LookingtoJesus

August 22

Bible Reading: Galatians 5

Galatians 5:15, “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out lest you be consumed by one another.”

We once had two dogs—Bean and Rory.  Bean was a black and white half-Lab/half-Dalmatian.  Rory was a beautiful, albeit small, Golden Retriever.  They were friends and most of the time and they got along pretty well—sometimes Bean would even lick and clean Rory’s ears for her.  But Rory was kind of spoiled and tended to get a little more attention.  Bean’s response? — he’d sneak up behind Rory, chomp on her leg, and pull.  Kind one minute, chomping on her the next.  Dogs can be sometimes unpredictable in their behavior—just like humans.

Our Men’s Bible study once read through the book “If You Bite and Devour One Another” by Alexander Strauch.  The title for the book comes from Galatians 5:15. I would highly recommend the book as a great resource.  The title and verse speak to a genuine problem—it is possible for Christians to engage in a kind of “Christian cannibalism.  Paul used graphic language to depict the consequences of Christians not acting in love towards each.  The sad reality is that you don’t have to be a Christian long until you’ve been “chomped on” by a fellow brother or sister in Christ.

That we would engage in such behavior is testimony to the reality and tenacity of sin. Though forgiven, the believer is still capable, in the flesh, of engaging in gross acts of unloving behavior.  You’ve probably got a few pieces of missing flesh or at least some tooth marks.  And you’ve likely, on more than one occasion, taken a bite out of a fellow saint.  Not very tasty!

We are prone to varying responses to difficult situations.  Sometimes we flee the situation (how many Christians leave a church because of their unwillingness to lovingly respond to a difficult situation?).  We can fight — “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” are listed amongst the various deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:20).  These kinds of responses require no effort on our part.  We tend to gravitate towards them.

The remedy for our tendency to respond in fleshly ways is to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).  Apart from the Spirit, we lack the wisdom, power, or compassion to respond to difficult situations in a God-honoring way.  It is by the Spirit that Divine resources and Christ-like virtues are borne in us and work to supersede our fleshly tendencies.  The person of the Spirit (the “Helper;” John 14:16) works through the Word to change and empower us.  It is only as the “Word of Christ richly dwells within us” that we are Spirit-led and enabled to relate to one another properly (Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17).

Galatians 5:13-14 instructs us in the God-approved manner in which we are to relate to one another: “Through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Christ-like love is to govern our relationships within the body of Christ and our response to difficult situations.  There is never an “opt-out” when it comes to the command for us to love one another (John 13:34-35).  In our day, one cannot mention the command to love without qualifying it according to its Biblical definition.  Love does not equate to tolerance; love is something far greater than that.  It has been defined for us in terms of the loving sacrifice of the Lord Jesus (1 John 3:16).  In the context of what is taught elsewhere in Scripture, a good definition of Christ-like love would be: that which actively and purposefully pursues that which is best for its object.  Love coexists with truth and can only be understood in the sense of desiring “Christ’s best” for those whom we care about.  The exercise of Christ-like love depends on knowledge of the truth and discernment (Philippians 1:9).  This is the kind of love that we are to show to others, even when they don’t respond in kind.  To love like Jesus is to respond to others in terms of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  With respect to His preeminent example, it is readily apparent that we all have room to grow.

That reality helps us when it comes to dealing with difficult situations.  Christ has for us to grow.  There is no way to avoid difficult situations.  We are all going to be “chomped on” sometime—that’s something we can’t control.  But here’s something we can control—our response.  We can respond, by the Spirit, in love, in a way that honors God, contributes to healthy relationships, and adorns our testimony before the lost.

To dwell above with saints we love, Oh! That will be glory!  To dwell below with saints we know, Well, that’s a different story!”  But by the Spirit we can, and in a God and gospel honoring way!

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

August 21

Bible Reading: Galatians 4

Galatians 4:5, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

In the summer of 2018, a soccer team and coach were exploring a cave in Thailand when heavy rain flooded the cave, trapping them deep inside.  Efforts to locate the group were hampered by rising water levels and strong currents and a cave rescue effort expanded into a massive operation.  The team and coach were stuck on an elevated rock, some 2.5 miles from the cave mouth, for a week before human contact was made with them.  The rescue effort grew to involve some 10,000 people, including more than 100 divers, scores of rescue workers, representatives of about 100 government agencies, 900 police officers, and 2000 soldiers.  Ultimately, it was two British divers who located the group, having risked their lives making the long and difficult dive.  The boys and the coach were ultimately rescued safely but at a high cost. Two divers lost their lives during the difficult operation.

God sent His Son on a divine rescue mission.  It was not to a group of amiable boys, but to rebel sinners.  It was not a hastily devised plan, but came about according to the counsel of His will in His perfect timing.  It was likewise not without cost, for the Son shed His life blood to redeem us.

God sent forth his Son when the “fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4).  Theologically speaking, it happened according to the exact timing of the One who works “all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).  Biblically speaking, in a careful orchestration of divinely timed events, numerous prophecies met their exact fulfillment in Jesus’ birth, life, and death (i.e., the timing and location of Christ’s birth; the arrival of His messenger; His flight to Egypt; etc.).  Historically speaking Christ’s coming took place in an advantageous time in which there was a well-established road system (constructed by the Romans) and the widespread usage of one language (Greek).  These and other factors worked to facilitate the rapid spread of the gospel across the Roman Empire.  Morally speaking, it was a time of great need. 

“God hath long contended with a stubborn world and thrown down many a blessing upon them; and when all his other gifts could not prevail, he at last made a gift of himself.”

Henry Scougal

In the fullness of time, “God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4).  The rebelled-against and much-maligned God of the universe sent forth His Son.  The God who is seldom-thanked and commonly-accused sent forth His Son.  What kind of love is this that God would send His dearly beloved Son to such a place and to such a people?  Romans 5:8 explains, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The truth of the incarnation is set forth here— “his Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4).  Both His deity and His humanity are affirmed.  It is a matter of “transcendent truth”, as Martin Luther once said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”  Both are true and necessary aspects of His personhood.  That He is the divine Son of God is affirmed here and elsewhere (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-16).  He is human, having been born of a woman (Galatians 4:4).  Doctrinally speaking, this truth regarding the “God-man” nature of Christ is of foremost importance (1 John 4:2).  But it is important for another reason as well, inasmuch as it speaks to the truth of who God is.  Does God care?  In sending forth His Son, He initiated the greatest of all rescue missions.  How far was God willing to go to rescue lost sinners?  The incarnation answers these questions (1 John 3:16; John 3:16; Hebrews 2:14-15).

He came to rescue us, to redeem us.  We were spiritually stuck in our condition.  No human force could work to set us free.  Redemption has to do with being set free by payment of a price.  We had need of someone to set us free from slavery to sin and death.  Jesus came to pay the price necessary. 

It is in accordance with what A. W. Tozer once observed: “Why did Christ come? Why was he conceived? Why was he born? Why was he crucified? Why did he rise again? Why is he now at the right hand of the Father? The answer to all these questions is, “in order that he might make worshipers out of rebels; in order that he might restore us again to the place of worship we knew when we were first created.”

A. W. Tozer

“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” – Martin Luther

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

August 18

Bible Reading: Galatians 3

Galatians 3:3, “Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

Remember the Flintstones cartoon? Remember those cars? Having huge granite wheels, and frames made of tree trunks, they were somehow propelled by mere foot power? We know better now! By way of contrast, I recently purchased a Yamaha 1300 motorcycle. With some gasoline in the tank that thing can fly–I know, I know, be safe! I’m wondering if we are too often like the Flintstones when it comes to living out our Christian lives, peddling hard and going nowhere fast. Trying to live for Jesus in our own strength is not just difficult, but impossible. On the other hand, the Spirit who indwells us is limitless in His power and ability to impart wisdom to lead us!

Paul’s rebuke, “are you so foolish?” speaks to the naivety of the Galatians in their response to false teachers.  Paul had proclaimed the gospel to them.  They had trusted in Christ for salvation. They had suffered for Christ and had followed the Spirit, but now they’re attempting to live out their Christian lives in their own wisdom and strength. Paul was astonished and disheartened! 

The Spirit is, of course, the person of the Holy Spirit.  He whom Jesus promised to send — “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16).  The word “Helper” translates the Greek “parakletos” which literally means “called to one’s side” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  Jesus comforted His troubled disciples with news of the Spirit’s coming — “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).  His is a Christ-revealing and Christ-glorifying ministry (John 16:12-14).

The believers in Galatia had received the Spirit (Galatians 3:2). They had received Him “by hearing with faith” and not “by the works of the law” (Galatians 3:2). As a result of faith in Christ, a person receives the Spirit. Every born-again believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9). The Helper is always at work in the believer, lovingly and patiently working to instruct, empower, and transform.

The believers in Galatia had “begun by the Spirit” (Galatians 3:3) but had digressed.  The Christian life is a walk by the Spirit.  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).  Though there are commands to be obeyed, the Christian life is not a religious construct of dos and don’ts.  No one can be “perfected by the flesh,” because the flesh is incapable of such a thing (Colossians 2:23; John 6:63).  It can only do the “works of the flesh” and none of them have anything to do with perfection (Galatians 5:19-21).  By the Spirit alone can the “deeds of the body” be “put to death” (Romans 8:13).  By the Spirit alone can transformation into Christlikeness take place (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The believers in Galatia had received the Spirit “by hearing with faith” (Galatians 3:5). God had “graced them” with the Spirit and had worked miracles amongst them. Those things happened not as a result of their own religious doings. How foolish it is to suppose that we can, in our own self efforts, do what the divine Spirit alone can do. By the Spirit alone, the miracle of regeneration takes place. By the Spirit alone, we can have assurance (Romans 8:16). By the Spirit alone, we are sanctified (2 Corinthians 3:18). By the Spirit alone, we can understand truth and be assisted in our prayers (1 Corinthians 2:12; Romans 8:26). By the Spirit alone, Christ-like fruit is borne in us (Galatians 5:22-23). By the Spirit alone we can worship God in an acceptable manner (John 4:24; Philippians 3:3). How incredibly blessed we are to have such a Helper! We did not receive Him by merit or self-effort, He was given to us as a gift. To be filled with Him (Ephesians 5:18-20) and to walk by Him (Galatians 5:16-17) is a matter of great privilege and the only means by which we can walk in a manner worthy of the calling which we have received. To walk apart from the leading and empowerment of the Spirit would be like trying to drive your car without an engine and a steering wheel!

We cannot walk as God would have us to, apart from the leading and empowerment of the Spirit.  In fact, the entirety of the life and ministry of the believer in Christ lies in the realm of the miraculous.  It is impossible for us to do that which God calls upon us to do in the power of the flesh.  It is foolhardy enterprise to suppose that we can do anything of spiritual value through human wisdom or self-effort.  But by the Spirit, people are miraculously born again and made to be new creatures in Christ.  By the Spirit, these new creatures in Christ are miraculously transformed into Christlikeness.  And by the working of His miraculous power their lowly bodies will one day be transformed to be like his glorious body. These are miracles.  And God is doing such things every day.   By His grace. By the Spirit.  To His honor and glory (John 6:63. Philippians 3:3, 3:21)!

“There is no step that can be taken without (the Spirit), there is nothing which can be accomplished aright without him.” – Charles Spurgeon

O Holy Spirit
As the sun is full of light,
the ocean full of water,
and heaven full of glory,
So may my heart be full of Thee!
Vain are all divine purposes of love
and the redemption brought by Jesus;
Except Thou work within,
Regenerating by Thy power,
giving me eyes to see Jesus,
showing me the realities of the unseen world.
Give me Thyself without measure,
As an unimpaired fountain,
As inexhaustible riches.

August 17

Bible Reading: Galatians 2

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Hudson Taylor, the founder of China Inland Mission, once referenced this verse with regards to that which he called “The Exchanged Life.”  In a challenging period of his ministry, he realized that it is impossible to live the Christian life in one’s own strength and that is necessary instead to depend entirely on Christ.  The Christian life is not about our own doing (trying harder to be better), but Christ living and doing, in and through us.

Paul was addressing those who were seeking—because of the false teaching they had received—to be justified through the works of the law.  Legalists had infiltrated the church in Galatia and were promoting a slavish observance of the Law to attain righteousness. 

Paul had himself been in the place of the false teachers.  He had lived the life of a fully invested legalist.  His was an impressive religious resume— “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:4-6).  Paul had possessed that which the false teachers were proclaiming, but everything changed for Paul when he met Jesus.  “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish” (Philippians 3:7-8).  For Paul, Christ’s indwelling presence was infinitely superior to that of his previous experience. 

Paul’s “Christ lives in me,” experience was not unique to him; it represents the condition which is true for every born-again believer. 

Kenneth Wuest commented on this matter, “It is no longer a self-centered life that he lives, but a Christ-centered one. His new life is a Person, the Lord Jesus living in Paul. And through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus is manifest in his life. The new life is no longer, like the former one, dependent upon the ineffectual efforts of a man attempting to draw near to God in his own righteousness. The new life is a person within a person, living out His life in that person. Instead of attempting to live his life in obedience to a set of rules in the form of the legal enactments of the Mosaic law, Paul now yields to the indwelling Holy Spirit and cooperates with Him in the production of a life pleasing to God, energized by the divine life resident in him through the regenerating work of the Spirit. Instead of a sinner with a totally depraved nature attempting to find acceptance with God by attempted obedience to a set of outward laws, it is now the saint living his life on a new principle, that of the indwelling Holy Spirit manifesting forth the Lord Jesus. That is what Paul means when he says: And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Kenneith Wuest

The believer in Christ is indwelt by the Risen Savior!  This glorious truth differentiates Biblical Christianity from mere religion.  The One who has triumphed over sin and death works a radical transformation in the life of the believer.  The Risen Christ takes up residence in his heart.  Christ is not far from him—He indwells him (Colossians 1:27)!  The believer doesn’t merely look to Jesus for life, He is his life (Colossians 3:4).  Christ’s resurrection power is availed to him and courses through his being (Ephesians 1:19-21).  His immeasurable love fills his heart (Ephesians 3:18-19).  As a branch to a vine, he derives life and fruit-bearing from Jesus alone (John 15:5).  His is not a dead, dry, powerless religiosity (Colossians 2:23; Galatians 3:3), but a “river of living water” flowing from his heart experience (John 7:38).  In a moment-by-moment dependence on Christ, the believer is empowered to do that which he could never hope to do in his own strength (Philippians 4:13).  “Christ lives in me!”  The “Son of God” who “loved me and gave himself for me” now resides in me (Galatians 2:20) is the glorious and wondrous truth we find in this verse!

The Christian life is not about trying harder to be better, but Christ living and doing, in and through us.

Once far from God and dead in sin,
No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found,
Now Christ liveth in me.
Christ liveth in me,
Christ liveth in me,
Oh! what a salvation this,
That Christ liveth in me.

August 16

Bible Reading: Galatians 1

Galatians 1:6-9, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

Most of Paul’s epistles begin with some expression of praise regarding the church to which he was writing.  Not so in this letter.  Instead, Paul wrote of his astonishment regarding what was happening in the church in Galatia.  The people were abandoning the true gospel in favor of a legalistic deception  under the sway of some false teachers.  These verses introduce what continues to be the central theme of the remainder of the epistle.

Paul was concerned because of the desertion of the Galatians.  The term “deserting” translates a Greek term meaning “to move a person or thing from one place to another” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  Vine’s also comments that “the present tense suggests that the defection of the Galatians from the truth was not yet complete and would continue unless they changed their views” and that “the middle voice indicates that they were themselves responsible for their declension, rather than the Judaizers who had influenced them.”  The Judaizers were the legalists who were presenting a false gospel requiring circumcision and other such religious observances.  The Galatians were abandoning the true gospel for the sake of a good-news-less legalism.

There is a tragic element to what was transpiring.  The Galatian believers had been called by God out of rebellion to worship Him.  He had called them by grace.  They hadn’t deserved salvation and had done nothing to merit it, but God, who is rich in grace and mercy, freely bestowed it on them.  They had been saved by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 3:18).  By grace, they had been immeasurably blessed.  Their desertion from God in pursuit of a burdensome legalism was especially troublesome and surprising to Paul.

Their desertion came “quickly.”  The church in Galatia came into existence through the preaching of the gospel.  They had received the Spirit.  They had “begun by the Spirit” (Galatians 3:1-5).  But the legalists quickly intervened and worked to spread their lies.  Tragically, the church listened.

They were “turning to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6).  Two different Greek terms are translated “another” in our English Bibles.  The first “allos,” speaks of something that is “another of the same sort.”  The second, “heteros,” speaks of something that is “another of a different sort.”  Both terms are used here: “a different (”heteros”) gospel—not that there is another (”allos”) one” (Galatians 1:6-7).  The gospel of grace constituted good news.  The gospel of the legalists was no good news.

The gospel of the legalists was a distorted gospel.  The term “distort” translates a Greek term meaning “to transform into something of an opposite character” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  The “gospel of the glory of the blessed God” is a beautiful and praiseworthy representation of who God is (1 Timothy 1:11).  The distorted and man-invented gospel of the legalists was a “Frankensteinian” monster.

The gospel of the legalists was contrary to the gospel that Paul himself had preached to them.  But the Galatians failed to exercise discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  They didn’t recognize the difference when the legalists came offering their counterfeit wares.  It is sometimes said in our day, “They all preach the gospel.”  But that sentiment is both dangerous and naïve.  There are many divergent gospels out there: social gospel; Jesus-plus-works gospel; prosperity gospel; etc.  Though the true gospel is simple enough for a child to understand, it is at the same time of such transcendent profundity that one can spend a lifetime studying and admiring it.  We do well to do both!

Paul doubly warned the Galatians of their need to practice discernment, no matter the credibility of the source: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).  Paul condemned any false teacher of another gospel using the strongest possible language.  How could it be otherwise?  The glory of Christ and the salvation of souls are at stake in the matter. 

To abandon the true gospel for a contrary message is not good news!

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story;
‘twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

August 15

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The benediction found in the last verse of this epistle speaks to the Trinitarian nature of God, and the glorious blessings availed to those who know Him!

If we are to think rightly about God, it is necessary to grapple with the doctrine of the Trinity.  I say “grapple,” because the truth of the trinity is neither easy to understand, nor to articulate.  Though the word “Trinity” does not appear anywhere in our Bibles, the doctrine is clearly taught in Scripture and affirmed to us throughout the history of the church.

Put simply, the doctrine of the Trinity is there is One God who has eternally existed in three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God is one in essence and three in person.  These three persons are not parts of One God, but three distinct co-equal persons.  Neither should we be misled into thinking there is One God who revealed Himself in three “modes” (a false doctrine referred to as “modalism”).  The three members of the Trinity of God have eternally existed, as co-equal persons, sharing in the same essence in nature and will.

There are some who scoff at this doctrine.  As A.W. Tozer observed: “Some persons who reject all they cannot explain have denied that God is a Trinity.  Subjecting the Most High to their cold, level-eyed scrutiny, they conclude that it is impossible that He could be both One and Three.  These forget that their whole life is enshrouded in mystery.  They fail to consider that any real explanation of even the simplest phenomenon in nature lies hidden in obscurity and can no more be explained than can the mystery of the Godhead.” I say, “Praise God that we worship a God whose thoughts and ways infinitely transcend our own!” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

A. W. Tozer, “The Knowledge of the Holy”

If the word “trinity,” is nowhere to be found in our Bibles then what is the basis for this doctrine?  Good question!  Foundational is the clear teaching there is but one God.  Deuteronomy 6:4 speaks to this, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one, as does 1 Timothy 2:5.  But the Bible also teaches the Father is God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7); and the Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:8); and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

There are numerous examples in Scripture where we find all three members of the Godhead harmoniously working to accomplish mighty deeds: creation (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Job 26:13); the incarnation (Luke 1:35); Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17); atonement (Hebrews 9:14); the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:32; John 10:17-18; Romans 1:4); the salvation of the believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:2); the indwelling of the Spirit (John 14:16-17).  Our text speaks to this “three-in-oneness.”

Amazingly, as A. W. Pink points out, the believer in Christ is incredibly blessed inasmuch as he is indwelt by the Triune God: “What is signified by ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all?’ It cannot mean less than a consciousness of God’s presence. The apostle was not praying for the gifts of grace, love, and communion apart from the Persons in whom alone they are to be found. He requested that the presence of the triune God might be realized in the souls of His people. The New Testament teaches that the divine Three are equally present in the heart of the believer. Speaking of the Spirit Christ said, “He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” and of Himself and the Father, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:17,23). The Christian is indwelt by the triune God: the Lord Jesus dwells in him as the source of all grace, God the Father abides in him as the spring of all love, and the Holy Spirit communes with him and energizes him for all spiritual service.”

A. W. Pink

“How wonderful it is to have the privilege of this Divine fellowship! Surely, if we would but give ourselves time to realize this marvelous fact, there would be no room for the despondency which at times threatens to deprive us of heart and hope.”—F. B. Meyer

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

August 14

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:1-4, “I must go on boasting.  Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.  And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

The book “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven” tells the story of Alex Malarkey’s alleged experience after he was in a brutal car accident.  He was six years old and after awakening from a 2-month coma, he claimed to have been taken through the gates of heaven by angels to meet Jesus.  Years later, however, he recanted his story, explaining he invented it because he wanted attention.  Many other such stories have been told.  Contrarily, the Apostle Paul actually had such an experience.  It’s both interesting and helpful to note how reluctant he was to even speak about it.

Paul “was caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2).  The context clearly affirms that he was the “man in Christ who fourteen years ago” of whom he was speaking (2 Corinthians 12:7).  It is interesting and instructive to contrast his response to that heavenly experience with that of those we hear of from time to time.

Paul reluctantly shared his heavenly experience.  We don’t find him speaking of it elsewhere in his epistles.  In 2 Corinthians, he talked about it only because he was compelled to.  In boasting of it, he acknowledged that he was speaking “as a fool” (2 Corinthians 11:17).  But his boasting was not as men are typically prone to do.  Paul was an opponent of human boasting (1 Corinthians 1:29, 5:6, 13:4).  Boasting for the purpose of drawing attention to oneself is never a good thing.  Paul boasted not for that reason, but to reaffirm to his opponents his apostolic ministry credentials (2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 13:3).  Paul had been called to proclaim the truth about Christ, and nothing mattered more to him than that.  He labored in ministry towards that end.  To avoid losing the opportunity to speak freely about Christ and His cross, which he gloried in, he presented proof to those who doubted him. (Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:3).  He understood himself to be merely a “by-grace” servant of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1, 15:10). 

Paul spoke in guarded terms of his experience.  Paul’s hesitancy to boast is apparent in the manner in which he recounted his experience.  He deliberately “played down” his own part in it (”I know a man”).  “The third heaven” mentioned by Paul refers to God’s dwelling place, with the first two heavens being the atmosphere and the expanse of heaven. Paul had that experience, a revelation of “surpassing greatness” (2 Corinthians 12:7), but he was limited as to what he could share about it.  “He heard things which cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2 Corinthians 12:4).  What Paul heard; human words would be wholly inadequate to relate.  Additionally, he could not share the content of what he had experienced.  The experience was for him alone, no doubt working to strengthen and encourage him in his future service amidst his sufferings (Acts 9:16; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29; Philippians 1:21-24).

Paul’s experience did not come without cost.  “So, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7).  Paul was privileged to be given a foretaste of heaven, but the matter was of such privileged blessing that it required intervention by God lest Paul become conceited in it.  The nature of the “thorn” is much disputed, but whatever it was, it was of such consequence that Paul pleaded three times for its removal.  The Lord said no to Paul’s request but promised grace sufficient to meet his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Paul shared his heavenly experience not to draw attention to himself or even to the reality of heaven.  He shared no details of what he saw or heard and spoke of it only here in his epistles.  By way of contrast, he shared openly and repeatedly of his conversion experience (Acts 22:3-21; 26:9-20; Galatians 1:11-17; 1 Timothy 1:12-17).  The message he consistently proclaimed—and you will find the emphasis throughout his epistles—was Christ and his gospel (1 Corinthians 2:2).  His concern was that people be won over to Christ.  If they are won to Christ, Christ will get them to heaven.  And heaven is real—because God says so.

We don’t need a vision of heaven to know that it’s real, we just need to take God at His Word.

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

August 11

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Life can sometimes be so complicated.  As a hospice chaplain, I’ve been alongside plenty of dying folks.  One thing that can happen on that journey is a refining of one’s focus as to what truly matters.  A lot of things are necessarily set aside for a hospice patient—activities, hobbies, earthbound dreams and aspirations, etc.  With death looming, one’s thoughts then tend to focus on what happens next.  That being said, I’m convinced that there is nothing more important for any of us than knowing Christ. 

Represented to us, in this beautiful phrase, “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ,” is a statement of divine objective for every born-again child of God.  Inscribe it above your “mind-gate” as that which should govern your innermost longings and aspirations.  Count the matter to be a treasured aspiration which is to be protected and defended at all costs.  Take note that there are forces (i.e., the world, the flesh, and the devil) ever working to deceive and lead one astray from it.

Paul was concerned for members of the church in Corinth.  He loved them and was relentlessly concerned for their spiritual well-being (2 Corinthians 11:28).  His goal in ministry was to “present (the church) as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2; Colossians 1:28).  He labored in ministry towards that end (Colossians 1:29).  But false teachers had infiltrated the church in Corinth, and some were being led astray.  The deceptively introduced false teachings which spoke of “another Jesus,” “a different gospel,” and “a different spirit” than that of which Paul had taught (2 Corinthians 11:4).  Tragically, some had readily accepted these teachings. 

The phrase, “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” is translated more simply “the simplicity that is in Christ” in the King James Version.  The word “simplicity” translates a Greek term meaning “simplicity, sincerity, unaffectedness” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  According to Webster’s Dictionary, simplicity means, amongst other things, “freedom from pretense or guile.”  Paul’s fear was that his readers might be somehow moved from their sincere devotion to Jesus.

“The Christian life is simple.  It is loving Jesus Christ supremely and only as Savior and Lord.” 

John MacArthur

Christianity is rightly defined as being rightly related to Jesus Christ.  But it involves more than simply knowing of Him or knowing about Him as one might know of the details of some historical figure.  It is knowing Him by way of personal relationship and experience.  It involves more than simply giving Jesus in a place in one’s life (as one might add a hobby) and even more than having Him in a prominent place (as one thing amongst many to which a greater degree of devotion is rendered), it is loving Him preeminently (as the unrivaled object of one’s affection).

It is not a simple thing to simplify, but there is a need for it.  Forces are at work to complicate our lives with lesser concerns that compete against what should matter most to us.  Deceptive forces tirelessly work to cloud minds with contrary thoughts and pursuits (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  “A sincere and pure devotion to Christ” is the object of the Spirit’s work in us (John 16:13-15; Philippians 3:3).  It is the Spirit of God who applies the Word of God to our hearts, always directing us to the glory of the person of Jesus Christ. 

There are some splendid examples in Scripture of those who possessed “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” while Martha “was distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:39-40).  Jesus responded to Martha’s request for help by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).  Paul’s testimony was one of single-mindedness of heart and purpose: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” …” but one thing I do” (Philippians 3:8, 13).  The early church was Spirit-born into a single-minded devotion to Christ which was characterized by devotion to His Word and His people (Acts 2:42).  In fellowship, they experienced both mutual encouragement and some degree of spiritual protection.  Simply put, there is nothing more important in life than knowing Jesus Christ and no greater aspiration that we can possess than to know Him better as the preeminent object of our affection.  Paul yearned for that for his readers.  God has the same simple goal for all of us.

We do well to refine our focus our attention on that which matters most, both for this life and the next.  Nothing matters more than knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior!

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres and wants to own
All I once thought gain, I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

August 10

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Chapters 10 through 13 of this epistle have to do with Paul’s direct response to his opponents, who were working to undermine him in his God-given apostolic ministry.  They had criticized him for his supposed weakness, saying, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (2 Corinthians 10:10).  The Corinthians were, as a rule, impressed with skilled orators, but Paul did not come to them “with lofty speech or wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:1).  He came instead in the meekness of Christ bearing the message of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 2:2).  Paul’s opponents supposed Paul to be weak, but he was a warrior and possessed the absolute best of arsenals.

The text presupposes the existence of a war.  The war spoken of is not of typical variety that go on from time to time in this world, but the spiritual war that has been ongoing since the Adversary first left his appointed place in heaven.  In his great deception he worked to bring the sons of Adam into state of rebellion against their creator.  A long war against God has been raging ever since.  The world, the flesh, and the devil are antagonistic towards God.  No person on earth can avoid participation in the ongoing conflict.

Though delivered from sin’s penalty and power, the believer still wrestles with a foe.  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  There is a “good fight” to “fight” (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7), but it will do no good to fight in our own strength with weapons of the flesh.  We must “put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).  The Word of God (i.e., truth) is essential to each element of the armor.

It is foolhardy to fight the good fight with inadequate weapons.  When Jesus was arrested Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest.  He was boldly prepared to take on all of Jesus’ opponents with his sword, one ear at a time (Matthew 26:51).  But Peter’s weaponry was useless in the spiritual conflict that was raging on.  Jesus met the conflict with devotion to prayer and complete submission to the Word.  While Jesus prayed, Peter slept (Matthew 26:40).  And Peter was not then comprehending the truth.  My friend has compared the attempt to fight with fleshly weapons to engaging the foe with a small plastic cocktail sword (you know the 3-inch kind they stab olives with) and a police badge sized shield).  As Jesus said, “the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

The battlefield is the mind, and the battle is a fight for truth.  It was in departure from truth that Satan won his strategic advantage over man, and it is in truth that victory over him is availed.  The gospel of truth works to gain a positional triumph for the believer, but that’s not the end point of the conflict.  There is the need for the renewing of the mind and that is something that the truth alone can do (Romans 12:2).  There are thoughts (“strongholds,” “arguments,” every lofty opinion”) contrary to Christ.  Such deceptions prevail in the lives of the lost and linger on in the lives of the saved.  These contrary thoughts “are raised up against the knowledge of God,” and must be taken “captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8).  They are renegades which work to undermine spiritual health and well-being.  How are they to be identified, marked, and destroyed?

The Word of God has “divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3).  Prayer is likewise a powerful weapon.  Having been graciously provisioned (2 Peter 1:3), they are in the arsenal of every Christian soldier.  They are what can make us “strong and brave to face the foe.”  We neglect the careful use of them to our own peril.  But in taking up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” and keeping “alert with all perseverance in prayer” we have divinely powerful weapons with which to fight (1 John 2:14b).

The battlefield is the mind, and the battle is a fight for truth. It is only as we saturate our minds with the truth that we are made strong and brave to face the foe.

Teach me thy way, O Lord; teach me thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me thy way!

August 9

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:10-13, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.”

“Webale Nnyo” – Ugandan phrase for “thank you very much!”

The context of this passage is the appeal from the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth to participate in the relief efforts for the church in Jerusalem.  Paul responded to that need by going to various churches and asking for their help.  Chapters 8 and 9 of this epistle have to do with this matter.

This text has gained a special place in my heart through our involvement in the ministry of Hope and Mercy Mission to our Christian brethren in Uganda.  Much help has been given by many, and the ministry there has grown to encompass over three hundred pastors and village churches. But the missionary effort is about more than just meeting needs, it is the activity of worship.

Underlying the gifts of God’s people in the meeting of needs is the source of those gifts, God Himself.  It is He who gladly supplies “seed to the sower and bread for food” (2 Corinthians 9:10).  He loves a “cheerful giver” because He Himself gladly gives (2 Corinthians 9:7).  All that we possess—life, salvation, daily provision, and gifts to pass on—is sourced in Him (James 1:17).

His greatest gift to us is His own Son (2 Corinthians 9:15; John 3:16).  By this “inexpressible gift” we are saved.  But the gift of salvation is also transformative, for it works to transform selfish sinners into selfless saints.  Those born again are taught by God to love the brethren (1 Thessalonians 4:9) and to understand that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  There are a lot of people who give and do good things.  Humanitarian causes abound in our world.  And many give making no acknowledgement of Christ or His gospel.  But to give in Christ’s name—that’s a glorious thing!  To give “because of (one’s) submission that comes from (one’s) confession of the gospel of Christ” elevates giving to a higher plane and greater cause.  Those who give in Christ’s name understand that they are but conduits of grace in the cause of Christ.  They give according to God’s abundant provision to a cause, in the furtherance of the gospel, of eternal benefit.

Giving in Christ’s name is the activity of worship.  It both constitutes and engenders it.  The phrase “thanksgiving(s) to God” appears twice in this passage.  That’s the end result of this kind of Christ-like giving.  The giving itself constitutes an act of worship, but worship is there on the receiving end also.  The recipients recognize and acknowledge the source and thank Him for it.  Put simply, worship is acknowledging God for who He is and what He does in what we say and what we do (Hebrews 13:15-16).  The God who gladly gives—and who has given in His own Son an “immeasurable gift”—works through His children to provide.  That spirit of giving—in Christ’s name and by God’s grace—can be readily traced back to its source.  And He is praised and thanked for it.

“Webale nnyo” is the Lugandan phrase for “thank you very much.”  It is an expression I’ve heard countless times in my visits to Uganda.  In saying it, our Ugandan brethren were not just thanking us, they were thanking God.  We’ve heard it expressed to our teams throughout the conferences that we’ve been privileged by God to be a part of.  We’ve heard it expressed from pulpits and from ordinary folks both young and old.  With hearts overflowing with gratitude, they thank God for HIs provision of all the various things that He has worked to provide.  They say it all the time and struggle to find words to express the depth of their appreciation. 

Of course, you don’t have to go to Uganda to give. And you don’t have to be there to thank God for His provision. Opportunities to worship—be it by giving or thanking—abound all around. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” for through that gift He has worked to transform rebels into worshippers (i.e., “givers” and “thankers”). Around this world, in a plethora of languages, the great choir of God’s redeemed children ongoingly express their thanksgivings to Him. It is but a foretaste of heaven, where people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” will sing a song of praise and “webale nnyo” to God (Revelation 5:9-14).

Those who give in Christ’s name understand that they are but conduits of grace in the cause of Christ. To Him be the glory!

We worship you, Lord Christ,
our Savior and our King;
to you our youth and strength
adoringly we bring:
so fill our hearts that all may view
your life in us and turn to you!