Friday slowdown

This song has been one that inspired me in the past; recently it meant a great deal to me again. I hope this is a blessing to someone who pauses here:

How to become a discerning believer

We've seen this week that our lives as believers are those of building, always building. Laying more on the foundations and moving upward. Last time, we spoke about the advantages of growing in discernment, and I thought a brief post on the "how to" angle would be beneficial....

How do we grow into discerning believers?
First of all, we need to establish (and then keep at it!) a routine for reading, studying, and meditating on scripture. Not a hurry-up-and-get-it-done-because-I-have-so-much-to-do-today kind of reading, but a really meditative type of study. What do we mean by meditate?

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord,And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

Ironically, the word "meditation" in Hebrew basically means to speak or to mutter. If it's done in our heart, it's called musing or meditation. So we are talking about speaking the Word of God to ourselves day and night. We're talking about memorization, so that God can use His word to guide us each and every day.
How in the world can I do that, you ask? I'm TOO busy!!!
I generally eschew the constant use of cell phones - I get so tired of seeing people who don't raise their heads to interact with other people, or even to look before they cross the street..... however, there are some apps that can really be helpful with this. After all, we take 'em with us everywhere, right? (Grin)  One that I like, myself, is called "Fighter Verse," and offers several translations for your preference, as well as helpful memory devices so that memorization will be easier. There's even a kids' section that is useful for us old folks who are just getting started.

Next, we should make prayer more than just a once-a-day habit. Make it a continuous conversation! If we depend upon the Lord in all things, our hearts will remain ready to accept His commands and His guidance.

Seek the Lord and His strength;Seek His face continually. (I Chronicles 16:11)

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:18)

Find good books to read and study. Look for books that will build up our understanding of the truth. We can even develop a reading plan, and keep a log of the books and some of the significant concepts in them.  I can recommend a couple -- Everyone's a Theologian by R. C. Sproul is a good one, since many of us equate theology with "dry," but it's not a dry book!  Another is Five Minute Apologetics for Today by Ron Rhodes; this one will equip us to speak persuasively but humbly about our faith.

Next, learn how to witness for Jesus and then make it a part of our everyday lives to talk to others about our Lord. How many of us have walked away from an opportunity and regretted that we didn't bring up the subject? That the conversation "never got around to it." Think up some ice-breaker things to say, that will allow us to follow up with our testimony of our faith. Make sure that we know the verses to help a person understand the love of God, the gift of Christ, and the beginning of a new life in Him. Pray that God will show us chances to share with others.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,    and the one who is wise saves lives. Proverbs 11:30)

All of these will help us to be discerning, growing, maturing Christians.
As grandma used to say, "pretty is as pretty does." Meaning, of course, that we can't just talk about doing these things..... we must actually do them!
I'm thinking that next week we will do a deeper dive on this subject.
Hope you will join us!!

Why bother to be a discerning believer?

We talked yesterday about being a discerning believer.
It seems that there were some drawbacks to this gift of discernment, of wisdom.
But there are advantages, too!

If we are discerning believers, we will find it helps us to live holy and godly lives, as Peter told us we needed to do. The Bible tells us to be alert and aware:

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)

 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (I Corinthians 16:13)

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

The Bible also tells us to be mindful of false doctrines and errors. Peter told us that false doctrines mask sinful desires, and that they lead to sin.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! (Acts 20:29-31a)

Third, the Bible tells us to be careful we are not led astray.

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (II Timothy 4:4)

All of these have to do with discernment. We can see that there are huge reasons for us to work hard at it! 
The more mature we become in our knowledge of the truth, the more confidence we will have. People may not always agree with us, but they will respect our humble attitude and the discipline we have exercised in our studies and prayer.
Growing in our knowledge of the truth will also give us more confidence in our Father. We will strengthen our faith daily. We will be more able to resist temptation because we will not be as easily deceived. This won't be our own doing -- it will be because we are closer to God, and listening to His guidance.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:12-14)

Why bother to be a discerning believer? Why work at it?
Because we will reap these and other untold blessings and have abundant life!

Looking, hastening, and discerning

Ready to get to work?

what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (II Peter 3:11b-12)

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that the life of a believer is one of passivity, ease, and leisure, have you? (Grin) Peter sure doesn't think so! The verb he uses here is "prosdokao," and it carries with it the meaning of expectantly waiting, of watching, of looking for something.
Sitting back and relaxing?
Nope!
We have two very good examples of what we should avoid.....Jesus told a parable of young women waiting for the bridegroom to arrive at a wedding celebration.

 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Back in the days of the disciples and our Lord, the bride and her bridesmaids would await the arrival of the bridegroom, and then a procession of revelers with lamps would make their way to the feast. It was important to have lamps ready for the procession -- the ones called "foolish" were not prepared for the festivities. If they'd been prepared, they would have been able to join in and not be locked out of the fun. How to apply this to our lives? Well, if we don't make room for Christ, and if we are not prepared for His return, we won't be able to rush out and take care of it at the last minute. His gift of salvation must be accepted, and then we must be expectantly looking for His return.

Another example?

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Matthew 26:40-46)

In Mark 13, we see Jesus' instructions, too...."Watch!" The same word is used there and in Matthew. Are we just going about our everyday lives, casually, without thoughts of His return? Or does each day's dawning see you climbing out of bed with the thought that "this could be the day!" Are we excited? When we glance at the sky, does the thought sometimes pop into our heads? Does it never make it to our thoughts? Are we secure in the fact that we're prepared, and eagerly anticipating His return?
There's a big difference between waiting and watching!

The next thing Peter says is to not only be looking, but to be "hastening."
What?
Well, as I live and breathe, as grandma used to say when she was surprised.
The root of this word means to "hurry by means of extra effort." Whoaaaaa, there, pardner, I don't reckon we have much to do with when He comes back!
Well, it's true that God has foreordained the day of Jesus Christ's return:

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)

So, from a divine perspective, there's nothing we can do to "hasten" that day.
However, from a human perspective, there are things that we should do in eager anticipation, which in a sense will hasten that day's arrival. First, we should pray that God's kingdom will come. We find this in Matthew 6, and in Luke:

He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come. (Luke 11:2)

Just as John prayed in Revelation 22, we are to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Secondly, we are to practice sharing the gospel with others, and to support those who seek to reach people in places close and far away.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

Don't forget, on top of these things, we maintain godliness and holiness. That means to keep a deep and rich intimacy with our Creator, and conduct ourselves as those who've been set apart for Him. We will repent when we fail, confess to the Lord, and then trust that we're covered by the blood of Christ. We will diligently seek to be both wise and innocent (Matthew 10:16).
To put a long story short, as grandma would say, we are to be maturing as believers, and growing in discernment.
Discernment? Yep, we studied that a while back.
That's a word that means rolling up our sleeves and working, too!
It's more than just pointing out what is right or wrong. It has to do with wisdom, too, and ferreting out the reasons and motives for things. To know when something is of God, and when it's not.

There are actually some drawbacks to being a discerning believer.

For one thing, we just alluded to the fact that it requires consistent work. We must know and apply God's truth; this takes time, energy, and much study.
For another thing, we will find ourselves in opposition to others at times. Some will be innocently misguided, or ignorant of the scriptures. We may be able to gently persuade them. Others will be offtrack and take umbrage to our humble presentation of the truth as the Spirit has guided us. Not everyone will be happy with the things we say.
Another drawback is that we may become overzealous. We might lose sight of the fact that some particulars of belief are not necessarily binding on others -- some practices may be objectionable to us even though they are not forbidden by the Bible. Others may be just as conscientious about study but not subscribe to the belief that we espouse.  We must always be on our guard and avoid being strident -- we must be loving in our passion for truth.

Yes, we have work ahead of us.
No sitting and waiting!
We need to eagerly look for His return, to hasten it by praying and sharing the gospel, to be holy, godly, and discerning.

Lord, help us to be active and diligent in preparing for your return!

II Peter 3:11-13 Doing right

This week, we are moving on to the next few verses of II Peter 3:

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (II Peter 3:11-13)

.....live godly and holy lives .....
He's not asking much, is he? (Grin)
I went to a high school that was a prep school for a Christian college (on the same campus, too!). The founder of the college was an evangelist and preacher, and many of his sayings and quotes were on placards in the classrooms and hallways.
One that has stuck with me until this day is this: "Do right till the stars fall."
I think this is what Peter is talking about in verse 11. We ought to live lives of holiness and godliness, he says.
Lives of holiness? Our conduct is in view here. Paul tells us in Hebrews:

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

Holiness refers to separation. We are "set apart" by God and we belong to Him. We are not aloof and cold -- separation means we are in the world but not "of" the world, right? Our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and speech are to bear witness to the fact that we are believers.
Lives of godliness? Our reverence for God is in view there. Our devotion to Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  (Romans 12:1)

I guess if we were to condense those two, lives of both holiness and godliness, we would get pretty much the same thing as in these two words: do right.
What's the believer's motivation for doing right?
Some people do right out of fear of punishment. In ancient Greece, Aristotle said, "Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love."
Paul echoed that when he said:

and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (Hebrews 2:15)

However, if we obey God solely from a sense of fear, we will never know the true joy of obedience.

Delight yourself in the Lord;And He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

If we delight ourselves in the Lord, the all-consuming passion of our lives will be to please Him. Obedience will come naturally, and joy will result from that!

Unfortunately, some will do right from fear, and some from pride.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." (Matthew 6:1-2) 

Jesus was telling us to do right for God's glory -- not for our own.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

When we look at the concept of doing right, sometimes people will ask, "is it OK to do something wrong in order to have a chance to do something right?"
In other words, does the end justify the means?
In a word, no!
In Romans 3:8, we see that Paul was falsely accused of teaching this:

And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? (Romans 3:8a)

We cannot do what God has said is wrong, no matter what positive effect we think will happen, nor can we do wrong because we've reasoned it out and it makes sense to us. It would be a lengthy passage to post here, but I hope you will take a moment and turn to I Samuel 13:6-14 and read.

Saul leaped ahead of God when Samuel wasn't there (when Saul thought he should be). When Samuel arrived, Saul explained that he, not a priest, had offered sacrifices to God in order to prepare for a battle with the Philistines. Samuel told him that he had not kept the commandments of God, so the kingdom would be led by another man. Samuel's words ring out to us today:

                 Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrificesAs in obeying the voice of the Lord?Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,And to heed than the fat of rams." (I Samuel 15:22)

To do right means to do all that we know is right. Not to pick and choose the parts of God's Word that we prefer.

“Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 12:28)

Sometimes it's hard to do right. It may be costly. It may cost us friends. It may cost us a job or a promotion. No matter who applies the pressure, a Christian must do right.

My son, if sinners entice you,Do not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)

In our world today, people do as in the days of Noah. They do what's right in their own eyes. We must do right regardless of what other people say; we must not "go with the flow" of the world.

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (I Peter 3:17)

Lord, help us to live in obedience to you, for you redeemed us and intercede for us in heaven!

Friday slowdown

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart

Not a popular message, conclusion

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (II Peter 3:10)

We have been studying this verse in depth this week, and we've been reminded that the day of the Lord is absolutely certain, and that it will come suddenly.

Possibly the most unpopular portion of this message is that the only way of escape will be a relationship with Christ. Many years ago, geologists and seismologists began to talk about a possible eruption of a long-dormant volcano in the northwestern United States. There were small tremors, then larger earthquakes. The side of Mt. St. Helen began to bulge suspiciously. People were warned to be ready to flee at a moment's notice. Some refused to leave. Some were "on the job" as monitors and observers who thought they were in safe locations near the mountain. But the eruption was far more intense and far-reaching than anyone thought it would be....fifty-seven people died that day, and millions saw their daylight hours turn to dusk as the huge cloud of ash and smoke drifted across the United States.
What if the scientists told us a comet was going to hit the earth? One so large that no area on earth would be untouched? Then where could we go?
Peter warns us all that at the coming of Christ, the heavens will be destroyed, and the earth, and "it's works will be burned up." Doesn't sound like there will be any avenue of escape, does it?

It's interesting to look at that last phrase in several translations. The last verb is translated "will be found" in many manuscripts. The NIV (above) says "laid bare." The NASB says "burned up." The ESV puts it this way, "be exposed." I guess the idea is that those who thought they could hide their sins from God will be exposed. Nobody, no matter how clever they are, will get away with anything. So, no matter which reading is closest to the original, it's clear that there won't be anywhere we can go to escape this event. Even if you were an astronaut and blasted off in a rocket into outer space, it wouldn't help -- the heavens will also be destroyed.

Only those who are in Christ will be safe. I expect that Peter may have been thinking of Paul and Silas' words to the jailer as he wrote.

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

This is the way to safety on that day. It's not just a mental nod to the fact that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. It's seeing ourselves as sinners who truly deserve what Christ endured for us, and then humble acceptance of what He did.... giving up our selves, willing to do as He commands. This is obedient faith; this is faith that saves. God alone knows who has believed this in their hearts, but of course we may see fruit produced in the lives of others and have confidence in their faith, as well.

The last thing we see here is that all of man's works will be destroyed. Everything that humans are so proud of, all the accomplishments that we tick off as awe-inspiring and worthy of honors, will be gone! It will be a heat so intense that the very elements will melt (verse 12). Peter repeats this part of the warning in verses 7, 10, and 12. Was he getting old and forgetful? Nope! He knew that humans will procrastinate, and he wanted to make sure we "got it." He wanted us to heed the warning and get right with God. This is different from what Paul says in I Corinthians..... Paul says that our works will be tested with fire. On one side, the wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up. On the other side, the gold, silver, and precious stones will survive. Here is the difference: Paul is talking about the judgment of believers' works (not believers themselves), while Peter is talking about the destruction of sinners and of their works. Everything they worked for will go up in smoke.
Whatever is like the tower in ancient Babel, and done for the glory of proud and sinful man, will be a pile of ashes.
This is an old and familiar saying:

               Only one life, twill soon be past.
               Only what's done for Christ will last.

Are we living like we have listened to Peter's warnings?
Are we paying attention to the fact that a judgment day is coming; that it will come unexpectedly; that it will be disastrous for those who have not believed in Christ?

Surely we must be living each day as if He might come in the next few moments. How many people can we think of, that are not believers? Have we shared the good news of Christ's love with those people? Have we prayed for their salvation?

There's much work to be done!