1 Corinthians 10:12, "Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence."
The unique phrasing of the Message translation strikes at concerns unique to modern generations. We want to be self-actualized, self-fulfilled. We have been told from our youth to believe in ourselves. Religious types have connected "self-" messages with Jesus, telling us to love ourselves first, then we can love others.
It's useless.
Self-confidence evaporates when you need it most. Only the delusional possess impenetrable egos. What you need when you need something most is God. Not for nothing is He called "the Rock," "Fortress," "Strong Tower," "Shelter."
After all, as we're all learning, in life, the only way to stand on your own two feet is if you have someone stronger than you to lean on.
What are you doing to cultivate self-confidence? Why do you feel you need more of that? What does your preoccupation with self-issues say about God, about your relationship with Him, and about what He's done?
What plan of action would you suggest to someone who wants to cultivate God-confidence? Write it down. Come back to it. Start implementing it yourself.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Who gives humility?
1 Cor 16:18 "Give recognition to such men."
Do you worry about not giving someone else a big head? About helping them retain their humility by not praising them too much or too highly? Read some of Paul's closings: I would be embarrassed by them.
His praise is lavish but sincere.
He wants people to be drawn to people who practice the gospel, so he draws attention to them.
Maybe we should practice more lavish praise on one another. What would it hurt as long as it were truthful? Are you afraid of hindering their sanctification? Never mind that. Let God worry about keeping them humble, you love, exhort and encourage them. Let God humble them and let us focus on trying our best to love each other in word and deed.
Do you worry about not giving someone else a big head? About helping them retain their humility by not praising them too much or too highly? Read some of Paul's closings: I would be embarrassed by them.
His praise is lavish but sincere.
He wants people to be drawn to people who practice the gospel, so he draws attention to them.
Maybe we should practice more lavish praise on one another. What would it hurt as long as it were truthful? Are you afraid of hindering their sanctification? Never mind that. Let God worry about keeping them humble, you love, exhort and encourage them. Let God humble them and let us focus on trying our best to love each other in word and deed.
1 Corinthians 9
We talk about Jesus being everything to us or that the gospel is IT, but what does that look like? This is what it looks like:
"I do whatever it takes to spread the gospel so that I can enjoy its blessings too. I become like my audience if it will help. And I discipline myself to make sure that the gospel remains my preoccupation." This is a loose summary of 1 Corinthians 9:14-27.
Paul denies himself in two ways. First, he denies his preferences, culture and tastes (vv. 20-21). Nothing could be more radical than a Jew willing to be like non-Jews. Nothing could be more regressive than the apostle to the Gentiles making allowance for Jewish customs. But Paul did both for the gospel.
Second, Paul denies his desires. He exercises "self-control," runs with a purpose, and disciplines his body. Why? So that the gospel does not loose effect in him or in his ministry.
This challenge strikes us at two levels: relational and personal.
What preferences and tastes have come between you and the mission of Jesus? What "biblical principles" have you applied in a self-congratulatory manner and effectively closed yourself off from significant ministry with unbelievers? What exlusionary tendencies do you find in yourself? Are you a soccer mom in a poor urban setting? Do you harbor upper middle class values in a blue collar town? Do you hesitate sharing your faith because of the cut of your suit, the quality of your shoes, or the beauty of your accoutrements? What would you say about Urban, African-American, Hip-hop culture? What would you say about suburban, caucasian, mass-majority culture? What effects do those preferences and values have on your gospel witness?
Personally, what areas of your life threaten to displace Jesus from the center? What already has? Shopping? Food? Reading? The Tele'? Family? Church? Work? Nice thick blankets? There have been people in the world who stopped eating for a while, who would wear itchy, formless clothes, who slept on floors, who allowed themselves to be woken up every few hours through the night for prayers, all because they knew that the body, our desires, our controls, are always on the verge of knocking us out. And if you don't see this in yourself, you're probably looking at the wrong things. What is it for you right now?
Jesus is all in all; He deserves it, He's worth it, He's earned it. And we want Him to be central in our lives. We do. But the forces that work against us slide in and errode our passion for the gospel and our own witness to its power in our lives. Examine yourself and work for the Kingdom and for your soul.
"I do whatever it takes to spread the gospel so that I can enjoy its blessings too. I become like my audience if it will help. And I discipline myself to make sure that the gospel remains my preoccupation." This is a loose summary of 1 Corinthians 9:14-27.
Paul denies himself in two ways. First, he denies his preferences, culture and tastes (vv. 20-21). Nothing could be more radical than a Jew willing to be like non-Jews. Nothing could be more regressive than the apostle to the Gentiles making allowance for Jewish customs. But Paul did both for the gospel.
Second, Paul denies his desires. He exercises "self-control," runs with a purpose, and disciplines his body. Why? So that the gospel does not loose effect in him or in his ministry.
This challenge strikes us at two levels: relational and personal.
What preferences and tastes have come between you and the mission of Jesus? What "biblical principles" have you applied in a self-congratulatory manner and effectively closed yourself off from significant ministry with unbelievers? What exlusionary tendencies do you find in yourself? Are you a soccer mom in a poor urban setting? Do you harbor upper middle class values in a blue collar town? Do you hesitate sharing your faith because of the cut of your suit, the quality of your shoes, or the beauty of your accoutrements? What would you say about Urban, African-American, Hip-hop culture? What would you say about suburban, caucasian, mass-majority culture? What effects do those preferences and values have on your gospel witness?
Personally, what areas of your life threaten to displace Jesus from the center? What already has? Shopping? Food? Reading? The Tele'? Family? Church? Work? Nice thick blankets? There have been people in the world who stopped eating for a while, who would wear itchy, formless clothes, who slept on floors, who allowed themselves to be woken up every few hours through the night for prayers, all because they knew that the body, our desires, our controls, are always on the verge of knocking us out. And if you don't see this in yourself, you're probably looking at the wrong things. What is it for you right now?
Jesus is all in all; He deserves it, He's worth it, He's earned it. And we want Him to be central in our lives. We do. But the forces that work against us slide in and errode our passion for the gospel and our own witness to its power in our lives. Examine yourself and work for the Kingdom and for your soul.
Friday, December 21, 2007
1 Corinthians 4:5; Judging Others
There are two types of judging in Corinthians: 1) the kind you're not supposed to do, and 2) the kind you're supposed to do.
The second is described in 1 Corinthians 6 as having the ability, the wisdom, to arbitrate a conflict. That is, as opposed to taking your brother in Christ to court before Judge Judy, have other believers work it out with you in private.
The first often gets swept in alongside the second under the misquoted/prooftexted statement, "Don't you know we'll all judge angels? We have to judge each other." This is obviously not true. 1 Corinthians 6 addresses a very specific problem. (Peacemakers Ministry is a great present day application) But people want to slip their sin in under sound bites from other texts, like crooked politicians we attach our spiritual "pork projects" to someone else's bill.
The first type of judgment, that should not be done by believers, is described in 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5. This is passing judgment on another believer's faithfulness to Christ and to their calling. Paul says, "Don't judge each other; Let God do that when He's ready. He alone knows the full scoop. He will dish out praise accordingly."
But it is so easy to judge someone else, isn't it? They look different, talk different, believe different. They aren't as nice as they should be, aren't as grateful, don't witness enough, don't preach like we like, don't listen to our music, don't value our values, believe our beliefs, or toe our line. Their drummer beats different and they march goofy. Their road diverged in yonder wood and I don't understand why they took the path they took or where they're at now.
Judging others is unique among sins. All sin puts my will above God's, but judging one of His servants, our fellow slaves, attempts to put my will above God's and above God's will for that person. Sin makes me my own god; judgmentalism makes me someone else's god.
Instead, think about this: "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (Col 3:13, NLT)
What kind of faults? Genetics, breeding, education, habits, odors, "tendencies," little things, pet peeves, large things (that really don't matter), strange noises, personalities, etc.: it's so easy to spiritualize all sorts of natural problems, "faults," and turn a friendship or a marriage or a ministry into a war zone.
Start Stopping Judging
The second is described in 1 Corinthians 6 as having the ability, the wisdom, to arbitrate a conflict. That is, as opposed to taking your brother in Christ to court before Judge Judy, have other believers work it out with you in private.
The first often gets swept in alongside the second under the misquoted/prooftexted statement, "Don't you know we'll all judge angels? We have to judge each other." This is obviously not true. 1 Corinthians 6 addresses a very specific problem. (Peacemakers Ministry is a great present day application) But people want to slip their sin in under sound bites from other texts, like crooked politicians we attach our spiritual "pork projects" to someone else's bill.
The first type of judgment, that should not be done by believers, is described in 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5. This is passing judgment on another believer's faithfulness to Christ and to their calling. Paul says, "Don't judge each other; Let God do that when He's ready. He alone knows the full scoop. He will dish out praise accordingly."
But it is so easy to judge someone else, isn't it? They look different, talk different, believe different. They aren't as nice as they should be, aren't as grateful, don't witness enough, don't preach like we like, don't listen to our music, don't value our values, believe our beliefs, or toe our line. Their drummer beats different and they march goofy. Their road diverged in yonder wood and I don't understand why they took the path they took or where they're at now.
Judging others is unique among sins. All sin puts my will above God's, but judging one of His servants, our fellow slaves, attempts to put my will above God's and above God's will for that person. Sin makes me my own god; judgmentalism makes me someone else's god.
Instead, think about this: "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (Col 3:13, NLT)
What kind of faults? Genetics, breeding, education, habits, odors, "tendencies," little things, pet peeves, large things (that really don't matter), strange noises, personalities, etc.: it's so easy to spiritualize all sorts of natural problems, "faults," and turn a friendship or a marriage or a ministry into a war zone.
Start Stopping Judging
Proverbs 10:11a
"The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well." (The Message)
What is your concern regarding what you say? That it not be foul? Not be ignorant? Not be too fast or slow? That it not be mean?
Too often we settle for a "not." Then, when we are "not," or did "not," we feel good about ourselves. But good people, as a rule, have a higher standard.
What would change about your speech if you were to try and be a "deep, life-giving well"? What synonyms would you use to restate "life-giving"? Grace-sharing, God-communicating, Love-showing...
And then consider this verse connected to John 4:14: "The water I [Jesus] give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Note a few things: Jesus is the "good person." He is wisdom in the flesh. Also, Jesus promises that when He gives Himself to a person, they will become a spring of water too. So the way to see this proverb in us is to get close to Jesus.
Are your words life-giving? Do they encourage, exhort, embolden? Examine how closely they mirror the life, message, and manner of Christ. The more they align with Him the more life-giving they will be.
What is your concern regarding what you say? That it not be foul? Not be ignorant? Not be too fast or slow? That it not be mean?
Too often we settle for a "not." Then, when we are "not," or did "not," we feel good about ourselves. But good people, as a rule, have a higher standard.
What would change about your speech if you were to try and be a "deep, life-giving well"? What synonyms would you use to restate "life-giving"? Grace-sharing, God-communicating, Love-showing...
And then consider this verse connected to John 4:14: "The water I [Jesus] give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Note a few things: Jesus is the "good person." He is wisdom in the flesh. Also, Jesus promises that when He gives Himself to a person, they will become a spring of water too. So the way to see this proverb in us is to get close to Jesus.
Are your words life-giving? Do they encourage, exhort, embolden? Examine how closely they mirror the life, message, and manner of Christ. The more they align with Him the more life-giving they will be.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Romans 11
Notes:
The coldest and warmest words of this chapter: "Note then...God's kindness to you...provided you continue in his kindness." What could that mean? God is kind as long we stay in His kindness? How do we stay in His kindness and what sort of kindness makes you stay in it in order to receive it?!
Before we take these thoughts and try smooshing them into our categories, let's examine our categories. We like a stable, controllable, predictable God. We do. But we don't have One like that. We have a volatile, mysterious, wild, and counterintuitive God. Son-killing, world-destroying, meaning-burying: He's forever presenting His merciful Self to us in ways we are not naturally able to understand. And here we see this God. He is very, very kind. The concluding thoughts of Paul's theological submersion center around God's kindness...and His severity.
Because what makes God's kindness so wonderful is that He is so severe. And what makes His severity so terrible is that He is so kind. When the 250 lb. pit bull cuddles up to the 18 month old child, we marvel. And when the gentle, brow-beaten, hen-pecked husband beats the snot out of his daughter's abusive boyfriend, we marvel. We marvel because in both cases the kindness or severity displayed stands out in stark contrast with most likely possibilities. If the dog attacked, we'd say it was the parent's fault not to see it coming. If the father let it be, we'd say that's to be expected. So when we see God love us, we marvel, we worship "with fear and trembling", because we know that He need not love us, that His power could destroy us as soon as care for us. And when we see God's judgment on people, we marvel because He is so loving, He punished His Son for them, but He's not above punishing them too.
Paul's warning here is not intended to get us scurrying about wondering whether we're in or not in God's kindness. Rather, we're to see that, if we are enjoying His kindness right now, we should worship and give Him our lives (which is what Paul advises in 12:1-2). Don't take His kindness for granted. Don't treat it as your due. It is a marvel, a thing of wonder. We should worship with awe and thanksgiving.
Devotional Thoughts:
How have you been responding to God's kindness? Gratitude? Worship? Grumpiness? Demands? Frustration? Forgetfulness?
The coldest and warmest words of this chapter: "Note then...God's kindness to you...provided you continue in his kindness." What could that mean? God is kind as long we stay in His kindness? How do we stay in His kindness and what sort of kindness makes you stay in it in order to receive it?!
Before we take these thoughts and try smooshing them into our categories, let's examine our categories. We like a stable, controllable, predictable God. We do. But we don't have One like that. We have a volatile, mysterious, wild, and counterintuitive God. Son-killing, world-destroying, meaning-burying: He's forever presenting His merciful Self to us in ways we are not naturally able to understand. And here we see this God. He is very, very kind. The concluding thoughts of Paul's theological submersion center around God's kindness...and His severity.
Because what makes God's kindness so wonderful is that He is so severe. And what makes His severity so terrible is that He is so kind. When the 250 lb. pit bull cuddles up to the 18 month old child, we marvel. And when the gentle, brow-beaten, hen-pecked husband beats the snot out of his daughter's abusive boyfriend, we marvel. We marvel because in both cases the kindness or severity displayed stands out in stark contrast with most likely possibilities. If the dog attacked, we'd say it was the parent's fault not to see it coming. If the father let it be, we'd say that's to be expected. So when we see God love us, we marvel, we worship "with fear and trembling", because we know that He need not love us, that His power could destroy us as soon as care for us. And when we see God's judgment on people, we marvel because He is so loving, He punished His Son for them, but He's not above punishing them too.
Paul's warning here is not intended to get us scurrying about wondering whether we're in or not in God's kindness. Rather, we're to see that, if we are enjoying His kindness right now, we should worship and give Him our lives (which is what Paul advises in 12:1-2). Don't take His kindness for granted. Don't treat it as your due. It is a marvel, a thing of wonder. We should worship with awe and thanksgiving.
Devotional Thoughts:
How have you been responding to God's kindness? Gratitude? Worship? Grumpiness? Demands? Frustration? Forgetfulness?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Romans 8
Notes:
This is one of the greatest passages in the whole bible. As the wave crests and breaks with beauty and power, as the symphony builds and builds to a pounding, stunning climax, so here rises up the pinnacle of Paul's writings, the apex of his magnum opus, the heights and depths of our ability to see God's mind, the panorama of the Christian experience. I don't know what else to say. You should probably reread it.
Where else do you get such sorry and sweetness? We "may also be glorified with [Jesus]" only if we've "suffered with Him" (v. 17). And yet Paul still says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." What must that glory be like? Think of all the dying you've experienced, all the flesh-following, flesh-thinking, natural foolishness and pain. What haven't we seen? Hundreds of thousands die every day of preventable causes. Hundreds of thousands more are born into this same world. You can't pick up a board without getting a splinter, love someone without losing them, laugh without crying, hope in Jesus without doubting, dark and terrible. And at the end of it, if you're like me, you wonder, "will I make it out of this groaning phase?"
And that is exactly what Paul seeks to answer: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness," "the Spirit intercedes for the saints." And somehow, "all things work together for good" "for those who love God." His goodness arrives after long ages of waiting, wrapped and ready. He predestines. He decides long, long ago, to love you.
If that is true, really true, then "who can be against us?" or, "who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
Devotional Thoughts:
Compare your sufferings with your picture of being-with-God. Does that glory seem like adequate compensation and better? Or does it seem weak, gray, and thin? Flip your sorrows around. Redevelop them. Examine the negative of life's sufferings and find hints of tomorrow's bliss. Have you lost love? You shall one day never lose again. Have you been wounded, abused? You shall one day be protected perfectly. Have you ever fought insecurity, having to work to be accepted, feeling like and outsider. You shall be, on day, in. And in like you've never imagined: roll up every positive church, family, friend, vocation, childhood experience of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and happiness. Now, instead of remembering them as glimpses and snapshots, try to envision them perfected, continual, increasing.
Study God's love, if that is difficult. Study it. Learn it, by heart. You will never be separated from it.
This is one of the greatest passages in the whole bible. As the wave crests and breaks with beauty and power, as the symphony builds and builds to a pounding, stunning climax, so here rises up the pinnacle of Paul's writings, the apex of his magnum opus, the heights and depths of our ability to see God's mind, the panorama of the Christian experience. I don't know what else to say. You should probably reread it.
Where else do you get such sorry and sweetness? We "may also be glorified with [Jesus]" only if we've "suffered with Him" (v. 17). And yet Paul still says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." What must that glory be like? Think of all the dying you've experienced, all the flesh-following, flesh-thinking, natural foolishness and pain. What haven't we seen? Hundreds of thousands die every day of preventable causes. Hundreds of thousands more are born into this same world. You can't pick up a board without getting a splinter, love someone without losing them, laugh without crying, hope in Jesus without doubting, dark and terrible. And at the end of it, if you're like me, you wonder, "will I make it out of this groaning phase?"
And that is exactly what Paul seeks to answer: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness," "the Spirit intercedes for the saints." And somehow, "all things work together for good" "for those who love God." His goodness arrives after long ages of waiting, wrapped and ready. He predestines. He decides long, long ago, to love you.
If that is true, really true, then "who can be against us?" or, "who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
Devotional Thoughts:
Compare your sufferings with your picture of being-with-God. Does that glory seem like adequate compensation and better? Or does it seem weak, gray, and thin? Flip your sorrows around. Redevelop them. Examine the negative of life's sufferings and find hints of tomorrow's bliss. Have you lost love? You shall one day never lose again. Have you been wounded, abused? You shall one day be protected perfectly. Have you ever fought insecurity, having to work to be accepted, feeling like and outsider. You shall be, on day, in. And in like you've never imagined: roll up every positive church, family, friend, vocation, childhood experience of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and happiness. Now, instead of remembering them as glimpses and snapshots, try to envision them perfected, continual, increasing.
Study God's love, if that is difficult. Study it. Learn it, by heart. You will never be separated from it.
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