God’s Grace, the Gift of Faith, for Life: 2Pet 1:2

God’s grace, the gift of faith, for life: 2Pet 1:2 “…To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours this faith is given to any and all who would believe that Jesus is. 

Eph 2:10 So It is by grace that you have been saved, and this by faith – and this is the gift from God.”  This faith enables us to believe and trust what is unseen

Heb 11:1
As “…faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Romans 4:3
Our faith, the faith God requires can be seen in the forerunner and father of our faith, Abraham, as he “…believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. His faith was credited to him as righteousness”.  It is our believing God, trusting Him, entrusting to Him our life and eternal welfare, for the forgiveness of sin and life in Him in faith that saves – and this is love expressed: grace and faith.

Our salvation is not by works, or anything else we might do, but by grace, through faith, a gift from God, His divine persuasion - that it would be His grace!

Matthew 7:21, 24 “not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’… but did we not… in your name?.” is saved”; the one who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is a wise man who built his house on a rock.”

John 6:26-59 “…what are the works God requires?  …the work of God… Is to believe…

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he sent… that whoever believes…” 

Faith: where does this faith come from

Faith is: God originated; God authored; God pioneered –

Galatians 1:1-13 “… that the gospel I preached is not of human origin... I did not receive it from any man….  For you have heard of my previous way of life, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” 

Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith.”

Faith is: a gift of God, from God - God-given; God-kept; God-finished - as He has promised:
John 3:16
“...that whoever believes has eternal life…” 

Faith is: always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people.   Persuaded, we come to trust, we have faith; that this, He, is true, and we believe this by divine persuasion, therefore “I believe!”, trust, and entrust myself to Him and am saved.

Ephesians 2:8 “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” 

How does faith work? "Faith" in and for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" and therefore distinct from human belief and confidence, while yet involving it. The Lord births faith in the (elect) as an appeal to their heart that they are loved and purchased, redeemed, acceptable in Jesus.  God then continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).  

Faith is: always received from God and never generated by us.

Faith is: God finished – begun, completed and perfected

Philippians 1:6 “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Faith is: God kept; God-empowered, God-accomplished

Philippians 2:13 “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” 

Work - Energy – God says: “ I work, am operative, am at work, am made to work, accomplish; mid: I work, display activity, personally engaged in…” which intensifies the "work" – God energizes, working in a situation which brings it, or the person from one stage (point) to the next: i.e. sinful to righteous; death to life;  darkness to light -  like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb – Go God’s “energy” works, or flows, in us to have the desired effect.

To will - desire, to wish (for) - Lord extending His "best-offer" to the believer – wanting (desiring) to birth His persuasion (faith) in them which also empowers, manifests His presence - to be determined to act according to the God’s purposes – thus not only then saved by grace through faith, but living and working out salvation bin and by that same grace and faith. 

Faith is: a gift of God, a gift that never stops giving!  God-given; God-kept; God-finished; God accomplished; God finished; accomplishing His will and purposes in and for those who love Him and have been called by Him - as He has promised:

Ephesians 2:6-10 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Romans 8:28-30 “28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

 

Faith is genuine: God proved genuine - our faiths’ persevering through trials and temptations - God’s desire for us to know that our faith is real… 

1Peter 1:6-9 “suffering… have been given so that your faith… might be proved genuine”

This surety is the seat of our joy, our strength, as we see and can be confident in, the goal of this faith - The Forgiveness of sin (and sins); salvation of our souls; the exchange of sin for righteousness (of Jesus); Our being justified by God - declared innocent of all charges against; the promise of God being for us - “who will (now) bring any charges against us?” (Isa 50:7-10)… if God is for us who can be against us?”; being sanctified, set apart to by His will, to accomplish His will; endowed with an eternal hope - the great and confident expectation of being glorified with Him. (Rom 5;8)

 Faith is: precious, priceless, to be cherished - How valuable is this faith?  

1Peter 1:7 “your faith...more valuable, of greater worth, than gold, even though refined…” 

1Peter 1:18-19 “18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ”

Faith is: resilient: How durable, how reliable is this faith? How trustworthy is it?  More importantly, how trustworthy is, He?  Because this faith is not of ourselves, we can trust that… 

Romans 8:18-39 “nothing can separate us from the love of God...

Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion, or perfection”

He has placed His seal of approval on us (Eph 1:13-14; 2Cor 5:4-5)

Ephesians 1:13-1413And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

2Corinthians 5:5-9 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident… So we make it our goal to please him.”

What does this faith do? 

As much as it saves, it enables us to live confidently and joyfully in its hope - the certainty of God’s love expressed in Jesus and Jesus’ work and promises, which are sufficient to save and sustain – the real and true promise of forgiveness of sin, the imputation of Jesus’ righteousness, the indwelling of the Spirit, the very Person of God in us, and the permanency of our adoption as His, our Abba Father’s children.  And on top of all of that, being declared CO-HEIRS with Christ in the kingdom!! 

1Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

This faith lives a life of love… 

Gal 5:5-6  “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”

Romans 5:5 “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Galatians 5:22-23, 25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control…. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

As God reveals Himself to us we are persuaded of His reality, His love for us, His glory.  As we see and believe it is by faith we receive what He offers us in Jesus, we are changed, justified, made righteous, now able to receive Him, and having received Him, we are made new. And being new, I find myself wanting more - to see more, to hear more, to experience more - of Him – is wonderful evidence of the reality of this faith – even or especially In our suffering.  

That wanting of more, even when frustrated in our continued longing and delayed satisfaction, is a proof of the reality of God in our lives - our heart’s longing for more - that will not be fully realized until we see Him face-to-face in glory.  In the meantime, we ache, we long, we groan - waiting, anticipating, the glory to come, but in hope, by faith, eagerly waiting for our (eternal redemption as children of God (Rom 8) 

The gospel, the good news of God’s love for us in and through Jesus is the power and provoker of our faith for salvation:

Romans 1:16-17 “...the gospel… is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith… the righteous will live by faith.”

 Gospel: After the death of Christ the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for men in the kingdom of God, and then restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God; so “gospel” may be more briefly defined as "the good news of salvation through Christ; the proclamation of the grace – the gift of eternal life - of God manifested and pledged in Christ; that is - the gospel"

Power: "inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth"

Gospel being the expression and effect of that power - manifest, acting in and on, men

Miraculous power to make right and righteous - as to change and transform through and by that power - the gospel, which is His power seen, experienced, realized


Faith: where does this faith come from? | March 14th

Faith is: a gift of God, from God - God-given; God-kept; God-finished - as He has promised: “...that whoever believes has eternal life…” (John 3:26)

Ephesians 2:8 “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –

·         Faith is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).

·         Persuaded, we come to trust, we have faith; that this, He, is true, and this by a divine persuasion, I believe, trust, entrust myself to Him and am saved.

·         Faith is always received from God and never generated by us.

As God reveals himself to us we are persuaded of His reality, His love for us, His glory.  As we see and believe it is by faith in we receive what He offers us in Jesus, we are changed, justified, made righteous, now able to receive Him, and having received Him, I have been made new. wanting more - to see more, to hear more, to experience more - of Him.  

 That wanting of more, even when frustrated in our continued longing and delayed satisfaction, is a proof of the reality of God in our lives - our heart’s longing for more - that will not be fully realized until we see Him face-to-face in glory.  In the meantime, we ache, we long, we groan - waiting, anticipating, the glory to come, but in hope, by faith, eagerly waiting for our (eternal redemption as children o f God (Rom 8) 

Faith is: God kept; God fueled: God accomplished - Philippians 2:  “...it is God who works in you…” God empowered; God-accomplished

Faith is: God finished - Philippians 1:6 

Faith is: a gift of God (Eph 2:8-10) God-given; God-kept; God-finished; God accomplished God finished  - as He has promised:

Work - Energy – God says: I work, am operative, am at work, am made to work, accomplish; mid: I work, display activity, personally engaged in," which intensifies the "work" – to  energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb. To effect 

To will - desire, to wish (for) - Lord extending His "best-offer" to the believer – wanting (desiring) to birth His persuasion (faith) in them which also empowers, manifests His presence - to be determined to act according the God’s purposes

God’s desire for us to know that our faith is real and trustworthy… 

1Peter 1: “these have been given so that your faith… might be proved genuine”

God proved genuine - our faiths’ persevering through trials and temptations - This surety is the seat of our joy, our strength, as we see and can be confident in, the goal of this faith - The Forgiveness of sin (and sins); salvation of our souls; the exchange of sin for righteousness (of Jesus); Our being justified by God - declared innocent of all charges against; the promise of God being for us - “who will (now) bring any charges against us?” (Isa 50:7-10)… if God is for us who can be against us?”; being sanctified, set apart to by His will, to accomplish His will; endowed with an eternal hope - the great and confident expectation of being glorified with Him. (Romans 5;8)

How valuable is this faith?  

·         1Peter 1 “your faith...more valuable, of greater worth, than gold, even though refined…”

·         1Peter 1:18-19 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ”

How durable, how reliable is this faith? How trustworthy is it?  More importantly, how trustworthy is, He?

·         Romans 8:18-39 “nothing can separate us from the love of God...

 

·         Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in

·         He has placed His seal of approval on us (Eph 1:13-14; 2Cor 5:4-5)

o    Eph 1:13-

o    2Cor 5:4-5

Little difference from the seal of approval placed on Jesus - as THE sacrificial lamb - holy and unblemished, certified by God Himself and declared worthy (Rev “worthy is the Lamb who was slain”)

What does this faith do?  As much as it saves, it enables us to live joyfully in its hope - the certain 

·         1Peter 1:8-9

And now that I see Jesus… I no longer look at anything from a worldly point of view - as I begin to see everything as the handiwork of God - I see Him, His hand, in everything

 

 Our salvation: it is by faith…

The gospel, the good news of God’s love for us in and through Jesus is the power and provoker of our faith:

·         Romans 1:16-17 “...the gospel… is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, e just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Gospel: After the death of Christ the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for men in the kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God; so that it may be more briefly defined as "the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the proclamation of the grace of God manifested and pledged in Christ; the gospel"

Power: "inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth"

Gospel being the expression and effect of that power - manifest, acting in and on, men

Miraculous power to make right and righteous - as to change and transform through and by that power - or - the gospel, which is His power seen, experienced,

2Peter 1:1 “1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours”  Ephesians 2:“It is by grace that you have been saved, and this by faith – and this is the gift from God”

So what is this faith?

·         Hebrews 11:1-3

·         Romans 4 (Abraham) 

 

Genesis - Abraham, look at the stars… God whispers to Abram and encourages him to look at the stars, to what has been made, those things God has created to declare and express His own divine and invisible qualities - seen by what has been made.  So that, by what is seen, God may begin the act of persuasion, the first seeds of belief, to strike fear in the heart of mankind - reverent awe of His glory and majesty, that we might be persuaded that there is a God, that we might believe.  (Romans 1:20; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10)

Where faith began… God meets Abraham, goes to him, calls to him, speaks to him, reveals Himself to him, and called by God, he was persuaded by God, to believe, and believe, he did, and it was credited to him and his righteousness...(Romans 4:3, 9, 13,16, 18-24; Genesis 12:1-4; 13:14-18; Genesis 15:1-6 – righteousness imputed upon believing, having faith, for salvation, Abraham believes God and shows His believing, his faith in obeying; Genesis 22:1-19 – Abraham expresses his imputed righteousness, His faith in God His faith expressed by obeying)

Our salvation is not by works, or anything else we might do, but by grace, trough faith, a gift from God, His divine persuasion

·         Matthew 7:21, 24

·         John 6:26-59  “‘...do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.’  then they asked him, ‘what mut we do to do they works requires?’  Jesus answered, ‘the work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.’ so they asked him, ‘what sign will you give that we might see it and believe you?’

·         John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he sent… that whoever believes…”

 

Remember, it is God’s INVISIBLE qualities - His eternal power and divine nature, even His wisdom - that can be known by what seen, by what has been made!  (Ps 33:6; 146:5; Jer 10:12; 51:15; Rom 1:19-20; John 1:18; Col 2:9; Tim 1:17)  when we see God in what He has made, it is God overcoming our inability that we might see, revere, and know. (Prov 1:7)

Faith Received | 2Peter 1:1-2

“8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:8-10

Genesis - Abraham, look at the stars… God whispers to Abram and encourages him to look at the stars, to what has been made, those things God has created to declare and express His own divine and invisible qualities - seen by what has been made.  So that, by what is seen, God may begin the act of persuasion, the first seeds of belief, to strike fear in the heart of mankind - reverent awe of His glory and majesty, that we might be persuaded that there is a God, that we might believe.  (Romans 1:20; Proverbs )

  • Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Where our faith began…

God meets Abraham, goes to him, calls to him, speaks to him, reveals Himself to him, and called by God, he was persuaded by God, to believe, and believe, he did, and it was credited to him and his righteousness...

  • Romans 4:3, 9, 13,16, 18-24

  • Genesis 12:1-4

  • Genesis 13:14-18

  • Genesis 15:1-6

  • Genesis 22:1-19


So, it is not by works or anything else we might do, but faith, a gift from God, His divine persuasion

21“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 who is in heaven.  ...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. “ - Matthew 7:21, 24


“‘...do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.’  then they asked him, ‘what must we do to do the works required?’  Jesus answered, ‘the work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.’ so they asked him, ‘what sign will you give that we might see it and believe you?’ -John 6:26-59 


John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he sent… that whoever believes…”

So what is this faith?

  • Hebrews 11:11

  • Romans 4 (Abraham) 

Faith, pistis, where does this faith come from? As God reveals himself to us we, our hearts, are persuaded more and more of His reality, His love for us, His glory… as we receive what He offers us in Jesus, we are changed, now able and wanting more - to see more, to hear more, to experience more - of Him.  that wanting of more, even when frustrated in our continued longing and delayed satisfaction, is a proof of the reality of God in our lives and our heart’s longing for more - that will not be fully realized until we see Him face-to-face in glory.  In the meantime, we ache, we long, we groan - waiting, anticipating, 

  • Persuaded, come to trust, have faith; that this, He, is true, and this by a divine persuasion

  • His preference becomes my preference - I prefer what God prefers, having been loved this way, i prefer to love this way - God, self, others AS self

  • Faith is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).

  • Faith is always received from God, and never generated by us.

Hebrews 11:

  • God originated 

  • God authored

  • God pioneered 

Philippians 2:  “...it is God who works in you…” God-accomplished

  • Work - Energeo - I work, am operative, am at work, am made to work, accomplish; mid: I work, display activity.  engaged in," which intensifies "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb. To effect 

  • To will - desire, to wish (for) - Lord extending His "best-offer" to the believer – wanting (desiring) to birth His persuasion (faith) in them which also empowers, manifests His presence - to be determined to act according the God’s purposes

Faith is a gift of God (Eph 2:8-10)

  • God-given

  • God-kept 

  • God-finished - as He has promised: “...that whoever believes has eternal life…” 


God’s desire for us to know that our faith is real and trustworthy… 

1Peter 1: “these have been given so that your faith… might be proved genuine”

  • God proved genuine - our faiths’ persevering through trials and temptations

    • This surety is the seat of our joy, our strength, as we see and can be confident in, the goal of this faith 

      • The salvation of our souls

      • Forgiveness of sin (and sins) 

      • The exchange of sin for righteousness (of Jesus)

      • Our being justified by God - declared innocent of all charges against 

        • “who will (now) bring any charges against us?” (Isa 50:7-10)

        • “If God is for us who can be against us?”

      • Sanctified, set apart to by His will, to accomplish His will. 

      • Endowed with hope - the great and confident expectation of being glorified with Him. (Romans 5;8)


How valuable is this faith?  

  • 1Peter 1 “your faith...more valuable, of greater worth, than gold, even though refined…”

  • 1Peter 1:18-19 “18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ”

How durable, how reliable is this faith? How trustworthy is it?  More importantly, how trustworthy is, He?

  • Romans 8:18-39 “nothing can separate us from the love of God...

  • Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in

  • He has placed His seal of approval on us (Eph 1:13-14; 2Cor 5:4-5)

    • Eph 1: 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

    • 2Cor 5: 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

  • Little difference from the seal of approval placed on Jesus - as THE sacrificial lamb - holy and unblemished, certified by God Himself and declared worthy (Rev “worthy is the Lamb who was slain”)

What does this faith do?  As much as it saves, it enables us to live joyfully in its hope - the certain 

  • 1Peter 1:8-9 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


And now that I see Jesus… I no longer look at anything from a worldly point of view - as I begin to see everything as the handiwork of God - I see Him, His his hand, in everything


You Can Tell a Tree by its Fruit | 2 Peter

You can tell a tree by its fruit…  Being a Christian is not about getting or living your best life, but living your life best - to live fulfilling everything God intended for you - loving Him, self and others; in bearing the fruit if His life is in you;  get to do the good works prepared in advance for you to do.   This is what it is to be effective in Christ, to do the work of the kingdom - to believe in and on Jesus, everything that is, Jesus. 

2Peter 1:1-11

He has given… make every effort…  you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord

Always bringing it back to Jesus - seeing that our “making every effort to add” is about building upon our faith, our belief, our ongoing believing 

Matthew 7:13-29  

The work of the kingdom, the will of the Father, is to believe on the one who has been sent - to know Him, more and more - the work is to believe, to continue in belief is to make every effort to add to our faith… the knowledge of, the knowing, Him

Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father who is in heaven”

  • This statement is not meant to scare, but affirm, to be sure we are 

    • In Jesus, by faith and believing

    • Our works reflect Jesus in us and being further formed in us

    • That is that we are believing more and more

      • Not just believing in

      • But believing on - that each encounter with God, in Jesus, furthers my 

        • Faith and believing not only that He is, but that He does

        • Knowing Him more and more

        • Confidence and assurance grows more and more

        • Bearing Jesus’ person

But, what of the miracles??  Aren’t they “fruit”?  God can do anything through whom He wishes - He used a donkey!  It is not any supposed miracle that proves one is in the will of God, but the character and nature, the humble submission, the continued growth on an upward trajectory that shows the fruit of being in and “doing the will of the Father who is in heaven.” (see also; 1Cor 13:1-3)

It’s not doing, but believing…  with an ongoing, growing belief

  • But they said “Lord, Lord”  Romans 6:12; Acts 2:21  “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (I call upon (on my behalf) the name of the Lord, i. e. to invoke, adore, worship, the Lord)

  • What is the work of the Kingdom, “the will of the Father”? John 6:28-29 

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’  Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”

What is “believing”?  “Calling upon”? What is this “fruit” that Jesus speaks of?

The fruit of believing is calling, the fruit of the calling is the righteousness of God being formed in a person, me and you, the fruit of righteousness is more effective and productive believing - as we grow in the knowledge of Him - (Romans 8:18,28-30; Gal 5:22-23; 2Peter 3:18; John 17:3; Phil 3:7-14; Ps 73:25; Jer 9:23; Col 1:9-11)

  • 1Corinthians  - the righteousness of Jesus making me (Eph 2:8-10)

  • Galatians 5:22-23 the fruits of the Spirit coming from me

  • The love of God growing in me - of Him, for Him and others

    • Matthew 22:37-40 - God's right and just command to love

    • 1John 4:10 - this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, loves us

    • Romans 5:5 - to aid and ensure our being able to love as God’s children should love - He has given us love having poured it into our hearts by His Spirit

    • John 14:15  - and our loving response is to trust and obey His love and loving commands

    • Galatians 5:6 (1Jn 4:17) - the only thing that then matters - our faith, belief, our continued, ongoing, believing in and on the one who was sent - expressing itself with and in love

    • 1Corinthians 13:4-7 - this is what love, as expressed by the Spirit to us and through us, looks like

That fruit is the righteousness which IS the Person of Jesus being formed in us that we would be conformed to Him - and this more and more, as we believe, more and more - and that is love and growing in that love.

Phil 1:9-11  9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for LIFE AND GODLINESS in our knowledge of God”

That we might “participate in the divine nature…”

Having been given everything we need, our responsibility is to make every effort to add, or, build, an effective, productive, fruit-bearing, life in and of Christ so that we will be effective in that knowledge of God… bearing the fruit of that “knowledge”, doing the will of Father, the work of the Kingdom - to believe in the One who was sent and everything about Him.

“Therefore, whoever hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man…”   

So it is ours to build, but what are we building?  And with what are we building? How are we building and to what end?

It seems the first block with which we build, be right here:

  • Matthew 5:1-3 “Blessed are the poor… yours is the kingdom of God

  • John 6:29

But there is work to be done - and we grow by making every effort to add to our (given) faithto build, according to Jesus and His wise and loving word.

This journey is going to take us all over through the scriptures to get glimpses of God’s work and intentions


This is humility: The dignity of humanity loved by God, precious to Him. 1 Peter 1

As the entirety of the Trinity was involved in the creation (Gen 1:27) and our making and forming (Gen 2:7), so the entirety of God is intimately involved in our saving and our being created - in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)

  • Genesis 1:1 in the beginning, God

  • Genesis 1:2 the Spirit hovered 

  • Genesis 1:26 ”Let us make them in our…” 

  • Genesis 3:8 “God walked in the cool of the day”

 

God has reached out with all His force, with the entirety of His Triune Self to save us and purchase us to Himself...

Eph 1:3-8, 11-14

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he b predestined us for adoption to sonship c through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,

11In him we were also chosen, e having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

John 3:16 “God so loved… that He sent His Son” (John 1:1-4)

John 14 “I must go so that I and the Father can send the Spirit the Spirit will teach you everything”

1Peter 1:1-2 God’s expressing His entire divine Self in His saving and keeping. (Ephesians 1)

1Peter 1:1-2

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

To God’s elect ...exiles scattered throughout…, ...who have been…

...chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:3-14; Heb 1:2)

  • "to select, choose," also used as a substantive/noun) – properly, selected (chosen from, out of), especially as a deeply personal choice – literally "chosen, out of a personal preference (intention).”  Describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God's choice by freely receiving faith from Him.

  • With forethought (Eph “before the creation of the world”)

  • ...through the sanctifying work of the Spirit - set apart, created, now, in Christ Jesus, for good works, beautiful works, works prepared in advance for our doing (Ez 11:19-20; 18:31; 36:26; 37:14; Jer 24:7; 32:39)

Everything we see here is a matter of God’s speaking and our hearing, our hearing and doing...

...to be obedient to Jesus Christ - our, the redeemed of God, loving Jesus in return for having been loved, trusting His commands as much as we trust Him… and 

  • Submission and compliance to the One who saves, better stated - purchased: bought for His own at a price

  • Submission to what is heard - obedience as the response to one speaking - hearing the Lord’s voice (John 11:43 “Lazarus come out!”; John 5:25; 10 “my sheep know my voice and they follow”, John 14:15,21-23; 15:10  “if you love me, heed or obey my commands - my speaking”)

...sprinkled with his blood

Cleansed from all unrighteousness, forgiven of our sin - not only set apart but made ready to do what we have been created to do - truly vessels of noble purposes; right, just, fair things, good things (Lev 16 - God’s declaring of the value of life and life-blood, the foreshadowing of Jesus giving Himself as an atonement for sin and the lives of mankind to show life’s and mankind’s value by offering His own life; Ps 51:7; Heb 9:13,24;10:22;11:28;12:24)

  • Purification - cleansed from the guilt of their sins by the blood of Christ 

It is not only God who sees, speaks, and saves, but it is Him who exerts Himself in the saving, keeping, and completing or making perfect (Eph 1:14; Phil 1:6; 2:13) in accordance with His will - He is acting upon us, with us, for us, to His glory!

  • “...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

  • “...it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose”

We might ask ourselves the following questions:

  • What is the goal of our faith?  

  • What is God’s purpose in saving us in the world and keeping us here?

  • What is our role here on Earth?


An overview - 2Peter 1

What is it to be Effective in our Relationship with God?  2Peter 1 

John 21:15-23

I can imagine Peter, writing a letter, reflecting on all that he heard and seen and experienced with Jesus - how profoundly impacted He must have been, so indelibly marked - His mind, heart, soul, spirit - could never be the same.

Reflecting on his own calling, Peter would write encouragements and instructions to the rest of us who would see and hear, turn and follow, leaving behind, one ask at a time, the stuff our security, our identity, those things we have set our affections on, lived on, lived off, lived for…

Jesus’ question for Peter is the same question He asks us today “do you love me more than… these?”  more than this, and this, and this, and, what about that, or them, or these?

What Peter wants for us is what he experienced with Jesus - all of it.  And through the years, I am sure, as Peter lived out the faith he’d received that first day, as he worked out his own salvation, he had a moment to stop and reflect, to consider what it has been to walk with Jesus and to do it effectively, and, ineffectively, to have growing assurance, and increased faith and hope.

So, he opens his letters with reminders; encouragements; exhortations.  In these brief statements, Peter reminds us who our Father is, who our Comforter is, who our Savior, and Lord, is.  Peter remembers what it was to hear Jesus’ voice, to watch Him sojourn in this world, praying, speaking, touching, embracing; rebuking, correcting, warning, and pleading. (Heb 5:7)

So Peter, in the introduction of His first letter, gives us a glimpse of what he ultimately wants for us - that we would know God and be effective in our knowledge of him - in our personal relationship with Him growing in hope and assurance, effectiveness in all things, Jesus.

1Peter 1:1-2

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

  • To God’s elect,

  •  ...exiles scattered throughout… 

  • ...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:3-14; Heb 1:2)

  • ...through the sanctifying work of the Spirit - set apart, created, now, in Christ Jesus, for good works, beautiful works, works prepared in advance for our doing

  • ...to be obedient to Jesus Christ - loving Jesus in return for having been loved, trusting His commands as much as we trust Him… and 

  • ...sprinkled with his blood - cleansed from all unrighteousness, forgiven of our sin - not only set apart but made ready to do what we have been created to do - truly vessels of noble purposes; right, just, fair things, good things (Ps 51:7;Heb 9:13,24;10:22;11:28;12:24)

And as he encourages us to rejoice, to persevere through, even to cheerfully endure every trial and temptation… I am sure he pauses for a moment, pen in hand, a drop of ink forming on its end, and he goes back into the recesses of his mind, and when he arrives there, it was like yesterday, yesterday, and Peter is transported to the garden, the sleep, the ask - again and again.  He remembers being awaken from his sleep… the commotion, to betrayal, the sword, the rebuke… then on to the courtyard, the tension, to fear, and the denial, another one, and a third…  to the cocks crow.  And after days of grief and anxiety, wanting and wishing, begging forgiveness and hoping to be at least forgiven and loved - the restoration, his being restored.  

And with that, he writes some more!   1Peter 1:3-9

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This was not the first, neither would be the last - temptation and trial, the test of faith… and each time, God is there.  And Peter wants us to know, to experience, to be assured - that we are loved and held and heirs with him with Jesus.

So, being reminded of these truths and having our faith, again and again, proven genuine - to us - it might behoove us, to profit us, to re-inform, protect, and enliven us, to dwell, again, on these truths - that we might be - effective in our knowledge, our relationship with, our hope in, Jesus.

Phill 2:1-5 with this in mind, let us live an effective life in Christ… 

if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

  • If, If, If, If

  • Then 

Being confident of this:

Phil 1:6 that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil 2:14 it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

And go on to Peter’s second introduction - one that reassures us of God’s faithfulness - and that we have been given everything we need to live this life in Christ in a way that bears, not just fruit, but much fruit.

This leads us to Peter’s second letter - which begins with Peter’s instructions to us to foster, cultivate, work on our relationship with God in a way that it, our being connected to God, would itself be effective, and that effectiveness might result in fruitfulness.

2Peter 1  so, what is it to be effective? 

  • To be useful - to be about the master’s business (Matt 25; Luke 12) - in good works, stiving and taking hold, thought, and profit - to receive life and to bring life - to bring a return for the investment made - in you

  • To be fruitful - that we would bear - much fruit (John 15; Gal 5:22-23); bring profit.  To give the Spirit permission to guide our thoughts and actions, to bring our faith to bear in and through us - and this according to God’s standard, not the world’s impression - yielding the ongoing, ever-increasing nature, character, and righteous goodness of Jesus (2Cor 5; Eph 2) the good works we were created in Jesus to do - the reflection, or fruit, of our creation - to marvel of all creation (Eph 2).

  • To know - God - both about and personally by experience.

    • To walk with Him in trusting and loving obedience (Ps 119; John 14; Gal 5)

    • To keep one’s eyes fixed upon Him (Col 3; Heb 12)

    • While setting apart in our hearts Jesus as Lord (1Peter 3:15) 

    • We will be effective, we will bear fruit, we will do the good prepared in advance for us to do - the very things we were created in Jesus to do

To know Jesus, to live as Jesus, having been chosen by the Father, set apart and empowered by the Spirit, to and for our obedience to Jesus - in response to His merciful, gracious and kind love - that we would effectively bear much fruit - regardless of our circumstances… 

Psalm 1 - 1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night. 3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - 7“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”


“Since you can’t do this very little thing..."

“Since you can’t do this very little thing… add an hour to your life, why…” 

Last week we looked at 2 passages about life - Matt 8:1-4; Luke 12:25-26

  • Matt 8:2-3 “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

  • Luke 12:25-26 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life b ? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

  1. What is your life?  Life is more than… why you cannot even a single hour to your life - and if you can’t do this very little thing...

  2. Jesus reached out and touched the man “I am willing”... are we in a position and posture to touch - to see, to discern, to know, to touch - and to discern what that “touch” should or shouldn’t be 

 The question is, am I in a position to

  • Receive a touch from God -

  • Extend a touch to another - 

  • Posture ourselves in a way that if the opportunity presents itself - 

    • See and discern

    • Know and to touch

    • If the touch is to be extended, what should that touch be, and how should it be - what manner of touch

To do this I must be aligned, attuned, illumined, illuminated…  if I am to be effective, as a light and in and with my life.

So we add to this… God’s desire for us - that our understanding of this “life” and it’s touch is the expression of the light we are and have been created to be - that others would see our lives illuminated and that shining sheds light on God… 

  1. “you are the light of the world…” Matt 5:14-15 (2Cor 4:4,6)

  2. “...shine like stars in the universe…” Phil 2:15

If we cannot do that “very little thing”, let us then be sure to take advantage of the time we do have to live, to live the life God has in us and us in it.  

If we cannot add an hour to our life, let us then be present in the hour we do have.  And, not being able to add one hour to our life, maybe we ought to be striving to add life to the hour we do have.  

To live in this hour, to live life in this hour is being the light we have been made to be - shedding light.  

You are the light of the world!  No one lights a candle and puts it under a bed, but instead, they put it on a lampstand so that everyone in the room can see”  Matthew 5:14-15

To be more effective in life and as light

It is our choice: It would seem that we get to choose the degree of our life’s light’s glow, its shining, and luminescence; its radiance, its gleam, and brilliance.  And with this choice in our hands, we choose how we display our light’s life’s joy, vibrancy, effervescence - will it be on display for all to see, or will it be hidden under the bowl of our choosing. 

It is our choice to live this life in this hour, to shine our light in this hour. Living an effective life by being an effective light that shines like a star against the contrasting blackness around it… a light lit and placed on a lampstand for all to see.

What can we do to make the most of this hour?  The present?  In each and every opportunity?  What can we do to ensure our light is shining brightly, effectively, for all to see?  How can we be more effective?

Nothing new, but, new every day.  Phil 2:12-15

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” c Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Practice love - make a morally preferred choice to obey God’s word - His loving and wise, life-giving, commands and instruction - John 14:15,21,23

  • If you love me, keep my commands.

  • Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him."

  • If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Make every effort to “work out your salvation…” 

  • Not work for or work to keep, but to work out - work down to its end-point, its exact definite conclusion, until it is fully expressed and realized in you.

    • Salvation is of God 

    • It is God who works in us the desire to be saved and work with Him in its being effectiveness

    • Even that continuation of the process is dependent on God and His empowering

  • Once taken hold of by God, our working out is out cooperating with God’s doing to enable the truth of our salvation to affect my life, effectively, to make it effective

Lean into God by leaning away from your sense of adequacy “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”

  • It is God’s work - His energy, His action, His effect, that is always effective, it never goes halfway - in so, it must be fully effective. 

  • We must humbly recognize this and join Him in the work He is already doing

So, when we strive to be effective in our relationship with God, it is cooperating with His effectiveness for salvation in us

Cooperate with God as He empowers and enables “...for it is God who works in you to desire His will and act according to the pleasure of His good purposes and will”

Let go of your opinions about what is going on around you “Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you might become blameless and pure, children of God in a warped and crooked generation”

It is not that we can’t have an opinion, it is that we must submit our opinion to God as a petition of concern.

It is not that God does not want to hear our opinion, it is that He desires that we let go of our opinion.

It is not that God does not care about what we care about, it is that He wants us to see it through His lens

It is not that God our care and concerns don’t matter Him, but that we trust Him at His word - that He will work this out for His glory and our good

It is not that our prayers do not matter or have no effect (James 5:16)

  • We must be careful here - as it is the attitude of the heart and the perspective of our mind that is at question.  That in seeing our circumstances with anger and doubt of God’s good intentions, we are calling into question God and His intentions - those plans to prosper us - with this attitude, we are on the precipice of rebellion - we think against the thing that concerns us, but in fact, it is against God. 

    • The language here is the same language used of the israelite’s complaining, murmuring, arguing, and rebelling against Moses - and it wasn’t Moses, but God and God’s intentions.  Ps 78; 95; Rev 2:5

      • Numbers 14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!

      • Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?

      • Hebrews 3:7-19 entering God’s rest - grace - peace

    • If this attitude is allowed to remain, it harms others and keeps them prisoner to their own biases and inward thoughts

      • “reasoning that is self-based and therefore confused – especially as it contributes to reinforcing others in discussion to remain in their initial prejudice. Judges with evil or perilous thoughts”

  • There are things to be legitimately concerned about, grieved over, even angry with - and those things should matter to us.  In this context, it is a matter of how we let those concerns take hold of us, what they do in us and to us, and whether it interferes with our primary mission - which is not necessarily changing this world, but, by being rightly aligned with God and ready to be a light, the gospel, we administer that good news of hope in the sphere of influence He has given each of us. 

But the effect is according to righteousness and accomplishing His will 

  • His

  • Ours

  • Our life’s effect in this world (Jesus, our righteousness, lived out in life)

  • To accomplish His will according to His wise purposes

  • Our coming to trust Him - once we have… 

    • ...cried out and called out 

    • ...been wrestled down from the high horse of our questioning, thinking, knowing, arguing, and, in essence, whether by attitude, word, or deed, or deed not done, telling God what we would do…

    • ...been laid waste, exhausted of our… 

      • Or emptied, contrite (deflated like a balloon - Ps 51)

 “A prayer - earnest and fervent - of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.” James 5:16

But then He desires that once we have exhausted our heart’s concerns, we would come…  1Tim 2:1,8

We can now hear God as He invites us to come to Him… 

  • To petition Him...

    • Cast our concerns at or on Him, knowing, being reassured, that He does care for you

    • Reason with Him

  • To pray

    • To exchange wishes with Him

    • Taste and see that He is good, truly good

    • To come to surrender to His will - seen and unseen

And to now…

  • To Intercede, to join Him in prayer (Jesus and the Holy Spirit) according to His will, His righteousness, not my opinions, desires, wants, or perceived needs, but surrendered and subjected, now gladly, to His sovereign will and purposes


Remembering who God is, remembering whose you are and that He is good and all things for the good, remain “blameless and pure, children of God 


Do not be deceived, fooled, duped, or taken in by “this crooked and perverse generation”

Having been cleansed of our angst and anger, fear and anxiety, insistence and obstinance… 

That now with Grateful hearts, having worked out our salvation with Him, being brought low by His glorious might, healed by His gracious faithfulness, and restored to a right view of His will and purposes, we would reflect meaningfully His love expressed by mercy and grace…

We will shine, like stars, against the contrast of the black depth of the universe - on the lampstand of our trusting obedience to God’s life-giving-sustaining word, reflecting a hope buoyed by God’s faithfulness

Prov 4:18 “But the path of the righteous, the just, is as the shining light that shines, like the dawn,  more and more until the perfect day, or the day of its perfection” or “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

As we hold out the gift of life - the gospel - not by merely saying or reciting its truth, but as one whose life itself beautifully shines with the gospel of grace and grace’s glory, its joy, and its enduring hope - not only of eternal life, but life now, with God in Christ.  A life in which each of its hours of life can vibrate with bubbling life and the weight of eternal impact - a life with...

  • Purpose fulfilled

  • Significance declared

  • Worth expressed

  • Value determined

  • Price paid

  • Belonging 

  • Destiny sure

Whose are we?  Who are we?  What are we?  What is this life we have been left here to live?

Is God, God?  

Is God, sovereign, Ruler, and King?

Is God all-powerful?

Is God all-knowing?

Is God ever-present - in all time and space?

Is God all good and wise and loving?  

Are we not, His? Is He not, God?  Will He not accomplish His will?

Let us now offer, thanks.

What Are We To Do?

This world is not our home.  Do we believe that this is true?  Do we live with this in mind?  Do we pray as ones who belong to another?  Do we approach each day remembering that this place is a place of mission, ambassadorship, that we are stationed here with and for a purpose?

It is why the work of the kingdom is to believe in the One who was sent.

John 17:13-21  “they are no more of this world than I am of this world”

I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by d the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.  20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me

Jeremiah 29 - how we are to live as aliens and strangers?  (1Peter) what do we do? How can I be useful, effective, in the hands of my Father? (John 15; 2Tim 2; 2Pet 1)

4This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles who were carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5“Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them. 9For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.”b

Setting the stage - seeking God’s face. (Col 1; Heb 1&2)

10For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivityc and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

So what do we do?  How do we navigate this world effectively?  In seeking God’s face... 

We “work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” Phil 2:12-14


12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

The “fear and trembling” has to do with the battle that rages on between our flesh and its desires and the Spirit in me calling me to righteousness, holiness, goodness, and effectiveness

Paul asks who will you entertain?  Who will you “indulge”?  How will you follow, keep in step with, align yourself with? (Gal 5)

The “fear and trembling” has to do with our propensity to rely on our flesh, to believe that we can do this in our own strength, or even to desire what our flesh desires - in some regards, our temptation to “return to Egypt” (Ex 16:3; Nu 11:5; 14:2; 16:13; 20:3-4; 21:5; Ps 78:40; 106:25; Heb 3:9-10,16; Jude 1:5), the pleasures and ease of sin (at least) for a season. (Heb 11:24-28)

  • Those who put their trust in the flesh are cursed (Jer 17:5-6; Phil 3:4)

  • Those who put their trust in God (Jer 17:7-8; Ps 1:3)

  • Because the heart is deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9)

  • Our Father searches our heart (Jer 17:10; Rom 8:27; Ps 44:21; 139:23; Pr 17:3)

We remember that it is God who is working...

13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

  • Hebrews 13:21 20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

We believe God for His promises and engage with His equipping…

How do we engage with this equipping: Believing this to be true, we meet with God in word and prayer - we work the process - he’s told you what to do

  • Ex 14:15 “and the Lord said to Moses. “Why are you crying out to me?  ...move on.”

What can short-circuit this process?  Our attitude. Our unwillingness to let go of our opinions and insist that God listen, that He must be wrong or mistaken, and eventually working from angry with to embittered toward - our circumstances, those around us, God Himself. Stubbornly holding onto what we want and don’t want. 

So, what are we supposed to do when we don’t understand what’s happening?

14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” c Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life.

We hold our tongue and go to the one in charge (remembering, that that is not us, or, “me”)

“Do everything without complaining or arguing…” 

Let’s go back for a moment, we are to have “the same attitude of Jesus” (Isa 53:7; Acts 8:32-33; Phil 2; 1Pe 2:20-25)

When we catch ourselves complaining, grumbling, having, holding, and giving God our opinion - with an expectation of being proven right by Him and justified, we can discern who it is we are entertaining and indulging, and depending on the fruit born, the answer is right in front of us (Gal 5)

With this, we must understand there is a place to register complaints and give opinions: to HIM, and if necessary a trusted and wise friend who will, yes, listen and commemorate, but also has the wisdom and moxie to tell us the truth, that enough is enough, to change our thinking and attitude, to move forward through that thing we are complaining about, and joyfully submit (to the shepherd of your soul) Who does work these things out, and otherwise, muzzle your mouth. 

We go to God in word and prayer… I know we know this, and is painfully obvious, but… are we doing this?

Psalm 39

There is a time to share your deepest concerns and questions with God and a way to go about it: 

1Timothy 2:1-6 

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

When we pray - we admit to our feelings and work them out with God - we pray the way He said - seeking His will, and even more importantly, His face.

Breaking them out… 

  • Petition - the most visceral, guttural, natural of prayers - heartfelt need, specific felt need, arising out of a deep personal need due to lack, or want.  This is where we bring the most raw and unfiltered feelings to God.- whether that be fear and anxiety, confusion and doubt, anger and disagreement, sadness and grief - even arguing, the giving of opinion, and even pouting…  (Jonah 4; Ps 37:7; Isa 43:26; Jer 12:1; Hab 1:!3; John 21:21)

  • Prayer - an exchange of wishes - going from ration to reason - working with God to see His will, the working out and converting of our will to His, our thoughts to His, our desires to Him, our reasoning, purposes to His - we do this as we exchange wishes with one another - it is here that God prepares to see and pray His will.

    • Isa 1:18

This process is essential if we are to come to know God’s will, to trust God’s will, to want God’s will - especially in times that so overwhelming and seemingly without end, 

  • Intercession is being able to agape love another person - that is - love them, for pray for them, solely for their sake, their good, their success - whatever that means in God’s economy - love them and pray according to God’s will for them, or pray for the circumstance in which we or they find ourselves.

  • And that’s just it, this is about praying for another person or a circumstance according to God’s:

    • Will and purposes

    • Economy and plans

  • Which means that one must come to an agreement with God, at least an understanding of His character,  that we trust that what He is doing IS good and right and just and fair

    • This comes through the transformation of the mind - no longer

      • Conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12)

      • Looking at anyone or anything from a worldly point of view (1Cor 10)

      • Indulging the flesh’s desire (Galatians 5)

    • This transformation begins when we see God for who He is - in reverent fear and awe

  • This transformation of the mind allows one to test and approve God’s will - what is… (Romans 12)

    • Right and just and fair (Prov 1; 2)

    • Every good path (Prov 2) to recognize it as the path of righteousness on which God leads us (Ps 23)

  • This transformation of the mind occurs when we 

  • Expose our thinking, attitude, and perspective to God’s truth, submitting it to obedience to Christ (Romans 12; Eph; 2Cor 10)

  • Work through the process of prayer - casting our cares on God - because He does care for us, He IS for us (1Peter 5; Romans 8)

    • Petitioning: Emoting with God - exhausting the heart and feelings of the heart (Heb Jesus’ prayers)

      • This may take some doing and several or many approaches (Heb Jesus

  • Praying to God: reasoning with God, going back and forth in an exchange of wishes with a heart to (Isa 1; Prov 2; 8)

    • Gain insight and discernment 

    • Understanding and discretion 

    • Wisdom with prudence 

    • The way to go - the good and righteous path

      • Allowing myself to be led on that path by God’s 

        • Truth

        • Spirit of Truth

  • Thanksgiving… this transformation of the mind enables, compels us to be grateful, as are we able to be thankful, even joyful - in all circumstances - is this true of me?

    • Only if we are seeing God and our circumstances - with God in them; with God and us in them; with God and us in them together, rightly… or better stated, righteously. 

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

We remember that this takes work!

All of this is a matter of perspective - understanding why we are here on this earth that is NOT our home.

There is a reason we are here: to be ambassadors here. What is an ambassador? What is their role? What responsibility do they have with/toward the citizens of the host country? 

Phil 2 - blameless and pure - 1Corinthians 10:10

  • Not complaining 

  • Not arguing and giving God your opinion

  • Seeing rightly your circumstances in the hand of God as reveals… 

When we bow to this truth and submit ourselves to the shepherd of our souls, we will begin to see our world the same way God sees it and intends for it and find peace - when this happens… 

  • We now shine like stars - unencumbered by our attitude

  • We become more morally pure, deserving no censure, free from fault - or blame - above reproach

  • We more and more often stand in contrast to the world

What does this shining mean, what does it do?

  • To become evident, to be brought forth, come view, appear - resplendent 

    • Attractive, impressive, through being richly colorful or sumptuous - striking or stunning

  • How we see and respond

    • No longer looking at things from a worldly, “me, my” point of view

      • 2Cor 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

    • But now seeing God’s hand “clearly” 

      • Trusting His movements, His ability, His good intentions

    • Causes us to stand in utter contrast to the world around us

    • A lamp lit and put on a stand 

      • Stars - brilliant 

  • Able to see Jesus - in our character, as the source of our hope

  • We begin to see that It is not God who makes evil, it is not him who DOES these things necessarily, but He does permit it, He gives limitations (Job 

    • Not relative to comfort and convenience - keeping or getting back what has been lost

    • Relative your faith and its 

      • Ability to bear under it

      • Will increase because of it

This is the lesson of Job. God does not do or bring evil, but… 

  • But, He does, promises to, redeem these things, to use these things 

  • As we seek Him and wait on His redeeming - our mind is transformed and instead of fighting we begin working with Him

  • To join God in this transforming, and as our mind is transformed, we will desire more transformation - this is where - our spiritual weapons - God’s words of truth - are most useful and necessary (2Cor 10)

  • And we will see God’s hand moving


How Do We Shine? Acts 8:1-6; James 1:1; 1Pet 1:1-2; Jer 29:4-14; Phil 2:12

Isa 6:22; Acts 8:1-6; James 1:1; 1Pet 1:1-2; Jeremiah 29:4-14; Phil 2:12
“I have put you where I have you”, therefore, any time we are, we are where God has us, and we are there for a reason until God says otherwise. 


Some ways we end up where we find ourselves (this is not an exhaustive list), but through, or due to: 

  • Tempting: though God does not tempt us, he allows us to be tempted (James 1:13; Prov 4).  Sometimes we are where we are to be tested: character, integrity (Joseph, Jesus) 

    • To be shown where we are strong, dependent, and properly inter-dependent (having victory over temptation - Gen 39:12; 1Sam 24:4-5)

    • To be shown where we are wise and discerning: that we flee strategically, proactively, avoiding peril and with it evil - seeing temptation coming and avoiding that road. (2Tim 2:22)

    • To be shown a weakness: we are not as strong, mature, wise, etc. as we thought we were (Prov 6)

    • To be shown area of youth, simpleness, underdevelopment, immaturity or an area of life, thinking, acting needing attention (Prov 1:1-6; Prov 2:1)

  • Sin: sometimes we are where we are because we have sinned or fallen short- consequence of sin (Moses, Samson, David, Prodigal - Luke 15:11-24, Peter, Saul/Paul)

  • Testing and Training: sometimes we are where we are to persevere, grow, be steeled, be tempered, matured, completed, developed (Abraham, Joseph, Job, David, Daniel, Nehemiah, Jesus; John Mark; Timothy, Apollos; Peter - Gal 2:11-21)

  • Deployed: sent, scattered, ambassadors for the Kingdom of Heaven - on co-mission so that those seeking God might find him - Acts 17:24-28 (Noah, Rahab, Deborah, Gideon, Ruth, Philip, Priscilla and Aquila, Heb 11; Acts 8; James 1; 1Peter 1)

But, whatever the circumstance of our being somewhere, we are where we are for a reason, God is by no means unaware of where we are or what we are going through, and through it, God is always with us accomplishing His will in us and through us according to His will, purposes, and promises. 

What is our responsibility?  How are we to be?  How are we to view times such as this?

Jeremiah 29:4-14  How we are to live, what we are to do, by God’s commands, according to God’s will (vs. 5-6.  - or as Paul would say - or, build a house and remain single!  1Cor 7:8, 17-24, 27-35, 40)

4This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles who were carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5“Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them. 9For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.”

10For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.” - Jeremiah 29:4-14

How should we approach such a time?

Philippians 2:5-18 The attitude with which we are to do what we are supposed to do -  

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Warped or crooked - unfair and torturous; dried out - morally twisted because of lacking the oil of the Holy Spirit - hence they and their good works or offerings are unacceptable to God

  • Wicked 

Crooked or perverted - thoroughly distorts, misinterpreted, corrupts, twists in two - opposes - what is (true/truth/right and righteous) opposite from the shape of form it should be - 

  • Turn aside from right path - wicked 

  • Morally wrong, unscrupulous

Generation - Whole multitude of men living at the same time

Among whom - we stand in stark contrast - like stars in the black abyss of the universe - as your life reflects a different and definite life and light (John 1:4-5; 8:12; Matt 5:14)

Hold on to - hold out

  • On to - cling to, adhere to, live out gladly, joyfully, peaceably, faithfully - taking hold of that which has taken hold of you

  • Out - to and for the sake of others, living out our faith, we hold out our faith, we wait to share our faith - being a light to the world (Matt 5:14) 

Gospel - the good news of God’s grace for them or message of life - having the right to become, believing, we have been made children of God

It is for this we have been left here, to be a testimony of God’s mercy and grace.  By our living in the confidence of God’s working in us - without complaining or arguing - recognizing His placing us right where He wants and working it for our good, we are kept “blameless (deserving no censure - having no fault because we have not faulted God) and pure (of mind - by not insisting that my opinion about this thing ought to be considered as much as God’s will and purposes - but instead, simply trusting God’s leading - we show ourselves as true...simply trusting, we are simply faithful) children of light” this refusal to argue with God, but coming to gladly submit to His placement of me becomes and IS - our contrasting the ills - the perversion and corruption - of this world. We walk as ones who are coming to believe, to be persuaded, that God is good, that He is for us, that we are loved and cared for, and recognize the privilege we have to be the light of His presence here in “this place”

1Peter 2:9-10 “...as we are God’s possession, dearly loved, being treated as a Father treats the child He loves”  (Hebrews 12)

Titus 2:11-15 live and act in a way

“...that you can be fully trusted, so that in every way you will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.  For the grace of God has appeared offering salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  These, then, are the things you should teach.`` 

1Cor 7:29-31

29What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.


Being, Doing, Going the Way of the Master, Humbly: Matt 6:1-17

When we, who are God’s people, called by His name… live out the righteousness that we have been created in Christ Jesus to be and do, when we do those good works God has prepared in advance for us to do, then as we do the things it should be our desire to do them as Jesus did and teaches us to do…

 

A reminder…  righteousness?

What is that righteousness we’re talking about? Paul explains it in Corinthians when he says that Jesus is our righteousness. That being said then, that righteousness is everything we are meant to be, and created to be, in Christ Jesus. In other words, our righteousness is our likeness to Jesus – what he said how he said it, what he did and how he did it, we are created in Christ Jesus to be like Christ Jesus and our righteousness is his righteousness and his righteousness is the incredible kindness goodness humility gentleness and grace with which he lived – and that by mercy.

2Corinthians 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

And that is how we are to be and act.

And this righteousness is nothing that we can be or do in and of ourselves

An act of righteousness then is an act of grace in response to grace - it is a humble recognition of having been made righteous through no act of my own - that righteousness is grace, the gift of grace, by grace

 

And this realization of this righteousness being a gift of grace should cause us to be and to act, humbly.

Before God, about self, and toward others - we should in turn, be so very careful observing our attitude, position, and posture as we go about this life and the opportunities set before us.

 

Jesus knew and knows the difficulty of “seeing others as better than yourself…” to “not look only to your own interests but also the interests of others”, to “...not think too highly of yourself, but to think of yourselves with sober judgment… and others as being better than yourself.” (Matt 5; Luke 6; Rom 12; Phil 2)

Having mercy, grace, and love extended to you, to extend mercy, grace, and love to others and that being first and foremost, to imitate God in the dignifying of others - treating Him with honor worthy a King and Savior while treating others with the value ascribed to them by God Himself.


Matthew 6:1-17 

1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread.  12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When we act, how are we to act?  “Who” are we to act (like)? Like Jesus!  Being imitators of God as dearly loved children - because that is what we are! (Matt 5:48; Luke 6:36; John 1:12; Rom 8:16; Eph 1:5; 5:1; Phil 2:15; James 1:18; 1Pet 1:23; 1John 3:1-3)

And that includes giving like Jesus, praying with and like Jesus, sacrificing our pleasures like Jesus (Phil 2:6-7).

So...

What is an act of righteousness?  It is the living out of Jesus’ character and nature - His righteousness and goodness - that He has created us to be.  In other words, it is living out our newly born and created nature - the nature of Jesus in us by, in submission to, the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is our actual and real freedom in Christ!  (John 1:12-13; 3:3,5,16; 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:16; Eph 2:8-10; then: Rom 1:17; 3:21; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 5:21; Gal 5:1,5, 13-14, 16, 22-25; 2Peter 1:1-5)

  • Realize Whose you are and for Whom you live - for it is “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) 

  • Recognize in Whose name you go

  • Humbling ourselves, living modestly

  • That we would go to our Father, seeking His face

  • Pray to Him - heartfelt and honest; simple and expectant

    • Petition - calling out, bringing our requests

    • Pray - engaging with Him in an exchange of wishes

    • Intercede - according to His will, affirmed by His word

    • Be grateful - genuinely thankful in and for all things

  • Repentant: Turn from our own sinful ways, not only by stopping but returning to our Father turning toward Him and His way and ways

    • Open to hear

    • Ready to stop

    • Quick to take responsibility

    • Honest to confess

    • Willing to change

    • Raring to go 

  • Fast: to deny oneself of something of value or pleasure for the purpose of seeking after God, concentrating on our relationship with God, finding our sustenance, our quenching, our pleasure in Him and our relationship with Him, and our discerning more clearly His will - “His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”


And, God will hear and respond… (2Chron 7; Jer 29; Isa 58; Ps 51; Ps 1)

When?  When will God act?  When we act: approach Him with a humble heart, seeking His face, express to Him our hearts, and turn back toward Him - He will respond according to His will and we will be glad. 

And all of this is something we can do as we are led or prompted and do as we understand