Biddeford Church of Christ

Have you ever struggled with worry? I have before, and I still find myself struggling with it now. There are several reasons lately that are ever-present: the seemingly rapid pace of society is moving from God’s moral compass. Issues like the normalization of homosexuality, gender identification, and other sexually permissive behaviors. Then, the present pandemic is wreaking havoc with the church’s functioning and our efforts to grow together as His body. Where is all of this taking us? Where is it taking me? It can be a little overwhelming. Worry can be so exhausting! One person writes, “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its joy.”  A Swedish proverb says, “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”  During our bible class on Tuesday night, we briefly discussed a text in Mark 4:35-41. That text gives insight into where worry comes from and how to become focused again.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling.

Mark 4:37

Life at times can seem like a series of distractions, filling our minds with things that destabilize our thoughts and cause us to sink into times of anxiety and lose sight of hope and joy. Winston Churchill once said, “When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in life, most of which had never happened.”  This thought brings us to our text for today. We find the disciples in a boat with Jesus, sleeping at the stern (v38), with a great storm buffeting their boat. Before we go further, we need to look back a couple of chapters and see the wonders of Jesus, witnessed by some and, in many cases, all His disciples. The casting out of an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28), the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law along with many others (Mark 1:29-34), the cleansing of the leper (Mark 1:40-45), and the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). Okay, now back to the story and how the disciples reacted. They wake Jesus saying, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v38). First, it was their perceived reality that initiated their fear. We are going to die! Some of them were fishermen and most likely experienced turbulent seas. It seemed hopeless! That is, with Jesus out of the picture. They thought Jesus could do something, but He was sleeping. How many of us, at times, believe Jesus is sleeping; that is, able to do something but absent from doing it? When life’s troubles distract us from seeing Jesus and trusting He is working things through, worry will begin to consume us.

Why are you fearful? How is it that you have no faith?

Mark 4:40

This word translated as “fearful” carries the idea of being cowardly, timid, fearful, i.e., faithless. Seriously Jesus, are You kidding me? Can’t You see the water in the boat, the waves crashing over the sides? Without the presence of Jesus, the One who healed so many, their perceived reality was very real! I know, He healed many, but this is not healing! This situation is different. Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and the sea, saying, “Peace, be still!”  The Greek word for peace figuratively means to be calm. Why were they fearful? The storm around them had distracted them from believing in the One whom they had chosen to follow. They had lost sight of their faith. All too often in my life, my worry is attributed to this simple fact, I become distracted and lose sight of Jesus.

I will not deny that there are disturbing things in this world of ours, storms that seem to fill our minds with something that, over time, can become distracting.  From what though?  From the most important thing of all; that is, the hope and joy that is found in Jesus and Him alone. The solution? Let Jesus take care of the storm while we place our faith in Him.

Dennis

As our Sunday morning bible class finds itself nearing the end of the study Learning to Love by Willard Tate, I also find myself taking some time to consider our role in building one another up in love.  Let’s face it, that very idea has been placed on hold in so many ways for the last 2 plus years.  During that time, we have been forced in many ways, to live our lives for Christ seemingly by ourselves without the real need for one another.  Really, how often do we find ourselves considering “one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24) outside of assembly times?  Hopefully, this whole pandemic thing will soon be behind us and if that is the case, what can we do now and then when our usual time together returns to some sense of normalcy?  How do we become anew the people of God who “as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).   A people who would “spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, ETRV).  Of course, there are a number of places one could begin, but for me, what we are encouraged to do in Ephesians 4:29 is one of the important ones; that is, renewing our commitment to becoming people builders.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is

good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29

Willard Tate writes, “We all want and need much more positive input in our lives than we usually get…”  What do you think about that?  We need not look too hard to see God’s view on this matter.  He told the church in Thessalonica, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1^st Thessalonians 5:11).  God inspired Paul to write these words of exhortation to the brethren in Rome, “Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters.  And give each other more honor than you give yourselves” (Romans 12:10, ETRV).  This last couple of years have challenged our closeness.  I could go on and on about those “one another” verses that remind us of our need for one another.  I can’t make it home alone!  So, in one simple verse the apostle Paul provides us with both the task at hand and the desired result.  First, the task at hand, which is, “let no corrupt words proceed out of your mouth.”  The word translated corrupt (NIV translates it “unwholesome talk”) means rotten, useless, depraved, i.e. worthless.  Proverbs 11:9, “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor…”  Proverbs 15:4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”  How many lives have been destroyed by words?  Just a few verses prior, in Ephesians 4:15 Paul reminded the church in Ephesus of their need to speak “the truth in love.”  It is not just what we say, but also how we might say it.  Our words should be intentional to offer another that which “is good for necessary edification.  This word translated edification carries comes from the same Greek word used in 1^st Thessalonians 5:11 and carries the idea of architecture, i.e., a structure, figuratively conformation.  We are being used by God to help build up His people, His church, one another.  I am not talking about those common areas in life like hunting, sports, movies, etc., although those things always play a role in relationships.  I am talking about inspiring people in the Christian walks, encouraging them to fight the good fight, stay the course, walk victoriously in Christ.  Encouraging people to become all they can ne in Christ.  Being part of God’s effort to build others up!

This kind of leads us into the second thought from Ephesians 4:29; that is, using our words so “that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Our goal is simple, be helpful to another’s journey in Christ.  Listen to how the ETRV translates some of Ephesians 4:29, “But say the good things that people need – whatever will help them grow stronger.”  The intent of edification is to build others up, to impart grace.  Paul exhorted the church in Colosse, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6).  Our goa, our intended purpose, is to be favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefit (the meaning of grace in this verse) all we can with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We intentionally seek to use words that encourage, strengthen, build up, guide, and exhort those arounds us to “fight the good fight” and ready ourselves for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ.

This is a daunting task for many, including me!  Our personal histories, things we have experienced and learned over the years often collide with such an exhortation as this.  Its not that we refuse to do it; but rather,  lack the understanding of how to do it.  So, we have to learn to be people builders.  Immerse ourselves into the word of God and seek Him for transformation.  Here is the irony in this whole thing.  For us to become people builders, we need the help of others to help build us as they likewise need us to do the same.  In the weeks and months to come, I pray God’s guiding hand upon us all, that we can pursue with renewed vigor the quest of becoming more of what He would have us to be, one of those things would be People Builders.

Dennis

I am grateful for Anthony’s lesson last Sunday as he brought to our attention what is involved in our commitment to the transformation process.  The invitation is ours to accept, that is if change is going to happen.  But what draws us towards that decision to want to change, to be transformed?  The answer is simple, “…by the mercies of God” Romans 12:1).  So much of what we do and who we are is because of His mercy.  Just this past week, while seeking to prepare for Sunday morning bible class, this idea about His mercy was emphasized as I was reminded of the need to forgive.  So difficult to do at times, yet the consequences are very real.  Jesus taught, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespass” (Matthew 18:35, note also Matthew 6:14-15).  When I try to muster the strength to forgive, I fall so miserably short.  Why?  Because I am not starting in the right place!  Paul taught both the church in Ephesus and Colosse to “forgive one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32) and “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:14).  It is our awareness of His forgiveness towards us that empowers us to forgive another.  Yet, how many of us find our inner man in bondage to the past, seemingly unable to let go of it.  Could it be that we do not reflect on His mercy?  How can we look back in our own past without it being used to simply keep us in bondage to what we once were?  Maybe the apostle Paul gives us some insight in 1^st Timothy 1:12-17.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me…

1^st Timothy 1:12

Well, the answer to those questions is deeply embedded in our understanding of Christ’s work in our lives.  This word “enabled” in the above verse is the same Greek word used in Philippians 4:13 where Paul speaks of how he can do all things “through Christ who strengthens me.”  If we are ever going to accomplish the will of God, it must be through Christ’s unwavering strength.  Consider how Paul faces his past.  He was keenly aware that he once was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man” (1^st Timothy 1:13).  All this was done in ignorance (v13) due to unbelief.  Its not that what he did wasn’t wrong, and he wasn’t responsible; but rather, he simply did not know better.  What he had learned and how he processed it made him who he was…then.  Does that sound familiar?  How could it not hinder him going forward?  I believe the answer is in these next words, “but I obtained mercy because…and the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant” (vv13, 14).  He had come to realize his desperate need for the mercy of God found in Christ.  It was with such assurance in that mercy that he could state, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (v15).  I like the ETRV which reads, “Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question…”  Do you question?  We look in the mirror and say, “How could He save such a wretch like me?”  That sounds familiar (Romans 7:24).  Paul’s confidence that enabled him to reflect on his past was because of his faith in the redemptive work of Christ.  He could reflect on his past and learn from it, but it would not hinder him from moving forward.  Who we were, however terrible it may have been, is not who Christ has now made us to be!  Through faith we put my trust in Christ and the mercy He offers.

I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering…

1^st Timothy 1:16

This is why we need to center our hope in His mercy.  It enables us to show that mercy towards others because we ourselves have been shown mercy (i.e., forgiveness).  It enables us to share our past and how through Christ we have been set free from it.  We can be the example or “pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life (v16).  We can be used by Him to share the hope of Christ!  A hope that releases us from the bondage of our past and enables us to joyfully live in the present.  It gives us reason to speak of His mercy which we ourselves have obtained through Christ. 

So, how do you see your past?  Can you see His mercy in your life?  I hope so, for in so doing He can empower us to accomplish so many things.  “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen” (v17).

Dennis

With Christmas right around the corner, so is the often-arduous task of finding the right gift for that special someone.  I suspect all of us have received the gift that…well…simply didn’t meet any real need or excite us in any way.  It is often times, during those moments, that we reason, “It is the thought that counts.”  The week before last, my wife told me not to plan something for Saturday, December 11^th.  She had planned to surprise me with tickets to the play Nutcracker, which was being held at the Sanford High School.  Sadly, my injury kept me from going. She knows me so well.  This caused me to think of the art of gift giving.  There are those moments, as we open the gift before us with anticipation, our hearts are overflowed with joy as we find something so precious that has been given.  It’s not simply the cost that makes it so significant, although it can play a role.  Neither is it the mere need that it meets, although that to an play a role.  It is also the planning of the gift that causes its value to rise in our hearts.  This made me think of our Heavenly Father and the gift of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of light…” (James 1:17).  He is the perfect gift giver and here is why?

…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…

                                                                                                                                    Ephesians 1:4

I want our attention to be on these simple yet profound words, “before the foundation of the world.”  God is not a haphazard giver.  He plans meticulously all the details, putting things in motion to bring it about in its proper time.  So, before the foundation of the world, before creation even started, before you and I ever existed, God was planning the gift of Jesus.  As Jesus speaks of His return one day, He says, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).  Jesus would say, “Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).  Why?  He is planning something!  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).  The One who “knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8) has been working hard for a long time to give His best to us: I will come back to this in a moment.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The profound depth of a verse can be lost over time if we allow it.  John 3:16, the poster board verse of many sporting events is one of those verses.  God “gave His only begotten Son” John writes.  The word gave here means to offer, give, I put, place.  Paul would write in Romans 5:6 that “at just the right time Christ died for us” (ETRV).  Think about it, in the pages of history God saw a date, a time, when the greatest gift of all would be given and nothing would stop Him from giving Him: His only begotten Son.  I wrestle with that at times, do you?  How many of us have opened a gift that was expensive and uttered the words, “You shouldn’t have.”?  Is there some inner thought of unworthiness, that we don’t deserve it?  The gift of Christ, its true cost, is seen not in our worthiness; but rather, our value in the eyes of God.  Remember, it was before the foundation of the world this all began.  God knew “that while we were still sinners” this gift would be given.  His perfect Son given to imperfect man just at the right time…His time. 

Therefore do not be like them. 

For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Matthew 6:8

More than once over the years, I have opened a gift only to say, “How did you know this is what I wanted?”  Debbie went to the play with someone and really didn’t like it a whole lot.  You see, the gift was about me and what she knew I would like.  A gift that meets a need is often regarded as priceless, regardless of its true cost.  Well, the gift of Christ was not only costly, but its purpose was to meet the greatest need of mankind, a pathway to redemption.  Listen to Acts 4:12 from the ETRV, “Jesus is the only one who can save people.  His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone.  We must be saved through Him.”  You see, God planned all this from the beginning of time.  He understood the cost and willingly paid that price.  Why?  Because He knew what we needed and did what was necessary to provide it.  There is no better gift giver than our God.  Let’s praise Him for loving us so much for giving us Christ.

Dennis

Today we have another of our life group meetings with the topic once again being evangelism.  Most people are intimidated by the idea of talking to others about Christ and ultimately His redemptive plan for them.  I find it intimidating at times as well.  So, our objective in these studies is to try and help us grow in our understanding of evangelism. To seek the Lord for boldness to share the hope of the cross.  From the beginning of Christ’s evangelistic work, He knew that mankind had to play an integral part in their salvation. He sought to start training those who would be His voice in a lost and dying world.

Jesus first faced the 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and then started His ministry (Matthew 4:12-17).  That ministry had at its core a simple call to those willing to hear, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v17).  Jesus ushered in his kingdom once He ascended, and the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, and the good news about the risen Christ began.  After three short years, the Apostles, prepared by Jesus, went out among the people and preached the gospel.

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

(Matthew 4:19)

I am always taken back by the reaction to the simple invitation given to Peter and Andrew to “follow Me” given by Jesus.  Their response was, “They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20).  The word for followed here means to be n the same way with, i.e., to accompany.  In the very following verses, we find Jesus inviting James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, and they likewise “immediately…left the boat and their father and followed Him” (Matthew 4:22).  Extraordinary.  There was no real explanation as to why they were so willing to leave everything to follow Jesus, but they did.  So, could it be that the first prerequisite, if you will, to become fishers of men is the decision to follow Jesus?  To prioritize Him in one’s life.  The thought caused me to think of 1st Peter 3:15 that begins with these words, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”  The word sanctify means to venerate, regard with great respect, revere.  The role that we allow Jesus to play in our lives will determine in many ways whether we become those fishers of men.

A response to the invitation is where it begins, not where it ends.  For Jesus said that if they chose to follow Him, He would “make them fishers of men.”  The Greek word for make here means I make, manufacture, construct.  Jesus would take these mere everyday fishermen and transform them into “fishers of men.”  Like so many areas in our Christian walk, we need transformation.   James and John, who Jesus would name “sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), had to be rebuked by Jesus after they asked to command fire to come down and consume a Samaritan village ((Luke 9:54).  Even after three years of walking with Jesus, witnessing the miracles, and being fully confident that they would never deny Jesus (Matthew 26:35), Peter would deny Him, and  “all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).  Hard to believe that these would be the ones so vehemently proclaiming the good news of Christ.

Through a simple invitation and the profound transformation of imperfect men, Jesus took simple fishermen and made them fishers of men.  Not perfect, men!  Fishers of men.  You see, if we wait until we think we are ready to talk to others about Christ, we might never do so.  Jesus can take the average person and use them to do amazing things for the kingdom.  We need first to accept the invitation and prioritize Him in our lives.  Then, Jesus can take that rawness of who we are and make us into His tool for use in the kingdom.  Could it be then that the act of evangelism is about what happens when we make Him Lord and commit ourselves to spiritual growth in His name?  It is and always will be about Him.

Dennis

We recently talked about Jesus’s answer to the question, “Which is the first commandment of all?”, asked by a scribe in Mark 12:28.  He simply said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  All things have a starting point, even the act of love.  As one person said, “I cannot love you as I love myself until I love God as I ought to love Him.”  All things, big and small, need to find their source of strength in the love we have for God.  For in so doing, it keeps those things from being adulterated by selfish motives or merited works.  Rick Warren rightly says, “Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task.  It runs counter to our self-centered nature.”  It is for that very reason that the apostle Paul would “bow my knees” that those in Ephesus would come “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14, 19).  Because “God is love” (1^st John 4:8), it makes sense that God would want us to be filled with it…with Him.  It is a quest we should travel with earnest and a journey that is but a life time of travel.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more

and more in knowledge and all discernment…

(Philippians 1:9)

It is no wonder then, that we find Paul once again praying for the church to grow in its understanding of love, this time in Philippi.  Through the apostle Paul, God makes it known that that their love should abound: that is, be in excess.  There can never be too much love…ever!  AGAPE love, unlike the other Greek words used for love (i.e., eros, storge, philia) involves the will, not mere emotions.  It involves decisions that are thought out and guided by our Lord. Thus, love is to abound in a particular fashion.  First, love is to abound in knowledge, meaning recognition, acknowledgment.  Its use here appears to point towards religious knowledge.  As we grow in our understanding of His love and what that love involves, we will in turn abound in it.  That love is coupled with discernment; that is, perception.  The only other place this word is used, although it be a different form, is Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”  Augustine asked a very important question, “What does love look like?”  Man has his ideas of what it looks like, but God has the only right way and it is our task to try and better understand that right way of loving others.  Why?

…that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may

be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ…

(Philippians 1:10)

The ETRV reads, “…that you will see the difference between what is important and what is not and chose what is important…”  The NIV reads, “…so that you may be able to discern what is best…”  As we grow in His knowledge of love, acquiring discernment of what godly love looks like, we then become equipped to approve; that is, to test the genuineness of such love.  Thus, when put into action in our lives, we can be assured that it will be “sincere and without offense” to our God.  Paul expressed to the church in Rome, “Love must be sincere” (Romans 12:9).  Sincere love is not measured merely by the emotions that we feel, but by the guidance that love is given through God’s word.

What is the objective in all this?  What is the goal which Paul is praying for, both for them and us as well?  I think v11 sums it up, “…being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  Is it too simple to say that what he is praying for is Christ likeness?  To love as He loved.  To care the way He cared for others, even our enemies.  May our endeavor in life be to love what God loves, love the way God loves and point others to the source of such love.  Helps us Lord in this endeavor.

Dennis

Did you know that November is National Gratitude Month?  Stacey Grewal, in August of 2015, submitted the idea that November would be a month of being thankful.  There are two holidays in this month that invite people to be thankful. On November 11, 1919, president Woodrow Wilson established one of those days after the World War I in memory of the soldiers who fought and died in the “war to end all wars.”  It would be called Armistice Day.  Armistice means an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce.  Then, in 1926, Congress adopted a resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation making Armistice Day a legal holiday.  It was not until 1954 that the holiday was changed to Veterans Day, recognizing all who have fought in wars.  Of course, in November we also have Thanksgiving, a holiday established way back in 1789.

It is so important the be thankful.  A study was done with nearly 300 adults, most college age, who were seeking mental health counseling.  During their counseling, they were broken into three groups: one group were asked to write a letter of gratitude towards someone they knew each week, another to write down their negative emotions and thoughts, while the other group did neither.  I will share with you some results in a moment.  Before I do, let’s consider a scene in the bible that talks about being thankful. 

There is a story found in Luke 17:11-19 about ten lepers who were healed.  Here I think we can find where thankfulness is so important to our walks with Christ.  The scene opens as Jesus is traveling through Samaria and Galilee (v11).  He comes across ten men “who stood afar off” (v12) because they had leprosy. Isolated from the world around them because of their disease, they call out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (v13).

So when He saw them, He said to them,

“Go, show yourselves to the priests.”

And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 

(Luke 17:14)

It was “as they went” to show themselves to the priests they were healed.  What a sign of faith!  That said, we find some further information about these ten men in the next two verses.  You see, one of them, when he realized he was healed, “returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks” (vv15-16).  He came back to express gratitude in an impassioned manor.  Then, it reveals who he was, a Samaritan.  It is here that Jesus asks some rhetorical questions.  It appears the other men must have been Jews, only finding commonality with the Samaritan because of their leprosy.  All should have returned to “give glory to God” (v18) for what they had received.  It wasn’t merely a healing, but a chance to become part of society again.  To become normal if you will.  They had so much to be grateful for because of what Jesus had done.  Yet, because gratitude was not on their mind, they missed out on the best gift of all.  Jesus told the Samaritan, “Arise, go your way.  Your faith has made you well” (v19).  Although all showed their faith by heading towards the priests, only one’s faith, that was filled with gratitude, caused him to go to the source to say thank you.  All were healed physically, but only one left spiritually revived.

A mind filled with gratitude is a wonderful thing.  As Christians, we are called to “in everything give thanks” (1^st Thessalonians 5:18) and to have our prayer life be filled “with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6) “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1^st Thessalonians 5:18).  So, let me ask you something I recently asked myself, “Just how thankful am I to God?”  How often do I praise Him for what He has done and is doing in my life?   My faith should “know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). 

Why is gratitude so important to our walk with Christ?  Let’s go back to those letters I mentioned earlier.  Those intentionally writing “gratitude letters” tended to write a higher percentage of positive emotions and included “we” words.  The thought is, being grateful “shift’s one’s attention away from toxic emotions.”  Another thing realized is this, you have to be persistent.  Gratitude needs to be a constant practice if it is going to have any lasting results.     And it appears that such persistence results in better brain activity.  Oh, how the marvelous transformation of God can help us in so many ways.

The Samaritan’s faith moved him to be filled with gratitude for what God had done for him.  What has God done for you lately?  I suspect you could list a multitude of things.  Take the time to reflect and remind yourself of God’s goodness.  Praise Him for those things.  Do it often.  I suspect that if you do, such faith will help to make you well also.  You are blessed!  Thank You Lord.

Dennis

I am so thankful for the theme of this past Sunday’s scripture reading day and the thoughts shared after their reading.  First, there was Abraham, convinced that God is a promise keeper, willingly placed his son on the alter all because he was persuaded “God was able to raise him up from the dead” (Genesis 22:1-19; Hebrews 11:19).  Then there was the profound faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who faced the blazing furnace, confident that God could save them and resolved to not waver even if He did not (Daniel 3:17-18).  Or the beautiful faith chapter of Hebrews chapter 11, that reveals the amazing faith of those from times past who “by faith” lived their lives with assurance and obedience.    These are but a small portion of examples of faith driven people in action.  These examples of faithful people reveal to us who are in Christ today, that such faith is not so much a finish line, but rather a starting point, where hope is found, and transformation begins.  We “press toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14), or as we have considered from 2^nd Peter 1:5, we do “all we [you] can to add to our [your] life these things” (2^nd Peter 1:5, ETRV).  With this in mind, we return to our text from two weeks ago and consider how God yearns for our faith to grow.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…

brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 

2^nd Peter 1:5, 7

At first, one might think that these two things should be mentioned first concerning the godly character traits we should grow in; that is, until you read Colossians 3:14.  Paul exhorted the church in Colossae, saying, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”  By perfection, your translation may read “perfect unity,” Paul is referring to maturity or completeness.    Love is a sort of binding agent that holds all things together.  As one person says, “So charity [i.e., love] completes the choir of graces.”  Okay, with this in mind, let’s go back to our text.  The English Revised Version reads, “…and in your godliness love of the brethren; and in your love of the brethren love” (2^nd Peter 1:7).   First, there is this idea of brotherly kindness which finds its meaning in the Greek word philadelphian.  It is the word which the city of Philadelphia gets it name as the city of brotherly love.  Strong’s defines it as a love of Christian brethren, fraternal affection; fraternal simply means involving brothers.  For the Christian, the care for the brethren is to be deeply rooted in our faith.  Paul would write, “…let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).   John would simply say, “And this commandment we have from Him; that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1^st John 4:21).  John goes on to reveal that this love is faith driven and active, saying, “…let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1^st John 3:18).  This idea is not new to Peter’s exhortation either, for he penned in 1^st Peter 1:22 “love one another fervently with a pure heart.”  That word love is the same Greek word used in 2^nd Peter 1:7 and is amplified by the word fervently, which means earnestly, strenuously, intently.  Concerning this fervent love, he would reason in 1^st Peter 4:8, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” Paul echoed these sentiments, teaching those in Rome to “be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10).  The writer of Hebrews simply wrote, “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1).  It is important to remember that when Christians devote themselves to one another in such a way, we will “never fail to be useful to God” (2^nd Peter 1:8).

When love fills the church family, it seems only natural that we would want to extend that love to those around us who are not part of God’s family.  As one person writes, “And although ‘charity begins at home’ with ‘them who are of the household of faith,’ it must not end there, but reach out to all men, whether Christians or not.”  Paul would say to the church in Thessalonia, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all…” (1^st Thessalonians 3:12).   When such love is present, we are better prepared to give an answer to the hope we have (1^st Peter 3:15).  Better equipped to “love your enemies” and “pray for those who…persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-48).

We, the body of Christ, are to be the conduit in which God shares His love with a lost and dying world.  What a tremendous opportunity!  What an amazing challenge!  I am compelled to pray, “Lord, help my faith to grow so that I will love Your church which You purchased with Your blood with the same grace, patience and forgiveness You extend to me.  And may that love extend to the world around me and Your name be glorified.  Amen.”

Dennis

This past week, as I was working on the ceremony for Corey and Miranda’s wedding, something caught my attention as I typed in their scripture reading, which is none other than 1^st Corinthians 13:4-8.  As I read the text concerning what godly love is like, I realized the similarities those qualities have to the list of things Peter encourages his readers to “add to your life” (1^st Peter 1:5, ETRV).  Then, as I considered it further, I also realized the connection these two lists have to the “fruit of the Spirit” that the apostle Paul mentions in Galatians 5:22-23.   It seems reasonable then to surmise that our endeavor to pursue these God centered character attributes are linked to the exhortation to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).  I say all this for one reason, the quest to grow in Christ is a journey that must include God in each step.  We simply cannot do it alone.  With this in mind, we considered the next two attributes the Spirit guides Peter to write down.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,

add to your faith…self-control, to self-control perseverance…

                                                                                                                                    2^nd Peter 1:5-6

How are you when it comes to self-control?  The Greek word means self-mastery, self-restraint.  As was mentioned before, this character trait is a by-product of the fruit of the Spirit that as our text reveals, needs to be nurtured.  This transformative process called spiritual growth can be difficult in so many ways.  At times, it is like a war, for “the sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self” (Galatians 5:17, ETRV).  This battle is echoed by the apostle Paul, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will to do, that I practice” (Romans 7:19).  This spiritual reality gives us reason to be earnest in its pursuit.  As one person writes, “I am a spiritual being… After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.”  Proverbs 25:28 in the ETRV says, “People who cannot control themselves are like cities without walls to protect them.”  Self-control is a discipline that God grows in us when we continually choose to die to our flesh and live in Him.  It is a quality of God, that when pursued through Christ, helps us to be more useful in His cause.

The next word empowers the disciple to be steady in a world that is so chaotic.  That word is perseverance.  This carries the idea of endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for.  We live in a “hurry up and wait” society.  People simply hate to…well…wait.  We say things like “Time is money.”  We get frustrated if we have to wait in the drive-thru line.  In the mind the words “I want it yesterday” often reveal our impatience.  It is said that 2^nd Peter was written sometime around 66-67 A.D., which makes these Christians young in the faith.  Peter warns them of scoffers who would be saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2^nd Peter 3:4) and reminds them “that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2^nd Peter 3:8).  As they wait for the Lord’s promise to be fulfilled, they will face difficult times.  Paul writes this about troubles in life, “…troubles make us more patient” (Romans 5:3, ETRV): That is, as long as our focus is on Christ.  C.S. Lewis wrote, “God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.”  Why pursue perseverance?  We need it to run the race (Hebrews 12:1)!  We need it to become mature, lacking in nothing (James 1:4)!  It is what we need to be more useful in His kingdom!

As I close these thoughts, I begin to see the connection between self-control and perseverance.  As one person explains, “While self-control enables one to deal successfully with his inner desires, steadfastness enables him to be victorious in spite of the trials from without.”  Help us Lord this day to recommit ourselves to working with You to develop these qualities so that You may be glorified through our daily lives and that others may be influenced for Your cause.  Amen.

Dennis

Over the last couple of weeks, we have talked about the hope and confidence found in none other than Christ Jesus.  Because of our knowledge of Him, He has provided us with “His divine power,” which in turn gives us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2^nd Peter 1:3).  That is ours!  That said, we walk with the awareness that Satan is active in this world, looking for “whom he may devour” (1^st Peter 5:8).  His efforts seek to destroy the redeemed and keep the captive… well… captive.  There is still another element in all this, us.  Consider the caution Peter concludes his letter with, “beware, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness” (2^nd Peter 3:17).    The writer of Hebrews says, “Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become hard to change” (Hebrews 3:13, ETRV).  Growth in Christ, as was noted last week, helps us to continuously be “useful to God” (2nd Peter 1:8, ETRV) while at the same time, helps us to “never stumble” (2^nd Peter 1:10).   Spiritual growth is less about achieving and more about cultivating the blessings given to us in Christ.  With this in mind, let us consider two things that Peter encourages his readers to pursue diligently.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,

add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge…”

                                                                                                                   2nd Peter 1:5

The very first thing that Peter encourages his readers to pursue is virtue; your translation may use the word goodness.  Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as conformity to a standard of right, particular moral excellence.   According to Strong’s, the Greek word carries the idea of a gracious act, uprightness, i.e., excellence. Thayer defines it as any particular moral excellence.  One author says, “the basic meaning of the word indicates the quality by which one stands out as being excellent.”  Simply put, it is the determination to do what is excellent in God’s sight in all situations.  Paul uses the same word at the end of Philippians 4:8, when he says, “… if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”  Virtuous things is something Paul encouraged the Philippians to mediate upon.  Also, when the apostle Paul writes about the need to “put off, concerning your former conduct” and “put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:22, 24) or “put to death members which are on the earth” and “put on” (Colossians 3:5,12), he is, in essence, talking about the pursuit of virtue.  How important is this pursuit?  Paul encourages Timothy to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1^st Timothy 4:12).  Why?  Paul goes on to explain, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1^st Timothy 4:16).  The pursuit of virtue is not simply about transformation; it is about our ability to influence those around us.

Along with virtue, Christians are encouraged to pursue knowledge.  Although we have obtained the knowledge of Christ, there is still more knowledge needed.  Why is it important to grow in knowledge?  Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  There could be no better reason than that very thing; still, there is more.  We gain some insight from Hebrews 5:14 (ETRV), “But solid food is for people who have grown up.  From their experience, they have learned to see the difference between good and evil.”  Our world has a difficult time discerning good from evil.  What was once evil is now said to be good, and to think otherwise is evil.  Crazy!  But why would the Holy Spirit guide Peter to urge them to grow in knowledge?  Listen to 2^nd Peter 2:1, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you….”  Paul wanted the church in Ephesus to grow so they would “no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14).  Growing in our knowledge helps to protect us from the deceitfulness of sin.  It also protects us from Satan’s efforts to deceive us through false teaching, something that is every bit as real today as it was then. 

Knowledge links us to our ability to be useful to God while at the same time keeping us from stumbling. It reminds me of something critical, “The foundation of all human excellence must be laid deep in the blood of the Redeemer’s cross and in the power of his resurrection.”  Let all of our efforts to grow be because of Him and for Him.

Dennis