A letter to a dear friend

I recently spoke with an old friend who was struggling with the death of a parent. The memorial service didn’t seem like the most appropriate time and lace to go into the details of addressing my friend’s questions. So I wrote the following letter.

 I am writing as a follow-up on our conversation regarding your questions.  I am not writing to convince you, but merely in hopes of offering a bit of caring clarity.

Your questions seem to be  “Why?”  I cannot tell you why because I am not God (and you can be thankful for this).  Asking “why” in the midst of the death of a loved one (or any tragedy for that matter) is understandable and perfectly legitimate. Though I cannot give a complete answer, I can share with you how a child of God deals with the “whys” in life.

 The minister at the memorial gathering stated that your father’s favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:28, which states: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (emphasis added)

 Many believe in God and even in Jesus Christ, but biblical belief is more than a mental assent to a set of facts.  Believing in Jesus is deeper.  It means trusting Him—especially in traumatic times.  Believing in Jesus and in what He did to save His people from our sins (by dying willingly to pay the penalty our sins deserve, and then rising from the dead), means gratefully loving Him.

 According to your father’s favorite verse (it is one of mine as well!), those who love Him trust that He has a purpose for everything that befalls us—whether we understand it, or even if we do not like it.  The fact that we often do not like what God is doing only proves that we do not understand what God understands.  The Word of God says:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

 Little children frequently do not understand why their parents make decisions and do the things they do.  But most of the time most parents are doing what they know is best, even when their children are unhappy about it.  The difference between the mind of a parent and the mind of a little child may be vast, but it is measurable. Contrast that with the difference between the finite minds of human beings and the all-knowing and infinitely-wise mind of God.  That difference is infinite.

 That is why it is understandable when God does or allows things we do not like.   Our understanding is beneath His.  And because God is good and always does only good, when we do not understand (even to the degree of not liking what God is doing), we are not only to believe in God, but trust Him and love Him.

 This does not make sense to those who do not love God, but according to your father’s favorite verse, because we love God, we trust that whatever God does (whether we understand or like it or not), God is working all things together for our good and for His glory.

 The verse doesn’t promise that all things are good, or that they are working smoothly (clearly, there are a lot of things that aren’t!).  What the verse does promise is that those who love God can rest, trusting that the one and only, all-wise and good God is working all things together for good.

 I remember when I did not love God.  This would likely have been nonsense to me.  But God changed my heart.  I pray that you might love God and be able to rest in His goodness—even when it hurts.

 Much love,
Errol

PS. Maybe, if you are interested, I can share why pain, suffering, and death take place at all.

Abiding in Christ

(5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned… (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:5-6, & 8

Here are three lessons to meditate on:

First, verse 5 tells us something about who Jesus is and who we are in Him.  He is the Vine, and we are merely branches.  The branches must remain connected to the Vine for the Vine is the branches’ only source of life.

Second, these verses also contain a promise for those who abide [remain permanently] in Him: Fruitfulness.  Much fruitfulness, in fact.  Our lives will count for something, and that something is the glory of God (v.8).

Third, these verses warn of the dire consequences for not abiding in and relying on Christ.  Not only can we accomplish nothing of lasting value or meaning if we are severed from the Vine. The branches are dead and fit only to be burned. Additionally, abiding in Christ validates our status as His disciples.

May we comprehend just how much everything depends on Him, and on our ongoing intimacy with Him.

God graciously changes hearts

“Therefore they could not believe…”  John 12:39

The reality is, those who do not believe cannot believe.  Why?  Because sin so blinds and deceives us, that, left to ourselves, we have no desire to believe in Christ and repent of our sins.  It is never a case of God blocking someone who wants to believe from believing.  It is, rather, a case of God allowing the lost to continue in the unbelief they desire.

The flipside is that those who believe do so because God changes our hearts, giving us the desire to freely believe and repent.  God doesn’t violate anyone’s will, He merely changes it.

Two Applications:

First, be humble about your faith in Christ.  You only believe because God lovingly, graciously, and kindly changed your heart.  Thank Him.  Every day.

Second, be patient and loving to those who do not believe.  While it is true that they do not want Christ, when we remember that apart from His grace neither did we, we dare not think we are superior in the least measure.  Preach the gospel, but pray earnestly that God would be pleased change their hearts—as He did yours. 

Dual citizenship

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."
John 18:36

Jesus said it twice, in one verse. "My kingdom is not of this world.” This teaches at least three lessons.

1. Jesus is a king. He is not only a king, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

2. Jesus has a kingdom.

3. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, which means it is not merely an earthly kingdom. No matter how great earthly kingdoms are, or how long they last, Jesus’ kingdom cannot fail and it lasts forever. Why? Because as God, King Jesus is forever and so is His kingdom.

What about us? Most who read this are US citizens. That means we are citizens of two kingdoms: We are US citizens and simultaneously citizens of Christ’s kingdom. There is no contradiction in this. Just as most US citizens are also citizens of one of the fifty US states, simultaneously, Christian Americans have dual citizenship. And this is true for every Christian in every nation in the world.

What does that mean for Americans on the 4th of July, when we celebrate our nation’s traditional birthday? As long as the laws of the US and the laws of Christ’s kingdom do not conflict, we are to obey both. Of course, if and when the laws of any earthly kingdom are in opposition to the laws of the kingdom of God, we must obey God rather than man.

So, while much in America is in opposition to Christ’s kingdom; because not not everything is, and because the United States is still arguably the most desirable nation in which to live, as your conscience dictates, celebrate the 4th of July. Wave the flag. Eat a hot dog—or two. Thank God that you live in the United States of America. Pray for America that God may be pleased to grant our nation a much needed spiritual awakening.

And remembering that the US of A is not the kingdom of God, and that it is not forever—as a citizen of Christ’s kingdom, pray, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

Unbelieving loved ones

For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
John 7:5

My guess is that if you are saved, and understand salvation and what awaits those who are not saved, you are concerned for family and friends who are not trusting in and following Jesus.  You may even feel desperate.  Let me give you three reasons to take heart.

First, you are not the only one who has unbelieving loved ones.  So did Jesus.  And He was the perfect witness for the gospel.  Thankfully, at least two of Jesus’ unbelieving brothers ended up believing.  James and Jude became leaders in the early Church and wrote the New Testament books that bear their names.

Second, Jesus will save His people.  Unlike Jesus, we are often not the best witnesses.  We fail.  Sometimes often.  Sometimes in big ways.  The good news is that while our words and lives do matter, ultimately no one is lost because of our failures.  God is faithful to save His people, using folks like us—warts and all!

Third, God hears our prayers and loves our loved ones more than we do.  Be concerned about your testimony, because it does matter.  But most of all, pray.  Only God can change a person’s heart.  Pray that He will do just that.  And trust that according to His good pleasure, as He has been gracious to you, He may be gracious to those you love and care about.

To speak or not to speak

Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”
Luke 23:3

What Jesus said, and what Jesus didn’t say during His trials is significant. 

First, what He did not say.  He never answered the false charges leveled against Him.  Why?  Because they were so false they did not deserve an answer.  Does this mean we would never answer false charges that may be brought against us?  Not necessarily.  It does mean that to be like Him, we must be discerning about when to speak and when not to. 

Second, the only answers He gave during His trials were to questions about who He is.  The Son of God to the religionists (Lk.22:70).  The King, to Pilate (Lk.23:3).  Why did He answer these questions and not the others?  Because affirming that He is the Son of God (and therefore God) and that He is the King (of all kings, and Lord of all lords) is true and too important to fail to affirm.

Let us learn not to be too quick to defend ourselves; at the same time, let’s be eager to declare the deity and absolute kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Joy is found in forgiveness

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 

Jesus sent the disciples (all seventy of them) on a mission.  They “returned with joy.”  Why?  Because they experienced success in their ministry and they found that they had power as even demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name.  Success and power are two things that cause people to be happy.  But look at Jesus’ reply.

In verse 18, Jesus commented that He knew success when Satan’s (then Lucifer’s) rebellion was put down.  Jesus knew not only power, but authority, since He has all authority.  “Nevertheless,” Jesus continued, “do not rejoice in this” success and power.  Instead, understand that the ultimate reason for joy is salvation.

Those who come to grips with their need for forgiveness (an absolute prerequisite to being saved), and then experience God’s grace and forgiveness, also experience unparalleled joy.  Then every time we sin (which robs us of joy), when we confess our sin and receive a fresh cleansing from all unrighteousness, that joy is renewed

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:8-10

God’s forgiveness is the ultimate source and reason for joyous living.  Christians should be the most joyful people of all.  Why?  Because no matter what is happening in our lives, our salvation is unaffected, since salvation is of the Lord. It’s not based on us, what is happening in our lives, or how we feel.

My fellow child of God, remember your need for forgiveness.  Remember how the Lord Jesus has abundantly satisfied that need that otherwise could never be met!  Then rejoice, not because of success or power but because your sins are forgiven!  And keep on rejoicing since your salvation can never be taken away or forfeited!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Thoughts about sleep and prayer

Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mark 14:37-38

Peter and the others were sleeping when Jesus had asked them to pray.  Two thoughts:

First, there are times when we might be so sleepy that trying to stay awake to pray is rather fruitless.  In those moments, might it be that our kind and loving Lord would say, “Sleep, child.  You need the rest.  We’ll talk later.”?  Having had moments when weariness rendered my prayers incoherent, I think the Lord might say such a thing.  There are times when it is okay to fall asleep praying.

On the other hand, however, let’s be honest about the times when prayer gets crowded out of our lives in favor of lesser things.  Too busy?  Too tired because of poor time and energy management?  Disinterested or lazy?  In these instances, might not the Lord say, “Are you still [fill in the blank]?  Could you not pray even for a few moments?  Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation and drift away spiritually.  Your spirit needs Me; so don’t succumb to the weakness of your flesh.”

Brethren, let us pray!

A footnote: If you wake in the night and cannot fall back asleep, instead of counting sheep, count your blessings and pray for others.  I think the Lord is pleased when we fall asleep praying in this way!

Where are you in the story?

And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
Luke 5:30

Jesus called Levi (aka, Matthew), and he responded by leaving his lucrative tax-collecting franchise to follow Jesus.  Levi was so excited, that he invited Jesus to his home for dinner.  A nice gesture, don’t you think?  Who did Levi know except for tax-collectors (thought to be among the worst of sinners)?  So he invited who he knew.  Jesus, knowing who would be present at the meal, attended.

Enter the religious crowd.  Were they happy that a tax-collector had repented?  Not a chance.  They were incensed that Jesus would attend an event with such a crowd of undesirables.  And they said so!

Of course, Jesus instructed them that He hadn’t come for those who [falsely] considered themselves to be righteous, but for sinners in need of repentance.

Where are you in the story?  Are you excited about your Savior to the extent that you invite sinners to meet Jesus?  Are you, perhaps, one who prefers to keep undesirable sinners at arm’s distance? 

Let us be like Levi, and more importantly, like Jesus—instead of being like the religious crowd.

Fruitfulness

“…and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Mark 4:19

These words are part of Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower.  In this verse, Jesus explains what happens that leads to spiritual unfruitfulness.  Note the three items:

(1) The cares of this world.  We have responsibilities in this world, but when they become a cause of anxiety, or when they are more important to us than the affairs of the kingdom of God—unfruitfulness is inevitable.

(2) The deceitfulness of riches.  Whenever we are more driven to have the world’s riches than treasure in Heaven—unfruitfulness is inevitable.

(3) The desires for other things.  This is the catch-all that encompasses anything else that steals our affections and/or priorities away from the Lord.  And notice Jesus didn’t say, “the desire for sinful things.”  The things that cause unfruitfulness can be anything—even good things.  But when anything becomes more dear to us than Jesus—unfruitfulness is inevitable.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us have a healthy fear of unfruitfulness.  Unfruitfulness is the first step toward falling away.  And Jesus speaks of unfruitfulness as a synonym of not being saved!

Spiritual fruit is not measured the way we measure worldly success. It is, rather, a reference to the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

And how does one bear fruit? 

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  6  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:5-8

Fruit is not the result of trying harder.  Fruit is the result of surrendering and abiding more.

Encourage one another with these words, brethren

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Matthew 26:26-28

While communion bread and wine did not, nor have they ever, become the literal body and blood of our Lord, the spiritual presence of the Lord is in both for communicants who receive them in faith. 

That said, consider that the Lord knew full well what was ahead of Him in His crucifixion.  Knowing that it was the eternal plan for His body to be broken and His blood to be shed, as He gave the symbolic elements of His body and blood to His disciples, He thanked the Lord—twice.

Jesus did so much more than give us examples to live by.  He paid the penalty for our sin and saved His people from their sins.  But He did give us many examples to live by.  And this is one of them.  When the Lord’s will for our lives includes suffering, let us follow our Savior’s example and give thanks.  No matter how counter-intuitive it may appear, God’s will is always best.  Even in the gravest of circumstances.

Encourage one another with these words, brethren.

Two requests

"What do you wish?" Matthew 20:21
"What do you want Me to do for you?" Matthew 20:32

Two different requests were made of Jesus and He showed kind and patient grace by giving both the same response.  The two scenarios unfolded differently, however. Why?

The first request came from James and John’s mother, who was seeking positions of greatness for her sons. (Mark records that James and John asked as well.)  The second request came from two poor blind men who were seeking mercy to have their eyesight restored.  Jesus responds differently to, “Make me great,” than He does, “Have mercy on me.”

We shouldn’t miss the fact that the disciples (and their mother) should have been further along in their spiritual growth.  They had been with Jesus for 3 ½ years!  What did the blind men know?  And yet their request was not only more pleasing to the Lord, but it was met with an affirmative answer, while the disciples were gently corrected.

Let us be reminded of this about our Lord: while He resists the proud, He gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)

We become like our teachers

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”
Matthew 10:24-25

In context, these words of Jesus are a warning to those who follow Christ, that since people persecuted Him, they will also persecute His disciples.  As a general principle, however, these words also present a generality regarding the relationship between teachers and their students—that is very generally true.  They are not, however, ironclad, denying any exception to the rule.  There are students who grow beyond their teachers.  Don’t all good parents desire that for their children?

Nevertheless, the general rule of thumb does instruct us to be cautiously discerning when it comes to which teachers we study under.  After all, a student does become like his teacher.  For better or for worse.  Therefore, we should listen to, read, and follow the best teachers available.  I selected a seminary and doctoral program based on who the professor of systematic theology was.  I didn’t want to be taught just any old thing! 

This is true even in selecting a study Bible.  Look at the content of the teacher’s ministry, and look at the character of the teacher’s life.  Don’t settle for much less than the best available to you.

That said, since no teacher (except Christ) is without flaw, we do not want to be so discriminating that we cut ourselves off from all teachers for fear of contamination.  Pray always for your teachers and for discernment for yourself. 

A theological footnote: The life-long process of sanctification is about progressively growing into the image and likeness of Christ. This is happening in the redeemed even when said growth is taking place slowly! But be encouraged by Philippians 1:6:

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…

Necessary Righteousness: Provided!

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20

This may not mean too much to the modern Gentile reader, but I guarantee you it was a most impacting statement in the ears of those Jews who heard Jesus say it.  Why?  Because in their world, the Scribes and Pharisees were the most righteous people of all.  But were they?

There are three kinds of righteousness.  Relative righteousness, self-righteousness, and the ultimate righteousness of God.  Relative righteousness is being more righteous than someone else.  Self-righteousness is thinking of oneself as righteous.  The ultimate righteousness of God is altogether different.  Its basis has nothing to do with comparisons to others.  It is complete, pure, and without even the potential of any unrighteousness at all.

What Jesus said, and what we must understand if we are to comprehend the gospel, is that since God’s judgment is not based on how anyone does compared to anyone else, relative righteousness will not get anyone into the kingdom of God.  Self-righteousness, which stems from pride, will actually keep people out of the kingdom of God.  What is needed to enter the kingdom of God is the ultimate righteousness of God—which no one but God has.  Unless…

The only way to have this righteousness is for God to graciously give it to you.  He graciously gives it to all who continually trust in Jesus Christ and who follow Him as Lord.  Are you doing that?  Then rejoice that God has graciously given you His righteousness, without which no one will see God.

A Theological Footnote: The righteousness imputed to the spiritual accounts of the redeemed is not the intrinsic righteousness of God.  Rather, it is the earned righteousness of the God-man, Jesus Christ.  To be sure, as God, Jesus was, is, and always will be intrinsically righteous.  But by living sinlessly as an actual human being, doing only the will of His Father, He earned the eternal reward for living righteously.  He did not earn that righteousness for Himself since He was already intrinsically righteous.  He earned it to give it to His people, those He came to save!

Fear that pleases God, and for which we were created

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Psalm 147:11

We were created for God’s pleasure (Rev. 4:11 KJV).  Therefore it behooves us to seek always to please Him.  The psalmist declares that one of the ways we can do this is by fearing Him.

The initial fear is fear of His just judgment of sinners, which we all are (Rom. 3:23, 6:23).  This fear, acted upon correctly, leads us to cry out for mercy and receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

The fear of God in the hearts of those who are forgiven leads the redeemed to fear, not God’s wrath since that has been taken by Christ in their place, but to fear sinning against One who has loved and forgiven us so freely.

Then, having received forgiveness, the redeemed hope in His mercy.  This hope does not end when forgiven.  It continues for the rest of our lives as every day we experience new mercies of God—mercies by which we are continually forgiven, cleansed of all unrighteousness, and carried through all of life’s ups and downs.  Whether we are riding the crest of the wave of God’s kindness or we are being crushed by the inevitable trials of this life, our hope is in God’s mercies.  And in His mercies we stand, secure in the Father of mercies.

It is as we fear the Lord and hope in His mercy that we please Him.  And it is for this purpose we were created.

The redeemed will one day see Him in all His glory!

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4 

Everyone longs for a pain-free, life with no death.  Some will actually experience such a thing.  They are the children of God—people who have understood their spiritual bankruptcy before a holy God; that God has made provision for forgiveness by faith in Jesus Christ because of what He has done to crush sin, death, and Hell for those He came to save.

These who trust in Him will one day be delivered from this life of sorrows and tears that ends in death, into a life without sorrow, without tears, that knows no death. Ever.

Who could possibly make such a place a reality?  Jesus Christ who “makes all things new” (v.5).  And how does He do it?  He evacuates that place from every vestige of sin.  There are no tears because there is no sin.  There is no sorrow, nor crying because there is no sin.  There is no pain because the old things, chiefly sin, are no more. 

In sin’s place is Christ.  He supplies the light and there is no darkness.  And the source of that inextinguishable light?  The light of His face; the face of the One whom we have not seen, yet we love, will at last be fully revealed as His people will see His face.  The face of One so beautiful, so glorious, so refulgent, that there is not only no darkness, there is no sin.  And without sin, there is no more pain, sorrow, crying tears, or death.  Ever.

Look to Him and be saved and you will one day see Him in all His glory.   

Infinite wrath, infinite love

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,  10  he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 
Revelation 14:9-10 

The biblical descriptions of God’s wrath are terrifying indeed.  And true.  That’s right, they are not the wild imaginations of ancient unenlightened religious kooks.  This description (and there are others) speaks about what surely awaits those who are marked as being against, rather than for Christ.

Now think about this: this infinitely terrible and eternally unending fate was poured out on Jesus Christ while He was on the cross.  Why?  For His sins?  No, He had none.  It was poured out on the sinless Son of God as He stood in the place of those He came to save. 

A sinless One, receiving the wrath of God?  Yes.  To secure forgiveness for sinners?  Yes.  And to make it even more astonishing, the wrath of God that is infinite in intensity and eternal in duration was all poured out on Jesus in the span of a few short hours as He hung on the cross.

There are two lessons to consider:

One, do not underestimate the fury of God’s wrath, or doubt the reality of it.  Let it cause you to flee to Christ for forgiveness, and let it cause you to pray for, and proclaim the gospel to, those who do not acknowledge Christ.

Two, do not underestimate the immensity of God’s love, since Christ endured the Father’s wrath because He loved sinners enough to save them—even at such a price. 

On being "overcomers"

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give…”
Revelation 2:7 

The first movement of the biblical symphony called The Revelation of Jesus Christ consists of seven letters to seven local churches.  Though John wrote the letters, he wrote what Jesus dictated, so the letters are from Jesus Himself.  The seven churches were seven, literal, local, churches and the words to each were specific to each.  Yet there are components in each letter that are generally applicable to all churches ever since, and until Christ comes again.

There are several items that all seven letters have in common.  In each, Jesus identifies Himself, but in different terms.  To each church Jesus says, “I know your works,” followed by commendation in five of seven letters, followed by a rebuke in a different five of seven churches.  Each church is told that only “overcomers” (those who persevere to the end) will be saved.  Jesus gives each church either a blessing or a promise. And each church is challenged with the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Here is what I take from this: (1) Jesus, who is the Lord of the Church, is intimately acquainted with every local church.  (2) He blesses and/or rebukes His local churches as is appropriate.  (3) Every local church has both common and unique needs  (4) Every person in every local church had better have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the Church.  Do we?  Do you?  

Oh, and by the way, may we be “overcomers!”

1 John on love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8

John is called the Apostle Jesus loved.  He was not only loved, but he loved both God and God’s people.  And he not only exhorted the Church to love God, but to love one another.

In the five short chapters, containing only 105 verses, the word love appears 36 times in 24 verses.  John speaks of the love for the brethren/one another 14 times.  Twice he writes that love for one another is a command (3:23, 4:21).  He says to love, not merely in words, but in deeds (3:17-18).  He says we are to love one another to the extent that we lay down our lives for our brothers (3:16).  He says whoever does not love his brother “abides in death.” (3:14)  Twice he says if we do not love our brothers, we do not know or love God (4:8, 4:20).  More could be pointed out, but you get the point.

What do we make of this?  How about that love—not only for God, but for one another—is an essential mark of the truly converted?  How about that love for one another is not the right answer on a written test, but that the test is in how we serve one another—even, and especially, when it is inconvenient?

This same John who wrote the Revelation, wrote to the church in Ephesus (Rev.2), that no matter how theologically right a person (or a church) is, Jesus has something against those who abandon love.

Dear ones, let us take this seriously.  Let us examine ourselves and our self-sacrificial love for one another.  Do we have any confessions to make?  Any repenting to do?

Let us be people indelibly marked by love! 

And let us renew our love for one another at church this Lord’s Day! 

A bit of pastoral counsel

Consider how I love Your precepts [Word]; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
Psalm 119:159
Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
Psalm 119:170

Why is it that when I ask believers how they are doing, or what the Lord is currently speaking to them about, the typical answer I get is, “I haven’t been in the Word much lately” (or something along those lines)?  This is a deep concern to me as a pastor.

People who profess Christ seem to be, more often than not, floundering spiritually while at the same time they are not in the Word with any real consistency.  Might there be a connection?

Dear saints, spiritual revival comes from the Word.  Answers to prayer are found in the Word.  We cannot assume that we can neglect consistent, systematic Bible reading and prosper spiritually, or receive answers to prayer.

If you are one who thinks that attending church on Sunday (some, or even all the time) is enough to sustain you spiritually and promote spiritual growth, you are sadly mistaken.  We need to hear biblical preaching.  But if biblical preaching is not supported by Bible reading (individually, with our spouses, and with our children), rather than be surprised by our spiritual dullness, we should expect it!

Listen:  Read your Bible.  Every day.  Whether you feel like it or not.  Whether you feel like you are getting anything out of it or not.  If you are married to a believer, read your Bible out loud together at least a couple of times each week (if not daily).  If you have children, read your Bible aloud to your family at least a couple of times a week (if not daily).

If you are not doing this or do not think you can, your problem is not that you are too busy.  Your problem is a lack of desire.  And that lack of desire, if not addressed, may be evidence that you do not know the Lord, because people who know the Lord love the Lord, and people who love the Lord love His Word.  Please take this seriously.