The Power of Gospel-Formed Resolutions
Editor's note: This next month at GCD you will be seeing articles from our team of Staff Writers and other contributors on a handful of topics that Jonathan Edwards introduced in his own Resolutions. The aim of this series is to help you see how a gospel-formed resolution can help you flourish in your love for Christ and for others next year. Click here to see all articles in this series.
January 1 is a great day for introspection if you allow for it. Regardless of how you spent your final evening of last year, the clock has moved and today is a new start, a new year, a fresh beginning. In some South American contexts, the celebration of New Year’s gives a startling depiction of this transition. Life-sized models are stuffed with hay, newspaper, and an assortment of fireworks and other combustibles to be burned in effigy at the stroke of midnight. Often, masks representing particular political or cultural celebrities are placed on the doll to personify the year left behind. It’s a way of cleansing—burning away the previous year with its trials and difficulties and making room for a new, more hopeful year.
As the New Year comes into reality, there can be a sense of concern about the year ahead. What will the next 365 days hold for us? Will they be profitable? Will they be well spent? Will they hold joy and happiness, or despair and difficulty? Add to that concern a layer of shame that takes form in our hearts when we consider the missed opportunities, lack of progress, or downright failures we experienced in the year prior. I didn’t lose the weight I said I would, nor did I complete reading the Bible in its entirety. I didn’t pray. I didn’t give as much as wanted to. I didn’t defeat that habitual sin that has plagued my character.
Expressions like these squirm their way into my heart and mind every year. Usually, somewhere around mid-to-late December, I begin strategizing to tackle the year ahead differently. I develop a battle plan for things like personal Bible engagement and prayer. I stand on the scales and consider my overall hearth, and make a few dedications to drop the weight this year and exercise. I’ll even clean out my smartphone from all the excess applications and distractions so that I can be more focused and productive. I am willing to guess that many of us do similar activities. It has been a cultural phenomenon for years to make “New Year’s Resolutions.”
THE LAW OF THE RESOLUTION
I’ve wavered back and forth on the helpfulness of things like New Year’s Resolutions in my life. In some ways, we know they can be helpful and even formational for us as they give some definition and boundary to our lives. On the other hand, our resolutions can be disastrous when we fail to keep them. Those lingering feelings of guilt and shame are leftovers from last year’s failed resolutions. An even greater danger lurks in the heart of someone who has kept and accomplished their resolution—prideful self-righteousness.
Resolutions, some would argue, are essentially another form of legalism. They compile a list of “dos” and “don’ts” that limit the life of a follower of Jesus. Resolutions can become boundaries that limit the freedom of life in Christ with all its delights. The person who resolves to lose weight becomes a slave to food choices, exercise, and culinary asceticism. Those who resolve to undertake a spiritual discipline immediately become subject to the rituals of that discipline and sacrifice their freedom to appease the demands of the spiritual. Within the culture of any community, even the church, a group of practitioners or non-practitioners of any given resolution can quickly devolve into tribal gangs opposed to one another over such things as who does eat something, and who does not.
If this were the case, it would seem inherent to the freedom of human responsibility that resolutions should be left alone because they create an unnecessary legalism and separation. Even the danger of a legalistic following of a resolution can, within the church, destroy the bonds of unity and peace that the Spirit of God gives to his people. Resolutions, seen in this way, can be disastrous and therefore should be dismissed altogether.
JONATHAN EDWARDS’ RESOLUTIONS
But what if these types of resolutions were shaped and informed by the gospel? Could they then become some sort of meaningful and formative enterprise into which the Christian can find true growth and freedom? Could they be a means of development and joy, even grace, among a people of God? I believe so—as long as one understands and approaches resolutions from a posture of humility informed by the gospel.
Jonathan Edwards is a classic example of this sort of humble, gospel-centered resolving. Before he hit the age of twenty, Edwards found it important to create a set of governing principles to shape his character, practice, and piety. While one could imagine that Edwards’ resolutions were the product of a young and ambitious mind that never saw the light of practical day, it seems that these resolutions were foundational anchors to Edwards’ everyday life. His life exhibited growth in grace, temperance, and passion for the Lord.
But how did Edwards walk with these resolutions throughout his life? Was his resolve a product of mere white-knuckled willpower and obedience to a law he created? The evidence seems to point as far away from this perspective as possible. Edwards own introduction to his resolutions demonstrated the posture of his heart in achieving these resolutions:
“Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake”.[1]
Edwards’ ability to live out his resolutions was not a result of an extraordinary capacity towards regimented and obedient life. They were birthed by a greater ambition that had come to him through the gospel. For Edwards, his life was all about living to the glory of God in all things. The very first resolution he makes states, “Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God.”[2] Or, to say it another way, Edwards’ life was to be lived for “Christ’s sake.”
And yet, living for the sake of Christ and the glory of God fully required something deeper of Edwards: a clear understanding of his incapability of living that life apart from the supernatural enablement of the Spirit of God through the grace of God in Christ Jesus. He declared, “I am unable to do anything without God’s help.” It was clear in Edwards’ head that these resolutions were unattainable as goals for life apart from the power of God. Living to the glory of God, as desirable an end as that is, is unreachable because of our sin apart from God’s kindness towards sinners, which he displayed in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
GOSPEL-FORMED RESOLUTIONS
This is where our own resolutions can be informed. I want to better glorify God in my own life this year. I know there are areas of my heart, mind, and body that need to come under the transforming power of the gospel. I know I am accepted by God because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and that I am gifted with the Holy Spirit as both a guarantee and down payment of my redemption. He indwells me in order to craft and cultivate character within my life that glorifies Christ. Therefore, I can resolve to practice—or not practice—certain things, not in an effort to earn my right standing before God, but so that I can be more in tune with and shaped by the holiness of God to be more like Christ.
I can say with Edwards, “Resolved, Never to do any thing out of revenge[3]” and know that, if I do well in that regard this year, I am growing in Christ-likeness because I’ve tasted the goodness of God. I can also rest assured that if I fail (more like, when I fail) in this, I am still loved and accepted by the Father, and can confess and repent and resolve again with the power of God enabling me to get up and keep going.
In light of the gospel, these resolutions become tools by which we “make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness…” (2 Pet. 1:5). These resolutions are the vehicles that aim the trajectory of our lives to “strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). They give tangible, personal particulars to the call to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12).
Gospel-formed resolutions can be a helpful means putting to death the old person so that we can put on the new person of Christ-likeness and grow into godliness. Perhaps the first resolution we should adopt is to make a stuffed mannequin of ourselves, burn them at the stroke of midnight, and resolve to embrace the gospel and all its hope and security for the year ahead. We could resolve with great ambition to live for the sake of Christ under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit all our days. How the world would change.
[1] Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 1 (Banner of Truth Trust, 1974), lxii.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., lxiii.
Jeremy Writebol is the Executive Director of GCD. He is the husband of Stephanie and father of Allison and Ethan. He serves as the lead campus pastor of Woodside Bible Church in Plymouth, MI. He is also an author and contributor to several GCD Books including everPresent and Make, Mature, Multiply. He writes personally at jwritebol.net. You can read all of Jeremy’s articles for GCD here.
Endure Today for the Joy of Tomorrow
Seth Godin recently wrote:
“For the creator who seeks to make something new, something better, something important, everywhere you look is something unsatisfying.
The dissatisfaction is fuel. Knowing you can improve it, realizing that you can and will make things better—the side effect is that today isn't what it could be.
You can't ignore the dissatisfaction, can't pretend the situation doesn't exist, not if you want to improve things.
Living in dissatisfaction today is the price we pay for the obligation to improve things tomorrow.”
But there’s a problem, isn’t there? If living in dissatisfaction today is the price we pay for the obligation to improve things tomorrow, how many “tomorrow’s" do we have to face before improvement comes? Improvement hardly ever comes on our own timetable.
Just walking through the halls of our churches, it’s easy to grow discouraged over the things we want to change. Each Thursday when I plan my following week, it seems I never have enough time to work on the growing list of “long-term vision” items I want to pray through and work towards.
THE SLOW MARCH TOWARD THE FUTURE
Take solace in the reality that we aren’t alone in our slow march towards the future. Growing takes time.
A technology curator recently said, when commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone:
“Anything that is going to become a billion dollar industry in the next 10 years is already 10 years old. . . . That completely changes how we should approach innovation. There is no invention out of the blue, but prospecting, mining, refining and then goldsmithing to create something that's worth more than its weight in gold.”
We forget what existence was like before the iPhone, and, even then, we probably take its advent for granted. Think about your everyday usage of a smartphone. Whether you’re scrolling through a feed, posting a photo, or using an app, so much of your daily life has been shaped by this invention. Even though we live in the world shaped by the iPhone, we rarely stop to think about the decades of research, innovation, and failure that had to occur to make the iPhone’s world-changing release possible.
Just like the iPhone and other innovations, our churches won’t change overnight. Yet we so often think this is how change will (or should) happen. This leads us to make some unwise decisions. For example, we see things as we want them to be instead of as they are, and expect our people to do the same; we think our people will receive change with joy; we think we’ll refine and processes and introduce new procedures with instantaneous success.
Why do we expect these kinds of results with so little time and friction? We are so unwilling to be dissatisfied that we’ve fooled ourselves into thinking that change will be easy and painless.
The real issue is our endurance and perseverance; our inability to live in dissatisfaction today so we can see satisfaction tomorrow. Instead of seeing dissatisfaction as fuel for a change we pray is coming, we see it as a frustration that warrants complaining.
So how do we endure? How do we continue to recast the vision, continue to garner support, and stay positive through it all? We look to Jesus.
JESUS’ ENDURANCE AND TENACITY
In Jesus, we find a model of endurance and tenacity. One of the most striking examples of this is found in John’s account of Jesus before Pilate. Jesus appears so resolute, so firm. There’s not even a hint of doubt or uncertainty.
John 18:33-35 explains,
“So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?’”
Jesus’ answers are so tenacious that he threatens to put Pilate on the defensive. Jesus is steadfast in his resolve to endure the cross. What fuels his steadfastness and resolve?
John 18:36-37 continues,
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’ Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king.’”
Here we see the key to Jesus’ endurance and tenacity: Jesus kept his eyes on the Kingdom and the will of the Father instead of the present opposition. In his exchange with Pontius Pilate, Jesus stands firm. He sternly responds, declaring the audacious claims of his other-worldly kingdom. Knowing the cost. Knowing Pilate’s defense. Knowing the coming verdict from the crowd.
Yet he does so with joy.
ENDURANCE TODAY LEADS TO JOY TOMORROW
Hebrews 12:2 tells us we are “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
When we look to Jesus, we see he was resolute before Pilate—before the cross—for the joy set before him. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was to come.
What was the content of that joy? After verse 2, we read “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:3). The joy set before Jesus—the joy for which he endured hostility and the cross—was that you and I might not grow weary or fainthearted.
Jesus’ joy in enduring the cross is an example encouraging us to endure: “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (Heb. 12:12-13).
Jesus was pleased to endure the cross to lift our drooping hands, strengthen our weak knees, and make our paths straight.
THE PLEASURE OF ENDURANCE
Jesus was pleased to endure the cross to strengthen our hands for the work of ministry—so work with patience, with fervor, with tenacity, and with perspective.
Jesus was pleased to endure the cross to strengthen our knees to continue praying—so pray with patience, with intensity, and with great expectation
Jesus was pleased to endure the cross to make the paths of our feet straight—so establish plans, processes, and procedures within your church, and trust the Lord to bear fruit.
Hebrews 2:13-14 appears to allude to Isaiah 35:3-4: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’”
Trust that as you work, as you pray, and as you plan, the Lord will respond with graciousness and favor.
What was the joy set before Jesus? The joy for which he endured the cross? Our perseverance. Our ability to endure. Our ability to press on; not growing faint or weary; not having drooping hands or weak knees or walking crooked paths.
Jesus’ willingly endured the cross for the joy of helping us endure and persevere, work patiently, wait for his timing, and seeing us live beyond worldly satisfaction.
Chris DiVietro is husband to Liz and daddy to Aletheia, Judah, and Evangeline. Chris is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Reading, Pa and has a PhD in Organizational Leadership. Chris is happy to be back living in the north after five hot years in South Carolina.
The Marvelous Condescension of Christmas
“Yes,” said Queen Lucy. “In our world too, a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”
These words from Narnian adventurer Lucy Pevensie in C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle articulate well the irony and majesty of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Only the wisdom of the Creator and Lord of the universe could turn our notions of normal on their ear in such a profound way, revealing to us a manger whose “inside is bigger than its outside.” It seems he delights in astounding his creatures with his infinite ability to exceed and confound their expectations.
No doubt the news of Christ’s birth came as a jaw-dropping, thrill-inducing revelation to those shepherds so long ago: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The very God whom Solomon had described as uncontainable, even by the heavens, confined himself to the womb of a woman? How could it be?
But, while the physical wonder of what God accomplished in the Incarnation is colossal in its display of power and wisdom, that is not even the point of the angel’s announcement to the shepherds—it is simply the paper on which an even more marvelous proclamation is embossed forever.
UNTO YOU IS BORN
If I put myself in the sandals of the shepherds, I cannot help but notice that there is a special message, a stunning declaration embedded in this announcement. It is “unto me” that a Savior has been born! Unto me? Surely there must be some mistake. Why would God go through all that trouble just for me? Surely there is some greater person for whom this announcement is meant. Did the angel take a wrong turn on his way to the king’s palace or the temple in Jerusalem?
I’m a nobody. How could this historic pronouncement be meant for me? Yet there the light is, and now the whole choir of angels is singing. It must be true!
And, indeed, it is true. For our sake, not only does the God of the universe wield kingdoms, topple obstacles, and overcome adversaries—he sacrifices his very best, his very dearest. God sent his only begotten Son into the world to die for little, unimportant, who’s-ever-heard-of-them individuals. As a result, whosoever believes in him will not perish but will have everlasting life.
It is “unto you” that a Savior was sent, that a baby was born, that the Christ was crucified.
A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD
When most of us see a manger scene, our response to the reminder of what God became for us is limited to a placid, “Oh, isn’t the little baby Jesus sweet! How precious that Jesus was once an infant, so weak and helpless.” While it is appropriate to marvel at the smallness of the parcel into which God packed our Redeemer, let us not get the wrong idea about this child. He is Lord.
Paul tells us in Colossians 1:17 that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was “before all things,” and in him “all things hold together.” One of the greatest wonders of the Incarnation is that somehow the very baby that Mary held was at the same time holding her together, along with the rest of the universe.
The hand that rocks this cradle doesn’t rule the world—but the baby in the cradle does! The little finger that held hers was also holding the Roman Empire, guiding the Arctic Tern in its migration from Africa to Antarctica, and keeping Mars in its orbit around the Sun.
Just because Jesus became an infant human doesn’t mean he ever gave up being Lord. This is the clear implication of the angel’s announcement: “unto you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Jesus Christ—the Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday and today and forever—ruled and sustained the universe from his cradle. No wonder the magi who would later come to see him would fall down and worship him—they knew they were in the presence of the Majesty, even when he was cloaked in familiarity.
LYING IN A MANGER
If we pretend we have never heard the story of the Incarnation, doubtless this is among the most shocking statements in all of the Bible. The fact that angels would herald the birth of the God-man is no great surprise—surely he deserved that and more. That others would come to worship him is also to be expected—certainly, the Christ is worthy and demanding of such reverence. But here is the rest of the royal birth announcement: “you will find the baby”—where?—“lying in a cattle trough” (Luke 2:12).
A cattle trough? As if the humiliation of becoming human and living among sinners was not enough! Surely he deserves to be born into one of the palaces he has sustained, or even just a nice, middle-class apartment.
But no. The Son of God was born into the world and had only a trough for his cradle.
MARVELLOUS CONDESCENSION
What marvelous condescension we see in Christmas! Condescension to come at all, condescension to become a human, and condescension to live his life in abject poverty and rejection. Surely such a Savior is to be praised; such a Christ is to be followed.
How can we who take his name on ourselves as Christians and expect a life of lavender and rose petals? Surely to follow this Lord means following him in all his glorious and voluntary humiliation, suffering, and sacrifice for the glory of God.
The shepherds who heard the angels’ doxology responded by saying to one another, “Let us go … and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” What is your response? Do you want to look further into this matter of God becoming a man? Is your appetite whetted for more of this exalted Lord who humiliates himself for our sake?
Let’s hurry into his presence and beg for a greater glimpse of him this Christmas season.
Justin Huffman has pastored in the States for over 15 years, authored the “Daily Devotion” app (iTunes/Android) which now has over half a million downloads, and recently published a book with Day One: Grow: the Command to Ever-Expanding Joy. He has also written articles for For the Church, Servants of Grace, and Fathom Magazine. He blogs at justinhuffman.org.
Biblical Authority as Relationship, Not Rulebook
Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from our latest book, That Word Above All Earthly Powers, written by Gerry Breshears with Whitney Woollard (Whitney is one of our staff writers). If you like this article, then be sure to pick up a paperback or Kindle copy.
Our generation has a problem with authority—we don’t trust it and, quite frankly, we don’t like it. This presents unique challenges in speaking to the Bible’s authority, a concept rejected by many as antiquated and stifling. How can an ancient document have the right to command me to any belief or action in the twenty-first century? And how can, or perhaps why should, any book bind my conscience in all matters of faith, life and practice?
These are legitimate questions to be dealt with well as Christians engage a world that is increasingly shaped by anti-authority sentiments. The idea that someone should do this or that simply “because the Bible says so” no longer holds up. It may work in a Christian bubble or conservative movement, but not in the world. Besides, those whom we call to follow Jesus need to know what makes the Bible authoritative and what that authority means for their new life in Christ. This is particularly important as we disciple them in the Word of God and instruct them to submit their entire lives to it. Obviously, no small call.
To help us towards that end, we’ve asked Gerry Breshears, Ph.D., professor of theology and chairman of biblical and theological studies at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon to share his approach to the Bible and its authority. A work this size can hardly be comprehensive. Yet, Gerry and I (Whitney) have highlighted key pieces to consider when working with the Bible as an authoritative document binding upon God’s people.
WHAT MAKES THE BIBLE AUTHORITATIVE?
You have to start here. Ask yourself, “What is it that makes the Bible authoritative?” Of course, a significant piece is that it’s God’s Word, it’s inspired text. This is what theologians call the doctrine of inspiration: That work of God wherein he providentially prepared and moved the human authors enabling them to receive and communicate according to their individual personalities and styles the truth he would have his people know for his glory and human salvation.
A whole book could be written explaining inspiration but, in short, it means that God speaks to us through his Word. The Holy Spirit “carried along” the authors of Scripture in such a way that their words were God’s very words (see 2 Peter 1:19-21). They were literally “breathed out” by him so that we could receive salvation, learn truth about him and his world, and understand how to live God’s way in order to enjoy his best for our lives (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The implication of this doctrine is that when we read the Bible, we are actually reading the words of God! Pretty profound, huh? Therein lies a significant piece of its authority. Far from being a book that gives “basic instructions before leaving earth,” the Bible, as God’s Word, has divine authority because God has authority in your life as the one who alone created the universe and rules over all. This is not authority as “Bible” but authority as that which comes from the triune God (who, to be clear, is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit not God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Bible). It’s authoritative because it’s God’s words.
But what’s the nature of that authority? Inspiration tells you God has the right to command you to do something simply because he is the authoritative God who has spoken to you through his Word. But if we stop here we end up back where we started — “just do this because the Bible says so” — never understanding the God revealed in the Bible. Isn’t that the simplistic argument our generation has rejected? Moreover, isn’t it what the sufferers of authoritarianism, dogmatic fundamentalism, and spiritual abuse have cast off? So, it seems to us that inspiration is a key piece of the Bible’s authority but it’s not the entire picture.
A FULLER PICTURE OF THE BIBLE’S AUTHORITY
To get this picture we need to look at the nature of the God who speaks through the Bible. Gerry goes to Exodus 14 where God redeems his people from the hand of the Egyptians with an outstretched arm as they cross the red sea on dry land. You get the song of triumph by Moses, Miriam, and company in Exodus 15 where together they praise God for his redemptive work. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end at this high point. You turn to Exodus 16 and the people are already grumbling about having no food. What does God do? He provides food. In Exodus 17 they’re grumbling about having no water. What does God do? He provides water.
Then at the end of Exodus 17 the Amalekites attack Israel and you get that interesting battle where the Israelites are winning so long as Aaron and Hur are holding up Moses’ hands. You see that God is with Israel and he protects them from their enemies. After their victory God tells Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua” (Exodus 17:14). This is the first command to anyone in Scripture to write something down. Which means it’s pretty important. What was Moses to write down and recite? A bunch of rules? Actually, no. He was to write down all the ways that God had redeemed, provided for, and protected his people. So that’s the first thing—God is there to redeem, provide for, and protect people who don’t deserve it.
Then in Exodus 19 God invites the people, the grumblers of chapters 16 and 17, into a covenantal relationship. This covenant is ratified in Exodus 24 when Moses takes the elders up onto the mountain and draws near to the Lord. After he does the sacrifice and sprinkles the blood he comes to the people and tells them “all the words of the Lord and all the rules” (Exodus 24:3). In verse four we see Moses write down all these words, thus getting more written Scripture. Now you see that God is not only the one who redeems, provides for, and protects, but he’s also the God who initiates and invites covenant relationship with humans. The invitation to relationship comes first and the “rules” of that relationship (i.e., the law which the Israelites understood to be authoritative) come after. When you put the pieces together the following theme emerges in regards to the Bible’s authority:
The Bible is authoritative because it comes from God (inspiration) and he has the right to command us to do things and tell us how to relate to him not only because he is the God of the universe, but also because he is the God who redeems, provides for, and protects, and he wants to have a good relationship with us.
THE BIBLE AS A COVENANT DOCUMENT
So you see the Bible is not a book of rules that you try to obey to get into heaven when you die or feel guilty about when you break. Rather, it’s a covenantal document written by people telling the story of God acting in history to redeem and protect his people. It recounts how God invites people into a covenant relationship – like a marriage – with rules of relationship so we can have an intimate relationship with him and become a people characterized by faithfulness, generosity and justice.
Think of it as a father in a loving relationship with his kids. Or a spouse in a faithful marriage to his wife. Don’t think rulebook used by teacher in a classroom. It’s not that. It’s a covenantal God who has redeemed and provided for us through Jesus the Messiah and will protect us until his return. Thus, the Bible is the binding covenant document given by this God so we can know and receive Jesus, learn how to live for him, and be sent out on mission with him.
If people are going to reject the authority of the Bible (and many will), let’s make sure they’re rejecting the Bible rather than some pop-cultural view of God that hands us a rulebook with impossibly high standards to get his kicks and giggles from watching us fail. That’s a distorted, unbiblical view. The God who gave his own Son to be in relationship with you is the same God who gave you the inspired Word so you could know him and enjoy good relationship with him.
Does this mean that the Bible is all relationship and no rules? Of course not. Look back at Exodus 24:3. Moses was to write down all the words and all the rules of the Lord. The Bible does have rules (or “commands”) that help navigate our walk with Jesus just as every good relationship comes with rules.
THE “RULES” OF RELATIONSHIP
If you’ve ever read the Bible you’ve come across rules. The infamous ones are known as the ten commandments. You shall have no other gods before me, you shall not make for yourself a carved image, you shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, and so forth. Almost everyone is familiar with these commands. But often they’re taken out the context of Israel’s story. These rules were given by God after he redeemed them and entered into covenant with them. They were the positive things God put into place to help humans cultivate a happy relationship with him and others.
Before you balk at this idea, consider how we see this in marriage or family. We all have rules that help make our relationships work. Gerry’s rule for his sweetheart Sherry is “Thou shalt not touch thy husband at night unless thou is having a nightmare and needs to be touched.” The reason being, once he’s awake he’s up for the night. Or, “Thou shalt kiss thy wife whenever she walkest into the house.” When a husband gets adequate sleep or a wife gets lots of kisses it makes for a happy marriage. See, happy rules! But they are rules.
A lot of the Bible is like that. A covenantal God giving rules to his people so that they can be in a happy relationship with him and others. For example, the command not to commit adultery is put in place so a husband and wife can enjoy fruitful, faithful intimacy with each other. It is an authoritative rule God’s people are to live by but it’s a good rule that protects a marriage. It’s for our benefit!
I (Whitney) remember a time right after my conversion when I was “hanging out” with a boy I had crushed on for years. It was finally happening! Then one morning I opened by Bible to 1 Corinthians 6:18 (all new to me, by the way) and came across these words: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” The Spirit gripped my conscience with those words. I realized this was a boundary marker or a “rule” that I needed to live by. Immediately I broke it off. I see now how those words were for my benefit from a loving father. To this day I thank God for that rule.
The point is, when we reject the Bible’s authority we’re rejecting the very things that have been put in place by a loving God for our good. Far from being that which stifles our “true selves,” the rules in the Bible set us free to be fully human. The Bible teaches us how to cultivate a heart that loves Jesus and Jesus’ people and how to walk with him in a way that nourishes our souls. It warns us to run from those things which hurt us or vandalize the image of God in others. It trains us to become people of justice and mercy and righteousness. It gives us guidance on how to carry out his mission in his world.
Submitting to the Bible’s authority is actually a good and beautiful thing. As Gerry helpfully teaches, accepting God’s authority in Scripture means loving him, taking his values to heart, obeying his commands, embracing his promises, declaring those promises in life and word wherever we go. Isn’t this something we, as believers, should desire not reject? Shouldn’t his words bind our consciences in all matters of faith, life and practice?
BUT, WAIT, WHAT ABOUT…?
If you accept our proposition, that as the inspired Word of God the Bible alone is the final authority for all matters of faith and life and what it teaches comes with divine authority because it is the covenant document of God’s redemptive relationship with his people, you may still have some questions. Namely, what do you do with all the parts of Scripture that isn’t commands or rules? How do you “obey” a narrative or submit to a song? And is all the Bible equally authoritative and binding on your life as it was for the original hearers? Plus, why are there so many issues in your life that the Bible doesn’t speak to? Good questions! Here are some points to consider when thinking about the Bible’s authority in your life:
1. HOW CAN NARRATIVES AND PSALMS BE AUTHORITATIVE?
The Bible is one big story. It’s the story of God acting to save people from sin, self, and Satan, to judge and condemn evil and sin in the world and to set people free to be fully human, just like Jesus. Genres like narrative or psalms are authoritative in the fact that they help us learn that story, show us the character of God, and reveal his purposes for his world. We see that the whole story points towards the true Hero, Jesus, and teaches us how to receive his salvation and then live like him. As we read the Bible, we are called to live in a way that is consistent with God’s redemptive purposes in Christ, its characters and themes revealed, and the directions that have been set up in the story. For example, as we navigate relationships with broken people we follow the narrative of Jesus who loves and serves the prostitute who is under the death penalty even as he calls her to repentance. That’s something we learn through narrative. Or, like the psalmist, we choose to trust in God’s stated outcome even though we have not seen it come to pass yet. So, even though these texts aren’t strictly “legal” we can submit to them by following the mission and character of God revealed in them.
2. IS ALL THE BIBLE EQUALLY AUTHORITATIVE?
All the Bible is equally God’s Word, but there are parts that were written for a particular era which give us broader principles to apply but are not directly binding. For example, the Mosaic covenant was given to Israel after the Abrahamic covenant until the Messiah came and the New Covenant was inaugurated. In Galatians 3:19-4:7 Paul explains how the law acted as a “babysitter” or a “guardian” to help keep Israel until the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. Now that Jesus, Abraham’s offspring, has come and inaugurated the New Covenant promises, we are no longer under the Mosaic code. Gerry ate bacon for breakfast the day we met about this article. I (Whitney) ate sausage. We’re okay to do that. However, much in the law of Moses is a part of the bigger picture of biblical morality and reveals to us what the divine priorities are. We would do well to apply culturally appropriate applications from the principles set forth in those texts. Of course, this will require the hard work of good interpretation which we encourage you to do.
3. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ISSUES WHERE THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US WHAT TO DO?
There are a lot of specifics in our daily life that just aren’t addressed in the Bible. So how do we submit to its authority in areas that seem unclear? Well, first off, what the Bible prescribes we must believe and do. This is the black and white stuff. Faith in Jesus and repentance of sin is the only way to the Father (see John 14:6). Looking at porn is a sin (see Matthew 15:18-20). Being a part of a vibrant faith community is a must (see Hebrews 10:25). Next, what the Bible describes we should follow as closely as possible. The book of Acts is a great example. It’s a descriptive narrative telling us how the gospel spread to the ends of the earth. As we engage the same mission, we should follow the disciples in the book of Acts as closely as possible. Finally, when the Bible is silent, he intended to give us freedom to be Spirit-led and wise. This pertains to issues like who you should marry, if you should take that job offer, if you should move your family overseas, and so forth. The Bible didn’t tell me (Whitney) to marry Neal. Rather, it shaped the values I was looking for in a spouse. When I met Neal I saw that he loved Jesus, had integrity, and was missionally-minded, so I married him! A lot of life is lived in this area. You seek wisdom and guidance from God and people, pray for the Spirit’s leading and then make a decision. The authority of the Bible sets you free to make decisions, it shouldn’t paralyze you.
READ YOUR BIBLE!
One final admonition from us—read the Bible! What a treasure we have in our hands. At any moment we can open the Bible and hear the voice of God. In a culture that is growing increasingly confused, we can go to the Bible and receive authoritative words with clarity and confidence knowing that it comes from a loving Father who wants his kids to have a good relationship with him.
So take up and read.
Read the Scriptures in the context of the whole story and in the context of the worshipping, serving body of Christ, as well as privately and devotionally, for the sake of joining God’s gospel work in the world. Then together, with the Spirit’s help, submit your life to God’s Word in all matters of faith and life and experience the joy that comes from faithful submission.
Gerry Breshears has been professor of theology at Western Seminary since 1980. In addition to teaching and lecturing at a number of colleges and seminaries around the world, he speaks in many churches. He ministers with a wide variety of people and issues in the pastoral side of his life. He works in leadership in the Evangelical Theological Society nationally and regionally, including having served as national president. Gerry and his wife, Sherry, have two sons, Donn and David, and a daughter, Cyndee, and four wonderful grandchildren. He is an elder and a member of the preaching team at Grace Community Church of Gresham, Oregon.
Whitney Woollard is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. She serves as a staff writer at Gospel-Centered Discipleship and contributes to various ministries, including YouVersion, 9Marks, and the Bible Project. She holds her M.A. in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and loves sharing her passion for the Word with others. She has been married to Neal for over ten years and together they serve Jesus at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. You can contact her at www.whitneywoollard.com.
The Word for the World
The following is an excerpt from our newest release, That Word Above All Earthly Powers. You can pick up the book in Kindle or paperback format.
In the film, Ghost in the Shell, the central character has an entirely upgraded body, complete with cloaking abilities and enhanced strength. Her brain, however, is intact, salvaged from her mangled body, just before she died.
Haunted by memories that don’t square with what she’s been told about her past, she lives between a distant humanity and a very real cybernetic present. She struggles to grasp who she is while concluding, “We cling to memories as if they define us, but what we do defines us.”
DO ACTIONS MATTER MOST?
In an age of activism and protest, it’s easy to think that words don’t really matter. It’s what we do that counts. But when we speak, we actually act. In marriage vows, the words of the bride and groom move them from friend to spouse. Words can make a vow, bring someone back from the brink of suicide, and inflict pain that lingers for decades.
Words are active and powerful.
This is why James warns that the tongue is like a tiny rudder which turns an entire ship, and can set the whole world on fire. The right words from our president could trigger a nuclear war, and the words, “I love you” spoken from a sincere heart can change the course of your life. If human words are that powerful, it stands to reason that God’s words are all the more vital.
So where do we find God’s words? In the Bible.
THE SPEECH OF GOD
The Bible is God’s personal speech to us. Over and over again the Scriptures record, “Thus said the Lord” or “The word of the Lord came to…” When you hear someone’s voice in another room, you can tell who it is without even seeing them. Why? Because their speech is uniquely personal; it reveals them and not somebody else. Similarly, God’s words are uniquely personal; they reveal him. The Bible is God speaking, in space and time, to us.
Now what is particularly unique about God’s voice is that it comes through other voices. Male voices, female voices, voices of all kinds of experiences, ethnicities, cultures and in three different languages. His word is modulated through speakers. But just because it is modulated through people doesn’t mean it originated with people, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). So while the Bible is true to people’s experience, it isn’t dictated by experience; it is dictated, in a sense, by God’s Spirit. The authors of Scripture spoke from God, not themselves, as God exhaled his revelation through their unique personalities (2 Timothy 3:16). But, for some, this idea seems like a stretch.
If we rule out this possibility, that God can speak to humanity through his Spirit and his Word, then we’re left with two problems. First, we’re saying if there is a God he is incapable of communicating with us. But if he is God, shouldn’t he be free to communicate however he wants?
Second, if we approach Scripture with the assumption God can’t speak through people to reveal himself, and that the Bible can’t be trusted, we’re judging his voice before we’ve even heard it. We’re saying, without having heard his voice, what his voice is like—not the voice of Scripture. This would be like making up our mind that Morgan Freeman’s voice is not his voice without ever having heard it.
This places us over Freeman, assaulting his uniqueness, predetermining what he can and cannot sound like, when in reality his speech is just that—his speech. We cannot change what is. God speaks, and it is precisely because he possesses this attribute—speech—that we speak. We are cut from the cloth of a communicating God.
As Tom Wolfe points out, “Speech, and only speech gives man the power to ask questions about his own life—and take his own life. No animal ever commits suicide.” Indeed, speech allows us to explore these questions even now. It follows, then, that if God has chosen the Scriptures to communicate with us, and his words are the origin of all, shouldn’t we lean in to learn the sound of his voice?
THE SOUND OF JESUS
What, then, does his voice sound like? It sounds like Jesus.
The word of God is not only his capacity to speak, a divine attribute, but it is also a person, the Word, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus is the Word.
As history unfolds, the use of prophets taper off and the person of Christ takes their place, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1). Christ is the Word, the speech of God whom the Spirit bears witness to. But what does he witness Jesus doing?
Jesus did not just stand on a mountain, like a heavenly attraction, for people to visit and marvel at. The Word taught, using words. And when Jesus was on trial for all his words, words that upset the status quo, that questioned what people thought, Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the world.
Jesus replied, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth” (John 19:37). The truth, not a truth. We can’t overwrite his words here. Jesus says his purpose was to bear witness to the truth, the truth concerning his cosmic royalty and redemption. We don’t have to like his words, but that would be a silly reason to reject them. Do we truly think God will always agree with us, take our side, and support our every thought? Who then would be the real God?
Jesus taught that he was the Messiah of God come to rescue sinners who repent and trust in him for salvation. But the Word did more than teach; he enacted his teaching. He gave lessons that previewed his actions. Jesus did not pit word against deed. The Word stood up for the truth, and it cost him his life. He threw himself in front of the oncoming eighteen-wheeler of God’s holy wrath to deliver us from sin, death, and hell.
His blood still speaks . . . and his body rose from the dead.
THE WORD FOR THE WORLD
Walking on the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Word taught once again. He joined his journeying disciples, but they didn’t have a clue who he was. It wasn’t enough for the grieving disciples to see Jesus. They needed to hear his voice—for the Word to reveal himself, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). He explained how it was necessary he suffer these things and then enter into glory. We’re told their hearts burned within them and their eyes were opened to the Word, and then he vanished.
The Bible is the Word of God, and the Word of God is the centerpiece of the Bible. The Word is God’s speech, and God’s speech is the Word. Scripture is God’s revelation, and it reveals, supremely, the person and work of Christ for the world. How can this be? John Frame explains, “There is no contradiction between thinking of the word as a divine attribute and thinking of the Word as the name of the eternal Son of God. Fatherhood is a divine attribute, but Father is also the name of the first person of the Trinity.”
Therefore, we can say that the Word points to the Word. The Law, the Psalms, the Prophets, every epoch of history points forward to Christ. They show us the need for a just ruler and a humble sufferer. A king who can lead us out of this mess, and a savior who can take our place. In this way, the Word is for the world.
The Bible is a collection of memories meant to inscribe us into redemptive history, eternally defining us in a way our actions never could, sons and daughters of a flawless Father, citizens of the cosmic King. But when we fail to return to these inspired, performative, transforming stories—the true story of the world—we fill in our own stories with lesser words.
WHEN WORDS ARE ENOUGH
When we wake up and peruse the news headlines, or spend our morning scrolling a social media feed, we replace the redemptive memories of the world with ephemeral chatter and fleeting headlines. If this process repeats, we will find ourselves at a distance from God and overcome by the brokenness of the world. Enough with the words. The controversy and chaos are simply too great.
This leaves us with two decisions, spiral into despair, reaching for a pint of distraction to wash it down. Or take up redemption ourselves, subtly believing it is what we do that the defines us and the world. If we choose the latter, every injustice necessarily becomes something we must right. We become savior and judge. Those who fail to join our crusades suffer our scorn. When in fact, we will be dead in a matter of time.
But those who saturate their hearts and minds with the speech of God, and behold day by day the Word of Christ, will respond with the very character of Christ, the Word become humble flesh. We will act out of the redemptive memory of a Savior who suffers and rises to make all things new. We will reject the dichotomy between thinking and doing, reading and acting, and allow the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly, so much so that we respond in all kinds of unexpected ways—service and silence, witness and study.
Far from ghosts in a shell, we are embodied souls shaped by the Word. We speak and we act because the Bible is personal speech of a crucified God—the Word for the World. But only in Christ do we find the perfect balance, a person whose actions do not speak louder than words, and words do not speak louder than actions; instead, they speak in concert, emitting the sound of redemption and forgiveness for all who will take them in. The Word that is enough.
The Bible is God’s speech to us, and we have it in our hands, but will we give it to the world?
Jonathan K. Dodson (M.Div, Th.M) is the founding pastor of City Life Church in Austin, TX which he started with his wife, Robie, and a small group of people. They have three children. He is also the founder of GCDiscipleship.com and author of a number of books including Gospel-Centered Discipleship, and Here in Spirit: Knowing the Spirit who Creates, Sustains, and Transforms All Things (IVP, 2018).
Confessions of a Connoisseur
I recently read an interview conducted with the few common citizens who were able to obtain seats for the Academy Awards in Hollywood. “It's American royalty,” said Barbara Doyle, 57. “We don't have the queen. We have actors and actresses.” “I've always wanted to do this,” said 48 year-old Pam Ford, who won front-row seats from a TV station. “To win and sit in the front row, it's beyond comprehension, anything I ever dreamed of. I could die tomorrow.”
Really? That’s the greatest dream she could envision? Surely there has to be more to life than this! Indeed, there have been those (including movie stars themselves) who have set much higher goals and pursued much greater pleasures, yet have still found they over-estimated the fulfillment even the grandest physical and mental achievements can provide.
A CONNOISSEUR CONFESSES
The dictionary defines a connoisseur as “a person with expert knowledge or training; a person of informed and discriminating taste.” Given that description, we might well say that the entire book of Ecclesiastes is the confession of a connoisseur, not just in one area or discipline, but every aspect of life and living.
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, was one of the wealthiest and most intelligent men who has ever lived. He had everything—and tried everything—in order to find happiness. He makes the startling claim, “I have seen everything that is done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:14), and goes on to challenge the reader to find a more experienced connoisseur: “What can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done” (Ecclesiastes 2:12).
This book, then, is the remarkable journal of a connoisseur who tried it all and has passed his findings on to us. It is important to realize that Solomon was not merely a whining failure who couldn’t reach the top and so despised and disparaged it. No, Solomon was a success in every area of life and is speaking to us from under the sun, but also from on top of the world!
I TURNED MY HEART TO KNOW
Solomon gave himself wholly to the pursuit of personal pleasure and knowledge: “I turned my heart to know…” (Ecclesiastes 7:25). And because Solomon was a man of tremendous power, influence, intellect, and resources, he was successful to the extent that he experienced everything the world has to offer. He became “a person of expert knowledge” in every area of life. He tried it all, with all his might.
In order to appreciate the extent of Solomon’s existential research, we could summarize his experiences in six categories.
Knowledge and Education
Solomon says, “I applied my heart to know wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 1:17). Solomon was the scholar’s scholar, the academic’s academic. He excelled in science, architecture, philosophy, religion, literature—you name it, he had mastered it. In fact, the queen of Sheba tested him in exactly this manner, pressing him with every hard question she could think of and observing first-hand all his accomplishments. Even this wealthy, intelligent, and powerful woman finally admitted that “the half was not told” her in relation to Solomon’s wealth of wisdom (1 Kings 10:1-7).
The Arts and Entertainment
Solomon frankly states, “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself’” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). He said he listened to a variety of singers, musical instruments, etc. (Ecclesiastes 2:8). There was no end to Solomon’s resources, and he dedicated his bottomless assets to the pursuit of every escape and amusement money could buy.
Temporary Highs
As is common, Solomon combined his pursuit of entertainment with other opportunities for temporary excitement. He says, “I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine” (Ecclesiastes 2:3). It appears Solomon was not half-hearted about anything he did, including partying and drunkenness.
Accomplishments and Luxuries
“I made great works,” Solomon boasts, including houses, gardens, and water features he designed himself (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6). Even though he was a king, he was also what we call a “renaissance man.” He was not idle but used his massive talents and creativity to push the boundaries of accomplishment in every direction.
Power and Wealth
Solomon was king of Israel during the zenith of its influence and prosperity. “I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces” (Ecclesiastes 2:8), he says. In fact, we are told that in Solomon’s time silver was not even highly regarded because gold was in such abundance! Take a trip to Tiffany’s today and you’ll see that even in the U.S. we have not approached this level of wealth.
Companionship and Sex
The most infamous lady’s man in modern history could not hold a candle to the exploits of Solomon. He furnished himself with 1,000 women of his choice, who were always at his beck and call (1 Kings 11:3).
We can sum up Solomon’s endeavors with this simple observation: in Ecclesiastes 2:4-10, Solomon uses the words “me,” “myself,” “I,” or “mine” over thirty times. Solomon gave himself to himself in order to pursue the greatest pleasure and fulfillment he could find for himself!
ALL IS VANITY
It’s easy to identify other people’s idolatry. But our own idols often have a way of hiding from our soul-searching gaze. Tim Keller provides some insight to help identify our personal idols. Keller observes, “An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, ‘If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.’”
What has been occupying your thoughts, your ambitions, your affections lately?
Millions of people were waiting with great anticipation for the next iteration of the iPhone, although a new version is sure to come out next year and make this year’s obsolete. Others may not care a thing about the latest tech, but feel their life will surely be fulfilled if only they can get into the right school, win the state championship, get that next promotion, find the right person to marry, or . . .
From the man who had it all, tasted it all, and tried it all, comes this intensely disappointed testimony: “all is vanity.”
His experiences “under the sun,” or without God, are summed up with the single word vanity—emptiness. Solomon uses this word over thirty times in this single sermon. Vexation is used 4 times; folly 7 times. Solomon found life empty, frustrating, and foolish without the purpose and power of God.
After giving himself, with all his unparalleled skill and resources, to find happiness under the sun, Solomon comes to this tragic conclusion: “I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
His gaping void reminds me of an interview I came across several years ago with Halle Berry, an Academy Award-winning actress. When asked what if felt like to have so much success and beauty, Berry responded with indignation: “Beauty? Let me tell you something—being thought of as a beautiful woman has spared me nothing in life,” she said. “No heartache, no trouble. Love has been difficult. Beauty is essentially meaningless and it is always transitory.”
THE HAPPY LIFE
Ecclesiastes has been called a lesson from “the discipline of a divine education.” Solomon learned through bitter experience the same reality that Augustine came to also: “There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.”
Your house doesn’t really protect you. The food in your fridge won’t ultimately sustain your life. Your smartphone can’t make you truly wiser. In fact, no amount of family, friends, promotions, luxury cars, or philanthropic efforts will be able to fill the void in your eternal soul.
God, however, is everything your soul has been longing for, and more.
We often quote the human maxim, “Experience is the best teacher,” but Solomon reminds us this is emphatically not the case! The best teacher is the divine instruction of God’s Word, and it tells us of One who has come and who is even greater than Solomon.
Rather than giving himself to himself, Jesus Christ gave himself to death for sinners! And those, like Augustine, who love him for his own sake, find in him the joy never found by the ungodly.
Life with Christ, life in Christ—this is not life under the sun, but with the Son. This is the happy life . . . and there is no other (John 14:6)!
Justin Huffman has pastored in the States for over 15 years, authored the “Daily Devotion” app (iTunes/Android) which now has over half a million downloads, and recently published a book with Day One: Grow: the Command to Ever-Expanding Joy. He has also written articles for For the Church, Servants of Grace, and Fathom Magazine. He blogs at justinhuffman.org.
Polishing an Eternal Treasure
My life was in a strange mix in mid-2009. I was about four years deep into knowing Jesus, and I was conflicted about the first-ever wave of doubt that had come into my life. I was not raised in a church, so much of what I believed came from initial experience and, afterwards, a lot of examining what Christians believed and how areas like history, science and philosophy helped support Christianity as a rational belief.
This ran a bit counter to the type of church I was saved in. I was all in on the Pentecostal tradition, which often emphasizes the expressive work of the Spirit and not merely logic or information transaction as many churches do. Not all Pentecostals are emotional, but the areas in which I first came to know God definitely emphasized this aspect more.
During this time I loved God and felt him calling me to do something specific, to serve him with my life. I began to speak at churches frequently and even traveled to multiple places sharing about Jesus and giving my testimony. After high school this led me to a discipleship program to develop this gift and grow in leadership.
However I began to grow weary of seeing a lot of social issues that often crop up in conservative circles.
I still remember being at a pastor’s house and him just openly saying “You know how those black pastors are,” suggesting they were more prone to have affairs.
I overheard church leaders refer to immigrants as “dirty rats” that needed to go back to their own countries. I overheard the poor described as leeches that mooched off the system.
This was all coming to someone who had always possessed a deep concern for people and for the rights of others. I found myself wondering how there could be such a disconnect between the people I heard and the God of the Bible who seemed to get the most angry at those who mistreated orphans, immigrants, widows, and the poor.
In church services, I found myself observing how a drummer making a certain pattern made people “feel the Holy Ghost” more than they did earlier. I am a skeptical person by nature but this, combined with my frustration about how people were being talked about, was a nasty concoction bent on destroying my faith.
Reading Galatians As If For the First Time
In the midst of this, I was still part of a program that emphasized spiritual disciplines so I remained committed to prayer and Bible reading as part of my daily habits. One night I found myself alone in my dorm room with an NLT Study Bible, starting the book of Galatians. I planned to read the introduction, and maybe read through the book once.
What happened next is something I am still unable to explain merely in words. I found myself reading Galatians and there were things about the book, and the gospel in general, that I felt I had never heard before. There was an actual loss of time as I was just reading Paul’s letter.
The feeling would be similar to discovering a piece of paper telling you that you had several bank accounts in your name and these were the codes to get into them.
For the first time ever I was reading a portion like Galatians 2, which I now understood to say it was not by my effort that I kept my salvation, nor my disobedience that I could throw it away. I had never heard this before!
In a world of constant self-help tips, I had just thrown in belief in God and had yet to understand that if my “righteousness were through the law then Christ died for nothing!”
This was not the first time I had read Galatians. I had even taken a class on this very book, understanding the context and issues that Paul was addressing.
However there was something in my spirit confirming these truths in a way I hadn’t yet known. Martin Luther in his Latin works describes a well-known tower experience in which a similar thing happened, opening “the very gate to paradise.”
It is not an exaggeration to say this help saved my faith when other factors in my mind wanted to separate from it. I do not believe God would let me go, but I do know that he uses certain means to keep us abiding in him. I truly believe this moment was crucial to experience the Holy Spirit not only through exuberance in praise, but in a quiet time through His word. The very same words that birthed the entire universe into existence were now re-birthing my relationship with him through scripture.
Scripture and the Spirit
The Reformation helped recover the Christian ideal that there is an objective standard of truth not relative to one’s interpretation. This is often called “Sola Scriptura” or “scripture alone.” This term argues that, in all matters of life and doctrine, the final, albeit not only, authority is scripture itself.
Reformed people of all tribes often joke that when it comes to the Trinity there is the Father, Son, and Holy Bible. The underlying connotation is that when it comes to the Holy Spirit, it’s often more dangerous to understand him than to read about him. We are often a people who value knowledge and information much more than mystery and wonder when it comes to our right view of God. I often have this same temptation.
However, according to John Calvin there is a very particular way in which the Holy Spirit actually works hand-in-hand with one’s interactions with Scripture. In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin doesn’t separate the Spirit from the Word and speaks strongly about the intertwined nature of the two.
Professor Michael Williams of Covenant College summarizes a view Calvin would have of the Bible and how he would answer the question “What is the Bible?”:
It is the declaration of God's redemptive activity centering in Jesus Christ. Faithfully inspired by the Holy Spirit. And illuminated in the people of God by the Spirit.
John Calvin and other Reformers recovered, not simply access to information, but also a Spirit-illuminated understanding of God’s Word. This work is not like digging up a new treasure, but rather polishing off an old one that had been there the whole time but had not been seen in all of its beauty or with clarity. The Holy Spirit reveals these things to us “that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”
The Holy Spirit and scripture work hand-in-hand because he is the author and speaker of these very words. This does not mean that an individual’s interpretation holds weight over common hermeneutic methods. It simply means that the Spirit can impress on our souls the truths our minds may understand, but which have yet to change us in the most fundamental areas of our beings.
I am deeply grateful that God has given us so many means of his grace. He has given us nature to see endless wonders. He gave us himself when he came to earth and invaded this world with a glimpse of the future kingdom. We have so many other things like community, music, technology, family, friends, love, joy, and more. They have been provided for us, causing us to wonder at the one who actually made them.
Finally, He has given us his Word, drenched with the power of his Spirit to guide us in our day-to-day lives until he returns. He does this without prejudice and freely gives all of himself through the very words written thousands of years ago.
Kevin Garcia leads Spiritual Formation at Lifepoint Church in Dallas, TX. He has his B.A. In Church Leadership and is pursuing his M.A. In Ethics, Theology, & Culture from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passions are in theology, writing, justice, apologetics and how discipleship intersects all areas of life in particular the public square. He also loves sports, hip-hop, and listening to tons of podcasts.
Ask Him for Joy
Like a seismograph, my wife is intimately tuned to recognize any time the ground is moving in the lives and needs 0f our five children. She can sense a fever from a mile away and knows if her offspring need a Kleenex five minutes before a nose begins to run. This has come not only because of the amazingly intuitive and attentive mother she is, but also because of the immense amount of time that she has invested in our children. She has been the primary resource to meet every one of their needs from their conception onward. As each of our five children developed in her womb, there was not a physical need her body didn’t anticipate or provide for them. As they have entered the world and have grown, she has been a constant presence and provider for them. When they have a need, she meets it. As a result, they go to her for almost everything.
It’s a bit humorous when I’m at home, because even when I’m close by and available to meet their needs, my kids don’t default to me as a major resource for their most basic needs. There are times when I will be in the room near my wife when one of my smaller children walks in and asks her a question like, “Does Daddy have to go to work today?” At that moment, Keri and I will exchange a bemused and knowing glance. Her eyes will momentarily return to the child’s, and with the power of a gravitational force (I’m convinced that mothers actually have tractor beams in their eyes) will guide a pair of five year-old eyes—simply with a nod—to my waiting and attentive face. She’ll gently say, “Your dad is right here. Ask him.”
The resulting transformation of a child’s face from query to comprehension (and on a good day, to delight) is miraculous. It’s as if a veil has been lifted and the child has noticed my presence in their world for the very first time. Their eyes widen, a smile broadens across their face, and oftentimes a hug ensues (these are the sweet times). The child’s attention is then diverted to me, and the questioner has been re-introduced to the appropriate party with a simple directive: “Your dad is right here for you. Ask him.”
Christ, the Perfect Mediator
Christian theology has long acknowledged and celebrated Christ’s unique office as Mediator: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). Through his sacrificial and atoning death, burial, resurrection and ascension, Christ has accomplished the enduring reconciliation of relationship between God and his people. There is no greater truth, no greater reality.
And yet the robustness of Jesus’ mediation is often weakened when we tell ourselves that maybe God isn’t really happy with us. Maybe he just tolerates us. So we are hesitant to get too close to him. This is one reason why we need Jesus to continuously run interference for us with an unhappy God.
The fact of the matter is that Christ is such a perfect mediator between us and God that he has provided a way for us to come to the Father directly. His righteousness is now our own (2 Cor. 5:21), and we are counted as fully-vested, adopted children. It is utterly profound, and often rather difficult, for us to believe what Jesus says in John 16:
“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full…In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you.” – John 16:23–24, 26–27
Jesus references a radical change in relationship between his followers and his Father that will happen through his mediating work; specifically, through his redemptive death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Jesus is assuring his gathered disciples that “that day” will come when direct access to the Father will take place. In that day, Jesus says that we will be able to ask directly, that is, we will be able to pray. We will be able to approach the Father directly in Jesus’ name and through his mediating work—and we will be the ones asking (“I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf”). In turn, the Father himself will be the one hearing, listening, and responding, “for the Father himself loves you.”
A pastor friend of mine often reminds me that at the core of the gospel is the often-missed truth that Jesus died so that we could pray. The author of the letter to the Hebrews assures us that we may “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). We have truly been given “boldness and access” to the Father “with confidence through our faith in him” (Eph. 2:18, 3:12).
And God expects us to come, to pray, and to ask. In fact, he commands us to ask. He wants us to ask. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Your Dad is right here for you. Ask him.”
Ask Out of Joy, Not Shame
But, if you’re like me, prayer is often a labor and a grind for you, accompanied by overtones of duty, burden, and guilt. We know we ought to pray, so we simultaneously carry an awareness of our deficiency in prayer. Ask any of your Christian friends how their prayer life is going, and you will likely get a sheepish aversion of the eyes, a quick change of the subject, or a dejected expression.
Yet the fact that we now have access to the very throne of God is incredible, and should be for us a source of much joy. What else could bring us greater joy than a new, intimate relationship with God himself? God doesn’t want us to associate prayer with guilt and shame. Instead, he grants us the ability to find joy in our relationship with him through prayer: “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (Jn. 16:24).
We often take this to mean that our joy will be full because of our receiving, but its true meaning is deeper than this. Joy comes because of the relationship in which we can ask God something because he loves us:
“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you.” – John 16:26-27 (emphasis added)
Perhaps Jesus is saying that joy comes because of our new relationship with the One whom we are asking—the One who is present; the One who loves us; the One who listens to and answers our requests. Because of this new relationship, we are learning to ask for that which is actually able to make us joyful. As a result, we receive what we truly want, the very thing that we will find ourselves asking for, more of God.
ASKING FOR JOY
What if instead of loading our prayer life with false expectations, guilt, fear, aversion, humiliation, anger, frustration, or even boredom, we were to ask for what God is so willing to give? What if we were to ask God for joy?
For God prayer is all about relationship; it’s all about being with his children. And for us, it should be about being with our Father, in whose presence is fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11). God would have you be joyful, even in your sadness, sorrow, broken-heartedness and pain. So come to him—especially if you don’t feel joyful—and ask for joy from the Healer, the Care-giver, and the only One who can turn your sorrow into joy.
Ask for joy! Fight for joy! Find joy! For in Christ, you are in the smiling, happy presence of the God who made you and loves you more than you could ever ask or imagine. He wants to be with you. He wants you to devote your time and attention and energy to him. He loves you and offers you joy.
Your Dad is right here for you. Ask him.
Mike Phay serve as Lead Pastor at FBC Prineville (Oregon) and as an Affiliate Professor at Kilns College in Bend, OR. He has been married to Keri for 20 years and they have five amazing kids (Emma, Caleb, Halle, Maggie, and Daisy). He loves books and coffee, preferably at the same time.
From Latter-Day Saint to Sola Scriptura
The Bible opens with a depiction of creation and relationship. With nothing but his words, God brilliantly crafted the universe, planets, seas, skies, and all the creatures found within. His breath gave life to Adam, the first human being and only creation bearing God’s image. Adam was charged with caring for the garden he lived in, and was warned to not eat the fruit of one specific tree among countless others. From there, the Father of all creation lovingly created a companion for his child, a woman named Eve. The first man and woman were free to enjoy deep relationship with one another, as well as with the God who created them. Then the serpent enters the picture. His first order of business is attacking the dependability of God’s word. He finds the first woman and poses a question that seems benign on the surface: “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” With this question the serpent was able to sow a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind about God’s word and its truthfulness. With the reliability of God’s word in question, the temptation to disobey and eat the fruit was an easy sell. “You will not surely die,” the serpent promises Eve—“you will be like God.”
Swindled by the enemy, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s instruction and ate from the forbidden tree. Sensing their disobedience, they hid from God in panic and shame, but were inevitably found. The Father curses both the man and the woman for their disobedience, and the once close relationship they enjoyed with God was now separated by a chasm called death.
The first recorded divergence from the word of God led to the deception of the first humans, as well as their spiritual separation from the Father. All of mankind experienced the effects of this transgression until generations later when Jesus, the Word made flesh, was crucified then raised to life.
Talking snakes and ancient stories can make it difficult to relate to the events described in Genesis, but Adam and Eve’s story is my story too.
My Experience With the Mormon Church and Sola Scriptura
Eight years ago, I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. Mormons believe church authority was disrupted by a great apostasy, that the Old and New Testaments were not preserved from corruption, and that the book of Mormon (in addition to other LDS texts) are inspired scripture. As a Mormon, I considered the Bible to be insufficient and unreliable without the additional doctrine and history delivered by Mormon prophets.
Like Eve, I evaluated the trustworthiness of God’s word and found it to be lacking. And, like Eve, I experienced deception and separation from God. As a Mormon woman, I simply did not believe that God’s promises, instructions, exhortations, and prophecies were authoritative and complete within the Bible.
That is, until I read it.
What the Bible Says About Itself
When a concerned Christian invited me to address a handful of passages in the New Testament, I accepted the challenge with vigor. After all, Mormons do own Bibles and I wasn’t afraid of some misinformed Baptist boy. From there began a several-month excursion through the Bible to try and support my Mormon theology. Little did I know that this would be the undoing of my faith in Mormonism, and the beginning of my conversion to Christianity.
The more I attempted to refute his concerns by studying the Bible, the clearer the truth became to me. I discovered that the Bible declares itself to be God’s word (Heb. 4:12; 1 Thess 2:13), that all teaching can be tested against the Bible (Acts 17:11), and that there were grave warnings for those who sought to change or add to the Bible (Rev. 22:18; Gal. 1).
Suddenly I was confronted with the idea that the Bible alone was the final authority on all things; that it was more reliable than personal revelation, and more dependable than any instruction I had received from a Mormon Prophet or Bishop.
This was a distressing realization for me, to say the least. I was coming to conclusions that were contradictory to everything I had believed as a Mormon. In fact, Mormon scripture specifically teaches its readers that a belief in Sola Scriptura is for “fools” (2 Nephi 29). But the more I read the Bible, the more I felt like a fool myself.
I can relate to Eve hiding behind fig leaves upon realizing her error. Not only did I feel ashamed of my folly in an intellectual sense, but I was also suddenly aware of the profound distance between myself and God. I had no trust that he was who he said he was. I had no confidence in his promises, and I only paid lip service to his commands. And because I had no trust in his word, I had no relationship with him. This was a shocking revelation for me.
Accepting God’s word as trustworthy was the catalyst that led to my rejection of Mormonism and the beginning of my new life in Christ. This single realization has continued to shape and reform my theology and practice as a Christian today, and so it should for all Christians.
Every Believer’s Struggle
Mormons aren’t the only ones who distrust the authority of the Bible. In a larger sense, all humans wrestle with the authenticity and importance of God’s word, and all of us have heard (or spoken) the same inquiry Eve heard in the Garden of Eden:
- “Did God really say that there is only one way to eternal life?”
- “Did God really say that sin sends people to Hell?”
- “Did God really say that lust is as bad as adultery?”
- “Did God really say that we must love our enemies?”
- “Did God really say?”
For those who are separated from God by disbelief and heresy, it is difficult to arrive at a solid answer to these questions. But for Bible-believing Christians, we can answer the question, “Did God really say?” directly with God’s own word in the Old and New Testaments. Christians are uniquely equipped by their creator to answer tough questions about God’s work, plans, and character because we’ve been given the answers in the Bible. The Father did not leave his children empty-handed, unable to provide a rebuttal to temptation and confusion.
Understanding the trustworthiness of of the Bible allows me to continually cultivate a deeper relationship with God like Adam and Eve experienced before the fall. After all, if the Bible’s history and instruction is authoritative, then so are God’s promises to me. If the Bible is trustworthy, then so is the comfort and encouragement I that I can find there. If the Bible is complete, then there is no waiting for further instruction on how I am to conduct myself as a Christian. God’s word not only saves sinners and equips the saints, but it reconciles men and women, drawing them near to their creator once again.
Rachelle Cox converted from Mormonism six years ago and is now passionate about helping women understand God’s good word and good theology. She is a women’s ministry intern at Karis Church, and is beginning her theological education at Boyce College. She loves serving her husband and two children, and writes at http://eachpassingphase.com
Why You Don’t Read Your Bible (and How to Start)
Over and over again, studies show the most important thing for spiritual growth is reading the Bible, yet most people in the church aren’t doing it. Only 45% of those who regularly attend church read the Bible more than once a week. For each church attender who does read their Bible every day, there’s someone else who doesn’t read it at all. Biblical illiteracy is an epidemic.
I say this as a pastor who talks to people every week, inside and outside the church, with next to no biblical knowledge. The most concerning thing is that there doesn’t seem to be a distinction between those who are new to the faith and those who isave been Christians for several years, sometimes even a decade or more.
Why is it that despite the evidence, despite our sincere longing to grow spiritually, we don’t do the one thing most capable of producing that growth?
In my experience, there are two main reasons people don’t read their Bible. The first is that people honestly don’t understand the Bible holds transformational power. Second, they don’t read the Bible because they don’t know how to find delight in reading it. Both issues are worth understanding in more detail.
Understanding the transforming power of God’s Word
Why do people always tell you to read your Bible more? Seriously, why do pastors and writers and bloggers go on and on about being in the Bible each and every day? Besides the overwhelming research indicating Bible engagement is crucial to spiritual growth, it’s because the Bible itself tells us that the Word of God is the only thing powerful enough to transform the human heart.
Nowhere is this seen in more vivid detail than the prophet Ezekiel’s vision from God of the valley of bones:
“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” – Ezekiel 37:1-4
Ezekiel knows he’s helpless to bring this bunch of skeletons to life. He says, “God, I don’t know, but you do.” Good answer.
God tells Ezekiel what it takes to bring the bones to life—his words. Ezekiel then speaks the Word of God over those dry bones and the unthinkable happens:
“And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them…So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” – Ezekiel 37:8,10
God spoke and enfleshed those piles of bones, then breathed into them the breath of life. All through the power of His Word.
Just how powerful is God’s Word? The book of Hebrews tells us that all things are held together by the power of God’s Word: “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).
That same life-giving, universe-sustaining power is still wielded through the Word of the Lord. But these days, we don’t have to hear from prophets or judges or priests. The opening of the book of Hebrews tells us, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-2).
The Son (Jesus), then, is how we hear the Word of God today. And where are his teachings and commandments recorded? In the Bible. The more we read the Bible, the more we see how every verse is about Jesus. So if we want access to the transforming power of God through Christ, we have to read the Bible.
How to get started understanding the power of the Bible
If we want to be brought back to life, if we want to see a new heart made of flesh beating in our chest, then we will be students of the living, breathing, active Word of God (Heb. 4:12).
If you’ve never understood that, don’t stop until you do. Many people have never been walked through the truths Scripture contains about its own power in a way that made them see the importance of Bible reading. Don’t feel bad. Just get started.
If you’re not sure where to look, start by reading “Study Logically” chapter of Multiply, a discipleship curriculum. It will help you understand why we should be studying the Bible in very clear language. (This chapter is in part 3 of the book, which is all about how to study the Bible. It’s well worth the time. In fact, the whole book is great. And free!)
The goal of using any resource like this is for you to see the transformational power of the Bible. Rick Warren sums up well what you’re after when learning to read the Bible:
“Reading the Bible generates life, it produces change, it heals hurts, it builds character, it transforms circumstances, it imparts joy, it overcomes adversity, it defeats temptation, it infuses hope, it releases power, it cleanses the mind.”
May you and I know those things to be true through our own experience with God’s Word.
Finding delight in reading the Bible
An even more common reason for not reading the Bible is not finding delight in reading it.
Imagine yourself sitting down to a table with fresh white linens draped over top. Several pristine utensils sit before you. The napkin is folded into some beautiful geometric shape. It sits just above a clean, white plate. And on that plate is a big, black leather Bible.
As you look down at that Bible, does it look like the dessert you can’t wait to dig into, or does it look more like the brussels sprouts you shove aside so you can get to the good stuff?
The answer to that question means everything.
Too many of us look down and see a strange, foreign book we want to love, but we don’t know quite what to do with it. It’s just never tasted good, so we move it around on the plate and pretend to enjoy it.
That is not what God intended.
God’s Word should be delighting us just like it did the psalmist in Psalm 19:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” – Psalm 19:7-11
In just five verses, we’re told that the Word of God is perfect, trustworthy, good, clear, eternal, true, and sweet. Is that how you feel about the Bible?
If those stats mentioned earlier are true, probably not. So what do you do?
How to start finding delight in reading the Bible
For starters, you don’t find delight in reading the Bible until you start reading the Bible. Like any other discipline or practice, the more you do it, the more natural it becomes, and the more you’ll start to enjoy it. If you’ve never really given daily Bible reading a shot, of course it’s difficult in the beginning. Of course it’s hard to do and hard to understand. But that doesn’t mean you should stop; it just means you’ve got work to do.
The best way to jump in is to pick a yearly reading plan through the free YouVersion app, one your church provides, or something like my current favorite, the Read Scripture plan. Read Scripture is available as a free app or PDF that has helpful videos to better understand each book and major theme of the Bible. There’s also a (sometimes) weekly podcast with Francis Chan where he talks through the week’s readings and helps you better understand and apply it.
There are plenty of good options out there, but which plan you choose really isn’t the point. It matters less how you’re reading through the Bible, and more that you’re actually doing it. Discipline yourself to get up at the same time every day and hear from God by opening the Bible. Over time, you’ll find it to be an indispensable part of your day.
What to do if you hit a road block
If you’ve tried to build a daily habit and failed miserably (like I have many times), or you just can’t seem to get into it, there is something that will help. First, pray for God to give you a heart for the Bible. If you’re seeking his truth, he will answer you (Matt. 7:7).
But second, talk to someone or listen to someone who loves God’s Word. This was catalytic in my own learning to delight in God’s Word. If you’ve never really seen someone who loves God’s Word, then you have no picture of how it can transform your life and bring joy to the core of your being.
If that’s you, then I’d suggest listening to or watching this series of videos from David Platt on how to study the Bible (and following along with the notes they have). It’s a big investment, but so, so worth it. The teacher, David Platt, loves God’s Word, and it’s evident in his voice and demeanor. I’m in seminary, so believe me when I say that what he takes you through is a seminary-level education for the everyday person. And it’s all free.
Even more important is finding a way to study the Bible in community with other believers, preferably in your own local church. Reading the Word in community guards against false teaching and honest misunderstandings. Plus, you may find helpful suggestions for overcoming roadblocks in your personal study by talking to others in your small group, missional community, or serve teams.
Don’t put this off
At the end of your life, you will give an account to God for how you spent your time (Rom. 14:12). At that time, all the moments you wasted on Netflix, Facebook, or whatever else will be abundantly clear to you. Please, see the reality of what’s at stake now. Don’t put this off until later.
God has revealed himself to us. He has told us how to live and work and think and act. And it’s all in the Bible. You probably own 2 or more if you’re reading this. Or you probably have a smartphone and can download a free Bible app right now. In many parts of the world today, we have no excuse for not reading the Bible because it’s so widely available.
The most precious gift I can give you or anyone else is encouragement to build a lifelong passion for studying God’s Word. My prayer for you is that these words from Martin Luther would be true of you:
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me, it has hands, it lays hold [of] me.”
Grayson Pope is a husband and father of three. He serves as Pastor of Community at his church in Charlotte, NC and is currently pursuing a MACS at The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Grayson’s Passion is to equip believers for everyday discipleship to Jesus.
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Something Greater Than Disney
“You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.” — John 5:39, CSB
I remember the day I missed meeting my hero.
As a 10-year old, I had posters and baseball cards of the greatest player of my childhood. The name Mark McGwire was spoken in reverential terms, hallowed among the Little League dugouts I live d in during hot, humid southern Missouri summers. Alongside his equally powerful "Bash Brother," Jose Canseco, we would imagine hitting home runs with the same power and distance. I was sure whenever the opportunity came for me to meet Mark McGwire and get his autograph, I would be ready.
Surprisingly, the meeting did occur. I literally ran into Mark McGwire. To my dismay, even some 30 years later, I did not recognize him. I was not ready with his rookie card in my back pocket and a Sharpie for him to sign it. I did not get to tell him how great his swing was or how I really wanted to be in the Oakland A’s dugout. Instead, I was distracted, focused on other things, not paying attention to where I was going as I walked through Disneyland with my family that fateful July 1989 evening.
The Major League Baseball All-Star game was in Anaheim that year, and the players were guests of honor at the evening Main Street Electrical Parade. Too overcome by all the magic and fun of a day at Disneyland, I was barely tuned into a scene where my favorite ballplayers were in the same location that I was.
As the spectacle concluded we wandered through the park wrapping up a day full of fun at the “happiest place on Earth." I don’t have a vivid memory of where in the park we were, except that it was dark, I was tired, and we were walking looking for one final, magical Mickey fix.
Distracted by all the activity around me, I plowed right into a rock-wall of a human being. I remember a chuckle, my embarrassment as I said "Excuse me," and walking along as if I had just run into an actual wall. As we moved on my dad pointed out that I had just walked into Mark McGwire. And yet, I had missed him.
Missing Great Glory for Just Good Enough
It may seem unfortunate that this happened to a wide-eyed 10-year-old , but the same thing happens to us often as we engage the Bible. We miss the greatest glory of the Scripture for side issues and lesser beauties. We miss the center of Scripture for the outlying artifacts that all point to the center itself. We miss the hero and focus on the attractions and events. We miss Jesus.
The religious leaders and thinkers of Jesus’ day were the chief violators of this reality. Day after day they would pore over the Scriptures. Bible study was their constant habit. They were masters of the Hebrew Bible, well versed in the story, law, poetry, and prophets. They won all the "sword drills," accumulated every Citation Award, and could recited every “Fighter Verse” written to date verbatim.
This pursuit of Bible excellence was commended. D.A. Carson points out, “Hillel affirms that the more study of the law, the more life, and that if a man gains for himself words of the law he has gained for himself life in the world to come.”1
Their Biblical mastery was superior, and from that superior position, it was assumed they possessed true life. In a way, they lived thinking he who memorizes the most verses wins.
Jesus, however, gave no satisfaction to this pursuit but rather condemned them for missing the point. Instead of seeing that the Scriptures were pointing clearly and explicitly to him as the Messiah, the religious leaders were unwilling to follow the signposts to Christ. Like a starving person focused more on place settings and silverware than the actual food that will save his life, these people cared little for the life offered to them in Jesus but rather wanted to parse, debate, and hyper-analyze the practices of keeping the religious law.
The problem wasn’t just one of Jesus’ day. Modern expressions of this kind of missing the point are commonplace within the church. Often I hear the Bible is talked about as an “instruction manual for life.” As if, by following the rules of the Bible we would be able to assemble the good life, much like following the instructions for IKEA furniture would lead to a completed Swedish apartment. This makes the Bible a moral sourcebook that misses the point of the greatness and glory of Jesus.
Another perspective is that the Bible is a "love letter from God." While it is true that the Bible shows us the love of God in Christ, the Bible's purpose is not to exist as a therapeutic resource to help lift our self-esteem. The purpose of God’s Word isn’t to wrap us in a warm, cuddly expression of how great and wonderful and loved we are because God finds us so valuable and worthwhile.
Yes, the Bible does include moral code and expressions of God’s affection for us. But life is not found in keeping the Law or in feeling affirmed and valued. When we use the Bible as a means to those ends, we miss the entire point, and we miss life itself!
If we look to the Bible to gain theological knowledge, validate our behavioral patterns, or affirm our bruised psyche, we exchange great glory for just good enough. And “good enough” won’t get us anywhere.
Don’t Miss Jesus!
For the reformers of the 16th-century church, the doctrine of sola scriptura wasn’t just about putting the Bible above the hierarchical structures of a corrupt, gospel-less church. Sola scriptura was about highlighting the source of life in the Scriptures, Jesus Christ.
For Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and other reformers, declaring that Scripture was the chief source of authority for the church was to declare that Christ is the center of the Scriptures and the source of life.
To that end, we must labor to see Jesus in all of Scripture and see his life, death, and resurrection as the source of life for us today. Let me suggest three questions we can ask when reading the Scriptures to keep Jesus central and avoid missing his great glory.
#1 – How does this passage point out my need for Jesus?
Often passages will expose our sin and brokenness. Especially, in reading the Law portions of the Old Testament, we find how deep our shortcomings really are. Yet even in the New Testament, we find over and over again we have “all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Bryan Chapell calls this the “Fallen Condition Focus” of every passage. Scripture shows us where we come up short, and in doing so, it shows us our need for life.
#2 – How does this passage show me the way of God’s grace in Jesus?
As each passage reveals our brokenness and sin, so also the Scriptures show us the remedy through Christ. The Old Testament points forward to Christ coming by giving us God’s promises to receive by faith. Scripture teaches how Christ actively won righteousness for us in his perfect life of obedience.
The Bible magnifies salvation through the suffering of the Messiah which we receive by faith. Grace abounds through the Scriptures and, when we look at how the Bible points us to God’s ways of grace, we see all Jesus has accomplished for us.
#3 – How does this passage lead me to love Jesus more and more?
Not only is the Bible a means for us to see Jesus, but it is a means for us to grow in love for Jesus. It shows us our need; it shows us Christ's redemption; it shows us his great grace!
A final question we can ask of the passage we are reading is: How can this text influence my life so that my love for Jesus grows? This is where our steps of faith-filled obedience are taken. We move forward in obedience to the call of Christ as we follow him out of the love he has poured out for us.
The Bible Bring us To Life, It Is Not Life
Much like missing my chance to get an autograph from Mark McGwire, we run through the Scriptures and fail to encounter Jesus as the source of life. We can stack up books about the Bible, memorize verses, develop or adhere to a theological system, and all the while miss the source of life that the Bible points to, Christ.
Instead of believing that Bible knowledge will save us, we should remember the gospel. We are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone, which we see in Scripture alone. The Bible, rightly engaged, brings us to Jesus. Don’t mistake the map for the source.
1. D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 263.
Jeremy Writebol is the Executive Director of GCD. He is the husband of Stephanie and father of Allison and Ethan. He serves as the lead campus pastor of Woodside Bible Church in Plymouth, MI. He is also an author and contributor to several GCD Books including everPresent and Make, Mature, Multiply. He writes personally at jwritebol.net.
You can read all of Jeremy’s articles here.
4 Weighty Attributes of Scripture
Shortly after getting married and returning from our honeymoon, my new bride and I took a trip to IKEA to furnish our first apartment. It was a sort of kid-in-a-candy-shop experience. The practicality and affordability of their products creates a double threat that makes it no surprise the newlywed IKEA trip is more universal than unique. It’s almost a rite of passage for those of us in the West to celebrate adulthood by bringing their products into our first home. I know our apartment wouldn’t have been complete without them.
In more ways than one, there is a parallel between IKEA and the Reformers of the 16th century. Just as modern technology has made it possible for IKEA to make functional and reliable furniture affordable, the technological advances preceding the Reformation made it possible to put the Bible in the hands of all people. It was the conviction of the Reformers, in the face of opposition from the Church of Rome, that—just like with home decor—no house was complete without a copy of the Scriptures in its own language.
The importance of the Bible for faith and practice in the life of a Christian cannot be understated.
The Scriptures are indispensable for those who would follow Christ, for apart from them we don’t know who he is. They speak with clarity to those who read them in faith with the aid of the Holy Spirit. They are enough to know all that is necessary to be made right with God. Most of all, they are the sole authority God has given to govern his church, the vessel used to dispense his grace in the world.
This pneumonic device, ICEA (how I’d love to add an “N” and make it “NICEA!”)—regardless of its shtick—can help us remember the fourfold attributes of the Bible.
Four Weighty Attributes of Scripture
#1 – Indispensable
One of the many grievances Martin Luther raised with the church of his day was the lack of emphasis on the Pauline doctrine of justification by faith.
By overemphasizing human works, through the sacraments and the sale of indulgences, there was a widespread loss of the means of salvation. Much of mankind, without access to the Scriptures, was being misled to believe that by jumping through hoops of performance laid out by the Roman Catholic Church they would be made right with God and earn salvation.
It was upon reading Romans 1:17—“the just shall live by faith”—that Luther’s eyes were opened to see that the means of salvific grace were not earned but rather received freely by faith. Just how does one respond in faith to God? That too is revealed in the Scriptures:
Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17
Here we see that the Bible is indispensable in matters pertaining to faith. In order to reconcile mankind to himself, God sent Jesus Christ to incur his wrath upon the cross. Jesus then rose from the dead miraculously, exhibiting his victory over sin and death. The mystery of Christ is revealed only through the Scriptures (Eph. 3:3-4).
Without hearing the words of Christ, contained in the Scriptures, mankind is incapable of hearing the gospel and responding in faith. Their importance cannot be understated.
The Reformation’s recovery of the indispensability of Scripture can be visibly seen in worship services today. Whereas the Roman Church places communion at the center of its worship, the preaching of the Bible is the center for those following in the Reformation tradition for: How are they to hear without someone preaching (Rom. 10:14)?
Saying the Scriptures are indispensable, however, isn’t enough. When we start to uncover the mysteries contained within, we might be inclined to think only a professional—a priest or pastor—is capable of comprehending them. But the Scriptures themselves tell us all believers are part of a “royal priesthood” and are called to proclaim (i.e. preach) the excellencies of Christ (1 Pt. 2:9). For this reason, the Scriptures aren’t simply indispensable, but clear.
#2 – Clear
Another key to IKEA’s success may be its instruction manuals which manage to be (mostly) helpful without being confined to the usage of written words. But anyone who’s ever assembled a piece of their furniture knows the frustration that ensues when you can’t comprehend the idea the little cartoon-mime is trying to convey. Praise God this can never be claimed about his Word!
When we say the Bible speaks with clarity on matters pertaining to faith and practice we bring three presuppositions to the table. First, we assume those turning to its pages for wisdom and guidance have trusted in Jesus for salvation and have been born again by his Spirit (Jn. 3:3); for his sheep hear his voice (Jn. 10:27) within its pages.
Second, when we say that Scripture is clear we don’t mean that everything contained within is easily understandable. We simply mean that God’s Word is not cryptic or meant to confuse its readers.
Finally, we do not mean we have the correct insight into the meaning of every sentence of Scripture. Some look at the differences in interpretation between different sects of Christianity as evidence the Bible is unclear and untrustworthy. I maintain that the things of ultimate importance in regards to faith and salvation are free from obscurity and those passages over which there are disputes are not what Paul calls “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
After clearing these hurdles, we are left with a Bible that is clear and the only means God has left us with to discover truth about himself. Because the Reformers were convinced of Scripture’s clarity, they fought against a two-tiered Christianity in which only clergy were allowed access to the Word of God. Because Scripture’s clear and accessible to all who have received the Spirit of God, it should be placed in every Christian’s hands.
Here’s a few reasons why:
- For when we have insight into the revelation of God, we cannot be deceived by Satan, even when he is masquerading as a priest of the light (2 Cor. 11:14).
- It is the duty of every Christian to weigh what pastors and preachers teach by the light given in the Bible (Acts 17:11).
- The clarity of the Scriptures give us access to the only weapon (Eph. 6:17) we need for our spiritual battle (Eph. 6:12).
#3 – Enough
While saying that the Scripture is clear and indispensable, we have not yet grasped the totality of its importance. It is possible that by stopping here, we could view it as a good place to start, but later abandon it in search of some further revelation from God. However, Scripture is enough for the Christian life.
The totality of Jesus’s work in securing salvation for sinners is chronicled within the pages of Scripture. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3) because his salvific work is complete (Jn. 19:30). The work now done by the Church is not done to secure salvation; it was already secured by Christ. The Church’s work, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is to spread the good news of what Jesus has already completed on our behalf.
For this reason, we should diligently guard the sufficiency of Scripture. We have all we need in its pages. When this truth is undermined by adding the sacraments to salvation or by lifting tradition or papal decrees to the same level as biblical canon, we must turn back to Scripture to correct false teaching (2 Tim. 3:16).
On the other hand, by saying the Bible is enough we confirm the Reformation mantra “semper reformanda” (“always reforming”). In other words, one of the living Church’s endeavors is not clever innovation, but bringing itself into further alignment with the teaching of Scripture.
The historical innovation of indulgences was to be refuted by Scripture during the reformation, and this same principle guides the Church and protects her purity today when “new” false teachings arise.
Because the Bible is enough, doctrinal novelty should never be sought. When a modern-day preacher or “prophet” presents some teaching that lies outside the clear instruction of Scripture, a Christian is under no obligation to believe or obey it. Scripture is enough, and its teaching is complete.
#4 – Authority
The Reformers believed that the truth claims of Scripture command nothing less than our total obedience. I’ve been careful thus far to avoid using the term “Protestant.” That is because it was not Luther’s intent to protest the Church at Rome, but to bring it into submission to the Word of God. Only after its refusal to hear his appeals, did it become necessary to break away.
As Luther famously stated during his refusal to recant, his “conscience was captive to the Word of God.” It was his conviction, like the Apostle Paul, that God would be true even if every man on Earth were a liar (Rom. 3:4).
One of the blocks that drove the wedge between the Reformers and the Roman Church was the question of Scripture’s authority. It was the fiery conviction of Luther that the Scriptures alone were the final authority on matters of doctrine and faith and stood above papal decrees or tradition.
The Roman Church fired back that the canon of Scripture itself was determined by the Church and couldn’t be separated from tradition. In contrast, the Reformers rightly concluded that the Church did not determine what writings were Scripture but simply recognized the clear voice of God within them (Jn. 10:27).
Peter, reflecting back upon his mountaintop experience with Jesus where he saw Moses, the author of the Law, and Elijah, the chief of the prophets, appear in all their glory, concluded that the Bible was more trustworthy (2 Pt. 1:19). In other words, even the most magnificent miraculous experience pales in comparison to the trustworthy authority of Scripture.
You Can Never Upgrade Scripture
As my wife and I became more financially stable we dispensed with our IKEA furniture, upgrading to something better. We can never do this with Scripture because it’s indispensable for the Christian life. Even the parts that we don’t fully understand now, we one day will have insight into (1 Cor. 13:12).
Sean Nolan (B.S. and M.A., Clarks Summit University) is the Family Life Pastor at Christ Fellowship Church in Forest Hill, Maryland. Prior to that, he served at a church plant in Troy, New York for seven years and taught Hermeneutics to ninth and tenth graders. He is married to Hannah and is raising an army of toddlers. He blogs at Family Life Pastor.
You can read all of Sean’s articles here.
From One Young Gun to Another
About five years ago I landed a dream job. Fresh out of seminary and with barely any experience, I became the Assimilation Pastor at a church with more than 1,300 weekly attendees. I was way out of my league. Seminary did a great job teaching me theology and exegesis, but I was vastly unprepared for a host of other responsibilities. I had to manage difficult personalities, tell people “no” when their ideas conflicted with the vision and mission of the church, develop elaborate processes for ministry involvement, and delegate key ministry roles. Now I’m starting over. As the senior pastor of a 200 year-old Presbyterian church facing issues of relocation and revitalization, I am facing a whole new set of issues for which I feel vastly unprepared.
Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation. Maybe you are realizing seminary only did half the job you thought it did. Or maybe your new ministry position is more complex than you ever imagined. God taught me some incredible lessons five years ago, and I’m re-visiting them again. Here are six things I’ve learned that helped me keep my head above water, and even begin to thrive.
#1 – Be a student of your surroundings
There’s a scene in Maverick where Mel Gibson promises to lose at poker for one hour. Why? An hour is a long time. What is he doing? He’s observing the other players. Who has an obvious tell? Who likes to bluff? Where can he gain an advantage? Mel Gibson is learning everything he can in that hour: He’s being a student of his surroundings.
In the same way you study a map before a road trip or let your eyes adjust to a dimly-lit room before walking in, you’ve got to take the time to study your surroundings. Unfamiliar territory requires some degree of familiarity before action. Do your best Maverick impression and spend time studying your surroundings.
I’ve been at my present church for just over four weeks, and already I’ve been asked a dozen times, “How are we going to grow the church? What is our vision? Our mission?” It has taken great discipline, but each time I’ve answered, “Give me six months.” Why? I once heard John Bryson say, “Guys never wish they had planted a church sooner, and they always wish they had waited longer.” In the same way, you’ll never regret learning too much context about your church and your community before you begin to implement a plan of action.
Learn the people. Learn the community. Learn the church. Study your context. Don’t jump into action, but take time to learn the rhythms of where you are. Don’t delay action forever, but, if you’ve done your homework, when it is time to act you’ll be more prepared to interact with your people in a healthy way.
#2 – Rely on relationships
Before you can sell somebody on a solution, you have to sell them on the problem. And before you can sell somebody on the problem, you have to give them a reason to listen to you.
In my previous church I was hired to help small groups play a more central role in the life of our church—to engage believers in spiritual formation beyond Sunday morning. Before I could do that, however, I needed help our people understand why that engagement was necessary. During my first three months in that new role, my wife and I had over 60 people to our home for dinner. Why? We were building relationships; getting to know the folks I’d be leading, and letting them get to know us. As time wore on, I continued to spend time with leaders and new faces over breakfast, lunch, and coffee. That time was invaluable, and relational capital is an investment you will never regret.
When we left our previous church we experienced the fruit of our relational investment. Our final Sunday was similar to Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:36-37—tear-filled embraces let us know we hadn’t merely implemented ministry programs, but had cultivated relationships and impacted lives.
#3 – Be particular with the process
Anybody can cast vision but saying something louder and more often isn’t going to affect change. What are the processes that will move your people from seeing the vision to living the vision? Put those processes in place, and then patiently shepherd your people through them.
Don’t plan a new evangelism initiative or offer a children’s ministry program as standalone events. How can you integrate them into other activities to achieve greater strategic impact? Consider a sermon series through the book of Acts and write small group curriculum to help your people realize their place in the Great Commission. Train your small group leaders to help their groups identify their own personal “Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.” Then, consider a “reverse offering” in which you give each small group a small budget to host a neighborhood barbecue or community VBS. Don’t just cast vision, but walk with your people and help them take the necessary steps in actualizing that vision.
Vision inspires change. Processes facilitate change. Habits sustain change.
Your vision will inspire your people, but it is incumbent upon you to establish the processes necessary to making that vision actionable, thereby helping form the habits to sustain that action.
#4 – Leverage the LOOGYs
In baseball, a LOOGY is a Left-Handed, One-Out Guy—a relief pitcher who only has one job: to come into the ballgame and get one out.
In your church there are a lot of LOOGYs who don’t know they are LOOGYs, and as a result they are going to give you a lot of advice on a lot of things. Don’t write them off. Instead, leverage them. Find their sweet spot and plug them in. Chances are they can be a boon to your ministry. Help them find their place and partner with them.
Maybe you’ve got somebody who is exceedingly organized and really wants to help lead a small group, but they can’t teach. They’d probably do a great job at follow-up. Perhaps someone always gives you new ideas for new ministries, but doesn’t have the ability to see them through. Ask them to pray for ministries the church is currently doing. You’ve got someone who is eager to help with your Sunday morning hospitality ministry, but you haven’t see them smile in five years. They’d do a great job emailing your first-time guests and keeping track of your new members. Find a way to leverage the gifts your people do have in a way that channels their passion for the health of your church.
#5 – Favor feedback
Feedback is crucial. You have to know if the processes you’ve put in place are achieving the goals you’ve established. So ask questions. Be objective. Invite criticism. Be humble and listen. Not every piece of feedback will be accurate or helpful, but it will start you thinking outside of the box.
A friend once told me, “We allow everybody to see us with our clothes on, we allow those we know well to see us in our bathing suits, and we allow our spouses to see us naked. As pastors we must have trusted companions who see us and know us to varying degrees of intimacy and vulnerability.” With degrees of appropriateness, seek out those with whom you can be vulnerable and transparent.
Proverbs 27:5-6 reads, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Ask the Lord to give you a heart willing to receive wounds from a friend, then seek out friends who will wound you in love. Cultivate this type of atmosphere among your staff. Model how to receive criticism well. Publically thank brothers and sisters who are honest with you.
Inviting criticism is frightening—there’s no doubt about it. Approach brothers and sisters you love, establish a framework for feedback, and trust the Lord to bear fruit in your soul.
#6 – Have joy in Jesus
Ministry should be fun, so love what you do! In certain seasons this won’t always be easy. In those tough times, hold fast to the Word of life and shine like a light in the world. Strive to proclaim with Paul, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all,” (Philippians 2:17). When this is your heart’s disposition and your internal compass, those with whom and to whom you minister will rejoice along with you.
Rejoice in your relationship with the Lord and let that joy spill into every facet of your life. Your spouse, your kids, your friends, your co-workers, and those you minister to should all sense your passion for Jesus and your love for them. Devour the Word of God, cultivate sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading, commune with Lord in prayer, and never lose sight of the cross.
Chris is husband to Liz and daddy to Aletheia, Judah, and Evangeline. Chris is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Reading, Pa and has a PhD in Organizational Leadership. Chris is happy to be back living in the north after five hot years in South Carolina.
The Inaugurated Kingdom Empowers Missional Living
I'll always remember two of the most incredible moments of my life. The days that my wife and I discovered she was pregnant with our two boys were breath-taking experiences. With our firstborn, I was sitting in the bedroom of our first apartment; and with our second-born, I was sitting in the master bedroom of our current house. In both instances, my wife decided to sneak away into the bathroom to take a pregnancy test without telling me. And in both instances she exited the bathroom to surprise me with that infamous blue plus-sign. Tears of joy flowed, and the same life-altering thought that struck me the first time—"Wow, I'm a father!"—also struck me the second time, "Wow, I'm a father ... again!"
Indeed, in those very moments, though there were still many months of pregnancy and growth ahead of us, I was already a father. And although my newborn sons were yet to be seen in their fullness, the amazing process of human life and fatherhood had already been inaugurated.
These joyous events gave way to a newfound focus in our lives. For both pregnancies, the next nine months were shaped by preparation and excitement as we waited for our beautiful baby boys to be revealed. All other concerns took a backseat as our priorities naturally shifted.
As I think back on these precious memories, I cannot help but find them analogous to the Gospel age we presently live in. The age of the Great Commission must be shaped by preparation and excitement for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he comes in power and glory to consummate all things.
But how can the church effectively keep such laser-like focus?
One way is by recognizing that a truly biblical eschatology (the doctrine of last things) is not primarily concerned with a short period of time at the end of this age. Rather, the biblical writers, and indeed Jesus himself, repeatedly and consistently taught an inaugurated eschatology (sometimes called "the already and the not yet"). So, what does this have to do with discipleship and the Great Commission?
Here are three reasons inaugurated eschatology empowers missional living:
#1 – Jesus brought the kingdom.
One view that has gained popularity in America over the past century says that Christ's kingdom is distinctly future.
While many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ hold such a view, this perspective sadly overlooks the present reality and power of the kingdom. With brevity, the opening chapter of Mark portrays Jesus replaying the early journey of Israel by first passing through the waters of baptism (as the Israelites passed through the waters in the Exodus) and then by wandering in the wilderness for forty days (as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years).
However, unlike the Israelites, Jesus overcame Satan's temptation perfectly, proving himself to be the long-awaited king. On the heels of these events, Jesus declared, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel" (Mark 1:15). In the words of Herman Ridderbos, "In Jesus' person and coming, the kingdom has become a present reality."
Although not yet here in its consummate form, these inaugural events show that Christ's kingdom has indeed already broken into this world. This means that the Great Commission is not a call to invite people into a future kingdom, as if the church is a group of party planners for an upcoming event that hasn't started yet.
Rather, we are ambassadors sent to proclaim a present worldwide kingdom (2 Cor. 5:20) whose king is already reigning (Eph. 1:20-21). And we are to make disciples in every nation who will submit to the lordship of Jesus by the grace of God, through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
#2 – Jesus bound the strongman.
Among the miracles Jesus repeatedly performed was casting out demons. Matthew depicts such an occasion, in which the Pharisees accuse him of working through the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. In response, Jesus says:
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. – Matthew 12:25-29
Additionally, when Jesus sent out the 72 in Luke 10, he instructed them to heal the sick and tell them that,
The kingdom of God has come near to you. When they returned to Jesus they were ecstatic, and said to him: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. – Luke 10:17-19
What empowering words for us during this present Gospel age! God used to allow "all the nations to walk in their own ways" (Acts 14:16), but at Christ's first advent ̶ in the breaking through of his kingdom and in the cataclysmic event of the cross ̶ Jesus restrained Satan from deceiving the nations any longer (Rev. 20:1-3), disarmed the evil powers at work (Col. 2:15), and commissioned his saints to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19), because "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [him]" (Matt. 28:18).
There is literally nothing that Satan can do to stop the Great Commission from being accomplished, and nothing he can do to stop Jesus from building his church (Matt. 16:18)!
According to Geerhardus Vos,
“The kingdom of God is a kingdom of conquest ... The foes [Jesus] thought of as about to be conquered were Satan, sin, and deat h... In the dislodgment of Satan, the kingdom of God comes and exerts its inherent power of conquest ... The powers which will revolutionize heaven and earth are already in motion. While with reference to Satan and his kingdom this power is a disruptive and subduing force, it is towards the members of [Christ's] kingdom a life-giving and life-liberating activity.”
True enough (as I once heard a preacher point out), just as Al Capone still ran the streets of Chicago while in prison, Satan is still incredibly active and powerful in this present evil age, "prowl[ing] around like a lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). But his power has been severely curtailed for the sake of the growth of the Gospel and the expansion of Christ's kingdom on earth.
The lion of this world is on a leash because the Lion of Judah has conquered him! And as new covenant saints we've been empowered to "resist him" (1 Peter 5:9) by the resurrection power that raised Christ bodily and raised us spiritually, "seat[ing] us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6). Even if we are martyred on our mission, the Gospel will continue to grow, Christ's kingdom will continue to expand worldwide, and we will enter into truer life than we've ever known–as we begin our next phase of reigning with Christ in glory (Rev. 20:4) until he finally restores and unites all things in himself (Eph. 1:10).
#3 – Jesus is bringing the Eschaton by means of Gospel growth.
In the book of Acts, Luke writes to Theophilus that when the resurrected Christ appeared to his disciples, he spent forty days with them, "speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). At the end of his time with them, the disciples asked him a question, which, like so many times before, showed their short-sightedness. They asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).
Embedded in their question is also a locational assumption; namely, that the consummate kingdom would be physically located in Israel, even though Jesus had previously said that the kingdom of God will not be seen in a physical place (Luke 17:20-21), and that his heirs to the kingdom would inherit the whole world, not merely Israel (Matt. 5:5).
Thus, Jesus answers both their question (regarding timing) and their assumption (regarding location):
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:7-8
Jesus didn't want his disciples to concern themselves with timing, and he wanted them to see that the means by which God's kingdom will come in its fullness is through the Spirit-empowered growth of the Gospel.
As Tim Keller points out,
“In Acts 1:6–8, Jesus repairs their faulty vision of what he is going to do in the world. They were looking for a political campaign, and he tells them about the nature of the kingdom, which will spread through his disciples as they become his witnesses and ambassadors. The vision is that through our words we will bring people under the kingship of Christ, which will heal and repair all things.”
As the gospel goes forth, the kingdom will expand through all the earth, and the Great Commission will one day be fulfilled. This is the mission to which we've been called. As we faithfully pursue missional living and go forth to make disciples of all nations, we are given a gift: the opportunity to be part of the restoration of all things in Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah in his letter to the Romans by saying, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” (Rom .10:15). Later he adds, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20).
What a glorious task! What a worthy endeavor! What an empowering promise!
Imagine if all Christians in all places spoke these truths to themselves on a daily basis. How might our decisions look different if we lived as though a present-day kingdom has power in the now, as well as the not yet? How might our missions be emboldened if we truly believed that the enemy has been restrained? How accelerated would our evangelism become if we grabbed hold of the fact that gospel growth is the vehicle en route to the end of sin and death?
Just as the inauguration of human life and parenthood at the moment of conception lead to a newfound focus and a shift in priorities until the birth of a beautiful new baby, inaugurated eschatology and all its implications should empower the church for missional living and discipleship as we await the second coming of Christ.
Indeed, all of creation is groaning with birth pains in eager anticipation of the final appearing of Jesus, when we can fully and finally proclaim that "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).
Jon Nagle is the husband of Andrea, and the daddy of two young boys, Wes and Cohen. After spending a decade in sales and management he felt the call to pursue full-time vocational ministry. He's currently serving as a volunteer pastoral intern at his local church and attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and College while continuning to work full-time in sales and advertising management. You can follow Jon on Twitter @jonathan_nagle.
The Cataclysm That Is Conversion
Reelfoot Lake is a shallow natural lake, not far from Memphis, Tennessee, where I grew up. It is noted for its bald cypress trees and its nesting pairs of bald eagles. But it is perhaps best known as the lake that was formed almost overnight as a result of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1812, when the Mississippi River flowed backward for 24 hours to fill it. Based on the effects of these earthquakes, it can be estimated that they had a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquakes were felt strongly over roughly 50,000 square miles. As a result of the quakes, large areas sank into the earth, new lakes were formed, and the Mississippi River changed its course. This is how Reelfoot Lake came into being. Where once there had been dry land, there now was a lake encompassing 25,000 acres and teeming with wildlife.
A Momentous Upheaval
The dictionary defines a cataclysm as “a momentous upheaval that brings about a fundamental change.” And while the formation of Reelfoot Lake certainly qualifies as a cataclysmic event, there are even more significant, more impressive upheavals that have occurred throughout history. One such cataclysm took place one day, around noon, in the heart a man named Paul. It’s recorded for us in Acts chapter 9.
In Acts 8, Paul was ravaging the church, breathing out threats and murder against Christians everywhere. Paul gives his own description of his efforts in Acts 26:10-11:
I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Why was Paul so venomously opposed to Christianity? Because the salvation by grace that Jesus Christ taught would have made all of Paul’s own careful, law-abiding, pharisaical deeds useless and unimpressive. According to Jesus, salvation came freely by grace, through faith, not works. Paul would later post his list of legalistic accomplishments in Philippians 3:4-6:
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
The idea that anyone—regardless of their ethnic identity, moral record, or religious heritage—who believed on Jesus Christ would have everlasting life was repugnant to Paul. And so he persecuted those of “this Way” (Acts 9:2), even pursuing them to Damascus, about one week’s journey from Jerusalem.
However, as he drew near to Damascus, Jesus met Paul in person on the road. Paul tells us that at midday he saw a light from heaven, brighter than the noonday sun (26:13), and that the others who were with him heard a noise and saw a light, but they heard no voice and saw no man (9:7; 22:9). Paul was struck blind by the light, but his eyes were opened to the reality of Christ. He heard Jesus speak, and Paul asked the wise question, “Who are you, Lord?” The answer—that he was encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ—changed his life fundamentally and forever.
A Delightful Surprise
God delights in surprising his saints; so much so that he tells us to expect to be surprised. Anything less is described as “little faith.”
Why is this? Because little faith forgets to ask the question: “Who are you, Lord?” Conversely, strong faith, right faith understands who God is, what he is capable of, and what he has promised to do. Thus, in Acts 9 we find strong faith in one of the most unlikely and surprising places imaginable—the persecutor Paul. His greatest fear has come true, yet he found it his greatest joy in the end. He shares his delight in Philippians 3:8: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Paul wasn’t the only one who was surprised: the saints in Damascus, who had heard of and dreaded Paul’s menacing approach to their city, were shocked to find him the newest convert to Christianity. The persecutor had become an apostle! Paul is not alone in history either. John Newton was converted from the life of a slave trader to a hymn writer and preacher; C.S. Lewis was converted from devout atheism to become the foremost Christian apologist of the twentieth century; Chuck Colson was converted from thieving and deception to ministry and evangelism.
C.S. Lewis called this unexpected, irresistible act of grace being “surprised by joy.” He marveled afterward that he had discovered this vital truth: “necessity may not be the opposite of freedom.” In other words, being saved by grace does not mean you lose your freedom; it means you are delivered from inescapable bondage.
A Gracious Pattern
What lessons are we meant to draw from Paul’s miraculous, cataclysmic conversion? Is this just an interesting piece of Paul’s overall biography, or does it have greater implications?
Certainly he experienced a momentous upheaval that brought about a fundamental change. In the formerly dry, legalistic land of Paul’s heart God created a teeming lake of life and faith. But is this Reelfoot-like conversion a reflection of real life, or just Paul’s extraordinary-but-individual experience? Does it only happen once or twice a century, to gifted people like Paul, or Newton, or Lewis, or Colson?
Paul himself applies the lesson for us, telling us that this was a conversion, not just for Paul, but for all. In 1Timothy 1:15-16, Paul writes: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me…Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” Paul’s conversion was an example of what God is doing in everyone who believes in him. While we will not all have the exact same experience as Paul (some might!), every one of God’s children are saved by the same Spirit that arrested Paul on the road to Damascus. We each encounter Christ, through God’s grace, and we are all called to personal service and ministry.
In recording the cataclysmic conversion of Paul, Luke wants us to see the impossibility of Paul’s conversion, then the ease and completeness of it. The persecutor became, in a moment, the apostle of Jesus Christ. What encouragement this account brings to struggling sinners, who perhaps think their case too hard for God, or to discouraged disciple-makers, who perhaps think the case of others too hard for God!
In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul speaks of his conversion, that “when he who had set me apart before I was born” moved in Paul’s life, God “called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me.” This, we must remember, is a pattern for all who would, after Paul, believe on Jesus Christ for eternal life.
The marvelous truth of the gospel is that cataclysmic conversions are happening every day, around the world, as the Spirit of God moves to make children of God out of those whom he has separated from their mother’s womb. Reelfoot lakes of life and faith are formed in the hearts of awe-struck people as they experience the momentous upheaval of God’s grace in their lives. And by that same grace that caught Paul unexpectedly, we are surprised by joy.
Justin Huffman has pastored in the States for over 15 years, authored the “Daily Devotion” app (iTunes/Android) which now has over half a million downloads, and recently published a book with Day One: Grow: the Command to Ever-Expanding Joy. He has also written articles for For the Church, Servants of Grace, and Fathom Magazine. He blogs at justinhuffman.org.
Use Your Affluence for Influence
“If you engage in a geographically centered mission in an affluent area, how will you care for the poor and welcome them into your community?” — @BradAWatson
I saw that tweet right before bed and it kept me up most of the night. It's something I’ve wrestled with because I live and serve in an affluent community. How do you care for the poor and welcome them into your community if you live in a wealthy area?
The Bible tells us that God’s people are blessed so that they can be a blessing to others. That means our affluence should be used for influence.
The Biblical Mandate
God’s plan since the beginning has been to bless the world through his people. In the garden, Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply and to cultivate the world, making it a more perfect place (Gen. 1:28). God promised Abraham he would bless him and make him into a great nation, but that blessing was intended to flow into all the nations of the earth (Gen. 12:2-3). Abraham’s fruitfulness would be a blessing to his family, but it was primarily intended to become a blessing to all the families of the world.
This broader theme of blessing the world through one people carries over into God’s plan for Israel. At the same time, God’s heart for the poor is revealed throughout the Old Testament in passages such as Psalm 72:13, “He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.” More than the just the poor, we see God’s soft spot widened to include widows, orphans, refugees, and others, such as in Deuteronomy 10:18, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
The fullest display of God’s heart for the poor was incarnated in Jesus, who was born into a poor family. His statements about caring the poor were provocative and shocking, like when he said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God… But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Lk. 6:20, 24). Jesus goes further to say that putting our money in earthly possessions is foolish when all of it will come to an end. Instead, Jesus says,
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. – Luke 12:33
Perhaps Jesus’ most striking words about caring for the poor are found in Matthew 25:31-46, where he says that neglecting to care for the poor is the same as neglecting to care for him. Those who neglect the poor will then hear these words from Jesus,
Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. – Matthew 25:41-43
Clearly, Jesus expects his followers to use their blessings to bless others. For many of us, Jesus’ teaching should directly affect how we think about and use our affluence.
Own your affluence
Many of us don't think of ourselves as affluent. However, none of the worldwide statistics support this thinking.
At the same time, not everyone reading this is making ends meet, and I get that. I really do. I coordinate pastoral care and benevolence for my church, so I know people are struggling. Just because I live in an affluent area doesn't mean everyone around me is well off.
But for those of us who have a roof over our head, food in the fridge, and air conditioning keeping us comfortable, we need to own our affluence. Once we’ve done that, it’s time to start putting feet to our faith. Here are some ways to do that.
Spend time with the poor
If we want to care for the poor and invite them into our lives and communities, we have to spend time them. The biggest hurdle to caring for the poor in affluent areas is insulation—intentionally or unintentionally closing ourselves off. We don’t have to continue living this way this way though.
Even in a wealthy town like mine, there is almost always an organization, church, or non-profit that is serving the poor and working poor. Seek them out. Give them time and resources. Join their cause. As you read earlier, in Matthew 25 Jesus equated spending time with the poor to spending time with him.
We can't minister to people we don't understand. We can’t welcome people we don’t know. We must be serving the poor where they are.
Open your home
Here's something that would make a splash in your affluent neighborhood: invite a poor person or family to move into your home. Why don't more of us consider this?
Jesus' teaching is laden with instructions to care for the poor, minister to the down and out, and to be hospitable to the stranger. Particularly in the suburbs, many people have homes with extra bedrooms, bonus rooms, and basements, so why not use those homes for ministry?
The early church got a lot of things wrong, but this they got right. “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47 ESV).
Using houses as ministry bases has been a part of the church since the very beginning. Just because we live in an individualistic age doesn't mean we should be exempt from that history. Thankfully, we're living in a time where this ministry form is having a bit of a renaissance.
Move to the "poor part of town"
Here's another counter-cultural idea that would raise eyebrows in your affluent area: sell your house and move closer to the "poor part of town."
Every town and city has at least one area like this. In our affluence we actively avoid living close to these area citing crime, poor schools, and sagging real estate prices. These sound reasonable enough until you ask yourself if those would sound like good reasons to Jesus.
What kind of witness to the name of Jesus would it be if more believers sold their homes, moved closer to poverty, and used their affluence to enrich the lives of those around them?
A pretty compelling one if you ask me. And it sounds dangerously close to the early Christianity we all claim to long for.
Cultivate church gatherings that welcome the poor
Ask yourself: If I were to bring a poor person to church with me on Sunday, what would their experience be like? Would they stand out? Would they be welcomed? Would anyone talk to them? Would the service make sense to them?
These might be tough questions, depending on your answers, but we should be asking them. If we're surrounded by affluence, over time we'll only be able to relate to affluence, and everything we do will assume people come from the same background.
This mindset makes social diversity much more difficult and weakens our communities. Community thrives in diversity, not homogeneity. We should always be seeking to cultivate a community that welcomes people no matter where they fall on the income spectrum, particularly within the body of Christ.
James 2 harshly condemns partiality towards the rich over the poor when the church is gathered. If the poor aren’t welcome in the gathering of the body then there’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the kingdom of God: “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5 ESV).
The Church should be marked by a counter-cultural blending of people; a people that no longer think in societal hierarchies or act according to cultural norms. The day of Pentecost brought together people from countries and people groups that actively hated each other, yet the world was turned upside down by the way they loved one another.
Could our churches facilitate this same counter-culture today?
Throw a party
In Luke 14:13, Jesus says we’ll be blessed when we invite people to our parties who can’t afford to pay us back. Why not throw a party for the poor in your area? Feed them a meal, give them space to rest and to laugh. Gather your friends or some churches and throw a banquet for the poor in your area where everything is free. Provide food, dental clinics, healthcare, and free clothing stores. Blessing people that way doesn’t make any sense according to the world, but it makes a lot of sense according to Jesus’ teaching.
Ecclesia Houston does something called a "simple feast" where they gather to share a pot-luck style meal with their homeless brothers and sisters. No money required, you just show up. Oh, and they do it every week.
Churches in wealthy areas often have facilities that are well-equipped to do this sort of thing. Why not use them to serve the poor and integrate them into the community?
The hardest part would be getting the word out to those who would benefit from it, but surely that's something that could be addressed through networking with other organizations and churches in your area.
Use your affluence for influence
When God blessed Israel, He had other nations in mind that He wanted to bless through them. Yes, it was about Israel enjoying the blessings too, but God was primarily interested in spreading His glory throughout the nations by blessing the world through Israel. The same is true of the Church today.
Owning our affluence should lead us to ask why we have resources. Why, out of all the places in the world, were you born in this country, and live in your town or city? It might just be that your affluence isn’t meant for you alone. Instead of seeing that affluence as something we should hold on to, it’s time to start seeing it as something we should give away.
Use your affluence for influence. But use it for the right kind of influence – the kind that brings flourishing and healing to our towns and city. The kind of influence that lifts up those around you and makes everyone better.
Grayson Pope is a husband and father of three. He serves as Pastor of Community at his church in Charlotte, NC and is currently pursuing a MACS at The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Grayson's Passion is to equip believers for everyday discipleship to Jesus.
Blessed Are the Persecuted?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. – Matthew 5:10-11
When I was recently speaking on the subject of Christian persecution, I told my wife how intimidated I was to make this topic piercingly relevant in our comfortable modern culture, with so much religious freedom. Her reply helped open my own eyes on the subject. She suggested we perhaps can see this issue best through its opposite: if being persecuted for righteousness’s sake means being insulted or rejected because we are speaking the gospel for Christ’s sake, then its opposite is being accepted, popular, or enjoyed because we are not speaking and living publicly for Christ.
When we consider the issue through this lens, we starkly see how applicable it is, how far short we often fall as Christians of enjoying the blessedness of unpopularity for Christ’s sake. And now the Beatitude that perhaps seemed least applicable to begin with becomes the most searching and convicting!
Am I truly hungering after righteousness? Then it will be evidenced in rejection for righteousness’s sake! Am I poor in spirit? Then I will not hesitate to be shamed by the world in order to speak well of my Savior.
What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness?
What Jesus means by “persecution” is explained in his own words in the surrounding context. In verse 11, we see that persecution includes: being reviled (insulted, reprimanded, despised, rejected) and having people say negative things about you for Christ’s sake.
We must be careful to notice that Christian persecution always centers on Christ, not us. It is for Christ’s sake—not just our own unpopularity, our difficulty getting along with people, our offending people (even with the truth) by unkind and inconsiderate words or manner. (Remember 1 Peter 2:20: “What credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God”).
Yet we don’t see anything in Jesus’s description of persecution about being burned at the stake, chased out of your home, or thrown in prison—even though many of his disciples would eventually face these violent responses to their Christian testimony! Rather, the words Jesus chooses in order to describe persecution highlight the personal rejection and social isolation. Interestingly, Peter writes to those who are suffering physical consequences for their Christian faith, and his emphasis almost exactly mirrors that of Jesus: “if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” (1 Pt. 3:14), and “If you are insulted [same word as “reviled”] for the name of Christ, you are blessed” (4:14).
Do we think there’s something unique about our culture or our generation, that the greatest deterrent to living and speaking publicly for the glory of Christ is what other people will think and say? Certainly not! Think about it: the difficulty of losing your house or being put in prison would be far less if your entire community and culture embraced what you were standing for and welcomed you afterward with open arms. Likewise, not losing your house or being put in prison does not shelter you from the serious and daunting loneliness, shame, and rejection that any culture can heap on those whom they despise and deride.
Have we been persecuted for righteousness?
In light of Jesus’s description of Christian persecution—which does not necessarily mean doing prison time, but will always mean sacrificing my personal popularity in order to speak well of Jesus in front of others—have we experienced the blessedness Jesus’s promises here?
Have I been passed over for promotion, have I had to stick out at a social event, have I been ostracized by my classmates, have I received odd looks or peer pressure for what I won’t let my children do for Christ’s sake? (Let’s not kid ourselves: peer pressure is not just a problem for kids! It is just as much a danger for adults.)
The point of Jesus’s beatitude is not just to make us feel guilty but to help us realize we are either trusting in the approval and acceptance of others or we are trusting in Christ’s promise: “You are blessed if you are insulted for me!”
This means any time I avoid speaking about Jesus, or go along with the crowd in order to fit in or not be rejected, I am disbelieving Christ’s assurance that it is a greater blessing and happiness to be reviled for Christ’s sake than it is to fit in for my own sake.
And it also means that we cannot excuse ourselves from this beatitude by just saying, as we often do, “Thank God we don’t live in a country that persecutes Christians.” Every country, in every generation has persecuted Christians when those Christians are boldly speaking well of Christ and living out his Word! Paul put it in no uncertain terms, didn’t he? “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). If we are not in some sense despised by, reviled by our unbelieving culture and co-workers and community then it necessarily means we have in some way been hiding the light of Christ. Those who bravely, although joyfully and winningly, speak well of Jesus in public will always suffer for it in an unbelieving world.
Some Bible-students have suggested this is the one beatitude not describing or based on personal character and actions. Yet Jesus insists it has everything to do with who we are and how we are living: “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn. 15:19; see also 17:6-14). The goal of course is not ever to be “persecution” in and of itself, but speaking and living publicly for Christ… which Jesus says will always lead to severe social rejection on some level.
Are we being persecuted? More specifically, can you think of an instance in the last week in which you were insulted or rejected because you were publicly speaking and living for Christ? In the last month? The last year?
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What is the promise to those who, in boldly proclaiming the fame of Jesus Christ, suffer personally for it? “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
They appear to lose all; but not so, for they gain assurance that all is theirs. Everything on earth may be taken from them, but they have the astounding and everlasting promise that heaven is theirs.
The world opposes the name of Jesus Christ, either by discounting him or by ignoring him; it always has, and Jesus says it always will. The world is speaking evil of Christ; if Christians do not speak well of him, who will? Is Christ well-spoken of by you?
It is interesting and revealing, is it not, that we often thank God for the blessing of not being persecuted? Meanwhile, Jesus says the opposite! Blessed are those who are persecuted for his name’s sake. Your situation is a happy one when persecuted for Christ’s name because your life is counting for the only thing in all the universe that really matters and lasts.
Justin Huffman has pastored in the States for over 15 years, authored the "Daily Devotion" app (iTunes/Android) which now has over half a million downloads, and recently published a book with Day One: Grow: the Command to Ever-Expanding Joy. He has also written articles for For the Church, Servants of Grace, and Fathom Magazine. He blogs at justinhuffman.org.
The Gospel Domino Effect
I love exploring history and the cause and effect relationship of certain actions. If you want to know why something happened, you have to consider what preceded it. Neither you, nor I, or our society live in a vacuum, so there are these constant push/pull, give/take, cause/effect scenarios playing out across our lives, culture, and history through time. If you want to understand why I behave and think and act a certain way, look to my parents, my family, and my upbringing, among a host of other influences which have shaped me along the way. I loved horses as a child because my grandfather had a barnyard full of Shetland ponies.
I’m terrified of ever snorkeling again because, to put it simply, my one and only experience just did not end well. I’m not a fan of banana-flavored foods or drinks because I once had to take an antibiotic as a child that tasted similar to bananas. It tasted so horrible I threw it up all over my dad.
I go to the gym now because I knew I needed to get my body in shape, and I vowed I was never going to go through the agony of having a herniated disc again.
I currently have short hair, and I have told myself for a long time now I would never want to grow it out again because I associate long hair with who I used to be in high school—and I did not like who I used to be. The list is a never-ending cause and effect relationships, and that’s just in my own life. The list is infinitely longer if we look at history at large.
The same is true when we consider the story lines playing out on the pages of the Bible. Why did Mary and Joseph have to go to Bethlehem? Because Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census to be taken and each person had to return to his hometown.
Why did Eve eat the apple in the garden? Because Satan deceived her. Why did Moses have to flee Egypt? Because he killed an Egyptian man and Moses feared for his life. I realize these are overly simplified and generalized statements of what are complex cause and effect relationships, but you get the idea. It is the classic question of “why?” with the ever-informative answer “because.”
But do you want to know one of the ultimate cause and effect relationships that underlines the entirety of Scripture?
It is bound up in the simple sequence of just a few short phrases and a series of pronouns: That I may → that you may → that we may → that they may.
Jesus sets this grand chain reaction of dominoes into motion when he says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again” (Jn. 10:17).
Why does he lay down his life? So that he may take it up again. He cannot be resurrected if he does not first die. He is the “I” in the sequence. That I may. He is the first domino to fall, which leads to the second domino.
Jesus lays down his life to take it up again. Why?
So that you may.
So that you may what?
The answer lies in John 20:31, “But [this book was] written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The context of this verse applies directly to the book of John, a book which recorded the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Cause? Jesus laid down his life? Effect? You get to choose to believe and have life in his name. If you flip toward the back of your Bible to 1 John 5:13, you’ll see a similar echo, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” Jesus died and was resurrected, and these stories are recorded of him doing so you could believe in him and spend eternity in heaven.
That I may, so that you may.
Two dominoes fall. But they do not stop just yet. The story never ends with just you.
It continues with “we.”
That we may.
Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 10 a defense of his ministry. He speaks of how we can and cannot boast in who we are, how we can and cannot compare ourselves, and what the limits to our boasting are. He ultimately wraps up in verse 18 by saying, “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” It is a couple of verses just prior in vv. 15-16, however, that we must note, “But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you…”
That we may preach the gospel.
We want our area of influence to increase and be greatly enlarged so that we may tell others about this Jesus who laid down his life for us. Another domino falls.
The whole of Scripture paints this singular cause and effect sequence: Jesus laid down his life so that he may take it up again so that you may have eternal life and so that we may preach the gospel to all nations.
But is that the last of the dominoes to fall?
Hardly.
That they may.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
“That I may” crashes into “that you may” which knocks over “that we may” which collides with “that they may.”
The end goal is always others. Jesus died and was resurrected not simply so you could get yourself a get-out-of-hell-free card. Yes, he died for you personally and individually. But he did not die only for you. God told Abram in Genesis 12:2-3,
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
The blessing might have begun with Abram, but it most certainly did not end with him.
The greatest cause and effect in my life and your life begins with Jesus and ends with others, and we get sandwiched in between.
Jesus is the single most magnificent cause in the history of mankind.
His effect?
That storyline has been unfolding for thousands of years and is still unfolding.
May we be a part of that effect and the preaching of gospel in lands beyond us.
So that they may share in the gift of eternal salvation.
The beauty of the story is that the first and the last dominoes—I and they—come full circle and crash into one another in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
That I may.
So that you may.
So that we may.
So that they may.
Courtney Yantes spends her days as an event planner, coordinating events and conferences designed to inspire change and promote access for people with disabilities. She graduated from William Woods University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in business administration. She enjoys blogging, traveling, and generally organizing anything she can get her hands on. She is a lover of all things Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and relishes a life free of social media accounts.
Why You're Not Being Transformed
“In many cases our need to wonder about or be told what God wants in a certain situation is a clear indication of how little we are engaged in His work.” – Dallas Willard, Hearing God
As a pastor, I talk to people all the time who are frustrated with where they are spiritually. They want to be “better.” They desire to grow more like Christ. But they just aren’t getting anywhere.
They’re trying to address it, and many times even good things. They’re reading their Bible. They’re going to church every weekend. They’re even in a small group. But still, they’re not seeing any transformation. So what’s going on?
What they’re really saying is they’re not being transformed. That the power of God isn’t evident in their everyday life.
How transformation happens
Many of us have misconceptions about how we’re transformed into the likeness of Christ. We think we can just read different books or listen to different radio stations or go to church every week and somehow we’ll change into godly people.
The Bible teaches something very different, though. In terms of transforming the human heart, it teaches that we’re actually powerless to do anything. That left to ourselves we are incapable of being righteous before God. And that’s the glory of the gospel—that we are offered salvation and eternal life solely through the magnificent grace of God.
But when it comes to transforming how we live, the Bible’s teaching is that God transforms us through his Spirit by the power of his Word, and that we are to make every effort to strive to live godly lives. Most believers and their churches have at least a basic understanding of how God’s Word transforms and renews us. When it comes to making every effort to live godly lives, though, it seems that many of us are less clear.
Make every effort
The language of “make every effort” comes from the Apostle Peter’s epistle:
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7
We’re told that we should be exerting effort to supplement our faith with actions. That’s what the list that follows the command is referring to, these qualities of living that display on the outside how we’ve been changed on the inside. Now, notice that Peter says these efforts only supplement, not replace, our faith.
Perhaps nowhere is this same teaching seen as clearly as in the Apostle James’s writing, where we’re told simply to,
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
What James is saying here should shock us, because he’s saying that listening to the Word of God is not enough. Through James, the Holy Spirit is saying that listening to sermons and podcasts, reading Christian books, and even reading the Bible itself, none of these things are enough on their own. They must be accompanied by doing something, otherwise we’re just deceiving ourselves.
In John 8:44, the Apostle John tells us that Satan is a deceiver, using all kinds of schemes to distract us from obeying God. If we listen to the Word but never do anything with it, then we are doing his job for him. We are deceiving ourselves if all we’re doing is sitting through a church service on Sunday or even attending a group during the week, while not ministering to others in obedience to what we’ve heard.
Lack of Exercise
When someone breaks their leg and they can’t put weight on it, they have to do physical therapy when it’s time to walk again. That’s because their leg muscles have atrophied. They’ve shrunken from not being used.
When you exercise, you’re actually tearing muscle tissue. Muscle is being built up by continual tearing that is then healed by scar tissue. As that happens more and more, muscles begin to grow.
Many of us in the church experience spiritual atrophy. We’ve spent so much time taking information in that we’ve forgotten how to exercise what we’ve learned, and now our spiritual muscles have atrophied from lack of use.
What’s needed now is action—putting those muscles to use. And yes, it will be difficult. It may even be painful. But it’s only through the hard work of exercising our faith by the power of Spirit that we begin to see transformation. Because of his work of love in us, we work in love towards others. Exercise may tear your spiritual muscles, but the grace of God acts as the scar tissue that heals the wounds and builds you up into something more perfect along the way.
Doing and Sanctification
After James makes his case that believers should be doers of God’s Word, he says something very interesting:
“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” – James 1:25
That last phrase, “he will be blessed in his doing,” points out something that’s so often overlooked: that our sanctification happens as we minister to others. Our sanctification, our being transformed into the image of Christ, happens as we put our faith into action.
Most of us think we need to be transformed before we minister to other people. But what the Bible teaches is that we’re transformed as we minister to other people. It is in dying to ourselves, taking up our cross, and being obedient to Jesus that we’re transformed into the image of Jesus.
And that’s really what being “doers” of the Word means—being obedient to Jesus. So if we want to experience transformation, we need to ask ourselves if we’re being obedient to Jesus’s commands. Are we making disciples? Are we living on mission? Are we sharing our faith?
We can’t expect to become like Jesus if we’re not doing what he did. We can’t expect to be transformed if we’re not obeying his commands.
But this obedience isn’t oppressive, or something that should cause us to groan. God created us for good works.
How obedience to Christ brings freedom
In Ephesians 2:10, Paul tells us,
“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We are God’s workmanship. Another translation says that we are his masterpiece. And he created us as masterpieces for a reason, which is what? For good works.
We were saved by Christ that we might do good works in Christ. Which means we won’t fulfill God’s purpose for our life outside of obedience to Jesus. But in that obedience there is outlandish freedom.
That’s why James uses that paradoxical phrase, “the law of liberty.” He knows that if we’re obedient to Christ then we are free from the law and, ultimately, our sin. If we’re obedient to Christ, we are free to experience the transformation God has in store for us.
If we are obedient to Christ, we are free in Christ. Which is why Jesus said,
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:31-32, 36
Grayson Pope is a husband to Maggie, father to three kids ages five, three, and one. He serves as the Pastor of Community at Mecklenburg Community Church. He’s also a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he’s pursuing a MACS.
The Liberating Grace of Generosity
What if I told you that you live daily wearing a straitjacket? How crazy would that be?! Thinking yourself free and unbounded you, like a person in need of restraint to keep from hurting yourself, you bind yourself up so that you don't become too excessive or lavish. The straitjacket is one you put on yourself, but it's also likely that the straps of this jacket have been pulled tighter by religious types. If you accomplish and achieve their standards, you feel better because you can check the box and validate your goodness. If you don't measure up to the straitjacket standard you feel shame, guilt, dishonor, and anxiety. The straitjacket is pulled tighter, and the pressure to perform is all the greater. Insanity! Is this what Christianity is? A straitjacket of rules and regulations? Is Christianity a set of metrics for the fruit of the Spirit? If Christ came to set us free then why do we wear a straitjacket of laws around our lives instead of being free to enjoy grace and flourish in holiness? If the gospel is "Good News" then where is the good news for us in the realm of giving and generosity? Are we bound to give ten percent?
I'm convinced that many Christians live with straitjackets around their hearts and wallets. The fear they live under demonstrates itself either by making them afraid to loosen the straitjacket and hold with open hands the resources they have, or it makes them tighten their fists around what they have all the more, lest they lose it. If they hit the magic "ten percent" mark though, all is well with God and man.
This kind of approach doesn't sound like generosity to me. It doesn't sound like “giving” either. I suppose if I had to compare the practice of giving ten percent to something, it would feel more like taxation. The danger could be we are expecting and believing that if we do our part, meet our quota, and hit the mark then we are living right.
Jesus and the Straitjacket
Lately, as I’ve read the four Gospels, I can’t help be struck by Jesus’s generosity. He is constantly giving in some fashion or another. The demands upon him were great—heal this friend, cast out that demon, teach at this town, feed that crowd, serve this poor woman, or pay that disciples’s taxes. I don’t ever recall Jesus saying, “No, I’ve hit my quota today. Ten percent is all I have to give. I’m done.”
If anything it was the other way around. The greater the demands and requests upon Jesus the more open his hands were to give, serve, and love. It doesn't seem that Jesus had many world possessions. He even told someone who wanted to follow him, "The Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Lk. 9:58, CSB). We often think of Jesus’s lack of material wealth as a result of his vocational choices. But what if his material poverty was intentional? What if he actually gave away everything he possessed.
I'd like to think, through Paul's reflection, that Jesus was intentionally poor because he was intentionally generous. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich’ (2 Cor. 8:9, CSB). Note the verb in this verse—“became.” Jesus’s poverty was an act of intentionality. He saw the need of the human race that could do nothing to rescue and help itself. He gave. He saw the way we suffocate ourselves with legalism and works and gave himself to free us from death-by-tithe.
Jesus didn't wear the straitjacket of ten-percent. He became poor so that he could liberate, model, and earn real generosity for all his people. He saw the straitjackets of the Pharisees and scribes. They wore them well and helped others suit-up into straitjackets of their own. Because they were so fearful of breaking the Law, they would go to the extreme of emptying the kitchen cupboards of their spices and measure out ten percent of the mint, cumin, and dill to be sure they could say they gave ten percent of everything away (Matt. 23:23, Lk. 11:42). As good as they were at honoring the tithe principle though, they lacked generosity, justice, and mercy. Real generosity eluded them.
Gospel-Informed Generosity
If generosity is not measured by a percentage (however high or low you want to make it) but by Jesus’s own example, it begs the question, how generous are we really? Could it be that we have not perceived the depth of the gospel to such a degree that we are changed by the gospel? Or are we afraid there won’t be enough of God’s generosity for us as well?
Fear not! By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we too can become generous like Jesus. We can hold with open hands all that we have in order to love God and serve others. We can become poor so that through our poverty we might make others rich in Christ. The straitjacket can be loosed, and we can be freed to be gospel-generous people.
An Invitation to Gospel-Centered Generosity
I’d like to invite you as well to imitate Jesus’s generosity. My hope is that you are supporting the work of the ministry through your local church and giving priority to generously supporting the ministry and pastors that feed you the Word of God each week (see 1 Corinthians 9:14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18).
As you give to your local church, I'd also like to ask you to consider giving to support the ministry of Gospel-Centered Discipleship. Our purpose is to publish resources to help make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus. While we operate each month on a limited budget and scope, our desire is—if God wills—to increase our reach and serve Christ by equipping the church with excellent resources for the advance of the gospel.
Practically speaking, we’d like to increase our reach through hiring more editorial staff, updating aspects of our website, and funding and developing creative writers who have the gifts of excellence with words. You can support us coming alongside the church and discipling writers in three ways:
- If you have found an article particularly useful for your own growth would you toss a "tip in the jar" to support the development of more articles and resources? You can make a one-time donation here.
- Would you consider being a monthly donor to our ministry and making a contribution to the work of our ministry on a regular basis? If one-hundred of our readers were able to give $5 a month to our work, we'd be able to move forward in some accelerated ways. You can contribute on an ongoing basis by following this link.
- If you would like to fund one of our major projects like website development, staff positions, or other opportunities would you please contact me to allow me to share more of our vision with you.
May the grace of God through Christ be in your gaze. May you know and believe in him as the one who generously gave all he had, even his very life, so that, “He might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7, CSB).
Jeremy Writebol is the Executive Director of GCD. He is the husband of Stephanie and father of Allison and Ethan. He serves as the lead campus pastor of Woodside Bible Church in Plymouth, MI. He is also an author and contributor to several GCD Books including everPresent and Make, Mature, Multiply. He writes personally at jwritebol.net.
You can read all of Jeremy’s articles here.