Category: grace

Friendship Redefined

Jesus said to him, “Friend…” (Matthew 26:50)

Just as Judas had betrayed Jesus with, of all things, a kiss…even in that moment, Jesus called him “friend”. This is both a fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 41:9) and at the same time a simply astounding demonstration of the mercy of God the Father. It is we who chose to be His enemies! Yet how amazing is His grace that Jesus gave His very life-blood (John 15:13) to reconcile us to Himself while we were still helpless, sinful enemies of God (Romans 5:6-11)!

But what does this divine friendship look like? Much more than a social media post! Jesus invites us into an abundantly joyful life with Him. But accepting that invitation begins with belief and repentance … literally turning away from friendship with the world (James 4:4) and being born by the Spirit (John 3:5-6) into a life of obedience to Jesus (John 15:14).

Obedience? Yes. Because we have been so loved (1 John 4:19), we love in return … in this is a perfect summation of the Christian life (1 John 4:7-21). This is no fickle love that requires nothing of us … it requires absolutely everything! (Mark 12:30-31)

This is divine friendship by the power of the Spirit in the fellowship of God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior and King eternal.

The AART of Waiting…

Waiting is not something we humans are generally very good at. From kids at Christmas and birthdays to grown-ups … still at Christmas and birthdays! On top of our inherent tendencies, our culture is ever-increasingly influenced by the saturation of convenience and affluence and technological advances — all in ways that feed our need for it (whatever “it” may be) now — or at least much sooner that “it” used to be or happen. Information at your fingertips. Google it. Ask Siri or Alexa. Next-day…better yet, same-day delivery — by drone!

Like I said, waiting… is not something we’re very attuned to.

So what! Is waiting such a good thing? Isn’t faster better? Improve efficiency… Produce more in less time… Why make such a big deal? The good ole’ days weren’t all that good.

For some reason, waiting is one of the major themes of Scripture. Prescriptively and descriptively, waiting is an essential part of our life before the Lord our God. Yet for all that encouragement and exhortation to wait, there’s little to nothing about how to do it.

Well that doesn’t help much… What are we supposed to do? Google? Siri?

Thankfully, waiting in Scripture has everything to do with why and Who — and that reveals to us the Enabler of the how. As we turn away from all that is earthly and focus our attention and desire upon the Lord our God — as we behold Him as He reveals Himself to us in Word and Spirit and Truth — we come to understand the value and joy in waiting. Our anxiety is replaced with expectation and then matures into anticipation as we experience the rewards of God’s grace and providence.

Now, don’t get me wrong … I haven’t gotten this all figured out and down to a science. This is still a continual learning process for me and will be unto the end. That’s why I’m inclined to describe it as an art — one that is continually refined and practiced and nurtured and honed and cultivated. Let’s talk about that word — art. It’s helpful for me to think of it as an acronym — forming an acrostic of sorts — that calls to mind again, not the how, but above all the Who.

Accede to &
Act in accordance with		…God’s will, imperative, prerogative, and purpose.
Rest in…God’s absolute omnipotence, eternal sovereignty, timeless omniscience, and peaceful omnipresence.
Trust in…God’s immutable faithfulness, mercy, justice, and love.
As you consider the AART of waiting, read through these Scripture passages and invite the Spirit to work in you…revealing the joy of anticipating the fruit of waiting on the Lord.

Gen. 49:18; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Ps. 33:20-22; Ps. 37:7-9; Ps. 37:34; Ps. 38:15; Ps. 40:1-3; Ps. 130:5-6; Prov. 20:22; Is. 25:9; Is. 26:8-9; Is. 30:18; Is. 33:2; Is. 40:28-31; Is. 49:23; Lam. 3:21-26; Mic. 7:7; Zep. 3:8; Acts 1:4-5; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; Jas. 5:7-8; Jude 17-23

Civics, Politics, and Love

I’ve been avoiding saying much on social media lately — especially within the political sphere — and I believe it’s good to continue in that vein.

So, in the hopes of fostering some good will and peace…
May all those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ take some things to heart — seriously.

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Ti 2:1–4)

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
(1 Pe 2:13–17)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
(Mt 5:43–45)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
(Ro 12:18)

And again…

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
(Heb 12:14)

And how do we ever hope to accomplish any of this?

Begin here:
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
(Mk 12:30–31)

The Love That Pursues

Reading the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) today, the love of the father is overwhelmingly tangible. Both sons demonstrated failure — the kinds of abject failures that emanate from deep within a heart that is yet to truly know the love of the father. One son sought to fill the inner void of his brokenness by gratifying his every desire — the other, by seeking approval for his performance and perfection. In both situations, the father went out to his son to invite and welcome and reconcile — to pursue as only love can pursue.

So, do you find yourself feeling like a failure lately? Job isn’t what you expected or hoped for? Jealous of others apparent success? Kids pushing you to the edge? Marriage is breaking you? Or, you know you have really screwed things up … and the consequences are becoming unbearably painful. Here this from Rebecca Van Noord: “Often, when we focus too much on our own failures, we don’t reach the point where grace changes us.”

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
what can avail to wash it away!
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
whiter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe;
you that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
(Johnston)

There is no better news than this … the God Who is Love pursues failures like you and me! The Almighty God of all creation is pursuing us with Holy Love — the perfect and sincere and everlasting Love that we can only ever comprehend in knowing Him as our heavenly Father.

Just prior to telling of the Prodigal Son, Jesus gives two examples (Luke 15:3-7, 8-10) of loss and redemption and ends both of them with the proclamation that there is rejoicing in Heaven over even one sinner who repents.

So, will you be the son or daughter who wallows in your failure or perhaps sulks about the joy of others? Or will you repent and receive by grace the indescribable love and unspeakable joy of God the Father?

Yep, that’s Him … right behind you, still pursuing you, longing for you to know Him … longing to tell the angels that it’s time to rejoice again in Heaven.