Well done, my good and faithful servant

Everyone likes the subject of Grace. Grace as defined by today’s contemporary church that is.  The grace we know, encourages a comforting, relaxed, non-threatening feeling when contemplating the character and nature of a God, who has a reputation for being harsh and judgmental, especially in light of the Old Testament stories.

Grace might well be one of the most misunderstand concepts of Biblical theology, or at the very least, people have an incomplete view of what it’s all about. What then is your definition of Grace?  Do you have one?

Some people see the Grace of God as something like the benevolent love of a senile old grandfather. He just loves us so much, because we’re so lovable, and He just sort of forgets about our sin. To be sure, there is some small element of truth in that. God does indeed love us, though it’s not because we’re so lovable. Grace does not cause Him to ignore our sin, as if Grace were an acquired condition, like a pill or a wonder drug that inoculates us against all future sin. Grace is a costly thing... it is a just, holy and righteous reprieve resulting from the sacrifice of His Only Son... manifested in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Grace is the ultimate extension of the sacrificial actions of a Holy and Righteous God, preserving both His justice and His mercy towards sinful humanity.

Others focus on the grace of God as nothing but fire insurance. And certainly it is about providing for our most basic need, which is forgiveness and reconciliation with a Holy God. But that’s where most of us stop. It’s about getting saved. It’s about escaping the flames. It’s about the forgiveness of sins... we've been inoculated and that’s it. While grace does relate to those things, there’s much more to it than simplistic aspects of insurance.

Unfortunately, such perspectives seem to be the prevailing views of God's Grace. We have misunderstood God’s intention toward us by virtue of His Grace.  We think God by extension of His Grace, has changed, softened, become more amenable... adapting to man’s needs.

We have redefined God’s true love based on worldly, conditional love and then we connect that to the concept of Grace.  We like to think of God as love rather than deal with His righteousness, justice and holiness which is fully expressed in the concept of “Grace”.

We have been lured and mollified by a dysfunctional system of religion that doesn’t promote holy living to sustain a holy relationship with God.  If we don’t see Him as Holy, then how can we expect to act and live holy lives?

Grace by definition is simply this... God’s unmerited favor.  That means, from God’s perspective... no person deserves His grace. Unmerited favor sounds generous indeed, however it does not mean there are no serious conditions for receiving and sustaining His Grace in our lives.  Try this... when you read the word “grace” in any Bible passage, substitute the phrase... “unmerited favor” or “undeserved kindness” or “a second chance” and you will begin to get the true meaning of what God is really providing by His “Grace”.

Reading through Titus we are reminded of God’s ongoing purpose of Grace in our lives as portrayed with these words:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14, ESV)

So Grace is about bringing salvation, but it is also about training. It’s about disciplining us, educating us, teaching us to do several things:

1. To Purposely Avoid Sin. Titus 2:12... training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. Other translations say... denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. One paraphrase says... to turn our backs on a godless, and a self-indulgent life. (MSG)

However you translate it, the point is the same. God’s Grace at work in our lives should cause us to come to hate sin, to turn from it, to abhor it, to do all in our power to abstain from it; have nothing to do with it. If God is at work in you, if you have come to Christ by Grace through faith, submitting in obedience to His plan for your salvation, if the Holy Spirit is truly at work in your life, then one of the noticeable effects of His presence should be a growing hatred of sin and an ever increasing passion to avoid it.  

2. To Progressively Seek Holiness. Again in Titus 2:12... training us…to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Kings James says soberly, righteously, and godly. It’s not enough that we turn away from sin, we also need to actively, and progressively turn toward God in pursuit of holiness, holy living.  We must separate ourselves from the thinking and influences of a sinful world, things contrary to Godliness and align ourselves with the Holy God.  

That doesn’t just mean the “big” sins vs. the “big” acts of holiness. It goes to the little things.  If our Christ-likeness does not show itself in the little things, then we are deceiving ourselves. Learn to be consistently faithful in small things first... then when faced with the bigger challenges of life, we will have the power to withstand temptation and sin. Remember this every day... “the devil is in the details.”  He attacks Christians in the smallest areas of our lives. He lures and traps you with the seemingly minor things, the small things.. before moving up to the biggies. So we ought to be focused on seeking godliness and holiness and self-control and righteousness in the little things all day, every day.

It means seeking to live godly lives not only out in public where everyone sees us; but at home with our wives and children. It means seeking holiness in those everyday moments when we’re alone, driving in the car, when we think no one else can see us or know our thoughts. It means seeking to honor and glorify Christ with our every breath.

3. To Patiently Anticipate His Return. I know that we don’t often put patiently and anticipation together in the same statement, but that’s exactly what’s required of us. Verse 13 says... we are to be waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

We should be... “looking for Christ’s return… to be desiring it with the heart with our affections set upon it, longing to be in the enjoyment of it, and yet waiting patiently in the exercise of faith and hope.”

Scripture tells us we are strangers and aliens in this sinful world. When Christ returns, He will make all things new and in that time of a “new earth” will be the time and the true home we long for... that better country Hebrews talks about. We have yet to see it, we really don’t know that much about it, but we know who’s going to make it happen, we know His promises are righteous and true and that makes us long for it.

4. To Passionately Serve Christ. Verse 14 says that part of God’s purpose in Grace is “to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” God wants a people who are zealous for good works. Not just willing to work, but zealous for His work.

And this isn’t the only place in Scripture where the work of Grace in our lives is associated with God’s desire for us to serve Him. Probably the most well known verses on Grace are in Ephesians 2 where Paul writes: “For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

We know that well. It’s one of the cornerstones of Grace. But we often overlook the very next verse where Paul completes the thought. Verse 10 of Ephesians 2 says... “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God’s purpose of Grace [our second chance] is that we passionately, zealously serve Him because we were created for this very purpose.

Okay, its time to ask ourselves: Is the “unmerited favor”, the “undeserved kindness” the “second chance” granted by God at work in your life?   First and foremost, have you experienced that “unmerited favor” through faith in Jesus Christ  and submission to His plan for your eternal salvation? Read Acts 2:38 for an initial glimpse into what God is offering and your participation in His “undeserved kindness.”

Once onboard with His Grace... you must change your attitudes and your life course.  Are you purposely avoiding sin; progressively seeking holiness; patiently anticipating His return; and passionately serving Christ? Can you say a yes to all four?

Our forgiveness, our justification, is only the first step. God wants to continue His sanctifying work in your life. What a gift... Grace truly is.  Grace and all that it brings to your life will lead you to stand one day before Him and hear these glorious words from His mouth... Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Heart Broken... but Hopeful

Statistics reveal that the majority of young people who grew up in church leave it soon after graduating from high school, and most will never return. Some statistics speculate that the rate could be as high as eighty percent. This shocking reality should cause us to take a long, hard look at how the church "ministers" to young people.

Why do they leave?   There are many reasons, and most make us uncomfortable when faced with our role in disengaging our grown children.  Facing adulthood is a critical turning point in life.  As they leave for college, the military, or jobs, church is all but forgotten.Two main reasons emerge as catalysts for this mass exodus. 

First... most young people have never been challenged in their faith. They haven't been taught theology and doctrine and thus are clueless about what they believe and why they believe it.  When confronted by the challenges of adulthood, and the prevailing philosophies of a secular world, doubts creep into their minds and they see no great reason to cleave to the faith of their parents. They’ve never had anyone explain theology and how it relates to all matters of life, and they have not dug deeply into the Bible. Their church experience has left them empty, and they find no relevance in life centered around submission to Christ.

The second issue... we must live out true discipleship in our own lives.  Parents... our kids need to see role models in church and at home who show them what a follower of Jesus looks and acts like. They need to see passionate, sold out, all-in, surrendered believers who love Jesus and who desire to live out biblical Christianity in all aspects of life.  This is not perfection, as no one can go through life without making mistakes and stumbling.  It’s showing yourself to be a genuine humble follower of Jesus who knows what you believe and why you believe it.  It’s applying His Word to your life as you walk on a journey of holiness, and openly repenting when you blow it.  When our kids see the impact Jesus has on the lives of the adults around them, it will hopefully impact them.  Maybe not, but the example we present to family and friends is essential for holy living.

If you’re like me, you have family members who do not believe in Jesus or don’t live according to Godly principles.  You struggle with a sense of hopelessness about their future.  It rips at your heart and depresses you. Well, we are in good company.  Jesus, our Lord, had a family who did not believe in him.  

According to the Apostle John, “not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5). That’s incredible. Those who had lived with Jesus for 30 years really did not know him. Not one of Jesus’ brothers is mentioned as a disciple during his pre-crucifixion ministry.  But after his resurrection and ascension, there they are in the upper room worshiping him as Savior and Lord (Acts 1:14).

Why didn’t they believe? And what made them change?  The Bible doesn’t answer the first question. And, it had to be difficult to have Jesus for a brother.

First, Jesus would have been without peer in intellect and wisdom. He was astounding temple rabbis by age 12 (Luke 2:42, 47). A sinful, fallen, gifted sibling can be a hard act to follow... so just imagine what it was like trying to deal with a perfect, gifted sibling.  

Second, Jesus’ consistent and extraordinary moral character must have made him odd and unnerving to be around. His siblings would have grown increasingly self-conscious around him, aware of their own sinful, self-obsessed motives and behavior, while noting that Jesus didn’t seem to exhibit any himself. For sinners, that could be hard to live with.

Third, Jesus was deeply and uniquely loved by Mary and Joseph. How could they not have treated him differently? They knew his origin was not of this earth... he was the Lord, the promised Messiah. Imagine their extraordinary trust in and deference to Jesus as he grew older. No doubt the siblings would have perceived a dimension to the relationship between the oldest child and their parents that was different from what they experienced.  Most of us would become jealous and resentful in such a situation.

And when swapping family stories it would have been hard to match a star appearing at your brother’s birth with praises from an angelic host.

Jesus out-classed his siblings in every category. How could anyone with an active sin nature not resent being eclipsed by such a phenomenal brother? Familiarity breeds contempt when pride rules the heart.

More pain than we know must have been behind Jesus’ words, “a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household” (Matthew 13:57).

So as we assess the role our weak, stumbling witness plays in our family members’ unbelief, let’s remember Jesus — not even a perfect witness guarantees that loved ones will see and embrace the gospel. We must humble ourselves and repent when we sin. But let’s remember that the god of this world and indwelling sin is what blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The story of Jesus’ brothers can actually give us hope for our loved ones. At the time his brothers claimed that Jesus was “out of his mind” (Mark 3:21), it must have appeared very unlikely that they would ever become his disciples. But eventually they did! And not only followers, but leaders and martyrs in the early church.

The God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” shone in their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of their brother, Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Its hard and frustrating, emotionally debilitating, when our family members, especially our grown children continue to resist embracing Christ as their savior and submit to live for Him.  Don’t give up... take heart! Don’t give up praying for unbelieving family members. Don’t take their resistance as the final word. They may yet believe, they may yet live according to what they were taught in their youth. 

And while they resist, or if they should part this life as rebellious or unbelieving, we can trust them to the Judge of all the earth who will be perfectly just (Genesis 18:25). Jesus does not promise that every parent, sibling, or child of a Christian will believe, but does painfully promise that some families will divide over him (Matthew 10:34-39). We can trust him when it happens.  

It is moving to hear James refer to his brother as “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). Can you imagine what this phrase meant for James? The Lord of glory had once slept beside him, ate at his dinner table, played with his friends, spoke to him like a brother, endured his unbelief, paid the debt of his sin, and then brought him to faith.  It may have taken 20-30 years of faithful, prayerful witness by the Son of God, but the miracle occurred: his brothers believed.

Whether its our youth being challenged in their faith or parents living out true discipleship as an example of what faith accomplishes... will these things guarantee that our kids will be strong, uncompromising followers of Jesus?  The answer we don’t want to hear... no. 

We are fallen human beings who make mistakes and some of our kids and extended family will choose not to follow Christ no matter what we do or how pristine our Christian walk is before them.  We must accept this as an uncomfortable reality of Christian community.   

Remember... believing is a choice we all make.  The choice to walk with God is not one that can be forced upon anyone.  May the Lord of glory grant the same grace to our beloved family members who resist, but are not yet lost.

________

The Power of Encouragement

"Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace" (Colossians 3:12-15).

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. 

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. 

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. 

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. 

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch; and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. 

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. 

The window that had came to be a vision of hope and encourage... faced a blank wall. 

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. 

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."  

"Therefore comfort one another" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).