“God-powered Humility & Helpfulness”

Philippians 2:1-13  Oct.25/20

PARTNERSHIP OR PARTISANSHIP? BATTLING THE VANITY VIRUS

Our focus today is HUMILITY – now humility is not thinking less of yourself in the sense of putting yourself down, but rather thinking of yourself less – by focusing more on Jesus and, consequently, others as well. Because as we’ll see, Jesus leads the way for us in humbling Himself, and in fact His Spirit indwelling us becomes the engine that empowers humility.

Have you heard of the three secrets of French cooking? Butter, butter, and butter! Similarly, if you’re looking for the recipe for ‘what makes a top-notch Christian’, we might say – humility, humility, and humility!

The famous Reformed theologian John Calvin quoted St.Augustine when writing Institutes of the Christian Religion. "When a certain rhetorician was asked what was the chief rule of eloquence he replied, 'Delivery.' What was the second rule, 'Delivery.' What was the third rule, 'Delivery.' So if you ask me [Augustine says] concerning the precepts of the Christian religion, first, second, third, and always I would answer, 'Humility.'" (Augustine, quoted by John Calvin, Institutes 2.2.11)

What’s the opposite of humility? Well, we might say someone is very “full of himself” or “full of herself”, stuck up. Such a person is proud, conceited, vain, self-focused, often to the point of being arrogant, others seem to mean little to them. It’s hard to reason with them: their mind’s made up, and it’s “their way or the highway”. Not partnership but partisanship.

A current illustration of partisanship is, of course, the election south of the border, vividly represented by Thursday night’s debate between two candidates. At the end of the day the public will have to choose one or the other but not both. I found this debate much better to watch than the first one because they stuck better to the content and answering the questions posed by the moderator, instead of just attacking the other candidate. The “mute” button was a good innovation; all they need now is a “fact-check buzzer” that sounds loudly whenever someone speaks an untruth. However then I should probably install the same thing here for my sermons! (Ha)

Partisanship may belong in politics but not in the church. In Paul’s second chapter to the church at Philippi he urges them strongly to develop unity and oneness. 2:1-4 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Being UNITED with Christ; FELLOWSHIP with the Spirit – that’s koinonia, sharing in common, participating together. He goes on to say be like-minded, have the same love, be one in spirit and purpose. Does this sound like a church near you? It ought to!

Unfortunately, church history is riddled with the carnage of denominational splits and doctrinal splinters. “There’s no fight like a church fight” – probably because both parties feel they have God on their side! Paul in these verses lists several enemies of unity and oneness, things that contribute to partisanship instead of partnership.V3 selfish ambition or vain conceit; v4 looking only to your own interests.

Hold on a minute! Isn’t that the way the world EXPECTS us to be? If we’re all just random molecules bumping into each other evolving from primordial soup, what’s to prevent big fish from eating little fish, the survival of the fittest? Our capitalist consumer culture grooms us through endless advertising to ask, “What’s in it for ME?” “We do it all for you!” sounds like it’s very legitimate for us to want everybody else to cater to our creaturely desires.

But Scripture teaches that ‘selfish ambition’ is one of the deeds of the flesh. [omitting quite a bit in this list] Gal 5:19ff “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity...witchcraft; hatred, discord...SELFISH AMBITION, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness...I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” That’s stern talk! Persist in selfish ambition and you’ll miss out on being eternally with God. Or as CS Lewis observed, the doors of hell are locked from the inside. Hell’s theme song is “I did it MY way.”

“Vain conceit” (v3) is literally empty-glory, NLT “try[ing] to impress others”. We love to make ourselves look good. We fill our Facebook or Instagram stream with only the most flattering selfies that portray us and our lifestyle in the best possible light. It’s seems foreign to our culture, unthinkable, for Paul to say in v4 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests...” Wouldn’t our economy dramatically slow down or even collapse if we started looking to others’ interests instead of just our own?

Another apostle, James, warns about the true source of selfish ambition in Jas 3:14-16: “But if you harbor bitter envy and SELFISH AMBITION in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and SELFISH AMBITION, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

Disorder – COVID, racial tensions, political differences, people being out of work – all these contribute to our current unrest and instability. Indigenous and non-indigenous lobster fishers clash in the Maritimes. Neighbours are supposed to call in illegal over-capacity gatherings on ‘snitch’ lines given COVID restrictions. So much strife and unrest, and it would seep into church fellowship too.

THE ‘NO’ IN KENOSIS

What’s the key to humility in all this crock-pot stewing selfishness? Paul points us to Jesus. In what seems to be poetry, perhaps an early Christian hymn, verses 6-11 highlight the path Jesus chose to take in order to become someone who could save us. V5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...” Not just because He’s a good model, but because through repentance and baptism we have been ‘sunk into’ Him, and have His Spirit living in us and transforming us.

V6 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped...” Jesus was ‘in very nature’ God before creation and time existed; Jn 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Heb 1:3a “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” The beauty and love and goodness of God the Father is also found in God the Son, along with power and omniscience and other divine attributes. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus!

Yet in order to become our Saviour, Jesus divested Himself of heavenly privileges and came to earth, being born as a dependent and fragile baby, enduring hunger and tiredness and discomfort like other humans. Others put it, “He stripped Himself of the insignia of majesty.” (Lightfoot) “He did not count it a prize which must be clung to tenaciously...but was willing to lay aside His glory and make Himself a servant.”

Jesus said “no” to keeping all that pre-cosmic equality with God status and took on limited form as a human, becoming “Son of Man” as well as “Son of God”. So He can relate to us! That’s a marvel! Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin.”

That saying “no” to keeping divine privilege is part of the “no” in kenosis – the Greek term we find in v7: “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”  Gk kenoo “to make empty, make void” from kenos “empty” like in v3 “empty-glory” / vainglory kenodoxia. There is a NO in KENOSIS, Christ “Made Himself Nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” SERVANT? But He’s Lord, He’s the boss! What an upside-down reversal of roles!

The lowering, humbling, saying ‘no’ to privilege, didn’t stop there. V8 “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” This was no ordinary death, like passing away peacefully in your bed. Romans executed their criminals in the most torturous excruciatingly painful way possible, as a deterrent to others. And Jesus CHOSE that suffering so forgiveness would be possible for you and for me. Heb 5:7ff “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him...”

Jesus said NO in kenosis, emptying Himself, becoming a servant, humbling Himself all the way to obediently dying on the cross, suffering immensely, as a propitiation (payment) for our sins. He loves you that much! He said “no” to so much to which He was entitled, so He could say “yes” to welcoming you to heaven, a forgiven and sanctified former sinner. He said “no” to become our divine “yes”, making good all God’s promises for those who are His! 2Cor 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.”

The path of Christianity is the path of humility, servanthood, obedience, allowing God to BE God in your life, not yourself, not some other enticing idol that begs our worship. Jesus taught in Mt 23:12, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” He lived it, He demonstrated it. God the Father put His ‘stamp of approval’ on the Son’s sacrifice by raising Jesus from the dead, to be seen by eyewitnesses. Then Jesus would come to His disciples and say, Mt 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

KEY TO RENUNCIATION: BOWING TO JESUS

Paul’s hymn describes this in vv9-11, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” “THAT at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...” God had a purpose in raising Jesus up, exalting Him to the highest place, giving Him rank / name / title above all others: the purpose is that our knee might bow and our tongue confess Him as Lord. When people do that, God’s glory is made known, His goodness to sinners magnified, His wonderful plan to bring reconciliation to a hostile miserable world is unpacked and showcased.

Has YOUR knee bowed? Is YOUR tongue confessing “Jesus is Lord”? That’s at the very heart of becoming a Christian, repentance and the new birth, opening the door in your life to the Holy Spirit. 1Cor 12:3b “...No one can say, “Jesus is Lord”, except by the Holy Spirit.”

You see, there is a virus more deadly and devilish and widespread than the coronavirus. It’s a pride pandemic. All have sinned, we came forth sinners from our mother’s womb (Rom 3:23; Ps 51:5). But there is already a vaccine for this selfishness virus: inject yourself (not with bleach! But) with the cross of Jesus. Let the nails of His cross pierce you, the nails that held Him there for love of you, not because He deserved to die: He was absolutely pure and sinless. We can’t beat the selfishness virus on our own, by our own strength. We need His help, to be born over again by His Spirit; to die to self. Luke 9:23f “[Jesus said] If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME will save it.” Gal 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

INDWELT TO ENDEAVOUR

Overcoming selfish ambition and vain conceit begins with the decision to submit ourselves to Jesus’ leading, let Him be our Lord (in control) as well as our Saviour (the One through whom we are rescued from sin and its penalty). But an amazing thing happens when we do that: God’s Spirit comes into our lives to reform our thoughts and desires and empower us to put what God wants into action.

Back up to verse 1 in our passage. Where do we get encouragement? “FROM being united with Christ.” Where do we get comfort? “FROM His love.” Whence springs fellowship? “WITH the Spirit.” It’s an organic union, God Himself coming into our lives and producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22f) right inside us.

In v12 enjoins the church to be obedient (which comes much more easily when you’ve latched onto humility) and to give expression to their faith through action. 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...” Revering God, having a proper respect for His omnipotent power and divine right to judge at the end of our lives (or when Jesus comes, if sooner), ought to motivate us to be obedient and at work for Him.

Nate Saint was one of five missionaries who were killed by the Auca Indians. He once said that his life did not change until he came to grips with the idea that "obedience is not a momentary option...it is a die-cast decision made beforehand."

But verse 13 has some jaw-dropping truth that clarifies how this is possible: 2:13 “for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU to will and to act according to his good purpose.” So we’re to ‘work out our salvation’ but we’re not the only ones working!! God Himself is active in the Christ-follower both shaping their desires (“to will”) and their actions (“to act”), bringing these into conformity with His good purpose, what pleases Him.

There was once a laborer who was a mature Christian and gave a solid testimony before all who knew him. His boss came to him one day and said, "You know, whatever you've got, I want. You have such peace and joy and contentment. How can I get this?" The laborer said, "Go to your home, put on your best suit, come down here, and work in the mud with the rest of us—and you can have it." "What are you talking about? I could never do that. I'm the boss, you're the worker. I can't do that. That's beneath my dignity." The boss came back a couple of months later and said, "I ask you again, what is it that you have and how can I get it?" "I told you, go put on your best suit, come down and work in the mud with us, and you can have it." Again the boss became furious and walked off. Finally, in desperation he came back to the laborer and said, "I don't care what it takes! I'll do anything." The laborer said, "Will you put on your best suit and come down and work in the mud?" The boss agreed that he would do even that. Then the laborer said, "You don't have to."

The point had been made... The laborer knew what was standing between the boss and Christ—pride and self. Once he was prepared to swallow his pride and humble himself, getting down to work in the mud even while wearing his best suit, his desperation and submission opened the door to the abundance Christ had to offer.

I like that story too because it pictures in a way exactly what Jesus did to make salvation possible for us! He ‘put off His best suit’ – laid aside His divine glory, with all its position and privilege – and came to earth, down to a humble smelly manger to be born as one of us, here in the mud where we live. His “no” to supernatural glory made possibly His “yes” for us, opening the way to God’s most precious promises!

Repeatedly the Apostle Paul prayed asking God to take away a “thorn in the flesh” that was causing him some undisclosed pain. Jesus’ answer to him was this, 2Cor 12:9f “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." [Paul concluded] Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me...For when I am weak, then I am strong.” May you this week submit your life to God and find out for yourself how His power can accomplish much through you, giving you both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him! Let’s pray.

Gracious Lord, Thank you Jesus for setting aside so much heavenly power and glory all for the sake of becoming human so You could take our sin-penalty on Yourself. We confess our reluctance at times to let You be Lord: we’re so ‘bent’ in the tendency to want to run our own show. Yet we know how much that has hurt others and cut us off from You. Have mercy on us; forgive us, Heavenly Father; send Your Holy Spirit to direct our hearts and help us choose and then do what’s best in Your eyes. Thank You for loving us so, and blessing us with Your unity, Your love and comfort and compassion. May others see You through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Not Rivalry, but Partnership in Grace” (Philippians 1:3-11,19-26) - sermon Oct.4/20 Worldwide Communion Sunday

ENVY SETS THE WRONG STAGE

It’s Worldwide Communion Sunday. “Communion” basically in a non-religious sense means having something in common, taking part in a similar experience. There’s a oneness shared by multiple people. For Christians, we find this oneness in Jesus who has torn down the walls that tend to separate and divide people on account of differences in gender or background or temperament.

Envy and rivalry are the enemies of communion. If you feel envious of someone, that drives you away from them, not toward them. Envy compares yourself to them and notes the differences, the other’s perceived advantages, not what draws you together or you have in common.

Billy Graham once said, “Envy can ruin reputations, split churches, and cause murders. Envy can shrink our circle of friends, ruin our business, and dwarf our souls...I have seen hundreds cursed by it.” 

Erwin Lutzer notes, “Envy is rebellion against God’s leading in the lives of His children. It’s saying that God has no right to bless someone else more than you.”

There’s a danger of the world’s competitive spirit filtering into even the hearts of Christian workers – pastors and preachers and writers – who become envious of another’s success. Gordon MacDonald writes about this. Citing a passage from Henri Nouwen, he describes an actor who noticed the terrible hypocrisy of his compatriots during a particular play in which he had a role. While rehearsing the most moving scenes of love, tenderness, and intimacy, the actors were so jealous of each other and so apprehensive about their chances of ‘making it’ that the backstage scene was one of hatred, harshness, and mutual suspicion. Those who kissed each other on the stage were tempted to hit each other behind it, and those who displayed such love before an audience felt nothing but hostile rivalry as soon as the footlights were dimmed.

Today we begin a several-week series looking at Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. At the outset, it seems Paul has every right to be angry, upset, and envious of others. After all, he’s stuck under house arrest in Rome, chained to a soldier night and day, while others are free to come and go. In fact some other Christians are even preaching with ulterior motives – to make things worse for Paul, or to draw a bigger following than him, as if it’s a competition. They’re in it for selfish reasons.

But instead of becoming envious, Paul is able to maintain an attitude that’s joyful and not bitter. How? He’s ever conscious of sharing in GRACE with the churches he’s planted. On this Worldwide Communion Sunday, we note he shares a deep oneness or commonality with other Christian believers. Philippians 1:5 “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...” The word translated ‘partnership’ in the original Greek is koinonia: partnership, fellowship, a commonality.

Again in v7B, “...for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” To “share with” is a single compound word with the same root as partnership / koinonia. Sharing together in God’s grace.

In this passage, grace is seen not so much as just the usual meaning of forgiveness for our sins on account of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Grace goes beyond redemption to sanctification, our growth as a follower of Jesus, and can be unpacked in five ways: joy, strength, affection, purpose, and fruitfulness.

JOY DESPITE CHAINS

It seems Paul can’t mention ‘joy’ often enough in this letter! Even though he’s stuck under house arrest, he refers to joy in some form 15X in his letter, at least twice in each chapter.

Here we find it in 3 places. Vv4f “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...” The Philippian church has once again sent their missionary a financial gift to help meet his needs, so of course that would be encouraging.

V18B “...whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice...” Paul’s keen hope to see the message about Jesus spread is being realized, even if it’s not by him, and even if the motives of the preachers are not completely unselfish. To hear that Christ is preached gives him joy.

In v26 he mentions how being together again in future hopefully with the Philippians would cause their “joy in Christ Jesus” to “overflow” on account of him. Knowing they’re supportive of his ministry, and wanting to see him again, would help Paul to rejoice.

Paul was in house arrest, locked up, not free to move about. This past week we’ve seen COVID daily new case numbers in Ontario rise and wonder if we’re headed for another lockdown given the ‘second wave’ of infection. It’s been most of a year since it began in mid-March - six and a half months - and it can wear us down, nerves are getting frayed, people are grumpy, we just want it all to be over but that’s not likely to happen soon. Can we find joy in Jesus the way Paul did, despite confinement? Is contact with fellow believers made even more precious by the limitations on handshakes and hugging and being able to meet and worship freely together? Paul and the Philippians couldn’t get together but they used what means they could: the church sent a messenger, Epaphroditus; Paul sent a letter in return. We can still have joy from fellowship with other Christians, whatever the arrangement creatively worked out.

STRENGTH DESPITE CHALLENGE

Another aspect of grace besides joy that Paul’s revelling in is God’s STRENGTH. V6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” “He who began a good work” - that’s God He’s talking about, saving the believers. That day a “good work” began in those who put their trust in Jesus – a good work that Paul says will be carried on by the Lord to completion when Jesus returns. Your sanctification (being made holier, more like Jesus) is work, an effort that the Holy Spirit’s making in you day by day. It doesn’t stop at “once saved, always saved” – God is ever urging you on in growing more mature, more filled with the outflow of His Spirit. God’s strength is at work in you.

See also v19A, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ...” Help given by WHOM? The Holy Spirit, here interestingly connected more with the second person of the Trinity, Jesus. Paul perceives God’s strength is helping move events toward his deliverance (we think he was released from this house arrest before a final missionary tour visiting the churches). God gives His people strength, in the face of challenges. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

It has been a challenging couple of weeks for students and teachers getting back to school. Many are facing new circumstances - different classes, new facilities, new modes of learning such as all online, new devices, new operating systems to catch onto – it can be quite overwhelming. There’ve been more than a few tears. There are some bloodshot eyes from staring at a screen all day. But keep trusting the Lord and He will help you through the challenge – you will even grow in your skills and your confidence.

When Paul was preaching at Philippi at first (see Acts 16), God’s power had become very evident. They cast a fortune-telling spirit out of a slave girl so she was freed of having to do that for her owners. A riot ensued and Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, and thrown into prison. That night God used a violent earthquake to bust prison doors open and the prisoner’s chains were loosed. Paul and Silas didn’t run off, but stopped the jailer from killing himself and led him and his household to become Christ-followers. So God’s power had been very evident to Paul and the people in Philippi.

AFFECTION DESPITE DISTANCE

Many miles separated Paul under arrest in Rome from the believers back at Philippi in Macedonia. But even though the distance was great, the hearts were nonetheless fonder. God puts an affection for each other in their hearts. We see here some of the most tender language in the whole Bible.

V7A “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart...” NLT “...you have a special place in my heart.” (AWW!) And v8, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” NLT “God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” (And this is a MAN talking? Yes guys, it’s all right to be genuine in expressing your affection without being afraid you’ll be criticized for being ‘mushy’!) Say it now, say it often, before it’s too late and you wish you’d said it more.

Paul is careful to point out it’s “the affection of Christ Jesus” not just plain human emotion. Affectionate feelings can be God-given, godly, and with sanctified motivation – if they’re good and appropriate.

This past week the death toll due to coronavirus in the United States passed a grim milestone, the 200,000 mark. COVID-19 can be a deadly disease, and any proven vaccine is still a ways off (though advances are being made). This whole pandemic challenges our Western confidence in our own invulnerability bolstered by wealth and hospitals and medicine and pharmaceuticals. Life suddenly seems fragile again, something we need to take pains to protect, we find ourselves deciding whether or not to go somewhere, evaluating the risk. Can the pandemic persuade us to be more affectionate, more expressive toward those we love? Can it prompt families to be more intentional about spending time together, turning off the screens and enjoying some healthy fun bonding activities together? Yes our gatherings in society need to be physically distanced – for now; but that doesn’t need to mean affection cannot be expressed, intentionally, verbally. Do those you care about truly know how much they mean to you? Tell them; show them.

PURPOSE DESPITE UPHEAVAL

It must have seemed to Paul his ministry plans to take the Gospel message far and wide had been suddenly put on hold, being in the ‘lockdown’ of house arrest. But he is nonplussed: his sense of purpose comes through loud and clear despite the unexpected change in circumstances. Instead of audiences in the marketplaces, Paul realized he had a captive audience in the soldiers rotating watch on him, and as he notes in 1:12f - “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Paul was in chains, but God’s word was not! Paul’s purposes were still finding an outlet in whoever happened to be next to him.

For many in our society, living for comfort and pleasure would sum up their purpose in life, their chief goal. But as we read through this chapter we find several clues as to Paul’s main purpose in life. For example, v 11 talks about “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ— to the glory and praise of God.” For a Christian, we want to live in a way that brings God praise and glory, makes God ‘look good’ / attractive to those around us.

V13 “...I am in chains for Christ.” Paul wasn’t just locked up: he was locked up for a reason – not on account of any crime, but on account of broadcasting the Good News about Jesus. He saw his own afflictions as an extension of Christ’s afflictions (see Col 1:24).

While he’s in custody, various people are preaching

the Gospel: some out of pure motives, others out of selfish motives or to undermine Paul. He could have gotten really upset at this! But what helps Paul keep his cool, despite other’s attacks? V18 “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” What’s most important for Paul? His reputation? Getting out of jail? Having his accusers silenced? No, the ‘important thing’ is that, from whatever motives, Christ is preached. Jesus is his reason for being.

Again, in v20: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Exalting Christ, magnifying Him, making Him great - “mega”. And that’s even an awesome thought - sheer grace - that we can conceive of Christ being exalted ‘in my body’, by the way I conduct myself, bear up, serve God and others. For Paul it’s going to happen whether he lives or dies – which way is (in some respects) irrelevant.

V21 sums it up: 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” See how believing in Jesus shapes the purpose of Paul’s whole life? “To live is Christ” – that’s Who he’s living for. To die would be even better, for then he would - V23 - “depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (literally, ‘very much better’, the highest superlative).

Paul’s reason for living was all wrapped up in Jesus’ death and resurrection for him and Jesus’ call upon Paul’s life. This provided Paul with a sense of purpose that gave meaning to his existence even in the worst suffering. Paul was writing to those in Philippi, a Roman colony where much of the population consisted of retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity. Canada’s population is seeing a ‘squaring of the triangle’ where relatively more people are retired compared to the youngest segment. But for some retirees, life revolves around going to the coffee shop, buying lottery tickets, spending an afternoon on the golf course, and watching sports or a show in the evening. We’re just idling time away until we die, if that’s our daily pattern! There’s got to be more to life than that. Find your purpose in living through Jesus, who gave His life to save you for Himself and His Kingdom enterprise.

FRUITFULNESS DESPITE SELFISH TENDENCIES

Last, Paul experienced God’s grace at work in his life making him FRUITFUL. Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi in v11 is that they may be 1:11 “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ— to the glory and praise of God.” NLT “filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ...” What’s the ‘fruit of righteousness’ look like? Back up to v10: part of it is to “be pure and blameless”.

One of my heroes in defending the faith through apologetics was Ravi Zacharias, who died not long ago. But then this past week allegations have come forward from 3 women who worked at a spa in which he was part owner regarding unwanted touching and advances and other immoral behaviour. If true, these allegations are so disappointing... It’s a fight for even the most well-known Christian leaders to stay ‘pure and blameless’. Be on guard, the devil prowls and would love to eat you for lunch! (1Peter 5:8)

So there’s the fruit of righteousness - righteous character that Jesus produces in us, with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22f). Another form of fruitfulness is found in v22: “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.” Paul’s commissioned field of labour was spreading the gospel, caring for the churches he planted, training up evangelists and pastors and elders to carry on after he was gone. And he is very conscious of the Philippians’ partnership in this ‘fruitful labour’: v5 “your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”. Paul is glad that this work is going ahead even if he’s sidelined temporarily through house arrest; v14 “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Speaking God’s word is going to take more courage for us as society increasingly chafes at the boundaries set forth by the Christian worldview – although those very boundaries are meant by the Lord for our own protection in our relationships and in future judgment of sin.

And in v16, Paul sees himself “put here for the defense of the gospel”. That’s now his life-work; and it resulted not just in churches being planted, but here we are reading about it and being edified by him today, through Scripture, this sacred deposit of God’s truth guarded and transmitted down through the centuries.

One more aspect of fruitfulness is found in v9: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight...” NLT “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.” The verb is abounding, literally ‘overflowing’ – does that describe how much love is issuing forth from our lives? Robertson’s Word Pictures renders it, “may keep on flowing, a perpetual flood of love.” 

That’s GOT to be grace, the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, because in our original sin-fallen self-preoccupied evil-infected state it would never happen! But let God turn on the tap of His love in your life, and let it spread to others. When you don’t feel loving, repent, yield it to Him, wait for Him to flood your heart. Be praying who the ‘neighbour’ is, the person near you, that He wants to touch through you with “the affection of Christ Jesus” (v8).

COMMUNION: FLOWING FROM THE CROSS

As we prepare now to take communion (even if it’s a bit strange not being able to physically pass the trays and so on), we are reminded how we are partners in grace, sharing together in the richness of love that Jesus has for us – God’s love demonstrated through the cross. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

This is a sharing in grace that ought to be happening on the horizontal level as well as vertically. We see this deep bond between Paul and the church he’s writing to that has been supporting him so faithfully by their gifts. People’s New Testament comments, “The Philippians sympathized with him, prayed for him, and sustained him by their offerings, thus becoming partakers.” The apostle could tell they were one in supporting his missionary endeavours.

The bread and cup in communion are symbols pointing us to a greater reality, the cross of Jesus, where He poured out His life to bring us to Himself, to purchase us for a loving and holy Heavenly Father. Remembering His sacrifice helps encourage us in difficult circumstances, and gives us grace to forgive and bear with other people even when they disappoint us or hurt us.

A man in Dundee, Scotland, was confined to bed for forty years, having broken his neck in a fall at age 15. But his spirit remained unbroken, and his cheer and courage so inspired people that he enjoyed a constant stream of guests. One day a visitor asked him, “Doesn’t Satan ever tempt you to doubt God?”

The man replied, “Oh, yes, he does try to tempt me. I lie here and see my old schoolmates driving along in their carriages and Satan whispers, ‘If God is so good, why does He keep you here all these years? Why did He permit your neck to be broken?’”

The guest asked, “What do you do when Satan whispers those things?”

The invalid replied, “Ah, I take him to Calvary, show him Christ, and point to those deep wounds, and say, ‘You see, he does love me.’ And Satan has no answer to that: he flees every time.” Let’s pray.

Precious God, thank You for beginning your good work in us, a work you are carrying on until it’s complete when Jesus returns. Thank You for your grace in both forgiving our sins and giving us purpose and fruitful labour in this life. Grant us courage to keep testifying about this wonderful grace, fill us with Your joy and strength to carry on, deepen our affection for one another as Your love overflows into our lives by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From Religious Fuss to Real Release

 The Citizen column – Oct.1, 2020

                This past Sunday, some churches across Canada joined in marking “Freedom Sunday”, an initiative of International Justice Mission (IJM). As we Canadians go about our business daily and travel freely here and there, it may seem that freedom is something we already possess, that shouldn’t have to be the focus of special services or dedicated non-profit organizations. But for many across the globe, freedom is something almost impossible to even imagine.

                The statistics are startling. Around the world today, over 40 million people are held in slavery; and of these, 1 in 4 slaves is a child. That translates to at least 10 million children trapped in slavery. In 2016, a child went missing in India every 12 minutes. And 50% of missing children have not been found.

                One form of slavery is economic bondage, or indentured servitude, in which people sell themselves (and often family members as well) in order to receive a loan – but the ensuing wages are so low that they find themselves unable to ever pay off the loan. Sometimes the loans are ridiculously small in Western terms – for example, as little as just $40 – but in local currency, the wages just never come close to covering the debt.

                A more nefarious form is slavery conducted for immoral purposes. Human trafficking generates about $150 billion a year; two-thirds of this derives from commercial sexual exploitation!

                On Freedom Sunday our church heard the story of Gowri, a woman in India whose husband sold himself and his family into slavery at a brick-making and wood-cutting facility. The owner was cruel to those who worked there. The wages were hopelessly low. Gowri at one point was tied in a cow-shed and beaten so badly she couldn’t stand up. The owner also threatened her children.

                In our individualistic culture we might say, “What’s it to me?” and carry on our way. “That’s somebody else’s problem, isn’t it? Why should I get involved?”

                For those who are Christians, God’s word prompts us to take action. Isaiah prophesied about “The Servant” God would send to bring salvation to the nation of Israel; in retrospect, we join the New Testament authors in understanding this points to Jesus, who taught brilliantly and healed sickness yet was crucified on our behalf so our sins could be forgiven. Eyewitnesses described His resurrection appearances. Still, it’s clear the “Servant’s” role was not only to impact people’s relationship to God in the sense of moral judgment. Jesus came to make it possible for us to love our neighbour as ourself: He linked that command to the greatest command, that of loving God with all one’s being.

                Isaiah prophesied that The Servant would “bring justice to the nations... In faithfulness He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.” (Is.42:1,3f) We can see that justice is a strong emphasis for the Saviour that God promised to send.

                Isaiah criticized those of his day who observed religious ceremonies such as fasting and outward abasement (lying in sackcloth and ashes) yet ignored the plight of their fellow humans. That was clearly not acceptable to the Lord. Instead, God asks, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6f)

                Not what most people understand ‘fasting’ to be! But God clearly values more highly how we treat those around us than the merely religious motions we may go through supposing He would be impressed by our ritual practices.

                Isaiah doesn’t just warn the people about the injustice meriting their attention. The prophet promises reward for those who make God’s concerns their own priority: “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”

                Thankfully for those who allow their hearts to be moved and their eyes opened to the plight of those enslaved in the world at present, we do not have to begin the battle strictly by ourselves. International Justice Mission and other justice-related organizations (Amnesty International could be another example) are already established and have proven their effectiveness in this area.

                IJM is the largest international anti-slavery organization in the world; they have rescued more than 49,000 people from oppression. IJM has trained more than 67,000 justice system officials to recognize and respond to violence since 2012, and has seen more than 1,600 convictions against slave owners, rapists and other criminals. Their goal this year for ‘Freedom Sunday’ is to raise $24,600 which would cover the cost for three different “rescue operations” – breaking the yoke of oppression. Folks cna find out more at IJM.ca/stories and donate online or sign up to receive regular prayer newsletters.

                God’s challenge and promise through Isaiah call us to take heed to the needs of those who are trapped and downcast. “...If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Is. 58:10f)

                As we begin to share what we have in response to the plight of the downtrodden and captive, may we find His supply springing up within us to meet our deepest needs!

Don’t Waste Your Pandemic

Column for North Huron "Citizen", Apr. 2 2020 issue

    We are now some 3 weeks into the restrictions and nervous uncertainty associated with COVID-19. The Johns Hopkins coronavirus map lists over three-quarters of a million confirmed cases globally, and nearly 37,000 deaths. While Canada’s death toll is still just in the dozens, this is likely to mount in the coming weeks, ‘physical distancing’ notwithstanding. There are hints of community transmission beginning to occur in nearby areas. People are understandably frightened and apprehensive about the infections that are likely to come. Amidst so much negative news, is there any good news? Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter will soon be upon us... Christians refer to Jesus as their Redeemer; is there any ‘redemptive’ aspect to this pandemic? How can we possibly see a silver lining to the cloud, the invisible shroud of dread that hangs over people these days, especially if they are older and at risk, or their health is already compromised in any way?
    The Biblical patriarch Joseph was badly abused and mistreated by his siblings, resulting in slavery in Egypt, with subsequent imprisonment. But even though he suffered greatly, he did not retaliate later in life when he became governor and had the chance; instead, he maintained the Lord had used for good what others had meant for harm. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20) Joseph was able to find redemptive value in the hardships that had befallen him.
    In 2006 John Piper, a Baptist pastor and author in Minnesota, underwent surgery for prostate cancer. As his treatment approached, Piper penned a short booklet, Don’t Waste Your Cancer, listing nearly a dozen factors he was coming to appreciate in his medical journey. Some of them could be adapted for our current situation, i.e. “Don’t Waste Your Pandemic”.
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.” We understand from the Bible that creation is in bondage to decay, groaning as a result. (Rom.8:21) Yet there is also a glorious freedom coming for those who believe. This life’s illnesses make us yearn for the better life hereafter which trust in Christ makes possible.
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.” What a sovereign God permits to occur must constitute part of His design for our growth and maturation. “...We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Rom. 5:3f) When Job lost all his possessions and his children died tragically, and then was afflicted with painful sores, in faith he was still able to accept it as coming from the Lord: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we refuse to think about death.” The statistics about potential cases, confirmed cases, and deaths continually being churned out by news media can seem overwhelming, but they can bring us face to face with a fact we’d rather avoid: the tenuousness of our own physical existence. We daresn’t take our health for granted any longer. Moses the leader of Israel was well acquainted with grief, having seen practically all of those of his generation buried in the wilderness; he observed in Psalm 90 (10ff), “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away... Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We need to appreciate that our days are ‘numbered’ rather than limitless in this life.
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we spend too much time reading about [the pandemic] and not enough time reading about God.” The continuous march of the COVID-19 sickness is enough to turn one into a news junkie, if one wasn’t before! The pandemic dominates the headlines. But sometimes, if we’re finding ourselves mesmerized by the endless reports, conjectures, and updates, it may be beneficial to turn off the news and change focus to other media, or interacting with our loved ones near us. The timeless truths of Scripture merit study and contemplation. We can choose to emulate the righteous person described in Psalm 1(2f) – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water...”
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.” In our exercise of ‘social distancing’, we may encounter loneliness and begin to slip into a depressed state. But Jesus still calls us to “Love one another.” (John 13:34) Mental health would suggest we be intentional about taking time to build relationships with others in our families, and use whatever technological means we can to stay in touch with friends and neighbours.
    “We waste our [pandemic] if we treat sin as casually as before.” The pandemic itself does not threaten our eternal destiny: it’s sin, not sickness, that makes us liable to judgment for falling short of God’s glory and standards for everyday life. These extreme circumstances ought to prompt us to heighten our vigilance against the evil desires that come from within a person and make them unclean. (Mark 7:21ff)
    Finally, “We waste our [pandemic] if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.” Jesus was very realistic about the suffering and hardship His followers ought to be expecting in everyday life. He observed, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt.6:34) He warned His disciples they would face hardship from authorities on account of their beliefs, but these circumstances would result in opportunities to point others to Him: “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you...This will result in your being witnesses to them.” (Luke 21:12f)
    The best things in life are not actually in this life at all, but in the relational peace and joy of eternal life’s knowing our loving Lord and Saviour who is working out all things according to His pleasure and wisdom, for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). A pandemic is accompanied by many inconveniences and restrictions and even physical illness or grief or death, but it does serve to remind us we need to release any ‘idols’ that have enchanted us and instead return to loving and getting right with our Holy God, to whom we are ultimately accountable, and who beckons us to place our trust totally in Him. No matter what.

(download John Piper's Don't Waste Your Cancer FREE here)

Why Believe the Bible?

The Citizen column – Feb.24, 2020

            If you were to be confined to a desert island for the rest of your life, and were allowed to take only one book with you, which book would you choose? A lengthy classic novel? An encyclopedia? Or maybe, How to Build a Sailboat?

            Had the famous itinerant preacher and founder of Methodism John Wesley been asked, we could likely guess what his answer would be. He said, “I want to know one thing, the way to heaven – how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [a man of one book].”

            The Bible has for many decades been a best seller, yet it has also been referred to as “the book we dust and trust”. David Nygren observed, “If all the neglected Bibles were dusted simultaneously, we would have a record dust storm, and the sun would go into eclipse for a whole week.”

            But why bother with the Bible at all? How do we know the Bible is true?

            I see at least five reasons to trust the Bible. First, there’s the witness of the earliest eyewitnesses, the original apostles. When a police officer’s investigating an incident, who do they want to talk to most? The eyewitnesses, those who were there and saw with their own eyes what happened.

            The Apostle Peter insists, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2Peter 1:16) Regarding prophecies of Scripture, he adds, “...Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

            Consider how the first eyewitnesses were martyred maintaining the factuality of what they proclaimed. If it were a conspiracy based on fiction, someone would have squealed! “People don’t die for what they know to be a lie.”

            Second, there’s the testimony of the church down through the ages. Documents such as the Westminster Confession (1647) and our own denomination’s articles of faith use such terms as “inspired”, “infallible”, “entirelly trustworthy”, “final authority”, “supreme source of truth for Christian belief”. (EMCC.ca)

            Besides the corporate church, I’ve been impacted by the faith of my own family members. Between the ages of 8 and 12 I received various versions of Scripture from my parents, grandparents, the Gideons, and my home church. Today I have in my possession a very old, antique family Bible dating from about 1892 which belonged to my father’s grandfather. These tomes carry special emotional attachment for me, in that they are a witness to the reverence and respect some of my own relatives had for the Bible.

            Third, there’s the evidence of archeology and scientific study. Nicky Gumbel of ALPHA fame does an excellent job in his little book Questions of Life showing how research has demonstrated the reliability of the New Testament compared to other well-accepted historic documents. There are over 5000 Greek manuscripts alone. Textual critics use these to get back to what was probably almost exactly the original version. Sir Frederick Kenyon, a leading scholar in this area, writes: “...the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established.”

            Some might object that minor variances in details bring into question the truthfulness of the accounts – such as, how many angels were actually at the empty tomb? – but criminologists would tell you such minor variances actually bolster the truthfulness of eyewitness accounts, because it shows the reports weren’t simply “copycat” accounts: a variety of viewers were involved.

            Fourth, consider the authority of Jesus Himself – what was the Master’s attitude toward Scripture? Jesus noted, “...the Scripture cannot be broken...” (Jn 10:35) and, while praying, “...Your word is truth.”  (Jn 17:17) But even more remarkable is the way Jesus relies on Scripture at crucial moments. In Matthew 4 He’s being tempted repeatedly by Satan; how does He respond? By quoting memorized Scripture. “It is written...It is also written...It is written...” (Mt 4:4,7,10)

            At key moments, when His earthly future is hanging by a thread, Jesus stakes His life upon the reliability of Scripture. In Matthew 26 He’s being arrested, yet blocks an attempt by His followers to fend off the mob with a sword. Why? “‘Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Mt 26:53f) Apparently the Son of Man had a tremendous respect for Scripture, relying on it from first to last in His earthly journey. He understood His life to be a fulfilment of Scripture, as evidenced by His quoting Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah.

            Fifth, there’s Scripture’s own self-authenticating, i.e. Scripture backs itself up. If that sounds a little circular in reasoning, it is, due to an unavoidable logical conundrum: if Scripture is God’s word (written) and ultimately authoritative, what more authoritative thing could there be to back it up? That would make that other thing more authoritative than Scripture.

            Deep conviction about the trustworthiness of the Bible comes in the reading of it, by faith, through the work of the Holy Spirit. We encounter it as God’s living word, speaking straight into our lives, kind of like the Holy Spirit standing behind us reading it aloud to us as the Author Himself. Reformation leader John Calvin wrote, “Our heavenly Father, revealing his majesty [in Scripture], lifts reverence for Scripture beyond the realm of controversy.”

            In other words, as you read it, God Himself validates His word. After all, God’s word is not like our mere human word: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Apostle Paul describes it as, “...The word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

            The Bible is the book that reads us.

            Jesus concluded His famous Sermon on the Mount with a simple story of two builders whose houses were subjected to a terrific storm of wind and rain. The foolish man’s house fell with a great crash, because it was built on the sand; but the wise man’s withstood the storm because it was built on the rock. Jesus likened the latter to the person who hears His words and puts them into practice.

            When life’s storms come upon us, the truths and promises in the Bible can give great consolation and hope. Billy Graham counseled, “Like Joseph storing up grain during the years of plenty to be used during the eyars of famine that lay ahead, may we store up the truths of God’s Word in our hearts as much as possible, so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure.”

Weathering the Seasons of Life (The Citizen column – January 23, 2020)

                A meme on social media recently stated something like, “Winter is coming. The entire thing. All at once. In one weekend.”

                By now North Huron has had a good taste of the season, with considerably subzero temperatures and enough snow to make it possible for snowmobilers to finally get their sleds on the trails. My wife and I have been able to enjoy cross-country skiing in several locations. Others will prefer to cozy up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate (insert favourite beverage here). But, how are we doing in the seasons of life? Are we weathering the storms?

                The start of my own most recent season in life – getting married and putting my house on the market – has prompted considerable downsizing and de-cluttering. Recently I emptied about four bankers’ boxes of old sermon notes and church bulletins from three decades of ministry and trundled them to the road in a wheelie bin to be recycled. Pastoral ministry is very much a ‘disposable’ profession – the best sermons are so contextually tuned they can’t easily be retooled for other occasions. Yet it leaves one wondering, “What am I accomplishing with my life? What do I have to really show for it?”

                The writer of Ecclesiastes observed, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build... a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away...” (Eccles. 3:1-3,6) As seasons in life progress, there comes a time to let go – to uproot, tear down, to throw away. Eventually the final chapter arrives when ‘it all goes back in the box’, so to speak – no one has seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul yet! How can we be sure our lives are having some sort of lasting impact that will outlast our own physical existence?

                Jesus’ Great Commandment and Great Commission imply that at the centre of our endeavours should be, not real estate or relaxation, but relationships – loving one another (Jn.13:34f) and making disciples (Mt.28:19f). Discipleship is life-on-life, it involves interacting with other persons in such a way that what’s godly and positive about us rubs off on the other person, so much that they start to resemble those same positive qualities and attitudes exhibited in us (inasmuch as we reflect Christ).

                As the end of His own earthly life drew near, Jesus observed, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (Jn. 12:23f) Christ realized that although His own life would soon be over, its purpose would be realized as the message about how He made forgiveness and entry to God’s Kingdom possible would spread all over the world. And this gospel would change vacillating fishermen into bold proclaimers of truth, challengers of hypocritical religion, and deliverers of the oppressed and exploited (e.g. fortune-telling slave girl, Acts 16:18). The Jewish authorities who attempted to muzzle Peter and John after the healing of a lame man were surprised at the effect Jesus had had upon these backwoods yokels. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) He had ‘rubbed off’ on them in a dramatic way – and the Holy Spirit was continuing to greatly transform them.

                Whatever season of life we may find ourselves in, God has a purpose for us in advancing His Kingdom – if we will embrace it. The Apostle John exhorted three different generations in his writing: “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.” (1John 2:12-13) What are the dynamics of your own life with the children you know? The youth with whom you have contact? The senior citizens who call you family, or live next door?

                When our life draws to a close, we want to be able to look back and see how the Lord has used us to help shape others’ lives positively with reference to eternity, even as we begin to lose our own hold on health, wealth, and property. The Apostle Paul was keenly aware of seasons’ advance during the phases of his itinerant life. He made a conscious effort to take others along with him on his journeys and appointed trained leaders in each place where he planted a congregation. Conscious of impending martyrdom by the hostile authorities, Paul charged Timothy his protégé to carry on the work he’d begun, then added: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2Tim. 4:6-8) Paul obviously derived satisfaction from finishing that season well – even if it was to be preempted by unnatural causes.

                One weekend, three young fellows in a certain city decided to take a bicycle trip into the countryside. Although inexperienced, they covered forty miles in three and a half hours and congratulated themselves on their good time. The next morning, as they prepared to head back to their starting point, they were met by a good friend, who had just cycled the forty-mile trip that morning and was ready to head back. He was an excellent cyclist, and with him pacing the novice cyclists back to town, they made the return trip in just two and a half hours!

                To someone you know, you may well be a ‘seasoned’ expert, having overcome with the Lord’s help various struggles you’ve had in your life. Who are you taking with you, to show them the ropes? Who do you yet need to help ‘pace’ you in your own journey? By God’s grace, may you find similar satisfaction to Paul in doing ‘life-on-life’ well.