A Purpose-Driven Life

The Word is first...

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

It is in my nature to ask questions; some are simple, some obvious, some existential. Most people I know have asked the same questions themselves such as "who am I?" and "Why am I here?" I find it interesting that God, who created us, anticipated such questions and thoughtfully provided answers for us, in advance.

Consider today's passage. It elegantly answers both those questions with a single sentence. As for "who" this passage teaches us that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." You, me, we are no mere accidents of genetic roulette. Nor are we by products of some other project. We are intentionally made by a master craftsman, made precisely as envisioned by the artist. We are God's 'piece de resistance!' That alone should suffice to give us comfort and peace. But if that's not enough, we were "created in Christ Jesus." Thus we are related to God, our human lineage notwithstanding.

Knowing that we are the intentional product of God's process of creation, we can then turn our attention to "why?" Again, this passage teaches us that we have been created to "do good works." We are not placed here and now in order to pursue our selfish passions or desires. Nor are we here to make a lot of money and accumulate a lot of inanimate objects. Neither are we here as mere decorations to be admired. We are here to 'do good works.' I read this to mean that we are to be the hands and feet of God in the world today. We are to be the skin with God inside.

As for the 'good works' we are to do, these are not some kind of incidental projects! The works we are to do have been "prepared in advance for us to do." God has set out the materials and supplies and they await our creative action. It's like on Sunday mornings when I go into the classroom, setup the tables, provide all the markers, pens, glue, glitter, scissors and paper. Then the kid's show up and at the end, there are wonderful cards, or bags, or aprons that are then given away to bring joy to another. The 'works' God has prepared for us are like that. We do them and bring joy to others. We worship and praise God, which pleases him. We grow in the image of His son which pleases him. We love on others, meeting their needs and giving of ourselves to them that they may be lifted up. We reach out and share our own joys and faith with others that they too may have that same joy and confidence and purpose. That's the 'why.'

God is sending us out into the world with an important message to deliver, one of love, joy and hope. I pray that I may be consumed with his purpose, that he will give me the strength and that I will accomplish the task before me.

Shalom,
Carl

Should I Not Be Concerned

The Word is first...

Jonah 4:1-11 (NIV)

Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Compassion

4 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”

⁵ Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. ⁶ Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. ⁷ But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. ⁸ When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”

“I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Jonah is NOT one of my favorite Bible heroes; in fact, it is hardly fair to use the term "hero" and the name "Jonah" in the same sentence. But what Jonah excels at is providing an example that helps us to more fully understand the God we serve.

One of the reasons I dislike Jonah is because he reminds me too much of myself. For instance, this passage opens with Jonah getting angry that things aren't happening the way he wanted them to. He was 'displeased and became angry.' Ding! That's me.

He prayed to the Lord and said "I told you so" to GOD. Ding! That's me.

He justified or rather, rationalized, his decision to be disobedient. Ding! That's me.

He acknowledges that God is "gracious and compassionate... slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." He has the gall to say this as he himself is "testing the limits" and of One who knows no limits. It could be argued that he is abusing Grace. Ding! That's me.

Jonah was petulant. Ding! That's me.

Jonah did his best to make himself comfortable even as he was making himself suffer. He was insufferable. Ding! Me again.

Despite his insolent behavior to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, God showed him mercy and did not smite him. God showed grace and gave him relief thus proving the accusation that He is "a gracious and compassionate God,... abounding in love... relents from sending calamity." I can almost hear God chuckling to himself about 'that poor child.' Ding! Hello!

And when Jonah failed to respond to the merciful and gracious compassion given by God, The Lord provided the appropriate motivation to get Jonah moving again. Ding!

Ultimately, Jonah was consumed with worry about him self. Though God was repeatedly showing Jonah object lessons in concern for others, all he could be concerned about was himself. Ding! I hate this guy!

End the end God makes it plainly known to Jonah what a selfish jerk he has been. While all Jonah can worry about is self, God is grieving over 120,000 Ninevites. God asks "should I not be concerned?"

What a lesson to me, to us all, about our loving and powerful God who can be concerned about one man and also about 120,000 or even 15,000,000 and still more. How then can I serve God and be consumed with my self? God is teaching me that I am to be concerned with others and specifically with the things with which He is concerned.

My prayer is that when the boat leaves for Ninevah, I'm on it. God give me the strength!

In His Grip,
Carl

A Light To The Nations

The Word is first...

" Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” And now the Lord says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength— he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”" (Isaiah 49:1-6, NIV)

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

In this passage we see an exhortation to all the people of the Earth to listen and to hear. The islands represent the Gentiles and 'distant nations' represent those people who live a great distance from God's chosen people. I believe that the 'distance' in this passage refers not only to a geographic distance but also a distance in time. Thus, I believe this passage is referring not only to the people of the time in which it was written but also to you and me today.

There is a recurring theme that is reflected in the start of today's passage, that of listening to God. I don't mean the mindless listening as we do when driving with the radio on but rather active listening, hearing, taking to heart and allowing what we have heard to shape our thoughts and actions.

The second half of the first verse identifies the speaker for our benefit; it is The Christ who was promised and called before he was ever born. Throughout scripture we see the unfolding realization of the promise of a Messiah and his name was known prior to his becoming flesh.

The passage continues (v2) with a statement of the power of Christ (the speaker) and of his word. More specifically, the power of the sword to visit destruction upon the disobedient through the final judgment of the unrepentant. And also the power of the arrow to pierce the heart; this I believe is a reference to the manner in which Christ pricks the heart of the sinner such that they come to know him as their Lord and Savior.

The speaker then identifies himself (v3) as Israel, not the nation itself but the image of what it could have become had the people of that nation remained faithful. And the purpose is revealed as that of a servant and the vessel through which God's splendor will be revealed to all. Of course, it is also true that Jesus was an Israelite and in this manner, the entire Jewish nation was His servant and it is by Christ's birth into that lineage that God displayed His splendor.

Yet, the speaker is not without eyes and cannot help but note that all his labors and his sufferings are wasted upon God's chosen people. This is a foretelling of how Christ will be ignored, marginalized and murdered by his own people. With respect to them, his efforts are indeed wasted. Yet not all is lost for there is still a reward that God provides in season and this I believe is a reference to the reconciliation of the Gentiles unto God through Christ the Son. The fact of the matter is that no matter how people responded to Christ's labor of love, his obedience to the Father is rewarded by the Father. This is an important point for the evangelical worker to remember, that though none may answer the call that he perpetuates, the reward is for obedience.

The passage continues (v5) by establishing the authority of the Lord by his power of creation and the assignment of purpose. Christ was formed in the womb as a servant for the express purpose of fulfilling God's promise to the Jews that they, and all their ancestors be reconciled to God, 'gathered to himself' as it were. The image that I get in my mind is that of a rancher. The rancher owns the herds and flocks and as they are scattered across the pastures, he sends his servant, the shepherd, to collect them all back together and to return them to the safety of the barn.

Through obedience and submission (to God) the servant (Christ) is honored in the sight of God. All the while his (Christ's) work is accomplished not by his own strength but by relying on God and His limitless strength.

Nevertheless, God knew that the Israelites would not respond and in v6, the importance of Christ's role is expanded beyond the reconciliation of the Jews but to include all the people of the Earth. Further, that his ministry should not be confined to the geographical boundaries of what we know to be the Middle East but that the word of Christ and by him the salvation offered by God should be distributed to the very ends of the Earth; everywhere and every when.

Now, as a disciple of Christ, I have been created to live a life in emulation of Him. And in this I accept the responsibility to continue His ministry and to carry His name and His love to those both near and far. Being a Gentile, I am keenly aware of the gift which has been given to me and I understand that I can multiply that gift by giving it to others. Thus, I go to Guatemala to be a light to the nations. This I do not of my own strength but in complete surrender and dependence upon God. Though I do not seek honor in the eyes of God for my obedience, I know that in season, God will reward my obedience according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

My prayer is that I will be salt on the tongues of those to whom I minister that they might thirst for the living water of Jesus. And that my actions will be a light unto those who stumble in the darkness of this world.

Shalom,
Carl

Chase and Pursuit

The Word is first...

1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

In the preceding passage Paul speaks of those who "teach false doctrine", "who think that godliness is a means to financial gain" and "people who want to get rich." He further writes that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." In this small paragraph Paul says a mouthful.

And then in today's study verse, he exhorts Timothy (and by way of extension all who seek to serve The Lord) to "flee from all this". I have a tendency to think of 'fleeing' as a one-time, escape the current temptation type of statement. But in studying this passage, it seems to me that it indicates a more continual and ongoing avoidance or shunning. I believe however that this is just a figurative instruction and the real admonition is to "not get involved in any way." This is sound instruction and needs to be heard and practiced by many in our culture. The line forms behind me.

I say that because the chasing of worldly gain and success is something that I've engaged in for most of my life and even now, in my new life in Christ, I struggle against this ingrained habit. Because of this, I must confront myself in the areas of worry, anxiety, doubt, faithlessness, greed and stewardship. Far better that I could live out this instruction from Paul and just put all this away from me. The chasing of worldly financial success (or more likely excess) is an exercise in capturing the wind.

By way of contrast to this 'negative' exhortation with respect of what to avoid, Paul provides 'positive' teaching or more explicitly lists those things that are to be pursued. He admonishes us to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." Pursuit of these godly characteristics draw us ever closer to God and into a deep and abiding relationship with Him; this is the true goal of the disciple.

Chasing and Pursuing,
Carl

PS: Please forgive the inadequacies of this post and focus on the sufficiency of the text. The original post was lost in transit and I've tried to recreate it to the best of my ability within the time allowed.

Construction Zone

The Word is first...

Ephesians 2:22 (NIV)

²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Driving along I see a variety of important signs and markers. Of note, I see "Men At Work", "Construction Zone" and "Future Home of ". Sometimes I even see all three at the same place and time. For instance, on Union Avenue just last Sunday I saw all three signs at a work-site. Unfortunately, they were on the property were once stood Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a beautiful, old edifice which is now placarded as "Future Home of Chick-Fil-A." From church to restaurant could hardly be considered progress but certainly should be considered as a sign of the times in which we live.

Nevertheless, in our study verse today, Paul speaks of the progress in the lives of the gentiles and the gentile church. If we begin reading at v11 we can see that Paul is speaking of the work that Christ accomplished and of the work that is ongoing. In fact, we can apply the use of those same three signs (above) to this passage.

Consider "Men At Work". Prior to the arrival of Christ and the reconciliation offered through his atoning sacrifice, men worked to live up to the law. I use the term 'worked' because it was an arduous and unrelenting task that ultimately led to failure and condemnation. It is the same way today for the lives of the unrepentant. Though they may not try to assuage the requirements of God's laws, nevertheless, their success and salvation is completely dependent upon their own works. I can keenly recall the conditions that existed in my life, prior to Christ, when the only sign on me was "Men At Work". It is a poor explanation of the disaster zone from which God created a "Construction Zone."

Yet, that is exactly what happened. Once Christ arrived and achieved the reconciliation that is explained in this passage section, the sign on the church changed from "Men At Work" to "Construction Zone." This is because Christ brought along a work-crew and relieved men of the responsibility for building the church. The church was changed from a monument of a building to the ever-changing fellowship of believers. That same transition occurs in the life of the individual believer. Once repentance has been planted in the heart of the believer, the "Men At Work" signs come down and "Construction Zone" signs take their place. This is to reflect the work that The Spirit is effecting in the heart and mind of the believer.

The purpose of this construction, within both the collective church and the individual believer is to prepare a place suitable to be inhabited by Almighty God. From the church perspective, the body of believers is being built together into a single entity. United in purpose and joined together across denominations and congregations into a glorious oneness through Christ our Lord. We know that this one body is represented in scripture as 'the bride.' As such, 'she' is being prepared for the bride-groom who will soon arrive. From the perspective of the individual, the heart, mind and soul is being constantly and ever-tighter bound to The Holy Spirit and by this union, true change is effected in the life and lifestyle of the disciple. "Construction Zone' is a truly accurate depiction of the process.

The purpose of all this construction though as taught in today's verse, is to prepare a dwelling place in which God lives by his Spirit. Thus there is a natural progression from sinner to saint. From "Men At Work" to "Construction Zone" and ultimately to "Future Home of THE KING."

Though I'm tempted to pick up a hammer and join in, I think I'll just keep my hard-hat handy and watch as God accomplishes the task.

In His Grip,
Carl

Nothing Else Will Do

The Word is first...

Psalm 62:5 (NIV)

⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

As The Lord reveals himself to a sinner, the sinner's heart is spoiled to the things which once lay hold to their affection. Where once money satisfied, there is dissatisfaction. Where once sinful pursuits of carnality provided pleasure, there is profound displeasure. Any sense of pride, accomplishment and complacency is scattered as the leaves before a storm.

This is part and parcel to the realization of sin and the burden or wages of sin. It is not until the sinner recognizes their helplessness and hopeless state that The Lord may take possession of their heart. Accordingly, those things in which the sinner once found refuge or rest cease to satisfy. The hope that was built upon personal success or perceptions of control crumbles.

Once the deceitful heart has been shown its true condition and the sinful self has been poured out, The Lord pours in The Spirit and sets about overcoming every condition which vexes and perplexes. He does this not by satisfying the repentant sinner's hunger for worldly things but rather by creating a hunger for godly things. Righteousness for unrighteousness, atonement for transgression, grace, faith, hope and love. And along with the new appetite, The Lord sets out a great banquet that will satisfy that hunger. Once tasted, the banquet of The Lord's table ruins every lesser thing. Nothing else will do.

So, like David in today's passage, the rest that we most need; not the renewal of physical strength but the rejuvenation of our souls, is found in God alone. The redeemed experience a restlessness of their souls when not aligned with God's will. But when properly aligned, though their bodies grow weary and weak, their soul rests perpetually in the bosom of God and there is found peace. Knowing this, experiencing this, unleashes the hope for tomorrow which sustains us.

Let us join David in his exhortation "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."

Shalom,
Carl

Delayed Gratification

The Word is first...

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Serving the Lord and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ is not always easy. In the United States we may speak freely of Jesus and have no fear of retribution. But elsewhere in the world, that is not necessarily the case. It is sad but true that even today, 2000 years after Jesus walked the Earth, people can still be imprisoned or killed for his sake. Yet the telling of the truth must go forward just as it did in the days of Paul.

In the passage before us today (7-12), Paul speaks of the fact that on behalf of Jesus he had endured and continued to experience persecution. He then speaks of the certainty of his convictions that he will share in the victory of Jesus and of the purpose of his suffering.

In our study verse (v17) Paul teaches us to keep the right perspective on the troubles that currently vex us as we labor on behalf of Jesus Christ. Though he endured severe punishments, the likes of which we shall never endure, he refers to them as "our light and momentary troubles." This reminds us that no matter what we endure in this life, it is nothing compared to the torment of eternity in Hell. It also reminds us of the impermanence of this life and that our time here is short.

He further teaches us that any suffering we endure in the here and now are really investments with the gains to be realized at a future date. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." To me this speaks of something akin to a retirement plan. A steady investment over time yields much larger returns later.

By implication, this verse speaks of another side to this coin as well. There are many who face troubles. Some will respond as Paul and labor now for the delayed gratification that is sure to come. Yet others will give up and abandon their post which while convenient now, greatly diminishes the true rewards that come much later.

With this understanding, there are two points to bear in mind. First, we should not give up doing what is right in our labors for Christ. Secondly, though difficult to continue in faithful service now, the future rewards completely outweigh any present suffering.

We should then not only redouble our resolve to remain steadfast in our service to God but we should also reach out to and encourage one another to not give up. This reminds me of Hebrews 10:25 wherein we are taught "let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

"The Day" is indeed approaching and there is much remaining to be done. Pick up your tools and continue to push forward in your service to God. Remember that at the appropriate time, in season, you will reap a bountiful harvest in the kingdom of God.

Shalom,
Carl