Colossians II: Creator

Colossians II

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16 ESV)

Creator

The Trinity is complicated.  But we do not aid our understanding by viewing the three-in-one and one-in-three as a matter of job description.

Take creation, for example.  Somehow, we have the idea (and I blame medieval and modern art) that our universe was created by a grandfatherly God the Father… hovering somewhere in a vague heavenly atmosphere with a hand extended, a finger pointing, and a universe suddenly blinking into existence, in six portions… and then a nap.

But we see something different in this verse.  Christ, King Jesus, the One whose hands eventually were formed in excited Mary’s womb, somehow was the means and purpose of creation. 

The picture of Jesus found in the book of Revelation matters here.  Think of this description, somehow existing way back on the days of creation: and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,  His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.  In His right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Revelation 1:13-16 ESV)

The Second Person of the Trinity was amazing long before the wonderful cross, resurrection, and ascension.  Creation itself was for Him, by Him, and through Him.

Every time you notice something amazing about creation… whether a snowstorm, a sunrise, a volcano, a newly born calf, a budding rose, a cascading waterfall, a transformed butterfly, or your favorite tree, think of the Christ-creator.  He did that.  It was done for Him.

Wow.

Colossians !: Good Prayers

Colossians I

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.  (Colossians 1:3 ESV)

Good Prayers

These days, a good prayer is a prayer that is a full list of requests.  When the pastor leads in a congregational prayer, the prayer is deemed acceptable if he mentions my favorite prayer request.  Prayer has even come to mean, basically, a request.

But Paul, when praying, did a lot of thanking.

In fact, when praying for the probably troubled church in Colossae, he did not claim to always list their needs and pray for their peace…. but Paul did say that he always gave thanks for them.

Of course I would not suggest that we stop praying for each other.

But Paul seems to suggest that when we pray for each other, we do more thanking.

Not even necessarily more thanking than asking…

But simply more thanking.

Philippians VI: Most Things

Philippians VI

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

Most Things

An old friend of mine told the story of an unfortunate page break in his personal Bible.  Reading along with Paul’s words, he found, “I can do all things!” and there the page ended.

“NO,” my friend cried out.  “Paul, you silly ninny (he was an aged friend, and people talked like that…) You can not do ALL THING!!!!  Maybe you can do some things!  Or most things…

And then he turned the page.

To the most important phrase.

“through Him who strengthens me.”

We might laugh at my friend’s naivete.

But I wonder how often we think that Paul’s incomplete statement is a good description of how we live, how we make decisions, how we react to crises, and how we believe.

Philippians V:

Philippians V: What’s On Your Mind

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

What’s On Your Mind

It seems lately that we, whether Christian or not, have re-written this passage.

We say, instead, when considering what things we should think about:

Whatever is successful (instead of honrable)…

Whatever is fair in my mind (instead of just)…

Whatever feels good (instead of pure)…

Whatever is fun (instead of lovely)…

Whatever is popular (instead of commendable)…

Whatever is good enough (instead of excellence)…

Whatever I can get away with (instead of worthy of praise)…

Let’s think better.  Let’s think Scripturally.

Let’s think like Jesus.

Philippians IV: Peace, First and Last

Philippians IV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

Peace First and Last

Winning is one of modern culture’s primary idols.  Victory is the goal. Victory at all costs.  Victory wins.

But winning does not lead to peace.  Winning leads to the next fight.

Peace, here, is described as not merely being better than understanding, but the goal of understanding. Peace (God’s peace) surpasses understanding because it is WHY God’s people need understanding. And peace with God is HOW God’s people receive understanding.

When we understand God, we stop fighting against Him, and find peace.  When we understand God, we stop fighting against His actions in the world, and find peace.  When we understand God, we stop fighting against His will in the world, and find peace.

But understanding does not mean brain-knowledge.  We understand God because we have a relationship (THE relationship) with the Messiah, Christ Jesus.

Best of all, peace can happen now.  God intends us to have peace now.  Not after the fight of our life is done… but surpassing the fight of our life, just like it surpasses understanding.

Winning is not everything.  Whether an argument around the kitchen table,  or a Karate Kid championship. 

But peace, God’s peace… is everything.

Philippians III: Rubbish

Philippians III

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. ( Philippians 3:8 ESV)

Rubbish

It sort of hurts my feelings when someone does not like something that is important to me.  When people make fun of Star Trek, I cringe.  When others dispute that a Republic is a grand form of government, I frown.  When weirdos do not like bacon, I cringe.

But Jesus Christ is on a whole different level of importance.

No matter how important Star Trek might be, Jesus is more than any entertainment.  No matter how important any form of earthly government might be, Jesus is THE KING.  No matter how important any food might be, Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Sometimes we think it is enough to be willing to surrender all things in service to Jesus.

But really, if we are aware of how rich His sacrificial love was for us; if our love for Him is a full response of His love for us; if we know that all that we are is His, all that we Have is His, all that we know is His…  than we already have given up all those other things!

By declaring that He is always more important.

By using those things for His glory.

By enjoying those things because they ultimately come from Him.

And when we remember how much MORE He is than any of those things… we can see, at times, that compared to Him, they are rubbish.

Which has more to do with how amazing HE is, than how trashy our things are.

Philippians II: What, Me Suffer?

Philippians II

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, (Philippians 1:29 ESV)

What, Me Suffer?

I joined the Grand Rapids Rock and Mineral Society when I was around 13 because I expected it to benefit me.  As it turned out, I did not gain much Rock stuff… but I DID end up with many babysitting opportunities.

I accepted a job at a Chemical Manufacturing company because I expected to make some money.  As it turned out, I did for a while, but then the company drove itself into the ground.  But I DID get to move to another part of the country, found and attended a seminary, and started a new direction in life.

How disappointing it might be to hear that Christians can expect to suffer after believing.  Our expectations are that just like a Rock and Mineral Society, or employment, we will receive benefits.

But Paul says that suffering for Christ is granted to us, which means he considers the suffering a blessing.

Paul refers to suffering for the sake of Christ.  This is not suffering because of social cruelty, physical ailments, or broken hearts.  That kind of suffering is not included here.

Instead, following Christ means that we suffer because of Him.  Physical danger for Christians is often a possibility, but those who endure do so for the sake of the advancement of the gospel.  Social suffering can occur when we speak prophetically about the presence of unrighteousness.  Emotional suffering can occur when we experience loss for the gospel, or when we grieve for those who are lost.

And because these things are happening because of our beloved Christ, we can often see that the Kingdom of God benefits.  Evangelism results.  God’s glory is seen. And even spiritual growth (in Christ) occurs.

So yes, we suffer… but Jesus is worth it.

Philippians I: Bucket Lists

Philippians I

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 ESV)

Bucket Lists

I read recently that over 90% of people’s bucket list items fall into the categories of travel, adventure, and personal growth. 

Paul’s bucket list, described in this verse, is not very modern, is it?

First on Paul’s bucket list is Christ.  Not merely to imitate Christ, not merely to know Christ, not merely to be Christian… but simply Christ.

Christ loved.  Christ served.  Christ lived for His people, completely.  All the way to death, through resurrection, and up to God’s right hand.

Most important for Paul, in Paul’s life… is to love, to serve, to live for God’s people completely.  All the way through Paul’s life until he would die… and through Christ’s gate into heaven… and reigning at Christ’s side.

How different Paul’s bucket list is!

And then, even more surprisingly, as amazing as those life goals are, Paul says that to die is gain.

Death, rather than failure and “the end of it all”, was better than his life, his Christ, his everything.

What a bucket list!

Ephesians V: Smelly

Ephesians V

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 ESV)

Smelly

A skunk died on the road nearby a little while ago.  It was a particularly smelly skunk.  As I walked through our parking lot later, I found there were two kinds of cars.

Some cars had obviously driven in from the south, and smelled like it.

Other cars had obviously driven in from the north, and smelled like it.

Their fragrance gave them away.

Christ’s fragrance does not refer to His earthly cleanliness or perfume.  Instead, Christ lived, and died, and lived again in a way that pleased the Father.  In scripture, our actions are sometimes described as a fragrant offering that God’s nostrils enjoy.

And when we have walked near, with, or by, Christ, that fragrance clings to us, too.

If we want to please God, walk how Jesus did, and His fragrance clings to us.

If we want to please God, live for others (sacrifice) like Jesus did, and His fragrance clings to us.

If we want to please God, be like Jesus, and His fragrance clings to us.

Ephesians IV: Talking

Ephesians IV

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)

Talking

We talk too much.

Sometimes, we think we need to correct every error we hear, regardless of the effect of our correction.

Sometimes, we think we need to only say nice things, regardless of the effect of our silence.

Sometimes, we think we get to say whatever we want, because we are free, regardless of how thoughtless we often are.

But instead, the test of whether or not to speak, has two steps.

First, if the thing you are saying is not loving do NOT say it.  We can argue about what exactly IS the most loving thing to say, but unless we are using love as the backdrop, we have no business speaking.

Second, if the thing we are saying does not shine a light on Jesus, do NOT say it.  Every conversation a Christian has needs to aim someone (sometimes others, sometimes ourselves) into more understanding of Jesus, more appreciation of Jesus, more affection for Jesus, more devotion for Jesus, more Love of Jesus.

Whether we are telling jokes around the dinner table, teaching Mathematics, giving advice, asking for advice, being casual, being purposeful, discussing current events, or talking about unicorns… talk towards HIM… in love… or stop talking.

Ephesians III: More

Ephesians III

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think… (Ephesians 3:20 ESV)

More

I keep discovering new things about my lawn mower.  This fall, when I winterized it, I found in the gas tank, a line that showed me exactly how much antifreeze to add.  I had been guessing for years.  Now I do not need to guess.

I like to ride with the blower detached sometimes, and sometimes attached.  In the past, I used to get off the mower, and strap the attachment on, or take it off.  But I discovered a knob that connects to the blower.  I do not even have to get out of my seat.

I found a slot that allows me to attach headlights.  So I can mow after dark.  So I don’t have to stop when the sun goes down.  I have not gotten headlights, and probably will not… but I found out that I CAN.  And that feels pretty good.

My lawnmower continues to show me that it is MORE than I thought.

And God is even MORE more than that!

He is able to do FAR more than we think.  FAR more than we ask. FAR more than we need.

If you are bored with God… You do not see Him, yet.  You do not know Him, yet.  You do not worship Him, yet.  But You will. 

Because He keeps showing Himself to us!

Ephesians II: Faith

Ephesians II

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

Faith

How different this verse would read if something else replaced Faith.  It would change the nature, possibility, and fact of salvation and the gospel.

For instance:

… through works… God would still do the saving, but it would depend on our life choices, our morality, our ability to do the right thing.  It could no longer be grace.

… through timing… God will still do the saving, but it would depend on circumstances, historical situations, and being in the right place at the right time.  It could no longer be grace.

… through understanding… God would still do the saving, but it would depend on our intelligence, understanding, or having a good teacher.  It could no longer be grace.

Faith, as a means for God’s grace, refers to our relationship with Him.  When we see how trustworthy He is, and trust Him, that is faith.  When we see how loving He is, and love Him, that is faith.  When we see His awesomeness, and become lovingly in awe of Him, that is faith.

Thank Him that His plan for salvation… faith and grace… naturally fit together. 

In fact, those whom He has bathed in grace, WILL have faith. 

Ephesians II: Faith

Ephesians II

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

Faith

How different this verse would read if something else replaced Faith.  It would change the nature, possibility, and fact of salvation and the gospel.

For instance:

… through works… God would still do the saving, but it would depend on our life choices, our morality, our ability to do the right thing.  It could no longer be grace.

… through timing… God will still do the saving, but it would depend on circumstances, historical situations, and being in the right place at the right time.  It could no longer be grace.

… through understanding… God would still do the saving, but it would depend on our intelligence, understanding, or having a good teacher.  It could no longer be grace.

Faith, as a means for God’s grace, refers to our relationship with Him.  When we see how trustworthy He is, and trust Him, that is faith.  When we see how loving He is, and love Him, that is faith.  When we see His awesomeness, and become lovingly in awe of Him, that is faith.

Thank Him that His plan for salvation… faith and grace… naturally fit together. 

In fact, those whom He has bathed in grace, WILL have faith. 

Ephesians I: Grace

Ephesians I

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

Grace

How different this verse would read if something else replaced Grace.  It would change the nature, possibility, and fact of salvation and the gospel.

For instance:

For by works you have been saved, through faith… our salvation would be up to US… probably the act of faith would be the work that saves us, then.  We would have to do the work of checking  the box of ‘faith’ to be saved. 

For by niceness you have been saved… our salvation would depend on our demeanor and attitude.  Pleasant people would be saved, the rest of us, not.  The road to heaven would be paved by smiles and acts of kindness.  Too many bad days, and we would be doomed.

For by ‘being in the right group’ you have been saved… our membership, whether by birth, social status, or choice of friends would determine our eternal state.  Hopefully, in that universe, changing groups would be easy!

But those words are not the right words.

Grace saves.  Grace means we are saved by God’s character, God’s intentions, God’s equation, God’s relationship, God’s determination.

I am absolutely sure that is the only way we could find salvation.

Death X: The Bottom Line

Death X

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15 ESV)

The Bottom Line

I used to hate (really hate) mowing my lawn… or any lawn for that matter.  I dreaded the chore, suffered through the task, and was even bitter about the need to mow.

But something happened.  I am not sure exactly what.  It might be that owning a zero-turn-radius mower helped make it more fun.  It might be that listening to audio books and music while I mow helped make the time pass more pleasurably.  It might be that I became more mature about gratitude FOR my yard.

But I no longer hate mowing the lawn… at all.

I desire that transformation when it comes to death.

I know that death is no longer the focus of God’s curse, but is actually the entrance get to Heaven.

I know that death has been conquered, and now is under Christ’s authority.  He holds it’s keys, after all! (Revelation 1:18) .

I know that death’s scorpion-like stinger has been pulled, and death’s sting diminished.

But I do not quite, yet, see death with God’s vision.  Try as I might, I do not understand death the same way He does.

God loves the death of His children.  Such death is precious in His sight.  That is the same phrase we sing in, “Jesus loves the little children.”  They, and death, are precious to Him.

For me, death still hurts too much.  Some day, I will shout a hearty, “AMEN!” to God’s view, instead.

For me, death still reeks of loss and decay.  Some day, I will shout a hearty, “AMEN!” to God’s view, instead.

For me, I still see the curse clinging to death.  .  Some day, I will shout a hearty, “AMEN!” to God’s view, instead.

It helps, sometimes, to remember a parallel thought: “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” (Psalm 35:27 ESV)

Because of Christ’s work death is included in that welfare.

Death IX: Hoping

Death IX

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (I Corinthians 15:42-44 ESV)

Hoping

I went to bed last night suffering the symptoms of a cold.  As usual, while not devastating, these symptoms were miserable.  I went to bed uncomfortable.  But I also went to be with hope.

Because I took medicine.

And as I breathed with difficulty, had itchy eyes even when closed, and my head was fuzzy, I hoped that I would feel better, or even BE better in the morning.

Hope is always attached to improvement.  Hope arises because something is bad, and we need it to be better.

Unexpectedly, death provides hope.

Whatever is troubling us, for Christians, after death it will be better.  We do not hope in death, but we hope in what Christ has done to death, and what will happen to us through death.

Mistakenly, we often hope instead to avoid death.  But instead, we can hope through death’s work.

We will be better.  And our believing loved ones will, too.

Sin will be gone.  Sin’s effects will be gone.  Worries will be gone.  Pain will be gone, both physical and emotional.  Loneliness will be gone. 

And what makes it better is NOT the absence of our troubles… but the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

He is the best medicine.

Death VIII: Laughing

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:23 ESV)

Laughing

Heroes of the old melodramatic theater shorts used to laugh at the face of danger.  An audience at a comic fest laughs at the presentations.  Some people laugh (a fact I do not understand) at America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Who laughs about death, though?

Tragedy does not elicit laughter.  Sorrow does not cause laughter.  Loss does not bring chuckles.

Of course we do not laugh about death.

But the childbearing mother might understand the concept.  The pain of childbirth can be overshadowed (maybe over-lit!) by the joy of the child.  The struggle of childbirth is seen in a different light, perhaps, when mom remembers that this is not just physical pain, but her child!

Awareness of death’s result, the glory of being with Christ!, allows us to laugh… not IN death, not because of death, not around death… but because of the joy that it brings.   Because of heaven.

Consider these words: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV)

Death VII: Grieving

Death VII

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (I Thessalonians 4:13 ESV)

Grieving

Some cultures have admired grieving so much that they would hire professional grievers.  Some Christians grieve today with intense sorrow… and grieving our loss, our unsaid comments, the faltered plans of those who seem to die too early, or just deep pain that continues.

I am in no way belittling such real sorrows.

But… but… but… we do not grieve like the world.  We do not grieve like those without the sure hope of the gospel.  We do not grieve like those who do not believe in a Sovereign God who is working in ALL things for the good of His people, because of His immeasurable love FOR His people.  Even in death.

If heaven is grand, how can we resent the arrival there of saints who have died?  If the Lord’s presence is so desirable, how can we fail to be excited for His people who are enmeshed in Him, now?  If death has been altered to become the gateway into eternal life, how can we become despondent?

Grief is improved by hope.  Grief is altered by hope.  Grief is fixed by hope.

And what an opportunity to preach the gospel, even without using words

Death VI: Death's Death

Death VI

                        Death is swallowed up in victory.

                        O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:54, 57 ESV)

Death’s Death

When Genghis Khan conquered the peoples of the steppes of Asia, his empire lasted after his own death.  He was successful, in part, because he changed the conquered folk into something else.  Enforced by horse and arrow, they lost their identities.  They ‘became’ what he wanted them to be. They were no longer Persians, Afghans, or Chinese.  They became Mongols.  At least for a time.

When Christ conquered the enemy death, He truly conquered it, for all time, for all of His people.  Death has become what the victorious Christ wanted it to be.  Death become our gate into His permanent Kingdom.

Death was swallowed up, devoured, by that victory.  It entered His realm as His tool.

Death no longer had any victories.  While before Christ, death seemed to win every battle, now every Christian death is a victorious event.

Death’s sting has become an ultimate blessing.  Christians leave our sin-tainted and sin-broken bodies behind, and will have new perfect bodies! Our intellects, as well.  Our emotions as well.  our very Souls, in fact, as well.

Death has died… and was reborn as something new!

Death IV: God's Enemy, Death

Death IV

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (I Corinthians 15:26 ESV)

God’s Enemy, Death

Death, the normal end of some things that once had a form of life, was once a part of God’s pronouncement that creation, when finished, was “very good.”

But now He had changed death… for humans, death had become the pinnacle of His wrath.  That which was created without the need for death, people, now would die.

Death had become an enemy of God.

And He promised to end death’s new job.

That promise was fulfilled when He used the Messiah, His beloved Son, Jesus, to defeat death.

But look how much God hated death.  From the hints of a promise in Genesis 3:15, where God promised that Satan would be crushed by a Redeemer, all the way through the moment when Jesus declared on the cross that that, “It is finished!” God worked tirelessly to promise, and enact, a way to un-promote death.

God is just, so He must keep His own law.  And He loves His people with the same fortitude and power that He hated His judgement against Adam’s race (human). 

But His tireless work bore amazing fruit!

God’s enemy, death, would fall to Him just like all His other enemies… sin, the world, and Satan.

Being God’s enemy is a dangerous state to be in.  And death, too, is overcome by God Himself!