THE WAR WITHIN

Paul spoke in Romans 7 of the battlefield inside the believer—wanting to do right and doing wrong.  There is no text more illustrative than in the confession and condemnation of Peter in Matthew 16. Within a few verses, Peter goes from speaking on behalf of heaven to speaking on behalf of hell. He went rapidly from hero to zero—from the pinnacle of commendation to the pit of condemnation.  In the former case, Simon was Spirit inspired and in the latter, satanically inspired. He went from being a solid stone to a stumbling block. 

It does not take long. Each day and then throughout the day, we have to humbly cry out for grace. With deep contrition, we must confess that we are capable in our worst moments of descending into depths that are a bottomless abyss. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer.17:9). Even at our best moments, we ought acknowledge what Jesus taught, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” (Lk.17:10). 

The best of men are capable of doing the worst of things. We find Noah in the ark, securing deliverance for the world’s inhabitants and then in his tent, drunk and naked to his shame. There is Moses through his faith leading Israel out of Egypt, but then due to his failure incapable of leading them into Canaan. David can bring down a giant with a slingshot, but is brought down by his lust for a woman.

Need I go on?  In desperation, we must cry out with the Apostle, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom.7:24). But, then he looks up and says,  “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom.7:25). The desperation of Romans 7 is followed by the deliverance of Romans 8. That chapter begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation. In between there is much about the groans we experience here, but the glory that awaits hereafter. In the meantime, God is shaping us as human clay through the pressure of problems and firing us in the kiln of adversity in His pottery shop.  There is this:

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom.8:28-30).

I love the lyrics of this song, written by Ada R. Habershon and performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Selah, entitled, “He Will Hold Me Fast.”

When I fear my faith will fail

Christ will hold me fast

When the tempter would prevail

He will hold me fast

I could never keep my hold

Through life's fearful path

For my love is often cold

He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Saviour loves me so

He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight

Christ will hold me fast

Precious in His holy sight

He will hold me fast

He'll not let my soul be lost

His promises shall last

Bought by Him at such a cost

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Saviour loves me so

He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died

Christ will hold me fast

Justice has been satisfied

He will hold me fast

Raised with Him to endless life

He will hold me fast

'Til our faith is turned to sight

When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Saviour loves me so

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Saviour loves me so

He will hold me fast

https://youtu.be/3OOphIgGkjM

THE REAL DEAL

I would assume that virtually all people who read these words profess a belief in God, and even claim to be Christians. But, I may claim to be Superman.  I might even be sincere in that conviction. Yet, If I try to fly off a skyscraper or stop a speeding train by standing in front of it, the reality will be much different. 

The results of such mistaken identity would bring my physical demise, yet pale in comparison to the horror of thinking oneself heaven bound and ending up in hell!  That thought is not meant to raise doubt and fear in a tender heart that is sometimes prone to insecurity about salvation. There are those who worry needlessly.  It is an area where the Devil, who is a liar, periodically attacks those who have cast themselves upon Jesus for salvation.

Timothy had done that. Paul speaks of his utter assurance that the young man had a sincere faith—the real deal. Yet, the fact the Apostle brings it up, and almost in the next breathe underscores, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,” would suggest Timothy struggled here. 

Still, Satan lies to another group whom he assures that they are saved when they are not. They may have had some experience—even an emotional one—in the past, but there is no evidence of genuine faith in the present. 

A misunderstood doctrine comes into play here—the perseverance of the saints. Some mischaracterize it with a sneer and point to those who have departed their prior belief as evidence one may be born again and then unborn.  At the opposite end of the spectrum there are those who rest in a prior “decision” who demonstrate no reality now. The doctrine is that if one is truly converted, then God gives them grace not only to save them, but sustain them and secure them. They may waver, wobble, wander, wonder, but God’s grace will keep them, even if He must discipline them. In the end they do not fall away, but stay faithful.

Phygelus and Hermogenes, as well as a number of others, had departed from Christ and the church. A promising beginning apparently brought a disappointing ending (2 Tim.1:15). Yet, in contrast here is a man, Onesiphorus, that sought Paul, stuck with him, and manifested he was the real deal (v.16-18). Paul prays (with every expectation) that he and his family will persevere and experience God’s mercy at the Day of Judgment. 

We hold on to God for He holds on to us. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day” (v.12b). 

Are you the real deal?

HOLD ON BY GROUNDING IN FAITH

 

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”  (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:1-7‬ ‭CSB‬‬, emphasis added)

Paul mentions the “sincere faith”—the genuine faith in Christ that Timothy had received in his home—that flowed from his grandmother Lois, to his mother Eunice, and now to him (v.5). This is the ground upon which a life, a home, a church must be built—the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, whom we have received by a sincere faith. 

Is yours a “sincere faith” that fits you for heaven?  Paul’s fellow Apostle, Peter, enjoined, “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election” (2 Pet.1:10). 

Having your name on a church membership roll won’t matter, if it isn’t written in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  

Hear the words of Jesus in Matt.7:21-27:

“‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who  does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?” Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers! “ ‘Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.’”

I am haunted by the fact that some people who have sat in pews under my preaching will hear those awful words, “Depart from me.”  If the foundation is not stable, then nothing else you do will stand.

BLESSED ASSURANCE!

Read Romans 8.

This is a chapter the commences with, “no condemnation,” and concludes with, “no separation.”  It highlights the precious promise of the perseverance of the saints.  “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (v.25‬).

This doctrine underscores the faithfulness of God that undergirds the fruitfulness of God’s children. It is rooted in His character and assures those who are truly born again of the grace we need for transformation—that the God who calls us, changes us, and confirms His work in us.  From start to finish, it is all of grace.  Paul puts it like this, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (v.29-30‬). In the all-knowing mind of God, and according to His almighty power, He saves us to the uttermost.

We will make it home.  God will hold us fast. Far from being an excuse to sin, this love and grace is the motivation and means for holiness. Even, these bodies of ours will be redeemed.  Our environment, now under the curse, will be liberated as Eden blooms again!

This is a chapter that contrasts groans with glory. We are not home yet.  There are groans (v.22,23,26). Those groans will—some golden daybreak—yield to glories (v.17,18,21,30). God is even using the things that make us groan to accomplish the glory He intends, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (v.28‬)

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” (Fanny Crosby)

PERSEVERING TRUST IN PERPLEXING TIMES

Why do You show me iniquity,

And cause me to see trouble?  

Why?  It is the big question.  We see things happen in this world and are perplexed.  We believe that God is great and good—so why does He allow evil to exist?  Scripture acknowledges this struggle—and it is the theme of the prophecy of Habakkuk.  He has been called, “the doubting Thomas of the Old Testament.”  If we are honest, we will say at times, “Me too!”  Is God great, but not good?  He could do something about the wicked things that happen, but chooses not to do so.  Is God good, but not great?  He does not want such horror to happen, but He cannot stop it all.  Either proposition diminishes the nature of God—and that is why some conclude there is no God.  Let us listen in on the struggle Habakkuk faced and hear the solutions He found that can give us a faith that stands.

Habakkuk is believed to have ministered at the same time as Jeremiah.  Both men would observe the judgment of God being unleashed upon His people.  Habakkuk refers to the Chaldeans—the Babylonians—whose brutal and bloody armies were attacking Judah. They were going to be God’s instrument to inflict discipline on His disobedient people.  That Judah deserved chastisement was undeniable.  Warning after warning had been given.  The rod of correction had been applied in various times and degrees.  The prophet is perplexed, however, that God would use a pagan people—surely more sinful than the Jews—as His means to discipline Israel.

What if God uses a violent people and the instrument of terrorism to visit His judgment on America?  In a future day, might it be that the Holy One would allow an invasion of this land by an oppressive nation?  Our response is typically, “We don’t deserve this!”  No—we deserve far worse!  Justice alone would have wiped us off the face of the earth long ago. It is only the mercy of a loving God that puts up with us.  If I got what was coming to me, I would be cast into hell—and so would you.  When we compare ourselves with others sinners, we can find some that are worse than we are, but the truth is that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death.   

The key verse in this book is also one of the most important in Scripture.  It is found in 2:4, “But the just shall live by his faith.”  This text is quoted three times in the New Testament (Rom.1:17; Gal.3:11; Heb.10:38).  It is the key to real life—how eternal life commences, conquers, and is consummated as we are saved by faith, live by faith, and die in faith.

Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.  There will be dark times—always have been and always will be while we are in this world ravaged by sin and death.  Habakkuk was in a dark place and it was getting darker.  That is how it seems today.  The Bible predicts a world that will become engulfed by the blackness of sin, until Christ’s return brings the dawn of a new day.

We need a persevering trust in these perplexing times.   We must walk by faith and not by sight.  The world says, “Seeing is believing” but God says, “Believing is seeing.”

SAVED AND SURE

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.  (1 John 3:19)

God wants us to be saved and sure.  There was a deodorant commercial several years ago that said, “Raise your hands if you’re sure.”  Could you raise your hand that you’re sure that you’re going to heaven?  Some of you may be saved, but not sure.  You have a real struggle with doubt.  God doesn’t want you that way.  Satan may not be able to take your soul, so he settles for stealing your surety.  Some of you may be sure, but you aren’t saved.  You have no biblical basis for your claim.  It is bad to be lost, but worse to be lost and not know it.  God wants us to be saved and sure (1 John 5:13).  There is a critical test in 1 John 3.

We can be saved and sure when WE EMBRACE THE DEMAND OF LOVE (v.11).  Love is foundational.  It is “the message.”  Love sums up the law and prophets (Matt.22:34-40).  Love is foremost.  It is “from the beginning.”  Paul stressed the preeminence of love in 1 Corinthians 13 above all virtues.

Along with this when we are saved and sure WE EXCLUDE THE DEVILISHNESS OF HATE (v.12-15).  As God is characterized by love, so Satan is marked by hate (John 8:37-44).  Those following Satan are destructive (v.12-13).  We see it in Cain’s hate for Abel, and it is still at work today.  Hate is the root of which murder is the fruit.  Hate is the sinner’s domain (v.14).  My passport shows my citizenship.  The passport of the child of God is stamped with one thing—love.  What does this say about your destination (v.15)?  God is as much concerned about our internal disposition as our external deeds.  We know murderers won’t go to heaven.  Now, one can be forgiven of murder—but then he or she is no longer a murderer.  Their crime has been removed from the record.  But to hold hate in our heart is to dwell in the domain of death and be die physically in that state is to die eternally in what the Bible calls the second death.

We are saved and sure when WE EXPERIENCE THE DEFINITION OF LOVE (v.16).  “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Love is abstract term until we look at Calvary and it becomes concrete.  There is seen the sacrifice of God’s love.  Love isn’t just saying it—it is showing it.  This sets the standard for God’s love.  Two committed Christians ought to be able to make a marriage work and a local church ought to be able to work in harmony if they would love like this.

We are saved and sure when WE EXHIBIT THE DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE (v.17-24).  Love is demonstrated in our compassion (v.17).  This command isn’t just for the rich, but the Greek speaks of those who have the basic necessities who are expected to share with those who don’t.  Love is seen in our conduct (v.18).  Our profession is only validated by our performance.  This leads to our confidence (v.19-22).  Does your conscience condemn you?  Imagine what God will do!  Love brings assurance of salvation and audacity in prayer.  This is our commandment (v.22-23) Love is evidence of genuine faith in Christ. It establishes our communion (v.24a).  The one who keeps the command of love has communion with Christ.  It leads to our comfort (v.24b).  The Spirit gives witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

THE EXCHANGED LIFE

 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.  (Colossians 3:4)

Your old clunker has had it—so you drive the smoke-mobile into the car lot. You trade it in, but the dealer just shines it up and gives it back to you instead of the new one! It might look better, but it is the same old car.  Jesus told a parable about the folly of trying to fix an old garment with a new patch (Mark 4:21).  Jesus never intended to patch up our old rags, but to exchange them for a new robe!  Christianity is not so much a changed life, but an exchanged life!

Paul writes in Colossians 3 about THE POWER OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.1a).   We are raised with Christ.  The power that brought Christ from the tomb now brings us out of spiritual death and into resurrection life.  That power now enables us to meet and overcome every challenge in life.  Today you can exchange human weakness for heavenly power!

Then, there is THE POSITION OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.1b).  We are seated with Christ.  So we seek after heavenly things, because we’re seated in heavenly places.  There Jesus reigns as Lord and in union with Him we are masters of every situation.  There is nothing over our head that is under His feet!

Next, Paul points to THE PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.2).  We are like-minded with Christ.  J.B. Williams translates, “Practice occupying your minds….”  The purpose and passionate pursuit of Christ was to do the will of His Heavenly Father.  He occupied His mind with eternal matters. We have the mind of Christ, so glorifying the Father becomes our mission.

Further, we find THE PRINCIPLES OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.3a,5-9).  We are crucified with Christ.  Paul develops this doctrine in Romans 6 in great detail.  Being crucified with Christ means we are dead to sin.  We are to pronounce a death sentence upon sinful attitudes and actions. We can feed these passions or starve them to death.  This was part of the old carnal life, but not of the new Christ life.  

See also THE PERMANENCE OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.3b).  We are secure in Christ. The Devil has to go through the Father and Son where he encounters a believer indwelt by the Spirit.  By the time Satan reaches us, his intended evil has become God’s intended good.  That’s security!  Confidence in our foundation moves us to proceed with construction of the new life.

We have THE PROMISE OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.4).  We are returning with Christ. Christ has promised to come for His bride. At the rapture, the dead in Christ will rise and living saints will be transformed—caught up to heaven. After the seven years of tribulation ends, we return with Him to reign.  The godly, growing Christian looks for the heavenly city.

Next, we discover THE POTENTIALS OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.10).  We are regenerated in Christ.  God made Adam in His image and that was marred by sin.  Now we are a new creation in the image of Christ.  We have the potential to be all that God created man to be.

Finally, we observe THE PEOPLE OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE (v.11).  We are one in Christ.  Fellowship with Him is the basis of our fellowship as believers.  There is no room for division.

Christ is all in all!  He is our life and we can’t live without Him!  May Jesus be Jesus in me!