Category: Scripture Journal

Tis a glorious church

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HIGHLIGHT

1 John 1:7 (ESV): 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

EXPLAIN

John stated that the purpose of this letter was to proclaim what he had seen and heard when he was with Jesus so that his readers might have fellowship with them and with the Father and Son.

He then continued with this theme of fellowship, making it a truth statement. If we say we have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

In this chapter then we see God’s desire for fellowship, both with us (our relationship restored with him) and also for us (the community of Church).

APPLY

In the western world individualism is very much part of our culture. Yet the coronavirus pandemic and the attempts by governments to stop it seem to have awaken us to our need for fellowship with one another.

Hopefully, our expressed desire for fellowship is not merely to worship in the building we refer to as “church”, but to enjoy the fellowship of the local Church – loving, serving, and doing life together with other followers of Jesus.

I remember my first job as a teenager. I did not work Sundays, but I often worked Wednesday evenings and could not attend our church’s prayer meeting. It seemed such a long time between Sundays. I missed the fellowship of my church dearly.

Yet I fear today that we may not value that connection with brothers and sisters in Christ like we once did.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us with the need and desire for fellowship. Thank you for executing your great plan of redemption whereby we might be restored in fellowship with you, but also enjoy fellowship with your children. Help us to value the fellowship of the Church. May we each live, laugh, and love a local group of brothers and sisters in Christ together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Forgetful Christian

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Peter 1:9–10 (ESV): 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

EXPLAIN

Peter began his second letter with a huge assurance and promise. God’s divine power has given to those who have believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior everything we need for life and godliness.

But he followed up this promise with an exhortation: with every effort you can, supplement your faith with a list of spiritual qualities: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These spiritual qualities keep us from being ineffective or unfruitful spiritually.

Then we come to our highlighted verses. If we lack these qualities, if we are not seeking to add these to our faith, if we reject these qualities, we forget our salvation.

It is worth exploring what it means and how we can forget that we have been cleansed from our past sinful life. Does this merely imply a huge lack of gratitude for the grace of God?

It would suggest that at least such a person is ungrateful.

This forgetfulness also might suggest the person is veering into false doctrine, somehow believing something or someone other than Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins.

This forgetfulness might also suggest a purposeful determination to love the things of this world as opposed to the kingdom of God. Forgetting their great salvation, they allow themselves to be swept up in the carnal desires and practices of society.

APPLY

The follower of Jesus has a huge responsibility to confirm his or her calling and election in Christ. We are not saved by any work we do or promise to do, but after we are cleansed from our sins, we must choose to live a holy life, seeking to grow in Christlikeness.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great grace, evidenced by the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the Cross. May I, in every way I speak, think, and act show my gratitude for your love. Help me to grow in in Christlikeness, adding each of these spiritual qualities in more abundance and purity to my faith. Thank you for giving me all I need to live holy before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Clothed with humility

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HIGHLIGHT

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV): 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

EXPLAIN

1 Peter 5 begins with instructions to the elders, to the pastors, of the churches receiving this letter. Peter instructed pastors to exercise oversight willingly, eagerly, being examples to the church.

Then Peter instructed those who were younger to be subject to the elders. Elders were often older in age to the rest of the church, but not necessarily. Timothy was an example of a pastor who was younger. Paul told Timothy not to be intimidated by those who were focusing on ideas and teachings that were destructive to their faith, but rather to lead the church as one skilled in the Word.

Regardless of age or office in the church, Peter commanded everyone to put on a certain type of clothing: humility toward one another. His exhortation was accompanied by a promise and a warning that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

APPLY

Reading God’s Word and writing down these thoughts, I am already dressed for the day. I have several more things to do to get ready, such as eating breakfast, preparing a lunch to go, getting the boys ready for school, etc., but I could virtually walk out the door now if necessary.

The question is: have I forgotten that essential piece of clothing, the spiritual clothing of humility expressed toward others?

If I leave home without that submission to the will of the Holy Spirit and determined patience with others, I can find myself in trouble quickly – being perturbed by little things, unwilling to listen and value the thoughts and positions of others, blinded by my own puffed-up importance.

Instead, I choose to don the garb of humility toward others, seeking to be patient with all, not deluded by thoughts of self-grandeur.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I imitate Christ in my attitudes, thoughts, and actions today. Help me to display humility as Christ was humble. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In His Steps

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HIGHLIGHT

1 Peter 2:21 (ESV): 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

EXPLAIN

Peter wrote believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, who were suffering or would soon suffer for their faith in Jesus. He wrote to assure them of their salvation, but also to challenge them to holy living.

It may only make sense due to their suffering in a hostile society, but Peter’s first practical application of how to live holy was to be obedient to governmental authorities. His second application was for slaves to be obedient to their masters, even if they were unjust in their treatment.

We should understand that instructions like these from Peter were not a justification for the evil of slavery to continue. Rather, instead of teaching rebellion against societal institutions, God’s Word teaches how to live, think, and speak holy in a corrupt world. This holiness in heart and life then destroys the immoral foundations of societal practices. A society that is revitalized by biblical foundations must come to grips with immoral systems and reject them.

APPLY

When we suffer injustice, whether on a societal or more individual level, it is quite difficult to be patient, quiet, and faithful in our own responsibilities in life, work, and our community.

Yet Peter wrote that we have been called to do good and suffer for it, for Christ our example also suffered from us and has called us to follow in his steps.

Jesus himself said that a servant is not greater than his master. We should not expect an unholy world to treat us any better than it did the holy Son of God.

Therefore, we must choose to follow in Jesus’ steps of suffering all the while loving others, responding with kindness and sacrificing our prerogatives.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to follow closely in Jesus’ steps, willingly suffering for your sake because he suffered for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What church often lacks today

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HIGHLIGHT

James 5:16 (ESV): 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

EXPLAIN

There are several themes that are interwoven throughout this letter including: suffering or times of testing, the rich and the poor, the need for wisdom, speech and its source – the heart, and faith that works.

While the rich addressed at beginning of the letter are fellow believers, in James 5 the rich appear to be wicked people who do not fear God and take advantage of other people.

God’s people are exhorted to be patient and steadfast in difficulty. Then, those who are suffering and sick are told to pray. Indeed, the sick are to come before the church to be anointed by the elders of the church. Any sins should be confessed.

APPLY

In our individualistic Western society, this instruction to confess our sins to one another and pray together seems a bit foreign. Unfortunately, some local church cultures are such that people do not trust the community to handle private, confidential matters appropriately.

Indeed, I was told once by a church leader that when their church asked for testimonies people were reluctant to share for fear of what others might say. Often, such testimony times were seen as “pre-planned events” in which the leader had selected some people to share already.

We see a very different church culture in the first century. And, scriptures such as James 5:16 would suggest that God’s desire is different also.

We would not suggest that everyone should indiscriminately share intimate details of their spiritual life in the church. Yet our scripture does strongly imply that within the church people should be connected to smaller groups in which they can be free to share without fear, receive heartfelt prayer for their needs, and be held accountable in their walk with God.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help us to develop relationships with a few other believers with whom we can laugh, love, and lift each other spiritually. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Power of the Tongue

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HIGHLIGHT

James 3:10 (ESV): 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

EXPLAIN

One of the major emphases of James is the tongue. James 3 begins suggesting that people should not necessarily clamor to become teachers, preachers, etc. in the church because the standard of judgment for those who serve in this function is higher.

The tongue is like the ship’s rudder, small but directing that huge vessel. The tongue is like a spark that can burn an entire forest. The tongue cannot be tamed by humanity without God’s help, but contains venomous poison from Hell.

So we find that the same mouth is used for praising and cursing, for speaking beautiful things of others and for expressing slanderous hatred.

APPLY

As we think about the tongue (especially the tongues of others and not our own, for that is less convicting!), we obviously see the problem of hypocrisy. Yet hypocrisy is yet an outward sign a deeper problem: rebellion against the lordship of King Jesus.

Some live in continuing rebellion against Christ’s ultimate control. They may act righteously most of the time, but their heart and mind are corrupt and often find expression through the tongue.

Others have surrendered their lives to Christ, but from time to time, fail to listen for the guiding whisper of the Holy Spirit and so will slip into old ways of the flesh, speaking evilly of others.

There is a solution to the problem of the tongue! One’s heart must be cleansed of all inbred sin and filled fully with the Holy Spirit. Then one will be characterized by wisdom from above that reaps a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17–18 (ESV): 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, we need your cleansing and filling power so that our tongues may be tamed. We do not want to live with a tongue out of control; neither do we wish to have a tongue only mostly in control. Rather, we desire the power of the Holy Spirit upon our speech, and our inmost thoughts and desires. Thank you for your sanctifying grace! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Spiritual Olympics

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

EXPLAIN

Hebrews 12 is well known for using the imagery of a runner to illustrate the Christian life. The Hebrews writer urged the believers to get rid anything that might distract them from living for Jesus, especially any sinful habits or desires, and to run with perseverance the race set before them.

Our example of running in the spiritual Olympics is Jesus who endured the cross, despising its’ shame and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. We should not grow weary because the difficulty we have experienced in following Jesus has not been nearly as severe as what Christ suffered.

Our need is self-discipline. Of course, self-discipline is considered a bad word by many, but our promise is that if we discipline ourselves in living for Jesus, there will be an abundant harvest of righteousness as a result.

APPLY

The summer Olympics just ended last night. While the Olympics today unfortunately seems to be just another platform for political rancor, it is wonderful to see young men and women who have trained diligently realize the reward for their discipline.

The analogy of competing in the Olympics to the spiritual life is not perfect. Olympians train for years and then compete in events over a few weeks’ time. The Christian begins running the spiritual race once he makes the decision to follow Jesus, yet must train spiritually at the same time.

The most important point, however, is that we discipline ourselves to keep running, continue competing, in the race Jesus set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of running in the spiritual Olympics. May I please you by my disciplined endurance as I focus my eyes on Christ who went before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Faith unrealized

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 11:39–40 (ESV): 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

EXPLAIN

Hebrews 11 is the great Hall of Faith. In this chapter, we find numerous heroes of the faith who, because they trusted God, acted obediently upon that faith.

Abel offered a better sacrifice. Noah built a built. Abraham went traveling without destination set in his GPS. Moses chose to identify with slaves instead of the political elite.

Yet none of these received what was promised – the Messiah. All of these heroes looked forward in faith. But even though they did not receive the promised Messiah in their lifetimes, they continued to obey God’s will through their faith in him.

APPLY

Today, we have received the promised Messiah. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. Yet I wonder if we should consider another application of this scripture: what if we never receive in our lifetime the answer to various promises God has made to us?

Take as an example the Christian parent who prays faithfully for an unbelieving child to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Some have even felt God’s assurance that their wayward child will return from sin. Yet this parent continues to pray and believe, trusting God, until their death. We have heard various stories then of how God finally answered the believer’s prayer after entering eternity.

Do we have a faith that will persevere in trust and obedience to God, even if we do not receive what was promised in our lifetime, or when or how we expect it?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of the great heroes of faith who obeyed you in trust, even though they never received the promise of your Messiah. Help me to be faithful in obedience to you even when I receive the answer to my prayer when or how I might expect it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Unseen Footprints

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 77:19 (ESV): 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

EXPLAIN

This psalm is attributed to Asaph who said that he was crying out loud to God. Asaph was in great distress. He could not be comforted, and when he thought of God, he felt worse. He couldn’t sleep nor even speak because of his troubled mind and soul.

Finally, he decided to think back on the past. faithfulness of God. He asked if God would never display his love and grace again. That gave the psalmist hope. He determined to remember God’s past faithfulness and appeal to that hope.

In verse 15, Asaph remembered how God redeemed Judah and Israel by his arm. The next few verses speak of how the seas, the sky, and earth respond to God’s presence. Whether the psalmist was thinking of any specific historical event is unclear.

The last two verses of the psalm, Psalm 77:19-20, could refer to the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea. But the key fact noted by Asaph is not that the Israelites crossed on dry ground, but rather the idea, firstly, that God walked through the great waters with the Israelites, and secondly that God’s footprints were unseen.

APPLY

Probably every person has, or will have, a time in their life in which stress about their circumstances and the future robs them of sleep. Our heart is so troubled by wrong that we cannot find rest or comfort.

In those times, we may question, like Asaph, if God will ever restore us. Have we somehow lost God’s favor forever? Do God’s promises of faithfulness not apply to us?

If we remind ourselves of God’s deeds in the past, we can begin to find hope.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

Psalm 77:13–14 (ESV)

It is then we remember and are assured that God walks with his people, even though we don’t see him at the time.

The famous “Footprints in Sand” poem suggests that when there is only one set of footprints God is carrying us. That mental imagery is beautiful.

Psalm 77 does not make that promise. Rather, this psalm assures us that while we must walk through great waters, God walks with us even though we may not see his footprints.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that while your footprints may be unseen, you walk before me and with me even through the great trials of life. May I then be faithful to follow your path as you have been and always will be faithful to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Jesus lives today

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

EXPLAIN

Melchizedek is a curious figure in the Old Testament whose appearance is extremely brief, but whose example is extremely important for us today in understanding who Jesus is.

Little is known about Melchizedek. We don’t know who his parents were, when he was born or when he died. Melchizedek was a priest of God, and in Abraham’s time received tithe offerings from the great father of our faith.

The Hebrews writer used Melchizedek then as an illustration of Jesus, the Son of God, who is eternal without beginning or end, who was not part of the Levitical priesthood, but made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

The statement of our highlighted text is at once glorious, and shocking. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, but also … Jesus always lives to … in order to … make intercession for us.

APPLY

Was Jesus’ victory over death limited to the purpose of intercession for us, strictly? Did not Jesus conquer death because God found in him the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world? Was not Jesus the Son of God who is eternal? Could death ever have truly hoped to keep Christ in the grave? Does not Jesus live today in anticipation of being recognized fully as King over all the universe in the near future?

Then again, it is mind-boggling to us to understand how Jesus, Son of God and Son of man, could ever die.

Consider again that the whole reason for Jesus’ sacrifice and death of himself was an intercession for us before God that we might receive God’s pardon and be restored in relationship to him. Furthermore, Jesus continues to make intercession for us. We are weak and human and fail God from time to time, but his one-time sacrifice still pleads the blood before the Father.

It seems audacious to say, to hope, to believe…, but Jesus lives eternally to make intercession for me and you.

He ever lives above / For me to intercede / His all-redeeming love / His precious blood to plead. / His blood was shed for all our race, / And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

– Verse 2, “Arise, My Soul, Arise”

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son who became one of us so that he might experience our life fully, yet without sin. Thank you for his obedience in suffering and dying on the cross. Thank you for raising him from the dead, victorious over sin, so that he might ever live to plead for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.