Balance...

2 Peter 3.18 speaks of growing in the "grace AND knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Grace is active, knowledge feeds grace...or should...

But some, to drag out the cliche, grow so deep in the things of God they do nothing for the kingdom of God. Others are hyperactive, "zealous without knowledge."

Paul's prayer in Colossians brings balanced perspective:

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him,bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Paul prays for increased knowledge that results/feeds/causes increased Christ-like living.

Ah, too bad the only way to learn balance is to lose it...

Coke isn't Christ

This came across my twitterfeed today: "Coca-Cola was invented in 1896. In 117 years, the logo and product is now known by 94% of the world's population. In 2,000 years the Gospel is not."

I understand the point...sort of.

But the gospel can not be marketed as a soft drink...and Coke did not have the forces of Satan, the world, and the flesh against it.

Yet it appears the church -  broadbrush - awaits the "new" thing that will make evangelism easy...or at least easier.

But it is not, nor can it  be, "easy."

To share Christ means to share life. To share life means to learn to die to self. To die to self is extremely difficult...and needs to be repeated as we experience mini and major resurrections. 

Yes, the Body spends too much time fighting against itself, entertaining itself, and promoting fractional facets of the faith rather than "that which is of first importance...the gospel."

But even unintended guilting will not motivate.

People expect us to talk about what is important to us.

Therefore I need to be thankful I have another day to ask myself...how important is the gospel to me? How concerned am I about...not so much the millions that have not heard...but the nextdoor neighbor who has not heard? The fellow student who has not heard? The coworker who has not heard?

Bottom line...the issue is not motivation; the issue is obedience.

Thankful He Really Does...

Too often I forget the teaching found in Hebrews 7.25, "Consequently (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

Really? The King of Kings prays for me (assuming I "draw near to God through Him")? First John 2.1 declares we "have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Really? Jesus is praying for me? For my situation, my cares, my struggles, my...everything?

Yeah, or the Word of God is not accurate.

In the Lord's "high priestly prayer" He makes clear that prayer was not only for the 1st century disciples, but for us, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word." (John 17.20)

Whether sighing or singing, triumphing or struggling, sick or well, full or famished...whatever the situation, if I pause to remember and reflect on the fact that Jesus is praying for me, hope and peace saturate and comfort.

Pattern of Prayer

For several years I've made Psalm 15 a part of my "pray-back-to-God" discipline...I started to type "habit" but I do not want my prayer life to be simply "habit."

Here's what I have written in my prayer list:

"Lord, today enable me to live blamelessly and do what is right...to speak truth in and from my heart...

Help me not to slander, to do no evil, to not take up a reproach against a friend...

Help me to see wicked people as wicked people..

Enable me to honor those who fear You...

Help me to be a man of integrity and thus a man of my word...no matter what...

Help me to do nothing, say nothing, or give anything expecting anything in return...

Help me to never say anything about anyone in order to please someone...

As, by grace, I pray, trust and obey; cause me to never stumble."

I keep praying it because, as all who know me know, I am no where near "there"....yet

Tune Tuesday...Silence, Please

I do enjoy the Simon and Garfunkel original more, but this is a pretty good cover...
https://www.celticthunder.ie/node/1021450