Devotional on Romans 14:13-19

A video devotional on Romans 14:13-19 delivered on July 29, 2020 for Christ Our Savior Baptist Church by Geo Haines.

Devotional on Romans 12:14-21

by Tim Williamson

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

                                                                        Romans 12:14-21, ESV

In his last devotional, Pastor Geo led us through the preceding verses of this chapter in which the apostle Paul lays out for the church in Rome the marks of a genuine Christian.  Romans 12:9-13 focuses primarily on ways in which Christians are to live out the “one-anothers” within the context of the church.  And as Pastor Geo said, this is not simply a check list of things for us to do, but is more about a pattern of life that is the result of the transforming power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  

 Verses 14 through 21 continue to develop this pattern more fully within the context of the Christian Life as it relates to the broader world outside of the church.  Certainly these instructions are meant to be carried out between Christians, but the emphasis on scenarios which would generally occur outside the church (i. e., dealing with persecution or how to treat an enemy) give this passage a slightly broader applicability.  Paul uses the same “list” method to describe what the marks of a Christian look like in their interactions with the world.

 Paul provides the following positive instructions: bless those who persecute you, rejoice and weep with your neighbors, live in harmony, associate with the lowly, do what is honorable in the sight of all, live peaceably with all, and overcome the evil of your enemies by treating them well.  He contrasts these positive commands against negative ones: do not curse those who persecute you, do not be haughty, don’t be wise in your own sight, do not repay evil for evil, and do not seek vengeance for yourself.  It would be very easy to treat these commands as a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”.  However, to treat them this way misses the larger point that Paul is commending to the Romans.  Paul’s intent is for these believers to manifest the fruits of the gospel in their lives so that they will be given an audience to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors.

In this passage we see three key attitudes, or characteristics, that should mark the life of a Christian in such a way that they will be given opportunities to spread the gospel: empathy, humility, and peacemaking.  First, Paul says that Christians are to be empathetic by rejoicing and weeping with our neighbors.  In times of joy, we are able to point people to the foretaste that earthly joy gives us of the eternal joy to come when we are in Christ’s presence.  When times of sadness come, we are able to tell our neighbors about the God who promises to wipe every tear away from his people’s eyes – and in doing so he will banish sadness forever.  

Next, the apostle commands us to exercise humility.  We are to, “associate with the lowly,” and, “never be wise” in our own sight.  In the First Letter to the church in Corinth, Paul says that God has chosen the what is foolish in this world to, “shame the wise”.  By this he doesn’t mean that we should not seek to use biblical wisdom (there is an entire genre of books in the Bible that are titled “Wisdom Literature”), but rather we should reject the pride that puffs us up when we believe we have superior knowledge or understanding to our neighbors.  Instead, we are to use the knowledge of the gospel, and seek out the “lowly” with whom to share it.  We see in the Gospel accounts repeatedly that Jesus rebukes the proud and self-righteous but gives grace to those who humbly repent and trust him.  Paul encourages us to be humble, like our savior, and bring the message of God’s free mercy to those who are ready to hear it.

 Finally, we see the call to live a peaceful life in the midst of a world that is torn by chaos and strife.  It has been far too common throughout church history, even to the present day, for Christians to be identified with the use of the weapons of warfare wielded by the world.  Instead of relying upon God’s provision, we seek to make our own through greedy gain.  Instead of allowing God to exercise judgement on our behalf, we seek to seize political power to punish those we disagree with on moral or religious grounds.  Instead of bearing the insults of the world with dignity and patience, we turn our tongues, pens, and keyboards to the task of inflicting emotional and reputation damage.  These are not the marks of a people saved by grace.  Instead, we are to exemplify with our lives the peace that we have with God through Christ.  In doing so, we reject the world’s methods and create space and opportunity to point our neighbors to the Prince of Peace.

 A consistent theme through Paul’s writings is that Christians are “new creations”.  We are no longer who we were before the Holy Spirit convicted us of sin and righteousness.  This helps us put the commands of the New Testament in context. We are not called to work really hard to do all of these good things and none of these bad things.  We are called to live consistently with who we are in Christ.  We are called to “be” who we “are”.  The change has been wrought in our souls by Christ’s perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.  We have been given the Holy Spirit as our guarantee of the future promises to come.  Our nature and disposition have been changed from one of rebellion to obedient submission.  Though we are still at war with our flesh (and will be until we are glorified), we have the ability to sincerely, though not perfectly, love God and neighbor.  May our lives be marked by empathy, humility, and peace so that the world will see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Devotional on Romans 12:9-12

A devotional on Romans 12:9-12 delivered on July 15, 2020 for Christ Our Savior Baptist Church by Geo Haines.

Devotional on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

by Tim Williamson
  

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess. 1:1-10, ESV) 

My family and I have recently started reading through 1 Thessalonians as part of our regular devotions.  This is a wonderful letter that Paul sent to the church in Thessalonica to commend them and to encourage them to continue in faith, hope, and love.  Unlike other churches where he was able to spend an extended amount of time planting and teaching (e. g., Ephesus), Paul was only able to spend a few weeks with the Thessalonian believers before he was forced to flee due to the outrage of the Jewish religious leaders in the local synagogue (Acts 17:1-8).  His letters to this church reflect a desire to affirm them both in their doctrine and in their practice.

The Spiritual fruits of faith, hope, and love appear together in this text as they do in other places throughout the New Testament.  In fact, outside of 1 Corinthians 13, these virtues appear together as closely in the text only two other times – both in 1 Thessalonians (1:3, 5:8)!  Given that Paul finds it important to tell the church that he continually thanks God for the manifestations of these virtues in their lives, it is worth us giving some consideration to them and how they apply to us. 

First, Paul writes of their, “work of faith.”  By this does Paul mean that faith itself is a human work?  May it never be!  As we read in v. 4, “For we know brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”  The Thessalonians were the recipients grace by faith that had been given to them based on the free choice of God.  Instead, he is referring to the works that have been produced by the faith that the Thessalonians have received.  What works?  We read that the Thessalonians, “became imitators of [Paul, Silas, Timothy] and of the Lord,” by receiving the word of God even in the face of persecution and by turning, “to God from idols,” (v. 9).  These works were evidence that the Thessalonians had truly believed in Christ and was evidence of salvific faith.

Next, Paul commends the Thessalonians for their “labor of love”.  Compare this with Paul’s declaration in the next verse that the they were, “loved by God”.  How are we to understand this kind of love?  I believe we are meant to see two things.  First, love is a sacrificial act that requires effort on the part of the one who is “loving”.  Second, that the love that Christians are to have for one another flows from the love that God has shown us in Christ.  This kind love goes beyond the example that Christ gives us in his ministry (although we should imitate the Lord as Paul has already said!).  The love of God makes us right with him by taking away our sin, and giving us Christ’s righteousness.  Our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh that can sincerely (though not yet perfectly) love both God and neighbor in a way that pleases him.

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19, ESV)

In chapter 4, as Paul is providing additional instruction on Godly living, he tells the Thessalonians, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,” (v. 9).  May we be so taught by the Spirit that brotherly love would mark our congregation in this same way!

Finally, Paul thanks God for the Thessalonian church’s, “steadfastness of hope.”  It is their hope in Christ’s promises that causes them, “to wait for [God’s] Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (v. 10). Their hoping and their waiting are closely connected.  While waiting for the return of Christ, it is easy for us to become discouraged.  A look at our present circumstances could certainly cause us to begin to doubt the power and goodness of God.  But unlike human hope, we have a Spirit-given hope that produces steadfastness even as our faith is tested.

…for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:3-4, ESV) 

The biblical idea of steadfastness is one of unwavering perseverance in obedience and trust in the Lord.  Since our first parents fell, we are prone to unbelief.  Regardless of what God tells us in his word, or how he demonstrates his faithfulness in his providence, or in his special saving love for his people - we are doubters!  But the hope we have in Christ fights sinful doubt and replaces it with confidence.  Once again, this is not wishful thinking, but is a blessing we obtain as we receive the Holy Spirit by faith.  We have the future certainty of the return of Christ to anchor our hope.

In the Christian life faith, hope, and love are first and foremost gifts from our kind Father.  May we receive them with thankfulness, and then put them to use in building one another up as we wait for the return of Christ and the resurrection to new life!

Hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Devotional on Acts 4

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A devotional on Acts 4 by Jeff Berkhose

Devotional on Mark 15:6-16

by Tim Williamson

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  Mark 15:6 – 15 (ESV)

This portion of the narrative of Good Friday is familiar to most of us.  Jesus, an innocent man, is condemned by Pilot to be crucified due to the incessant protests of the crowds outside his palace.  These crowds had been gathered and whipped up by the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem who believed Jesus to both be guilty of blasphemy (that is, claiming to be God) and saw him as a threat to their positions of power and their attempts to justify themselves before God through their outward obedience to the law.  Pilot was a fairly shrewd man and had correctly, “perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered [Jesus] up.”  

There was a potential solution available to him.  By custom, the Roman Governor released one prisoner back to the people at Passover.  If he were able to persuade the crowds to ask for Jesus to be released, he could put this whole affair (which he regarded as a Jewish religious squabble) to bed.  The religious leaders and the crowds, however, would not be satisfied with the solution.  Instead, they demanded that a man named Barabbas be released.  We learn from the accompanying account in Luke that Barabbas was, “a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder,” (Luke 23:19, ESV).  Unable to persuade the crowds, and in fear of a riot breaking out, Pilot eventually acquiesces by releasing Barabbas and having Jesus flogged and crucified.

I was encouraged to take a fresh look at this passage this week when I read something Kevin DeYoung posted on Twitter:

If ever there were a clear picture of the gospel, surely it is with Barabbas. The guilty man--a kind of imposter son of the father (bar abba)--goes free, while the innocent man, the true Son of the Father, dies in his place (John 18:40). -@RevKevDeYoung

I had not considered what the name Barabbas would have meant to the original crowd standing outside of Pilot’s palace and to the original readers and hearers of the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life.
“imposter son”.

Jesus taught us that there are only two families with two kinds of sons in this world.  There are those who have God as their Father, and those who have the Devil as their father.  The Jewish religious leaders claimed God as their Father, but Jesus rebuked them:

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:42 – 47, (ESV)

Jesus tells them that their will is to do their father’s desires, and that those desires include murder.  Just as the Devil played his role in the murder-suicide that was Adam’s disobedience, his children would soon play their role in the murder of the Second Adam.  Likewise, Barabbas, a murderer, is the choice of these same leaders when given the opportunity to have someone spared justice from the Roman governor.  A group of “imposter sons” bargaining with the authorities to have the life of one of their own spared at the expense of the True Son.  We are meant to see this as a great injustice.  We are meant to pause and take account of what is happening.  The imposter sons of the king are about to put the true crown prince to death, and in doing so lay hold of the keys to the kingdom.  What can be done?

What could not be seen or understood by the eyewitnesses was that God was presenting an earthly picture of the heavenly reality taking place.  As these events were unfolding, God was preparing to set aside his wrath against “imposter sons” and declare them righteous, while at the same time bearing their guilt in the person of the True Son.  Barabbas is a picture God pardoning his people.  Jesus’ enemies thought they had won, but God used this very act to help bring about his salvation! 

As Peter would help the crowds at Pentecost soon understand:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:22-24 (ESV)

As God’s people it is good for us to reflect on the ways in which this episode involving Barabbas helps us think rightly about ourselves, our standing before God, and our Savior. I think there are three points (among others) worthy of consideration:

• Just as Barabbas was truly guilty of crimes against the Emperor warranting death, so too were we truly guilty of crimes against the Supreme Emperor of the universe deserving Eternal Death.  

• Just as Barabbas was unable to free himself from the chains of a Roman prison, we were unable to free ourselves from bondage to sin and death. 

• Just as it required a decree from the Governor to set Barabbas free, so too our freedom has come through the declaration of righteousness pronounced upon us by God.  

Thanks be to God that he loved rebellious “imposter sons” enough to atone for them, forgive them, and adopt them into his family to share in the glorious inheritance of his True Son! 
 
“Man of Sorrows” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Guilty vile and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement can it be
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Lifted up was He to die
“It is finished!” was His cry
Now in heaven exalted high
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

When He comes, our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah, what a Savior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm_CwCvs4Ho

Have a blessed Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday!

Devotional on 1 Peter 1:1-2, Part 1

by John Young

I was blessed by a phone call from Pastor Geo yesterday and we talked about how we are struggling in the midst of the lack of contact and the cares of this world and he mentioned in passing how we are dispersed throughout the area and my mind immediately turned to this passage:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Obviously, the thing that drew me here was the thought that Peter is writing to the elect exiles of the Dispersion. I’d like to briefly consider those three words today and then we’ll consider the remainder of the passage tomorrow. Let’s take these words in reverse:

Dispersion- Peter is writing to a people that are dispersed. They aren’t together. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament where Israel is scattered “in seven directions” (Dt 28:25), and “their outcasts are in the outermost parts of heaven” (Neh 1:9). 

We can relate to that. We are very mindful of the dispersion. While we are grateful to have this time God has given us, we are definitely aware of the reality that we are not together, God’s people are not together. Sure we may share experiences by listening to the word preached or see each other via a Zoom call or text or call, but we are not together. We truly look forward to that day when we can hug a neck and be together again face to face. But that longing is pointing us to a greater reality.

Israel wasn’t always dispersed, that same verse, Neh 1:9 says, “Though your outcasts are in the outermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen to make my name dwell there.” And this reality is further carried to fulfillment in Jesus when he comes again as he explains to his disciples in Mark 13:26-27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

That sense of connection that we have with one another is the tip of an iceberg that encompasses all the people of God and the glorious union we will have with our God when we see our Savior face to face—free from double mindedness, free from rivalry or jealousy, enabled to fully love one another in purity and humility, and delight in Him for Whom we were created. Instead of looking for ways to insufficiently slake the thirst of unity, it would do our souls good to instead allow that yearning to draw our hearts and minds heavenward and the hope there that awaits us.

Exiles- When we think of exiles, we think of punishment, a divine time out. Exile for Israel meant that they were removed from God’s land for a period of time and had the creature comforts of God’s blessing removed from them. This led Israel to the realization that things were not as they should be. But God promised that this would not always be the case.

In Ezekiel 11:16-17 God says through Ezekiel, “Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them from far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for awhile in the countries where they have gone.” Therefore, say, “Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”

Now, I am not saying that Coronavirus is punishment from the Lord. The connection I would like to make is that the Lord has done a remarkable thing for us in removing so many of these creature comforts and connection points to the earthly world. Right about now, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this world is not our home. The things we love sit empty: Disneyland is locked up; nary a sport is being played; a playground is not available; the bar is closed; you can’t even go to a store and buy a new outfit! The Lord has kicked away the crutches from our lives and we are dependent upon Him alone.

But our hope is not in things getting back to normal, but rather, our hope is found later on in that Ezekiel 11 passage in verses 19-20, when he brings us to himself, he “will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove their heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statues and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people and I will be their God.”

But what comfort do we have that we will be included in that number? That’s our final word to consider this morning…

Elect- He’s writing to the elect. The elect who owe their status to nothing but the Trinity which we see alluded to in v2: According to the foreknowledge of God the Father…in the sanctification of the Spirit…for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.

God the Father set his covenantal affection upon you before the creation of the world. Not because of anything done by you but strictly in accordance with his divine will (Eph 1:5) for his glory.

But this love goes beyond that to include the Holy Spirit in the work of sanctification. Therefore, we can never say that salvation is God’s work and sanctification is our work. No, God is working in our sanctification as well.

And it is a sanctification that comes about in our obedience to Christ which is brought about by that Holy Spirit work in accordance with that Ezekiel 11:19-20 passage above. That cleansing new heart and spirit we read about is granted by the sprinkling with the blood of Christ. 

Indeed these are all hopes that we have yet to realize in our awareness but it is a hope that can buoy us during these days of exile and dispersion. Praise God for the work of Christ.