The 2016 presidential election is shaping up to be monumentally confusing and impacting — and I don't think that surprises any of us. But don't allow the uncertainties and perplexities of this process to excuse your ignorance and justify your non-participation. Instead, let me encourage you to thinkingly inform yourself of the candidates and issues in order to take advantage of our God-given and government-given right to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the election process.
To help you do so, let me strongly recommend two resources: First, listen or read Al Mohler's episode of "The Briefing" on Tuesday, January 26. In this 20-minute podcast, Mohler thoughtfully analyzes the presidential race from a Christian worldview, interestingly explains the non-traditional political philosophies underlying the two front-running candidates, and helpfully guides the Christian voter in biblical principles that should inform his/her decision. Second, read this article by Joel C. Rosenberg. It's a personal, not political, blog entry, and it is a bit outdated now (published November 24, 2015). However, it is a fairly helpful (albeit not exhaustive) overview of the most promising conservative and evangelical candidates. While the last two posts on this blog have been of a more political nature, there is no intention to make this a political blog. Rather, I hope this venue will continue to serve as a "ministry of grace" (Ephesians 4:29)—biblically, thoughtful, carefully, and graciously addressing many different areas that concern the follower of Jesus. Undeniably, some of those areas right now are of a political nature. At the end of "The Briefing" episode mentioned above, Mohler helps frame these issues in their proper place within the broader Christian worldview. He writes, Finally, Christians have to always remember the balance—that politics is important, but it’s never ultimate. Politics can’t deliver us, no matter who is elected. And that means that we have to put this into a perspective, a proper biblical perspective, where we understand the urgency and the importance of voting rightly, and we take responsibility as Christians citizens to do that which is right according to the Christian worldview, according to our own biblical principles, our own Christian reasoning. But we also understand that we can never fall for political promises of the Right or the Left...that will promise us more than politics can deliver. We indeed await the perfect government of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7), but until then we represent Him as best we can, even in our political responsibilities. When I first drafted this post, rumor had it that a key conversation that would arise in the 2016 Indiana General Assembly would be about whether or not sexual orientation and gender identity should be added to the state civil rights law as protected classes. That is indeed a growing conversation, and some are already helpfully suggesting certain parameters for this debate. Currently two bills have been introduced in our State House — Senate Bill 35 and House Bill 1079 — that would prohibit men from accessing women's restrooms and locker rooms throughout our state. Not only would I earnestly support these legislative considerations, but I would also strongly argue against the broader issue of making sexual orientation and gender identity protected classes under the civil rights law in Indiana. Consider three arguments: First, making sexual orientation a protected class will open the door for the government to punish, for example, a religious business owner who does not want to participate in a homosexual wedding ceremony. In the future, it is very likely that this would then pave the way to penalizing churches and pastors who only support marriage between one man and one woman. This would elevate sexual behavior above religious freedom. I’m so grateful for the religious freedom that has been a hallmark of our country (and our state), but am alarmed at how diligently some are attacking it. I want my life and ministry to always be marked by respect and graciousness toward those with whom I disagree, and I always want this nation/state to be a place in which those individuals can exercise their civil and religious freedoms. I simply ask for the same in return. I make a careful distinction between the "homosexual agenda" as a very clear worldview and mission, and many homosexual individuals who simply desire the same freedom and peace that I do. From what I can tell, that homosexual agenda is bent on taking away the freedom that Christians, in particular, have had to practice their faith—both individually in our business decisions and corporately in our church communities. I strongly believe that mutually enjoying religious freedom means that a Christian business owner (e.g., photographer, baker, florist, etc.) should broadly and indiscriminately serve his community through his business. However, for that Christian business owner, a marriage ceremony is more than a community event; it is a worship service of a most special spiritual significance (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-33). It would be an absolute denial of religious freedom to force him to participate in a homosexual wedding ceremony against his conscience in this matter! I believe it would be as uncivil and inconsiderate as, for example, forcing a Muslim photographer to take pictures at a baptismal service where participants publicly express allegiance to our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Second, and most germane to bills mentioned above, it has been well-documented that some sexual predators have abused the proposed allowance (i.e., allowing transgender individuals to access the bathroom of their choice) in order to gain access to women and children in a particularly vulnerable locations (e.g., private restrooms and locker rooms). Being a concerned son, brother to three sisters, husband, and father of three children, as well as a pastor over many people that I love dearly and desire to protect in any way I can, and a fellow human that desires to take up the cause of the defenseless (Psalm 82:3)—I believe passing a law that requires such an allowance would unnecessarily jeopardize many innocent people throughout our schools and communities. To substantiate that this is more than a personal concern, but a documented danger, consider these articles:
Third, the very basic meanings of these two phrases, “sexual orientation” (i.e., who someone wants to have sex with) and “gender identity” (i.e., what sex someone wants to be), reveal that there is no ending to the allowances that may have to be extended once that path is taken. Admittedly, my Bible-informed Christian beliefs compel me to agree with God that the only right (and thus able to contribute to human flourishing) sexual relationship is between a man and woman in the context of marriage. However, this does not deny that some sexual aberrations are far greater than others. If a man wants to have sex with a child, should he then also be protected? If a man wants to have sex with multiple women, should he be given legal standing in that freedom? If a woman wants to be intimate with an animal, should allowance be granted? For these reasons, I support SB 35 and HB 1079, and I strongly encourage our Indiana leaders to not include matters of sexual orientation and gender identity in our state's civil rights protection. And I hope that you will think carefully and lend your voice freely to this conversation. And, may I add, don't just Tweet or post about your opinion—participate in the process, engage your elected officials, vote your conscience, and practice the privileges of living in a democracy! The final group of characters in the nativity—the wise men—teach us to respond this Christmastime with a spirit of lavish worship. Many months after Jesus was born (perhaps up to two years; cf. “house” and “child” in Matthew 2:11), wise men from the East arrive in Jerusalem, inquiring about the one “who has been born king of the Jews” (v. 2). Herod’s counselors direct them to Bethlehem, quoting Micah 5:2, which prophecies that little town as the birth of a promised “Shepherd Ruler” (v. 6). When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem and found Jesus, they immediately “fell down and worshipped Him” and “offered Him gifts” (Matthew 2:11). He was only a toddler, but that did not hinder their belief that He was also their King. Through eyes of humble faith, they clearly and correctly saw their God, their King, their Savior! We’ll let a song that our choir ministered last Christmas (12/7/14) reveal to us the significance of their gifts: Gold, a King is born today; Incense, God is with us; Myrrh, His death will make a way And by His blood…He’ll win us. Application: This Christmas, let’s make sure that we don’t underestimate the babe in the manger. Let’s not allow His “safer” side—His love, grace, mercy, gentleness, patience, etc.—to lull us into a complacent forgetfulness of His power, authority, rule, and grandeur. On that first Christmas morning, He looked like a baby, but He was Lord of all! May wise men in our generation knowingly, humbly, actively, sacrificially, and lavishly worship Him as such this holiday season. CONCLUSION So, what do you think about Christmas? In the midst of all its tradition and busyness, how do you respond? Don’t forget the reason for the season. The centerpiece of the nativity is Christ, and may He be your focus, too. And as you consider each nativity character in turn, and see how they are gazing upon Him, respond like them—with the humble faith of Mary, the submissive obedience of Joseph, the enthusiastic evangelism of the shepherds, and the lavish worship of the wise men. Yes, this Christmas, put yourself in the nativity scene. Mary: Humble Faith
Joseph: Submissive Obedience Shepherds: Enthusiastic Evangelism Wise Men: Lavish Worship As we look back at our nativity set, we cannot overlook a pair of simple characters with shepherd’s crooks, one carrying a sheep, the other gently bending near the child. In the face of these characters, we are reminded to respond this Christmas with enthusiastic evangelism. The shepherds first heard the gospel in an extraordinary way in Luke 2:8-14—glorious angels appeared in the night sky to triumph God’s joy and peace and salvation, all wrapped up in a tiny baby who had recently been born nearby. What a scene! How did the shepherds respond? How should we respond this Christmas? The shepherds reacted with enthusiastic evangelism that expressed itself in four ways: 1. They personalized the gospel (vv. 15-16). Having heard this angelic message, the shepherds first had to determine what they were going to do with it personally. They could deny it or doubt it. They could postpone it and forget about it. Or they could believe and investigate it. The passage testifies that they did the later, “hastily” (v. 16) following the instructions of the angels to “see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (v. 15). Application: What have you done with the Christmas story? What is your perspective on this “good news of a great joy”? Have you investigated the gospel for yourself? Do you understand that “Christ [i.e., the Rescuer God promised to fix this world and save us from our sin, when we rebelled at the Fall (cf. Genesis 3:15)] died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4). It is of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3a) that you personalize this message and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior! 2. They prioritized evangelism (vv. 17-18). They were in middle of their work, “keeping watch over their flock” (v. 8), but they quickly left their responsibilities to search for the child of promise (v. 16) and then to tell others (vv. 17-18). These angels knew what we often forget—nothing is more important that the gospel! They were not going to let temporal matters rob them (or others) from eternal joy. Application: Too often, our problem is that we are more like Jonah than these shepherds. They both had the same message to tell—the shepherds literally couldn’t wait; Jonah did all he could to avoid it. Jonah didn’t prioritize evangelism, because he simply loved plants more than people (Jonah 4). The shepherds couldn’t get over the wonder of it all, and so, as they had lavishly received grace, they shared it. Are you prioritizing evangelism, especially at this time of the year when people may be more open? Or, are you distracted by your “plants”—your job (“sheep”), your reputation, your toys, your agenda, your calendar, your entertainment, your traditions, etc.? The shepherds teach us to use the Christmas holiday to verbally share the good news. 3. They praised God (v. 20). The shepherd scene ends this way: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” For these shepherds, evangelism was natural (or supernatural), not contrived; it was a delight, not a duty; it was overflow, not “pulling teeth.” Why? Because it was the byproduct of worship! John Piper has suggested, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” Too often, we aren’t good witnesses, because we aren’t good worshippers. We don’t tell others about the gospel, because we aren’t telling it to ourselves. Application: If there is ever a helpful time in the calendar year to stoke the fuel of our praise, it is Christmas! Allow the riches of this spiritual season—its focus on the incarnation, which made possible Jesus’s substitution in life and in death, which resulted in the resurrection, and which guarantees our glorification—to lose your lips to declare God’s praises, and when you do, “many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3). 4. They pushed through the shame (v. 8). Shepherds were largely avoided or rejected by society. They were humble commoners whose place was looked down upon. That didn’t stop these transformed nomads at all! Nor did the fact that it was the middle of the night. Like this child that had changed them, they “despised [i.e., “to count lightly or as insignificant] the shame” (Hebrews 12:2) and boldly declared good news. Application: Let us not be silenced! Yes, let us be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16); yet, let us be gracious and kind; yes, let us be discerning and prudent—but let us not be ashamed! In America, we still have so little to fear in our freedom to witness, and yet we do fear. That spirit is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7), so let’s pray for boldness instead (Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 6:18b-20; Colossians 4:2-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). And even if cultural shame increases and we find ourselves oppressed, let us remember the hope of the gospel! We “are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in [us] is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). They may hate us, they may despise us, they may reject us, they may persecute us…but they can only kill us (Matthew 10:28)! In the very message we bear, “shame is shamed, and fear has fled” (C. Anderson, “Every Knee Shall Bow”)! Mary: Humble Faith
Joseph: Submissive Obedience Shepherds: Enthusiastic Evangelism Wise Men: Lavish Worship The second character in our nativity set is opposite Mary and is her husband. He teaches us to respond with submissive obedience this Christmas. The first evidence of Joseph’s submissive obedience is found in Matthew 1:18-25.
The second evidence of Joseph’s submissive obedience in found in Matthew 2:13-23.
Application: Two applications can be fleshed out at this point: First, there is little doubt in my mind that Mary’s humble faith and Joseph’s submissive obedience fueled each other. This godly couple teaches us that our complete obedience will be in proportion to our faith in God’s revelation, specifically the gracious “Good News” of His Son Jesus. As we grow in our understanding of and reliance upon God’s Gospel revelation, our obedience will follow suit. We must, then, be in our Bibles—learning God’s precepts, mining His wisdom, rehearsing His gospel—so that our lives might be characterized by the obedience that glorifies God, assures our own souls, and “adorns the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). Second, we can’t help but wonder at the impact that Joseph’s submissive obedience had on his children. While we know that Jesus was God and did not sin (and, I believe, was not able to sin), the Scripture still speaks of His “learning” obedience (Hebrews 5:8) and “becoming” obedient (Philippians 2:5-8). Undoubtedly, He learned obedience, in part, by watching His dad. We often muse while observing a child, “Like father, like son.” This was the case in Joseph’s home. While his life may not have been long (many Bible scholars believe he died during Jesus’ childhood), his inscripturated legacy is lasting—he submissively obeyed God! In fact, according to Matthew 1-2, Joseph obeyed God in the same way we teach our children to obey—quickly, sweetly, and completely. Indeed, his walk talked loudly in his home, and I think his children heard it and learned obedience. Therefore, it is no wonder when he had a major moment of disconnect with his son, Jesus, in Luke 2:48-50 (a moment in which many 12-year-olds would complain, “My parents don’t get me! They don’t ever understand! They’re so old and outdated!”), that Jesus understood his position and “went down with [His parents]…and was submissive [lit. subject; cf. Luke 10:17, 20] to them” (Luke 2:51; a response that led to growth, v. 52). Indeed, “like father, like son.” Is this true in your home? This Christmas, let the gospel empower you afresh to submissively obey God, even when it is shameful, confusing, or difficult. Joseph obeyed God, knowing that this baby would save him from his disobedience (Matthew 1:21); so may we also obey, rejoicing that Christ does the same for ours! Mary: Humble Faith
Joseph: Submissive Obedience Shepherds: Enthusiastic Evangelism Wise Men: Lavish Worship What are your first thoughts when you hear the word “Christmas”? How does your mind and heart respond? For many, their first thought has to do with shopping and buying and spending and budgeting! In fact, the average Christmas spending per American adult in 2014 was $781. During a time of the year that has been hijacked by our culture in its materialism and secularism, we should make it a priority to think rightly about the Christmas season. And there is perhaps no better teacher than those original nativity characters—Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Indeed, by considering their responses on the first Christmas, we learn how God would have us respond this holiday season. During this Christmas, put yourself in the nativity scene. Luke paints an unmistakable contrast between the response of Zechariah (Luke 1:5-23) and that of Mary (Luke 1:26-38) to the angel, Gabriel. Notice the similar situation: Gabriel appeared to both (vv. 11, 26), which provoked a response of fear (“troubled”: vv. 12, 29); the angel calmed their fear and assured them that God was showing them grace (vv. 13, 30); he then proclaims the glorious revelation from God that He had been sent to communicate, and in both cases, it is a message about a miraculous birth (vv. 13-17; vv. 31-33; notice all the “wills” in these verses–a clear expression of divine promise). A contrast emerges between Zechariah’s response in vv. 18-22 and vv. 34-38. Both servants ask a question of the angel, essentially inquiring, “How?” (v. 18). And it is at this point that the narrative diverges. On the one hand, Zechariah betrays an Abraham-like (Genesis 17:15-21) or Gideon-like (Judges 6:36-40) lack of faith in the improbable. In fact, he simply does not believe the Word of God, for he skeptically asks, “How shall I know this?” (v. 18; cf. v. 20b). And this is doubly-indicting, for he was a seasoned servant of the Lord (a priest), “walking blamelessly” and believing and obeying the “commandments and statutes of the Lord” (vv. 5-6), and he had actually been praying for this very thing (a child, v. 13). Mary, on the other hand, also asks, “How?” (v. 34). But her question doesn’t reflect a disbelief in the improbable, but an attempt to discern the impossible (cf. v. 37). She is seeking to understand the mystery of the incarnation—that she, being a virgin, could bear a child (v. 34). The contrast between this pious priest and humble girl is further sharpened by the angel’s answer to both. Zechariah is simply told of Gabriel’s position (i.e., he “stands in the presence of God”) and purpose (i.e., “I was sent…to bring you this good news”) and is rebuked “because [he] did not believe my words” (vv. 18-20). Mary is given additional revelation, culminating with the simple reality that “nothing will be impossible with God” (vv. 35-37). Now, Mary faces the same decision as Zechariah: will she believe or doubt? Her response is humble and trusting: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (v. 38). \Considering the occupational, experiential, and age difference between the two, we would have expected this response from Zechariah. Yet, here is a young girl, who is beginning to understand the frightening implications of an unexplained pre-marriage pregnancy, and she simply humbles herself in trusting faith. And it wasn’t just that she submitted, she really “believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (v. 45). She knew and trusted her God well enough, that she could simply bank on Him, even when He didn’t make sense. Application: The miracle and grace of the incarnation reminds us to respond with humble faith in God’s Word no matter what the confusion and difficulty we may be facing. Believe God’s promises, cling to His Word, have confidence in His truth—“for nothing will be impossible with God”! My wife and I recently watched Newsies, the 1992 musical based on the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899 and starring Christian Bale.
While I grew up watching this movie, it was the first time Dawn had seen it, and we both enjoyed the thick New York accents, the witty humor, the triumph of the riffraff over the societal elite, and the rousing original music — that is, with the exception of "High Times, Hard Times," the song that actually won the 13th Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song. There were two moments in that 121 minutes of entertainment that my mind stirred from its momentary vegging and made a connection to something greater than the story I was watching. First, I found an assertion by newspaper tycoon, Joseph Pulitzer (played by Robert Duvall), to be particularly relevant. In a warning to the newsboys’ rebel leader, Jack Kelly, Pulitzer declares, “The power of the press is the greatest power of them all. I tell people how to think, how to vote—I shape [this city’s] future”! Truly, that declaration stands today. Too many people today are contentedly told what to think by today’s media. This includes many Christians, who not only don’t think for themselves, but also rarely exert themselves to think biblically. John Piper has said, “As few things are as easy as thinking, few things are more difficult than thinking well.” Indeed, it is so difficult that many of us simply opt not to do it. And so, “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) uses one of his many devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), the “power of the press,” to mold our thinking, and thus our deciding, and finally our living. Dear fellow believer, let us “prepare our minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13; KJV, “gird up the loins of our mind”) and let us “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). To help train yourself to think well, let me encourage you to check out Dr. Albert Mohler’s daily podcast (and transcript), The Briefing. Second, one of the compelling elements of (good) video is its ability to transport you into the story, causing you to strongly identify with the characters and feel their emotions. This happened for me powerfully at the 1:32:03 time mark of the movie, and I found myself again looking beyond the drama I was watching to something larger and more significant. At that point in the movie, the newsboys have just printed their own paper, assembled a massive rally of people, and confronted their unfair and oppressive employer, who (it is implied) meets their demands. Jack Kelly departs his successful meeting with Pulitzer, and, to communicate the victory to the crowd, he hoists his young sidekick up on his shoulders and the two of them shout, “We won!” The multitude erupts into a joyful, ecstatic celebration! And, as my emotions stirred and my eyes welled with tears, my mind wandered to another celebration, dramatically foreshadowed by the one I was watching. This is the Story that all others point to; this is the Triumph that all others are longing for. This is the day—distant, perhaps, but certain—when the people of God (those who have by faith trusted in the salvation of Jesus the Lamb of God, who have experienced the full forgiveness of their sins through the One who died for them and rose again, and who have been everlastingly clothed with His blessed righteousness) will gather in mass and hear it proclaimed, “We won!” (Revelation 21:6; 22:3). Indeed, the newsboys won and their legacy was eventually remembered in more far-reaching child-welfare reforms. But their victory was bound by the contexts of time, economy, and culture. The victory of our Lord, however, reaches to the ends of the universe (Revelation 21:1, 4-5) and the extent of eternity (Revelation 22:3-5). These thoughts were first shared in Midweek Connection on November 18, 2015 following the ISIS terror attacks in Paris and the resulting debate about how to handle the Syrian refugees. While perhaps late in their relevance, I hope these expanded considerations will nonetheless be a help. How should we think about … (1) TERRORISTS
(2) REFUGEES
(3) SOCIAL MEDIA DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THESE (AND SIMILAR) TOPICS
Resources
READ 2 TIMOTHY 2 Illustration: Strong men don’t run away — Liam Neeson Taken meme: “He trained Batman, Obi-Wan, and Darth Vader; He is Zeus and Aslan … Why would you kidnap his daughter?” It’s inconceivable to think of him running away! In a passage that begins with a call to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1), it seems almost contradictory for Paul to also exhort his son-in-the-faith to “flee” (2:22). Instead, we are reminded from Paul’s counsel here that the strongest of spiritual men and women display their greatest strength when they acknowledge the power of sin, the weakness of their flesh, and the wisdom of God’s command to flee! Indeed, a sign that they are “strong in grace” is that they “flee from sin.” Those who would be “strong in grace” understand that God’s grace in no way excuses them from dealing with sin themselves. They know that if they are not careful, they might become dirty and dishonorable, unfit for the “use” of the Master. Notice that this is what Paul teaches in the two verses before our text, in verses 20-21 (READ). See, God wants to “use” you for the “good work” (v. 21) of bringing His “opponents” to “repentance” and “the knowledge of the truth” (vv. 24-26). But to be this kind of “servant of the Lord” (v. 24), you must not “entangle” yourself with sin (like a soldier, v. 4); instead, you must “compete according to the rules” of God’s Word (like an athlete, v. 5) and “work hard” to enjoy this fruit (like a farmer, v. 6). Indeed, you must “cleanse yourself from what is dishonorable, and you will be an honorable and set apart vessel that the Lord can use (“useful”) whenever He needs to (“ready”).” So, God wants to use you … Are you usable? Are you clean and honorable? Are you “strong in grace” by dealing with sin. Honorable and usable vessels deal with sin in their lives, by God’s grace, through three activities: I MUST FLEE SOME THINGS — "FLEE YOUTHFUL PASSIONS" “Flee” – to seek safety by flight; a purposeful, forgetting-all-else, “get me out of here” mentality
“Lusts” – strong desires, particularly for that which is presently forbidden “Youthful” – those things peculiar to the age of youth — Question: What might these be (cf. 2:23, 2:24, 3:1-7)? Application: I must understand the nature of youthful lust, that it is an enemy to be feared, not a stranger to be flirted with. I must especially be aware of this in my youth. Having understood its nature, I must then “run scared” until that time when the Lord gives legitimate, sanctified fulfillment to those lusts. I MUST PURSUE SOME THINGS — "PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE" “Pursue” – to press hard after something; to seek after eagerly; to earnestly endeavor to acquire
“Righteousness” – that which is straight, right, conforming to the character (i.e., the will and Word) of God; esp. obedience to vv. 23-24 “Faith” – consistency, perseverance, and trueness that comes from believing in and conscientiously living in light of the revelation of God’s Word; faith in this passage would be the catalyst of v. 26 “Love” – self-sacrificial, volitional love that acts in the best interest on the object loved, without regard to personal cost; overcomes feeling and is consistent with righteousness and faith; love in this passage would be demonstrated by v. 25 “Peace” – harmony between individuals; peace in this passage would be to live v. 24 Application: Rather than focusing on what is being denied to me (i.e., youthful lusts), I should focus on what has been graciously granted to me (i.e., righteousness, faith, love, and peace). I should seek to cultivate these characteristics in my own life. In a sense, all four of these characteristics are the opposite of a “youthful lust.”
I MUST PRAY FOR HELP — "WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD FROM A PURE HEART" “Call” – to invoke for aid; this suggests a true humility and a continuous, active dependence upon a greater power; cf. Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16 “Lord” – the Master, who according to verse 21 is even our “Despot,” and we are his “slaves” “Pure” – clean, undefiled, free from mixture with anything that soils or corrupts; blameless, innocent: this is, then, a humble and non-idolatrous attitude “Heart” – denotes more than an external appropriateness; focuses on one’s inner man (i.e., who He is before God) Application: According to 2:1, there is “grace in Christ Jesus.” But, since God only “gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6-10) I must humble myself and realize my own inability to consistently and righteously flee and pursue. One manifestation of humility is an earnest, consistent prayer life. God’s aid must be solicited, and often! However, I must realize that God will not give grace to those who hypocritically refuse to use it. My heart must be in keeping with my prayer. If I ask God to give me His grace to aid me in my fleeing and pursuing, I must do so with confession and commitment, so as to receive that grace. My heart must be clean before God, and a pure heart is attained by fleeing and pursuing. And so, we have a three-fold chain that will not be broken. All three activities must be engaged in habitually. Notice also that there is a mutual, corporate, partnering, accountability component to this activity of sanctifying prayer — I should pray “along with those” who call on the Lord with a pure heart! Truly, then, let us therefore “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” by fleeing, pursuing, and praying. Then, we will be set apart, honorable, useful, and ready for the Master’s service! A unique look at discipleship from an interesting passage! Learn from God how to disciple and learn from Cain how not to respond to His discipleship. by Ryon Reasen
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