The Twist

…as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (II Peter 3:16 ESV)

The Twist

Scripture speaks for itself.  And only Scripture is the standard by which we can hope to understand Scripture. 

Peter admits in this verse that some passages are hard to understand.  He notes that Paul and he both wrote about the same, difficult things. Understanding those hard parts of scripture is best accomplished by referencing other similar passages in the Bible, rather than twist and move the hard concepts to fit into OUR own preference.

In fact, when we put our own ideas at the same level of Scripture, we display our ignorance.

And when we disregard Scripture’s principles and applications, making God’s Word say mostly what WE want it to say, our worldview becomes imbalanced.

Some signs that we might be ignorant and unstable might be: 

            Deciding on a doctrine or truth, and then finding verses to fit our wishes. (Proof-texting)

            Ignoring passages that disagree with our opinions. (Cherry-picking)

            Skipping passages that condemn our favorite behavior. (Blindness)

            Reading some passages over and over, and neglecting others. (Narrow-minded)

Read it all.. Read it again… and listen to it.

Do not do the twist.

Reputation

…having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (I Peter 3:16 ESV)

Reputation

Who cares what others think?

Christians should.

But not for the reason you might think.  Sometimes, it is pride that gives rise to worrying about reputation.  Sometimes, it is insecurity that gives rise to worrying about reputation.  Sometimes, we just say it is human nature for us to worry about reputation.

But Peter gives us the only good reason to be concerned about what others think of us.

A clear conscience strengthens our witness.

People mistrust politicians when past infractions are made public.  People boycott actors when past misbehaviors are made public.  People discount the achievements of heroes when past character flaws are made public.

And God’s enemies will shout with accusations and excitement when a Christian’s testimony is weakened by revealed wrongdoing.

It is not pride in self that motivates our life-choices, it is pride in Christ.  It is not insecurity in self that motivates our life-choices, it is security in Christ.  It is not human nature that motivates our life-choices, it is our transformed newness in Christ.

We will not be sinless.  But we can do the right thing, and thereby cut off the enemies’ plots. 

We will not be perfectly obedient. But we can clear our conscience through repentance and honesty, and thereby give the enemies no foothold against the gospel that comes from our mouths.

We will not be righteously righteous.  But we can daily live with the word of God in our minds and hearts, and thereby let Christ’s light outshine darkness.

And Christ will take these offerings and make them be enough.

sin and Sin

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:16 ESV)

sin and Sin

My laptop computer had a problem.  On the surface, the computer would randomly shut off.  The computer would freeze in screen and processor.  The computer would miss-file files.  The computer would miss-read keystrokes.

But none of those things were really the problem.

The problem, behind the scenes, was a small connection that was loose.  That connection powers the fan that keeps the computer cool.

So, the computer periodically overheated.  And thus, the computer randomly shut off, froze, and miss-filed.

The world has a problem.  It displays disorder, and vile practices.  But those things are caused by underlying jealousy and selfish ambition.  Which in turn are caused by Sin.  In other words, the sinfulness and sin are caused by Sin.

And that is why the solution to disorder and vile practices is not found in political elections, better laws, more separation from culture, or more involvement in culture.

The solution is Jesus.  Who pays for Sin and sin.  Who overcame Sin and sin. 

The world (including me) needs Jesus.

Nothing But Faith

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? (Hebrews 3:16 ESV)

Nothing But Faith

The Israelites who wandered for years in the Wilderness were God’s People.  No one would look at their actions from Sinai to Canaan… and from Canaan to Canaan again and utter, “Wow, THERE are some amazingly worthy people!  No wonder God made THEM His Kingdom Citizens!”

They murmured, they complained, they disobeyed, they doubted, they rebelled.  Repeatedly.  They heard the Word of God via Moses, they saw the Power of God on Mt. Sinai.  They received God’s Law.  They heard and saw and experienced God in profound and obvious ways.

And they still rebelled.

And they still remained God’s people.  Because they believed.

It might seem like God is being ‘easy on sin.’  But He is not.  He treats ALL sin the same way.  He is wrathful towards Sin and Sinners.  He is angry at Sin and Sinners.  He is Just towards Sin and Sinners.

It is not their Rebellion that sets them apart from the rest of the world.  EVERYONE rebels.

It is their faith that sets them apart. 

It is God’s grace that sets them apart.

It is our faith and God’s grace that sets US apart, too.

And that is a good and necessary thing.  Because we, too, have heard God’s Word and we rebel.    And we are not made the apple of God’s eye by our niceness, our nice church clothes, our political theories, or our ten commandment obedience ratios. 

But we are saved by grace through faith! (Ephesians 2:8)

Author! Author! Author!

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness… (II Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Author! Author! Author!

My grandfather wrote in a journal before Journaling was Cool.  He wrote mostly about factory maintenance issues, Bible study, politics, and the best grandson in the universe.

It is worth reading, for me.

Although the mechanics of a factory in the 1960’s are not quite relevant, I still read the journal.

Although the Bible study notes are from a different theological perspective, I still read the journal.

Although the political situation has changed dramatically, I still read the journal.

And although my cousins were better grandsons than I was, I still read the journal.

I read the journal because my beloved grandfather wrote it.

Scripture is of much more practical value than my grandfather’s journal.  The teaching of the Bible is necessary and relevant.  The reproof of the Bible is accurate and beneficial.  The correction of the Bible is deep and life-changing.  The righteousness taught in the Bible leads me inexorably to my Savior, Christ Jesus.

But I read it, even more, because God inspired it.

The Bible is powered by God, instigated by God, motivated by God, and written by God.

That is the Bible’s foundational value.

Mystery and Understanding

 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Mystery and Understanding

I’ve been enjoying some of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.  Usually, the detective in her books presents a Big Reveal towards the end of the book.  All of the evidence is presented, trains of thought are followed, and THE answer to “Who dun it?” is revealed.

Whether I can follow Christie’s logic is irrelevant.  Whether I like the ending is irrelevant.  Whether the other characters agree with he Last Page is irrelevant.

Because the answer to the Mystery has been revealed.

The “Mystery of Godliness” is not presented here as a Great Unknown.  A mystery, in the full sense of the word, is knowledge that has been revealed, not knowledge that is still hidden. 

Great, indeed, is the mystery of Godliness, because we understand that the answer to the mystery is Christ Jesus.

In football, it is not the throwing of the football that wins games.  It is the combination of throw and catch.

In romance, it is not the proposing of marriage that is exciting.  It is the combination of question and answer.

In dining, it is not the appetizer alone that satisfies hunger.  It is the combination of all the meal courses.

“Mystery” is another word that God’s people need to reclaim.  In Christ Jesus, ALL the unknowns of the universe are known.  In Christ Jesus, ALL the questions of the universe are answered.  In Christ Jesus, ALL the unsureness of history, destiny, and decisions are made sure.

Jesus is indeed the Great Mystery.  Because He is known.

Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (II Thessalonians 3:16 ESV)

Peace

I recall having financial peace when a new job provided gigantic income.  But then the job went away.

I recall having relational peace when a broken friendship was restored.  But then we fought again.

I have read of times of international peace.  Remember the War to End All Wars?  But then wars returned.

At times I have found peace with God through good choices, declarations, and intentions.  But then I sin again.

Financial peace only comes through Jesus, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)

Relational peace only comes through Jesus. He is the ultimate forgiver, displaying and empowering grace (Ephesians 4:32).

International peace only comes through Jesus.  He, and He alone is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Peace with God comes only through Jesus.   Only Him (Romans 5:1).

Peace, peaceful peace, permanent peace comes through being loved by Christ, knowing Christ, and loving Christ.

His peace is not like the peace the world, my own efforts, or any event can offer.

Music

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

Music

Some of you like, or prefer, some pretty odd music.  And it might appear that this verse sets some pretty tight boundaries on the music we choose.

“Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” does not seem to leave room for a lot of the music streaming these days.

But rather than feel hemmed in by what might feel like a restrictive command, notice the way Paul develops his musical description.

If we start with the Word of Christ as our philosophical, mental, emotional, and even physical foundation, our musical choices (exactly like EVERY choice, in fact) becomes an expression of our Christ-centeredness, rather than an expression of our own tastes, experience, traditions, and likes.

And that Word of Christ is rich.  For Christians it is nothing less than our repaired heart, our delighted worldview, and our reason for everything. 

Christ’s Word is the motivation for our song.

Paul describes our options for Christ-Word music as being available in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.  Psalms references truths found specifically in Scripture.  Hymns references music written specifically for teaching and admonishing. 

And Spiritual Songs, despite what we tend to think, does not simply refer to shallow choruses played on Christian Radio, or sung around campfires.

Just as God reveals Himself through Special AND General Revelation, the Word of Christ can be found in music MUCH broader than what we sing in Worship on Sunday Morning.

It takes discernment, finding the Spiritual truths in music.  It takes purpose, finding the Spiritual truths in music.  It takes awareness, finding the Spiritual truths in music.

The Word of Christ can be found in the Beatles, Chopin, MC Hammer, and Merle Haggard.  But we will not find it if we choose our music based merely on our own tastes, our own preferences, our own skill-sets.

Rather, every song we sing (or hear, or play, or perform) is a wonderful opportunity to find the Word of Christ.  But determine whether the music IS Spiritual.  Determine what it teaches about Christ, perhaps hidden, perhaps obvious. 

And if Christ is not present, then do music somewhere else.

But when the Word of Christ dwells in your motivation, your desires, you reasons, then the Word of Christ can be found in all sorts of Spiritual Songs.

Then we can make a joyful noise!

Getting Rid of Weeds

 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:16 ESV)

Getting Rid of Weeds

I am not a good gardener.  When (very) occasionally I perform some yard work, deep in my heart I expect it to be finished.   I cut that grass… why is it long again?  I pulled those dandelions already… why is my yard yellow?  I cleaned out that garden bed… why are the flowers once more camouflaged by weeds?

Upkeep… keeping the weeds back once they have been torn out… keeping on keeping on… are part of our walk with Jesus as well as gardening.

If Paul wanted us to treat our lives like a garden, he might have said, “hold tight,” or “hold fast,” or “hold on.”

And if he had, we should attempt to grit our teeth, furrow our brow, and try harder… but this verse urges us strangely to ‘hold true.’

Not hold to our efforts, but hold true.

That is a reference to the One who is true.  The One, in fact, who is truth.  Jesus.

First realize and accept and rejoice that we have attained growth, progress, improvement in thought, word, and deed ONLY through Christ Jesus. Christians do not work our way into a good walk with Him.  He pulls us in.

We then can also realize and accept and rejoice that further progress in our walk will ONLY take place through Christ Jesus.

Holding true to what we have attained means keeping our eyes on Jesus, our feet in His steps, our hearts attuned to Him, our minds focused on Him.

I am not sure how this would work in my garden. 

But it is the only way to hold true in our Christian walk.

Glory

… that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16 ESV)

Glory

I am using a rechargeable battery for battery-things in the sanctuary.  And I am impressed.  Batteries are, in my opinion, more valuable, more excellent, more amazing in how long they last, not in how much voltage or amperage they push out.

More than 3 volts in my microphone would burn out the circuits, not impress me.  But a battery that lasts months instead of weeks is great.

These batteries, despite being drained every week, have lasted for years.  I do not know why I bothered purchasing spares.

The company that manufactures the batteries advertises on facebook.  I see comments from customers who complain about poor quality in the batteries.  I see comments from customers who brag about excellent quality in the batteries.

My experience has caused me to praise the company.  In fact, my glowing endorsement resulted in an invitation from the company to invest in their product. 

But here is the important part.  My five-star rating of the batteries does not result in me praising the guitar or the microphone in the front of the sanctuary.  My five-star rating of the batteries does not result in me praising my voice, or my guitar skills.  My five-star rating of the batteries does not result in me praising the small cylinders of metal and plastic.

My five-star rating of the batteries results in me praising the manufacturer.

In much the same way, the things that sometimes I can see God empowers me to be able to do does not result in praising my prayers, or my patience, or my kind acts, or my endurance in Him…  but rather, the things HE does through me results in HIS glory! When I see things correctly.

God does not answer prayers merely to help us… He answers prayers so our eyes look up to HIM, the prayer-answerer.  God does not save our eternal souls from damnation merely for our sake… He saves our eternal souls so we declare HIS grace.  God does not give us light on our darkest days merely to enable us to endure… He gives us light so we will be in awe at HIS light.

He empowers us with His glory, strengthens us with His glory, helps us with His glory, saves us with His glory not merely for our sake… but because it Glorifies Him!

I sometimes end my prayers with the phase, “for Jesus’ sake… amen.”  I rarely think about what that phrase really means.  But today I see that Jesus’ sake is the best reason to pray, the best motivation to pray, the best background to prayer, the best result of prayer.

His glory is rich.

In Christ Alone

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16 ESV)

In Christ Alone

I once worked for a company that was owned by some self-professed wealthy elite.  These were high rollers, who were movers and shakers.  And as long as I worked for them, I had the opportunity to roll high, move, and shake, too.

I did not take the opportunity all that often…

But after I left that job, I was no longer even potentially welcome in that group.

The men no longer answered my (rare) phone calls… and if facebook was around, they would have unfriended me.

THEY were my contact with the ‘in’ group.

Christians sometimes forget that it is Christ, and Christ alone, who gives us access to the Father, a relationship with the Spirit, and entrance into heaven.

God’s promises were to Abraham and his offspring, the Messiah.  And we get to tag along when we cling to Him.

We like to elevate ourselves.  But not yet.  Until we are Glorified, we are ‘in’ only because of Jesus.

Separation

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (II Corinthians 3:16 ESV)

Separation

Say what you want about the COVID years, but at the very least, COVID had the effect of driving people apart.  Not only regarding arguments about government overreach, medical accuracy, and health care.  But also those masks made us feel alone, even in a group of folk.

Walking through the grocery store, we stopped looking at each other.

Eating in a restaurant, we stopped paying attention to the other guests.

Face to face meetings became rare, and uncomfortable.  Almost as uncomfortable as zoom meetings.

But time, knowledge, and exhaustion have left that loneliness in the past.

But the memory of it can help us understand Paul’s words.  There is a separation, caused by human Sin, between God and us.  It is a vast chasm, bigger than COVID’s six feet.

But turning to Jesus, acknowledging our need for help, admitting our restless sin, accepting His loving sacrifice, tears off the masks.

In Him, we have a way to God.

In Him, we can never be alone.

In Him, the separation is finished.

Beautiful

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (Corinthians 3:16 ESV)

Beautiful

I have stood on the lip of the Grand Canyon, and it was a grand view.  I have watched the skies hum with Northern Lights and it was incredible.  I have lived near some of the most beautiful sites on our planet, and been amazed.

But what was most beautiful about them, was my companion, my best friend, my wife.

The temple was the most beautiful building on earth.  Not just because the architecture, accouterments, and materials were incredible, but because until Christ Jesus, the Messiah, was born, the temple was Immanuel!  It was God’s presence among His people.

And now Christians have that presence, too.  And while we usually focus on the peace, love, and power that God’s presence fills us with, His presence also makes us beautiful.

Not because your nose is the right size for your face.  But because you are God’s temple, Christian.

Not because you are noble-acting, polite, or nice.  But because you are God’s temple, Christian.

Not because you are stylish, popular, or friendly.  But because you are God’s temple, Christian.

Because God IS beautiful.  And His Spirit in us makes us beautiful reflections.

The End

…in their paths are ruin and misery, (Romans 3:16 ESV)

The End

There are two ends, and ONLY two ends to human life.

First, everyone who sins without Christ as their redeemer, buffer, protector, savior, sacrifice, and source of new life Is heading toward ruin and misery.

Second, everyone who sins WITH Christ as their redeemer, buffer, protector, savior, sacrifice, and source of new life is NOT heading toward ruin and misery.

It is that simple.

So cling to Christ, right?

Everything else is ruin and misery.

Everything

And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16 ESV)

Everything

I have a role of duct tape in my toolbox.  It is great at temporarily joining together things that have broken apart.  But it is not waterproof.

I have a set of various clamps that ignore water.  They connect different kinds of pipes.  But they sometimes require too much pressure and break the pipes.

I have two powerful electric staplers.   They make a satisfying WHOOMP when I squeeze the trigger.  But the the holes the staples make in the materials is frustrating.

Nothing in my tool collection fixes everything.

But Jesus fixes everything.

He mends broken hearts.  He floods loneliness.  He laughs lovingly at fear.  He restores sin-wrecked creation to creation’s creator.  He wipes away tears.  He restores my soul.

There is nothing like His fixings in the universe.

Exaggeration

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

Exaggeration

Johnny Cash exaggerated when he sang, “I’ve been EVERYwhere, man, I’ve been EVERYwhere.”

The Romans exaggerated when they claimed, “ALL roads lead to Rome.”

Hallmark movie heroines exaggerated when they declare, “I have ALWAYS loved you.”

Does God really love THE WORLD?

Well, it says so right there.  But what exactly does it mean?

First it might mean, I suppose… our planet.  We sometimes call our planet, the world.  And God does love His creation enough to redeem it.  To fix it.  To stop it’s groaning. To repair Adam’s damage.

It might mean all the nations of earth throughout history.  And in a general sense of general love, God does care enough for all such nations to bring a method of salvation to the folk who dwell therein.

Similarly, it might mean all the people of the world.  God created humans, however rebellious we became.  And He blesses mankind, even when we do not deserve it.  He helps the world through His Son.

But mostly, this verse is declaring that God loves HIS PEOPLE, that world… that kingdom… that universe… so much that He absolutely ensures our salvation, through Christ.

I know that does not sound as BIG and BROAD as the other options.

But it actually is the interpretation that gives His love teeth.  Look what He did for His people?  He gave His Son.

I love, in a sense, all the folk of Valley Center.  But I love our church folk in a deeper, better way.

I love all the folk of our church.  But I love my family in a deeper, better way.

I love my family.  But I love my wife in a deeper, better way.

If this seems unfair, I offer a solution.  I offer it hopefully, cheerfully, optimistically, confidently, joyfully, humbly, and gladly.

Become one of His people.

The Fish and Pride

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…” (Luke 3:16 ESV)

The Fish and Pride

One of my favorite cartoons shows a fish, eating a bigger fish, which is eating a BIGGER fish, which is eating a HUGE fish… which is… you get the idea.

There is always a bigger fish.

We like to be good at things… and we like that to be acknowledged.

John the Baptist was a powerful prophet, a dynamic preacher, a social influencer, and he drew huge crowds to the Jordan River.

But when he was noticed, he did the right thing… the only right thing, really.

He pointed people to Jesus.  Amazingly, John pointed people to Jesus before Jesus was officially known.  John could have basked in his glory for a time.  John could have taken some praise, enjoyed his popularity, felt needed, appreciated, and wanted.

But he pointed people to Jesus.

Our pride sometimes stops us from doing that.  Our pride, sometimes justifiable pride (some of you are GOOD at things…) makes us enjoy the occasional limelight.

But every such limelight appearance is a chance to point people to Jesus.

Be blatant about it, like John.  Be obvious about it, like John.  Maybe even be annoying about it, like John.

Because Jesus is always better.

Special

He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter)… (Mark 3:16 ESV)

Special

It is popular these days to suggest that Jesus loves us just the way we are.

And in a sense, that is true.  God’s Love (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is unconditional.  He loves us ‘just the way we are’ in that our unlovely aspects do NOT drive Him away from us, or cause Him to reject us, or put a series of things we must do (or be) to earn His love.

But just the way we are?

No… He has plans for His people.  He is moving us towards more submission to Him.  He is moving us towards more desire to love Him in return.  He is moving us towards becoming more Christlike, and less us-like.

Christ displayed this particularly when He changed Simon’s name to Peter. 

I am not sure exactly what the transition was, to be clear.  While, “Peter” is usually understood to mean, “Rock”, “Simon” has a number of possible meanings.  Simon can mean, “Listen”.  Simon can mean, “Flat-nosed”.  Neither of which really seems to contrast “Rock” very clearly.

But apparently the most common name in Judea around that time was Simon.

While Peter, at that time, was an extremely rare name.

Maybe Christ, when appointing Simon as one of the twelve, was declaring that being a child of God changes us from ‘common’ to ‘special.’

Not because we are skilled, or popular, or well-dressed, or good looking, or pious, or anything… anything but chosen by Him.

He changes us from the common sinner, into the special forgiven sinner, yes?

And there is nothing more special than that.

The View

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him. (Matthew 3:16 ESV)

The View

What a view Jesus had!  When His baptism was finished, Jesus looked, and heaven itself was visible to Him.  The dual natures of Christ make this passage a little hard to grasp, but the simplest and most obvious thing is that Jesus saw heaven.

I can not do that.

You can not do that.

In fact, of all the people you know, Jesus alone saw heaven itself from His position on earth.  Later, He ascended there.  Today, He dwells there.  As King, He rules from there.

But we back on His baptism day, He saw heaven.

Our eyes do not see it, but we can get a glimpse of heaven through Him.  But only through Him.  Perhaps in prayer we approach heaven, but only through His name.  Perhaps in the Lord’s Supper, we dine with Him, but only through His sacrifice.  Perhaps in His Word we understand heaven a little, but only through His teaching.

We can see His view, when our eyes look to Him.

And soon, we will see Him as He is… and see what He saw… and see what He sees.

What a view.

Conversations

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. (Malachi 3:16 ESV)

Conversations

Words are not cheap.  What we talk about reveals our hearts.  If our words are complainy, selfishy, rudey, and meany, our hearts probably are, too.

God hears our conversations with others, not just our conversations with Him.

For the people of Malachi’s time, while many spoke in ways that displayed their separation from God, SOME spoke in ways that showed they understood God’s wonder, and loved Him in hope.

God paid attention, and noted them permanently as folk who were His.

What does your conversation reveal to God and the world about you?

Consider these contrasts, what you generally talk about, and determine where your words place you:

Complaining… or praising…

Shaking our heads… or moving our hands and feet…

Demanding… or humbly asking…

Me, me, me… or Him, Him, Him…

Fear… or hope…

Criticizing… or helping...

Disinterest… or focus…

The good news is, that Christ is the solution for complainers, head-shakers, demanders, Me-ists, fearful folk, critics, and disinterested folk JUST as He is the solution for praisers, movers, requesters, Him-ists, hopers, helpers, and those who focus.

Let Him help change you from the left column, to the right.  Starting with what you talk about.