Balance is such a precious commodity. Sadly it seems to be in short supply among Bible-believing Christians. Being a Biblical Christian doesn't mean polarizing and going to extremes and thinking you are right and everyone else is wrong - that engenders pride, not the gentleness and humility of Jesus. We see it today on all fronts in our attitudes and conversations about things that we prefer. Popular battle grounds for many writers and families today are: what people choose for schooling options (public, home or private), what people think about youth groups at churches (are they good or bad?) and who they think should be present in worship services (all ages or no kids?). Basically, the question is one of just how age-integrated or age-segregated a church should be.
Sometimes it is easy to take everything our favorite preacher or author says hook, line and sinker; forgetting that even the best of people do not have an absolute corner on the truth. We are all prone to error. Only God and His Word are infallible. Are we following men or are we following Jesus? Paul spoke of this in 1 Cor. 3:1 "And I brethren, could not speak to you as spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as infants in Christ." and verse 4, "For when one says 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not mere men?" But it seems to me that on many levels in the church today people want to follow men more than the one mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus.
I often find myself disagreeing with those that I agree with philosophically as it relates to the extreme edges of their practical applications. Some writers have some really good foundational thoughts, but they fall prey to the "we've got it right and everyone else has it wrong" polarization by making sweeping comments not clearly substantiated in Scripture. Sweeping statements don't help. Some say, "if you send your kids to public school you are sinning", others that "if you don't send your kids to public school you are weird and isolationist". Some say, "every Christian needs to home school", others say "I would never hang around those kind of people". Some say "children should always be included in worship", others that "children should not be included in worship". Some say, "youth groups are detrimental", others that "youth groups are beneficial". These often serve to polarize rather than bringing the body of Christ together. Why am I saying all of this? Because the Bible doesn't specify the exact application of age-segregated or age-integrated principles in the church. The Gospel reaches into every culture and while its effects are the same the look is not always the same. That is why Christianity should look different in Africa than it does in America - because they are different cultures. And within each culture and sub-culture there is room for different preferences.
I think there is a place for balanced views (though I admit that it is tougher to achieve and won't sell as many books). Right now 3 of our kids are home-schooled and 2 are in private school, but I happen to believe there are very good and very bad examples of all schooling options - home, public and private; and that each Christian family needs to do what God directs them to do. My kids have been in public, private and home school and all three have been positive experiences that God has used for His glory. I am someone who firmly believes I am the primary teacher, discipler and shepherd of my household; that God has given me the role of leading my family spiritually; it is my prayer that every Christian family take this seriously and among other things observe daily family worship times in the Word and prayer. At the same time I think that there is a good and healthy place for children's and youth ministry in the church; some of our basic assumptions and practices need to be reformed but God can and does use these ministries for His glory. I think all ages should worship together in church but I am not 'against' children's church. I prefer all ages to be in the worship service and not segregate children out because I want all ages to have the opportunity to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords with the gathered body of believers and I believe children learn best by their parent's example. Basically, I am firmly committed to age-integration but don't think that every single ministry of the church has to be completely age-integrated. I do not think my views are the only option, though I am passionate about them for what I believe to be good, Biblical reasons.
I think each local church needs to find a balance because I believe the Word of God portrays a balance of generational faithfulness in families (the faith being passed on and taught daily from parents to children) as well as members of the body of Christ coming alongside to teach and mentor (Titus 2 model, older teaching younger). For far too long the pendulum has swung in the direction of age-segregation in the church but that does not warrant a corresponding swing to another extreme. Extremes hinder the God-ordained connectedness in the body of Christ that He intends. It is all too easy to give our personal preferences and assumptions doctrinal status. Or use proof-texting to make the Bible say what we want it to say. I think we need to listen to Jesus and what He says to the church in His Word. Let the Scriptures speak and let God's people respond. And I think we need to listen to one another, encouraging one another, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Heb. 10:24-25) That is the crux of the matter; Jesus is coming back and we need to get ready.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Yearning for the Balanced Church
I strive to be a Biblical Christian. I am committed to the orthodox Christian faith: the deity of Christ; the substitutionary atonement; the virgin birth; the authority, inspiration, infallibility and innerancy of Scripture; the resurrection and the imminent return of Christ. I hold firmly to the Solas of the Reformation. I am committed to the Gospel and Gospel-centered life and ministry. And I am a huge proponent of age-integrated, multigenerational life and ministry.
And I find myself yearning for the balanced church. One that doesn't go to either extreme of full age-segregation or full age-integration; one that can handle the balance of both. We are bound to go to extremes and the whole arena of 'how to do church' is not immune. I am convinced that a multigenerational vision of life and ministry is Biblical. Yet I find myself at philosophical odds with people on both sides of the spectrum. I can co-exist with the tension of the balance but it seems many would rather go to their respective corners and duke it out. Some say everything must be age-segregated, others that it must all be age-integrated. The straw-man arguments of both sides leaves me baffled.
That's what has me yearning for the balanced church this time around. I read current books on age-integration (written by those who have not been doing it all that long) and you'd think the only Biblical model is complete age-integration; read something from the other perspective and it's the other way around. Compelling arguments can be made for both. But I am just as concerned with the 'how' as the 'why'. So I am pining for the balanced church - one where we are committed to Jesus, the Gospel and one-another. One where preference doesn't override participation.
A good friend of mine has said to me twice recently - where is the balance that the 'balanced church' will get to? One man's balance is another man's imbalance. One man's age-integration is far too segregated for another. I understand. God is big enough to handle the discrepancies. We need to be big enough to handle the pain that comes from wading into the conversation as well as practicing wherever we land in our homes and assemblies.
And I find myself yearning for the balanced church. One that doesn't go to either extreme of full age-segregation or full age-integration; one that can handle the balance of both. We are bound to go to extremes and the whole arena of 'how to do church' is not immune. I am convinced that a multigenerational vision of life and ministry is Biblical. Yet I find myself at philosophical odds with people on both sides of the spectrum. I can co-exist with the tension of the balance but it seems many would rather go to their respective corners and duke it out. Some say everything must be age-segregated, others that it must all be age-integrated. The straw-man arguments of both sides leaves me baffled.
That's what has me yearning for the balanced church this time around. I read current books on age-integration (written by those who have not been doing it all that long) and you'd think the only Biblical model is complete age-integration; read something from the other perspective and it's the other way around. Compelling arguments can be made for both. But I am just as concerned with the 'how' as the 'why'. So I am pining for the balanced church - one where we are committed to Jesus, the Gospel and one-another. One where preference doesn't override participation.
A good friend of mine has said to me twice recently - where is the balance that the 'balanced church' will get to? One man's balance is another man's imbalance. One man's age-integration is far too segregated for another. I understand. God is big enough to handle the discrepancies. We need to be big enough to handle the pain that comes from wading into the conversation as well as practicing wherever we land in our homes and assemblies.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Navigating in the Fog
If you have ever driven in fog you know how dangerous and disorienting it is. I remember once driving a church bus full of people I cared about up to the mountains at night going to a retreat. There was almost zero visibility and we crept along at a snail's pace just so we could stay on the road. No way in the world would I have floored it, no way would I have not kept my eyes fixed on the yellow dotted line that was my guide up the hill.
There are times when you wouldn't even venture out the fog is so thick. It can be disorienting, confusing. Sometimes when we are going through a particularly tough stretch in life we will say we are in a "fog". We know God is with us but we can't make heads or tails out of anything going on; we're waiting for the fog to lift so we can get our bearings and see clearly once again. When that happens it is like waking up from a bad dream, glad that you are back to reality. Only sometimes the fog is reality and all you have is God to lean on. It is then that we truly experience Jesus as our life (Col. 3:4). He loves it when we rest solely on Him.
There are times when you wouldn't even venture out the fog is so thick. It can be disorienting, confusing. Sometimes when we are going through a particularly tough stretch in life we will say we are in a "fog". We know God is with us but we can't make heads or tails out of anything going on; we're waiting for the fog to lift so we can get our bearings and see clearly once again. When that happens it is like waking up from a bad dream, glad that you are back to reality. Only sometimes the fog is reality and all you have is God to lean on. It is then that we truly experience Jesus as our life (Col. 3:4). He loves it when we rest solely on Him.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Amazing Irony
There is a great irony in the Christian life that we can acknowledge. The irony is that people are trying so hard to be god that they don’t see that God became one of us so that we would stop trying to be Him! As 1 Cor. 15 says "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures". That is why the apostle Paul could so confidently assert that "it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all" (1 Tim. 1:15). We know that "there is one one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). We know that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). So we can stop trying to be our own god and rest in the one true God, revealed in Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What Should We Focus on?
It is a constant battle. In a world that screams for us to look at it, to notice it, we often turn aside to look and to gaze upon something not of God, something that can destroy us rather than build us up. That is why it is so freeing and refreshing to know that God Almighty wants us to focus on Him and be freed from the tyranny of competing allegiances.
As Jesus shows so clearly and concisely in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10), "Pray then in this way, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We fix our attention on who He is, what He does and what He wants and all is well right? Not so fast - all is right with Him but it doesn't guarantee an easy life - it may be exactly the opposite, but God is with us and we are pleasing to Him.
Why do we need to pray like this? Why would a person going through excruciating pain pray like this? Why would a person who has been betrayed, or abandoned or cheated pray like this? Because when we do we are reoriented. Praying like this counteracts our fixation on worldly things. It reassures our wavering faith and reminds us of what is truly real. It dismantles functional atheism, where we act as if we are our own god, self-sufficient and self-focused.
What marks people who pray this way? They practice a lifestyle of worship. They are continually going back to Who is really in control and acknowledging God's presence and provision for their every need. They display a growing depth in wisdom. They learn as Ps. 90:12 says, to number their days so they may get a heart of wisdom. And praying like this portrays a soul at rest in God, one that is abiding in Christ. One that is weary and heavy-laden and still comes to Jesus, knows they have no where else to go. They go to the One who is gentle and humble in heart and they find rest for their souls.
As Jesus shows so clearly and concisely in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10), "Pray then in this way, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We fix our attention on who He is, what He does and what He wants and all is well right? Not so fast - all is right with Him but it doesn't guarantee an easy life - it may be exactly the opposite, but God is with us and we are pleasing to Him.
Why do we need to pray like this? Why would a person going through excruciating pain pray like this? Why would a person who has been betrayed, or abandoned or cheated pray like this? Because when we do we are reoriented. Praying like this counteracts our fixation on worldly things. It reassures our wavering faith and reminds us of what is truly real. It dismantles functional atheism, where we act as if we are our own god, self-sufficient and self-focused.
What marks people who pray this way? They practice a lifestyle of worship. They are continually going back to Who is really in control and acknowledging God's presence and provision for their every need. They display a growing depth in wisdom. They learn as Ps. 90:12 says, to number their days so they may get a heart of wisdom. And praying like this portrays a soul at rest in God, one that is abiding in Christ. One that is weary and heavy-laden and still comes to Jesus, knows they have no where else to go. They go to the One who is gentle and humble in heart and they find rest for their souls.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fixating on God
Jesus taught His disciples how to communicate with God. In a context where people were taking things designed to draw attention to God and twisting them into ways to get attention for themselves, Jesus' words are a breath of fresh air. He knew how susceptible people are to fixating on anything and everything but God so He gave us a model prayer, a pattern for praying that puts God first. Not a formal, exact prescription, more a description of what we will focus on. A way to talk with God, a way to acknowledge Him, a way to ask.
The prayer begins, in Matthew 6:9, "Our Father in heaven". All those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ are His children. To address Him as Father is to recognize our relation to Him as one of dependence. The word for Father is "abba", a term used by children for their earthly parents, indicating closeness and intimacy. The disciples of Jesus addressing God as Father shows the unique relationship they have with the unique Son, having come into a relationship with the Father only through the Son (John 14:6).
Matthew 6:9-10 contain the 1st half of the Disciple's Prayer, all focused on God. "Hallowed be Your Name". The idea of hallowing God's name (His name signifying His person) is that God would be sanctified (set apart) as holy among all people. The Greek word for "hallowed" is hagiazo, which means to make holy, consecrate, sanctify. It means we want God as He has revealed Himself, in all His glory, to be acknowledged and treated as holy and pure.
The 2nd petition involves God's kingdom. "Your kingdom come", (the Greek word kingdom is basileia, signifying sovereignty, royal power, reign.) We desire the arrival of God's rule in the lives of people made in His image. We want Him to rule in His church and for others to come to know Him and accept His rule in their lives. It means we acknowledge His position of preeminence.
The 3rd request is "Your will be done". When God's rule is acknowledged people do what pleases God. "Will" (Greek thelema) means wish, desire, intent,purpose. We want what pleases God to be done "on earth as it is in heaven". How is His will done in heaven? Joyfully and immediately! When we desire what brings God pleasure we obey immediately, with reserve, actively participating in His program. We want what He intends to happen to happen, to come into being. It means we say His plan is perfect and we will go along with it.
The first 3 requests in this prayer are fixated on God's person, His rule and His pleasure. They form a pattern, encouraging a mindset that fixates not on temporary things but on the eternal God. It shows an overall worship and dependence on God.
When I respect God's person and name I speak appropriately of Him, I speak truth. "Lord, may Your wonderful identity be considered, viewed, recognized and acknowledged as set apart, utterly different and other, holy, great awesome." When I desire for His rule to be realized n my life and the lives of others in His family I do not build my kingdom, I seek what benefits His rule, I seek His being acknowledged as preeminent over everything else. "Lord, may Your rule, sovereignty, preeminence be agreed with, cooperated with in me,my family, Your church and the world." When I want God's will to be realized I am stating my intentions to obey immediately. I am looking for what pleases Him, seeking it, willing to obey unreservedly. "Lord, may Your pleasure and desires be our highest aim and concern. And may all these things be done immediately by us, unwaveringly, unreservedly, confidently."
This is not a prayer that can be prayed flippantly or mindlessly. This is quite simple a dangerous way of praying. Maybe there should be a warning label: Caution, may cause life-change; may induce obedience; may lead to fixation on God almighty; may lead to fixing your eyes on Jesus and not all the things we so easily fixate on like money, power, my preferences, being right, arguing a point, gaining an advantage. We pray with the knowledge that our desires, actions, aspirations, present and future - are in God's hands and we are looking to Him expectantly and dependently - not individually, but corporately, as a body of believers.
Nowhere in this prayer is the word "I" or "me" found. Did you notice it is "our" Father we are praying to? We are to pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not a prayer to merely recite or repeat. We are not to ignore these words, we are to say them meaningfully, weaving in our own thoughts that correspond to the reality and depth of His. Agreeing with, amplifying God's thoughts - which are higher than ours (Is. 55), thereby lifting us to greater heights with God, to a deeper place with Him; closer communion with Him.
What I see here in the Disciple's Prayer is a preoccupation with God. It is not a recipe, or something to simply recite every day (though it is a profitable prayer to pray anytime). It goes beyond that to a godly fixation, a priority on God. Why is this so important? A growing preoccupation with God, an increasing fixation on Him means a lessening preoccupation with earthly things, a de-accelerating of our natural inclination to hyper-prioritize things or ourselves in place of God. This kind of praying helps to straighten those priorities out.
The prayer begins, in Matthew 6:9, "Our Father in heaven". All those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ are His children. To address Him as Father is to recognize our relation to Him as one of dependence. The word for Father is "abba", a term used by children for their earthly parents, indicating closeness and intimacy. The disciples of Jesus addressing God as Father shows the unique relationship they have with the unique Son, having come into a relationship with the Father only through the Son (John 14:6).
Matthew 6:9-10 contain the 1st half of the Disciple's Prayer, all focused on God. "Hallowed be Your Name". The idea of hallowing God's name (His name signifying His person) is that God would be sanctified (set apart) as holy among all people. The Greek word for "hallowed" is hagiazo, which means to make holy, consecrate, sanctify. It means we want God as He has revealed Himself, in all His glory, to be acknowledged and treated as holy and pure.
The 2nd petition involves God's kingdom. "Your kingdom come", (the Greek word kingdom is basileia, signifying sovereignty, royal power, reign.) We desire the arrival of God's rule in the lives of people made in His image. We want Him to rule in His church and for others to come to know Him and accept His rule in their lives. It means we acknowledge His position of preeminence.
The 3rd request is "Your will be done". When God's rule is acknowledged people do what pleases God. "Will" (Greek thelema) means wish, desire, intent,purpose. We want what pleases God to be done "on earth as it is in heaven". How is His will done in heaven? Joyfully and immediately! When we desire what brings God pleasure we obey immediately, with reserve, actively participating in His program. We want what He intends to happen to happen, to come into being. It means we say His plan is perfect and we will go along with it.
The first 3 requests in this prayer are fixated on God's person, His rule and His pleasure. They form a pattern, encouraging a mindset that fixates not on temporary things but on the eternal God. It shows an overall worship and dependence on God.
When I respect God's person and name I speak appropriately of Him, I speak truth. "Lord, may Your wonderful identity be considered, viewed, recognized and acknowledged as set apart, utterly different and other, holy, great awesome." When I desire for His rule to be realized n my life and the lives of others in His family I do not build my kingdom, I seek what benefits His rule, I seek His being acknowledged as preeminent over everything else. "Lord, may Your rule, sovereignty, preeminence be agreed with, cooperated with in me,my family, Your church and the world." When I want God's will to be realized I am stating my intentions to obey immediately. I am looking for what pleases Him, seeking it, willing to obey unreservedly. "Lord, may Your pleasure and desires be our highest aim and concern. And may all these things be done immediately by us, unwaveringly, unreservedly, confidently."
This is not a prayer that can be prayed flippantly or mindlessly. This is quite simple a dangerous way of praying. Maybe there should be a warning label: Caution, may cause life-change; may induce obedience; may lead to fixation on God almighty; may lead to fixing your eyes on Jesus and not all the things we so easily fixate on like money, power, my preferences, being right, arguing a point, gaining an advantage. We pray with the knowledge that our desires, actions, aspirations, present and future - are in God's hands and we are looking to Him expectantly and dependently - not individually, but corporately, as a body of believers.
Nowhere in this prayer is the word "I" or "me" found. Did you notice it is "our" Father we are praying to? We are to pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not a prayer to merely recite or repeat. We are not to ignore these words, we are to say them meaningfully, weaving in our own thoughts that correspond to the reality and depth of His. Agreeing with, amplifying God's thoughts - which are higher than ours (Is. 55), thereby lifting us to greater heights with God, to a deeper place with Him; closer communion with Him.
What I see here in the Disciple's Prayer is a preoccupation with God. It is not a recipe, or something to simply recite every day (though it is a profitable prayer to pray anytime). It goes beyond that to a godly fixation, a priority on God. Why is this so important? A growing preoccupation with God, an increasing fixation on Him means a lessening preoccupation with earthly things, a de-accelerating of our natural inclination to hyper-prioritize things or ourselves in place of God. This kind of praying helps to straighten those priorities out.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Signs of Life
I have been thinking a lot about and aiming to practice living the gospel in tangible ways. I have seen it in action across the country among groups of believers that are very different in style but united in their common love for Jesus and commitment to gospel-centered life and ministry. I have been thinking a lot about how a deep love for Jesus is evidenced by daily engagement in good deeds. A relationship with the crucified, risen and returning Lord will work itself out in tangible actions that benefit others. Those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ will be used by Him to make a difference, not just for life but for eternity – in the lives of those they come in contact with. There will be signs of life. They will not be fruitless, there will be recognizable fruit. The life of Jesus in us with work itself out. There will be signs of life as every Christian bears fruit.
Titus 3:14 (ESV) "and let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful". A major emphasis in Titus is on good deeds as a platform for effective sharing of the gospel. People listen when they know they matter to you; in relationship with them, you have a virtual open door to say anything that is profitable for their life.
Titus 3:4-7 shows the realities of life in Christ. Our good works are built upon this. They must come after, not before – these realities are ours because of Jesus not us. Titus 3:8 says "this saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people". The word "Engage" or "devote" in Titus 3:8 and 14 means to stand before, to take the lead in, to be careful to be busy doing something. The word has a technical meaning “to practice a profession”. Literally then it means to fulfill your profession, your vocation, your calling from God. We are to take the lead in doing good!
I heard pastor Craig Groeschel say recently, "To reach people no one is reaching, you have to do things no one is doing". So we will be seeking to reach people that aren’t being reached by doing things that aren’t being done. What isn’t being done in your community, or in your neighborhood? In large part it’s ministry to the invisible people, the marginalized, the unlovely, the hard to love, those who can’t pay you back or maybe won’t even show appreciation. In Portland, Oregon the homeless gather under the Burnside Bridge. So carloads of Christians from Bridgetown Ministries show up on Friday nights and minister to these needy men and women. In addition to providing hot meals, shaves, and haircuts, some of the volunteers wash the homeless people's feet. Tom Krattenmaker, a writer for USA Today, was stunned by the display, calling it one of the most audacious acts of compassion and humility I have ever witnessed. This group of society's outcasts had their bare feet immersed in warm water, scrubbed, dried, powdered, and placed in clean socks. One man said with a smile, I can't find the words to describe how good that felt. Krattenmaker commented on the significance of the foot washing: Washing someone's feet is an act best performed while kneeling. Given the washer's position, and the unpleasant appearance and odor of a homeless person's feet, it's hard to imagine an act more humbling. In preparation for their outreach, the leader of Bridgetown Ministries offered these words: When you go out there tonight, I want you to look for Jesus. You might see him in the eyes of a drunk person, a homeless person…we're just out there to love on people".
We are firmly committed to the gospel message – to live it and share it – so, as God gives us strength: we will also be aiming to be a counter culture for the common good. The Gospel Coalition puts it in the form of a question and a response: The question: How should we relate to the culture around us? The response: By being a counter–culture. "We want to be a church that not only gives support to Christians in their personal walks with God, but one that also shapes them into the alternative human society God creates by his Word and Spirit." For the common good. "It’s not enough that the church should counter the values of the dominant culture. We must be a counter–culture for the common good. We want to be radically distinct from the culture around us and yet, out of that distinct identity, we should sacrificially serve neighbors and even enemies, working for the flourishing of people, both here and now, and in eternity." All this while struggling with our own sin issues and processing gospel truth as opposed to pagan lies in our own weak, frail humanity. The difference is Jesus in us; His mercy and grace covers our sin and lifts us out of the quicksand of our sin and delivers us; the indwelling Holy Spirit convicting us of sin and convincing us of truth.
As we seek daily to show the love of Jesus in us, as Jesus works out His life in and through us, we will be holding unswervingly to the one gospel while sharing it in many ways. The message always stays the same, the methods we use must change. The gospel can’t be touched, the way we share it must appropriately move.
When we have a deep love for Jesus which is evidenced by daily engagement in good deeds we will be found to be standing strong in the grace of God. Life is hard, there are so many daily struggles, the temptation to give in or give up is often strong, but praise God He is greater and stronger. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Yes, life is hard but the good thing about it is that it is daily, and that is good because we have new reminders every day of God’s faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23 the Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never end, His compassions never fail, great is Thy faithfulness. The sun also rises and sets and a new day is filled with many new God-given opportunities. Paul said to Timothy, you therefore my son in the faith be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Daniel 11:32 "The people who know their God will display strength and take action". Ps. 108:13 "Through God we will do valiantly and it is He who will tread down our adversaries".
Engaging in good works looks like you, along your household and your fellow brothers and sisters simply being obedient to God’s call. To some it may look mundane, ordinary, daily, routine – it may look boring to some - but in the hands of God we will be used in ways we may have never dreamed. In the hands of God ordinary things become extraordinary. Ordinary everyday faithfulness to God and what He has called you to be and do will produce extraordinary outcomes. There are signs of life. A deep love for Jesus is evidenced by daily engagement in good deeds that God uses for His glory. As Jesus said in Matt. 5:16 let your light shine in such a way that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Titus 3:14 (ESV) "and let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful". A major emphasis in Titus is on good deeds as a platform for effective sharing of the gospel. People listen when they know they matter to you; in relationship with them, you have a virtual open door to say anything that is profitable for their life.
Titus 3:4-7 shows the realities of life in Christ. Our good works are built upon this. They must come after, not before – these realities are ours because of Jesus not us. Titus 3:8 says "this saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people". The word "Engage" or "devote" in Titus 3:8 and 14 means to stand before, to take the lead in, to be careful to be busy doing something. The word has a technical meaning “to practice a profession”. Literally then it means to fulfill your profession, your vocation, your calling from God. We are to take the lead in doing good!
I heard pastor Craig Groeschel say recently, "To reach people no one is reaching, you have to do things no one is doing". So we will be seeking to reach people that aren’t being reached by doing things that aren’t being done. What isn’t being done in your community, or in your neighborhood? In large part it’s ministry to the invisible people, the marginalized, the unlovely, the hard to love, those who can’t pay you back or maybe won’t even show appreciation. In Portland, Oregon the homeless gather under the Burnside Bridge. So carloads of Christians from Bridgetown Ministries show up on Friday nights and minister to these needy men and women. In addition to providing hot meals, shaves, and haircuts, some of the volunteers wash the homeless people's feet. Tom Krattenmaker, a writer for USA Today, was stunned by the display, calling it one of the most audacious acts of compassion and humility I have ever witnessed. This group of society's outcasts had their bare feet immersed in warm water, scrubbed, dried, powdered, and placed in clean socks. One man said with a smile, I can't find the words to describe how good that felt. Krattenmaker commented on the significance of the foot washing: Washing someone's feet is an act best performed while kneeling. Given the washer's position, and the unpleasant appearance and odor of a homeless person's feet, it's hard to imagine an act more humbling. In preparation for their outreach, the leader of Bridgetown Ministries offered these words: When you go out there tonight, I want you to look for Jesus. You might see him in the eyes of a drunk person, a homeless person…we're just out there to love on people".
We are firmly committed to the gospel message – to live it and share it – so, as God gives us strength: we will also be aiming to be a counter culture for the common good. The Gospel Coalition puts it in the form of a question and a response: The question: How should we relate to the culture around us? The response: By being a counter–culture. "We want to be a church that not only gives support to Christians in their personal walks with God, but one that also shapes them into the alternative human society God creates by his Word and Spirit." For the common good. "It’s not enough that the church should counter the values of the dominant culture. We must be a counter–culture for the common good. We want to be radically distinct from the culture around us and yet, out of that distinct identity, we should sacrificially serve neighbors and even enemies, working for the flourishing of people, both here and now, and in eternity." All this while struggling with our own sin issues and processing gospel truth as opposed to pagan lies in our own weak, frail humanity. The difference is Jesus in us; His mercy and grace covers our sin and lifts us out of the quicksand of our sin and delivers us; the indwelling Holy Spirit convicting us of sin and convincing us of truth.
As we seek daily to show the love of Jesus in us, as Jesus works out His life in and through us, we will be holding unswervingly to the one gospel while sharing it in many ways. The message always stays the same, the methods we use must change. The gospel can’t be touched, the way we share it must appropriately move.
When we have a deep love for Jesus which is evidenced by daily engagement in good deeds we will be found to be standing strong in the grace of God. Life is hard, there are so many daily struggles, the temptation to give in or give up is often strong, but praise God He is greater and stronger. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Yes, life is hard but the good thing about it is that it is daily, and that is good because we have new reminders every day of God’s faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23 the Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never end, His compassions never fail, great is Thy faithfulness. The sun also rises and sets and a new day is filled with many new God-given opportunities. Paul said to Timothy, you therefore my son in the faith be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Daniel 11:32 "The people who know their God will display strength and take action". Ps. 108:13 "Through God we will do valiantly and it is He who will tread down our adversaries".
Engaging in good works looks like you, along your household and your fellow brothers and sisters simply being obedient to God’s call. To some it may look mundane, ordinary, daily, routine – it may look boring to some - but in the hands of God we will be used in ways we may have never dreamed. In the hands of God ordinary things become extraordinary. Ordinary everyday faithfulness to God and what He has called you to be and do will produce extraordinary outcomes. There are signs of life. A deep love for Jesus is evidenced by daily engagement in good deeds that God uses for His glory. As Jesus said in Matt. 5:16 let your light shine in such a way that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
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