with.
Verse 51 is also interesting because it makes me think of another verse about peace.  Luke 2:14 says "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."  Jesus' birth seems to usher in peace on earth, and yet later in his ministry, Jesus says that he didn't come to bring peace.  Seems like somewhat of a paradox.
However, after reading Gill's Exposition on the Bible, I have found somewhat of an answer.  God came to bring peace to men (as happened with Jesus' birth), but Jesus was not going to set up a political kingdom and solve the world's problems of peace or war.  So these two different verses are really talking about two different kinds of peace - God's and man's.  I think God's peace toward us is much more desirable and much longer lasting!

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded

Luke
Luke 12:48 says "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  I took this to mean that some people, if they haven't heard about Jesus, would still be able to get to heaven.  This verse reminded me of the passage in 1 Corinthians 3 where Paul said that those people who build on a foundation other than Christ will suffer loss, although they themselves will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.  So there would be a bit of harm, but in the end they are saved.
Here's a question for you - the more you know, the more you're able to avoid sinning, but the more you are punished if you do sin, which is really inevitably since we are fallen individuals.  Is it better to know more or less?

Seek first His kingdom

Luke
I've read this passage so often, the one about not worrying, found in Luke 12:22-34.  How do we revive the meaning in a passage that is already stuck in our heads, half-memorized, and losing meaning?  We have the head knowledge, that Jesus told us not to worry, because God cares for us.  But somehow we've got to translate those words into action.  That's what the entire Christian life is about, isn't it?  Translating what we know to be true into actual actions so that what we know changes our lives.  A key part to that transformation is prayer, and then letting God just take over.  We have to give up our will and desire to stress about things that are important to us, and simply (and not so simply) let God get involved.
I think a key verse here is verse 31 - "Seek first his kingdom, and then..."  If we start getting worried about our lives, chances are our focus is not first on God, but rather on our circumstances.  Take a step back and re-evaluate.  Are you seeking first his kingdom?

Eyes let in the light

Luke
Today I read about the story of how the eye is like a lamp, and when the eye lets in good light, the whole body is good, and when it lets in darkness, the whole body is dark (Luke 11:34).  Some commentaries try to liken the eye of the body to the eye of understanding.  To some degree, that is okay.  But I think we could just let the eye be the eye in this story.  For example, when you look on good things in life, and revel in nature, you can be drawn to God because you see the work of his hands.  When you read the bible, you're letting in light.   These sorts of visual activities bring light into the body.  But when you watch trash on TV, or see bad movies, or read inappropriate things, or go see inappropriate things, you're letting darkness in.  So we must make sure we let our eyes rest on the things of God, and that leads to bringing in more and more light to our understanding.  It's a tough thing to keep our eyes pure today, but we've got to rise to the challenge.

Did the world end on May 21?

1 Thessalonians
So, apparently the world was supposed to end on May 21.  That didn't happen...  My question is, why do people think they can accurately predict when the world will end?  It says right here in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."  We don't expect thieves to come in the night, and when they do, they're a surprise (unless you live in a very crime-ridden city).  That doesn't mean we can't be prepared for the eventuality.  When they do come, we won't be caught off guard.  But we won't know for certain when they'll come.
It's the same way with Christ's return.  We know he's coming back, that much is certain.  But when he'll come, we don't know, as was clearly evidenced by his non-return on May 21.  Not knowing when he'll come should not be worrisome, however.  If we're living in faith, knowing that our salvation comes through Christ alone, it won't matter when he comes back because regardless, we'll be ready.  And that's a relief!

Mary or Martha?

Luke
The passage I am commenting on today is rather short, so I'll just post it below.  Here is Luke 10:38-42:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

When I read this story, I often assume that it would be really easy to be Mary.  Who wants to do the house work anyway?  But when it comes right down to it, and I honestly think about it, I have to admit that I might find myself hanging out in the kitchen doing the work, thinking that it was more important to make sure Jesus had the best possible experience when in my home.  After all, I wouldn't want my guests to have bad food or be bored, or think my place was dirty.  But the main point of our relationship with Jesus, which should spill over into our other relationships, is spending time with him.  Being with people is key.  It's certainly a tough balance between maintaining a household and working, and spending time with family and friends.  It's not always an easy decision to make.  The right choice is not always clear.  We can take a lesson from Mary, though, and try to spend more time with God and less time with things and being busy just to be busy.

Repentance and the blood of Christ

Key verse
1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.


2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 - “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
God's love manifests itself in different forms.  If we repent and obey, he is kind and compassionate and slow to anger.  But if we have heard his commands and yet disobey, He will not hesitate to punish us.  Not that we have to fear fire from God every time we do something wrong, but we can't rest on  our laurels thinking that God has promised only to do good to us, even if we do bad.  Look at King Solomon.  God told him, right after verses 13 and 14, that yes, if they repented, he would save them.  But, if Solomon did not respect God's law and instead followed pagan gods, God would certainly send Israel into exile and destroy the temple Solomon had just built for Him.
Our good deeds will never save us.  Only the blood of Jesus, come with the new covenant, can cover our sin and intercede for us when we go off the trail.

Betrayal

Luke
In the midst of having done some miracles, Jesus turns to his disciples while the crowds are distracted and says to them, "Listen carefully, I'm going to be betrayed into the hands of men." (Luke 9:44)
How could he expect them to have a clue what he was talking about?  What does being 'betrayed into the hands of men' even mean?  Sometimes it's not too difficult to see why the disciples didn't really know what was going on; Jesus appears to leave out important contextual information for what he's talking about!
Looking back on this scene, it's easy to understand that, sure, now the crowds love Jesus because he is healing their sick, but Jesus warns that they will eventually turn on him.  But at the time he originally said this, does it make sense?
If you check out some commentaries on this verse (click here), they mention Jesus' suffering and death, but that just drives home the point that Jesus spoke in cryptic language that could only be understand after the fact.  Curious, isn't it?

We can see the kingdom of God

Luke
Jesus said in Luke 9:27 that there would be some among the disciples who would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God.  What does this mean?  The kingdom of God sometimes seems to be a bit ethereal, not just in the sense that it is part of the spiritual world, but also in that it seems like we could never be a part of it until we die.  But that's not the case.
The kingdom of God exists wherever God has sovereign control.  In one sense, that means everything is God's kingdom.  However, I think that in this context, and in most places where this phraseology is used in the bible, the kingdom of God refers to wherever people are joining in God's mission and working to extend his power in this earthly realm.  We can do this through the Holy Spirit.  Thus, God's kingdom probably truly started at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came on the disciples.
I'm getting a bit of help from Gill's Exposition on the Bible for this idea, but, in Luke 9:27, when Jesus said some of the disciples wouldn't die until they saw the kingdom of God, he meant that some of them would survive until he was raised to life and they could see firsthand his true power and authority as God's Son.

Wives submit

Colossians
Although we read Colossians today, I would like to point you to the commentary from Barnes on Ephesians 5:22 (click here to go to the commentary), which is a parallel passage to Colossians 3:18.  This verse is about wives submitting to their husbands.  Sometimes, people, particularly women, like to get all up in arms about this verse, and think they have to lay aside their personality, sense of self-worth, and pretty much everything else in order to submit to a husband.  That's not what we're talking about here.  Check out Barnes' notes - he gives a variety of circumstances that apply, but he also states that, above all, women must obey God.  God is the head of all people, and submission to husbands does not trump that.  Husbands must rule in line with Christ, and so, as long as both parties live within the will of God, there shouldn't be too much trouble.  It may not always work out so easily, but never let it be said that women have to forfeit their very selves in following their husbands.  The only person we completely surrender to is God.