No Needy Among Them

The verses that are constantly on my heart of late are from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-5 NIV;

[1] “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

[5] “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

I just can’t get away from this idea that our invitation in all of this is to embrace humility and selflessness!  Our focus should be on others, not on ourselves.  Paul describes it as looking to the interests of others,and not ourselves!  

Can you imagine what it would look like if we all embraced this looking to other’s interests first, before we look to our own?

Marketing would have to radically change, for today everything is directed to our selfish concerns, or self-focused concerns.  The idea is that if we are satisfied internally then we can care for others.  Paul, in reflecting on Jesus, recognizes that this is not how he lived, but the opposite of how Jesus lived. He laid down His life, embraced humility, served others, becoming like us, that He could have compassion and mercy, having experienced everything that we experience.  He did all this willingly.

Again, imagine if we lived our live this way?

Many years ago, we had friends at church whose young daughters (they were in second or third grade I think) embraced this idea of caring for others first so much that the school they went to call the parents in and described the way they took care of other students, regardless of their own peril. They were giving away coat, mittens, lunches, etc.  The teachers were concerned that they were somehow disabled in their social skills as they seemed to have no concern for their own well-being.  The parents tried to explain that their children were not socially disabled, but were actually living out the command of Jesus to love one another the way He loved us.

Wouldn’t it be strange to walk into a church gathering of whatever purpose and experiencing the care of everyone in that place?  Would we wonder if it was a cult?  

Luke describes the early church in similar words, if you look deeper at what he is saying, here are two examples:  

Acts 2:44-45 NIV:

[44] “All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Acts 4:32-35 NIV:

[32] “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. [33] With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all [34] that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales [35] and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”

I dare say that this is not the normal church experience.  

We can reason this away by saying that maybe this was just because of all the excitement of the early believers, except for Jesus’ teaching and life that demonstrated the supreme example of this in laying down His life for all of us sinners.  Jesus lived this first!  The Apostles and the early church followed Jesus’ example.

They embraced this idea that they could be like Jesus and look to other’s needs before their own!  The  church embraced this so fully that all needs were met!  Imagine, of the five thousand (See Acts 4:4) who believed, there were no needy persons!

Wow!

Is it possible? Clearly it is, as it was demonstrated by the early Church! 

I don’t think it is possible for man to do it on our own.  Many have tried the commune idea, the utopian model where everyone is cared for and equal.  These always seem to fail after a time, fo man in his best efforts cannot sustain a focus on others.  The difference between the many failed examples and the early church was that they were filled with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit!

Oh Lord, I pray that we might once again embrace these challenging words!  That we might learn how to embrace Your mindset!  That we might learn how to put others' needs before our own!  That we might see a church rise up that fulfills Your command to love one another the way you loved us!

Amen and Amen!

The Throne of Mercy

This morning as I opened my Bible app, the suggested verse for the day caught my eye, and I thought it worthwhile for some real reflection.  I have included some of the surrounding verses for context.  Here are the verses - Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV:

[12] “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

[14] “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The last verse is the one that really grabbed my attention this morning, specifically the fact that apparently we need to approach God’s throne so that we may receive mercy.  This seems the opposite of what my flesh and human logic would want to do… I would prefer to stay far away from any potential judgment.  I don’t want the Lord to see me, or see my weakness. 

I don’t think I am alone in this, for we have natural fight and flight responses to things that threaten our lives.  The preceding verses speak of how all of our lives are uncovered and laid bare before God, and I believe that if God were to truly look at my life that He would sentence me to eternal judgment. 

I am not wrong in my belief, except for the fact that Jesus gave His life for me, and substituted Himself for me, paying for all of my sins!  He is the only reason I am not judged!  He is also the only reason that I can approach God’s throne in confidence!  He knows my exact condition!  He knows my weakness, and yet He chose me!

I am reminded of a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:8-11 NIV:

[8] “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

I have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.  It is only because of Him that I have any life, any hope, any ability to stand, and any confidence in approaching the Throne. Paul writes also that our lives are now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) so in a very real sense when we are approaching the Throne, we do so from within Christ.  

I am reminded of some additional verses found later in Paul’s letter the Romans 8:31-35 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Putting this all together, while we were still sinners, Jesus paid for us, and our lives are now hidden in Him.  When we approach the throne, we do so fully aware that it is only through Him that we may do so!  When we do so, we find He is sitting next to the Father interceding for us!  He is not sitting there bringing charges against us, He is sitting there on our behalf, telling the Father how much He loves us, how much He paid for us, and how He has chosen us!  

How could the Father extend anything but mercy to us? 

Therefore, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!!

We need mercy, and we need help and both are readily available to us at the Throne!  Mercy is best understood in the face of the alternative, and when we come to the Throne, we should be fully aware of what we should receive, if not for Jesus!

The Good News is that this mercy is available to all of us who would believe, to all who put their faith in Jesus, the only one who has made a way!

Even more so, not only do we receive mercy, but we receive real help in the grace that is poured out on us!

Amen and Amen!

Water From The Rock & Embracing Our Identity

This morning I felt like I should revisit a reflection from 10 years ago where I was thinking about the story of 'the water from the rock' found in Exodus 17:1-7 NIV:

[1] "The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

[3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

[4] Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

[5] The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

A couple of things pop into my mind immediately:

First, the Hebrew people were persistent in their unbelief and ungratefulness.  They were always more worried about what God was going to do today, rather than thinking about what God did yesterday and how that revealed His character and faithfulness in caring for them.  I am reminded of how often I am exactly like this, immediately starting to complain if something doesn't go my way.

Secondly, they were in this place because they were following God, as He directed them.  God had a plan.  He always does!   He was going to provide for them, as He promised He would, but the people weren't willing to wait on God.

Their perspective, once again, was limited by the present situation, not having learned about God's blessing and provision from His previous acts and interactions.  He had previously provided manna and quail, had purified poisoned water, and safely protected them from the pursuing Egyptian army!   A location without water was not going to be a problem for God.  The people, however, were quick to complain and grumble.

I know that by following the Lord, I have several times found myself in what appear to me to be difficult situations, and in those times I am quick to follow the Hebrew people's example of grumbling and complaining. As I think about this, I realize that this is a symptom of an unrenewed mindset, and wrong identity.  The Hebrew people were no longer slaves, they were God's chosen people, the people of His promise, but their mind-set was still slave-like.  Slaves have no choice and no freedom, and when things are difficult they complain and grumble, for that is all they can do.  Slaves are justified in their complaints against unfair and cruel masters.

The problem is that God isn't like their former masters and they were no longer slaves, they were His chosen people.  He loved them, chose them and promised to take care of them and protect them.  The people didn't trust God, didn't trust Moses, and were convinced they would have been better off to have stayed in Egypt.  They were deluded in their thinking, as we can clearly see from our perspective looking back, but in the midst of it all, they could not see their wrong perspective.

In the same way, my sometimes struggles in believing God is good and for me are the result of an unrenewed mind, and wrong identity.  I am thinking like someone who hasn't met or experienced God's love, and I am not embracing my identity as His son, whom He greatly loves.  As Paul says in his letter to Ephesians 1:3-10,15-21 NIV:

[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." 

[15] "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, [16] I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. [17] I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [20] he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

Following those wonderful thoughts I am reminded of Paul’s writing found in Colossians 3:1-4,12-14 NIV:

[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

[12] "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Lord, I pray that I might fully embrace this reality, this truth that not only have I been chosen, invited into sonship and given every spiritual blessing, redeemed, set free and now am hidden in You!  It is too much to comprehend, but it is my inheritance!  

I pray that You might expand my experience, my understanding of Your Glorious love.  I pray that I might better represent You and Your blessings and provision to those around me!  Help me to  clothe myself with Your characteristics and above all, Your love!   Help me Lord to embrace my identity as Your son, holy and dearly loved.  Help me to fully believe in You, Your Word, Your promise and Your timing.  

Help me to see things from Your perspective, rather than from an earthly slavish mindset!  There is no doubt that You can provide water from a rock, pools in the desert, and blessing in the midst of the most difficult seeming circumstances!

Amen and Amen!