Joy during Tests

For long centuries those who belong to the world have waged war against the way of faith, and they have yet to win.

Eugene Peterson

I have been studying the first chapter of 1 Peter this past week. Some of the letter is reminiscent of his preaching contained in the book of Acts. Peter continues to proclaim the message of the resurrection of Jesus. Because of the New Testament record, I know about some of Peter’s experiences before and after Jesus raised up from the dead and ascended in heaven. But, I can only imagine what his life was like between the ascension and when he wrote this particular letter. Peter is aware of tough challenges. If church tradition is correct, Peter became a martyr after writing the letters we know as 1^st and 2^nd Peter. With that in mind, I consider his words carefully. Peter encourages believers, who are scattered around Asia Minor, to rejoice in the midst of trails.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. (1 Peter 1:6-9)

What feeds my rejoicing in the midst of trials? What is my source of joy when my faith is being stretched? Peter gives several answers to these questions. He elevates my field of vision from what is happening today to consider the impact on eternity. He refines my focus from “what’s happening to me” to “how does this glorify God?” Finally, Peter reminds me of what matters most: “Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love”.

When I read those words, I remember another time when Peter was tested. He failed. He failed miserably. In the midst of his fiery trial, Peter was asked if he was a follower of Jesus. In response, Peter violently refused to be associated with Jesus. When Jesus restored Peter and commissioned him to become a shepherd of believers, Jesus asked a straightforward question, “Do you love me?” Now, years later, Peter goes back to the heart of the matter. When I’m tested, I must remember to focus on my love for Jesus and that will always give me cause to rejoice.

Show me your faith

I will show you my faith by my works

James 2:18

Somehow I get the impression that James was not the guy that I would ask for an opinion unless I really wanted to know. Be honest. You want to avoid “James”. I have been blessed with a “James” or two in my life. Here’s the difference. I can ask, “How was the sermon?” Most will say, “That was a good message” coupled with one of those innocuous smiles that lets me know the message has already escaped and the lunch menu has moved to front of mind. “James” will say, “the intro was a weak, you lost your main point in the middle, exegesis lacked sharpness and you could have ended 3 minutes before you did…but I like your text selection”.

James is not the “feel good” book on your summer reading list if you are a bit timid about following Christ or “double-minded” as “James” would say. It stings. But, I love to read James because James destroys any thought that my faith in Christ is irrelevant. I cannot read James and believe that God intends for my faith to be some disconnected ethereal feeling. Real faith matters every day. Real faith - the kind of faith in Christ that keeps me talking to Him, worshiping Him, feeding on His words and following Him – will show up in my actions today. Faith connects with orphans and widows. Faith is not hidden inside my head or my heart. It is on display in my life every day.

Today, it’s very popular to ask leaders about “core values”. The questions can probe decision-making in an organization or at a personal level. Perhaps James would ask, “What would your family members, your colleagues and friends say are your core values?” Otherwise, answers are mostly aspirational. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tractor-trailer rolling down the highway with “We value profit over people” printed on the side! In the Christian life, it’s not easy to confess that we value temporal things over eternal. Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable to be honest about what our daily lives reveal about what’s most important to us. James was not written to make us comfortable. James makes it clear. Don’t uncouple faith and action. Each day is a deposition recorded in the book of my life regarding my faith. “James” is not afraid to look me in the eye today and say, “Show me.”

Jesus doesn't change

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

The Bible is filled with descriptions of change. Some change is for the better. Some change is for the worse. It’s God plan for us to be changed and to change. Transformation, development, edification and maturation are big words that signal positive change. On the other hand, erosion and destruction refer to a different type of change.

I have come to recognize that change is unavoidable. Perhaps that is why I struggle to grasp the fact that change does not affect Jesus Christ. I change. He does not. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. In the backdrop of this powerful statement, the writer of Hebrews described many changes. In the history of Israel, priests would come and go. Repetitive sacrifices were offered for sin. But, there is only one Jesus. He offered one sacrifice for all. One time.

This statement about Jesus impacts me on more than one level. It’s true that Jesus is not subject to a normal lifespan. He is the Savior forever. But, it’s also true that His faithfulness does not waiver. When I compare my faithfulness and fervency for Christ across the proverbial yesterday, today and forever, I can detect some highs and lows. I suspect you can too.

When we fall, Jesus picks us up. He’s busy.

Scot McKnight

If you are like me, you need to be reminded from time to time that circumstances do not affect Jesus. His power is never threatened by a storm. His grace is not overwhelmed by my need. His love has never been stretched too thin. Jesus is the same.

How do you live?

Now the just shall live by faith

Hebrews 10:38

How do you live? It’s a pretty deep question. My immediate response to the question is not an answer. Instead, I am saturated with a flood of follow up questions. What is the trajectory of my life? What will be my legacy? What about providence? What about fulfillment, purpose and peace of mind? To be fair, this big little question needs to find a little more focus.

So, in the interest of focus, I will attempt to filter out some of the concerns and hone in three follow up questions. What do I know? What do I believe? Finally, how do I translate my knowledge and belief into action?

“If I really do believe in God, I will tend to act as if He exists.”

Dallas Willard

The rhythm of my life flows through my knowledge of God, my belief in God and the personal integrity required to live unto God. It’s not an accident that God is mentioned in relationship to knowledge, belief and action. The life of faith has a clear direction. Simply put, if I know God and believe in God, personal integrity demands some evidence in the arena of daily behavior. Is that tough? Sometimes, it can be incredibly challenging. Hence, there is an admonition in Hebrews 10 for me to “draw near” to God.  If I really do believe in God, I will want to be near to God. If I know God, then I will want my actions to reveal the character of Christ. If I belief that life is challenging, I will draw near to whisper/scream “help!”

Ultimately, when I draw near to God my life will not remain unaffected. God gives me life. The Source of life will radiate through me. The writer of Hebrews warned against drawing back. Why draw back? That’s not a difficult question.  It’s that pesky aversion to change. Do I crave God’s transformational work in my life or do I worry about how God’s presence will change me? Have I grown comfortable with the way I am? When fear of change creeps in, it’s a good time to return to my knowledge of God and my belief in God. I know God is God. I know God’s plan and purpose is the best plan and purpose. I believe God is faithful. I belief God is trustworthy. If I really believe God exists, I will draw near.

Useful

I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.

Philemon 1:10-11

Useful. Have you every had anyone ask you how you want to be remembered? I’d like to think that I will be remembered as “useful”. It’s a great word. I don’t know anything about the parents of Onesimus but for some reason they named him “Onesimus”. I’m pretty sure it won’t show up on the most popular baby names this year. But, in the first century the meaning of this name would not have been lost. Onesimus means “useful”. Onesimus was a slave. At the time Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, Onesimus was a fugitive. Now the fugitive was going home to Philemon.

Onesimus was returning to Philemon with a couple of new relationships. Paul had become a spiritual father to him and by faith Jesus had become his Lord and Savior. Paul’s request was simple. Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus just as he would receive Paul himself. Receive him, not as a fugitive, but as a brother. As Paul sends his request by letter, he passed along some commentary about his spiritual son. Paul explained that Onesimus had lived up to his name. “Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.”

Now, I can return to the process of writing my epithet in advance. Instead of one word, perhaps I can borrow the entire thought from Paul: “formerly useless, but became useful”. Such is the story of grace in my life. I hope I never forget that I am a ransomed slave. My freedom from sin was not free. Jesus paid the full cost for every transgression with His life. Because of Jesus, I am like Onesimus. I enjoy new relationships. God has adopted me. I hope I never forget the journey from slavery to freedom, from sin to God’s family, from useless to useful. Onesimus is great name.

Habits

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility

Titus 2:6-7

What makes a “habit” a “habit”? Although, I could identify many variables that contribute the formation of a habit, “repetition” is one of the key contributors. If something is “habitual”, it seems to me that it must be repetitive. There is a certain amount of predictability. There is a pattern of behavior. When Paul wrote to Titus, he gave some instructions for “young men”. Even though, Paul’s instructions were addressed to young men, the value is not lost on those of us who are not so young any more. Paul mentioned the importance of developing a pattern of good works.

Read between the lines and you can hear Paul raise an important question. Are you in the habit of doing good works? If you study the Greek text of Paul’s letter, you might just smile. The transliteration for the Greek word for pattern is typos. I must confess that at times I feel more like my life is more like a “typo” than a pattern of good works…. desperately in need of spell check, an editor and immediate correction. That misses the mark of what Paul intends. The idea behind the Greek word typos is that of an impression or imprint made by a forceful stroke. Think about it. My habits, my patterns of behavior make an impression. The impression is twofold. The impression is internal and external. My habits form my character. My habits shape my influence.

I suspect one reason Paul addressed this particular instruction to the “younger” is that habits are forward reaching. Habits have an impact on the future that is seldom considered in the present. That’s a little tricky. It’s unlikely that I will consider the unintended consequences of my habits the first time I choose a behavior. In fact, it’s highly unlikely that I will consider the fact that my own habits may influence other persons that I do not even know. Sometimes, others recognize my habits long before I recognize them myself. Habits are a part of life. Good habits require a heavy investment. But, the dividends are far reaching.

Living the Resurrection Life

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

1 Peter 1:3

What does it mean to be born into a living hope? When Peter wrote about a living hope it’s clear to me that he was describing a new way of life. Though I don’t use the word “begotten” every day, frequently I do think in terms of a new way of living. It’s what Eugene Peterson calls living the “resurrection life”. Peterson’s language reminds me of two critical facts that define my existence. First, it’s a reminder that the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is not obsolete. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection change everything. My past is forgiven. My present is vibrant. My future is promising. Second, the resurrection of Jesus issues a call for change. Because I have gained a “living hope”, life is different. I am engaged in a dynamic process. I have been changed and I am being changed by the presence of a living Savior. The challenge is clear. Learn how to mature in the resurrection life. Peterson describes the journey with the risen Savior this way:

When we practice resurrection, we keep company with Jesus, alive and present, who knows where we are going better than we do….The practice of resurrection is an intentional, deliberate decision to believe and participate in resurrection life, life out of death, life that trumps death, life that is the last word, Jesus life…Real life, in a world preoccupied with death and the devil.

The difference between death and life is dramatic. Not only is new life possible, it is God’s plan.