Mankind: of inestimable value, that God made good, but fell, now, in Christ, makes us beautiful: Genesis 1: 26-31; PS 139; Eph 2:8-10

Fearfully and wonderfully made. And that we are.  Not by our own declaration, but our observation of God’s wonder and wondrous works (Ps 92:4-5; 104:24; 111:2; 139:14), by His own word’s declaration - His word to us. 

Now, let us understand that when we are speaking of our being made by God, and that, in His image and likeness, which He declares, as His creation's crown jewel, is very good, we are not talking about mankind being “basically good” in nature. We are talking about God’s original intent for mankind, that they, we, would be for the reflection of His glory.  

Now, we do still have a fading remnant of His glory, which Paul calls “God’s… invisible qualities.” (Ro 1:19-20) but, that does not make man, since the fall because of his sin, by nature, (basically) good.  In fact, it is the opposite.

Romans 3:10-20

 What we are alluding to is mankind’s value: an inherent value as ascribed by God.  Value so inestimable, that God would pay the most exorbitant price, the blood of His Son. 

John 3:16-19

Romans 3:21-26

So what is the difference between good and value?  Or, even good and good?

Value (among all creation) – it is God said so - that Jesus would not only die for us, but. die for us even when we were still His enemies! (Jn 3:16; Ro 5:6-10)

Good, beautiful, that has merit: reward (1Co 3:8,14; 4:5; Eph 2:8-10; Ja 3:13,17-18) vs. able to do a good thing: without merit or reward (if to prove/gain merit, that they are acceptable, this, is, in fact, a filthy rag - Isa 64:5-9,12)

Matthew 7:7-11 “11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Isaiah 64:6 “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”

Sinful and unrighteous: as in our nature, enemies of God (Ro 5:1Pt 3:18) vs. Righteous: as in acceptable to God in Christ, by faith in Christ (Jn 1:3:19-21; Ro 12:1; 1Pt 2:5)

John 1:12-13 “...to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

So, when we look at our making and the making of all humanity, this is what we are speaking of - our value, and worth - as ones made in the image and likeness of God and given His breath of life. 

This is the reason the life of a person is - in most places - treated differently than any other creature.  This is why, where life might not be regarded as highly by some, especially for those “without a voice”,  we would advocate for them and their life: the unborn, the marginalized, the disadvantaged, and yes, the sinful - who have, in essence, no voice in heaven… yet.  And that is why we speak of heaven to them.  Because God does “so love them” that He sent His Son, and the Son sends us (as the Father sent Him). 

That those who believe in Him would be forgiven of their sins and gain eternal life. 

Romans 3:27-31 

An exercise in mercy and value:

To see mankind as God sees mankind, we must remain in view of God’s mercy - to me - His incredible restraint and kindness toward me - a merciful act of His love intended to draw me to Him.  Which, btw, it seems, to have worked… (Lu 6:27-3; Ro 2:1-4; 12:1) 

If God valued me at such a time as when I was His enemy (Ro 5:8-10), and sent someone to me (Mt 28:19; Jn 20:21), to risk my ire, to share with me the Truth of His love for me, my value to Him, and that, above all creation (Mt 6:26,28-30; Lu 12:24,27-31) because I too, had been, “fearfully and wonderfully made”, a “wondrous work of His hands” in His “image and likeness” - that is, that I was made to bear His image, and exhibit, though fading, His invisible qualities, as proof of His being - God - even before becoming His child. (Ro 1:19-20)

How should I then value those around me?  How should I act toward others - made in His image and likeness - who are, as of yet, still far away from Him?  Should it not be as I was seen and treated before I was saved - that is - good?

And now, being saved, knowing this good God, how much more should I rejoice in my making, the making God intended me to be, the vessel which He has given me, to be an instrument of righteousness - just as He intends in Christ and His body, the church in the manner worthy His name? (Ro 12:3-12; 1Cor 12-14; Eph 4:1-8; 5:1-2, 15-21)

With God’s mercy in mind…

For whom should I be praying?  What enemy of the cross, the kingdom of which I am, we are, a citizen, am I to bless and not curse, to feed and give drink, to clothe them, and to turn the other cheek, with whom am I to further risk their ire, their ridicule, their abuse, and accusations, to gently and respectfully share the reason for my hope when they ask? (Lu 6:20-36; Ro 12:12-21; 1Pe 3:15-16) 

And, do they ask because I have been eager to do good? What is beautiful in their sight, good to them, in spite of their behavior, as God had been good to me, as I am not a light to this world, an ambassador of God’s kingdom, a wise and beautiful work of God’s hand’s, created in Christ Jesus to do these good works (in Christ) (Prov 4:18; Isa 58:8; Mt 5:14,16; Jn 15:8; Eph 2:8-10; James 3:13, 17-18; 1Pe 2:9,12; 3:8-18)

Who are they?  Can we name them?  Will we name them? Who are those that God has placed me with in the place that He has assigned me?  How do I view them?  As, I will treat them as I see them, perceive them, as I believe they are.  We must know God’s heart toward His making.  To that, we must be in His truth, His word, that we would know.  Then, we must treat them as God sees them, as God treats them, and live in such a way as to entice them to asking, to want to know, our hope. 

…and more importantly, the One in whom I have placed my hope, because He IS my Hope.  Jesus.

Names of those with whom God has placed me:  how will I see and treat them?  Will they be compelled to ask the reason for my hope – because they have seen the good and beautiful works that I do of Christ, in Christ – as I love my neighbor, as myself, as I have been loved and valued?

Fidelity with God: trusting Him: grateful for my making and joyfully accepting: How is it that God has made me?

1Corinthians 12:12-30 “God in His wisdom…”

1Cor 12:15  “Now, if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being a part of the body”.

What is being said here?  What I am, how I have been made, (is for) the part that I have been made to fill with the talents and gifts that I have been given.  These have been given to me, as an expression of who I am in Christ, for what it is that God has created me in Christ Jesus to do - to reflect HIs goodness and bring Him glory.  

How I have been made, knit together, and the talents and gifts that I have been granted, are what they are, because of what God, by His wisdom, has made me, as He sees fit, and in so, is what is best for me to be, for the goods works I am being created in Jesus to do. 

Not only so, but God also knew the best place for me - where and with whom He has placed me to be a part, to bring my part, for the common good.

For me to look at myself in a mirror - to see a reflection of who I am, what God has made me to be - and to say that because I have been made this way, or I have not been made that way, I am not a part of the body, I cannot, I will not, or complain and grumble about what I see - is wrong, it is sin.  

To resist how God has made us, to insist that He is wrong, is to not understand the goodness of God’s wisdom and the… of His grace and to make ourselves less and less effective in HIm (Phil 2)

To be sure, we are talking about our making here.  There is no doubt that when we look in the mirror (and, the word of God - James 1 - we see those things that are contrary, sinful, and wish that they were not - and this seeing should produce sorrow, and that sorrow, repentance (1Cor ).  But, what we are talking about here is God’s wonderful and good making of our person, our saving, our being created in Christ Jesus, all by God’s wonderful and loving grace - lavished on His children!

It is that I have been made a certain way, and that, by God (Ps 139), that makes me who I am and what I am - and this is according to His good pleasure!  (Ephesians 1:3-14) 

Every aspect of our being has been knit into us beginning with the very DNA that is established at our conception

Trusting God’s wise goodness - His character, His loving kindness toward His children, and His wisdom in our making and creating

Sometimes our perception of ourselves is a deception of our own heart (Jer 17:9). It is in and by the truth of God‘s word, the goodness of His wisdom, that with His Spirit, He tells us Whose we are, who we are, and what we have been made to be and created in Christ Jesus to do, that will enable us to be most fulfilled, find our greatest satisfaction, and experience our deepest peace and contentment, to enable us to live out of our righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus in us (2Cor 5:21), according to how we have been made, and gifted, and how and where we will be most effective in bringing His graces to bear - through us.

Yes, there are certainly times that a need arises that demands our attention, and love of God and one another commands my responding (Lk 10:25-37; Ja 2:14-17; 1Jn 3:17), but, as Paul admonishes us here, we each and all have as unique and distinct set strengths and gifts to bring to the body, as we are a person,  as well as each and all of those with whom we serve.

Now to be sure, it is not merely about our “making” that matters, neither is it only about “my” spiritual gifts:

You see, there are also those things that are not given, but commanded, and necessitate of utmost attention, even our greatest effort (2Pe 1:5-9).  Our propensity toward them may or may not have to do with our making, but certainly these things have to do with our heart, that is a matter of our (redeemed) heart's response to our Father’s merciful love (Rom 12:1-2).

Our effort will match the degree of our love for and gratefulness to God (Lk 7:47) and our willingness to trust Him and no receive from His hand all He has made me and is creating me to be -  and that is our response to His merciful love - our subsequent effort to build character, our willingness to sacrifice, our attitude toward our brother/sister, our cooperation with the spirit, our discipline in and obedience to the word, our humility in service, and our defenses, your love, and fellowship.

Our love is expressed in our commitment to the betterment, and the welfare of others, to take our making, our spiritual gifts, and our willing cooperation with the Spirit, our making every effort in the development of our character, our growing in wisdom, and applying them to the needs of others - in the lives of our families, our marriages, our parenting, and in the body of Christ.

It is not only by our making, or even our spiritual gifts, but 1Corinthians 13 and 14 goes on to tell us “the most excellent way“ of love, and the attitude with which we are to do what we do, and that is a humble consideration of others.

Who am I that you, God, would care about me? The humble response of the “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3) recognizing that it is by God’s mercy that I stand and His grace that I live and love - He loves me!  This is astonishing!  He, our heavenly Father (Ga 4:6), has, by His love, expressed through His mercy and grace, saved me and made me His dearly loved child (Ep 5:1) and given me the privilege of being His representative, His hands and feet, His vessel for noble purposes - that, in cooperation with His Spirit and word,I prepare myself to be by cleansing myself of sin and a wrong perception of the Father (Je 24:7; Ez 18:31; 2Tm 2:20-21; Mt 25:24-26)

How is it that God has made me? 

How do I see, view, and perceive how God has knit me together? 

His good intentions for me from the moment I was conceived?  Giving me everything that I have just as He desired, according to the pleasure of His wisdom

What talents and strengths have I been endowed with?

What gifts has He granted me? 

Having saved me, by His grace, through faith in Jesus – redeeming me, adopting me, making me His child… He is fulfilling His promises to me – promises of forgiveness and acceptance, adoption into His family – as a dearly loved child.  Life in Him in abundance, the privilege of joining Him in His work, humbly serving Him and one another with all that I am and all that I have been given.

With whom has He placed me to bless and edify with what He has made me to be? 

What are those works prepared in advance for me to do?  Who are those people for whom I do those works?  

Roles and responsibilities to those I am responsible for and accountable to

Acts of kindness and service to my family and my church family

The exercising of my gifts on behalf of the body

What do I bring to the table?  What has God made me to be and do – made and created purposely to express His glory, to speak of His graces, to encourage the saints, and share with the lost?  Just the way I have been made and saved?

Our gifts begin well before the things I can do.  They begin with what I have received from God, what I have had “knit” into me – from who I am as a person, as made in God’s image and likeness, to my becoming a child of God through Christ, loved by my heavenly Father, to the body in which I live, this tent, that He has made for me – that is the intended expression of the person He’s made me, and then,  the gifts God as given me as an expression of Him and me - together.  

How do the following aspects of how God has knit me together help me express the person I am in relationship to Him and others?  Though there is some environmental effect on how my personality expressed itself, we cannot deny that there are good and healthy 

My God given sex and gender - that God has made me either male, a man or female, a woman as a fundamental way we live our lives and express our person to the world - reflecting perfectly the One who made us according to His loving and wise mercies (Gen 1:26-27; 2:

Am I single or married?  Expressing the beauty of God’s image and likeness by reflecting the beauty of His loving divine community in their us/our relationship with God and the church in undivided devotion in fidelity, holy and chaste, helping raise the children of God in holiness, fellowship, and service (“eunuchs” Isa 56:3-5; Mt 19:11-12; unmarried 1Co 7:32-38) or in marriage, loving and serving one another as husband and wife, in holiness in devotion and fidelity  to God and one another - each bringing their unique and distinct reflection together to become one and raise children in love and grace. (Gen 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Mt 19:4-9)

Find Timothy treat younger women and sisters and Jesus talking about lusting after someone in the heart

He might be asking why I placed single in front of Mary, it is because we all started single, and we were made to be single, and God, both in the person of Christ, and by the Holy Spirit through Paul, encouraged us to consider what it would be to remain in that station, if we are able to receive it.

My personality - how I express my person - among SO many other things, and not everything is such an “either/or, but for the sake of understanding - here we go: am I… an introvert or an extrovert? Verbal or non-verbal? Active or passive?   Corny or dry?  Romantic and sentimental or pragmatic and practical?  Observant or a little oblivious?  Big picture or emersed in the details?  Neat and tidy or not so much?  Extravagant or thrifty?  Expressive or reserved?  Bold or shy?  A verbal processor or more introspective?  Artsy or sciencey or somewhere in between?  Academic or hands-on or a decent mix of the two?  Love to read the instructions and go by the book or dump the parts and pieces on the floor and go for it?  Love to teach or be there to help?  Lead through vision and enthusiasm or quietly, by example?

My God given strengths and talents - those things that seem to come naturally, or without a lot of effort, that I see and am quick to respond

My love language(s) - how I tend to give and/or receive love and affection most naturally (as we are to learn and grow in our love and loving, but there are ways that seem knit into our fabric)

Even my likes and dislikes - what appeals to me, or not (be careful here, that means natural tastes that are natural aspects of my person that lead me to make everyday choices  - not to be confused with sinful desires that would cause lead me to respond to what appeals to me in an ungodly or sinful way)

Add to that, that at my salvation, I have been given gifts of the Spirit

·   My gifts granted by the Spirit of God

·   And it is up to me then, to cooperate with the indwelling Holy Spirit to redeem all that I have been granted, and as He sanctifies and empowers me to use all that I am and all that I have been given - to bring glory to Him, to edify the body, and be an example of His grace to the world (because of Whose I am).

How might I develop these God given strengths to make myself more and more effective?

Where and with whom, for whom can I apply these things

Notice I said “my”.  Why?  What I have been given, does not make me who I am, they do not possess me.  But in fact, it is I, me, who have been given, first, life, and then every-thing that I now possess – as there is NOTHING I have that I have not been given by God and I will be rewarded according to what I do with what I have been given. (Matthew 25; ) May we join in Him in redeeming every aspect of what He’s made us to be!  And that, is every part of me!

We must see, that I am, at all, because God has made me.  And it is me, I, made by God, loved by God, possessed by God, who has been granted everything that I possess to express my God-li-ness to His glory - my being made in His image and likeness (as to exhibit His invisible qualities - Rom 1:28); and being created in Christ Jesus to do good works prepared in advance for me to do! (Eph 2:8-10)

How am I currently utilizing what God has given me?

What do I need to do to make myself useful to Him?  

More effective in my:

• Relationship with God in Christ, by His Spirit? See: Gal 5:; 2Pt 1:3-11

And let us not forget - that my limitations are as much a gift as my strengths, talents, and gifts - as “my limitation is your invitation” 

One might say “He is talking about spiritual gifts here, what does my making have to do with that?”  Because, our making, to some degree, affects the gifts, roles, and responsibilities that I am granted to use within the body.   We see, later, Paul emphasizing the difference between what a woman and a man can do in the church, the offices held, and the gifts that are necessary to accomplish those offices, how it is that their gifts are used, and with whom - so our making, when speaking of our part in the body, and how we bring what to the body, to serve the body, has much to do with our making.  

As for me, as an example, God is not surprised that I am a male, a man, an Italian/Welsh/Scott, with ADHD.  That I am incredibly masculine in some aspects of my personality and surprisingly feminine in others.  He is not surprised that I am an artist, temperamental, or easily hurt.  He knows that I have a terrible sense of direction, a memory like a sieve, and the attention span of a gnat.  That my favorite color is orange, I love the smell of South Carolina, and I cry at the drop of a hat. He is not surprised that I love to talk, especially in front of people, that I care deeply for the marginalized and the disadvantaged, that I hate injustice, and, man, that I need His Spirit of gentleness to temper and tame - well, my temper, and that I needed a wife, the very stature of the one with whom I am blessed - to be a very big part of my making’s being made better.

He is not surprised that I can shepherd, teach, advise, counsel…

Etc.

And neither is He surprised by what (my) sin has done to me and what He has made me to be and given me…  sometimes distorting, perverting, misunderstanding, misappropriating, and misusing - so I see my need for forgiveness, and repentance, restoration, and healing - to accept and be grateful for all that He has made me to be and look to please Him, by being pleased with His handy-work, His workmanship - from conception to reception.

And in that, maybe, most amazingly, He promises to make good, turn to good, all things, for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes. (Rom 8:

As Paul said “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,” Eph 3:8 (1Co 15:9)

By none of this is God surprised, and all of it He is redeeming, and that  for His glory, that I, you, we, might, by His gracious provision of graces, show all of creation the incomparable riches of His grace lavished upon us - beginning with my inception, at conception, my life lived in Him, til my glorious reception. 

How about you?

We have been made new, born again of the Spirit, new creatures and in Christ - and by His divine power, according to the pleasure of His will, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness

2 Corinthians 3:3

It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Jeremiah 24:7

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.

Jeremiah 32:39

I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 36:26

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Treasury of Scripture

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

I will give

Ezekiel 36:26,27

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh…

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

2 Chronicles 30:12

Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

I will put

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

2 Kings 22:19

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Fidelity - 1 Corinthians 12

There’s no way to depict physically the nature of the structure of the Trinity.  If there was, God would have revealed it in His word and/or creation.

So, God is best seen first in creation - 

Ps 19:1-4 “1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  3They have no speech, they use no words;  no sound is heard from them.  4Yet their voice b goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Next, He chose to be seen, even his invisible qualities, in what He made, in those, He has handcrafted and made – that is mankind 

Romans 1:20 “...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…”

Gen 1:26-28 “26Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, a and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  27So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then, His word, of which Jesus personified as the Word - 

John 1:1-4, 14 “ 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Hebrews 1:1-4 “1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” 

Colossians 1:15-23 “ 15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation… 19…God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…”

The written word is the written expression of God – that is, the word is for us His self-revelation, to us, for us, that speaks to us His mind, will, and purposes. 

2Timothy 3:15-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for…”

2Peter 1:20-21 “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation.  For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Then finally, Jesus’ incarnation, who came as man, to show us Himself, His Father, through His Person, words, works, and life; His death, burial, and resurrection - the Gospels

Let us not neglect the Holy Spirit and His indwelling sanctifying power - who leads us into all truth - working in us and with us to conform us to Jesus, that progression is seen, as we become more and more mature and complete in our become like Christ. (John 14-15; Romans 8; Galatians 5; Ephesians 1; 5)

Which leads us to “one another”, the body of Christ, the church. 

Even Jesus said, “they will know you are my disciples by your love for one another“.

John 13:34-35 “34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As we express, not only God's invisible qualities in our capacity to love and live with conscience, will, and purpose, we, as Jesus’ disciples, born again, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, through the instruction of the word - Jesus’ life, works, and words - do the good works prepared in advance for us to do. 

This IS God working in union and harmony with Himself (“us and our”) expressing His love for Himself, to Himself, and then to us, for us and our being saved - it is He who calls us to a loving fidelity to Him, and one another as He loves Himself and has chosen to be known through us. 

So how does God reveal himself? How does He show Himself to us? By His loving us and teaching us to love as He loves, and so, as we love Him and one another, He is seen. (1Jn 4-5)

This is our honor, this is our privilege, this is what we were made for, and then created in Christ Jesus for, to be the good He is making us to be in Jesus and do the good works. (Ep 2)

So natural is our being like Him in Christ, that we, in fact, keep our spiritual fervor, the very nature of our being, simmering to a boil, when we serve the lord (Romans 12) our spiritual fervor is most naturally kindled when we act according to the nature we’ve been made, that is in the image of our God, and His serving One-another, as Jesus said “I have not come to be served, but to serve” 

Thus, the nature of our making is a direct reflection, in accordance with, God‘s own existence, and our fidelity to him is to live on earth as He is has made us to be

That as God lives and loves as He is, He has made us to be like Him and has given us the capacity to live and love as He loves and loves - and is bringing it to perfection in Christ - creating us in Him.  This is to “participate in the divine” 2Peter 1:4.  One God, Three unique and distinct Persons.  And we are one body, made up of many unique and distinct persons - gathered by God’s gracious and skillful hands to make something beautiful…

Diamonds in the Rough: Pressure Produces Gems

Will we rejoice as God takes us (as) tiny grains of carbon, who live under the heat and pressures of this world’s opposition, and wonderfully uses that pressure and heat, to transform us into jewels that reflect His majesty and power, His beauty and grace?  Can we rejoice 

Tests, trials, and temptations… will we be faithful as His love is faithful?

Trials - test and temptation - the trial of one’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, and constancy - Whether from

• Trial or proving 

• External - adversity, affliction, trouble - sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s faith, holiness, and character

• Or arising from bodily infirmity

Or with regard to the temptation to sin 

• The internal temptation to sin - Condition of things in our mental state - lapses of faith or holiness - we are not sharp

Will we remain, stay in that place God has us to do His work, as our first response is almost always to run… 

Remaining - self-control, remembering God, and waiting, holding fast in the face of its arrival

Persevering - cheerfully enduring, trusting God and His promise to make good, allowing it to finish its work to receive the promise

God’s work in God’s way, working all things for good (Rom 8)

God imposed tests - internal, birthing (Romans 5:1-8)

So rejoice in your tension, your suffering… the testing of our fidelity, our love and faithfulness, our appreciation and gratefulness for our good Father’s mercy!  Remembering that love is not love until its tested, neither is fidelity - the tension between the two of us 

Roman 5:1-5 “1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also glory, or rejoice, in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Afflictions - persecution distress, tribulation

• Pressure - what constricts or creates friction - narrow space where one is hemmed in - interal pressure that causes someone to feel confined and without options 

• Cares the challenge of coping with internal pressure of a tribulation - the urge to leave or go - when feeling there is “no way of escape”

• The distress of a woman giving birth - to…

• The afflictions Christ had to undergo - and which, therefore, his followers must not shrink from

World imposed trials - external, pressure (James 1:2-18; 1Peter 1:3-9)

James 1:2-5 “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

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.”

Self-imposed discipline - choosing to abide in word, prayer, and fellowship 

2Peter 1:5-6 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

1Corithians 9:26-27 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Hebrews 10:24-25  24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Temptations - the world and my flesh and its desires - fleeing, resisting, falling, and repenting  (James 1; 4; Romans 8:13; 1Corinthians 6:12-13; 1John 2:15-16)

• Relief of the flesh (Gal 5)

• The peace of God (1Peter 4) 

Afflictions - persecution distress, tribulation

·  Pressure - what constricts or creates friction - narrow space where one is hemmed in - internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined and without options 

·  Cares for the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of tribulation - the urge to leave or go - when feeling there is “no way of escape”

·  The distress of a woman giving birth - to…

·  The afflictions Christ had to undergo - and which, therefore, his followers must not shrink from

1.08.2023 | Living in the tension of the day is living in the space between living in this world (Jn 17:11,14, 16; 1Pe 2:11)

Living in the tension of the day is living in the space between living in this world (Jn 17:11,14, 16; 1Pe 2:11) , but being a citizen of another kingdom – that of our flesh feeling at home here, but our spirit, our life (in relationship with the Holy Spirit), desiring God’s will and purposes (Gal 5:17-18).  As our faith is being tested by the suffering of this world – we must come to trust God’s promise that He DOES “work everything for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to those purposes.”   That purpose?  To bring Him glory.  To delight in Him and one another.  The miracle of being conformed into the likeness of Jesus. (Rom 8:28-30)

So here, on earth, we suffer, just as the world suffers – but with hope!  And with that hope comes a witness and testimony of the One who saves us and loves us and has chosen to be seen and known by us. (Gal 2:2)

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but haver eternal life.  17For God did send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but save the world through Him.  18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believe in the name of God’s one and only son.”

John 14:1,27 “Do not let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe in me also… …Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.”

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, understand, that it hated me first.”

John 16:32-33 “…Look, and hour is coming… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

2Corinthians 2:14 “But thank be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of Him.”

So rejoice in your tension, your suffering… the testing of our fidelity, our love and faithfulness, our appreciation and gratefulness for our good Father’s mercy!

Roman 5:1-5 “1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also glory, or rejoice, in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

James 1:2-5 “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

 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.”

We Live in the Tension between the Urgency of the Gospel and Being Still and Waiting on the Lord: 2Peter 3(:9); Ps 90; 103

He says, “10Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  11the Lord almighty is with us” Ps 46:10-11

He also says, “13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Ps 27:13-14 (Ps 40:1; 31:24; 62:5)

But, in another place He says, 2“In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I till you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor 6:2 (Ps 69:13; Isa 49:8)

But, there is so much to do…

We, who live in Christ, are living in the tension between the urgency of the now and eternity - the gospel that saves and its fruit - though we join God in His work, it IS His work down in His time. 

In the tension of time-short and time-long demands we remain with God and others in the present.  Living in the present, being present, with God and others, is our practicing a future heavenly truth or condition, it is a taste of eternity with God - when will be in His perpetual presence.

In the meantime… though time is short, and our days are numbered, we must take time to take the time, to be with God and others - in this time is wisdom…

Ps 103: “…show me the number of my days that I might act with wisdom…” 

The peace and patience of perpetual presence are what we experience when we take the time, to spend time, with God in His word.  We will find that it is when we are willing to be still, present - and abide with God, in word and prayer, that we are able to sense God’s presence; further, that we are able to take our practices presence with us in unceasing prayer, as we take this practiced presence with us - His Spirit being ever present in us.

So, while we have time… we are to love as God loves (John 13-14; Eph 5:1-2)

To love as God loves is to love, patiently.  To bear up with one another in love.  To understand that God kindly works in the hearts of men with patience and forbearing - intending His kindness would bring one to repentance. (Romans 2:1-4)

Sometimes, we might struggle in the waiting, being still, trusting His time and timing, being patient with ourselves and others…

In our eagerness, or earnestness, or insistence, when we see someone in sin or peril and we share the truth with them… is this me…?

We want them saved, now

We want them to change, now

We want to see the fruit of our labor, now

That is not ours to determine - we plant and water, to work and toil, we pray and persist, but it is God that causes the growth. 1Corinthians 3:6-7 

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow… only God”

When we pray to God “expectantly”  is this me…?

We want the answer, now, and…

We want the answer we want, now

But, God knows best, He is good and wise, and will answer us in His time.

1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet a no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end… 14I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.  Ecc 3

If yes, what do I need to do to trust God and love patiently?

So it is ours, as we have been loved in God’s time and timing, loved patiently, we now get to love patiently…

We need to understand that God, in His wisdom, takes the time and tack according to the heart of the one on whom He’s working, including our own.

Are we glad that He is patient with us?  Why?

Are we glad that in His wisdom He will deal with us as we are able, according to our person, and the condition of our heart and mind, our faith?  Why?

At the same time, the times are urgent…

There is a verse that says “...as long as it is today…” telling us that there is an urgent need to repent and change, but it is governed by God’s gracious patience and persistence 

This is the tension of the kingdom - the tension that exists between grace and truth, loving kindness and a person’s actual need - it is the tension between “hurry up and wait”

Making the most of each opportunity depends on my being present, now, and being patient with God in the waiting, for Him to do His work, in His time, according to His purposes, and thank God, that He is patient - because His patience, His forbearing, His kindness toward us in this way - means repentance and salvation.  (Ephesians 5)

2Peter 3:1-2

1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you.  I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.  2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2Peter 3:1 “...stimulate you to wholesome thinking”  or genuine understanding, pure and undefiled

• Shed light on, but more than that, to expose to the brilliance of sunlight

• Judged by sunlight, pure, uncontaminated, sincere

• To rightly judge/discern because it is seen in full light - the rays of God’s light - divine clarity provided by the knowledge of God’s truth, word, scriptures, and Spirit - a spiritual vision that results in real insight and discernment - to be able to step back and see the times for what they are and know how to act

Phil 1:9-10 “pray that your love may abound in knowledge and depth of insight”

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.

• Precise and correct knowledge - a right knowledge of things ethical and divine

• Of Jesus’ nature, dignity, benefits

• Of the one true God that has saved

• As opposed to having forgotten, ignored, not hold onto, and even suppress that knowledge - which would lead them to depravity - Romans 1:28

2Peter 3:3-9  Peter here, goes on to remind us of God and His promises and their fulfillment, to stimulate us to patience and godliness - that we might be a witness and a testimony of God and His grace (1Peter 3)

3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  4They will say, “where is this ‘coming’ Heh promised?  Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these same waters also the world of htat time was deluged and destroyed.  7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

Peter is trying to show us here that God’s word is true, what has happened to warn mankind has been done - therefore, be careful not to fall into doubt about what will be - though it seems long in coming, do not be discouraged, but be patient as God is mercifully and graciously patient: 3:8-9

“But do not forget this one thing (let me remind you), dear friends: with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  9Teh Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

…neither, become complacent.  Why?  3:10-11 

“But the day of the of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done oin will be laid bare.”

As we are called to be patient, to be still and wait upon the Lord…

We eagerly look forward to Jesus’ return, which, ironically, will happen in an instant

But there is a way we are to be as we wait…

How then, should we live?  In the tension of the now and not yet, the peaceable life of one who walks with God in time, while looking to speed His coming  3:11-14

11”Since everything will be destroyed this way, what kind of people out you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 12But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So, in the meantime… 

We are called to a holy and peaceable life - this is the testimony of God’s grace in which we live and hope, His peace that transcends understanding (Phil 4).

As, though we live in the tension of time fleeting and time eternal, we, practicing presence with God, can then practice a peaceful and peaceable presence in this world - having our fears and anxieties quelled by the truth of God’s promises being true - that as He has before,  and is doing now, He will do in the future, as He has promised.  

In this knowledge, this truth, we place our sure hope: in His faithfulness in the keeping of His promises (as Peter reminds us).  This is what we look forward to, while we patiently sojourn on this earth today as witnesses to the true knowledge of Jesus, sharing the truth of God’s grace with those we encounter, to speed His promised return. 

“14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.  15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…”

Take some time to work through the following questions…

We embark on the new year, a timestamp, a mark in time, one in which what is done has eternal impact, what will we do with it? I will be live in? Annoying, that our days are short, how will be growing wisdom? For whom shall we pray? And with whom shall we share?

A gift to God and others: eager to do good: Titus 3

God’s gift to us is magnificent!  It is not just the gift of “not death”, but the gift of life - life in Him! (Romans 6:4)

Jesus came to take from us our sins and relieve us of our condemnation - meeting us in our death, He did not come to condemn us but offer us the gift of life, salvation by grace, through faith, and with that,  eternal life. (Jo 3:16-18; 1Pe 1:3-9)

But there’s something else, something we must remember, and rejoice in - that Jesus not only came to take our sins, but then transform us - to give us new life in Him - that by His work His Father, Our Father, would create us as new creatures in Christ (Is 65:17; Ez 36:26; Jo 3:3; 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15), in fact, we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works - works prepared in advance for us to do”, works that are not burdensome, but joyful works, works that we are eager to do, that we might please our Father in the heaven.

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who 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.

Eager to do good… 

What is it to “offer” our body, that good gift God has given each of us?  It is to work out this glorious salvation we have received and having been transformed, we now live a life of transforming - this is our loving gift to our Father and one another. (Phil 2:12-16)

 …to receive from God His goodness and love and offer it back to Him… by giving to others.  

Romans 12:1-2

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is it to offer my body? 

First, it is to no longer conform to the patterns of this world. (Rom 8:6; Eph 2:2; 4:17-22; Col 3:5-9)

• Conform - one’s mind and character to; identified with,  having outward shape - similar outward expression by following the same pattern; to fashion oneself

• The thoughts and pursuits of this present time

• No longer live as we did, but to live according to who and Whose we are (Eph 4:25-32; 5:1-2)

To no longer conform to the broken destructive ways of this age, my past life without Him, but to be the very thing He has created us to be - His children, born anew, set apart for Him, to be a witness of His grace, and life in and with Him.

But, that’s not all.  If we are to be aware that it was not just from sin and death that were saved, but toa vibrant transformed life in Him and good and beautiful works with Him, we must not only look at the “do not’s”, but go on to the “do’s”!

We are changed!  We have been transformed: from sin to righteousness; from death to life; from condemnation to celebration!  (Eph 2:1-7)

…but be transformed by the renewing of the mind - truly seeking God’s will and purposes (Eph 2:10; 4:23-24; Col 3:10-17)

• Transformed - metamophoo - having been made new, we are to act, more and more, as new

• Change after being with

• Changing in form keeping with inner reality

• We are no longer of this world (John 17:13-20), but in fact have been transformed, changed, made into something

• Righteous

• Good 

• Beautiful

• It is ours to cooperate with God to allow that beauty to emerge, to become on the outside, what He has created us to be on the inside - like Jesus

This is a great word!  It is the expression of God’s live giving and transforming power.  It is only used 4 times in the NT 

Jesus, the light and life, is transformed to light and glory…

Matthew 17:2 “2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”

Mark 9:2-3 “There he was transfigured before them. 3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”

We are the light, having been transformed from darkness into light, being transformed from glory to glory

2Corinthians 3:18 “18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his 

image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

We get to work out our salvation with God to continue that transformation, having been made new, we work with God to realize that newness…  

Romans 12:2 “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This is to God’s glory!  And how do we work this out with God? (Phil 2)

Abiding with God in His word, in loving obedience to it (Jo 14:21; 15:7-17)

Communing with Him in prayer (Mat 6:5-14)

Gathering with the “one another” in the fellowship, serving, edifying, and encouraging one another (1Co 12:7; Heb 10:25)

In service to God and the body, edifying and building up, growing into the “Head”, reaching unity while we live in harmony - that we would be one - the very prayer of Jesus. (Ro 12:11; 1Cor 12; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 2:2; John 17:21-23)

In this way, we are then conformed to the image of Christ - the new creature that we are.  Since we have been changed, we are to be changed - and this is the greatest gift we can give our Father and the Spirit that resides in us (not grieving), and in return for the gift given - the gift we can give back to our brother and savior - Jesus and life in Him.

A Body You Have Prepared for Me - Part 1

Hebrews 10:5 “a body you have prepared for me”. Jesus gave what His Father had given Him, as an offering, Holy and pleasing. Gladly receiving, we gladly give.  Just like God, in and through Jesus. 

Hebrews 10:1-10

Jesus received the body prepared and given to accomplish the will of His Father and offered it as a “living sacrifice” - to come at all - and live a life of perfect willing and wanting obedience to His Father (Isa 61:3-4,8-11; John 6:28; Hebrews 5:1-9; as the Son of God, and as God, in agreement with God - not made to, or coerced, but lovingly and willingly, out of love Hebrews 10:7,11,14) and was not ashamed suffer with us, and thus call us brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 2:9-18)

• Received His body as the gift of His Father’s grace

• Received His body as an instrument of His righteousness 

• Offered His body as a living sacrifice

Philippians 2:2-8 laying down His rights and glory, made, in the likeness of a servant…

Jesus then offered His body for the sake of the bride - expressing His love, by mercy and grace

Jesus, as only He could, gave His body up for death, that His death might mean life - to be raised by His Father who would exert the greatest part of His powerful strength to retrieve His Son from death and grant Him life for us who receive Him. 

Having received life in Him, we now, in thanks, offer our bodies - prepared for us… 

Romans 12:1-2  to receive from God His goodness and love and offer it back to Him… by giving to others.  

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is it to offer my body? 

To no longer conform to the patterns of this world

To live to give and not to “get”

To be rich toward God; trusting His loving and gracious providence - His faithful provision - Luke 12:13-34

To do the will of the Father, not what pleases my flesh and its desires - Galatians 5:13

To use my body as an instrument of what truly brings joy - to God, our own hearts, and the hearts of others - Galatians 5:22

To make myself an imitator of God, as a dearly loved child, keeping myself pure and unpolluted by the world (Ps 119:1; Mat 5:8; Eph 5:3-14; James 1:27; 3:17) living a life of love and making the most of every opportunity - Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-20

And in the most practical sense, repeating, to repeat Isaiah’s refrain “ here am I send me“ (Isa 6:8)

God is gracious in all things…  His commands are not burdensome… as His giving has enabled us to overcome 1Jo 5:3

God never commands us to do something that He Himself has not done nor does He command something that He has not equipped, enabled, and empowered us to do - and that is to offer ourselves, as living sacrifices - that of placing our bodies on the altar to be used by Him according to His good will, His wise purposes, His good pleasure - which is always good. 

1John 5:2-5 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

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

With gratefulness for God’s mercy, we are offering our bodies, not for the removal and remission of sin, as Jesus did, but, in view of His mercy, with thanksgiving, now offer our bodies, gladly and joyfully, because our sin has been removed, and now -  given the privilege to serve the almighty God, our Father, as His beloved children and bring to Him glory - give ourselves to Him and one another. (Matt 5:16; Jo 15:8; 1Pe 2:12).

1Corinthians 12:4-7, 11-27 Unwrapping the gift of God’s making…  I, coming to appreciate what God has made me be, what gifts He has given me by His wise and loving grace, must work to discover and receive the gifts within the gift and be grateful for, and find pleasure in, those gifts, and satisfaction in using that gift to build up others - my/our siblings, to our Father's joy - giving as my Father gives - generously 

• Luke 6:38 “38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

• 2Corinthians 9:6-8 “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  7Each of you should give (when you are prompted to give)… not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…  …enriching you in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion… that it might result in thanksgiving to God.”

• Proverbs 23:24 “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; a man who fathers a wise child rejoices in Him

• 2John 1:4-5 “3It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.  4I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth…, 5…you are faithful in what you are doing for the brother and sisters even though they are strangers to you.” (3John 1:4)

A body “you” prepared for me… and gifts you have given me… 

The gifts within the gift… and the giving of those gifts given

What talents and gifts have God given me?  How might I dedicate them to God’s honor and the building up of others?  What is one thing I can do to bless the person here with me now to bless, encourage, and build up with the gifts and talents I have been given?

What am I doing to cultivate those talents and gifts?  What am I doing as regular expression of my gifts to build up the body of Christ (here at mosaic)?

To whom am I “re-gifting” those gifts?

Where God Meets Me: In the Secret Place, in the Quiet

One of the greatest gifts we can give during this season is the dignity of meeting someone without fanfare, just taking the time to be present, and finding delight in that moment together. 

That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a party, find joy in giving and receiving gifts, and delight in the presence of the many. It is to say, that, even in those settings, often, the most satisfying moments are not the party itself, but the conversations that occur with the one in the midst of the party.

Jesus enjoyed a party… (Mk 2:15; Lu 5:29-30; Jo 2:1-12)  

But, just as often, we see that Jesus went away to be alone with His Father - in the secret.  In fact, it would seem, that so secret was Jesus' prayer life, and yet so impactful, that His disciples had to ask Him to teach them to pray.

Where it is that God meets me, is in the secret place, in the quiet, it is there where makes His presence known when He whispers…

1Kings 19:11-13 “11The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mounts apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Ps 46:10 in the midst of the turmoil… “Be still and know that I am God…” 

Ps 139:1-8 in the secret place…

This is where He blesses (each one of) us, with His presence - in the most personal and impactful way.

If this is how God meets us…

How are we to go about, His business?  It is recognizing that we are to make every effort to choose what is best over what is good, what is most important over what is important - first, Him and His presence, engaging with Him throughout our day, and then, what we do, those good works He has for us - but then to see that it is not just what we do, but also the way we do what we do.  

1Cor 13:1-3 that everything we do is with love

1Pe 3:18 “...with gentleness and respect…” 

Galatians 6:1-10 “...to restore people gently…, to carry another’s burdens…, to act humbly…, not wearying in doing good… but doing good to all people, especially the brotherhood.” 

So, let’s ask this question: Where does God meet me?  Is it not in the quietness of my mind, the stillness of my heart, the sensitivity of my conscience, in the pleasure and satisfaction of my soul and spirit?

It is so often in the quiet that I find God and the gift of His peace, the whisper of His voice, feel the gentle touch of His hand, that I sense the smile of His pleasure and delight.

Even in the midst of worship, surrounded by God’s people, it is in the recesses of my heart that I experience the joy of His presence.

This is dignity, this is the way of God.  It is why when we are going a mile-a-minute we lose touch with everything and everyone, including God, and, I even lose myself, and, what is most important to me - peace, quiet satisfaction, real and true presence with those I love and hold dear. 

And often, if my life is constantly moving at breakneck speed, I may not even know or realize what I am missing!  It is in the anxious and worried mind, the busied, hurried heart that I find I miss, everything.  Especially, being able to be conscious of others and their needs, and even God, Himself. 

Sure, it seems, that publically, God lets His works speak for Him…

Ps 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  3they have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  4yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

But when He interacts with His children, it seems it is most profoundly in the secret place, in the quiet. 

Do we realize… 

…what a privilege it is to be “singled out”, to be so desired, so honored, so cared for, and protected, that He, our Father, the gentle and considerate Holy Spirit, would not air our dirty laundry, or any laundry, out in public, but would esteem us enough, to keep it between us, me and Him?  That we can be confident, that the only way my stuff gets out, is if I foolishly air it, or someone sins against me by breaking a confidence, sharing a secret, or gossips about, or slanders me, or melodiously repeats something to others…  

It is no wonder God detests lips, tongues, and mouths that destroy and separate 

• Prov 6:16-19 “...a lying tongue…, a false witness who gives false testimony and one who stirs up discord (dissension) among brothers.” (Lev 19:16; Pr 11:13; 12:17; 14:5; 16:28; 17:4,9; 19:5, 9; 21:28; 25:23; 26:20; Ro 1:29; 2Co 12:20; 1Tim 3:11; 3Jo 1:10)

Man, am I glad that…

…when God confronts or convicts me, very often, most often, it is in the quiet private place of my soul, my mind, my spirit.  And even if He should use another, His way is for that to be done in private, away from the peering eyes of others, alone. (Jo 21; Matt 18:; Gal 6; 1Pe 4)

Will I do unto others, what God does for me…?

How then, am I to act, even toward others? The way God acts toward me - in the secret. 

Matthew 6:1-18

When you “do” your acts of righteousness, kindness, and goodness… do them as God has done for you, with you: stop, move slowly and quietly,  turn, look, esteem… 

When you pray… realize God is esteemed, He delights in our presence, He relishes our time in the quiet, together. He is there and affirming and rewarding 

And when you fast… seek satisfaction in God and god alone.  it is here we make the effort to remove all impediments that stand between us and our experience our Father’s unadulterated presence, where we declare our deepest desire to know Him more and to find our deepest satisfaction in and with Him - being willing to lay aside our own comfort to better and more deeply commune with our Father, in Christ, by the guiding grace of the Holy Spirit - because I am quiet, meeting Him in the secret, I can sense His presence, hear His voice, and know, Him. 

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world"

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” “(Jo 1:4; 3:19; 12:46)

“I am the Light of the world”  illuminating, lighting the darkness, dawning upon the hearts of men to reveal to them their condition - this is an act of mercy and grace - the giving of light as a gift to mankind to make them aware of their need - God is good, He desires for us our good, and is willing and wanting to reveal to us those things that have separated us from Him - our sin - in contrast to His righteousness expressed by His love and service…, “...love one another, as I have loved you…” (John 14)

Jesus then said something that was very important for us to grasp “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5.  We might take that as, “...and when I leave, you will be the light of the world”

Matthew 5:14-16 14“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.s 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” 

Having been lit by Jesus, with/by His righteousness and goodness, those around us will see our works and be able to discern whose we are, by what we do and for whom, how we do it, and with what attitude - realizing that everything begins with our attitude (our mindset toward someone or something and that we will treat someone as we think about them) and attitude is everything!

• Descrinarily or blindly (Mat 5:38-48; Acts 10:34; Ro 12:9-21; Ja 2:1-13; 3:17)

8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 

• Begrudgingly or gladly (2Cor 9:6-8)

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:  “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

• Stingily or generously with cheer, without thought of cost. (Prov 23:6-7; 28:22) 

6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;  7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

• Keeping a distance or showing hospitality without grumbling (Heb 13:2; 1Pe 4:9)

1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1Cor 12:7-4-11

How do we illuminate?  Remembering whose we are and living accordingly (Eph 4:1; 5:1-2).  Recognizing that we are one - one body - bringing forward our gifts for the common good…

1Corinthians 11:17-34 being mindful that we are inter-related, belonging to one another, called to be one, as one body, with one mind, one spirit, and one purpose - the many coming together as one to express Jesus’ love, mercy, and grace - as we have received it we are to give it - together.  How we love and serve one another, how we treat one another, live out our faith with one another, and work through our differences with one another - working through our opinions, our own agendas, our own ambitions, to a place of mutual submission (Eph 5), harmony, and appreciation of what each and every one of us brings. 

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

What are my attitude about others and their needs?  What is my attitude about what is “mine”?  How tightly do I hold onto what is mine and why?  What is my attitude about giving to others?  How do I perceive others who are different from me?  How quickly do I form an opinion of others at first glance?  What do I need to do to look past someone’s appearance or differences to be able to see the person they are and treat them like Jesus would have me?  What might I need to do to change my mindset as to how I see, think about, and treat others? (see: Romans 12:1-3, 9,1316,; Hebrews 4:12-13)